# TORNEO DE PINBALL DE BIAR 2016

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2016-11-30  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2016/11/30/torneo-de-pinball-de-biar-2016

---

## Analysis

Coverage of the Torneo de Pinball de Biar 2016, a Spanish pinball tournament held November 12-13, 2016, featuring parallel modern and classic tournaments with 12 machines each, played by predominantly Spanish competitors. The event showcased Spanish pinball culture, unique regional machines, relaxed tournament organization, and multi-course meals integrated into the competition schedule. Julio Vicario won the modern tournament and César Dubón won the classics.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] This was Pinball News first visit to a Spanish pinball tournament since the European Pinball Championship in Madrid in 2012 — _Pinball News article opening statement_
- [HIGH] The modern tournament was Spain's nominated event for the IFPA European Championship Series — _Final paragraph of article_
- [HIGH] Registration cost €60 and included an embroidered tournament T-shirt, player card, and poster — _Tournament details section_
- [HIGH] A five-course lunch with beer and wine cost an optional €20 extra, and virtually all competitors participated — _Lunch section description_
- [HIGH] Nineteen of twenty modern qualifiers were Spanish players with one UK player — _Qualification results section_
- [HIGH] Eighteen of twenty classics qualifiers were Spanish, one from Sweden, one from UK — _Qualification results section_
- [HIGH] A Jumaci machine from Madrid featured no backbox, used lamps for scoring, and had outward-facing flippers — _Repair area description_

### Notable Quotes

> "Pinball News hadn't visited a pinball tournament in Spain since the country hosted the European Pinball Championship in Madrid in 2012. So a return visit was long overdue"
> — **Pinball News**, Opening
> _Establishes historical context for Spanish pinball tournaments and indicates relative rarity of international coverage in this region_

> "One thing you will quickly appreciate about Spanish tournaments – and Spain in general – is that food and drink play an important part in the overall enjoyment of life"
> — **Pinball News**, Lunch section
> _Characterizes cultural approach to tournament organization and highlights differences between Spanish and other tournament traditions_

> "A very civilised way to run a tournament"
> — **Pinball News**, After lunch description
> _Expresses positive sentiment about integrated meal breaks and reflects on tournament organization philosophy_

> "The relaxed atmosphere and schedule surrounding the Biar weekend was a refreshing change from the often frantic and hurried tournaments we have experienced elsewhere"
> — **Pinball News**, Conclusion
> _Summarizes key differentiator of this tournament format and suggests broader pattern in tournament organization across regions_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Torneo de Pinball de Biar | event | Spanish pinball tournament held November 12-13, 2016 in Biar, Spain with modern and classic divisions |
| Biar | event | Town in Spain, ~50km north of Alicante, location of tournament |
| Julio Vicario | person | Winner of the modern tournament at Biar 2016 |
| César Dubón | person | Winner of the classics tournament at Biar 2016 |
| Valentín Camarena | person | Second place finisher in modern tournament at Biar 2016 |
| Raúl Abad | person | Second place in classics tournament and winner of crossed-hands side tournament at Biar 2016 |
| Rafael Masedo | person | Third place finisher in classics tournament at Biar 2016 |
| Marc Vallés | person | Fourth place finisher in classics tournament at Biar 2016 |
| Gabriel Ortiz | person | Third place finisher in modern tournament at Biar 2016 |
| Carlos Javier Parra | person | Fourth place finisher in modern tournament at Biar 2016 |
| Pablo Crespo Contreras | person | Winner of Flintstones side tournament at Biar 2016 |
| Álvaro Vidal | person | Winner of split-flipper side tournament with his son at Biar 2016 |
| IFPA | organization | International Flipper Pinball Association - the modern tournament was Spain's nominated event for their European Championship Series |
| Pinball News | organization | Media outlet covering the tournament |
| Game of Thrones (LE) | game | Used in modern tournament machine lineup |
| The Walking Dead (LE) | game | Used in modern tournament machine lineup |
| Star Trek (LE) | game | Used in modern tournament machine lineup |
| Metallica (Premium) | game | Used in modern tournament and finals |
| Spider-Man (Vault Edition) | game | Used in modern tournament machine lineup |
| Jumaci | company | Spanish pinball manufacturer from Madrid with unusual custom machine featuring no backbox and outward-facing flippers |
| Gottlieb | company | Classic pinball manufacturer; reference game Capt. Card (King Game variant) present in repair area |
| Inder | company | Spanish pinball manufacturer referenced for original design Screech |
| European Pinball Championship | event | Held in Madrid in 2012; previous major European tournament covered by Pinball News |

