Playing Tips - Power of Control

One of the very features that attracts us to pinball is one that actually works against our playing. The wildness of the ball is a powerful draw to pinball, the speed, and randomness of the ball makes it a wonderfully exciting experience. However, you have to actually control the ball to play well. At least, the better you can control of the ball the more accurate your shots will be thereby gaining you a higher score.

Many beginners simply bat the ball in reflex of it zooming at them. In order to become a better player you have to overcome that fear of losing the ball and move up to knowing where every shot will go. You can learn to do this only through playing and realizing that the flipper is similar to a tennis racket. A tennis player does not simply bat the ball in panic, afraid of it going past them. On the contrary, they know where each shot is going and make a special effort to become very good at ball placement, and you can do the same with pinball.

Where the ball hits on the flipper exactly is out of your control, but not how you respond to it. By hitting the flipper too soon the ball is almost a backhand shot. You can shoot it down the side drain or shoot it all the way over to the other flipper ramp by hitting it too late. When you respond is critical to where the ball is going.

Catching the ball - Catching or trapping the ball is a way to slow an extremely fast game down and take back control. Anyone who has played more than a few games of pinball has either seen this or done this. Once you’ve caught the ball you can then take the time, and the control needed for an accurate shot at a target or goal.