How to Get a High Score on a Pinball Machine: Our Tips

Not all Stern pinball machines are the same—whether you’re playing a Metallica, a Deadpool, or even a Pokémon machine, each one has its own set of rules. Before you launch your ball, the most important thing is to read the game rules, which are located at the bottom left of the playfield; this will help you better understand all the challenges you need to complete.

At Stern, the machines are built around modes and multiballs. The principle is almost always the same: trigger specific sequences to activate modes with point multipliers. That’s where the big scores are made—not by just hitting the ball in every direction.

Once you start to understand how Stern machines are designed, you realize just how well-crafted they are. The multipliers on the playfield allow you to double, triple, or even multiply the value of all points scored during a certain period of time. Each Stern machine has its own way of activating them—in fact, this is one of the first things to look for in the rules posted on the machine. But once you figure out how to do it, your score can literally skyrocket in a matter of seconds.

Multiball, on the other hand, is that slightly magical moment when several balls are in play at the same time—and it’s also when they disappear the fastest. On modern Stern machines, it’s often possible to activate multiple modes simultaneously, which further increases the number of opportunities. Figuring out which ones work well together is something you discover gradually, game after game.

And then there’s the ultimate mode, which is only unlocked after completing all the stages. Getting there requires patience and a deep understanding of the game, but the scores you can achieve there are well worth the effort. It’s kind of like the Holy Grail of Stern pinball.

That’s probably what changes the experience the most when you start to feel it—no longer just letting the ball roll along, but actually guiding it. On pinball machines, two techniques really make all the difference:

In trap, you have to stop the ball on the pinball machine by lifting it up so you can take a breather and think about your next shot.

And with the post pass, you have to transfer the ball from one pinball machine to the other via the center post to position it exactly where you need it. These two moves completely transform the way you play. A good way to practice them: make it your sole goal for a few games to trap the ball and make passes, without worrying about the score.

Every Stern machine has its own layout—the ramps, the loops, the shots that pay out the most. And the beauty of pinball is that you learn to read the playfield much like you learn to find your way around, gradually, with curiosity, one detail at a time. Players who rack up high scores don’t discover the machine as they play—they already know it inside and out.

Watching games online, observing other players, and reading through the detailed rules—all of this really helps you go from “I just hope I don’t knock the ball over” to “I know exactly where I want to send this ball.”

Ultimately, Stern pinball machines reward those who take the time to immerse themselves in the game. You don’t have to master everything right away—every game offers something new. So drop the ball and stay curious, because every machine has secrets to reveal.

If all this has made you want to take it a step further, at Skillshot we select the best Stern machines so you can enjoy this experience at home. Take a look at our catalog—your next favorite machine might be waiting for you there…