Diamond Derby City Classic XXIV, January 20-28, 2023
Caesars Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, IN
By David Thomson
Diamond BIG Foot Challenge
LIVE from the Accu-Stats TV Arena.
Format: Race to 11, single elimination, alternate break, foul on all balls, no jump cues. 10-Ball does not win on the break tho’ beware, caroms and combos do.
Mosconi Cup captains Jeremy Jones and Mark Wilson are mostly in the Accu-Stats’ commentary booth. Occasionally they have guests.
Reminder: when you see the balls bobbling or bursting out of the jaws, remember that BIG Foot’s biting, pro-cut pockets are now tighter – 4 1/8” tight!
Shane’s and Roberto’s Accu-Stats TPAs of .930 & .895 say a lot. You would say that both players pocketed well and didn’t make too many errors.
Then, when you see the final score of 11-3, you’d realize that Shane was doing all the shooting. And , that Roberto wasn’t making any errors because…Shane was doing all the shooting!
The world-class .933 TPA says it all – even on a 9 foot. But this was BIG Foot…about 50 square feet of Simonis with 2 1/4” Aramith Balls squeezing into Diamond, dare we say, “superpro-cut” 4 1/8” pocket openings.
Roberto wasn’t shot into submission. If he didn’t get a shot after the break that meant that Shane was in control of the table. And, when Shane is in control of the table, you don’t get to shoot at much.
Konrad Juszczyszyn’s .943 says a lot more. It says that he shot lights out!
Now sadly, Lee Vann Corteza’s .698 says that he had opportunity and didn’t capitalize on it.
“I scratched two times on the break. With the balls wide open, it cost me 4 games right there.”
It’s true; With ball-in-hand, Konrad cleaned up Corteza’s open racks plus, his own break was working for him. With rolls like that, it’s easy to streak ahead.
Slumped a little in his seat, it was obvious that Lee Vann wasn’t feeling it today. He was playing from memory: not able to summon in the moment the passion required to truly get in stroke.
Compassion be-damned! Konrad was taking no prisoners. He was feeling it. And loving it!
Finals: Shane Vann Boening vs. Konrad Juszczyszyn: 11-7
It looked like he was off to a fearsome start when strategy won Shane the opening rack and followed that with a break-and-run.
The third rack should have been his too, only he took a straight-in 9 for granted that bobbled and was left sitting on the shallow shelf of the pocket.
That focused him. He knew that he had to take Konrad seriously: Look at the damage he’d wreaked on his road to the final: Morra, Filler, Corteza – three DCC champions swept aside with the stroke of his cue.
Juszczyszyn, the 2017 American Straight-Pool Champion, was hungry. And his appetite for victory was strong. He could taste it. He knew he should have been down 3-0. Revitalized, he took the 4th game and they were tied at 2.
He then committed the ultimate sin; He scratched on his break. Shane devoured that rack then broke-and-ran, again: 4-2.
In fact, Shane had averaged 4 break-and-runs in his last three matches.
The gap continued to widen: 6-2. It’s hard to make a 4-game comeback with an alternate break format, especially against the big break of SVB.
Konrad’s fate had turned…and he felt it. Shane was missing, too. When he did, he left nothing. When Konrad missed, he left the rack.
The articulate Grady Mathews used to say, “The balls know who’s winning.”
Konrad later confessed, “I played terrible. When I began to miss balls I was making earlier in the tournament, I lost confidence. Then, when I made that long combo on the 10, I got it back for a minute.”
But, it was only for a minute.
In the next rack, Van Boening, with one of those “anything-you-can-do” moments, slammed home a similar length-of-the-table, 10-ball combo.
He later stated that he hadn’t played so well either. Not only had he slept thru that aforementioned 9 in the 3rd game, he actually missed a 10-ball later in the match.
Their respective TPAs were .843 and .730: That said it all.
Now Shane has 3 BIG Foot titles; tied with Jayson.
Watch out for fireworks in 2024, not just with their rivalry, it’s DCC XXV.
Shane van Boening: $16,000
Konrad Juszczyszyn: $8,000
Roberto Gomez: $4,000
Lee Vann Cortez: $4,000
No Master of the Table points are accredited for the 10-Ball event.
Their accumulation is generated by the Banks, One Pocket, and 9-Ball divisions.
And Diamond generously delivers an additional $25,000 in prize money.
More on that later.
The Accu-Stats PPV OnDemand service has all of the above entertainment available for your viewing pleasure thru. Feb.28, 2023.
.
Diamond BANK POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Short Rack. Race to 3, Round 10
There were a record 497, now there are 14
Play begins at 11am.
With the DCC one-time Buy-Back formula, after every round, entrant’s names are reshuffled then redrawn. As DCC events are not seeded means that you could run into anyone.
But the most exciting encounter for him was his first time playing America’s number 1 player, Shane van Boening.
A crowd had gathered around the table. The word was out that Shabib was on the hill and Shane needed 2.
Now he felt he’d made it as a contender.
Of course, Shane won the 4th rack and they were all tied up…until Raed had 4 balls in the decider and, Shane only 2.
Then Shane got another, then another, then, they were both fighting over the last ball.
It took 20 minutes of serious safety strategy until Shane figured out Raed’s weak spot: Leave him long on the short rail.
Now all Raed has to do is figure out Shane’s.
Interestingly, Raed is still in and Shane isn’t. He’d dodged another bullet.
Meanwhile, Fedor got Shane, De Marco crimped Corey, Shane shot Justin Hall, Evan Lunda laid Josh Roberts to rest, Roland Garcia showed Tony Chohan the door, Pagulayan pickled Shannon Daulton, Fortunski had the misfortune of encountering Jayson, and Billy Thorpe get’s the credit for eliminating Efren.
The event entries were increased to 429 entries. Stay tuned!
The action-packed week continues:
Diamond Derby City Classic BANK POOLChampionship: Semis and Finals in the Accu-Stats TV Arena: Tuesday evening, Jan 25.
Diamond Derby City Classic ONE-POCKETChampionship: Sun Jan. 22 -Wed. Jan. 25. Semis and Finals in the Accu-Stats TV Arena, Thursday evening, Jan 26.
