Tournament Formats
Learn how our tournaments are structured
Tournament Structure
Our events usually use one of two structures, depending on the format for the night:
Qualifying + Finals
Players compete in a qualifying round, then the top players (based on a cut-off announced for that event) advance to a finals bracket to determine the winners. Sometimes a for-fun B-Division is run for the remaining players so everyone keeps playing.
Final Standings
Everyone plays through the full format and the standings at the end of the night determine the results. No separate finals round — your performance across the whole event is what counts.
Versatile Formats
We run a variety of tournament formats to keep things fresh and find a well-rounded champion. Every format pits players against each other across multiple pinball machines — whether that's direct head-to-head matchups, group rounds, or chasing the highest scores. The format for each event is announced in advance and explained before play begins.
PAPA/IFPA Competition Rules
To ensure fairness and consistency, TAPP adheres to the PAPA/IFPA Complete Competition Rules — a comprehensive standard covering game settings, player conduct, and machine malfunctions.
Code of Conduct
TAPP has a Code of Conduct to keep our events safe, fun, and welcoming for everyone. All participants agree to abide by it and to uphold the values outlined within.
Respect
Treat everyone with courtesy and kindness
Inclusivity
Welcome players of all backgrounds and abilities
Safety
Maintain a secure and supportive environment
Sportsmanship
Compete with integrity and fairness
Harassment, discrimination, intoxication, or any form of inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated.
Some events use matchplay.events software for score tracking and bracket management; others are run manually. Either way, a small entry fee is typically collected to cover costs — occasionally contributing to prizes, though prizes aren't guaranteed at every event. All of that is explained before play begins.
Come and Play
Whether you're an experienced player or new to pinball, our events offer a welcoming environment to enjoy, learn, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. No sign-up or membership required — just show up.