### Signals

- **[event_signal]** Comprehensive coverage of regional Spanish pinball tournament with both modern and classic divisions, featuring IFPA European Championship Series nomination status (confidence: high) — Tournament was Spain's nominated event for IFPA European Championship Series; 20 qualifiers per division from ~57 competitors per division
- **[community_signal]** Spanish pinball tournament culture emphasizes social integration, multi-course meals, relaxed scheduling, and community atmosphere distinct from other regional tournament formats (confidence: high) — Five-course lunch break with wine/beer; 2.5-hour meal integrated into tournament schedule; described as 'refreshing change from frantic tournaments elsewhere'
- **[venue_signal]** Tournament featured fixed venue with stable machine collection, magnetic name-plate system for machine availability tracking, paper-based score recording with computer entry, and player wait-time management challenges during peak periods (confidence: high) — Venue had tournament areas and storage space; magnetic board system for 24 machines; paper sheets per machine; score cards punched; entrance crowding as qualifying progressed
- **[market_signal]** Tournament predominantly Spanish-dominated with very limited international participation (1-2 non-Spanish players per division out of 20 qualifiers) (confidence: high) — Modern: 19 Spanish, 1 UK; Classics: 18 Spanish, 1 Swedish, 1 UK among 20 qualifiers
- **[historical_signal]** Evidence of Spanish pinball manufacturing heritage with regional manufacturers (Jumaci, Inder) and Spanish-specific game variants (Bongor as Spanish version of Gottlieb's Jungle King) (confidence: high) — Jumaci custom machine with non-standard design; Inder original design Screech; Bongor identified as Spanish version; repair area machines suggest restoration/collector community
- **[operational_signal]** Tournament used hybrid qualifying format (12 machines per division, all-play-all) followed by 7-5-3-1 points-based play-off structure, with top 4 seeding advantage (confidence: high) — Qualifying: 12 machines all required; play-offs: 7-5-3-1 points structure until finals; top 4 got bye; finals used single-elimination format
- **[gameplay_signal]** Tournament featured specialty skill-based side tournaments including split-flipper (Dr Dude), crossed-hands (Whirlwind), and limited-vision (Flintstones with playfield cover) competitions (confidence: high) — Three separate side tournaments with modified gameplay constraints; Álvaro Vidal and son won split-flipper; Raúl Abad won crossed-hands; Pablo Crespo Contreras won limited-vision
- **[industry_signal]** Pinball News international tournament coverage indicates broader network of regional tournaments and organized competitive scene across Europe with IFPA sanctioning (confidence: high) — Article documents return visit to Spanish tournament after 2012; references IFPA European Championship Series; suggests pattern of international tournament coverage

---

## Transcript

**Date:**
12th & 13th November, 2016

**Location:**
Calle Camino Marcota, Biar, Spain

Pinball News hadn’t visited a pinball tournament in Spain since the country hosted the European Pinball Championship in Madrid in 2012. So a return visit was long overdue and we were very happy to rectify this with a trip to the town of Biar, around 50km north of the south-eastern coastal city of Alicante.

Biar is a charming town located amongst a range of hills with plenty of classical Spanish architecture, culture and, thankfully, Carl Weathers. We arrived on Friday afternoon and explored the back streets before enjoying some tapas and a local beer or two, and visiting the venue for the weekend’s competitive events.

