2024 NWPAS Pinball Tournaments
June 7 through June 9, 2024

Satellite Tournament Series
March 18th to May 27th

NWPAS Satellite Pinball Tournament Series

A promotional tour of your favorite local establishments in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. 15 Satellite Tournaments total.
• Estimated dozens Tournament Prizes to be won!! for a combined prize pool valued at over $10,000!
• Any player can win up to 2 weekend passes, and up to 2 tournament entry packages, during the tournament series, to give one to a friend or family member.
• Variety of tournament formats: Match Play with Multi-Play finals, 3-Strike Knockout, 8-Strike Progressive Strike Knockout and Pingolf.
• IFPA World Pinball Player Ranking (WPPR) points towards state and international rankings for many events
• Entry only $10 to Enter any satellite tournament
• Lots of raffle prizes at every event
• Win Guarantee - See Details below!
• Participate in 3 events and if you do not win a weekend pass, you can purchase one for $100 - See Details below!

2024 NWPAS Satellite Series Schedule

 

Tournament Prizes description

Similar to last couple of years, not all prizes will include BOTH a weekend pass and tournament entry package :
• Weekend Pass to Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show (NWPAS), June 7-9, 2024, at Tacoma Convention Center ($140 value)
• Tournament entry package, registration into NWPAS Open Pinball Tournament ($30 value) and one NWPAS Classic Match Play Tournament entry ($40 value), total $70 value.
• If winner of package is a women, then Entry into Northwest Women's Pinball Championship ($25 value)
• If winner of package is eligible for NWPAS Rookie & Amateur Match Play Tournament, then entry into that tournament too ($10 value)
• The WINNER (1st Place) of each satellite tournament also gets a plaque!

Win Guarantee

We want everyone to go to the show, and doing what we can to help! So if you play in at least 6 of the satellite tournaments, and you don’t win any prizes, then we’ll GIVE you a tournament entry package prize ($70-105 value), for your support and participation of the tournament series.

Weekend pass offer for Satellite players

Participate in 3 satellite events and if you do not win a weekend pass, you can purchase one for $100! You can purchase the pass with cash only at the satellite event. If you win a pass in future events we can refund you or have the pass for a guest.

Prize Pool

Minimum FOUR prizes per Satellite Tournament, 1st Place is Plaque + NWPAS Weekend pass only ($140 value), 2nd place is a NWPAS Weekend pass only ($140 value) and 3rd place tournament entry prize package only ($70-105 value). The fourth prize, a tournament entry package is guaranteed for the top finishing Rookie & Amateur (see below for details).
• Additional tournament entry prize for every 7 additional players starting at 32 (32 players = 5 total prizes; 39 players = 6 total prizes, etc.).
• Any player can win up to 2 weekend pass, and up to 2 tournament entry package during the tournament series, to give one to a friend or family member.
• If a player win 2 weekend passes they can elect to exchange one for a tournament entry package.
• Plaque for winner of every tournament.

One of the tournament entry prize is guaranteed for the top finishing Rookie & Amateur eligible player who has an Individual Player Rating (IPR) of 3 or less, among those who meet a minimum eligibility threshold:
• Player has not yet won a tournament entry prize via this Rookie & Amateur Guarantee in a prior satellite this season.
• In Match-Play, player must have at least advanced to the first playoff round.
• In a 3-Strike Knockout or Group Knockout tournament, player must have survived at least through Round 6.
• In PinGolf, player must at least be in top 50%.
• If there are no players who reach the eligibility threshold, or the top-finishing player with IPR 3 or less ranks high enough to win a regular prize, the tournament entry prize will go to the next highest ranked player overall that did not yet receive a prize.
• Check the Monday Night Pinball / NWPAS Player Search page to determine if your IPR.

If there are 7 or more total prizes awarded, then TWO of the tournament entry prize are guaranteed for top two Rookie & Amateur eligible players, per constraints above. The remaining prizes are awarded to the top players.

Plus many raffle prizes at every event!

Additional Details

• When a player wins a second identical prize (2x weekend pass or 2 tournaments entry package, it is considered a “guest/+1” of their first prize. The person they give the prize to must accompany them when they check-in to the expo for a 2nd weekend pass or to each tournament for a 2nd tournament entry package.
• Players who have already won two NWPAS Weekend pass and two tournament entry package prize can still play in a tournament and earn WPPR points, win raffle prizes, and win a plaque, but will be ineligible for tournament prize. If they final result in the tournament would have qualified them for a tournament prize, the prize will go to next highest finishing eligible position.
• Buying entries in the Open Tournament is $35 for first set of 12 entries and $35 for 2nd/last set of 12 entries.
• Rebuy in the Classic Tournament is $40; players cannot use an entry won in a satellite tournament for a rebuy.
• The Rookie and Women awards are only offered if the person winning the package is eligible. These awards are not included in a second prize package won by an individual, and thus not part of a package used by a “guest/+1”
• Players who earn free weekend passes through volunteering time at the show, bringing machines, or as a sponsor, please contact the tournament director for more information.
• Tournament prizes that are not claimed at the show are forfeited.
• Tournament prizes are not transferable, with exception that a winner of two NWPAS Weekend pass or tournament entry package can transfer the second one to their “guest/+1”.

