Airborne Avenger
Three Atari employees, including George Opperman, review the backglass artwork for the Airborne Avenger pinball game, about 1977.
Hercules
Middle Earth Pinball Assembly
Racketeers, corrupt union men battled over pinball
“Games were supplied by criminal syndicates, sometimes in collaboration with corrupt local officials. And when those syndicates started fighting for market share, things could get pretty exciting.” Link
A murder, or even a “war” over the operation of pinball machines may seem ridiculous by today’s standards
“A murder, or even a “war” over the operation of pinball machines may seem ridiculous
by today’s standards, though actually the issue was present throughout much of America, and
particularly rural and southern Illinois during the mid-twentieth century. Rather than a game for
amusement, “operators” used pinball, from its inception in the 1930s and throughout the 1960s
for gambling. Significant profits from illegal gambling and its history with organized crime
created an environment of regional racketeers. They controlled territories like feudal lords,
ignoring state laws and sometimes resorting to violence to drive out competition. Rural areas
may have been particularly susceptible, where counties or small towns might significantly
increase revenue by charging small licensing fees for “amusement devices” and ignoring the
more nefarious usages. Tavern owners may have welcomed the machines as a means of
attracting customers or receiving a cut of the pinball profits. Meanwhile the owners or as they
often referred to themselves the “operators” of these machines often used any means possible to
ensure no matter the tavern, only their machines would be in use.” Link
Season 16 Week 10 Recap
It was a crab and carb-filled celebration this Wednesday at the Pacific Pinball League. David Brady took the top spot with 7.5 wins in 9 rounds of head-to-head play, but just barely! With a lucky half-point bye to say bye-bye to 2nd place Tim Chevalier with 7, and Mark Garretson also with 7 in 3rd (tie-breaks were based on strength of players faced).
The side-challenge – One ball “Price is Right” on Addams Family – was won by Peach. Peach wagered all his chips going low-ball in the 4-handed final with only 2M, banking on the others busting out, and won… chips! Curious crab chips. Do they taste like crab? Or do they just have crab seasoning? The crab is featured prominently on the bag. One might assume a crustacean-flavored experience. What chip chicanery was at play? Consumer confusion and crab chip photos ensued as we attempted to suss out this mystery. But also Peach won a T shirt. I, for one, am shell-shocked!
Welcome to newkid Michelle K Gorthy, notching 4 wins her first night out, and welcome back to Meghan Long.
Thanks also to Marie Prasch Brady for bringing some awesome cookies!
Next week is PLAYER’S CHOICE. I’ll post a poll and you, the viewers, will decide which format we play!
Make the rest of the week awesome, and I’ll see you next time!
Season 16 Week 8 Recap
Another Wednesday and it was anything but woebegone, as we have a new winner! Congrats to Todd Caris for ending the night taking only 2 strikes in six rounds of dynamite play! Then we had a big 4-way tie for 2nd between David C. Lee, Nicole Roulette, Mattie Culkin and Mike Miller. That pushed newkid Topey Plourde down to 6th, but that’s still a fantastic first-time showing! I played with Topey on Wizard and he took us all down and turned on that magical 100,000 light! Way to go new guy!
In double-side challenge play, Stephanie Martens took the win on Fan-tas-tik in Price is Right for a T shirt and Everett Fisher got the win playing the teeny-tiny Flip Side! He wins girl scout cookies and his second Grand Lake Theater movie pass!
Super thanks to my helper Abigail Garcia and check out some of her pics! Also thanks to the person (or persons – I was running around and didn’t see) who brought all the awesome snacks. Especially Pocky! I discovered those back in the ’80s and got my whole 4th grade class hooked on them.
Next week we play the league’s most controversial format! Pin Golf! Some love it, others hate it. Philosophers continually debate it! Prepare to be humbled and see where your game needs work. Pin Golf combines control skills, accurate flipping, a little bit of luck, and quite often some learning of the rules of these games the tough-love way!
Standings will be updated soon. Have a great rest of the week everyone. Thank you as always for coming out and bringing your good vibes with you. See you next week!
PPM Season 16 begins Wednesday 5/10!
Welcome to the Pacific Pinball League! Wednesday nights at 7 PM!
- Join anytime!
- $10 discount entry, all games on Free Play.
- Fun, Social, competitive – in that order.
- Wednesday nights. Play starts at 7. Show up any time before 7 PM to join.
- Nightly side challenges to win T shirts and other prizes!
- Flexible: Attend just 4 of 10 nights to qualify for Finals
- Facebook Group here.
- NEW! Pinball tutorials
- NEW! Expert and Novice Divisions
- Beginners and first-timers always welcome!
- Formats and rules, here.
The Pacific Pinball League is a fun and competitive league for everyone. All skill levels are welcome, including first-timers. We explain all the rules so don’t worry if you’ve never done anything like this before. Just come ready to have a good time.
Special pricing: League membership is free with admission to the Pacific Pinball Museum. The Pacific Pinball Museum has special league pricing of $10 for all League members on league nights. PPM Annual Pass Holders are always free.
Quick Facts
Where: The Pacific Pinball Museum, 1510 Webster Street, Alameda.
Public Transportation: From Oakland, take the 51A bus to Webster and Santa Clara. From SF, take BART to 12th Street and then take the 51A bus.
When: Wednesdays. Play starts at 7 PM and usually finishes by 9:30 PM.
How to Join: Just show up on any league night before 7pm and let the front desk person know you’re there for league. We’ll take care of the rest.
The PPM Crowns our Season 15 Champion!
Season 16 begins Wed, May 10. Play begins at 7 PM.
PPM League Season 15!
Welcome to the Pacific Pinball League! Wednesday nights at 7 PM!
- $10 discount entry, all games on Free Play
- Formats and rules, here.
- Wednesday nights. Show up any time before 7 PM to join.
- Flexible: Attend just 4 of 11 nights to qualify for Finals
- Facebook Group here.
- NEW! Pinball tutorials
- NEW! Expert and Novice Divisions
- Beginners and first-timers always welcome!
The Pacific Pinball League is a fun and competitive league for everyone. All skill levels are welcome, including first-timers. We explain all the rules so don’t worry if you’ve never done anything like this before. Just come ready to have a good time.
Special pricing: League membership is free with admission to the Pacific Pinball Museum. The Pacific Pinball Museum has special league pricing of $10 for all League members on league nights. PPM Annual Pass Holders are always free.
Quick Facts
Where: The Pacific Pinball Museum, 1510 Webster Street, Alameda.
Public Transportation: From Oakland, take the 51A bus to Webster and Santa Clara. From SF, take BART to 12th Street and then take the 51A bus.
When: Wednesdays. Play starts at 7 PM and usually finishes by 9:30 PM.
How to Join: Just show up on any league night before 7pm and let the front desk person know you’re there for league. We’ll take care of the rest.
The Pacific Pinball League Returns 7/7/21!
The Pacific Pinball League is a fun, social and competitive league for everyone. All skill levels are welcome, including first-timers. We play Wednesdays starting at 7PM. To join, just show up any league night. Grab your mask and come join us!
For more info, including rules, schedules and standings, check out the League page.
If you have questions, use the Contact link in the menu. You can also join our Facebook group.
pinballbayarea.com 