On a sweltering Texas afternoon with temperatures touching a blistering 96°F (feeling more like 108°F, if you ask me!), the EinStein’s=MatchplayCompetition² pinball tournament added its own brand of heat. Hosted at the spectacular EinStein’s Pub and Arcade in Richmond, this event, organized by the stellar Space City Pinball, brought 23 competitors together for almost 4 hours of intense pinball battles.
The Longest Duel: Turtles in Time!
While all games were epic in their own right, one game took the proverbial cake. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Premium/LE) witnessed a marathon 77-minute game during the Finals. We kid you not. It’s like the Turtles went back in time and we were all there to witness it!
Results for that historic game:
- 🥇 Jim Mueller (IFPA rank 392)
- 🥈 Don Dura (IFPA rank 1310)
- 🥉 Elizabeth Dronet from Space City (IFPA rank 1534)
- 🏅 Brian Fults from Longville, LA (IFPA rank 1461)
Champions of the Day
Amidst the cacophony of clinking balls and triumphant cheers, these players emerged as the ultimate pinball wizards:
- Jim Mueller: IFPA rank 392, with a whopping 103 IFPA events under his belt.
- Don Dura: IFPA rank 1310, just one event behind at 104.
- Brian Fults from Longville, LA: IFPA rank 1461, seasoned with 95 events.
- Elizabeth Dronet from Space City: IFPA rank 1534, the veteran of the group with 332 events.
- Chris Geist: IFPA rank 606, another veteran with 297 events.
- Bill Nebeker: IFPA rank 2519 with a solid 146 events.
- Chris Low: IFPA rank 1690, crossing the century mark with 101 events.
- Grayson Turner from Spring, TX: IFPA rank 5243, still making waves with 34 events.
Legacy in Machines
EinStein’s lineup truly was a feast for the eyes, representing a blend of old-school classics and modern-day marvels:
- Iron Man (Vault) by Stern – a metallic spectacle from 2014.
- Guardians of the Galaxy (LE) by Stern – journeying through the galaxy since 2017.
- The Munsters (Premium) by Stern – bringing the monstrous fun from 2019.
- James Bond 007 (Pro) by Stern – introducing us to the spy realm in 2022.
- Ghostbusters (Premium) by Stern – who you gonna call since 2016?
- Star Wars (Premium) by Stern – a galactic battle that began in 2017.
- Guns N’ Roses (CE) by Jersey Jack Pinball – rocking since 2020.
- Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (LE) by Jersey Jack Pinball – a golden ticket from 2019.
- Theatre of Magic by Bally – a magical journey that started in 1995.
- … and the list goes on with more electrifying pinball platforms!
Venue Vibes
EinStein’s isn’t just an arcade; it’s an experience. With cheap beers, friendly bartenders (shout-out to Tara, Nick, and Eric!), and a vibrant atmosphere, it’s no wonder fans don’t mind the drive from downtown. But remember – bring your quarters, and if you forget, they’ve got you covered with change machines!
Texas Pinball Standings: The Titans
As we wrap up our coverage of the event, here’s a snapshot of the best in Texas pinball:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Revnew | The Woodlands | 501.13 |
| 2 | Garrett Shahan | Denton | 442.72 |
| 3 | Phil Grimaldi | Houston | 338.48 |
| 4 | Wesley Johnson | College Station | 327.54 |
| 5 | Fred Revnew | The Woodlands | 255.09 |
| 6 | Lee Balusek | Conroe | 254.5 |
| 7 | Brian Krivonak | Corpus Christi | 246.12 |
| 8 | Collier Whitefield | San Antonio | 227.24 |
| 9 | Gilbert Herrera | San Antonio | 212.67 |
| 10 | Kevin Rodriguez | Denton | 210.54 |
From long-lasting games to pulsating face-offs, this tournament had it all. The Texas sun might’ve been hot, but the pinball action? Definitely hotter! Stay tuned to this space for more from the thrilling world of pinball!