Brisbane Masters 2016 - Begins Today!

*** Updates will occur in the comments below

The last major pinball event on the Australian Calendar is happening right now, in sunny (one can only hope after the cold snap in NSW) Queensland Australia!

Photo by Matthew Venables http://www.mvenables.com

In what could be argued as a surprising turn out of events, this particular competition is even larger - in player base - than the Batcave Masters, previously held just a few short months earlier. This massive turn out for the Brisbane Masters means that it could also be the largest and most prestigious event of the year, and one that any competitive pinball player would be crazy to miss.

gamethesystem.co will endeavor to provide live results as they happen across this huge three day event. And with three tournaments scheduled, it's going to be another 12+ hours a day marathon for players and tournament organisers alike.

For those keeping watch at home, here's the full player list which is awe inspiring for pinball competition, let alone Australian pinball competition! This is also sorted by seeded rank, so start your betting on who's going to knock out who and upsets that are surely going to happen.

So the question has to be asked - Who do you think is going to take out this major win?

1. Peter Watt
2. Richard Rhodes
3. Brett Goodwin
4. Paul Jones
5. Jason Lambert
6. Jack Hutchinson
7. Luke Marburg
8. Matthew Venables
9. Marc Bell
10. Andrew Ferguson
11. Chris Jennings
12. Rob Singh
13. Pat Nichols
14. Greg Gee
15. Jasen Mouritsen
16. Paul Reid
17. Stuart Thornton
18. Zack Foster
19. Corey Hamilton
20. Russell Dagger
21. Tim Chapman
22. Chris Watt
23. Gavin Drogemuller
24. Derek Broadfoot
25. John Cosson
26. Reon Seeney
27. Naiomi Goodwin
28. James Angliss
29. Grant Quinn
30. Matt Usher
31. Wal Dickie
32. Greg McMahon
33. Luke French
34. Esther Ahronheim
35. Hugh Dickson
36. Nick Keros
37. David Cacic
38. Chris Wade
39. Matthew Hetherington
40. Adam Clarke
41. Daniel Figgis
42. Michelle Clark
43. Hollie Mills
44. Geoff Wills
45. Warren Beetham
46. Rob Milla
47. Stuart Ryan
48. Athol Bennett
49. Regan Rist
50. Tony Woods
51. David Lomas
52. Andy Jacobi
53. Michi Henning
54. Anthony Fowler
55. Alex McClarty
56. Mathew White
57. Chris Eccles
58. Glen Charles
59. Travis Bishop
60. Ray Scott
61. Dirk Booy
62. Lee Ware
63. Oliver Dickson
64. Michael Paul
65. Richard Coria
66. Michael Jarvis
67. John Pettex

IFPA Australian Championship Series (ACS) 2016 Watch - Half Way

More than half of 2016 is already behind us, so let’s check back in with the standings of the Australian Championship Series (ACS), and discuss some of the results from the second quarter of the year.

The finals at the 2015 ACS event in Brisbane was a very tense affair.

It will come as no surprise that Australia’s highest ranked player, Peter Watt, has surged ahead by a considerable distance following a typical run of consistent results. This years’ Batcave Masters was far more successful for Pete, finishing 2nd in the Main Event, 4th in the Pingolf and 12th in the Classics. Strong local performances in Brisbane have also contributed to Pete’s lead, particularly in Houseball, Gold Balls and Brisbane Pinball Club.

The ever-travelling Greg has continued his good form in the second quarter of 2016, despite missing the Batcave Masters. Greg has performed well in local clubs and leagues in Melbourne & Brisbane, as well as his hometown Sydney, including a second place finish in the Melbourne Silverball League. Greg sits in 2nd place in the ACS standings.

A formidable return to form has seen Richard Rhodes move into 3rd place in the standings. Richard was at his dominant best at the Batcave Masters, taking out both the Main Event and the Pingolf.

Brett Goodwin sits in 4th following a solid showing at the Batcave Masters, as well as consistent results in local tournaments, namely a win in the Magic Hands Super League.

Fifth through to tenth place has a decidedly Victorian flavour, featuring Martin Robbins in 5th place, Luke Marburg in 6th place, Jordan Tredaway in 8th place, and Stuart Thornton in 9th place. They have all performed consistently well in local Melbourne tournaments, which have had strong turnouts and good formats, meaning good points. Paul Jones sits in 7th after excellent performances in every tournament he has played in, including a 3rd place finish in the Batcave Masters Main Event. Chris Jennings rounds off the top 10 after solid results locally all year.

