Gainesville Pinball League Rules Summary

Rules Summary

The Gainesville Pinball League uses a customized version of the FSPA rules, summarized below.

Seasons

At the start of the season, players will be assigned into groups of 3 or 4 people, based on estimated ability. You compete only within your assigned group for league points that day.
At the end of each week, the group winner will move up a group, and the low scorer in the group will move down. This weekly movement sorts players into groups at roughly similar skill levels and mixes up the people playing together.

The players with the most league points in each division at the end of the regular season move on to the playoffs, and will play only against players in the same division.

Each group plays four games per night together.
For each machine, 0 to 3 league base points are awarded by ranking the final scores.
Players are also awarded 0 or 1 bonus points based on the total performance against the group that week.
The lowest two scores of the regular season will be dropped when calculating total league points for playoffs.

Base points: 1st/2nd/3rd = 3pts/2pts/0pts
Bonus points: Is 1st > 2nd + 3rd scores? If yes, 1st = +1 pts. If no, 3rd = +1 pts.

Base points: 1st/2nd/3rd/4th = 3pts/2pts/1pts/0pts
Bonus points: is 1st > 2nd + 3rd scores? If yes, 1st = +1 pts. If no, 3rd = +1 pts.
Bonus points: is 2nd > 3rd + 4th scores? If yes, 2nd = +1 pts. If no, 4th = +1 pts.

League pinball is more fun when all players participate regularly!
Two of your lowest scores are dropped for occasions when it’s just impossible to attend league night.
If you forfeit 4 meets in a season, you will be dropped from the league for the rest of the season, and cannot qualify for playoffs.

On machines set to 3-ball play, you may play 1 earned extra ball; on machines set to 5-ball play, you may not play any extra balls.
Any extra balls earned above these limits must be plunged.
You may not flip or otherwise touch the machine once the extra ball is in motion. If the machine gives you a “ball save” on the extra ball you must plunge that away too.

Above all, respect other players as well as the machines! We are here for fun and friendly competition.
Players must follow all IFPA Player Conduct Rules. All players are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous manner and to contribute to a safe and welcoming play environment.
Do not touch a machine when it’s someone else’s turn.
Be ready to play when your turn comes up.
If you need to step away for a moment, let your group know where you are and when you’ll be back.

There will be no fees or dues outside of weekly arcade admission for the inaugural season.
The goal is to make future league tournaments IFPA WPPR points eligible (for player rankings), which will require a small fee. Dues would also fund player prizes and other fun!