Introduction

Welcome back! With this installment we will mainly concentrate in determining whether or not three pictures form part of a winning line. We will also enable the facility to enter an amount of credits, and track them during gameplay.

How Does it Work?

A line is basically the row in which the matching pictures were found. It doesn't have to be a straight line, it can be any variant. If you take 5 columns with 4 pictures each, you can have many possibilities, as explained in the first installment of this series. We need to determine which pictures are next to each other. Let us start with the 'complicated' stuff first... for a change!

Finding Matches

Create the following variables inside General Declarations :

    Private LineCounter As Integer 'Count winning lines ( rows )
    Private SelLines As Integer 'How many lines were selected
    Private MainLineCounter As Integer 'Count winning MAIN Lines - which can be skew, straight, zig-zag etc.
    Private Credits As Integer 'How many credits
    Private LineBet As Integer 'How much to bet per line
    Private Bet As Integer 'Total bet
    Private strBetSummary As String 'summarise lines + bet per line
    Private LineBetCounter As Integer = 0 'Limit bet per line

Now add the following sub procedure :

    Private Sub CheckMainLines() 'Determine winning sequence for MAIN lines

        For i As Integer = 0 To 9 'loop through all images in arrImages array
            'Line 1
            '0	0	0	0	0
            If Column1(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column3(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column5(0).Image Is arrImages(i) Then 'Check if neighbouring pictures are the same
                MessageBox.Show("Line 1 Match") 'Match - More matches are possible, but that will be done in Part 3
                MainLineCounter += 1 'Increment MainLine counter - to indicate how many main lines have been struck
                'Line 2
                '1	1	1	1	1
            ElseIf Column1(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column3(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column5(1).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("Line 2 Match")
                MainLineCounter += 1
                'Line 3
                '2	2	2	2	2
            ElseIf Column1(2).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(2).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column3(2).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(2).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column5(2).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("Line 3 Match")
                MainLineCounter += 1
                'Line 4
                '3	3	3	3	3
            ElseIf Column1(3).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(3).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column3(3).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(3).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column5(3).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("Line 4 Match")
                MainLineCounter += 1
                'Line 5
                '3	2	1	2	3
            ElseIf Column1(3).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(2).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column3(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(2).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column5(3).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("Line 5 Match")
                MainLineCounter += 1
                'Line 6
                '0	1	2	1	0
            ElseIf Column1(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column3(2).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column5(0).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("Line 6 Match")
                MainLineCounter += 1
                'Line 7
                '1	0	1	0	1
            ElseIf Column1(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column3(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column5(1).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("Line 7 Match")
                MainLineCounter += 1
                'Line 8
                '2	3	2	3	2
            ElseIf Column1(2).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(3).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column3(2).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(3).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column5(2).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("Line 8 Match")
                MainLineCounter += 1
                'Line 9
                '2	1	1	1	2
            ElseIf Column1(2).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column3(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column5(2).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("Line 9 Match")
                MainLineCounter += 1

            End If
        Next

    End Sub

There are hundreds of possible matches with our screen of twenty pictures, remember that. Now, with this sub, I am checking if all the matches for one full line have been found. In other words, I check to see if the pictures displayed correspond precisely with my built in lines. How? Let us take a look at how the columns and rows are formed. The pictures are organized according to Figure 1

Figure 1 - How Pictures are organized

Obviously arrays start counting at 0, so technically our pictures start at 0 and go on to 19. The lines look as follows :

Figure 2 - How our lines are organized

As you can see, the first four Main lines are straightforward in the fact that all of them have the same index in each different PictureBox array ( Column1 - Column 5 ). From line 5 onwards, I tried to create different patterns for the lines to follow. In real Video slot games, there are many more combinations, but this is just an example of how the logic works.

This sub deals with the Main lines. I call them Main lines, because they are worth the most. A full line needs to be identified in order for the line to win. In the sub I compare the pictures with a little keyword called Is. Remember in Part 1 I declared arrImages as Image? Well, it is because of this. It makes it easier to compare pictures this way, and you get the correct result each time; instead of using pixel detection and so forth, which may give unexpected results. We will work more with the Main Lines in Part 3 again. When a match is found, I increment the MainLineCounter variable to keep track of how many lines were struck.

