Magic pinball rules and strategy
The Strategy
In Magic, plunge the A lane to add 1,000 per spin to one spinner, then shoot the right spinner to advance M-A-G-I-C and return the ball to the top. Repeat the spinner carrying the lit add-on. When the left-spinner feed is controlled, use it to reach the upper three-bank and complete that bank until Bonus X reaches 5x.
The goal
Plunge the A lane, repeat the right spinner for M-A-G-I-C and bonus, then use the left spinner to feed the upper three-bank for Bonus X.
Start with the right spinner
Plunge the orange A lane, then shoot the right spinner from the left flipper to return the ball to the top lanes.
Collect letters and raise bonus
Repeat the right spinner while its return is controlled. Prefer whichever spinner has the lit 1,000-point add-on.
Raise Bonus X
Shoot the left spinner when its feed can reach the upper three-bank, then complete that bank to raise Bonus X. Shoot the upper-left saucer only after a large bonus is ready.
Alternative route: drop-bank bonus
Use this when one or both spinner shots fail to reach the top.
- Use natural top-bumper feeds to complete the three lightning-bolt drops.
- Complete the bank again after it resets to raise Bonus X toward 5x, then protect the multiplied bonus.
Need to know
- A lane
- The skill shot lights one spinner for a 1,000-point add-on and feeds the top bumper toward the drops.
- Right spinner
- A full right-spinner shot advances M-A-G-I-C, adds bonus, and returns through the top lanes.
- Left spinner
- The left spinner deflects the ball toward the three lightning-bolt drop targets.
In Magic, the A lane gives one spinner a 1,000-point add-on, right-spinner shots advance M-A-G-I-C, and each upper three-bank completion raises Bonus X. Plunge A, repeat the spinner carrying the add-on, and use the right spinner's top return to continue the loop. Feed the three-bank through the left spinner when safe, build 19,000 base bonus at 5x, and take the upper-left Bonus Collect only when it arrives naturally.
The goal
Plunge the A lane, repeat the right spinner for M-A-G-I-C and bonus, and use the left spinner to feed the three-bank when its return is controlled.
- Plunge the orange A lane. Watch which spinner lights for the 1,000-point add-on.
A-lane add-on rule details
- The A lane lights one spinner for 1,000 extra points per spin. Slingshot hits move the lit add-on between spinners.: The A lane lights one spinner for 1,000 extra points per spin. Slingshot hits move the lit add-on between spinners.
- The A plunge also sends the ball from the 1,000-point top bumper toward the drop bank.
- From the left flipper, shoot the right spinner to send the ball to the top lanes.
Right spinner setup and scoring
- Right spinner: A completed shot advances one M-A-G-I-C letter and adds one bonus unit before the ball returns from the top.
- Completing M-A-G-I-C raises spinner scoring and can light Extra Ball when the operator enables it.
- When the right-spinner return is controlled, repeat it. Prefer the spinner that has the lit 1,000-point add-on.
Spinner value setup and scoring
- Both spinners start at a lower value. The A-lane add-on and M-A-G-I-C completions raise their scoring.: Both spinners start at a lower value. The The A lane lights one spinner for 1,000 extra points per spin. Slingshot hits move the lit add-on between spinners. and M-A-G-I-C completions raise their scoring.
- Shoot the left spinner when its feed can reach the upper three-bank. Complete the bank to raise bonus X.
Drop bank scoring details
- Drop bank: Completing all three lightning-bolt targets raises the end-of-ball bonus multiplier by one step, up to 5x.
- The left spinner feeds the upper drop-bank area. Use the feed; do not force a square standup-target hit.
- Keep raising bonus and Both spinners start at a lower value. The A-lane add-on and M-A-G-I-C completions raise their scoring.. Collect the upper-left bonus saucer only when a large bonus is ready.
Collect Bonus scoring details
- The hidden upper-left saucer immediately scores the current bonus. It is mainly reached by a bumper bounce, not a direct shot.: The hidden upper-left saucer immediately scores the current bonus. It is mainly reached by a bumper bounce, not a direct shot.
- Maximum end-of-ball bonus is 19,000 at 5x, or 95,000.
Top-player proof
- At the Great Lakes Open 2021, Erik Thoren repeatedly used the lit spinners, completed the three-bank for Bonus X, and collected the built bonus during a 419,000-point game.
- At DFW Carpool PinMasters 2025, Robert Byers, Garrett Shahan, Hadi Seyed-Ali, and Brian Hayden repeatedly returned to the lit 1,000-point add-on spinners while using the drop bank for Bonus X.
Builds toward: 95,000 maximum bonus
- Build base bonus to 19,000 with top lanes, spinners, targets, and return lanes.
- Complete the three-bank enough times to reach 5x Bonus X.
- Drain without tilting, or collect the upper-left bonus saucer when it appears safely.
Sources and references10 references10 source links and outbound references.
- PinballCards
- Bob's Guide
- Original playfield image
- Kineticist Magic tournament strategy guide
- Magic tutorial and gameplay
- Official Stern Magic manual
- Erik Thoren at Great Lakes Open 2021 Classics — Group Matchplay
- District 82 Magic 90-second tutorial
- Pinballso Magic tournament tutorial
- Physical caution reference