[![The view over the rooftops to the castle](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/22.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/22.jpg)

The view over the rooftops to the castle

[![Steps up the hill](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/23.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/23.jpg)

Steps up the hill

[![The church in the town square](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/24.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/24.jpg)

The church in the town square

The venue for the tournament was a large white-painted building on the south-eastern edge of town.

[![The venue for the tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/15.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/15.jpg)

The venue for the tournament

[![The entrance to the venue](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/14.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/14.jpg)

The entrance to the venue

[![The view opposite](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/16.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/16.jpg)

The view opposite

We were given a guided tour of the building, looking at the tournament areas and delving into the storage space at the back. In both we found some interesting original and Spanish-tailored pinball machines.

The weekend consisted of a modern tournament, a classics tournament and three side tournaments. Both the modern and classics tournaments were played on twelve machines, all of which needed to be played.

[![The first batch of main tournament machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/2.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/2.jpg)

The first batch of modern tournament machines

[![The remaining main tournament machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/3.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/3.jpg)

The remaining modern tournament machines

[![Classic tournament machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/4.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/4.jpg)

Classic tournament machines

[![More classic tournament machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/5.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/5.jpg)

More classic tournament machines

The machines used in both tournaments were as follows:

|  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Modern Tournament** |  | **Classic Tournament** |
| Spider-Man VE  Game of Thrones LE  The Walking Dead LE  Star Trek LE  The Simpsons Pinball Party  Monster Bash  Cirqus Voltaire  Pinball Magic  Metallica Premium  Stargate  Party Zone  Theatre of Magic | – 1 –  – 2 –  – 3 –  – 4 –  – 5 –  – 6 –  – 7 –  – 8 –  – 9 –  – 10 –  – 11 –  – 12 – | Top Racer  Genie  Dragon  El Dorado  The 30s  Running Horse  Luck Smile  Shamrock  Tasty Samba  300  Surfer  Big Brave |

In the repair area we saw an unusual pinball from Jumaci of Madrid which had no backbox, used lamps to indicate the score, and featured outward-facing flippers.

[![An unusual game from Jumaci](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/25.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/25.jpg)

An unusual game from Jumaci

[![You might recognise this backglass as Capt. Card](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/26.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/26.jpg)

You might recognise this King Game as Gottlieb’s Capt. Card

Along with the tournament machines, there was also a bank of free-play practice games. These also featured some Spanish games not often seen outside of the country.

[![The bank of free-play machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/18.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/18.jpg)

The bank of free-play machines

[![This guy looks well and truly check-mated](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/27.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/27.jpg)

This guy looks well and truly check-mated

[![Bongor is a Spanish version of Gottlieb's Jungle King](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/28.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/28.jpg)

Bongor is a Spanish version of Gottlieb’s Jungle King

[![Screech is an original Inder design](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/29.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/29.jpg)

Screech is an original Inder design featuring an electronic score display but a score reel for the credits display

[![You have to wonder about the story behind this backglass](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/30.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/30.jpg)

You have to wonder about the story behind this backglass

In addition to the machines there was also a parts table where common pinball spares could be purchased, and a high-quality table football (foosball) game which was priced at €1 per game.

[![The pinball parts table](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/20.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/20.jpg)

The pinball parts table

[![Just in case anyone needed a break from pinball](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/13.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/13.jpg)

Just in case anyone needed a break from pinball

Registration for the Torneo de Pinball de Biar cost €60 ($63.77 or £51.34) which included an individualised red tournament T-shirt complete with embroidered initials and country flag, a personal player card and a tournament poster.

[![Individual tournament packs for the competitors](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/1.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/1.jpg)

Individual tournament packs for the competitors

[![Tournament posters](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/17.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/17.jpg)

Tournament posters

[![The ceramic trophies for the various tournaments](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/6.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/6.jpg)

The ceramic trophies for the various tournaments

Registration also got you a hearty breakfast of various types of breads topped with meats and sausages which was called *cocas*, all of which was accompanied by beer, soft drinks and water. Although we’d already eaten breakfast at the hotel the breakfast here looked too good not to sample.

