Before we get to the main event details....hi! I'm Andy. I wanted to take a moment to address previous SSS's and what is changing going forward. I have tried each year to find a good balance of a format that includes approachable games, enough pinball to satisfy everyone, and reasonable end times without adding a cut off time for the main qualifier. SSS1 was horrible in regards to time, SSS2 was great, SSS3 was back to horrible again. While I'm not a fan of cut off times for qualifying, I believe it is necessary going forward so that people can know exactly what to expect in terms of event timing on Fri/Saturday. For SSS4 and future SSS's Friday will be a Beat the Clock format (matchplay with no playoffs, no new rounds after 10pm other than tiebreakers). Saturday qualifying has been reduced back down to 45 points and no new rounds will be played after 10pm(regardless of how many players have crossed the 45 point threshold). Tiebreakers will occur after this as well.


Enterrium is now the yearly home of the PAPA World Championships in September, so come out this June to warm up on Enterrium's games and play for a mountain of WPPRs, cash, trophies, and prizes! Only the cream of the crop will take home "The Merlin"(2023's pictured for reference!)


Live Stream:

Both tournaments will be live streamed on Twitch by Tom Graf with Fox Cities Pinball

https://www.twitch.tv/foxcitiespinball

By participating in this tourney you agree to be filmed for Fox Cities Pinball. This can include moving the camera rig onto your game inbetween balls. By signing up for this tourney you agree to this. If there is a safety issue with you being on film please inform a TD prior to the event.


Tournament Directors/Staff:

Andy Bagwell (TD): The mohawked Eff% master of disaster! Has been informed he celebrates too much, will not stop celebrating.

Gavin Miller (Tech): A wizard of repair, Gavin will be on hand while playing in the tourney to make sure any game issues are fixed promptly.

Joe Blasi (Settings): Our trusted settings guru, Joe makes sure all the games have correct operator settings for our tourneys.


Code of Conduct:

All players of our events agree to abide by the Chicagoland Pinball Code of Conduct. Full rules can be found here: http://sundaybest.kittensandwich.com/Chicagoland-Code-of-Conduct/

Pinball is for everyone, and we won't tolerate any bigotry or harassment of players. The silver ball doesn't discriminate, neither should players. If *anyone* makes you feel uncomfortable at our events we encourage you to speak to any tournament director either in person or online when you feel comfortable doing so. TDs are here to protect players and ensure they have a fun and safe space to enjoy pinball.


Tournament Details:

Silverball Super Social 4

Enterrium adding $250 to the pre tourney prize pool and $500 to the main tourney prize pool!

Over $7000 in cash prizes (assuming 100 players)!

Worth some variable amount of TGP!

$100 Bounty and Plaque for the main tourney for the highest finishing player IFPA rank 2000 or less (IFPA ranks 1-1999 not eligible), and for the highest woman finisher!

$100 Raffle to be drawn after main event qualifying ends Saturday evening. All players that do not make playoffs will be eligible to win this prize! Must be present to win at time of drawing.

Two different tournaments will be played over the weekend. Friday evening at 4pm CST we will start with a Beat the Clock tourney with cash payouts for top 16 and trophies for top 4. Estimated TGP for this warmup event is beats me! No new matches after 10pm CST. Tiebreakers for cash differences. Saturday morning starting at 930am CST we will start the main event, a Target Matchplay Qualifier with a target score of 45 points, 5/3/2/1 scoring. There will be cash payouts for the top 16 and trophies for the top 4. The first 40 players(assuming we have at least 80 players) to reach the target score will qualify for playoffs on Sunday morning at 9:30am CST. Top 4 qualifiers will receive two byes, top 16 qualifiers will receive one bye. Playoffs will consist of the Build-A-Bank™ system(2 game banks and 1 wildcard game selected by the high seed), PAPA scoring 4/2/1/0, top 2 advance from each group. Estimated TGP for this main event is who knows?! Probably close to 200%!


