Board 122: Glyph Glen

This picture shows a mysterious tablet in a wooded glade. The tablet is covered is strange glowing engraved glyphs.

Level 1 (Clear 30 red pegs from 87 total - Pro target 450k)

The first design is a regular grid of round pegs with diamond-shaped pegs placed in the gaps between them seemingly at random.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 441,480

• I should probably have had that one, but I couldn't get through to the last couple of red pegs and missed a catch trying to clear a path.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 387,590

• The last red peg went off an accidental ricochet and a missed the pro target by just 13k. The red pegs weren't as nicely positioned that time, and bonuses were harder to come by.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 356,470

• Two red pegs left again. The ricochets didn't seem to want to come that time, and the balls kept finding paths between the pegs somehow.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 265,690

• Three red pegs left that time, and a worse score. I should probably add a laser ball at this point, but I know this is possible without one. I'll have one more go first.

Attempt #5 - No power ups. Score: 594,330 

• There you go, I knew it was possible. There were one or two lucky catches in there, but I think the luck probably evened itself out overall. There were some good catches as well.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 450k)

The second design looks similar to the glyph on the surface of the tablet. It's all straight lines with rounded corners, small 8-peg circles, and a few single round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 133,340

• This one is definitely harder than it looks. I didn't make many catches or bonuses, and I had a lot of red pegs left at the end. I think I'll go straight for the laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 690,560 

• It took me ages to get through to the yellow peg and I scored very little from the laser ball, but some good catching in the endgame saw me home nonetheless.

Level 3 (Clear 35 red pegs from total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 400k)

The third design is a succession of alternating round and diamond-shaped pegs, arranged in a series of straight lines that spiral in towards the centre of the design.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 361,520

• I'm not sure that this one is tougher than it looks, because it does look quite tough. It'll need a laser ball, I think.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 257,730

• The yellow peg was right down the bottom so getting to it was a nightmare. I took all the pegs out around it, of course, just not the yellow one. After that I got very little from the laser ball, and got nowhere near the win.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 261,320

• Again, the yellow peg was tricky to get to, and I lost too many balls and pegs trying to activate the laser ball.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 609,640 

• The yellow peg was nicely on top, and that made the difference I think.

Level 4 (Clear 35 red pegs from total, with only 7 balls - Pro target 425k)

The fourth design follows the lines of the picture, around tree trunks, plants, the edges of the tablet, etc. It's mainly short curved lines, but there are eight round pegs on a couple of the tree trunks as well.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 276,510

• Seven balls is not very many to work with on a layout as complex as this one. This is definitely going to need a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 827,370 

• I got to the yellow peg with my second ball, but a lot of pegs had gone from the right-hand side by then, so I concentrated the laser ball on the other side where the pegs were untouched. I had one or two lucky ricochets and catches in the endgame which helped a lot, or I might have struggled.

Level 5 (Clear 35 red pegs from total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 450k)

The fifth and final design consists of four lines in a symmetrical pattern, each beginning and ending at a teleport. All these teleports connect to a single receiver in the centre of the screen.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 252,040

• All those teleports make for some tricky catching. The laser ball might be quite hard to use as well. I think I'll try a Big Bounce.

Attempt #2 - Big Bounce. Score: 725,900 

• The Big Bounce actually worked pretty well. It gave me the points I needed and took out a lot of the red pegs to boot. All those portals worked in my favour with it, and I think with the laser ball, they would have worked against me.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 2, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball and 150k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 571,830

• Gutted! That was so nearly a major triumph over adversity. The yellow peg was really awkwardly placed and I used up most of my balls getting to it, and took out most of the pegs on the left-hand side for very little profit. I concentrated the laser ball on the other side, but I was still left with lots of points to score with not many balls. I played lots of single peg catches, and dragged it out all the way to a total clearance. I needed jut 50k off the final peg, but both balls landed in the 10k bucket to leave me 30k short. I so deserved better than that!

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 914,020 

• I actually forgot about the yellow peg for the first couple of shots, and played some catches down the sides. Despite that, I managed to get the yellow peg without losing too many balls, and got a pretty high scoring laser ball. I didn't quite manage a total clearance, missing just one blue peg, but it didn't matter.