Diamond Derby City Classic 9-BALL Championship: Wed. Jan 25 – Sat. 28.
Friday Night Ring Game: Jan 27.
The captured match-ups are available via the Accu-Stats Pay-Per-View OnDemand, 4-camera HD production. Approximately, 60 action-packed hours of pro-pool are projected, PLUS reruns. After each match concludes, it is uploaded and available for your viewing pleasure. With PPV OnDemand, you choose when you watch, no matter what you’re timezone.
Diamond Derby City Classic XXIV, January 20-28, 2023
Caesars Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, IN
There are 29 more competitors than was considered feasible to complete the One Pocket division; 429 – A new DCC record!
Wait-listed 9-Ball players are hoping for a similar increase. They’ll know by Wednesday.
Diamond BIG Foot Challenge
$32k prize fund. 1st: $16,000. 2nd; $8k, 3rd/4th; $4k each
LIVE from the Accu-Stats TV Arena.
Format: Race to 11, single elimination, alternate break, foul on all balls, no jump cues. 10-Ball does not win on the break tho’ beware, caroms and combos do.
Mosconi Cup captains Jeremy Jones and Mark Wilson are mostly in the Accu-Stats’ commentary booth. Occasionally they have guests.
Reminder: when you see the balls bobbling or bursting out of the jaws, remember that BIG Foot’s biting, pro-cut pockets are now tighter – 4 1/8” tight!
Quarter Finals
4 past BIG Foot winners, all shooting well, began Sunday’s action. Now there are two. Read on for more details.
Even Eagle Eye had trouble with BIG Foot’s brutal pocket dimension. The damage it did to his TPA was unprecedented. When have you ever seen his average nosedive from near .900 to .770…within 2 racks!
Shane wasn’t happy either. Altho,’ the match commenced with his break-and-run to a 3-0 lead. Jayson quickly tied it up. Then, he couldn’t get much action on the break.
Shane sped ahead again and, to cut to the chase, had Jayson 10-6 when Van Boening’s cue ball wasn’t on a string, it was haywire: 10-7.
Jayson’s dry break plague continued.
Shane, again, lost the cue ball and had to resort to a safety that froze the cue ball to the top rail.
Far, far away, about a foot off the bottom rail, lay the 8. Whammo! Shaw drove it home. Sadly, his cue ball rested straight in on the 9…which was nowhere near the 10.
Then came his most miraculous shot of the tournament.
There was only one solution. He had to cheat the 4 1/8” pocket and draw whitey about 8 feet to the bottom rail then another four feet to the long rail where the 10-ball inconveniently lay.
Whammo! Part 2! His cue-ball screams back to land about 4” away tho,’ it’s an awkward angle demanding running back and forth to swap out which cue extension would work best.
The shot clock was about to explode. “Extension!”
So was his heart, pumping like an oil rig:
He pounded it into the back of the pocket: 10-8.
It was SVB’s turn at bat. It looked dry…until the last ball rolling trickled in. And snookered!
Now it was Shane’s shot of the tournament.
He had a kick-shot off the top rail on the dangling one ball with the trickiest 3-rail shape: long rail, short rail, long rail, through a minefield to the two.
Perfect! And he finished the match as he began it – break-and-run.
Shaw, gracious as always, approached Shane and commenced a post-mortem to dissect the action.
Fedor was not off to his ferocious formula of forging ahead to leave his opponents in his wake. In fact, it was nip-and-tuck until, at 4-3, Gomez reversed the score with back-to-back wins.
Gorst’s struggle continued as Gomez at 7-4 with every opportunity for a 4-game lead, fumbled and allowed Fedor to gain one back to 7-5.
Gorst, usually, when sensing weakness, his killer instinct would come alive: Not today.
Down 9-10, his break got him again.
There is a reason they call Roberto Superman. The out wasn’t a walk in the park. He made shots that would have been kryptonite to normal men.
He didn’t rush. He knew his cue ball had to be finite.
He also knew the punishment that Fedor was capable of administering.
Not today. The robot was in need of a reboot. Gorst’s loss, a replay of their 2018 BIG Foot final, is probably the motivation Fedor needs to keep moving forward.
He still has 2 lives in the Banks.
Gomez now faces the other surviving BIG Foot Champ, SVB.
Behind 4-6, Konrad began to miss makeable balls. A lucky kiss coming out of a snooker kicked in the 10.
He then put his mettle to the pedal and, with 5 in a row, got to 9-6 ahead. With Joshua’s break-and-run, he retrieved one and it’s 9-7.
At 9-8, it’s snooker time. Josh, after a multi-shot kick-safe exchange, rattled the 3 to leave it deep in the jaws.
Konrad, more focused than ever, is on the hill…and breaking!
His one hung in the hole, and it’s 10-9.
Joshua’s break is a carbon copy of Konrad’s; it’s dry, with his one-ball resting on the lip of the pocket!
More good news, nothing is tied up. All that is needed is some sweet negotiation to keep on the correct side of the object balls.
Cool, calm, and deliberate he plotted his way through the rack: Flawless execution…of Filler.
This surely is one of the most memorable matches in Konrad’s career. He raised ho cue in jubilation like he’d just won the tournament. Perhaps he will.
He’s in the semis facing Corteza.
Jayson Shaw vs, Shane Van Boening, 8-11
Roberto Gomez vs. Fedor Gorst, 11-9
Mieszko Fortunski vs. Lee Vann Corteza, 10-11
Konrad Juszczyszyn vs. Joshua Filler, 11-9
BIG Foot Schedule for Monday, Jan 23: Semis, 2.00 & 4:30 PM.Finals, 9:00 PM
Shane Van Boening vs. Roberto Gomez.
Lee Vann Cortez vs. Konrad Juszczyszyn
The Accu-Stats PPV OnDemand service has all of the above entertainment available for your viewing pleasure.
Diamond BANK POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Short Rack. Race to 3, Round 6.
497 entrants stormed the Derby City battlements. In this territory, Bank Pool’s popularity knows no bounds.
