Classic Mode

C.O.C.A. Times

Issue: 2003-July - Vol 2 Num 8

The Bally
Reliance
by Johnny Duckworth
Quarter Model
Nickel Model
Nickel Model
Nickel Model
If you have ever seen the Bally Reliance you won't
soon forget it. This dice machine is quite incredible
as you play the game of craps in a slot machine. The
first time you see one you try so hard to figure out
how the machine can possibly do this. It is like
magic. How can it throw the dice, know what num-
ber was actually thrown, and then payoff correctly?
The mechanism is quite complicated compared to
the traditional 3-reeler. The dice slide out of a drum
below the glass in the player's window. It is a tight
space, as the depth isn't much bigger than the actu-
al dice. The dice can slide and bounce all over in the
players window, but there is no way they can roll
over and change the number they are set on. The
dice are preset in two drums, a left and a right. The
left is the first number thrown, otherwise known as
the come out number. If a 7 or 11 are thrown first,
you are a winner. If it is a 2, 3, or 12 you lose. If you
hit another number in the left drum you then need
to hit the same number in the right drum to win. The
secret is each drum holds 13 pair of dice. When the
drum lands in a position it throws the same number
every time for that position. It can then payout if the
Nickel Model
position it landed on is a winner. Production of the
Reliance started in 1935 and it sold originally for
$119.50 for the nickel model and $125.50 for the
quarter model. This machine has so much character
in the way it looks to the way it plays.
Towards the end of production, Bally tried to com-
pete with their bolt-on jackpots which were all for
show. These machines were promoted as the New
Super Flash Reliance. To be more competitive, they
also sold for a reduced price of $92.50 for the nick-
el and $95.50 for the quarter. It resembled the jack-
pot on the 3 reel machines because it boasted a
flashy jackpot bulging with coins. What the player
didn ' t know was that the bolt-on jackpot for the
Reliance is actually separate from the machine
itself and there was no way to physically win the
coins in them. If you were lucky enough to hit the
jackpot you still received the $5 or $25 jackpot
token depending on the denomination played. The
tokens were concealed in the window on the front
of the machine. If the machine had the bolt-on jack-
pot added, the tokens were hidden. The tokens
5
would have to be redeemed from the owner or pro-
prietor. They also changed the payout in the later
production from 2-4 to 2-8 to try and spur more
interest in the machine. The exterior of the machine
is painted a flashy yellow. There are two polished
horse heads on the front of the machine in the cast-
ings and the payout information is on the marquee
on top.
would be greatly appreciated. The information will
be posted in an upcoming issue of the C.O.C.A.
This is not a list of who has what, and no names or
personal information will be published. I would ulti-
mately like to find out, as close as possible, what
serial number was started with and what final num-
ber was ended up with, when the payoff changed,
when it was offered from 2-4 payout to 2-8 payout,
and when the back door color went from a dark
I have heard stories of some dealers who have been brown to a light tan color. I am also trying to include
around since the beginning of time taking 2 or 3 what machines still retain the bolt-on jackpots.
Reliance's to coin-op shows in the 70's and early Please email me at BallyReliance@msn.com with
80's. Those days are over as most machines have any information you may have, as I am very inter-
found a home in someone's collection. I have con- ested in learning more about the machine. I have
sulted with knowledgeable dealers and collectors information on several machines so far, but I know
who have been in the business for many decades, that there is much more that other collectors can
and their best guess is that there are a few hundred contribute. The only way to find out any more infor-
machines total in existence. I am trying to compile mation on the Reliance is for collectors to share it!
a list of Reliance's regarding their denominations, The photos of the Reliance's in this article have
payouts, serial numbers, back door colors, and been completely restored by Two-Bit Restorations.
whether or not they have bolt-on jackpots. If you Jeff Frahm has brought these machines back to life.
could please email me any information on a Now, they look and play like the day they were
Reliance that you or someone you know has, it made: perfect!
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6

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