Board 135: Alpine Incline

This picture shows an Alpine cottage surrounded by steep hills and jagged mountain peaks. Sheep stand around in the grass around the cottage.

Level 1 (Clear 30 red pegs from 89 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 475k)

The first design features several jagged mountain peaks, with a number of loose diamond-shaped pegs beneath.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 191,540

• This was much harder than it looked. The angles were all wrong for catches, and the red pegs were badly placed for bonuses.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 287,110

• A better effort, but catches and bonuses were still hard to come by. I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 510,170 

• It was a good job I'd kept back enough balls to cover the last few red pegs, as I was still struggling for catches and didn’t catch any of the last few. I got a Double Score bonus with the laser ball, and without it I probably would have struggled to make the pro target.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 137 total - Pro target 450k)

The second design is based around the front of the cottage. It mostly consists of straight lines, but there are round pegs where the door is, and some more up by the roof.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 561,330 

• I started badly as the red pegs didn't seem very favourably positioned. I made quite a few catches, but I wasn't making the bonuses, so I was struggling for points. Luckily the points started to come in the endgame, and I made it over the line.

Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 108 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 450k)

The third deign follows the lines in the picture - mainly the cottage, the trees, one of the mountains and a hill. Plus some diamond-shaped pegs on the fence in the foreground.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 390,150

• I was struggling for points again, mainly due to having no red pegs in the top corners for easy early bonuses. Worth another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 385,050

• I was down to the last red peg, but I couldn't guarantee a 100k final bucket so I wanted another purple catch or two before I went for a finish and I ran out of balls.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 321,340

• About three red pegs left that time, and all the same problems as before. I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,065,430 

• As is so often the case with these early levels, as soon as I add a laser ball it becomes very easy. I took a comfortable total clearance for a seven figure score.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 122 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 425k)

The fourth design features three identical designs which each look like the window on the front of the cottage. There is a pattern of round pegs under each.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 200,880

• Not a very good first attempt. The catches and bonuses weren't going my way.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 362,710

• Two or three red pegs left. I was closing in on the pro target, but catches were still awkward around the remaining red pegs and I had some blue ones to clear before I could get to the red ones. I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 587,670 

• Again, not too tricky with the laser ball, although I didn't earn as many points from it as I usually do. I still had to take a few purple towards the end to reach the pro target. I had enough spare balls to do it thought, so it wasn't a problem.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 129 total - Pro target 575k)

The fifth and final design is of a ram's head with big stripy, curly horns.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 342,340

• Only three red pegs left, but I was quite lucky to get as far as I did. I'll go straight for a laser ball this time.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,019,700 

• I didn't manage a total clearance this time, but it was certainly a comfortable win and pro score.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 89 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 650k)

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

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 566,420

• Just one red peg left and quite close to a pro score, but I needed another purple peg or two first. Not too bad an attempt.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 699,990 

• I'm quite glad the pro target was 650k and not 700k with this score! It was touch and go a bit towards the end, but I made it.

Level 7 (Clear 40 red pegs from 108 total, with only 7 balls - Pro target 725k)

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

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,198,010 

• My catching was working particularly well in that one, and I was making catches all over the place, especially in the endgame. I got a total clearance and seven figure score with about four balls to spare.

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 112 blue, with only 7 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 2, but with 5 less red pegs, three less balls, 150k on the pro target, and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 975,030 

• My catching wasn't quite as good as the previous game, but it was good enough. I got the total clearance required with a couple of balls to spare, and plenty of points.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 97 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 4, but with one less ball, 250k on the pro target and all pegs now required.

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

• Just two red pegs left. I couldn't quite make the last few balls last all the way to the end.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 387,200

• Not so good that time. Only an 87% clearance and nowhere near the pro target.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 359,500

• Down to 81% that time. I'll add a Big Bounce and see if that helps.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 688,640

• Just two pegs left again, but I really should have done better. I missed loads of catches that I should have taken in the last few balls.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 774,550 

• Got it that time. I just managed to keep the catching going to the end, and got lucky at the right moments.

Level 10 (Clear 35 red pegs from 129 total, with only 6 balls - Pro target 825k)

The same design as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs, four less balls, and 250k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 685,050

• Still quite a few red pegs left at the end. The catches are really quite tricky on this layout. I'll add a Big Bounce, I think.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 1,000,630 

• I had this one beat quite some way before the end. I was just taking purple pegs to boost my score. The laser ball worked well, and left a good subset of pegs which offered some good catches.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	30	89	Reds	9	-	475k	3	510,170	329,606
2	30	137	Reds	10	-	450k	1	561,330	561,330
3	25	108	Reds	9	-	450k	4	1,065,430	540,492
4	25	122	Reds	9	-	425k	3	587,670	383,753
5	25	129	Reds	10	-	575k	2	1,019,700	681,020
6	40	89	Reds	8	-	650k	2	699,990	633,205
7	40	108	Reds	7	-	725k	1	1,198,010	1,198,010
8	25	137	All	7	-	600k	1	975,030	975,030
9	25	122	All	8	-	675k	5	774,550	562,158
10	35	129	Reds	6	-	825k	2	1,000,630	842,840

Board 134: Twilight Lily Pad

This picture depicts a fairy sitting on a lily pad, and she appears to have just captured a pink butterfly as she has it on the end of a pink rope.

