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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