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Posted: 1/2/2019 11:58:24 PM EDT
[#1]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'v loved pinball since I was a kid. Back when arcades were still around I played High Speed. Later at work we got a rotation of machines. Mostly Williams, Fish Tales, Adam's Family. I always held the top score. Williams seemed to be the best games. A long time ago the local bar had an Adam's Family. I was playing one night and the game lasted hours. I toured the house 3 times on one ball ! Now I'm retired and bored. What's it take or how does one start to play competitively ? If you want to start out, find a local league and join. If you like it, you'll get the bug again. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:05:11 AM EDT
[#2]
This is fascinating.
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:07:15 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Can you clarify a little more about tilting the table? You mentioned if you don't get tilt warnings, you probably aren't playing hard enough. 
That confused me. You usually get 2 tilt warnings per ball, the third being the tilt. A tilt mechanism is a conical shaped plumb bob swinging in an electrified ring. Every time the the bob hits the ring, it triggers a warning. The higher the operator or tournament director adjusts the bob, the smaller the gap between the bob and the ring, and thusly, small movements of the machine will cause the tilt bob to move and contact the ring easier. Most tournament prepped machines are set very sensitive to decrease ball time. I can essentially play forever on a machine without a tilt bob because I can slide and bang the machine around forever. The skill is knowing how much you can get away with, and keeping track of your warnings. If there is a ball save on, and a ball is heading straight down the middle, I'll let the ball drain because I know it will be coming back. Why risk a tilt warning for a ball the machine will give back to you? Conversely, if I'm on my final ball, and far behind a competitor that played before me in the player order, and a ball is going to drain, I'm going to aggressively try to save the ball, because there's nothing to lose anyway. There is definetly tournament strategy other than just "playing" |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:12:56 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Longest running AMA in arfcom history where op actually responded to all questions about the subject?  Interesting thread, thanks OP. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:17:43 AM EDT
[#5]
And congrats daddio!!! Sending my best from Montana.
And you've got me on Craigslist looking for a pinball machine.
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:19:38 AM EDT
[#6]
I have a Bally Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy that I play for fun regularly .
My parents (and by default I) had a Stern Stingray when I was growing up. One of the boards battery leaked and it stopped working. Dad traded it to a reseller guy for a Gottlieb Chicago Cubs Triple Play +$300 that has had the shit beat out of it. Deep grooves and worn components. I have never been able to really get into it. The reseller fixed the Stingray real quick and sold it for $900 IIRC on ebay. I still want that machine back. I enjoyed playing on it. If you ever see one where the bottom of the machine has marker drawings of what looks like an 8 year olds version of the roof of "Kitt" from Knight Rider, that one is mines
All that to ask, ever play any of those three machines and waddaya think of 'em? |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:21:30 AM EDT
[#7]
Ever play Evil Knievel machine? Loved it in college!
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:27:28 AM EDT
[#8]
Am curious: what makes a machine “good” or “great” to you, regarding gameplay?
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:34:09 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
And congrats daddio!!! Sending my best from Montana. And you've got me on Craigslist looking for a pinball machine. That's the problem; when I first got into the hobby, machines were cheap and plentiful. Now, not so much, haha. Example being: I bought an Addams Family from a local operator circa 2002/3. I didn't really realize you could buy one for your home. I paid $800 for it. I cleaned it all up, figured out how to fix some things, rebuild the flipper mechs, etc. Played the hell out of it for a year or so, but casually. Usually while drinking beer with friends in my apartment. The same operator offered me a Twighlight Zone a year later for the same price. I sold the Addams on Craigslist for $900 (hey, I put tons of time and elbow grease into it to get it nice), and bought the TZ. Same thing. Cleaned it up and got it running perfect. Played it for a year or so, and then bought my first house. Sold it before the move figuring I could just buy another one again for roughly the same price if I got bit by the bug again. Fast forward 10 years, and AF is a $6k-$10k machine, and so is TZ. This is how my hobbies usually work out. If I had every bottle of old weller antique or old rip van winkle that we mixed with Coca Cola back in college, now.
