Software engineer and entrepreneur Anthony Singer founded
High 5 Games in 1995, bringing his years of experience in
high-value software design and marketing to the land-based
casino game design industry. Under Singer’s leadership High 5
Games, usually referred to as H5G, has developed and patented
innovative slot game features and resources. The company’s games
are used in casinos around the world and played by people from
more than 150 countries.
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- This Chinese New Year celebration has been brought to us by High 5 Games, an independent casino games provider that has entertained us with titles like Cabaret Nights and Jaguar Princess in the past. Released to mark the arrival of the Year of the Dog in February 2018, the Lucky Pug slots game oozes Asian charm.
For many years H5G concentrated its efforts on product
development and relied on partnerships with established game
manufacturers like IGT and Bally to produce, sell, and maintain
the slot machines that have borne the High 5 Name and made the
company one of the leading slot machine game developers in the
world.
The company’s inventory of hundreds of gaming titles includes
famous classic slot machine games like Black Widow, Cats, Da
Vinci Diamonds, Golden Goddess, Noah’s Ark, and Secrets of the
Forest.
High 5 Games Corporate History
While it is not practical to discuss all the details of H5G’s
history in the gaming industry, a few notable events stand out.
The company released its first video slot game, 777, in 2002. By
2005 their games were being played in more than 50 countries.
High 5 Games entered into a development partnership with IGT
in 2003, releasing their first games together in 2004; the
partnership produced many of the above-mentioned hits for
land-based and online casinos around the globe. The partnership
was renewed in 2008, the same year that Da Vinci Diamonds was
released.
H5G released its 200th game in 2009 and in 2010 IGT named
Noah’s Ark its “Online Game of the Year”. The IGT partnership
agreement expired in 2011.
In 2011 H5G began releasing games through RMG (Racecourse
Media Group) Online in New Jersey casinos and elsewhere. The RMG
European platform, launched in November 2014, has also become a
significant distribution channel powering more than ten online
casinos. The company offers games in several languages and
currencies.
2012 was a particularly significant year for High 5 Games.
The company launched its own online casino on Facebook in
September, acquiring nearly 2 million players in just a few
years. In August H5G announced an agreement with Bally
Technologies, Inc. to develop games together. But H5G also
entered into a new agreement with IGT in October of 2012 with
the intention of developing new games for IGT’s land-based and
online gaming interests.
In April 2014 High 5 Games launched The Vault, its online
gaming remote server for RMG casinos in New Jersery. The
technology has since expanded into new markets. Partners using
the service include Tropicana casino and Botemania in Spain. H5G
also began releasing mobile gaming apps in 2014 as well.
The relationship with IGT hit a snag in March 2015.
After failing to resolve a dispute over royalty payments with
IGT, High 5 Games filed a lawsuit (High 5 Games, LLC vs.
International Gaming Technology, No. 15 C 2133) against the
manufacturer in the US District Court for the Northern District
of Illinois Eastern Division. A motion to dismiss the suit was
partially granted in October 2015 by Judge Elaine E. Bucklo,
citing precedents in US law governing use and application of
trademarks and contractual clauses, but some parts of the suit
were allowed to go forward.
Meanwhile, High 5 Games has added new partnerships with
companies like Carnival Corporation for their cruise ships and
Inspired for their remote gaming service Virgo.
In April 2015 H5G opened a new corporate headquarters at 1
World Trade Center.
Games Designed by High 5 Games
H5G has developed more than 300 games to date, with nearly
200 of them available on mobile, social, and online platforms.
Their games have introduced new features to slots players
including tumbling reels, split symbols, stacked wild symbols
and super stacked symbols, and a streamlined online game control
interface that is elegant and easy to use.
Here is a brief selection of the High 5 Game titles that
slots enthusiasts around the world have enjoyed for years.
A Night of Mystery
Players investigate a murder mystery through an innovative
pick bonus feature game. The basic slot game features advanced
video animations and colorful cartoon characters in an
enchanting blend of mystery novel, movie, and game traditions.
Brazilia
Players win big prizes while admiring the beauty of Brazil’s
people and fun culture.
Crystal Kingdom
In the genre of fantasy slots games, Crystal Kingdom
reinvents old fairy tales about snow queens, handsome princes,
and wandering polar bears.
Dangerous Beauty
Another fantasy slots game, Dangerous Beauty features a team
of beautiful Asian princesses and woman warriors who fight to
protect a kingdom from perilous magical cats. The stunning
graphics include in-tile animations and changing background
images.
Da Vinci Diamonds
Celebrating the genius and creativity of Leonardo Da Vinci,
this is one of H5G’s most popular slots games. Da Vinci Diamonds
introduced the innovating Tumbling Reels interface, where tiles
fall from the top of the screen and winning combinations are
removed to allow more tiles to fall down and replace them.
