The first round involved playing 4-player games on 9 games. Teams of 4 were chosen at random.
On each game, Places 1 through 4 received that equivalent of points. So the best score would be a 9, the worst would be a 36.
After round 1, the top 5 scores were
Jeff (top qualifier tie at 19)
Dan (top qualifier tie at 19)
Eric L. 20
Ron 20
Donny tie at 21
Joe R. tie at 21
There were 6 players competing for 5 spots, so Donny and Joe R. (Look at SG v 2.0 playing STRONG!) needed to battle it out on Orbitor 1. Donny won and advanced.
Note: That is a pretty tight grouping and shows that the random pairing and game variety was about right. No guaranteed winners in a group and with 9 games to play, one time only, no warm up, things can go any way the pinball gods want. Overall consistency was the key.
(Personal side note: I can tell you that I was the perfect model for pigeon/statue. I was basically 1 or 4. I know for a fact my SS score is the worst score in the history of SS scores-and I own one of these games and have done very well on it. Just not this time. )
The Super Grover battle was between Nicky and Rich. After the playoff, Rich emerged as the latest Super Grover version. He received a trophy with some rusty balls and cool skulls in it. I like skulls.
Interesting Note 2. There was almost a 4-way Super Grover tie including Eric F. who has done well in previous tournaments. NOBODY is safe from Super Grover. Further, it shows that the level of play is getting better all around for everyone. More competition leads to better play. I am impressed with all of the players FLiPS has.
On to semi finals:
There were 5 people battling for the final 4 slots. The concept was novel. 5 minutes on 5 balls on 5 games. You could only play for 5 minutes or until you exhausted the 5 balls. Some games could be 5 minutes on 1 ball and then you drain when the time is called. Some games you were done before 5 minutes were up. After each 5-minute round you stop, track the score, move to the next game. Continue until all games are done.
Scores were similar to the qualifying round. 1-5 for the equivalent placing, highest score (worst result) is out.
At the end of this round the ranking was:
Jeff 1
Donny 2
Dan 3
Ron/Eric tie 4
Eric had to leave, so Ron filled the 4th slot
The finals round was more traditional. 4 games, 3 balls, no extras. Same concept of 1-4.
The 4 games were DM, PM, TOM, ST (Bally).
After the first 3 rounds, an interesting development occurred. Jeff had won the first 3 games with a total of 3 points and Donny had placed second each time for a total of 6. So it was possible that if Jeff placed last and Donny won there would be a tie for 1st which would be a playoff on Oribitor 1. I had already decided that if I had to play Oribitor one I would resign, because that game gives me a headache.
Donny put up a MONSTER score on ST, doing his part, but Jeff only had to not place last to avoid vertigo/aspirin-ville. Jeff managed to get 2 place on ST and so the final results were :
Jeff 1 place
Donny 2 place
Ron 3 place
Dan 4 place
Prizes/plaques with color-coded Flippers were awarded. Very nice.
After the presentation/Thank-yous at around 9:30 pm (LOTS of playing for a tourney) There was some chat, some more playing and we ended up closing shop late in the evening.
Glad everyone came out, had fun, made it home safely (especially Donny).
See you all at the next FLiPS event.
Sincerely,
Jeff