Story of my life, ha! |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:35:16 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Touring the mansion is great! I'll have days where I just can't miss a shot, and my reflexes are cat like and can almost anticipate where the ball will be four bounces ahead. If you want to start out, find a local league and join. If you like it, you'll get the bug again. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:39:51 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have a Bally Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy that I play for fun regularly . My parents (and by default I) had a Stern Stingray when I was growing up. One of the boards battery leaked and it stopped working. Dad traded it to a reseller guy for a Gottlieb Chicago Cubs Triple Play +$300 that has had the shit beat out of it. Deep grooves and worn components. I have never been able to really get into it. The reseller fixed the Stingray real quick and sold it for $900 IIRC on ebay. I still want that machine back. I enjoyed playing on it. If you ever see one where the bottom of the machine has marker drawings of what looks like an 8 year olds version of the roof of "Kitt" from Knight Rider, that one is mines
All that to ask, ever play any of those three machines and waddaya think of 'em? Stern Stingray kicks ass! A lot of the older classic sterns are on the rise, skyrocketing in price, actually. See stern's newest machine, The Beatles (yes, those Beatles) and it's an updated and rethemed classic stern game known as Seawitch. Don't recall playing that particular gottlieb though. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:40:24 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Ever play Evil Knievel machine? Loved it in college! |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:45:29 AM EDT
[#13]
1. Do the machines come with directions or charts of what activates what? How many bonus areas there are?
2. What's the worst (theme and playability) modern machine you have played? |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:46:06 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Am curious: what makes a machine “good” or “great” to you, regarding gameplay? |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:48:16 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Satisfying shots, good flow, challenging but understandable rule sets. A good game should be easy to comprehend, but tough to master. The formula has changed very little over the years when you think about. The most significant way is the way the scores and visuals are displayed: reels to numeric to alphanumeric to dot matrix displays to current LCD/tv displays. The other way is the addition of complex ramps and multiple playfield levels. But a new niche in simpler designs has begun. See Total Nuclear Annihilation and Beatles. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Am curious: what makes a machine “good” or “great” to you, regarding gameplay? The tilt one was an interesting one, other types of settings like that for rules, or how do rules work in pinball? |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:51:41 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Very shortly, hopefully. Been here since 6 a.m. Thank you! Congrats!
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:51:57 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Thank you. That's the problem; when I first got into the hobby, machines were cheap and plentiful. Now, not so much, haha. Example being: I bought an Addams Family from a local operator circa 2002/3. I didn't really realize you could buy one for your home. I paid $800 for it. I cleaned it all up, figured out how to fix some things, rebuild the flipper mechs, etc. Played the hell out of it for a year or so, but casually. Usually while drinking beer with friends in my apartment. The same operator offered me a Twighlight Zone a year later for the same price. I sold the Addams on Craigslist for $900 (hey, I put tons of time and elbow grease into it to get it nice), and bought the TZ. Same thing. Cleaned it up and got it running perfect. Played it for a year or so, and then bought my first house. Sold it before the move figuring I could just buy another one again for roughly the same price if I got bit by the bug again. Fast forward 10 years, and AF is a $6k-$10k machine, and so is TZ. This is how my hobbies usually work out. If I had every bottle of old weller antique or old rip van winkle that we mixed with Coca Cola back in college, now.
Story of my life, ha! Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
And congrats daddio!!! Sending my best from Montana. And you've got me on Craigslist looking for a pinball machine. That's the problem; when I first got into the hobby, machines were cheap and plentiful. Now, not so much, haha. Example being: I bought an Addams Family from a local operator circa 2002/3. I didn't really realize you could buy one for your home. I paid $800 for it. I cleaned it all up, figured out how to fix some things, rebuild the flipper mechs, etc. Played the hell out of it for a year or so, but casually. Usually while drinking beer with friends in my apartment. The same operator offered me a Twighlight Zone a year later for the same price. I sold the Addams on Craigslist for $900 (hey, I put tons of time and elbow grease into it to get it nice), and bought the TZ. Same thing. Cleaned it up and got it running perfect. Played it for a year or so, and then bought my first house. Sold it before the move figuring I could just buy another one again for roughly the same price if I got bit by the bug again. Fast forward 10 years, and AF is a $6k-$10k machine, and so is TZ. This is how my hobbies usually work out. If I had every bottle of old weller antique or old rip van winkle that we mixed with Coca Cola back in college, now.
