The 14.1 Challenge at the Derby City Classic continued on Thursday with action in the first round of the single elimination bracket. Three of the four matches were played with one match postponed to Friday due to scheduling conflicts presented by Niels Fiejen and Darren Appleton playing in other events.

The match saw Souquet, Inside POOL Magazine's 2011 Player of the Year, defeat Immonen 125-109. Souquet posted a high run of 70 balls on his way to the victory.

The first match on the FREE live HD stream produced by Inside POOL TV was between Ralf Souquet and Mika Immonen. The match saw Souquet, Inside POOL Magazine’s 2011 Player of the Year, defeat Mika Immonen 125-109. Souquet posted a high run of 70 balls on his way to the victory.

The second match on the free live stream was between John Schmidt and Johnny Archer. Schmidt played well, taking advantage of some early opportunities. Schmidt dominated the match even though his high run was only 44 balls.

The remaining match posed Alex Pagulayan versus Dennis Orcollo. Both players fought hard with some decent runs, but it was Pagulayan that pulled out the victory.

The match between Fiejen and Appleton is scheduled on the FREE live stream channel at InsidePOOL.tv for approximately 11:30 am EST on Friday.

The 14.1 Challenge enjoyed an $8,500 added purse that pays out $300 for the daily high run, $200 for second place daily and $100 for third place daily. The prize breakdown for the main event of the 14.1 Challenge are as follows:

1st – $2,600
2nd – $1,900
3rd-4th – $1,200
5th-8th – $700

Sponsors for the 14.1 Challenge include Diamond Billiard Products, Bob Jewett, Stu Mattana, Rich Klein, Jeff Mohl and Simonis Cloth. Patrons include James & Sons Jewelers, Arnold Kupec, Angel Levine, 14and1.com, America’s Straight Pool League, Stan Haines, Ted Antle, James Franklin, Larry Moy, Jay Helfert and Phil Capelle.

The free live stream is being broadcast by Inside POOL TV in HD at 1-year subscription to the online version of Inside POOL Magazine.

Sponsors that make the free live stream of the 14th Annual Derby City Classic include Diamond Billiard Products, Kamui Tips, Fury Cues, The bankshot Calculator, Hammerhead Hustling Clothing, Sharks web series, Pool Player Excuses billiard towel, Definitive Synergy billiards management software and Tom Simpson’s National Billiard Academy.

Appleton Launches Title Defense

The Derby City Classic continued Wednesday at the Horseshoe Casino in Elizabeth, IN. The 9-ball event kicked off as the One-pocket and 14.1 Challenge entered critical stages. Mika Immonen took charge of the 14.1 Challenge by putting in the high run of 156 balls.

Eight players of the forty six that entered advanced through the preliminary rounds to go into a single elimination bracket, which will begin play on Thursday.

The players ranked as follows:

Immonen leads the pack with a high run of 156 balls as the 14.1 Challenge moves into the single elimination phase.

1. Mika Immonen – 156

2. John Schmidt – 144

3. Alex Pagulayan – 141

4. Darren Appleton – 140

5. Niels Fiejen – 113

6. Dennis Orcollo – 112

7. Johnny Archer – 109

8. Ralf Souquet – 108

Thursday’s matches in the first round will be:

Immonen vs. Souquet

Schmidt vs. Archer

Pagulayan vs. Orcollo

Darren Appleton vs. Niels Fiejen

Notable players that missed the cut this year were Huidji See with 105 balls and Mats Schjetne with 102 balls. Defending champion Darren Appleton was the leader until the final few hours of qualifying, which saw Alex Pagaulayan, Schmidt and Immonen surpass his high mark. Alex Pagulayan and John Schmidt leap-frogged several players and subsequently eliminated Huidji See from the event in the finals minutes of qualifying.

