Board 158: Paradise Plantation

This is a picture of a farm. The front of a barn can be seen on the left, with a haystack in front of it. There is a tractor on the right, and rolling fields in the background.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 85 total - Pro target 425k)

The first layout is a close-up of the top of the haystack. It outlines the three sticks protruding from the top with solid lines, and the hay is indicated by cascading diamond-shaped pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 214,860

• The angles in this one are really unfriendly. I took very few catches and made very few catches.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 439,720

• That was annoying. I went down to my last ball but had very few points, so I had to pick off a whole load of purple pegs before I could attempt a finish. Unfortunately the last red peg was hidden below two blue pegs, neither of which I could come up with an easy catch off. I tried for a catch to clear the path through, but missed it.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 672,070 

• I got a bit of extra luck that time with some early catches. I took a total clearance for a comfortable pro score.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 90 total - Pro target 400k)

The second layout is a close-up of the front of the barn. It shows the outline, the door and the window, with a few loose round pegs flanking it and on the boards either side of the door.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 470,410

• What an idiot! I picked off a whole load of blue pegs with the last ball, to leave a path through to the last red peg. I then went for one more blue peg to make the path to the red a little bigger and missed the catch. Annoying because I could have got through to the red quite comfortably.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 605,370

• Two red pegs left, and again I probably took more blue pegs than I needed to. I just can't help myself!

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 791,740 

• I tried to stop myself, but I still went for blue pegs that I didn't need to. At least this time it didn't cost me a victory. I had the pro score guaranteed some time before I had the reds cleared.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 92 total - Pro target 450k)

The third layout is a repeating pattern of what look like tractor tyre prints. The pattern consists of short three-peg straight lines, all at right angles to each other, with round pegs dotted regularly around them.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 979,930 

• I got some gloriously lucky catches in this one. I didn't need half as many as I got, but I'm not complaining. Slightly annoying in the end not to get a total clearance or a seven figure score due to a premature end with several balls still in hand.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 108 total - Pro target 400k)

The fourth layout uses the lines of the picture. It uses the tractor, the barn, the haystack, the rows of crops in the fields and even a watermelon.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 362,880

• Six red pegs left due to some pretty awkward angles and not many paths through to the bucket.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 361,500

• A similar score but only three red pegs left. I'll have one more go, but I suspect this will need a laser ball.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 461,110

• A better score, but still no closer to clearing the red pegs. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,026,150 

• I got to the yellow peg with the first shot, then did well with the laser ball. After that it was all fairly plain sailing. I took a total clearance with balls to spare and a comfortable seven figure score.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 117 total - Pro target 450k)

The fifth layout shows three ears of corn.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 286,100

• That one didn't go particularly well. I certainly feel I can improve on that.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 411,950

• Four red pegs left that time, but a much better score.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 404,340

• Two red pegs left, but I kept the game going for a lot more shots so I must be getting the hang of the angles.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 823,880 

• I strung that one out way longer than I needed to. I had the points at the end, and just one red peg left which was in the open. But so long as I had a ball in hand I would wait for the right peg to turn purple then play a catch off it. I was trying to get all the way to a total clearance, but I finished five pegs short.

Level 6 (Clear 35 red pegs from 85 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 625k)

The same layout as level 1, but with 10 more red pegs, 1 less ball and 200k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 287,060

• None of these layouts were pushovers, so I'll probably use a laser ball for all of them. This one was a bit rubbish. Must do better!

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 728,600 

• No problem that time. The yellow peg went quickly and the laser ball scored well. I managed to take plenty of catches and the points looked after themselves.

Level 7 (Clear 40 red pegs from 108 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same layout as level 4, but with 10 more red pegs, 1 less ball and 350k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 664,820

• I could have finished this one as there was a path through to the final red peg, but I needed more points for pro. I was nearly there when I ran out of balls.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 918,950 

• It took a few shots to break through to the yellow peg which was awkwardly placed. I had to pick a line for the laser ball that concentrated on the right-hand side as most of the pegs on the left had gone. It scored well, though, and what was left I managed to pick my way through for a total clearance.

