Big Valley pinball rules and strategy
The Strategy
Big Valley uses an upper disc to raise its center post and two saucers to store balls across balls, players, and games. Hit the Up Post disc, lock one ball in each saucer, then shoot the 5K top-center lane to release both locks for Multiball.
The goal
Hit the upper Up Post disc to raise the center post, then shoot the open Gopher Gate. When the gate is closed, return the ball to the top to light bumpers and lock balls in the two saucers.
Before the plunge, check both saucers and note which balls are already locked.
Guide the plunge over the Up Post disc to raise the center post.
If the right saucer is empty, guide the upper ball into it to open the Gopher Gate.
When the Gopher Gate is open, shoot it from a controlled flipper.
When the gate is closed, shoot around the left side of the pop bumpers to reach the top.
Use upper nudges to hit needed light-bumper targets and guide balls into open saucers.
With balls in both saucers, guide the ball through the 5K top-center lane to start Lock one ball in each saucer, then score the 5K top-center lane to release both balls..
- Lock one ball in each saucer, then score the 5K top-center lane to release both balls.: Lock one ball in each saucer, then score the 5K top-center lane to release both balls.
Alternative route: Closed-gate upper route
Use this plan when the Gopher Gate is closed or no controlled gate shot is available.
- Shoot around the left side of the pop bumpers.
- In the upper area, choose the Up Post disc if the center post is down.
- Otherwise, choose a light-bumper target or an empty saucer.
- Return to the Gopher Gate after the right saucer opens it.
Need to know
- Center post
- The upper Up Post disc raises the center post, while either small rollover above a lower slingshot lowers it.
- Right lock
- A ball in the right saucer opens the 2,200-point Gopher Gate, which releases that locked ball when scored.
- Left lock
- A ball in the left saucer opens the 1,100-point Fox Gate, and Big Pine Pass can release that locked ball.
Big Valley uses an upper disc to raise its center post and two saucers to store balls across balls, players, and games. Hit the Up Post disc before working the locks, then fill the right and left saucers. Shoot the 5K top-center lane to release both balls for Multiball; with only one lock, use its matching Gopher Gate, Fox Gate, or Big Pine Pass release instead.
The goal
Hit the upper Up Post disc to raise the center post, then shoot the open Gopher Gate.When the gate is closed, return the ball to the top to light bumpers and lock balls in the two saucers.
- Before the plunge, check both saucers and note which balls are already locked.
- Guide the plunge over the Up Post disc to raise the center post.
- If the right saucer is empty, guide the upper ball into it to open the Gopher Gate.
- When the Gopher Gate is open, shoot it from a controlled flipper.
- When the gate is closed, shoot around the left side of the pop bumpers to reach the top.
- Use upper nudges to hit needed light-bumper targets and guide balls into open saucers.
- With balls in both saucers, guide the ball through the 5K top-center lane to start Lock one ball in each saucer, then score the 5K top-center lane to release both balls..
Big Valley Multiball setup and scoring
- Lock one ball in each saucer, then score the 5K top-center lane to release both balls.: Lock one ball in each saucer, then score the 5K top-center lane to release both balls.
Builds toward: Two locks and 5K Multiball start
- Hit the upper Up Post disc to raise the center post.
- Lock one ball in the right saucer.
- Lock one ball in the left saucer.
- Score the 5K top-center lane to release both locks.