Tricks (Junior)

Tricks (Junior), manufactured by Genco in 1936, holds a special place in the history of pinball as one of the earliest known examples of a Pure Mechanical (PM) machine. This type of game predates the use of electricity and electronic components, relying solely on mechanical mechanisms to operate. As such, Tricks (Junior) is a significant artifact for understanding the evolution of pinball from its early days.

Gameplay on Tricks (Junior) is characterized by 5-10 ball play, which was an operator option at the time. The game features eight gobble holes, where balls can be temporarily stored and released to continue play. A unique aspect of this machine is that the balls exit the playfield to fall into one of five score troughs at the bottom of the cabinet. Notably, there are no pins on the playfield, and the game operates without batteries, relying on manual operation.

The design and art of Tricks (Junior) are remarkably simple compared to later pinball machines. The cabinet's dimensions were advertised as 40 inches long by 21 inches wide, with the coin slide mounted on the front door. Interestingly, six of the eight gobble holes appear to be made from plastic, rather than the more commonly used bakelite material of the time. While there is limited information available about this machine, its mechanical design and operation make it an intriguing piece for pinball historians and enthusiasts.