Dirty Pool Podcast - Ep17 - Organizing Tournaments and How to Stay Zen with Tom Graf of Fox Cities

Tom Graf of Fox Cities Pinball joins the Dirty Pool Podcast to share what it takes to set up and run tournaments without losing your cool. From the logistics of organizing events to the art of staying calm when things get hectic, Tom breaks down his approach and why his relaxed style works so well. We also touch on his background and the Fox Cities Pinball stream, rounding out a look at how one of the community’s most chill directors keeps things fun and fair.

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00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:16 - Welcoming Tom Graf and his Fox Cities story

00:04:24 - Streaming local leagues and the jump to District 82

00:07:50 - Staying calm when internet crashes during tournaments

00:11:32 - The art of keeping players zen on stream

00:15:49 - Building a reputation for chill tournament directing

00:19:32 - How rules knowledge shapes smooth event management

00:23:32 - Behind the curtain when streams and rulings collide

00:26:42 - Sharing lessons learned from streaming mishaps

00:29:53 - Dealing with machines breaking mid-competition without panic

00:33:32 - Why transparency and fairness matter for all players

00:37:41 - Talking through rulings instead of escalating tension

00:41:08 - Creating a tournament culture where players feel supported

00:44:50 - Learning to balance competing roles as player and TD

00:49:05 - The unique vibe of Wisconsin’s pinball scene

00:52:12 - How streaming shaped Tom’s approach to directing tournaments

00:55:47 - The Fox Cities community and keeping events accessible

00:59:30 - What makes a truly memorable tournament experience

01:03:12 - Future goals streaming directing and personal balance

01:07:00 - Wrapping up with final thoughts and gratitude

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