With the DCC one-time Buy-Back formula, after every round, entrant’s names are reshuffled then redrawn. As DCC events are not seeded means that you could run into anyone.
Visit results.derbycityclassic.com for more updates.
Diamond Derby City Classic ONE-POCKET
The event entries were increased to 429 entries. Stay tuned!
The action-packed week continues:
DIAMOND BIG FOOT 10-BALL CHALLENGE: Semis and FINALS on MONDAY the 24th at 2 pm.
Diamond Derby City Classic BANK POOLChampionship: Semis and Finals in the Accu-Stats TV Arena: Tuesday evening, Jan 25.
Diamond Derby City Classic ONE-POCKETChampionship: Sun Jan. 22 -Wed. Jan. 25. Semis and Finals in the Accu-Stats TV Arena, Thursday evening, Jan 26.
Diamond Derby City Classic 9-BALL Championship: Wed. Jan 25 – Sat. 28.
Friday Night Ring Game: Jan 27.
The captured match-ups are available via the Accu-Stats Pay-Per-View OnDemand, 4-camera HD production. Approximately, 60 action-packed hours of pro-pool are projected, PLUS reruns. After each match concludes, it is uploaded and available for your viewing pleasure. With PPV OnDemand, you choose when you watch, no matter what you’re timezone.
Diamond Derby City Classic XXIV, January 20-28, 2023
Caesars Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, IN
It’s official, DCC’s registration has broken all past records: 497 in Banks, 500 in 9-Ball, and 400 in One-Pocket. Did someone say shot-clock?
A plethora of wait listed players is begging to compete. The logistics of increasing the entries are a nightmare. Ask “Bad girl” tourney coordinator Bonnie Jones. When Diamonds’ Julie Creamer (you know, the curly blonde at the registration desk) called her to see if it was feasible, Bonnie responded, “Maybe, if you bring a gun to the tournament room, point it my head, and threaten to shoot me!”
You know what, when the impossible needs to get done, you want these ladies on the team.
Diamond BIG Foot Challenge
$32k prize fund. 1st: $16,000. 2nd $8k, 3rd/4th; $4k each
LIVE from the Accu-Stats TV Arena.
Format: Race to 11, single elimination, alternate break, foul on all balls, no jump cues. 10-Ball does not win on the break tho’ beware, caroms and combos do.
Mosconi Cup captains Jeremy Jones and Mark Wilson are mostly in the Accu-Stats’ commentary booth. Occasionally they have guests. Shannon Daulton has shared his expertise and a some favorite road stores.
Reminder: when you see the balls bobbling or bursting out of the jaws, remember that BIG Foot’s biting, pro-cut pockets are now tighter – 4 1/8” tight!
The match was progressing favorably for both players until Mika missed a simple 6-ball. Then things sped sideways for him. Now down 6-9, Mika found his feisty side and seized the next 2 games. He really looked like he’d overcome his earlier misstep.
Unfortunately, we’ll never know as Fortunski, constructing a fearless .883 TPA, respectably advanced to the semi’s.
As fellow Filipinos, these guys have grown up conferring, competing, even practicing together. Pool is in their DNA. The challenge now is to forget all that camaraderie stuff and deliver the death blow. There are 16 thousand on the line. Plus, bragging rights.
I guess Garcia didn’t get the memo. Lee Vann did: He was off and running…out! His TPA approached 900. Roland’s – in the low 7s.
Their friendship was more than apparent when, after delivering the death blow, Roland hit the floor and bowed at Corteza’s feet. Now that’s bragging rights!
Konrad and John have been BIG Foot contenders for around 5 years now. Their tenacity keeps them coming back. There is also nowhere on the planet to experience the BIG Foot “Challenge.”
John wasn’t on form today. His challenge was to find that Mr. Smooth moniker he had so righteously earned. And Konrad more confident than ever, capitalized on most slips presented to him.
Previously, John had the better performance average of the two.
Today, their roles were reversed. Konrad was the smooth one and needed two games. John’s “heart” has never been in question. His come-from-behind record compares with the best.
Summoning his firepower, he drove a distant long shot into BIG Foot’s jaws, then drew the cue ball back to leave perfect position on the far, far away short rail:Mr. Smooth was back. They were soon tied at 9 and looking for 2.
Konrad was not impressed. He was first on the hill. When John had the opportunity to join him, he uncharacteristically fumbled shape.
The 24-year-old Venezuelan was not at ease. The tight pro-cut pockets were not accepting his forced stroke-shots when he applied extra power to achieve prime position. The result was Jesus Atencio was leaving German Joshua Filler easy finishes.
The result, Joshua soon had an insurmountable lead. The cause, Jesus wasn’t getting out when he should have.
Joshua’s comfort zone on BIG Foot certainly can be intimidating: His poise, his superb ball-pocketing prowess, his mature shot choices. No more firing at fantasies. Patience was now part of his arsenal.
At one point a safety battle ensued. And Atencio was on the wrong end of it.
Yet, under fire, he could make some courageous decisions.
He summoned the gusto to just go for it. The object ball found its pocket. Buoyed, for an instant, he soon ran into trouble on the run-out.
Jesus later confessed that, in his eight years as a professional, he had never felt such fear; His hands were shaking and so wet with sweat that his cue actually fell from his slippery grip.
Joshua, to his credit, felt no sympathy. He wasn’t pussyfooting around, he wanted BIG Foot on his cv.
The Accu-Stats PPV OnDemand service has all of the above entertainment available for your viewing pleasure.
Diamond BANK POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Short Rack. Race to 3, Round 4.
497 entrants stormed the Derby City battlements. In this territory, Bank Pool’s popularity knows no bounds.
With the DCC one-time Buy-Back formula, after every round, entrant’s names are reshuffled then redrawn. As DCC events are not seeded means that you could run into anyone.
Konrad Juszczyszyn was served his second defeat by Mosconi Cup star Tyler Styer who since has lost a life.
