The "Bank-A-Ball" pinball machine, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in May 1950, is a single-player, electro-mechanical game designed by Harry Mabs, with artwork by Roy Parker.
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Quickie Version:
UTAD.
Go-to Flipper:
Balanced
Risk Index:
Very High
Skillshot(s):
Make either “lights bumper” outer lane. If you’re close to getting a replay, go instead for any number you still need.
Full Rules:
Bank-A-Ball is not designed for tournament play, instead being geared specifically towards winning free games. I include it here for reference only. Collect pool balls 1-7 or 9-15 to light the center standup target for the 8-ball and a special. Once you have 1-8, the right side lane labeled “Low” lights for a special; if you have 8-15, the left side “High” lane lights for a special. The bumpers are lit by either side lane at the top and by either return lane to the flippers. By the way, this was the first pinball machine to have the now-standard return lanes. The center stand-up 8-ball target turns the bumpers off. There’s little strategy to speak of, just flip the ball into the bumpers and nudge for the best. The only time to shoot at a stand-up target is if you need it for a replay. Gottlieb’s marketing folks made a big deal when this machine came out about the “animated backglass” where the balls scored drop down in the glass box there.
via Bob's Guide
