Sinbad Strikes Again: Highlights from Belles & Chimes SATX

On February 28, 2025, the Belles & Chimes SATX – Winter 2025 #5 tournament brought together 15 players for a fast-paced, five-round battle. With two games per round, the action was non-stop for just under two and a half hours. The venue? What’s Brewing Coffee Roasters, a favorite spot in San Antonio where caffeine and pinball collide.

A Coffee Shop with a Secret Pinball Side Hustle

What’s Brewing Coffee Roasters isn’t just about brewing a great cup of coffee—it’s also a home for pinball lovers. Tucked away at 138 West Rhapsody Drive, this spot has become a go-to for players looking for well-maintained machines and good competition. The staff keeps the games in great condition, and the regulars aren’t shy about dropping some serious coin to chase high scores. Whether you’re sipping on an espresso or trying to keep a ball in play, it’s a place that blends relaxation with adrenaline-pumping action.

Spotlight Match: Sinbad’s High-Seas Showdown

Round 3 turned up the heat on Sinbad, a Gottlieb classic from 1978. By this time, the tournament was in full swing, and players were looking for every edge they could find. Sinbad, however, doesn’t make anything easy. Designed during the early days of solid-state pinball, it’s a game that punishes sloppy play and rewards those who can control the ball with precision.

Sinbad is all about drop targets. The game features ten drop targets, divided into yellow and red banks. Knocking down all of one color lights the corresponding bonus multiplier, which is the real key to high scores. The flipper layout, with two standard lower flippers and two mini flippers in the upper playfield, adds a layer of challenge. The upper flippers can be useful, but mistimed shots often lead to balls careening straight toward the outlanes—something every player in this round learned the hard way.

Gottlieb, the manufacturer behind Sinbad, was a powerhouse in pinball for much of the 20th century. Known for producing some of the most iconic electro-mechanical and early solid-state games, Gottlieb machines were often designed to test a player’s patience. By the late 1970s, the company was adapting to a rapidly changing pinball landscape, shifting from mechanical scoring reels to digital displays. Sinbad was released in two versions—an electro-mechanical model and the more widely produced solid-state version used in this tournament.

In this round, Sarah Poupart played a smart, controlled game, making sure to complete her drop target sets while avoiding risky shots that could send the ball out of play. Her patience paid off as she claimed first place. Jovanna Barrientez put up a strong fight but struggled with the unforgiving outlanes, landing in second. Ashley Ortiz SA had some great moments, using the upper flippers effectively to keep the ball in play, earning third place. Ambie Lopez took fourth, falling victim to Sinbad’s notorious side drains but still putting up a respectable score.

Sinbad may not have the flashing lights and deep rulesets of modern machines, but it remains a test of skill and control, proving that even in 2025, a well-placed drop target shot can make all the difference.

The Machines That Made the Magic Happen

With 43 different machines in play, the tournament had something for every kind of player. Here’s a look at some of the standout games that kept the competition fierce.

Liberty Bell (Williams, 1977)

Designed as a celebration of America’s bicentennial, this electro-mechanical machine is all about classic pinball fundamentals. Players work to hit the stand-up targets and rack up points with simple but satisfying shots. Liberty Bell came at the tail end of the electro-mechanical era, right before solid-state machines took over, making it a nostalgic favorite for players who love the feel of older games.

Cactus Canyon (Remake LE) (Chicago Gaming, 2021)

The original Cactus Canyon was released in 1998 by Bally, but production was cut short when Williams shut down its pinball division. This made it one of the rarest pinball machines out there. The remake brings back the same fast-paced, Wild West action, complete with shootouts, saloon brawls, and train robberies. The humor is top-notch, and the updated software adds some extra polish to an already beloved game.

James Bond 007 (Pro) (Stern, 2022)

This game takes players through six classic Sean Connery-era Bond films, featuring missions packed with spy gadgets, villain battles, and some of the smoothest ramps in pinball. The centerpiece of the game is the magnetic jetpack, which grabs the ball and whisks it across the playfield. It’s a love letter to old-school Bond fans, with a mix of fast action and strategic play.

Godzilla (Premium) (Stern, 2021)

Godzilla has quickly become one of the most celebrated pinball machines in modern history. Designed by Keith Elwin, this machine lets players take control of the King of Monsters as they battle Mechagodzilla, destroy bridges, and wreak havoc across the city. The playfield is loaded with interactive elements, including a crumbling building and a heat ray feature that launches the ball into chaos. Players who love combo-heavy games thrive on Godzilla’s smooth flow and deep rule set.

Deadpool (Pro) (Stern, 2018)

If you like fast, combo-driven gameplay mixed with a healthy dose of sarcasm, Deadpool is a dream machine. Featuring fourth-wall-breaking humor, unique battle modes, and an awesome soundtrack, this game never takes itself too seriously. The key to high scores is activating battle modes and chaining Katana ramp shots, making it one of those games that rewards skillful control.

Indianapolis 500 (Bally, 1995)

This machine captures the high-speed thrills of the legendary race, complete with turbo boosts, pit stops, and looping shots that make you feel like you’re in the driver’s seat. One of the coolest features is the speedway loop, which launches the ball into a high-speed circuit around the playfield. It’s a game that demands precision and quick reflexes, just like real racing.

Metallica (Pro) (Stern, 2013)

Few music pins are as well-loved as Metallica. This game brings the band’s biggest hits to the playfield, complete with a snake, an electric chair, and a hammer that smashes the ball into the coffin multiball. It’s a fast and brutal machine that keeps players coming back for more, especially when they get to crank up the volume and let the metal anthems fuel their game.

Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure (Williams, 1993)

Based on the original Indiana Jones trilogy, this game is packed with iconic moments from the movies. Players shoot the ball into the Idol to start multiball, navigate the Path of Adventure on the upper playfield, and try to collect all the artifacts needed to complete the ultimate quest. It’s one of the most immersive pinball machines ever made, with deep rules and plenty of rewarding shots.

The Champs of the Night

After a night of high-pressure flipper battles, these players walked away with the top honors:

• Jocelyn Jimenez took first place, making an impressive debut as an unranked player.
• Cayman Kai secured second place, proving once again why she’s one of Austin’s most consistent competitors.
• LouAnn Bailey finished third, showcasing strong shot accuracy throughout the night.
• Chasity Flores rounded out the top four, continuing her steady climb up the ranks.

Texas IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

Til Next Time, Keep Flipping!

A huge shoutout to Christina Cheeseman for organizing another fantastic night of pinball and to What’s Brewing Coffee Roasters for providing the perfect venue—where great coffee fuels great competition.

This tournament had it all: classic electro-mechanical battles, fast-paced modern action, and a reminder that no matter how many ramps and multiballs today’s games have, a simple drop target challenge on Sinbad can still humble even the best players.

With more events on the horizon, there’s no time to let those flippers cool down. Stay tuned for more tournament coverage, and until then—keep the ball alive!