# NORTHWEST PINBALL & ARCADE SHOW 2018: SUNDAY

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2018-06-10  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2018/06/10/northwest-pinball-arcade-show-2018-4

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## Analysis

Coverage of the final day (Sunday, June 10) of the 2018 Northwest Pinball & Arcade Show in Tacoma, Washington, including Match Play Tournament finals, closing ceremony with prize draws, and volunteer recognition. Keith Elwin won the main tournament, defeating Bowen Kerins and Todd Rafacz in a three-machine final.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] The 2018 NWPAS had 106 show volunteers — _Closing ceremony revealed list of 106 people who donated time to work on the show_
- [HIGH] Keith Elwin won the Match Play Tournament by defeating Bowen Kerins in a single-ball playoff on Jackbot — _Tournament results documented with photo evidence of the final match and trophy presentation_
- [HIGH] The major prize draw offered a new Houdini pinball from American Pinball — _Explicitly stated that entries cost $20 for opportunity to win new Houdini from American Pinball_
- [HIGH] The 2019 NWPAS will be held May 31 - June 2 to avoid clash with Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown and Southern Fried Gameroom Show — _Stated that next year show returns to earlier slot, first weekend in June, to avoid scheduling conflicts that occurred in 2017 and 2018_
- [HIGH] Sunday was the cheapest day to attend NWPAS 2018 at $20 for adults and $10 for kids — _Opening paragraph compares day pricing: $20 Sunday vs $25 Friday and $30 Saturday for adults_

### Notable Quotes

> "The 2018 NWPAS was a very slick, professionally-run operation, with nobody involved appearing to get stressed."
> — **Pinball News author**, End of article
> _Assessment of show quality and organization_

> "Not many pinball events can hope to match that level of volunteer effort."
> — **Pinball News author**, Closing commentary
> _Recognition of 106-volunteer effort as exceptional in pinball community_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Keith Elwin | person | Competitive pinball player; won Match Play Tournament at 2018 NWPAS |
| Bowen Kerins | person | Competitive pinball player; finished second in Match Play Tournament; lost single-ball playoff to Keith Elwin |
| Todd Rafacz | person | Competitive pinball player; finished third in Match Play Tournament |
| Byron Raynes | person | Host of closing ceremony at NWPAS 2018 |
| Dave Stewart | person | Tournament Director; managed Match Play Tournament finals and single-ball decider |
| Megan Taylor | person | Recipient of $5,000 scholarship from NWPAS 2018; sent video message of thanks |
| Northwest Pinball & Arcade Show 2018 | event | Multi-day pinball and arcade convention held June 8-10, 2018 in Tacoma, Washington |
| Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center | organization | Venue for 2018 NWPAS at 1500 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402 |
| American Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer; provided Houdini machine as major prize for NWPAS 2018 raffle |
| Marco Specialties | company | Pinball parts distributor; operated vendor booth at NWPAS 2018 featuring Stern games |
| Beads of Courage | organization | Charity supported by NWPAS 2018 |
| WA Pinball | organization | Website operator for NWPAS live results and information; maintains nwpas.wapinball.net |
| Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown | event | Major pinball event; scheduling conflict with NWPAS occurred in 2017 and 2018 |
| Southern Fried Gameroom Show | event | Pinball/arcade event; scheduling conflict with NWPAS occurred in 2017 and 2018 |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Tournament competition and results, Event organization and volunteer effort, Prize draws and raffles
- **Secondary:** Pinball show logistics and scheduling, Community charity and scholarships

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Article presents NWPAS 2018 favorably, emphasizing professional organization, volunteer effort, and successful tournament outcomes. Reporting is factual and celebratory without criticism.

### Signals

- **[competitive_signal]** Elite players Keith Elwin, Bowen Kerins, and Todd Rafacz competing at NWPAS 2018 suggests event attracts top-tier competitive talent (confidence: medium) — Three finalists reached Match Play finals after multiple rounds of elimination; tournament director managed single-ball playoff under time pressure
- **[event_signal]** NWPAS 2018 documented as professionally-run show with 106 volunteers and successful tournament execution (confidence: high) — Closing ceremony awarded prizes to volunteer representatives from list of 106 contributors; match play tournament completed successfully with clear winner

---

## Transcript

**Date:**
8th-10th June, 2018

**Location:**
Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

The final day of the NWPAS is a shorter one, opening earlier at 9am but closing at 3pm.  As a result it’s also the cheapest day to attend, costing $20 for the day compared to $25 for Friday and $30 for Saturday.  Those are the adult prices.  For kids it’s $15 for Friday and Saturday, and $10 for Sunday.

The Match Play Tournament play-offs and finals take place on Sunday and we will be reporting on the results of those a little later, but as we take our last look at the show floor for this year, we decided to go up and bring you an elevated view.

