About a month short of two years ago (February 25-26, 2017), pro player Jeffrey DeLuna from the Phillipines signed on to a 65-entrant stop on the Viking Cues’ Q City 9-Ball Tour, being held at Janet Atwell’s room, Borderline Billiards in Bristol, TN. As a professional, DeLuna had to win 13 games per match before most of his opponents chalked up eight or nine. Not surprisingly, DeLuna went undefeated through the field, but not before he was challenged twice by Brandon Kidwell, who called then and continues to call Borderline Billiards his home room. The hot seat match was something of a blowout. With Kidwell racing to 8, he managed to chalk up only three against the seasoned pro’s 13. The finals were a different story. Though DeLuna went on to defeat Kidwell a second time, it was not before Kidwell had brought him to the double-hill brink of defeat at 12-7. Had he won the match, in the double elimination format of the final, Kidwell would have had to do it again; a point rendered moot when DeLuna broke the double-hill tie and claimed the event title.
On the weekend of January 26-27, Kidwell, with two victories on the tour in his past (both prior to his meetup with DeLuna), returned to the ‘scene of the crime’, as it were, came back from a hot seat loss and defeated Scott Roberts twice to claim his first Q City 9-Ball title in a little over two years. The event drew 50 entrants to Borderline Billiards, which, thanks to Atwell, filled in an empty slot on the tour schedule just four days before it began.
Kidwell (still racing to 8, throughout) advanced through the field to arrive at a winners’ side semifinal match against 17-year-old Hunter White. Scott Roberts, in the meantime, squared off against Brandon Stiltner. Kidwell downed White 8-2 and was joined in the hot seat match by Roberts, who’d survived a double hill battle (8-5) against Stiltner. Roberts took possession of the hot seat 8-4 and waited on Kidwell’s return from the semifinals.
Over on the loss side, Stiltner ran into Brian James, who’d defeated Richard Kearsey 6-2 and June Bug (aka James Miracle) 6-3 to reach him. White picked up Mike Clevinger, who’d most recently shut out Trevor Stanley and defeated Steve Guy 6-4. James advanced 6-2 over Stiltner. White joined him in the quarterfinals after shutting Clevinger out 9-0.
James Took the quarterfinal match over White 6-3 and then locked up in a double hill battle with Kidwell in the semifinals. Kidwell dropped the 9-ball in the deciding match and turned his attention to a rematch against Roberts in a double elimination final.
In a straight-up race to 8, the first set ended with the same score as the hot seat match, although it was Kidwell who chalked up the 8 and Roberts with the 4. Roberts came back in the second set, but not by nearly enough. Kidwell claimed the title with a second-set 8-5 win.
Tour directors Herman and Angela Parker thanked Janet Atwell and her staff at Borderline Billiards, not only for hosting the event, but for agreeing to do so, four days ahead of the scheduled start. They also thanked title sponsor Viking Cues, Bar Pool Tables, Delta 13 Racks, AZ Billiards and Professor Q-Ball. The next stop on the Viking Cues’ Q City 9-Ball Tour, scheduled for this weekend (Feb. 2-3), will be a $500-added event, hosted by Speak Eazy Billiards in Sanford, NC.
James Aranas, Kelly Fisher and Justin Marks (Photo courtesy Poolaction.tv)
Players from all over the globe arrived at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV for the First Annual Asian Culture Day pool tournament with a whopping $43,500 added to the prize fund. Billed as the opening event of the Efren Reyes Retirement Tour, it drew a star-studded field.
Tournament promoter Kenny Hsi pulled out all the stops and called in all his favors to put together this fabulous event in the relatively short time frame of ten weeks. With the advice and assistance of longtime WPBA touring pro and Tornado Open promoter, Vivian Villarreal, in addition to a countless number of volunteers, Kenny pulled together all the various sponsors and pieces for one of the most flawless inaugural events I’ve ever seen in my over forty years of involvement in the sport. Tournament sponsors included the Orleans Hotel and Casino, Caesars Entertainment, FaDa Vlogs YouTube, Aruze Gaming, Kovacs Pool Promotions and PoolActionTV.com.
