By Bernard Blvd.
Introducing another great new way to play pinball: Skill Shot’s NOW! The point of NOW! is to switch players mid-turn with whoever happens to be playing and standing closest to you. When you reach a point during play where the ball is suspended for a period of time, loudly say “NOW!” and the player you choose to go next hops onto the flippers. In choosing that player, you must believe in their ability to keep the ball in play, and to not get caught off guard and drain the ball immediately. The surprise of the switch can sometimes throw people off, so everyone playing has to be prepared to jump in when they hear “NOW!”.
A good time to shout “NOW!” would be before a multiball (when the ball is locked and the dot-matrix display is going multiball crazy), when the ball lands in a scoop, or when the game starts up a mode. More advanced players of NOW! can do it when the ball goes around a ramp or even when it is going up the playfield after hitting the flipper. This last option leaves little time for the next player to react, so remember to only do that move if they are an expert of the game.
NOW! is great for playing with people in a bar or social setting, because you can stop playing in the middle of your turn without wasting the ball or giving up the game. This might free you up when a friend shows up that you want to talk to, or if it is your turn to buy the next pitcher and your friends are getting thirsty. NOW! is a Round and Round type of game, as the nature of it doesn’t allow for score keeping or typical three ball games. NOW! is a fun way to interact socially while practicing America’s favorite pastime, Pinball!
Coming up next: Dollars!