As a minor side point, here in the UK the "near miss" system has been specifically outlawed in the Gaming act coming in to force this september.

The other aspect of "near miss" is that on your last credit, assuming you lose, the win-line will have a "near miss" win displayed, (bell, bell, not-a-bell-but-only-off-by-one). This to has been made specifically illegal in the same act.