Roland Garcia put Efren’s Bank title in jeopardy, 2022 titlist Fedor Gorst handed Dee Adkins his first loss. Corey Deuel, Ike Runnels, Tyler Styer, also have been sent to the buy-back booth.
Visit results.derbycityclassic.com for more updates.
Diamond Derby City Classic ONE-POCKET
The event, being capped at 400 entries, gets underway today!
Here’s how the action-packed week will continue.
DIAMOND BIG FOOT 10-BALL CHALLENGE: Fri. Jan. 20 – Sun. Jan 22. 2023.
Diamond Derby City Classic BANK POOLChampionship: Fri. Jan. 20 – Sun. Jan. 22. 2023. Semis and Finals in the Accu-Stats TV Arena: Tuesday evening, Jan 25.
Diamond Derby City Classic ONE-POCKETChampionship: Sun Jan. 22 -Wed. Jan. 25. Semis and Finals in the Accu-Stats TV Arena, Thursday evening, Jan 26.
Diamond Derby City Classic 9-BALL Championship: Wed. Jan 25 – Sat. 28.
Friday Night Ring Game: Jan 27.
The captured match-ups are available via the Accu-Stats Pay-Per-View OnDemand, 4-camera HD production. Approximately, 60 action-packed hours of pro-pool are projected, PLUS reruns. After each match concludes, it is uploaded and available for your viewing pleasure. With PPV OnDemand, you choose when you watch, no matter what you’re timezone.
Diamond Derby City Classic XXIV, January 20-28, 2023
Caesars Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, IN
Are you ready? it looks like we’re in for a raucous week.
To Diamond’s delight, the Derby’s demand has surpassed recent records as 497 Bank Pool competitors have deposited their entry fees.
If that isn’t enough, Wednesday’s 9-Ball has a waiting list as the 500 maximum was met…by Friday!
Logistics personnel Bonnie and Julie are in search of a solution.
We can bet that former World Champion Dynamite Darren Appleton, a huge fan of DCC, would have attended.
Daz you are conspicuous by your absence. We all wish you the speediest of recoveries. See ya next year!
Speaking of surgery, America’s #1 Shane Van Boening’s Cuetec was swinging confidently after a troublesome lump was removed from his bicep without incident.
He and Max Eberle were the opening act of the 2023
Diamond BIG Foot Challenge
LIVE from the Accu-Stats TV Arena.
Format: Race to 11, single elimination, alternate break, foul on all balls, no jump cues.10-Ball does not win on the break tho’ beware, caroms and combos do win.
Mosconi Cup captains Jeremy Jones and Mark Wilson are in the Accu-Stats’ commentary booth. Who better to impart the nuances of our sublime sport?
One more thing; BIGFoot’s tight, pro-cut pockets are now tighter – 4 1/8” tight! Do not try this at home!
OK, back to the opening round action.
Still swinging, Shane strode into a comfortable lead.
Max, soon swooning, struggled to get going. Sadly, he never quite caught the gear that led him toward the hill against Mika last year.
Until 6-6, Pagulayan was pulling his weight. But not the weight that had held every discipline at the Derby. Alex is the only player to have won every title
Gomez, also an entertainer, always likes to please the crowd with his power draws and superlative shotmaking.
The jaws of these diminishing pockets started spiting balls back onto the tabletop. When have you seen Alex’s TPA under 800? Gomez’s respectable .853 certainly won him the match.
One bonus was their multi-series exchange demonstrating their expertise of getting out of a snooker by laying a snooker – The Filipino kick-safe technique. Check it out.
Now to the last match for today.
The Billion-buck question on most minds was whether Fedor Gorst could replicate the 900+ TPA consistency that he dominated BigFoot with last year.
Alex DeLuna is no slouch. He’s also got a sledgehammer break.
The Break Demon speed tester software was capturing the action all day. FYI: No one got to 23 miles per hour.
Sure the break is important but not so much against Gorst. His cueball-on-a-string theory is truly mesmerizing. The beauty of his speed control as his orb spins 3 rails…to land perfectly on the necessary position to complete the rack.
De Luna couldn’t compete. Nor could his .694 with Gorst’s .939.
The Accu-Stats PPV OnDemand service has all of the above entertainment available for your viewing pleasure.
Diamond BANK POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Short Rack. Race to 3.
497 entrants stormed the Derby City battlements. In this territory, Bank Pool’s popularity knows no bounds.
With the DCC one-time Buy-Back formula, after every round, entrant’s names are reshuffled then redrawn. As DCC events are not seeded means that you could run into anyone.
How about this for first-round Karma: Joshua Filler over John Morra, Gomez got Juszczyszyn: Welcome to the buy-back Booth.
Yes, EFREN REYES, The 5-time DCC All-Around Champion and 6-time One-Pocket Champion refuses to retire: He has one accomplishment missing from his DCC career resumé; The elusive Bank Pool title.
Here’s how the action-packed week will continue.
DIAMOND BIG FOOT 10-BALL CHALLENGE: Fri. Jan. 20 – Sun. Jan 22. 2023.
Diamond Derby City Classic BANK POOLChampionship: Fri. Jan. 20 – Sun. Jan. 22. 2023. Semis and Finals in the Accu-Stats TV Arena: Tuesday evening, Jan 25.
Diamond Derby City Classic ONE-POCKETChampionship: Sun Jan. 22 -Wed. Jan. 25. Semis and Finals in the Accu-Stats TV Arena, Thursday evening, Jan 26.
Diamond Derby City Classic 9-BALL Championship: Wed. Jan 25 – Sat. 28.
Friday Night Ring Game: Jan 27.
The captured match-ups are available via the Accu-Stats Pay-Per-View OnDemand, 4-camera HD production. Approximately, 60 action-packed hours of pro-pool is projected, PLUS reruns. After each match concludes, it is uploaded and available for your viewing pleasure. With PPV OnDemand, you choose when you watch, no matter what you’re timezone.
Tony Chohan is the 2022 International Open One Pocket Champion.
Chohan navigated the double elimination stage of the brackets with wins over Lukas Fracasso-Verner and Omar Al-Shaheen, before dropping a 3-1 decision to Fedor Gorst. Chohan took that loss with grace and went to the left side of the board for a quick 3-2 win over Kashton Keeton to qualify for the final eight player single elimination bracket.
