World Ladies Billiards and Snooker Association 2008 World Championships

Posted by admin as Billiard Tour News - Pool Tour News

World Ladies Billiards and Snooker Association 2008 World Championships
by Tim Dunkley
Reanne Evans has written a new chapter in the annals of women’s snooker by claiming a record fourth straight WLBSA World Championship title. Shrugging off a bout of flu, the 22-year-old mother of one from Dudley defeated first-time finalist June Banks 5-2 at Cambridge SC Wednesday, May7.
“In some ways it’s as good as the first,” she said. “I felt no pressure, just play my game and hope for the best. Coming up to this tournament, I hardly picked my cue up because I haven’t been very well.”
Evans, partner of NI professional and world number 16 Mark Allen, eased through to the final winning 23 successive frames and chalked up the highest break of the tournament, 102 in the group stages. But former England international Banks ended the run by taking the first frame of the final with a long pink.
Evans responded with a 52 to win the second. Banks fell foul of the miss rule when trailing 2-1 and the 16 penalty points cost her the chance to level.
Although the 39-year-old from Orpington did pull a second frame back in the sixth, Evans dominated the next.
The two-time IBSF World Ladies Champion, who defends her European title in Poland next month, has again ruled out joining seven-time champion Allison Fisher and five-time champion Kelly Fisher on the lucrative U.S. pool circuit for the foreseeable future. But neither of the two great queens of the green baize lifted the title four years running.
“People might say it’s because Kelly or Allison or whoever are not here, but it’s their choice to go to America,” insisted Evans. “It’s up to them at the end of the day, and I’m happy with what I’ve done.”
Maria Catalano’s dream of a first world title ended less than 24 hours after her cousin Ronnie O’Sullivan claimed his third in a 4-2 semifinal defeat by Banks.
Evans bested Portsmouth’s Emma Bonney 4-0 in the second semi but had to survive a black-ball game in the second frame and a re-spot in the third.

Emma Bonney clinched a third World Ladies Billiards title with a 216-119 victory over shock finalist Eva Palmius. But the 31-year-old from Portsmouth was forced to dig deep in the last seconds of her semifinal clash with Tina Owen-Sevilton from Taunton.
Bonney, champion in 2000 and 2002 but runner-up in 2006 and 2007, trailed throughout the one-hour match but was gifted a chance with a minute left. “I thought, ‘Right, I’ve got to make about fifteen and I’ve got about a minute to do it,’” she said.
Making a first appearance in a final, former Swedish pool star Palmius ended Indian star Chitra Magimairaj’s hopes of a hat-trick of titles in the second semi.

Derby schoolgirl and England international Hannah Jones, 11, won the World Ladies Junior snooker title. Chris Sharpe clinched a first Seniors title, and Pam Wood repeated her 2007 doubles success, this time partnering Jaique Ip Wan In.

Korean Pro Tour Championships Conclude

Posted by admin as Billiard Tour News - Pool Tour News

Korean Pro Tour Championships Conclude
Yuan Chun Lin (TPE) and Mike Davis (USA) are your new champions of the Korea Pro Tour Championships. Both Davis and Lin played near flawless matches in the semi and finals to win for their first time in Korea. The matches were aired on MBC ESPN, Korea’s top sports channel.

Lin faced 19 year old Korean #2 Eun Ji Park and it was apparrent Park was outclassed and outmatched from the beginning as she trailed start to end for a 7-2 loss. Taipei’s Chieh Yu Chou also outflanked Japan’s Mika Muneta and cruised to a 7-4 win. The final match went with the odds as Yuan Chun LIn keeps her streak alive with 7-4 win for the championship against Chou.

If there is ever destiny for a player, it was USA’s Mike Davis. After a forfeit, a bye, and another forfeit, Iron Man Davis went undefeated all the way to the semi-finals . There he faced 2007 Runner Up Ricky Zerna of PHI and Davis dismantled him 8-4. On the other side was PHI Jundal Mazon who destroyed Japan’s Hiroshi Takenaka 8-3.

