Tik Tok’s Pinball Showdown: When Fierce Competition Meets Classic Fun

Under an overcast sky with temperatures lingering around 59°F, pinball aficionados gathered at Tik Tok’s Workshop in Bremerton. But despite the slight chill in the air, the action inside was nothing short of fiery. The event of the evening on September 18, 2023? The ‘Tik Tok’s Fair Strikes 9/18’ pinball tournament!

Setting the Scene: Tik Tok’s Workshop

Nestled at 1216 Sylvan Way, Tik Tok’s is more than just a pinball hub. The place hums with energy, be it from the thrumming of the machines or the chatter of enthusiasts. And while we did visit on a busier night some time ago and enjoyed their tantalizing drink options like pudding shots and the delightful “Dirty and Dry”, this evening was all about the pinball.

Discover more about Tik Tok’s here: http://www.tiktoksworkshop.com/

The Tournament Rundown

Richard Godwin, the man behind the magic, had the tournament running in top gear. With 14 players and a Basic Knockout format, the tension was palpable across the 12 rounds. And with the looming threat of elimination after seven strikes, every move mattered.

The ‘Monster Bash (Remake)‘ game in Round 10 was a sight to behold. Andrew McCann, leveraging his extensive experience, took top honors, while Donovan Haga and Conrad Rustad gave stellar performances.

Champions of the Evening

Here are the stars of the night:

  1. Andrew McCann – Clearly in his element with an impressive 495 IFPA events experience.
  2. Donovan Haga – Proving that skill and strategy can go hand in hand.
  3. Conrad Rustad – A consistent player who never ceases to impress.
  4. Richard Godwin – Not just an organizer but a pinball maestro himself!

Legendary Machines

Amidst the 12 pinball machines echoing the sounds of hits, bings, and buzzers, a few stood tall:

IFPA Washington Pinball Top 10 Standings

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Germain MariolleRedmond625.95
2Lonnie LangfordSeattle532.98
3Richie TerrySeattle498.2
4Sean IrbySeattle469.74
5Jarrett GaddySeattle444.49
6David ChernicoffSeattle436.44
7Dave StewartCarnation387.17
8Raymond DavidsonElk Grove Village364.81
9Neal JoslynBremerton364.69
10Zach McCarthyConifer325.25

As the final scores settled and the machines dimmed, Tik Tok’s workshop echoed with laughter, clinks of glasses, and perhaps, plans for the next showdown. Stay tuned for more exhilarating updates from the pinball universe! 🍹🎤

The IFPA Pinball Showdown in the Heart of Arizona: A Night of Strategy, Surprises, and Silver Balls!

In a place where the sun meets the desert and cacti reign supreme, pinball enthusiasts converged on an undisclosed location in Arizona. The date? September 18, 2023. The time? 6:30 PM. The mission? Victory at the ‘Player 1 Arcade 2023 S3A #6’ pinball tournament!

The Venue – A Mystery Worth the Hype

When we say “undisclosed location,” we mean it. Jim Smith, the brilliant mind behind the event, left everyone intrigued about the venue. Here’s a challenge for you, dear reader – ask Jim to spill the beans for next time! Your curious writer wants to know as much as you do.

The Play-by-Play: Tournament Highlights

With 37 passionate players battling through 5 rounds, strategy and split-second decisions ruled the evening. The goal was simple yet compelling – earn the most points across all rounds to be crowned the pinball wizard of the night.

One particular face-off became the talk of the evening. Round 3 on ‘James Bond 007 (Premium)‘ saw Mike McClure, a seasoned player from Glendale, claiming victory. But what caught everyone’s attention was the wild card, Juan Gonzalez. Despite having an IFPA rank of zero, Gonzalez finished a close second, proving that in the game of pinball, anything is possible!

