IFPA 7 May 21-23

[Dropshot]

IFPA 7 is being held in Cokato, MN this year. It is about an hour or so west of the Twin Cities. My brother owns a place 15-20 minutes from the event and I plan on staying there. Anyone else who is interested is also welcome. The event is for the top 64 players in the world, however not all 64 will go so it leaves spots open for the next highest ranking players. Last year the event was held in Europe and the highest ranked player was in the 600's, and there were a few in the 100's and 200's.

FIRST ROUND OF PLAY
The first round will consist of 8 sessions. Players will be divided into groups of 4 and will play one machine chosen at random from each era. First grouping will be 1/32/33/64, etc. Scoring will be 7-5-3-1 for all matches. Following each session players will be put into new groups based off of the most up to date standings.

Starting with session #2 through session #8, groups will be divided by the following:
Session 2: same as round 1
Session 3: 1-16-17-32, 2-15-18-31, etc, also 33-48-49-64, 34-47-50-63, etc.
Session 4: same as round 3
Session 5: 1-8-9-16, 2-7-10-15, etc, also 17-24-25-32, 18-23-26-31, etc.
Session 6: same as round 5
Session 7: 1-4-5-8, 2-3-6-7, 9-12-13-16, 10-11-14-15, etc.
Session 8: 1-2-3-4, 5-6-7-8, etc.

At the conclusion of the 8th session, 32 players will advance to the final round.

MATCH PLAY MADNESS
The top 32 players from the First Round will be seeded based on their 8 session point total, and put into a bracket. Players seeded 1-8 will receive 2 byes, while players seeded 9-16 will receive 1 bye through the initial match play round. Players seeded 17 through 32 will battle in the initial round to see who advances to play those players seeded 9 through 16. Final rounds will be a best 4 out of 7 single elimination tournament. Each player will choose an EM, SS and DMD machine. Should the match be tied after these 6 games, the match will move to ‘Sudden Death’. This will be a best of 3 match where any of the remaining machines are available to be chosen. The higher seeded player will have choice of machine or position for the 1st game, with the loser of each subsequent game having choice of machine or order. Winner advances to the next round, while the loser is eliminated.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Entry fee is US$200 per player, which would be prepaid prior to the event. Players may purchase a t-shirt as well for an additional US$20. $50 from each entry fee will be put towards helping pay tournament expenses, while the remaining entry fees will be paid back in cash prizes.

PRIZE PACKAGE (based on a full field)
1st place - US$1000 + NIB Stern game + title of IFPA World Champion (approx $5000)
2nd place - US$2500
3rd place - US$1250
4th place - US$750
5th place - US$450
6th place - US$400
7th place - US$350
8th place - US$300
9th through 16th place - US$150 each
17th through 24th place - US$100 each
25th through 32nd place - US$50 each

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday –> 10am-midnight
Saturday –> 10am-midnight
Sunday –> 10am-2pm (Final 8 playoff – no breaks)

Possible games subject to change:

OLD

Olympic Hockey
Rancho
Doozie
Rocket III
Rockmakers
Bow & Arrow
Wizard
Captain Fantastic
Old Chicago
Home Run
Quick Draw
Sky Jump
El Dorado
Big Indian
Lawman
2001

MID

Andromeda
Sharpshooter
Evel Knievel
Silverball Mania
Skateball
Rolling Stones
Banzai Run
Solar Fire
Gorgar
Barracora
Fire
Black Hole
Spirit
Rocky
Haunted House
Alien Star
Nine Ball
Star Gazer
Catacomb
Lightning
Quicksilver
Freefall
Meteor
Flight 2000
Cheetah
Embryon
Space Station
Centaur

NEW

24
CSI
Batman
Spider-Man
Family Guy
Pirates of the Caribbean
World Poker Tour
Lord of the Rings
The Simpsons Pinball Party
Sopranos
Cactus Canyon
Medieval Madness
Attack From Mars
Champion Pub
Junkyard
No Fear
Creature From the Black Lagoon
Addams Family
Monster Bash
Tales of the Arabian Nights
No Good Gofers
Scared Stiff
Indiana Jones (WMS)
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Whitewater
Fish Tales
Terminator 2
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Dirty Harry
Getaway: High Speed II
Guns ‘N Roses

[deathsave]

count me in to crash at your brother's place. when are you flying in/out?

[Dropshot]

not really sure yet, I may fly in thursday and leave sunday night/monday morning. I know of two places that have 20+ pins.

[deathsave]

yeah, there's a lot of pinball up there. not much else to do except unintentionally fool people into thinking you're canadian.

[Dropshot]

we won't buy it....if you are interested and not top 64 I'd still say you have a great chance of getting in. Let's say you are ranked 250. That means 64 players ranked higher than you want to go. I think 30-40 of top 64 will go that mean another 20-30 or so are open to almost whoever.

[Soundcard]

Is this strictly a tournament or is there an "expo" to go alnog with it? I think I'd be down to make the trip if there was something other than the tourney to do.

[Dropshot]

No expo, just tourney. Josh sent me an email to clear a few things up. Their are 4 satelite spots to be won. Their are also 2 spots for each country included in the rankings which was 27 spots filled last year. However since most of those countries are across the pond it will most likely be fewer this time. So lets say 20 along with the 4 makes 24 leaving 40 spots open to the highest ranking players. Last year Brian Bannon at 136 was the highest that got in but since there most likely will be fewer over seas players that number could go up to 200 or so. All depends on who wants to go I guess. Also your rank for this event is as of Jan. 1, 2010.

[Dropshot]

For those that are interested, I got my plane tickets. I leave Tuesday morning around 11 and get into MSP just before 7. And then I leave MSP on Tuesday at 2:45 I think. I have confirmed with my brother that he has space for us all (as many as want to go) Blankets and pillows will be provided. Any other questions feel free to ask.

[caylegeorge]

http://www.pinballrankings.com/ifpa7.php

gogogogogo

[emma]

Oh man, it really is exciting to see all of the Portland players on that list.

[Dropshot]

Noah, you're gonna go right?

[emma]

I know, he totally should, right? He's all, "I don't have the money to fly and enter" blah blah blah. He could always liquidate an asset or two to finance things.

[Dropshot]

free housing too!

[Dropshot]

Rev, Rom, Noah you guys should seriously think about IFPA7. We need to represent for Portland and let the world know our ranks are not a fluke or by product of just playing every week. Well they partially could be attributed to that but none the less we can play with them and win! Registration is due by Feb. 15th.

[caylegeorge]

Aaron, your status still says "Unknown," did you register?

-cAyle

[Dropshot]

I've got a plane ticket but haven't registered yet, I do plan too though

[caylegeorge]

Just bumping this again. Not sure if the sharpes are lagging updating the page, but if you plan on attending and have yet to let them know, please do so. It helps those guys greatly when everything isn't last minute.

it's gonna be fun! woo hoo!

-cAyle

[Dropshot]

Josh just sent me an email. He would like to know by the 1st if you plan to go. He then must receive your money by the 15th. Noah, Jake, Rom? you guys should all go. From the looks of things a few others may get the invite too.

[revtest]

Wish I could but I am keeping my efforts focused on Portland pinball right now with funds being as tight as they are right now I just can't commit to it. I'm sure it will be a great time and anyone qualified who can go should for sure!

[Eden]

You're next up Aaron!! Looks like if you say yes, you're in guaranteed!

Congrats! ... and again, hope to see several of you there... next one on North American soil is 2012, and for all we know, the earth will be destroyed by then, so this may be your last chance