Delta Queen pinball rules and strategy
The Strategy
Delta Queen raises base bonus through the top-right arc, return lanes, and Advance Bonus standups. Build the base first, hit both A and B for Double Bonus, then repeat the upper-left bonus saucer because its collect does not reset the value.
The goal
Build bonus through the top-right arc and return lanes, hit A and B for double bonus, then repeatedly collect the doubled value at the upper-left saucer, which pays bonus without resetting it.
Plunge the center top lane when possible to light both side bumpers.
From the left flipper, shoot the top-right arc and cross its three white rollover buttons.
Use return-lane and advance-bonus switches to keep building base bonus.
Delay the A and B standups until the base bonus is high enough to justify their rebound risk.
Hit both A and B to light double bonus.
From the right flipper, shoot the upper-left bonus saucer.
Confirm that the saucer collects bonus without resetting the lit base value.
Repeat the upper-left saucer while its return remains safe, rebuilding through the top-right arc as needed.
Alternative route: Base-bonus survival plan
Use this plan when the A-B standups or upper-left saucer are rebounding toward the center.
- Continue the broad top-right arc from the left flipper.
- Take return-lane and side-target advances through natural play.
- Let the outhole collect the accumulated base bonus if no controlled collect appears.
- Reattempt A-B only after the ball reaches a stable flipper feed.
Need to know
- Skill shot
- The center top lane lights both side bumpers; either outside lane lights the opposite bumper.
- Bonus advances
- The three top-right arc buttons, both return lanes, and two advance-bonus standups each add 1,000.
- Double bonus
- Hitting both A and B standups beside the center saucer lights double bonus until the ball ends or the game is tilted.
In Delta Queen, the upper-left saucer scores the built bonus without resetting it, while the drain collect resets the base. Use the left flipper for the top-right arc and its three buttons, delay A-B until the base is valuable, then light Double Bonus and repeat the saucer from the right flipper. Stop when its return no longer reaches control.
The goal
Build bonus through the top-right arc and return lanes, hit A and B for double bonus, then repeatedly collect the doubled value at the upper-left saucer, which pays bonus without resetting it.
- Plunge the center top lane when possible to light both side bumpers.
- From the left flipper, shoot the top-right arc and cross its three white rollover buttons.
- Use return-lane and advance-bonus switches to keep building base bonus.
- Delay the A and B standups until the base bonus is high enough to justify their rebound risk.
- Hit both A and B to light double bonus.
- From the right flipper, shoot the upper-left bonus saucer.
- Confirm that the saucer collects bonus without resetting the lit base value.
- Repeat the upper-left saucer while its return remains safe, rebuilding through the top-right arc as needed.
Builds toward: Repeated doubled-bonus collects
- Build base bonus through the top-right arc, return lanes, and advance targets.
- Hit A and B to light double bonus.
- Collect the doubled value at the upper-left saucer.
- Use the non-resetting saucer collect to preserve the base value.
- Repeat the collect while the ball remains controlled.