In 11th to 15th places, we have Pat Nichols, Jack Hutchinson, Matt Venables, Steve Edwards and Rob Singh, who have all put together a string of good results.  

In 16th to 20th places are Greg Siegele, Robert Macauley, Jason Lambert, David Peck and Paul Reid, who are all talented players and have made the most of the tournaments they’ve played in (particularly Greg and David who have only played in 7 and 3 tournaments respectively).

Making up the remainder of the 32 (21st to 32nd), we have Johnny Crabtree, Jasen Mouritsen, Andrew Ferguson, Marc Bell, Marcus Sezonov, Mitchell Setschniak, Warwick Pearce, Brian Schleibs, John Ebejer, Derek Broadfoot, Alex Nunn and Corey Hamilton.

Currently the top 32 is made up of 12 from New South Wales, 9 from Victoria, 8 from Queensland, 2 from South Australia, and 1 Kiwi. The standings are influenced by a combination of big results at major tournaments, and consistent results at local tournaments - meaning the field of 32 players who do eventually qualify will certainly deserve it.

It is all to play for in the back half of the year, and a lot can still change. The next big point-earning tournament is the Brisbane Masters at the end of July, where most of Australia’s best players will be in attendance.

Author: Jack Hutchinson

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 8

Ever had one of those days? Perhaps Monday is always one of those days... But here, provided by photographer extraordinaire Matthew Venables, is a quick animation showing one of those moments in pinball you might want to forget. Houseballs, a missed shot, or maybe an 'everyone out of the pool' multiball moment, here we take pleasure in someone's misery.

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 8 - John Pansini aka Magic Hands shows us that even hands of magic aren't enough to save a gutter ball.

Click on the image to view the short animation

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 7

Ever had one of those days? Perhaps Monday is always one of those days... But here, provided by photographer extraordinaire Matthew Venables, is a quick animation showing one of those moments in pinball you might want to forget. Houseballs, a missed shot, or maybe an 'everyone out of the pool' multiball moment, here we take pleasure in someone's misery. Check back next Monday for the next poor victim...

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 7 - Shannon O'Connor's emotions run riot, while Roger Z shows us his extraordinary empathy skills.

Click on the image to view the short animation

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 6

Ever had one of those days? Perhaps Monday is always one of those days... But here, provided by photographer extraordinaire Matthew Venables, is a quick animation showing one of those moments in pinball you might want to forget. Houseballs, a missed shot, or maybe an 'everyone out of the pool' multiball moment, here we take pleasure in someone's misery. Check back next Monday for the next poor victim...

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 6 - Anticipation, exhilaration, defeat. Tim Chapman calmly demonstrates the three pillars of pinball.

Click on the image to view the short animation

Paul Reid Wins June Super Selfie League

Paul Reid, the Maroubra Sydney local, has won the Magic Hands Super Selfie League final in the month of June!

The play off for the final four qualifiers was held at the June tournament venue - City Heroes in Sydney CBD. There were three rounds, with three games per round, scored via the PAPA format of 7 5 3 1 according to finishing position in each game. Players competed on the following games;

• Star Trek
• KISS
• Avatar
• Iron Man
• The Walking Dead
• ACDC

Ben Hayes having a blinder on Star Trek, in a game of high scores from all players.

There were rarely any blowout games with each of the finalists keeping pace with each other up to the final round. However some consistent high level play from Paul seen him run away with the win by the end. The final results for all players in June is as follows;

1    Paul Reid
2    David Loewy
3    Andrew Ferguson
4    Ben Hayes
5    Collin Metcalfe
6    Regan Rist
7    Daniel Luth
8    Greg McMahon
9    Mark Tibbetts
10    Michelle Clark
11    Ron Loewy
12    Gary Doust
13    John Pansini
14    Tim Chapman

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 5

Ever had one of those days? Perhaps Monday is always one of those days... But here, provided by photographer extraordinaire Matthew Venables, is a quick animation showing one of those moments in pinball you might want to forget. Houseballs, a missed shot, or maybe an 'everyone out of the pool' multiball moment, here we take pleasure in someone's misery. Check back next Monday for the next poor victim...

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 5 - Paul Kaczorek aka KAZ gets the crowd into the moment with a ball that was not meant to be.

Click on the image to view the short animation

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 4

Ever had one of those days? Perhaps Monday is always one of those days... But here, provided by photographer extraordinaire Matthew Venables, is a quick animation showing one of those moments in pinball you might want to forget. Houseballs, a missed shot, or maybe an 'everyone out of the pool' multiball moment, here we take pleasure in someone's misery. Check back next Monday for the next poor victim...

