26 replies to this topic

[onedevotee75]

Hi,

 

i have some trouble to remember the rules of a table, especially when they have a deeper rule set like lord of the rings for example but sometimes also on easier tables with easier rules.

When i learn a new table i first play two or three games to get a feel for the table and how it works, then i always read a more detailed rule sheet of the table, have a picture of the playfield to see the inserts, try to watch a tutorial of the table on youtube. Always combined with playing the table to understand it more and more.

 

But when i am away from the table for a time i have already forgotten the more deeper rules or some points how something works and just can remember the basic things of a table, but sometimes i also forget how some basics of the table works. Then i try to remember some things by looking onto the instruction card.

 

How do you learn and remember the rules of a table for a long time especially when you don´t play the table for a longer period of time?! I mean there a thousands of tables, how can you remember all the rules?! By play,play,play,play and watch what happens during a game?!

[gtxjoe]

The only rule you need to know is hit the blinking light

[onedevotee75]

Yeah thats the most basic rule Just to play pingpong on a table that´s possibly enough

 

It cant be all just to know "shoot the blinking light". For understanding whats going on and how to reach a goal on a table the rules are necessary.

[gtxjoe]

If you hit the blinking lights its not ping pong. You will complete all the missions and modes if you go for and hit the blinking lights

[wiesshund]

If you hit the blinking lights its not ping pong. You will complete all the missions and modes if you go for and hit the blinking lights

 

Hehe not always

But on modern tables, that does help a lot as they usually having blinking lights

 

 

 

i have some trouble to remember the rules of a table, especially when they have a deeper rule set like lord of the rings for example but sometimes also on easier tables with easier rules.

 

generically?
Look at the apron card

Sometimes the DMD may give clues, if it is a DMD table

And sometimes, you just experiment and learn secrets as you go

[onedevotee75]

OK modern tables give good advices to the player what he has to do.

 

I like it when i "understand" a table....so what are the main objectives (multiballs, modes, specials like hurry ups etc)  there and what targets do what on the table, how to come to wizard mode etc.

 

But remembering all especialliy on tables with deep rules i find it difficult to remember all of them. I think you have to study and play that table over and over again, spending a lot of time with it.

 

It´s impressive to see when the top players go for a special table strategy or a way to reach a special goal.

[robertms]

So many tables, so little time.. That's why the 80's machines were the most fun, just complex enough to have a good time without racking your brain.

[wiesshund]

So many tables, so little time.. That's why the 80's machines were the most fun, just complex enough to have a good time without racking your brain.

 find drop target bank that increases bonus lights, keep dropping all targets in that bank

bump flips fast to get right lane light lit

figure out what target or target bank controls the multiplier
whack that as much as possible

 

Try to smack anything that has a lit arrow pointing at it

 

if table has a kicker and kick had advance lights, see what advances them

 

Put in quarter and dont let ball reach drain

 

that about sums up 1980

[csdf28]

I used to like working things out just through playing, but now I don't have the patience.  If there's a game that catches my attention, I enjoy creating a two page guide, with images of the playfield and cabinet artwork.  First page describes the main elements of the playfield, the second explains the main game modes.  Then I can look at these whenever I want to remind me.  I might put these online at some point to save others the work.

[robertms]

I might put these online at some point to save others the work.

 

Please do, that would be swell.

[Thalamus]

Personally, I find it harder and harder to remember all the pinball rules. Especially the newer ones. Hitting blinking lights is "often" correct, but, far from enough unfortunately. Take TWD pr. example - you won't go far by hitting flashing lights. You could maybe consider creating Minutorials. Ref : - you may even get subscribers that way and earn a few "honest" bucks.

[xenonph]

I like to watch the Tournament Videos and listen to the play by play announcers.

They usually will show you what to do to get the best score, and usually show you how to do it very quickly!!

Watch the pros make their shots, as the announcer explains the strategy of what they are doing, and why.

Carry on.

[jpsalas]

For me the best way to learn a table, apart from building it in VP, is to watch the PAPA tutorials But after a few days without playing the table then I forget everything

[csdf28]

 

I might put these online at some point to save others the work.

 

Please do, that would be swell.

 

How's this: https://cferrero.net...ndianaJones.pdf ?

[Thalamus]

And for this game, you can add ... strategy - time out all the modes. So you'll end up where there is real scoring to be made. Personally, I would prefer a black font, hard enough to read on a small phone with old eyes.

Edited by Thalamus, 30 August 2022 - 07:42 PM.

[robertms]

 

 

I might put these online at some point to save others the work.

 

Please do, that would be swell.

 

How's this: https://cferrero.net...ndianaJones.pdf ?

 

 

Very nice, this format could even be incorporated into the front end  I agree with Thal, try a darker font for more contrast and easier reading. 

[csdf28]

And for this game, you can add ... strategy - time out all the modes. So you'll end up where there is real scoring to be made. Personally, I would prefer a black font, hard enough to read on a small phone with old eyes.

Yeah, I deliberately avoided strategy - I want to keep it short and sweet and other people have written strategy guides that I don't really want to plagiarise.  Ideally, I intended these to be printed out and laminated, so reading shouldn't be an issue.  But point taken on font colour - I'll redo with black fonts.  I also love the idea of integrating into a front-end so you can read this in the backglass, but that's beyond my paygrade.  I have a few more ready to add: Addams Family, Attack from Mars, Terminator 2, Victory

[onedevotee75]

 

 

I might put these online at some point to save others the work.

 

Please do, that would be swell.

 

How's this: https://cferrero.net...ndianaJones.pdf ?

 

Oh yes that´s really nice. I like it to have an overview of the table with ramps,targets and inserts explained combined with the instruction cards. Would be nice if you could continue that

So far i always looked for a detailed rulesheet (on ipdb for example), an instruction card and a picture of the playfield. All on its own.

[STAT]

For me, it doesn:t matter, what i do hit - after some Beers, i just take a look at the End Scores

 

Ok, Joke End: some Rules are Special for sure (Williams IJ, Twilight Zone, ...), but this will make all the Tables more interest (esp. they are great) to play it more than once.

Edited by STAT, 01 September 2022 - 11:41 AM.

[csdf28]

Hello everyone.  I've put a few more guides online.  You can see them here: http://cferrero.net/pball/rules.html