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1. Introduction

The HFX Pinball Event (HFXPL) rules provide a format for running a friendly competition for pinball players of all skill levels. These rules are designed for events of any number of players, playing various machines at a single location. The MatchPlay system allows players of all skill levels to play while remaining fun and competitive for everyone. See the associated MatchPlay event or director for format and details.


1.1 Event Officials / Site Admins

Event officials make decisions on rule interpretation. Where possible, rulings on malfunctions or interference should be deferred to an official not directly involved in the game. Event officials record scores, are responsible for starting events on time and are eligible to play in any event.


1.2 Discretion of Event Officials

These rules are a guide. At times, situations will arise that aren't specifically covered. In these cases, event officials will make decisions in the spirit of the rules. Decisions will be documented and applied consistently if the situation arises again at another event.

2. Attendance

Event officials will set a schedule before any event begins. Players are encouraged to attend weekly league and events, but 100% attendance is not required.


2.1 Start Time

A specific start time will be announced in advance. Any games in progress at the event start time are immediately halted. Players are to begin play immediately.


2.3 Tardiness

Players who arrive after play has begun may still enter, provided advance notice is given and accepted by the event official. Based on the circumstances, the event official may forfeit the tardy players matches, until they arrive, to ensure the event moves forward. A tardy player may not enter a game already in progress (once the first ball has been plunged).


2.4 Early Leaving

Players who leave before the event has finished will receive a last-place finish for all missed games.


2.5 Inclement Conditions

Event officials may cancel an event due to inclement weather or other unsafe conditions. They are responsible for notifying all players if a night cannot be held as scheduled. A makeup date will be scheduled for all affected players. Extra time may be allotted for tardiness due to inclement conditions at event officials' discretion.

3. Machine Play Rules

3.1 Extra Balls / Bonus Balls

Extra balls and bonus balls are not allowed in event play unless declared otherwise by a event official before play begins.

An earned extra ball will be plunged, not played. A player may touch the machine to set up a skill shot before launching the ball. Once the ball is in motion, the player may no longer touch the machine. If the ball returns to a launcher lane requiring a manual plunge (e.g. via a ball saver or non-valid playfield), the player may re-plunge the ball.

If the playfield doesn't validate after 3 plunges due to a switch not being hit, the player may give a single flipper hit (no aiming or trapping) just to validate the playfield and complete the extra ball.

If the machine awards a timed bonus ball, you must plunge to start the timer and then let it time out with no further action.

Ball saves are allowed. If a machine displays "extra ball" or "shoot again" for a ball save (such as F-14 Tomcat's Flight Insurance), that ball save is allowed. Players should be aware of whether they have earned an extra ball and not walk away until it has been plunged.


3.2 Replays and Specials

No award is given for credits earned by replays or specials during event play. If a machine awards extra balls for replays or specials, they are plunged.


3.3 Disabled Machines

In the event of a machine breakdown, a new machine shall be chosen. If a machine keeps having catastrophic or major malfunctions, it will be considered broken down for the event and repaired by the location when they are able.


3.4 Machine Play Promptness

If an event player does not begin their turn within two minutes, other players may plunge the ball for them and that player may not play the ball. If an auto-plunge activates, no other player may attempt to save the ball.


3.5 Practice Games

Once an event play starts, a player may not play or practice games. They should remain with their group, and if they must leave they should inform another player in their group.


3.6 Non-Event Players

Event players do not take precedence over other pinball players. A non-event player may accidentally play your ball; this is considered a distraction, not interference or a malfunction. Regain control of the ball as quickly and politely as possible.


3.7 Rulings

Rulings shall be made by event officials, which include event coordinators and any designated officials. Any official is excluded from ruling on situations that directly affect their own standing as a player. If a ruling cannot be made from these rules, officials may refer to PAPA/IFPA official rules for clarification. The acting HFXPL official will always act in the best interest and in the spirit of pinball.

4. Player Errors & Violations

A player error is any player action, purposeful or accidental, which affects the normal play or outcome of a game in progress.


4.1 Playing an Extra Ball

Don't do this! If a player nudges, flips, or otherwise plays an extra ball, they receive a score of zero for the game. A player may use the flippers to set up a skill shot, but once the ball has been plunged the player may not touch the machine.


4.2 Playing an Opponent's Ball

Don't do this! Penalty is a zero score for the game. Trap the ball on a flipper as soon as you realize the mistake. It is your responsibility to know when it's your turn. The victim may choose to: continue playing the ball (if control can be recovered), or drain the ball and play an additional ball via an extra ball or new game. The player must decide immediately. If the ball drains without a decision, it is presumed the player wishes to continue with an additional ball.


4.3 Interference

Definitely don't do this!! Interference includes tilting an opponent's ball, nudging the machine during another player's ball, or intentionally distracting a player. Talking to or coaching any player at the machine during a game is not allowed. (Informing player 1 of too many or too few games entered is not penalized as coaching.)

If a player interferes with another player causing a drain or loss of turn, this is treated as a major malfunction.

Intentional interference is a serious violation and could result in expulsion from the event.

Accidental interference is regrettable but can happen. A warning will be issued. If it caused loss of ball, it is treated as a major malfunction. If it terminated play for all players (e.g. tripping over a power cord), it is treated as a catastrophic malfunction. Event officials are the sole determiners of what constitutes interference and whether it was accidental or deliberate.


4.4 Slam Tilts / Overly Aggressive Tilting

Please don't do this! A slam tilt caused by aggressive machine shoves, bang backs, or death saves is illegal. The violator receives a zero score for the game. For other players with incomplete games, this is a catastrophic malfunction.


4.5 Not Starting the Proper Number of Players

If too many games are started, balls for extra games are plunged but not played. If too few games are started, additional games are started if possible. If the correct number cannot be achieved, players on the machine must complete their entire game, after which remaining players will play their entire game.


4.6 Death Saves and Bang Backs

These techniques are banned due to their variable effectiveness and risk of injury to player or machine. If a drained ball bounces back into play without deliberate player action (a "lazarus"), this is considered mechanical nature of pinball and the ball may be played. If this occurs repeatedly and there is question about whether it was induced, event officials may end the game and award a score of zero.


4.7 Cheating

Violation of any rules with the clear intent of preventing fair play or unfairly increasing one's score is cheating and will not be tolerated. Penalties will be determined by event officials based on severity and could result in expulsion.


4.8 Waiting Your Turn

At commercial locations, event players do not take precedence over other customers. If they are playing a game, simply wait within reason or request a new game from the tournament director.


4.9 Serious Violations — Cumulative Penalties

Serious violations (slam tilts, interference, etc.) are cumulative over the entire season.

5. Scoring and Formats

All scoring and formats are defined within the associated MatchPlay events, or by the event director. The event operator will announce this prior to the event and can answer questions during the event.