Pinball Wizards Face Off at Tik Tok’s Workshop

On the chilly evening of January 27, 2025, with temperatures hovering around 35°F, pinball enthusiasts gathered at Tik Tok’s Workshop in Bremerton, WA, for the much-anticipated “Tik Tok’s Fair Strikes” tournament. The event kicked off at 6:55 PM and, in a swift 2 hours and 30 minutes, crowned its champions.

Steampunk Vibes and Flipper Frenzies

Tik Tok’s Workshop, located at 1216 Sylvan Way, isn’t your average arcade. This steampunk-themed bar and arcade boasts a vast collection of pinball and arcade video games, all meticulously maintained by the owners themselves. Their dedication ensures that every machine operates flawlessly, providing an unparalleled gaming experience. The ambiance, combined with a friendly staff, makes it a great place for both seasoned players and newcomers alike.

Following the Yellow Brick Road: Round 1 Highlights

The tournament’s opening round took players straight into the magical land of Oz with a fierce battle on Jersey Jack Pinball’s The Wizard of Oz (LE). Much like Dorothy’s journey through the tornado, this match was full of twists, surprises, and a bit of witchcraft—though thankfully, no actual flying monkeys interfered with the flippers.

Chris Wilkes took the role of the Wizard himself, orchestrating a masterful game that saw him lock in the Emerald City Multiball and rack up an impressive score. Andrew McCann played the Scarecrow, proving that brains are just as important as skill when navigating the challenging playfield. Richard Godwin, channeling the Tin Man, showed plenty of heart but couldn’t quite keep pace with the top two. Meanwhile, Kat Murphy, stepping into Dorothy’s ruby slippers for the night, found themselves caught in the game’s deep rule set, ultimately falling behind.

With its five flippers, two mini playfields, and dazzling light shows, The Wizard of Oz brought all the drama of the movie to the tournament floor. And much like in Oz, only one player could take the top prize—this time, it was Chris, leaving the rest to click their heels and prepare for the next round.

Machines That Rocked the Night

A tournament is only as good as its lineup of pinball machines, and this one had a mix of classics, cult favorites, and modern marvels that tested the players’ skills across different eras of pinball design. Here are a few that stood out:

Laser War (Data East, 1987)
Data East’s first-ever pinball machine Laser War set the stage for the company’s distinct style—fast play, digital sound effects, and a heavy reliance on licensed themes (which would later include Back to the Future, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Jurassic Park). But before all that, Laser War was an original theme, capitalizing on the futuristic, laser-shooting action movies of the ‘80s. The game features three-ball multiball, an early example of a stereo sound system, and an aggressive scoring system that rewards fast reflexes.

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons (Stern, 2015)
Stern took a wild swing with Whoa Nellie!, a throwback to the electromechanical era with modern internals. Designed by Dennis Nordman, this game leans into its vintage feel—giant fruit crates surround the backbox, a real chime unit produces the sound effects, and the scoring remains on traditional reels. But don’t let the simple layout fool you; the game is a nudger’s paradise, demanding control over rebounds and well-timed shots to score big on the pop bumpers.

Spooksville (Allied Leisure, 1973)
One of the lesser-known machines in the lineup, Spooksville comes from Allied Leisure, a company that tried to make a dent in the pinball market during the ‘70s but was better known for its video arcade games. This early solid-state machine has a simple layout, but its eerie artwork and unpredictable bumper action make it a fun, chaotic choice for a tournament.

Star Wars (Premium) (Stern, 2017)
Stern’s Star Wars has become a staple in tournaments, and for good reason—it’s brutally fast, with a high-risk, high-reward layout that forces players to stay on their toes. The machine was designed by Steve Ritchie, the ‘King of Flow,’ and features one of the most unforgiving outlanes in modern pinball. Players had to choose between four characters (Luke, Leia, Han, or R2-D2), each of which affects the scoring strategies, and getting to the wizard mode, Victory Multiball, is no easy feat.

Star Trek: The Next Generation (Williams, 1993)
Steve Ritchie again, but this time in his Williams days. Star Trek: The Next Generation is a widebody masterpiece with seven missions, two cannons, and a challenging Borg Multiball. The game’s voice work includes the entire TNG cast, and the deep rule set means it’s a machine that rewards skill and familiarity. In a knockout format, it’s easy to fall behind if an opponent gets dialed in on the mission ladder.

Eight Ball (Bally, 1977)
Bally’s Eight Ball was one of the highest-selling pinball machines of all time, with over 20,000 units produced. A classic solid-state game, it features a layout that rewards precision over chaos, with simple yet effective shot-making and bonus multipliers that separate good players from great ones. It’s a no-frills pinball experience, but sometimes that’s exactly what a tournament calls for.

Devil’s Dare (Gottlieb, 1982)
Gottlieb’s Devil’s Dare is an oddball from the early ‘80s, featuring an almost horror-movie aesthetic and an asymmetrical playfield. This was one of the first pinball machines to feature ball-save mechanics, and its four flippers make for some unique shot options. It’s not as widely known as other Gottlieb titles, but it has a cult following for its distinctive gameplay and artwork.

With this eclectic mix of machines, players had to adjust their strategies on the fly—jumping from modern Sterns with deep rule sets to classic Ballys that reward simple shot-making. It was a true test of skill, and only the best flipper wizards made it through unscathed.

Celebrating the Champions

In a tournament packed with skilled players and tough machines, it was Andrew McCann who emerged victorious, proving once again why they’re ranked 94th in Washington and 572nd in the world. With over 600 events under their belt, their experience showed as they navigated the Fair Strikes format with precision and a steady hand.

Chris Wilkes put up a strong fight, taking second place after a series of impressive rounds. With a state rank of 168th and an IFPA ranking of 6865, he continues to climb the ranks, showcasing the kind of consistency that makes a real competitor.

Richard Godwin, the tournament organizer, rounded out the podium in third. Having played in over 500 IFPA events, they know how to keep a tournament running smoothly while still holding their own on the playfield. Their familiarity with the machines at Tik Tok’s Workshop definitely worked in their favor.

Kat Murphy, though unranked, made an impact in the tournament, battling through each round and adding to the competitive energy of the night. It’s always exciting to see new players step into the scene, and this tournament was no exception.

With another great event in the books, these players will undoubtedly be looking ahead to the next challenge—ready to flip, nudge, and battle for the top spot once again.

Washington’s Pinball Wizards: Top 10 Standings

Here’s a snapshot of the current top 10 players in Washington, according to the International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA):

Wrapping Up the Flippin’ Fun

The Tik Tok’s Fair Strikes tournament was a fast-paced, high-energy battle filled with skillful flipper work, dramatic comebacks, and maybe even a few frustrated tilts. Huge shout-out to Richard Godwin for running a smooth and competitive event, and to Tik Tok’s Workshop for providing one of the most welcoming pinball spaces in Washington.

A big congratulations to Andrew McCann for taking home the win—navigating through seven strikes and a lineup of tough opponents to claim victory. With this level of competition heating up, we can only imagine what’s in store for the next tournament.

What did you think of this event? Did you agree with the game selections, or were there any pinball surprises that caught your attention? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to rate this article below—because just like a good skill shot, every bit of feedback counts! Stay tuned for more tournament recaps, pinball deep dives, and the latest updates from the competitive scene. See you on the leaderboards!