Board 21: Gypsy Caravan

This picture shows a gypsy campsite at night. An old-fashioned caravan is parked up in a clearing in the woods. A campfire burns in the clearing with some stools around it and a table and chair in the background. A mysterious light shines brightly inside the caravan.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 108 total - Pro target 375k)

The first design follows lines of the picture. There are lines tracing the outlines of the caravan, the sides of its steps, the moon and the base of the campfire. Then there is a good scattering of single round pegs covering the rest of the screen.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 699,070 

• No problems here. I was catching well most of the way through, and the ball was behaving. One or two lucky shots helped boost my score a bit.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 101 total - Pro target 325k)

The sceond design has a few short vertical lines where the tree trunks are in the background, plus a couple of curves where the ribs of the caravan are. The perimeter of the campfire is marked with diamond-shaped pegs, and the rest of the picture is covered with single round pegs, except for the sky, the back of the caravan and the campfire.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 662,800 

• I'm clearly catching much better tonight than last night when I was trying to finish off Copper Waterworks and generally making a pig's ear of it. I got down to one red peg left, then picked off all the remaining blue pegs for a total clearance.

Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 105 total - Pro target 425k)

The third design looks like a big wheel of fortune flanked on either side by three wavy lines. The inside of the wheel contains a ring of single round pegs that rotates anticolckwise.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 491,300 

• No total clearance that time, but still a comfortable pro score. I had it well under control from quite early on.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 97 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 350k)

The fourth design has an equilateral triangle with a teleport at each of its three corners. These all connect to a single receiver in the centre of the triangle. The rest of the screen, both inside and outside the triangle is filled with a regular pattern of single round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 329,870

• Just one red peg left, and not far off the pro target. Not bad for a first attempt. Certainly worth another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 354,920

• A better score, but I still five reds pegs to get at the end. One more go I think, before I use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 376,780

• Another improvement to my score, and just one red peg left again. Go on then, I'll give another try. Just because I got so close.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 302,790

• Nowhere near as close that time. I still had six red pegs left at the end. Time for a laser ball.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 852,410 

• The laser ball did the trick. I managed to get to it with my first ball, and scored reasonably well from it, despite the layout not being particularly well suited to it. My catching worked well and I picked my way to another total clearance.

Level 5 (Clear 30 red pegs from 107 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 400k)

The fifth and final design shows a fan of three playing cards with a rune-like symbol on each.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 254,600

• Four or five red pegs left at the end, and not a particularly good score. No doubt I can do better, but I suspect a pro score might take several attempts, so I'll use a laser ball anyway.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 551,960 

• It was still touch and go a bit at times, even with the laser ball. It took me a few balls and quite a lot of pegs to get to the yellow peg which didn't help. I put together just about enough catches in the endgame though, to clear the red pegs and make it to the pro target.

Level 6 (Clear 35 red pegs from 108 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 550k)

The same design as level 1, but with 10 more red pegs, two less balls and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 438,940

• I had about five red pegs left at the end, but the reds were not well placed at the start and I was always resorting to desperate tactics to try and get some bonus points. I'll give it another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 340,110

• About a similar number of red pegs left that time as the last. I didn't get much luck this time, but I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,091,330 

• Easy enough with a laser ball. Especially since the yellow peg was in plain sight at the start. I got a leisurely total clearance for a seven figure score.

Level 7 (Score 350k with 30 red pegs and 75 blue - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 3, but with 5 more red pegs, 175k on the pro target, and just a score to go for.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 856,340 

• Another one that was less than taxing. I used a laser ball from the off as I struggled slightly at level 3, but maybe I should have tried it without first.

Level 8 (Clear 40 red pegs from 107 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball and 275k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 947,820 

• Again, a straightforward total clearance with the laser ball. 8 or 9 balls still in hand at the end.

Level 9 (Clear 45 red pegs from 97 total, with a 7s shot-clock - Pro target 575k)

The same design as level 4, but with 15 more red pegs, one more ball, 225k on the pro target and a seven second shot-clock.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 613,800

• Two red pegs left and plenty of points. The shot clock is quite a long one, so has little or no bearing on the game. I very rarely take more than seven seconds over a shot anyway.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 529,030

• Not so good that time. Five or six red pegs left and fewer points. I didn't take many catches and paid the penalty.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 415,250

• Again, not many catches and fewer bonuses left me very light on points. A Big Bucket with the laser ball as well, that killed any possible rim bounce. I think I'll call it a night for tonight.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 556,750

