For the same reason that the close elevator door button doesn't.

I guess the flipper just starts sooner. The slap is actually used to alter the ball path by moving the machine slightly and flipping at the same time.

I've noticed this phenomenon also. In fact when I first got into pins the wife and I had this discussion. I told her that it was impossible, that's just not how they work. It's all in our heads. And yes I supposed the harder you slap the flipper button the faster your hand is moving and the sooner the ball hits the flipper. But then again an earlier hit dosent always mean a better hit. Oh now I'm confused.

That's what the dual contacts are for. The games measure the time between the two switch closures to figure out how hard you press the buttons.

It's purely psychological. Most people hit the button harder when they are going for a big shot like the Delta ramp on STTNG. It's just human nature.

Darn it, your big smiley face trumps my logic and knowledge of the board schematics.

Ok, I'll buy that one

After re-reading my post sober, I realized it probably wasn't obvious that I was joking. It would actually work, but I don't think that method has ever been used.

oh come on? All these years of telling myself to hit the pin harder on important shots was for naught?

Slap saves, hard hitting, tap passing, nudging, etc are all parts of being a better player. I use a hard slap hit sometimes to do a flipper catch...

Some sideways shots are definitely easier if you hit the flipper button hard with a slap because the jolt to the game is adding a little extra velocity to the shot. Also, a slap or quick hit to the button will open the upper flipper leaf or opto switch sooner then it would with a slower button press—which might help with timing on certain shots.

Haha. Kids do this to our machines all the time. We are always replacing flipper buttons. Insert quarter. Nothing happens. Press a bunch of buttons. Nothing happens. If the kid is observant enough, he will see to insert another coin. Press start, slam flippers until he gets bored, and walk away. Games made including Fliptronics and later should have a menu option for "No flippers untill ball plunged."

yeah my friend does that all the time, i told him it won't change anything.

sometimes it just look more impressive when people are around.

nothing wrong with a little action.