I had a big post ready to go about playing in the Northwest Pinball and Gameroom tournament last month, but then the Internet ate it. Damn you, Internet!
The quick summary:
- I didn't get to play Whirlwind again in the playoffs. That game is just going to have to continue being my white whale.
- We played in four-player groups, with half the players eliminated each round (16 qualified). In the first round, I had a great third ball on Creature From the Black Lagoon (thanks to the "Move Your Car!" mode) to take second place, and I pulled out a victory on the final game (and the only electro-mechanical game of the bunch), Royal Flush, to move on.
- In round 2 I was up against the #2 ranked pinball player in the world (and yes, they do rank these things), Keith Elwin. I did about as well as I could have expected in the first two games, finishing second to Keith in the first two games. I also took second on the final game (Royal Flush again) to move on to the finals!
- In the finals, I got my ass handed to me. But, by virtue of finishing 4th, I took home $300... a pretty good take! And, as I told Andrew in my best Rocky voice, "I just wanted to go the distance." It was nice having him and Julia there in the gallery to cheer me on.
For the full results, click here. To see how far I moved up in the world pinball rankings this month, click here.
I'll have a photo essay up, at some point, when I get some time to do some writing. (If ever.)
Pinball tournaments are surprisingly fun to watch. Listen up, ESPN2: this is the new poker.
Congrats James!
When is the movie version of your experience coming out?
Congratulations, glad to see you've still got game!
Whirlwind was one of the few machines that I did well on at PAPA last year. Gee, I wonder why?
Andrew is working on at least one pinball screenplay. I believe it's about a brash young hotshot who's new mentor disapproves of his "California style."