2010 APA NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS @ THE RIV
August 30, 2010 ~ vbb
 During the week of August 19 - 28th, 2010, 9 teams went to the Riviera to represent Las Vegas at the APA National Team Championships. Just to be there was already a tremendous feat. This event, held every year in August, is currently Las Vegas' top 5 largest events (not just billiards, but all general events). We've heard it draws approx. 13,000 visitors to Las Vegas. We couldn't be more proud of Vince Ciano's team, Vinnie & the Youtes (pictured left) for placing 9th in the 8-Ball Open Team Event and winning $3,500.00 (1st place paid $25,000.00). They qualified to compete in these team nationals this year by placing in a previous Cities higher level tournament. As did all of the other teams that competed in these main events. "Finishing in 9th place out of 723 teams was better then I could ever expect. We all had exceptional moments, but to chose an MVP would be tough. I went undefeated in the tournament. Shawn Robison won a one-game sudden death match, Jim Tellier was down 0-2 in a match and won 4 straight to win. Our 3 SL, Ben Czyzewski had a 8-ball on the Break to win his match in his final game, and the 3 girls Catherine Greig, Sandy Clark and Tara Cornett all played exceptionally well." says Vince. read more >> about Vinnie & The Youtes
 Competing in the 9-Ball Open Teams were Gin Mill #6 (who had a rough start and immediately played tough teams) and Team Vegas Billiards (who got lucky more than once). Each of their players played a part in their success, one being when Rob Hately (SL 7) was down by 25 balls playing a SL 9 and came back for the win. In the 3rd round on the 2nd day, TVB thought their run may be coming to an end. Vince Alloca lost his match. Amy lost her match to a 4. Brett Sandberg beat a 5, but only by a small margin. Come to find out, the opposing team had to forfeit one match. So it was up to Cathy Smith (SL 2) to play a SL 3. It came down to her needing 2 balls. Taking a deep breath and relaxing all the nerves, Cathy broke and made one ball. Without hesitation, she cut the 1-ball, frozen to the rail, straight past the nearly obstructing 6-ball and pockets it in the corner for the win!
Las Vegas was given 2 spots for qualified 8-ball Scotch Doubles teams (skill limit 10). Alford Burks & Brian Corder fought hard against tough teams. Butch Peacock & Benny Berumen placed in the money with 33rd place. "Playing at Nationals was a real thrill for both Butch and I. The first match went like expected, tough competition, however we were victorious! As we continued, we got into rhythm and smoked several teams. The most memorable moment was having to make a decision to play pool or attend a 'you must be present to win' raffle drawing. The minimum amount you could win if your name was drawn was $1,000.00. I chose to play pool, we won our match, my name was drawn at the raffle...go figure. We only needed to win one more match to move up to the penthouse and play in the semi-finals.  We were down 0-3 and won 3 in a row to tie hill-hill. We were down to our last ball and missed a hard cut. Our opponents ran their five balls to win the match." says Benny.
There were also 2 spots won for the Masters 3-man Team Event. Rob Hately, Carlo Bellistri, Tim Wampler & Benny Schapero (pictured) were excited to begin. In the Masters, the format is a race to 2 out of 3 matches with each player to play sets of both 8-ball and 9-ball, and there is no skill level limit. They lost their first match to a one-game sudden death. Won their next match. Then came across an exceptional team that they just couldn't get past. The other Vegas team was Randy Kukla, Jerry Enos & Frank Tran. "We were a team. The matches we won, we won because we all worked together deciding who shoots when. We sometimes played weaker players and sometimes played stronger players. We all did our best, but alas lost a match and were knocked out of the tournament. My two most memorable matches were the ones I was down 3 games and came back to win 7 to 3; the other  was up 3 games and lost 7 to 3. I, like the player that lost to me, never had an opportunity to return fire. That’s pool; miss and you sit and watch." says Jerry.
For the 9-ball Scotch Doubles (skill limit 10) Event, there was only 1 spot given to Las Vegas for a team. Sondra Friestad & Amy Encinias teamed up at the Cue Club earlier this year in June for the only qualifier for this spot. Never playing scotch doubles together before, they found they were quite compatible as partners and won the qualifier. Both equally competitive and determined, their performance together at Nationals was fascinating. In APA 9-ball, it's a race to points (each ball is worth 1 point, the 9-ball worth 2) and Sondra and Amy had to go to 46. One match was an even race to 46 and Sondra & Amy were down by at least 2 racks the entire time. They fought so hard and caught up to need only 4 balls to their opponent's 3. They won that match 46-45. Another match was a bit more challenging with their opponents only needing to go to 19 points (a SL 3 & 4). They won that match 46-18.  Two other matches were nip & tuck till the very end. They never gave up, had confidence and believed in each other. Alas, they came up against a SL 2 & 3 that only needed 14 points! "We began the match very nervous and pressured knowing we would not be able to make any mistakes. And...unfortunately, we did. But I couldn't be more proud of our 9th place finish out of 191 teams. We played SO good together and truly had so much fun the entire time." says Amy. “Our journey coming together as Vegas Night & Day has a story that very few know of; perhaps the team name should have been ‘Vegas Friend and Foe’. Forgiveness can build a bridge into a great friendship for “to err is human; to forgive, divine.-- Alexander Pope”. I embrace all that there is to learn from this game of pool and the endless opportunities to rise above in all circumstances to become a stronger individual, having stumbled countless times along the way. It was a pleasure playing with Amy representing the best of Vegas.” ~Sondra Friestad
See Vegas results >>
See photos >>
A PICTURE IS WORTH...