Nevada is the only state in the country that has an officially designated day recognizing and celebrating the enormous Asian population in this state. Celebrations began with a Launch Party at the top of the Rio in the world famous Voodoo Lounge. This was continued the following evening in downtown Las Vegas at the Fremont Street Experience with a New Years Eve-style countdown to midnight. The Fremont Street Experience is also known all over the world for its overhead canopy and light show. Another major part of this celebration was in recognition of one of our own, BCA and One Pocket Hall of Famer Efren Reyes. He was chosen to be the first recipient of the Asian Culture Day Lifetime Achievement Award. The governor of Nevada, Brian Sandoval, presented Efren with a beautiful etched art piece commemorating this award in a special ceremony. Congratulations, my friend!!!
Due to the fact that the announced dates for this tournament were inflexible and fairly “last minute,” the fields in the three divisions were relatively small as compared to the fields of other events that are set far in advance. In addition to the short time frame, 64 of the world’s greatest male players were in Shanghai, China this week competing in the annual World Cup of Pool. I’m sure they’ll be here next year!
Although the fields were smaller than usual for an event of this caliber, the level of talent was exceptional. I have never been to a tournament where nearly every single match was “televison table” quality. I also have never been to a pro event where there were no evening matches! I was told this was because of other happenings during the Asian Culture Day’s week long celebration. If you’re interested in seeing what else was going on, visit asiancultureday.com!
Being that this event was part of the celebration for Asian Culture Day, the field was a magnet for and included some of the greatest players from Asian countries such as China, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines who were eager to participate to try to claim the titles for their countries. Stars from Europe, Canada and the United States rounded out the field.
There were three divisions in this event – pro men’s, pro women’s and amateur. The men’s division had 37 players, the women’s 23 and the amateurs 50. The amateurs played on seven foot tables while the pros played on nine footers. The format in the pro divisions was double elimination ten ball, call shot, alternate break with magic rack and races to nine.
Play began at noon on Wednesday and everywhere you looked, there were matches that you might see normally in a finals clash! Women’s world number one player, Chen Siming, drew Allison Fisher in the second round. With Allison leading the match and on the hill, 8-4, Siming charged back to tie it up but to Allison’s relief, she managed to take the win. After the match, Allison told me that this was the first time she had ever beaten the young 24 year old star!
A sampling of Thursday’s action saw Ouschan over Erin McManus, Efren defeat Billy Thorpe, Aranas beat Ho Jun Lee and Ga-Young took down Vivian.
By Friday, many players had been eliminated. Steamrolling through the field, Efren beat Justin Bergman but was defeated in the next match by Chris Melling while Rita Chou defeated LoreeJon Hasson. Rita was then defeated by Siming who was methodically dispatching her opponents after losing to Allison in the second round.
Melling claimed his seat in a very exciting and well played hot seat match and sent Roberto Gomez west. There Roberto faced the young James Aranas. Still playing at a top level, Roberto led James 8-5 and then, with two balls left on the table, he underhit position leaving himself an extreme but makeable cut shot down the rail. Roberto missed the ball. James went on to win that game followed by the next three and survived being tossed out of the tournament. It had to be devastating for Roberto as he had been playing topnotch pool the entire event and then to be knocked out by a 1-2 punch.
After watching it happen, a thought popped into my head. As many players look back on their tournament titles, sometimes something occurs that seems to preordain the victory. I can look back at most of my titles and recognize a turning point which gave me the chance to win. I said to a friend that James might go on from here to win the whole thing instead of watching from the rail…
I also have to mention that I haven’t seen Efren as determined and focused in a very long time. I believe he really wanted to win this event and go out with a bang! Alas, it was not in the cards, as Efren finished a very respectable 5th-6th in a killer field.
But, I digress, so…back to the matches. On the ladies side, the two undefeated players, Kelly Fisher and Ga-Young, duked it out in the hot seat match. Kelly prevailed to claim her seat in the finals.
Saturday noon kicked off with the men’s hot seat match. The match featured Dennis Orcollo and Melling. After a spanking by Melling, Dennis headed to the other side to play the survivor of the one loss side. Chris would be in the finals.
On a side note, Erin McManus had told me earlier in the day that her good friend, Chris Melling, had been in Vegas celebrating a pal’s 40th birthday and had known nothing about this tournament and she had urged him to play as he could win!
Meanwhile, on the ladies side, Siming had fought her way through the one loss side after her defeat by Allison. After a long tough match the night before with Chou and leaving her in fourth place, Chen had made it to the semifinal match against Ga-Young.