Tournament Format Descriptions

Below is a description of each tournament format. Note that adjustments to any format could occur up to the time of the event. In general, if there are major changes needed, they will be announced on the Facebook Event page for that tournament, as well as on this website, with as much notice as possible.

3-Strike Knockout

This will be the same knockout format as used in many of the local weekly and monthly tournaments, with one key exception. Once all players remaining have won packages, the tournament ends. Final placement is based on number of strikes each player has, with ties for equal strikes.

If there is more than one player with least number of strikes, then a ONE GAME final playoff game is made among those players, with final results of that game determining final position in the tournament.

If there is a tie for who wins a package and who doesn't after multiple players get knocked out, it will be a ONE GAME tie breaker among those players.

Progressive Strike Group Knockout

This will be a group knockout tournament in which players are arranged in groups of 4 when possible, but occasionally groups of 3, and with five or less players remaining, possibly group of 2.

Similar to 3-Strike Knockout, except for how strikes are awarded:
• A player continues to play until they get 8 (or more) strikes, at which time they are eliminated.
• Winner of the game does not get a strike, 2nd place gets one strike, 3rd place gets two strikes and 4th place gets three strikes.

Once all players remaining have won packages, the tournament ends. Final placement is based on number of strikes each player has, with ties for equal strikes.

If there is more than one player with least number of strikes, then a ONE GAME final playoff game is made among those players, with final results of that game determining final position in the tournament.

If there is a tie for who wins a package and who doesn't after multiple players get knocked out, it will be a ONE GAME tie breaker amongst those players.

Match Play, MMP Final

The qualifying round is a traditional match play tournament.
• There will be 5 rounds of 4-player games (or some 3-player games if odd number of players).
• Points will be earned per game based on IFPA Scoring.
• Ties will be broken as described below.

Match Multi-Play Playoff Rounds:
• With 46 or less players, top 8 make semi-finals, as two groups of 4 players. Top two of each group moves on to Finals.
• With 47 or more players, top 16 make semi-finals. Winner of each semi-final group move on to finals and win packages. 2nd in each group move to consolation finals to compete for remaining packages. In case of a 9th package being available, multi-play consolation final will be among those who finish 3rd in each group (instead of 2nd) in semi-finals, as everyone finishing 2nd will have also won packages.
• Ties will be broken as described below.
• Play proceeds similar to qualifying rounds, except that there are 4 players on 4 machines. Rotation to the right occurs similarly.
• Points are earned for each game based on IFPA Scoring.

PinGolf

This tournament will run similarly to the qualifying portion of the Classic PinGolf at NWPAS, with just a reduced number of Tee-Off times (74 slots).
• Two players tee-off at a time, but still play as one-player games. Players will be able to reserve a tee-off time starting a week before the event.
• Every machine will be set to 5-ball play, and will list a target score. Reach the target score in 1 ball for a hole in one. Reach it in 2 balls, then get a score of 2 strokes, and so on. If the target score is not reached after 5 balls, then earn a stroke score of 6 to 7, depending on how close to the target score reached. The score ranges (0-50% and 50-100% of score) will be shown on a note on the backglass.
• When a player reaches their target score or their game ends, they should raise their hand to call over the scorekeeper to verify and record the score.
• Extra balls can be played, and counts as an extension of the current ball being played. Thus if a player earns an extra ball on ball 2, and during that ball 2 they reach the target, they get a score of 2.
• When a target score is reached, the player stops playing and informs the scorekeeper of the number of strokes it took them. All subsequent balls for that player will be plunged.
• Scores on each machine will be tabulated. The players are ranked from lowest to highest score, with lowest score being declared winner at the end of the event.
• TOP 16 FINALS at 7 PM, players will play in a four-player seven-strike progressive-strike tournament, using Pingolf scoring.
• During this round, players are assigned to a machine (hole). Scoring is the same as during qualifying round. The winner of the game gets no strikes. The loser of the game two strikes. 2nd and 3rd in a 4-player game, or just 2nd in a 3-player game, will get one strike. In case multiple players are tied for number of strokes on a hole, the tied players only move directly to the next available machine for a hole-in-one challenge: If one of players gets a hole-in-one and other player(s) doesn’t, that player wins. If no player gets a hole in one, highest score wins. If both players get hole in one, they move on to next available machine and repeat this hole-in-one challenge until someone does not get a hole-in-one.

Players must show up to at least 15 minutes before their scheduled tee-off time and pay their $10 entry fee, or may lose their reserved tee-off time to someone on the Standby list. Registration closes once all tee-off times are filled. Players can get onto a standby list if available to play and there is a no-show.