Level 7 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 57 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 1, but with one less ball, 200k on the pro target, and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 461,410

• Only a 90% clearance. I probably could have done better with that one but missed too many catches.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 683,690

• Up to 97% clearance that time, as I hung on much better with my catches in the endgame, but I should have gone all the way really.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 436,230

• Only two pegs left that time, both red, but my score was low so I was forced into going off the side wall for extra points and couldn't judge it correctly.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 622,720

• Three pegs left. I keep getting close, but my catching just lets me down at the end. I'll add a Big Bounce.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 400,560

• The yellow peg was right down the bottom, and I ricocheted into the green peg with the first ball, so I didn't do very well with either power up as a result.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 767,630 

• I got to the yellow peg with the first shot which meant both power ups worked much better. I did well with catches in the endgame so I still had balls in hand for the last few shots. That allowed me to take them wall first for the extra points which got me close enough to the pro target so that I wasn't relying on a good final bucket bonus.

Level 8 (Clear 45 red pegs from total, with only 6 balls - Pro target 725k)

The same design as level 4, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball and 300k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,042,730 

• The catching in this one seemed more lucky than good most of the time. There were several careless shots that seemed to find their way into bucket regardless. I got the yellow peg with the first shot and did OK with the laser ball. I would rather have caught it though as it had triggered the Triple Score Bucket bonus. Not to matter, as I made a seven figure score anyway.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 35 red and 20 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 700k)

A similar design to level 5, only the receiving portal is right down the bottom of the screen. There are 5 less red pegs, 250k on the pro target and a total clearance is now required.

Attempt #1 - Split Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 386,420

• I'm still not sure the laser ball is well suited to this layout, so I went for a Split Ball/Big Bounce combination. As it turned out, they were both rubbish - the Big Bounce got stuck in a corner, and both split balls dropped straight off the bottom of the screen. I think it was just bad luck though, I'll try them again.

Attempt #2 - Split Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 578,710

• Well I cleared all the pegs, but I was nowhere near the pro target. Maybe I'll give the laser ball a try after all. There might be a path for it that works.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 875,200 

• I should have tried the laser ball earlier! As it turns out, my standard laser ball path avoids all the teleports and nets quite a reasonable score. On the back of that, a reasonable Big Bounce and some good catching, I got a total clearance with balls and points to spare.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 64 blue, with only 8 balls and a 3s shot-clock - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 3, but with 5 less red pegs, 250k on the pro target, a total clearance needed and a shot-clock of just 3 seconds.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 239,530

• Neither power up was disastrous, but then neither worked particularly well either.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 569,270

• I missed out by one peg. The last catch hit the rim and bounced across the screen to just miss the catch on the other side. So close!

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 370,360

• It took too long to break through to the yellow peg. After both power ups were gone, I only had two balls left and it just wasn't enough.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 717,940 

• I got the yellow peg with the second shot, I think it was, and the laser ball scored OK, but not brilliant. The Big Bounce was quite successful though, taking out 23 pegs for just under 150k and earning two extra balls. I made quite a few catches after that and had to take some chances in the endgame to give myself a chance at the pro target. I just needed to avoid the minimum 20k off the final bonus buckets and I very nearly got exactly that, but the second ball veered off at the last second and found the 100k bucket instead.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	30	87	Reds	10	-	450k	5	594,330	409,112
2	30	109	Reds	9	-	450k	2	690,560	411,950
3	35	94	Reds	8	-	400k	4	609,640	372,552
4	35	97	Reds	7	-	425k	2	827,370	551,940
5	35	55	Reds	8	-	450k	2	725,900	488,970
6	40	109	Reds	8	-	600k	2	914,020	742,925
7	30	87	All	9	-	650k	6	767,630	562,040
8	45	97	Reds	6	-	725k	1	1,042,730	1,042,730
9	35	55	All	8	-	700k	3	875,200	613,443
10	30	94	All	8	3s	650k	4	717,940	474,275

Board 24 - Dragon Festival

This picture is of an oriental boat designed like a Chinese dragon. The deck of the boat has a single-storey pagoda-style shelter on it decorated with Chinese lanterns. There are lotus flowers on the water in the foreground, and pagodas in the background.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 107 total - Pro target 600k)

The first design looks like the dragon scales on the hull of the boat. Lots of curves that invite sweep shots.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 754,750 

• That was very easy indeed. There were sweep shots everywhere, and my number of balls in hand just didn't seem to go down. I left one blue peg behind, but that was just due to an unexpected ricochet that took out the last red. I still had nine balls in hand so I think I could have got it!