Hoot Loot
High 5 Games Slot Machines
One of High 5 Games’ more popular offerings, Hoot Loot is
packed with colorful cartoon characters in tribute to children’s
shows and famous short cinema animations. But the game also
brings new ideas to slots technology, including the bonus Loot
Line that is like a free slot game within a slot game. Hoo, the
owl for whom the game is named, talks to you and celebrates your
big wins with you.
Jaguar Princess
A fantasy slots game, Jaguar Princess pays tribute to
legendary jungle queens and magical cats while giving players
lots of super stacked tiles. The game makes extensive use of
High 5 Games’ in-tile animations.
Lucky Horse
Fans of horse racing and especially the Kentucky Derby will
appreciate this stunning tribute to one of the oldest sports.
The bonus game’s unique horizontal expanding Wild feature is a
must-see for anyone who loves slots and horse-racing.
Miss Universe Crowning Moment
Beauty pageants may have their critics but millions of people
tune in to enjoy them on television every year. Miss Universe
Crowning Moment makes extensive use of in-tile video and adds a
new twist to the pick bonus game. This is one of the few slot
games to update its tile inventory after release while retaining
the same name.
Moon Warriors
If you love space opera and classic adventure science fiction
novels you’ll want to play this 3-4-5-4-3 slot game that offers
720 pay lines and stunning background images of an alien world.
And it has stacked wild symbols and a retriggering Free Spins
bonus game, too.
Night of the Wolf
In this fantasy slots games were-wolves come to life through
split symbols and super stacks. The in-tile animations will make
you carefully study all the wolves you may meet in the future.
Princess of Paradise
Another fantasy slots game, Princess of Paradise brings wild
animals and the beauty of the jungle into your gaming world. The
split symbols make it easier to win prizes, too.
Queen Isabella
Columbus did not just discover a whole new world for Europe
to explore and conquer, he laid the foundation for the growth of
the massive Spanish Empire. But he could not have accomplished
anything had it not been for the independent-minded Queen
Isabella, whose determination and quick wits changed the course
of history. This slots game takes you into the intrigue-filled
imperial court where you collect crowns and enjoy fantastic
in-tile graphics.
Renoir Riches
Similar to Da Vinci Diamonds, Renoir Riches brings back
tumbling reels while celebrating the world of the Impressionist
movement of the 1800s. This historical slots game integrates
beautiful artwork with the chance to win big money.
Shadow of the Panther
Featuring super stacks and split symbols, this fantasy-themed
game became 2012’s most popular H5G game. The in-tile animations
were no doubt one more reason why players loved this game so
much.
The Amulet and the Charm
Featuring state-of-the-art in-tile visuals, super stacks, and
Scatter Bucks instant win wilds, The Amulet and the Charm is a
powerful member of High 5 Games’ fantasy slots products. Players
will enjoy this game for hours.
Empress Josephine
Napoleon’s one true love, Josephine was nonetheless unable to
bear an heir for the ill-fated Emperor of France. This game
combines the elegance of Imperial French art and architecture
with super stacks.
The Enchantment
Another fantasy slots game, The Enchantment uses the unusual
3-4-5-4-3 screen layout to provide a 720 pay line experience
combined with a re-triggering Free Spins bonus game.
Robin Hood and Marian
Celebrating the legendary love of Robin and Marian, this
fantasy slots game from High 5 Games blends great in-tile
animations with super stacks, a re-triggering Free Spins bonus
game, and a bonus prize multiplier feature.
The Vanishing Act
Celebrating the Las Vegas tradition where popular casinos
host magic shows, The Vanishing Act brings together a team of
talented escape artists and their assistants in an innovative
tribute to Harry Houdini and his successors. The in-tile videos
and super stacks make this a fun game to play.
Thundering Buffalo
Inspired by the Native American cultures that have made a
huge impact on the land-based casino industry in North America,
Thundering Buffalo is based on a real Lakota legend and teaching
about the white buffalo. The stunning in-game animations and the
haunting soundtrack will keep you playing this 3-4-5-4-3 game
for hours.
Conclusion
It’s hard to imagine playing slots either online or at a
land-based casino without coming across one of High 5 Games’
titles. The company has inspired new generations of game
developers to take slots gaming design to whole new levels,
while players have enjoyed millions of hours of fun play.
The day of the old One Armed Bandit slot machine is done.
Thanks to the thoughtful and crafty design ideas of companies
like High 5 Games, the modern slot gaming experience has become
a true form of entertainment and escape.
