American Pinball Houdini thread

just drop a ball into it.

Sure, I know how it works The problem is that since the last software update the catapult gets fired but the trunk remains open after the shot in coil test mode (the coil remains powered) and the machine resets after a few seconds.

If I do it during a normal game, the trunk closes normally.

My first Houdini mod.

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I just tested this and mine does the same.

Nice. I did mine in a blue, but I really like the red.

Was able to finally spell HOUDINI and make it to the wizard mode today. Failed to finish it but was a hell of a ride!

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Felt?

amazon.com link »

Had my first Houdini reset tonight with the latest official code and I've played maybe 30 or so.

Odd because it happened right after I started KING OF CARDS video mode. Had a 2 player game going, I was the second player and I was on Ball 5.

Throwing my first card, watched it fly for a second, then the pin rebooted.

I let the game start up normally but did not start a new game and turned it off.

I'd like to send Rosh the file so maybe he can diagnose what caused the reboot.

Can someone tell me how to write the file out?

From what I remember, I put in and empty FAT32 formatted USB (4GB is what I use) and turn on the pin to write the data.
Is this right?

rosh Are you aware of this bug?

If you plug a USB drive in with the game powered on it will write the audits and logs to the drive then tell you to remove the usb and power cycle the game.

Thanks, looks like a bug that has been there forever, so nice job finding it, I'll get it fixed for the next release.

Yes, I was reported a few weeks back. It is corrected for the next release. It only crashes if it misses so for now you can keep an extra ball in hand and just drop it in the trunk if the test ball misses.

Just so others know what exactly caused the reboot of Houdini in King Of Cards video mode, here it is:

Once KOC video mode starts, immediately throw the first card from the right flipper into the first target screen
with a double ring opportunity and make both rings.

I love making both rings during King of Cards.

Yep, rare for me but so satisfying when I nail it.

It's a fun, challenging video mode that people seem to have a pretty difficult time picking up the first few times. Admittedly I've had my game for years and play the hell out of it but I'm still surprised how much people that don't play it regularly struggle to do well at it. I have also said this before but I think the scoring for this mode is way too high compared to most of the other illusions in the latest code, it's easy for me to get 200-300K points or more and an extra ball so if I have magicians choice and I've not played it yet I almost never choose anything else.

What adhesive did you use? I wonder if ball hits will cause red fibers to come loose and spread around the machine.

The Amazon link he provided, indicated there was self adhesive backing on the felt.

Yes, it is just peel and stick. I have not noticed yet any fibers coming loose but have only had 20 games or so since. One thing I had to change was to remove the felt on the bottom inside of the trunk, as I lined that too and I believe the friction the felt created caused the ball to hang up in the trunk occasionally. So I removed it. You can"t see the bottom of the trunk while playing so I should be good to go.

at the end, i also always get an EB with it... became easy in some way, but its only because you play it again & again, logical of course

That's why I reduced the time of the mode. I think I reduced it about 20 seconds.

You can also reduce the number of throws the player gets

Me too. I must add that the reboot occurred as both rings came from both sides heading towards the center of the screen and I made the first card shot as a double ring hit in the center of screen with the first card thrown from the right flipper. Was trying to do it for fun tonight but I noticed that the rings always come out randomly so the "setup" may not occur each time.

Help,I can’t hit anything,are there a pro tips?

Shots or rings in the King of Cards video mode?

Backhand the lock shot with your right flipper.

Anything at ALL? Or just in King of Cards?

Make sure you check key posts in this thread for setup ideas - leveling, adjusting targets near the ramps, etc.

It helps a lot to catch the ball on the flipper and hit a more controlled shot.

I hit every shot, just a pity it's all posts.

Anyone with experience ordering parts from AP? I ordered a coil on Sunday and haven't heard anything back since. Just wondering what the normal time between ordering and shipping is...

*Never mind, they sent me tracking info literally 15 min after posting this. So 3 days I guess

Just go for it…

Key to king of cards is understanding that that you need to hold the flipper the right amount to get the needed height (lower hope, both hoops, upper, too high). First get the feel for the timing from press to release for the 'both' level, then work to find the spot on the curtain to start the press. Of course since the speed of the hoops changes as you make shots, you need to learn multiple spots in each direction for the different speeds.