Registration:

Advance registration is available for this tourney, WALKUPS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. This is because the prize pool needs to be set prior to the day of the tourney. Each ticket will get access for a single player to both the warmup tourney and the main event tourney. Players of all skill levels are welcome to participate!

Current player cap will be 100 players. Some slots will be reserved for those assisting with the tourney. You are able to purchase up to 5 tickets in a single order, you will have to fill out unique player info for every ticket you buy. Ticket sales will go live here on Eventbrite on this page on Friday, April 26th at Noon CST. Players will be able to request a full refund minus Eventbrite fees up to 1 week out from the event. After that no refunds! Ticket sales will close at Noon CST on Thursday, August 8th. If you need help registering please feel free to reach out to Andy online or in person for assistance.

When you arrive to Enterrium please find Andy to check in for the tournament so that we can assure you are there prior to the start of the event.


Currently Registered Players:

Click here for the current player list.


Formats:


Friday, June 6th 4:00pm CST

SSS Warmup: Beat the Clock Matchplay

Players will compete against each other in 3/4 player group matchplay. Matches wil continue to be drawn until 10pm CST. No more matches will be drawn after that and final standings will be determined at completion of the current round. Automated tiebreakers will be used except for finishes that have a monetary difference. Tiebreakers for monetary differences will be a single full game on a classics pin chosen at random. Higher automated tiebreaker value will get choice of order.


Saturday, June 7th 9:30am CST

SSS Main Event: Target Matchplay Qualifier

Players will compete against each other in four or three player groups across all machines at Enterrium. The goal in qualifying is to be one of the first 40 players to reach 45 points. Scoring in rounds will be 5/3/2/1 in four player groups, and 5/3/1 in three player groups. Seeding is Tiered Swiss for the first 10 rounds, and Swiss the rest of the way. Tiered Swiss means players will be paired against players with the same win-loss record using increasingly smaller tiers. Swiss means that players will always be paired against players with similar amounts of points when possible. Any players that reach 45 points will be removed from the qualifier tournament and play no further rounds. This will continue until 40 players have reached the threshold. Qualifying also has a cutoff time of 10pm CST. No new rounds will be started after 10pm CST. Standings after this final round will determine playoff field regardless of whether all players have crossed the 45 point threshold or not. Meaningful tiebreakers will occur immediately after qualifying ends. The first 4 players to qualify will receive two bye rounds in playoffs. Players that qualify 5th-16th will receive one bye round in playoffs. Players that qualify 17th-40th will receive no bye rounds and compete in the first round of playoffs. Ties for byes or playoff cut lines will be a single game on a randomly chosen classics pin. Total points when crossing the 45 point threshold matter in terms of ties. If two players pass the 45 point threshold in the same round and end up with 45 and 46 points respectively, the player with 46 points will be considered "ahead" of the player with 45 points for the purposes of breaking the tie. This only matters in regards to players finishing in the same round, total points do not matter if players cross the 45 point threshold in different rounds. A player with 45 points in round 10 is "ahead" of a player with 46 points in round 11 for example. Tiebreaker matches will only come into play if enough players pass the 45 point threshold and have an equal amount of points in the same round(or final standings after the final match past cutoff time at 10pm CST. Ties for seeding will be broken by number of 1st/2nd/3rd etc. places. As a final clarification, only 40 players will make playoffs.