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 65 blue - Pro target 600k)

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

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 862,370 

• This was probably the easiest layout the first time around, and even needing a total clearance, it was still quite straightforward with a laser ball.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 67 blue - Pro target 650k)

The same layout as level 3, but with 5 fewer red pegs, 200k on the pro target and all pegs now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 768,030 

• The yellow peg was front and centre so I could trigger the laser ball immediately. It was touch and go at times, mainly because I missed a few careless catches, but I got there.

Level 10 (Clear 30 red pegs from 117 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 575k)

The same layout as level 5, but with 5 more red pegs, 2 fewer balls and 125k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 523,000

• Just one red peg left and only 50k short of the pro target, and that was after some fairly careless shots.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 558,720

• Only about 17k short of the pro target. I should have realised I wasn't going to make it and taken another purple peg first.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 310,040

• That was dreadful. The laser ball went all wrong and I couldn't recover after that.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 300,310

• Again, the laser ball went all wrong. I went high on the side wall and didn't catch the first bounce properly.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 145,400

• I missed the bucket entirely with the laser ball that time. I don't know why I keep playing that shot so wrong.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball. Score: 247,820

• I did a bit better with the laser ball that time, but it took far too long to get to the yellow peg.

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball. Score: 289,940

• I started so well at this level, and now I'm getting nowhere near. I should probably go to bed - it is very late.

Attempt #8 - Laser Ball. Score: 573,640

• It took me a lot of balls to break through to the yellow peg, and I never really looked like clearing the red pegs.

Attempt #9 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 618,380 

• I added a Big Bounce and that probably made the difference. It took several shots to get to the yellow peg, but I caught most of them, so it wasn't too much of a problem. The Big Bounce cleared a few pegs as well.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	85	Reds	10	-	425k	3	672,070	442,216
2	25	90	Reds	10	-	400k	3	791,740	622,506
3	30	92	Reds	10	-	450k	1	979,930	979,930
4	30	108	Reds	10	-	400k	4	1,026,150	552,910
5	25	117	Reds	10	-	450k	4	823,880	481,567
6	35	85	Reds	9	-	625k	2	728,600	507,830
7	40	108	Reds	9	-	750k	2	918,950	791,885
8	25	90	All	10	-	600k	1	862,370	862,370
9	25	92	All	10	-	650k	1	768,030	768,030
10	30	117	Reds	8	-	575k	9	618,380	396,361

Board 160: Zephyr City

This picture shows a couple of vast floating enclosed cities. They are floating in the atmosphere as they are surrounded by clouds, but they look very sci-fi - all smooth metal and purple lights. A small shuttlecraft is heading towards the nearer of the two cities.

Level 1 (Clear 30 red pegs from 100 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 450k)

The first layout features two large circles of differing sizes, although both circles extend off the side of the screen so neither is complete. Each circle has several short straight lines extending outwards from it, much like the gangways on the cities. Inside each circle is a regular polygon. The smaller circle contains a pentagon, although a couple of pegs are lost off the screen. The larger circle contains a complete heptagon.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 562,490 

• An easy enough starter this time. Plenty of ricochets available, plus a few sweep shots, and the catches didn't seem to bad either. A total clearance for a comfortable pro score.

Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 107 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 400k)

The second layout shows a regular, symmetrical pattern of short diagonal lines, arranged into three columns of three squares, each tilted at 45°. There is a diamond-shaped peg in the centre of each diamond, and round pegs between them.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 250,950

• It's quite tricky to second guess the ricochets until most of the pegs have gone, and then it's probably too late. I struggled to find bonuses as well.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 198,340

• I cleared quite a lot of pegs with the early balls, but I didn't catch any of them, and before I knew it I'd run out.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 463,100 

• I managed to pick up a few lucky early catches, so when I'd cleared the pegs in the centre, I still had a few balls in hand to pick up catches off the pegs to the side. I was catching pretty well and managed to stretch it out to a pro score.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 96 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 450k)

The third layout looks like a close-up of the top half of one of the cities, without the very top section. There are diagonal lines down the outside of each section, plus a chevron made of diamond-shaped pegs marking the gap, between them. In the middle of the screen, between the pairs of lines, are curves of round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 630,020 

• I quickly got the hang of the timing for making catches down the sides. I thought the round pegs in the centre might give me some trouble, but I was lucky in picking out the red pegs with ricochets.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 126 total, with only 7 balls - Pro target 450k)

The fourth layout shows three stripes. Each stripe has a gap in it filled by a triangle. The pattern is similar to the stripes around the city sections in the picture.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 512,820 

• There were some great ricochets available at the start, and I took out a lot of pegs with them. It was still quite tricky to break a path through to the last few, but I managed it by taking no chances.

Level 5 (Clear 30 red pegs from 95 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 475k)

The fifth layout follows the lines in the picture. It follows the curves around the various section of the two cities, plus the outline of the shuttle.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 647,910 

• Plenty of sweeps available here. Plus my catching was working well. I took a comfortable total clearance and a straightforward pro score.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 100 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same layout as level 1, but with 10 more red pegs and 200k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 497,050

• I thought this would be easier than it turned out. I struggled to make the points for pro. I only had three pegs left in total at the end, and I was still 150k short. Worth another try, but if that doesn't work I'll turn to the laser ball.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 685,450 

• It went a lot better that time. I took more catches, and made better use of the curves. I would have liked a total clearance, but I couldn't see any easy way of taking the final blue peg so I left it.

Level 7 (Clear 40 red pegs from 96 total, with only 7 balls - Pro target 625k)

The same layout as level 3, but with 10 more red pegs, 2 fewer balls and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 348,130

• A long way short of the pro target. Only three red pegs left, but that's not really the point. I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 594,240

• It took a lot of balls to get through to the yellow peg, although I still did OK with the laser ball. I had an awful lot of work still to do after it though. I did come close despite that.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 437,330

• I got to the yellow peg with the first ball that time, but the catches weren't going my way after that, and I quickly ran out of balls.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 780,520 

• The yellow peg was conveniently placed on one side, and I did OK with the laser ball. My catches were working particularly well, including several early lucky ones.

Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 96 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 625k)

The same layout as level 4, but with 2 more balls, 175k on the pro target and all pegs now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,131,800 

• I remember I was a long way from clearing all the pegs in level 4, so I went straight for a laser ball for this one. Maybe I shouldn't have done, as I found it quite an easy clearance with several balls to spare at the end.

Level 9 (Score 600k with 30 red pegs and 65 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 800k)

The same layout as level 5, but with 1 less ball, 325k on the pro target and just a score to go for.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 685,000

• Not bad for a first attempt. I found a good first ball which I'll have to try and replicate. A few more catches and I'd have had it.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 966,470 

• I managed to replicate the first ball from the previous attempt, although I didn't quite catch it. I picked up quite a few bonuses from ricochets and so forth. In one shot I bounced from a red peg top left to the white peg bottom right for a big distance bonus. I then got the Split Ball from it and both balls dropped straight into the bucket for another 100k bonus on top. That certainly helped.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 77 blue, with only 7 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same layout as level 2, but with 5 more red pegs, 2 fewer balls, 275k on the pro target and all pegs now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 519,140

• A 93% clearance which felt like less. This could be a tricky one that may well need a second power up, but not just yet.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 628,740

• I cleared all the pegs, but the pro target was always looking like it was going to be out of reach. I didn't take enough early bonuses, and the laser ball scored quite low. Had I got a bit more than 60k for the final buckets, then I could have reached it, but that was all I got.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 507,080

