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Pinball tournament in Fairfax, Virginia - Jan 21

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LeaveManyCredits

unread,
Jan 10, 2006, 2:33:05 PM1/10/06
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There will be a pinball tournament at John's Place on January 21, 2006.

John's Place is located at 11104 Lee Highway:
http://www.fspazone.org/gotojohns

Qualifying will begin at noon and will last until 7:00 p.m. The last
entries will be sold at 6:30 p.m.
An entry will consist of three games played. These games will be
chosen out of the five (or possibly four) game bank. There will be a
bank of games for the A division, and a bank of games for the B
division.
Entries will be priced at $10 and 50 cents per game for A entries, $5
and 50 cents per game for B entries.
The winner of the A division will be guaranteed to win at least $200.
ALL money received for entry fees will go to the top place finishers in
the divisions. Therefore, if there are a large number of participants,
the A division winner will win more than $200.
Players can purchase as many entries as they like during the qualifying
phase.

Scores during qualifying will be similar to the Hurricane Katrina
tournament, which is similar to the California Extreme tournament,
which is kind of like a baby PAPA tournament.
Permission has been given by Kevin Martin to use his excellent method
of tournament scoring. Touenrment software graciously provided by
pinball world champion Bowen Kerins.

Basically, all of the games that have been played on a tournament game
are put in order with the top score scoring 100 points and the worst
scores scoring very few or even zero points. The three scores from the
three games of an entry are added up and compared to other players'
"added up" scores. These scores are fluid, and will change (score less
points) as more entries are played. I'm not going to type much on this
now, but if you have questions on this, please post them or send me an
email.
If there are 11 players or less in a division, 4 players will qualify.

If there are 12-17 players in a division, 6 players will qualify.
If there are 18 or more players, 8 players will qualify.

Those who qualify will play a head-to-head single elimination bracket,
best 2 out of 3.
Byes will be given to the top qualifiers. The higher qualifier in the
head-to-head games will also have order of play or game pick for the
first game, so qualify high!

Extra balls will be disabled. Ball savers will be turned off. Bang
backs and death saves are not allowed.

There will be mini-tournaments running from noon until at least 8 p.m.
They will be:
One hand on the handles
Split handle
One ball, and the wintertime favorite......
Frosty glass

Entries will cost $5, the split handle tourney will cost $5 per team.
Coin drop will be 50 cents on these as well.
ALL monies received from the entry fees will be pooled and given to the
top two finishers.
First place will receive at least $35 and second place will win at
least $15.
Even if you are not able to make tha main tournament, come on out and
play in the mini-tournaments or just come and hang out and play some
pin.

John's Place has food and there are many restaurants within walking
distance.

Feel free to post or send emails with any questions, concerns or
complaints regarding this tournament.

Hope to see you there.

Chris Newsom

LeaveManyCredits

unread,
Jan 15, 2006, 6:55:04 PM1/15/06
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McEwen IT

unread,
Jan 18, 2006, 2:55:17 PM1/18/06
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I am definitely coming out for this one,

Anyone who likes playing good working games,
with great people, should come out and support
this event, you won't be sorry.

I'm going to be coming from Philadelphia for it.
Multiple divisions, and all the mini-tournaments
there is something for everyone.

I hope to see more events like this in the future.
And more operators like Chris. Locations
with this many games(and variety) that work are rare.
thx
mcewen

LeaveManyCredits

unread,
Jan 18, 2006, 9:43:03 PM1/18/06
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Right on.
Anyone who comes from over 100 miles to attend the tournament will
receive 2 free mini-tournament entries.

Chris

madsygrl

unread,
Jan 18, 2006, 9:52:04 PM1/18/06
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Damn...
Now all you need is a staffed nursery and we'd be there!

