Tilt Studios Thursday League – B Division Finals Recap

The regular season is officially in the books, and after earning a spot in the B Division Finals, it was time to see how I stacked up against some of Tilt Studios’ toughest players.

The finals field was loaded with talent, including players ranked well above me in both IFPA and Match Play ratings. My goal wasn’t to play perfect—it was to stay competitive, learn something, and enjoy the opportunity to play in the finals.

Round 1 – Pirates of the Caribbean – 3rd Place (3 points)

I opened on a game I haven’tplayed lately. Even though I only finished 3rd, I actually felt pretty good about my progress. I had Pirate Multiball, the treasure chest, and Tortuga all close to being ready, but I just couldn’t keep the ball live long enough to cash in. That one definitely felt like a missed opportunity, but it also showed me I’m starting to understand the game’s progression.

Round 2 – The Beatles (Platinum LE) 🥇 – 1st Place (7 points)

This was the highlight of my night.

I’ve complained before that I could never remember which songs to choose to build big scores. During the game another player mentioned that I could stack features together, so I tried it. What a difference! I got into multiball, earned an Add-a-Ball, collected mystery awards, kept the loops and spinners flowing, and ended with 4.1 million.

It was enough for my first win of the finals!

Round 3 – The Addams Family – 4th Place (1 point)

Oof.

This one hurt because I know I can play Addams Family much better than I showed. I missed my opening plunge, struggled with skill shots, and never really got anything going. I finished with just over 12 million while everyone else was well ahead.

Sometimes pinball is like that. You simply shake it off and move on. Play Better.

Round 4 – Star Wars Pro – 4th Place (1 point)

Another difficult draw.

I started Han Solo mode and knocked out a handful of TIE Fighters, but I never found the big scoring opportunities. Meanwhile one of my opponents absolutely exploded for over 470 million. I finished with just over 21 million, good for another fourth-place finish.

Again, Play Better.

Round 5 – Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast – 3rd Place (3 points)

I was hoping to finish strong.

The game never really opened up for me, but I managed enough shots and loops to finish ahead of one opponent and earn a 3rd-place finish. Not spectacular, but a respectable way to close out the night.

Final Results

🏴‍☠️ Pirates of the Caribbean – 3rd (3 pts)
🎸 The Beatles – 1st (7 pts)
👨‍👩‍👧 The Addams Family – 4th (1 pt)
⭐ Star Wars Pro – 4th (1 pt)
🤘 Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast – 3rd (3 pts)
Final Score: 15 Points

Final Thoughts

I’m proud of making the B Division Finals in the first place. Nights like this remind me that competitive pinball isn’t just about winning—it’s about learning.

The biggest takeaway came on The Beatles, where a simple strategy tip about stacking features immediately changed the way I approached the game and earned me a first-place finish. That’s the kind of lesson that sticks with you.

The rough games on Addams Family and Star Wars were frustrating, but they also reminded me that every player has nights where things just don’t click. The important part is continuing to compete, staying positive, and taking those experiences into the next tournament.

Overall, I finished with one win, two third-place finishes, and plenty of new knowledge to add to the toolbox. That’s a successful night in my book.

Incidental Exercise Receipts