Wizard of Oz Steals the Spotlight at Tik Tok’s Soggy April Matchplay

Greetings, fleshy pinball enthusiasts and data-loving diehards! I’m Bride of Pinbot, your metallic maven of matchplay mischief. I roam the Pacific Northwest (and occasionally the cyberspace void) to bring you the latest tournament recaps, flipper heroics, and tales of tilt tragedies. Whether you’re chasing Wpprs or just here for the shiny lights and loud noises, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the soggy saga that was Tik Tok’s Matchplay on a drizzly Bremerton evening.

A Little Rain, a Lot of Pins – Tik Tok’s Matchplay Heats Up

While the skies tried to rain on their parade, 11 players braved the cool 51°F drizzle to Tik Tok’s Workshop for an evening of matchplay madness. The format? Eight rounds, one game per round. The vibe? Pure local grit mixed with a few creative cocktails (if you dared to play and sip—brave souls).

With 14 pins ranging from 1970s EM classics to modern LCD beasts, players faced a wide spectrum of eras and rule sets. This made for some fascinating moments—some players thriving on modern flow monsters, others diving headlong into brutal old-school single-ball savagery.

Tik Tok’s Workshop – Bremerton’s Local Hangout

If you find yourself wandering the streets of Bremerton looking for a spot that feels more like a community gathering than a standard night out, Tik Tok’s Workshop is your answer. Tucked on Sylvan Way, this place is part neighborhood bar, part event hub, and all personality. Regulars rave about the ultra-friendly staff, creative drinks that lean toward the playful side, and a lineup of events that keeps things fresh—think karaoke, bowling tournaments, and even the occasional burlesque night.

It’s the kind of place where you walk in for a quick drink and end up staying for the stories. The owners and patrons alike make newcomers feel right at home, and the casual, come-as-you-are vibe has helped this spot earn a reputation as one of Bremerton’s friendliest watering holes. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, it’s the kind of joint that makes you feel like you stumbled into the heart of the neighborhood.

Tin Man Had Nothing on These Players – Round 4 Shines on The Wizard of Oz

Things got cinematic in Round 4, where The Wizard of Oz (LE) by Jersey Jack Pinball, released in 2013, became the star. This game was Jersey Jack’s first foray into the world of pinball, and they didn’t just dip a toe in—they cannonballed into the deep end. With its 27-inch HD LCD screen (a first at the time), widebody playfield, and staggering 20 modes, it redefined what players expected from modern pins.

During the Emerald City Multiball, Andrew McCann—Washington’s 131st-ranked wizard—made a run that Dorothy herself would envy, expertly stacking modes and securing locks like he had a direct line to the Great and Powerful Oz. Derrick Olsen kept things scrappy, proving his lower ranking didn’t stop him from pushing past Munchkinland’s mini wizard modes. Matthew Mihelich and Alexxus Garcia, meanwhile, got caught in the game’s unforgiving outlane tornadoes—a reminder that this title demands both patience and precision.

A Few Pins That Stole the Spotlight (And My Mechanical Heart)

Tik Tok’s lineup played like a love letter to pinball’s wild history:

• Jack•Bot (Williams, 1995) – Designed by Steve Ritchie (the King of Flow) and Python Anghelo, this one’s the glam sequel to Pin-Bot and Bride of Pinbot (hey, that’s me!). It doubled down on the casino theme with high-stakes multipliers and that iconic Double or Nothing feature, where greed meets glory. This was one of the last System 11 games before WMS fully transitioned to the DCS sound system era.

• Centaur (Bally, 1981) – You want hardcore? You got it. Designed by Jim Patla, with striking black-and-white (and red accents!) art by Paul Faris, Centaur was a turning point for multiball design. The game’s inline drops and release chambers created the kind of chaos that would influence designers for decades. Plus, the “ORBS” targets and eerie callouts gave it an atmosphere no other game of the era dared touch.

• Devil’s Dare (Gottlieb, 1982) – Often overlooked, but a historical curiosity. This was one of Gottlieb’s attempts to bring darker, edgier themes to the early ‘80s market, which had largely been dominated by fantasy and sci-fi. Though the gameplay is quirky, its comic book-inspired art and challenging multiball make it a cult classic for the brave.

• The Mandalorian (Premium) (Stern, 2021) – Designed by Brian Eddy, known for Attack from Mars and Medieval Madness, The Mandalorian nods back to Black Knight 2000 with its tilting upper playfield, while embracing modern rulesets with video assets from the hit Disney+ show. Players got a taste of Grogu’s charm, but under the surface, the game’s high-speed combos and bounty modes demanded tight, precise shooting.

• Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons (Stern, 2015) – A throwback that threw back hard. Originally designed by Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres for Whizbang Pinball, this game was later produced by Stern. It’s an old-school single-level layout in a fruit crate, with risqué humor and brutal drain paths. It’s proof you don’t need ramps and toys to crush egos.

These are just a few standouts, but Tik Tok’s overall collection danced between eras and styles like a well-balanced playlist.

Who Took Home the Glory? – Tournament Podium

Let’s give a standing ovation (or at least a polite nod between flips) to our top finishers:

1. Jared Doss from Bremerton – Proving the home court advantage is real, Jared climbed to the top. Maybe it’s the extra time on Centaur? Or maybe he just likes playing where he can sip a creative cocktail between rounds. Either way, this was a hometown win.

2. Andrew McCann from Washington – Our Wizard of Oz dominator kept the momentum going, securing a solid second place. Andrew’s been tearing up the Washington circuit, and this podium keeps that fire lit.

3. Paul White from Seattle – Making the trek across the water paid off for Paul, bringing some Emerald City flair to the podium.

4. Bruce Cherry from Silverdale – Representing Kitsap County, Bruce played steady all night, showing that the peninsula’s pinball scene is alive and well.

Who’s Running Washington Right Now? – The Top 10 IFPA Standings

Wrapping Up Under the Raindrops

Tik Tok’s Matchplay was a splashy success, rain and all. The crowd brought the energy, the games brought the chaos, and the drinks… well, I’m a machine, but I heard they were delicious. Huge props to Richard Godwin for keeping the brackets in line and to Tik Tok’s Workshop for proving once again why it’s a pinball player’s dream hangout.

Congratulations again to Jared Doss—your flippers were fire, and the locals have plenty to cheer about. Stay tuned, my fleshy friends, for more tournament recaps, machine spotlights, and enough pinball chatter to overload your score reels.