Are you ready for some ping pong?
We are, and so is the Seattle tech community. We’ve got more than 150 ping pong fanatics competing across three competitive tournaments this Thursday at the big GeekWire Anniversary Bash, presented by First Tech Federal Credit Union.
And now it’s time to reveal the brackets for the expert, intermediate and beginner brackets. The official tournaments are completely sold out, but we’ve got plenty of tables for open play this year. We’ll also have video games, virtual reality, sumo wrestling, board games, a zipline and other geeky fun. General admission tickets are on sale here.
This year’s ping pong field includes some top contenders for the crown, including several past champions and a few underdogs. Check out the brackets here:
Beginner Bracket (Click bracket to enlarge)
Intermediate Bracket (Click bracket to enlarge)
Expert Bracket (Click bracket to enlarge)
Good luck to all participants, and remember the most important thing about the Bash is to have fun! We announced the official dodgeball bracket earlier today, and we’ll get the foosball field announced tomorrow.
We’ll be sending out the full list of rules and logistical instructions to all ping pong tournament participants, but here’s a quick FAQ with key details for all of our competitors. Please, read carefully.
Where and when is the GeekWire Bash? 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 15 at the CenturyLink Field Event Center in Seattle, just south of CenturyLink Field.
When should I arrive? Doors open at 3 p.m. All ping pong players need to be checked in by 3:30 p.m., and play will begin promptly at 4 p.m. We have more than 500 tournament competitors, so we’ll need your cooperation to move through the brackets as quickly as possible.
Where do I check in? Make sure to get your badge and drink tickets at the main registration desk on the west side of the CenturyLink Field Event Center. You’ll then be directed to the tournament check-in desk for your respective tournament. No need to bring your printed ticket. We will have you in our system if you are registered.
Where should I park? Various parking lots and street parking surround the CenturyLink Field Event Center. All-day parking is available in the CenturyLink Field Garage for $15. Entrance to the garage is located off South Royal Brougham Way, between Occidental Ave S & 4th Ave S. You can also use the address of 330 South Royal Brougham Way in your GPS, although the physical address is not posted on the venue.
Who will I be playing? You can see the ping pong brackets above.
How will I know when to play my match? Check in with the tournament director for your tournament, and he or she will notify you of your potential match time. Brackets will be displayed prominently and updated as the tournaments progress. Make sure to check them regularly. Additionally, if you are not in the main tournament area, notifications will be sent via text to the mobile phone number provided when you registered. Make sure we have your current phone number. If you don’t show for a match, it will result in a forfeit.
Are tickets to the event still available? General admission tickets to the anniversary bash are available for your friends and co-workers. Grab those here. Tickets to participate in the tournaments are sold out. As a tournament ticket holder, you receive access to all GeekWire Bash activities.
What if I can’t make the tournament next Thursday? If you can no longer participate in the tournament, please let us know immediately by emailing Cara Kuhlman at cara@geekwire.com.
What about my cheering section? We encourage you to bring one — just make sure your friends, colleagues and family get tickets in advance. Tickets to the party are available here. And, yes, there will once again be an awesome “spirit prize” for the team that best shows its geek pride during the event.
What’s at stake? Glory, and lots of it. You’ll be competing in the middle of a big crowd of more than 1,500 geeks. Most of all, this is a fun event and a chance to meet, connect with (and compete against) a wide variety of people across the tech industry.
What should I wear? Comfortable clothes, tennis shoes, and maybe a towel to dry off. Feel free to bring an extra shirt if you tend to break out in a sweat during your ping pong matches. Headbands are optional!
Are personal paddles permitted? Absolutely, and in fact, we recommend you bring your own. But if you don’t have your own paddle, we’ll be providing one for you to use.
What style of ping pong balls will be used? Stiga, three-star
How will matches be scored? For ping pong, each match will consist of a best of three-game series. Games will be played to 11 points, with players alternating serves after every two points. Games must be won by two points. For those who need a refresher, here are some basic rules of ping pong.
What happens if I lose my first match? You will be eliminated from the tournament, but your tournament registration includes full access to the party, including great activities such as beer pong, sumo wrestling, a classic video game arcade and much more. Also, as tables open up throughout the evening you’ll be able to challenge your friends and co-workers to “friendly” matches in the open play area.
What happens if I win my match? Make sure to report your win to the table captain, and make sure it is recorded on the big bracket near the tournament desk.
More questions? Email us at events@geekwire.com. See you next Thursday afternoon, and good luck!