• I got the badge but not the pro score. I needed a 100k final bucket bonus, but only managed 50k. I probably should have pushed the last ball a bit more and gone for a purple peg or two.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 998,460 

• I got the yellow peg with the first ball and did OK with the laser ball. I picked up a few useful ricochets and a number of big distance bonuses. I went through the pro target quite quickly, and had balls in hand so I could go for extra points off the purple pegs. I kept going all the way for a total clearance, even picking up a maximum 200k off the final bucket bonus to leave me just short of the million.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 40 red and 61 blue, with a 5s shot-clock - Pro target 625k)

The same design as level 2, but with 15 more red pegs, 300k on the pro target, a five second shot-clock and all pegs new needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 685,860

• I had a lot to do in the endgame, and very nearly made it. I missed out by just one peg in the end.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 753,900 

• A bit more comfortable that time. I got the yellow peg with the first ball which undoubtedly helped. I also got a little luckier with catches and ricochets overall. I still had some work to do in the endgame and I very nearly blew it right at the end. I had two balls left, two pegs left and already over the pro target. I played one of the pegs off the side wall for extra points and missed it altogether. Luckily I managed to take a catch off it on the next shot to avert disaster.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	108	Reds	10	-	375k	1	699,070	699,070
2	25	101	Reds	10	-	325k	1	662,800	662,800
3	25	105	Reds	10	-	425k	1	491,300	491,300
4	30	97	Reds	9	-	350k	5	852,410	443,354
5	30	107	Reds	9	-	400k	2	551,960	403,280
6	35	108	Reds	8	-	550k	3	1,091,330	623,460
7	30	105	350k	10	-	600k	1	856,340	856,340
8	40	107	Reds	8	-	675k	1	947,820	947,820
9	45	97	Reds	10	7s	575k	5	998,460	622,658
10	40	101	All	10	5s	625k	2	753,900	719,880

Board 126: Copper Waterworks

This picture shows an underground tunnel with pipework in it. The tunnel opens out up ahead where a complicated network of pipes shines with a gold colour.

Level 1 (Clear 30 red pegs from 77 total - Pro target 425k)

The first design shows a pipe network. Some of the lines are solid, while others have gaps between the pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 965,440 

• A nice easy starter. Lots of flat rectangular pegs which are very easy to judge catches off. A straightforward total clearance, and I got a bit lucky with several bonuses as well, so my score was just under a million points.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 99 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 400k)

The second design features a solid line around the perimeter of the tunnel, and then another running parallel to it a little further back, then a few bits of another line further back still. Plus a few single round pegs between the lines at the bottom.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 760,780 

• Another pretty easy one. Maybe not quite as easy as the last one, but another total clearance without too much trouble.

Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 92 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 425k)

The third design traces the outlines of the two main pipes in the foreground, a horizontal pipe in the background, and a zigzag over the rivulet of water running down the tunnel.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 465,450

• I had the points but couldn't quite get through to the final red peg. I should have had it off the side wall, but it wasn't an easy shot and I misjudged it slightly.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 179,040

• I got no luck at all that time. I was getting all the odd bounces and ricochets and couldn't have been predicted.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 272,750

• I didn't get much luck that time either. This is annoying as I should really have had this one at the first attempt.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 241,710

• Ok, I guess I'll have to admit it that I got lucky on my first attempt, but failed to capitalise on that luck. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 361,790

• The yellow peg was very awkwardly placed at the bottom of the zigzag, and I used up half of my balls getting to it.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball. Score: 679,550 

• Got through it finally, although I'm still annoyed that I wasted five lives and two power ups on it. It took several balls to get through to the yellow peg again, but I recovered well afterwards, and made it all the way to a total clearance.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 113 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 425k)

The fourth design features more pipes, but they are all solid this time, and there are a few single round pegs between them.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 344,310

• I cleared the red pegs but fell short of the pro target. I caught the last red peg unexpectedly from a deflection angle that I wouldn't have thought was even possible, but there you go.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 403,670

• I was going OK there, but missed a few catches at the end and finished with one red peg left and just short of the pro target.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 135,990

• No luck that time. It was all over in just 10 shots with lots of red pegs left.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 563,470 

• I struggled most of the way through that one. Points were hard to come by to start with. I only got a pro score thanks to a spectacular ricochet on the very last ball.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 151 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 450k)

The fifth design features a lot more pegs and depicts a strange symetrical design that looks a bit like some sort of moulded wall fixing. But I can't see any connection between it and the picture.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 199,540

