I've decided I'd like to try and get a pinball table but I'm pretty new to this and I'd like to get some advice. While I have a LOT (as in hundreds of hours) of experience playing virtual pinball games like TPA, Pinball FX2, Visual Pinball, etc. I have very little experience playing actual tables (in the real world). I know it's going to be a completely different experience and I'm looking forward to it. I also realize that a real table will require maintenance/repairs and I'm hoping I'll be able to learn to do that myself. I'm moderately competent repairing electronics. I know how to use a multi-meter, replace bad capacitors, etc. My biggest concerns are finding a good reasonably priced table that I enjoy, transporting it, and (most of all) the possibility of getting bored with it. I realize that I've been spoiled by the virtual pinball games, which offer me over 100 tables to choose from. I'm curious if people who own real tables find they tend to keep their interest or if/how fast they get bored with them?

I'm also curious what kind of game people recommend starting with? Do you guys recommend starting with an expensive, fancy table or something cheaper? I see advantages and disadvantages to both options. Here's a list of some of the tables that I might be interested in. I'd love to hear any comments you guys have on them:

- Star Trek: The Next Generation - This would probably be my holy grail. I'm a huge ST:TNG fan and I love almost everything about this table. It looks and sounds fantastic. I like the layout and it has reasonably deep rules. As I understand it, the one downside is that it tends to be high maintenance.

- Cirqus Voltaire - I have no idea why but I never seem to get tired of playing the TPA version. I'm not big on the theme but I find the audio outstanding. The gameplay doesn't seem especially deep but I find it enjoyable (I especially enjoy stacking the multi-ball modes). The biggest downside is that this table is probably outside what I'm willing to spend at this time.

- Attack from Mars - I love this table but it seems even further outside my price range.

- Jack*Bot - I love the whole *Bot series but this one seems to be the best. I love the theme, look, and audio. I understand this table tends to be pretty cheap for a DMD. My biggest concern is that the rules seem a bit shallow. Still, I find it quite enjoyable.

- RoadShow - This one also seems like a pretty good game for the price. I'm surprised how much I like it considering how much I dislike Funhouse. This one isn't super high on my list but it does seem to have value going for it.

- Who?Dunnit - I love the theme and the audio on this table but I've heard mixed opinions about it.

- Stargate - I've only played this on Visual Pinball and the physics on that version feel weird, so I don't think I've gotten a good feel for it. This table seems fairly interesting and I understand it's a pretty good value as well.

- LotR - Not too familiar with the movies but the table seems interesting. I hear it's very deep, which I consider a good thing.

- Simpsons Pinball Party - Another table I hear is very deep. I AM a big Simpsons fan but I feel this table is a little lacking in some areas (especially the audio).

- Genie - Obviously way simpler than anything else on the list. It's not much to look at or listen to but I like the layout and gameplay. I like how you have to work to build up the bonus + multiplier and that it is collectible without draining the ball!

- Lights Camera Action - I'm not sure it could keep my interest long term but I love this table for quick, brutal sessions. Making the million point shot is very satisfying.

- Star Trek Pro (2013) - I have never played this table in any form but I am quite curious about it. I'm a huge Star Trek fan, though not big on the movies this table is based on. Still, I'm quite interested in it.

So, there's a list of just some of the tables that have caught my attention. I'd love to hear people's opinions on owning them. Personally, I value a good layout and ruleset (and audio). I love deep rules but they tend to be mostly on the more expensive tables. I can tolerate simple but there are some things I can't stand. I dislike one or two-shot tables. While I like most things about Bride of Pin*Bot, I hate that you pretty much just have to hit the same two ramps over and over. I also dislike tables where most of the scoring is concentrated in the bonus, when it's capped and not collectible without draining. El Dorado City of Gold is a good example of this.

Price-wise I'm a bit flexible but I really don't want to spend over 5k, especially on my first table. I feel like it would probably be better to start with something on the cheaper side and see how things go from there. So, what do you guys think? I'd love to hear advice, opinions, suggestions on other tables I might like, etc. Thanks.

That's what I'm debating. Jack*Bot and Stargate are a couple cheaper DMDs that I'm quite interested in. There are also a number of System 11's that interest me (Diner, F-14 Tomcat, High Speed, Space Station, Whirlwind, etc.).

Yes, I'm aware of your ST:TNG. It does look nice but you're a bit far from me. Right now there's actually one listed on Ebay for $4,200 that's fairly close to me. I'm surprised because most of the tables I see listed on Ebay seem way overpriced.

I agree. I did get a chance to play some real pins about a year ago, at the White Rose Gameroom show. Sadly, I wasn't able to go this year. I got to play a ST:TNG that was barely working but it was still fun. There was a Flight 2000 but it had weak flippers that couldn't get the ball more than half way up the playfield (making multi-ball impossible to start). That's another table I like but I think I'd get bored with it fairly quickly. I also played a Genie which was enjoyable. There was a very nice T2 which seemed to get little attention so I spent some time with it. I was fascinated by Spirit but that's apparently a very rare, expensive table. The biggest surprise to me was Victory. The virtual (TPA) version just looks kind of dull and ugly. The one at the show was absolutely gorgeous. It played well too. I also got to try some of those virtual pincabs. They're neat but I'd much rather spend the money on a real table. Anyway, I do have a little experience with real tables, just not a whole lot.

I wouldn't get a pin JUST because it's cheap (unless it was a REALLY good deal). I am however debating whether it makes more sense to get one expensive, great pin or a couple cheaper, good pins.

I hadn't thought about other Pinsiders. I did check the Pin Map and there don't seem to be many public tables listed in my area. The problem is that I don't get out much and don't tend to be very sociable. (That's my flowery way of saying I'm very shy.) Still, thanks for the advice. Also, I'm quite open to the idea of starting with a cheap EM, to test the waters.

My budget is flexible, I'm just wary of spending too much on my first table. I definitely like deep rulesets. I tend to find it a bit depressing when I realize that I've completely figured out and done everything on a particular table. TSPP is definitely on my radar. The problem with a lot of newer pins is they usually have themes that I'm not crazy about. The theme isn't a hugely important aspect but it would be nice if it was something I liked.

I have a love/hate relationship with Twilight Zone. I love the theme, look, and sound of the table but the gameplay leaves a bit to be desired. There's too much emphasis on hitting the left ramp, right ramp, then piano. Many of the other areas just seem to be too dangerous, especially the bumpers. This is a table where I'd have to spend a good while with a real one before I'd consider buying one.

I agree. I really like Tales of the Arabian Nights but it seems to be a bit on the pricey side.

Is there any other easy ways to check for errors besides playing it and checking for the credit dot? I do have a good eye (and nose) for fried electronics, though I'm sometimes thrown off by components that naturally run hot (and sometimes discolor the surrounding PCB). I am actually worried a bit by the weight. I've heard it's a very heavy table. I have some health issues and try not to overexert myself, so I'm sure I'd need help moving one.