On a beautiful Friday evening with clear skies and a comfortable 75°F, nine pinball players gathered at District 82 Pinball in De Pere, Wisconsin, for the D82 Flippin’ Friday Tournament. The group knockout format made for an intense battle through 12 rounds, where players were eliminated after accumulating three strikes. The four-hour competition kept everyone on their toes, with no one safe from elimination in each round.
A Pinball Paradise in De Pere
District 82 Pinball is a haven for pinball lovers from all around. Located on O’Keefe Road, this arcade boasts over 100 machines, each meticulously maintained and ready for action. With a flat fee for unlimited play and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere, it’s the perfect place for pinball enthusiasts to gather. Owner Erik Thoren has created a space that blends passion and precision, ensuring every machine is in top condition. Whether you’re there for a tournament or just a casual game night, District 82 is a spot where pinball dreams come true.
Game Spotlight: The Simpsons Take Over
One of the most exciting matches of the night took place in Round 5 on The Simpsons Pinball Party. As chaos ensued in Springfield, players scrambled to rack up points while avoiding the wrath of Homer, Bart, and the rest of the family. The tension was thick as Ryan Eggers outmaneuvered his opponents, securing first place. Mike Carlson held on tight for second, while Erik Thoren found himself in third. This game is a fan favorite for its deep rule set and chaotic theme integration, and it certainly didn’t disappoint the crowd that night!
Pinball Machines That Stole the Show
The tournament featured an impressive lineup of 110 machines, but a few really stood out. Silverball Mania (Bally, 1978) charmed players with its fast play and hypnotic silver ball theme, while Strikes and Spares (Bally, 1978) added a unique twist with its bowling alley-inspired design. Over on KISS (Bally, 1979), fans of the rock band went wild for the pulsing lights and classic music integration.
For a more modern challenge, players faced off on Demolition Man (Williams, 1994), featuring handles for dual-trigger control, and Twilight Zone (Bally, 1993), which brought out the strategists with its wide variety of multiball modes. Let’s not forget the quirkiness of Doodle Bug (Williams, 1971), where timing is everything, or the retro fun of Breakshot (Capcom, 1996), reminiscent of 1950s designs. Funhouse (Williams, 1990) kept everyone on edge with Rudy the talking doll, while Robo-War (Gottlieb, 1988) closed out the tournament in style with its robotic theme and progressive scoring.
And the Winners Are…
The final match on Robo-War was as dramatic as the game itself. Peter Goeben skillfully navigated the machine’s progressive difficulty, using their precision and strategy to climb to first place. Gregory Hein put up a fierce fight for second, while Erik Thoren, the tournament’s organizer, landed in third. Matt McCarty rounded out the top four, putting on a strong performance throughout the night.
- Peter Goeben (State Rank: 41st, IFPA Rank: 755) – A true pinball tactician, Peter’s steady approach and experience paid off in the final game.
- Gregory Hein (State Rank: 25th, IFPA Rank: 657) – Known for his sharp focus, Gregory stayed competitive right to the end.
- Erik Thoren (State Rank: 6th, IFPA Rank: 102) – The hometown hero kept the pressure on but couldn’t outlast Peter’s strong play.
- Matt McCarty (State Rank: 13th, IFPA Rank: 229) – Matt’s consistency shone through as he locked in a solid fourth-place finish.
Wisconsin’s Top 10 IFPA Pinball Players
Here’s a look at the current top 10 in Wisconsin’s IFPA standings:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steven Bowden | Palatine | 725.91 |
| 2 | Tom Graf | Appleton | 639.47 |
| 3 | Kassidy Milanowski | Appleton | 621.81 |
| 4 | Neil Graf | Appleton | 589.85 |
| 5 | Nathan Zalewski | Stevens Point | 574.01 |
| 6 | Erik Thoren | De Pere | 560.93 |
| 7 | Mike Weyenberg | Manitowoc | 505.98 |
| 8 | Danny Bronny | Beverly Shores | 469.02 |
| 9 | Eric Strangeway | Oshkosh | 414.59 |
| 10 | Carlos Delaserda | Columbus | 409.86 |
Wrapping Up the Action
What a night! With 12 grueling rounds and a well-fought final match on Robo-War, the D82 Flippin’ Friday Tournament gave everyone something to cheer about. Big congratulations to Peter Goeben for the well-deserved win, and a special shout-out to Erik Thoren for organizing another fantastic event at District 82 Pinball.
Stay tuned for the latest pinball news and upcoming tournaments! We’ll keep you posted on all the flippin’ action coming your way.