[![The tournament area with the match play play-offs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/301-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/301-nwpas-2018.jpg)

The tournament area with the Match Play Tournament play play-offs

[![The tournament desk and machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/303-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/303-nwpas-2018.jpg)

The tournament desk and machines

[![Stern games on the Marco Specialties stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/302-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/302-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Stern games on the Marco Specialties stand

[![Pinballs as far as the eye can see](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/312-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/312-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Pinballs as far as the eye can see

[![Some of the many video games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/304-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/304-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Some of the many video games

[![More videos and pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/305-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/305-nwpas-2018.jpg)

More videos and pinballs

[![More and more pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/306-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/306-nwpas-2018.jpg)

More and more pinballs

[![...and more](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/307-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/307-nwpas-2018.jpg)

…and more

[![Part of the EM pinball area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/308-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/308-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Part of the EM pinball area

[![More electromechanical pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/309-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/309-nwpas-2018.jpg)

More electromechanical pinballs

[![Some of the show vendors](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/310-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/310-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Some of the show vendors

[![An overview of the games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/311-nwpas-2018-1024x666.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/311-nwpas-2018.jpg)

An overview of the games

Shortly after the scheduled time of 1pm, the closing ceremony was held in the seminar area.  As usual, Byron Raynes was hosting.

[![Byron Raynes hosted the closing ceremony](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/313-nwpas-2018-1024x655.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/313-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Byron Raynes hosted the closing ceremony

The purpose of the closing ceremony is to recognise those who contributed to the success of the show, award the $5,000 scholarship and make the draws for the daily prize and the major show-long prize machines.

After three representative awards to members of the list of 106 show volunteers and details of the Beads of Courage charity which the show also helps support, the recipient of the $5,000 scholarship was announced.  Megan Taylor was not able to be present at the show, but she sent a video message of thanks to the show committee and explained how the scholarship would benefit her studies.

Then came the draw for the daily prize machine which for Sunday was an Asteroids upright.

[![Sunday's daily draw prize - an Asteroids upright](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/105-nwpas-2018-620x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/105-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Sunday’s daily draw prize – an Asteroids upright

The draw was made by a child from the audience.

[![The winner was drawn from the drum containing all the entries](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/314-nwpas-2018-1024x737.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/314-nwpas-2018.jpg)

The winner was drawn from the drum containing all the entries

After a ticket was drawn for someone who wasn’t present, the eventual winner was Rick who presented his winning ticket and claimed his prize.

[![Rick claims his Asteroids machine](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/315-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/315-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Rick claims his Asteroids machine

Then came the major prize draw.  Entries for this cost $20 but game the opportunity to win a new *Houdini* pinball from American Pinball.

[![The winning ticket is drawn](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/316-nwpas-2018-1024x717.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/316-nwpas-2018.jpg)

The winning ticket is drawn

The winner was not present, but they were not required to be.  After a phone call to the winner resulted in a redirection to voicemail, the attempt was abandoned and the closing ceremony brought to a close.

By then it was 2pm ad just an hour remained before the power to the machines would be switched off and the  break-down began.

There was still the matter of deciding the winner of the main Match Play Tournament.

[![Play-offs in the Match Play Tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/317-nwpas-2018-1024x694.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/317-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Play-offs in the Match Play Tournament

After several rounds which reduced the field, the eventual final three were Bowen Kerins, Keith Elwin and Todd Rafacz.  They played the final in the same way as the play-offs, buy using three machine – *Attack from Mars*, *Aerosmith* and *Jackbot*.

[![Bowen and Todd watch as Keith plays Attack from Mars](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/320-nwpas-2018-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/320-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Bowen and Todd watch as Keith plays Attack from Mars

After all three games had been played, there was a tie for first place between Bowen and Keith.  Keith had won on *Attack from Mars* and *Jackbot*, but came third on *Aerosmith* which Bowen won. With time running out before all the power was switched off at 3pm, Tournament Director Dave Stewart got the top two to play a single ball decider on the game *Jackbot*.

Keith had a decent ball, getting to Casino Run and cashing it in for 300+M to finish his single ball on 1Bn+.  Bowen then stepped up but had a quick drain, making Keith the winner.

[![Bowen congratulates Keith on his win](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/322-nwpas-2018-1024x685.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/322-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Bowen congratulates Keith on his win

So Keith Elwin was the winner.  Bowen Kerins was second and Todd Rafacz third.

[![Todd Rafacz (third), Keith Elwin (first) and Bowen Kerins (second)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/323-nwpas-2018-1024x668.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/323-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Todd Rafacz (third), Keith Elwin (first) and Bowen Kerins (second)

Full results from all the tournaments and divisions can be found in the [Live Results](http://nwpas.wapinball.net/live/index.html) section of the [WA Pinball website](http://nwpas.wapinball.net/index.html).

With that, the show came to an end and the tear-down could begin.

[![Time to park everything away](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/324-nwpas-2018-1024x696.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/324-nwpas-2018.jpg)

Time to park everything away

The 2018 NWPAS was a very slick, professionally-run operation, with nobody involved appearing to get stressed.  During the closing ceremony, prizes were awarded to three randomly-drawn show helpers which revealed a list of 106 people who donated their time and experience to work on the show.  Not many pinball events can hope to match that level of volunteer effort.

Next year the show returns to its previous slot in the show schedule – a week earlier, making it the first weekend in June (31st May – 2nd June, 2019).  This should avoid the Slash with the Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown and the Souther Fried Gameroom Show as happened this year and in 2017.

Don’t forget you can check out all our reports from Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the main [NWPAS page](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2018/06/08/northwest-pinball-arcade-show-2018/).

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 7bf14393-36df-4041-b74c-1433febc2b5f*