The Clash of Pinball Titans at Free Play Dallas

Deep in the heart of Texas, amidst broken clouds and warm, yet comfortable temperatures, 18 pinball aficionados converged at Free Play Dallas on September 11, 2023. An evening which became a testament to dexterity, strategy, and the pure, unadulterated love of pinball.

Setting The Stage

It was 7 PM sharp when the players, organized by Chris Delp, put on their game faces. The atmospheric vibe, reminiscent of arcade glory days, was ideal for some old-school competition. The venue, equipped with an incredible array of 77 pinball machines, was a haven for lovers of the game.

But it wasn’t just fun and games – the stakes were high. Only the top eight players would move on to the finals, where two nail-biting rounds awaited them.

The Game of The Night

Amidst the whirl of flippers and flash of lights, the semifinals stood out for one game on Rush (Pro) by Stern. Randy Nelson from Roanoke, TX, may have an IFPA rank of 4208, but he proved that rank isn’t everything, finishing ahead of several higher-ranked competitors. However, Garrett Shahan, with a towering rank of 125, secured the top spot, asserting his prowess.

The Conquerors of The Night

When the final ball had settled, the leaderboard shone with these names:

  1. Clark McCoy from Denton, TX: A force to reckon with.
  2. Greg Gibson from Plano, TX: A dark horse that took many by surprise.
  3. Garrett Shahan: No stranger to the pinball elite.
  4. Randy Nelson from Roanoke, TX: A testament to the spirit of the game.
  5. Chris Delp from North Texas: The organizer, proving he can play as well as he can host.

…and the list went on, featuring players from all over Texas who brought their A-game.

Machines That Made History

While every machine at the venue had its charm, a few stood out for their legacy and gameplay experience:

The Venue: A Blast from The Past

Free Play Dallas is a treasure trove for retro game enthusiasts. However, a word to the wise – while the games transport you to a fantastical world, the pizzas bring you back to reality with their not-so-generous size and price. The pro-tip? Come for the games, stay for the drinks, but maybe dine elsewhere.

The Elite of Texas Pinball

While the night celebrated the champions, it’s worth mentioning Texas’s Top 10 Pinball Maestros:

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Jack RevnewThe Woodlands490
2Garrett ShahanDenton442.76
3Phil GrimaldiHouston338.48
4Wesley JohnsonCollege Station320.83
5Lee BalusekConroe254.5
6Fred RevnewThe Woodlands248.59
7Brian KrivonakCorpus Christi246.12
8Collier WhitefieldSan Antonio223.13
9Gilbert HerreraSan Antonio211.3
10Kevin RodriguezDenton206.72

To The Future and Beyond

As the evening came to an end, the buzz of excitement, competition, and camaraderie lingered in the air. Stay tuned to the realm of pinball for more such nights of thrilling gameplay and dramatic showdowns!

The Wrath of Pinball: An Undisclosed Evening of Texas-sized Challenges

On a mysterious evening, September 7, 2023, the sun set somewhere in Texas, not just to bring forth the starry night, but to signal the onset of the Wrath of Pinball tournament. And as darkness enveloped the Lone Star State, 13 elite pinball enthusiasts gathered at a location so secretive even the owls and coyotes were left guessing.

An Evening of Unpredictability

Organized by the enigmatic Ray Ford, the tournament started at 8 PM and ran for an impressive 7 and a half hours. With 5 grueling rounds, each player battled the machines, gravity, and, of course, their fellow competitors. The objective? Simple, yet daunting: amass the most points and emerge as the ultimate pinball wizard.

The Surprise Standout Round

Round 2 witnessed an unexpected twist, played on Cactus Canyon by Bally. It wasn’t just about the ball and flippers, but the dramatic turnaround of ranks. Dave Parisotto, with an IFPA rank of 18863, clinched the top spot, leaving Jonathon Morales and Lee Thibodeau in wonderment. Lee, despite having no official rank, showcased sheer talent. A true testimony that sometimes, it’s the spirit of the game that truly counts.

And The Winners Are…

At the end of this undisclosed rollercoaster:

  1. Keb Gallows: A regular with 32 IFPA events, claiming his victory.
  2. Ray Ford: The man himself, not just an organizer, but a fierce competitor from Austin, Texas.
  3. Larry Morales: Another Austin native, showing that this city isn’t just about live music.
  4. Alex Johnson305: A wild card, first-time player making a mark.

