The Top Five US Players Are Set For Team USA’s Mosconi Cup Vegas Showdown
October 31, 2011
The 2011 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup
This December 8-11, The PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup is making its return to Las Vegas, where the best of the US will face the toughest in Europe for the eighteenth year running. The BCA rankings, based on the results of the entire year of events held around the country, have determined the five players to represent the US in this prestigious competition produced by Matchroom Sport.
Read the press release from Matchroom Sport below to learn who the chosen five are this year, and visit www.matchroompool.com/page/MosconiCup/Home to learn more about this exciting showdown…
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With The 2011 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup set to kick off at 11am on Thursday 8th December, the team selected to represent America at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas will be Shane Van Boening, Shawn Putnam, Mike Dechaine, Johnny Archer, and Rodney Morris.
These five have finished at the top of Matchroom Sport ranking system that comprised ten events across the USA over a 12 month period. With a total of 26 appearances in the transatlantic tussle between them, there is plenty of experience on hand, with Mike Dechaine being the sole debutant.
Following a career best finish at the US Open in Chesapeake, Shawn Putnam, who was a member of the winning side in 2005, crashed the top three to guarantee an automatic spot. He ultimately displaced Johnny Archer, but the Scorpion and Rodney Morris garnered sufficiently high finishes at the Open to maintain their top five positions and hold off Dennis Hatch, who narrowly missed out.
With the top three in the ranking assured their spots, Matchroom Sport decided to go with the top five after an epic year-long battle among the top players in the USA, and named Morris and Archer as the wild cards. The team will now attempt to win back pool most prestigious team trophy after defeat in London last December.
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Can China be Stopped at The Yalin Women’s World 10-Ball Championship?
October 31, 2011
Siming Chen of China is considered to be the favorite amongst her well-renown peers. Chen won the last major women's event in the Philippines, but this time is shooting for the World Championship.
To follow up the recent completion of the Haining Cup in China, many of the world’s most elite competitors will next be taking the stage at The Yalin Women’s World 10-Ball Championships in Manila, set to get underway on October 31 and run through November 6. Among some of the event’s favorites are the strong contingent of players representing China, including reigning World 9-Ball Champion Zhu Qing Bi.
Read on to learn more about this very strong field set to battle in Manila in the press release from event producer Dragon Promotions, and check out www.womensworld10ball.com to get more info…
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Manila, Philippines – China will be sending their deadliest and most gifted female professionals to take down the Yalin Women’s World 10-Ball Championship. China has dominated the World 9-Ball Championship the last three years in a row, but have yet to claim the World 10-Ball, widely considered to be the higher game of skill. China’s top bet will be 18 year old Siming Chen, current World #1-ranked.
The 2011 Yalin World 10-Ball will take place November 2-6 at Robinson’s Galleria with Stage 1 Qualifiers at Star Billiards Manila on October 31-November 2. Robinson’s Galleria is connected to the host hotel Crowne Plaza Galleria. An elite world class pros only field of 48 international superstars of the world’s greatest women’s players will attend the event to become the World Champion of 10-Ball. This year’s event is again title sponsored by Yalin Tables, one of the premier billiard table manufacturers of the world.
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Allison Fisher Dominates China in The Haining Cup
October 28, 2011
The two Fishers both overcame the odds on favorite Chinese to reach the finals together for England
With a field stacked with many of China’s rising superstars in the world of women’s billiards, the odds may have seemed stacked against Allison Fisher at the Haining Cup… however, the veteran champion again reigned supreme among the field of international competitors, a venue with which she is very familiar. Read on in the press release from Dragon Promotions to get all the news on “The Duchess of Doom’s” latest victory…
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Haining, China – 15 times World Champion Allison Fisher finally snapped off her first win in China at the 2011 Haining Cup. She defeated friend and fellow top Brit Kelly Fisher. The event hosted all the top stars of China including World 9-Ball winner Bi Zu Qing, Fu Xiaofang, and the sensational Chen Siming. Foreign stars such as Ga Young Kim and Yu Ram Cha also participated.
Allison crushed the field including wins over recent World 9-Ball Champ Bi Zhuqing (CHN), demolished former World Champ Liu ShaSha (CHN), and devastated Tsai Pei Chen 9-2 in the semi-finals. On the other side, Bi Zhuqing crushed Korea’s Yu Ram Cha, before succumbing to Allison. Kelly Fisher overwhelmed everyone in a surprising 9-2 win over Siming Chen.
In the finals, Kelly Fisher took on Allison Fisher in their 5th match play in the past 12 months. Allison had won the previous four meetings. Kelly took the lead at 4-2, but then it was all Allison as she won the next 7 of 9 games to win the tournament 9-5. This was Allison’s 3rd finals in China in little over a year, but her first triumph in the finals.
