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The Camel 9-Ball Shoot Out Report from Daytona Beach.Walking up to the large yellow Camel tent on Saturday afternoon, the sun was beating down on my face, as not a cloud was in the sky across the entire city of Daytona Beach. Bikers and bikes were everywhere! The rumble and thunder of bikes riding by, the revving of engines and the occasional screech from a tire was enough to get anyone excited and their adrenaline pumping about where they were and what they were amidst - Biketoberfest! It was a great day for the outdoor scotch doubles challenge match that was about to take place for two hours amidst a large group of pool fans. The team of Jeannette "The Black Widow" Lee and her partner Mike "Captain Hook" Sigel were to take on the team of "Steve "The Miz" Mizerak and his partner Ming "Empress Ming" Ng. The audience waited breathlessly as the professional pool players made their way in on Harleys, greeting fans and newcomers. The two women lagged to start the winner-take-all $10,000 Camel 9-Ball Shoot Out. Jeanette Lee won the lag and the match began! These four professional players were dressed for the occasion: black leather, boots and blue-jean vests. With shoulders showing, tank tops and occasional black sunglasses being adorned, these cool-looking players played not only each other, but the crowd as well. The fans loved being able to talk back and forth with the professional players as they played for $10,000. The pros would often ask the fans what they should do in particular situations. The fans also gave their opinions when they weren't asked, and this made for a very fun and exciting event! The format was best of five sets, with each set best of five. I know, confusing. Even the crowd was confused as tournament director Scott Smith (dressed in his own leather and black with Harley Davidson boots - and a "no whining" patch on his black leather vest) had to restate the score for the audience several times. The table made the play far more interesting than anyone would have imagined. The table leaned down toward the end of the table where the spot was. Getting shape was tough, as many times, the cue ball was on top of the next object ball. The crowd loved it! Egging on each player, shouting out advice and occasionally wanting to shoot the shot for them. The men of the two teams would ask the women what they should do! It was quite amusing to hear the women say, "Just make it!" As a side note, safeties were not allowed! Every ball had to be attempted to be pocketed and this was difficult with the table playing the way it was. I can tell you that not one ball was ever "shit in" by these pros. Every ball was made with accuracy and precision and if the table didn't roll so much, there would have been run outs after run outs! Besides the table, the sun was also affecting the players. The sun was setting on the Camel Tent and at times, each partner had to block the sun either by their hand, or body (see pics). The first set was won by Jeannette and Mike, 3-2. The second set was won by Ming and Steve, 3-1. The third set, and an important one, was won by Jeannette and Mike 3-2, after Steve missed a table-length, almost-straight-in, nine ball, hill-hill. Jeannette and Mike were on their way to winning the $10,000 with a 2-1 lead in sets for the best of 5 sets! The next set would prove to be the last for this crowd, with Jeannette and Mike winning barely at 3-2! After the challenge match, three people were drawn from the audience to play which every pro they wanted. If they won, then Camel would pay that fan $500! The first gentleman beat The Miz and got himself $500! The next gentleman beat Jeannette Lee and he also got $500! The third gentleman picked Jeannette Lee to play, as well, but she didn't lose the $500 this time, and I think Camel was happy about that! The Miz already wants a rematch and the crowed agreed! See you next time!
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