Level 1 (Clear 30 red pegs from 96 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 525k)

The first design features two big curves at the bottom - one that follows the leading edge of the lily pad, and another just beneath and parallel to it. Each curve has a line of round pegs below it. There are six more curves, three on each side, at the top of the design.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 874,330 

• A pretty good start to the board. Lots of curves make for some good early sweeps, and I managed to keep the catching going all the way to the end for a total clearance and comfortable pro score.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 97 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 400k)

The second design comprises entirely of single round pegs. They are in a pattern of circles like ripples in a pool but all emanating from different points. It looks like a tricky one.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 199,040

• Layouts like this with all single round pegs are generally a nightmare for catching. I didn't make a single one here.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 401,500 

• I got a bit more luck that time, and managed to take a few catches. I stretched the game out to 18 shots, so I guess I must have made about 10 catches, but most of those came towards the end. In the end I managed to scrape up to 297k, but I was pushing my luck so I took the final red hoping to pop out from the cluster into the centre bucket, and that's just what happened.

Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 93 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 550k)

The third design looks like a couple of leaf tips with drops of water hanging from the ends.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 258,630

• About six red pegs left having only taken one catch, I think. It's another tricky level for catches. Not because of single round pegs, but because the design all slopes in towards the centre, so most balls end up there where catching is hardest. I'll give it one more try to see if I get lucky.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 298,990

• I made a lot more catches, but it didn't help much. I was still a long way from both clearing the reds and reaching the pro target. I'll add a laser ball, although I'm not sure how well my standard path for it will work.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 222,630

• I forgot to add the laser ball. I came closer to clearing the reds - I only had a cluster of three left - but the score was worse, so it wouldn't have done me any good.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 567,760

• I probably should have taken the last red peg when I had the chance, as I had a shot at deflecting off it into the 100k bucket. But I was confident of taking a catch off the purple peg which would have put the pro score beyond doubt. The ball went right into the corner, though, and only deflected off the edge of the bucket.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 564,320 

• I got it that time. There were a few lucky catches in there, but most were at least semi-planned. I took the last couple of red pegs off the side wall to ensure a pro score.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 115 total - Pro target 450k)

The fourth design follows the lines of the picture. It uses the lily pad itself, the butterfly, and various other bits of leaf and grass.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 565,730

• No problem with the pro score, but catches were tricky, so clearing the reds was the problem. I had two left at the end.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 488,190 

• I just about squeaked through that time, although I needed to avoid the 10k bucket at the end. I got the 50k so that was enough. I concentrated more on clearing the red pegs this time, than on scoring bonus points and it paid dividends.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 127 total - Pro target 500k)

The fifth and final design is a close up of the pink butterfly in the picture. It's quite a complex picture, using quite a lot of pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 282,040

• I could have cleared the red pegs, but I was a long way short on points, so there didn't seem much benefit. I wasn't very lucky with the red peg placement, though.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 314,780

• A better score, but four red pegs left. I’d better use a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 931,960 

• A lot easier with the laser ball, as is so often the case. Particularly on closely packed layouts like this one. I was closing in on a seven figure score, and possibly a total clearance when the last red went out off an unexpected ricochet. I was running out of balls anyway, though, so I doubt I'd have got either.

Level 6 (Score 675k with 25 red pegs and 71 blue, with only 7 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 1, but with five less red pegs, one less ball, 225k on the pro score, and just a score to aim at.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 417,000

• I cleared the red pegs, but that wasn't the target. I didn't make the regular target, let alone the pro one. Worth another try before I add a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 357,650

• I cleared more of the pegs in total, but for a lower score. Annoying when I got such a good score on level 1. I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 285,740

• I forgot to add the laser ball, and my score was even worse. I definitely need to add a laser ball.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 969,240 

• Once again, a lot easier with the laser ball. I was going for a total clearance but missed the last three pegs. Two of them were reds, but that doesn't matter on a score only level.

