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Episode 47 - A Listener Question

For Amusement Only EM and Bingo Pinball Podcast·podcast_episode·10m 34s·analyzed·Apr 27, 2015
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Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.025

TL;DR

Nick Baldridge advises on selecting, maintaining, and introducing EM bingo machines to arcade venues.

Summary

Nick Baldridge responds to a listener question about selecting and maintaining an EM bingo pinball machine for a small arcade. He covers game selection strategy for newcomers, pricing ($200-$300 typical for non-working machines on the East Coast), parts availability challenges, maintenance accessibility, and where to find community support (Ballybingos in Britain forums, Pinside, RGP). He emphasizes the importance of teaching new players bingo mechanics incrementally and notes the declining community around EM bingo games.

Key Claims

  • Non-working bingo machines on the East Coast typically cost $200-$300 depending on condition; deals as low as $50 or free are available if someone wants to get rid of one.

    high confidence · Nick Baldridge, episode 47, direct pricing guidance based on local market observation (Richmond, Virginia)

  • Many bingo machines are available on the market but most are not fully working because people are scared to work on them, unable to read schematics, or don't care.

    high confidence · Nick Baldridge, episode 47, explaining supply/demand dynamics

  • Six-card bingo machines offer faster gameplay with no moving numbers and six different bingo layouts, making them good entry points for new players.

    high confidence · Nick Baldridge, episode 47, gameplay mechanics comparison

  • Certain parts like light shields, back glasses, and coin dividers for 1970-80 games are no longer available new; wooden coin doors can be custom-made.

    high confidence · Nick Baldridge, episode 47, detailed parts availability inventory

  • The Ballybingos in Britain forum lost its backup of old postings when it was rebuilt, resulting in loss of historical technical knowledge and reduced participation from formerly active members.

    high confidence · Nick Baldridge, episode 47, explaining decline of bingo community resources

  • EM bingo machines are breaking up and being parted out because people don't want to work on them or don't understand the gameplay.

    high confidence · Nick Baldridge, episode 47, explaining why he started the podcast

  • Pinside rarely has anything positive to say about bingo games, contributing to them becoming forgotten history.

    medium confidence · Nick Baldridge, episode 47, commentary on community sentiment

  • Magic Screen and Magic Lines games are the most desirable bingo titles; Mystic Line games are very complex with only 20 holes.

    medium confidence · Nick Baldridge, episode 47, subjective preference and observation

Notable Quotes

  • “Bingos are turning into forgotten history”

    Nick Baldridge @ ~19:45 — Core motivation for the podcast; reflects sentiment about declining bingo community and interest

  • “The gameplay didn't click until I had the opportunity to put a win on the machine. And as I mentioned in a previous episode, this took multiple times over at Steve's house.”

    Nick Baldridge@ 3:32 — Personal insight into how bingo gameplay comprehension develops; advice for venue operators

  • “Most of the mechanisms and switches are in the head, which opens from the back and folds down from the front.”

    Nick Baldridge@ 1:50 — Technical guidance for maintenance accessibility

  • “For me, I like project games. I enjoy learning a new skill, and bingos are very complex EM games.”

    Nick Baldridge@ 1:56 — Reveals collector mindset and motivation for bingo restoration work

  • “One of the reasons I started this podcast is that people were breaking up the bingos because they didn't want to work on them or didn't understand the gameplay.”

    Nick Baldridge@ 7:06 — Direct statement of podcast mission and community concern

Entities

Nick BaldridgepersonSteve (listener)personSteve SmithpersonFor Amusement OnlyorganizationBallybingos in BritainorganizationPinsideorganizationRGPorganizationMagic ScreengameMagic LinesgameMystic Line

Signals

  • ?

    community_signal: Ballybingos in Britain forum experienced data loss during rebuild, resulting in loss of historical technical knowledge and reduced active membership. Nick suggests the community was fragmented and that participation did not recover to pre-loss levels.

    high · Nick states: 'When they rebuilt it, at first they didn't have a backup available of the old postings. So all my post history was gone... Not that I had posted a ton on there, just some questions. but a lot of the old tech that I had been using on there was wiped out. At that time, not a whole bunch of people rejoined that were very active on there.'

