How to play pinball - resources

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Pinball skills, techniques and tips - Videos and Articles

Below are some free and pay resources that explain how to play pinball. All credit to original content creators.

I think for most people it will be helpful to watch the vids first. It can be tough to visualize the techniques when described in words.

Note: the videos and web pages will often use different names for the same technique but you'll learn what's what pretty quick. For example, some people call it a "bounce pass" while others call it a "dead flipper pass". Same technique.

VIDEOS:

Pinpin 7 - "Seven Flipper Skills You Need to Know". This is the second chapter in the film, about five minutes in. You can fast forward or sit through the opening pinball fishing video.

http://www.minimumwageentertainment.com/pages/pinpin_7_pinball_film.php

Short youtube video showing various flipper techniques: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2ZJQYk6OMk

(note: the "slingshot pass" technique shown (aka "post pass" or "post transfer") is not typically how this is done. The method shown in Pinpin 7 is how it is done on most games)

Pinball Techniques with Neil Shatz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjebGncwCUQ

Short video showing some techniques. This is one of the few free videos that shows some multi-ball control techniques, however, it doesn't really explain how they're done.

How to Play Indy 500: http://revver.com/video/1303791/how-to-play-pinball-indianapolis-500-pinball-machine-tom-and-ffej/

This is a *long* (40 min) but well-made video. Though this is about Indy 500, if you are a novice it will convey the importance of having a game strategy to maximize points, extra balls, etc.

How not suck at pinball: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex7XegO5b8Q

Live Speaker Presentation on the very basics.

Pinball Skill: Bounce Pass - Great vid of Rick Stetta playing with one hand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ullH5USEgoU

Pinball Skill: Slap Save: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR2dmk3yHKI

Pinball Skill: Bangback: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI8TwQV8atg

Pinball Skill: Post Pass (aka 'slingshot pass' aka 'post transfer') http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbDaXBNwWnU

Pinball 101 DVD ($20): http://www.pinballvideo.com/

This was made by world champion Keith Elwin. If you just want one "all in one" package for learning pinball with good presentation and humor, this is it. In addition to what the free stuff above describes, pinball 101 additionally describes how to control multiple balls during multiball. You can google pinball 101 to find online retailers that sell it.

Pinball Basics ($15): http://home.myfairpoint.net/vze8f4tt/tomstwilightzonepinballmachineaccessories/id51.html

I haven't seen this one yet. Appears to cover similar material as pin 101 and I have seen generally favorable reviews from people who have it.

WEB PAGES:

Pinball Rulesheets: http://pinball.org/

In-depth rule sheets for many popular games - because that little Rules card on the game just doesn't cut it for the more complicated games.

Pinballnews Skills Guide Part 1: http://pinballnews.com/learn/skills/index.html
Pinballnews Skills Guide Part 2: http://pinballnews.com/learn/skills/index2.html

These are great articles with pictures from Martin Ayub, the editor of pinball news and one of the top players in the world.

Internet Pinball Database Guide: http://www.ipdb.org/playing/skills.html

Great info, but no pictures.

Three Rivers Pinball Guide (pdf): http://krellan.com/pinball/skillguide.pdf

This is an oldie but a goodie. It has some advice about how to handle the ball when it starts getting knocked around in the slingshots, as well as some tournament advice. Save a copy while you can as the hoster may take it down at any time.

PICTURES:



GENERAL ADVICE:

Learn the Rules

On later machines from the late 80s to the present, the rules are extremely important to good scoring. On older electro-mechanical games the rules are simpler, and if you can manage to keep the ball in play for any length of time you can expect a pretty good score.

A good example of the importance of rule knowledge is Theater of Magic. In ToM the end-of-ball bonus can be very large and this means two things: 1) Max out the bonus multiplier on each ball, and 2) Don't tilt. I have seen mediocre players beat the better players because the better player didn't bother to work on the bonus multiplier before going after other stuff (modes, ball locks, etc).

Another good example is Creature from the Black Lagoon. Even if you manage to max out the bonus on this game, it isn't worth much. You increase the bonus multiplier by completing the top rollover lanes (the PAID lanes). However, a better strategy, after you have completed the lanes a first time, is to complete three of the four lanes (or even only two). This way, after your multiball ends, you only need one or two rollovers to relight the FILM letter toward your next multiball. This same strategy holds true for the KISS shot, after you've earned the Extra Ball (usually awarded by completing KISS twice). Lastly, the low end of ball bonus means that it's more worth it to be aggresive with bumping/nudging, since if you Tilt you don't have as much to lose.

Focus

One of the most common differences between pinball and most video games (not all) is that pinball generally requires one to be highly focused more of the time. Modern video games generally have more moments of "downtime", or, in cases where the pattern is known, the player can relax and "go on autopilot" for a little while.

