PAPA 9 World Pinball Championships
Divisions
PAPA 9 features six divisions of play, three of which are skill divisions. There is no official doubles play (except for mini-tournaments), and we do not have a separate Women's division. Women are capable players just like anyone else, and should enter in whichever division they choose!The three skill divisions are designated A, B, and C. The C division is suitable for casual players, first-time competitors, and other novices. The B division is suitable for players with league or tournament experience, or anyone looking for a greater challenge and potential reward. The A division is for league or tournament champions and other world-class players.
The special divisions may be entered by any player who meets requirements, independent of entries in other divisions. The Juniors division is open to players 16 years of age or younger. The Seniors division is open to players 50 years of age or older. The Classics division is open to all players, and utilizes only pinball machines released in 1985 or earlier, including electromechanical models. Note that the Classics division has special rules and schedules which do not apply to other divisions.
Each registered player must choose only one skill division in which to play. A player may choose to move to a higher skill division, automatically voiding all entries in lower divisions (no refunds are provided), but no player may move to a lower division without special permission from tournament officials.
The following restrictions are designed to discourage any player from intentionally competing beneath his or her level of skill:
- Any player who has placed in the top four of the B or C division at the finals of any previous PAPA or Pinburgh tournament must enter the next higher division in subsequent tournaments. If they fail to qualify in the higher division, they may return to the original lower division in the following year.
- Any player who has qualified in the top sixteen of the A or B division of any previous PAPA or Pinburgh tournament may not enter a lower division in subsequent tournaments.
- Any player who has placed in the top four (or three, if only three players are ranked as winners) of any other major pinball competition (e.g. Pinball Expo, IFPA, California Extreme, etc) may not enter the C division at PAPA.
- Any player who has not qualified in five or more years may, at the discretion of tournament officials, be allowed to enter a lower division. If any such player demonstrates an inappropriately high level of skill for that division, they will be required to move up to a higher division.
- At the discretion of the tournament officials, any player may be required to move to a higher division based on his or her performance or past league or tournament standings.
The guaranteed prize package for each division is as follows.
| A | B | C | Classics | Juniors | Seniors | ||
| 1st Place | $10,000 | $3000 | $1500 | $500 + $500 | $750 | $750 | plus trophy! |
| 2nd Place | $3000 | $1500 | $750 | $250 + $250 | $250 | $250 | and plaque |
| 3rd Place | $1500 | $750 | $500 | $125 + $125 | $125 | $125 | and plaque |
| 4th Place | $750 | $500 | $250 | $50 + $50 | $50 | $50 | and plaque |
| Top Qualifier | $500 | $250 | $100 | $50 + $50 | $50 | $50 | |
| Mini-Tournaments | Seven with $200 prize each for Expert and Novice | ||||||
| Total Prize Package: $33,250! | |||||||
The winner of the A Division will also receive the title "World Pinball Champion".
All competing players are required to register before playing any qualifying rounds. Registration is only $5, and allows each player to purchase as many subsequent entries as he or she likes. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required. Any player may register at the tournament itself whenever qualifying rounds are open.
Pricing for each entry can be found here. Further details on registration and purchasing entries can be found in the Official Rules.