How do people who are “good” at pinball manage to consistently avoid those random bounces that just go right down the middle out that there is no counter-play for?

Question

I have always wanted to get into pinball. But the few times I decided to really give it a go. I could do alright but most of my games seemed to end with a bounce that went straight down the middle out with nothing I can do about it.

When you watch professional pinball players. It doesnt matter what game it is they always seem to be able to avoid those shots even if its their first time on a machine.

So there has to be a method or developable skill to it. But I cant for the life of me understand it.

In: Other

Answer 1

You get good at pinball by playing slow.

Find a table which allows you to keep a flipper extended (some you push the button and the flipper swings and then returns. Most you push the button and the flipper swings out, it won’t swing back until you release).

Trap the ball behind a raised flipper, then let the ball free and swing the flipper when the ball is at a specific location on the flipper. The ball will consistently go to the same place on the game field.

After doing the trap and release enough, you have a good feel for where on the flipper you want to hit, and can get reaction speeds up to the point that trapping isn’t needed any longer to launch when and where you want reliably.