Abstract: A pinball machine having an inclined playfield supporting a plurality of game features and a rolling game ball. A processor is used to control the function of the pinball machine including permitting game play in a tournament mode wherein game play allows a player to earn a score that is evaluated to determine if a prize is to be awarded. The processor may also allow for game play in a normal mode wherein game play does not provide for a prize to be awarded. When both game play modes are available, a player operated switch may be provided for permitting player selection of the mode of play at the beginning of each game.

Abstract: Enhanced amusement game tournament play is achieved by awarding prizes to one or more players maintaining a position on a threshold game score achieving, bump board listing, a prize qualifying cumulative threshold game score total, and/or a prize qualifying cumulative actual game score total wherein individual game scores are required to meet a threshold game score prior to being added to the cumulative total. These methods for awarding prizes may also include the awarding of prizes to one or more players achieving a prize qualifying individual game score and/or a prize qualifying cumulative game score total.