Poker

The Whiz Ball Manufacturing Company's Poker pinball machine from 1932 stands as one of the earliest examples of mechanical pinball design. As a Pure Mechanical (PM) pinball, it predates the electromechanical (EM) era and showcases the simplicity and elegance of early mechanical pinball gameplay. It is a two-player game with two side-by-side playfields, letting two people compete simultaneously.

The game's defining feature is its card-based gambling mechanic: when a player shoots a ball into a hole, a real playing card pops up, echoing the poker theme that gives the machine its name. This physical card-reveal mechanism was a clever and distinctive way to bring a card-game feel to a mechanical pinball cabinet, decades before electronic scoring displays existed.

Despite being over 90 years old, the Poker machine remains an intriguing example of early pinball design, offering a glimpse into the evolution of gameplay and artistry that would come to define the genre. Little is known about its designer or any notable features beyond its card-popping mechanism and dual playfields, but its very presence on the market is a testament to the enduring allure of pinball's earliest roots.