Pinball

Pinball is usually (although not always) a coin-operated arcade game played on a pinball machine, a slanted board usually enclosed in glass.

The objective of pinball is to keep the metal ball in play on the board, and score points by propelling the ball against pins and other obstacles placed around the game board. The player controls the ball with two flippers at the bottom of the board, which are moved by pressing buttons on either side of the pinball machine.

The main objective of the game is to score as many points as possible. Securing the highest score or one of the highest scores on a pinball machine is a boost for a player's ego.

Secondary objectives of playing pinball include staying on the pinball machine as long as possible and also by earning free games (these are sometimes called replays).

The Pinball machine originated from a variety of outdoor games and is closely related to Bagatelle.

Pinball type games were first played outdoors on grass and involved hitting balls with sticks and trying to avoid/hit objects, etc Pinball historically relates to games such as Billiards, Bowling, Croquet, Golf and Shuffleboard.

The following are the top 10 rated Pinball players in the world rankings. These will be regularly updated to reflect the latest rankings:http://www.pinballrankings.com/

1. Jorian Engelbrektsson, Sweden, 674.52
2. Keith Elwin, USA, 652.35
3. Bowen Kerins, USA, 536.15
4. Josh Sharpe, USA, 516.54
5. Zach Sharpe, USA, 485.26
6. Trent Augenstein, USA, 455.17
7. Mats Runsten, Sweden, 447.91
8. Cayle George, USA, 435.33
9. Andrei Massenkoff, USA, 421.72
10. Jörgen Holm, Sweden, 403.10

The song Pinball Wizard popularized the Pinball machine.

This song was released in 1969 and reached number 4 in the UK and number 19 in the US Charts.

The song was recorded on the band's 4th album called "Tommy".

• Ever since I was a young boy
• I've played the silver ball
• From Soho down to Brighton
• I must have played them all
• But I ain't seen nothing like him
• In any amusement hall
• That deaf, dumb and blind kid
• Sure plays a mean pinball

• He stands like a statue
• Becomes part of the machine
• Feeling all the bumpers
• Always playing clean
• He plays by intuition
• The digit counters fall
• That deaf, dumb and blind kid
• Sure plays a mean pinball

• He's a pinball wizard
• There's got to be a twist
• A pinball wizard
• He's got such a supple wrist

• How do you think he does it?
• (I don't know)
• What makes him so good?

• He ain't got no distractions
• Can't hear those buzzers and bells
• Don't see lights a flashin'
• Plays by sense of smell
• Always gets a replay
• Never tilts at all
• That deaf, dumb and blind kid
• Sure plays a mean pinball

• I thought I was
• The Bally table king
• But I just handed
• My pinball crown to him

• Even on my usual table
• He can beat my best
• His disciples lead him in
• And he just does the rest
• He's got crazy flipper fingers
• Never seen him fall
• That deaf, dumb and blind kid
• Sure plays a mean pinball