I leave all of my games set on 3 ball. 5 ball games just seem to last forever, and kill the competitiveness when you're playing head to head. Especially if you're playing an AAB EM, or a modern pin where you collect extra balls.

Now some EM's can be set to 5-ball, mainly because of short ball times. But modern games on 5-ball? Seems a little overkill and takes some of the fun out, especially when setting or trying to beat high scores. At least in my opinion.

What's yours?

Totally agree. I correct myself also....not all of my games. I have my Vampire set on 5 due to the brutal "Jubilee-like" outlanes. Even a 5-ball game only last 5 minutes or so, if that. But even that game I switch back and forth between 3 and 5 occasionally.

Looking at the North Star PF, that makes sense. No access to rollovers from down below, unless you get a good bounce off the pops. But unlike newer games, EM's don't often have enough power to bounce the ball off the pops back up through the rollovers. Even that lucky bounce wouldn't be "skillful" playing.

And even if there was a path or access, 2 inch flippers don't often get the ball back to the top of the playfield in my experience.

Man...what a crazy PF layout on that pin. That's awesome.
North Star (resized).jpg

Oh wow. I'm so sorry. I had no idea the issue had been discussed.

I was just stopping a derail in another thread.

Feel free to scrap this one then.

That's a prime example for me though. Those 3 ball games on MSF where it totally kicks you in the nuts and it's over in 2 minutes makes me keep hitting that start button! Same thing with BSD.

But as Dave said, I don't care what other people set their games on and don't criticize. They can do whatever they want. Mine are just preference. Trying to beat some high scores I set (or others do) with only 3 balls is in itself an immense challenge sometimes.

Stop chiming in with the same meaningless BS. I told Forceflow he could close it earlier in the thread.

How about just don’t visit the thread if the repetition offends you? Christ.

Out of the other 48 similar threads, this one will be the most epic 3 vs. 5 ball thread. I will bump it to the top forever (even if just to piss off @thelaw).

This is interesting...I've never set any game to 4-ball. I guess it would be a bonus if you don't get an extra ball...like the bonus timed sequence at the end of Space Station.

It does sound weird...almost unnatural. Like an oddity. Still gonna try it.

I definitely second that opinion.

Unless it’s a Stern playfield dimpling or JJP critique thread, where people often go in and post the same statement in 15 different threads.

Bumping back up for TheLaw

I actually set my BF to four ball games last night. Played a few. Felt really friggin weird.