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 104 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 425k)

The second design looks like a part of a maze. It is entirely constructed of rectangular pegs arranged either horizontally or vertically.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 614,660 

• Another pretty straightforward layout. Big ricochet opportunities through the middle, and catches down the sides. I made the pro target and cleared all but one red peg with balls to spare.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 112 total - Pro target 475k)

The third design is modelled on one of the lotus flowers floating on the water.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 699,610 

• I had to work a bit harder that time, but I still managed to pro it at the first attempt, without power ups.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 102 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 425k)

The fourth design features curved lines following the outline of the hull of the boat, plus a scattering of round pegs all over the picture, and some diamond-shaped ones around the dragon's head.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 292,530

• The main problem here was a lack of catches. I only made two throughout the game and that was never going to be enough.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 474,220

• Not many catches again, but a couple of lucky ones in the endgame gave me a chance which I should have taken. I had two red pegs left on my last ball. I didn’t have an obvious catch of either, but if I took three reasonably catchable blue pegs out first I had a good shot at one of the reds. I missed the catch off the third of those blue pegs. I'll give it one more go.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 321,710

• Not as close that time. I still had four or five red pegs left and a little way to go to the pro target.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 701,800 

• Got it with the laser ball easily enough. I didn't quite manage a total clearance, only 96%, mainly due to a few careless shots in the endgame. But it was all over by then.

Level 5 (Clear 35 red pegs from 115 total - Pro target 400k)

The fifth design looks a bit like three wristwatch faces, but I suspect they're supposed to be Chinese lanterns.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 174,870

• I don't think the red pegs were very well placed, but even if they had been, I think I would have struggled. This seemed like a tough layout.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 914,440 

• The yellow peg wasn't particularly easy to get to, but I did it without wasting too many balls, annd then scored well with the laser ball. I managed to get my nose ahead of the game when I had more balls in hand than I had red pegs left, so I could comfortably take purple peg shots to boost my score without jeopardising the victory. I had to take the final blue peg off the final red one, but I made a total clearance.

Level 6 (Score 375k with 25 red pegs and 77 blue - Pro target 500k)

The same design as level 4, but with 5 less red pegs, two more balls, 75k on the pro target, and just a score to aim at. On the face of it, this doesn't sound any harder than level 4 was.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 862,650 

• The yellow peg was nicely on top, so I got in an early laser ball which worked pretty well. I got ahead of the game quickly with something like 9 balls left and eight red pegs. It was easy enough from there.

Level 7 (Score 425k with 30 red pegs and 82 blue - Pro target 625k)

The same design as level 3, but with 150k on the pro target, and again just a score to aim at. Well I made this pro target in one attempt at level three, so this would also appear to be qutie easy.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 871,300 

• Another pro score at the first attempt without power ups. It still seems a straightforward layout with lots of opportunities for sweep shots. I got a total clearance for a comfortable pro score.

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 77 blue - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 1, but with 5 more red pegs, 150k on the pro target and a total clearance now required. Had a total clearance been needed for level 1, I would have had it comfortably, so this again sounds like an easy one.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 643,300

• Three pegs left, but that's pretty close for a first attempt.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 1,035,540 

• I used some much better shot selection that time, picking up some obvious early sweeps that I missed last time. I judged the endgame catches much better as well to get the total clearance with a seven figure score.

Level 9 (Clear 45 red pegs from 115 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 575k)

The same design as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs, two less balls and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 873,830 

• I struggled with this layout first time around, so I went straight in with a laser ball and it was just about enough. The laser ball itself triggered the Split Ball early and it turned out to be a big scorer as it gave me the pro score in almost one shot. After that it was all about clearing the red pegs which I just about managed to do.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 35 red and 69 blue, with only 7 balls and a 5s shot-clock - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 2, but with 10 more red pegs, two less balls, 175k on the pro target and a total clearance now needed. This one does actually sound substantially harder the second time around, but then I found it quite easy the first time. I'll use a laser ball and see how I get on.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 792,870 

• I thought that a total clearance on this one with a shot-clock might be a bit too much without any power-ups, so I went for a laser ball from the off. The yellow was rather conveniently placed right on top which allowed me an early, and therefore big scoring laser ball. All the horizontal and vertical surfaces makes for some quite predictable ricochets and I used this to my advantage. I just about made it all the way for the total clearance required.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	107	Reds	10	-	600k	1	754,750	754,750
2	25	104	Reds	9	-	425k	1	614,660	614,660
3	30	112	Reds	10	-	475k	1	699,610	699,610
4	30	102	Reds	8	-	425k	4	701,800	447,565
5	35	115	Reds	10	-	400k	2	914,440	544,655
6	25	102	375k	10	-	500k	1	862,650	862,650
7	30	112	425k	10	-	625k	1	871,300	871,300
8	30	107	All	10	-	750k	2	1,035,540	839,420
9	45	115	Reds	8	-	575k	1	873,830	873,830
10	35	104	All	7	5s	600k	1	792,870	792,870

