I usually play in the dark. I think it's easier sometimes.

It depends on game. I have found I play in dark with some but my Star Trek Next Generation with the dark playfield is hard to see. I tend to turn up the lights when I play it. Nothing is cooler than playing in pitch black with all machines going.

Agree with pinmeister. Some games with darker playfields are much better with the lights on. Others..well, Tron in the dark speaks for itself!

Funny, last night I went up to work on a machine so I had the lights on and fired up Tron and I will say that I had one of my best games ever...but I still enjoy the light show much more in the dark!

I find some of the Dataeast and Sega machines are extremely difficult to play in the dark. Not because of limited brightness per se but the overabundance use of strobing effects. All bulbs flashing at once puts a lot of strain on my eyes. Not to mention I have a hard time tracking the ball with all those spots burned into my eyes.

dark pinball lighting only

In the dark + one pinball machine on + with invisiglass = epic

just enough light to see the playfield... just "feels right" that way...

although during the day, sunlight pretty much takes over...

I have a dimmer switch in my game room and have the light pretty low.

I added spot lights to all my games with f¥€k'n bright LED's from pinball life in them. All my machines are plenty bright enough to play in the dark.

I feel pinball was made to be played in the dark, so I almost always flip the lights off. However, I am able to play better with lights on just because of being able to see the playfield better. I still opt for lights off though. It's like watching movies -- having a little light is usually easier on the eyes, but watching in a completely darkened room is better for the experience.

I usually play in the dark at home because I like the mood it sets but I know that my scores are better when I play with the lights on.

Lights turned low.
A couple candles lit.
Some Barry White playing in the background...

Oh. Whoops.
Wrong forum post.

Lights on dimmer switch, set to just enough to illuminate everything that the games lights do not.
Pitch black was o.k. until I got F-14 Tomcat, couldn't track the ball in total blackness with all the flash lamps.

I usually added 2-6 spotlights per game so playing in the dark is no issue. Also reduces any "strobe" affects as well.

Prefer lights out for incandescent lit playfields, lights on if LED lit playfield.