On August 25th, pinball enthusiasts gathered for the Einstein’s Bills tournament, a Group Knockout event that promised fast-paced action and strategic gameplay. Hosted by Space City Pinball, 11 players faced off in a battle of skill and endurance. Over the course of an intense hour and a half, competitors were gradually eliminated after receiving two strikes, with the final four standing tall as the tournament’s top players.
A Mysterious Arena
As much as we’d love to give you the lowdown on where this showdown took place, the details remain as elusive as the perfect shot on a tilted pinball machine. Rumor has it, Space City Pinball will be adding this location to MatchPlay soon, so stay tuned! For now, let’s just say it was somewhere deep in the heart of Texas, where the sound of flippers and bumpers echoed through the night.
Game Spotlight: JAWS (LE) – A Battle of the Big Fish
In Round 1, the tension was palpable as players squared off on Stern’s JAWS (LE), a machine that’s as relentless as the great white shark itself. Matt Katsarelis, with a state rank of 298th, managed to stay afloat in the game’s “Orca Attack” mode, skillfully avoiding the strikes that claimed his opponents. His performance was nothing short of spectacular, outmaneuvering his brother Ty, who fought valiantly with a state rank of 138th, and holding his ground against Maritza Chirichigno and Cree Luzskia. Despite his lower ranking, Matt demonstrated that when it comes to pinball, sometimes it’s the underdog who swims the fastest.
The Stars of the Pinball Galaxy
This tournament featured some of the most exciting pinball machines around, each offering its own unique challenge. Stern’s Rush (LE), released in 2022, dazzled players with its intricate layout and immersive light shows, while Medieval Madness (Remake Royal Edition) from Chicago Gaming took players on a nostalgic journey back to the days of knights and dragons. Meanwhile, the Foo Fighters (LE) machine had competitors rocking out while trying to conquer its fast and furious playfield. But it was The Munsters (Premium) by Stern that really stole the show, with its eerie theme and dynamic gameplay, keeping everyone on their toes.
Celebrating the Champions
In a tournament where every flip counts, Cree Luzskia emerged as the ultimate victor. With a state rank of 65th and an IFPA ranking of 2458, Cree showed everyone why he’s a force to be reckoned with, navigating the pressure of 158 IFPA events to claim the top spot. Following closely was Liz Nebeker, whose state rank of 119th and impressive track record of 258 events proved that consistency and skill go hand in hand. Laurie Abel took third place, and while her state rank of 513th might suggest otherwise, her performance was anything but ordinary. Bill Nebeker rounded out the top four, his state rank of 149th showing that experience (with 212 events under his belt) can take you far in the world of competitive pinball.
Texas IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings
| Rank | Player Name | City | WPPR Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garrett Shahan | Denton | 697.24 |
| 2 | Jack Revnew | The Woodlands | 473.31 |
| 3 | Wesley Johnson | College Station | 352.94 |
| 4 | Gilbert Herrera | San Antonio | 327.17 |
| 5 | Clark McCoy | Denton | 320.55 |
| 6 | Ray Ford | Austin | 289.33 |
| 7 | Lee Balusek | Conroe | 273.18 |
| 8 | Ken Kemp | Collinsville | 271.69 |
| 9 | Colin MacAlpine | Austin | 262.24 |
| 10 | Keith Shahan | Abilene | 250.67 |
A Night to Remember
Kudos to Space City Pinball for organizing yet another thrilling event, and hats off to the players who brought their A-game to the tables. While the exact location of this epic battle may remain under wraps, the memories made will certainly linger like the Lone Star sky at dusk. Until next time, keep flipping those flippers, and don’t miss out on future pinball tournament news and highlights!