Hero Image

Jacks Open

Gottlieb • 1977 • EM
Strategy updated: September 12, 2026

Strategy

Unlight 3 top lanes to increase drop target value, then shoot drop targets on repeat.

Skill Shot

Plunge to a lit lane unless you have already have 3 lanes unlit then avoid the last lit lane to keep drop target value high.

Key Rules

Top Lanes & Drop Targets

  • Lit lanes score 5K and unlight, unlit lanes are worth 500

  • The heart and club lanes, when collected, light the shot side lanes for 1K

  • The diamond and spade lanes, when collected, light the outlanes for 5K

  • The drop targets are worth 1K + 1K for each unlit top lane, therefore to maximize their value, collect only 3 of the 4 top lanes

  • In the center of the playfield are a series of inserts indicating which poker hand award is active

    • Completing the indicated poker hand drop targets scores 5K, resets the drops, and advances the poker hand insert

    • If the special is lit on the inserts, only the red drop target will reset, hitting all of them grants a special and this level is repeated indefinitely

  • Completing all 4 top lanes resets the drop target bank, sets drop targets value to 1K, and advances the poker hand insert

Other Scoring Features

  • Complete the 2 Jacks poker hand and the blue bumper is lit for 1K

  • Heavy use of the dead bounce is recommended, avoids ball rolling to the outlane from flipper catches

  • Utilize the pegs in the outlane to up-nudge the ball back into play

img_0545.jpeg playfield
Playfield image by Ken (scottamus)
Backglass image by Ken (scottamus)