Board 25: Windrider Totems

This picture shows a couple of typical Native American-style totem poles. Both feature a bird of some sort perched on top of the head of a more human figure, or perhaps they represent gods. More totems can be seen in silhouette in the background and birds circle overhead in the yellow sky.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 105 total - Pro target 375k)

The first design has a couple of curved lines at the bottom, but otherwise it's all single round pegs scattered over the background of the picture with voids where the two main totem poles are.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 632,950 

• I thought I was going to struggle on this one as these bagatelle layouts that just comprise of single round pegs are very tricky to judge catches and bonuses on. But I managed to take plenty of catches in the endgame, and kept going all the way for a total clearance and a comfortable pro score.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 105 total - Pro target 400k)

The second design is a symmetrical pattern of diagonal lines arranged in V-shapes and single pegs both round and diamond-shaped.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 413,740 

• I got this one first time with a score of 413,740 but I forgot to start the recorder. I can't remember much about it, but I probably had a bit of luck on the way. I thought, no problem, it didn't seem very hard, I'll just do it again. It must have taken me about seven more tries to do it a second time, but when I did I really thumped it with a score of 776,420, having had lots of lucky catches. So that's why the score in the vid doesn't match the score listed here.

Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 114 total - Pro target 450k)

The third design follows the lines of the picture, including two densely packed circles of pegs over the circles on the wings of the main totem.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 330,430

• There are a lot of pegs to negotiate around to get to the red ones, so this seems quite a trickt layout. However I only had one red peg left, and was within 120k of the pro target which doesn't seem far away for a first attempt. It's worth another go then, I think.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 239,390

• Not as close that time, but then I'm not really surprised. This one is crying out for a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,052,840 

• This one was littered with lucky catches. I'm not sure if I needed quite as many as I got, but it certainly made life a lot easier. I cruised to a total clearance and a seven figure score with five balls left over.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 110 total - Pro target 425k)

The fourth design features a central arrangement that looks a little like a three bladed fan that rotates in 120° at a time. The rest of the design is curves of various sizes and loose round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 927,980 

• Again, I had lots of lucky catches, so I easily cruised to a total clearance. I'm not complaining, but I'm not sure I want to exhaust all my luck in the early levels, or I'll have none left for the later levels when I'll really need it!

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 114 total - Pro target 375k)

The final design is a couple of shapes that resemble the outlines of birds in flight, made entirely with diamond-shaped pegs. A handful of round pegs are scattered around them.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 258,680

• Like level 3, this is another one that really needs a laser ball. I gave it a brave effort, but I wasn't that close.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 316,500

• It took a few shots to get to the laser ball, and that extra couple of balls were what I was missing at the end.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 574,600 

• The yellow peg was easily attainable with the first ball this time, and that was all I needed. A good laser ball cleared enough red pegs to make mopping up afterwards relatively easy.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 114 total - Pro target 625k)

The same design as level 3, but with 15 more red pegs, and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 934,130 

• I got some more lucky catches in this one, but I did it so comfortably, that I could probably have managed without them.

Level 7 (Score 400k with 25 red pegs and 85 blue - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 4, but with 5 more red pegs, 225k on the pro target, and just a score to go for.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 531,920

• I got to the basic target of 400k easily enough, but fell about 120k short of the pro target. I only had one or two red pegs left though, so if I'd cleared them I'd have had a good chance of making it. Worth another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 283,260

• I didn't really get any luck that time. None of the balls seemed to go where I expected them too, so I didn't get many catches.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 625,060

• I wanted one more purple peg before I took the last red one, but it was one catch too many as it turned out. Clumsy really.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 404,790

• I took too long trying to break through to the yellow peg which seriously affected my score. I got down to the last red peg, but I was well adrift of the pro target and getting there off the purple pegs never looked likely.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 928,850 

• The balls seemed to take much more predictable paths that time. The yellow peg was right on top as well, so that also helped. I got a total clearance.

