same thing happens on mine, I can free it with a nudge but my kids can't.

That is an odd place for it to get caught. I will have to take a look at mine and see if anything sticks out...no pun intended.

Debating about getting a POTC. How well do they play? Fun Factor?

You either love it or you don't care for it. I think it's a good game...only had a few days but have played on location a number of times. I hear the wizard mode is tough to complete, which I would tend to think helps the staying power. It's a stop and go game, so if you like flow this isn't for you. I would have gone with another title if my wife didn't love the license so much. The general longer balls times fit into her wheelhouse more than mine. If you can snag one at a good price I think it's a good one...my 2 cents

Thanks, gonna play one tomorrow.

Never had a ball get stuck on that ramp on mine before.

Will do.....I got it Tuesday, but didn't get the keys. Seller is mailing them to me....he left the balls in the trough so I have been able to pay to play. Hoping the keys will come in tonight or tomorrow....if not I will be drilling the lock. Will let you know once I am able to test as you mentioned.

Do you guys have the game extra flat? Of the 4 I've had through here, none have ever done that. Is the ramp tight?

I ordered the works, but got cheese and anchovies

AnchovyPizza.jpg

I think if the ramp leans to the right more it will roll out of there. Can you see any way to get it to lean more right? Pushing on the right side of the ramp get the ball moving?

What is your pitch? Should be at least 6.5 degrees between the flippers. Do NOT trust the factory bubble. I too have never seen one regularly getting balls stuck there. I've played dozens on location over the years and have my own Pirate's out on location right now.

If you're at 6.5 or more, not sure where you would change posts to help. You could try adding flat washers between the hex posts and the underside of the ramp to see if that would help. Otherwise, adding wax just in that area of the ramp may help (novus clean first, then wax).

That 'ramp' is the worst named ramp ever. It really isn't a ramp. You can't 'shoot' that ramp. But it's made from ramp material and is about the biggest 'ramp' ever made. What was Nordman thinking?

mine is set pretty steep, so I don't think pitch is the issue.

There are definitely some differences between each one. Which isn't surprising considering the monstrosity that it is. Mine is more prone to go down the broadside ramp than most, which players like.

Because there aren't any outside hex posts, it's gonna be tough. Jacking up the upper ones is worth a try. As I said above, you could try 2 or 3 flat washers between the under side of the ramp and the top of the hex posts. Might make is steep enough.

I wouldn't focus so much on other people's pictures because each game is different. Instead, focus on where you can push go get the ball to roll then how to get that spot lower or other spots higher.

This used to happen on my POTC all of the time--but only when the ball was automatically launched. It didn't have enough power to go all of the way up the ramp and would settle at the same spot as yours. I determined that the plunger tip was slightly scraping the ball launcher during automatic launch. I took the plunger off, used two pliers to stretch the spring about 1/4" longer. This moved the plunger tip back 1/4" and no longer touches the ball launcher. The ball almost never gets stuck on the ramp anymore, and doesn't affect manual ball launch or appearance.

I had no idea what you meant until I just checked it out. The ball was actually resting on the plunger tip instead of the metal auto launch piece. I replaced the exterior spring on the plunger rod with a longer, beefier one and now it works 100%! Thanks for the tip, I was viewing the auto launch as a separate issue when it was related all along!