Reader’s Reign Continues: A Wire-to-Wire Victory at Free Play Abilene

The Intimate Arena and a Stacked Deck

The battleground for the evening was Free Play Arcade, a venue beloved by locals for its vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. Patrons frequently praise the establishment for its massive variety of entertainment, boasting everything from pinball and basketball to skee-ball and classic fighting games. Between rounds, players could be found fueling up on the highly recommended hot honey pepperoni pizza and enjoying the hospitality of an incredibly attentive staff that makes every visit memorable. It’s a perfect backdrop for competitive pinball, offering a high-energy environment that tests a player’s focus.

While the starting field for the Group Match Play qualifier featured just six players, the sheer density of talent meant there were no easy games. The roster was highlighted by Keith Shahan, the strongest player in the room and the undisputed tournament favorite. Shahan entered the night ranked #472 nationally and sitting comfortably at #33 in the Texas state rankings. Shahan has been an absolute force this season, accumulating 133.24 WPPR points across 20 events, alongside a staggering seven tournament victories. Also in the mix was Sarah Kader, a rising threat who has been quietly building a reputation with three top-three finishes in her recent outings. Kader sits at IFPA #20,662, but her upward trajectory has made her a dangerous draw for anyone in the state.

Extending the Rivalry on Godzilla

Reader wasted no time establishing his dominance during the five-round Group Match Play qualifier. In this format, four-player groups—or three-player groups when numbers dictate—battle for points based on finishing position. Reader went on an absolute tear, placing first in Round 1, Round 2, Round 4, and Round 5. His only minor blemish was a second-place finish in Round 3, showcasing a level of consistency that left the rest of the field scrambling for positioning.

The defining moment of the qualifying stage came during Round 2, when Reader found himself matched up against his biggest obstacle, Keith Shahan, on Stern’s 2021 hit, Godzilla (Pro). The two have a storied history, sharing 13 previous events together, with Reader holding a narrow 7-6 head-to-head advantage prior to the tournament. The Godzilla clash was an 18-minute grind of attrition, requiring players to expertly navigate the complex layout. High-level play on this machine often revolves around executing the difficult secret skill shot by plunging behind the upper paddle, or setting up Godzilla multiball locks by shooting both ramps. Reader outmaneuvered Shahan in the three-player group, taking the top score and seven points, while Shahan settled for second place and four points. This critical victory allowed Reader to widen his career gap over Shahan to an 8-6 record.

An Amazing Race and a Stunning Upset

As the dust settled on the qualifier, the top three players advanced to the Amazing Race finals: Christopher Reader, Sarah Kader, and Keith Shahan. This high-stakes format leaves zero room for error, as all players compete individually on the same machine, with the lowest scorer immediately eliminated. One bad game can instantly undo an entire evening of flawless qualifying. The pressure was palpable as the trio stepped up to the first finals machine, Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye (Pro).

To survive the 2025 Stern release, players must carefully manage their strategy, often opting for the Halfling Rogue character and focusing on completing the Purple modes in Arabel. Lighting the right orbit for Dragon Multiball is essential, but players must preemptively use shields to prevent the jackpot values from plummeting when balls drain. In a stunning turn of events, Kader delivered a masterful 18-minute performance, putting up 127,911,470 points to overcome Shahan’s 115,494,080. The result sent shockwaves through the venue, as the tournament favorite, Keith Shahan, was eliminated in third place.

Conquering the Black Knight for the Crown

With Shahan knocked out, the championship was left to be decided between the streaking Christopher Reader and the surging Sarah Kader. The final battleground was Stern’s 2019 Black Knight: Sword of Rage (Pro), a notoriously punishing table that demands fast reflexes and precise shot-making. Success on Black Knight often requires players to utilize backhand shots and lock balls “Doc Ock style” by backhanding the lock target and then hitting the lock shot to safely catch the post.

In the ultimate 11-minute title decider, Reader’s experience and unwavering composure took center stage. Kader fought valiantly, putting a respectable 33,225,050 points on the board, but she simply couldn’t keep pace with Reader’s onslaught. Reader triggered critical sequences and kept the ball in play long enough to rack up 50,436,620 points, securing the victory and relegating Kader to a highly respectable second-place finish.

When the final flippers fell silent, Christopher Reader stood alone at the top of the podium, his legendary streak intact. By conquering both the grueling qualifier and the unforgiving Amazing Race finals, he proved that his current run of dominance is no fluke. As the Texas pinball community looks ahead to the rest of the season, the question is no longer who can challenge Reader, but whether anyone can find a way to stop him.