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 4 - Anita Krivickas' perfect reaction to a ball gone wrong...

Click on the image to view the short animation

Aus #1 Women’s Pinballer - Naiomi Goodwin - Player Feature

Naiomi Goodwin, not only Australia’s number 1 ranked women’s pinball player, and not only an accomplished graphic designer, but her positive attitude on life and the people around her is an inspiration for us all. Click on the photo below to see the full set of 9 screens.

Click the image to view the full Player Feature

I’m very happy to make this Player Feature available to you all after what seems like months of holding on to the secret. Our talented gnomes have been tinkering away for quite some time to produce this set, and I think you would have to agree the result has turned out spectacular. Naiomi was a joy to work with and you can see the positivity and happiness inherent in the pictures. I hope you enjoy this little window in to yet another wonderful human being in our enthusiast gaming community.

If you do enjoy the photos, please do comment or click on the Share icon below!

Teaser 2 - Upcoming Player Feature

We are close, so very very close, to revealing who is the subject of our next Player Feature. It might be tomorrow... Or the next day. Here's another snippet to keep you guessing;

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 3

Ever had one of those days? Perhaps Monday is always one of those days... But here, provided by photographer extraordinaire Matthew Venables, is a quick animation showing one of those moments in pinball you might want to forget. Houseballs, a missed shot, or maybe an 'everyone out of the pool' multiball moment, here we take pleasure in someone's misery. Check back next Monday for the next poor victim...

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 3 - Sally Blake almost loses her cool... Almost:

Click on the image to view the short animation

Brett Goodwin Wins Magic Hands Final

Brett Goodwin has taken out the May Magic Hands Selfie League in convincing fashion, held today at the Henson Hotel in Marrickville Sydney.​

David Loewy playing Americas Most Haunted. Dave manages a 2nd place this month which is a fantastic result. 

A fantastic turn out with 21 players taking part. Below are the full results of this months competition:

1. Brett Goodwin
2. David Loewy
3. Matthew Venables
4. Pat Nichols
5. Marc Bell
6. Paul Reid
7. Regan Rist
8. Greg McMahon
9. Ben Hayes
10. Nathan Clissold
11. Ron Loewy
12. Andrew Heitmann
13. John Pansini
14. Mark Williams AUS
15. Michelle Clark
16. Ian Hooper-Richardson
17. Tim Chapman
18. Martin Robbins
19. Naiomi Goodwin
20. Mark Tibbetts
21. Paul Kaczorek

Pinnacle of Aussie Pinball - Work to Play!

As keen competitors and enthusiasts would be aware, the Batcave Masters for 2016 wrapped up a few weeks ago in what can only be described as an epic weekend of high level competitive pinball play.

Peter Watt (playing) takes out Paul Jones to enter the grand final of the 2016 Batcave Masters. Photo by Matthew Venables: http://www.mvenables.com

New Zealand's number 1, David Peck, wins the Classic Competition (and a wad of cash) at the 2016 Batcave Masters.

The Batcave Masters, a tournament that runs a marathon length of three days and demanding up to 14 or more hours of endurance and focus each day from players and organisers alike, is a structure of competition once considered a rarity in Australia. Who would want to commit such time, money, and energy into what is ultimately a game of bat and ball, and at what point does this become work and not fun? Well, a lot of people want to it would seem, and as this structure becomes more common, players are finding that the work - the blood sweat and tears - can be incredibly rewarding. Experiencing that return on investment, learning, improving, and doing so with a group of people that share the same passion, is actually - and perhaps not so surprisingly - a hell of a lot of fun!

The good news for us die hard enthusiasts is that there’s more fun less than two months away. The next major competition on the pinball calendar, starting July 29th, is the 2016 Brisbane Masters. If there were a formal majors circuit in Australia (which there are plans underway to recognise), Brisbane Masters is one of those that would be included without debate. The most prestigious event in the state of Queensland, players will travel across the country to attend and test their skills against the best Australia has to offer - again.

Jasen Mouritsen takes 4th place at the 2016 Batcave Masters. Photo by Matthew Venables: http://www.mvenables.com

Registrations for the 2016 Brisbane Masters is currently open (click here to visit the thread on Aussie Arcade in order to take part). With 52 players already registered, and a possible cap of 64 players being applied, if you are thinking of enjoying the best experience competitive gaming has to offer in Australia, you best be quick to register your interest...

