As you say there are loads of different approaches to scoring.
The key with the modes is actually completing them. If you complete the mode then you get +1x base machete value which can make a huge difference later on - if you complete 3 modes then you have a min 5x machete. Using the machete wisely is the key to efficient “points per minute”. Good stuff to machete includes beach closures (especially the 5th beach closure which can be over 50m unmultiplied, so maybe 250m for one shot with a 5x machete!), Pipit, the shark hits before you start each mode, and perhaps most importantly the encounter jackpots at the end of each mode. I normally want Raft Attack as my first mode (easiest to complete) or Scars to get it out the way. The benefit of doing RA and Scars early is that it also allows you to use the centre ramp and right ramp to transfer the ball to the opposite flipper when modes are lit later in the game.
Good beach closure values are nice, firstly for the hurry up points but also because every mode shot you make can be up to 3m better going forward. For example, if you can get high closure values on the centre ramp and the right ramp BEFORE you start Beach Panic, then you can just combo centre ramp right ramp through the whole mode and you’re getting up to an additional 3m for every shot.
Multiball 1 is hard to blow up but multiballs 2 and 3 are very lucrative if you get to them. Stacking these with Night Swim is good. Jaws rewards you for controlled multiball play. Getting your life ring lit (if it isn’t already) should be a priority with ball save running in every multiball.
4th of July (play all five modes) is probably the best mini wizard in terms of scoring potential and you can also practice that one as a standalone challenge mode from the menu.
The fishfinder features aren’t going to give you billions of points but shooting that target bank regularly is a good thing to do because those targets are also what lights Pipit and machete. The video mode is an easy 60m + extra ball once you get good at it and Cast ‘n’ Catch is another feature which is great to machete - up to 30m base value per shot.
For gear I prioritise getting shark cage (ball save when you hit the fin) and then the barrel hook (Jaws multiball extender). Change the gear you are going to collect with the right flipper - trap on the left and get the gear you want lit before you shoot the right ramp. Collecting all six gears and then selling it to Quint should net you 120-250m ish points.
Quickshots are high risk but good points and each successful quickshot also lights gear.
Could talk Jaws rules forever so if you want any more detail on anything just drop me a message
