{"id":30938,"date":"2023-11-17T15:00:19","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T15:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pinballnews.com\/site\/?p=30938"},"modified":"2023-11-24T16:39:52","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T16:39:52","slug":"dutch-pinball-open-expo-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pinballnews.com\/site\/2023\/11\/17\/dutch-pinball-open-expo-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"DUTCH PINBALL OPEN EXPO 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to our coverage of the Dutch Pinball Open Expo which, this year, is being held in the city of Eindhoven in the south of the Netherlands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DPO Expo was last held in Eindhoven in 2017<\/a> when it was celebrating the 25th anniversary of the NFV (Dutch Pinball Association) with a huge show at the UFO-shaped Evoluon. Six years later and we’re back in Eindhoven but this time the venue for the DPO Expo is the NH Congress Center in the south-western suburb of Veldhoven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THURSDAY<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DPO Expo is held on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November, but we arrived on Thursday so we could spend a night in central Eindhoven and see the Glow art exhibition.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Our<\/a>
Our first night in Eindhoven<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Glow Eindhoven<\/a> is an annual week-long display of various illuminations held at twenty-four locations<\/a> dotted around the city. Exhibits range from sky lights to building projections to light installations. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Some<\/a>
Some of the buildings illuminated for Glow 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Check out our gallery below to see some of the Glow Eindhoven 2023 sights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
There is a walking route to see all 24 Glow exhibits<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
A cloudy sky was perfect for these sky lights<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Part of the installation with the sky lights<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
An exhibit with large display panels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
This display used a large array of Philips Hue lights<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
One of the building projections which attracted a large crowd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
More building projections<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
The projectors are housed in shipping containers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another projection on the opposite side of the square<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
An especially attractive projection returning the building to nature<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another projection on the building opposite<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


FRIDAY<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, on Friday morning we took a 20 minute taxi ride to Veldhoven and the NH Congrescentrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NH is a large Dutch hotel chain, and the NH Congrescentrum is a large convention centre complex combined with a sizable hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The entrance to the hotel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The hotel part is clean and pleasant, offering good facilities and a nice large area for working or socialising, selling plenty of drinks, snacks and various essentials.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"A<\/a>
A sign in the lobby tells you you’re at the right hotel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"The<\/a>
The area for socialising, working or shopping<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The picture of the entrance to the hotel above really doesn’t do justice to the sheer size of the complex. It’s huge, with numerous conference rooms, catering facilities, bars, and a couple of vast halls at the far end from the hotel entrance. There’s even a small chapel in the grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The view of the complex from the road<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Part<\/a>
Part of the accommodation block<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"The<\/a>
The building housing the conference halls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The public entrance to the DPO Expo is at the far end of the complex, although it can also be accessed through interior corridors from the hotel rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"This<\/a>
This way to the DPO Expo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