Level 7 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 85 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 4, but with 5 more red pegs, two less balls, 300k on the pro target, and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 670,590

• An abyssmal attempt. Just 77% clearance. The catches just weren't coming.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 652,280

• A similar score to before, and a clearance up to 81%. So a slight improvement there. Not enough though, so I'll add a Big Bounce and see if I can get a bit more luck.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 759,760

• Up to 93% clearance with both power ups in play, and a better score. I still didn't feel like I was getting much luck though. Sometimes you get runs like this, though. It's part of the game. It's frustrating, but you have to just press on and look forward to the next run of good luck that you'll get. It's all swings and roundabouts.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 570,310

• 90% clearance. But still the balls are contriving to find ways to miss as many of the pegs as possible and especially the bucket!

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 880,960

• Up to a 97% clearance that time, and I felt my luck was beginning to turn a little. I'll see how it goes on the next one.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 1,208,580 

• I definitely had better luck that time. Several catches went my way unexpectedly. It made all the difference, although it was still touch and go towards the end. The points were no problem though.

Level 8 (Clear 40 red pegs from 127 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 800k)

The same design as level 5, but with 15 more red pegs, two less balls, and 300k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 970,040 

• This didn't seem that tough with the laser ball. Again, the dense layout makes for a good score with it. I had to make some decent catches towards the end to make sure I cleared the reds without running out of balls, but I managed it.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 67 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 2, but with one more ball, 200k on the pro target, and all pegs now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 524,540

• A 93% clearance as several of the catches I went for in the endgame came off at some unexpected angles.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 726,210

• Up to 96%, so four pegs left. Getting closer.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 734,140 

• I managed to push all the way through to the end this time. I very nearly blew it on the last peg when I missed it altogether, but luckily the game decided to give me the ball back and I made damn sure of it the second time.

Level 10 (Score 600k with 25 red pegs and 68 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 3, but with one less ball, 200k on the pro target, and just a score to aim at.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 401,620

• A long way short of the target.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 489,220

• An improvement, but still a long way short of the target. I suspect this will need a total clearance, and that was only 89%.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 583,000

• The last red peg went off an unexpected deflection, when I still had blue pegs left and not enough points. Annoying.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 740,120

• Well I got the total clearance that time, but I didn't quite get the final bucket bonus I needed. 100k was what I needed, but I only got 60k and missed out by 10k.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 667,590

• I was going well there and had lots of balls in hand still when the last red peg got taken out by mistake and the game ended prematurely.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 745,940

• Again, the last red peg went too early. I had enough balls still in hand to comfortably clear the remaining blue pegs as well. I thought I had that one in the bag. Anything greater than a 10k final bucket would have been enough, but it wasn't to be.

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 664,290

• No where near clearing all the pegs, or even the red ones. I got a really good laser ball and should have done much better than I did. I missed loads of catches in the endgame.

Attempt #8 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 742,660

• Again, loads of missed opportunities at the end with hardly a ball caught. This isn't a run of bad luck, just bad play.

Attempt #9 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 487,040

• The laser ball went all wrong that time, getting nothing off the rim bounce.

Attempt #10 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 526,040

• Another relatively poor attempt. My run of poor form continues. This really shouldn't be that difficult.

Attempt #11 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 816,320 

• Finally got it at the 11th attempt, but I don't think that was because of the difficulty, or even a run of bad luck, I just didn't play it very well. This one went a bit better, as I made more catches than previous goes.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	30	96	Reds	8	-	525k	1	874,330	874,330
2	30	97	Reds	8	-	400k	2	401,500	300,270
3	25	93	Reds	9	-	550k	5	567,760	382,466
4	25	115	Reds	10	-	450k	2	565,730	526,960
5	25	127	Reds	10	-	500k	3	931,960	509,593
6	25	96	675k	7	-	750k	4	969,240	507,407
7	30	115	All	8	-	750k	6	1,208,580	790,413
8	40	127	Reds	8	-	800k	1	970,040	970,040
9	30	97	All	9	-	600k	3	734,140	661,630
10	25	93	600k	8	-	750k	11	816,320	623,985

Board 10: Tomb of Kings

This picture shows four huge seated figures in an Egyptian style, very similar to the figures at the Abu Simbel Temple of Ramesses II, only these figures have comedy facial expressions.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 101 total - Pro target 375k)

The first design is essentially an enlargement of the design above the doorway in the picture. It features a doorway, with a sort of geometric figure around it, then a curve made up of round pegs, plus a few rectangular pegs fanning out in the top corners.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 782,930 

• This one looks harder than it is. There are plenty of opportunities for ricochets and catches here. I went all the way to a total clearance at the first attempt, with a ball to spare.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 106 total - Pro target 425k)

The second design is also symmetrical. I has two large curves enclosing the main design like brackets, with just a couple of vertical lines of round pegs outside them. Inside the main curves are two smaller curves, an array of round pegs, and a vertical line of diamond-shaped ones.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 478,380 

