Combination of reading and playing. Playing you can learn a ton. Reading on placers like pinball news can help you learn what might be added to game later maybe if the code gets done possibly.

If you're lucky.

Play it.

I don't read the cards or the walk throughs or anything else for something new. I just play it, and learn it as much as I can. After I'm very accustomed to it, I may take a look at everything else to see what I'm missing, but doing that first to me feels like cheating myself a little.

Half the fun is playing a game without knowing the rules, so I don't usually read up on them

I usually play a bit first, then refer to the rule sheet. I have found I have a better understanding of the rules when I'm relatively familiar with the layout and how the shots work...in the end I still stuck

VPin. Or now Pinball Arcade. Great lengthy explanation of rules on that one.

Same here. I'll play it (a lot) first to become familiar with the layout of the playfield then read up on the rule set. That way I'll know what is being referenced on the playfield. If I just read shoot the left lower ramp 3 xs to do something I’ll know in my mind’s eye what that actually is. Otherwise it’s forgotten about instantly. Mind like a goldfish I guess.

Combination of reading and playing and youtube\papa videos

Most of the time when I watch a Papa video, they play it in a way that I find monotonous. Yes, yes, it is great to score high but most of my higher scores are accidents that coincide with going deep in to "beating" a game.

I don't play for score, I play for accomplishments.

However, in answering the topic question, I play...then after I think I have it down, I may watch a Papa tutorial to see what I am missing...

when I first play a game, I'm usually just getting the feel for where shots can go. I usually learn as I go. If I really want to fully understand a game, I may search for a youtube video, or just read the instruction card.

I have not been able to play alot of games because I was never into pins as a teen and location play is mostly dead. I was in a pin golf tourney at the Louisville Expo and was able to do pretty decent based off of the PAPA tutorials and gameplay vids. I knew what to exploit on what games, etc. They are definitely a great resource along with rulesheets.

I usually play a couple of games first to get a feel for it before I read the rule card. I then focus on each of the rules/shots to learn them.

Play for a while then download rules

Playing, a lot. If there is something I can't figure out I will look online. The best thing I think is to play with someone who has some experience on a machine and watch them play.

I've probably played TZ 1000 times and still have no idea what's going on. Still fun trying to figure it out though.

Papa videos for me - love watching Bowen.

all the above for me