Cara Eisinger Takes the Win at Player 1 Arcade’s Side Tournament

Hey there, fellow pinball wizards! It’s me, Bride of Pinbot, your trusty chronicler of all things bumpers, flippers, and dramatic multi-ball moments. If there’s a tournament happening, you can bet I’m here to bring you the highlights—along with a few side quips about the chaos of competition.

This time, we’re heading to the warm desert air of Surprise, Arizona, where Player 1 Arcade hosted its latest side tournament. A five-round, single-game-per-round format meant players had to bring their A-game from the get-go. With 21 competitors battling it out in a fast-paced, two-and-a-half-hour showdown, let’s dive into the action.

A Look Inside Player 1 Arcade

Located in the heart of Surprise, Arizona, Player 1 Arcade is a love letter to pinball enthusiasts and casual players alike. It’s the kind of place where a couple can go on a nostalgic date night, only to get sucked into the thrill of competition. The lineup of machines is well-maintained, and the atmosphere is relaxed yet engaging—exactly what you want when you’re chasing a high score. There’s even a bar for players who need to unwind between rounds, plus a pinball league for those who want to take their game to the next level.

And if you happen to make a pit stop in the bathrooms, you’ll find some of the most unique arcade-themed murals around. A-ha’s Take on Me mural is a particular standout, but tributes to Bowie, Prince, and Ghostbusters make it worth taking a lap through all three. Just another example of how Player 1 Arcade goes the extra mile to make the experience memorable.

Foo Fighters (LE) Turns Up the Volume in Round 5

Round 5 delivered one of the most exciting matchups of the night, thanks to Stern’s Foo Fighters (LE)—a game that proves pinball and rock ‘n’ roll are a match made in heaven. Released in March 2023, this machine was designed by Jack Danger, a rising star in the pinball world who made his mark as a streaming personality before jumping into the industry as a designer. Foo Fighters is loaded with unique features, including a second upper playfield (exclusive to the LE and Premium versions) where players must battle the Overlord, an alien attempting to brainwash humanity.

This machine also introduces Deadpost, a sneaky left outlane save that requires quick reflexes—exactly the kind of skill needed in high-pressure tournament settings. The machine’s vibrant comic-book style artwork by Zombie Yeti and a soundtrack featuring Foo Fighters hits from across their career make it a favorite among both music lovers and competitive players.

Matt Inglot, ranked 119th in Arizona, played like he was on a stadium tour, nailing key shots to secure the win in this final round. Cara Eisinger, repping New River, AZ, put up a strong fight but landed in second. Meanwhile, Christy Kohtz from Phoenix grabbed third, with Diane Smith rounding out the group in fourth. All four players showed solid skill, but Matt’s ability to capitalize on multi-ball stacking and precise combo shots gave him the edge.

From Dinosaurs to Jedi: The Pinball Lineup That Challenged Players

With 17 different machines in play, this tournament had something for every type of pinball fan. Here are some of the standouts and what makes them legendary:

• Star Wars (Premium) – Stern (2017): Designed by Steve Ritchie, the “Master of Flow,” this pinball machine captures the fast-paced action of the original Star Wars trilogy. Players choose between Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, or Darth Vader, each offering different gameplay perks. The Hyperloop ramp, which whips the ball around at high speed, is a signature feature of this game.

• The Mandalorian (Pro) – Stern (2021): Another Star Wars-themed hit from Stern, this one puts players in the boots of Din Djarin, the Mandalorian, as he takes on bounty hunting missions. The Razor Crest ship acts as a multi-ball lock, and the game’s mini-playfield featuring Grogu (Baby Yoda) offers precision-based challenges.

• Avengers: Infinity Quest (Premium) – Stern (2020): Designed by Keith Elwin, a competitive pinball legend turned designer, this game features deep strategic play centered around collecting the Infinity Stones. The Doctor Strange spinning disc alters ball trajectory and keeps every game unpredictable, making it a great mix of skill and randomness.

• Rush (Pro) – Stern (2022): Music pins are a specialty for Stern, and this one pays homage to Canada’s greatest progressive rock band. The Time Machine ramp transports balls through time, and Rush’s biggest hits—like “Tom Sawyer” and “Limelight”—blare as players progress through different album-inspired modes.

• Cyclone – Williams (1988): Designed by Barry Oursler, this carnival-themed classic is all about precision shooting rather than multi-ball madness. The Ferris Wheel physically carries the ball, and the game includes a “Comet” shot leftover from its predecessor, Comet (1985).

• Tales of the Arabian Nights – Williams (1996): Designed by John Popadiuk, this game is widely considered one of the most beautiful pinball machines ever made. The spinning lamp, which affects ball movement, and the story-driven gameplay make it feel like an adventure as players battle the evil Genie and rescue the princess.

• Jurassic Park (Pro) – Stern (2019): A modern pinball masterpiece designed by Keith Elwin, featuring a T-Rex head that eats the ball and a deep, strategy-heavy rule set. Players must capture dinosaurs and escape Isla Nublar before becoming dino food.

• Guardians of the Galaxy – Stern (2017): This machine combines James Gunn’s hit film with high-energy pinball action. The Orb multi-ball is a fan-favorite, and players can enjoy callouts from Rocket Raccoon and the gang while jamming to the movie’s Awesome Mixtape.

A Champion Emerges

After five intense rounds, the final results were in, and Cara Eisinger emerged victorious, proving that rankings aren’t everything when it comes to competitive pinball. As the 188th-ranked player in Arizona and sitting at IFPA rank 4812, she wasn’t the highest-ranked competitor in the field, but her consistent play and ability to capitalize on key shots secured her the win. With nearly 90 IFPA events under her belt, her experience showed as she outmaneuvered higher-ranked players and took home first place.

Coming in second place was Jimmy Shilson from Drumheller, Alberta. With an impressive IFPA rank of 744, he was the highest-ranked player in the top four, making him the tournament favorite on paper. Jimmy has competed in 190 IFPA events, showing that he has plenty of tournament experience, and his second-place finish reinforces that he’s a force to be reckoned with, no matter the location.

Taking third place, Dylan Medeiros also had a strong showing. Ranked 102nd in Arizona and 1128th worldwide, he finished just behind a much higher-ranked player in Jimmy, proving that his high-pressure performance was top-tier. With 86 events logged, he’s a solid competitor who clearly knows how to navigate the ups and downs of tournament play.

Rounding out the top four, Allen Krahn finished in fourth place. As the 235th-ranked player in Arizona and IFPA rank 7889, Allen came into the tournament as an underdog compared to his higher-ranked opponents. However, by making the top four, he outperformed expectations and put up an impressive showing against players with significantly more experience.

Where Arizona’s Best Players Stand

Game Over… For Now

Another tournament in the books, and what a battle it was! Cara Eisinger’s victory proved that rankings don’t dictate results, while Jimmy Shilson, Dylan Medeiros, and Allen Krahn each brought their own brand of pinball prowess to the top four. Whether it was navigating the chaotic multi-ball action on Foo Fighters (LE), taming the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, or threading the ramps on Avengers: Infinity Quest, every competitor had to adapt to some of the best-designed machines in pinball history.

A huge thank you to Jim Smith for organizing a smooth and exciting event, and to Player 1 Arcade for providing such a stellar lineup of games in an inviting, well-maintained space. If you’re looking to test your flipper skills, Player 1 Arcade runs leagues and tournaments regularly—so check them out on Facebook for updates.

Until next time, keep your shots clean, your nudges subtle, and your outlanes avoided!