Level 8 (Clear 35 red pegs from 114 total - Pro target 575k)

The same design as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs and 200k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 823,510 

• I got through to the yellow peg with the first ball, and this layout is set out quite well for my standard laser ball, so that worked well. After that I got a good hold on the angles quite early on so I managed to run all the way through for a total clearance.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 40 red and 65 blue - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 2, but with 15 more red pegs, 200k on the pro target and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 904,980 

• I got the yellow peg off a deflection with the first ball, and did reasonably well with the laser ball. I had some lucky catches after that, although most were played for, but I made good steady progress through it.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 80 blue - Pro target 575k)

The same design as level 1, but with 200k on the pro target and all pegs now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 824,960 

• That was easier than I thought it was going to be. I had thought I might need a Big Bounce as well as a laser ball, but it turned out quite straightforward.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	105	Reds	10	-	375k	1	632,950	632,950
2	25	105	Reds	10	-	400k	1	413,740	413,740
3	25	114	Reds	10	-	450k	3	1,052,840	540,886
4	30	110	Reds	10	-	425k	1	927,980	927,980
5	25	114	Reds	10	-	375k	3	574,600	383,260
6	40	114	Reds	10	-	625k	1	934,130	934,130
7	25	110	400k	10	-	650k	5	928,850	554,776
8	35	114	Reds	10	-	575k	1	823,510	823,510
9	40	105	All	10	-	600k	1	904,980	904,980
10	25	105	All	10	-	575k	1	824,960	824,960

Board 121: Patchwork Airship

This picture shows an unlikely looking airship with patched sails flying over the sea with a city in the background.

Level 1 (Clear 30 red pegs from 92 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 525k)

The first design is a close-up of the pointy front-end of the airship, with some single round pegs in parting lines in front of it.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 942,710 

• I've seen comments on the forum that this board is quite an easy one, and if this first level is anything to go by, then that could be true. I made a very comfortable total clearance, scoring some 400k over the pro target and still had balls to spare at the end.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 103 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 500k)

The second design follows various lines in the picture. There are curves around the sides of the airship, wavy lines on the sea, straight lines on the city, etc.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 262,850

• That one wasn't quite so easy. I still had four or fice red pegs left at the end, but it's worth another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 350,270

• A better effort. Only one red peg left that time, but 150k short of the pro target. One more try I think.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 431,430

• A little bit closer still. Just one red peg left again. I was just trying to clear one blue peg that was in the way of me getting to it, when I missed the catch. I'll give it another go, just in case I can keep getting better, although I'll probably get nowhere near this time.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 527,950

• I actually had the points that time, but needed to take both red pegs with the last ball, or catch the ball, and managed neither.

Attempt #5 - No power ups. Score: 431,060

• I'm not sure why I'm still trying to get this one without power ups. I could just add a laser ball and make it really east, but where's the fun in that? Besides, it's becoming a war of attrition now, and resorting to power ups at this stage would be to admit defeat. One red peg left again.

Attempt #6 - No power ups. Score: 565,860 

• Hurrah! I was determined not to be beaten by it. It may have taken me six attempts, but I did it without power ups and that's the important thing.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 87 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 450k)

The third design looks like a turbine engine, with seven wavy lines radiating out from it.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 365,750

• Four red pegs left, but there's definitely room for improvement. Worth another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 344,090

• Five reds left that time, but I didn't feel like I got much luck at all there. I'll give it one more go, but if I don't get significantly closer I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 240,550

• Nothing went my way at all that time. I had lots of red pegs left at the end. I suppose I'd better add a laser ball.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 735,420 

• I had two or three lucky catches and a few useful bonuses, but I'm not sure that I wouldn't have got there anyway. I completed the pro score quite easily.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 95 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 475k)

The fourth design copies the top sail of the airship and is a curved triangle full of single round pegs, lined with diamond-shaped ones below and to the right.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 459,860

• Not bad for a first effort. I should probably take the big right-hand curve with the first ball next time.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 555,780 

• I learned a few lessons from the first attempt, and made some better sweep shots in that one. It didn't make it easy, and it was still touch and go at times, but I got there.

Level 5 (Clear 30 red pegs from 114 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 500k)

The fifth and final design looks like a couple of leaves, much like the sails underneath the airship.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 748,120 

• Another not particularly difficult level. Some good sweeps available inside the leaves.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 87 total, with only 7 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 3, but with 10 more red pegs, two less balls and 225k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 311,130

• The yellow peg was hidden away right down the bottom and it took too many balls to get there, and then the rim bounce with the laser ball wasn't the best.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 810,250 

• The yellow peg was nicely on top this time, and it made a big difference. I went all the way to a total clearance.

