Pinball Club Competitions

Welcome to our Club's dedicated competition page, where the thrill of pinball meets friendly rivalry and community spirit! We host a variety of pinball competitions catering to players of all skill levels. Here's a snapshot of our vibrant competition scene:

  • Coming soon Feb 2025

  • Our flagship weekly event, the Tuesday Night IFPA Singles League, is a testament to the skill, strategy, and camaraderie among our players. Here's what you need to know:

    Duration & Format: Our league unfolds over seasons that span 6 weeks plus an additional week for finals. Competitions are organized into groups of 4 players, guaranteeing an equitable and inclusive platform for all participants to demonstrate their prowess.

    Scoring System: Points are awarded based on your finish in each game:

    1st Place: 5 points

    2nd Place: 3 points

    2nd Place: 2 points

    4th Place: 1 point

    Games Per Night: Each league night consists of 5 games, allowing multiple opportunities to earn points and climb the ranks.

    Finals:

    Top 16 make the finals, In the event of a tie, a sudden-death match will be played on a randomly selected machine to determine the top 16.

  • Welcome to the thrilling world of our bi-weekly Thursday Night Teams League, where camaraderie and competition collide in an exciting team-based pinball showdown. Dive into the details of our unique competition format designed to test your skills, teamwork, and strategy.

    Competition Structure

    The Thursday Night Teams League operates on a bi-weekly schedule, setting the stage for an electrifying pinball battle among groups of three. Each team faces off against another trio, engaging in a series of games that challenge different aspects of pinball mastery.

    Playing Styles & Game Formats

    Our league is distinguished by its variety of playing styles, ensuring every match is a fresh challenge:

    Single Ball Showdown: Each team member takes turns playing one ball on a machine. This format tests individual skill and precision under pressure.

    One Flipper Each: Team members stand shoulder to shoulder, each responsible for one flipper during a three-ball game. Coordination and communication are key, as you and your teammates navigate the game together.

    Head-to-Head Battles: The competition heats up with 1v1 matches, where each player goes up against a member of the opposing team.

    Scoring & Points:

    Winning a Game: Secure 1 point for your team by winning any of the games. Every point counts as you strive to outscore the opposition.

    Losing a Game: There are no points awarded for a loss, but every game is a chance to learn and strategize for the next round.

  • On the Thursdays that don't feature our Team League, our club is proud to host

    Flip Frenzy

    A high-energy, fast-paced format where players face off in as many head-to-head matches as possible within a set time frame. The goal is to achieve the highest net win-loss record, with a frenzy of games happening simultaneously across multiple machines.

  • Friday Night Flips your perfect end to the week at our pinball club! Designed with the casual player in mind. Friday nights at our club are all about unwinding, enjoying good company, and indulging in the simple pleasure of pinball. There's no competition here, just chill vibes and the timeless fun of flipping balls and hitting ramps.

    Pinball for Everyone: Whether you're a seasoned player looking to relax or a newbie eager to learn the ropes without the pressure of competition, our machines are open to all. Explore at your own pace, discover new favorites, or stick to the classics.

    Relaxed Atmosphere: The focus of Friday Night Flips is on creating a welcoming environment for everyone to kick back and enjoy the camaraderie of the pinball community. Without the pressure of competition, it’s the perfect occasion to share tips, tricks, or simply bask in the game's immersive experience.

    No need to sign up – just swing by the club ready to unwind and have a good time. We're looking forward to hosting you for a night filled with good vibes, great company, and the joy of pinball.

  • Join us every 2nd Saturday of the month for Pinawarra, our exhilarating IFPA-sanctioned group match play event, a perfect blend of intense competition and the community spirit of pinball. This premier event has quickly become a highlight for pinball enthusiasts in our community, offering a well-organized, structured, and thrilling experience for all participants. Whether you're keen on improving your IFPA rankings or in search of some competitive fun, Pinawarra promises to be a highlight for anyone looking to dive into the excitement of competitive pinball.

    Event Details

    Entry Fee: The entry is set at $31, with $1 from each participant going towards the International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA), supporting the global competitive pinball scene and securing ranking points for our players.

