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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. |
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How is it decided which machine(s) are used in a tournament? Are they all current or some vintage?
How many balls per game? |
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Has the button mashing improved your ability to stimulate a clitoris?
Has pulling the plunger to launch the balls improved your fapping game? |
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The Who-Pinball Wizard |
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Tag. I'm the #1 pinball guy at the bar down the street. I rake in about $8 a month in earnings.
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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? |
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What is your favorite machines? I like Family Guy and Pirates of the Caribean.
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Damn already scared off
oh, so you are not married and still live in moms basement I see |
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Adams family or twilight zone what one do you enjoy more?
Have you ever tried a good pin emulator in a full size cabinet? |
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Quoted:
How is it decided which machine(s) are used in a tournament? Are they all current or some vintage? How many balls per game? View Quote 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. |
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Your High School Guidance Counsellor hung herself, didn't she?
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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. |
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Quoted:
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? View Quote Stern sponsors the pro circuit. A number of the best players are employed by stern or in the industry. |
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Quoted:
What is your favorite machines? I like Family Guy and Pirates of the Caribean. View Quote I really like all machines with very few exceptions. Any pinball is fun. |
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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? |
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Quoted:
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? View Quote |
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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. View Quote |
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Do you ever lose a ball right down the middle, or tilt trying?
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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
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Quoted:
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? View Quote T2 when I was 10 or 11. |
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Quoted:
WTF? What would be the point of this rule? I would love to hear the logic behind this rule. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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. |
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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. |
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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.
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Quoted:
Do you have bad ass jerseys like the Pro Bowlers and 3 Gun Guys? Or do you choose to dress your self? View Quote Americans are usually jeans or shorts with a pinball themed t-shirt. I dress myself. Usually jeans and a polo, with comfortable shoes. |
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Quoted:
So all I can think of is your wife has a real job and pays the bills while you play at being a pro? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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. |
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