Split-Flip Tips: How to Win Friends and Influence Playfields
By Slim Buckle
The Split Flipper play style is having a moment. For the unfamiliar, split flipper is a style of pinball where two people share control of one pinball machine, one on each flipper button. What was once just the purview of cute insta pics and awkward date ideas has now become a legit fun competitive playstyle, and one of a growing number of “alternative” events that focus less on IFPA rankings and more on, well, having fun playing pinball with folks.
It might be obvious, but the best part about split flipper is the unspoken (or sometimes spoken) bond you form with your split flip partner. It’s almost preternatural. But like all preternatural things, it’s less mystical when someone explains the ins and outs. That’s what this is. Imagine Slim Buckle as your older bro/sis who is sitting you down and explaining to you how to build that chemistry with the person who matters most in your life: your split flipper partner.
How to build chemistry with your Split Flippin’ Pinball Buddy™
Don’t play with the best player you can, play with the person you like the most. This rule is #1 for a reason. If you think pinball is all about streaming from your dark, cream-carpeted basement, then maybe split-flipper tournaments aren’t for you. It’s not about isolation, it’s about hanging out with your buds and drinkin’ a few tallboys while you try to keep the ball in play with your partner.
Also, keep in mind that no one’s watching you as closely as they might during league night (they seriously don’t care about that awesome ski pass you made to set up your partner for the jackpot in multiball), so the only thing that matters is keeping that person you’re uncomfortably bumping ass cheeks with happy. See #2.When you piss off your partner, just say sorry. The difference from solo games here is that you won’t always have only yourself to blame. If you lose your temper, apologize right away, dammit. Split-flipping is all about having fun, there’s nothing that serious, so relax. Don’t eff it all up by chewing out your partner for a mishap—trust you’ll both make mistakes along the way.
In this same vein, take it easy on yourself. If you have over-the-top intensity and extreme negative energy, you’re bound to affect your partner. I mean, christ, you’re standing hip-to-hip. It’s really such close proximity. Take a big breath.
Don’t be a maverick—talk across the table. In some tournaments, giving mid-game tips to other players is frowned upon, if not downright VERBOTEN (editor’s note: What’s with all the German lately? Did I fall into an episode of Shprockets?) It’s time to shake that idea up. Playing Split Flipper is all about communication. In some ways, it’s like ballroom dancing. Plan your strategy together, but then have one person take the lead when it comes to in-game chatter. Call out your post passes and nudges, especially when balls are coming at the outlanes—you don’t want your moves to cancel your partner’s out.
If you choose to take the hero’s route, you better be willing to accept both the glory and the inevitable fall from grace. “My bad” goes a long way in split-flip, but less so when you just keep bricking the long ramp in zilla off the right flipper.
4. Be a ball hog if/when it plays to your strengths. Conversely, don’t worry too much about sharing with your partner if you’ve got that left ramp dialed in on Godzilla. As any former Surge-guzzling NBA Jam marathoner knows, it’s okay to call for it when you’re on fire.
5. Embrace the chaos, but slow down your play. You might be flipping with the other best player in the room (see #1, you shouldn’t be), but playing split-flip is the great equalizer. You aren’t the only one in charge, and the game is inevitably going to be hairier than playing solo.
Not to mention the fact that all the ramp/orbit angles you’ve been seeing in your sleep on MM are going to look a little different this time around, so be zen. If you haven’t, go find one of those newly revamped Lebowski machines to practice on with your partner and learn a little something from LA legend The Dude.
6. Couples who flip together, stay together. This one’s kind of a no-brainer. NGL, I’m kinda envious of people who play with their partners-in-life because mine doesn’t. I know this is in direct opposition to #7, but the truth is there seems to be a little magic in playing with the person you share a bed with.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not seeing this all through rose-colored glasses. I guess the downside is that if you’re both ultra-competitive IFPA nuts, the stakes are a lot higher when you’re trying to catch the lead on ball three. A bad mistake could lead to more than just a sleepless night of regret. But on the other other hand, I’ve heard that make-up pinball is great.
7. Chemistry comes in all forms—strangers, lovers, friends. If you’ve never played with your partner before, it’s all good. There’s a learning curve for everyone in split-flipper because you might play it once or twice year, if that. I’m not saying it hurts to get in a few practices before the big day, but the best split-flippers I’ve seen will try to put it on automatic and keep the ball in play without too much thought of getting into modes or progressing to a wizard mode.
8. I’m biased, but pair with a leftie. You get that slight advantage of two dominant hands—pairing that left-brain creativity with the logic of the right is only bound to be a positive when navigating the ensuing turmoil.
9. Roll with the drains. Split flip ain’t about winning. The first part of this one could be a country song if playing split-flipper was supposed to be some sad old guy crooning from a barstool in a darkly lit saloon.
But, alas, split-flipper is about that G-rated three-letter word I never hope to see on a high-scores board: F-U…N. I think that Doc Monday would agree with me that Nudge’s golden rule applies doubly here (and let’s consider this #10 for those who care): Don’t be a dick. (Editor’s note: he’s right. Be dickless!)
