Pinball looks chaotic, but it’s a game of control.
The goal is always the same: keep the ball alive, shoot intentionally, and build value.
This guide gives new players the essential fundamentals to feel confident on any machine.
Core Concepts Every New Player Should Know
1. Don’t Just Hit the Ball — Control It
Most beginners flip at everything in a kind of blind panic.
Good players slow the ball down so they can aim.
Key control techniques:
-
Trap: Hold a flipper up and let the ball roll onto it so it stops.
-
Cradle: Keep the ball held on a flipper while you plan your next shot.
-
Dead bounce: Let the ball bounce off a flipper (without flipping) to the other flipper safely.
-
Live catch: Softly raise the flipper just as the ball reaches it to absorb its energy.
Why it matters: When the ball is controlled, you can aim safely instead of reacting wildly.
2. Learn the Skill Shot
Almost every machine has a skill shot off the plunge worth points or progress.
Common types:
-
Soft plunge to a lit lane
-
Plunge to an upper flipper shot
-
Full plunge around the orbit
Always look for:
-
A blinking lane at the top
-
An on-screen prompt
-
A card on the apron explaining it
This is usually the easiest free value in the game.
Skills shots often also reward you with extra ballsave time so can help you stay alive!
3. Shoot the Safe Shots First
Not all shots are equal.
Some are dangerous because the ball comes straight back at you (like the Tie-Fighter shot on Star Wars).
Generally safe shots:
-
Ramps
-
Loops/orbits
-
Repeated side shots that feed to the same flipper
Dangerous shots:
-
Center targets
-
Stand-up targets
-
Bash toys dead-center
-
Pops (if the feed is uncontrolled)
Learn these quickly and your ball times will skyrocket.
4. Multiball Is Your Friend
On almost every machine from the 90s–today, multiball is the safest path to scoring.
Why?
-
With multiple balls in play, you get a “ball saver” period.
-
Shots score jackpots or super jackpots.
-
You can take more risks.
Find out how to lock balls (usually through ramps or specific features).
Starting at least one multiball per game is a great beginner goal.
5. Don’t Flip Both Flippers at Once
This is the #1 beginner mistake.
Why not?
-
It removes your ability to nudge.
-
It widens the center gap.
-
You’ll lose control and drain more often.
Flip only the flipper the ball is actually near.
6. Nudge (Legally!) to Save Drains
Nudging is allowed as long as you don’t tilt the machine.
Simple nudges that help beginners:
-
Side nudge to keep the ball from going down an outlane.
-
Forward nudge when the ball hits posts near the center to push it toward a flipper.
-
Up-and-to-the-side nudge to escape pop-bumper chaos.
You don’t need to shake the machine — a short, sharp bump with the hips is often enough.
7. Learn the Machine’s Main Objective
Every pinball machine has a “big goal” that often revolves around:
-
Starting modes
-
Completing modes
-
Starting a wizard mode
-
Building a specific multiball
-
Shooting a specific main toy or feature
Even if you don’t know the rules, you can do this:
Beginner rule-of-thumb plan
-
Plunge for the skill shot.
-
Hit the flashing shots (the game wants you to).
-
Start multiball if possible.
-
During single-ball play, shoot ramps/orbits until you understand more.
Works on 90% of modern machines.
8. Read the Apron and Watch the Screen
Manufacturers increasingly tell you exactly what to do.
Look for:
-
Skill shot instructions
-
Multiball start steps
-
Mode start shots
-
Safe loops or combos
If the apron is empty, watch the display after the ball drains — it often tells you the main objectives.
Beginner Drills (Practice These on Any Machine)
1. Trap the ball 5 times
Don’t worry about scoring — just gain control.
2. Dead bounce every possible feed
Next time the ball comes to a flipper, don’t flip unless necessary. See if it safely bounces to the opposite flipper.
3. Pick one shot and hit it 3 times in a row
Helps develop accuracy.
4. Start multiball at least once per game
The safest “big win” goal for beginners.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
-
Flipping both flippers at once — huge center drains.
-
Only reacting instead of planning — trap first, shoot second.
-
Always full-power plunging — you’ll skip skill shots.
-
Ignoring ball returns — learn where each shot feeds.
-
Always aiming at center targets — often death traps.
A Simple 3-Level Path for Improvement
Level 1: Survival
-
Avoid dangerous shots
-
Learn to trap
-
Learn one safe repeatable shot
Level 2: Intentional Play
-
Start multiball reliably
-
Learn basic nudging
-
Use dead bounces and live catches
Level 3: Scoring
-
Learn your machine’s modes
-
Stack modes + multiball
-
Aim for jackpots/super jackpots
The 30-Second Beginner Plan
- Read up on the machine – before you start read up and get a general idea of the rules (use our AI Pinball Tips App to get started)
-
Plunge for the skill shot — watch the screen or playfield card for where the game wants you to aim the plunge.
-
Focus on control — learn to trap the ball on a flipper before shooting.
-
Start your main multiball — it’s usually the safest high-value objective.
-
Shoot repeatable, safe shots — ramps and orbits are usually safer than center targets.
-
Don’t flip both flippers at once — only flip the side the ball can reach.