Gottlieb
High Hand Pinside Rating
This game received 29 approved Pinsider ratings and currently rates 7.816 /10
High Hand
Score breakdown
Score breakdown in the 4 main categories:
Game Design: 7.911
Artwork: 7.86
Sounds/Music: 2.585
Other Aspects: 7.86
Pinside staff rating
None of the Pinside.com staff have rated this game. Sorry, no rating from us.
Found 17 ratings (with comment) on this game
There are 17 ratings (that include a comment) on this game.
Currently showing results page 1 of 1.
List options
9.268/10
1 year ago
St. Louis, MO
16 drop targets with a pop bumper in the middle makes for a fun layout. Love the color theme, lots of red. Cool backglass with an outer space poker theme is right up my alley. People complain about it being too easy since the targets don't reset until it's game over and I agree so I keep mine on 3 ball to add some challenge. This gets more plays at my house more than some of my newer pins, simple rules and lots to shoot at keeps the 'just one more game' factor going. If you see one play it! If one's for sale buy it!
6.999/10
3 years ago
High Hand is a game that I have owned twice. I enjoy the simple play of the game, but it just didn't last for me. Wide open playfield makes it more fun.
I lean towards Captain Card (the AAB version) but have never gotten one at a decent price. High Hand is a good all around game for those getting into EMs.
I lean towards Captain Card (the AAB version) but have never gotten one at a decent price. High Hand is a good all around game for those getting into EMs.
8.654/10
4 years ago
Surrey, BC
High Hand is a shooters paradise. The angled drop target banks are positioned to allow a player to shoot for a particular target on one side, and rebound in a straight line to the other (much like a bankshot on a billiards table). Incredible feature when you consider it.
Set this one to a challenging angle, and keep it waxed and fast. Hitting all targets should be quite rare at that difficulty, and scoring specials for massive bonuses will be a real treat!
Absolutely phenomenal BG artwork.
[[edit]] I'm updating my Game rules ranking, as I have added a mod to mine which resets the drops on max bonus collect, and then increases the drop target scoring to 5k on the second pass. Very challenging. LOVE IT!
Set this one to a challenging angle, and keep it waxed and fast. Hitting all targets should be quite rare at that difficulty, and scoring specials for massive bonuses will be a real treat!
Absolutely phenomenal BG artwork.
[[edit]] I'm updating my Game rules ranking, as I have added a mod to mine which resets the drops on max bonus collect, and then increases the drop target scoring to 5k on the second pass. Very challenging. LOVE IT!
7.674/10
5 years ago
Looks can be deceiving. On 5 Balls, getting all 16 drop targets down is not a sure thing. A bounce the wrong way and this game can be a drain monster. There is no Extra Ball Feature, so to roll the game in 5 balls, requires hitting that Bonus Collect Saucer many times.
This Sci-Fi Card themed pin makes a great companion game. Just wouldn't want it as your only pin. For a first pin to purchase its fairly simple to maintain and work on.
This Sci-Fi Card themed pin makes a great companion game. Just wouldn't want it as your only pin. For a first pin to purchase its fairly simple to maintain and work on.
8.338/10
8 years ago
Tough old game. I remember putting a lot of quarters into this one. It wasn't easy to get all those targets or reach that kicker hole.
I'm restoring one with my son right now. He likes the excellent back glass (great pop art).
Psychedelic poker?...why not! Good 70'S Gottlieb wedge head.
I'm restoring one with my son right now. He likes the excellent back glass (great pop art).
Psychedelic poker?...why not! Good 70'S Gottlieb wedge head.
8.905/10
8 years ago
Coolangatta
This is one of the best and most challenging em pinball machines. People go on and on about the targets not resetting...I like it the way it is as most of the time you don't get them all in a game and if you do, the challenge of getting the bonus hole is enough for me. I love the sound of the chimes when you get all the targets and the four lots of bonuses score. These machines were really popular when they were on site 'back in the day' and made good money for the operators...one of whom recently bought my machine off me because he remembered it so fondly. It will be missed.
8.280/10
8 years ago
It feels like yesterday i was playing this game on location back in 1973. Here's a game that requires a EM wedgehead player to use all of his skill and experience to beat it good.Knocking down all four drop target banks isn't so hard to do. A player must know the shot from the ball shooter rod into both center top arch rollovers to get a good chance at knocking down the red Jack of diamonds or the black Ace of spades which are the harder drop targets to knock down,which in turn gives a player a chance at knocking down the other diamond/spade top arch drop targets with the pop bumper action.I like the playfield artwork with the four suits of cards in a circle directly in view of the player and looks real nice when they are all lit up.Attractive black and red colored drop targets with sparkling gold colored lettering really brings out the eye catching vibrant colors of the playfield too. The cabinet with the red/black spade,diamond,club and heart symbols stand out nicely on the white base coat with the webbing design flowing throughout.Making the kick out hole for SPECIAL or points can be made many different ways and not just with a flipper shot, but requires a skilled EM wedgehead player with many games under his belt to accomplish getting the ball in that kick out hole.There are those not so friendly side out Special rollover lanes that a player has to beware of, if not can cause some sour low scoring games without much ball play.The High Hand in my collection has been converted to play like a ADD A BALL game. The backbox credit wheel which has an added switch to the wiring and the ball count unit is rewired differently too will count free balls on the credit wheel instead of replays. Yes, that's right a player is awarded free balls(up to 15 free balls)through the credit wheel instead of a replay. I have had some thrilling, long lasting, great playing games having my High Hand play like an ADD A BALL reaching a high score of over 400,00 points and countless free balls which isn't easy to do and only occurs once in awhile for even the better EM players. I have been thinking of converting back to its original state as a replay game but doesn't look like i will be doing so anytime soon. This is a must wedgehead for any EM pinball collector that is very good player and likes a challenging game to beat by score or SPECIAL.
7.615/10
10 years ago
I love the backglass on this table. Playfield art is serviceable, but nothing that stands out from other card themes.
The drop target placement looks deceptively simple, but getting those last one or two is where all the challenge is. The saucer in the middle is a cool idea, but it feels like you hit it more out of luck than skill. I wish the drop target banks would reset after clearing, but it's still a good time.
The drop target placement looks deceptively simple, but getting those last one or two is where all the challenge is. The saucer in the middle is a cool idea, but it feels like you hit it more out of luck than skill. I wish the drop target banks would reset after clearing, but it's still a good time.
6.535/10
11 years ago
I really wanted to like this game, but it just had too many flaws. It's got 16 drop targets, but that's about where the positives end. There are just to many places on the playfield where there is no scoring, seems very hap hazard in the way the playfield was put together, just not a cohesive design.
The bonus hole, which is so crucial to doing well in the game, is virtually unshootable, it's just more luck than anything else if you get it. Lastly, the drops don't reset, something Gottleib did on a few games, just can't figure out why??
The bonus hole, which is so crucial to doing well in the game, is virtually unshootable, it's just more luck than anything else if you get it. Lastly, the drops don't reset, something Gottleib did on a few games, just can't figure out why??
There are 17 ratings (that include a comment) on this game. Currently showing results page 1 of 1.
You too can add your own comment by rating this game! Click here to rate this game!
Over the years
Visualizing this game's rating and rank over the years
Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!
Donate to PinsideGreat to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!
