Dealer

The Dealer pinball machine, manufactured by Williams in December 1953, was designed by Harry Williams - the company's founder and one of the most influential figures in pinball history - with artwork by George Molentin. Built around a Blackjack and cards/gambling theme, it is a classic example of Williams' early-1950s electromechanical output.

Gameplay on Dealer blends mechanics and strategy. Players control two flippers to navigate the ball around a playfield that includes three pop bumpers, four passive bumpers, and two slingshots. The game's signature feature is its lit card: the lit card can be held for the next ball by pressing the green button on the front of the cabinet before shooting, adding an element of skill and planning to the game. The backglass score display is notable for its use of four dummy zeroes, giving scores an inflated, distinctive look.

Dealer's card-table theme reflects the popular culture of its time, and small quirks survive in its documentation - the instruction card states '5 balls in hole scores 1 replay' while the flyer says '5th ball in card hole scores 1 replay'. Its presence in collections today serves as a testament to Harry Williams' design legacy and to the appeal of early-1950s woodrail pinball.