These comments are mostly correct but misleading. You actually play 40 games over 2 days in the Pinburgh format (5 matches per day, 4 games per match; 5x4x2=40). Both events do indeed have side tourneys. But, there is no shortage of games to play for fun at Pinburgh. There were 180 games in tournament banks this year. That left around *300* games to play for fun--an incredible number and variety! Everything from woodrails to lots of EMs and SS games to DMDs.

Both events are highly recommended. I prefer the Pinburgh format personally. Some general comments on both:

Pinburgh: fixed schedule, 3 daytime matches (4 games/match against 3 opponents) and 2 evening matches, for 2 days. Makes for a *long* day of pinball, but you are put into new groups every match. Kind of like "pinball speed dating" where you meet lots of people and might be playing against some old friends too! You have to be there for each scheduled match or you forfeit points. And the single entry fee allows you to play all 10 matches (40 games). Plus, you either qualify for playoffs or are entered into an optional double-elimination tournament on the last day.

PAPA: Open qualifying format for 3 days; pay for entries (each ticket is good for 4-5 games in a specific division) and play when you want to. You have to complete a ticket before starting another. So, you can play 2-3 rounds and then take a break for a few hours, go out to eat whenever, come back in the evening, etc. Very flexible schedule and pretty long hours. (I'll miss the formerly-official Radisson's pool with tiki bar for afternoon breaks!) Entries are unlimited but can get pricey, esp. if you're close to qualifying and are *sure* your next ticket will get you in! Also, you can't try to qualify in all divisions at once; you can only move up to try for a higher division and can't go back down. So if you buy and play tickets for A, B and C, you *will* be stuck in A division.

The facility is great and both tourneys are fun but different. Worth going to either/both!

No prob. Pinburgh *feels* like 100+ games by the time you're done! Yeah, there were a couple of games in the banks that I wanted to play for fun--although you can still do that on Sunday after the elimination tourney is done (early afternoon?) and all evening/night. The problem with Pinburgh format is that it does require a lot of rest and pacing--no all-nighters for me! And, nobody mentioned but there's a great extended tailgating scene too. For last year's PAPA, there was an outdoor food vendor with hot grills right by the entrance.

I think there's a few ways to make sniping work. Most obvious is to get a killer score on a game that is in an opponent's best card but not yours--that will reduce the total points for his entry while not affecting yours. (If you already outscored him on a same game, then this won't help as you'll devalue both game scores.) Or, if (on your best tickets) you have a middling score on a game that an opponent has one of the top scores on, then outscoring his top score can drop him up to 5 points while your best-ticket score may go down just 1-2 points. There may be other sniping strategies, but I'm not in that premier echelon where it matters....

Don't forget to bring lawn chairs and a cooler. Or befriend someone who does.

I guess you haven't been. One of the best extended tailgating scenes I've ever had the pleasure of attending!

Yeah, absinthe is quite the tailgating beverage! Seems to go well with pinball, though.

You didn't drink it straight thru sugar, did you? It is not meant to be served straight, but mixed with 3.5-4 parts water. Makes a smooth, herbal drink that is anise-based (so liquorice haters will not enjoy it!). I prefer some tasty ones without sugar (like Vieux Carre, my general fave).

I can guarantee, the beer or two will be had before lunchtime on day 1!