  • $

    market_signal: High availability of non-working EM bingo machines at low cost ($200-$300 typical on East Coast, with deals as low as $50 or free). Market flooded due to lack of repair interest and knowledge.

    high · Nick states: 'Due to the supply versus demand of the above, cost is typically low. For a non-working bingo on the East Coast, expect to pay about $200 to $300... The typical range is somewhere in the $200-400 for a non-working, but cosmetically decent bingo. That said, there are deals to be had. $50 for one are free if someone really wants to get rid of it.'

  • ?

    operational_signal: Teaching arcade patrons to play EM bingo requires incremental feature introduction and multiple visits; full comprehension may take time and is best facilitated through play opportunities.

    high · Nick advises: 'depending on the features you have I would suggest you introduce it as a bingo game where you have to get three four or five numbers in a row once they get that skill down slowly introduce your machines other features... Be prepared, as this may take multiple visits. Let them cool their brains off with a flipper game or arcade session and then see if they return.'

  • ?

    product_concern: Critical bingo parts permanently unavailable: light shields, back glasses, coin dividers (1970-80 games), and lamp springs. These limitations directly constrain restoration quality and long-term machine viability.

Topics

EM Bingo Game Selection for Arcade VenuesprimaryBingo Game Maintenance and RepairprimaryTeaching New Players Bingo MechanicsprimarySecondary Market Pricing for EM Bingo MachinesprimaryParts Availability and Sourcing for Bingo GamesprimaryCommunity Resources and Forums for Bingo EnthusiastssecondaryDeclining Interest in EM Bingo GamessecondaryEM Mechanical Complexity and EM Pinball Repair Skillssecondary

Sentiment

positive(0.75)— Nick is encouraging and enthusiastic about bingo games and the listener's interest. He provides practical, detailed guidance and expresses optimism about community development. However, underlying concern about declining bingo popularity and fragmented community support tempers the overall tone. Tone is patient, educational, and community-focused.

Transcript

groq_whisper · $0.032

0:00
What's that sound? It's For Amusement Only, the EM and Bingo Pinball Podcast. Welcome back to For Amusement Only. This is Nick Baldrige. For tonight's episode, I wanted to take a moment and respond to some listener feedback that I got. And the response is detailed enough that it'll take my entire episode, I believe. A couple days ago I received an email from Steve
0:31
Not Steve Smith that I've interviewed before, but a different Steve And he says, Nick, I really enjoy your podcast Thanks for taking the time to release it into the wild I like the short format as it makes it easy to listen at work You've piqued my interest in EM bingo games I have a small arcade with several arcade games and several pins Now I'm thinking of adding a bingo game, and maybe a shuffle bowler. If you were looking for one EM bingo game for your collection, and it would be played by people that have never seen a bingo game, what game would you look for?
1:05
Availability, cost, ease of maintenance, along with availability of parts and support should all be considered. Also, where do I find a bingo game in decent shape? Craigslist? eBay? Pinside? Is there a forum of people buying, selling, and supporting these devices? I have a medium level of mechanical ability, and I'm sure I could work and repair most of the basic issues that might occur on these machines, as long as I have some direction to go in. Thanks again, Nick. Steve. Well, Steve, first of all, I want to say thank you for the feedback.
1:37
As far as bingos go, here's my two cents. It sounds like you've got the arcade and solid state pin maintenance down, which is a great head start. The bingos have a lot of mechanisms and switches, but they're pretty easy to work on. Most of the mechanisms and switches are in the head, which opens from the back and folds down from the front. For me, I like project games. I enjoy learning a new skill, and bingos are very complex EM games. So what I look for is not typically a working example.
game
Nightclubgame
Campperson
Vicperson
Allentown Showevent
Futurityproduct

high · Nick lists unavailable parts: 'The light shields are not available. Be happy with what you find... Back glasses are also not available. You get what you get. Coin doors, if not wooden, are not available. If you have a 1970-80 game, the coin divider is not available... Wooden coin doors can be made, but are not available... the lamp springs are not [available].'