The 14.1 Challenge enjoyed an $8,500 added purse that pays out $300 for the daily high run, $200 for second place daily and $100 for third place daily. The prize breakdown for the main event of the 14.1 Challenge are as follows:

1st – $2,600
2nd – $1,900
3rd-4th – $1,200
5th-8th – $700

Sponsors for the 14.1 Challenge include Diamond Billiard Products, Bob Jewett, Stu Mattana, Rich Klein, Jeff Mohl and Simonis Cloth. Patrons include James & Sons Jewelers, Arnold Kupec, Angel Levine, 14and1.com, America’s Straight Pool League, Stan Haines, Ted Antle, James Franklin, Larry Moy, Jay Helfert and Phil Capelle.

The free live stream is being broadcast by Inside POOL TV in HD at 1-year subscription to the online version of Inside POOL Magazine.

Sponsors that make the free live stream of the 14th Annual Derby City Classic include Diamond Billiard Products, Kamui Tips, Fury Cues, The bankshot Calculator, Hammerhead Hustling Clothing, Sharks web series, Pool Player Excuses billiard towel, Definitive Synergy billiards management software and Tom Simpson’s National Billiard Academy.

New Iberia, Louisiana – Johnny Archer ended a year long dry spell by winning the 10-Ball division of the Poison Dragon Promotions Pro Classic. He toppled a star studded field to regain his form on tour again. The pro events were in conjunction with the Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open which hosted over 200 entrants. 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. Day 2 of the Poison Dragon Promotions Pro Classic is complete.

Morris (2nd 9-Ball), Van Boening (3rd 10-Ball), Archer(1st 10-Ball,3rd 9-Ball), Lisa & Keith Hulin owners of Emerald, Williams (1st 9-Ball), Hohmann (2nd 10-Ball) Putnam (5th in 9-Ball & 10-Ball)

Archer started off with a bye and then defeated amateur champ Mike Alonzo 9-4, and then crushed Brandon Shuff 9-2 on the stream TV table. Rodney Morris had just whitewashed fellow touring pro Shawn Putnam 9-0 but couldn’t keep up Archer and fell 9-5 (Morris had eliminated Archer 9-1 in the 9-Ball division the day before).

Meanwhile Van Boening was again cruising through the field with a 9-1 over Jimmy Majors, 9-2 over Joshua Newman (who had a handy win over Jeremy Jones earlier). Thorsten Hohmann avenged his 9-Ball loss to Charlie Williams with a 9-6 victory the second time around. But had no answer for Shane and fell 9-3.

This set up a re-match from the 9-Ball quarter finals, with the same outcome between Archer and SVB. Archer again on top with a commanding 9-5 win. Archer had made it into the hotseat finals.

Thorsten Hohmann was having a mixed emotion day. He defeated Williams, but then had to jump to the bar tables for his Ozone Billiards Pro-Am match. He won, he lost, he jumped back and forth. Eventually he got knocked out for a 4th place finish in the Pro-Am , and then came straight back for a 9-5 win over Morris in the quarter finals of the big table pro 10-Ball. Then he defeated Van Boening 9-8 thriller to reach Archer in the finals.

Archer took the lead from the start and never looked back. Hohmann did his best to keep up, but Johnny was on a mission to win and ended the event on a high note with a 10-7 accomplishment over Hohmann.

“It’s definitely been a drink since I last won an event this calibre of players. I’m just happy and thankful. The owner Keith and the staff here have been real good to us, and we can’t wait to come back”, said Archer. Johnny also won the Maryland 14.1 event the weekend before starting a 2 week winning streak now for the Scorpion.

“Keith and the staff at Emerald Billards have been amazing. I played here last year,too and it’s always a good experience”, said Hohmann in his speech.

Brackets can be followed online here

New Iberia, Louisiana – Charlie “Korean Dragon” Williams topped off his day with a 10-9 thriller over his road partner Rodney “Rocket” Morris in the finals to clinch the 4th Annual Poison DP Pro Classic 9-Ball Division. The event is ongoing through this Sunday July 31. The pro events are in conjunction with the Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open.
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. Day 2 of the Poison Dragon Promotions Pro Classic is complete.

