We’re now halfway through the regular season as 2/27 marked our fourth league night of Season 10. Remember that we voted to allow people to play in the final tournament only if they were present for at least four nights, so this is the last chance to join and play the last four meetings of the season! Night #4 was our highest attended this season and possibly our highest attended ever, with 19 people including two new players (Kyle and Jules) and the return of previous season player Mike B. Chris won the night again and continues to lead the league standings. You can always check our Google doc spreadsheet for the latest full standings.
We had quite a few high scores this night including Chris, Karen, and me (if I say so myself) on Revenge from Mars, and Mike S. and Joseph on The Addams Family. The latter provoked the Quote of the Night from Mike, who declared, “If this doesn’t win the night I’m quitting the league” after he scored nearly 400 million and got all the way through touring the mansion. Later in the night, Chris came over to tell Mike he might be quitting the league: “Go look at Joseph’s score and what ball he’s on.” Of course Mike and I went over to look, and Joseph turned out to be around 250 million on Ball 1 and had not yet toured the mansion. Later on, when Joseph finished, we went to check his score. It was 395 million. Mike said, “What was mine? 392?” I looked at our score card and said “No… 396!” Poor Joseph! But I guess we’ll be stuck with Mike S. for a while longer.
Joseph and Chris watch the Smackdown in progress.
The Smackdown game was Theatre of Magic. (I hope everyone got plenty of practice in because it’s going to be an actual league game tonight.) This time Chris managed to keep his eyes open long enough to play in finals and won the coveted plastic medallion, though I should have cut the ribbon longer as it barely fit over his head. Or maybe that’s really a problem with his ego. Mike S., in a moment of failed situational awareness, tilted away a bonus that would have gotten him 2nd place, leaving Joseph to take that position instead. Mike had to console himself with 3rd and a whopping .08 WPPRs from the IFPA. Derik took 4th.
I think the mirth was over Chris’s late realization that he would not be allowed to play an extra ball in the Smackdown finals.
Since part of the point of the Smackdown tournament is to give newer players a chance to get tournament play experience, I have decided to open up a second division for the Smackdown to give more people a chance at the hardware. The top four qualifiers who are new to the league this season and did not qualify for the main Smackdown tournament will play off on a second, randomly-chosen game, concurrent to the main Smackdown. It’s going to be called the Rookie Challenge and comes with its own medal.
The Smackdown winners, Derik (4th), Chris (1st), Joseph (2nd), and Mike (3rd). Wait, Joseph, shouldn’t you be punching Chris? Why are you turning on Mike S.?
Hope to see you all tonight! League starts at 7:30, but come early if you want a chance to qualify for the Smackdown or the Rookie Challenge.