1976 Gottlieb Card Whiz
Manufacturer : Gottlieb
Year : 1976
Players : 2
Type : Electro-mechanical
Production : 3,250 units
Status : Restored/Available
Gottlieb’s Card Whiz is a two-player electro-mechanical pinball machine released in May 1976. Designed by Ed Krynski with artwork by Gordon Morison, it features a playing-card theme inspired by poker hands and target-based scoring. As the two-player counterpart to Gottlieb’s four-player Royal Flush, Card Whiz combines classic drop-target action with strategic bonus scoring and vintage mechanical sounds.
Game Features
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Two-player electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machine
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Playing-card theme with colorful vintage artwork
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Nine-bank drop targets representing playing cards
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Three joker targets that increase drop-target scoring
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Poker-hand bonus scoring at the end of each ball
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Special replay award through the kick-out hole
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One pop bumper and two slingshots
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Three standup targets
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Kick-out eject hole
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Right outlane ball return gate
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Three-chime sound system with knocker
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Selectable three-ball or five-ball play
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Classic Gottlieb flippers and mechanical scoring reels
Overview
Card Whiz brings a poker-inspired twist to Gottlieb’s classic EM pinball lineup. Its nine-bank drop targets represent playing cards, while the three joker targets increase the value of the card targets. Completing all three jokers also lights the kick-out hole for a Special replay, giving players an additional scoring objective beyond keeping the ball in play.
The game’s bonus system rewards players for building poker hands throughout each ball. At the end of the ball, the machine scans the lowered card targets and awards points for qualifying combinations, including pairs, two pairs, three Queens, a Full House, and a Royal Flush. This system encourages players to choose their shots carefully and work toward valuable target combinations.
Designed for two players, Card Whiz offers a more compact alternative to Gottlieb’s four-player Royal Flush while retaining the card-themed gameplay and mechanical charm of the era. With its drop-target bank, traditional flippers, three-chime sounds, and replay features, it is a distinctive vintage machine for collectors and enthusiasts of electro-mechanical pinball.
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View Restoration Details Playfield (Top Side) • Fully disassembled, cleaned, waxed, and conditioned • New rubbers, lane guides, posts, bulbs, and pinball • New flipper bats • Standup switches and rollover switches polished and adjusted • Plastics cleaned and conditioned Playfield (Underside) • Complete flipper rebuilds (coils, stops, switches, links, springs) • Pop bumper assemblies rebuilt • All relays cleaned, filed, and properly adjusted • Stepper units fully disassembled, cleaned, and calibrated Cabinet & Bottom Board • New power cord and fuse holders • Bottom board fully disassembled and cleaned • Relays, step units, and score motor serviced and adjusted • Jones plugs cleaned for solid connections • Cabinet cleaned inside and out Backbox / Head • Scoring reels disassembled, cleaned, and properly adjusted • Stepper units and relays serviced • New bulbs installed Additional Work • Weak or burned coils replaced as needed • Coin door fully disassembled, cleaned, and polished with new coin entry plates • Chime box cleaned, polished, and rebuilt • Shooter assembly polished with new springs installed • Metal trim, side rails, and legs polished • New locks, bolts, and leg levelers/castors installed • New sheet of playfield glass installed • New bulbs installed throughout entire game Warranty ✔ 1-Year Warranty (local sales) ✔ One service visit included within first year (includes playfield waxing, rubber replacement if needed, and full function check)