Sunday, June 8th 9:30am CST

SSS Main Event: PAPA Style Finals

Playoffs will consist of 4 player groups using the Build-A-Bank™ system (2 game banks with 1 wildcard game selected by top seed) with PAPA scoring, 4/2/1/0. Top seed in each group will receive choice of 2 game bank/1 wildcard machine of their choosing and order in first game. Wildcard choice can not be one of the games in the 2 game bank a player selects(you can't have two of the same game in your 3 game bank). Once a game has been selected as a wild card game it cannot be selected by any other players that round. Wildcare game will always be game 2, 2 game bank will make up games 1 and 3. A two game bank may be picked twice in a round, with the games 1 and 3 reversed. Highest seed amidst entire field will get first selection, 2nd highest will follow, and so on. Results from first game in bank will determine order selection on game 2 and so on. Lowest finishing player on game will get first choice of order on next game. A player may not choose the same 2 game bank more than once, but may choose the same wildcard 3rd game every round(if it hasn't been chosen by a higher seed in that round). The top 2 from each group will move on to the next round. This will continue until there are 4 players left, who will play a 2 game bank/1 wildcard machine to determine who is the SSS 2023 Main Event Grand Champion. Any ties for monetary differences will be a full game on a single classics pin, high seed gets choice of pin or order. Eliminated players in playoff rounds will receive position based on their score in the round they were eliminated in compared to other eliminated players. If you have one or two byes you are welcome to not show up at 9:30am, rounds will likely take 1-2 hours so plan accordingly. You will have 3 minutes after your match has started to be at the machine or you will be DQ'd on the game.

Sunday, June 8th 3:00pm CST

SSS Satellite/Consolation Tourney at Logan Arcade: Standard 3 Strikes

Logan Arcade in downtown Chicago has agreed to host a tourney Sunday for any interested players. If you don't qualify for main or you get knocked out in time you are welcome to go sign up at Logan Arcade if you can get there before 3:30pm (doors open at 3, tourney starts at 3:30). You do not have to attend any SSS4 events in order to play in this either, it is fully open to the public as well. You'll just pay the $6 entry fee to the TDs there when you arrive. Logan games are on physical coin drop. Logan Arcade has an awesome lineup of 40+ pins. Aric Cardwell and Arunas Ingaunis will be running this tourney, SSS staff won't be involved with it otherwise. Plaques and payouts to the top 4 finishers. Link with details:


Game List (Subject to change):

AC/DC (Premium)

Avatar: The Battle for Pandora

Banzai Run

Cirqus Voltaire

Dialed In

Dungeons and Dragons: The Tyrant's Eye (Pro)

Elton John

Foo Fighters (Premium)

Future Spa

Godzilla (Premium)

Gorgar

Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast

Iron Man (Vault)

James Bond 007 (Premium)

Jaws (Premium)

Jim Henson's Labyrinth

John Wick (Premium)

Jurassic Park (Pro)

Kiss (Pro)

Metallica (Pro)

Old Chicago

Paragon

Pulp Fiction (SE)

Rush (Premium)

Space Invaders

Star Wars (Premium)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Premium)

The Addams Family

The Godfather (LE)

Trident

Tron

Toy Story 4 (CE)

The Uncanny X-Men (Premium)

The Uncanny X-Men (Pro)

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory




Matchplay Software:

The tourneys will both be hosted on the Matchplay software. This will be displayed on a big screen near the tourney area or you can access it on your phone by browsing to app.matchplay.events or just googling "app matchplay". Once there you can search "SSS4" and you will see it in the results. You will be able to see what game you are playing each round and the position you are in. If you need any help just ask a TD. Once a group finishes for the round you can go enter your finishing results on the laptop near the tourney area. Please take a player from the group with you to verify the results as you enter them to avoid any mistakes.


Game Rules:

Andy is the rulemaster. He was trained for months in the Russian wilderness by IFPA Dictator Josh Sharpe to make the games play somewhat faster and somewhat less fun than the developers intended. Ball saves will be turned off on the plunge, Extra Balls will be disabled, and tournament settings will be on. Some post rubbers may get lost. Silver lining: there are no rubber feet on the games and tilts are generally friendly. If you receive a ball save then *do* play it, some games have skillshots that turn them on or lack of playfield validation, some games have bugs that keep the plunge ball savers on even if disabled. Godzilla has skillshot ball savers, but they will be DISABLED. If you receive an Extra Ball somehow *do* play it, and please let the TDs know that you received one so we can try and disable it before the next round. You *will not be punished for playing an Extra Ball*.


