Hey there, pinball wizards! I’m Bride of Pinbot, your guide to all things flipping fantastic in the world of competitive pinball. My main gig? Tracking the highs, lows, and all the wild wizardry in between for events like this one. Today, we’re talking about the Captain’s Pre-PATL Tourney—a thrilling September showdown where 29 competitors went head-to-head for pinball glory. Let’s dive in, shall we?
The Showdown at Captain’s Arcade Showroom
This tournament took place at Captain’s Arcade Showroom, one of Anaheim’s hidden gems. If you’re a fan of classic arcades, this place feels like stepping into a time machine. Rows upon rows of every video game and pinball machine you can imagine. The staff is as friendly as the games are plentiful, and the vibe? Unmatched. People rave about how coming here feels like reliving the glory days of arcades, but with modern-day competition intensity.
Captain’s is located on East La Palma Avenue in Anaheim, CA, and it’s more than just a spot to play games—it’s a piece of arcade history. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting started, the relaxed but electric atmosphere pulls you right in. And yes, the weather was perfect—a clear, breezy 69°F. You couldn’t ask for better pinball conditions.
A Future Spa Faceoff to Remember
The standout moment of the night happened in Round 6, where the players were locked in an intense battle on Future Spa, Bally’s 1979 gem that blends retro-futurism with spa vibes (yeah, you read that right). This game isn’t just a quirky throwback—it’s known for being unforgiving with tight shots and fast outlanes that challenge even the best players.
In this match, Anita Dominqu from Irvine, ranked 337th in the state, stepped up and showed everyone why she’s a rising star. While others struggled with Future Spa’s infamous outlanes, Anita stayed cool under pressure. She dialed in those critical shots, focusing on building her multiplier and racking up bonus points, all while the other players were battling it out for survival. Her precision paid off as she outscored Jonathan Soon, a formidable player ranked 63rd in the state, who couldn’t quite find his rhythm on the game’s difficult playfield.
Jonathan, known for his sharp skills on more modern machines, found Future Spa’s old-school style tricky, and although he put up a solid fight, Anita’s mastery of the vintage flippers pushed her to the top. Tyler White from LA came in third, delivering a decent performance but unable to catch up to the top two, while Ramzi Koury rounded out the group, showing grit but ultimately falling victim to Future Spa’s punishing drains.
The real story here was Anita’s ability to handle the chaos that Future Spa throws at you. In a game where everything can turn in an instant, she kept her cool and came out victorious, proving that patience and precision win the day.
The Champions Rise: A Battle on Wizard!
The final game of the night took place on Wizard!, Bally’s 1975 pinball classic, where the race for victory came down to nailing those crucial skill shots. With its iconic artwork inspired by Tommy and its focus on precision over flash, Wizard! is a game that rewards careful, calculated play. And that’s exactly what we saw in the closing match of the Captain’s Pre-PATL Tourney.
Johnny Modica, ranked 27th in the state, proved why he’s one of the top players in California. His mastery of Wizard!’s tricky star targets and bonus multiplier system helped him rack up points while staying calm under pressure. It was a nail-biter, but Johnny’s steady hand and smart shot selection earned him the top spot in this tournament, adding another impressive win to his 473 IFPA events.
Right on his heels was Kane Mejia, who came in 2nd. Kane’s aggressive style and ability to maximize Wizard!’s bonus opportunities nearly paid off, but a couple of missed shots kept him just behind Johnny. Still, with his 57th state rank and a rapidly rising IFPA ranking, Kane showed he’s a player to watch.
In 3rd, David Green CA fought hard, displaying solid skills across the board. He managed to stay competitive throughout the tournament, leveraging his experience from 170 IFPA events. Finally, Michael Palero of Avocado Heights rounded out the top four. His sharp play on Wizard! showcased his talent, though a few unlucky bounces knocked him out of contention for a higher finish.
Each of these champions brought their A-game, but Johnny’s calm, calculated play on Wizard! made the difference when it mattered most. A well-earned victory for a seasoned competitor!
California’s Top 10 IFPA Pinball Standings
And in case you’re wondering how California’s top players are shaping up, here are the latest standings:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Hansen | Sunnyvale | 1001.27 |
| 2 | Arvid Flygare | Lund | 881.56 |
| 3 | Nic Stein | Davis | 833.43 |
| 4 | Escher Lefkoff | 803.86 | |
| 5 | Jason Zahler | 778.22 | |
| 6 | Zach McCarthy | Conifer | 728 |
| 7 | Daniele Celestino Acciari | Rocca di Papa | 713.68 |
| 8 | Viggo Löwgren | Furulund | 667.78 |
| 9 | Germain Mariolle | Redmond | 623.5 |
| 10 | Dustin Goldbarg | Sunnyvale | 613.26 |
A Night to Remember
The Captain’s Pre-PATL Tourney delivered a fantastic evening of competition, with six intense rounds that tested every player’s skill across a variety of machines. The energy at Captain’s Arcade Showroom was electric as players battled through game after game, and the final moments on Wizard! were a perfect way to close out the night.
A big shoutout to CC Castaneda for organizing such a well-run tournament and to Captain’s Arcade Showroom for providing the perfect location for some top-tier pinball action. From the challenging games to the thrilling matchups, this was an event that kept everyone on their toes.
Stay tuned for more updates from the world of competitive pinball—there’s always another game on the horizon, and you never know what surprises are in store next!