• I thought this was going to be a bit of a nightmare without power ups and I was right. This is undoubtedly going to need a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 803,120 

• I managed to get through to the yellow peg with my first shot despite it being awkwardly placed down the bottom. The laser ball was always going to score big with the way the pegs were situated. After that I just picked off the remaining red pegs

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 92 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 3, but with 15 more red pegs and 325k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 558,130

• The yellow peg didn't look that hard to get to, but it was trickier than it looked, as I managed to hit every peg around it while leaving that one untouched. The laser ball then didn't work very well and I ended up leaving 6 reds behind at the end.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 596,380

• A better effort, only leaving two red pegs behind this time. The yellow peg again didn't look difficult to get to, but it still took me three or four balls to do it. The rim bounce with the laser ball didn't work very well, and it all left me with just too much to do.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 497,840

• A pretty poor effort. The yellow peg went first ball, and the laser ball worked pretty well, but it all went downhill after that. My catching was dreadful and it very quickly slipped away from me.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 475,530

• The yellow peg was in about the worst place possible, and my catching was lousy to boot.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 598,720

• The yellow peg was nicely on top this time, and the laser ball worked OK. But yet again, my catching was inept. I don't know what's up with me tonight. I can't catch anything.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball. Score: 468,940

• Another awkward yellow peg, although my catching was slightly improved. I'd better add a Big Bounce or I could be here all night.

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 783,700 

• I managed to just about claw my way through to a total clearance to scrape together a pro score. The yellow peg was again very awkwardly placed in the zigzag, and I didn't think I'd be able to avoid the green peg in getting it, but somehow I managed it. I needed some reasonable catching towards the end, and for once I got some.

Level 7 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 47 blue, with only 7 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 1, but with three less balls, 225k on the pro target and all pegs now required.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 729,980

• I hate it when I do that. I cleared the last red peg with the last ball without worrying about catching it because I forgot it was an ALL PEGS level. Stupid!

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 363,010

• Only an 83% clearance. I may be being a bit ambitious attempting this without power ups, but I'm going to give it one more try nonetheless.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 468,680

• I'm sure this is doable without power ups, but I'd need my catching to be at its absolute best, and it just doesn't seem to be tonight. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 754,490 

• As I suspected, it turned out to be pretty easy with a laser ball. I cleared the pegs with half a dozen balls or so in hand.

Level 8 (Clear 45 red pegs from 99 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 725k)

The same design as level 2, but with 15 more red pegs, one less ball, and 325k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 459,970

• This is another one that might well be possible to beat without power ups, but I've lost enough lives on this board trying that sort of thing, so I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 690,380

• I tried to squeeze one more purple peg out before I took the last red, but it proved one purple peg too many. Pretty close, but not quite close enough.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 619,600

• My catching let me down a bit again there. The yellow peg was easily available with the first ball, but I couldn't capitalise on it in the endgame.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 556,160

• Another life lost to some dreadful catching. It took a couple of balls to get through to the yellow peg, but I should have done a lot better than I did.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 657,790

• I should probably give up for tonight. That's another life lost to dreadful catching. I'm clearly not in the zone tonight.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball. Score: 568,900

• It's a new day, and hopefully my catching will be a bit better today. It was Ok this time, but not brilliant. The yellow peg took a few balls to get to which didn't help. I'll add a Big Bounce to try and get it out of the way.

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 396,700

• I couldn't get to the yellow peg that time, until I had hardly any balls left. So I scored very little from the laser ball, and the game was doomed from there.

Attempt #8 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 881,330 

• Again, it took ages to get through to the yellow peg, and I activated the Big Bounce first, which wasn't actually as bad as it could have been. I managed to pick off a few distance bonuses towards the end which boosted my score a bit.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 88 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 4, but with 175k on the pro target and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 596,530

• A 90% clearance, but attempting it with no power ups was probably a bit ambitious. I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 362,770

• Only an 88% clearance this time. It took a few balls to get to the yellow peg, and then the rim bounce with the laser ball was ruined by the dreaded Big Bucket.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 591,620

• Up to 97% clearance this time. Again the rim bounce didn't work too well, although it was entirely my fault this time. I'll have one more go before I add a Big Bounce.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 452,790

• Back down to 88% clearance. I mistimed the laser ball again to get an ineffective rim bounce. I'll add a Big Bounce.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 743,380 

