Since there's apparently some butthurt going on.....

1. Play several games - tons of them - barcades, shows, friends houses, wherever.

2. Decide what games YOU like based on the above. Don't ask strangers what you should buy with your (insert dollar amount here).

3. Determine if the game you want will fit inside your (insert vehicle year/make/model here).

4. Learn everything you can about maintaining your game. Take a bold stand on whether to Novus, or if you want to go balls deep and wax it. Take heed of the vast information available and learn to change the bulbs, rebuild the flippers, etc.

5. Buy at least 4 more games.

6. After 5 years, introduce yourself on Pinside as a seasoned veteran.