In the final match, Davis made an unbelieveable jump shot with follow english for 2 rail position which led to a run out. Then Davis came back the next game after Mazon pushed to a jump shot. Davis speared in a super high jump shot jumping a ball 2 inches away from the cue ball but also clearing 4 feet away another ball to make the 1-ball. Then he proceeded to run out. ventually Davis took a commanding 7-5 lead with Mazon making a small comeback but botched a 2-ball he was jacked up on and Davis went onto win 8-5.

I always put pressure on myself in Asia events. I practice hard and try really hard. Then I perform bad. But this time I wasn’t preparing and I wasn’t even sure if I would make the event in time so I had no expectations. Then I played great and here I am with the win. said a gleeful boyish smiling Davis, who has undoubtably earned his mantle of The Iron Man of Pool. Davis’s win and Filipino dominance in Korea will pump up USA’s hopes for the upcoming Predator International 10-ball Championship in Las Vegas next week.

Dragon Promotions 4th Annual Korea Pro Pool Tour Championships is sponsored by MBC ESPN, Ra Beauty Core Salons, Novotel Doksan, Predator Cues, Poison Cues. The official equipment used are Min Tables and Vigma Balls.

Dragonpromotions.co.kr Dragonpromotions.com

Official US Pool Player Rankings Announced

Posted by admin as Billiard Tour News - UPA Tour

Official US Pool Player Rankings Announced
Official United States of America Billiards Rankings Released

PHOENIX, AZ (May 6, 2008) - The United States Professional Poolplayers Association (UPA) has released the official and updated rankings for the United States men’s professional billiard scene to avoid any confusion as to which rankings are the accurate and historical rankings for the United States of America. To continue to follow the United States official point updates, visit the tour website at www.upatour.com (http://www.upatour.com) and click on Current Ranking located at the top of the homepage.
After a recent press release by the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) concerning its intention to change the ranking and player communication overview procedures, the UPA stands firm as the player’s association and governing body, as still recognized by the BCA, that this is not only unfounded and uncalled for, but disrespectful to the player’s who have fought for this tour since its inception six years ago. The BCA has in fact, since its press release, utilized the UPA’s official rankings to establish their unofficial BCA Points List providing more cause to dispute their reasoning behind this change of practice in the first place; and in the process has offered a points list that has included numerous inaccuracies that pose irrevocable damage to the members of the tour in various aspects of their lives as Touring Professionals.
We find it quite odd that this new point system actually uses our own tour rankings and yet subtly changes the point distribution of our last event. As an association, we find it deeply troubling that those who oversee the BCA rankings would use our rankings in an attempt to ‘overthrow’ our player created and approved system. It is obvious to our players that this is merely an attempt to ‘wean’ the industry from the UPA Tour’s rankings. Our rankings will remain intact and we will do our best to help clarify the confusion that the BCA has contributed by using their imposed point structure. - Frank Alvarez, UPA President
The events of the recent days have caused a chain reaction by the players to demand that their names be removed from the BCA point list immediately, some of their comments are as follows:
I am not requesting that my name be removed from the new ‘rankings’ posted by the BCA, I am demanding it. I want nothing to do with the BCA points list and will be contacting all involved to have my name removed. We players have several ways in which we intend to deal with these pseudo rankings and this is just the beginning. You can bet as players come to realize the full ramifications of this point list, more players will follow. This has hurt both American and international players of our tour. - Rodney Morris, UPA Lead Player Representative
Our rankings were created by the players, for the players. In the BCA’s new ‘rankings’ they have the number one U.S. player, Johnny Archer, ranked fourth and 300 points below the new point leader. The UPA is a player owned tour and I have to wonder if the people who are doing this realize that. I want my name removed from this new list posted by the BCA and I urge every player who competes in U.S. do the same. - Shawn Putnam, UPA Touring Professional
I would like to notify the BCA and those involved in the development of this point list that you are directly damaging the livelihood of United States Touring Professionals. You have no right to change my ranking or change the rules by which my rankings are applied. Thank you for respecting my wishes by removing my name from your points list - you do not have the right to use my name. - Charlie Bryant, UPA Touring Professional.
If you would like to learn more about the UPA organization, our website is located at upatour.com or to contact us directly with questions, please call (480) 353-6747 or email info[at]upatour.com