(You and John'll snap up all the top spots anyway :-) )

MAD

LeaveManyCredits

unread,
Jan 19, 2006, 1:01:33 AM1/19/06
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I am not going to play in any of the scheduled tournaments.
However, I will have some cash on me for some "head to head one game
tournaments" should anyone be so inclined. :)

Come on down if you can.

Chris

FInsOutOrDie

unread,
Jan 19, 2006, 10:34:33 AM1/19/06
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I can't wait for this tournament.... I just signed up for the fspa
league a week or two ago (first timer) and am anxiously awaiting the
start of the season. This tournament is the perfect thing to get me in
that mindset. John's place is truly a gem of a pinball place, I feel
real lucky I live pretty close by. I've been headin up there a couple
nights a week to get my fix, and the machines there are in niiice
condition. Can't wait to meet the people I've been talkin to
face-to-face, hopin to pick up some pointers too.

Mr. Paul from Virginia

unread,
Jan 19, 2006, 1:59:46 PM1/19/06
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Chris won't play anyway, but I dont' expect McEwen to be "snapping up"
any cash. He might win something in the long run, but we'll make sure
it is hard fought.

I have a few different strategies for dealing with McEwen: Spicy food;
lumpy mattress; All night pinball; or even as a last resort: Free Beer

We always expect to see a few more ringers anyhow, especially since
Newsom is guaranteeing a minimum prize.

Good Luck to all and may the best win!!

Paul

McEwen IT

unread,
Jan 19, 2006, 3:36:53 PM1/19/06
to
nonsense.. get your a relative to take care of the lil tyke. hehe

and they won't let me play both division so worries..
i havent won much there yet.. :P

sonicmario

unread,
Jan 19, 2006, 11:05:42 PM1/19/06
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Can't wait for this tourney!

I'll be pulling a newsom : 218 mi (according to google maps)

Steve B. (SSB)

--
"You fools! I told you to use the Atomic Blaster!"
-- The King of Payne (Medieval Madness)

Mr. Paul from Virginia

unread,
Jan 20, 2006, 12:10:54 PM1/20/06
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So, if I drive in From Atlantic City, I get 2 free entries?

PMc

heckheck

unread,
Jan 20, 2006, 1:28:58 PM1/20/06
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LeaveManyCredits wrote:
> There will be mini-tournaments running from noon until at least 8 p.m.
> They will be:
> Frosty glass
>

If this invoves putting a cold piece of glass into a warm machine, it
sounds like a sure recipie for glass confetti!

h_h

McEwen IT

unread,
Jan 21, 2006, 2:56:24 AM1/21/06
to
okay paul,

let me know when u place in the finals
of a fairfax tournament..

i'm pulling a newsom and qualifying 1st..

mcewen

LeaveManyCredits

unread,
Jan 21, 2006, 4:06:48 AM1/21/06
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Pulling a Newsom (>100 miles drive to the tournament), very nice!!
Two free mini-tournament entries for you!

Thanks for the support Steve.

Chris

LeaveManyCredits

unread,
Jan 21, 2006, 4:20:48 AM1/21/06
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Frosty glass will not be cold in temperature, but will involve
obstructed view of the playfield.

Tournament game list update.
The following games will be used in the A and B division tournament
banks:
Dirty Harry
World Cup Soccer '94
Skateball
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Attack From Mars
Mars God of War
Mousin' Around
The Sopranos

Additional games will be used for the mini-tournaments :
One hand on the handles, Split handle (hmm wonder which game will be
used for these)
One ball and
Frosty Glass

There will also be additional games to play.

Chris

Mr. Paul from Virginia

unread,
Jan 22, 2006, 10:42:38 AM1/22/06
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Great Job, Chris!

Another great tournament. Lots of fun for everybody who came out.
13 total players in the main event, but more than 20 total came out to
play and enjoy. I still think these things will grow with time,
especially if we give advance notice.

The frosty glass tournament was the most popular event. 35 total
entries. This was played on Meteor. With the glass coated with some
frosty glad wrap, folks felt like the prizes weren't just going to the
top players on this one.

