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JLP Pinball Cards

Black Pyramid

Bally 1984 SS
Strategy updated: July 28, 2026

Strategy

Ignore the 200K center draingerous shot, instead shoot orbits on repeat

Key Rules

Orbits are the Key

  • Concentrate on orbit shots, right to add bonus X, left to collect points

    • Right orbit drop targets grant Bonus X (2X, 3X, 5X), after that the orbit spots a letter

    • Left orbit loops through the lit lane values (20K - 90K, EB, Special, back to 20K, ...) and spots a letter or a number (rotates based on slings and bumpers)

.BLACK. PYRAMID (12 letters)

  • Each collected letter scores 5K in end of ball bonus, times multiplier

  • Collecting all letters awards a super bonus of 60K that carries over from ball-to-ball

  • Completing a 2nd time boosts the super bonus to 120K

  • Completing a 3rd time wipes out the bonus for the 3rd collection but grants you a measly 20K, so stop collecting letters after you have 11 of the 3rd cycle collected to maximize bonus

200000

  • Light all yellow targets to spell 200000 (indicated just below the swinging target) and hit the target to collect - draingerous

  • The center swinging target will spot a number, indicated by a red triangle that flashes at the 200000 insert

  • If the indicated target has already been collected a letter is spotted instead

  • Stars on each side of the 200000 inserts are lit the same way

    • Spell 200000 with 1 star and you will spot .BLACK. and be awarded 400K

    • Spell 200000 with both stars and you score 600K and a special

Standup targets around the playfield will also collect letters

Saucer at top awards one of the 5 rotating awards above (whichever has a lit light)

black-pyramid-2-pf.jpg playfield
Playfield image by Ken (scottamus)