Tetris Report: Tetris Tournament April 2007

This month's Tetris Tournament can only be described in one word: controversy! A new bracketing system left some former champions crying foul, last month's winner saw an early exit, and a slew of rookies dived into the spotlight with some impressive debuts. Not to mention, the final match featured two life-long friends in a epic battle for supremecy. Forest Room Five nearly crumbled to its foundation - it must have been TETRIS NIGHT!

To play next month, call 303-941-4929.

Vinnie (left) and Paul G (right) battle in the championship match!

The undisputed champion, Vinnie put together a string of impressive victories (Dan J, Joe, Jesse Johnson) to make it to the finals, laying the stage for an epic battle between his old confidant Paul G. Matching Tetris for Tetris, Vinnie took Paul G to the ropes in a come-from-behind thriller and won his third Tetris Championship.

In what may be his last Tetris performance before retirement, former champ Paul G pulled no punches. Coming into the final match from the loser-bracket (sent there by Vinnie only minutes earlier), he put on an offensive onslaught that nearly sent the undefeated Vinnie into a Game 2. But it wasn't enough, and his legacy may forever be second place.

Jesse Johnson managed some satisfactory wins early on (Vicky Hoehn and Moe Pancake played him to the final line each time), but once again this angelic man-child couldn't hold his own against the upper tier players. Recieved one vote for Best Dressed.

Tetris League cool kid Dan H. finally saw his practice and patience pay off as he made it to the final four with big wins over Uncle J. and Melissa Tapp. His calm style of play wasn't enough to get past Paul G. or Johnson, but Dan H. solidified his reputation as a veteran player to be feared.

In his third Tetris outing, Joe made a statement with impressive matches versus Crissy, Tim, Moe and Sarah W. But an early loss to Vinnie sent him to the loser's bracket, which led to a last second nail biting loss to Johnson later in the night. A championship contender, and it's only a matter of time before we see him in the final match.

After several disappointing months, Sarah Wells came back in a big way in April, giving the death blow to last month's Most-Improved Melissa Tapp, blonde skywalker Justin Mathew Bunker, and Luke and Uncle J for good messure. She was finally knocked out by her former protege Joe, but if this is a sign of things to come, we like what we see.

In a crowded field of impressive rookies (Dan J, Jared, Jeffrey and Lindsay all brought their A game), Moe's impressive debut performance was enough to bring her within one game of the final six.

She was sent to the loser bracket early by an angry Paul G, which only led to her April 2007 killing spree, knocking out four players in a row. Scouts knew her potential was there - this was the month she proved it. THEE player to watch in May.

How you defend your March 2007 championship title? If you're Leslie, you lose two quick matches and call it a night. However, she plays best when she's angry, and May could be the month she get's her game back.

As one scout puts it, "Vinnie is the player you put your money on. He knows how to win, and he doesn't know how to lose." Three championships and still counting. Average lines in April: 52.8

He plays on a pure need to win, but April was promised to be his last appearance. His legacy: one championship and a handfull of final three's. Average lines in April: 42.8

You never count out a former champ. She's been playing in the league for a long time, and she knows how to stay on top. Average lines in April: 31.3

So far, he's only gone up in the rankings - can he keep it up? Average lines in April: 28.1

Scouts will tell you, "If you've seen her on the practice court, you know how good she is." She's been to the Final Three enough times to stay in the spotlight. Average lines in April: 33

A veteran player just now hitting his stride. Some say he can see the pieces before they even fall. Average lines in April: 23.5

Making the first of many appearances in the Power Rankings. Average lines in April: 30.5

Could be a champion, if he only tried harder. Doing push-up's every day for an entire month didn't seem to help at all. Average lines in April: 39

As ESPN reported, "She came in with a lot of confidence, took down some major players, and played the game like a veteran." May's tournament could be her coming out party. Average lines in April: 25.5

This guy can score lines on you like a mad man. His opponents are never safe until they've won. Average lines in April: 26

An opposing player's manager gave the following assesment: "I've seen Crissy win 20 in a row in practice. It's only a matter of time...." She took out Heidi and Dan J. in April, and her stock is up: Average lines in April: 34.75

A canidate for biggest meltdown, but plays her best when her back is against the wall. Average lines in April: 18.6

A canidate for Rookie of the Month. Dangerous. Average lines in April: 26.5

Another impressive rookie - he took out Jared and Amy before Crissy sent him packing. Average lines in April: 32.75

Faced some tough match-up's in his debut performance, but held his own. Possibly the next Joe. Average lines in April: 25

More of a post-up player, and is having trouble adjusting his game to the run and gun beyond-the-arc shooting of Tetris. VOTED BEST DRESSED! Average lines in April: 24.5

Got a bad hand dealt to him (Leslie and Vicky in the opening rounds), but could be a major player in May. Average lines in April: 30

Still waiting for a big match to send him far into the tournament. Very dangerous. Average lines in April: 11

This player is all heart. Took last month's champ Leslie out, but couldn't keep the momentum. Average lines in April: 22.75

Rookie of the Month in March, and no show in April.

As one scout puts it: "She's a raw talent, and her potential is through the roof." Average lines in April: 16.5

An intriguing player, but a no-show in April.

A canidate for March Rookie of the month in March, but MOA in April.

She skipped Tetris AND Book Club. Very aloof.