Playland-Not-At-The-Beach Pinball Tourny-Feb 6th

caligirl

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Have not seen anyone post about this yet.

http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org

They are having a tournament. Unfortunately I have to work, so I can't go, but is sure wish I could.

If you are not familiar with the place, it is in the SF Bay Area. It is a 'museum of fun' which focuses on the history of the old Playland in SF.
They also have 30+ pinball machines, from woodrail to Lord of the Rings.
A lot of EM's that I have not had enough time to get to know, but some with some really good kinetics, that can make playing an EM more fun than you would expect.
Of the more modern mahines, alot of classics: Earthshaker, Cirqus Voltare, Monster Bash, Whitewater, Pinball Magic, Creature From the Black Lagoon, Funhouse.
If you like Sterns, they have RollerCoaster Tycoon and Lord of the Rings.
Heck the $15 entry is well worth the cost when you consider how much a CV or MB costs. All games are set on free-play.
They do pretty well maintaining the machines for as much play as they get. Well worth the trip to El Cerrito, CA.
 
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Yeah we are lucky in this area, we also have Lucky JuJu/Pacific Pinball Museum:
http://pacificpinball.org
http://www.ujuju.com

I have not been there since PPM opened, but JuJu is pretty cool. However their collections seem to focus more on older games. I know they have some more moden machines, but none of them stand out in my memory as being great, timeless machines. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

And of course, Musee Mechanique:
http://www.museemechanique.org/

There is a worn, but still fun to play Williams Indiana Jones there. Not alot of pins, but some classic video games, and alot of interesting mechanical machines of entertainment.

We also have the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk that has a decent arcade. I have not been here in awhile, either. I know the size of the pinball collection has dwindled significantly over the last few years, but this is the place to go to check out the new games when they come out. Problem is if you do not get there when the games first arrive, otherwise it is likely it will be broken or very filthy. I can play with filth, its all the quickly broken plastic gadgets or crucial switches, or mechanisms that turn me away from putting quarters in most Stern machines.

All that said, Playland is the place with the best kept newer machines, even if LOTR is frequently broken (NOT due to lack of operator care).
 
The last time I want to Santa Cruz Boardwalk's Arcade the classics looked pretty sad. They did have a few really old games and cranes that were pretty cool. That was quite a few years ago.
 
Cool, Playland is walking distance from my house. They got their permits before I finished my arcade remodel, so the inspector wasn't too freaked out seeing all the games. I told him, "this is Playland not on San Pablo".
 
Last I spoke with Playland they are expecting some serious, internationally ranked, competitors.
My understanding is there will also be some tutorials given. Wish I could go. I'm a good player but always looking to improve.
I've not been one for competitions, I know my score would be peanuts compared to many, but they seem to have a fair breakdown structure for the less skilled players.
 
Last I spoke with Playland they are expecting some serious, internationally ranked, competitors.
My understanding is there will also be some tutorials given. Wish I could go. I'm a good player but always looking to improve.
I've not been one for competitions, I know my score would be peanuts compared to many, but they seem to have a fair breakdown structure for the less skilled players.

Hey caligirl. Glad you're interested in the tournament and sorry to hear you won't make it. :-(

For any interested, yes, I'm expecting a few very good players, most notably Andrei Massenkoff and Neil Shatz.

However, there are three divisions: Kids, Novice and Open. Also, Open is only five bucks to enter. Playland will contribute an additional five bucks from each tourney player's door entry to the prize pot, so it will be $10 x no. of players and all of this is paid out to players in Open. The big guns are only allowed to play in the Open Division.

So anyone interested who has a WPR of less than 500 can compete in both. Two tourneys for $5. And if you wash out, you can just enjoy the rest of the day doing all the other cool stuff at playland.

The novice tourney is truly novice and free with regular admission (kids too). You play four games twice each and your best scores are recorded. Your rank across all machines is added up and that determines your place. I did it this way so that novices and kids could show up at any time and not have to commit to a multi-hour schedule, and because I wanted those tournaments to be relaxed and fun.

Open players have to register by 1 PM, but warmup is from 10 - 11 AM so are encouraged to show up early. Otherwise, they get 1 minute on each machine before playing their qualifiers. 8 player single elim finals.

Plaques and prizes for top 3 in all divisions.

EDIT: Link to poster (warning kinda big):

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8899/playlandtournamentposte.jpg
 
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Just a bump.

Hope to see a lot of you players out for the 2nd pinball tourney at Playland not at the Beach next weekend, Feb 6.

Novices and Kids entry is FREE with Playland Admission ($15 adults/ $7.50 kids). Open comp against the big bats is just $5 more. Two tourneys for $5.

Playland not at the Beach is a great place for kids and pinballers of all ages. Hope to see you there!
 
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