This is the thirteenth 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!
Multiball
The term “multiball” describes a mode of pinball in which two or more balls are active on the playfield at the same time. The experience is exhilarating, and when a player’s ability to manage the balls is combined with an understanding of the rules, a well played round of multiball can yield a ton of points.
Multiball Phase Progression
Initiating multiball requires advancing through several distinct stages in which balls are locked before they are released onto the playfield:
Qualifying: Each multiball mode requires completing specific targets, ramps, or lanes to "light" the ball lock, meaning the lock is ready to receive a ball.
Locking: Once the lock is lit, the ball must be shot into into a physical mechanism such as a scoop, vertical up-kick, sub-way or virtual lock to register as a locked ball.
Staging: The process is repeated for 2, 3, or more balls depending on the rules of the game.
Release: After completing the final ball lock (and sometimes an additional target) the balls are released onto the playfield, and the rules change to reward one or more targets designated as jackpots.
Scoring and Jackpots
The rules change during multiball to award more points to specific shots
Jackpots: Jackpots are targets worth more points during multiball mode. Frequently players are awarded immediate points for scoring jackpots in addition additional points during the end-of-ball bonus at the end of the turn.
Super Jackpots: After collecting a designated number of base jackpots, some games light a feature called a super jackpot that awards tremendous points for hitting a difficult or risky shot.
Ball Save
Multiball is commonly accompanied by a period of time in which the ball save mode remains active. During ball save mode, any balls that drain the playfield are returned to the field of play. Strategically, this is a great time to attempt shots at dangerous targets likely to result in a loss of control since there is no penalty when the ball leaves the playfield.
Add-a-ball
Many games include a feature known as add-a-ball, which offers 2 specific advantages:
Add-a-ball introduces an additional ball to the playfield, resulting in more target strikes when the additional ball collides with point scoring targets
The initiation of this mode typically restarts or adds time to the ball save feature timing - so that balls are returned to the playfield for more time.
NOTE: Additional balls on the playfield can be distracting and act as obstructions to clean shots at high value targets.
Next week we’ll pick up the topic of multiball mode ball management strategies and review ways to manage the chaos and find a technique well suited to your individual play style.
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 July 28, 2026.
Please consider joining us for a launch party hosted by Ten Trees Books in Natick, Massachusetts. The event will feature a Q&A with Mark Patenaude from Backhand Pinball followed by a book signing, snacks and drinks. Details here: July 28, 2026 Book Launch Party
Stay curious, practice with intention, and keep it fun: your fortunes in pinball (and in life) are sure to improve.
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