Victor Nau Takes On Spanky Kaba in Tonight’s Accu-Stats Challenge Match
July 28, 2011
Accu-Stats
Tonight, Accu-Stats is bringing more action to the table, as two of the NYC-area’s top competitors go head to head. Victor Nau, who matched up three weeks ago with Jeremy Sossei, will tonight be taking on Spanky Kaba, one of the Mezz Tour winners from 2010 at Rockaway Billiards. Both players are active in the area’s pro/am tours, and pool fans will get the chance to see who will reign supreme in the Simonis Arena tonight.
Spanky Kaba and the finalists of the Mezz Tour stop at Rockaway Billiards in Nov. '10 with owner Mike Watson
The match will kick off at 8:30pm EST at the Simonis Accu-Stats Arena in Breaker Billiards in Clifton, NJ and will be streamed live via Accu-Stats’ Ustream Channel - http://www.ustream.tv/channel/accu-stats-on-location
The format for this event will again feature the Arena Rules. Check out all the info on the rules here: http://www.accu-stats.com/arenarules.pdf
Continue reading “Victor Nau Takes On Spanky Kaba in Tonight’s Accu-Stats Challenge Match” »
Matt Krah Makes His Mark in The Mezz Tour at Main Line Billiards
July 28, 2011
Winner Matt Krah & runner-up Brett Stottlemyer
The Mezz Pro-Am Tour made its way to Main Line Billiards in Frazer, PA on Sunday, July 24. A strong field of 28 players came out to play, which included players like Joey Testa, Eddie Abraham, Matt Krah, Dave Grau, Sean “Alaska” Morgan, Brett Stottlemyer, and Josh Brothers.
Leading the top half of the bracket was Matt Krah, with wins over Lou P. 7-5, Rob Vannatta 7-4, Sean Morgan 7-5, and Josh Brothers 7-3. Leading the bottom half of the bracket was Joey Testa, with wins over Max Much 7-1, Wali Muhammad 7-3, and Jose Burgos 7-1.
Playing for the hot seat, Joey Testa faced off against Matt Krah. This was a great match that would go double-hill, but when it was all said and done, it was Matt Krah who came away with the win at 7-6, sending Testa to the one-loss side.
Having made it through the one-loss side, Brett Stottlemyer was waiting for Joey Testa on the left side of the bracket. This would turn out to be a one-sided match where Brett Stottemyer would win easily 7-2.
Continue reading “Matt Krah Makes His Mark in The Mezz Tour at Main Line Billiards” »
Popular Ladies Join the Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open & Poison DP Pro Classic
July 27, 2011
South Korea's Eunji "Erica" Park
Coming up on July 28-31, The Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open and Poison DP Pro Classic will be taking over Emerald Billiards in New Iberia, LA to bring world-class pro and amateur competition to center stage. Alongside some of the top names in the world of men’s pro pool such as Rodney Morris and Mika Immonen, top women’s pros and up-and-coming players will get in the action as well. Read on in the press release from Dragon Promotions to learn more…
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New Iberia, Louisiana - Some lovely top ladies will be adding some exotic color while they are mixing it up with the men and women in Louisiana at the 6th Annual Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open and Poison DP Pro Classic. Korea’s Eunji “Erica” Park, USA’s Angel Paglia, and Japan’s Kaori Ebe will be appearing at Emerald Billiards on July 28-31, 2011. Also, on July 27th there will be a special APA Pro-Am team tournament where fans can join on a team captained by their favorite top pro in a fun environment. All the events are produced by Dragon Promotions and sponsored by Poison Cues by Predator, Ozone Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Aramith Balls, APA Acadiana, Candlewood Suites Hotel, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Master Chalk, Yalin Billiard Goods, and the host Keith Hulin of Emerald Billiards.
The action can be watched live online at www.PoolActionTV.com
Recent US Open semi-finalist Erica Park says, “Having the chance to play in so many great events will only help me improve my game. I hope I get the chance to play against the pro men to learn and test myself.” Her female peer on tour Angel Paglia, a veteran top pro on the WPBA, will also be looking to make her presence felt during the men and women events. Popular amateur player and entertainer Kaori Ebe of Japan makes her debut on US soil and will be playing in the Amateur Women’s 8-Ball and Ladies Pro-Am 9-Ball.