Story of my life, ha! I was moving and didn't want to take them, they weren't worth all that much at the time and wanted them to go to a good home, it was just old shit. Worth good money now I'm sure. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:52:49 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You get in a zone.... And you know were every ball is going. And you know were every ball is coming from. You can shoot and still bounce the wayward balls out of the side lanes. And the missed shots, the ones that sink down the center.... You can move it. Not hard, not tilting, but so soft you change the track of the ball and pick it up on the tip of the flipper. Just enough... Now I wanna buy a pinball machine.... |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 12:57:29 AM EDT
[#19]
As a professional do you enjoy playing a random machine somewhere and leaving a score that likely wont ever be beat?
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:00:05 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
1. Do the machines come with directions or charts of what activates what? How many bonus areas there are? 2. What's the worst (theme and playability) modern machine you have played? WWE was a train wreck at launch, but has been made better with code updates. Avengers took a lot of grief, as many hardcore players thought a great theme was wasted on a lackluster design (no offense to the previous poster...I like it enough), same with X-Men. I've also never been a big fan of Game of Thrones (confusing to play casually, everybody plays the same strategy in a tournament setting) or Ghostbusters; game has messed up geometry and clunky game play. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:08:55 AM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That's the second time I've seen you mention rule sets. What kind of rules are there in pinball? The tilt one was an interesting one, other types of settings like that for rules, or how do rules work in pinball? Example. Hit a ramp 3 times to qualify your locks. Shoot the ramp, or some other scoop, etc, and it locks a ball. The game kicks out another ball and you shoot the lock shot again. It locks the ball. The game kicks out another ball, and upon shooting said shot again, it releases all the previously locked balls to begin multiball. While multiple balls are in play only, certain shots or targets are put for huge point jackpots. These take skill to accomplish, and don't usually happen through luck. Once you drain back to single ball play, you have to requalify whatever it was you just did. And it's often times harder. It takes more shots to qualify your locks, for example. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:16:13 AM EDT
[#22]
Just been talking with my son about this post
He reminded me of a vacation we had to the south of France in the 90's Him and his brother spent most of the vacation in an amusement arcade playing WWF pinball because the weather was so shitty "Join the search for Doink" "Get back in the ring" and Raising the undertaker The post has me searching eBay for a 8BD now 
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:16:50 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Rule sets are how you accomplish things and progress through a game. Usually, the further you progress, the value of shots or targets increases. Example. Hit a ramp 3 times to qualify your locks. Shoot the ramp, or some other scoop, etc, and it locks a ball. The game kicks out another ball and you shoot the lock shot again. It locks the ball. The game kicks out another ball, and upon shooting said shot again, it releases all the previously locked balls to begin multiball. While multiple balls are in play only, certain shots or targets are put for huge point jackpots. These take skill to accomplish, and don't usually happen through luck. Once you drain back to single ball play, you have to requalify whatever it was you just did. And it's often times harder. It takes more shots to qualify your locks, for example. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted: That's the second time I've seen you mention rule sets. What kind of rules are there in pinball? The tilt one was an interesting one, other types of settings like that for rules, or how do rules work in pinball? Example. Hit a ramp 3 times to qualify your locks. Shoot the ramp, or some other scoop, etc, and it locks a ball. The game kicks out another ball and you shoot the lock shot again. It locks the ball. The game kicks out another ball, and upon shooting said shot again, it releases all the previously locked balls to begin multiball. While multiple balls are in play only, certain shots or targets are put for huge point jackpots. These take skill to accomplish, and don't usually happen through luck. Once you drain back to single ball play, you have to requalify whatever it was you just did. And it's often times harder. It takes more shots to qualify your locks, for example. I honestly thought it was kind of a luck of where you hit the ball type thing. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:18:02 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
As a professional do you enjoy playing a random machine somewhere and leaving a score that likely wont ever be beat? That said, it comes down to bragging rights and love of the game. So yeah, it's supper gratifying to put up huge scores. Most of the machines out on route near my house have my initials on them permenantly 
