Full Play-By-Play

Flippin’ Friday Tournament

February 6, 2026

Friday night, February 6th, was one of those nights that reminds me exactly why I love pinball — the games, the people, and the wonderfully weird energy that only a tournament night can bring.

My husband and I kicked things off by grabbing two Arby’s $7 deal boxes (worth it — see food section 😉) and headed over to Atomic Age Modern. If you’ve never been there, it’s a mid-century modern antique store that somehow developed a very serious pinball habit. There are 20+ machines tucked among vintage furniture and décor, and it’s just as cool as it sounds.

The tournament ran from about 6:30 to 10:00 pm, with six rounds of match play and a wildly eclectic group of 29 players. Grandmas, moms, seasoned pinball veterans, newer players, and regulars from other locations — and yes, one guy who sat outside between rounds crocheting. Peak pinball culture.

🪄 Game 1: Magic

I started the night on Magic, a classic three-ball game that’s a little rough around the edges but an absolute blast to play. I was up against some heavy hitters and managed to pull off second place, which felt like a great way to start the night.

⚔️ Game 2: Black Knight

Next stop was Black Knight. I played against four players and… well, it wasn’t my best showing. I landed in third place, but honestly? Still fun. Some games just don’t go your way, and that’s part of tournament pinball.

🎱 Game 3: 8-Ball Deluxe

From there, I moved to 8-Ball Deluxe. This one is actually one of my husband’s favorite machines — not mine — but I still enjoy it. I surprised myself and snagged second place, which felt like a small win on a game I don’t usually gravitate toward.

During 3rd round, something legendary happened on Getaway: High Speed II. The owner of Atomic Age Modern, Bob Kennedy, absolutely blew the game up, putting up 243 million points — which is huge. One of those moments where everyone stops what they’re doing to watch, because you know you’re witnessing something special.

🦍 Game 4: King Kong

Next up was King Kong, which turned out to be one of my strongest games of the night. I have a King Kong at home, so that definitely helped — although this was a Premium version, with different shots and added challenges. Bang my head on that gong – ugh!

I managed to blow it up, putting up about 175 million points. The fourth player came incredibly close — within a couple million — and I was absolutely sweating it while watching. But I held on and made it through the round. Such a rush.

🎳 Game 5: Strikes and Spares

After that, I moved on to Strikes and Spares, the bowling pinball game — and this one came with a twist. I ended up playing against my husband, along with a player he’d faced recently at State and another newer competitor.

It was a tough group. One of the players kept getting house balls (which was honestly kind of painful to watch), and the pressure was on. I had a decent first ball, a better second ball, and an eh third ball… but somehow, I beat my husband.

That almost never happens in tournaments.

To make it even better (and more chaotic), I was FaceTiming with my oldest daughter during the game while she was making homemade sourdough donuts. Multitasking at its finest.

🗡️ Game 6: Deadpool

My final tournament game was Deadpool… and it was rough. I played terribly, scoring somewhere around 10–12 million points. The whole group struggled on that game, though — even the winning score was only around 30 million, on a machine where 200+ million is very doable.

I was frustrated afterward, so I did what I lovingly call a revenge game once the round was over — and immediately put up 80 million points. Even better, I discovered a multiball I’d never seen before: Disco Multiball. Disco balls spinning, flashing lights, dancing figures on the screen — absolute chaos in the best way. Needless to say, Deadpool and I kissed and made up. lol

🏆 Final Results & Vibes

The overall tournament winner was Russ Wonnacott, someone I’d never seen take first before, and he absolutely crushed it with 35 out of 42 possible points. I finished with 28 points, and my husband finished with 25 — meaning I beat him in a tournament, which is rare and deeply satisfying. Sorry, honey, not sorry!

Beyond the games, the people-watching was top-tier. Between the crocheting guy, awesome pinball shirts (yes, I took pictures), and the laid-back, welcoming crowd, it was everything I love about the pinball community.

Atomic Age Modern also ran a live feed during the tournament, so I’ll be linking that here for anyone who wants to watch the action. I’ve included photos, and their logo as well — because this place deserves the spotlight.

All in all, it was an incredible night of pinball, food, friendly rivalry, and community — exactly the kind of night that keeps me coming back for more.

🎥 Flippin’ Friday at Atomic Age — live coverage from the 2/6/26 Modern Pinball Tournament. Tournament vibes, great players, and nonstop action:
https://www.twitch.tv/atomicagepinball/v/2691052457?sr=a