In a place where the sun meets the desert and cacti reign supreme, pinball enthusiasts converged on an undisclosed location in Arizona. The date? September 18, 2023. The time? 6:30 PM. The mission? Victory at the ‘Player 1 Arcade 2023 S3A #6’ pinball tournament!
The Venue – A Mystery Worth the Hype
When we say “undisclosed location,” we mean it. Jim Smith, the brilliant mind behind the event, left everyone intrigued about the venue. Here’s a challenge for you, dear reader – ask Jim to spill the beans for next time! Your curious writer wants to know as much as you do.
The Play-by-Play: Tournament Highlights
With 37 passionate players battling through 5 rounds, strategy and split-second decisions ruled the evening. The goal was simple yet compelling – earn the most points across all rounds to be crowned the pinball wizard of the night.
One particular face-off became the talk of the evening. Round 3 on ‘James Bond 007 (Premium)‘ saw Mike McClure, a seasoned player from Glendale, claiming victory. But what caught everyone’s attention was the wild card, Juan Gonzalez. Despite having an IFPA rank of zero, Gonzalez finished a close second, proving that in the game of pinball, anything is possible!
Machines of the Hour
Among the 13 pinball machines that graced the floor, some stood out not just for their gameplay but also their legacy:
- ‘James Bond 007 (Premium)‘ by Stern – a new release that’s already a fan favorite.
- ‘Stranger Things (Pro)‘ – who doesn’t love the mix of the Upside Down and pinball?
- ‘Foo Fighters (LE)‘ – the latest addition, bringing rock ‘n roll to the pinball scene.
- ‘Black Pyramid‘ by Bally – an oldie but goldie, transporting players back to 1984.
- ‘The Mandalorian (Pro)‘ – where Baby Yoda (Grogu, if you’re a purist) meets flippers and steel balls.
Top Dogs of the Tournament
While every player showcased outstanding skills, a few stole the show:
- Joey Rio from Surprise, Arizona, clinched the top spot. With an IFPA rank of 390 and 55 IFPA events under his belt, Rio is no stranger to the pinball elite.
- Kevin Ehlers followed in second place, showcasing that experience matters with 73 total IFPA events.
- Vincent De La O, a newcomer with an IFPA rank of zero, shocked everyone by grabbing the third spot. Talk about an underdog story!
- Rob De La O wrapped up the top four, proving that pinball might just be in the De La O genes.
IFPA Arizona Pinball Top 10 Standings
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roland Nadeau | 671.68 | |
| 2 | Mark Pearson | Phoenix | 588.16 |
| 3 | John Shopple | Mesa | 569.41 |
| 4 | John Magyar | Gilbert | 351.79 |
| 5 | Kevan Carter | Tempe | 320.85 |
| 6 | Jason Barre | Mesa | 312.2 |
| 7 | Adam Horton | Phoenix | 307.57 |
| 8 | Paul Blanco | Chandler | 305.5 |
| 9 | Joey Rio | Surprise | 282 |
| 10 | Walter dony | Phoenix | 280.57 |
The silver balls have stopped rolling, the scores are set, but the memories of the night linger. Here’s to more flippers, tilt warnings, and high scores! Arizona, keep those pinball machines buzzing! 🌵🔮