Nicolas Charette, TJs manager Steve Claude and Jeremy Sossei
Mike Zuglan’s Joss NE 9-Ball Tour kicked off their 2018-1019 season at TJ’s Classic Billiards on September 22nd – 23rd for “The Maine Event XXII”, and this event came down to a Joss Tour veteran against a player in their first ever regular season Joss Tour stop.
The veteran player was Jeremy Sossei, winner of over sixteen Joss Tour titles, who has been winning tour stops for over 10 years. Sossei has been away from the game for most of this year, with a win at the NE 9-Ball Open XXX back in February as his only appearance on the AzBilliards money list. Sossei has been spending his time on a new business that he opened, but hopes to be getting out to regularly compete again very soon.
The newcomer was Quebec’s Nicolas Charette, who got his Joss Tour feet wet at the Turning Stone Classic XXIX, but was in Waterville Maine for his first regular tour stop. Charette credited his appearance on this weekend to his love for the game. “I just enjoy playing tournaments, competing, traveling, experiencing different conditions. But really, I love the game” he said.
The first meeting between Sossei and Charette went to the veteran 9-7 and he waited to see who he would play in the finals. Charette would face off against fellow countryman Tom Theriault in the semi-finals, but he would score a quick 7-3 win to earn another shot at Sossei in the finals.
Anyone expecting another close match between these two competitors was shocked to see the Canadian cueman score a decisive 9-2 win over Sossei in the first set of the finals. With the players now tied at one set each, a third set was played to determine a winner and Sossei pulled out a tight 7-5 win for Joss Tour Stop title #17.
Nine players came back on Sunday to compete in the second chance tournament where Dan Couture defeated Steve Reynolds two sets out of three for first place.
The Joss NE 9-Ball tour will be back in action on October 6th – 7th for the Hudson Valley Fall Classic at The Spot in Nanuet, New York.
Congratulations to stop # 6 main event winner at Union Station Billiards Cody Francis ($1,050), second chance winner, Mark Stewart ($300) and our $1,200 Joss Cue raffle winner, Mike Zuglan.
Also congratulations to Billy Thorpe for winning our Turning Stone Classic XXIX 9-Ball Open ($8,000), second chance winner Redgie Cutler ($500), both $1,200 Joss Cue raffle winners, Wayne Crayton & Bill Brahney and the winner of the autographed Pro Cup cue cue ball used in the final match, Anthony Ciampi.
Stop # 7 of our 2017/2018 season will be at the brand new Brick House Billiards in East Syracuse NY on January 13 & 14. Our hosts Mary & Brian Holmes and Gretchen & Paul Cyr have been busy all year creating one of the most beautiful rooms in the state while sparing no expense. Brick House comes complete with 8 of the Diamond Pro tables used at our last Turning Stone event, plus 8, 7 foot tables for the bar league crowd. There is also a brand new full bar and kitchen boasting a full pub menu a few homemade specials thrown in to satisfy all of our needs. So lets give Brick House a warm Joss Tour welcome by coming out to play in or just watch another great 9-ball tournament. While you are there, you could even win a gorgeous, custom engraved, Joss Cue, valued at $1,200 in the raffle. Anyone can participate in the raffle and you do not have to be present to win! This beautiful cue can be viewed here: https://josscues.com/cues/custom/joss-custom-26/
For more info about Brick House, look them up on Facebook or call them at 315-455-1979.
For those of you needing motel info, there is the Sleep Inn less than 10 minutes from Brickhouse Billiards. All room rates include complimentary breakfast and coupons to Barbagallo’s Restaurant which is attached to the hotel. Just click on the link below for the special discount rates or call them at 315-433-8585 and mention Brick House Billiards.
This event at Brick House Billiards will consist of a $1500 added Saturday and Sunday Main Event (entry Fee $120 for pro level or $70 for non pro level) and a $500 added second chance event on Sunday ($20 Entry Fee) for those non pro level players eliminated from the main event on Saturday. All of our events are open to players of all skill levels.
If you are coming to play, you must arrive on Saturday Jan. 13, Before 11:30 AM, and in proper dress please. Jeans and sneakers are permitted in our billiard parlor events. But please, NO T-SHIRTS, TANKS, SHORTS OR SWEATS. Complete tour info can be found on our site www.joss9balltour.com
I am currently taking entries for our $25,000 Added Turning Stone Classic XXX 9-Ball Open on August 23-26, 2018. If you would like to compete in this great event, please enter early to avoid being shut out! It is limited to the first 128 paid entries. To enter you must contact me immediately at 518-356-7163
Please remember to spread the word to frequent your local billiard parlors and utilize and promote the world class products of our most generous sponsors. They are the backbone of our sport and deserve our support!!
Thanks and I hope to see you all at the brand new Brick House billiards.
Mike Zuglan
The Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour Is Proudly Sponsored By;
Phil Harju (room owner), Cody Francis, Dave Hall and Mike Zuglan
The Joss NE 9-Ball Tour wrapped up the first half of their season over the weekend of November 18th and 19th at Union Station Billiards in Portland, Maine where the field of 37 players came down to two local players fighting it out for their first Joss Tour wins.