Schedule:

Friday June 6th, 2025

Noon CST Enterrium opens for warmup

3:00pm CST registration opens

3:30pm CST No new games started

3:45pm CST Announcements

4:00pm CST Warmup Beat the Clock Matchplay

1030pm CST Warmup Awards Presentation

Saturday June 7th, 2025

9:00am CST Enterrium opens for warmup

9:30am CST Main Event 45 Point Target Matchplay Qualifier begins

The first round that starts after 3:00pm CST will start the dinner break. The break will be one hour long and will start after the final group finishes their round. Rounds will resume 1 hour after the final group finishes their round.

10:00pm CST Main event cutoff for qualifying. No new rounds after 10:00pm CST. Tiebreakers for bye/cutline immediately following last round completion.

Sunday June 8th, 2025

9:00am CST Enterrium opens for warmup

9:30am CST Main Event 45 Point Target Matchplay Playoffs begin

~7:00pm CST Main Event Awards Presentation


Fees:

*Coin drop will be required for the pins.*

Event fee is $90

$0 per player goes towards the TDs

$1 per player goes towards the $100 raffle for every player that does not make playoffs

$1 per player goes towards the 2000th or less (IFPA rank 1-1999 not eligible) best finisher $100 bounty in the main event
$1 per player goes towards the Women's best finisher $100 bounty in the main event

$2 per player goes towards IFPA fees

$5 per player goes towards trophy fees

$5 per player goes towards tech fees

$15 per player goes towards space rental fees for Enterrium

$20 per player goes towards the Warmup Event prize pool

$40 per player goes towards the Main Event prize pool


Prizes:

Top 16 Players in each of the two tourneys will receive payouts, prize totals are calculated assuming 100 players. Prize amounts may be rounded up or down to the nearest $5 increment. Michael Benjamin, the GM of Enterrium, has offered $250 in extra prize money for the warmup tourney and $500 extra for the main tourney! Top 4 in each event will receive trophies/plaques. The highest finisher in the main event (IFPA rank 1-1999 excluded) will receive $100 and a plaque. The highest women's finisher in the main event will also receive $100 and a plaque.

Raffle Prizes

We'll be raffling off merch from various pinball companies throughout the events, including swag from Stern Pinball, Jersey Jack Pinball, Marco, and more!

Warmup Event payouts (assuming 100 players for $2,250 prize pool)

1st 21% ($470)

2nd 16% ($360)

3rd 11% ($250)

4th 8% ($180)

5th-8th 5% each ($110)

9 -16th 3% each ($70)

Main Event payouts (assuming 100 players for $4,500 prize pool)

1st 21% ($945)

2nd 16% ($720)

3rd 11% ($495)

4th 8% ($360)

5th-8th 5% each ($225)

9 -16th 3% each ($135)

This year we have also added a $100 raffle that will be drawn after qualifying ends for the main event on Saturday evening. All players that do not make playoffs will be eligible for this prize, you must be present to win.

Trophies or Plaques for Top 4 in each event

Prizes awarded by Tournament Director are final and cannot be disputed after the tournament for any reason.

Location:

Enterrium

2 Woodfield Mall Unit A, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Your GPS may take you to the incorrect mall entrance, but if you circle the main road that goes around the mall you should eventually see the big Enterrium sign. You can also park anywhere and enter the mall, then head for the food court. Enterrium's entrance is in the back of the food court, but be aware this entrance will close once the mall closes so we suggest that you circle the mall until you locate the dedicated Enterrium entrance.

Food and Drink Specials:

These aren't your typical arcade snacks! Enterrium has *delicious food* prepared by their in house chef and a great range of drinks! They will be doing six dollar bar appetizers, five dollar pizzas, bottle beer bucket specials, and possibly more....so come hungry and thirsty!