I am relatively new to all this, so my advice is probably not the most sound. That being said, I too am looking for my first machine. I am lucky enough to have a place nearby with 100 pins, many of the best games. So I have spent a lot of time there going from machine to machine. That can get pricey. I have been supplementing that with Pinball Arcade. I can learn the rules for many machines, get a simulated feel for it, and then when I go back to the arcade I have a plan of attack for each machine. Playing them on Pinball Arcade allows me to have a richer understanding of the game and its long term enjoyment without breaking the bank.