  • ~

    sentiment_shift: EM bingo games are facing sustained community neglect and being broken up for parts. Pinside forums rarely offer positive bingo discussion. Nick identifies this as core motivation for his podcast.

    high · Nick states: 'Bingos are turning into forgotten history... Pinside rarely has anything positive to say about the bingos, which is another reason I wanted to start the podcast... One of the reasons I started this podcast is that people were breaking up the bingos because they didn't want to work on them or didn't understand the gameplay.'

  • ?

    content_signal: Listener provided detailed positive feedback on podcast format and expressed interest in EM bingo games as a result of podcast. Nick's response indicates content is directly influencing collector and operator interest.

    high · Listener 'Steve' writes: 'I really enjoy your podcast Thanks for taking the time to release it into the wild I like the short format as it makes it easy to listen at work You've piqued my interest in EM bingo games.'

  • ?

    design_philosophy: Nick advocates for introducing bingo games to new players through complexity progression: basic three-in-a-row, then moving numbers, then advanced features like red letter and Futurity. This reflects understanding that bingo mechanics require context and skill development.

    high · Nick explains: 'First of all, introduce them to the game. depending on the features you have I would suggest you introduce it as a bingo game where you have to get three four or five numbers in a row once they get that skill down slowly introduce your machines other features moving numbers always confuse new players red letter games are also confusing at first...'

  • ?

    gameplay_signal: Six-card bingo machines enable faster player skill development by eliminating moving numbers complexity, allowing players to focus on hitting specific numbers—a transferable skill to other flipper games and bingo variants.

    medium · Nick and Vic discussion: 'If you get a six-card machine... it allows you to get much better at hitting specific numbers. This is a skill that will transfer to other flipper games or bingos.'

  • ?

    event_signal: Free Nightclub bingo machine available at Allentown Show via Camp; indicates demand for bingo games and willingness to place them in active venues.

    high · Nick announces: 'the camp in last night's episode is giving away a nightclub. which is a very fun game, at the Allentown Show. Email him at campgames at yahoo.com if you're going to be there, and you guys can talk about arranging pickup.'

  • ?

    restoration_signal: Nick prefers non-working bingo machines as restoration projects; collects machines specifically to learn repair skills and mechanical complexity. Has recently restored ticker tape mechanism and plays daily.

    high · Nick states: 'For me, I like project games. I enjoy learning a new skill, and bingos are very complex EM games. So what I look for is not typically a working example... Now that I've fixed up this ticker tape that I mentioned on the podcast, I've been playing that daily. I can put about 20 games on during my lunch break.'

