Players square off in Victoria pinball league championship
Steve Webb has long been a fan of video games but in recent years, he’s gained an appreciation for the more tactile appeal of pinball.
“It’s like a very finely-tuned piece of machinery that someone’s put a lot of effort and energy into building and tuning up, and then you let a steel ball, just unleash it inside and do as much damage as possible,” said Webb, the co-owner of Quazar’s Arcade in Victoria, B.C.
“There is something so chaotic about it.”
That sense of chaos will be unleashed at the Vancouver Island Pinball Championship, which is set to take place at the Powerhouse Pinball Club, also in Victoria. The venue that has become home to a pinball league that grew during the pandemic.
The Island7:30Pinball wizards: We head to a local parlour to play pinball with the champs
Liz McArthur met Steve Webb at Powerhouse Pinball to discuss this noble sport. 7:30
According to its website, the top 24 players based on event results from the year 2020-21 are qualified for the tournament. Before the Powerhouse grand finals on Sunday, May 1, matches will be held at Quazar’s Arcade.
Webb had moved some of his pinball machines from the arcade to the Powerhouse building on Store Street, so people could play at a safe distance, he said.
Are you a pinball wizard? <br><br>CBC’s <a href=”https://twitter.com/lizziepetra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@lizziepetra</a> took a trip to a pinball arcade in Victoria, where she spoke with an expert who showed her some tips and tricks. <a href=”https://t.co/yV4fKmxKtq”>pic.twitter.com/yV4fKmxKtq</a>
—@cbcnewsbc
A tactile — and social — game
Dan Bitterlich stated that he enjoys the social aspect in the league.
He stated, “The competitive nature isn’t really that powerful.” said. “We try to make it more fun than competitive.”
Bitterlich agrees with Webb that pinball is a game that has a unique appeal.
He said, “Participation is that it’s tactile.” said. “Pinball can be physical.”
He notes that though the machines may be identical, everyone plays differently and will play differently over time as the parts wear down or get dirty.
He described it as “a world under glass” and said that it is often referred to as such. said.
“So what you have there is something very physical. It has laws and rules that apply to it, but it’s impossible to control. You can never quite master it.”
Welcome newbies
What are some good guidelines for a novice in pinball?
Bitterlich: “There are two very simple, straight-forward rules.” saidWe welcome new pinball players to our league.
You’re not hitting the flippers without a reason. Then you realize that you don’t have to press both buttons simultaneously. You’re actually increasing space between the flippers.
After a delay of more than two years, the tournament is back with 24 players set to square off in head-to-head matchups, with the winner of each best-of-seven series advancing to the next round.
Bitterlich said that some of the new league players he played with went on to participate in tournaments.
He said, “It’s the feeling of accomplishment because you can easily learn small skills and suddenly you’ll notice your game getting better.” said.
On Sunday night, the winner will receive a silver-plated championship buckle.
SourceCBC Sports