From the time the final bracket got underway, Chohan focused in and took no prisoners. He defeated Roland Garcia 3-1 in his first match, and that would turn out to be the last time he lost a rack in this event. A 3-0 win over Josh Roberts was followed by another 3-0 win, this time over Skyler Woodward. Chohan put on a show for the fans in attendance and watching from home on the PPV, combining a stifling defense with creative shotmaking and ball moving.
Chohan commented to Mark Wilson after the match about how good it felt to get the monkey off of his back after failing to get by Roberto Gomez in the finals of this event last year.
While the main 128 player 9-Ball event kicks off on Monday, the 16 player Bigfoot 10-Ball event will be the focus for the online PPV coverage. Every match of the 10-ball event will be played on the feature table over the next three days, with a champion crowned on Wednesday.
Fans can watch not only the featured table with full commentary, but also any other table at the event with the Accu-Stats PPV coverage. They can also follow all of the action online with real-time scoring and online brackets all week long.
Ronnie Wiseman, Ray Hansen, Bogies Owner Cody Parish and Nick Varner
Thirty one players came from all over the country to Bogies Billiards & Sports Bar in Houston, TX for the 7th Annual Senior One Pocket Championship.
My favorite tournament of the year, I couldn’t wait to see my longtime friends. “Tall Jeff” Sparks stopped by on the first day as well as Keith Thompson, the 1970 Johnston City All-Around champ. Texas legend, Jerry Prado, was supposed to play in the tournament but had car trouble – he showed up for the last two days to see everyone anyway.
My friends Linda Martin, Samm Rubin, LoreeJon Ogonowski-Brown, Julie Mason-Comitini, Chris Fields, Kelly Isaac were there as well as Phil Windham, Carl Honey, Big Tyme’s Jim Henry, Todd Comitini, Bogie’s House Pro Roberto Gomez and Alex Calderon. The Taiwan contingent including Cheng Yu-hsuan (“Kevin Cheng”) and Chang Jung-lin was also in town making a pit stop before heading to Atlantic City for the US Open Pool Championship. There was even a little ten ball action between Roberto and Alex and a couple of the Taiwanese players after the finals on Sunday night.
Presented by PoolActionTV, Bogies Billiards, Aramith, Simonis, Diamond Billiard Products and the Fort Worth Billiards Superstore, owner Cody Parish & Manager John Rizzo welcomed players such as BCA and One Pocket Hall of Famer Nick Varner, James Christopher (“The Sniper”), Moises Pouncey (“Gabby”), Scott Kitto, Ronnie Wiseman (“Wise Guy”), “Jumpin’ Sammy Jones, Erman Bullard, “Tyler Bob” Valliere, Joey Aguzin (“Joey A”) and Robert Newkirk (“Newk”) to the fray.
Among several first time players were Perfect Pocketz’ Mark Gregory (“Mags”) and “Colonel Bille” Miller as well as the returning northern California contingent – Bob Beaulieu, Ed Neves, Lee Wallick and Al Markasky. Warren Ruth, Tad Sowa, Larry Landsman, Mark Dimmick, Jim McCary, Ronn Rutan, Gary Urinowski, Kent Berthelot, Bob Hayes, Wayne Catledge, Mike Hoyt, James Christensen and Louis Vickio rounded out the field.
The $3,000 added double elimination event had a $200 entry fee with races to 4/3 and alternate breaks. The player auction was pretty healthy with Wiseman going as the first blind bid and Varner the second. The auction was followed by the players meeting, the draw and one round of play.
Shaking off the rust and slicing through the top part of the bracket was Perfect Pocketz’ Mark Gregory. “Mags” is better known today for his beautiful restorations of the classic Brunswick Centennial and Anniversary tables as well as perhaps the best table mechanic on the planet. Mark sent both Al Markasky and Ronn Rutan west with identical 4-1 scores and skunked Warren Ruth 4-0.
Plowing through the other part of the bracket was Iowa native Scott Kitto – also known as “911.” Along with Mark Wilson and Jeff Carter, the trio dominated pool in the Midwest in the eighties. Scott blitzed both Gary Urinoski and Larry Landsman 4-zip and “Joey A” 4-2 before running into Gregory. Gregory made short work of Kitto – score 4-1. Scott headed for the scenic route while Mark locked up his seat in the hot seat match.
On a collision course in the upper part of the bottom bracket was the “Kentucky Colonel,” Nick Varner and Ronnie Wiseman. Player of the Year in 1980, 1982, 1989, 1994 and 1999, Nick is one of the best all-around players of all time with over one hundred career titles beginning with ACUI Collegiate National Championships (representing Purdue University) in 1969 and 1970, as well as back to back US Open Nine Ball titles. Nick has also won world titles in nine ball, eight ball, straight pool, one pocket and bank pool and has represented Team USA eight times at the Mosconi Cup – four times as the team captain.
Originally from Windsor, ON, Ronnie Wiseman made his debut at this event. Although Ronnie played in tournaments here and there – even winning a few including the 2005 Reno Open, the “Wise Guy” is considered to be one of the smartest – if not THE smartest – action guys in the pool biz.
Nick blitzed both Ed Neves and Sammy Jones 4-0 while Ronnie toasted “J-Tom Pilot” 4-1 and skunked “Colonel Bille” 4-0. In a match that was closer than the score indicated, Ronnie sent Nick west 4-2. His next match was Moises Pouncey – the legendary player with a silky stroke. He was tagged “Gabby” early in his career for standing like a statue – never saying a word. Gabby mowed down “Newk” 4-0 and edged out Mark Dimmick 4-3. His next match was Jim McCary – score 4-2. Ronnie then made short work of Gabby 4-1 and met Gregory in the hot seat match.
Mark took the first two games over Ronnie and was on his way to winning game three when he picked out two different shots out of the stack, fired them in and ended up frozen to another ball in both cases with no shot. Ronnie clawed his way back and won four in a row over his frustrated opponent and locked up his seat in the finals. Mark headed to the one loss side to await an opponent.