The match began with a rocky start by Chen and exemplary play by Ga-Young, Siming was trailing 4-1. An unexpected miss by Kim allowed Chen some air and by mid-match, it was neck and neck. With momentum on her side, Chen closed out the match and marched into the finals. A very disappointed Ga-Young Kim finished in third place.
After surviving his match against Roberto, his day was not over. James had to defeat another young player who has having a great event – Vilmos Foldes. Vilmos has been honing his game playing on the Mezz West State Tour racking up victories and high finishes. It was another close hard fought match but James prevailed. Vilmos finished fourth – a great finish in a very tough field.
James now had to face Dennis Orcollo in the semifinals. The match was close but James Took it down 9-7 and advanced to the finals.
The ladies final match was first. Since this was true double elimination, Siming would have to defeat Kelly twice to win the event. At the start, the match was all Chen. Her powerful break combined with her flawless play rocketed her to an early lead. Kelly had struggled with her break most of the tournament and it was no different in the finals. She clawed her way back to 4-3.
To go ahead in the match 5-3, Siming missed a fairly routine 10 ball. The crowd gasped and Kelly leaped out of her chair to tie the match at four. Although still struggling with her break, she fought hard, taking the lead and managing to win most of the next few games with her great safety play and pocketing ability and reached the hill first. Siming, however, wasn’t going down without a fight. She clawed her way back and joined Kelly on the hill. Each player got to the table in the case game but it was Kelly Fisher who took the crown! Congratulations to Kelly for a well played victory!
There were no easy matches in this tournament. I’m sure Siming was very disappointed as, from what I’ve been told, she’s won just about everything in the past year or so! Great tournament, Siming!
The men’s final was highly anticipated as well. A young James Aranas, seeking his first international title, would have to defeat the very accomplished Chris Melling – twice! The race had been extended to 11 for the final matches.
Aranas won the first set 11-7 and the second one 11-6 to overcome the previously undefeated Melling. Both sets followed a very similar path. Starting each set with extremely close lags, each player won one and James jumped out to an early lead. Things didn’t go so well for Chris as, uncharacteristically but like Kelly, he struggled with his break. However, he still managed to knot the score after a few games. Even though both players displayed excellent shotmaking ability, James exploited his exceptional break by consistently running out or playing formidable safeties. Even when Melling broke and pocketed a ball or two, he couldn’t take advantage of it because he just didn’t have a good starting shot. Once after pocketing FIVE balls on the break, Chris was wedged between the ten and the rail with no shot! Consequently, most of the games in which Chris broke turned into safety battles with Chris on the kicking end. That, combined with a series of unlucky rolls opened the door for Aranas to dominate both matches. The only thing that kept Chris in the match was his world class and fearless kicking ability. As we all know, the balls knows who’s winning!!!
By winning this tournament, James has taken a giant leap to joining the ranks of the great Filipino superstars like Parica, Reyes, Bustamante and Orcollo. He displayed extraordinary poise and composure as he dismantled rack after rack and player after player with his exceptional play. Congratulations!!
During the week, I had a chance to spend some time with Chris Melling. A World English 8 Ball champ, Chris is mainly known in this country for his impressive come-from-behind victory in the finals of the Derby City Classic 9 Ball Championships over John Morra and his Mosconi Cup appearances. I know he has to be hugely disappointed. As an incredibly accomplished player in all facets of the game, I truly believe that this man will be back in the winner’s circle in the very near future. Keep your eye on him! Good tournament, Chris!
The amateur event was won by Justin Marks over Ray Skenandore. Randy Kukla was third and Ben Sutherland finished fourth. Congratulations to Justin for a great event! Good job, Ray!
I thoroughly enjoyed my opportunity to provide commentary for this event. Working alongside the always informative and accomplished player Jeremy Jones and special guest Allison Fisher was a real treat. The only thing better than watching the matches at home on the PATV stream is to have a front row seat from the booth! It was also a pleasure for me to interview old friends Allison Fisher and Kelly Fisher in post-game interviews.
Thanks again to tournament promoter Kenny Hsi for producing a fabulous event. Tournament Director Tim Kovacs of Kovacs Pool Promotions and ably assisted by his wife, Darcy, did a fantastic job of keeping the event running smoothly.