The Machines That Made The Night

Among the 17 majestic pinball machines present, a few stood out with their legacy:

Texas’s Pinball Legends

Amidst the secrecy of the event, one thing remains transparent: Texas’s Top 10 Pinball Maestros:

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Jack RevnewThe Woodlands490
2Garrett ShahanDenton442.76
3Phil GrimaldiHouston338.48
4Wesley JohnsonCollege Station320.83
5Lee BalusekConroe254.5
6Fred RevnewThe Woodlands248.59
7Brian KrivonakCorpus Christi246.12
8Collier WhitefieldSan Antonio223.13
9Gilbert HerreraSan Antonio211.3
10Kevin RodriguezDenton206.72

Until Next Time…

Though the venue remains a secret, the passion and skill of these pinball enthusiasts are undeniable. As the night faded and the flippers rested, the world was left with tales of a thrilling tournament somewhere in Texas. One can only hope Ray Ford will drop us a hint about the next location. Stay tuned for more updates from the mysterious world of pinball!

Belles & Chimes SATX – Summer 2023 #6

There’s something about the collision of steel with plastic, the clatter of the flippers, and the mesmerizing dance of lights that turns a mere game of pinball into an electrifying performance. And on August 22, 2023, the best in Texas came together for this performance, in the Belles & Chimes SATX – Summer 2023 #6 pinball tournament, orchestrated by the fantastic Christina Cheeseman.

From Family Fun to Fierce Competition: A Spotlight on The Addams Family

Round 5 proved why The Addams Family by Bally remains a timeless classic since its debut in 1992. Amanda Brawner from Austin showcased precision and strategy to clinch the top spot. However, organizer Christina Cheeseman wasn’t far behind, landing third and reminding everyone of her pinball prowess.

The Cream of the Pinball Crop

While the competition was fierce, four players stood out from the rest. Alice Young, with her incredible ball control and timing, claimed the throne. Not far behind, Amanda Brawner and Rebecca Salam showcased their unparalleled skills, securing second and third spots, respectively. Jovanna Barrientez, despite being a lesser-known name in the pinball circle, showed she’s not one to be underestimated.

A Journey Through Pinball History

The tournament’s machines offered a trip through the annals of pinball history. From the beachy vibes of Baywatch by Sega (1995) to the rush of Hot Wheels by American Pinball (2020), players were treated to a delightful mix. The thrilling chases in Taxi by Williams (1988) and the hauntingly fun gameplay of Ghostbusters (Pro) by Stern (2016) further added to the nostalgia.

Venue: A Mystery Awaiting

Christina, a tiny request for next time: Could we get a hint about the venue on MatchPlay? The suspense is almost as intense as a tight pinball game! We’d love to dive into the ambiance and history of the place.

Texas’ Pinball Maestros:

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Jack RevnewThe Woodlands489.96
2Garrett ShahanDenton433.69
3Phil GrimaldiHouston338.49
4Wesley JohnsonCollege Station317.44
5Lee BalusekConroe254.5
6Fred RevnewThe Woodlands248.59
7Brian KrivonakCorpus Christi231.83
8Collier WhitefieldSan Antonio210.19
9Kevin RodriguezDenton204.52
10Gilbert HerreraSan Antonio194.05

For the pinball aficionados out there, keep your flippers ready and your game strong. Till the next clatter of the ball, keep scoring and stay tuned for more tales from the pinball realm!

EinStein’s Drainiacs

On Saturday, January 8th, EinStein’s Drainiacs Pinball Tournament was held at Einstein’s Pub in Katy, Texas. The tournament was organized by Space City Pinball, who supplied a variety of 19 pinball machines to play on throughout the day. The tournament attracted 31 players from all over the area.

Chris Geist took first place in the tournament, followed by Jim Mueller in second, Elizabeth Dronet in third, Wesley Johnson in fourth and Andrew Garcia in fifth. The tournament featured games such as Rush (Pro) manufactured by Stern released 01-01-2022, Godzilla (Pro) manufactured by Stern released 09-14-2021, AC/DC (Premium Vault Edition) manufactured by Stern released 07-01-2017, James Bond 007 (Pro) manufactured by Stern released 09-01-2022, Game of Thrones (LE) manufactured by Stern released 11-01-2015, Total Nuclear Annihilation manufactured by Spooky Pinball released 01-01-2017, Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast (Premium) manufactured by Stern released 04-01-2018 and Avengers: Infinity Quest (LE) manufactured by Stern released 09-01-2020.

The tournament was a great success and many participants were excited to join the next one. To find out more about the tournament, upcoming events and more, visit the Space City Pinball website at https://www.spacecitypinball.com/einsteins/.

The current pinball standings in the IFPA North America Championship Series Texas are incredibly competitive. Wesley Johnson of College Station is at the top of the leaderboard with a staggering 35.63 points and a current WPPR rank of 280. Jack Revnew of The Woodlands is close behind with 31.62 points and a current WPPR rank of 395. Lee Balusek of Conroe is in third with 28.11 points and a current WPPR rank of 684. Other noteworthy players in the top 10 include David Pollock of Conroe, currently ranked 317 with 17.46 points, Chris Little of San Antonio, currently ranked 135 with 16.14 points, and Tony Chbeir of San Antonio, currently ranked 2564 with 11.83 points. It is an exciting time for pinball players in Texas and fans are excited to see who will come out on top!