Toy Fair has always been a high-stakes crapshoot, in which companies gamble millions on attracting attention and full order books.

That trump card consists of additional features to the software that the company gambled a significant portion of its budget developing, he said.

Making matters worse, some companies have gambled that the benefit will be restored soon.

These companies are gambling that parents want a wider selection of less traditional oils and powders for their children.

The company also gambled on new comedians as the '80s decade was about to end.

The companies are gambling that new physicians will be more accepting than those doctors now in practice.

The company gambled, too, that people were willing to pay a premium for solid hardwood computer furniture; Riverside's pieces range in price from $400 to $1,500.

Mr. Pappert said some companies were gambling on high predictions for the "residual values" of its cars.

So the companies gambled that the kidnappers would blink first and decided not to offer one penny more until they began moving downward from $80 million.

The 106-year-old company best known for making cash registers is gambling that it can remake the computer market.