The emulation runs FAR too quickly on my PC, faster than the original machine ever did. Slow it down to a point that is 'fair', without being silly
Having said that, you could slow it down to 5 minutes per round, and you'd still lose because of the rule I mentioned a few posts above. The timer is just there to make you feel that you lost because of your error, and to frustrate you into staking more money.
Feel free to slow it down (anyone who doesn't know, go into configuration from the top menu and drop the speed to 8,000 or lower if you want)
As for Bens (I've never lost at O's and X's) I agree mate, there is a theory behind the game where if you go in specific spots when he goes in others, you can guarentee a draw from his start and a win/draw from yours, however, that bloody rule of middle square loses is annoying.
Not every pet in Pet Society is sweet and innocent....