Erik, can you take a quick photo?

No problemo. The star posts are yellow but I can't figure out how to get them to show up accurately on this phone

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Dwight's awesome. I'm super excited about Cinnabon if it's true that he and Steve Ritchie are reuniting.

Here are some pictures of my premium with some mods.

Topper is pricey but it looks good on the premium as its castle walls match the playfield ones:

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Side art blades - I haven't installed them yet as I want to get Stern's orbit fix done first so I'm not pulling the playfield up and down and scratching the side art. So they're just shown for pics with clamps holding them down. They look really good. Add to the cold feel of the premium. Blend in perfect with the art on the back panel. And neat reflections off Ghost and the White Walker.

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Also added Lannister banners to the castle and a Stark one for the post.

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Metal washers still Eh?

I love those washers. Can't part with them.

Those flags look great Apollyon, where did you get them? Did you make them?

Modfather sells them here:

http://modfatherpinball.com/collections/got/products/game-of-thrones-lannister-flag

But if you want to save money, they are just the flags that come with the McFarlane GOT kits. They are basically lego sets. The flag is one piece, made of plastic, but it looks great - authentic to the show. I just bought the kits and installed them with "L" shaped metal brackets and some double sided tape. Takes about 30 seconds to install.

http://www.amazon.ca/Game-Thrones-Consturction-Lannister-Banner/dp/B0158FADV2/ref=sr_1_4

If you pick up any of the flags, let me know and I can give you some of the brackets. I have a bunch left over.

Thanks! I actually meant to pick up a few other things from him, so that works out awesome.

Couple of things.

- For premium owners. Somebody please put some Ice Blue in the GI. I bet that would be sweet on this theme!

- New to SPIKE people. I just made a thread about the interlock. Seems as though that feature is gone. Major bummer on that.

- I'm surprised I didn't see talk about this. They went to the pro style lock/latch system on the prem and LE's apparently. I personally prefer that but was pretty surprised to see that when I opened my LE.

For the skilled players, a question:

How do you typically manage shots trapped on the flippers, under control (I'm able to trap and pass pretty reliably)?

My issue - Lately I've been hitting nothing but bricks off the stand-up targets. I've been playing with glass off a few times to try and improve these shots, but not sure the most reliable approach.

Do you suggest:

1. Simple timing - release then hit on some 1-2 type count?
2. Position of the ball on the flipper - release then hit when ball is @ midpoint, or near the tip, etc.?
3. Muscle memory - See the ball, hit the ball!
4. Take up tiddly-winks, this game is not for you!

I had been doing pretty well, but seems like I am getting worse:

1. Left orbit from left flipper - I can hit this about 80%+ using a quick 1-2 count
2. Right orbit and right ramp from left flipper - I've had some success hitting the ball just as it crosses the dragon's head on the playfield near the drain, but this is not very reliable.
3. Left orbit from right flipper - not very reliable at all
4. Left ramp (kicker) from right flipper - no consistency here yet
5. Center ramp from right flipper - I had been hitting this like 90%, but something has changed - flipper strength or my cadence. I am now ONLY hitting the right-side stand-up target - makes me crazy

Anyone care to share their approach? Any tips to help me improve my meager skills?

Then comes moving ball shots - a whole OTHER issue!

I'm not a great player by any means, but I'll chime in.

I mostly go off muscle memory. But for the harder shots I memorize where on the flipper the ball needs to be to complete the shot.

Do you play golf? One of the hardest things about golf is keeping your head down. Even when you think you're doing it, you're not.

Same goes for pinball. Memorize the spot on the flipper that the ball needs to be on to make he shot and don't look up until after you flip. If you look up while or just before you flip, that changes the timing just enough to miss a lot of times.

Also I think you can just get the yips (another golf term) in pinball too. It basically means you start bricking shots for no real reason, and you have to just work through it and get your confidence back.

It helps me to watch better players also. Watch Keith's video if you haven't already.

Much like golf, you are also going to want to find the correct blood alcohol content. It's a delicate balance.

I watched that video. Was very helpful, especially noting when a ball is in freefall heading toward a flipper, he doesn't always flip it. Often he'll simply let the ball bounce over to the opposite flipper. That is not my normal reflex/instinct, but it's a nice way to control the ball. I'm trying to add that approach to the mix.

As for blood alcohol content, I think I play better, or maybe I care less.

I'm sure I play better, but my scores never reflect that.

Does someone has a prem / le playfield comparison picture?

Which pf do you prefer?

Toasterdog posted some pics of his side armor in this thread:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/got-premium-update/page/9#post-2991445

If you are missing same shot in same spot over and over literally look/aim more right or left. Almost like a when a sight on a gun is off, over compensate.

If that does not work hit a few other shots and come back to it.

Either here or on Stern's website you can see both playfields (not sure how hi-res they are) but that gives you an idea. My opinion: I think the LE has a higher quality art package, however, I prefer the blue theme of Premium. I'd be happy with either.