• There are quite a few blue pegs to negotiate your way around here, but it didn't seem too hard. I managed a pro score at the first attempt, but it wasn't quite as comfortable as the previous one.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 100 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 400k)

The third design has a circle over each of the four heads, a wavy line down each leg, and round pegs around the perimeter.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 237,910

• Six or seven red pegs left at the end. Now this one is as hard as it looks, or possibly harder. All those wiggly pegs make for very hard to predict ricochets. They also mean the ball can drop off the bottom very suddenly. I'll give it another try, but I strongly suspect the laser ball will be coming out after that.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 162,240

• Three red pegs left, but a terrible score. This will need a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 489,850

• Three red pegs left again. The laser ball gave me a much improved score but that's about all. I did mess up the laser ball a bit though, getting a poor rim bounce.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 967,310 

• The luck was running in my favour that time. I got the yellow peg without losing a ball, and got a good rim bounce with the laser ball. I went all the way to take a total clearance with balls in hand.

Level 4 (Clear 35 red pegs from 102 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 450k)

The fourth design is all wavy horizontal lines, and a symmetrical design of loose round and diamond-shaped pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 305,740

• Not too bad for a first attempt. About 3 or 4 red pegs left. Worth another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 389,900

• Similar to before but with a better score. There were still a lot of careless shots in this one.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 303,150

• About six red pegs left because the luck went against me. The balls kept picking up tricky ricochets.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 496,290 

• I did a bit better with catches and managed to stumble my way through.

Level 5 (Clear 40 red pegs from 102 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 450k)

The fifth design features a pair of low concentric circles. Also a couple of grids of round pegs, one on each side, move up and down, one row at a time, between a pair of slightly bowed lines.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 250,030

• Lots of red pegs left - about 14 I think.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 820,110 

• Much easier with the laser ball. I had plenty of spare balls at the end to boost my score.

Level 6 (Score 375k with 25 red pegs and 76 blue - Pro target 475k)

The same design as level 1, but with 100k on the pro score and just a score to aim for.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 518,990 

• I didn't do as well as I did on level 1, but I did well enough. I missed a total clearance by a single peg, but it was more important to get the job done. I needed a few well-judged catches of the side wall towards the end, and a bit of luck.

Level 7 (Clear 25 red pegs from 106 total, with no ball bucket - Pro target 300k)

The same design as level 2, but with 5 less red pegs, 125k less on the pro target, and no ball bucket.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 500,660 

• I hate levels with no bucket, so as soon as I see the dreaded words NO BALL BUCKET, I reach straight for the power ups. This one went surprisingly easily in the end. The Big Bounce worked well. The laser ball wasn't great, but it took out all the reds that remained on the left-hand side, and without a bucket to bounce off, that was as good as I could expect. I finished with three balls to spare and 200k over the pro target.

Level 8 (Score 450k with 25 red pegs and 75 blue - Pro target 550k)

The same design as level 3, but with 5 less red pegs, one more ball, 150k on the pro target, and just a score to go for.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,008,880 

• No problems here at all. I blitzed past the pro target and went on to take a total clearance with several balls to spare. I even edged past the one million mark at the end, despite a minimum 20k final bucket bonus.

Level 9 (Clear 50 red pegs from 102 total, with a 3s shot-clock - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs, two more balls, 200k on the pro target, and a three second shot-clock.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 678,220 

• I needed a bit of luck at times here, but there were some good catches in there too. I needed the total clearance to get the pro target, but get it I did.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 77 blue - Pro target 600k)

The same design as level 4, but with 10 less red pegs, two more balls, 150k on the pro target, and all pegs now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 513,560

• Just a 91% clearance, as I struggled to make catches, even in the endgame, as all the pegs seemed to be getting in each other's way.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 705,130 

• I got a bit of luck towards the end and picked up a few lucky catches, and I needed it as I wouldn't have made it otherwise.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	101	Reds	10	-	375k	1	782,930	782,930
2	30	106	Reds	10	-	425k	1	478,380	478,380
3	30	100	Reds	9	-	400k	4	967,310	464,327
4	35	102	Reds	8	-	450k	4	496,290	373,770
5	40	102	Reds	8	-	450k	2	820,110	535,070
6	25	101	375k	10	-	475k	1	518,990	518,990
7	25	106	Reds	10	NBB	300k	1	500,660	500,660
8	25	100	450k	10	-	550k	1	1,008,880	1,008,880
9	50	102	Reds	10	3s	650k	1	678,220	678,220
10	25	102	All	10	-	600k	2	705,130	609,345

Board 133: Choco Isle

This picture shows a beach scene, with an elaborate sand castle, a bucket and a couple of spades. But the sea appears to be made of molten chocolate, and the spades are actually spoons.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 100 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 500k)

