Big Parlay

Big Parlay, an electro-mechanical machine from February 1947, is a fascinating piece for any serious collector. Manufactured by J. H. Keeney and Company Incorporated of Chicago, it belongs to the one-ball horserace genre: gambling-style games in which a single ball determined the outcome, in this case themed around horse racing, a passion that resonated strongly with players in the late 1940s.

Keeney advertised Big Parlay as available in two versions: a one-ball payout model that dispensed winnings directly, and a free game model for territories where payouts were prohibited. A surviving playfield photograph shows a price card indicating 5 balls for 5 cents, evidence that some games were converted for use in territories requiring the skill lane.

Big Parlay's historical significance lies in its representation of Keeney's contributions to the coin machine industry, which the company served from 1934 to 1964. One-ball horserace games like this were enormously popular and profitable in their day, and surviving examples offer a window into a side of pinball history that legislation would soon push out of existence.