Continue reading “Popular Ladies Join the Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open & Poison DP Pro Classic” »
Paul Raval is Crowned the Tri-State Tour’s 2011 Grand Champion at the 14th Annual “Tri-State Tour” Invitational
July 26, 2011
The Tri-State Tour Invitational - 2011 (Photo by NYC Grind Contributor Daniel Dagotdot)
Story by Tri-State Tour Director, John Leyman
The fourteenth annual Tri-State Tour Invitational Tournament took place July 9, 10 & 16, 2011, at Castle Billiards in East Rutherford, NJ. The 2 weekends were another huge success for the tour with 12 A & A+ Players, 32 B & B+ Players, 32 C & C+ Players and 16 D & D+ Players who earned their way in to compete in their respective classes and play for their chance to be named the Tri-State Tour Invitational Grand Champion. Castle Billiards hosted the event for the second year in a row and the format was the same as the previous year with the event run over 3 days during 2 weekends. Castle Billiards owners John & Minnie Trobiano were once again very professional and gracious. They donated their room and all the table time. Their generosity and support to the players and the event is outstanding. They are people who are genuinely into the game, enough positive and complimentary things cannot be said about John, Minnie, and their staff; Joe, Jimmy, Brian, David and the waitresses.
As each day began, organizers John Leyman, Todd Fleitman & Bill Focaccia congratulated the players on reaching the top of their classes for the season and handed out awards to the top players of the year in each class. The Tri-State Tour added $4000 in cash prizes and the sponsors Ozone Billiards, Fury Cues, Kamui Tips, Ron Tarr Custom Cues, Sterling Gaming, Pool Tees.com, Spot Clothing, The London Bridge, Capelle’s Pool Books, Shot Pad, Billiards Digest, Pool & Billiards, Inside Pool, Professor-Q-Ball’s News, Blue Book Publications, Castle Billiards, Amsterdam Billiards, NYC Grind and Romer’s Trophies went out of their way to provide the event with some great equipment and prizes. The sponsors are owed a debt a gratitude for their dedication to the game and the players, their efforts and generosity are what made the event so special and such a great success and without their continued support of the sport and the players this event could not happen.
Awards were presented to the top 3 players in each class, to the Most Improved Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year. This year the most improved player went to Ed Culhane who over the course of the year raised his game to new heights and is still moving upward and looks to break into the A Class in the near future. Ed, although being raised to the B+ Class about halfway through the season, still managed to stay atop the B Class and also win B-Class Player of the Year. Each year the tour awards one player the Sportsman of the Year award. It is awarded to someone the tour thinks exemplifies what a player should be and this year’s award went to Mike Harrington.
Allen Hopkins Wins the Accu-Stats Challenge Match vs Tony “Flaco” Rodriguez at Breaker Billiards in Clifton, NJ – New Video by Jerry T!
July 25, 2011
Allen Hopkins pockets the 10 ball in en route to a narrow victory over Flaco Rodriguez (Photo by Joseph Ratke)
By NYC Grind Contributor Geoff Conway “Pool Junkie”
At 8:30 pm on Thursday, July 21, 2011 the much-awaited Accu-Stats Challenge Match between Hall of Famer and five-time World Champion Allen Hopkins and New York City’s veteran player Tony “Flaco” Rodriguez, was held in the Simonis Arena at Breaker Billiards, Clifton, NJ.
This match had everything that was expected from it. The match was streamed live and FREE from the Simonis Arena, using the Accu-Stats Arena Rules. It certainly had plenty of excitement as the score line first went one way and then the other.
Both players really showcased their skills in the safety department, and both were eagle-eyed in the execution of their full-length bank shots which brought their one pocket skills to the fore.
Even though both players in their formative years as pros had used a similar format to the push out rule that comes immediately after the break, they took a while to get a complete grasp on the rules of play. However, it did not take them long to realize that it is wise for the player at the table after the break, to force his opponent to push.
The 2011 Maryland (14.1) Straight Pool Championships Set to Kick off This Weekend
July 23, 2011
The 2011 Maryland State 14.1 Championships
The 2011 Maryland (14.1) Straight Pool Championships will take place tomorrow, July 23rd and 24th in the beautiful Annapolis, MD. This event has drawn many top players from all over the world, and this year will boast another strong field.
The (14.1) Straight Pool event will boast a $18,000 prize fund ($10,000 entries plus $8,000 ADDED). The $275 entry fee will give players a chance to participate in a world class event, which requires a strict dress code.
On Saturday, July 23, the event will start with a round robin format. 8 flights of 5. The top three players in each flight advance to play on Sunday.
On Sunday, July 24 it’s a 24 player single-elimination format. 8 winner from Saturday night will get a bye into the 2nd round action in the Maryland (14.1) Straight Pool Championships.
Sun, Jul 24 will showcase 24 straight pool players in a single elimination format.
Visit www.mdstraightpool.com for more information on the event.
See photos of past participants including fan favorite “The Black Widow” Jeanette Lee below.
Matt Krah Takes Charge in the Planet Pool Tour Stop at Top Hat Cue Club
July 21, 2011
Winner Matt Krah & runner-up Ryan McCreesh
The Planet Pool Tour made its way to Top Hat Cue Club in Parksville, Maryland on Saturday, July 16. A field of forty players made the trip, which included Tony Long, Matt Krah, Josh Brothers, Shaun Wilkie, Kevin West, Sean Morgan, Brett Stottlemyer, Alan Duty, and Ryan McCreesh to name a few.