The first design features a curvy spoon like the one in the bottom right of the picture. A few round pegs mark the rainbow at the top, but most of the loose pegs are at the bottom of the screen, arranged in loose peaks like sand dunes.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 439,840

• I couldn't find a way through to the last red peg and ran out of balls before I could get it.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 482,040

• Two red pegs left that time, but a better score. I'll give it one more go before adding a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 457,860

• One red peg left again. I keep coming within a peg or two of clearing the reds but not quite managing it.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 473,990

• I got all the red pegs, but the last red peg was low, quite central, and among several blue pegs. I tried to get a ricochet going to earn the remaining points I needed, but the ball hit one blue peg and flew straight into the 10k bucket. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 419,480

• One red peg left again. The trouble was, my first ball took out the yellow peg, but also took out a lot of the pegs that a standard laser ball would have taken, so I felt obliged to try a different path for it. It didn't work very well, and I was no better off than I would have been without it.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball. Score: 508,200 

• Well I hope this isn't a sign of things to come with this board. Level 1 took 6 lives and two power ups, and I still only scraped home by less than 10k.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 119 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 500k)

The second design shows a large sand castle similar to the one in the picture. It's nearly all made up of rectangular pegs arranged either horizontally or vertically, which can make for some good catching.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 518,280 

• That was a bit better. I didn't make that many catches, but I got a lot of good ricochets.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 104 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 450k)

The third design features a big cup of something steaming, plus a couple of what look like discarded tins. I'm not entirely sure what the relevance to the picture is, but it doesn't really matter.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 450,690 

• I just squeezed over the line by taking the last red peg while still needing 17k. I was hoping to avoid the 10k bucket. I didn't avoid it, but earned just enough points from the other pegs I hit to make it to the target.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 131 total - Pro target 400k)

The fourth design follows the lines of the picture. It uses lines from pretty much everything - the foliage, the castle, the spoons, the sea & sand.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 624,710 

• I only had 320k or so when the last three reds all went in a single ricochet, so I wasn't sure if I had enough points for pro. I needn't have worried as the final ball scored a whopping 304k, nearly doubling my score, and only 50k of that came from the final bucket.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 125 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 475k)

The fifth and final design features five starfish, each consisting of 25 curved pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 264,980

• There were still 10 red pegs left and I was over 200k short of the pro target. There's no way this is going without a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 915,210

• That was particularly careless. I scored a vast number of points with the laser ball, but then lost too many balls playing unnecessary purple pegs before I'd made sure I could get through to all the remaining reds. Then I ran out of balls trying to clear a path to the last one.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,019,750 

• I scored even more with the laser ball this time. The pegs are very well suited to my standard path. I had a conveniently positioned yellow peg as well. I made sure I didn't make any silly mistakes this time. I even managed to leave a red peg until the end that I could slide off straight into the 100k bucket. It helped me get a million point score.

Level 6 (Clear 35 red pegs from 100 total, with only 7 balls - Pro target 675k)

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

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 508,670

• Two red pegs left. This was probably my least favourite of the five layouts, so it's probably good to get it out of the way first.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 777,160 

• It took a few balls to get through to the yellow peg, but not as many as it could have done. I then found a good path for the laser ball which took out most of the central loop. I managed to make enough catches, and get enough lucky breaks, to get all the way to a total clearance.

Level 7 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 94 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 775k)

The same design as level 2, but with 275k on the pro target and all pegs now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 966,100 

• Much like level 2, I picked up lots of ricochets - the angles seem very conducive to it. I probably earned more extra balls from extended ricochets than from catches, at least in the early part of the game. Anyway, the pegs soon started to clear away, and then catches started to get easier. I ended up taking the total clearance required with several balls to spare.

Level 8 (Clear 35 red pegs from 131 total, with only 7 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 4, but with 10 more red pegs, three less balls and 350k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 596,760

• Still seven red pegs left at the end. I didn't take enough early catches, so had too much to do with too few balls towards the end.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,292,180 

• A big improvement. I took a lot more catches that time, and it made all the difference. I had balls in hand all the way through and the endgame was always under control. I took a total clearance.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 74 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same design as level 3, but with one less ball, 225k on the pro target and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 870,200 

• I had to pick off the last 10 pegs with the last ball, but thankfully the angles were all quite straightforward, so I managed it.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 100 blue, with only 7 balls - Pro target 775k)

The same design as level 5, but with two less balls, 300k on the pro target and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 195,420

• The yellow peg was about as awkwardly placed as possible, and I only managed to get it with my very last ball, so I never got to use the laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 845,130