Sunday matches on the winner’s side saw Bruce Nagle score a hill-hill win over Ivaylo Petrov and Cody Francis with a 9-7 win over Josh Rupard. Francis then went on to take the hot-seat with a 9-7 win over Nagle.
On the one loss side, Dave Hall was on a roll after a lopsided 9-2 loss to Mark Desjardin in his first match on Saturday. Hall bounced back with Saturday wins over Sam Hebert, Mike Dube and Xavier Libby to make it into the money on Sunday.
Sunday matches saw Hall pick up where he left off on Saturday, as he defeated Jim Hayden, Rupard, Jeremy Sossei and Nagle to earn his spot in the finals.
For two players playing for their first tour wins, Francis and Hall made the most of it. Hall, from nearby Portland Maine, handed hometown favorite Francis his first loss in the first set of the finals 9-6. Francis returned the favor in the second set of the finals and eliminated Hall 9-7 to take first place and $1,050 in prize money.
Sunday’s second chance tournament came down to Mark Stewart facing Chad Bazinet three times before a winner was crowned. Stewart won the first meeting in the hot-seat match 3-0, but Bazinet defeated Dan Couture in the semi-final match and was back for another shot at Stewart in the finals. Bazinet scored a 3-2 win in the first set of the finals, but Stewart came back to score a 3-2 win of his own for first place.
The tour now takes a break for the rest of 2017 and will be back in action on January 4th – 7th for the Turning Stone Classic XXIX at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, Ny. That event has a handful of spots left open and players are urged to contact Mike Zuglan at 518-356-7163 to lock down their place in the event,
Mike Zuglan kicked off the 21st season of the Joss NE 9-Ball Tour on September 23rd and 24th, with a field of 38 players competing in The Maine Event XI at TJ’s Classic Billiards in Waterville Maine. The tournament would come down to Nelson Oliveira winning by the narrowest of margins over Canadian Tom Theriault.
Oliveira and Theriault were two of the players to emerge from Saturday matches undefeated, joined by Samoth Sam and Cody Francis. Sunday morning winner’s side matches saw Francis sneak by Sam 9-8, and Oliveira send Theriault to the one loss side by a 9-7 margin. Oliveira would then go on to defeat Francis 9-8 for the hot-seat.
On the one loss side, both Sam and Theriault would bounce back from their earlier losses, with Sam eliminating Xavier Libby 9-2 and Theriault eliminating Matt Tetreault 9-7. Theriault would then go on to defeat Sam 9-1 and then Cody Francis 9-3, to earn a rematch with Oliveira in the finals.
With the 9-7 scoreline in their earlier match, the finals were expected to be close, and they definitely were. Theriault ended Oliveira’s unbeaten streak 9-8 in the first set of the finals, and then Oliveira came back to defeat Theriault 9-8 in the second set for first place.
The end of Sunday's 16 player second chance tournament looked very similar to the end of the main event with Ross Webster defeating Joe Darigis 3-2 for the hot-seat and then Darigis coming back to force a second set of the finals 3-1 before Webster scored a 3-2 win in the second set of the finals.
Although he finished one out of the money in 9th place, Jordan Labbe was the winner of the $1200 custom Joss Cue at this event.
The Joss NE 9-Ball Tour will be back in action on Sept 30th and October 1st at The Hudson Valley Fall Classic, held at The Spot Billiards Cafe in Nanuet, NY.
It is the traditional opening of the Joss Tour season, the annual Maine Event, and for the past four years, including this recently passed weekend of October 4-5 (Maine Event VIII), it has been won by a homegrown competitor, Mike Dechaine. Dechaine grew up in Waterville, Maine and enjoys coming home to compete in this event annually. The $1,500-added main event drew 40 entrants to TJ's Classic Billiards in Waterville, while a $500-added Second Chance tournament, won by Sam Monroe, drew 23 entrants.
For the fourth year in a row, Dechaine found himself among the winners' side final four; this year, to face Ashley Nowlan. Mike Henderson, in the meantime, squared off against Kyle Pepin. Dechaine got into the hot seat match 9-3 over Nolan and faced Henderson, who'd sent Pepin to the loss side 9-6. Dechaine defeated Henderson 9-4 and waited on what turned out to be the return of Joe Darigis, who'd win seven on the loss side to meet Dechaine in the finals.
Darigis had been sent west by Pepin in the second round, and after four wins on the loss side, including a 9-3 win over Joey Dupuis and a shutout of Cody Francis, Darigis got his re-match, when Pepin came over from the winners' side semifinal. Nowlan drew Dave Dreidel, who'd gotten by Roger Barriere 9-4 and Clyde Matta 9-6.
Darigis eliminated Pepin in their re-match 9-6 and faced Nowlan, who'd finished Dreidel's run 9-4. Darigis then took care of Nowlan in the quarterfinal match 9-3. He and Henderson locked up in a double hill semifinal, before Darigis prevailed to get his shot at Dechaine. Dechaine, though, completed his fourth straight Maine Event run with a 9-5 victory in the finals.
