I am guessing I am not the only one with a “magic” number of pins. My magic number is 10 even though I have 12 at the moment, working it down to 10 keepers and might keep a few for putting in bars. What’s your magic number?
(Topic ID: 210619)
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Quoted from PinMonk:Universal pinball rule.
Your ideal collection is your current collection +1.
I usually say, "Just one more..."
Quoted from AJB4:I usually say, "Just one more..."
I agree...i always want one more. However sometimes when I go in my gameroom and look around I feel a sense of sadness. All these games and only a handful of people to enjoy them at most. Sometimes only the wife and I. Don't get me wrong, they excite and bring huge enjoyment. It just saddens me that only a couple will be turned on today while the others sit idle until it's their day. There's just so many times you can push play on any given day. Definately not complaining just sharing my thoughts. I've tossed around the idea of posting a flyer to start a league at the local grocery store but not sure random strangers and I can hit it off. And yes I have friends, just not pinhead friends.
I'm hoping to add a couple more this year. My issue is deciding to let them go or not. I don't play mine much anymore as they have gotten a little stale. Do I keep them and maybe with a larger collection, I'll get back to playing them more? Or I could easily flip them for something fresh, but will I regret it? It honestly drives me batty sometimes.
My magic number 8 years ago was 5. I now have 40 (some projects mind you). My math is correct, I know it.
Quoted from rotordave:My magic number seems to be 124 pins.
rd
my magic number is 125 I guess 
Actually my real magic number is 104. That makes up 26 four banks. Each bank having a diversity of eras and play styles, arranged in alphabetical order.
I will then be able to host a tournament with 104 players playing ALL games in four packs non-stop from start to end.
I've always appreciated whatever number I could afford. The most I've ever had, due to limited space, is 5 and soon I'll be down to 2 due to finances and kids in college. I feel fortunate just to be in the hobby at all. Keep it in perspective...it's just pinball
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Quoted from Whysnow:Actually my real magic number is 104. That makes up 26 four banks. Each bank having a diversity of eras and play styles, arranged in alphabetical order.
I will then be able to host a tournament with 104 players playing ALL games in four packs non-stop from start to end.
dont forget the back up games for when something goes wrong! 130? An extra game for each bank
Quoted from InfiniteLives:dont forget the back up games for when something goes wrong! 130? An extra game for each bank
so long as you come out for the inaugural event! 
For me, 10-12. When I had 50+ many got little to no play, there was always a backlog of games to repair/restore that I would never have the time to get to. It was an obsession. Now, it's just a part of my life. When I go downstairs to work on a game it's because I want to, not because I have to or feel obligated to.
18-20 works well for most large game rooms.
More than 25+ requires much more dedication, space, and expertise especially from multiple manufacturers.
Reference point of why:
https://pinside.com/pinball/community/pinsiders/xtheblackknightx/stories/how-many-pinball-machines-do-you-own
15 is the magic number that fits nice in my basement, without getting all Tetris with them. I *could* angle them, or squeeze some along some of the walking area, but I choose not to.
I think mentally, you need to steel yourself with the "right" number for your space, and draw that line and never cross it.
Ultimately, the magic number would be based on the space available! Though I must say, I've found multiples of 4 works well for parties/tournaments, because then it makes for easier tournament bracket progression.
I'm typically only playing around 3 heavily at any given time. I felt good around 12 because I could rotate around and games never really got stale. I have 16 right now and will fill up at 20 in my current space.
I would love to have space for about 40 games.
Quoted from frolic:15 is the magic number that fits nice in my basement, without getting all Tetris with them. I *could* angle them, or squeeze some along some of the walking area, but I choose not to.
I think mentally, you need to steel yourself with the "right" number for your space, and draw that line and never cross it.
Yes - perfectly said. That modus operandi also keeps everyone else in the living space happy and in harmony as well.
Quoted from rotordave:My magic number seems to be 124 pins.
rd
This is actually the correct answer. Rows and rows and rows.
Quoted from lodgingdolphin:My wife told me it's 9.
Lol... that being said I was going to chime in at depends on how much space you have and.... how many friends space you have! Wife need not know if your friends space is involved right?
chuckwurt
Quoted from lodgingdolphin:My wife told me it's 9.
Still got room for one more, nice! Hit me up if your TWD ever ends up on the chopping block, I miss Eddie LOL.
Quoted from GorillaBiscuits:Still got room for one more, nice! Hit me up if your TWD ever ends up on the chopping block, I miss Eddie LOL.
TWD has stayed the longest and I don't see it leaving anytime soon. Eddie brought me a Mustang recently, such a great guy.
Quoted from PinMonk:Universal pinball rule.
Your ideal collection is your current collection +1.
came here to say that
I only have room for 5 (and that is how many I have). In my mind I would love to have 8 if I had the space. I am sure if I had 8 then I would want 12. And then 12 would become 16...you see how this goes...
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