From inside the hotel, it’s a long walk to get to the DPO Expo’s area.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"This<\/a>
Another way to the show<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There are thousands of open-air paid parking spaces a short walk from the main entrance, which is just as well since the NV Congrescentrum is not close to any other facilities, such as shops, restaurants, bars, or a train station. However, there are two bus routes with a stop right outside the hotel, offering pretty-frequent services into Eindhoven.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The 19 and 319 buses stop right outside<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This picture of the complex’s layout shows in bright green the spaces used by the DPO Expo.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The DPO uses the areas in bright green on the left<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Let’s see what that looks like in reality.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The two main halls used for the DPO Expo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The two halls – Kempenzaal and Genderzaal – are combined into one, with the far end used for the tournaments and the hall closer to the camera above used for free play machines. The free play area also contains tables and chairs for consuming the food and drink available from the catering desk and the bar which are also in the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Some<\/a>
Some of the machines waiting to be set up on Friday lunchtime<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"The<\/a>
The machines are no use without legs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Machines<\/a>
Machines being set up for the Classics tournament<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Machines<\/a>
Machines to be used for the Ladies, Kids and Second Chance tournaments<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Pinball<\/a>
Pinball Universe turned up as we were outside taking photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"They<\/a>
They brought a bunch of games but are mainly selling parts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In a side room – called the Genderfoyer – a truckload of games from Dieter Van Es will be set up, although the trailer had only just turned up when we were taking pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"A<\/a>
A side room to be filled with pinball and arcade games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There is corridor leading from the main hall to the public entrance. This will have vendor stands when everything has been set up.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The corridor for vendor stands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Finally, we come to the public entrance, where the NFV will have their show entry desk. There are also coat racks and a machine to pay for parking.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The public entrance’s lobby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"There<\/a>
There may be plenty of parking, but it’s not free<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In addition to the free play machines, the tournaments and the vendor stands, there are also several screenings of the movie about Roger Sharpe – Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game<\/em> – as well as a seminar by Barry Driessen of Dutch Pinball and the So You Think You Know Pinball?<\/em> prize quiz by Martin Ayub and Jonathan Joosten.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"A<\/a>
A poster advertising the movie screening<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The screening, seminar and quiz will take place in a separate presentation room, located a little way back towards the hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The Baroniezaal presentation room<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Inside<\/a>
Inside the presentation room<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We’ll be back tomorrow with the opening of the DPO Expo 2023 when, we have no doubt, all the work currently taking place will have transformed the hall and corridors with hundreds of pinballs and lots of vendors stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SATURDAY<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DPO Expo officially opened to the public at 10am, but with the first rounds of tournaments starting soon after, guests were allowed in around thirty minutes earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was already a sizable queue waiting at the entry desk to either pick up their pre-purchased tickets or to buy on-the-day entry.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The queue to enter the DPO Expo at around 9:40am<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Those<\/a>
Those waiting in the lobby had the opportunity to play this Collector’s Edition of The Godfather<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Collecting<\/a>
Collecting pre-purchased tickets at the entry desk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Once past the desk, there were copies of recent editions of the NFV’s Spinner <\/em>magazine to buy, plus some flyers and a pinball repair book.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Spinner<\/a>
Spinner magazine is sent by post to all NFV members around four times a year<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"NFV<\/a>
NFV reprints of pinball flyers and a pinball repair book available to buy too<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Along the corridor towards the main hall, the first batch of free play pinballs were available to play. This row contained fourteen machines.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The first of the free play pinball machines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A little further along the corridor were the first vendor stands. Eric Boes was selling posters, flyers, and manuals from his stand.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Eric<\/a>
Eric Boes’ stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On the opposite wall, the Micro Playfields stand had numerous new playfields – some were ready to install in a game, while others were rejects sold as wall decorations – along with a selection of pinball parts.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The Mirco Playfields stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More from Mirco Playfields<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Next to Mirco was a stand from Guus Arens, former NFV president, who is now promoting digital pinball games and was also hosting the first ever Dutch Digital Pinball Championship on his stand.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The Dutch Digital Pinball Championship stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"The<\/a>
The trophies for the top three<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We’ll continue with more tournaments in a moment, but let’s finish the list of vendors at the DPO Expo this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl Jacob’s Jacobs Amusementsspelen had a stand with lots of Stern Pinball backglasses, translites and toppers, as well as a few backglasses for older titles.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Jacobs<\/a>
Jacobs Amusementsspelen’s stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Pinball Universe’s PU-parts business had a smaller selection of items than last year but were taking orders at their stand, where they also had a nice display of new games.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The PU-parts ‘desks’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"The<\/a>
The American Pinball and Stern Pinball machines on the Pinball Universe stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"The<\/a>
The Stern Pinball Insider Connected leaderboard machines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Pinball<\/a>
Pinball Universe were also running Insider Connected high score leaderboards for their Godzilla and Iron Maiden games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Design Flip Arcade had a stand selling bespoke artwork for cabinet interiors, display panels, bottom aprons, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The Design Flip Arcade stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Christophe Lienard’s Pinball Pleasure, besides bringing a bunch of new and recent titles – including the Elton John<\/em> Platinum – had a long table selling assorted pinball paraphernalia.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Christophe<\/a>
Christophe Lienard’s Pinball Pleasure stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Items<\/a>
Items for sale on the Pinball Pleasure stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Christophe’s Elton John<\/em> game was a popular machine long before the show opened to the public, with show staff and guests keen to get some time on the game before the crowds descended on it.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The Elton John game had lines to play it all day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