Level 7 (Score 525k with 30 red pegs and 62 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 800k)

The same design as level 1, but with one less ball, 275k on the pro target, and just a score now to aim at.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 246,930

• Nothing seemed to work for me that time. A total contrast to level 1. I'll give it another go though, to see if I can get a bit closer.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 372,040

• I can't seem to get anywhere near it now. It all seemed so straightforward first time round. I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 765,730

• The last two red pegs went unexpectedly before I was ready. I had balls in hand and was closing in on the pro target, fully expecting to get it, but I didn't expect the reds to go off that shot.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 417,200

• I couldn't get through to the yellow peg until most of the pegs were gone, and then I had no chance of reaching the pro target. I had about three pegs left at the end and still needed nearly 400k points.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 865,570 

• This one turned into a sort of masterclass in brinksmanship and single peg catches. It took me three shots to get to the yellow peg, and then I concentrated the laser ball on the left hand side. I missed some catches after that, and before I knew it, I was down to my last ball, still with 17 pegs left (5 of them red) and just under 300k still needed for pro. I managed to take all seventeen pegs out one at a time without missing a catch, and I still needed to avoid a minimum 20k final bucket bonus at the end of it all, but thankfully I did. I think what made it particularly satisfying for me is that every single one of the sixteen catches was taken exactly as intended and there were none of the lucky deflections or rim bounces that usually happen in these situations.

Level 8 (Clear 40 red pegs from 114 total, with only 7 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs, two less balls and 150k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 273,650

• I got a few sweeps but not many, and hardly any catches. I think trying to get this one without power ups is probably a little unrealistic. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 508,030

• A better score, but I think I only made one catch and that's never going to be good enough. On a layout like this, particularly in the early stages, all you can really do is try and put the bucket in the right sort of area and hope to make a few catches. But sometimes, inevitably, it just doesn't want to play along and you don't make any.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 622,090

• I got down to five red pegs left and five balls, but one of the red pegs was blocked, so I had to take out a blue peg as well. Essentially I needed to make one catch somewhere in the last five shots, but I just couldn't find one. It's so frustrating when that happens.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 844,130 

• That time I did get a good chunk of luck, particularly right at the end just as I thought it was all over. But that's the way it goes sometimes, and God knows there have been enough games when I got no luck at all. So it's swings and roundabouts.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 73 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 825k)

The same design as level 2, but with 5 more red pegs, one less ball, 325k on the pro target, and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 884,440 

• I jumped straight in with the laser ball this time. I got an early bonus with the first ball, taking the yellow peg, triggering the Split Ball and catching both for a 100k bonus. I had to make quite a few catches after that, but I was up to the task.

Level 10 (Clear 45 red pegs from 95 total, with only 6 balls - Pro target 775k)

The same design as level 4, but with 20 more red pegs, three less balls and 300k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 282,840

• I couldn't get to the yellow peg until I had hardly any pegs left to shoot at with the laser ball. A couple of clumsy early shots weren't caught and should have been, and that's all the more important when you have so few balls to work with.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 228,780

• I messed up the first sweep down the right hand side, and then couldn't find a way to break through to the yellow peg. I only got it with my very last ball so never got a chance to use it.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 692,430

• I managed to get rid of all the pegs, but I needed the full 200k final bucket bonus for a pro score but could only manage 110k. It's time to add a Big Bounce into the equation.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 508,600

• I couldn't get through to the yellow peg to activate the laser ball for several balls, plus I messed up the two starting sweep shots.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 378,590

• I'm still trying to find that elusive first ball that will run all the way down the top curve for a big sweep bonus.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 419,460

• I nearly got the first ball to stop on top of the curve, but it just tipped off the end. Maybe I'll get it next time.

Attempt #7 - No power ups. Score: 289,750

• I took a fairly radical step of taking off the power ups as I wasn't sure they were gaining me much. It was more about finding the right early sweep shots. I think that was a mistake, though, so I'll add them back in.

Attempt #8 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 379,950

• I thought I had the angle down for the first shot this time, but I clearly got it wrong as it fell off the right-hand side again, and that messed up the whole subsequent game.

Attempt #9 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 536,780

• I completely messed up the first ball that time, although I'm not sure how I went so badly wrong. Maybe I was aiming at completely the wrong peg or something.

Attempt #10 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 690,450

• Quite close that time, but I couldn't quite find the right catches at the end.