Scoring and General Tournament Rules

Tie-breaking rules for Match Play rounds

• First Tie Breaker: Number of 1st place then number of 2nd, 3rd and 4th place.
• Second Tie Breaker: if still tied and it is a significant tie: Player who scored highest in last round. Then previous round(s).

Tie-breaking rules for Match Multi-Play rounds

• First Tie Breaker: Number of 1st place then number of 2nd, 3rd and 4th place.
• Second Tie Breaker: the tournament director with assigned a tie breaking game at random for a full game to be played. Player position will be assigned randomly.

IFPA Scoring

IFPA Scoring will be used for Match Play qualifying rounds and all Match Multi-Play Rounds in both Satellite Tournaments and at NWPAS show. Scoring for each game is as follows:
• 4-Player Games: 7-5-3-1
• 3-Player Games: 7-4-1
• 2-Player Games: 7-3

Malfunctions and Rulings

Anytime an abnormal circumstance occurs, a tournament official should be notified. To ensure consistency throughout the tournament, PLAYERS SHOULD NOT RESOLVE ISSUES ON THEIR OWN. Except for customized rules explicitly covered on this website, PAPA/IFPA Tournament Rules will be used to address malfunctions and as the basis for rulings. Note also that any rule posted at the event, such as on the backglass of a machine, will override any rule described herein. The rules listed here are generalized for all NWPAS events, and might not apply to some specific formats.

Delay of Game: Due to the tight show schedule, delays due to players not being ready to play are problematic. When a new game is announced, players are expected to immediately proceed to their assigned machine. If a player has not shown up within one minute, please notify a tournament official, who will start a 2-minute timer. Players who have not arrived within 3 minutes of the start of a round may be given an official warning and have their balls plunged by a tournament official. Between balls, players are generally allowed 30 seconds to get to the machine and start their ball. Exceptions could be granted (e.g. player needed restroom; tournament official is involved in game and needed to make a ruling, technician at neighboring machine needs space, etc.), but these are generally expected to be occasional and the player would have informed the other competitors ahead of time of the need. No additional time is provided if previous player tilts, due to use of fast-settling tilt bob. If an opponent regularly takes longer than 30 seconds, please notify a tournament official. Tournament officials will monitor for delay of game. Tournament officials can provide warnings as well as plunging ball on first delay of game offence, and disqualification from game or tournament for repeated offenses.

Machine Setup Changes: Tournament officials reserve the right to modify any machine between games or between rounds, including changing of settings, tilt sensitivity, machine level, or any other adjustment that is deemed desirable to make the tournament run more smoothly and be more fair and fun. Since a player is only competing against the other players in the same game, all players will encounter such changes at the same time, and it is part of pinball to be able to quickly adjust to changing conditions of a machine.

Extra Balls: Extra balls will be disabled whenever possible at the main event, but likely will still be enabled in most satellite tournaments. Any extra ball is to be plunged, unless a note on the backglass says to play it. If an extra ball is to be plunged, then player may NOT touch flipper buttons to setup skill shot, then plunge ball in attempt to get the skill shot. The player may also choose to tilt the machine prior to plunging in lieu of skill shot and end-of-ball bonus, but a tilt anytime after a first plunge attempt will result in disqualification. Once ball is in motion the player must step back and cannot touch the machine, unless the ball returns back to plunger lane and is not auto-plunged, at which time they should plunge again. In the case that a player has a compensation ball awarded due to a major malfunction, and they earn an extra ball, they may choose to play the extra ball in lieu of the compensation ball in a new game.

Bonus Balls: A bonus ball is differentiated from an Extra Ball in that it is timed, and ends when the timer runs out. Space Shuttle and Medusa are examples of two machines with Bonus Balls. Bonus balls CAN be played.

Fast-Settling Tilt Bobs: In the NWPAS show tournaments, machines will be equipped with Fast-Settling Tilt Bobs when possible, using the ear-plug tilt hack, so that even sensitive machines tend to give only one danger warning after a strong nudge or save. With this mechanism, the tilt bob usually settles to a full stop within 15 to 20 seconds, and thus no need to wait longer between players when the prior player ended their ball by tilting. As a result, the delay-of-game rules don't allow for extended waits after a player tilts, as described next. This does not apply to satellite tournaments that are held on location, with most machines as-is.

Machine Availability: In case of machine unavailability, the maximum player count listed for a round could be reduced, or a backup machine from the Expo floor may be selected for use in lieu of the broken main bank machine.

Prize Pools: The advertised prize pools assume attendance on par with previous year, and are subject to reduction in case of major problems that reduce the number of available paid entries in any of the tournaments. This includes but not limited to COVID, power failures, natural disasters, weather-related closures, and significant technical issues.

Additional Information

Tournament Co-Directors: Germain Mariolle, Lonnie Langford, Ashley Weaver, Richie Terry, Neal Joslyn, John Garnett, Eric Morales & Max Stewart.
For questions and inquiries regarding tournaments at NWPAS, please contact contact@seattlepinballservices.com.

Back to Main Tournament Page.