Pop-A-Shot National Championship Qualifier Brings the Heat to Chicago
 
By Bryce Smith
Events
Jun 20, 2025

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By Bryce Smith
Events
Jun 20, 2025

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The road to the 2025 Pop-A-Shot National Championship continued with its highly anticipated stop in Chicago, and it did not disappoint. Held on June 11, 2025, the Windy City hosted a sensational qualifier event at Sluggers World Class Bar and Grill in the heart of Wrigleyville. This iconic venue, known for its blend of sports bar energy and indoor batting cages, was the perfect home for a night of arcade basketball excellence.
 

With close to 200 players walking through the doors, this qualifier brought out not only local talent but also players from across the Midwest and beyond. Many traveled in from neighboring states like Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin, while others caught flights from as far as Texas, New York, Georgia, and Colorado to take their shot at earning a place in the National Championship.

As with previous qualifiers, the event was broken into two distinct parts: a four-hour open play session followed by a bracket-style finals tournament. During open play, contestants were given unlimited chances to post their highest possible score, with the top 8 earning a spot in the finals bracket later that evening.

Familiar Faces and Rising Stars

In true Pop-A-Shot fashion, the competition was fierce. Several familiar names from the St. Louis Qualifier showed up ready to prove themselves again. Players like BDERIAN, KEVINC, SCOTTSCOTT, and BRETTKARZEN (last year's national runner-up) all returned, adding intensity and anticipation to the night. About 10-15 repeat participants from St. Louis were spotted throughout the evening, a testament to the growing community of dedicated Pop-A-Shot athletes.
 

Adding to the excitement was a special guest appearance from Josh Caputo, the reigning Pop-A-Shot National Champion. Caputo came not to compete, but to cheer, support, and even lend his insights in a televised interview with WGN TV Chicago Sports, who featured the event in a spotlight segment. His presence underscored the gravity of the competition. This wasn’t just arcade fun; this was elite-level arcade basketball.

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Building The Finals Bracket

When open play concluded, the top 8 scores advanced to the finals. Leading the charge was #1 seed JAKEMONNIG, who posted a score of 137 to secure the top spot. Although the open play scores weren’t quite as high as what we saw in St. Louis, it quickly became clear during bracket play that Chicago’s competitors came to peak under pressure. Several players posted scores in the 140s during the finals, including a tournament-high 148 by #2 seed BDERIAN, making it one of the most competitive brackets we’ve seen all season.
 

The format was simple: win two out of three games to advance towards the finals. It wasn’t just about accuracy or speed, it was about staying cool under pressure. Each round brought drama, upsets, and highlight-reel performances, especially from those who had fallen just short in previous qualifiers.

And while I’m not one for hot takes, I’m going to put it out there and say it will be less than 25 years before the next Pop-A-Shot National Championship. Why? Because people nationwide keep asking for it!

 

I’ve lost track of the number of letters I’ve received on my computer (editor’s correction: emails) saying they could beat Champion Josh Caputo’s highest score of 153, and a few of them have already proved it! I see nine scores of 150+ on our Pop-A-Shot Leaderboard including one from our 2024 Championship runner-up Brett Morse-Karzen. 2nd place never sleeps! 

 

The watercooler chatter at Pop-A-Shot HQ is that 2025 may have more than a National Championship tournament. There’s potential for leagues and local tourneys at your neighborhood bar (order a Pabst for me), as well as 3-4 regional tournaments leading up to the Natty. 

Register today if you’d like to be the first to hear about these additional competitions.  And make sure to note if you’re interested in hosting one. We had 250 players show up to our qualifying tournament on a Wednesday, sooooo, that’s not a bad bar tab.

Championship Atmosphere

One of the standout stories from the night was #6 SCOTTSCOTT, who had failed to qualify for the finals bracket play in the St. Louis Qualifier. Between then and now, he discovered a Pop-A-Shot Elite model at a local venue and began logging serious hours. His dedication paid off, with a new personal high score of 187 in practice and a performative showing in Chicago. He proved that improvement and redemption are part of the Pop-A-Shot journey.
 

Meanwhile, #5 seed KEVINC was another returning standout. He was the runner-up in the St. Louis Qualifier and came into Chicago ready to push for the title. After sweeping #4 BRETTKARZEN in round one and upsetting #1 seed JAKEMONNIG in the semis, KEVINC looked more locked in than ever.
Poster

With a spot in the National Championship on the line, the finals between #5 KEVINC and #6 SCOTTSCOTT were nothing short of epic. Played in a best-of-five format, the series was a back-and-forth battle with momentum swings and buzzer-beaters. Both players averaged over 128 points per game in the finals, showcasing the high level of play and clutch shot-making that defines a Pop-A-Shot champion.
 

Each game pushed the other to new limits, with both finalists hitting stride as the games progressed. The crowd, now fully invested, hung on every shot. SCOTTSCOTT ultimately secured the victory in a nail-biting game five, earning his first-ever spot in the Pop-A-Shot National Championship.

Competition Meets Community

Beyond the high scores and bracket drama, what stood out in Chicago was the community. Strangers became teammates. Rivals became friends. Competitors cheered each other on, swapped tips, and shared their favorite tricks for racking up big scores. There’s no doubt the Pop-A-Shot National Series is quickly becoming one of the most exciting and inclusive sports competitions in the country.
 

As we look ahead to more qualifiers, the Chicago event stands as a prime example of what makes Pop-A-Shot so special: great competition, great people, and unforgettable moments.

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