The next two subs use the same principle. I just take it a step further to detect all possible matches. Add the CheckCols and CheckRows subs :

    Private Sub CheckCols() 'Determine winning sequence for columns

        For i As Integer = 0 To 9 'Loop through arrImages
            If Column1(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column1(1).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column1(2).Image Is arrImages(i) Then 'Determine three matching neighbouring images
                MessageBox.Show("column 1 Match 1") 'Match - Two matches are possible
                'No Column counter yet, just concetrating on the lines Now - Completed with Part 3
            ElseIf Column1(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column1(2).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column1(3).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("column 1 Match 2")

            ElseIf Column2(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(1).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column2(2).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("column 2 Match 1")

            ElseIf Column2(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(2).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column2(3).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("column 2 Match 2")

            ElseIf Column3(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column3(1).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column3(2).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("column 3 Match 1")

            ElseIf Column3(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column3(2).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column3(3).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("column 3 Match 2")

            ElseIf Column4(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(1).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column4(2).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("column 4 Match 1")

            ElseIf Column4(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(2).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column4(3).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("column 4 Match 2")

            ElseIf Column5(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column5(1).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column5(2).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("column 5 Match 1")

            ElseIf Column5(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column5(2).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column5(3).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("column 5 Match 2")

            End If
        Next

    End Sub

    Private Sub CheckRows() 'Determine winning sequence for lines ( straight rows )
        For i As Integer = 0 To 9 'Loop arrImages

            If Column1(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And _
                Column3(0).Image Is arrImages(i) Then 'Determine similarity between neighbouring pictures
                MessageBox.Show("row 1 Match 1") 'Three matches are possible
                LineCounter += 1 ' Count each match distinctly
            ElseIf Column2(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column3(0).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column4(0).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("row 1 Match 2")
                LineCounter += 1
            ElseIf Column3(0).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(0).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column5(0).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("row 1 Match 3")
                LineCounter += 1
            ElseIf Column1(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(1).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column3(1).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("row 2 Match 1")
                LineCounter += 1
            ElseIf Column2(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column3(1).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column4(1).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("row 2 Match 2")
                LineCounter += 1
            ElseIf Column3(1).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(1).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column5(1).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("row 2 Match 3")
                LineCounter += 1
            ElseIf Column1(2).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(2).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column3(2).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("row 3 Match 1")
                LineCounter += 1
            ElseIf Column2(2).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column3(2).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column4(2).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("row 3 Match 2")
                LineCounter += 1
            ElseIf Column3(2).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(2).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column5(2).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("row 3 Match 3")
                LineCounter += 1
            ElseIf Column1(3).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column2(3).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column3(3).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("row 4 Match 1")
                LineCounter += 1
            ElseIf Column2(3).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column3(3).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column4(3).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("row 4 Match 2")
                LineCounter += 1
            ElseIf Column3(3).Image Is arrImages(i) And Column4(3).Image Is arrImages(i) _
                And Column5(3).Image Is arrImages(i) Then
                MessageBox.Show("row 4 Match 3")
                LineCounter += 1
            End If
        Next

    End Sub

We are now able to detect all matches. When a macth is found, a MessageBox will show, and the associated counter will increment. In Part 3, the MessageBoxes will be removed. Add the call to these three subs to tmrPause_Tick, which will now look like :

    Private Sub tmrPause_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles tmrPause.Tick
        ''''''''''''''''''''''
        ''Part 1
        If Col <= 5 Then
            Col += 1
            TimeCounter = 0
            tmrPause.Enabled = False
            tmrSlots.Enabled = True
        Else
            Col = 1
            TimeCounter = 0
            tmrPause.Enabled = False
            tmrSlots.Enabled = False
            picSpin.Enabled = True

            Panel5.BackColor = Color.White
            picSpin.Image = My.Resources.SPIN
            '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

            CheckMainLines() 'Determine all matches
            CheckCols()
            CheckRows()

        End If

    End Sub

Design

In order to proceed, we need to enhance our design to compensate for the betting process, line selection, and credit information. Add the following objects to your form.

Credits

Add the next small piece of code to Form_Load, above the arrImages' initialization :

        Credits = InputBox("Please enter Credits") 'Enter credits to play with
        lblCredits.Text = Credits 'Display total credits

This allows us to enter the number of credits we want to play with. usually with these types of games, we enter the amount we have, then specify the credit values, for example 0.01 will be one cent per credit and 0.1 will be 10cents per credit.

