Description: Ten Pins, Williams, 12/57, two players, mechanically animated manikin bowling game, novelty version of Ten Strike (12/57). No replays for match or high scores. 10 Pins does not score like regulation bowling; Strikes are worth 30 points, spares are worth 20. In a "blow" situation, each pin is worth one point. Ball used is 1 1/4". Reissed in 1970 as Mini Bowl.

If you have this game for sale please contact me at cfh@provide.net

Williams bought the idea (and apparently the "little man" tooling) from Evan in 1955 when they went out of business (see the 1939 to 1953 Evans 10 Strike for more details). Williams updated the game to two players and to use score reels, and changed the cabinet style. Williams also made 10 Pins available in several formats including a 5 foot alley length (the most common varient), a 7 foot alley length (rare and way more realistic game play than the 5 foot version), and a 7 foot Ten Strike six player version (has a huge backbox and less than stellar graphics, because of the space needed for the additional player score reels). Of the three versions, I personally prefer the 7 foot over the 5 foot scale, as the game play is more challenging and fun. The six player version Ten Strike is probably the least popular (but most rare!) of the three versions, due to it's backbox size and much duller art.

The Williams version of Ten Strike/Ten Pins is more popular than the Evans Ten Strike, probably due to the greater availability of games and parts. Please see the Ten Strike page for more information on this series of games.

Click here for a 15 second MPG movie (1.3meg) of a 1957 Ten Strike (7 foot version) being played in one player mode. Click here for a 15 second MPG movie (1.3meg) of a 1957 Ten Strike (5 foot version) being played in one player mode.