Rodney Morris started Day 1 shaky with a near loss to Tommy Najar winning by the slimmest margin 9-8. Then he caught fire and obliterated Johnny Archer 9-1. Then after trailing 1-4 to Williams, he mounted a ferocious comeback to win 9-5. He then waited for the outcome of the loser’s side for the finals.

Williams topped off his day with a 10-9 thriller over his road partner Rodney "Rocket" Morris in the finals to clinch the 4th Annual Poison DP Pro Classic 9-Ball Division.

Williams road to the finals was no small task. He first defeated strong young gun Josh Newman 9-5, then crushed Thorsten Hohmann 9-4. He played near flawless to keep the red hot Shane Van Boening down 8-2 before capping off the 9-5 victory. Then he fell to Morris, including a situation where Morris scracthed on the break and Williams studied the table and shot the 2ball while the 1ball was still on the table.

Williams laughed afterwards,”I haven’t done that in probably ten years or so. I’m not sure if I’ve ever done it before in a pro tournament against a top player. But my mind is so scattered in different places producing and working the event that I really am not too upset. I’m happy just to make it this far.”

Some fans try their luck out in the pro arena before the pros start the next day at Emerald Billiards

Meanwhile Van Boening eliminated Brandon Shuff 9-2 before facing a vengeful Scorpion. Archer put SVB down easily 9-3. He started off with a nice 2-0 lead against Williams in the semi-finals. However the Dragon was not done yet and took advantage of an Archer error to win 7 games straight. Up 7-2, WIlliams made the errors then as Archer mounted a strong return to close the gap at 8-7 Williams. Archer had an easy 7ball going to an easy 9-Ball next when he rushed slightly and missed the 7ball! he left Williams no shot, and with the event playing by the new Association of Billiard Professionals (ABP) Rules, Williams could opt to make him shoot again. Williams however to the shot and called safe. It paid off with Archer leaving the shot on and Williams winning 9-7.

“These new ABP rules really eliminate alot of the luck. I just believe these rules are far superior for the better players”, explained Archer.

In the finals Williams again took the early lead at 2-0 but made a error again and let Morris back in the game where Morris took a 7-4 lead eventually. Morris was on fire running out fast and loose. With only 2 balls remaining to take a further commanding 8-4 lead, he unexpectedly missed the 7ball and gave Williams his chance. Williams took that game and broke and ran the next 2 racks to tie at 7-7. Williams won a safety battle in that game to lead 8-7 but made more errors to let Morris seesaw back and take the lead 9-8. Morris then made a lock safety forcing Williams to take a length of the table jump shot over 2 balls. Williams made the jump and came around perfect for a safety. The safety paid off as Williams ran out to tie at 9-9. The final game saw Williams break perfectly but with no balls in….except at the last moment the 5ball trickled in. With an open table, he cleared it for the win.

“I’m happy and tired. We have a whole new tournament now with the 10-Ball. I’m skipping the Pro-Am Bar Table 9-Ball. My feet hurt!”, said Williams. The pros have an option to play upto 3 events during the 4 days of the Poison DP Classic.

Some notable names are joining the Ozone BIlliards 9-Ball Pro Am Bar Table such as Read more ...]]> http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/willimas-wins-dp-classic-pro-billiards-event.html/feed 0 http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/allen-hopkins-to-add-35000-to-super-billiards-expo-tournaments.html http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/allen-hopkins-to-add-35000-to-super-billiards-expo-tournaments.html#comments Sat, 05 Mar 2011 07:29:37 +0000 Pool and Billiards News http://www.insidepoolmag.com/?p=15348 Allen Hopkins to Add $35,000 to Super Billiards Expo Tournaments
Big Changes in Store for This Year’s Event

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (February 26, 2011): Allen Hopkins, promoter of the annual Super Billiards Expo, has announced that he will be adding a total of $35,000 to its three professional events at this year’s Super Billiards Expo, to be held March 10-13 at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA.

