I'm perhaps a little older than most on here when I started playing, machines were starting to have a Hold feature - had to wait a little while for nudges to come along .
I gave up a decade or so ago, now when I see a machine in a pub or cafe, I can't believe how simple they've become - I think the phrase Granny Magnets sums it up well (apologies to any Grannies out there).
First one I can remember playing: 2p play with 10p jackpot , which was actually a choice between 4p and 10p - you pressed a button to stop the flashing lights. There were symbols of castles and crossed swords - no idea of the name but at least 35 years old. Butlins was full of them!
Loving the machines on here... hitthesix, hyperviper and exchanges unlimited... all excellent! I'm surfing on a laptop so unfortunately only the 1024 layouts are available; still, many hours of fun ahead.