The 2013 FUN Tournament:

Special thanks to Jonny O. who this year is again volunteer tournament director. Jonny is no novice when it comes to tournaments, he directs them all over the Bay Area and has been doing the Pin-a-Go-Go tourney since 2011.

It takes many, many hours to make the tournaments a reality and we aknowledge that here and hereby thank all those involved! Jonny is being assisted by other volunteers this year including the director of the Capitol Corridor Pinball League, Damien Chartley.

Tournaments at Pin-a-Go-Go?

Aren't pinball tournaments super-serious affairs? And you have to spend a lot of money and time to participate?

Not this one!

If you've never played in a pinball tournament this is a fun and easy way to give it a try. We’re keeping this tournament relaxed and social because that's what Pin-a-Go-Go is all about. Entry is just $5 and all proceeds after expenses will be donated to local youth charities.

Who can play?

Any Pin-a-Go-Go attendee can enter. There will be awards for Open, Novice and Kids. If your kid is a whiz kid s/he can also enter Open/Novice division.

What can I win?

Plaques and prizes will be awarded to:

• Top 4 Open Players
• Top 4 Novice players
• Top 4 Kids (13 years and younger)

There will also be some freebies and raffles such as Zen Pinball download codes, STERN Pinball key fobs, pinball stickers and genuine Flynn's Arcade tokens.

How long does it take? Will I have to miss the rest of the show?

The tournament will be run on Saturday of the show.

It will take two to three hours for a typical Open/Novice player to play all their qualifier games. You don't have to play them all at once. You can come and go as you please and enjoy the rest of the show. Note, however, it is up to you to get all your games done during the qualifying period.

If you make the playoffs they will start at 6 PM the same day. If you go the distance and make it to the final rounds of play, we expect to finish the competition between 7:30 and 9pm.

Kids will play three games one time each in a regular high-score format and then get to replay one game of their choice to try and improve their score. They do not have to come back for finals, and if necessary their plaques and prizes will be mailed to them at no extra charge. For most kids it will take a half hour for them to play since there are no finals for the Kids tournament.

What is Pin Golf? How does it work?

In Pin Golf, objectives are set on each machine. For example, score 3 Million points on Scared Stiff, or complete the FILM letters on Creature from the Black Lagoon. The player attempts to accomplish each objective with the fewest number of balls as possible (like strokes in golf). If you're unclear on how to accomplish the goal or the best way to do it; just ask! We are all friendly and will share our tips and strategies.

After 6 "holes" (games) the players with the best total scores advance to the playoffs/finals.

What games will we play?

Tentative list may appear at the bottom of the "Bring Games!" page.

When: Saturday May 18, 2013. Registration starts at 10 AM and closes at 1 PM. Warm-up is allowed and encouraged from 10:00 and 11:15am. Rules Orientation is at 11:15am and official play begins at 11:30am. The qualifying round ends at 5pm but may be extended if circumstances necessitate (any extensions will be announced via the video screen).

Sorry, you may not register on Friday for the tournament. 

Entry is limited to 64 Open/Novice players. Kids can enter any time until 6pm. Last year we filled up early, so don't hesiate, come early! Best way to take care of this is pay for your admission and tourney when you first enter the show Saturday morning!

Warm Up: You can warm up from 10 - 11:15 if you want. If you can't get there that early, you can play one ball before your official entry on each game. If you want to claim your warm-up ball you MUST notify your other group members in advance - it cannot be part of or combined or substituted with your official entry. One ball may be played and then the rest must be plunged out without flipping.

Sorry, but once the tournament is underway the warm-up time has to be limited like this for us to keep on schedule.

What does it cost: $5. Unlike many other tournaments this will not be an "open qualifier" where you keep buying and buying qualifier entries. It is just a flat $5 per person. Please pay when you enter the main show building first thing Saturday morning!

Visit Jonny's blog for the 2012 Tournament recap, then check out the full 2012 results here. 

Here's stuff about our 2011 tournament: 

First ever PIN GOLF Tournament at Pin-a-Go-Go HUGE SUCCESS!!

Congratulations to Open Division Winner Dave Easterla!

A first time tourney player and the very bottom qualifier for the Open event clawed his way into the final, and when it counted most, he dug deep against some of the best of the best to take the whole thing! It was his first tournament and he probably didn't know he had it in him.  Well, he certainly does now.  Congratulations to Dave Easterla - you not only won the first tournament you've ever entered, but you also won the first PIN GOLF tournament at Pin-a-Go-Go! 

2011 Open Division, Top 25:

Pos / Name

1   Dave Easterla

2   Josh Lehan

3   Walter Hurwitz

4   Chris Helig

5   Andrei Masenkoff

6   James Edes

7   Damien Charlety

8   David Rockholt

9   Kenneth Reyna

10 Mark Fitzpatrick

10 Tim Hansen

12 Keith Parkins

13 Eric Wagensonner

14 Jem Gruber

15 Jim Vierra

15 Jason Delano

17 Emmett Cadigan

18 Chris DeLeon

18 Robert Freitas

18 Janice Edes

18 Michael Schiess

18 Jeannie Rodriguez

23 Steve Faith

23 Stephen Kleckner

25 Andrew Nunes

25 Perry Farrens

 

Special thanks to Greg Freres for the spectacular 2011 plaque artwork!

See more photos of the Adult & Kids Tourney in our photo section.