Allen Hopkins, promoter of the annual Super Billiards Expo, has announced that he will be adding a total of $35,000 to its three professional events at this year’s Super Billiards Expo, to be held March 10-13 at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA.

The majority—$25,000—will be added to the Diamond Open 10-Ball Professional Players Championship. This 64-player tournament is open to men and women and is a ranking event for the Billiard Congress of America points list. The winner will receive $20,000, as well as a trophy and free entry into the following year’s event.

An additional $5,000 will be added to the prize purse for the WPA World Artistic Pool Championships, which is a much-anticipated event by both the participants and the fans. This event will feature some of the most talented and entertaining international players in artistic pool.

Also, $5,000 will be added to the prize pool of the Professor Q-Ball Promotions Invitational Three-Cushion Champion of Champions event. Sponsored by Gabriels Billiards, Simonis cloth, and Longoni, this event will showcase the top players in the world today.

Participation in the events is the highest it has ever been. Entry fees for juniors are now a thing of the past. The junior players’ age classifications have changed this year to 17 and under or 12 and under. Hopkins has also added an amateur division: Super Seniors. This event is available to all senior players 65 and over.

The Super Billiards Expo will be available in 3D this year. Comcast video will be at the Valley Forge Convention Center filming the World Artistic Pool Championships and other areas of the multi-pronged event.

“This is the first time ever that Comcast is televising pool, and they’re doing it in three-dee,” Hopkins said. “It could be the future of trick shots. They will also be taking film of exhibitors and the other tournaments.”

Hopkins also decided to cut down on the booth space to give players more room to play. “I want to keep it more available for the players.”

The free live stream will be available at Inside POOL Magazine and Inside Pool Streaming Channel at Ustream.

About the Super Billiards Expo:
Celebrating its nineteenth year in 2011, Allen Hopkins’ Super Billiards Expo is the largest consumer-oriented billiards show in existence, bringing together the finest manufacturers, retailers, and custom cue makers in the world. This unique show unites customers, fans, and professional and amateur players annually at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and is sponsored by Iwan Simonis Inc., Diamond Billiard Products Inc., Mueller Recreational Products, and Run-Out Sportswear. InsidePOOL Magazine is the official magazine of the Super Billiards Expo.

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) 22nd Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships has kicked off. The event is being hosted by Northern Illinois University (NIU) and will run through July 11, 2010.

The event will crown national champions in four separate divisions. The divisions include:

Boys 19 and Under (view the tournament brackets)
Girls 19 and Under (view the tournament brackets)
Boys 14 and Under (view the tournament brackets)
Girls 14 and Under (view the tournament brackets)

To participate in the BEF Junior Nationals, players earned an entry through a BEF qualifier or they were appointed by their local junior league.

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) 22nd Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships has kicked off.

The Huskies Den in the Holmes Student Center, located on the NIU campus in DeKalb, IL, has seventeen (17) 9- foot billiard tables that will be the stage to an expected 150 young billiard athletes. Junior players will be competing for scholarships, prizes, and an invitation to represent the United States at the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior 9-Ball Championships.

Qualifiers were held throughout the United States through the month of June. The BEF is accepted nominations and offered player invitations for the girls’ division.
For more information, please contact the BEF office at 303.926.1039.

The 2010 BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championship sponsors include, Ozone Billiards, Simonis Cloth and Delta-13 Rack.

BEF Junior Nationals – LIVE Streaming

The Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships is considered the most prestigious junior pool tournament in North America and is hosted by the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) every year.

The 22nd Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships will provide LIVE Streaming sponsored by CueSport College International on Saturday and Sunday, July 10th & 11th.