A local brewery has a machine that I'll stop in to play sporadically, and one time, the manager of the place came out after he heard the distinct double pop of being awarded two replay credits for besting my previous grand champion score. He was like, I've been wondering who that was, haha |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:23:37 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm guessing just like the tilt, the locks you mention are actual physical locks, not unlike tumblers when picking a lock. Activate them all to get the big reward. Fail during it, in this case, lose the ball, and they reset to default. If I'm understanding correct, I didn't even realize pinball machines were that in depth. I honestly thought it was kind of a luck of where you hit the ball type thing. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted: That's the second time I've seen you mention rule sets. What kind of rules are there in pinball? The tilt one was an interesting one, other types of settings like that for rules, or how do rules work in pinball? Example. Hit a ramp 3 times to qualify your locks. Shoot the ramp, or some other scoop, etc, and it locks a ball. The game kicks out another ball and you shoot the lock shot again. It locks the ball. The game kicks out another ball, and upon shooting said shot again, it releases all the previously locked balls to begin multiball. While multiple balls are in play only, certain shots or targets are put for huge point jackpots. These take skill to accomplish, and don't usually happen through luck. Once you drain back to single ball play, you have to requalify whatever it was you just did. And it's often times harder. It takes more shots to qualify your locks, for example. I honestly thought it was kind of a luck of where you hit the ball type thing. Pinball is like poker in some regards, that, yea sure, there's always some luck/bad bounces involved, but the same guys are in the finals at a majority of tournaments in any given year, and a majority of the same people qualify for the world championships every year. It is absolutely a game of skill. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:24:49 AM EDT
[#26]
Cool thread Op!
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:25:15 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It rotates around. I really like Jack*Bot for competitive play. It was designed for it, rather than "casuals" in mind. I really like all machines with very few exceptions. Any pinball is fun. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:27:54 AM EDT
[#28]
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:29:17 AM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Just been talking with my son about this post He reminded me of a vacation we had to the south of France in the 90's Him and his brother spent most of the vacation in an amusement arcade playing WWF pinball because the weather was so shitty "Join the search for Doink" "Get back in the ring" and Raising the undertaker The post has me searching eBay for a 8BD now You'll be shocked when you see what EBD goes for. The LE versions don't command nearly as much however, because if the doofy dispay. Also keep in mind, eBay pricing of machines isn't usually consistent with what machines actually trade hands for amongst collectors. It's typically much lower. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:30:43 AM EDT
[#30]
whats the best pinball machine for a few grand?
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:31:18 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Cool thread Op! 
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:34:56 AM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I want to get a pinball machine, for the den, that will get played infrequently. What would you suggest? The only problem though with this hobby, is that they tend to multiply like rabbits . Sound familiar?
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:38:28 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Is an old Lawman machine worth fixing? (Not my photo but it's just like this one.) https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/464153/lawman_jpg-794441.JPG |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:40:52 AM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
whats the best pinball machine for a few grand? |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:43:16 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What games do you like? I'd suggest anything solid state and inexpensive. 80's solid state gottliebs and less popular bally or Williams machines can be had for relatively little money; think $500 or so. The best part, is with lower tiered games, you can sell them for what you paid for them when you are bored or want to get rid of it. The only problem though with this hobby, is that they tend to multiply like rabbits . Sound familiar?Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted: I want to get a pinball machine, for the den, that will get played infrequently. What would you suggest? The only problem though with this hobby, is that they tend to multiply like rabbits . Sound familiar?Also, I've read that there are lot of rip offs out there that are selling hacked up machines to people that don't know the difference. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:43:22 AM EDT
[#36]
I'm off for the night, but looking forward to the update in the morning on the new future pinball champion being born anytime now!