After losing his second match, Sammy Jones battled his former running mate, James Christopher, and escaped with a 3-2 win. He then ran through both Warren Ruth and Mark Dimmick 3-0 before running into Gabby. That one went down to the wire also and Gabby survived with a 3-2 win. Varner spanked both Ronn Rutan and Jim Tomassoni 3-0 and then outlasted Kitto in an eight hour marathon 3-2.
Returning the following day at noon, Nick ground out a 3-1 victory over Gabby. He finished in fourth place. Next up was Mark Gregory – he went down with a 3-0 pounding. Mark finished in third place.
Since this tournament was double elimination, Nick had to defeat Ronnie twice to win the event. This title has eluded Varner for the past few years and he wanted it badly but it was not to be. Wiseman moved out quickly winning the first two games. Back to the grind, Nick managed to take the next two and tie it up.2-2! Bearing down, Ronnie won the next and was on the hill. Methodically making one ball at a time, Nick stayed in the game – keeping it close. It looked like he was going to tie it up and then he scratched! Wiseman, needing one, leaped out of his chair and got down on the spot shot. He stood up and then got back down and rifled it in! Boom! And we had a new champion!
Congratulations to Ronnie for snapping off the title on his first attempt with his beautiful Steve Lomax custom cue! Great effort, Nick!
Once again, PoolActionTV.com would like to thank Bogies owner Cody Parish, Manager John Rizzo and their staff for making all of us feel so welcome.
We’d also like to thank our great fans and sponsors. Our sponsors include JB Cases, Aramith, Hanshew Jump Cues, Bogies Billiards, Lomax Custom Cues, Simonis, Diveney Cues, Diamond Billiard Products, Durbin Custom Cues, the Action Palace of Dayton, OH and Fort Worth Billiards Superstore of Fort Worth, TX.
Our next event is the One Pocket Champion Challenge featuring Tony Chohan and Alex Pagulayan with $100,000 plus in the middle! Hosted by Buffalo’s Billiards in Jefferson, LA, the dates are October 19th-22nd. Hope to see you there!
Diamond Derby City Classic XXIII, January 21-29, 2022
Caesars Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, IN
David Thomson
LIVE from the Accu-Stats TV Arena
Diamond BANK POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Format: Race to 3, short rack, single-elimination, alternate break, foul on all balls. Mosconi Cup captains Jeremy Jones and Mark Wilson are in the Accu-Stats’ commentary booth: Enjoy and learn.
From 457 to 4
It has to be confessed, we were subjected to fake news in yesterday’s report; Fedor Gorst still had the comfort of a buy-back.
It took them both a few balls to get the feel of the table.
Shaw found it first and was off to a 2 zip lead.
He was on fire. It looked over for Tony. But you know Tony, it’s never over. In fact, he soon tied it at two.
In the fifth and deciding game, resourcing some of the most dynamic short rail accuracy, and defense, Shaw pulled ahead needing one ball. Tony needed 3.
Too late, Jayson bounced one off the rail and, nothing but net, he was in the Finals.
THE FINALS
Gorst looked very composed: Jayson, maybe, a little lackluster.
Fedor had the first clean kill. His banks were finding the gaping jaws of the pocket.
Jayson was jamming them in there only to have the balls block the pocket. A safety game ensued.
A slower pace favors Fedor. He took his time and found that rhythm that he has related is his most important asset.
That led to him being first to score.
Jayson seemed lulled into submission. Motivation evaded him. He wouldn’t win a game.
Fedor was jubilant. Any Derby Championship is an accolade worth celebrating.
He wished that his girlfriend, Kristina Tkach, was with him to share in the joy.
The Banks’ title is when the All-Around Championship points start adding up.
Tho’, his second in BIG Foot doesn’t count as only the Banks, One-Pocket and, 9-Ball finishes are eligible, he’s well on his way.
Jayson, too.
Don’t miss a stroke at Accu-Stats PPV On Demand: Visit accu-stats.com. Enjoy and learn.
DIAMOND ONE-POCKET CHAMPIONSHIP
Race to 3.
370 specialists compete in pool’s most cerebral discipline: Chess with balls.
Today, upsets abound.
The most surprising, altho’ no disrespect to Mr. Oi, was his win over back-to-back, ’15 and ’16, DCC One Pocket Champion Alex Pagulayan.
Then, Estonian Denis Grabe gave Evan Lunda a rude awakening. ”I spent too much time catching up with sleep last night: Not good for me. Anyway, who can play pool this time of day?” he mused at the buy-back booth.
Austria’s Mario He continued the onslaught and gave Billy Thorpe, the 2019 Bank Pool winner, a thumping.
Bad Boys” player rep Mike Deitchman dealt the death blow to Latvian Pijus Labutis.
The question is, how have these newbies, to pool’s most secret and protected discipline, picked it up so quickly? It must be the FREE Accu-Stats YouTube Channel.
Hopefully, this loss is the motivation needed to get Alex, Billy, and Evan better prepared for the grind that lies ahead.
9-Ball starts tomorrow.
Diamond Derby City Classic ONE-POCKET Championship: Sun Jan. 23 -Wed. Jan. 26. Semis and Finalsin the Accu-Stats TV Arena, Thursday evening, Jan 27.
Diamond Derby City Classic 9-BALL Championship: Wed. Jan 26 – Sat. 29.
Accu-Stats PPV OnDemand service
The cream of the match-ups is presented via the Accu-Stats Pay-Per-View OnDemand, 4-camera HD production.Fedor 45, 2
Approximately, 60 action-packed hours of pro-pool are projected, PLUS reruns. After each match concludes, it is uploaded and available to you.
With PPV OnDemand, you choose when you view, no matter what your timezone.
Diamond Derby City Classic XXIII, January 21-29, 2022
Caesars Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, IN
David Thomson
The Diamond BIG Foot Challenge FINAL DAY
LIVE from the Accu-Stats TV Arena
Format: Race to 11, single-elimination, alternate break, foul on all balls, no jump cues. 10-Ball caroms and combos win. Mosconi Cup captains Jeremy Jones and Mark Wilson are in the Accu-Stats’ commentary booth: Enjoy and learn.
