At the strike of 7:30 PM on September 20, 2023, the pinball wizards of California convened at Free Gold Watch in San Francisco for a night of electrifying competition. Organized by the San Francisco Pinball Department, the SFPD Fall 2023 #4 tournament had all the makings of a legendary showdown, complete with a game that lasted longer than time itself.
A Timeless Venue
First, let’s talk about the venue. Free Gold Watch has a name that sounds like a secret society for time travelers, and it felt just like that. Imagine walking into a space where every flick of a pinball flipper seems to slow down time. It’s a pinball parlor that doubles as a date spot, ideal for lovebirds who’d rather bond over a high score than a candlelit dinner.
The Longest Game in SFPD History
Black Knight: Sword of Rage, a Stern pinball machine from 2019, was the real star of the evening. As though caught in a time warp, the game extended to a mind-boggling 145 minutes. Now, if you’re a math wizard, you’ll notice that’s longer than the entire tournament (which lasted 139 minutes). How does that happen? Only in the realm of pinball, my friends.
It was Guest Amy Martin, an unranked player, who claimed first place in this never-ending battle, putting seasoned players to shame. Following her were Jose Godinez (IFPA rank 2827), Zac Wollons (IFPA rank 173), and Josh Lehan (IFPA rank 1059).
Pinball Titans & Their Machines
The event featured an impressive array of 62 pinball machines, but a few stood out in particular:
- Jurassic Park (Pro) by Stern: A real prehistoric beast where T-Rex doesn’t want to be fed; it wants to hunt.
- Snow Derby by Gottlieb: This 1970 classic is more about strategy than speed, a real vintage gem.
- Star Trek: The Next Generation by Williams: Every pinball geek’s final frontier.
- Led Zeppelin (Premium) by Stern: A rock-and-roll paradise where every flipper flick is a guitar riff.
- Godzilla (Pro) by Stern: A monster of a game, as thrilling as its namesake.
Winners Take It All
The overall winner was none other than Jared Garvey from Berkeley, CA, closely followed by Gabe Da Silveira from Oakland and Andrei Massenkoff from San Francisco. Eric Wagensonner rounded out the top four, proving that the city’s local pinball scene is a force to be reckoned with.
California Dreamin’
Here’s a quick look at the IFPA’s current California Top 10 Standings to give you an idea of the fierce competition:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Hansen | Sunnyvale | 538.96 |
| 2 | Raymond Ashby | Los Angeles | 518.08 |
| 3 | Gabe Da Silveira | Oakland | 462.95 |
| 4 | Scott Macias | Glendora | 456.81 |
| 5 | Nic Stein | Davis | 418.14 |
| 6 | Andrei Massenkoff | San Francisco | 415.03 |
| 7 | Escher Lefkoff | – | 411.53 |
| 8 | Keith Elwin | Carlsbad | 409.63 |
| 9 | Johnny Modica | Hacienda Heights | 401.79 |
| 10 | Leslie Ruckman | – | 360.98 |
A Night to Remember
In a city known for its eccentricities, the SFPD Fall 2023 #4 pinball tournament did not disappoint. From time-defying games to rookie upsets, this was one for the books.
Keep flipping those flippers and stay tuned for more updates from the realm of pinball!