Starfighters will always feel like home base for me — the first place I competed, learned, and realized how supportive the pinball community really is. The people here do so much good for others, and I’m grateful to be part of it.
This month was another almost-there finish. I ended at 27 points, just 1 point short of qualifying — and this is now the third time I’ve finished just one point out. Close enough to see the progress, but still motivated to keep improving.
Andrew also played strong, with multiple 2nd place finishes, but also finished just outside the cut line.
Match play scoring really rewards avoiding last place finishes, so the goal stays the same: avoid 4th place in 4-player games and 3rd in 3-player games whenever possible.
Highlights
• 1st place finish on Old Chicago (5-ball EM)
• Strong result on Cirqus Voltaire with Popcorn Mania + Ringmaster progress
• Several solid 2nd place finishes in tough groups
• Stayed competitive through most rounds
• Practiced after difficult games to improve familiarity for next time
What I worked on after the tournament
Whenever I had a weaker result, I stayed and practiced: Party Zone, Barracora, Flash Gordon, Pinball Magic, Deadpool, Eight Ball Deluxe, Sorcerer, Lord of the Rings, Elvira Party Monsters, Black Knight, F14, Iron Man, Heavy Metal.
Party Zone was a great example — I didn’t really understand the strategy during the match, but after practicing I have a much better idea what to focus on next time.
That’s progress.
Wellness angle (because this is WWS after all)
Fitbit logged the tournament as “golf” 😆
But the reality: • 4.5 hours on my feet
• 1,451 steps
• 539 calories burned
• lots of mental focus and emotional regulation
Pinball may not look like exercise, but the endurance component is real.
Still counts.
Incidental Exercise Receipts
Takeaway
I am consistently getting closer to qualifying, and familiarity with more machines is reducing surprises during competition.
Close results can feel frustrating, but they are also a sign that improvement is happening.
The reps matter.
The practice matters.
The community matters.
Still counts.
Starfighters February Monthly tournament