house ball
ˈhau̇s ˌbȯl
noun
1. A pinball term: the ball that drains immediately after being launched, typically going straight down the middle or out an outlane, before the
player has any chance to make contact with a flipper. Often compared to a casino “
house win,” since the machine effectively keeps the
player’s
money without providing any meaningful play.
2. Informal: An exaggerated complaint made by a pinball
player who insists that house balls occur to them far more often than to anyone else, despite all evidence to the contrary. Usually accompanied by dramatic outbursts, theatrical sighs, or the conviction that the universe is conspiring against them personally.
— house ball, verb
house-balled; house-ball·ing
: to suffer an immediate drain without making contact with the flippers
Etymology:
First known use:
mid-20th century pinball arcades, where unlucky plunges were said to be “claimed by the house.” In modern usage, the term has expanded to describe both the event and the theatrical meltdown of certain players who treat every house ball as a cosmic injustice aimed squarely at them.
• “Launched the ball, drained instantly — that’s a
house ball.”
• “On older machines,
house balls are common and just part of the game.”
• “
HOUSE BALL?!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? THIS MACHINE IS RIGGED!!!”
• “That wasn’t a drain, that was a government-sanctioned assassination of my bonus multiplier… HOUSE BALL!!!”
• “Three house balls in a row? Clearly the pinball gods hate me personally and no one else.”
• “You didn’
t just get a house ball, bro… you got a deep state conspiracy.”
