By Bernard Boulevard
It’s time for another new fun way to play pinball: Skill Shot’s newest creation, HALF AND HALF!!
Known to some players as Flippers, Half and Half is a great way to find out which flipper works best for you in a pinball game. If you suck playing only the left flipper, you might see that right flipper in a different light.
Each player takes a flipper, and an (optional) third player pulls the plunger. The object of the game is the same as with any ball in any pinball game: Keep the ball in play! Novices will find it strange to have no control over the opposite flipper, while experienced players will learn how to control the ball in a way that involves trusting the other player’s ability. Being able to guess your partner’s next move is a key factor. If you know that they can hit the trapped balls for Stewie Pinball with ease, you can bounce the ball from your flipper to your partner’s to the best effect. But you must be sure! If your partner isn’t paying attention or doesn’t know what he’s doing (hello Jerry!), the ball will just roll down the drain.
Playing Half and Half is the best in bars, because you have a free hand for your beer. No more getting poisoned! And you can include friends that normally wouldn’t play (like with Round and Round) because there is very little commitment or chance for embarrassment. Half and Half is basically a Round and Round style game: Each ball speaks for itself. You can play a full game with Half and Half, but each player has to commit to a flipper. There’s just no way to regulate the game play and scores when everyone switches flippers all the time. The fun is in the interactivity of the game. You are face to face with your partner, and can share ideas on the game. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Other reasons why Half and Half rocks:
- To get rid of the last ball of a player who’s name just got called for pool.
- You can take your friend’s turn while they’re making out.
- If your partner drains the ball, you can blame it all on him/her.
- If you drain the ball, you can blame all it on Half and Half.
Coming up next: Skill Shot’s NOW!