The company’s numerous partnerships and its own online,
social, and mobile gaming platforms also ensure that its game
designs will be enjoyed by gamblers across the globe for many
years to come. Players have come to trust the H5G logo when they
see it, and after you have played a few of their most popular
games you’ll understand why.
| Origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Double Pedro, High Five |
| Type | Trick-taking |
| Players | 2×2 or 2–6 |
| Cards | 52 |
| Deck | French |
| Play | Clockwise |
| Card rank (highest first) | A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 |
| Related games | |
| All Fours, Pitch, Pedro, Phat | |
Cinch, also known as Double Pedro or High Five, is an American trick-taking card game derived from Pitch via Pedro.[1] Developed in Denver, Colorado in the 1880s,[2] it was soon regarded as the most important member of the All Fours family but went out of fashion with the rise of Auction Bridge.[3] The game is primarily played by 4 players in fixed partnerships,[3][4] but can also be played by 2–6 individual players.[1][5]
The game uses a regular pack of 52 cards. As in Pedro, all points are awarded to the winners of the tricks containing certain cards rather than to the players who originally held them. This includes the Game point, which goes to the winner of the trump Ten. Five points each go the winner of the Right Pedro (Five of trumps) and Left Pedro (Off-Five), respectively. The game is played for, for example, 42 or 51 points,[1][5] of which up to 14 can be won in a single deal.
The name Cinch comes from a Mexican word that is applied to the practice of securing the tricks that contain a Left or Right Pedro, but it was once also common to refer to the Left Pedro as the Cinch.[1][5]
Rules[edit]
The following rules are based on Foster's Complete Hoyle of 1897 and are very similar to the modern Bicycle rules.
High 5 Games Facebook
| Rank | A | K | Q | J | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | Off-5 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 5 | 5 | — | 1 | |||||
The game is played with a standard pack of 52 cards. The cards are ranked in the usual order, Aces ranking high. As a special case, the Off-Five, i.e. the non-trump Five which is of the same color as trumps, is for all purposes considered to be a member of the trump suit ranking between the Five and Four of trumps.
Like Pitch, Cinch is a point-trick game, i.e. for winning the trick play one needs to maximize the total value of the cards won in tricks, rather than the number of tricks won. But in Cinch (and already in Pedro) the original card-points were abolished in favor of directly assigning game points to the cards. As a result of this process, only six of the fourteen trumps carry card-values, while the plain suit cards do not score at all.
The first dealer is decided by cutting.[6] The highest bidder declares trumps. After card play (assuming that the party of the highest bidder kept their contract), the party that captured more card-points in tricks scores the difference towards the set total that wins game.
The dealer shuffles the pack, and the player to the dealer's right cuts. Nine cards are dealt to each player, in batches of three.
Beginning with the eldest hand, each player gets one chance to bid for the privilege of declaring the trump suit. A bid is the number of points that the bidder's party undertakes to win in the deal, the minimum bid being 1. Each player must make a higher bid than any previous player, or pass. The highest possible bid is 14.[7]
When the highest bidder has announced the trump suit, starting with eldest hand each player in turn discards at least three cards face up. The dealer fills each player's hand up to six cards. In the four-player partnership version the dealer's own hand is filled up by robbing the pack: The dealer chooses the cards freely from the remaining stock, and if any trumps remain in the stock discards them openly.
Any scoring trumps discarded by the opponents are counted for the highest bidder's party.
The highest bidder leads to the first trick and need not lead a trump. The standard rules for card play in trick-taking games hold, with one exception: It is always allowed to trump instead of following suit. ('Follow suit or trump.') As usual, the highest card of the suit led wins each trick, unless a trump is played, in which case the highest trump played wins. The winner of a trick leads to the next trick.
Both parties count the card-points in their tricks. If the bidding party keeps the contract, i.e. wins the required number of card-points, the party that won more card-points scores the difference. Otherwise the opponents score their own result plus the value of the bid.[8]
Notes[edit]
- ^ abcdFoster 1897.
- ^Parlett 2008
- ^ abUnited States Playing Card Company.
- ^McLeod, Pedro / Cinch / 63 / 83.
- ^ abcChicago Cinch Club 1890.
- ^Aces are high for cutting as in game-play.
- ^According to the Chicago rules, if all other players pass the dealer must bid, but at a minimum bid of 1 this case appears to be purely hypothetical, and neither Foster nor Bicycle mention it.
- ^Scoring according to Foster. According to the Bicycle rules opponents score 14 points plus the gap between the bid and the bidding party's result. This is more if not all 14 points were in play.
References[edit]
- Chicago Cinch Club (1890), The Laws and Etiquette of Cinch, Chicago.
- Foster, Robert Frederick (1897), Foster's Complete Hoyle, London and New York.
- McLeod, John (ed.), 'All Fours Group', Card Games website.
- Parlett, David (2008), 'High-low-Jack family', The Penguin Book of Card Games (3rd ed.), Penguin Books, pp. 175–188, ISBN978-0-14-103787-5.
- United States Playing Card Company, 'Cinch', Game Rules.
- Snyder, Edgar C. (1890). High Five: Rules for Playing the Single, Double and Progressive Games. Omaha, NE: Chase & Eddy.