Play the market — Williams’ Blue Chip is an electromechanical single-player wrapped in a clever stock-market theme, designed by Gordon Horlick with art by Lloyd Rognan. With reel scoring and a confirmed run of 2,150, it’s a handsome woodrail-era piece with a genuinely rewarding spinner-driven strategy and a distinctive Wall Street flavor.
The strategy is a satisfying one for the savvy investor. The core wisdom involves the spinners: the 2 and 5 targets each light a spinner, so rip those spinners for steady points, while the 1+4 or 3+6 combinations each light a double-bonus lane. Crucially, all the features carry over from ball to ball — at least in tournament play — so feel free to gamble on risky shots to light those features early, since the payoff compounds all game long. Be sure to plunge the top saucer, too, since a strong skill shot can genuinely be the difference between a good game and a great one. With two pop bumpers, eight standups, two kick-out holes, and those twin spinning targets, there’s a well-appointed field to work — though a word of caution: tilt ends the game, so nudge with care.
Blue Chip is a smartly designed Williams that packs genuine strategic depth into its stock-market package, with those carryover features and the spinner-and-double-bonus interplay rewarding a thoughtful, aggressive player. Gordon Horlick’s design gives it real texture, and the Wall Street theme is a clever, distinctive choice. For the collector who loves the golden age of EM pinball and a rewarding ruleset, it’s a worthy find. Rip those spinners, light your double-bonus lanes early, and nail that top-saucer skill shot. Some machines reward bold, informed play, and this Williams market gem is one of them. Buy low, score high, and drop a coin.