The quiet evening of October 4th was soon to be lit up with a blaze of neon lights, resonant “dings”, and fierce competition. The Space City Pinball: Belles and Chimes League at the LOWer Level #4 pinball tournament kicked off at 7:00 PM sharp. Within the industrial-chic confines of Low’s Sound Lab, an undisclosed location somewhere deep in the heart of Texas, 16 pinball wizards formed groups, eager to face off in a whirlwind tournament that lasted just a bit over 2 hours.
Game Highlights:
Among the 18 gleaming pinball machines present, five particularly stood out, not just for their rich legacy but for the gameplay they hosted during the evening:
- Taxi by Williams: An old-school beauty that took players on a whirlwind ride.
- Cactus Canyon (Remake LE) by Chicago Gaming: A relatively newer model that had everyone hooked with its sharp graphics.
- Diner by Williams: The star of the evening, more on this in a moment!
- AC/DC (Pro) by Stern: A rock-fest that had many head-banging in between shots.
- Funhouse by Williams: As quirky and fun as the name suggests.
One could argue the highlight of the night was the intense game on “Diner.” Liz Nebeker, a humble player from Houston with an IFPA rank of 3023, took the lead, closely followed by Dawn Freedkin and Dawn Hayes, with Emily Hoffman rounding out the quartet. The table was surrounded by an eager crowd, with every flipper move eliciting gasps or cheers.
The Night’s Champions:
Kudos to the champions who dominated the evening:
- Gina Low, with 149 IFPA events under her belt, clinched the top spot.
- The dynamic duo, Miette Dronet and Elizabeth Dronet, grabbed the 2nd and 3rd spots respectively.
- Annabeth Dronet made it a family affair by taking the 4th position.
How Did the Texas Top 10 Fare?
A peek into the IFPA Texas Pinball Top 10 Standings:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Revnew | The Woodlands | 501.1 |
| 2 | Garrett Shahan | Denton | 442.78 |
| 3 | Phil Grimaldi | Houston | 338.48 |
| 4 | Wesley Johnson | College Station | 327.53 |
| 5 | Fred Revnew | The Woodlands | 255.08 |
| 6 | Lee Balusek | Conroe | 254.5 |
| 7 | Brian Krivonak | Corpus Christi | 246.12 |
| 8 | Collier Whitefield | San Antonio | 227.23 |
| 9 | Jim Mueller | Houston | 222.34 |
| 10 | Kevin Rodriguez | Denton | 219.12 |
Although none from the top 10 took the crown this time, their stellar past performances are a constant reminder of the evolving landscape of Texas pinball.
This night was an homage to both the old and the new – a celebration of the undying love for pinball. As we wind down, remember, it’s not just about the flippers and the score. It’s about the memories we make, the strategies we employ, and the friends we meet along the way. So, stay tuned and keep those pinballs rolling!