• It took four balls to get to the yellow peg, although I caught two of them. I got a much better rim bounce with the laser ball, and then did OK with the Big Bounce. It was fairly plain sailing after that, I just had to make sure I took on the bonus chances as they presented themselves.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 126 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 5, but with 300k on the pro target and all pegs now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 940,090

• Even with a laser ball, it might be tricky to get a total clearance on this one. I managed 91% that time, but I'd better add a Big Bounce for the next go.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 653,600

• I got straight to the yellow peg, and the laser ball did well, but the Big Bounce was a complete flop. There were a few inexplicable rebound angles towards the end which lost me a few balls, so just an 89% clearance.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 1,349,630 

• The yellow peg was well placed for an easy shot off the side wall, and then the laser ball was particularly successful. It triggered the Split Ball, and did it quite high, so the extra ball took out plenty of pegs. That shot alone took out 83 pegs for 678k points. The Big Bounce was not massively successful, but it could have been worse. It took out 11 pegs for just under 68k points. That left me 28 pegs and 7 balls to get them with. From that point on my catching was just about up to the task and I finished with one ball in hand.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	30	77	Reds	10	-	425k	1	965,440	965,440
2	30	99	Reds	9	-	400k	1	760,780	760,780
3	25	92	Reds	9	-	425k	6	679,550	366,715
4	25	113	Reds	9	-	425k	4	563,470	361,860
5	25	151	Reds	9	-	450k	2	803,120	501,330
6	40	92	Reds	9	-	750k	7	783,700	568,462
7	30	77	All	7	-	650k	4	754,490	579,040
8	45	99	Reds	8	-	725k	8	881,330	603,853
9	25	113	All	9	-	600k	5	743,380	549,418
10	25	151	All	9	-	750k	3	1,349,630	981,106

Board 22: Neptune's Reef

This picture shows a single fish swimming through a coral reef. The fish has a big beaming smile, in a very Disneyesque manner.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 113 total - Pro target 375k)

The first design follows some of the lines in the picture, specifically those of the coral and plant life to the sides of the picture. The rest of the layout features a sprinkling of loose round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 293,890

• The red pegs seemed quite awkwardly placed away from the walls, making bonuses quite difficult. Worth another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 387,490

• I was in two minds at the end whether to take the final red peg and risk only getting a 10k bucket or to go for one more purple peg first. I went for the purple peg and missed the catch. I still think it was the right decision though.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 803,470 

• It all worked my way that time. The ricohets were coming thick and fast, and I was earning plenty of bonuses and extra balls. It was only an expected ricochet at the end that took out the last red ball that stopped me getting a complete clearance.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 112 total - Pro target 400k)

The second design consists entirely of single round pegs, arranged in three wavt stripes - a thick one at the bottom, an identical one in the middle, and a thinner one at the top with a big hole in the middle around the shooter. An obstruction in the shape of a shoal of fish moves from left to right through each of the two gaps between the stripes. After each shoal moves of the right-hand side, it reappears on the other.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 302,310

• Just one red peg left, but I was short on points for the pro target.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 637,420 

• Again, a lot of ricochets seemed to go my way and the points came without too much trouble. It looked a little tricky towards the end, but I got some catches when I needed them.

Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 104 total - Pro target 425k)

The third design looks like the head of Neptune's trident.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 312,410

• I seemed to start well enough, but the bonuses soon dried up and the last few red pegs were tricky to get to.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 529,180 

• Much like the previous two levels, I think I learned a few lessons on the first attempt which I could then apply to the second, along with an extra slice of luck. I couldn't risk missing a catch at the end, so I had to leave the final blue peg, although I did try and take it by deflecting off the final red and only just missed it. I got the 100k bonus bucket instead though, which probably scored me more points anyway.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 117 total - Pro target 375k)

The fourth design features a couple of curly plants like the ones in the middle of screen at the bottom. Also quite a few single round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 591,050 

• I left quite a few blue pegs behind, only getting an 85% clearance, but I had the points for what is a very low pro target. Besides, the ending was a little unexpected as the last three red pegs all went in the same shot.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 110 total - Pro target 350k)

The final design shows three little fish swimming around two giant fish-hooks.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 275,390

• There are a lot of pegs here, and picking your way between them all to get to the red pegs is not always easy. The pro target looks very low, but then I didn't reach it this time, so maybe it's harder than it looks. I'll give it another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 219,630

• An even worse attempt that last time. Only a 78% clearance, including several red pegs, and a worse score. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 756,310 

• I did particularly well with the laser ball, getting two rim bounces for 47 pegs and 475k points, and putting me well over the pro target in just two balls. After that I had plenty of balls left to pick off the remaining reds, with plenty spare to take on quite a few purple pegs without putting the victory in jeopardy.