In terms of focus, Pinball is more synonomous with competitive games, such as online multiplayer in Team Fortress 2 or Call of Duty, and match play in Street Fighter 4 or HD Remix. Relaxing at any time can easily lead to failure. It's also similar to high level play on "old school" games, such as Tetris or Galaga.

Memory is key to pinball as well and also why focus is important. Especially when playing a new game, trap/cradle as much as possible, pick a shot and try to make it. Take a "mental snapshot" of where on the flipper you shot the ball so the next time you can adjust or make the same (successful) shot.

Practice

People tend to think of pinball as a game of luck, rather than skill. Therefore, the idea of practicing to get better doesn't really fit. You wouldn't practice winning on a slot machine or roulette wheel, which is purely luck. But since pinball has a high degree of skill involved, practice pays off.

There are two ways to practice: 1) Just go play, 2) Focused practicing. Playing is self-explanatory.

Focused practice is when you decide you're going to work on something, such as drop catches or bounce passes, or whatever. Focused practice will make you better at a particular technique in the shortest amount of time, particularly on a home machine with the glass off (because you can "reset" the practice scenario quickly and easily).

Another advantage of focused practice is you will use certain techniques where you normally wouldn't or shouldn't, and better learn the limits and possibilities of each technique as a result. Example: Let's say you're practicing drop catching and decide you'll drop catch everything, no matter what. Normally I wouldn't drop catch when the ball is too close to the end of the flipper/center drain but from certain angles there might be enough momentum to make the ball ride up the flipper, or in other cases set up for an alley pass.

Focused practice results in a lot of drains and low scores, so if you're dropping quarters into the machine it can get expensive really fast. If you know of a game that you can get replay on easily, then play the game with your tried and true moves until you get replay, then switch to practice mode. Or put enough quarters in the game to get the 3 or 5 credit discount, and decide those will be your practice credits for the day.

Another type of focused practice is more fun. This is when you pick some element of the playfield or rules to work on. What happens if I just keeping hitting that ramp? How high can I get the bonus? If I forget about multiball, what are the best scoring opportunities?

The danger with focused practicing is the boredom factor. Just doing "drills" over and over can get pretty boring. Personally, I practice for maybe ten minutes each time I play and then just focus on playing and having fun. Any more than that and it feels like work. With game strategy practice I can often go a lot longer, though, especially if my friends and I set up mini competitions. "Who can get the most points on Funhouse without multiball? If you trigger multiball, you lose."
 
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Below are some free and pay resources that explain how to play pinball. All credit to original content creators.

I think for most people it will be helpful to watch the vids first. It can be tough to visualize the techniques when described in words.

Note: the videos and web pages will often use different names for the same technique but you'll learn what's what pretty quick. For example, some people call it a "bounce pass" while others call it a "dead flipper pass". Same technique.

VIDEOS:

Pinpin 7 - "Seven Flipper Skills You Need to Know". This is the second chapter in the film, about five minutes in. You can fast forward or sit through the opening pinball fishing video.

http://www.minimumwageentertainment.com/pages/pinpin_7_pinball_film.php

Short youtube video showing various flipper techniques: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2ZJQYk6OMk

(note: the "slingshot pass" technique shown (aka "post pass" or "post transfer") is not typically how this is done. The method shown in Pinpin 7 is how it is done on most games)

Pinball Techniques with Neil Shatz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjebGncwCUQ

Short video showing some techniques. This is one of the few free videos that shows some multi-ball control techniques, however, it doesn't really explain how they're done.

How to Play Indy 500: http://revver.com/video/1303791/how-to-play-pinball-indianapolis-500-pinball-machine-tom-and-ffej/

This is a *long* (40 min) but well-made video. Though this is about Indy 500, if you are a novice it will convey the importance of having a game strategy to maximize points, extra balls, etc.

Pinball 101 DVD ($20): http://www.pinballvideo.com/

This was made by world champion Keith Elwin. If you just want one "all in one" package for learning pinball with good presentation and humor, this is it. In addition to what the free stuff above describes, pinball 101 additionally describes how to control multiple balls during multiball. You can google pinball 101 to find online retailers that sell it.

Pinball Basics ($15): http://home.myfairpoint.net/vze8f4tt/tomstwilightzonepinballmachineaccessories/id51.html

I haven't seen this one yet. Appears to cover similar material as pin 101 and I have seen generally favorable reviews from people who have it.

WEB PAGES:

Pinball Rulesheets: http://pinball.org/

In-depth rule sheets for many popular games - because that little Rules card on the game just doesn't cut it for the more complicated games.

