It sounds obvious, but you want to read the rule-
card first. “A lot of first-time pinball players don’t
realise that every game is coded dierently,” Jones
explains. Generally found on the left-hand side of
a machine, these rule cards explain which targets
are worth the most points. “Someone might keep
the ball alive five times longer than you,” Jones says,
“but you’re going to beat them nine times out of 10
if you alone understand the scoring potential.”
A common mistake many novices make is focusing
on the flippers (the little levers you use to catch
and hit the ball). “If you’re watching your flippers,
then you’re not reading the play,” Jones reckons. “It
means you’ll only be reacting to the ball once it’s
already in the danger zone, and by then it’ll often
be too late.” Instead, Jones recommends watching
the ball. “That’s what’s moving around the board,”
he says. “Your flippers aren’t going anywhere.”TIP 1: READ THE RULES TIP 2: WATCH THE BALL
how to win at pinball
THERE’S MORE TO PINBALL THAN MEETS THE EYE. PAUL
JONES, AUSTRALIA’S CURRENT NUMBER ONE PLAYER,
SHARES HIS TIPS ON HOW TO WIN AT AN OLD PUB
FAVOURITE. (OR AT LEAST NOT LOSE STRAIGHT AWAY.)Writer Taz Liffman Illustrator Jess Kitty ParkerDIY