Level 6 (Score 325k with 25 red pegs and 88 blue - Pro target 525k)

The same design as level 1, but with 150k on the pro target and just a score to go for.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 292,930

• This is clearly possible, judging by the evidence of my experience at level 1, but it might take quite a few attempts. I'm probably better off just using a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 663,720 

• Again, I got a pretty good laser ball, netting me just under 400k for 47 pegs.It left me only 11 red pegs to get with 10 balls, so it was a stroll from there.

Level 7 (Clear 40 red pegs from 117 total - Pro target 625k)

The same design as level 4, but with 15 more red pegs and 250k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 543,660

• It took me a few balls to get to the yellow peg and that probably proved my undoing in the end.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 826,120 

• I got on to the yellow peg with the first ball that time, and it made a big difference. I took out most of the red pegs with the laser ball, and it was an easy finish from there.

Level 8 (Clear 45 red pegs from 104 total - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 3, but with 20 more red pegs and 225k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 700,360

• I probably should have had that one, but I wasted too many balls building my score and didn't leave enough to clear the reds.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 527,190

• I missed nine red pegs in total, so a pretty dreadful effort. It was one of those goes where none of the balls seem to go where you would expect them to, and they keep catching odd deflections.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 937,450 

• I got to the yellow peg quickly and did well with the laser ball. I got most of the catches I went for, and managed to get all the way to a total clearance.

Level 9 (Clear 50 red pegs from 112 total - Pro target 625k)

The same design as level 2, but with 25 more red pegs and 225k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 490,470

• The laser ball was a disaster, as I caught the upper cluster of moving fish and the ball was deflected off the bottom of the screen without bouncing off the bucket. I struggled on but I never really looked like I had a viable chance.

Attempt #2 - Big Bounce. Score: 418,760

• I tried substituting the laser ball for a Big Bounce, but I'm not sure it worked that well. I'll go back to the laser ball, I think, but just try and be more careful with the timing.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 379,770

• Again I couldn't get a clean shot on the laser ball. I got a bounce off the bucket, but only into the bottom of the lower shoal of fish and back into the bucket. Maybe I should try using both.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 427,820

• I got a slight improvement using both power ups, but I was well short of points. I got down to the last red peg, but there was no point taking it until I got within reach of a pro score.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 685,880 

• I finally got a laser ball to work passably well. The Big Bounce wasn't brilliant, but at least I caught it. The last two red pegs went in the same shot, which was unexpected, but I had the points for pro by then, so it didn't matter.
  The video didn't record properly when I reviewed it later so I had redo it. In the rerecorded version I just scrape home with 627,590.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 35 red and 75 blue - Pro target 550k)

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

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,356,120 

• I took the left-hand sweep around the fish hook before I took out the yellow peg which may have been a mistake. I still got a good score with the laser ball though. I rode my luck with the catches and then some. Every now and then you get a game where there seems to be a magnet in the bucket. The ball can fly all round the screen and still find its way back into the bucket at the end. It doesn't happen often, but it's great when it does.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	113	Reds	10	-	375k	3	803,470	494,950
2	25	112	Reds	10	-	400k	2	637,420	469,865
3	25	104	Reds	10	-	425k	2	529,180	420,795
4	25	117	Reds	10	-	375k	1	591,050	591,050
5	25	110	Reds	10	-	350k	3	756,310	417,110
6	25	113	325k	10	-	525k	2	663,720	478,325
7	40	117	Reds	10	-	625k	2	826,120	684,890
8	45	104	Reds	10	-	650k	3	937,450	721,666
9	50	112	Reds	10	-	625k	5	685,880	480,540
10	35	110	All	10	-	550k	1	1,356,120	1,356,120

Board 23: Jurassic Vale

This picture shows a couple of giant dinosaurs grazing on the vegetation. A tall sheer cliff face can be seen in the background.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 101 total - Pro target 350k)

The first design follows some of the lines in the picture around the two dinosaurs. Plus there are a scattering of loose round pegs across the background.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 445,900 

• Not too difficult a start. No doubt I could have done that better, but the pro target was quite low and I did just enough.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 109 total - Pro target 425k)

The second design looks like four giant dinosaur footprints, plus a scattering of single round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 201,790

• I didn't pick up many catches here. Nothing much else to say about it. Try again.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 414,070

