Yukon (Special)

Objective: advance all three reels to Yukon. Each reel goes from 1-9, then “Yukon.” This lights both the center reel and the two top side saucers for a special worth 100,000 points.

The center reel advances in several ways: balls through either return lane, balls through either side lane, hits to the center reel, and any time the ball rolls over the center disk above the reel complex where you plunge the ball.

The right and left reels only advance in three ways each: shots to the reel, the right and left disks at the top of the game above the entry lanes, and the stand-up targets that face the flippers below the bumpers.

Once you score the special, the center reel advances back to 1, but the side reels stay at Yukon. You now need to advance just the center reel to Yukon again to relight the special. There is no limit to how many specials you can score.

Strategy: start by shooting for the side reels. You’ll find that you rarely need to shoot at the center reel to get it to Yukon the first time around; stray bounces going through the lanes that advance it will generally get you there before you finish both side reels. While you can backhand either side advance target, I find that shooting at the opposite-side reel above is safer. Side reel shots also give the ball the opportunity to drop through a side lane and or return lane to advance the center reel on the way back down.

Once you’re on your second Yukon lap, you just need center advances. Shooting the center reel risks a down the middle drain; either just shoot the ball up top towards the side reels to set up those random lane advances, or if you shoot for the center reel, try to hit it on the edge. Edge hits usually bounce sideways - - more likely to rattle around and get some lanes, less likely to bounce back towards a center drain. You can also try shooting the ball up the right and left side lanes; I’ve done it, but it’s a low percentage shot. Shatzing is an option, too, but again it’s riskier than the side reels.

Advances score 1k; the top entry lanes and the two saucers score 5k each; outlanes 10K. Bumpers and slings are negligible.