I'm by no means the best player, but on my first try I completed all the modes and got to the wizard mode, I don't have a manual so cannot see what options the pre-installs change.

It seems like its very easy to start a mode from the plunge, is there some way to make it so that you have to complete a shot to light the mode start?

I've steepened the table but it hasn't really made it much harder.