BEF JUNIOR NATIONAL 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS FACTSHEET

Where: Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL at the Huskies Den, Holmes Student Center
When: We began the event Thursday at 11am and will continue until about 4pm Sunday
Players: 14 & Under Girls (8 players) 14 & Under Boys (35 players) 19 & Under Girls (11 players) 19 & Under Boys (39 players)
Banquet: Was held Thursday night after the day rounds. 250 people attended, Ivan Lee from Iwan Simonis Cloth was the guest speaker. There were 20 BEF Academic All-Americans that were awarded for their accomplishments. 2009 Winners and World Championship participants were recognized. Donated product was given as prizes throughout the banquet. Volunteers and NIU were recognized.
After the banquet, Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman gave an exhibition that was a show stopper. Sarah Rousey and Dawn Hopkins did challenge matches.
Mini tournaments will be held throughout the weekend.
There will be streaming of matches on Saturday and Sunday, go to billiardeduction.org and click on Live Streaming on the homepage.

The most prestigious junior pool tournament in North America, the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) 22nd Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships will provide LIVE Streaming sponsored by CueSport College International on Saturday and Sunday, July 10th & 11th. Please visit the BEF website at www.BilliardEducation.org or Click here.

Northern Illinois University (NIU) is hosting the Junior Nationals from July 8th – 11th, with competition taking place in the Huskies Den located in the Holmes Student Center. The Huskies Den is providing the seventeen (17) 9-foot billiard tables that will be the stage to over 100 young billiard athletes. Junior contestants from ages 7 – 19 earned their right to participate by winning a BEF recognized qualifier or were nominated through their junior pool league. Participants will travel from over 25 states to compete in this year’s event for an opportunity to win scholarships provided by Ozone Billiards, prizes and an invitation to represent the United States at the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior 9-Ball Championships.

The most prestigious junior pool tournament in North America, the Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) 22nd Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships will provide LIVE Streaming sponsored by CueSport College International on Saturday and Sunday, July 10th & 11th.

About Billiard Education Foundation
The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which is committed to promoting education and encourages the development of life skills through youth billiard programs. The BEF funds academic scholarships, produces the Junior National 9-Ball Championships, sponsors billiard athletes to attend the WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships and promotes “Pool In School” programs. For more information, please visit www.BilliardEducation.org or call 303.926.1039.

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) would like to invite junior billiard athletes to participate in qualifying tournaments for the 22nd Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships. Qualifying tournaments are currently underway throughout the United States and will continue through June. Junior players that qualify will be eligible to participate in the Junior Nationals which is scheduled this summer at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb, Illinois, July 7-11, 2010.

Players advancing to the Junior Nationals will be competing for scholarships, prizes, and an invitation to represent the United States at the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior 9-Ball Championships. The Junior Nationals features 4 divisions: 19 & Under Boys, 19 & Under Girls, 14 & Under Boys, and 14 & Under Girls. For more information about the BEF and upcoming qualifier dates and locations, visit www.BilliardEducation.org .

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) would like to invite junior billiard athletes to participate in qualifying tournaments for the 22nd Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships.

About Billiard Education Foundation

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which is committed to promoting education and encourages the development of life skills through youth billiard programs. The BEF funds academic scholarships, produces the Junior National 9-Ball Championships, sponsors billiard athletes to attend the WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships and promotes “Pool In School” programs. For more information, please visit www.BilliardEducation.org or call 303.926.1039.

By Cristina De La Garza

The Predator World Tour event in Lloret drew 88 players, including a record setting field of 12 Americans. Over 20 countries are represented in this race to 8, 10-ball event. The tournament is being conducted with WPA rules and 16 players are seeded according to the current tour rankings. The number 1 seed, David Alcaide took an early trip to the one-loss side in the early rounds of day 1 and will have to take the long road if he wants to defend his ranking in his home country.

American Junior player, Brendan Crockett defeated Spain’s David Simon 8-6 in the first round but was eliminated in the last round of day 2. Another notable win was American qualifier, James Davis Jr., who shut out Spanish Women’s Champion, Amalia Matas, 8-0 and will face Vincent Faquet in his next match. Stevie Moore and Neils Feijen had impressive wins on the TV table on day 2. Moore defeated Marcus Chamat 8-2 while Feijen sent Jeffery De Luna to the one-loss side in his first European tournament. In his first tournament back, Mike Sigel defeated Yukioi Akagariyama of Japan 8-6 and looks to be a favorite to advance to the redraw in the final 32.