Pinballnews Skills Guide Part 1: http://pinballnews.com/learn/skills/index.html
Pinballnews Skills Guide Part 2: http://pinballnews.com/learn/skills/index2.html

These are great articles with pictures from Martin Ayub, the editor of pinball news and one of the top players in the world.

Internet Pinball Database Guide: http://www.ipdb.org/playing/skills.html

Great info, but no pictures.

Three Rivers Pinball Guide (pdf): http://krellan.com/pinball/skillguide.pdf

This is an oldie but a goodie. It has some advice about how to handle the ball when it starts getting knocked around in the slingshots, as well as some tournament advice. Save a copy while you can as the hoster may take it down at any time.

Great list! I love Pinball 101. It's a fun video and is put together well.
 
Hah, that's one of the dudes from Chasing Ghosts. I do have to explain to folks how to enter their initials, so I won't give him too much crap.

Leo is that you? :)

Who are these people who are good enough to get high scores but don't know how to enter their initials?
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGbTQPknl9Q

Here's a video by (I think) a French person. I didn't add it to the original post because the quality is overall not great and the music (I think a queen song played backwards) is downright annoying.

It shows a multiball control technique that is pretty useful. Basically, if you have two balls on a flipper:

1) quick-tap the flipper to pop one ball into the air
2) The second ball remains near/on the flipper. Shoot at a target.
3) Re-trap the first ball when it lands

During step 2, you typically have a very short time to make your shot. The higher you pop the ball up, the more time you have, but likewise, the greater chance it will fall back down and hit the slingshot. Additionally, if the flippers don't come up very high, to catch the pinball you popped up can require some live catch technique as well.

There's a very similar technique to separate two balls which are on the same flipper, and is shown in the Neil Shatz video at about 1:24. In that one, Neil lets a falling ball strike a trapped ball and that causes it to bounce over to the other flipper. You can induce this by popping the ball up as well.

The use of each is often situational and according to your preference. Like for example, if I had two balls on the right flip on Fun House, I would want to separate one over to the left to set up the Lock --> Jackpot shot (2nd technique from the Neil video). But likewise, I could use the first technique to shoot the left ramp to separate them.
 
I watched the Pinball 101 video this weekend. Really good flick. I especially enjoyed some of the game specific material as it really exposed how there is some deeper meta to the game of pinball. Highly recommend getting this DVD.
 
I watched the Pinball 101 video this weekend. Really good flick. I especially enjoyed some of the game specific material as it really exposed how there is some deeper meta to the game of pinball. Highly recommend getting this DVD.

Supposedly Kieth is planning a pinball 102, which goes into more game- and scenario-specific strategies. For example, shooting the crane in junkyard, which is a random center shot, versus getting points in other ways (I think on junkyard the "safe" way to big points is to abuse the dog shot).
 
That would be awesome! There is another pin movie thats supposed to come out this year called Bang Back.
 
different method

Cool clip. I see that there is a related video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_c7zpE0KCg&feature=related
that contains a similar technique except the ball is slingpost transfered to the other flipper instead of getting shot at a target.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGbTQPknl9Q

Here's a video by (I think) a French person. I didn't add it to the original post because the quality is overall not great and the music (I think a queen song played backwards) is downright annoying.

It shows a multiball control technique that is pretty useful. Basically, if you have two balls on a flipper:

1) quick-tap the flipper to pop one ball into the air
2) The second ball remains near/on the flipper. Shoot at a target.
3) Re-trap the first ball when it lands

During step 2, you typically have a very short time to make your shot. The higher you pop the ball up, the more time you have, but likewise, the greater chance it will fall back down and hit the slingshot. Additionally, if the flippers don't come up very high, to catch the pinball you popped up can require some live catch technique as well.

There's a very similar technique to separate two balls which are on the same flipper, and is shown in the Neil Shatz video at about 1:24. In that one, Neil lets a falling ball strike a trapped ball and that causes it to bounce over to the other flipper. You can induce this by popping the ball up as well.

The use of each is often situational and according to your preference. Like for example, if I had two balls on the right flip on Fun House, I would want to separate one over to the left to set up the Lock --> Jackpot shot (2nd technique from the Neil video). But likewise, I could use the first technique to shoot the left ramp to separate them.
 
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Cool clip. I see that there is a related video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_c7zpE0KCg&feature=related
that contains a similar technique except the ball is slingpost transfered to the other flipper instead of getting shot at a target.

Nice catch! It's shown several times but I noticed it at around 2:25 and 2:45.

btw, don't be turned off by this vid. It starts off sideways and the camera is all over the place, but it becomes a lot more watchable around 2:05.
 
I often see people say "don't flip both flippers" but then they fumble with an explanation. So I decided to make a picture that shows how the gap is smaller when you only use one flipper.
 
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