User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:38:08 PM EDT
Inspired by this thread from a few months ago, I thought I'd do an "ask me (almost) anything" in regards to pinball or competitive play.
So a little background from the previous thread: I am a highly ranked competitive pinball player (yes it's a thing). I play in a league every Monday night, and nearly every single day down in my basement. I play an average of 3 hours a day. I frequently travel around the country to play in high level tournaments. For opsec reasons, I won't say my exact ranking, but I am literally one of the best players in the world. My friends and family, and coworkers refer to me as "the pinball guy" 
I have had dozens of different machines, but the collection is currently down to three. It's an addiction just as bad, if not worse, than brd. A few years ago, I decided I wanted to become a genuine expert at something; figuring I had no other realistic chance at becoming a world champion in anything, I jumped into pinball. Five years later, I'm ranked in the top 1% of the world, and have played against (and become friends with many of) the best players in the world. I'll gladly answer any questions anyone could have about machine ownership or competitive playing. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:40:50 PM EDT
[#1]
How is it decided which machine(s) are used in a tournament? Are they all current or some vintage?
How many balls per game? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:40:53 PM EDT
[#2]
are you deaf, dumb and blind?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:40:54 PM EDT
[#3]
Are you dumb, deaf and blind?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:41:56 PM EDT
[#4]
What kind of money can one make as a competitive player?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:42:18 PM EDT
[#5]
Has the button mashing improved your ability to stimulate a clitoris?
Has pulling the plunger to launch the balls improved your fapping game? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:42:57 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Are you dumb, deaf and blind? Do you play by sense of smell? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:43:20 PM EDT
[#7]
How's your sense of smell?
23 seconds? Dammit! |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:44:28 PM EDT
[#8]
 The Who-Pinball Wizard |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:44:31 PM EDT
[#9]
How do you eliminate the hostage from the equation?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:45:00 PM EDT
[#10]
Does the flipper tension matter?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:45:10 PM EDT
[#11]
Tag. I'm the #1 pinball guy at the bar down the street. I rake in about $8 a month in earnings.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:45:17 PM EDT
[#12]
What's competitive pinball money like?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:45:21 PM EDT
[#13]
What are the purses like at the highest levels? Unfortunately you say you still have to work a day job.
Who pays for travel and expenses on the road? Who are the big sponsors in the pinball world? Is pinball a dying hobby? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:45:32 PM EDT
[#14]
Do you own the Twillight Zone machine? Cuz I want that.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:45:58 PM EDT
[#15]
What is your favorite machines? I like Family Guy and Pirates of the Caribean.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:46:14 PM EDT
[#16]
Damn already scared off
oh, so you are not married and still live in moms basement I see 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:46:28 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
How do you eliminate the hostage from the equation? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:46:54 PM EDT
[#18]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:47:15 PM EDT
[#19]
Do you own a grand national?
Are there pinball groupies? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:48:17 PM EDT
[#20]
Adams family or twilight zone what one do you enjoy more?
Have you ever tried a good pin emulator in a full size cabinet? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:48:42 PM EDT
[#21]
Yeah, all the song references have already been asked.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:49:14 PM EDT
[#22]
You must be in shape at a pro bowler level
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:51:25 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
How is it decided which machine(s) are used in a tournament? Are they all current or some vintage? How many balls per game? All eras are represented. Electro mechanicals (the ones with scoring reels) are usually 5 balls. Solid states are usually 3. Extra balls are almost always turned off, and if not, they are plunged only and not drained. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:51:47 PM EDT
[#24]
Your High School Guidance Counsellor hung herself, didn't she?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:52:50 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What kind of money can one make as a competitive player? Usually a couple g's for a pro circuit event. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:54:30 PM EDT
[#26]
Are you sponsored, or do you have a day job or what?
