Vol. 5, No.9
May15,1979
• • ••••••••• • •• • • • •••••
Staff
Publisher and Editor:
Ralph C. Lally II
LAY
II
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
Managing Editor:
David Pierson
Marketing & Research:
Beau Eurell
International Editor:
David Snook
Editor, Coin Slot
Technical Editor:
Zac Oliver
Correspondents:
Roger C. Sharpe
Robin Minnear
DickWelu
Tom Howarth
Mary Claire Blakeman
Art Direction :
Katey Schwark
Administrative Assistant &
Classified Advertising :
Valerie Cognevich
Typography :
Vickie Lofton
Circulation Manager:
Gloria Dering
Advertising Representative:
Ralph C. Lally II
David Pierson
European Representative:
Esmay Leslie
PLAY METER,
May 15, 1979.
Volume 5, No. 9. Copyright 1979 by
Skybird Publishing Company . PLAY
METER ( ISSN 0162-1343) is publish-
ed twice monthly on the 1st and 15th
of the month . Publishing offices: 112
North Roadway, New Or1eans, La .
70124, P. O.
Box 24170, New
Orleans, La . 70184. Tel. : 504/282-
0261 . Subscription rates: U. S. and
Canada - $25; Europe and Japan -
$45; elsewhere - $50. One order
subscription : 2-9, $20 each ; 10-24,
$17 each; 25 or more, $15 each .
Advertising rates available on re-
quest. No part of this magazine may
be reproduced without expressed
permission. The editors are not
responsible for unsolicited manu-
scripts. Second Class postage paid at
New Orleans 70113 and additional
mailing offices. Postmaster: Send
Form 3579 to PLAY METER, P. O.
Box 24170, New Orleans, La . 70184.
European office: PLAY METER Pro-
motions, "Harescombe" Watford
Road, Northwood Middx. England,
Northwood 29244.
Western Regional Office: P. O. Box
692, Chatsworth , Ca ., 91311. Tel. :
PromotiOM at the LocatIon Level ......... ........ . 1.
Operators, it seems. have been doing more recently when
it comes to promotions than ever before. Managing
Editor David Pierson reports on some promotional
schemes that seem to be working.
Terror In PI.ylend Arcade ... ..•••.......•..•.••••••
Roger C. Sharpe reports on a recent incident where a
gang of hoodlums vandalized an arcade when it wes open
for business. Of course, the incident happened in New
York City. but could it happen where you are?
How Your B ........ Balance Sheet
Can Help WIth Capital Management ..•... ..•.••••. &3
Louis Hohenstein completes his two-part series on how
operators can evaluate financial aspects of their
businesses.
Why Air Hockey Stili M.k .. Money
In Some Placea ...•..•.....•.••.••••.•......•..••• 14
Reports of Air Hockey's death are greatly exaggerated.
Mark Robbins reports on how the game is faring in places
where the players are encouraged to compete.
From til. Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • •. 4
New. Brleta .........•.....•...............•.•••..• &
Mailbox ..........................................•
Colnman of the Month ...........••..........•••••••
Op.atlng ........................................ Z2
Dl8tI'Ibuting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . •.. 21
MMufacturing ................................... 311
M ... c SectIon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 41
T ecIInlcal Topic.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II
CrItIc'. Co."., ................................... U
New ProdUcD ..................•.............•.•• 71
CI ... lflecl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ 7Ii
COVER CREDIT:
F rom "Special When Lit; a visual and anecdotal history
of Pinball" by Edward Trapunski. Published by Dolphin
Books, Doubleday & Co., Inc., Garden City, New York.
213 / 882-4005.
Music Research Dept.: Dennis Dan-
ko, Mgr.; Bonnie Focazio
PLAY METER, May, 1979
3