• Three pegs left, so a lot closer that time. I got to the yellow peg, but it took me two or three shots. I made a lot more catches this time, though.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,069,640 

• I seemed to have a better grasp of the angles that time. The catches seemed come quite a bit easier, and those extra few catches gave me that extra comfort zone that helped me clear all the pegs.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	100	Reds	9	-	500k	6	508,200	463,568
2	30	119	Reds	9	-	500k	1	518,280	518,280
3	30	104	Reds	9	-	450k	1	450,690	450,690
4	25	131	Reds	10	-	400k	1	624,710	624,710
5	25	125	Reds	9	-	475k	3	1,019,750	733,313
6	35	100	Reds	7	-	675k	2	777,160	642,915
7	25	119	All	9	-	775k	1	966,100	966,100
8	35	131	Reds	7	-	750k	2	1,292,180	944,470
9	30	104	All	8	-	675k	1	870,200	870,200
10	25	125	All	7	-	775k	3	1,069,640	703,396

Board 132: Logger's Lodge

This picture shows a large wooden house amongst some even larger trees. The house is by a river and has a water wheel. An axe sticks out from a fallen tree trunk lying across the river.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 90 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 500k)

The first design is of a big axe, with three horizontal lines on the right, beneath the handle.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 271,150

• It's all a bit of a jumble of angles at the moment, so it might take me a couple of goes to get used to them. Quite a few red pegs left and barely half the pro target.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 408,920

• I cleared all the red pegs, but only by accident as I still needed more points. A good improvement to the last one though, so worth another try.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 449,420

• A couple of red pegs left, but they would have been easy catches once I'd cleared the blue peg that I missed the final catch off.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 391,850

• Just one red peg left, after a clumsy attempted catch at the end. I'm reluctant to use a power up here as it's clearly possible without one.

Attempt #5 - No power ups. Score: 484,750

• Two red pegs left and my best score yet. I am going to get this.

Attempt #6 - No power ups. Score: 579,130 

• I knew I'd get there eventually. I don't think my catching was any better that time, but I got luckier with the bonuses.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 104 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 450k)

The second design is of a log with a notch cut out of it. There are a few diamond shaped pegs above and below.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 258,410

• Another tricky one without power ups, but I'm going straight for the laser ball this time.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 451,560 

• I thought I'd added a laser ball, but I guess I must have clicked it twice and not realised. It didn't matter as it happened as I pro scored it anyway. A lot of catches went my way and as soon as I'd got within 10k of the pro target I took out the final red peg which saw me scrape home with a 10k final bonus.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 106 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 425k)

The third design follows the lines of the picture. It mainly uses the angles of the roofs, the boughs of the tree on the right, the fallen trunk, the water on the wheel, and the upright planks on the front of the house. There are various other diamond-shaped and round pegs, mainly in the tree foliage and over the windows.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 283,440

• Just one red peg left, but I was trying to build a pro score so I couldn't take it. I'll give it another go, but I'm not convinced it's realistically doable without power ups.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 316,290

• More red pegs left, but it felt like a better attempt. I'll give it one more go before I turn to a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 609,320 

• I was all over it that time, getting a comfortable total clearance. It's a funny old game.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 123 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 475k)

The fourth design is symmetrical and mimics the ornate carved design over the front door.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 156,250

• Nowhere near it. I'll go for a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,120,380 

• Much easier with a laser ball. I got the yellow peg straight away, and after the laser ball I pretty much had the pro score in the bag, and clearing the red pegs didn't look too tough. In fact, I took a total clearance and a big seven figure score.

Level 5 (Clear 30 red pegs from 126 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 525k)

The fifth design is of the water wheel.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 523,390

• One more ball would have done it. I had the score, and had one more red peg to get. I just needed to catch one of the last three or four balls, but missed all of them.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 158,740

• That one went horribly wrong. Only two catches, and lots of red pegs left at the end.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,041,120 

• Again, not particularly difficult with a laser ball. It took me several shots to get through to the yellow peg, but once I had, a pro score was pretty much assured, and it didn't take much to get a total clearance.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 104 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same design as level 2, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, and 200k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 978,750 

• The yellow ball took a few shots to get to, but I did well with the laser ball, and catching became a lot easier with most of the pegs gone. I took a total clearance, but despite a maximum 200k final bonus, I couldn't quite make the million.

Level 7 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 60 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 725k)

The same design as level 1, but with 5 more red pegs, one less ball, 225k on the pro target, and a total clearance required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 425,210

• Only an 89% clearance, so not a particularly good first attempt. My catching was quite poor.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 298,810

• Even worse that time, just 82%. The yellow peg was much harder to get to. I'll add a Big Bounce.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 618,580

• I cleared all the pegs, but I needed a much bigger final bucket bonus than the minimum 20k I actually got.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 929,990 

• A much better effort. I picked up some much better bonuses along the way and cruised to the pro target.

