The IFPA, Flipperspiel Underground Arcade Club, the AMOA and AAMA are teaming up to host a pinball tradition unlike any other . . .

The IFPA Pin-Masters will be held March 29th-31st at Flipperspiel Underground Arcade Club in Las Vegas, NV. All pre-registrants that sign up before 2/15/19 will get a free pass into the Amusement Expo being held March 27th-28th at the Convention Center (a $175 value).

Below you will find important information about the tournament including how to qualify, tournament format, prize breakdown and more! Any questions please contact the IFPA at ifpapinball@gmail.com.

WHERE ARE THE IFPA PIN-MASTERS GOING TO BE HELD?

Flipperspiel Underground Arcade Club
3281 N Decatur Blvd #240
Las Vegas, NV 89130
HOW DO YOU QUALIFY TO PLAY IN THE IFPA PIN-MASTERS?
The tournament is open for anyone to participate in. Players need to pre-register with the IFPA before February 15, 2019 HERE. There will be 2 tee times available (10am and 3pm). Players will rank their preference with respect to a preferred start time, and the IFPA will do our best to accommodate. We are currently limiting the field for the 2019 IFPA Pin-Masters to 72 players, 36 for each tee time.

Each participant is guaranteed 2 full rounds with their paid admission into the tournament. The top 16 players after these Qualifying rounds will advance to the Finals, which will be 4-player group play continuing to use our golf scoring. The top 4 players not in the top 16 that are ranked 251+ in the World Pinball Player Rankings will advance to the Novice Final.

WHAT GAMES WILL BE USED IN THE TOURNAMENT TO MAKE UP THE PIN-GOLF COURSE?

Tournament games will consist of 9 games spanning all eras (Electromechanical through the latest DMD/LCD games). 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, although this list is tentative and is subject to change leading up to the event.

QUALIFYING ROUNDS

Players will complete 2 rounds of 9 Pin-Holes during Qualifying. Each Pin-Hole will consist of a pinball machine with a target score. The number of balls it takes for the player to reach that target score will represent the number of Pin-Strokes earned for that hole. Should a player not reach the target score after a full game is completed, a stroke value will be determined based on how close the player was to the target score at the end of their game.

For example, the target score of CSI may be set at 10 million points. A player will continue playing the game until he reaches 10 million points. If reached, the number of balls it took to reach that score will be recorded for that Pin-Hole. If the player fails to reach the target score after 5 balls are played, they will be awarded a score based on how close they were to that target:

8,000,000 – 9,999,990 points = 6 strokes [80% of par]
6,000,000 – 7,999,990 points = 7 strokes [60% of par]
4,000,000 – 5,999,990 points = 8 strokes [40% of par]
2,000,000 – 3,999,990 points = 9 strokes [20% of par]
0 – 1,999,990 points = 10 strokes [<20% of par]

A maximum of 10 Pin-Strokes per Pin-Hole will be enforced.

The 16 players with the lowest Pin-Stroke total after their 2 qualifying rounds will advance to the Final Round to be held Sunday morning. The Final Round consists of 4-player group play, with 3 games per round using the same golf scoring.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Entry fee is $100 per player, which is payable by check or via Paypal at the time of registration. All entry fees will be paid back in cash, trophies and additional prizes.

Cancellations are refunded 50% of their registration fee. Any excess funds from player refunds will be added to the prize pool.

PRE-REGISTRATION

As an added bonus, all players that pre-register for the 2019 IFPA Pin-Masters prior to 2/15/19 will receive a FREE pass into the Amusement Expo (http://www.amusementexpo.org) which takes place before the tournament weekend on that Wednesday and Thursday. This is an industry wide trade show where coin-op companies including Stern and Jersey Jack Pinball show their latest and greatest equipment. This is a $175 value.

PRIZE PACKAGE (based on 72 players)

1st place – $2000 + trophy + title of IFPA Pin-Masters Champion
2nd place – $1200 + trophy
3rd place – $900 + trophy
4th place – $600 + trophy
5th through 8th place – $300 each
9th through 16th place – $150 each
Novice Champion – $100

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, March 28th, 10am – 11am -> PRACTICE SESSION

Friday, March 29th, 10am – 3pm -> GROUP 1 QUALIFYING
Friday, March 29th, 3pm – 8pm -> GROUP 2 QUALIFYING

Saturday, March 30th, 10am – 3pm -> GROUP 1 QUALIFYING
Saturday, March 30th, 3pm – 8pm -> GROUP 2 QUALIFYING

Sunday, March 31st, 10am – 4pm -> FINALS

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

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