“I’ve been close both times before at the World 9-Ball and the China Open, but this is really important for me to win finally here. Kelly and I were delighted to have done so well to get to the finals, though at times our match was shaky,” said Fisher. Allison is sponsored by Star Tables, a top table manufacturer in China.
Between both Fishers, they eliminated almost all the top China bets in the event, proving that Western women’s pool still has a lot of bite. And more importantly for Allison Fisher, that after over two decades of play, she is still a deadly force to be reckon with.
“In today’s women’s pool, the competition is by far stiffer than ever in history by a landslide. In modern times the Taiwanese dominated, the Koreans had their moments, and now China. And still Allison, the sport’s most decorated veteran still competing, comes out on top. Three finals in China of all places in 12 months? It’s incredible how she always still rises to the top”, said Charlie Williams, Allison Fisher’s coach and manager through Dragon Promotions. He adds, “There’s no doubt, she is still a top,top contender even today. Players still fear the Duchess of Doom.”
Continue reading “Allison Fisher Dominates China in The Haining Cup” »
Ron Gabia Wins His First Tri-State Tour Event at Eastside Billiards
October 27, 2011
William Zarzour (3rd), Ron Gabia (1st), Dan Cintron (2nd)
At Eastside Billiards on October 22, 2011, Ron Gabia claimed his first win on the Tri-State Tour, making an undefeated run to take the title. This A/B/C/D 9-ball event brought in a field of thirty-seven players to the Upper East Side Manhattan pool room to battle for a first prize of $710.
Making his way through the winner’s bracket, Gabia defeated 2011 Tri-State Invitational winner Paul Raval 7-6, Carl Yusuf Khan 7-5, Ed Culhane 7-4, Joe Landi 7-0, and William Zarzour 8-6 to take the hot seat.
With the remaining players being battle fatigued from play running very late, the positions for first through third place were decided by relative strength of the players and their standing in the event through a mutual agreement to conclude the event.
The ever-threatening Dan Cintron, placing 2nd with a 9-1 win-loss record, and William Zarzour finishing third, both deserve recognition for their solid performances, along with event winner Ron Gabia.
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WorldPPA Joins US Bar Table Championships at Grand Sierra
October 27, 2011
CueSports International - CSI
All year round, the team at CSI – CueSports International continue to work to bring bigger & better opportunities for pool players to compete and raise the bar for the game. As recently announced, CSI is now teaming up with the WorldPPA for the Reno Shootout which will run in conjunction with US Bar Table Championships… read on for all the details in the press release from CSI…
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CueSports International (CSI) and Bob Beaulieu, owner of the WorldPPA organization, are proud to announce the WorldPPA Reno Shootout. The WorldPPA event will be held in conjunction with the CSI 19th US Bar Table Championships at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Reno, Nevada. The date for the US Bar Table Championships is February 12-19 and the WorldPPA will take place February 17-19.
The move to the Grand Sierra afforded CSI four times the tournament space than was previously available and the ability to provide more choices for players, such as with the WorldPPA event.
The WorldPPA was established in 2007. Its purpose is to promote billiards, introduce new players to the sport and to organize handicapped tournaments to allow players of all skill levels the opportunity to enjoy competitive play.
While the two events will be held side by side, the WorldPPA will take place on Diamond 9’ tables and be a 9-Ball handicapped event based on the WorldPPA handicap system. Long considered the premier bar table event in the United States, the $25,250 added US Bar Table Championships is a seven day multi-event tournament held on 7’ Diamond tables and attracts players from across the globe.
The event is open to all players. Bad Boys Billiard Productions will direct both events using the CueSports Tournament System (www.ctsondemand.com). CSI will be processing the entries for both the US Bar Table Championships and the WorldPPA Reno Shootout. Players in the Reno Shootout who are not already members of the WorldPPA or have a WorldPPA handicap will be evaluated and assigned a handicap by the WorldPPA organization.
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“The Scorpion” Johnny Archer Joins Dragon Promotions
October 26, 2011
Johnny Archer
One of the world’s premier billiards promoters and event producers, Dragon Promotions, has recently welcomed Hall of Famer Johnny Archer to their team. Dragon Promotions’ arsenal of top talent from around the world has continued to grow in recent months, also bringing on “The Duchess of Doom” Allison Fisher, while continuing to develope its horizons for exciting international billiard events. Read on for more on “The Scorpion” joining up with the DP Team in the press release below…
Dragon Promotions
Chicago, Illinois – World Champion and living legend Johnny “Scorpion” Archer has signed on to be represented by international events company Dragon Promotions. Archer has easily been one of the most winning players of all time in the sport of billiards. With titles such as the US Open 9-Ball Championship, two World Championships, and induction to the BCA Hall of Fame, Archer has become one of the most recognizable figures in pool and teaming with Dragon Promotions will further promote his name and brands.