• I lost my patience that time. I was waiting for a particular blue peg to turn purple, but it was stubbornly refusing to. Every other blue peg must have been purple two or three times when I tried to pick one or two of them off. Inevitably I missed a catch and the game ended.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 532,220 

• I probably got a bit luckier with the red peg placement, and I had to make some catches in the endgame to boost my score, but I had a few extra balls still by that stage so it wasn't a big problem.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 112 total - Pro target 350k)

The third design consists entirely of single round pegs, arranged mainly in lines around the outside of the two dinosaurs in the picture.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 464,900 

• Bonuses are quite hard to come by here, so it isn't an easy level. But I'm quite good at judging catches off round pegs and these pegs are all round, so by stretching the game out to 42 shots, I managed to cling on long enough to reach the pro target before I had to take the final red peg.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 109 total - Pro target 350k)

The fourth design also follows the lines of the picture, but the lines in the background. That's the cliff, trees and other plants, with round pegs scattered over the dinosaurs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 388,450

• I struggled to get to all the red pegs. Catches are hard to come by. I still had four left at the end, I think.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 389,580

• I thought I had that one in the bag. I thought I had a guaranteed ricochet from one red peg onto the other, and just in case I misjudged the angle and put the bucket in the right place for a catch. Unfortunately the ball sailed straight through the narrowest of gaps between the two pegs and I got neither the pegs or the catch.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 281,900

• A bit more of a struggle that time. I still had a couple of red pegs left at the end that I couldn’t get through to. One more go before I dust off the laser ball.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 283,570

• Three red pegs left that time. Clearly it's possible without power ups, as I should have done it two goes ago, but I'll get the laser ball out anyway.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 649,300 

• The yellow peg was tricky to get to and it took several balls. The laser ball worked well, though, and I was left with mostly high pegs. I played quite a few catches but the points were in the bag already really, and I was only biding my time before I had to take the remaining red pegs.

Level 5 (Clear 35 red pegs from 108 total - Pro target 475k)

The fifth design is a massive speckled egg, cracked into two halves.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 648,920 

• I may have got a little lucky with some of the catches I made, but it didn't seem too hard really. It's quite easy to get sweep shots that take out the curves of the shell, after that the catches weren't too bad.

Level 6 (Score 300k with 30 red pegs and 71 blue - Pro target 425k)

The same design as level 1, but with 5 more red pegs, 75k on the pro target, but just a score now to go for.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 372,720

• I wasn't far off the pro target, which seems quite low. I just need to make three or four more catches and I should be there.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 304,620

• Not as good as last time. I made less catches rather than more. I'll give it one more attempt before I go for a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 606,330 

• I got a bit more luck with the early catches that time, although the red pegs didn't seem particularly well placed for bonuses. Catches then got easier as the sea of pegs started to clear. I didn't take the last red peg, although I could have done, but then I didn't need to as it was only a points target.

Level 7 (Clear 40 red pegs from 109 total - Pro target 550k)

The same design as level 4, but with 10 more red pegs and 200k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,004,020 

• I was going for a clearance but left one peg behind, but only because the last red peg went off a deflection. I had several balls in hand still. The catches seemed to go my way, and I picked up plenty of bonuses so the pro score never really looked in doubt.

Level 8 (Score 400k with 35 red pegs and 73 blue - Pro target 550k)

The same design as level 5, but with 75k on the pro target and just a score to go for.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 455,400

• I could have done better with the early sweeps, and some of the catching as well. There's definitely room for improvementso it's worth another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 615,790 

• I picked up more bonuses that time, mainly down to one or two particularly lucky shots, but they all count.

Level 9 (Clear 45 red pegs from 112 total - Pro target 550k)

The same design as level 3, but with 15 more red pegs and 200k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 588,550

• My catching could have been better, as some of the angles took me by surprise. I only missed a couple of red pegs, and I had enough points for pro.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 909,150 

• I got the yellow peg off the side wall with the first ball, but it took out quite a few other pegs on the left-hand side in the process so I concentrated the laser ball on the opposite side. In doing so, I found a rather marvellous path for it which enjoyed a double rim bounce and took out 44 pegs for just over 340k. I still had 23 red pegs left afterwards and 11 balls to get them with, and of course some of those were blocked off by blue pegs, but it wasn't too tall an order.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 84 blue - Pro target 575k)

The same design as level 2, but with 150k on the pro target and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 607,210

