Shuffle Pool

Shuffle Pool, manufactured by Genco in November 1953, is an electro-mechanical shuffle alley — not a pinball machine — that brought a billiards theme to the popular shuffle-bowling format of the era. Announced in Cash Box on November 21, 1953, it was designed for four players and reflects the billiards/pool craze that inspired several games of this type.

Shuffle Pool stands out for its simple yet engaging gameplay, offering 18 shots for just 10 cents. The inclusion of "3-D" colored light balls added a visually striking element to the game, creating an immersive experience, and a rebound puck return mechanism allowed players to quickly resume their game without manual intervention.

The machine's cabinet was advertised as 8 feet long and 2 feet wide, making it a prominent fixture in any bowling alley or arcade of its time. While specific details about the designer are unknown, Shuffle Pool remains an interesting piece of coin-op history, illustrating how manufacturers like Genco applied billiards themes to the shuffle alley format in the early 1950s.