Strikes (Knockout)
Matches
3-4 Player Groups
Time
Varies – usually 2-3 hours
Complexity
++
Losers take strikes (points), get too many and you’re out. Straightforward format for all skill levels
- Players are sorted into 3-4 person groups each round
- Wins are 0 points/strikes. 2-3 depends on the scoring format
- Fair Strikes: 0/1/1/2 or 0/1/2
- Progressive Strikes: 0/1/2/3
- Strikes to get knocked out vary. Usually 3 (fast), 5, or 7 (long, 4+ hours). At OLPH it’s usually 5, which takes 2-3 hours, but may be adjusted based on attendance.
- Not a timed format – play goes until the one person is left standing
Additional Notes
- Pairings managed by matchplay – login and load up.
- Unless otherwise noted, no extra balls – plunge them for skill shot or bonus, but do NOT touch the flippers
- Usually each round will sort groups by current score (i.e., play folks with similar standing), though this is up to the organizer
Flip Frenzy!
Matches
Head-to-Head
Time
2-3 hours
Complexity
+++
More pinball, less waiting! This is a fun, fast-paced format where you’ll play more games than strikes or knockout. Players are also incentivized against long, drawn out matches
- Players are entered into a que for one-on-one matches.
- A win is 1 point, a loss is -1. Most points wins.
- This is a timed format. Play goes on for a set time, then no new games fire. Get in as many as possible!
- It’s not just about how well you play your games, it’s about how many games you play. Putting up a billion on Godzilla is cool, but while you’re showing off someone’s winning five games on Trident!
Additional Notes
- Que is managed by matchplay – login and load up.
- This is a timed format, so YOU are responsible for watching the que and being ready when you’re up. If your opponent doesn’t show up quickly, grab a TD and we will start a 2 minute countdown. If they don’t show, it’s an auto-loss. No whining, we’re adults and watching matchplay is not hard.
- We typically do a break every hour during; the total pause time will be at least 15 minutes, but we will give at least10 minutes from the last match finishing after pausing the timer.
- Conceding a match at any point is fine. Plunging your ball rather than playing if you’re way ahead is also fine.
- Both players MUST play at least one ball each game – no colluding to just give someone a win.
- Unless otherwise noted, no extra balls – plunge them for skill shot or bonus, but do NOT touch the flippers
- Pairings are first available, meaning matchups are quasi-random.
Matchplay
Matches
3-4 Player Groups
Time
Varies – usually 2-3 hours
Complexity
+
Winners get points, most points wins. Easy to understand, casual format
- Players are sorted into 3-4 person groups each round
- Point systems vary. Most common is 7/5/3/1, but may be any setup announced up front. We sometimes use 4/2/1/0 for finals, giving the winner a bonus point.
- Events are may run for a set time, set number of matches, or until someone reaches a set score
Additional Notes
- Pairings managed by matchplay – login and load up.
- Unless otherwise noted, no extra balls – plunge them for skill shot or bonus, but do NOT touch the flippers
- Usually each round will sort groups by current score (i.e., play folks with similar standing), though this is up to the organizer
Best Card
Matches
Solo (or Groups)
Time
Varies – usually 2-4 hours
Complexity
+
Play a set of games, earning points for your placement on each. Easy to understand, casual format
- A list of game arenas is provided; que up to play each once only
- Points awarded on each game arena based on your overall placement against others on that game
- You can usually enter multiple times, but each entry is a full card of games – you can NOT replace scores on individual games, you have to improve score overall
Additional Notes
- Often the number of games for a card is less than the number of arenas in play – this means you can pick the ones you are best at, and avoid ones you don’t want to play.
- In some variations, you might play X different arenas but get to drop one or more. For example, you play 6 arenas for a card but only your best 5 arenas count
One-Ball Challenge!
Matches
Solo Play
Time
Unlimited Entry over 2-4 hours
Complexity
+
Get the highest score you can with just ONE BALL!
- Game is set to one-ball only, no extra balls, usually $0.25 per play
- LOG IN with Insider Connected to get on the limited time Leaderboard
- Highest scores at end of event win – enter as many times as you like!
Pin-Golf
Matches
Solo Play / Groups
Time
Varies w/ course length
Complexity
+
Reach a target score or objective in as few balls as possible!
- Machines typically set to five balls, with score or objective posted on machine.
- Your score on each “hole” is the number of balls taken to meet the objective. Like golf, lower scores are better.
- If you fail to meet the objective in the provided number of balls, you get +1 score (i.e., scratch on a 5 ball game = 6 points)
- Usually courses are played in a group of 3-4 people, plunging balls once you meet the target.
Additional Notes
- Once you meet the target, get your score recorded and plunge remaining balls to keep the course moving. If you play additional balls, they WILL be added to your score.
- This is a great social format, and good for new players since it’s not direct competition. Objectives also can encourage newer players to learn about games.
- Unless dedicated scorekeepers are assigned, have another player in your group sign off on scores.
Single Elimination
Matches
Head-to-head
Time
30-60m per round
Complexity
+
One-on-one – the ultimate competitive experience! Typically reserved for finals
- Best out of three or five (can be more, but not here)
- Winner moves on, loser is out.
- Losers may be sorted by either head-to-head loser brackets or single-round matchplay.
Additional Notes
- Each player usually chooses one game (two if playing to five); highest seed chooses tie breaker game if needed.
- Player who did not chose the game gets player order choice.
- Any final-match ties will be broken by pistols, 10 yards at daybreak. Or one ball on the game of TDs choice.
- Unless otherwise noted, no extra balls – plunge them for skill shot or bonus, but do NOT touch the flippers
- Usually each round will sort groups by current score (i.e., play folks with similar standing), though this is up to the organizer
How To Setup Matchplay
Matchplay is where you’ll go for everything during most events – round parings, standings, and even putting in your results from matches.
- Go to https://app.matchplay.events/
- Sign in or select “create a free account” and do so
CLAIM YOSELF:
- Once logged in, search for the current event you are participating in
- Click “Players” up top, find your name in the list and click it
- Select “Claim Player”