    • 2:07
    For people new to bingos, what I would suggest is the following technique. First of all, introduce them to the game. depending on the features you have I would suggest you introduce it as a bingo game where you have to get three four or five numbers in a row once they get that skill down slowly introduce your machines other features moving numbers always confuse new players red letter games are also confusing at first so sometimes it gives you replays and other times it starts an entirely new game So wait for them to get the hang of each new feature a bit at a time
    2:47
    This is especially important on some of the more complex Magic Screen games that have the Futurity feature. That feature almost makes zero sense. if you don't understand the history that went into the OK game and how the Futurity game builds a better OK game. So, again, I would keep it simple at first, then over time introduce them to the other features
    3:18
    which are showing up on their back glass that they don't really have a clue about. Be prepared, as this may take multiple visits. Let them cool their brains off with a flipper game or arcade session and then see if they return. For me, the gameplay didn't click until I had the opportunity to put a win on the machine. And as I mentioned in a previous episode, this took multiple times over at Steve's house. Steve Smith here in Richmond. If you get a six-card machine, which I had never played until recently,
    3:51
    you have six different bingo layouts, no moving numbers, and six opportunities to get three, four, or five in a row. This makes for fast gameplay and a quick way to get to a winner. It also doesn't have the complexity of moving numbers. And as Vic mentioned in last night's podcast, for you, the collector, it allows you to get much better at hitting specific numbers. This is a skill that will transfer to other flipper games or bingos. The magic screen games are the most desirable. So, I kind of breezed past Steve's question here,
    4:24
    but there's not a specific title that I would say run out and get. Let me address your concerns. Number one, availability. Many bingos are available, but most are not fully working. The problem is that most people are scared of working on the machines or unable to read the schematics or just don't care. Due to this, there are many, many bingos on the market at any given time. Here in Richmond, Virginia, we have three on Craigslist right now.
    4:57
    Number two, cost. Due to the supply versus demand of the above, cost is typically low. For a non-working bingo on the East Coast, expect to pay about $200 to $300 depending on condition If it not working and really really pretty expect to pay above that but that only if it looks like it just came out of the box The typical range is somewhere in the to for a non-working, but cosmetically decent bingo.
    5:30
    That said, there are deals to be had. $50 for one are free if someone really wants to get rid of it or needs the space. For example, the camp in last night's episode is giving away a nightclub. which is a very fun game, at the Allentown Show. Email him at campgames at yahoo.com if you're going to be there, and you guys can talk about arranging pickup. Number three, ease of maintenance. As mentioned above, I find them very easy to work on,
    6:02
    but I've been working on them for a few years now. Number four, parts availability. There are a few unique parts in a bingo. Motors, of which there are three, four, and the spider portions of the stepper units. The rest are pretty much standard pieces. Coils are available, switches as well. Those are the parts needed for function. The light shields are not available. Be happy with what you find or wait for the next bingo to come along. They're typically pretty yellowed as most spent lots of years in bars.
    6:33
    Back glasses are also not available. You get what you get. Coin doors, if not wooden, are not available. If you have a 1970-80 game, the coin divider is not available if you care about such things. This is the feature where it pays the operator to a second payee compartment, separate from the main cash box. Wooden coin doors can be made, but are not available. Sometimes a new old stock, unpainted door, will come up on eBay. The side springs are available at any pinball vendor, but the lamp springs are not.
    7:06
    One of the reasons I started this podcast is that people were breaking up the bingos because they didn't want to work on them or didn't understand the gameplay. Parts are typically out there due to this trend. I like the moving numbers games, Magic Screen or Magic Lines. Mystic Line games are very complex and only have 20 holes, which makes it a bit easier to score hits. Now that I've fixed up this ticker tape that I mentioned on the podcast, I've been playing that daily.
    7:38
    I can put about 20 games on during my lunch break and lose lots of money. Number 5. I look on Craigslist. Pinside rarely has anything positive to say about the bingos, which is another reason I wanted to start the podcast Bingos are turning into forgotten history The occasional pin side thread pops up that discusses them in a positive light and some of those are pretty interesting. I believe there's one of Craigslist finds and so forth on there.
    8:09
    I don't frequent a lot of those. I do like to jump in on the tech side, and that leads us to number six. there's not a really active community anymore. The closest is the Ballybingos in Britain forums. I suggested a couple years ago starting another community as their forum got wiped out. When they rebuilt it, at first they didn't have a backup available of the old postings.
    8:40
    So all my post history was gone. Not that I had posted a ton on there, just some questions. but a lot of the old tech that I had been using on there was wiped out. At that time, not a whole bunch of people rejoined that were very active on there. There's still a few folks on there that are very knowledgeable, and it doesn't hurt to jump on there and ask your question,
    9:12
    and certainly the folks that are on there are friendly and available. I try to respond to most of the bingo-related questions on Pinside, and I would urge any questions to go there for now, or RGP, there's lots of knowledge there too, or on the Ballybingos in Britain forums. I'm hoping that a large enthusiast community develops over time. Item 7, mechanical ability. That's great, it'll serve you well. They have large circuits, but they're no more complex at the end of the day than their EM flipper counterpart. You have a coil that's supposed to be energized, and it runs through five or six switches and various relays or switch stacks on the control unit to get there.
    9:50
    Stick with it if you get one. You'll learn everything you never wanted to know about EM repair. And lastly, you're very welcome. I'm very glad to hear that you're enjoying the podcast, and it truly makes it worthwhile for me to hear this. So that's all for tonight. Thank you again for joining me. My name again is Nick Baldridge. You can reach me at 4amusementonlypodcast at gmail.com. You can listen to us online at 4amusementonly.libsyn.com.
    10:25
    And you can listen to us on iTunes, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, via RSS, or on Facebook. Thanks very much for listening, and I'll talk to you next time.