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 2

Ever had one of those days? Perhaps Monday is always one of those days... But here, provided by photographer extraordinaire Matthew Venables, is a quick animation showing one of those moments in pinball you might want to forget. Houseballs, a missed shot, or maybe an 'everyone out of the pool' multiball moment, here we take pleasure in someone's misery. Check back next Monday for the next poor victim...

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 2 - Sam West rides the emotional roller coaster, with questionable results:

Click on the image to view the short animation

Wildball League Mid Season Final

For the first time the Wildball league will be having split finals across the year. Tonight is the mid year finals with around 10 players qualified. It kicks off early this afternoon so the other players can enjoy the rest of the night afterwards, sink some drinks and drain some balls! 

And we are done here with the A division finals. With the results as follows; 

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 1

Ever had one of those days? Perhaps Monday is always one of those days... But here, provided by photographer extraordinaire Matthew Venables, is a quick animation showing one of those moments in pinball you might want to forget. Houseballs, a missed shot, or maybe an 'everyone out of the pool' multiball moment, here we take pleasure in someone's misery. Check back next Monday for the next poor victim...

Moving Monday Moment - Episode 1 - Jack Hutchinson's inspiration for his Houseball League he runs in Brisbane:

Click on the image to view the short animation

Events Events Events, There's One Near You!

Photo from @bellesandchimes on Instagram.

Australia is certainly the lucky country when it comes to pinball events, as they are just about everywhere. In fact, in some areas, there are multiple events running non stop meaning competitive pinball is up for grabs for the entire calendar year!

Seeing that this is snow balling further, and noticing our events page was just not cutting it, we've decided to give it a bit of an overhaul. The calendar view was just too cluttered and confusing - a fantastic problem to have! Instead, we now have a flat list of event information, and more importantly, registration information and Google maps embedded. Now you can see what's coming up around you quickly, how to get involved, and how to get there. Pretty handy.

So pop on over to our events page HERE, and see how you can get involved in a tournament or league near you. Remember, the pinball community is very welcoming of people of all skill levels. Find an event, grab a beer, and you may just discover a great new hobby and some mates to share it with.

Richard Rhodes Wins 2016 Batcave Masters

Richard holding the trophy (and an envelope full of cash) - a well deserved win.

Richard Rhodes, Australia's number 2 ranked player, takes the win in the main event at the 2016 Batcave Masters major pinball competition.

The final, in a best of three games match, was a nail biter and a thrilling spectacle for all those who watched on in the Batcave. Peter Watt, Australia's number 1 ranked player, was Richard's opponent. Peter got to choose the first game, in which he chose Joker Poker and pulled off a convincing victory. Richard then got the choice and it was straight to Addams Family, with Richard not even thinking twice about the choice! Conversely, Richard took that win convincingly. It was down to the third game decider...

In a great show of camaraderie and respect for each other, Peter and Richard agreed before the playoff that if it went to the third game decider, Black Pyramid would be the game they would play, in order to give the crowd a great show and the best ending to the three day tournament. It was an incredible game, with Richard first putting on a big score on his first ball that would make any player concerned about their chances of catching. Peter not only caught the score on his first ball, but tripled it! Not too long after, Richard had tripled that score once more in an amazing back and forth, until it came down to Peter's last ball to continue the momentum. Unfortunately, Peter's last ball was the shortest of the match and he fell short of his goal. But both players were incredibly gracious and in good spirits, along with the crowd who got to watch a perfect example of high level play.

In a dominating performance during the three days of competition, Richard also won the Pin-Golf side tournament. One would expect him to reclaim the Australian number 1 ranked player after these performances have been recorded in the IFPA world rankings. Congratulations Richard Rhodes!

Second place went to Peter Watt, third place to Paul Jones, and fourth place to Jasen Mouritsen.

From left to right: Jasen Mouritsen (4th), Peter Watt (2nd), Paul Jones (3rd), and Richard Rhodes (1st).

2016 Batcave Masters - Day 3

After twelve hours of qualifying rounds yesterday, here are your 16 finalists for today's main event playoff;

Richard Rhodes takes the win in a hell of a clincher, last game, tied at 1 all, he takes the last game on Black Pyramid which was an amazing show of skill for both players.

1st Richard Rhodes

2nd Peter Watt

3rd Paul Jones

I think we have a returning number 1 Aus ranked player with Richard. Passing Peter Watt in the rankings. 

2016 Batcave Masters - Day 2

And the day starts off in style, with chopchop wearing his finest new digs; 

Anything brandishing Elvira paraphernalia gets my vote. 

The main comp starts today, along with the classics running all weekend.