IFPA7 Overview

WHERE IS IFPA 7 GOING TO BE HELD?

Minnesota Pinball Hall of Fame
17500 64th Street SW
Cokato, MN 55321

The IFPA has arranged a preferred rate with the AmericInn Hotel in neighboring Hutchinson, MN. The number for them to call to make reservations is 320-587-5515 to the front desk or they also have a toll free number that also comes to the front desk 1-877-818-0128. Please use code “World Pinball Championship” when reserving your room. If booking online, use group code “WORLDP0510”. If you have any difficulties reserving your room please ask to speak to Sara Baumitz. The IFPA has also arranged transportation for those without cars between the hotel and tournament site.

HOW DO YOU QUALIFY TO PLAY IN IFPA 7?

Automatic Bid Qualification

Unlike most tournaments where the qualification process takes place over a couple of days, qualifying for the IFPA World Championship
takes place all year. Utilizing it’s World Pinball Player Rankings, the IFPA will use the January 1st, 2010 rankings to determine most of
the qualifiers for IFPA 7. The tournament field will consist of 64 players in total. The top 2 ranked players from each country as of 1/1/2010 will receive an automatic qualifying spot into the tournament. Should either of the top 2 players not be able to attend, that country exemption will move down the country ranking list until it is is filled. The rest of the field will be made up of the most highly ranked players from the WPPR list, until we have filled 61 spots.

For players that cannot attend, spots will be filled by going down the rankings list.

2010 Midwest Gaming Classic Satellite Qualification (March 27-28, 2010 in Milwaukee, WI)

The 2010 Midwest Gaming Classic will serve as a satellite event for players not yet qualified for IFPA 7. One spot will be up for grabs in the A-Division tournament at the 2010 MGC. This satellite event will be open for any player ranked in the World Pinball Player Rankings as of the end of 2009, but did not qualify for IFPA 7 through the automatic bid process. Details on the MGC can be found at http://www.midwestgamingclassic.com.

2010 Flip-Expo Satellite Qualification (March 20-21, 2010 in Mers Les Bains, France)

The 2010 Flip-Expo will serve as a satellite event for players not yet qualified for IFPA 7. One spot will be up for grabs in the tournament at the 2010 Flip-Expo. This satellite event will be open for any player ranked in the World Pinball Player Rankings as of the end of 2009, but did not qualify for IFPA 7 through the automatic bid process. Details on the Flip-Expo can be found at http://silverball.fr/FR_03_00_association_silverball_flippers_flip-expo.php.

2010 IFPA League Champion Exemption (March 27-28, 2010 in Milwaukee, WI)

The 2010 Midwest Gaming Classic will serve as a satellite event for players not yet qualified for IFPA 7. Besides the A-Division Open tournament, there will be another spot reserved for the highest finisher that was also a representative from an IFPA endorsed league. This satellite event will be open for any player ranked in the World Pinball Player Rankings as of the end of 2009, sent as a representative of an IFPA endorse league to the MGC to compete that has not yet qualified for IFPA 7 through the automatic bid process. For more details contact your league President or the IFPA directly.

WHAT GAMES WILL BE USED IN THE TOURNAMENT?

Tournament games will consist of 16 EM machines (pre-1978), 16 Solid State machines (1978-1990), and 16 DMD machines (1991-present).
The game list will be published prior to the tournament so participants have plenty of time to get familiar with game rules and develop
a strategy beforehand.

FIRST ROUND OF PLAY

The first round will consist of 8 sessions. Players will be divided into groups of 4 and will play one machine chosen at random from each era. First grouping will be 1/32/33/64, etc. Scoring will be 7-5-3-1 for all matches. Following each session players will be put into new groups based off of the most up to date standings.

Starting with session #2 through session #8, groups will be divided by the following:
Session 2: same as round 1
Session 3: 1-16-17-32, 2-15-18-31, etc, also 33-48-49-64, 34-47-50-63, etc.
Session 4: same as round 3
Session 5: 1-8-9-16, 2-7-10-15, etc, also 17-24-25-32, 18-23-26-31, etc.
Session 6: same as round 5
Session 7: 1-4-5-8, 2-3-6-7, 9-12-13-16, 10-11-14-15, etc.
Session 8: 1-2-3-4, 5-6-7-8, etc.

At the conclusion of the 8th session, 32 players will advance to the final round.

MATCH PLAY MADNESS

The top 32 players from the First Round will be seeded based on their 8 session point total, and put into a bracket. Players seeded 1-8 will receive 2 byes, while players seeded 9-16 will receive 1 bye through the initial match play round. Players seeded 17 through 32 will battle in the initial round to see who advances to play those players seeded 9 through 16. Final rounds will be a best 4 out of 7 single elimination tournament. Each player will choose an EM, SS and DMD machine. Should the match be tied after these 6 games,
the match will move to ‘Sudden Death . This will be a best of 3 match where any of the remaining machines are available to be chosen. The higher seeded player will have choice of machine or position for the 1st game, with the loser of each subsequent game having choice of machine or order. Winner advances to the next round, while the loser is eliminated.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Entry fee is US$200 per player, which would be prepaid prior to the event. Players may purchase a t-shirt as well for an additional US$20. $50 from each entry fee will be put towards helping pay tournament expenses, while the remaining entry fees will be paid back in cash prizes.

PRIZE PACKAGE (based on a full field)

1st place – US$1000 + NIB Stern game + title of IFPA World Champion (approx $5000)
2nd place – US$2500
3rd place – US$1250
4th place – US$750
5th place – US$450
6th place – US$400
7th place – US$350
8th place – US$300
9th through 16th place – US$150 each
17th through 24th place – US$100 each
25th through 32nd place – US$50 each

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday –> 10am-midnight
Saturday –> 10am-midnight
Sunday –> 10am-2pm (Final 8 playoff – no breaks)

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

Please contact the IFPA at ifpapinball@gmail.com with any questions or comments you may have.