Leading the top half of the bracket was Ryan McCreesh, with wins over Eric Perry 9-2, Brett Stottlemyer 9-4, Kevin West 9-4, and Shaun Wilkie 9-8. On the bottom half of the bracket, Matt Krah rolled through with wins over Don Steele 9-7, Garcia Bouie 9-5, Rick Glasscock 9-4, and Alan Duty 9-4.
Ryan Mcreesh and Matt Krah then battled for the hot seath, which turned out to be a one-sided match, with Matt Krah winning easily at 9-4 and sending Ryan McCreesh to the one-loss side.
Continue reading “Matt Krah Takes Charge in the Planet Pool Tour Stop at Top Hat Cue Club” »
Megan Smith Claims The Planet Pool Women’s Tour Stop at Top Hat Cue Club
July 20, 2011
Runner-up Lai Li & winner Megan Smith
The Planet Pool Women’s Tour made its way to Top Hat Cue Club in Parksville, Maryland on Sunday, July 17, 2011, where a small field came out to compete in the heat of summer.
Leading the top half of the bracket was Lai Li, with wins over Gwen Pickard 7-6 and Eugenia Gyftopoulos 7-3. Leading the bottom half of the bracket was Sharon O’Hanlon with wins over Malea Haacke 7-5 and Megan Smith 7-6.
Playing for the hot seat, Sharon O’Hanlon took on Lai Li. This was a great match that went hill-hill, but Lai Li would walk away with the win at 7-6 and send Sharon O’Hanlon to the one-loss side.
Waiting for Sharon O’Hanlon on the one-loss side was Megan Smith, in a rematch from earlier that day. However, things played out differently this time, as Megan Smith took control from the start to win easily at 5-2 to get to the finals.
Continue reading “Megan Smith Claims The Planet Pool Women’s Tour Stop at Top Hat Cue Club” »
Allen Hopkins Takes On Tony “Flaco” Rodriguez In This Week’s Accu-Stats Challenge
July 18, 2011
Allen Hopkins
By NYC Grind Contributor Geoff Conway “Pool Junkie”
Accu-Stats.com and London Bridge Promotions present their latest exciting challenge match between living legend Allen Hopkins and veteran New York pro Tony “Flaco” Rodriguez.
The match will be taking place this Thursday, July 21 at 8:30pm EST Live from the Simonis Arena at Breaker Billiards in Clifton, NJ and will be streamed live for free via www.Accu-Stats.com.
Five-time World Champion and Hall of Famer Allen Hopkins first locked horns with Flaco Rodriguez in 1977, and while Allen has continued to compete as well as promote the game, Rodriguez has also maintained his presence as one of the toughest in the NYC area.
Allen Hopkins presents Flaco Rodriguez with the Seniors Championship Trophy at the Super Billiards Expo 2008
The two will face off in a race to 13 in 10-Ball, using the “Arena Rules”–with the match coming down to a final game, if it goes to the hill: 9-9, 10-10, 11-11 or 12-12. This format will create more “Hill-Hill” matches, which Pat believes is more exciting for the viewer. The “Arena Rules”, which will be explained by the commentators was created to offer a new, alternative and exciting format.
Do not miss this chance to see the legendary Allen Hopkins strut his stuff live, from the Simonis Arena! We know that you will love this one, so tell your friends… if you have no friends, try to make some by Thursday evening!
See you there…
Eastside Billiards and Bar Presents Their 10-Ball Break and Run Contest With $2,000 Added
July 17, 2011
Eastside Billiards 10-Ball Break and Run Event
Pool Tournament Director William Finnegan as well as Mega Bucks 9-ball League Director Vincent Morris have announced a new 10-ball “Break and Run” event.
The first event will take place on Friday, July 22nd and is slated to be the biggest BREAK AND RUN event in NYC.
The $2,000-added event will cost $5.00 per ticket or 3 for $10.00. The 10-ball Break and Run is sponsored by cue case maker case maker Jim Murnak and cue maker Richard Hsu. Players will have a chance to win cash, as well as a custom made case by Jim Murnak and a custom made cue by Richard Hsu, both with a combined value of $1,500.
Tickets for the cue/case BREAK & RUN starts at only $2.00 or you can increase your odds with 3 for $5.00.
The EVENT starts Friday, July 22nd, 2011, 10pm at Eastside Billiards (86th St. & 3rd Ave, Upper East Side, NYC). Take the 4, 5, 6 trains to 86 street, and the club is located ½ a block from the train station.
Check out the flier below for more info…
