Category: Uncategorized

It’s now the early morning of April 2. I have waited until now as I wanted to be sure this was interpreted as a genuine “no duff” announcement and not a poorly timed joke.

The existing rule regarding gambling will be changed in the next rulebook revision. Specifically, any future tournaments held in private locations (including private clubs not available to the general public) will not be subject to the same gambling prohibition as public locations unless requested by the owner.

This is to allow us to host tournaments in private locations more easily, as well as acknowledge that the rule has outlived most of its usefulness as it was originally written.

I get that many players may consider this to just be unnecessary duplication of the existing efforts by other local players. It is not. I support a thriving local pinball scene in the Houston area and the efforts of others will be a part of that in some form for the foreseeable future. Despite some past differences (most of which have been resolved) I don’t harbor any ill will against them and I look forward to working together to grow the competitive pinball scene in the Houston area and beyond.

That said there are some things I have planned for the future that make more sense under the auspices of a separate organization.

One of the main goals, if not the outright primary goal, is to expand the choices available to people who wish to play social and competitive pinball in the greater Houston area as well as bring more people in who still may not know there is such a thing as competitive pinball tournaments and leagues within the Houston area.

Thank you for your support.

Shawn K. Quinn
Commissioner, Bayou City Pinball League

[Note: If this looks familiar it probably is. This is an exact copy of the Facebook post with only slight formatting differences for the website/WordPress.]

[Edits on 2022-06-21: Unfortunately the current reality requires the struck-out portions be placed on hold for the foreseeable future.]

Come join us for great pinball and great drinks at The Little Dipper (304 Main Street, Houston, Texas)! The tournament format will be a strikeout tournament, as follows:

• Up to 5 players: heads-up, three strikes
• 6 or 7 players: heads-up, two strikes
• 8 to 12 players (max): group strikeout (bottom two in three- or four-player group get a strike), two strikes

The game lineup is Spider-Man, Family Guy, and The Walking Dead.

Tournament dates on the first (or second, due to holidays) Mondays as follows (all at 7:00 pm unless noted):

• February 7
• March 7
• April 4
• May 2
• June 6
• July 11*
• August 1
• September 12*
• October 3

If tournaments start to fill to capacity (12 players), additional tournaments may be added on the second Mondays (March 14, April 11, May 9) with priority given to those who did not play in the previous week’s tournament.

IFPA fees sponsored by Q Factor Entertainment. No entry fee for February.

I know it’s been quiet here. I regret that I have not been able to try to organize more events; I had hoped to put something together before the end of the year but it apparently just wasn’t meant to be. I would like to acknowledge the ownership at Speedy’s and their willingness to host events in the past. Unfortunately, judging by the (distinct lack of) attendance, it just wasn’t going to work out.

Anyway, a new year brings new beginnings. The Bayou City Pinball League is starting 2022 with a non-tournament, non-competitive social gathering.

Where: Little Dipper, 304 Main Street, Houston, TX
When: January 3 24, 7:00pm until we get tired of playing (likely to be at least 10:00 pm, bar closes at 2:00am).
Who: Anyone currently in good standing with the Bayou City Pinball League, 21 or over.
Why: To meet, greet, and play some pinball in preparation for the following months’ tournaments (to be announced shortly).
What pinball games: Spider-Man (Stern), Family Guy, The Walking Dead, The Machine: Bride of Pin-Bot
What to bring: Quarters for games (bar can make change for smaller bills, $1 or $5; all games are 50¢ per play). Credit/debit card for drinks (bar is cashless for drinks). A positive attitude, a great personality, and a willingness to make new friends (of course).

I realize this is a 21+ venue; I do have plans for events where younger players will be welcome in the futrure.

UPDATE: League has been cancelled. The original announcement prior to cancellation is left intact below for historical interest only.

In case you missed the big announcement, IFPA endorsements are back! Come be a part of Bayou City Pinball League’s first IFPA-endorsed and WPPR-ranked weekly league starting August 18, at Speedy’s Fast Track, 11440 Hempstead Road, Houston, Texas (see map below). Meetings will be Wednesday nights: August 18, 25, then September 1, 8, at 7:00 pm, with playoffs on September 15 with start time TBD (likely 7:00 pm as well but may be moved up to 6:30 pm). Space will be limited to twenty-four (24) players. (Once 24 unique players have registered and played at least one week, priority will be given to returning players over new players.)

Format for each weekly meet will be four games of group match play with 7-5-3-1/7-4-1 scoring per weekly meet. The lowest score of the four weeks will be dropped. Format for the playoffs will also be match play with A division and B division sizes as set forth in the rulebook. Players who play in at least two of the four weeks will be eligible for playoffs.

For this season, the IFPA endorsement fees of $1 per player will be sponsored by Q Factor Entertainment and no dues will be collected, with the only cost to play being the “coin drop” (price per game).

For those that missed the announcement, IFPA will resume endorsing events in August.

There are events in the planning process. Expect a weekly league (5-week mini-season) on Wednesday or Thursday night starting in late August or possibly early September, and possibly a couple of tournaments (which may become regular events) in September. Stay tuned…