For PAPA 17 just show up and register as it's an open player event. No cap on number of players.

Well then,, count me in Dugan.

There is no limit to the number of folks who can compete at PAPA 17 so no pre-registration is necessary.

I know I'll be going this year
If any peeps from NE want to carpool shoot me a message.

what are the dates of PAPA17?

August 14-17.

LTG : )™

Road Trip?

I would like to go again. Last year was a blast, I think I have gotten slightly better, and assuming they are making some tweaks to the C (D?) division I will likely have more fun/ a chance of actually making D...

Doug > any updates on if there are some tweaks to division requirements?

We are in the process of going over all of our notes from last year and making adjustments to the rules where necessary. Nothing has been finalized at this time.

Are first-timers automatically placed in A?

I would not think so

If it's anything like being a newcomer to a bowling tournament.... (ABT in this case)... first timers are placed in the "A" division and given 0 handicap. This guards against ringers coming in and blowing everybody away in a lower division.

It's kind of discouraging to new/sucky players, though, because they almost have to "pay their dues" before being allowed to play in a lower division.

Then it's nothing like being in a bowling tournament. All division restrictions that PAPA uses are based on previous results. It's a sandbagger's paradise!

I look forward to seeing what adjustments come. I hope to see more things which are accomodating to newer members (and crappier players that still would like to compete on a similar level at a big event) and prevent ringers from capitalizing on lower divisions when they already often beat some of the best in the world.

The scores you post will determine your division unless you are restricted to a certain division based on previous tournaments. If you are a ringer you'd have to sandbag into a lower division and then turn it up but that seems super lame.

Pretty sure you're thinking of Pinburgh rather than the PAPA World Championships. At the latter, you select a division and bank of games on which you want to try and qualify.

Correct and limitations were previously mainly based on past PAPA performances which means many top ranked players could potentially still compete in lower divisions.

Will there be a shuttle bus from any of the hotels for PAPA 17?

Also, the event page lists a $35 pre-registration package (http://papa.org/papa-17-world-championships/), when will that be open for registration?

Pre-registration will be opening up soon. However, you do not need to pre-register for PAPA as there is no player cap, unlike Pinburgh.

Cool, thanks. Just got my hotel booked.

I can't get on PAPA website at work. Can someone confirm what the dates are?

Aug 14th-17th, 2014.

thanks. Any WI locals want to attend this year? Tim, Mike, and I had a blast last year!

I want too.

If you are coming in from out of town early, there will be some Pre-PAPA tournaments held at various places around the city as well.

Any dates/locations on those tournaments and any hotel block room discounts coming soon?
Thanks in advance!

Yes and yes. More info coming in the next few weeks as we get things into place.

Registration went live today!

http://papa.org/tournament-registration/

Some new changes, including new division restriction rules: http://papa.org/papa-tournaments/papa-world-championships/papa-17-world-championships/#changes

"UPDATE 5
Division restrictions have been amended to include WPPR rankings. All players ranked between 1 and 99 will now be restricted to Division A. All players ranked between 100 and 399 will be restricted to Division B or higher."

THANKS!!!!

Great move IMHO and really makes things better. Also really nice to see things being done to improve the fun factor for those that are genuinely C (in my case probably D or E )

I was trying to find out, is there a hotel which offers shuttle service to from PAPA? Last year I drove, but this year we would like to fly if coming and it would be nice to avoid the need for a rental car.

noticed a typo? my guess is that is supposed to be 10am - 11AM? for check in

Sunday – August 17, 2014

10am – 3am – Finalists in A, B, and C divisions must check in

any thoughts to making some sort of payout for C division 17th to 24th? Just curious if it was considered?

Yup. Typo. Thanks for the heads up. It will be corrected.

A, B, C and Classics all only payout to 16. We have expanded the field to give more people a chance to make the playoffs, but are still only paying top 16 in each division.

I like the new changes. I've always wondered about players ranked for example as #58 or #79 playing in the B division. Never seemed quite right. But they eventually make the final 4 and are forced to A div. where they belong. I suppose at approx. #180 I am right where I belong in B div.

I also really like that they are taking 24 into the playoffs for Classics and C div. It just seems natural that the larger # of players in those divisions should take a larger # of players into the playoffs.

Thanks for the information, especially regarding the shuttle from the selected hotels. All booked and registered. Can't wait!

I missed this and can't seem to find it. Is there a shuttle from certain hotels to/from PAPA?

PAPA vs. Pinburgh: if you could only go to one, which one, and why?

It came in an email after I preregistered.

"We are recommending the Marriott Courtyard hotel at Settlers Ridge, and we will be running a shuttle to the Marriott and Extended Stay America during the tournament."

IMO, and I've never been to either yet, Pinburgh. It's a fixed cost instead of pump-and-dump. Granted, PAPA's tourney format where you have to have an all-or-nothing type of dump is VERY much preferred to where people can make individual entries on each game!

Depends on your personality. PAPA is like a torture chamber. The pressure is intense and you are constantly challenged to maintain your focus despite the pressure and eventually the fatigue, both mental and physical that builds up as you approach the end of qualifying. It is physically, mentally and emotionally draining and if a pinball tournament is ever going to cause someone to break down, it will be PAPA. If you would enjoy playing golf in the US Open, you will enjoy PAPA.

Pinburgh is more likened to Pinball Boot Camp. At Pinburgh, you WILL play pinball all day (and I mean all day) for two straight days. You will play with all sorts of people on all sorts of machines with little time to prepare for new rule sets or setups. You will have to adjust on the fly and adapt to changing conditions. You will get really tired physically, but it is more of a fun environment and the mental and emotional strain are not as great. If you make it to Sunday finals, that is when the stress begins. If you would enjoy playing golf in the Bob Hope Desert Classic, you will like Pinburgh.

Personally, I will never miss either of them. They are the cream of the tournament crop and each brings a unique style of challenge and fun. I am counting the days to PAPA...

I went to PAPA last year. I have not gone to pinburgh. I am OK at best. I like the ability to casually play more games in the "practice" bank along with friends on mY schedule. For me, I think PAPA is the one to attend.

Our basic days last year were:
go in the morning and play a few tickets, be dejected with poor performance and go play games for fun, play another ticket later in the afternoon, have a few drinks, go back to hotel and crash. Rinse and repeat.

I think we had more fun playing varkon with KOI and SC with each other and laughing up a storm liek little kids to the farting dragon pinball.

Both are great but Pinburgh is the BEST! Play a huge range of games, flat fee, and you meet tons of great people.

Yea man, represent upstate! I have a wedding that weekend to go to, but I wanted to come down for at least thursday, maybe stay the night

There's a few of us going. Definitely come down if you can - PAPA is a sight to behold. We're lucky to have it so nearby.

Ranking numbers aside, since you won the Alabama State Championship, I suspect at least B division is appropriate; otherwise it looks odd if the state champion plays in C division.

Please provide details if they are known, so we can plan flights and hotels. Thank you!