• A 95% clearance, but there's certainly room for improvement. I could have certainly made more catches than I did, and it took a few shots to get to the yellow peg.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 584,680

• A 94% clearance that time, so very similar to the previous go. I'll give it one more try before I add a Big Bounce.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 683,160

• Just one peg missed that time, so a big improvement. My catching was improved that time. It must have been because the laser ball didn't work as well. Since I was so close, I'll give it one more go with just the laser ball.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 361,630

• That was a pretty poor effort. A 94% clearance, but the score didn't seem to be going anywhere as the bonuses just weren't coming. I'll add a Big Bounce.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 490,890

• The yellow peg was in a dreadful position, low down to the left, and I ended up getting the green peg first, which is never good. Despite all that, I still was in with a shot at the end, but my catching in the last few shots was pretty awful and I only got a 96% clearance.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 631,290

• Another tricky yellow peg position put into trouble early on. A 94% clearance after some battling in the endgame.

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 1,180,610 

• The yellow peg didn't look ideally placed, but I got it with the second ball. I then got a Triple Bucket bonus with the laser ball and caught it for lots of points. The Big Bounce worked particularly well as well. All in all a pretty good attempt.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	101	Reds	10	-	350k	1	445,900	445,900
2	25	109	Reds	10	-	425k	3	532,220	382,693
3	30	112	Reds	10	-	350k	1	464,900	464,900
4	30	109	Reds	10	-	350k	5	649,300	398,560
5	35	108	Reds	10	-	475k	1	648,920	648,920
6	30	101	300k	10	-	425k	3	606,330	427,890
7	40	109	Reds	10	-	550k	1	1,004,020	1,004,020
8	35	108	400k	10	-	550k	2	615,790	535,595
9	45	112	Reds	10	-	550k	2	909,150	748,850
10	25	109	All	10	-	575k	7	1,180,610	648,495

Board 125: Prey Jungle

This picture is a simple one, showing a tiger in the jungle staring balefully out at the viewer.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 90 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 650k)

The first design features a pattern consisting of a round peg with four diamond-shaped pegs fanning out above it, a bit like a tiger's paw print. This pattern is repeated 18 times across the screen.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 193,840

• Lots of awkward angles here making catches very hard to engineer. I'll give it another go, but I suspect this will need a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 366,640

• A definite improvement, but still catches were not easy and clearing the red pegs was a challenge. I'll use that laser ball now.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 440,450

• I took a gamble on getting a 100k bonus to finish, but only managed 50k. I probably should have waited for a good opportunity for a purple peg catch or two instead.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 832,480 

• When I saw the location of the yellow peg I thought this was going to be a disaster. It was low down to the left with a host of pegs in the way. It didn't take too many balls to get there though, but it did take quite a few pegs out on the left-hand side, so I concentrated the laser ball on the opposite side. The laser ball worked a treat, getting a good rim bounce, and taking out of a lot of pegs for a big score. After that there was plenty of space to make catches and I took a total clearance.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 85 total - Pro target 425k)

The second design looks like four tiger fingertips, each with a long sharp claw protruding from the end.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 483,870

• I had the points for the pro score but I ran out of balls one red peg short. Close but no cigar.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 255,450

• About four red pegs left and nowhere near the pro target. I'll give it one more go, but if I get nowhere near again, I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 492,240 

• I got the hang of the catches a bit better that time. I very nearly managed a total clearance, but once I got down to my last ball, it wasn't worth to risk so I left two pegs behind.

Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 87 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 400k)

The third design follows some of the lines in the picture for the foliage, plus lots of diamond shaped pegs across the undergrowth.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 528,110

• I missed quite a few early catches. I made a lot of catches in the endgame, but I'd lost too many balls already to make it all the way.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 434,540 

• This time, I more or less abandoned the attempts at ricochets and sweeps, and went for single peg catches from very early on. They're actually pretty straightforward here. I cleared the central pegs first, then worked outwards from there. I ignored the colour of the peg to start with, as waiting for the right purple peg would have taken all night. I played purple pegs more later on as more pegs became available to take catches off. I would have liked the total clearance, but I was running short on balls so I went for the finish.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 95 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 500k)

The fourth design is of two fern leaves like those in front of the tiger's face.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 198,670

• I didn't make any catches, and that's never going to work. I don't think they were that hard, I just kept mistiming everything.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 387,500

• I cleared the reds that time, but I struggled for bonuses so my score was well down. The last red went off a deflection, although I still needed quite a few points and I only had one ball in hand so my hopes were not overly high. I think the red pegs could have been positioned better though.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 325,470

