If that is the BSD I'm thinking of it's a mean SOB. Plays great though but don't even think about missing your shot.

A lot of games I've never played. Time to branch out and learn some new games.

Colin - I sent you a PM about this but wanted to post that here as well just to be safe as it relates to GOT.

Just a FYI. I have come to find out that they did not put an interlock switch on the GOT machines. I tested out the coin door ball saver and it DOES NOT work even when it is set to being on. I also confirmed that the game will go into ball search if you open the door and have to do any work (mid game) on the machine, like removing a stuck ball or even putting a light back in.

Just a FYI for the tournament as it behaves differently than other sterns under these situations and could cause an issue if the person playing the game and working on the game were not aware of this.

If it makes you feel any better. The prem/LE's now come with the lock bar latches now too. Found that out too when I opened my LE last week.

I just wanted to make sure it was known as I'd hate to see someone get bit by that while having a good game.

Thanks for the tip. I'll give that a try. Was thinking that would reset the game if you did anything other than adjust the volume.

Dang. And I just sold my ST Pro.

Looks like a good line up. Some common games as well as some not so common games. Got a few longer ball time games as well as some that will kick you in the family jewels. Looking forward to it and hopeful I qualify this year. First time in this type of format so I'm trying to figure out the best strategy.

Come on. You don't want lock freezes all day

Anyway. I hope you are able to go to Vegas and represent Texas.

Shoot. I only needed 10 plays anyways.... BAZZINGA...

Why am I getting nervous already. That is my one goal each year for pinball, to qualify at TPF. Going to be real tough this year.

I actually disagree with this part. The lower number of plays still, to me, benifits the better players as they are more consistent. Yes, you may get a lucky game but a novice player is not going to get multiple lucky games in this format. Pump in dump they can play until they do get that one good game.

My proof (if you want to call it that). How many A list players do you see staying late in qualifying trying to make the bubble vs the % of novice players. Most of the time I see the better players qualifying on their first try and are playing the game more to improve their spot (bye's) and to get more acquainted to the games in prep for the playoffs.

Was thinking about this more last night. If I may offer a suggestion to help with this (probably more for next year).

Think about reducing the number of games that count towards your total score from 10 games to 9 games (keep plays at 20) and force people to take a score for 3 games per bank vs having someone go 4/4/1. Take the top 3 ranked scores from each bank to come up with the total rank score for the playoffs. A player can chose to play all 4 games in a bank but only 3 of the 4 games would be necessary. Then the ERA champ can be crowned based off each players top 3 games on each bank.

WHAT! I sure hope they have one at TPF

They always open them up to normal freeplay once the finals are over. So it sounds like Sunday they will be open for play.

We'd be OK. We don't allow people to drink water during a game of pinball in Texas. Sorry, I couldn't resist, only razzing you

Josh - I'd like for you to change the rules at PAPA (just an example as I don't recall you running that one) a couple of days before the tournament and see how many that are giving whysnow crap change their tune. Obviously I'm only being sarcastic (figured I'd throw that in since nobody can tell my tone on the internet).

While I don't feel the same way as whysnow I'm disappointed to see all the crap he is getting for saying he is frustrated about what occurred. I have a feeling it's because us Austin people (most vocal against him) know Colin and know he is one of the most stand up guys around and we know that this hickup probably kept him sick in his stomach and up at night for weeks trying to figure out a solution. Taking on this task was huge and I applaud him for what he is doing. He deserves the feedback though (good and bad) so that we as a community can make things even better next year.

Going from Josh's groupings I fall in category 2. I'm just happy to play in a tournament and am hoping to do good and to be able to help Colin make things run as smooth as possible. But I'm not going to look down on someone that is in category 1 or 2 and is upset about what changed. I've been hesitant to speak up more about this as I don't want to add fuel to anything or to offend Colin or Josh. I think they both know I respect them greatly but I thought it needed to be said.

I just hope we can finally all move on from this.

Saw a link to the tracker in another thread and thought I should post it here as well.

http://www.neverdrains.com/tpf2016

Colin - How did you know I was going to be signed up as "Test Player 5"? Nice of you to record my scores already

Pretty cool.

Hmm... Am I bored enough to take that list and add IFPA rankings to it? Maybe.. would be pretty neat to see.

Aw, thank you for the kind words. Oh wait, you probably weren't talking about me. Carry on.

IFPA #945 is coming after all of you. Muhahahahahaha. Let the house ball commence, at least that is what I'm going to tell everyone after I don't make the cut.

OK, may I be serious again for just a minute.

Has anyone used this queue system? I'm curious what will happen if the next person in line is not in the tournament area ready to play. If their is one thing I have learned it is that there is a pretty big % of pinball players that like to dilly dally when it is their turn to play. I'm hoping it's one of those things that if you aren't there at the very moment the game is ready for play the player is skipped (no questions asked) and that they have to go back to the end of the line.

Also, if a player is skipped does it take one of their attempts away? Assuming not, but thought I should ask as I really have no clue about this process.

Actually qualified.

My play in the first round was mighty embarrassing though. Still had a great time. Much improved and loved the software. Hopefully next year there are more tournaments (modern, classic, etc).

Just got home. Gotta say, the 15th place trophy I got when I got home was pretty nice.

IMG953356_(resized).jpg

Wanted to post this here as I thought it was pretty cool to see the standings of the players that made it and where they finished.

I thought their would be more randomness with only 20 plays but it looks fairly consistent in rankings.

Dave Andresen is a much better player than his IFPA shows. He just started in competition play about a year ago and I really feel he's someone to watch out for.

I'm Brad Holliday - I play in 1-2 tournaments a year right now so that doesn't help my IFPA ranking much either. Hoping to change that though this year.

standings_(resized).jpg

I stopped at 16 since the thought process was around randomness in the qualification process.

I'm seriously considering joining. I want to badly as I need to practice with the pressure of match/bracket play. My soccer season ends in May so I'm looking to try and join at that point and pick up a new team that plays on a different day. Can you send me the info for that league? I tried looking for it on Bat City but could only locate the Buffalo Billiards one.

No problem at all. Pinball is about sharing and it was the right thing to do. Look forward to playing with you again sometime in the future too.

Only question now that I have. Is my official nick name in the pinball world now "short plunge"