The new rules, given what I've read here, will affect tournaments and environments that have tough time- and machine-constraints, since tournaments are highly valued based on greater number of games played. Those are both things that I deal with quite a bit on a monthly basis. It would also majorly devalue a semi-major tournament like the Chicago-area Launch Parties where you can achieve first place in as little as two games played.

I understand the motivation behind it, but it may negatively affect some of the smaller and newer pinball communities that don't have real great operator support or collector support.

Quick question: could a tournament be graded *above* 100% based on number of games played by the winner of 1st place?

I don't think that will be the case this year. The number of players that know + care about IFPA ranking is much greater now.

Same here. That is so key. So much of a pinball tournament is hospitality and having the right conversations. That brings in the repeat new players.

Another side thought: I know most of us are guys here... one of the most valuable things I've found is having a female co-host (Michelle) for the Milwaukee tournaments. She and I, together, make a good team and I think it makes our tournaments much more fun and welcoming. I learned pretty quickly that if I invited/asked a lady to join us, she usually wouldn't join; but if Michelle did, they more often than not would join in. I consider myself to be a fairly positive and welcoming person, but there's some stuff that she can do that I just can't in the hospitality setting of the tournament.

The other thing we've found helpful was spinning up a ladies tournament night. A few more ladies have started coming to our co-ed IFPA tournaments as a result of the ladies league.