Strikes, Stereo Sound, and Sudden Death: The Best Moments from Tik Tok’s Tournament

On February 3, 2025, pinball players from across Washington gathered at Tik Tok’s Workshop in Bremerton for the Tik Tok’s Fair Strikes 2/3 Classics tournament. With the temperature hovering at a brisk 31°F and overcast clouds looming, competitors found warmth in the glow of vintage pinball machines and the heat of fierce competition.

This Group Knockout format meant players were eliminated after collecting seven strikes. The Fair Strikes system made every game a balancing act—four-player groups saw 2nd and 3rd place getting one strike, while 4th place took two strikes. In three-player groups, 2nd place earned one strike, and 3rd place got two strikes. Survival demanded skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck over seven intense rounds that lasted roughly 2.5 hours.

Tik Tok’s Workshop: Vintage Vibes and Killer Food

Tucked away in Bremerton, Tik Tok’s Workshop is a local favorite, known for its welcoming crowd, vintage games, and top-notch service. The bartender doesn’t just sling drinks—he somehow whips up amazing food at lightning speed, all while keeping the entire bar happy.

Visitors often mention the friendly atmosphere and well-maintained pinball lineup, making it a go-to spot for tournament play. Whether you’re chasing jackpots or just looking for a great night out, Tik Tok’s Workshop delivers.

Whoa There! A Juicy Showdown on Whoa Nellie!

Round 1 saw players take on Stern’s 2015 release, Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons—a game as ridiculous as its name suggests.

Designed as a throwback to the simpler, bigger-is-better era of electromechanical pinball, Whoa Nellie! features a hand-drawn playfield loaded with oversized fruit, farmyard humor, and a risqué ‘50s pin-up aesthetic. Developed by Dennis Nordman (known for White Water and Pirates of the Caribbean), the game plays like a modern tribute to pinball’s more… suggestive past. The ruleset is simple: shoot the melons, rack up the points, and embrace the absurdity.

In this high-scoring fruit brawl, Andrew McCann dominated early, his seasoned flipper skills making quick work of the playfield’s unpredictable bounces. Chris Wilkes kept up the pressure, while Trent Knowlson fought valiantly but couldn’t quite juice enough points to advance.

The Machines That Kept the Action Rolling

This tournament lineup was stacked with seven classic machines that offered a mix of strategy, chaos, and old-school charm. Here’s a closer look at five of them:

Vulcan (Gottlieb, 1977) – A Mythic Duel in EM Form

Vulcan takes inspiration from its namesake, the Roman god of fire and the forge, but don’t expect chariots and lightning bolts. Instead, you get a straightforward but deceptively difficult electromechanical (EM) pinball machine where the real battle is between you and gravity.

Its symmetrical playfield challenges players to master drop target shots and spinner lanes with no ramps, multiball, or digital gimmicks to save you. If you want to win on Vulcan, you have to outlast your opponents with precision—and maybe make a sacrifice to the pinball gods.

Rollergames (Williams, 1990) – Rock, Ramps, and Roller Derby Madness

Williams jumped on the extreme sports bandwagon in the ‘90s, fusing roller derby with neon, rock music, and pure pinball chaos. Rollergames is as fast-paced as the sport it’s based on, with thrilling ramp shots, high-speed loops, and a killer soundtrack that screams early ‘90s energy.

But the real standout feature? The Magna-Flip, a magnetic ball-saving mechanic that rewards players who can time their shots perfectly. If you ever wished pinball had a built-in highlight reel moment, this is it.

Spooksville (Allied Leisure, 1973) – An Escape from the Haunted House

This is the kind of machine that makes you feel like you’re starring in an old-school haunted house B-movie. Spooksville was a rare early attempt at a solid-state game before they became the industry standard, featuring creepy artwork and a playfield designed to feel like a maze of horrors.

With every ball launch, you’re essentially running through the dark, trying to rack up points before the ghosts (or a brutal outlane drain) get you. Not the most well-known pin, but certainly one with a spooky charm that adds variety to any tournament lineup.

Eight Ball (Bally, 1977) – The Ultimate Pool Hall Hustle

If you’ve ever stepped foot in a dimly lit bar with a pool table and a cigarette machine, then Eight Ball is your game. Bally’s smash-hit billiards-themed table captures the essence of classic bar culture pinball, with simple hit-the-targets rules and an iconic playfield featuring the legendary eight-ball spinner.

In tournament settings, Eight Ball becomes a game of strategy and patience. Knowing when to go for bank shots vs. straight targets makes all the difference. You’re either a pool hall hustler… or just someone hoping for a lucky break.

Devil’s Dare (Gottlieb, 1982) – A Fiery Multi-Level Battle

For those who like their pinball with a side of apocalyptic doom, Devil’s Dare delivers. This dark fantasy-inspired pin is all about quick reflexes and strategic ball saves, featuring a multi-level playfield that tempts players with high-risk, high-reward shots.

Its ball save feature is one of the first of its kind, making it a brutal yet exciting machine. One second you’re racking up big points, the next you’re watching helplessly as the outlanes drag you down to pinball hell.

The Final Battle and the Night’s Champions

The last game of the night landed on Laser War, a 1987 Data East pinball machine that marked a turning point in pinball history. As Data East’s first-ever pinball release, it set the stage for the company’s future in the industry with fast-paced gameplay, high-energy sound effects, and an aggressive multiball focus.

Laser War’s signature feature is its three-ball multiball, which players can lock across separate banks before unleashing a flurry of scoring opportunities. Unlike the deeper rule sets of modern games, Laser War is all about speed and survival, rewarding quick reactions and precision shots. The intense, synth-driven soundtrack—powered by pinball’s first digital stereo sound—amplifies the tension, making every flip feel like a split-second decision in a neon-drenched warzone of the future.

In a fitting finale, the last match was a high-speed clash of reflexes and shot accuracy. Andrew McCann emerged victorious, handling the machine’s fast play and brutal drains with the experience of a player who’s seen plenty of tournament pressure. Richard Godwin fought their way to second place, proving that even while running the event, they could still take on the competition. Donovan Haga secured third, and Robert Staab, in only his 17th IFPA event, put in a strong showing to finish fourth in a field of seasoned players.

Washington’s IFPA Top 10 Standings

For those keeping score at home, here’s where the state’s best currently stand:

Washington’s pinball scene is as competitive as ever, and with players traveling from all over the state for events like this, we’re bound to see some shifts in the rankings soon.

A Night of Pinball, Competition, and Community

With the final ball drained and the last multiball chaos settled, Tik Tok’s Fair Strikes 2/3 Classics was another reminder of why pinball tournaments are more than just high scores and rankings. They’re about the camaraderie, the late-game comebacks, the surprising upsets, and the shared moments of triumph (or defeat) over a brutal outlane.

Whether it was seasoned competitors like Andrew McCann proving their consistency, up-and-comers like Robert Staab making an unexpected deep run, or the sheer entertainment of a heated match on Whoa Nellie!, this event had it all.

Huge kudos to Richard Godwin for putting together a tournament that ran smoothly while still stepping up as a top contender. And of course, a big thanks to Tik Tok’s Workshop, where the games are well-maintained, the staff makes everyone feel at home, and the bartender somehow keeps a full room fed without missing a beat.

If you weren’t there, don’t worry—there are always more tournaments on the horizon, more machines to master, and more chances to chase that next high score. Until then, keep flipping, keep competing, and keep the silver ball rolling.