Attempt #11 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 347,930

• I thought I'd adjusted my aiming point from the previous go for the first ball, but I got the same result so I can't have done. Ths ball stops just at the top of the slope and starts to roll down it, but then the pegs disappear from under it and it falls through.

Attempt #12 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 332,330

• Again I managed to mess up the first ball because it hung around too long at the top of the curve. I will get the timing right on this level eventually!

Attempt #13 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 434,430

• Only two or three red pegs left that time, but a long way short of the pro target.

Attempt #14 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 398,020

• I found a decent first ball this time to get a decent slide down the top slope, but both the special balls were a little disappointing.

Attempt #15 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 623,470

• That was a much better effort. Just two red pegs left and a 97% clearance. The first ball fell through again, rather than sweeping down the curve, but I recovered well after that. I just couldn't quite keep the catches going at the end.

Attempt #16 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 488,470

• I found a good set of opening shots, but unfortunately my luck ran out after that. It took several more shots to get to the yellow peg, and by the time I'd played the Big Bounce as well I was down to my last ball. I made a few catches but I couldn't keep it going all the way.

Attempt #17 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 850,980 

• I studied the opening three moves from my previous attempt and managed to reproduce them here, although I got nowhere near a catch on the third shot. Rather handily, the third shot triggered both the yellow and green pegs, and in the right order. I used a standard shot for the laser ball, although I fired it too late for a rim bounce, but then with so few balls to play with, the catch I took instead might even have been better. I did OK with the Big Bounce, and then managed to pick off the red pegs that were left and the odd purple to get myself over the pro target.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	30	92	Reds	9	-	525k	1	942,710	942,710
2	25	103	Reds	9	-	500k	6	565,860	428,236
3	30	87	Reds	9	-	450k	4	735,420	421,452
4	25	95	Reds	9	-	475k	2	555,780	507,820
5	30	114	Reds	9	-	500k	1	748,120	748,120
6	40	87	Reds	7	-	675k	2	810,250	560,690
7	30	92	525k	8	-	800k	5	865,570	533,494
8	40	114	Reds	7	-	650k	4	844,130	561,975
9	30	103	All	8	-	825k	1	884,440	884,440
10	45	95	Reds	6	-	775k	17	850,980	463,721

Board 26: Moonlit Shire

This picture could be an illustration straight out of J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings. With its little round doorways set in the sides of grassy hills, it is clearly supposed to be a depiction of The Shire where the hobbits live. Maybe even Hobbiton itself. There appears to be a party going on in one of the houses as the lights are on and little people can be seen dancing.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 105 total - Pro target 400k)

The first design follows the lines in the picture. Mainly along the left edge of the path and around the windows and door, plus lots of loose round pegs over the floor and the moon.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 407,280 

• I managed to just about muddle my way through this one. I found a few bonuses, just enough as it turned out, to scrape over the pro target, taking the last red peg with the last ball.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 106 total - Pro target 450k)

The second design has a curve over the top of the hill, but the main feature is half a dozen straight lines quite close together, slowly swinging back and forth like they were all on separate pendulums.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 693,690 

• This one needs a little care because of the moving lines, but there are plenty of opportunities for extended ricochets, slides and other bonuses, so it's not that difficult a setup. I was hoping for a total clearance, but the last red peg went off a ricochet when I still had balls in hand.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 114 total - Pro target 450k)

The third design is four leaves with a scattering of loose pegs around them.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 171,790

• Not a very good effort that one. I made very few catches or bonuses. I must be able to improve on that so I'll have another go before I turn to the laser ball.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 332,030

• A much improved attempt, but still a couple of red pegs left at the end, and over 100k short of the pro target. Now it's time for the laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 905,130 

• I took out a good chunk of pegs with the laser ball, then picked off what was left. I sailed past the pro score and ended up just about doubling it.

Level 4 (Clear 35 red pegs from 111 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 500k)

The fourth design is mainly comprised of circles. One large 16 peg circle in the centre, three 10 peg circles above it, and five 8 peg circles beneath.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 163,240

• Not a brilliant effort again, but this time I think I will go straight for a laser ball for my next attempt.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 494,990

• Still not a brilliant effort. The laser ball got my score a lot closer, but a lack of catches meant I couldn't clear the red pegs.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 756,120 

• Much better that time. The yellow peg was right down the bottom, but I managed to get the first ball to drop straight through the middle of the layout to get it, and then the laser ball got a good rim bounce for a pretty good score. I made enough catches after that to make it through all the red pegs, and had a few spare balls at the end to play some purple pegs.