[![Putting out the breakfast dishes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/7.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/7.jpg)

Putting out the breakfast dishes

[![The breakfast spread](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/8.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/8.jpg)

The breakfast spread

[![The selection was delicious and enjoyed by everyone](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/9.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/9.jpg)

The selection was delicious and enjoyed by everyone

In the unlikely possibility anyone was still hungry or thirsty, additional snacks and drinks were available at very reasonable prices at a bar next to the free-play machines.

[![The bar](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/42.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/42.jpg)

The bar

[![The drinks and snacks on offer](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/12.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/12.jpg)

The drinks and snacks on offer

Once breakfast was over it was time to start the serious business of the tournaments. Both the modern and classics ran in parallel, with players able to play their games in either as they wished as long as they completed them all by the close of qualifying at 8pm.

[![Players gather to hear the format and the rules](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/21.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/21.jpg)

Players gather to hear the format and the rules

A magnetic board at the side of the entrance contained name plates for each of the twelve modern and twelve classic pinballs. Players could choose to play any of the machines. If the machine’s name plate was on the board it was available to play right away, otherwise they had to wait until the current game was over and the name plate was returned to the board.

[![The name plates of the twenty-four machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/10.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/10.jpg)

The name plates of the twenty-four machines

To ensure each machine was only played once by each player, as the name plate was taken their score card was punched to show the machine had been chosen.

[![Each score card was punched as a machine was selected](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/32.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/32.jpg)

Each score card was punched as a machine was selected

[![Qualifying in the classic and modern tournaments](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/31.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/31.jpg)

Qualifying in the classic and modern tournaments

[![Individual machine scores were shown on monitors at the entrance to the tournament area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/11.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/11.jpg)

Individual machine scores were shown on monitors at the entrance to the tournament area

Officials started the games to make sure none were restarted by the players, and they also recorded scores on paper sheets – one sheet per machine – which were handed to the scoring desk when filled so the results could be entered into the computer system.

[![The crush at the entrance to the tournament area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/41.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/41.jpg)

The crush at the entrance to the tournament area

At times – and especially as competitors had played many of their games and were waiting for one of their final few to become available – the entrance to the tournament area became quite crowded, making it difficult to enter or leave or to access the magnetic name plates.

[![The tournament takes a break for lunch](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/33.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/33.jpg)

The tournament takes a break for lunch

One thing you will quickly appreciate about Spanish tournaments – and Spain in general – is that food and drink play an important part in the overall enjoyment of life. This weekend was no different, and so it was that at 2pm everything stopped so all the players and organisers could decamp to a nearby restaurant for lunch.

[![filled crepes and a kind of savoury bread pudding followed the opening salad course](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/34.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/34.jpg)

Filled crepes and a kind of savoury bread pudding followed the opening salad course

The lunch was an optional €20 extra but it seemed everyone signed-up for it. And why not? It consisted of five courses with all the beer or wine you wanted. A very civilised way to run a tournament.

[![Next came the squid](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/35.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/35.jpg)

Next came the squid

[![A choice of entree was followed by a selection of deserts, all washed down with jugs of beer and bottles of local red wine](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/36.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/36.jpg)

A choice of entree was followed by a selection of deserts, all washed down with jugs of beer and bottles of local red wine

[![Everyone back to the pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/37.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/37.jpg)

Everyone back to the pinballs

Lunch took two-and-a-half hours, after which it was back to the pinball hall to resume the tournaments.

[![Qualifying on the classics machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/38.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/38.jpg)

Qualifying on the classics machines

Because lunch took a little longer than expected, qualifying was extended by another thirty minutes to give everyone a chance to play all their games.

[![Likewise with the modern pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/39.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/39.jpg)

Likewise with the modern pinballs

[![Standings in the modern tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/40.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/40.jpg)

Standings in the modern tournament

Overall standings were show on a projector screen in the dining area for the modern tournament and on a monitor on the bar for the classics.