Two World Champions entered the Accu-Stats TV Arena to decide who would capture the 2022 Diamond BIG Foot 10-Ball Challenge title:
Cuetec’s, 21-year-old Muscovite Fedor Gorst and, from the town of Bonen, the 24-year-old German-born Joshua Filler.
The future of Pro Pool lies in these two young guns hands.
Their most common denominator is that they get out when they are supposed to get out…more than most.
With the alternate break format, there is little room for error.
The difference in their games is speed; Filler fast, never furious, versus Fedor, measured, rarely ruffled.
Filler was first to break formula, and that allowed Fedor to lead 6-4.
A fluke offered opportunity until Gorst missed a seemingly simple combo.
Joshua punished to jump ahead 7-6.
He held that lead until Fedor’s fought back to tie the match at 9. Breaking, his cue ball lobbed into the air to arc into the side pocket.
BIG Foot has a new champion.
And Joshua is $16,000 richer.
The Semi-Finals #1:
The match most were referencing as dawn broke was Shaw versus Gorst. Then everyone went to bed.
At 2 pm, the rejuvenated night owls straggled into the Accu-Stats TV Arena.
Let’s not forget how grueling the Derby schedule is, and not just for the diehard fans who refuse to miss a match, especially of this caliber.
Fedor Gorst and Jayson Shaw were still battling in the Banks division. In fact, their play was delayed while Fedor finished his Banks bout in the outer regions of the main tournament arena.
Not that that stalled him: with little respite from the storm, Gorst soon had Shaw trailing 3-6.
When in doubt, step out. It was Shaw’s inning; take a walk; recompose.
On his return a fan quietly reminded him, not to worry, you’ve been here before.
Jayson responded positively, ”I was just telling myself that in the bathroom.”
Shaw, no doubt, had summoned the memory from being seemingly insurmountably down 3-9 in the 13-10 comeback against Fedor to steal his 7th Turning Stone title.
Could Jayson rejoice in a 4th BIG Foot title now?
Fedor wasn’t having any of it. His lead was soon 8-5, then 10-6.
But wait: 10-8!Fedor, at-bat, with the finish line in sight allowed insight to a possible “tell.”
When the pressure mounts, which is rare, he clears his throat.
Tell or not. Fedor was not to be deprived of the opportunity of revenge. Careful and controlled, he calmly ran out the rack.,
The Semi-Finals #2:
Filler always fast, never furious, soon had a 3 zero lead. Mika, undaunted, caught a couple, then, 4-2.
Joshua had set the tone by his approach to openly exposing his path of recovery.
He failed to draw his ball and left a thin, missable cut on the 3 for the side. He placed his cue tip on the landing place of a 4 rail path to position.
The red orb slipped into the side pocket while the cue ball sped round the cushions to land precisely where he had pointed.
The gap widened: The intimidation continued.
Filler would slam home a Mika roll-out to close out that rack.
Immonen’s demise was imminent.
Down 7-4, Mika caught a gear. He scrambled back to retrieve 4 more games.
Unfortunately, so had Filler. At 11-8, he was in the Finals.
See for yourself: With the Accu-Stats PPV OnDemand service, you can watch all of the above, no matter what your timezone.
None has the comfort of a buy-back. So, it’s do or bye, bye.
The surviving 3 will redraw with Shaw.
Those 4 will, again, redraw and be presented as the Semis and Finals on the live-streamed, Accu-Stats PPV OnDemand on Tuesday evening.
Don’t miss a stroke: Visit accu-stats.com. Enjoy and learn.
DIAMOND ONE-POCKET CHAMPIONSHIP
RACE to 3.
370 competitors who specialize in pool’s most cerebral discipline: Chess with balls.
No upsets to report…as yet.
Diamond Derby City Classic BANK POOL Championship: Fri. Jan. 21 – Sun. Jan. 23. 2022. Semis and Finals in the Accu-Stats TV Arena: Tuesday evening, Jan 25.
Diamond Derby City Classic ONE-POCKET Championship: Sun Jan. 23 -Wed. Jan. 26. Semis and Finalsin the Accu-Stats TV Arena, Thursday evening, Jan 27.
Diamond Derby City Classic 9-BALL Championship: Wed. Jan 26 – Sat. 29.
Accu-Stats PPV OnDemand service
The cream of the match-ups is presented via the Accu-Stats Pay-Per-View OnDemand, 4-camera HD production.
Approximately, 60 action-packed hours of pro-pool are projected, PLUS reruns. After each match concludes, it is uploaded and available to you.
With PPV OnDemand, you choose when you view, no matter what you’re timezone.
Diamond Derby City Classic XXIII, January 21-29, 2022
Caesars Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, IN
David Thomson
The Diamond BIG Foot Challenge
LIVE from the Accu-Stats TV Arena
Format: Race to 11, single-elimination, alternate break, foul on all balls, no jump cues. 10-Ball caroms and combos win. Mosconi Cup captains Jeremy Jones and Mark Wilson are in the Accu-Stats’ commentary booth: Enjoy and learn.
Expectations, perhaps, had the pair err more than usual. They each missed around 3 shots, most resulting with Shaw having the more favorable leave.
In one instance, a favorable roll left Shane so snookered, they both had to laugh. Their sportsmanship was never in doubt. Jayson closed it out at 11-8.
Filler against Gomez held no surprises. The young German, fluid and fearless, manifested no weakness. Gomez struggled. Superman had found his kryptonite.
The 11-3 result revealed all.
The Immonen and Alcaide debacle reversed course when, ahead 3-1, Mika missed an elementary eight.
Alcaide capitalized, caught up, and mutual errors had the lead bounce back and forth.
Then, fortune reared its ugly head. Mika would be the first to admit that lady luck favored him.
A frustrated David soon realized it was not going to be his day. In the latter games his cue ball continued to run awry
Mika punished and pounced to close it out 11-7.
A Champion will be crowned tonight.
