Roto Pool

The Roto Pool, designed by Wayne Neyens with artwork by Roy Parker, was manufactured by Gottlieb in July 1958. By this point flippers had been a standard pinball feature for over a decade, and Roto Pool put them to use alongside a billiards theme, a departure from the sports and adventure themes common at the time.

Key gameplay features include two flippers, four pop bumpers, two slingshots, four standup targets, three roto-targets, and two bullseye targets, all working together to create a challenging and rewarding experience. Dual outlanes on both sides of the playfield add an extra layer of strategy, as players must carefully aim their shots to avoid losing their ball. The backbox light animation is particularly noteworthy, featuring miniature pool balls that light up in the backglass when playfield targets are hit.

The Roto Pool's design and artwork are quintessential examples of late-1950s Gottlieb style, and its backglass famously carries the company's slogan: "Amusement Pinballs, as American as Baseball and Hot Dogs!" With a confirmed production run of 1,800 units, Roto Pool remains a solid find for collectors interested in Gottlieb's EM-era billiards-themed output.