While we’ve started looking at games available to play, let’s continue and show you all the machines set up on the show floor this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The layout of the combined hall put machines and vendor stands all the way down one side and across both ends too. One end of the hall accommodated all the tournament machines while the opposite end featured numerous rows of free play machines, back-to-back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between those two blocks the hall was split, with catering counters and tables occupying most of the width, but free-play and vendor stands filling the remaining space.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking down at one end of the hall towards the free play machines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\"Looking
Looking the opposite way towards the tournament areas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
\n
\"Some<\/a>
Some of the many pinballs in the main show hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More of the many pinballs in the main show hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More of the many pinballs in the main show hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More of the many pinballs in the main show hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More of the many pinballs in the main show hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More of the many pinballs in the main show hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More of the many pinballs in the main show hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More of the many pinballs in the main show hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More of the many pinballs in the main show hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More of the many pinballs in the main show hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More of the many pinballs in the main show hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More of the many pinballs in the main show hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Rows<\/a>
Rows of pinballs at the free play end of the hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Rows<\/a>
Rows of pinballs at the free play end of the hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Rows<\/a>
Rows of pinballs at the free play end of the hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Rows<\/a>
Rows of pinballs at the free play end of the hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Rows<\/a>
Rows of pinballs at the free play end of the hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Rows<\/a>
Rows of pinballs at the free play end of the hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Rows<\/a>
Rows of pinballs at the free play end of the hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Rows<\/a>
Rows of pinballs at the free play end of the hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Rows<\/a>
Rows of pinballs at the free play end of the hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In the middle section of the hall was the food and beverage area, where hot and cold drinks could be purchased, along with main meals, side dishes and snacks.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The dining area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"There<\/a>
There were floral arrangements on most tables<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Some<\/a>
Some of the snacks available to purchase<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"The<\/a>
The beverage selection included sodas, wines and plenty of different beers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Food<\/a>
Food and drinks could be purchased with either Euros or tokens given to show volunteers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Refreshments<\/a>
Refreshments were purchased at the tills<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

At the opposite end of the hall from all the rows of free play games were three tournament areas – one for the Main Tournament (a.k.a. the Dutch Pinball Open), another for the Classics Tournament (also used for the Youth Tournament), and a third for the Second Chance Tournament (also used for the Ladies Tournament and the Flip Frenzy Tournament).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Part<\/a>
Part of the Main Tournament area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Play<\/a>
Play in the qualifying round of the Main Tournament<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Classics Tournament area contained 14 machines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Magic
Embryon
Jungle Queen
Mata Hari
Harlem Globetrotters
Centaur
Quicksilver<\/td>		Blackout
Viking
Paragon
Eight Ball
Flash Gordon
Fathom
Elektra<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n
\n
\"Some<\/a>
Some of the Classics Tournament machines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More Classics Tournament pinballs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Trophies<\/a>
Trophies for the top three in the Classics Tournament<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


