Draw the wild card — Williams’ 3 Jokers is an electromechanical single-player wrapped in a classic cards-and-gambling theme, designed by the veteran Norm Clark with art by the great Christian Marche, whose bold, stylish illustration gave so many machines of the era their unmistakable look. With reel scoring, it’s a handsome woodrail-era piece that brings the thrill of the card table to the flippers.
The layout is a lively, engaging spread with a nice mix of features: two flippers, a generous five pop bumpers, a pair of slingshots, four standup targets, a kick-out hole, a playfield spinner, and an up-post between the flippers. That center up-post gives a player a fighting chance against the drain, a genuinely welcome bit of self-preservation, while the playfield spinner offers satisfying, high-value shots for a scoring-minded player. The five pop bumpers promise a bouncy, energetic ball up top, and the four standups provide clear objectives to work through, all in service of the machine’s card-game theme.
3 Jokers is a fine example of Norm Clark’s dependable craft and Williams’ design sensibility, pairing the evergreen appeal of a gambling theme with a satisfying, spinner-and-bumper playfield. Marche’s showstopping artwork brings the card-table setting to life, and that up-post and spinner give a thoughtful player something to work with. For the collector who loves the golden age of EM pinball and the great artists who defined its look, it’s a rewarding find. Pop that up-post, ride the spinner, and work the bumpers. Sometimes the simplest games are the most satisfying, and this card-themed classic deals an enjoyable hand every time. Play your jokers and let it ride.