A Desert Afternoon of Flicks, Flips, and Fantastic Pinball
When 20 top-tier pinball players assemble under the scorching Arizona sun, you can expect the competition to get fiery. The “Belles & Chimes Phoenix” tournament, organized by the pinball aficionado Tracy Lindbergh, kicked off at 1:00 PM on September 23, 2023, at an undisclosed Arizona location. For nearly 3 hours, these pinball wizards tested their mettle in a grueling 6-round showdown.
A Blackwater Battle for the Ages
Among the day’s highlights was an intense game in Round 2 featuring “Blackwater 100” by Bally, a table that debuted on March 1, 1988. Olivia Helm, ranked 931st in IFPA standings, took first place, fending off formidable opponents Diane Smith, Krisha Shufran, and Valerie Doucette. This face-off proved that when it comes to pinball, the thrill of the game transcends the machine itself.
The Champions of the Day
- 🥇 Olivia Helm: Not only dominated “Blackwater 100” but also the tournament, boasting a total of 213 IFPA events under her belt.
- 🥈 Stephanie Turner: A local from Chandler, AZ, with an IFPA rank of 1063, showcased her skills through consistent gameplay.
- 🥉 Kathy Lovato: An emerging talent with a penchant for racking up points.
- 🏅 Tracy Lindbergh: The woman behind the curtain, ranked 491 and the event’s organizer, made it to the top four. That’s multitasking at its finest!
The Tables that Talked
While “Blackwater 100” stole the spotlight, let’s not overlook the other magnificent machines that hosted our gladiators:
- Space Shuttle by Williams (1984) – A voyage into space minus the G-force.
- Stellar Wars by Williams (1979) – Your ticket to interstellar glory.
- Sorcerer by Williams (1985) – Where magic and pinball collide.
- Transporter the Rescue by Bally (1989) – A nostalgic trip back to late ’80s pop culture.
- Genesis by Gottlieb (1986) – Embark on a creation journey of points and combos.
IFPA Arizona’s Best
Before we wrap up, let’s look at the IFPA’s Arizona Top 10 to see how our competitors measure up:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roland Nadeau | 672.29 | |
| 2 | Mark Pearson | Phoenix | 588.59 |
| 3 | John Shopple | Mesa | 570.07 |
| 4 | John Magyar | Gilbert | 352.81 |
| 5 | Kevan Carter | Tempe | 321.37 |
| 6 | Jason Barre | Mesa | 312.26 |
| 7 | Adam Horton | Phoenix | 310.32 |
| 8 | Paul Blanco | Chandler | 306.33 |
| 9 | Joey Rio | Surprise | 282.01 |
| 10 | Walter dony | Phoenix | 281.39 |
In the world of pinball, you are only as good as your last game, and for those who played in the Belles & Chimes Phoenix tournament, that last game was exceptional. We can’t wait to reveal the next undisclosed location where pinballs will fly and dreams will either be made or shattered.
Until then, keep flipping!
Stay tuned for more updates from the realm of pinball! 🌵