Located between the Main and Tournament were Jim and Dina Lindsay with the JDL_Pinball<\/a> streaming set-up.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Jim<\/a>
Jim Lindsay at the JDL_Pinball streaming desk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The third tournaments area was used for several competitive events.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The third tournaments area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Pinballs<\/a>
Pinballs in the third tournament area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More pinballs in the third tournament area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a>
More pinballs in the third tournament area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Not everything at the far end of the hall was tournament-related though. There were regular games as well as customised pinballs and the homebrew section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although still very popular, there were shorter lines than we had seen before to play The Big Lebowski<\/em> on RoPinball’s stand down near the tournaments. Possibly because there was another The Big Lebowski<\/em> at the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Big Lebowski stand from RoPinball<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Artcade Furniture had two coffee table fully playable pinballs on their stand.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Two<\/a>
Two coffee table pinballs from Artcade Furniture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"The<\/a>
The homebrew and customised games section<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Let’s take a look at the homebrew projects at the show.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The Factory Workers game<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Factory Workers<\/em> is a re-themed Williams Millionaire<\/em> game, with the original code but custom artwork.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Factory<\/a>
Factory Works by Sint Lucas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Future Space<\/em> was not powered up all the time we saw it, but it looked like an interesting design.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Future<\/a>
Future Space<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"The<\/a>
The Future Space playfield<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Probably the most innovative design is Hypnotron II<\/em> which eschews traditional playfield artwork and instead uses a projector mounted overhead to beam animating image sequences, playfield awards and gameplay information onto the playing surface.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The Hypnotron II homebrew<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"The<\/a>
The projected images on the Hypnotron II playfield<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Backing onto this row of homebrew games were two more.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Space<\/a>
Space Singularity and Super Mario Bros.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Space<\/a>
Space Singularity by Rebellion Pinball<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Super<\/a>
Super Mario Bros. by Pinball Amigos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Another recent release was at the show, with Barrels of Fun’s Labyrinth <\/em>game.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Labyrinth<\/a>
Labyrinth from Barrels of Fun was at the show thanks to Dutch Pinball head, Barry Driessen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In addition to the main combined hall, there is also the Genderfoyer which we last saw as an empty room. That was how we left it on Friday night when everyone left for dinner. However, by Saturday morning it had magically filled with pinballs from Dieter Van Es.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The Genderfoyer on Saturday morning<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Let’s take a look at what Van Es Amusement had brought.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Pinballs<\/a>
Free play pinballs in the Genderfoyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Free<\/a>
Free play pinballs in the Genderfoyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Free<\/a>
Free play pinballs in the Genderfoyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Free<\/a>
Free play pinballs in the Genderfoyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Free<\/a>
Free play pinballs in the Genderfoyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Free<\/a>
Free play pinballs in the Genderfoyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Free<\/a>
Free play pinballs in the Genderfoyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Free<\/a>
Free play pinballs in the Genderfoyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Outside the Genderfoyer was the corridor leading back to the main reception desk beginning with Guus Arens’ digital pinball stand which was actually another tournament area, with competitive contests on both Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Saturday lunchtime there were correspondents from two TV outlets reporting from the show, interviewing the Jim Jansen and Winfred de Ruyter from the NFV.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"NFV<\/a>
NFV PR Spokesman, Jim Jansen, is interviewed by Eindhovens Dagblad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Winfred<\/a>
Winfred de Ruyter is also interviewed by Eindhovens Dagblad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Jim<\/a>
Jim Jansen interviewed by Hart van Nederland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Saturday also saw the start of screenings and seminars in the Baroniezaal. Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game<\/em> was shown three times on Saturday while at 2pm Barry Driessen from Dutch Pinball gave an update about production at his company, as well as answering questions from the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Barry<\/a>
Barry talks about the Dutch Pinball operation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Dutch<\/a>
Dutch Pinball’s Barry Driessen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

After Barry, at 3pm Martin Ayub from Pinball News and Jonathan Joosten from Pinball Magazine hosted their popular So You Think You Know Pinball?<\/em> free prize quiz.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"So<\/a>
So You Think You Know Pinball? hosts Jonathan Joosten and Martin Ayub<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

They asked the entire audience a series of questions with two possible answers. Those who got the correct answer continued to the next question, while those who were wrong were out of that round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When there were four or fewer contestants who hadn’t got an answer wrong, each of them came up to the front to draw a ticket for one of the numerous prizes generously donated by Jersey Jack Pinball, American Pinball, Stern Pinball, Pinball Brothers, Dutch Pinball, ColorDMD, Barrels of Fun, Pinball Magazine and Pinball News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The duo had so many prizes to give away they ran out of time during Saturday’s one-hour slot, so they offered to run an impromptu second quiz the following day at 12:45 for Sunday’s show visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time to take a look at the many tournaments at the DPO Expo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Main Tournament had qualifying on Saturday in 4 time slots, each with up to 60 players.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Players<\/a>
Players in the qualifying round of the Main Tournament<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Those 60 were divided into 5 groups of 12 with each group having a bank of 7 machines to play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone in a group played a single game against each of the other 11 players in their group, meaning they played 11 games in total during qualifying. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"More<\/a>
More qualifying in the Main Tournament<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When all the games in the group had been completed, the 3 players with the most wins in each group progressed to the play-offs. That’s 3 players from 5 groups which totals 15 qualifiers per time slot.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"When<\/a>
When a head-to-head game was over, the winner recorded the result<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In addition, the 5 fourth-placed players in each of the 5 groups played a 2-ball shootout on another machine. The highest scorer from that match joined the 15 to make a total of 16 qualifiers per time slot.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"More<\/a>
More matches in the Main Tournament qualifying<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

With 4 time slots, that resulted in a total of 64 players continuing into Sunday’s play-offs.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Another<\/a>
Another head-to-head qualifying group match<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Running alongside the Main Tournament was the Women’s Tournament, the Flip Frenzy, the Digital Pinball Championship and the Classics Tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Women’s Tournament began at 10:30am with 17 players taking part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qualifying used a ‘Flip Frenzy’ format where players were ranked according to the number of games won minus the number lost. The top qualifier, Helen de Haan-Verbeek, won all her games. She was joined by the next 7 qualifiers in the play-offs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 8 qualifiers were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n