• Again, the reds seemed awkwardly placed and I struggled for early catches and bonuses. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 482,280

• The yellow peg was tricky to get to, and I didn't take out enough red pegs with the laser when I got it. It left me too many red pegs to clear and not enough balls to do it with.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 572,700 

• I got the yellow peg with the first ball. I did OK with the laser ball, although the rim bounce was poor. I didn't make many catches, but I managed to clear the red pegs, and the laser ball gave me enough points for Pro.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 93 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 450k)

The fifth design is a close up of the tiger's face, showing his eyes, nose and stripy forehead.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 156,240

• I may have made a couple of catches, but they were both lucky ones. There's probably no point trying this again without a power up.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 595,120 

• I cleared the reds and got enough points for pro, but it wasn't a particularly inspiring game.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 87 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 3, but with 15 more red pegs and 275k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 703,670 

• I used up quite a lot of balls early on, but resorted to single peg catches with a lot of pegs left and picked my way through. I wanted a total clearance, but clumsily left the blue peg in the very top right corner until last and couldn't hit it without taking out the last red peg immediately below it instead. I'd done enough though.

Level 7 (Score 475k with 35 red pegs and 50 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 2, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, 225k on the pro target, but just a score to go for.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 578,790

• Enough points for victory, but not for pro. I lost several balls trying to get to the yellow peg, and then didn't do very well with the laser ball. Not the best of efforts.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 969,110 

• I got a hold on the catches much better that time. It's just a matter of remembering that 90% of balls will get shunted out to the left, so I was just firing them into the design for a ricochet, and timing it so the bucket should be on the left when the ball comes out again. It allowed me to make a comfortable total clearance with 5 or 6 balls in hand.

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 65 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 1, but the pro target is less by 50k, and a total clearance is now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 420,300

• 94% clearance, which was 4 or 5 pegs left. Some clumsy catching towards the end really.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 469,520

• Another 94% clearance. The catches in the endgame are proving to be harder than they look like they should be.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 283,290

• Only 82% that time, as the catches really didn't seem to go my way. I'll add a Big Bounce and see if that helps.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 738,350 

• I managed to find a route through to the yellow peg with the first ball, despite its awkward location. The rim bounce with the laser ball was effectively useless though. The green peg went next which was a little earlier than I would have liked. The Big Bounce ball took out a lot of pegs, but nearly all of them were before the first bounce - after that it got stuck down the bottom and took out hardly anything else, so the trampoline itself was fairly useless as well. My catching was better however, and I made it all the way through for a total clearance.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 70 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 4, but with 100k on the pro target, and all pegs are now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 900,600 

• I got the yellow peg with the first ball, then did quite well with the laser ball. After that I concentrated for the most part on single peg catches and worked my my gradually through the pegs.

Level 10 (Score 575k with 35 red pegs and 58 blue, with only 6 balls and a three second shot-clock - Pro target 700k)

The same design as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs, three less balls, 250k on the pro target, but just a score to go for.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 576,790

• I got the points for the basic victory, but was a little way short of pro. I missed quite a few catches though so it's certainly worth another try.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 484,040

• The yellow peg was very awkwardly placed that time, and by the time I activated the laser ball I only had one ball left. The laser ball earned me a couple back, but it still wasn't enough.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 528,890

• Again, the yellow peg was tricky to get to. I think I'd have a good chance at this if can just get a yellow peg that's accessible.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 631,210

• I managed to get the yellow peg with the first ball, and catch it too, but I still couldn't make it to the pro target. I'll add a Big Bounce.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 725,490 

• I guess the Big Bounce made the difference. I got the yellow peg with the first ball, and did OK with the laser ball. I managed to take quite a few catches in the endgame, and only missed out on a total clearance by two pegs.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	90	Reds	9	-	650k	4	832,480	458,352
2	25	85	Reds	10	-	425k	3	492,240	410,520
3	25	87	Reds	9	-	400k	2	528,110	481,325
4	25	95	Reds	9	-	500k	5	572,700	393,324
5	25	93	Reds	9	-	450k	2	595,120	375,680
6	40	87	Reds	9	-	675k	1	703,670	703,670
7	35	85	475k	9	-	650k	2	969,110	773,950
8	25	90	All	9	-	600k	4	738,350	477,865
9	25	95	All	9	-	600k	1	900,600	900,600
10	35	93	575k	6	3s	700k	5	725,490	589,284