Date: 12th August, 2010
Location: SS Billiards, 732 11th Avenue South, Hopkins, Minnesota 55343, USA.

This pinball event replaced the previous mid-week pinball tournament. Due to a change in my schedule, I was able to attend and even compete in the entire event. I share my experience to you, faithful readers of Pinball News.

Threat of nasty weather

Happy Shiny Faces

Announcement of the “Crazy Joe” Event

Announcement of the LTG Party

Even though a few ToPS tournaments were running and a few pinball machines were for sale during the “Crazy Joe” Pinball Event, this review will mainly cover the food and fun of the newly-formatted pinball tournament.

However, I think the new LEDs in Lloyd’s Attack from Mars are worth mentioning.

Lloyd’s AfM with “MARTIAN” insert LEDs and a Backboard LED Kit

Because Lloyd waited for one attendee who had to drive over an hour one-way, Lloyd arrange for the pre-event pizza to arrived at about 7:30pm from Pizza  LUCÉ. Lloyd ordered a large “Classic” and a large “Maximus” pizza. Jim donated a large “Bear”. Diane brought in rice crispy bars. And PinRen brought in cookies.

Fresh hot delivery from Pizza LUCÉ

Tasty Crispy Bars

Pizza and Desert

The pinball tournament started at about 8pm. The tournament was single elimination, luck-of-the-draw for both competing players and their games. With thirteen contestants, most rounds were held between two people, but some of the rounds were held among three people.

Due to a scheduling conflict, Joe Esposito could not attend the first of the new pinball tournaments in his name. So, Jim offered to be the designated Esposito.

Pictured, a Happy Jim

Because games were to be luck-of-the-draw, some took the pre-event opportunity to polish their playing skills.

A practice round

But not everyone came to compete. Some attended just for food and fun!

Playing just for the fun of it

Because the tournament was player-run, Lloyd was able to take the rare opportunity to visit and joke along with the players.

Lloyd out-n-about with the competitors

Competition was always fun, but sometimes it was somewhat serious.

A competition round

Play continued until about 10:30pm.

A final round

The final round came down to: Jim (below, on the left), Dave (in the center), and Brian (on the right). Dave won first place and the majority of the collected entry fees while Jim and Brian both tied for and shared second place, along with the rest of the collected prize money.  

Three finialists

Dates for Lloyd’s next big pinball event are in the Diary section, so start making your plans to visit him now.

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