Ah, The Pinball Lounge – a gem nestled within the Oviedo Bowling Center. Located at 376 E Broadway Street, Oviedo, FL, it’s hailed as the best pinball spot in the Orlando area. Visitors rave about the well-maintained machines and great play deals, whether you’re in for a timed session or an unlimited coin drop spree. It’s a place worth visiting twice, or even more, if you’re around.
The Battle Begins
On July 9, 2024, at 7:00 PM, the action kicked off with 31 players ready to show their pinball prowess in six intense rounds. The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation as the overcast sky kept the temperature at a comfortable 79°F. The tournament, expertly organized by Kurt van Zyl, stretched over three and a half hours, ensuring every flip, nudge, and tilt counted.
Spotlight on Round 6: Deadpool Pro
Round 6 brought the heat to Deadpool (Pro) by Stern, a vibrant machine from August 2018. Garrett Smoke, ranked 14th in the state and 2128th IFPA, showcased his skills and secured first place. John Moschella from Winter Springs, a consistent competitor with a state rank of 12 and IFPA rank of 827, took second. Orlando’s own Doug Bernard, despite being 127th in the state and 4226th IFPA, put up a good fight and landed third. Brayden DeRazza, ranked 18th in the state and 1010th IFPA, rounded out the top four.
Pinball Machine Highlights
The tournament featured 34 different machines, each bringing its unique charm and challenge. Here are a few standouts:
- Sharkey’s Shootout (Stern, 2000): A billiards-themed game with sharp design and engaging play.
- Scared Stiff (Bally, 1996): Featuring Elvira, this machine combines humor and spooky fun.
- World Cup Soccer (Bally, 1994): Captures the excitement of the World Cup with fast-paced action.
- Eight Ball Deluxe (Bally, 1981): A classic that tests skill with its challenging shots.
- Space Invaders (Bally, 1980): A retro favorite blending pinball and arcade elements.
- Final Resistance (Multimorphic, 2023): A modern marvel with cutting-edge interactive features.
- Funhouse (Williams, 1990): Famous for its talking puppet, Rudy.
- Game Of Thrones (Pro) (Stern, 2015): Immerse in the epic battles of Westeros.
- Monster Bash (Remake LE) (Chicago Gaming, 2018): A fan-favorite bringing classic monsters to life.
Applause for the Champions
Hats off to Brayden DeRazza for clinching the top spot! With a state rank of 18th and an IFPA rank of 1010, Brayden’s experience in 70 IFPA events clearly paid off. Garrett Smoke, securing second place, showed his skills honed over 65 events. John Moschella, from Winter Springs, brought his expertise from 78 events to claim third. And a special mention to Jeff Welch from Minneola, who, despite being relatively new with only three events, made it to the fourth spot.
IFPA Florida Pinball Top 10 Standings
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shannon Stafford | Orange Park | 285.29 |
| 2 | Sebastian Bobbio | 261.62 | |
| 3 | Adam Gray | Temple Terrace | 201.54 |
| 4 | Eric Stone | Fort Myers | 188.99 |
| 5 | Vince Gelormine | Fort Lauderdale | 166.36 |
| 6 | Dan Coyle | St. Petersburg | 152.1 |
| 7 | Tristan Stafford | Orange Park | 130.72 |
| 8 | David Miller FL | Tampa | 113.96 |
| 9 | Joel Cohen | Miami | 93.17 |
| 10 | Joe Geneau | St Augustine | 84.93 |
Wrapping It Up
What a night at The Pinball Lounge! Congratulations to Brayden DeRazza for his stellar performance and to all the participants for making it a memorable event. A big shout-out to Kurt van Zyl for organizing and The Pinball Lounge for hosting. Stay tuned for more pinball news and updates – until then, keep those flippers flipping!