This is the second installment of a 20 part series of tiny tips to help improve your fortunes in pinball. I hope you find it useful, and share with friends if inspired!
WHAT IS A SKILL SHOT?
The opening shot of each turn in pinball is known as the “skill shot.” Skill shots are initiated by launching the ball onto the playfield with either a spring plunger or a launch button. Successfully hitting a designated skill shot target will award points and often advances an important objective in the game. A successful skill shot requires that the pinball be launched with controlled force and sometimes timing in order to hit a designated target. Let’s look at some common skill shot targets.
PASS THROUGH LANES
Pass-through lanes are narrow channels that direct the pinball over rollover switches. The designated target lane is indicated by an illuminated playfield insert adjacent to the lane. The goal of the skill shot is to successfully launch the ball so that the ball finds its way into the lit lane. Nudging of the machine will influence where the ball bounces - introducing elements of both skill and fun.
TIP: Many games shift the illuminated insert from one lane to another by triggering the left and right flipper buttons. Use the flipper buttons to align the lit lane with the ball location whenever necessary and possible.
Skill Shot Ramp: Cyclone (Williams, 1988)
RAMPS
Ramped skill shots test the ball-release skills of players by requiring a precise release of force to deliver the ball to a scoring location along an inclined plane. A launch that is too soft or too strong will fail to score maximum points.
TIP: Some rule sets will advance the value of each attempted skill shot by some factor so that ball 2 is worth 2X, ball 3 worth 3X etc. This provides a huge incentive to find your way to an extra ball since these skill shot values can climb to 4X, 5X and beyond!
Kick Out Hole: Stratoflite (Williams, 1974)
KICKOUT HOLES
Kickout holes are playfield targets that capture balls and return them to the playfield with the aid of a kickout mechanism. Nearby switches shift the illuminated playfield insert from one station to the next to indicate which award lies in store when a ball lands in the hole. In the case of this kickout hole from Stratoflite, the target awards either points or an open gate, and advances the end of ball bonus indicated by the score ladder at the bottom of the playfield.
DROP TARGETS
Drop targets are another popular skill shot objective that require a skillful touch. If a single drop target is the designated objective, it will be illuminated to indicate that it is your target.
Some machines incorporate a moving target for the skill shot. The illuminated insert shifts
from one target to the next, up and down the line. Machines equipped with spring loaded
plungers require a ball release that is both accurate and well timed. Those equipped with a button launcher only require skillful timing.
To make it interesting and increase the challenge, the rate of shifting lights generally quickens after each successful attempt at the target.
Drop Targets: Foo Fighters (Stern, 2023)
There are many variations of skill shot objectives, so spend some time reading the rule cards to identify your skill shots and maximize the rewards you reap!
Stay tuned for more tips to help you improve your game, and for deeper dives check out my forthcoming project published with Schiffer Books: Pinball: A Quest For Mastery, hitting book stores June 28, 2026.
Stay curious, practice with intention, and keep it fun: your fortunes in pinball (and in life) are sure to improve.
AVAILABLE IN BOOKSTORES → JUNE 28
