🎙️ Wizards & Warriors - Episode 8
We’re back with a brand new episode of Wizards & Warriors! Your hosts FriscoPinball (Hadi) and JL4ND (Joe) return to recap an action-packed stretch of competitive pinball, highlight some new game releases, and sit down with a major tournament winner: Leslie Ruckman, the 2025 YEGPIN Women’s Matchplay Champion.
El Rucko joins us to talk about her journey in pinball—from her early days in Chicago to the West Coast to becoming the #1 ranked women’s player. We dive deep into her gameplay strategies, preparation mindset, and get her breakdown of every 2025 YEGPIN Women's Championship finals game, including John Wick Pro, Abra Ca Dabra, and Avatar.
We also review recent tournaments from May through July, preview upcoming events like Sweeper City Open, Brisbane Masters, and Pinburgh, and answer a viewer request to rank the hardest wizard modes in pinball!
If you love competitive play, detailed game breakdowns, and tournament insights, this episode’s for you. Don't forget your chance to win our prize giveaway by sending us your top 3 hardest wizard modes via email to wizardsandwarriorpodcast@gmail.com!
📕 Chapters:
⏱️ Intro + Tourney Recaps
00:00 - Intro: What We've Been Playing + Summer Check-In
05:57 - Quick Discussion of New Pinball Releases (Harry Potter, Predator, Jaws 50th, etc.)
13:55 - Viewer Request: Ranking the Hardest Wizard Modes (PRIZE GIVEAWAY!)
22:07 - Recent Tournament Results (Pindianapolis 500, NEPC, Amazing Pinball Race 8, DFW Titan Pinmasters, Stomp VII, NWPAS, NOW! That's What I Call WPPRs Vol. 2, Pinburgh Mega Matchplay at Arcade Legacy, SFGE Main Event, 2025 NKY Open)
31:22 - Upcoming Tourneys (Sweeper City, Brisbane Masters, Pinburgh, The Beast)
🧠 Interview with Leslie Ruckman
36:24 - Interview Begins – Leslie Ruckman (2025 YEGPIN Champ)
38:00 - Post-YEGPIN Thoughts
39:48 - Leslie's Journey Into Competitive Pinball
40:59 - Personal Goals, Getting Serious About Competing, How to Handle Pressure
45:11 - Favorite Pinball City & Location, Standout Wins, Favorite Trophy
48:26 - Best Piece of Advice Received About Competing, Playing for Fun/Practice
50:31 - Most "In-Tune" Pin, Biggest Mindset Shift Getting to #1 in Women's Open
52:45 - The Evolution of Competitive Pinball, Favorite Competitor to Battle
54:20 - Pre-Tourney Rituals/Game Plans, Reality of Tourney Lengths
🔶 YEGPIN Finals Analysis with 2025 Women’s Champ, Leslie Ruckman
56:06 - YEGPIN Women's Open Notes, Thoughts, and Strategy
59:39 - Game 1: John Wick Pro (Modes, MBs, Strategy & Results)
1:15:57 - Game 2: Abra Ca Dabra (Flipper Control, Drops, Drama)
1:37:45 - Game 3: Avatar (MB Stacks, Comebacks, Final Standings)
1:57:04 - Leslie Ruckman Wins YEGPIN 2025! 🎉 Final Thoughts Overall
1:59:34 - Time Management w/Multiple Tourneys, Hybrid vs. Pump N' Dumps vs. Matchplay
🎮 Rapid-Fire Round + Wrap-Up
2:03:45 - Rapid-Fire Round!: Flipper v Nudging Skills, EMs or LCD? Least fave pin?
2:05:16 - Final Thoughts + Thank You
📧 Reach out: wizardsandwarriorspodcast@gmail.com
📱 Follow: @friscopinball on Twitch & YouTube for streams and episodes
🎥 Tournament footage courtesy of FoxCitiesPinball
🎧 Now streaming on Apple Podcasts & more!
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