Bank-A-Ball

Bank-A-Ball, designed by Harry Mabs with artwork by Roy Parker and manufactured by Gottlieb in May 1950, is a notable example of early flipper-era electro-mechanical (EM) pinball. Offering 5 shots for 5 cents, it had a confirmed production run of 816 units.

Bank-A-Ball's gameplay features a turret shooter mechanism, a rotating device that lets players aim balls into play - and this was the last game ever to use that feature. The machine also boasts six kick-out holes, providing various scoring saucers around the playfield, while two flippers let players control the ball's trajectory. Together these elements made for an engaging and unpredictable gameplay experience.

The billiards theme is carried by Roy Parker's artwork: according to the book Pinball 1, the man in the black jacket on the lower apron is Willie Hoppe, an American billiards champion, while the man in the white jacket is Parker himself. Its age, modest production run, and status as the final turret-shooter game give Bank-A-Ball genuine historical interest among pinball enthusiasts.