Speaking of king of cards, just came across this early concept for it , of buckets moving on a conveyor belt. . .

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I kind of wish there was an option in the menu to play this mode and practice it more than once in a while in a game

Thanks for the tips! I really enjoy this mode and appreciate the challenge of it. Probably my favorite video mode in all of pinball.

One thing many players don't realize is you have control over what stage act you get, even when it is not 'Magicians Choice'. The selected act is based now which act is being displayed on the screen when the stage is qualified. When you are one hit away, you can use the flippers to set up the stage act you want (typically you need to be one off since when you fire the flipper, you are going to move it one way or the other).

Keep in mind a clean shot to the 'key target' or a clean shot to the stage through 'stage alley' will qualify the stage with one shot.

Thanks, I wanted to create one that required some skill development vs just learning a pattern or being able to flip really fast. I think the one in Oktoberfest also requires skill development and has a hurry up nature to it to create a bit more pressure in executing.

I agree that King Of Cards is my favorite video mode of any pin I have played. I even enjoyed verifying the reset bug on purpose last night just cause it caught me off guard the first time.

Now I will avoid this bug, especially if I have a great score going.

If someone is beating me, I can do a OOOPS! What just happened?? LOL

I miss my Houdini and the same time glad I sold it. I just got super frustrated with not being able to get the catapult right (spent several hours trying to tweak it). I was lucky to get 1/10 balls into the trunk. So I final had enough and sold it. I do miss it and the fantastic code that rosh provided, the comedy and all the modes. I think I’ll get another one day but I don’t have the room for it at the moment ;(

That is unfortunate. Since I installed the coil kit and new power supply the ball has NEVER missed the trunk shot.

Hope your next one is set up better.

Yeah unfortunate.

Mine hasn't missed in hundreds of games.

Extremely stable with the cap upgrade.

No good that the trunk ball catch let you down so badly.
Mine gets the trunk every time but the ball hits the glass every time to. If I turn down the coil just one the ball doesn't make the trunk. I have fiddled around with the mounting of the catapult coil but no luck.

I understand why you sold Houdini. And i was in the fence to do the same. Glad I kept my Houdini and tweaked it alot and I found a solution for my Game to bei fun! Maybe you get a Chance to find a new one in the Future

Mine has ever missed with no cap upgrade!

I have one of the early run Houdini's with original power source etc. No electrical modifications and have no issues and catapult is consistent, flippers are fine and no issues with multiball play etc. However I think power into my house is consistent and I do have dedicated circuits and breakers for my pinball line. I have no more than 3-4 pins per circuit breaker. Added those pinball circuits when I had my electrical service upgraded at my house about 5 years back.

I think the consistency of power and draw on your circuits has a bearing on whether or not you experience a variance in how your game operates.

My game plays great and it's an early model. But as stated I have good clean dedicated line for power. Adjustments and set up I am sure are a factor too, but if you have good power your odds of things running consistently go up.

What is the incline/pitch set at on your machine? I have no idea if setting it too steep would impact the flight of the ball, but it should be set at 6 degrees - which is a bit lower than most machines, but what the Houdini manual says. I find that I have zero problems with the game when it is set at the right pitch, leveled, and the coil power is dialed in.
Just a thought.

I did the fabric lining in my trunk some time ago. While the product I used is marketed as "felt" it is really an adhesive backed polyester product. It is real tough stuff that I expect to last for some time.

https://www.michaels.com/royal-blue-adhesive-felt-sheets/D011752S.html

I just love my Houdini, sure it misses the trunk sometimes, but I find that part of the appeal and charm of the machine. Never know what to expect. And more extra balls than a Russian weightlifter on steroids.
Mine is a keeper, will be going to the grave with me….

Just found a pack of the self adhesive felt for the trunk, which I never installed. Did you remove the trunk to install it, or is it easy enough to reach without disassembling the game?

Thank you for that. I will check.

Remove trunk for sure,easy ,screws on back!and I believe a coil underneath