Semis and Finals continue with Shaw, looking for his 4th, against Gorst. Then, Filler and Immonen. the latter three searching for their first.
See for yourself: The Accu-Stats PPV OnDemand service. You can watch all of the above no matter what your timezone.
Diamond BANK POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Short Rack. Race to 3.
From 457 now 50 remain in round 7 at press time on Sunday.
Fedor Gorst, Mieszko Fortinski and Pijus Labutis still have the luxury of buy-backs.
John recognized the name, not because of Reggie’s reputation, but because he had recently requested John’s DVD instructional. “Bank Pool Secrets of a World Champion”
The Semis and Finals will be live-streamed via Accu-Stats PPV OnDemand on Tuesday evening.
DIAMOND ONE-POCKET CHAMPIONSHIP
RACE to 3.
370 competitors who specialize in pool’s most cerebral discipline: Chess with balls.
No upsets to report… as yet.
DIAMOND BIG FOOT 10-BALL CHALLENGE: FINAL DAY
Diamond Derby City Classic BANK POOL Championship: Fri. Jan. 21 – Sun. Jan. 23. 2022. Semis and Finals in the Accu-Stats TV Arena: Tuesday evening, Jan 25.
Diamond Derby City Classic ONE-POCKET Championship: Sun Jan. 23 -Wed. Jan. 26. Semis and Finalsin the Accu-Stats TV Arena, Thursday evening, Jan 27.
Diamond Derby City Classic 9-BALL Championship: Wed. Jan 26 – Sat. 29.
Accu-Stats PPV OnDemand service
And the cream of the match-ups available via the Accu-Stats Pay-Per-View OnDemand, 4-camera HD production. Approximately, 60 action-packed hours of pro-pool is projected, PLUS reruns. After each match concludes, it is uploaded and available to you. With PPV OnDemand, you choose when you view, no matter what you’re timezone.
Diamond Derby City Classic XXIII, January 21-29, 2022
Caesars Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, IN
David Thomson
The Diamond BIG Foot Challenge
LIVE from the Accu-Stats TV Arena
Format: Race to 11, single-elimination, alternate break, foul on all balls, no jump cues. 10-Ball caroms and combos win. Mosconi Cup captains Jeremy Jones and Mark Wilson are in the Accu-Stats’ commentary booth: Enjoy and learn.
Accu-Stats is happy to report that re consummate commentator Danny DiLiberto’s recent health issues, he is well on the way to full loquacity.
Saturday’s action commenced with 2012 DCC Bank Pool master John Morra and 2018 BIG Foot maestro Roberto Gomez.
Morra couldn’t quite find his Mr. Smooth stroke while Gomez caught a gear that led to a convincing 11-7 win.
Joshua Filler, always in “Killer” stroke, made it near impossible for Alex Kazakis to find his. 11-6 tells all.
Mezz Cues sponsored, former World 9-Ball and back-to-back US Open Champion Mika Immonen in a heated contest with 2-time World 14.1 semi-finalist Max Eberle.
Eberle had the better of the opening racks and was truly living up to the title of his respected instructional, “Playing in the Zone.”
His Accu-Stats’ TPA was 1.000 until Mika finally was allowed to the table. Then, the battle began. Back-and-forth they traded racks until Mika was first to the hill at 10-9.
Max was well on his way to tying it up until leaving precariouss position on the 9-Ball. Safety not being an option required cutting the dodgy 9 then, spinning the cue-ball 4 to 5 rails round the horn to arrive near the 10 lying a few inches from the bottom cushion.
Max stroked firmly thru the cue ball and the yellow stripe powered crisply into the corner.
What lies 3.5 rails ahead? The corner pocket. The new Diamond spotted orb kept rolling, and rolling, and rolling until, around its final rotation, it dropped into the bucket.
Multiple DCC titlist and newly bespectacled Alex Pagulayan went toe-to-toe with 2-time World Pool Master and regular Mosconi Cup member David Alcaide.
Alex knows better than to take the Spaniard lightly though his entertaining spirit could not be suppressed.
While Alex was down on a shot, a spectator’s cell phone blared. Without missing a beat, he declared, “I told you to call when he shooting: Wrong game plan.”
Soon they were 9-9. Then, with Alcaide running out on the hill, and Alex a little slumped in his seat, it looked like it was over.
Wait; daylight. Alcaide missed a combo that left the 7 buried deep in the Diamond pro-cut pocket..
Pagulayan sprang from his chair. He now had a seemingly, simple combo on the buried orb. He rolled the connecting ball so slowly that it didn’t have enough power to drop the 7.
Alas, that’s all she rolled.
Their very respectable, Accu-Stats TPAs tell all: .924 and .891 respectively.
David moves on to meet Mika in the Semis.
Diamond BANK POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Short Rack. Race to 3.
From 457 now 50 remain in round 7 at press time on Sunday.
EFREN REYES will have to return next year to resume his DCC Bank Pool Champion aspirations, In round 6, he was ousted by a very pleased Kevin Ping.
The Semis and Finals will be live-streamed via Accu-Stats PPV OnDemand on Tuesday evening.
DIAMOND BIG FOOT 10-BALL CHALLENGE: Fri. Jan. 21 – Sun. Jan 23. 2022.
Diamond Derby City Classic BANK POOL Championship: Fri. Jan. 21 – Sun. Jan. 23. 2022. Semis and Finals in the Accu-Stats TV Arena: Tuesday evening, Jan 25.
Diamond Derby City Classic ONE-POCKET Championship: Sun Jan. 23 -Wed. Jan. 26. Semis and Finalsin the Accu-Stats TV Arena, Thursday evening, Jan 27.
Diamond Derby City Classic 9-BALL Championship: Wed. Jan 26 – Sat. 29.
And the cream of the mafch-ups available via the Accu-Stats Pay-Per-View OnDemand, 4-camera HD production. Approximately, 60 action-packed hours of pro-pool is projected, PLUS reruns. After each match concludes, it is uploaded and available to you. With PPV OnDemand, you choose when you view, no matter what you’re timezone.