March Madness Tournament Creates Crazy Competition

Posted by admin as Billiards Industry News - Information

March Madness Tournament Creates Crazy Competition

Merit Entertainment’s March Madness 11-Up TournaMaxx Tournament proved once again that the TournaMaxx program is a success for operators.
The competition for the top spot was tight this month with the winning averages being less than 200 points apart. Donna Hill of West Hazelton, PA pulled out the win with a March average of 170,850 points. Donna plays at Amore Pizza in West Hazelton on a touchscreen from Aaaamusements Rrr Usss. Tim Chan of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada came in a close second with an average of 170,690 points. Tim plays on a Walmac Amusements machine at H2O in his hometown. Jan Benson of Marseilles, IL rounds out the top 3 with an average of 170,470 points. Jan plays at P.J.’s Tap, which is operated by Metro Amusement.
“We do as much as we can to get our players involved in the TournaMaxx program,” said Elmar Klapstein of Walmac Amusements. “The players love the tournaments and the extra benefits we provide to them. It keeps them coming back and playing time after time.”
Sandy Buelow of Dakota, MN took this month’s Single Game High Score title. Sandy scored a whopping 177,150 points during a game at Pete’s Inn located Dresbach, MN. Williamson Music operates the Megatouch machines found at Pete’s Inn.
“Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s March Madness Tournament,” said Bob Mills, Merit’s Vice President of North American Sales. “With the proven power of games like 11-Up plus the continued support of our operators, TournaMaxx remains one of Merit’s most successful features.”

For 30 years, Merit has ensured long-term return on investment for operators by providing continually high-earning equipment along with updates and upgrades for its products. With an installed base of over 250,000 touchscreen games garnering nearly 4.6 billion plays per year, Merit Entertainment is the worldwide leader in touchscreen entertainment devices. Merit Entertainment products appear globally in a wide array of venues and appeal to an almost limitless demographic. Merit continues to expand its position in the industry with ever-increasing entertainment, content, and new games. The company maintains a Web site with all the latest information at www.meritgames.com (http://www.meritgames.com/).

McKeon Cracks Pechauer Billiards Competition

Posted by admin as Billiard Tour News - ACS All American Tour

McKeon Cracks Pechauer Billiards Competition

Pechauer All-American Tour / Colorado Springs, CO
by InsidePOOL Staff
The fiftieth and final stop of the 2007/2008 Pechauer All-American Tour was hosted by Antique Billiard Museum in Colorado Springs, CO, the weekend of May 3-4. The $1,000-added event featured a $5 entry and drew 72 players in a double-elimination 9-ball format on 7-foot bar boxes, with Jeff McKeon recovering from an early loss to take top honors.
Ruben Silva marched undefeated through his bracket to the finals, while McKeon, despite an earlier round 9-4 loss to Silva emerged from his bracket to the finals.

In the last eight, Jim Barber eliminated Mark Morgan 7-3, while Nick Smith dominated Adrian Ayala 7-1. Both Smith and Barber fell at fifth place in the next round at the hands of Nate Smith and Bobby Hibbetts, respectively. Hibbetts, whose only loss came at the hands of Silva earlier, kept his momentum by dumping Nate Smith at fourth place by a 7-2 margin. Hibbetts’ recovery ended on the hill in the next round, courtesy of a 7-6 loss to once-defeated McKeon. The final match was a single race to 11, and McKeon took a small lead over Silva and never looked back in his 11-7 title win.

Results:
1st Jeff McKeon
2nd Ruben Silva
3rd Bobby Hibbitts
4th Nate Smith
5th Jim Barber
Nick Smith
7th Mark Morgan
Adrian Ayala