• The ball just didn't want to go in the bucket that time - it kept glancing off the rim. A shame because the bonuses were coming thick and fast, so points wouldn't have been a problem.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 589,210

• I thought I was going to get that one. The remaining pegs all seemed to offer relatively straightforward catches, but they're always missable, and I missed one.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 420,430

• Only an 86% clearance that time, despite the second power up. The Big Bounce got a bit stuck down the bottom, so didn't help very much. Plus the catches didn't work very well.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 624,810

• The two trigger pegs were close together and awkward to get to. I triggered the Big Bounce first and that's very rarely a good idea. I still managed to get a total clearance, but just like in my second attempt, a 60k final bucket bonus just wasn't enough.

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 730,070 

• Both the trigger pegs were conveniently positioned at the top, and I triggered both (in the right order) with the first ball. Neither worked exceptionally well, but both were OK. The pegs they left behind, though, were well placed for catches. I only took a minimum 20k off the final buckets this time, but it didn't matter as I already had enough.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	30	100	Reds	8	-	450k	1	562,490	562,490
2	25	107	Reds	9	-	400k	3	463,100	304,130
3	30	96	Reds	9	-	450k	1	630,020	630,020
4	30	126	Reds	7	-	450k	1	512,820	512,820
5	30	95	Reds	9	-	475k	1	647,910	647,910
6	40	100	Reds	8	-	650k	2	685,450	591,250
7	40	96	Reds	7	-	625k	4	780,520	540,055
8	30	126	All	9	-	625k	1	1,131,800	1,131,800
9	30	95	600k	8	-	800k	2	966,470	825,735
10	30	107	All	7	-	675k	7	730,070	574,211

Board 159: Pirate's End

This picture shows a shipwreck lying at the bottom of the sea. It's clearly a pirate vessel as a tattered skull and crossbones flag still hangs from the mast.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 114 total - Pro target 450k)

The first layout features three roughly vertical, wavy lines, amidst a sea of loose round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 426,410

• I wasn't scoring enough points most of the way through that one, or making enough catches, so I was in a certain amount of trouble at the end. I only had one red peg left which I could easily take off the side wall, but I was well short on points. I'd pushed my luck for a few shots, taking some lucky catches, and got within 75k of the pro target, so I went for a finish, hoping to avoid the 10k bucket. It didn't work.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 174,750

• My point scoring and catching was even worse that time. Only this time, my red peg clearing was worse too. I still had four red pegs left at the end.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 228,880

• Four red pegs left again. A slightly better score, but this is proving a tough opening level without power ups.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 268,920

• Three red pegs left and a slight improvement in score. Still a long way short of a pro score though.

Attempt #5 - No power ups. Score: 321,560

• Two red pegs left. I'm creeping closer. I shall persevere a little longer.

Attempt #6 - No power ups. Score: 578,240 

• Got it at last at the sixth attempt. I got the luck I needed with several fortuitous catches and some distance bonuses.

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

The second layout looks like the rent apart side of the ship. It comprises a regular pattern of rectangles made out of rectangular pegs, with a lightning-bolt-shaped split down the middle. Half a dozen loose round pegs float over the top.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 533,170 

• This one is mainly rectangular pegs arranged horizontally and vertically, so when I got low on balls, I resorted to the tactic of picking off one peg at a time, and crept me way to a pro score.

Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 94 total - Pro target 400k)

The third layout has two straight lines following the main mast and its crossbeam in the picture. There are regular rows of round pegs across the hull of the boat, three wavy lines in the top left, probably representing ocean currents or something, and a few more round pegs over the shoal of fish in the top right.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 816,060 

• Some early catches were helpful, but then I made the most of the opportunity with plenty od good catching in the endgame. I took a total clearance for a comfortable pro score.

Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 128 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 525k)

The fourth layout features eight circles of varying size, probably representing bubbles, amidst a scattering of single round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 103,080

• Oh dear, that really didn't go very well at all. All over in ten shots with hardly any bonuses and eight red pegs left.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 473,520

• Much closer that time. Just one red peg short. I left the last two next to each other in the bottom left circle and tried to take them out in a single sweep. The ball just bobbled over one of them, though, and I didn't take the catch.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 230,200

• Not sure how many red pegs I had left that time, but it was quite a few. I think this might be a bit too tricky to tackle without power ups, so I'll add a laser ball.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 654,950 

• That did the trick. Although it was still touch and go a bit towards the end. Points weren't a problem, but clearing all the reds might have been without a few decent catches and well-worked out deflections.

Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 109 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 500k)

The fifth layout shows a large anchor in between a couple of long curved lines.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 358,310

• Three red pegs left. This looks a tricky layout, but it has possibilities. Certainly worth another try or two.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 697,090 

• I played some better shots that time, having learnt from some of the mistakes I made first time. A fairly comfortable clearance in the end.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 94 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 725k)

The same layout as level 3, but with 10 more red pegs, one less ball, and 325k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 346,070

• I didn't get anywhere near enough bonuses, and I had to ride my luck a lot to get as far as I did. I'd better add a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 652,120

• I didn't do very well with the laser ball, but despite that I got a lot closer.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 564,320

• Two red pegs left. A yellow peg on top would probably help, but that's unlikely to happen very often.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 466,330

• I got the yellow peg first time, but a combination of bad luck and poor shots scuppered me quite quickly.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 378,360

• I had a disastrous time trying to break through to the yellow peg. It took all my balls, and I eventually got it with my very last ball. I managed to catch it, and made sure I caught the laser ball as well. I struggled on for quite a few more shots but the damage had been done.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball. Score: 448,090

• I was comfortably onto the yellow peg with the first ball, and then did OK with the laser ball. I still got nowhere near the pro target though, so I'd better add another power up.

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 755,530 

• The extra power up probably made the difference as I did quite well with it. It didn't score a huge amount, but it cleared quite a lot of pegs in the endgame and helped me take a total clearance. I managed to make the pro target despite having a low and central final peg but still managing to get one ball in each of the two 10k buckets.

Level 7 (Clear 35 red pegs from 128 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 750k)

The same layout as level 4, but with 10 more red pegs, and 175k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 639,620

• Not a million miles away, but it looks like it'll probably be tricky, even with the laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 513,540

• Two red pegs left, and a worse score. The Big Bounce is beckoning.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 905,500 

• The yellow peg was awkward to get to, but when I got there I did well with the laser ball. The Big Bounce worked well as well. I took an extra pink at the end which I really shouldn't have done, but I couldn't resist, and it did earn me a lot of extra points.

Level 8 (Score 550k with 30 red pegs and 79 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 700k)

The same layout as level 5, but with 5 more red pegs, 200k on the pro target and just a score now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 731,980 

• I generally find these score-only levels easier and this one seemed OK. I took the two obvious curves first, activating the laser ball with the second of them, and then did OK with that. It was no gimme to get to the 700k mark, but I did it by clearing the red pegs.

Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 107 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same layout as level 2, but with two fewer balls, 200k on the pro target and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 467,000

• A 92% clearance probably isn't bad without power ups. Getting a total without them is probably a bit too adventurous. I'll use a laser ball.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,108,380 

• The yellow peg was neatly on top, and the laser ball could hardly fail to do well with the amount of pegs it had to shoot at. I was catching well, and I took a comfortable total clearance for a good seven figure score.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 84 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 775k)

The same layout as level 1, but with 5 more red pegs, two fewer balls, 325k on the pro target and a total clearance now required.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 622,740

• A 91% clearance. I can't see myself getting this without a Big Bounce as well.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 789,790

• Up to 95% with the extra power up. I just need a little more luck. The ricochets I went for just didn't seem to come off.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 662,950

• 92% clearance that time. I just need to keep my catches going for a little bit longer in the endgame.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 900,880 

