General Rules
The Brisbane Pinball and Arcade Collective exists to bring pinball and classic gaming to the community and help others share in the joy we all find in this hobby and sport. We want everyone to have fun, in a safe and welcoming environment at all of our tournaments and events.
With that in mind, any players in violation of the rules and regulations set out below will be issued a formal warning from a Tournament Official in the form of a yellow card. Any further violations will result in the competitor being issued a red card and disqualification from the tournament. Arguing with or abusing an official as a result of a warning or disqualification being issued may result in the player being banned from the premises for the remainder of the event.
There will be a zero-tolerance policy on profanity and aggressive, disruptive, or inappropriate behaviour. These include but are not limited to aggressive behaviour towards other competitors, officials, or machines; outbursts – especially those involving profanity; and homophobic, racist, or sexist language.
Any ruling made by a Tournament Official is final. Arguing a ruling once it has been made may result in the immediate loss of the game in question, a yellow or red card in accordance with the rules set out above, disqualification from the tournament, or ejection from the building. These decision(s) will be made by tournament officials as they see fit.
During all tournaments there will be ‘No-Go Zones’ marked around each machine. These are not to be entered except by the player currently on the machine, or a Tournament Official or machine tech making a ruling or assessing and repairing an issue with a machine.
Any players deemed to be excessively distracting to a competitor or inhibiting a competitor’s ability to compete – whether purposefully or accidentally – may be issued with an informal or formal warning at the discretion of Tournament Officials.
Pinball Etiquette
Aside from the rules and etiquette set out below, all elements of pinball competitions including rulings, malfunctions, machine settings and player conduct will be run in accordance with PAPA/IFPA rules which can be found here.
It is assumed that all players will have read and understood all rules and etiquette set out by The Brisbane Pinball and Arcade Collective, PAPA and the IFPA. Not knowing a rule will not exclude a player from its application.
The pinball machines in use have been provided by venues and private collectors from all over the country and must always be treated with respect and care.
While pinball is a sport that can involve a player moving a machine in regular play – whether to make a ‘save’ or redirect a ball, excessively moving of a machine (for example, the legs of a machine being lifted off the ground) will result in the competitor being issued a yellow or red card as set out in the General Tournament Rules and Regulations
Any competitor ‘rage tilting’ (purposely attempting to cause or causing a tilt after a ball has drained) or striking a machine’s lockdown bar or glass will be issued with a formal warning – yellow card or red card – as set out in the General Tournament Rules and Regulations.
Arcade Etiquette
Players must be mindful of spectators and or the general public when competing. Excessive use of foul language or aggressive behavior will not be tolerated in any way.
All events throughout the BPAC Showcase will be employing the yellow and red card system. Players deemed to be behaving in a disruptive, aggressive or toxic manner will be given a yellow card for a first offence and a red card for a second. A red card means immediate disqualification from the event.
Competitors are also to be mindful of other players at all times and must not deliberately distract or inhibit another competitor.
During finals players are to be especially mindful of these rules and will be under higher scrutiny from officials.
Toward the conclusion of a head to head match during finals players must not concede, approach or interact with their opponent until it is absolutely clear the match is over.
A match is not over until a tournament director taps the leading player on the shoulder and advises them they can stop.