[![The classics tournament positions](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/43.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/43.jpg)

The classics tournament positions

In both tournaments the top twenty players qualified for Sunday’s play-offs, with the top four getting a bye through the first round.

[![The last qualifying games are played](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/44.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/44.jpg)

The last modern qualifying games are played

Once the qualifying period for players was over, the organisers played their qualification games, meaning the final standings in the modern tournament weren’t known until later into the night.

[![The last few results are added](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/45.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/45.jpg)

The last few results are added

That meant an anxious time for those players on the border of modern qualification as the final few results shuffled their standings up and down.

[![Time for dinner](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/69.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/69.jpg)

Time for dinner

The tension was only partially relieved by the arrival of pizzas.

[![The final qualification results in the modern tournament are declared](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/46.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/46.jpg)

The final qualification results in the modern tournament are declared

When all the results were in the computer the twenty who would continue on Sunday were revealed. Nineteen of the qualifiers were Spanish players and there was one UK player.

Of the twenty players who qualified for the classics tournament., eighteen were from Spain, one from Sweden and one from the UK.

With all the qualifiers decided, it was back to the hotel for us (although we did subsequently pop out for a little nightcap in the town square before retiring for the night).

Sunday saw the play-offs in both tournaments as well as a number of side tournaments.

[![Classics tournament play-offs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/47.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/47.jpg)

Classics tournament play-offs

In both tournaments, players in qualifying positions 5th-20th were put into four groups of four and played a single pre-selected machine. As long as they didn’t get the lowest score of the group they progressed to the second round. The lowest scorers in each of the four groups were out of the tournament.

Those remaining sixteen were joined by the top four qualifiers for the quarter-finals and split into another four groups of four. This time they played on two machines where points were awarded for position in the order 7-5-3-1. After both games had been played, the top two players in the group moved on to the next round – the semi-finals.

These eight again played in four-player groups, on this time they played on three machines with the same 7-5-3-1 points structure. The top two from both groups then moved on to the final.

[![The first Semi-final in the classics on Tasty Samba](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/48.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/48.jpg)

The first semi-final in the classics on Tasty Samba

[![The second semi-final in the classics on El Dorado ](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/49.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/49.jpg)

The second semi-final in the classics on El Dorado

Rounds of the classic and modern play-offs alternated, although the classic reached the final four first.

The classics final came down to a three-game series between Raúl Abad, César Dubón, Rafael Masedo and Marc Vallés. As in the first play-off round, all four played the first game with the lowest scorer dropping out into fourth place overall.

The first game was played on *Fantastic World* which was added for the play-offs together with *Fantastic World* and *Master Stroke*. Marc was the lowest scorer here with 331,400.

The remaining three moved on to *Dragon* where Rafael’s third place score of 180,400 got him eliminated and gave him third place.

[![The last game of the final](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/53.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/53.jpg)

The last game of the final

The final two of Raúl and César then played on *Fireball* to determine the winner and the runner-up.

[![First place in the classic tournament, César Dubón](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/61.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/61.jpg)

First place in the classic tournament, César Dubón

Raúl set a target of 43,030 but César beat that and ended his game with a score of 45,830 to take first place.

[![Second place, Raúl Abad](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/60.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/60.jpg)

Second place, Raúl Abad

[![Fourth place, Marc Vallés](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/59.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/59.jpg)

Fourth place, Marc Vallés

Third placed Rafael Masedo had to leave before the awards were presented.

