Frequently Asked Questions

If you're considering joining our organization and want more information, we've included here answers to some of the most commonly asked questions from new players. If you're question isn't answered here, simply contact us and we'll be glad to help.

Questions

Am I really good enough to play in a pinball league?

Our doubles leagues are structured so that players of all skill levels can compete and have a chance of winning, without using any type of arbitrary scaling system. Our leagues are primarily doubles leagues, and our league structure prohibits teams of players who are too strong from playing together, thus encouraging expert players to team with novices.
In our Fall 1998 season we had a 5-year-old as a regular player on one of our teams, playing in a league that consisted of several players who had attended the PAPA World Championships. So yes, you are good enough to play!

How does it work?

Each league consists of a number of two-player teams (between 6 and 16, usually), competing in a multi-week season. The schedule for all teams in a league is made out in advance and is made available to all players before the start of each season. At the end of each season is a one-night playoff for the top teams, and after the end of each season there is an awards ceremony and party.

How much does it cost?

Dues are $4 per week per player. Dues are payable at the start of the season, and most seasons are 11 weeks long, so the total for each season is $44 per player.

Why so much?

All dues go towards end-of-the-season prizes, either cash or trophies. The $4 dues were actually decided on by the players, and we constantly ask the players for input, so this could either rise or lower depending on feedback, but remember that the lower the dues, the lower the prizes.

How is each match played?

Each match consists of three four-player games on a single machine. The scores of the players on one team are compared to the players on the opposite team. Each team receives one point for each player on the other team that he beats. The team with the higher combined score in any one game gets one bonus point. So five points are available in each game.
At the end of each match there are two more bonus points awarded. One goes to the team who had the higher combined score from all three games. The other goes to the team whose player had the highest single score of the evening. There are therefore 17 points available in a single match.

What kind of settings are the games on?

Each game is to be placed on "Tournament Mode", if it's available. For many machines, this consists of holding the flippers in before hitting start until the machine prompts you to do so. Some machines don't have tournament mode, and are just played on normal settings.
"Tournament mode" means different things to different machines, but in most machines means that the random awards aren't random, as well as possibly some other adjustments.

What about extra balls and replays?

Exra balls are not to be played. If a player gets an extra ball, he must simply launch the ball and not play it. Replays, specials, and credits from entering high scores simply belong to the player that got it as always.

Why no extra balls?

Mostly because of time. A single match can take a while, and extra balls only add to this. In one match several years ago, a player had a single ball that lasted an hour and a half. This ensures that the match will finish in a reasonable amount of time while still letting the players play as long as their skill lets them.

I don't know how to play these machines!

We provide rule sheets to the players for all machines, if those rule sheets exist (which they do for most modern machines).

What if I can't make a match?

The schedule is provided ahead of time, so if you know for certain that you cannot make a certain match, let the League Coordinator and your opponents know ahead of time as possible. Then you have two ways of dealing with it.
First, you can simply reschedule the match. You can play your matches at any time, so long as there is someone available to referee the match.
Alternately, if only one player of a team is absent, substitutes are allowed. Note, however, that to be eligible for playoffs that a team must have both of its players play in 2/3 of their matches.

What if the other team doesn't show up?

If a team doesn't show up, the opposing team can ask for a forfeit. In this case, they get as many points as whichever team got the highest number of points that week, and the team that didn't show up gets zero.

What if something happens while I'm playing a game

The League Constitution provides rulings for most common scenarios. For anything that isn't listed, the League Coordinator is in charge of rulings, but a team has the option to protest if they disagree. We have attempted to cover all possiblities in this area.

How do playoffs work?

The top X teams make the playoffs, with X determined by how many teams enter. Usually the top 3-6 teams play, with the higher seeded team getting choice of machines and/or position. Prizes will be determined before the midway point of the season. We have also adding an extra layer of playoffs, starting with the Fall 1998 season. The winner of each doubles league will compete at Pinburgh '99 for the county doubles title.

Do you have any singles leagues?

Not currently. So far there hasn't been enough interest to start one, but it's not out of the realm of possiblity, and we can look into starting one if enough players request it. We have had singles leagues in the past. Note that in each doubles league there are also prizes for individual standings and high scores.

Are you affiliated with any other types of leagues

Not directly. One player runs a laser tag league, and the distributor that we deal with primarily, H. Lazar + Son, runs darts leagues, but we don't deal with these in our leagues.
Last updated: November 30, 1998