I used to have an old Strato-Flight; was a cool toy with lots of old tech to maintain. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:55:47 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Are there pinball groupies? And if so, what's the talent pool look like? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:57:26 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What are the purses like at the highest levels? Unfortunately you say you still have to work a day job. Who pays for travel and expenses on the road? Who are the big sponsors in the pinball world? Is pinball a dying hobby? Stern sponsors the pro circuit. A number of the best players are employed by stern or in the industry. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:57:41 PM EDT
[#29]
Do you have a supple wrist?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 5:58:31 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Do you own the Twillight Zone machine? Cuz I want that. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:00:26 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What is your favorite machines? I like Family Guy and Pirates of the Caribean. I really like all machines with very few exceptions. Any pinball is fun. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:00:47 PM EDT
[#32]
I'm pretty good at pinball. I admire your decision to become expert and going for it.
When did you start playing pinball? First machine you ever "mastered" or got really good at? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:02:03 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Adams family or twilight zone what one do you enjoy more? I go back and forth. I've owned both in the past. Wish I had them back with what they cost nowadays. Have you ever tried a good pin emulator in a full size cabinet? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:02:26 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Tournament Director's discretion, so pretty much any machine. But there are machines that are frowned upon for various reasons (easily repeatable shots, unbalanced rules like swapping player scores or "catch up scores"/unbalanced random awards. All eras are represented. Electro mechanicals (the ones with scoring reels) are usually 5 balls. Solid states are usually 3. Extra balls are almost always turned off, and if not, they are plunged only and not drained. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:02:51 PM EDT
[#35]
Do you ever lose a ball right down the middle, or tilt trying?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:03:24 PM EDT
[#36]
Ever see the 1979 movie "Tilt" ?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:03:26 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Your High School Guidance Counsellor hung herself, didn't she? I own my own home. I have a family. I am gainfully employed in a profession. I don't want for much. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:03:40 PM EDT
[#38]
What’s the longest you’ve ever kept a ball in play?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:05:50 PM EDT
[#39]
I was one of the best around in my day , then the fucking pac man and asteroids game came out and I could never make the transition , the Ted Nugent game was one of my favorites
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:07:03 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm pretty good at pinball. I admire your decision to become expert and going for it. When did you start playing pinball? First machine you ever "mastered" or got really good at? T2 when I was 10 or 11. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:10:28 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
WTF? What would be the point of this rule? I would love to hear the logic behind this rule. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted: Tournament Director's discretion, so pretty much any machine. But there are machines that are frowned upon for various reasons (easily repeatable shots, unbalanced rules like swapping player scores or "catch up scores"/unbalanced random awards. All eras are represented. Electro mechanicals (the ones with scoring reels) are usually 5 balls. Solid states are usually 3. Extra balls are almost always turned off, and if not, they are plunged only and not drained. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:11:16 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Do you ever lose a ball right down the middle, or tilt trying? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:12:35 PM EDT
[#43]
Do you have bad ass jerseys like the Pro Bowlers and 3 Gun Guys? Or do you choose to dress your self?
ETA - Watched a Fox Pro Bowlers match and was actually VERY entertained. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:12:53 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What’s the longest you’ve ever kept a ball in play? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:13:36 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I hope so. I own my own home. I have a family. I am gainfully employed in a profession. I don't want for much. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:15:05 PM EDT
[#46]
I’m going to guess that the pro pinball circuit is primarily 40 something men who grew up playing. You don’t hear too much about kids playing pinball or many new machines coming out these days.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:15:10 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Do you have bad ass jerseys like the Pro Bowlers and 3 Gun Guys? Or do you choose to dress your self?
Americans are usually jeans or shorts with a pinball themed t-shirt. I dress myself. Usually jeans and a polo, with comfortable shoes. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:18:06 PM EDT
[#48]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:20:32 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So all I can think of is your wife has a real job and pays the bills while you play at being a pro? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted: I hope so. I own my own home. I have a family. I am gainfully employed in a profession. I don't want for much. If I had the time or resources, I'd try to hit every pro circuit stop. A few people actually do. It's a major time and monetary commitment. No different than auto racing or pro billiards, or golfing. Minus the huge purses, babes, and coverage.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/2/2019 6:20:50 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Tag. I'm the #1 pinball guy at the bar down the street. I rake in about $8 a month in earnings. |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
Attached File