The $500-added Second Chance event saw Sam Monroe go undefeated, getting by Stephan Doiron twice; in the hot seat match and again, in the finals, 3-1. Doiron had moved to the semifinals and shut out Rob Sakell, who had just eliminated Brandon Belding in the quarterfinals.
Art Thibodeau was the winner of the $1,275, custom-engraved Joss Cue in the event's raffle. Stop # 2 on the Joss Tour, scheduled for October 18-19, will be hosted by Sharpshooter's Billiards and Sports Pub in Amsterdam, NY.
Tour director Mike Zuglan reminded potential competitors that Turning Stone XXIII, scheduled for January 8-11 is fast approaching, and urged them to register early, since the event will, as always fill up quickly. Call Zuglan at 518-356-7163 for further information or with any questions.
A perfect 32 player turnout this year for the Maine State 2012, 9 Ball Championship. Hosted By Steve and Tammy Reynolds at Tj’s Classic Billiards, in Waterville. The event attracted most of Maine’s finest players.
Gareth Steele battled his way through a tough bracket on the winners side, taking out Bob Bourgoin, then playing multiple state championship winner, TJ LaFlamme. Steele lost his focus to Greg Murray going down 7-1. Steele thought it was all over and was set to head West when he pulled it back from the edge, grinded it out and Defeated Murray 9-8. Gareth went on and confronted Cody Francis after taking 2nd in last years Championship. Francis seemed to loose focus early on as Steele gianed on him, making Francis know that he was not being sent to the dark side this year. Steele defeated Francis 9-4, making his mark on the winners side with his eye on the hot seat. Greg Libby gave Steele a hard time, going up 3 racks in a bid for the hot seat. Steele got stuck in and showed Libby who’s boss and defeated him 9-6 for the hot seat where he would wait for his final showdown with Francis.
Francis, knowing that he had some serious work to do to get his chance at Steele again, took TJ LaFlamme head on with a focused fury, crushing LaFlamme 9-0. Francis wasn’t leaving one man standing and continued on his war path,taking no prisoners. Mike Levitt didn’t stand a chance, and made a brave bid before being sent home by Francis with 4th place. Greg Libby was the player that absorbed the shock from Francis, slowing him down on his way to the final. Francis’s focus was unweavering and eventually took Libby out 9-6, for 3rd place.
The final couln’t be more exciting with the Superbowl starting in the background and Francis vs Steele for the second year running. Francis having to defeat Steele twice for the Championship went of to a flying start leaving Steele’s head spinning. Before Steele could get his bearings he had lost the first set 9-1. Francis charged into the second set with the same fervour going 3-0 up on Steele. The road to victory seemed to be opening up before Francis when Steele seemed to wake up out of his stupor and fought back for the next six racks taking it to 6-3. The race was definitely on when Francis and Steele went head to head. Francis picked up the ball and shot Steele out for the next five racks, determined to take the Championship Double. Steele ran out the next rack to even up the score, hill-hill. Steele broke the last rack and left Francis a tricky one ball. With Madonna singing in the background the tension couldn’t be higher when Francis missed his chance and rattled the 1 ball, leaving the final opening for Steele who manuvuered his way around the table with surgeon-like precision to claim his first Maine State 9 Ball Championship.
There was some pretty amazing pool seen at this year’s Championship, one highlight match being TJ Laflamme’s 7-rack come back from 8-2 down vs up and comer Josh Rupard. It was a tough lesson in loss for Rupard that he won’t soon forget.
Now we wait with baited breath for the Maine State 8 Ball Championships on March 3rd & 4th at Schemengees in Auburn, Maine. Will Francis and Steele meet again for a repeat performance of last years 8 Ball Championship? It’s anyone’s guess. But we are certain to be in for a great weekend of pool.
Cody Francis put up a fight in the finals of the Lucasi Hybrid New England 9-Ball Series stop on Sunday, January 29, but in the ‘double hill’ end, it was Mike Levett who chalked up the undefeated win. The handicapped event, with a total purse of $845, drew 36 entrants to Racks Billiards in Portland, ME.
They met first in the battle for the hot seat. Francis had sent Kristine Brown to the west bracket 7-2, as Levett was doing likewise to Jason D’Angelo 6-1. Levett came out strong again in the hot seat battle that followed. With Francis needing to reach seven games, Levett gave up only two racks in the 5-2 victory that left him in the hot seat.
Brown and D’Angelo moved to the loss side to pick up two opponents with stronger handicaps, and downed them both to advance to the quarterfinals. Brown took out Rich Britt 4-5, as D’Angelo was busy putting an end to Gareth Steele‘s day 4-7. It was Brown, with a 5-1 victory over D’Angelo, who advanced to the semifinals versus Francis.
Francis ended Brown’s bid to get into the finals with a 7-2 victory and the finals re-match against Levett was on. Francis tripled his hot seat effort and at 4-6, forced an eleventh and final game. Levett prevailed to capture the event title.
