TACOMA, Wash. — There's James Bond, Elton John and the shark from "Jaws" awaiting pinball machine players at The Triple Knock on Tacoma's Sixth Ave.
The machines may look like a lot of fun but on Wednesday nights, tournament nights, things can actually get pretty serious.
"We have tournaments which are actually sanctioned by the International Flipper Pinball Association," said manager Jeff DeBock. "They have world rankings so if you play in our Wednesday tournaments, you'll be ranked in the world of pinball."
Altwin Hawksford has been competing for more than 10 years. By day he sets up bounce houses in family backyards, but at night he rides a pinball machine just short of tilting.
"I love the dance that you can do, " Hawkford said. "Flipping the ball, getting the right shot, getting it set up and getting where you want to go with it. To me it's really lovely to get into a game. The passion is big."
Hawksford takes care of his most important tools. His hands.
"I wear gloves," he said. "There are a few players that do that."
It's not only men at play here. Women also play and they have their own tournaments the second Sunday of every month. Yes, it can be intense, but The Triple Knock is also about having fun.
"It's a really friendly atmosphere," DeBock said. "Everybody is super nice here. People come here to have a good time, and hang with their friends, you know, get a couple of drinks and play pinball."
The Triple Door is open every day of the week from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Pinball fans are also excited about the Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show which brings hundreds of games into the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. It happens June 7th-9th, 2024.
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