When neon lights flicker and the crowd gathers in a huddle, you know the Emporium Arcade Bar in San Francisco has something special in store. On September 19, 2023, the popular arcade bar turned into a battle arena, a proving ground where pinball aficionados vied for the title of Emporium Hi-Scorium Champion.
The Ambiance and Setting
The atmosphere was electric, both figuratively and literally, as pinball enthusiasts from all over the Bay Area filled the retro-style arcade. The venue’s vintage neon aesthetic bathed the competitors in otherworldly light, their eyes fixed on the pinball screens. Who says you can’t enjoy nostalgia while gulping down a good drink?
A Long Night of Flipper Magic
Organized by Myriad Pinball, the tournament saw 25 players divide into groups and compete across 4 initial rounds. With scattered clouds and a chilly 59°F outside, the competition inside was only getting hotter. The finalists would then proceed to a final showdown featuring not one but three games.
Spider-Man Swings into Action
One game that stood out during the tourney was a marathon 71-minute clash on the Spider-Man pinball machine by Stern. Players usually complete a game in a fraction of this time, but Jackie Olson, Jared Garvey, Reuben Esparza, and Ryan Dunn had other ideas. Each ball seemed to defy gravity, dancing between flippers, ramps, and tunnels, as if Peter Parker himself had orchestrated their path.
In the end, it was Jackie Olson who took the crown, with Jared Garvey not too far behind. Reuben Esparza, a wildcard entry with an IFPA rank of zero, surprised everyone by placing third, ahead of Ryan Dunn.
The Machines that Stole the Spotlight
Besides the legendary Spider-Man machine, other pinball games included in the tournament were:
- Star Wars (Pro) by Stern, a space opera saga trapped in a pinball machine.
- Godzilla (Pro) by Stern, where every ramp is a Tokyo skyscraper waiting to be demolished.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Pro) by Stern, a literal sewer full of adventure and peril.
- Jurassic Park (Pro) by Stern, the place where balls could go extinct.
- Metallica (Pro) by Stern, where every flipper move was like shredding a guitar.
Meet the Champions
When the dust settled, Jackie Olson from San Francisco emerged victorious, followed by Jared Garvey from Berkeley, and Ryan Dunn from Sacramento. The biggest surprise was the rookie Reuben Esparza, who had never played in an IFPA event before and yet managed to snatch the 4th place.
The Cream of the Californian Crop
The tournament wasn’t just a spectacle but a platform where the rising stars could measure themselves against the state’s best:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Hansen | Sunnyvale | 538.96 |
| 2 | raymond ashby | Los Angeles | 518.08 |
| 3 | Gabe Da Silveira | Oakland | 462.95 |
| 4 | Scott Macias | Glendora | 456.81 |
| 5 | Nic Stein | Davis | 418.14 |
| 6 | Andrei Massenkoff | San Francisco | 415.03 |
| 7 | Escher Lefkoff | 411.53 | |
| 8 | Keith Elwin | Carlsbad | 409.63 |
| 9 | Johnny Modica | Hacienda Heights | 401.79 |
| 10 | Leslie Ruckman | 360.98 |
Final Thoughts
If the Emporium Hi-Scorium tournament proved anything, it’s that pinball is a sport where anything can happen. Veterans and newcomers alike can find common ground, even if it’s a playfield decked out with lights, bumpers, and obstacles. From the intense 71-minute Spider-Man round to the Cinderella story of Reuben Esparza, the night was a testament to why we still love to hear that silver ball bounce.
So, until the flippers flip again, let the spirit of friendly competition and nostalgia guide you to the next pinball showdown.
Stay tuned for more updates from the electrifying realm of pinball!