Similar experience here, one time I actually got to the 3X with 10 more spins and not one spin was a win and old Billy never showed up again.
Ive done well one time on the game and only reached the 2X for a bonus win of $84 on a 20 cent bet.
One of those games I wish had a bonus buy because now im just chasing it and had enough of it, but bonus is and can be quite fun it looks like