American Rotation Championship Series 5 was held at the Derby City Classic on January 22nd thru the 24th, 2015. 16 players qualified but only 15 were able to make the trip. We had 12 players representing the United States, 2 players representing Canada, and 1 player from the land of Rotation, the Philippines.

 

Once again, all qualified players were in the money even before they hit a ball. This Self Sustaining format has players earning their way to the national events rather than buying their way in. Each billiard club has 10 local players that compete over a 10 week period which ends by sending one of their players to a two day national event with free entry and an additional $800 in expense money. The American Billiard Club’s American Rotation Series seems to be picking up speed, traction and well earned attention from players, fans and club owners. It is definitely tough to ignore this format in which there are no losers, and the players are finally uniting for themselves and their sport.

 

Diamond Billiard Products not only welcomed the Championship and the additional players but they allowed us to use their tables, one day prior to the actual start date of the Derby City events. This helped to ensure that none of our players would miss out on playing in their 9 Ball Banks event, and would allow us to have minimal conflicting match schedules.

 

Our Championship event began with a 15 player draw into three separate round robin groups, 5 players in each. They would all play 4 matches racing to 120 points. Each match in this round robin would be played out in its entirety on day one. The top 2 players from each group and the two best 3rd place records would move on to the 8 player single elimination finals on day two. Group 2 attracted much of the iron with 3 of the top 4 favorites; Joe Dupuis our first ever American Rotation Champion, 2 time and defending Champion Mike Dechaine, and new comer Filipino sensation Edgie Geronimo. Below are the Groups and their results (wins, losses, ball count).

 

Group 1

 

Jody McLaughlin- Big Dog Billiards, DesMoines IA: 4-0 (+100)

Tom Zippler– Magic 8 Cue Club, Baltimore MD: 3-1 (+74)

Roger Miller– Dooley’s, Ottawa Canada: 2-2 (+41)

Randy Hatten– Press Box, Charlotte NC: 1-3 (-71)

Mike McPherson– Gate City Billiards, Greensboro NC: 0-4 (-144)

 

Group 2

 

Mike Dechaine- Snookers, Providence RI: 4-0 (+221)

Edgie Geronimo- Hard Times, Bellflower CA: 3-1 (+147)

Joe Dupuis- Stix and Stones, Abbington MA: 2-52 (-87)

Robert Hall– Bumpers Billiards, Huntsville AL: 1-3 (-112)

Ryan Lineham– Bo’s Billiards, Warwick RI: 0-4 (-173)

 

Group 3

 

Amos Bush– Billiard Den, Dallas TX: 3-1 (+72)

Brandon Shuff– First Break, Sterling VA: 3-1 (+165)

Gerry Williams– Tailgators, Ottowa Canada: 2-2 (-1)

Jay Wideman– Port City Billiard, Brunswick GA: 1-3 (-111)

Danny Petro- Lags Billiards, Columbus IN: 1-3 (-125)

 

The top 8 players were seeded based on their independent records into the single elimination bracket on day 2 of the championships.

Below was our match ups:

 

#1 Mike Dechaine vs # 8 Gerry Williams = Mike Advanced

#4 Edgie Geronimo vs #5 Tom Zippler = Edgie Advanced

#3 Brandon Shuff vs #6 Amos Bush = Brandon Advanced

#2 Jody McLaughlin vs #7 Roger Miller = Jody Advanced

 

Semi Final Matches:

 

Mike Dechaines vs Edgie Geronimo = Mike Advanced

Jody McLaughlin vs Brandon Shuff = Jody Advanced

 

This brought us one of our personal dream finals, the touring professional vs the full time working/family man. This is what the American Billiard Club is all about, helping professional players cover yearly travel expenses and keeping passionate high level players with families involved in our sport.

 

The Finals: Jody McLaughlin: 43 yrs young, married, 4 children and working 60+ hours per week VS the #2 U.S. ranked professional player, young gun and two time defending American Rotation Champion Mike Dechaine.

