Win-A-Pint Bitter drop penny on ebay (Jamieson)

[coppinpr]

I like the look of this but too big and far from me. Jamieson made I think. It looks to be a cut down version of their "Rocka Penny", but I think a purpose-built machine by them that I've not seen before. I assume no actual payout, only a bell? £20 starting bid. You don't see that any-more.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115890663768

PUB VINTAGE ARCADE GAME, WIN A PINT OF BITTER.
As you can see this machine requires a full restoration, it does have a built-in bell and light on top that sound and light up if you win.
There is a metal bar that slides if you pull it, I think that was to stop the bell and turn off the light after a win.
240v machine
It has a key and a removable money tray, ideal for your Man Cave / Bar.

[brigham]

I have to agree on 'purpose-built', it's too professional for a home made job.
Have we found an unknown Jamieson's?
It's certainly of its time. I like the separate cash boxes for winning and losing coins, so you could keep track of the payout ratio.
The inflation which followed decimalisation probably killed it off straight away. How much WAS a pint in the New Money?

[coppinpr]

£1.70
still sounds like a good bet at 2p a go (id have had a go or 6) but once you look at the play field it doesn't look so good. the two middle slots are death traps with that pin arrangement, the two outside slots offer one possible win but both have a risk point halfway,the slower you could get the coin the drop the better your chance I think

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[aristomatic]

I would have thought at 2 new pence a go, it must have given a win around 1 in 10/15 to make money and still make punters play the machine. Could have been higher if it relied upon taking its money in the last hour if punters already tanked up by then...
I'm sure landlord or club steward wasn't giving many new 5 pences in change, I bet you got your change in tuppence and penny coins.

[coppinpr]

I would have thought at 2 new pence a go, it must have given a win around 1 in 10/15

I agree, but it doesn't make sense with beer at £1,70 per pint (true the cost to the pub is cost price only but even that must have been 90p min). A win every 15 goes would mean a continuous line at the machine waiting to get their beer at 30p per pint! It would only be profitable at around 50 goes to 1 win.
It would be worth buying it at £20 just to test it out!

[aristomatic]

I'm not sure your £1.70 price of a pint is correct..

Surely that's more like the price of a bottle of whisky?

[geofflove]

Well I distinctly remember a pint being 33p in 1981 for some reason, so that costing is way out.

Here you go: 13p in 1973, which make the odds seem sensible. http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2018 ... -2017.html

[bryans fan]

My first pint in around 1972, Ansells mild, was 12p.

[coppinpr]

I read it wrong, it would be £1.70 in today's prices (to be honest it simply said £1.70)
now the machine makes sense, 1 win in seven would show a profit for the pub.

[aristomatic]

It's local to me but I think I'll pass on it. Too much ugly dark Formica for me.

Shame it was never branded up like some of the brewery bandits of the time.

Must not have been a great success, otherwise would have seen more images knocking about, or machines. Nice full pint of Double Diamond on the artwork would have worked wonders on its distribution.