PoolActionTV.com would also like to thank our sponsors and fans for another fantastic event! Our sponsors include Steve Lomax Custom Cues, Kamui, John Barton of JB Cases, GoPlayPool.com, Mike Durbin Custom Cues, Aramith, James Hanshew Custom Cues, Simonis and Club Billiards of Wichita, KS. Thanks for all your support!
Our next event is the Fourth Annual Buffalo’s Pro Classic and Professional One Pocket in Jefferson, LA. The world famous Buffalo’s Billiards is adding $2000 to the Nine Ball and $10,000 to the One Pocket! Dates are May 24-27th. Hope to see you there!!!
(l to r:) Bill Philips, Geoff James, David Ty & Rick Gatta
David Ty has recorded two payout finishes on the New England 9-Ball Series tour. His first, two weeks ago (September 9-10), came during the Tour Championships, when he finished in the tie for fifth place. On Sunday, September 24, he graduated from that to his first win, going undefeated in the tour’s 2017-2018 season opener. The event drew 39 entrants to Crow’s Nest in Plaistow, NH.
Designated as a C+ player, Ty advanced through the field to a winners’ side semifinal against Justin Braley (D+), while Rick Gatta (B) faced Geoff James (B+) in the other semifinal. Ty gave up only one rack over the next two matches, which put him into the hot seat. He downed Braley 6-1, while Gatta was busy sending James To the loss side 5-2. He then shut Gatta out (5-0) to claim the hot seat.
On the loss side, James picked up Bobby Hooker, who’d defeated Mourad Idras 5-2, and A+ Tim Perry (racing to 9) 5-4 to reach him. Braley drew Bill Philips, who’d eliminated Ron Ricard and Shane Perron, both 5-1.
Philips shut Braley out, and in the quarterfinals, faced James, who’d survived a double hill fight against Hooker. James then eliminated Philips 8-2, to earn himself a re-match against Gatta in the semifinals. James won that re-match 6-2, for a shot at Ty in the hot seat.
As a C+ player, Ty started the final match against James with two on the wire in a race to 7. He gave up only two to James and chalked up his first win NE 9-Ball Series win 5-2.
Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff at Crow’s Nest for their continuing hospitality, as well as sponsors Ozone Billiards, Molinari, Bert Kinister, AzBilliards, Inside English, Professor Q-ball’s National Pool and 3 Cushion News, Delta 13 Racks, Bob Campbell. Championship Cloth and OTLVISE Billiard Mechanics of America.
The next stop on the New England 9-Ball Series Tour, scheduled for Saturday, September 30, will be a $500-added, 8-ball event, hosted by Buster’s Billiards in Sommersworth, NH.
Earl Strickland (Photo courtesy of poolactiontv.com)
This weekend, the Bank Shot Bar & Grill in Laurel, MD was the venue for the Maryland State 10-Ball Bar Table Championship. A full field of 128 players, including such well-known names as Mike Davis, Matt Krah, Earl Strickland, Ryan McCreesh, Bill Stephen, Shaun Wilkie, Brandon Shuff and Keith McCready ponied up their entries to vie for the title. The format was call shot, alternate break and race to seven.
Saturday’s action began with a players auction – James Aranas and Earl Strickland were the top two picks. The draw was completed and they were off!!! At the end of play on Saturday night, the field was whittled down to 48 players.
Play began today at noon and by early evening, the tournament was down to the final four on the winners side. Earl Strickland defeated Mike Davis in a hill-hill nailbiter to advance. Wilkie also eked out a 7-6 win over Reymart Lim to become Earl’s opponent in the battle for the hot seat. The hot seat match began with Wilkie leading 6-4. Failing to make a ball on the break in what could be the match, Earl won that game and the next two to go
undefeated into the finals.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the chart, James Aranas was getting his revenge against Mike Davis. Mike had earlier sent James To the west side 7-5. This time, it was James who knocked Mike out of the event – leaving him in fourth place. Next victim was Wilkie – the score in that match was 7-3 – leaving Shaun in third place.
James’ dreams of taking down the tournament were dashed with a flawless performance by the legendary Strickland. Earl took no prisoners as he roared to a 7-1 victory. Great tournament, James! Congratulations, Earl!
