It’s actually the shooter lane base, or kick up area between the trough opening and shooter lane base, that’s critical. It depends on what condition a person likes their games to be in. If one just want player level machines, then shooter lane doesn’t matter. If one wants collector quality huo stuff, it’s the first telltale sign of a game’s usage history. If the shooter lane looks perfect, the rest of the playfield will most likely follow suit. Pins built in the last year Or two should be perfect, especially used in a home. The older the game though, especially 90’s Bally Williams games, the more important and rare it becomes to find nice ones