Blackout pinball rules and strategy

The Strategy

In Blackout, complete the upper 1-2-3 lanes until Bonus X reaches 5x, then knock down the upper yellow three-bank twice to light the right spinners. Repeat the top-right spinner while it returns cleanly to the upper playfield. Use full left orbits for their rising 5,000-to-20,000 ladder when that return is safer.

The goal

Complete 1-2-3 until 5x Bonus lights, and knock down the upper yellow three-bank twice to light the right spinners. Repeat the top-right spinner when its return is clean. Use the left-orbit ladder when the full orbit is safer.

  1. Send the ball to the upper playfield through the left orbit or a right-side spinner. Use the right flipper button to change the lit 1-2-3 lane under the ball.

  2. Complete 1-2-3 repeatedly until 5x Bonus lights. Lanes and targets also add base bonus.

  3. Complete the upper yellow three-bank twice to light the right spinners.

  4. Repeat the lit top-right spinner while it feeds the upper playfield cleanly.

  5. When the left orbit returns safely, make complete orbits to collect its 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, then 20,000 ladder.

  6. Keep feeding the top lanes. Do not shoot the center red drops directly.

Alternative route: Green targets

Use this plan when the left orbit or plunge sends the ball into danger.

  1. Shoot the green standups and the upper yellow bank.
  2. Use these shots to build bonus without forcing the unsafe orbit.
  3. Return to the upper route only after a safe feed.
Need to know
Main route
Complete 1-2-3 until 5x Bonus lights, and knock down the upper yellow three-bank twice to light the right spinners.
Long goal
Score lanes and targets until base bonus reaches 29,000.
Safer fallback
Green targets: Use this plan when the left orbit or plunge sends the ball into danger.

Machine setup

  • Confirm Williams Blackout, installed code, ball count, tilt, Extra Ball and Special conversion, Bonus X memory, lane change, and 29K base-bonus maximum.
  • Confirm two yellow-bank completions light both spinners, their per-spin value, green-bank orbit ladder, Blackout saucer behavior, and which awards reset progress.
  • Test both spinners and full feeds, yellow and green banks, dangerous red drops, top lanes, left orbit, saucer kickout, bumpers, and right-side plunge exit.
Sources and references9 source links and outbound references.
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Playbooks

Blackout playfield

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