• Got it that time, although I had to keep the final ball going for ages to get rid of all the pegs. There were still 22 pegs left when I went down to my final ball, so I had to make some pretty sharp catching to finish it.#

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	114	Reds	10	-	450k	6	578,240	333,126
2	30	137	Reds	10	-	450k	1	533,170	533,170
3	30	94	Reds	10	-	400k	1	816,060	816,060
4	25	128	Reds	8	-	525k	4	654,950	365,437
5	25	109	Reds	9	-	500k	2	697,090	527,700
6	40	94	Reds	9	-	725k	7	755,530	515,831
7	35	128	Reds	8	-	750k	3	905,500	686,220
8	30	109	550k	9	-	700k	1	731,980	731,980
9	30	137	All	8	-	650k	2	1,108,380	787,690
10	30	114	All	8	-	775k	4	900,880	744,090

Board 157: Midnight Masque

This picture shows a large colourful pipe organ being pulled by a horse along a narrow road in the rain. A spooky castle looms in the background.

Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 88 total - Pro target 450k)

The first layout follows some of the lines of the picture. It uses the curves around the top of the keyboard, the hooked tops of a couple of the wooden streetlights, the side-bar of the horse's harness, and a ring around the light in the top-left. The are also plenty of single round pegs, mainly spread along the bottom and marking the tops of most of the organ pipes.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 580,190 

• Not as straightforward as some level 1s, but not too bad. I probably could have scored more at the end, but I didn't want to take any chances so I just took the safest finish.

Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 76 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 425k)

The second layout features diagonal lines that follow the angle of the rain in the picture. The lines alternate between rectangular pegs and round ones.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 457,710 

• I was unlucky with a few missed catches, but I should probably have done better in places. I was struggling for points, but get very fortunate at the end. I missed my intended catch off the purple peg, found a ricochet onto the last red, and then found another ricochet into the 100k bucket which was just about enough.

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

The third layout is a symmetrical one the mimics the keys of the organ. It features only rectangular blocks arranged either horizontally or vertically which should make for easy to predict bounces.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 844,460 

• I generally enjoy these levels that consist entirely of rectangular pegs set at right angles, and this was no exception. I took a total clearance, perhaps not as comfortably as I could have done, but I got one nonetheless.

Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 96 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 425k)

The fourth layout is of four musical notes above three horizontal lines of round pegs.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 348,310

• Not the best of attempts. Not many catches, and five red pegs left at the end.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 282,280

• Lots of clumsy missed catches again. Annoying.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 260,540

• Only two red pegs left that time, but a long way short on points. I'll give it one more go.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 180,930

• The worst attempt yet. I just didn't get any luck at all that time. I'd better add a laser ball to get it done.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 408,920

• I wasn't quite close enough to the pro target to be comfortable before I took the final red peg, so I went for a catch of the purple peg and just caught the rim of the bucket.

Attempt #6 - Laser Ball. Score: 415,510

• Another dreadful attempt. A very poor laser ball, and lots of missed catches. Five red pegs left again.

Attempt #7 - Laser Ball. Score: 522,790

• Plenty of points that time, but I couldn't find a path through to the final red peg. I was trying to break my way through the blocking blues but I missed a catch before I could get to it.

Attempt #8 - Laser Ball. Score: 996,160 

• When I did finally beat it, at least I did it with a certain amount of style. My catches worked much better that time and I managed to keep the last two or three balls in play all the way to a total clearance.

Level 5 (Clear 30 red pegs from 112 total - Pro target 450k)

The fifth layout is another symmetrical one, this time replicating the tops of five of the organ pipes.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 424,270

• Catches didn't really seem to go my way that time. This ought to be quite a straightforward one. I think I need to concentrate more on taking out the curved pegs at the top first.

Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 359,560

• I managed to clear out the curved pegs, but then made a mess of the vertical pegs left over. Very careless.

Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 223,300

• It seemed like every shot bounced off the rim of the bucket that time. Everything seemed to just miss by a whisker.

Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 355,770

• Another attempt where I had an inordinate number of balls bounce off the rim of the bucket.

Attempt #5 - No power ups. Score: 403,400

• A better attempt, only two red pegs left, but I didn't get through enough of the curved pegs early on, so I was always struggling in the endgame.

Attempt #6 - No power ups. Score: 317,300

• I should probably stop as I'm playing really badly tonight and just getting frustrated. I'll try again tomorrow.

Attempt #7 - No power ups. Score: 898,890 

• There you go, you see. All I needed was a break. I came back a couple of evenings later and did it first go, taking a total clearance in the bargain. I even picked up a maximum final bucket bonus of 200k.

Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 88 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 700k)

The same layout as level 1, but with 15 more red pegs, one less ball, and 250k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 344,760

• It took too many balls, and used up too many pegs getting to the yellow peg. As a result, although I could have cleared the red pegs if I'd wanted, I was battling to earn as many points as possible at the end. It was always looking like a lost cause though, and I didn't even get halfway there.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 870,590 

• I got the yellow peg with the first shot this time and it seemed to make a big difference. My catching also worked well, and I managed a total clearance.

Level 7 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 75 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 550k)

The same layout as level 3, but with 5 fewer red pegs, 150k on the pro target, and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 807,190 

• I didn't bother with the laser ball this time. I took a total clearance first time out on level 3, and I didn't expect this to pan out any differently, and indeed it didn't.

Level 8 (Clear 40 red pegs from 112 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 675k)

The same layout as level 5, but with 10 more red pegs, two fewer balls, and 225k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 511,150

• About 5 pegs left, as my catching didn't go very well. I got to the yellow peg straightaway, but I picked up the dreaded Big Bucket with the laser ball which ruined any chance of a rim bounce.

Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 464,880

• My catching was better, but it took me an age to get to the yellow peg.

Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 553,350

• Two red pegs left at the end. I messed up the laser ball a bit, completely missing a rim bounce.

Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 567,340

• Three red pegs left, but I should have done better with that one. I got the yellow peg with the second ball, then did well with the laser ball. It all went downhill a bit from there though.

Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 812,430 

• I didn't think I was going to make that one, but I concentrated on clearing the red pegs at the end, and ignored where the purple peg was. I had to clear quite a few blue pegs first, but I made sure I took them the easiest way and didn't mess about with side walls. The approach paid off and I got through to the end.

Level 9 (Clear 40 red pegs from 76 total, with only 6 balls - Pro target 650k)

The same layout as level 2, but with 10 more red pegs, three fewer balls, and 225k on the pro target.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 679,410 

• I thought I was going to be a long way short of points here, but I persevered, and managed to pick out a total clearance, getting a 150k final bucket bonus, which was just about enough.

Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 66 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 550k)

The same layout as level 4, but with 125k on the pro target, and a total clearance now needed.

Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 773,420 

• Another single-minded finish where I concentrated on clearing the pegs without worrying about bonus scores, and just trusting that, if I got the clearance, then the points would look after themselves, and that they seemed to do. Pleased to get it first time.

SUMMARY

Level	Reds	Pegs	Target	Balls	Clock	Pro	Attempts	Record	Average	Video
1	25	88	Reds	10	-	450k	1	580,190	580,190
2	30	76	Reds	9	-	425k	1	457,710	457,710
3	30	100	Reds	9	-	400k	1	844,460	844,460
4	30	96	Reds	8	-	425k	8	996,160	426,930
5	30	112	Reds	10	-	450k	7	898,890	426,070
6	40	88	Reds	9	-	700k	2	870,590	607,675
7	25	100	All	9	-	550k	1	807,190	807,190
8	40	112	Reds	8	-	675k	5	812,430	581,830
9	40	76	Reds	6	-	650k	1	679,410	679,410
10	30	96	All	8	-	550k	1	773,420	773,420