Level 5 (Clear 40 red pegs from 113 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 575k)

The fifth design is based on the top opf the lamp post that can be seen on the left-hand side of the picture. It's a confusing mix of curves, straight lines, and single round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 303,680

• Some of my timing wasn't very good there, but I can probably improve it a bit next time, so I'll give it another go.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 433,440

• A better effort than the previous attempt, but still 6 or 7 red pegs left at the end. I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,172,990 

• No problem with the laser ball. I took the two obvious sweeps first, although I missed the catch on the second one. Then I got a good rim bounce with the laser ball. I went through picking off the rest one or two at a time, and got the total clearance with plenty of balls left over.

Level 6 (Clear 45 red pegs from 114 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 700k)

The same design as level 3, but with 15 more red pegs, one less ball, and 250k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 957,240 

• I went straight for a laser ball here, and got it first time. I needed two balls to get to the yellow peg, but got a good result with the laser ball. I took a total clearance, but just missed out on a seven figure, mainly due to just getting 60k from the final bucket bonus.

Level 7 (Clear 50 red pegs from 111 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 4, but with 15 more red pegs and 150k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 731,230

• I got a Split Ball during the Laser which can be something of a double-edged sword. The extra ball took out a few extra pegs, but it changed the path of the original ball slightly which stopped me getting a rim bounce. I ended up leaving a bunch of pegs in the bottom left which are probably the ones that a rim bounce would have taken.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,105,370 

• That was better. I got a particularly good double rim bounce with the laser ball that took out a lot of pegs. Particularly the low ones. I took plenty of catches to keep the game going. I thought I was just going to miss out on the total clearance when I went down to my last ball still with one blue peg remaining, but I managed to take the last red peg first, and then deflect onto the last blue one for a 100% clearance.

Level 8 (Clear 55 red pegs from 105 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 1, but with 30 more red pegs, two less balls, and 350k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 701,430

• Just one red peg left which I could have taken, but I wanted to be sure of the pro score. I wanted the blue peg above it that was blocking the shot off the side wall, but it refused to go purple. I tried taking one of the others while I was waiting, but missed the catch. I should have been more patient.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 820,960 

• An outrageous piece of good fortune with the last ball gave me victory there. I was on my final ball with two red pegs left, but there were a couple of blue pegs blocking the line. I tried to take the first of them, missed the catch but caught the rim, the ball bounced back across the screen and took out first one red peg and then the other on a ricochet.

Level 9 (Score 500k with 35 red pegs and 71 blue - Pro target 825k)

The same design as level 2, but with 10 more red pegs, 375k on the pro target, but just a score to aim at.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 622,710

• Not the best of efforts, although I could have hoped for a little more luck. All the straight lines seemed to move away from the laser ball as it went past.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 635,320

• Not much of an improvement over the last turn. Maybe I'd better add a Big Bounce and see how that goes.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 729,920

• I'm still not getting a great deal of luck with this one. Even with both power ups. I was closer though. I only had one red peg left, but I was trying to get closer to the pro target before I took it.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 1,286,380 

• I got lucky at last. I scored 421k with the laser ball, and another 314k with the Big Bounce. After that I had just 25 pegs left (only 6 of them red), 11 balls in hand, and only about 65k needed for the pro score. Needless to say I picked up a total clearance with over one and a quarter million points.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 35 red and 78 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 5, but with 5 less red pegs, one less ball, 100k on the pro target, and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 775,870 

• My run of luck seemed to continue in this game. It was one of those games where practically every ball seemed to land in the bucket. I took the two obvious sweeps to start with, but by the time I got around to taking out the yellow peg, there weren't many pegs left for the laser ball. As a result I scored very little from it, and I still needed nearly 400k after it had been used. But like I said, the catches were really working well for me, and I made it all the way through to the end.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	105	Reds	10	-	400k	1	407,280	407,280
2	25	106	Reds	10	-	450k	1	693,690	693,690
3	30	114	Reds	10	-	450k	3	905,130	469,650
4	35	111	Reds	9	-	500k	3	756,120	471,450
5	40	113	Reds	9	-	575k	3	1,172,990	636,703
6	45	114	Reds	9	-	700k	1	957,240	957,240
7	50	111	Reds	9	-	650k	2	1,105,370	918,300
8	55	105	Reds	8	-	750k	2	820,960	761,195
9	35	106	500k	10	-	825k	4	1,286,380	818,582
10	35	113	All	8	-	675k	1	775,870	775,870