The rules & your first game
Play the game. Beat the clock. Learn a new way to compete in pinball, one level at a time.
A guide to Xtreme Pinball on real machines. The web app manages the competition; your group plays the pinball.
Your first ball
1:30Make every shot count.
01 / The basics
Xtreme Pinball adds time limits and optional rewards to competitive pinball.
A ball timer limits each ball. Alternatively, a game timer limits the whole game. Agree on the timer and rules before you begin.
One person acts as the Ref, managing the app on a phone or tablet while another player plays. Players usually take turns being the Ref.
For a goal-based game, the Ref stops the timer when the goal is reached. For timed play, the player must stop flipping when time runs out.
02 / Know your coins
Say “Spend Blue!” to the Ref to spend an available Blue coin. The Ref applies it, immediately adding 30 seconds to the active timer.
Spend before time runs out. Typically, only one Blue coin may be spent per ball; the tournament director decides the limit.
Gold coins represent points. The player with the most Gold coins wins the Xtreme competition.
With XP rules enabled, players can earn rewards during play. The selected rules define those rewards.
Purple coins are for optional bonus challenges and prizes.
Use them when your group wants an extra challenge. They are not required to learn the basic timer game.
03 / Getting started
Learn one layer at a time. These three learning stages are different from the individual player levels used for handicaps in stage three.
XP Rules OFF
XP Levels OFF
Get comfortable playing against the clock before adding extra rules.
This is the recommended beginner setup. Other timer settings can be used once your group is comfortable.
XP Rules ON
XP Levels OFF
Add simple game-specific rewards and penalties.
Review the selected game's rules with everyone before starting. The play screen shows its Game Rules; a game may have no special rules configured.
XP Rules ON
XP Levels ON
Add player-level handicaps to help balance the competition.
Set and explain each player's level before playing so everyone knows which settings apply.
04 / The Ref's checklist
The Ref keeps the app and the game in sync. Rotate the role as players change.
05 / The app, step by step
Sign in and open Play Xtreme Pinball. A first-time tournament comes with sample players and games to make setup easier. Replace them with your group and the machines you will play.
Real screens from an example Quick Tournament. Tap any image to open it at full size. These show the Xtreme format; Golf and Bowling have their own scoring.
Open Players, or use the player-count button at the top. Edit Bob, Jane, Tom, and Linda to match your group, or add your own players.
For your first game, leave player-level handicaps off. Decide who will Ref the first ball.
Open Games, or the game-count button. Add and edit games to match the machines available to your group.
Use the position controls to arrange the order. Review each game's setup before play.
Open Settings. Choose Xtreme, your timer, and starting Blue coins.
For learning stage one: turn Use XP Rules OFF and Use XP Levels OFF, use a 90-second ball timer, and start with three Blue coins. Agree on extra-ball timing and the per-ball spending limit.
The example screenshot shows XP Rules ON and XP Levels OFF—the stage-two combination. Change these switches to suit your group.
Open Tournament. Confirm the current player, machine, and ball. The Ref starts the timer, applies Blue coins when requested, and records rules as they happen.
After the ball or game, record the result. Use Standings to review the competition.
This example is Bob's first ball on Old Chicago. It shows 1:30 remaining and no special rules configured for that game.
06 / Ways to play
VPX cabinet challenges and tournaments are also upcoming. They are not required for today's local web play.
Know the rules. Try the beta.
Questions or suggestions? Signed-in members can use Send Feedback in the menu.