claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.028
Keith Elwin vs. Zach Sharp charity head-to-head match hype on Deadpool Premium via Deadflip.
67 Deadpool launch parties have been held, breaking the previous record of 63 for Iron Maiden
high confidence · Zach Sharp discussing Deadpool launch party numbers with Jeff Teolis
Keith Elwin won Pinberg this year and recently won Cleveland Pins show
high confidence · Jeff Teolis references Keith's recent tournament wins; Keith confirms
Zach Sharp has recently become a father (son named Benson)
high confidence · Jeff Teolis offers congratulations to Zach; Zach confirms happiness about it
Keith plays Deadpool at Stern approximately a couple times per week for the past three months
high confidence · Keith Elwin directly states this when asked about his experience with Deadpool since joining Stern
Zach and Keith have met in Chicago Pinball Expo finals three out of the last five years, with Zach winning once and Keith winning twice
high confidence · Zach Sharp provides specific record of their head-to-head matchups at the expo
Zach Sharp is Vice President of IFPA
high confidence · Jeff Teolis references Zach's role when discussing IFPA statistics
The original event was delayed one week due to Zach's finger injury ("Pinky Gate")
high confidence · Jeff Teolis references the delay; Zach clarifies it was an index finger, not a pinky
Both Zach Sharp and Keith Elwin now work at Stern Pinball
high confidence · Multiple references throughout to them being in 'the office' together and Jack mentioning 'when I was poking around in the back room where I shouldn't be'
Chicago Pinball Expo is happening September 17-20 and will be a Stern Pro Circuit event
high confidence · Zach Sharp provides date and details about expo; mentions factory tour availability
“The one thing everyone wants to see is the best players in the world beat the crap out of each other in pinball. And this is the best way to make this happen.”
Jack Danger @ early in episode — Describes the appeal and purpose of the competitive event format
“Zach's career is over. He had a kid. It's over.”
Keith Elwin @ mid-episode — Playful competitive banter about Zach becoming a father affecting tournament availability
“He spit in my lunch the other day, yeah. I left my food in the microwave, and he just spit in it. I saw him.”
Keith Elwin @ mid-episode — Humorous description of office tension between competitors
“The best way to get him is early in the morning when he isn't warmed up.”
Keith Elwin (referenced) @ mid-episode — Competitive insight Keith has previously shared about vulnerability timing
“Everything's going well with Benson? Oh, it's awesome. Good. No, we're very happy.”
Zach Sharp @ mid-episode — Confirms satisfaction with recent fatherhood
“I tried to get Iron Maiden. Zach cried foul, so we're playing on neutral ground.”
Keith Elwin @ late-episode — Reveals negotiation about game selection and mutual agreement on Deadpool as compromise
“My style doesn't support, you know, run and gun, which you need to do for this format. So it's going to be interesting.”
Keith Elwin @ late-episode — Keith acknowledges the head-to-head format plays to different strengths than his usual style
“I'm going to invite Josh over here so he can trash talk while he's trying to concentrate.”
Keith Elwin @ mid-episode — References using Josh Sharp (Zach's brother) as psychological tactic
community_signal: Deadflip streaming platform and Jack Danger hosting increasingly prominent role in pinball competitive spectacle and content creation; leveraging live-stream format to elevate player competition and charitable component
high · Jack Danger describes bringing 'cameras,' multi-angle setup with playfield cameras, player reactions, timers for legitimacy; Jeff references 'watching you on nightly basis every weeknight' on Deadflip
competitive_signal: Head-to-head competitive format (DEADPOOL scoring system) is emerging as new tournament format; requires different strategic approach ('run and gun' style) distinct from traditional pinball competition; Keith notes this format may not suit his usual play style
medium · Jack Danger explains the format; Keith expresses concerns about fit with his playing style; Jeff notes it's an intensive, urgent format with less trapping
event_signal: Thrilla in Sternilla charity head-to-head match officially scheduled for September 26 on Deadflip, featuring elite players Keith Elwin vs. Zach Sharp on Deadpool Premium with donations to Project Pinball and Path of Play
high · Direct confirmation from Jack Danger, Jeff Teolis, and both players; link provided at projectpinball.rallyup.com; format and game selection detailed
market_signal: Chicago Pinball Expo (Sept 17-20) remains central hub for Stern and industry; designated as Stern Pro Circuit event; features factory tours and competitive bracket with significant attendance; positioned as continuity with historical pinball infrastructure
high · Zach Sharp emphasizes expo's historical importance to his tournament career (started 20+ years ago in youth division); notes it's 'the original expo'; plans for factory tours and Pro Circuit bracket confirmed
groq_whisper · $0.067
The match format is called 'DEADPOOL' (similar to 'HORSE' in basketball), with each player proposing objectives to complete
high confidence · Jack Danger explains the competitive format in detail
personnel_signal: Both Zach Sharp (IFPA VP) and Keith Elwin are now employed at Stern Pinball, creating internal office dynamics and friendly competition; they work in same location and interact regularly
high · Multiple references to them being 'in the office,' Keith mentioning he 'spit in Zach's lunch,' physical office setting during interview with visible tension/playfulness
personnel_signal: Zach Sharp recently transitioned to fatherhood (son Benson born recently), potentially affecting tournament participation frequency and availability; referenced as possible factor in competitive standing
high · Keith jokes 'Zach's career is over. He had a kid. It's over.'; Jeff offers congratulations; Zach confirms 'everything's going well with Benson'; acknowledged as legitimate life change impacting competition
announcement: Deadpool Premium has completed major launch phase with record-breaking 67 launch parties (surpassing Iron Maiden's previous record of 63), indicating strong market reception and distributor engagement
high · Zach Sharp confirms '67 launch parties, all the launch parties... still ongoing'; Jeff Teolis references this as beating Iron Maiden's 63 launch parties record for Stern