 

Mike wins the lag in this race to 140 points and turns up the heat right away by opening with a perfect 20 point break and run.

Rack 1 = 20-0 Mike

R2 = 24-16 Mike

R3= 40-20 Mike

R4= Mike is picking up the pace with a 24 pint lead 52-28 

R5=  60-40 Mike, but Jody is holding on 

R6=  Jody is reeling in the points 62-58 Mike

R7= 73-67 JODY, Jody takes the lead and applies unexpected heat.

R8= 80-80 baby.

R9= 91-89 Mike takes the lead but its now Jody’s break

R10= 4 innings of kick safes on the 5 ball with Jody eventually getting the first shot and clears the rack and re takes the lead 105-95 Jody

R11= Mike’s break and he shows some serious heart by coming with another perfect break and run to take the lead 115-105 Mike.

 

R12= Jody makes 2 balls on the break and starts a nice run but as he attempted to draw across a position zone, he came up short and was now hooked by the 13 ball at a score of score 115-110. Jody had a side of the 5 to hit and played a nice safety but the cue ball coming from a very steep angle off the end rail found the side pocket! Mike then clears the table right up until the 12 ball, when he shocked everyone by missing a routine shot that allowed Jody to pick up 8 huge points pulling the score to a very tight 122-118 in favor of Mike.

 

R13= Mike’s break needing 18 points to win his 3rd consecutive title. He makes 2 balls on the break, a solid and a stripe and scratches. The room of spectators believe 3 points are awarded to Jody which means Mike cannot close out the match with just 17 points remaining on the table. The stripe ball turns out to be the 9 ball, which is a one point ball, so there is still 18 points available on the table. If Jody gets at least one more point in this rack, he’ll have a chance to break and run the next rack for the title. Amazingly this was the same situation Mike was in at his last ARCS finals against Jerry Calderone in Las Vegas, with Mike needing to make a combination with 2 striped balls. In Vegas, Mike made the combo but had to play safe after it which gave Jerry one last shot. Here in this match, Mike drills the combo pocketing the 15 and the 13 ball slid right past the cue ball giving him the shot and with these 2 last balls made, Mike wins his 3rd Consecutive American Rotation Title with yet another perfect break and run,140-120 Mike Dechaine.

 

The Question now becomes, who and when will someone defeat this worthy Champion? Will it be another average Joe or our next touring pro?

 

The payouts for American Rotation Champions Series 5:

 

1st Mike Dechaine $2400 + $800 = $3200.

2nd Jody McLaughlin $1500 + $800 = $2300.

3rd/4th Brandon Shuff $750 +$800 = $1550.

3rd/4th Edgie Geronimo $750 + $800 = $1550.

5th-8th Tom Zippler $400 + $800 = $1200.

5th-8th Amos Bush $400 + $800 = $1200.

5th-8th Roger Miller $400 + $800 = $1200.

5th-8th Gerry Williams $400 + $800 = $1200.

 

9th-16th Each player received $800 for expenses.

 

Series VI begins March 9th throughout the country. If your local club is not yet on board, please take action for them and for our sport. The sooner we hit 64 clubs, the sooner we can start approaching corporate sponsors from outside the industry. It is a simple process that can be very important for our sports’ future. 

 

It takes 10 local players and at least 1 pool table, so do not hesitate to contact the American Billiard Club via their website or contact Joe Tucker directly at JTtenball@gmail.com and he will put a schedule up online for your 10 players. United, simple strong steps.

12 players from around the country qualified for the Series III Finals which was held in conjunction with this year’s BCAPL Nationals at the Rio in Las Vegas. 

 

Two round robin groups of 6 players each had everyone playing five 120 point matches on the first two days of the event. Two players from each group would emerge to make the final four single elimination stage. All 12 players were in the money as soon as they landed in Vegas. 

