Inspired by the social media posts about favorite books, original art and albums that influenced the most, I am featuring one pinball machine a day that is part of my family’s collection. Today, it’s Jokerz. A poker game themed machine from 1988, from the Williams company.
I first played this game at the Pin-a-GoGo pinball show in Dixon, California, several years ago. I thought it was so fun. My daughter played it, too and liked it.
Hit the center shot and a ramp comes down, shoot up the ramp and lock a ball. Do that twice and it’s multiball. Hit other shots and collect cards for bonuses and multipliers.
The king kind of looks like Santa. Because we said we had fun playing the game, my husband Dwayne found one and brought it home. BUT it wound up being not as much fun at home. In fact, it’s kind of a mean game. Even when pinball games are the same game, they all play differently. And then, we somehow ended up with TWO of these Jokerz machines. We traded one away eventually, and the other one is at our pinball clubhouse in Garden City, called Ugly Gold Couch. Which is open to the public sometimes.
Artwork by Barry Oursler and Python Anghelo. Both are legendary pinball artists. Python’s art is always a little quirky.
Do you have pinball machines at home? Remember a game you used to play a lot, or still do? I love to talk pinball. deb@riverboise.com
~Debbie