Setting the Lines

Add the next code blocks :

    Private Sub pic1Line_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles pic1Line.Click
        SelLines = 1 '1 line
        strBetSummary = SelLines.ToString & " Line(s) for " & LineBetCounter.ToString() 'Update strBetSummary
        BetInfo() 'Write this info

        pic1Line.Image = My.Resources._1_Line_s 'Change picture
    End Sub

    Private Sub pic3Lines_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles pic3Lines.Click
        SelLines = 3 '3 lines
        strBetSummary = SelLines.ToString & " Line(s) for " & LineBetCounter.ToString()
        BetInfo()
        pic3Lines.Image = My.Resources._3_Lines_s
    End Sub

    Private Sub pic5Lines_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles pic5Lines.Click
        SelLines = 5 '5 lines
        strBetSummary = SelLines.ToString & " Line(s) for " & LineBetCounter.ToString()
        BetInfo()
        pic5Lines.Image = My.Resources._5_Lines_s
    End Sub

    Private Sub pic7Lines_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles pic7Lines.Click
        SelLines = 7 '7 lines
        strBetSummary = SelLines.ToString & " Line(s) for " & LineBetCounter.ToString()
        BetInfo()
        pic7Lines.Image = My.Resources._7_Lines_s
    End Sub

    Private Sub pic9Lines_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles pic9Lines.Click
        SelLines = 9 '9 lines
        strBetSummary = SelLines.ToString & " Line(s) for " & LineBetCounter.ToString()
        BetInfo()
        pic9Lines.Image = My.Resources._9_Lines_s
    End Sub

Once a number of lines have been chosen, it will set the SelLines variable to the appropriate value, and build the strBetSummary string to be drawn with the BetInfo sub. Then, we just indicate which option was chosen. There is still some work here, but we'll polish this off in Part 3. Add the BetInfo sub :

    Private Sub BetInfo() 'Displays current bet info

        Dim brHTGSlots As Brush = Brushes.ForestGreen 'Font colour

        Dim fntHTGSlots As New Font("Comic Sans MS", 12, FontStyle.Bold) 'Font style

        Dim x_Location, y_Location As Single 'Location to write text

        x_Location = 10
        y_Location = 20

        picLineSummary.Refresh() 'Clear previous text

        picLineSummary.CreateGraphics().DrawString(strBetSummary, fntHTGSlots, brHTGSlots, _
        x_Location, _
        y_Location) 'Write info

    End Sub

The above sub simply draws how many lines were chosen, as well as how much was bet on those lines, on screen.

Finishing Off

Let us finish off the betting. Add these two procedures :

    Private Sub picLineBet_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles picLineBet.Click


        If LineBetCounter < 5 Then 'Limit bet per line to 5
            LineBetCounter += 1 'Increment on each click
            Bet = LineBetCounter * SelLines 'Calculate total bet
            lblBet.Text = Bet 'Display bet
            strBetSummary = SelLines.ToString & " Line(s) for " & LineBetCounter.ToString() 'Update strBetSummary
            BetInfo()
        Else
            LineBetCounter = 0 'Start over if more than 5

        End If
      
    End Sub

    Private Sub picMaxBet_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles picMaxBet.Click
        Bet = 100 'Maximum bet is 100
        lblBet.Text = Bet
        strBetSummary = SelLines.ToString & " Line(s) for " & Bet.ToString() 'Update info
        BetInfo()
    End Sub

This where the bet per line, and maximum bets are done. We can only bet 5 per line, whereas the maximum bet is 100 flat.

Last but not least, we need to edit the Spin button's code to compensate for the credits, and to reset all the counters properly :

    Private Sub picSpin_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles picSpin.Click

        ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
        ''Part 1
        RandGen = New Random(Now.Millisecond)

        tmrSlots.Enabled = True
        picSpin.Enabled = False
        picSpin.Image = My.Resources.SPIN2
        '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

        LineCounter = 0 'Reset to 0
        MainLineCounter = 0 'Reset to 0
		
        Credits -= Bet 'Decrement credits accodring to bet total
        lblCredits.Text = Credits 'Display balance
    End Sub

There is still a lot of polishing in this project. I do not know why I forgot to add a counter for the columns, but luckily that is done in Part 3. Figure 3 shows our program in action :

Figure 3 - Our program in action

Conclusion

Thanks for reading, I hope you have enjoyed this article. Stick around for Part 3, which will cover the winnings, as well as polishing off everything nicely - until then, cheers!