The Predator World Tour event in Lloret drew 88 players, including a record setting field of 12 Americans.

At the conclusion of day 2, all four women have been eliminated and 10 of the 12 Americans in attendance are still going strong on the winners’ side. Exciting match ups for day 3 will include Johnny Archer against Charlie Williams, Neils Feijen against Ernesto Dominguez and Raj Hundal against Mika Immonen.

For more tournament news and live scoring please visit www.Predator10Ball.com. The Predator World Tour recognizes the following sponsors: Atlas Billiard Supplier, Bilhares Carrinho, Billard Master, Guitart Hotels, Kozoom Multimedia, Poison Cues, QK-S, Simonis Cloth, Tiger Products and Uni-loc.

“The Simonis cloth company makes a conscious effort to assist with youth events for the present and future benefit of our sport and our industry” stated Ivan Lee, President of Simonis USA, “We are proud to lend our support to the World Junior 10-Ball Open and to encourage talented youth from around the world to continue their journey toward excellence in billiards.” Lee is also currently the President of the BCA.

Past World Junior 10-Ball Champions have included Hayato Hijikata of Japan with John Morra of Canada in silver. Both player have gone on to become top pro players. Yu Ram Cha of Korea won gold in 2007 over Anna Kostanian of USA. Cha has since joined the WPBA and is ranked #5 in the world and Kostanian in the top 10 WPBA. Last year’s winners were Germany’s Dominic Jentsch and Liz Lovely. The competition was tough with top juniors such as Landon Shuffett and Austin Murphy, finishing near the end.

The winners of the boys will receive $1000 plus free invite and entry to next year’s Mezz Classic Pro Event and the girls $700 1st plus entry to next year’s Mezz Classic Pro Event . Juniors are also allowed to play in the Ozone Billiards US Amateur Open 8-Ball and 9-Ball events at the same time, with no conflicts in schedule. Last year over 20 juniors played in both the US Amateur Open and World Junior 10-Ball. The final four juniors will also get to play their matches on center court in the pro arena.

“I remember when I was a kid and junior player. Didn’t have alot of money so I’d always try to find a way to get a free ticket or borrow money to watch the pros play. We all need to invest into the youth and the kids need to be able to watch their idols play. That’s why Dragon Promotions offers free admission to all juniors at all our events” explained Charlie Williams, DP Founder and top 5 USA pro. Williams was the 1991 BCA USA Junior Champion at age 14.

On August 8-9, 2009 Dragon Promotions will bring kids from all over to compete in the Simonis World Junior 10-Ball Open in Orlando, Florida at Corner Pocket Billiards.

Great companies such as Brunswick, Laser Rack, Master Chalk, Predator, Lucasi, Viking, are joining Simonis, Ozone Billiards and Mezz to invest into the sport’s future. Gold Level poolroom sponsors are helping as well with Rocky McElroy of Capone’s Billiards in Florida, Danny Kuykendall of Danny K’s in California, James Oswald of Diamond Billiards in Florida. Bronze sponsors include Greg Hunt of Amsterdam Billiards New York and Bob Maidhof of Drexeline Billiards Pennsylvania.

Ozone Billiards has been providing pool players with top quality billiard products for more than eight years. Its commitment to customer service has helped Ozone Billiards grow to be one of the largest retailers of billiard supplies in the United States. For more information about Ozone Billiards and its product lines, visit www.ozonebilliards.com

About Iwan Simonis
Founded in 1680 in Verviers, Belgium, Iwan Simonis is the premier cloth manufacturer to the billiard industry. Simonis cloth is distributed globally through a network of carefully selected dealers that are committed to uphold the company’s longstanding commitment to quality. Simonis cloth… Authentic. Accurate. Always. For more information, visit www.simoniscloth.com or www.iwansimonis.com