Machines of the Hour

Among the 13 pinball machines that graced the floor, some stood out not just for their gameplay but also their legacy:

Top Dogs of the Tournament

While every player showcased outstanding skills, a few stole the show:

  1. Joey Rio from Surprise, Arizona, clinched the top spot. With an IFPA rank of 390 and 55 IFPA events under his belt, Rio is no stranger to the pinball elite.
  2. Kevin Ehlers followed in second place, showcasing that experience matters with 73 total IFPA events.
  3. Vincent De La O, a newcomer with an IFPA rank of zero, shocked everyone by grabbing the third spot. Talk about an underdog story!
  4. Rob De La O wrapped up the top four, proving that pinball might just be in the De La O genes.

IFPA Arizona Pinball Top 10 Standings

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Roland Nadeau671.68
2Mark PearsonPhoenix588.16
3John ShoppleMesa569.41
4John MagyarGilbert351.79
5Kevan CarterTempe320.85
6Jason BarreMesa312.2
7Adam HortonPhoenix307.57
8Paul BlancoChandler305.5
9Joey RioSurprise282
10Walter donyPhoenix280.57

The silver balls have stopped rolling, the scores are set, but the memories of the night linger. Here’s to more flippers, tilt warnings, and high scores! Arizona, keep those pinball machines buzzing! 🌵🔮

An Electric Evening in Denton: The IFPA Pinball Showdown

As the last golden rays of a sunlit evening painted Denton, the Free Play Arcade on West Hickory Street brimmed with a unique energy. The temperature outside was a comfortable 89°F, but inside, the competitive heat was palpable.

A Venue Buzzing with Nostalgia

Free Play Arcade – Denton, often recognized for its impressive lineup of classic games, added another feather to its cap by hosting the eagerly-awaited Free Play Denton Pinball Monday. Early attendees, especially families, made the most of the venue, reminiscing old memories with every flip and tilt of the pinball machines. One visitor recounted, “The game choices were top-notch! It felt like a steal for the admission price. Only wish they had air hockey!”

The Game’s Afoot: Tournament Overview

Organized by the ever-enthusiastic Chris Delp, the tournament ran for a tight 3 hours, adopting a structure of 5 qualifying rounds where 26 players hustled in groups. The strategy was simple yet tricky: earn points based on your finishing position in each round. The top 8, having proved their mettle, would then move onto the electrifying finals consisting of 2 rounds. The formula ensured thrill, skill, and a few upsets along the way!

The Machines That Echoed Legends

Among the 77 pinball machines, standouts included Stern’s futuristic ‘Disney TRON: Legacy‘ and the spooky ‘Scared Stiff’ by Bally. Fans of movies and comics found solace in machines like ‘Jurassic Park (Premium)‘, ‘Iron Man (Vault)‘, and ‘Avengers: Infinity Quest (Pro)‘. And for those seeking a blast from the past, ‘Vector‘ by Bally, a gem from 1981, provided just that.

The Clash of Titans: Game Spotlight

The finals saw an unforgettable face-off on ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Pro)‘. Randy Nelson, with an IFPA rank of 3548, surprised everyone by clinching the top spot, narrowly defeating Denton’s very own Kevin Rodriguez.

Champions of the Evening

The tournament crowned Randy Nelson as its champion. Kevin Rodriguez from Denton, Mike Archuleta from Corinth, and the Shahan brothers from Abilene and Denton respectively, rounded off the top 5, with impressive scores and skillful gameplay.

IFPA Texas Pinball Top 10 Standings

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Jack RevnewThe Woodlands490
2Garrett ShahanDenton442.76
3Phil GrimaldiHouston338.48
4Wesley JohnsonCollege Station320.83
5Fred RevnewThe Woodlands255.09
6Lee BalusekConroe254.5
7Brian KrivonakCorpus Christi246.12
8Collier WhitefieldSan Antonio223.13
9Gilbert HerreraSan Antonio212.23
10Kevin RodriguezDenton206.92

As flippers ceased flipping and the neon glow dimmed, one thing was clear: the heart of Texas beats in sync with the pulsating rhythm of pinball. Until the next showdown, keep those scores soaring!