This is a cry for help. I love pinball! I get pretty good (B division worthy) scores whenever I'm playing recreational pinball. The problem is that when I am playing head-to-head I totally flop. Insta-drain! Outlane agony! Dam!
For example, last night I played in a small local tournament. I showed up 1/2 hour early and warmed up on Batman Dark Knight. I threw up a few small scores (3-4 million) and a few big scores (for me atleast) of 50-90 million. During the 2nd round of the tournament (round 1 was a bye for me thankfully) I won the coin flip and I picked Batman. I totally stunk it up! I didn't even break 3 million! My first 2 balls I drained quick on the outlanes and the last ball I bobbled on the flippers for a center-drain masterpiece. W..T..F!?!? So frustrating! The guy that beat me only got 6 million! Then he went on to pick ToM and dominated my a$$!
For round 3 (loser bracket), I played someone whom I have never met but I think maybe they are new to the hobby. I let her pick the machine first out of courteousy (in hindsight a mistake) and she picked Family Guy. Now, I am not very good at that machine but I can usually score into the 10 million + range at least. Nope, 5 million and I got beat by a score of 6 million! Dam! Next I picked Stern Kiss and DID NOT EVEN BREAK 1 MILLION! W...T...F?!?!?! I lost with a score of 800 thousand to a score of 1.5 million! I typically score around 20 million + on that machine!!! So, now I'm out of the tournament! DAM!
After thoughts: Especially during my round 3 games, I noticed the girl's boyfriend (or maybe just a friend)giving her tips on where to shoot (naturally), which led me to believe she is new at least to competitive pinball. Also, he was talking across me (to her) while I was playing and hovering, talking smack a little bit (like, "oh man you are making him strategize!"). And it bothered me.
So, my conclusion is that I need to work on my head game. I should be able to block out distractions such as this. Even during my round 2 performance against a seasoned player who is very respectful, I feel like I am distracted somehow and that I am not focusing properly. Or, I'm focused on the wrong thing (not the game I'm in).
So, I'm not sure why I'm posting this. I feel like my issue is in my own head and I'm the only one who can fix (or at least improve) it. But, maybe (just maybe) I'm not the only one with issues like this? I've only been playing competitively for less than one year. So, my plan is to just keep with it. But, DAM! It sure would be nice to win at least one round some day! LOL
Thanks for reading...

Whysnow thanks for the response! Maybe I'm not insane (or maybe its just you and I and we are both insane)! I have not tried headphones but maybe it would help. I'm not sure its even just the noise that distracts me. I think maybe it is just the spirit of competitition and the pressure to perform that I am just not good at.
For example, one guy that runs one of our leagues has the keys to all the machines. I see him getting bothered and tapped on the shoulder during his games, but he still manages to dominate. He is able to focus and must have a mind of steel.
I want this mind! When people bother me, it is ok and not their fault if I fail because of it! Right? I can't control the people around me. I can only control myself. But, I have not figured out how to control my mind and FOCUS!

I am definitely a nudger and try to use it (but sometimes I tilt) to help save the ball when I can. I like the idea of yoga as funny as it sounds. I bet I could youtube some yoga and do it at home since I barely got time to get out to play pinball let alone a secondary training class to become a Pinja!
Thanks for the tips guys!

Seems like some good tips and ways of approaching the situation. I like the gum idea! Thanks again for all the tips! Glad I posted this!

100% AGREE. Thinking back though, even if I would've asked him to stop I think it would've messed my head up. I need to be a Pinja. I really don't think I have the mind-strength (yet) to pull that off. The point is, whether or not I say something to whoever is bothering me, I need to not let it distract me. Still, I 100% agree and thought about saying something...

Awesome success story! Thanks for sharing. I like the idea of recognizing the situation and accepting it as a challenge. Now I need to remember this!

You mean 17 years?

Sorry maybe it's a noob question but what is a diaper rubber?