 

Semi finals and finals matches were races to 140 points. Up on table 2 in the pro arena was Scott Johnson of Gate City Billiards NC who is the only player to have made it to all 3 of our National Championships vs Professional player Mike Dechaine playing in his 2nd Championship. On the streaming table we had defending Champ Jerry Calderone facing Matt Tetrault who was on his first trip to our nationals. Sitting in between both tables was none other than the Man, the Magician, Efren Reyes, who had recently played two games of American Rotation himself with Daniel Busch of Pov Pool at Hard Times Bellflower. We were very honored to have him sweating it in the front row. If the streaming table didn't bring some extra heat for the players, having Efren as a spectator may have done it as neither Matt or Jerry took control of the match as opportunities to do so arose. This forced the match into the last rack with Jerry advancing and coming one step closer to becoming our first repeat Champion. On table 2 Mike Dechaine had defeatEd Scott Johnson leaving Scott tied for 3rd 4th and setting up what was sure to be a great final match.

 

The finals did not disappoint. Jerry is a working family man from South Florida that quite often flies under the radar so Mike was a pretty big favorite in many eyes. Jerry came out quick putting some pressure on Mike by taking leads of 29-11 and 51-29. Mike being the young but experienced player he is took a timely break to refocus in an effort to tighten the match, a big lead in AR can be tough to overcome. We think it worked as Mike scored a complete 20 point break and run making the score 51-49 in favor of Jerry. From there both players held serve fairly well on their breaks or struck back when needing to do so; 16-4 Jerry, 15-5 Mike, Mike breaks serve with a 13-7 and Jerry breaks back with a 14-6 as we hit 101 Mike to 99 Jerry. The finals to 140 points came down to a score of 121 for Dechaine and 119 Calderone with Dechaine breaking. Jerry would need to steal 2 points off of Mike's break to ensure one more rack and an opportunity to run his rack for a 2nd National title. Mike broke them nicely and started the rack with ball in hand, ran all the way down to a 12-13 combo, he sized up the shot carefully knowing that Jerry needed just one of these 2 point balls to extend the match. He made the combo but position on the 12 escaped him and he was forced to place safe with just the 12 14 & 15 remaining on the table. Jerry later stated that he had two shot choices; a return end to end safety that would allow Mike to see the 12 ball or a rail first kick that would leave Mike hooked. He opted for the kick safe but didn't get deep enough behind the 12 ball which sent both the 12 and cue ball out towards center table leaving Mike the opportunity to run the three remaining balls to become the 3rd American Rotation Nation Champion! Final score 140-119 Mike Dechaine over Jerry Calderone.

 

The American Billiard Club wishes to thank all the clubs and players in America and Canada that helped make this another successful Championship. Our mission is to unite some of our best billiard clubs with some of our best players to form one self sustaining tour for our sport, our industry and our players. We also aim to reduce player expenses significantly by having players earn their way to short, sweet and paid for national events, they're in the money before they ever hit a ball at our nationals.

 

Group A

Ryan Lineham Snookers Providence RI $1,000

Clifton Frederick Bumpers Huntsville AL $950

Danny Mastermaker Pockets Newport News VA $1,000

Nick Tafoya Albuquerque Billiard Academy NM $920

Matt Tetrault Ivory Billiards Holyoke MA $1,500

Mike Dechaine Snookers Providence RI $3,000

 

Group B

Gordy Vanderveeer Jamaica Joe's Midwest City OK $1,000

Roger Miller Tailgators Ottawa Canada $1,000

Aaron Remijio Hard Times Bellflower CA $850

Scott Johnson Gate City Billiards NC $1,500

Jerry Calderone Sharp Shooters Miami FL $2,000

Corey Harper Golden Cue South Elmonte Ca $850

 

Links to Finals and Semi final matches;

Finals

Semi Finals 

 

Series IV and V Nationals will be held in VA just prior to the U.S. Open and in conjunction with the 2015 Derby City Classic. We urge all pool lovers of all playing levels to become part of the American Billiard Club simply by uniting 10 local players and sending one of them to our next Championship.