|  |
| --- |
| **Classic Tournament Results** |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | **1** | **César Dubón** | | 2 | Raúl Abad | | 3 | Rafael Masedo | | 4 | Marc Vallés | | 5 | Félix Yéboles | | 6 | Carlos Javier Parra | | 7 | Álvaro Vidal | | 8 | Juan Carlos Durán | | 9 | José Luis Martínez | | 10 | Juan Antonio Martín | | 11 | Magnus Lindström | | 12 | Martin Ayub | | 13 | Pablo Crespo Contreras | | 14 | Gabriel Ortiz | | 15 | Antonio Cerdanya | | 16 | Carlos Toledano | | 17 | Miguel Manzaneque | | 17 | Julio Vicario | | 19 | José Miguel Fuentes | | 20 | José Casanova | | 21 | Rubén de la Rosa | | 21 | Antonio Hernández | | 23 | David López | | 24 | Jorge Villoria | | 25 | Mariano Manzano | | 26 | Antonio Sempere | | 26 | Enrique Benavent | | 28 | Luis Molina | | 29 | Jorge López | | 30 | Francisco Núñez | | 31 | Elu Tortosa | | 32 | Carlos Vicente | | 33 | Pablo Crespo García | | 34 | David Martínez | | 35 | Jesús Garbín | | 36 | Orlando González | | 37 | Javier Núñez | | 38 | Nicolai Troshinsky | | 39 | Alejandro Yepes | | 40 | Cristina Alonso | | 41 | Alberto Lucerón | | 42 | Begoña Motilla | | 43 | José María Tortosa | | 44 | José Manuel Richart | | 45 | Miguel Barreal | | 46 | Santiago Elices | | 47 | Juan Luis Santos | | 48 | David Mainwaring | | 49 | Jesús Merino | | 50 | Javier Torres | | 51 | Valentín Camarena | | 52 | Carlos Martos | | 53 | Cristobal Hernández | | 54 | David Pedreño | | 55 | Ismael Reolid | | 56 | José Joaquín Pérez | | 57 | Daniel Rodríguez | |

In an unusual twist, any player who didn’t make the final four in either the classic or modern tournament was placed according to their qualifying position, regardless of how well they did in Sunday’s play-offs.

In the modern tournament the play-off rounds used the 7-5-3-1 points-based system until the final round which was played in the same format as the classic with one player being eliminated per game. There was a tie in one of the semi-finals for the last place in the final four which was decided by a one-ball game on *Party Zone*.

[![Party Zone was the first game of the final](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/55.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/55.jpg)

Party Zone was the first game of the final

So the finalists in the modern tournament were Valentín Camarena, Gabriel Ortiz, Carlos Javier Parra and Julio Vicario. They began playing on *Party Zone*, but this proved the end of the final for Carlos Javier Parra who came fourth in that game and so fourth overall.

The second game was *Metallica*.

[![Game two of the modern final - Metallica](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/54.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/54.jpg)

Game two of the modern final – Metallica

This time it was Gabriel Ortiz who came a cropper and took third place both in the game and overall.

[![Valentin playing in the last game of the final](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/56.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/56.jpg)

Valentín playing in the last game of the final

That left Valentín Camarena and Julio Vicario to contest the final on the last game which was an *Avengers* LE which was added along with *Getaway* and *Bride of Pinbot* for the play-offs.

[![Julio plays his ball in the final](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/58.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/58.jpg)

Julio plays his second ball in the final

[![Spectators behind the tournament desk](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/57.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/57.jpg)

Spectators behind the tournament desk

[![Winner of the modern tournament, Julio Vicario](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/64.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/64.jpg)

Winner of the modern tournament, Julio Vicario

Julio put up an impressive 67M score on his second ball to Valentín’s 11M, making quite a task for Valentín to catch him on the last ball. As it turned out he only got up to 17M before the ball drained and the final was over without Julio needing to play his third ball.

