World Poker Tour
1 General Information
First Game to use S.A.M.
2 Software
2.1 Version 14 Software WPT
A known issue is present in the version 14 (USA) software but causes no issues. Once installed you will get a "technician alert" or switch error message with version 14 game code. It flags switches #1 & #2 but these switches are not used as listed in the manual and the switch matrix. Its likely a small error in the updated code.
2.2 WPT Game Specific Notes
2.2.1 MPU Board
Two problems have been reported with some early run WPT machines. One is a random game reset on some machines and the other is unlimited multiball. Stern identified a hardware issue ( bad chip) on the CPU board on some early manufactured games. This is referenced in Stern's service bulletin #163. If your WPT machine is affected Stern will swap out your CPU board.
The updated board also has an updated boot loader ROM and has better flash memory stick compatibility.
2.2.2 Drop targets
Stern service bulletin #165 gives instruction on how to add a washer to the center drop target bank if the targets fail to reset properly.
2.2.3 Ace in the Hole coil change
AITH or Ace in the hole jail bars and mini coil factory engineering change
Stern made an engineering change to the mini coil on the back side if the AITH mechanism. It still carries the same part number but the coil itself was made more powerful. If your jail bars are not dropping you likely need the stronger coil. The mini coil is listed as item #24 in the Stern manual and carries the number 28-1080. The coil number is #500-6976-01 / 27-880
The "old" coil (pre-engineering change) measures 15 ohms. The new/stronger coil measures just 5 ohms. Test your coil to make sure you have the correct one IF you have problems with the AITH bars not dropping.
The mechanism can be removed easily.
At left is the "Ace in the Hole" mechanism, shown from the side.
At left is the "Ace in the Hole" mechanism, shown from the back side.
2.2.4 Ace in the Hole "Jail Bars" won't drop
A particularly frustrating failure on World Poker Tour games is that the "Jail Bars" will cycle at power on, but refuse to drop in game play. Typically, the game displays an error message indicating that the Ace in the Hole mechanism has malfunctioned.
The root cause of this failure is not the mechanism at all. It is instead the rear of the two optos which tell the game that the ball has entered the mechanism. The two optos can be seen in the picture at left. The front opto is just outside the jail bars. The rear opto beam is broken when the ball is clearly inside the "jail".
These optos "age" and become less efficient or drift from the spec wavelength. Best practice is to replace all 4 transmitter/receiver optos at the same time. All optos (both sides) are MV8114 optos (or equivalent).
The tiny surface mount opto LEDs have a green stripe on the equivalent of the "flat side" of the LED. All optos on the transmitter board are oriented identically. The optos on the receiver board are oriented opposite of each other, with the green stripe toward the end of the board closest to each opto.
A YouTube video showing this repair, and a bit more detail for the opto boards can be found here.
3 Paperwork
Manuals, schematics, coin cards...
4 Rubber Rings
Rubber Ring Sizes goes here
5 Photos
Teardown photos go here
5.1 Game Mods
Update to the latest game code / version 14.
Removing the left orbit gate ( 2 screws / easy ) allows the ball to make complete left and right flipper orbit shots around the playfiled. It makes the game flow a LOT nicer. Also disabling the left post except for "river" in the advanced features keeps the game moving fast.