David - Where did you ever get the idea that the new machines were going to be fair as to what order they strikes came out ? I do belive since the machine doesn't stop on the next tube in the order of rotation it means there is a Random Generator deceiding which tube will drop the strike, my best guess is the electronics are like the ones used for the spinning of the wheel on the wheel of fortune machines but only IGT or maybe a good slot tech could give the answer.
I have also heard from a few casino people that IGT is thinking about making the new type machine into one that will pay out multiple strike wins like the old machines did, it seems some of the casinos are getting a lot of people asking why they can't win more than on strike at a time.
One thing for sure if one plays enough money in a machine with more than one strike design sooner or later you will get all the designs.
Walt
P.S. Here is a question somebody who has been playing the new machines might know, if one tube is empty does the machine stop woking until the empty tube is filled or does it seem to bypass the empty tube.