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Amsterdam Billiards to Host Their Annual Halloween Party This Saturday, October 29
October 25, 2011
Amsterdam Billiards Halloween Party 2011
In addition to this Saturday’s exciting free exhibition match between two of the most legendary living players in pool, Jose Parica and Earl “The Pearl” Strickland, on October 29, Amsterdam Billiards will also be hosting its Annual Halloween Party!
Complete with a $500 prize awarded to the hottest costume at 11pm, attendees will also get to catch the UFC fight between BJ Penn & Nick Diaz. Admission is free for the PPV and the night’s events, and is sure to draw both pool fans and those looking to catch the big fight.
Amsterdam Billiards is located at 110 East 11th Street, New York, NY – check them out at www.AmsterdamBilliards.com for more info.
Read on to see the full-sized flier and for a photo gallery from previous year’s Halloween festivities…
“Dynamite” Darren Appleton Blasts Through to His Second Consecutive US Open Victory!
October 24, 2011
Darren Appleton has become only the 3rd player in history to win back-to-back US Open titles
By NYC Grind Editor, Alison M. Fischer
On Saturday, October 22, the stage was set for history to be made again in Chesapeake in the final day of the US Open 9-Ball Championships.
Going into this final day of competition, four players were yet in the running for a chance at the title… with one being defending champion “Dynamite” Darren Appleton of Pontefract, England.
Appleton and 2005′s US Open Champion Alex Pagulayan were the only two remaining undefeated players in the event when they faced off at 1pm in the Accu-Stats TV arena.
Early in this match for the hot seat, Pagulayan and Appleton stayed neck and neck, bringing the score to a 4-4 tie, when Pagulayan jumped ahead two games to lead 6-4.
However, Darren Appleton would stop him from putting up another bead on his score, as he went on to win the next seven straight games and take the match at 11-6, sending him to the finals of the US Open for the second year in a row.
Shortly before the hot seat match began, the quarterfinal between Shawn Putnam and Dennis Hatch had already gotten underway. After going through the winner’s bracket to the final four, Putnam fell to Darren Appleton, but was successful against current World 10-Ball Champion Huidje See, winning 11-7.
Final Day of the US Open Set To Start with the Final Four
October 22, 2011
Alex Pagulayan (Photo by NYC Grind contributor Cleiton Rocha)
After day six at the The US Open 9-Ball Championships was completed, there were only four.
Moving through the winner’s bracket undefeated, 2010 Champion Darren Appleton is on par for a repeat, going to the hot seat match after defeating Shawn Putnam 11-7 last night.
His hot seat match opponent is also hoping to claim his second US Open title. Alex Pagulayan, who defeated Larry Nevel in the final four by the same score (11-7) last took the championship in 2005, and will have a worthy opponent in the hot seat match to see who will lock down their spot in the final.
The one-loss bracket also narrowed down to it’s final two remaining players…
Last night in the one-loss final four, Huidje See defeated Kenichi Uchigaki 11-4, while Dennis Hatch continued on his tear, defeating Warren Kiamco 11-5.
Next up, each took on the losers of the winner’s bracket final four, where Hatch went on to defeat Larry Nevel 11-3, and Shawn Putnam eliminated Huidje See 11-7.
Play will continue today at 1pm, where Putnam and Hatch face off in the quarterfinal, while Appleton and Pagulayan will be featured on the live Accu-Stats stream. Visit www.accu-stats.com to catch the action.
Live scoring from AZbilliards: http://usopen.azbilliards.com/scores.php
Complete brackets: http://usopen.azbilliards.com/index.php
Continue reading “Final Day of the US Open Set To Start with the Final Four” »
Two Players Remain in the Winner’s Bracket as Larry Nevel Takes on Alex Pagulayan Live on Accu-Stats
October 22, 2011
Larry Nevel, one of the dark horses at the US Open, has a chance to go to the hot seat match (Photo by NYC Grind contributor Cleiton Rocha)
As of this evening, only four players remained in the winner’s bracket at the US Open, and four players in the loser’s bracket. The trial by fire in the Chesapeake Convention Center saw more players exit, while the pressure continually heightens for those still remaining.
To start the day, only two players remained in each sub-bracket on the winner’s side. Here are the results from these four matches:
Shawn Putnam defeated Yukio Akakariyama (11-9)
Darren Appleton defeated Johnny Archer (11-9)
Larry Nevel defeated Kenichi Uchigacki (11-9)
Alex Pagulayan defeated Huidje See (11-3)
One final round of competition is about to get under way this evening at 10:15, which will feature the Accu-Stats live streamed match between Alex Pagulayan and Larry Nevel, the second of the two final four match-ups. Watch it live at www.accu-stats.com.
The winner of this match will go to the hot seat match to face Darren Appleton, who previously defeated Shawn Putnam in their final four match at a score of 11-7.
