Pinball Pool

Name: Pinball Pool
Brand: D. Gottlieb & Co.

Updated September 2026

D. Gottlieb & Co.1979|Pinside IPDB

81/100

Fun Score · from 3 ratings

Ratings

On Location

Ranked #184 of all time · ranking score 75.1 · See the list

Game Info

"Pinball Pool," a pinball machine by Gottlieb released in June 1979, combines a classic billiards theme with engaging pinball mechanics. Designed by Ed Krynski with artwork by Gordon Morison, the game features two flippers, drop targets, and straightforward gameplay focused on scoring by hitting pool balls.

Game type: Solid State

Display type: Alphanumeric

Players: 4

MPU: Gottlieb System 1

Model: 427

Manufactured: Jan 1979

Production: 7,200 units

Tags:Pool (Billiards),1970s,Solid State

Game Info

Design Team

Design: Ed Krynski
Art: Gordon Morison

Design Team

How to Play

Community rules

Quickie Version:

Make three saucer shots, then knock down all the drop targets. Shoot a saucer again to collect bonus and reset the targets. Repeat targets and saucer bonus collect.

Go-to Flipper:

Balanced

Risk Index:

Very High

Skillshot(s):

Largely irrelevant! The top lanes are of little value, so you just want whatever area has the ball come down with the lowest chance of draining. Depending on how the balls roll through the B off the center divider or through A or C into the bumpers, vs. missing all three lanes, you won’t know what you want until you play or watch others.

Full Rules:

The game has unusual drop targets: its normal setting is for hitting a target on one side to also score and drop its counterpart on the opposite side. This can be adjusted so that you only get the targets you hit; ask ahead or watch before you play. You must finish all 15 pool balls – 14 drop targets plus the center captive ball – to light the saucers for score bonus. But make four saucer shots first to get your bonus multiplier maxed out at 5X; it goes up one level per shot. Bonus is 1K per pool ball, thus 15K for a complete rack, times your multiplier for up to 75K. Bonus resets to zero when collected but the multiplier is preserved for the rest of the ball in play. Note on bonus X: the saucer awards your bonus X increase before it awards your collect bonus if lit, so you can have the saucer at 4X and still get max bonus of 75K if you’ve completed the rack when you shoot it. That’s all plus the 5000 base value of the saucer. Side drains also score 5K and advance your bonus X (if not already at 5X) so that can be worth an extra 20K vs. a center drain with a complete rack. A-B-C just lights extra ball, usually turned off, so ignore these. Key feeds: the kickouts from the two saucers.

via Bob's Guide

Video tutorial

More guides

Pinball Primer (opens in a new tab)

How to Play

Where to Play

On the floor at 13 locations

Pinball Hall of FameLas Vegas, NV Pinball PerfectionWestview, PA Dutch Pinball MuseumRotterdam Pinball StationWarszawa Flipperclub SilverballKillwangen, AG

See all 13 in our directory

Pinball Hall of FameLas Vegas, NV Pinball PerfectionWestview, PA Dutch Pinball MuseumRotterdam Pinball StationWarszawa Flipperclub SilverballKillwangen, AG Lund Pinball Academy (LPA)Klostergården La Société du PinballQuébec, QC Retro City ArcadeEvans, GA Two Cousins PinballMarcy, NY Flipper Haus NokiaNokia

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Where to Play

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Community Photos

Flyers & Promo Media

Mentioned in

Podcasts, videos, and articles from the community that mention Pinball Pool.

Wedgehead Pinball PodcastPodcast56 min listen3mo agoMentioned in passing

Episode 122 - Die on This Hill: Cue Ball Wizard

The Classic Pinball PodcastPodcast2 hr 21 min listen3y agoMentioned in passing

#104 Allentown Pinfest 2023 - The Classic Pinball Podcast

In this episode Dave tells George all about his adventures while attending Allentown Pinfest and bringing a Gottlieb Pinball Pool for the tournament. Dave interviews Eric Stone. Dave puts up the Pinball Pool so George can play it as set up…

Pinball Pool

Game Info

Game Info

Design Team

Design Team