3-In-A-Row

The 3-In-A-Row, manufactured by A.B.T. Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois in March 1936, is a rare example of early electro-mechanical pinball history. As a single-player payout machine from A.B.T.'s prolific 1936 lineup, it offers a glimpse into the coin-operated amusement trade of the mid-1930s, a period when manufacturers were rapidly iterating on electromechanical scoring mechanisms.

In terms of gameplay, the 3-In-A-Row is notable mainly for its name, which suggests scoring was tied to landing balls in a matching pattern of holes or targets, in keeping with the simple, single-ball payout games common to A.B.T. at the time. Detailed rules for the machine are not well documented.

Little is known about the 3-In-A-Row's design, art, or theme beyond its manufacturer and release date. Its rarity and age make it a piece of interest for collectors seeking to understand the development of pinball's formative era and the output of early manufacturers like A.B.T.