A Polk County wiz at the pinball machines, Dalton Ely, has clinked and tilted his way to a $15,000 jackpot, claiming victory at the High Stakes Championship during the INDISC Tournament Series in Riverside, California. The 23-year-old's triumph on Jan. 7 marked his largest win to date in a burgeoning career filled with the chimes of success, Atlanta News First reported.
Ely, from Rockmart, has been playing pinball since he was five, spending countless hours at arcades perfecting his flips and nudges. His dedication, has propelled him to a world ranking of 17th, and he's been the top-ranked Georgia player since 2019. "When I was about 10, 12 years old, we would just go to the theater and just get some popcorn and drinks and not even see a movie, just to play the pinball machine," Ely told the Auburn Pub.
His collection of trophies from regional, national, and now an international competition speak to a skill that has been sharpened over nearly two decades of play. Diving into the competitive scene in 2018, Ely's hands, eyes, and instincts seem to have been sculpted for the precise dance of pinball wizardry that has earned him such acclaim. "It feels amazing," Ely said in an Atlanta News First interview. "This is definitely my biggest win of my pinball career so far."
Bryan Broyles, the owner of Portal Pinball Arcade in Acworth and witness to Ely's rise, lauded the young champion's dedication and foresaw further glory in his future. "I see him winning the world soon, easily," Broyles remarked to the Auburn Pub. And for his part, Ely remains confident but measured in his perspective, "If I keep my mind right and keep my skills in shape, keep my wits keen, I believe I’ll win a world championship very soon," he proclaimed, setting his sights on yet greater heights in the pinball pantheon.
