Season 3 of the Pinball League is right around the corner. Season 2 of the Women’s League has already started. With the recent news coverage from CityNews and a few rules changes we wanted to go over what is Pinball League and give some advice to new players.
What is Pinball League?
Come out to league nights and play pinball in groups of 4 or 3 gain points towards league standings.
The cost?
$2 entry fee plus money needed to play the machines
The Rules
Groups are randomly selected and a machine is selected. Earn points based on the scores of the game. First place gets 5 points, Second place get 3 points, Third place gets 2 points and Forth place gets 1 point. After the game is done you will be put in a new group of 4 with a new machine. This will continue for 8 rounds with a different group and machine for each round. At places with only 4 machines each game will be played twice. When a group only has 3 players points are First gets 5 points, second will get 3 points and third will get 1 point. In your group agree to a play order and play pinball. If you play out of turn you might get automatic 4th place for the game. Any extra balls are to be plunged and you walk away from the machine. Playing an extra ball may result in automatic 4th place for a game.
The points you get will go toward league standings after 10 events top 16 go to the playoffs. The two worst event scores will not be counted in the final standings.
Advice for new players
I asked everyone who writes for manitobapinball.com What advice would you give to new players? Below are the responses I got.
Jon Feschuk:
I would just say if you love to play pinball, come down and check us out. You are not obligated to be there every league game, play when you can, and just enjoy the people and the machines.
Dave Morris:
I think the new League Night formula is a great way for new players to come out and meet a bunch of new people and play pinball with a bunch of new people and really find out if pinball is for them.
As a note for new players Season 1 had a point structure of first got 4 points, Second got 3 points, Third got 1 point and forth got zero. Season 2 went to first got 5 points, second got 3 points third got 2 points and forth got 1 point. The groups also did not switch after each game for season 1 and season 2.
Kevin Peden:
Bring lots of Loonies and quarters. 🙂
Don’t hover while waiting your turn. Most people get a little anxious if you are hanging over their shoulder or the play-field while you wait your turn.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially if you aren’t familiar with a machine. Most people will give you a quick idea of what to do on a machine if you ask.
If you come early to practice, don’t monopolize a machine, especially if others want to take a swing at it.
Remember… don’t play extra balls. If in doubt, ask before you plunge.
A good game is a fast game. Try to keep smoke breaks to a minimum while in play, so we don’t get bogged down
And HAVE FUN. IT’s pinball, dammit! 🙂
Mr Miller:
Don’t be afraid of the name Pinball League. This is closer to a casual bowling league and not The National Hockey League. Try not to focus on other players, put up a score in practice or before the event and just try to beat that. Pinball should be fun and league nights are a great time to socialize and play pinball.