Spot-A-Card
About This Machine
Spot-A-Card, designed by Wayne Neyens and manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Company in August 1960, is notable for its "Score To Beat" feature: a window on the backglass that let operators place a card showing a suggested high score, giving players a tangible target to aim for during play.
Gameplay-wise, Spot-A-Card is all about card-themed action, with six standup targets and four kick-out holes to navigate. Two flippers and three pop bumpers add challenge, while a gobble hole awards a 200-point end-of-ball bonus as a reward for precise shooting. With 1,200 confirmed units produced under model number 170, the machine's blend of features makes it a solid example of late-1950s/early-1960s Gottlieb design.
The machine's design and art, credited to Roy Parker, are characteristic of Gottlieb's style during this period, with bold colors and playful illustrations built around a cards-and-gambling theme. Its "Score To Beat" mechanic remains its most distinctive selling point for collectors interested in the era's approach to competitive play.
Images (23)
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Cards - Gambling
- Model Number:
- 170
- Notable Features:
- Flippers (2), Pop bumpers (3), Slingshots (2), Standup targets (6), Kick-out holes (4), Gobble hole (1). The gobble hole awards 200 points as an end-of-ball bonus. Backglass has a "Score To Beat" window allowing the operator to place a card behind the backglass showing a suggested high score visible to the player.
Credits
- Designer:
- Wayne Neyens
- Artist:
- Roy Parker