Level 8 (Score 600k with 25 red pegs and 101 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 5, but with 5 less red pegs, one less ball, 225k on the pro target and just the score that matters.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 847,130 

• I want to get this board finished now, so I'm going to be jumping straight in with laser balls for the last few. I had the pro target several balls before the end, so I was just playing for a score for the last few balls. I missed the total clearance by a single peg, but it wasn't important.

Level 9 (Clear 40 red pegs from 106 total, with only 6 balls - Pro target 575k)

The same design as level 3, but with 10 more red pegs, three less pegs and 150k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 653,640

• I missed the last catch. Very infuriating! I'd kept the last ball going for ages as well.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 505,500

• Two red pegs left that time, but pretty close again. One more go before I add a Big Bounce.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 556,870

• Just one red peg left and no blues, so another really close one. I don't really want to add another power up as it really shouldn't be necessary.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 640,310 

• That was very similar to the previous attempts, but this time I managed to keep the catches going with the last ball all the way to the end. I thought about trying a thin snick off the last ball into the 100k bucket, but I had the points I needed already so it wasn't worth the danger involved.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 35 red and 88 blue, with only 7 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same design as level 4, but with 5 more red pegs, two less balls, 275k on the pro target, and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 499,230

• A 96% clearance, so not bad for a first attempt. I was struggling a little on the score front though.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 477,360

• Only an 88% clearance that time, so I think I'll add a Big Bounce next time.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 574,900

• A 94% clearance with the Big Bounce as well. Still more catches needed.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 720,490

• Three pegs left, thanks to some godawful catching right at the end. I thought I was going to get that one. Careless!

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 605,600

• Three pegs left again. I was hanging on with the last ball quite well, but then one dreadful shot finished it prematurely.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 803,230

• Just two pegs left that time. I'm getting closer, but I just can't seem to keep the catches going all the way to the end.

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 974,590 

• Got it that time at the 7th attempt. I managed to avoid the clumsy mistakes I'd been making in the previous attempts, and kept the catching going all the way to the end.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	90	Reds	9	-	500k	6	579,130	430,870
2	30	104	Reds	9	-	450k	2	451,560	354,985
3	30	106	Reds	9	-	425k	3	609,320	403,016
4	30	123	Reds	9	-	475k	2	1,120,380	638,315
5	30	126	Reds	9	-	525k	3	1,041,120	574,416
6	40	104	Reds	8	-	650k	1	978,750	978,750
7	30	90	All	8	-	725k	4	929,990	568,147
8	25	126	600k	8	-	750k	1	847,130	847,130
9	40	106	Reds	6	-	575k	4	653,640	589,080
10	35	123	All	7	-	750k	7	974,590	665,057

Board 11: Trailblazer Canyon

This picture shows a single covered wagon standing alone near a campfire. The scenery is of the American Old West with cacti in the foreground and huge buttes rising in the background. There are no people or horses to be seen.

Level 1 (Clear 30 red pegs from 120 total - Pro target 425k)

The first design is of a covered wagon, with a few single round pegs scattered around.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 298,170

• I didn't make any catches at all so fell well short of the target.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 294,040

• A slight improvement in that I made two catches, but the score was about the same. I seem to making very hard work of this.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 600,430 

• I did much better with catches that time, stretching the game out to 19 shots. A lot of those catches were lucky ones, but sometimes that's what's necessary. It was still touch and go as to whether I'd be able to clear all the red pegs before I ran out of balls, but I managed it.

Level 2 (Clear 35 red pegs from 103 total - Pro target 475k)

The second design is of a wagon wheel, so a large circle with a small circle inside, and a dozen short straight lines between the two acting as spokes. There is a round peg at the very centre, and some others scattered around outside the wheel.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 371,490

• Four red pegs left, but I wasted quite a few early shots that I should have done more with. Worth another try.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 279,290

• Four red pegs left again, but an even lower score. I'll give it one more go.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 787,940 

• Third time was the charm again. The catches went my way that time, and I went all the way to a total clearance.

Level 3 (Clear 40 red pegs from 96 total - Pro target 400k)

The third design features a couple of jagged lines that follow the tops of the nearest buttes, and then straight vertical lines marking the edge of the canyon. There are plenty of loose round pegs scattered about.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 466,510

• Just one red peg left, and over the pro target, so it clearly warrants another go.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 893,820 

• I had a much better handle on the angles second time around. I didn't lose too many balls in the early part of the game and got some good ricochets. I allowed me to take it all the way to a total clearance.

