Ah, the pinball scene in Roscoe, Illinois—where the tinkle of the chimes meets the cheers of triumph. It was on the 21st of September, a chilly evening with overcast clouds, that the 3rd Thursdays @ Louie’s Tap House Pinball Tournament unfurled its flippers.
The Stage Was Set
Hosted at Louie’s Tap House on Elevator Rd and coordinated by Tom Menge, the tournament set out to find the best among the 8 pinball wizards in attendance. With a crisp three-and-a-half-hour runtime and six tense rounds, it promised fierce competition.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?—In Round 3!
One game that no one can stop talking about took place on Scooby-Doo (CE) by Spooky Pinball. In a surprising twist, David Slaymaker, a participant with zero IFPA ranking and zero events under his belt, took the game by storm. The more seasoned players like Vinnie Bologna, Tom Menge, and Shane Shadden had to accept defeat in that round. A classic Scooby-Doo mystery—how did the underdog come out on top?
Heck, someone needs to sign this “Slaymaker” up for IFPA; he’s going around winning tournaments like it’s his day job!
The Titans and the Newcomer
The overall winners of the night were as intriguing as the games they conquered:
- David Slaymaker – IFPA rank 0: The mysterious newcomer who proved rankings aren’t everything.
- Trae Vance – IFPA rank 3201: Experience paid off for Vance, whose performance was anything but average.
- Shane Shadden – IFPA rank 5038: Despite losing to Slaymaker, Shane proved why he keeps coming back to the game.
- Vinnie Bologna – IFPA rank 6989: Another seasoned player who had to bow to the might of the newcomer but still secured a place in the top four.
Pinball Corner
Louie’s had no shortage of games to offer. The evening featured a robust line-up of 11 pinball machines, including:
- Foo Fighters (Premium): A rocking start to any game.
- Metallica (LE): A game that hit all the right notes.
- Spider-Man: A game that had you feeling like Peter Parker.
- James Bond 007 (Premium): Classy, challenging, a true Bond experience.
- Godzilla (Premium): Crushing cities and the competition alike.
Where Food and Pinball Meet
The Louie’s Tap House experience isn’t just about pinball—it’s also about the atmosphere and, of course, the food. I indulged in a savory French dip that was marred only slightly by the odd piece of fat. The homemade chips and coleslaw were delicious add-ons. And let’s not forget the fantastic margaritas!
Top Guns of Illinois
To put the night into perspective, here are the IFPA Illinois Top 10 rankings:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andy Bagwell | Elgin | 352.66 |
| 2 | Raymond Davidson | Elk Grove Village | 222.11 |
| 3 | John Miller MO | St. Louis | 184.42 |
| 4 | Ryan McQuaid | 179.12 | |
| 5 | Chuck Sanderson | 169.23 | |
| 6 | Steven Bowden | Palatine | 160.65 |
| 7 | Alex Lecky | Chicago | 152.87 |
| 8 | Stephen Chappell | Ferguson | 143.42 |
| 9 | Bob Twichell | Oaklawn | 137.55 |
| 10 | Mike Pantoliano | Seattle | 130.1 |
This night at Louie’s Tap House was a reminder of the unpredictable, captivating nature of pinball—a night where an underdog could become a champion. Until next month’s showdown, keep those flippers flipping!