This event wouldn’t have been possible without its sponsors. Thanks again to host site, The Bank Shot Bar & Grill and tournament sponsors On The Hill Productions, Choice Pool League, Sly Custom Cues, Lights Out Billiard Apparel and Joss Cues.
PoolActionTV.com was proud to bring our viewers another fine event sponsored by Steve Lomax of Lomax Custom Cues, John Barton of JB Cases, James Hanshew of Hanshew Custom Cues, Mike Durbin of Durbin Custom Cues, Simonis, Aramith, GoPlayPool.com, Kamui and Club Billiards of Wichita, KS.
Our next stop is the 2nd Annual Don Coates Memorial with $10,000 added guaranteed. It will be held at Brass Tap & Billiards in Raleigh, NC – August 23-27th. We also have a few two-man events brewing! See you all down the road!!!
When a professional pool player appears in a handicapped tournament, he (or she), in any matchup, is often expected to win twice, and in some cases, three times as many games as his/her lower-handicapped opponents. The intent is to level the playing field, to give the lower-ranked opponent an opportunity to win the match by having to win significantly fewer games. In many cases, the professional handicap of having to win more games is not enough to offset the wide disparity in levels of skill.
On the weekend of Jan. 7-8, 42 players signed on to compete in the 11th Annual Robert Dionne Memorial Tournament, held under the auspices of the New England 9-Ball Series, to commemorate tour director Marc Dionne's father, who passed away in 2006. Among the 42 entrants at the $1,500-added event, hosted by The Crow's Nest in Plaistow, NH, was Mosconi Cup competitor, Mike Dechaine, who went undefeated through the field, and in his final 34 games, gave up only a single rack (total) to his last three opponents.
According to Dechaine, it wasn't all as easy as indicated by the aggregate score of his last three matches.
"I went hill-hill twice in the tournament," he said. "Francisco Cabral, who finished third, almost got me, and so did Tony Ruzzano (who finished in the tie for 9th place)."
"It wasn't too far from home," he said of his reasons for signing on, "and I just decided to participate."
To regular competitors on the New England 9-Ball Series, it must have been akin to joining a pick-up basketball game and seeing LeBron James show up to play on the opposing team, with predictable results. From Dechaine's perspective, the handicap system (akin, say, to forcing LeBron James To play one-handed) worked well; creating some predictable blowouts and the two double-hill matches.
"There might be some slight adjustments needed," he said of the system, "but I think it's pretty spot on."
By the time Dechaine had reached the winners' side semifinals (with his two, double-hill matches behind him), he was facing opponents with narrower margins of error. Facing Kerry McAuliffe, racing to 6, Dechaine had to win nine games. He did so, giving up the one rack he'd relinquish from that point on. He was joined in the hot seat match by C+ player, Paul Coorey, who'd defeated Dan Martis, double hill. In that hot seat match, Coorey had to win four, before Dechaine chalked up 12. Dechaine shut him out.
On the loss side, the two competitors who had earlier forced a deciding game in their matches against Dechaine – Cabral and Ruzzano – squared off in the matches that would determine the four-way tie for ninth place. Cabral defeated Ruzzano and then, Steve Sutton, both double hill, before picking up McAuliffe. Martis drew Charlie Matarazzo, who'd gotten by Jay Cunningham 5-3, and Rick Bergevin, double hill.
The lower-ranked players, Martis (C), and Cabral (A-), downed their higher-ranked opponents, Matarrazo (C+) and McAuliffe (A); Martis 4-2 over Matarazzo, and Cabral 6-3 over McAuliffe. Cabral gave up only a single rack to Martis in the ensuing quarterfinals, but had his loss-side streak ended by Coorey 5-6 in the semifinals (Cabral racing to 9).
Coorey got a second shot at Dechaine, but it was a repeat of the hot seat match. Dechaine shut him out a second time to claim the event title.
Tour director Marc Dionne thanked the ownership and staff of The Crow's Nest for their hospitality, as well as sponsors Ozone Billiards, Molinari, Bert Kinister, AzBilliards, Inside English, Professor Q-ball’s National Pool and 3 Cushion News, Delta 13 Racks, Bob Campbell, Championship Cloth, and OTLVISE Billiard Mechanics of America. The next stop on the New England 9-Ball Series, scheduled for Sunday, January 15, will be a $500-added event, hosted by Legends Sports Bar in Auburn, ME.