August 31, 2010 ~ by Jim Carmona
It’s been said that “A picture is worth a thousand words.” That’s because every picture has its own story to tell.
So what does that have to do with the game of pool? Well, the pictures that I’m referring to are the ones we hold in our minds before we take any shot in the game.
Pool is a game of position, and we must always have an idea of where we want the cue ball to be, what we want to achieve, and what the end result will be. We begin with the end in mind first and work our way backwards. All of this begins with a clear mental picture, a vision, or a goal of what we want to accomplish.
read more >>
 TAP LAS VEGAS
August 18, 2010
Congratulations to Matt Adkins and Danny Dietrich for winning a sponsorship into the TAP League National 9-Ball singles tournament!
Thanks to all who played and a special thanks to Jon & Jeanne Holman of the Cheyenne Saloon for sponsoring these 2 great players and their hospitality!
Click here to read more and see all the pics at http://taplasvegas.com/news.html
THEY STARTED OUT AS STRANGERS - VEGAS BILLIARDS TOUR STOP #6
August 15, 2010 ~ vbb
 On Saturday, August 14th, 2010, Bill Stock, Scott Mahan and Roger Ignasiak (pictured) arrived at the Cue Club for the 3-man team event. They had only just heard of each other, never formally met. They were of the handful of individuals that just wanted to play in the tournament, it didn't matter with whom. Turns out, a winning team was formed.
The format was round robin, 9-ball (no handicaps - every player on 1 team played every player on the other team 1 game in rotation) race to 8 games. The team skill limit restriction was a little tricky. 25 or under, only one 9 or above rated player and only one 8/8.5 rated player were allowed per team. The tournament drew 17 teams (51 players) and lasted 7 hours. There was tons of positive feedback from this very smooth running format. Bill, Scott and Roger made it all the way to the hotseat defeating: Greg Kuhl, Thomas Oram and James Murphy then Tim Wampler,  Amy Encinias and Jimmy Moore then Jim Carmona, Rick 'Ludwig' Miller and Tony Silvas and Al Lawrence, Chuck Aouste and Danny Lopez.
The semi-final match on the one-loss side was a great match between Al, Chuck & Danny and Jason Osborn, Allen Arana and Frank Tran (pictured). The match went hill-hill with Jason and Al to play the hill game, Al to break. Jason made a confident shot on the 7-ball and the 8 and 9 laid perfect for the win. But it was in the finals where Bill, Scott and Roger were victorious winning 8-5.
The winner of the Cue Club's $500 cue raffle was Patrick Kenney!
See results >>
See photos >>
See current point standings >>
GET WELL SOON!!!!
Bruce Barrette has suffered a massive stroke, is in the hospital and needs all of our prayers... billiardnut.blogspot.com
Pam Fletcher took a nasty fall and broke her rib this past weekend. We all wish her a speedy recovery.
APA SUMMER TRI-ANNUAL WINNERS
 Perry Presler, Gerald Branham Capt., Carlo Butto, Carmel Candela, Michaela Presler, Luz Hernandez, Chris Adlawan and Dave Carter took 1st place for $1,250.00 at the APA Summer Tri-Annuals this past weekend at Mickey's. Only teams that place in season playoffs are qualified to play in Tri-Annuals. This higher level tournament gives teams the opportunity to win some money back and winners get qualified to play in the Cities tournament held every year in May. The winner of Cities get to compete at the Team National Championships at the Riviera every year in August which is what a bunch of us just did! In addition to Tri-Annuals this weekend, Top Shooter MVP tournaments were held in which Stan Wylazlowski - 8-Ball MVP out of The Blue Hawk and Ron Worley - 9-Ball MVP out of The Brewery were victorious.
NEW BLOG: BY JIM TAYLOR
One of our nicest, local pool players who's been following pool for ages has started a blog. You can find Jim at almost every exciting event in town. He has an amazing passion for pool and has decided to start his own blog to share all the fun things involved with this game we love. Jim has been a Vegas Billiard's Buzz subscriber since the beginning and we're so excited to follow his blog at: billiardnut.blogspot.com
or
GET the latest news...
real-time match updates...
tournament results...
ALL SENT TO YOUR MOBILE PHONE
just text "FOLLOW vegasbilliards" to the phone number: 40404
~ Pool Lessons by: WALTER GLASS
A 2-hour lesson is only $50.00 (minimum of 2 lessons - $100.00). Over 40 yrs. experience - Professional level of competition - Valuable teacher.
Call Walter at 506-1525 for more information
~ Job Opportunity @ CSI
see here >>
|