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:44:34 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I used to play a Starship Troopers pinball at the laundromat, it had bugs and dropships and stuff. I was always surprised somebody went through that much effort for a tie in to that movie. http://www.pinball.center/media/image/noflix6.jpg |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:45:00 AM EDT
[#38]
I'm a huge pinball fan. I used to know a guy that bought shipping containers full that were being imported back into the country. This was about 15 years ago. I could have had almost any machine I wanted for $500-2000. I thought 2k was expensive and never really considered buying one of the higher dollar machine. The supply dried up and prices went sky high. I missed the boat on AF and TZ etc. Luckily I did buy a Judge Dredd and WWF Royal Rumble. Not the best games, but both fun. I think Dredd needs a new CPU. I have an error I can't get rid of. I also picked up a Rescue 911 for a good deal a few years ago. Otherwise I've never found a good deal on a game. Have you played the games I have? Thoughts? You won't hurt my feelings.
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:52:06 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
No. I work 40+ hours a week as a civil engineer. She also works as a professional in the healthcare/medical field. We do alright. If I had the time or resources, I'd try to hit every pro circuit stop. A few people actually do. It's a major time and monetary commitment. No different than auto racing or pro billiards, or golfing. Minus the huge purses, babes, and coverage. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted: I hope so. I own my own home. I have a family. I am gainfully employed in a profession. I don't want for much. If I had the time or resources, I'd try to hit every pro circuit stop. A few people actually do. It's a major time and monetary commitment. No different than auto racing or pro billiards, or golfing. Minus the huge purses, babes, and coverage. Good on you for finding something you enjoy and following through with it OP. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:52:39 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm not particular about the game, I would just like something that would be reliable. If it only gets played a dozen times a year, I would like it to work. Also, I've read that their a lot of rip offs out there that are selling hacked up machines to people that don't know the difference. The machines are inherently reliable, especially because they were designed to be on all the time. In home use, they practically last forever. Anywho, getting a little delirious. Will check Back on this thread in the a.m. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:54:32 AM EDT
[#41]
If you’re ranked in the top 1% of the world that means you rank in the top 42 million people in the world. Meh.....
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:55:05 AM EDT
[#42]
Is there any money in repairing these things?
I maintained a couple of arcades and private collections last year of high school - 1/2 years beyond (1989). It wasn't exceptionally hard, but I always had concerns about that giant plate of glass on pinball machines... Made some great side money back then. Oh - Gatlinburg, TN just opened some kinda arcade museum thing; read about it in the regional news. CONGRATS ON THE NEW KID! |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 1:55:06 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I like how there are people talking shit, insinuating that you're a loser or something, and there are people on this forum with tens of thousands of posts that are looked at like internet gods. Hysterical. Good on you for finding something you enjoy and following through with it OP. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 3:53:45 AM EDT
[#44]
Cool thread. I grew up on pinball. It wasn't just the machines; it was the locations...laundry mats, cafeterias, convenience stores, etc. Arcades were cool, too, but the solo machines in random places were the best. A bunch of kids surrounding the machine, quarters lined up on the glass for next game...I just nostalgia'd in my pants.
Addams Family was probably my favorite game. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 3:58:21 AM EDT
[#45]
What is a ted Nugent pin ball machine worth?
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Posted: 1/3/2019 4:30:04 AM EDT
[#46]
How much do you think this Primus machine sucks?
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Posted: 1/3/2019 4:50:33 AM EDT
[#47]
How much do you spend on travel?
Is it tax deductible? |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 7:34:19 AM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Am I the only one who loved the Capt Fantastic machine? That machine, and Night Rider were the most popular machines in our arcade, and there were probably 60 or 70 different machines. |
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Posted: 1/3/2019 8:15:25 AM EDT
[#49]
I remember a time back in the 70s, up in Canada, when there was some gambling case going through the courts that had something to do with pinball machines. There was a time one summer when, because of the law, they had to turn the tilt off the machines. It was only a couple, maybe three weeks long but it was a brutal time for the machines. We abused the shit out of them. lol
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Posted: 1/3/2019 9:35:36 AM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What is a ted Nugent pin ball machine worth? In nice, but "unrestored" condition? $750-maybe $1500, if someone is a huge Ted Nugent fan. Realistically though, maybe 1k -$1250. |
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