Level 4 (Clear 35 red pegs from 117 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 500k)

The fourth design shows a couple of ellipses encircling the two cacti in the foreground like picture frames. A broken line of rectangular pegs stretches around both ellipses, and a few round pegs are strewn around.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 633,240 

• A few lucky catches and ricochets plus a fair bit of careful and skilful catching, and I managed to pick my way to a pro score at the first attempt.

Level 5 (Clear 10 red pegs from 35 total - Pro target 350k)

The fifth design is, to the best of my knowledge, unique among all the design used so far because most of the pegs are off the screen for most of the time. There are 15 pegs arranged in three big Xs which are static. There are two trains, one high that moves from right to left, and one low going the other way, which carry four pegs each. There are also two gravestones, one on each side of the screen, with six pegs around each, which pop out intermittently. The gravestone are impenetrable obstacles, while the trains are just decoration.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 319,140

• Only a couple of reds left, I think. Not too bad for a first attempt. Patience is the key here. It didn't help that I forgot the objective and was going for all the pegs instead of just the red ones. That comes later.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 363,420

• One red peg short. I got down to one red peg quite quickly, but still had to play quite a few purple pegs to build to a pro score. The last red peg was with one of the gravestones and I needed to try and bounce it off the stone to guarantee a good enough score, but I hit the purple peg next to it and that was my last ball.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 297,110

• Just one red peg left, I think, but there were far too many careless shots in there. I need to be much more patient and controlled.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 346,970

• One red peg left again, and again I was far too careless early on.

Attempt #5 - No power ups. Score: 426,860 

• That was better. I kept it together much better at the start and didn't lose too many lives, so I had spare lives at the end.

Level 6 (Score 375k with 25 red pegs and 95 blue - Pro target 575k)

The same design as level 1, but with 5 less red pegs, 150k on the pro target, and just a score to aim for.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,009,350 

• Easy enough with a laser ball. I didn't quite make a total clearance, but I did make a seven figure total. It's also worth noting that this happens to be my 1,000th Hotshot video upload.

Level 7 (Clear 55 red pegs from 96 total - Pro target 500k)

The same design as level 3, but with 15 more red pegs and 100k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 944,720 

• Again, using the laser ball makes it a lot easier than it was the first time around. Didn't quite make the million this time, but there was no point pushing my luck and taking more purple pegs.

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 78 blue - Pro target 550k)

The same design as level 2, but with 10 less red pegs, 75k on the pro target, and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 915,480 

• I fired a lot of shots straight into the bucket, waiting for the right purple peg. Unnecessarily really, as I already had a pro score, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. It'll probably make for a dull video though. Finished with lots of balls in hand.

Level 9 (Clear 35 red pegs from 117 total, with no ball bucket - Pro target 550k)

The same design as level 4, but with two more balls, 50k on the pro target and no ball bucket.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 707,490 

• I had a tactic for this one. The intention was to clear a path to the yellow peg first, without actually hitting it. Then take the white peg, hoping for a bucket of some sort - either Big, Triple Score or Extra Ball would do. Then activate the laser ball without hitting the bucket. I thought if I could do all that, then I'd have a bucket to bounce the laser ball off which would make a massive difference. And it worked perfectly. First Time. I couldn't believe it!

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 5 blue - Pro target 500k)

The same design as level 5, but with 20 more red pegs, three more balls, 150k on the pro target and a total clearance now required. This makes it the only level so far blogged to give you more than 10 balls at the start.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 301,760

• Just a 66% clearance. Way too many careless errors. I started off well enough but then the mistakes started to come and it all went to pieces.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 448,750

• Up to 89% clearance, which equates to about 4 or 5 pegs left. An improvement, but still some work to do.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 396,790

• 83% clearance. I still had 10 balls left after clearing the static pegs, but it wasn't enough.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 533,170 

• I changed tactic slightly this time. Instead of trying to avoid the moving pegs when taking the static ones, I tried to hit them for distance bonuses. It meant missing a few catches, but I felt it was worth it for the extra points. As it happened, I didn't miss that many catches, and it left that many fewer awkward moving pegs to hit in the endgame.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	30	120	Reds	10	-	425k	3	600,430	397,546
2	35	103	Reds	10	-	475k	3	787,940	479,573
3	40	96	Reds	10	-	400k	2	893,820	680,165
4	35	117	Reds	8	-	500k	1	633,240	633,240
5	10	35	Reds	10	-	350k	5	426,860	350,700
6	25	120	375k	10	-	575k	1	1,009,350	1,009,350
7	55	96	Reds	10	-	500k	1	944,720	944,720
8	25	103	All	10	-	550k	1	915,480	915,480
9	35	117	Reds	10	NBB	550k	1	707,490	707,490
10	30	35	All	13	-	500k	4	533,170	420,117