Episode 8 - Pinball Terminology Explained (new players start here)

PodcastDec 11, 2023

Wedgehead Pinball Podcast

40 min

Summary

Educational episode defining essential pinball terminology for new players.

Alan from Wedgehead Pinball Podcast delivers a solo educational episode explaining common pinball terminology for new and curious players. The episode covers pinball machine eras (EM, solid-state, DMD, LCD), physical components (cabinet, backbox, flippers, ramps), playfield mechanics (scoops, drop targets, magnets, coils), and player skills (slap saves, cradles, post passes). Alan emphasizes that many terms have become invisible jargon to experienced players and provides clear definitions to make the hobby more accessible.

Highlights

EM (electro-mechanical) era pinball machines used bells, chimes, score reels, and lights instead of circuit boards for scoring
The Wedgehead podcast name derives from Gottlieb's wedge-shaped backbox on single-player machines, affectionately called 'Wedgeheads'
Solid-state era pinball spans roughly 1979 to 1989, characterized by circuit boards, electronic sounds, and alphanumeric displays
DMD (dot matrix display) era roughly spans 1990 to 2012, characterized by pixelated orange or red displays and multiball modes
Jersey Jack Pinball's Wizard of Oz (2013) changed industry standards by introducing LCD screens, making DMD feel outdated
Modern flippers have been standardized at three inches since the mid-1970s, with EM era flippers at two inches
Addams Family's hidden magnets (called 'the power') made the game ubiquitous and created a widespread misconception that all weird ball bounces are due to magnets
Death saves and bang back moves are not tournament-legal and Alan explicitly bans them at Wedgehead venue