    Prize Pool: The prize pool grows with each participant, increasing the potential winnings for our top competitors.

    Format and Structure

    Seeding: Initial seeding is random, ensuring a fair start for all competitors.

    Player Pairing: The first round's pairing is random; subsequent rounds use balanced pairing based on players' performance to ensure competitive fairness.

    Player Order: Order of play is determined randomly to maintain an equitable playing field.

    Arena Assignment: A balanced approach is used for machine selection, ensuring no player repeatedly plays the same machine unless absolutely necessary.

    Group Structure: Players will compete in 4-player or 3-player groups.

    • 4-Player Groups: IFPA scoring (7/5/3/1).

    • 3-Player Groups: IFPA scoring (7/4/1).

    Qualifying Rounds:
    Qualifying will consist of 6 rounds, with each round featuring 2 games, resulting in a total of 12 games. Players will compete in groups of 4-player matchplay. In the event of ties after qualification, a single-game playoff will be conducted on a randomly selected machine.

    Finals Structure:

    Player Count Over 24:

    • Top 12 Players Advance: The top 4 receive a bye in the first round.

    Top 12 Finals Breakdown:

    • Quarterfinals:

      • Group Q1: Seeds 5, 8, 9, and 12.

      • Group Q2: Seeds 6, 7, 10, and 11.

      • Top 2 players from each group advance to the semifinals.

    • Semifinals:

      • Group S1: Seeds 1, 4, and top 2 qualifiers from QF

      • Group S2: Seeds 2, 3, and top 2 qualifiers from QF

      • The top 2 players from each group advance to the finals.

    Player Count 24 or Fewer:

    • Top 8 Players Advance: No byes are given.

    Top 8 Finals Breakdown:

    • Semifinals:

      • Group S1: Seeds 1, 4, 5, and 8.

      • Group S2: Seeds 2, 3, 6, and 7.

      • The top 2 players from each group advance to the finals.

    Finals:

    • The top 2 players from each semifinal group compete in the final round.

    Software: The finals will be managed by using Matchplay software.

    Game Selection & Banning

    • Quarterfinals:

      • Top 2 seeds in each group may select games but cannot ban games.

    • Semifinals:

      • Top 2 seeds in each group may choose or ban games. A maximum of 2 games can be banned per group.

      • Once a game is selected or banned, it is unavailable for the remainder of the competition.

      • If a machine is banned, the next highest seed in the group gains the choice.

    Sudden-Death Tiebreakers

    • In the event of a tie during finals progression (e.g., advancing to the next round or determining the winner), a sudden-death match will be played on a randomly selected machine.

    Final Standings

    • Final standings are determined by the round in which a player is eliminated.

      • Players eliminated in the same round are ranked against one another based on their performance in that specific round, using Matchplay points.

      • Scores are not cumulative across multiple rounds of the finals. Each round is treated independently.

    • Example: If two players are eliminated in the semifinals, their ranking will be based on the Matchplay points earned during the semifinal round only.

    • For players who advance to the final round, their standings will be based on their Matchplay scores in the finals

    • If there is a tie in the finals e.g. for podium finishes see key situation tiebreaker rules.

  • On the 2nd Sunday of each month, all female and female-identifying pinball enthusiasts are invited to get ready for our exciting IFPA women’s pinball event, which will be hosted by the Illawarra Pinball Club. This event promises to be a fantastic opportunity for participants to showcase their skills, connect with others in the community, and enjoy a day filled with fun and competitive spirit.

  • Join us on select Sundays for our Flip Frenzy, the perfect follow-up to our Pinawarra tournaments! Occurring both the Sunday before and after Pinawarra, these Flip Frenzies offer an exhilarating opportunity to showcase your pinball skills in a fast-paced, action-packed format.

    Format: Flip Frenzy is a high-energy, fast-paced event where players engage in as many head-to-head matches as possible within a set time frame. It's all about quick thinking, rapid decision-making, and adapting to different opponents and machines on the fly.

    Sausage Sizzle: But before the frenzy begins, come down early and enjoy a delicious BBQ sausage sizzle! Not only will you fuel up for the intense pinball battles ahead, but your support will also go towards funding our pinball club's operations and initiatives.