[![Second place, Valentín Camarena](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/63.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/63.jpg)

Second place, Valentín Camarena

[![Fourth place, Carlos Javier Parra](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/62.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/62.jpg)

Fourth place, Carlos Javier Parra

Third placed Gabriel Ortiz had to leave to catch his flight before the awards were presented.

|  |
| --- |
| **Modern Tournament Results** |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | **1** | **Julio Vicario** | | 2 | Valentín Camarena | | 3 | Gabriel Ortiz | | 4 | Carlos Javier Parra | | 5 | Santiago Elices | | 6 | Rafael Masedo | | 7 | Martin Ayub | | 8 | Álvaro Vidal | | 9 | César Dubón | | 10 | Alberto Lucerón | | 11 | Javier Núñez | | 12 | Antonio Sempere | | 13 | Raúl Abad | | 14 | Pablo Crespo Contreras | | 15 | Luis Molina | | 16 | Juan Antonio Martín | | 17 | Nicolai Troshinsky | | 18 | Antonio Cerdanya | | 19 | Carlos Vicente | | 20 | José Manuel Richart | | 21 | David Mainwaring | | 22 | Félix Yéboles | | 23 | Francisco Núñez | | 24 | Magnus Lindström | | 25 | Rubén de la Rosa | | 26 | Jorge Villoria | | 26 | Jorge López | | 28 | Juan Carlos Durán | | 29 | Pablo Crespo García | | 30 | David López | | 31 | Miguel Manzaneque | | 32 | Elu Tortosa | | 33 | Orlando González | | 34 | Mariano Manzano | | 35 | Jesús Merino | | 36 | Marc Vallés | | 36 | Antonio Hernández | | 38 | Carlos Toledano | | 39 | Juan Luis Santos | | 39 | Enrique Benavent | | 41 | Alejandro Yepes | | 42 | José Luis Martínez | | 43 | José María Tortosa | | 44 | Miguel Barreal | | 45 | Javier Torres | | 46 | Begoña Motilla | | 47 | David Martínez | | 48 | Cristobal Hernández | | 49 | Daniel Rodríguez | | 50 | Ismael Reolid | | 51 | José Casanova | | 52 | Cristina Alonso | | 53 | José Joaquín Pérez | | 54 | Carlos Martos | | 55 | Jesús Garbín | | 56 | José Miguel Fuentes | | 57 | David Pedreño | |

[![The split-flipper tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/70.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/70.jpg)

The split-flipper tournament

As we mentioned earlier, in addition to the two main tournaments there were three side tournaments. The first of these was a split-flipper competition on *Dr Dude*.

[![The three side-tournament machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/50.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/50.jpg)

The three side-tournament machines

The second side-tournament was a crossed-hands competition on *Whirlwind*, while the final side-tournament used a *Flintstones* game with a cover over the playfield which only provided a small window above the flippers to see the ball.

[![Winner of the crossed-hands tournament, Raúl Abad](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/65.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/65.jpg)

Winner of the crossed-hands tournament, Raúl Abad

The *Flintstones* competition was won by Pablo Crespo Contreras, the crossed-hands competition by Raúl Abad and the split-flipper by Álvaro Vidal and his son.

[![Winners of the split-flipper tournament, Alvaro Vidal and his son](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/66.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/66.jpg)

Winners of the split-flipper tournament, Álvaro Vidal and his son

With all the awards presented, the Torneo de Pinball de Biar weekend came to an end.

[![Down by the waterline in Alicante](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/67.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/67.jpg)

Down by the waterline in Alicante

We also had a flight home to catch, but not before a stop-off in Alicante to enjoy the last of the day’s sunshine and sample the local cuisine once more.

[![The sun was just starting to set](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/68.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/biar-2016/68.jpg)

The sun was just starting to set

The relaxed atmosphere and schedule surrounding the Biar weekend was a refreshing change from the often frantic and hurried tournaments we have experienced elsewhere. Having most of the tournament machines as part of a fixed collection certainly makes things easier for the organisers.

The Biar modern tournament was also Spain’s nominated event for the IPFA European Championship Series, giving it added significance and bringing in a few non-Spanish players. Those who hadn’t played in the previous six Biar tournaments could have benefitted from more information regarding the tournament formats and the way the overall results were decided.

Nonetheless, the whole weekend had a uniquely Spanish feel of warmth – both social and temperate – which, despite the huge quantities of food consumed, left us hungry for more.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-08-04 | Item ID: cd97a4af-a7fc-4ad1-9618-65f8adba9624*