B Division was won by Justin Bath of Bowie Maryland.
A Division was won by Colin Horner, another FSPA player.

I thought the qualifying format was good for giving incentive to play
multiple entries. A lot of strategy to this type of format-- perhaps
more so than at PAPA because of the smaller number of games played.

The format was also great to give flexibility if folks have a limited
schedule. I think this format gave more time for folks to look at the
mini-tournaments as well.

Next "big event" at John's Place in Fairfax, VA will be the 3rd Annual
Fairfax Pinball open, on March 17-19, with the main tournament on
Saturday, March 18.

www.virginiapinball.org

Of course there is always Monday Night Pinball, with the FSPA season
starting on February 6 (practice night) and February 13 (week 1) at
John's Place. Also playing on Wednesdays at the VolleyBall House in
Elkridge, MD, beginning on February 1 (practice) and February 8 (Week
1).

John's Place is open from noon to midnight every day, with 10 pins on
location, thanks to Mr. Newsom and "John".

PMc

www.fspazone.org

Mr. Paul from Virginia

unread,
Jan 22, 2006, 1:29:37 PM1/22/06
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Ok, John,

Only because you asked me to let you know. Oh, you were there. Never
mind.

PMc

CAH

unread,
Jan 23, 2006, 9:00:18 AM1/23/06
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> A Division was won by Colin Horner, another FSPA player.

I'll have to take this opportunity I guess to thank "Uncle Belsito" for
helping me to qualify at the very end, Belsitoing Steve (sorry) out. I
ended up the tournament's official "Per", with (I think) 8 entries.

Special thanks to Chris Newsom for running this first class event, John
McEwen for bring down the DH and the Mousin' Around, Bowen Kerins for
graciously allowing us to use the tournament software, Scott Sidley for
helping to insure we knew how to use it, and to all those who pulled a
"Newsom" (Steve, Koi, John).

McEwen IT

unread,
Jan 23, 2006, 5:52:26 PM1/23/06
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errr.. ya.. lol..

nice top qualifier.. paul. .and 2nd place.. congrats..

i guess those strategies proved useful. hehe :-)

next time... atleast i dominated on mousin around, snickers

was fun.. thx all
j

LeaveManyCredits

unread,
Jan 23, 2006, 9:44:24 PM1/23/06
to
Thanks to everyone who came out and took part in this event. We had
four long distance participants, Koi Morris from New Jersey, Steve
Bowden from New Jersey, John McEwen from Philadelphia and Betty
Holsopple from Pennsylvania.
Special thanks to pinball world champion Bowen Kerins for allowing his
software to be used, Scott Sidley for software support, Paul McGlone
for logistical support and John McEwen for bringing down two additional
games. Your help was indispensable in running this tournament.

As Paul said more than twenty people were present playing pin, 13 of
them played in the qualifying tournaments. 6 in A and 7 in B division.
Four players qualified for the playoffs in each division. In the
playoffs the third and fourth place qualifiers played a match against
each other. The winner of that match played a match against the second
place qualifier. The winner of that match played a match against the
top qualifier. All matches were best 2 out of 3 with the higher
qualifier choosing either the game or order of play. After that the
loser of the game chose the next game or order of play. A entries cost
$10 and B entries cost $5. Coin drop of 50 cents per game.

Here is the result of the A division qualifying:

1. Paul McGlone (on his first entry)
2. Colin Horner (Belsito-style)
3. John McEwen
4. Sergio Johnson


Here is the result of the B division qualifying:

1. Justin Bath
2. Lee Holsopple
3. Koi Morris
4. Brian Leonard


In the A division playoffs:

John McEwen defeated Sergio Johnson on Mousin' Around and Mars of War

Colin Horner defeated John McEwen on Getaway and Attack From Mars

Colin Horner defeated Paul McGlone on Attack From Mars and Getaway

Colin Horner won $200
Paul McGlone won $75
John McEwen won $50


In the B division playoffs:

Koi Morris defeated Brian Leonard in a close three game match

Lee Holsopple defeated Koi Morris

Justin Bath defeated Lee Holsopple

Justin Bath won $50
Lee Holsopple won $35
Koi Morris won $25

On to the mini-tournaments.