I think the premium needs different colored sling and outlane/inlane plastics. Someone will make something awesome I'm sure. Otherwise the pfs are equal for me

I have blue sling rubbers and plastic protectors, also pinball life has shipped my blue inlanes, start button, coindoor inserts and light up flipper buttons. I'm going blue. I might change the plastic protectors to clear though.

Added Lolipop Side Armor and Premium Art Blades today. Very happy with the result:

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A lot of cool mods here too. Affordable even

http://tvshop.hbo.com/search?w=figure

http://tvshop.hbo.com/search?w=banner

http://tvshop.hbo.com/search?w=sword

http://store.hbo.com/sale/index.php?v=hbo_shows_game-of-thrones_sale&catnvbar=Sale

Looks good, Mark. Just got my art blades today -- a little different than I was expecting (thinner, thought it would be rigid). Did you remove the playfield to install, or just lift it up?

I was by myself, but did manage to get the playfield out - I think pretty much necessary, especially around the upper playfield with no space for fingers.

I did it as a bit of a cheat - I never lifted the full weight. I first pulled the playfield out, up to the normal rubber feet on the supports and rested it on the lockdown bar. Then I dragged over my workbench stool, which is on wheels, and pulled the playfield out a bit further and tilted & rested the support bars on the seat of the stool. I then lifted the back end of the playfield and pushed forward against the stool until the back-most coil frame rested on the lockdown bar. The playfield was now suspended between the lockbar and the stool - fully out of the way.

Attaching the blade was pretty simple. I was able to get a 2nd try on one of them with no issue due a very minor misalignment. I did not press the blade down tight until I was happy with the result.

I used the Windex trick (coat the sticky side before applying), and I installed mine without taking the playfield out. The Windex allows you to slide it around. The right side I did without moving anything. The left, I had to raise the playfield because the castle got in the way.

I'm thinking of replacing a few of the GI bulbs to frosted LEDs. Occasionally, some the clear bulbs will be visible as I am playing. I find them just a bit harsh.

I have a handful of Comet NG frosted warm white - but these may be too warm for the Premium winter theme. I'll try it out and see. Else, Art may have a fresh order coming.

This windex trick worked great. Lightly coated the sticky side and was easy to move a little to get into position. Then used a plastic putty knife to smooth it out.

I did take the playfield out, but need to wait until my wife gets home to get it back in.

I added some blue to my cabinet on my premium. Blue inlane plastics from pinball life. These are much better then the red ones installed at the factory.
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And then on the cabinet I've added blue lit flipper buttons, blue coin door inserts and a blue start button.
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Next will be a blue tournament button

Sexy time !

Looks great! Out of curiosity, how do you hook up the tournament button? I was thinking of ordering one... Thx!

I dunno. International games get them from factory. I doubt it's that hard though. I'll try to follow the wires next time I have the glass off.

The tournament button has a grey-white wire that looks to plug into the cabinet node board beside the start button, I think the ground wire is shared with the start button. Should be a fairly easy install.
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Thanks!

I made a ~$3 Pwr Switch mod tonite, after a quick trip to Radio Shack (25A Automotive SPST Rocker Switch - a nice tight fit in the 1" diameter Tournament knockout). My wife has not seen yet, but she and her short arms will thank me!

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https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/relocating-the-pwr-switch-on-spike-system-like-got

Mine did this as well, it eventually just worked itself out I guess. Thanks for the tip in case it returns.

I must admit, this simple mod is the single BEST thing I've done to my GoT so far. It is quite enjoyable to simply step up to the machine, flip the switch without reaching and play a few quick games. Then flick it off and walk away.

So, was more like $12 after all:

xx 1. SPST Rocker Switch - Radio Shack: 275-0730 - $3.49 xx - replaced, see below
2. 1/4" Quick Disconnects - Radio Shack: 6403049 - $2.49 (8 pack)
3. 14AWG Stranded Wire - Lowes: 55667121 - ~$5.84 (20 ft)

https://www.radioshack.com/products/spst-25a-auto-rocker-switch?variant=5717530949
https://www.radioshack.com/products/crimp-on-quick-disconnects-2?variant=5717876165

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Edit: Replaced the switch with a properly rated 125V 16A DPDT - drop-in replacement!

DigiKey: EG4770-ND
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&itemSeq=191466062&uq=635927878234035027

I have these on all my games

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DQELHBS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1

Too easy. If you can't take out your wire strippers, crimp tool and zip ties, what fun is that? I was a bit disappointed no soldering iron or heatshrink tubing was needed on this one.

haha. Good point. I have enjoyed seeing the few different ways people have used the tourney button area though. Tons of creative people on here.

I don't have any other pins with drop target banks like the Lord of Light 3 target bank on GoT... I'm guessing this is normal but when the solenoid fires to reset the bank, if the ball is anywhere remotely close the force of the solenoid is strong enough to really affect the ball or have it take a small bounce. Since I don't have anything for comparison, just thought I'd see if anyone else's does this and might need adjusting ...