Machine Description

Roto Pool, released by Chicago Coin in the late 1950s, represents a fascinating hybrid between pinball and pool/billiards, showcasing the creative mechanical innovations of the electro-mechanical era. The machine's distinctive feature was its rotating playfield that allowed players to experience a unique blend of pool-themed pinball action.

The gameplay centered around a circular playfield that could rotate, simulating the positioning aspects of pool playing while maintaining classic pinball elements. Players would shoot steel balls around the rotating playfield, attempting to hit targets designed to look like pool balls and pockets. This innovative design made Roto Pool stand out in an era when manufacturers were experimenting with ways to combine different arcade games into single units.

While not as widely produced as some other machines of its era, Roto Pool has earned a special place in pinball history as one of the more creative attempts to merge two popular arcade gaming formats. Its unique rotating mechanism and pool theme influenced future designers to think beyond traditional pinball conventions, though the complexity of its mechanical systems made it somewhat challenging to maintain. Today, Roto Pool is considered a collectible piece that represents the innovative spirit of 1950s arcade gaming.