There was much mini-tournament action. I had guaranteed $35 to first
place and $15 to secaond place in each mini-tournament, but said that I
would give 70% of the total entry pool to first place and 30% of the
total entry pool to second place for each tournament. I gave each long
distance traveler two complimentary mini-tournament entries.

Results of the mini-tournaments:

Frosty Glass on Stern Meteor:
35 plays!
$165 prize pool (two complimentary entries)
First place: Justin Bath with a score of 329,810. Justin won $115.50
Second place: Steve Bowden with a score of 255,480. Steve won $49.50
Frosty Belsitos by both Justin and Steve.

One Ball on Getaway:
26 plays
$120 prize pool (two complimentary entries)
First place: Colin Horner with a score of 107,859,040. Colin won $84
Second place: John McEwen with a score of 64,133,650. John won $36

Split handle on Demolition Man (cabinet flipper buttons were disabled
on Demo Man):
14 plays
$60 prize pool (two complimentary entries)
First place: Colin Horner and Steve Bowden with a score of
1,635,068,860. Colin and Steve won $42
Second place: Paul McGlone and John McEwen with a score of
1,402,108,470. Paul and John won $18

One hand on the handles on Demolition Man:
13 plays
First place: Sergio Johnson with a score of 887,809,060. Sergio won
$42
Second place: Colin Horner with a score of 490,990,920. Colin won
$16.50

Congratulations to all who won and thanks again to all who came out!
I expect to run something similar in the near future. Hopefully with
bigger prizes!
As Paul said the 3rd Annual Fairfax Pinball Open will take place on
March 17-19, so don't miss it:

www.virginiapinball.org

Chris

Koi Morris

unread,
Jan 23, 2006, 11:41:45 PM1/23/06
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I second that. Chris did a great job in running the tournament. I
enjoyed the mini-tournaments as well. Playing that DM using the
triggers only sure made the game more challenging. The frosty
tournament on Meteor was rather interesting. Another frosty
mini-tournament should be run at the Fairfax Open, but using a 90s or
later game.

Koi

sonicmario

unread,
Jan 24, 2006, 9:55:57 PM1/24/06
to
Once again, it was definitely worth the trip from NJ for this
tournament. I hope that you continue to run tourneys this way (using
the qualifing bank system), even though I got Belsitoed out of the
A-division playoffs (I guess that's the way the pinball bounces!). I
wonder if it would really be better to have a frosty glass on a
contemporary game.... For example: I shudder to think about the pain
that a Frosty Attack from Mars would bring or a Frosty Dracula. And
don't even think about a Frosty DM!

Let's start to get the word out about the Fairfax Pinball Open early so
that many more people will participate. More pinball competition = more
gooder!

My Unofficial Belsito Score:
Number of times I Besitoed ---> 1 (Meteor)
Number of times I got Belsitoed ---> 2 (Thanks Colin and Justin)

CAH

unread,
Jan 25, 2006, 4:22:26 PM1/25/06
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sonicmario wrote:

> My Unofficial Belsito Score:
> Number of times I Besitoed ---> 1 (Meteor)
> Number of times I got Belsitoed ---> 2 (Thanks Colin and Justin)

np, just call me next time you want to be Belsitoed. I'll try my best
to oblige.

sonicmario

unread,
Jan 29, 2006, 10:59:15 AM1/29/06
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>CAH wrote:
>
> np, just call me next time you want to be Belsitoed. I'll try my best
> to oblige.

Hmmm... maybe I should have written in ::sarcasm:: or something like
that....

Anyway....

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