Expert: Rodger Knutson - 10/8/2008

Question
My husband has a number of antique slot machines that he got from his grandfather.  I was wondering about one in particular, it is a Royal Draw, it has a Bally Manufacturing symbol on the front.  It is wooden and stands about 4 foot tall.  It is in working order.  Can you tell me anything about this i.e. year, value, etc.

Answer
Hi Karin,

It's been awhile since you asked about this machine, but Someone ask me about your Royal Draw as he read about it here, and he was wondering if you were planing to sell it sometime, anyway you can email this person at: mills400c@aim.com and talk to him if you like, and he's hoping that you will write him, maybe this will help you both.

Thank You

Sincerely
Rodger Knutson
http://www.coinslots.com

Hi Karin,

Sorry for the delay, I been moving and the computer isn't set up yet but I do have this laptop and got notice I had questions pending. So, the Bally Royal Draw, and it's brother the Bally High Hand. I have a High Hand myself. In 1940 Bally offered two look-alike, similar format machines in nickel or quarter play: Royal Draw and High Hand, the reels could be held for a better hand. you played a hand and if you didn't have a payer, 3 of a kind or better you could select which cards to hold, insert a coin and the reels not held would spin for one more shot at getting a good hand. These machines were featured inside and on the cover of: Loose Change magazine December 1982 issue which I have, and had a lot of information about them. I could copy this information and send it to you if you would like a copy. Send your address to me at jackpot7@ix.netcom.com and when I get the computer up and running I'll copy and send it to you. As for value, this is a hard one. At one time these were considered very rare, less the 10 known, but I have seen more then that and I bought two of them years ago and sold one. So, value is a hard guess. I would guess between 800.00 and 1,500.00 right now as things are. A 1997-98 blue book gives it's value at 360.00 not working parts, then next grade at 780.00, next is 1,050.00 for a working one, then refurbished at 1,170.00 and restored at 1,330.00. So, there you have it, Oh... the difference between the Royal Draw and the High Hand besides the name, the high hand could be switched over to a non-payout model with a flick of a switch, it would then go to a credit type game.
Thank You
Rodger