Some stats for the streamed round-robin matches can now be found here: https://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=482470
The stream https://www.facebook.com/MolinariUSA/ is one of the finest production streams I have seem. Multi camera shoots, zoom-in capability, crystal clear picture (especially if your using a high end monitor), and well produced.
Should be a fun couple of days as the 24 who remain (very few surprises) battle it out.
FYI - and this is an important feature - for those who cannot watch the stream live, replay is available for all stream matches under the video tab.
Finally someone got it right. Great work to all involved in this effort, from the in-house producers to tournament producers, and most importantly every sponsor. All at no cost to the viewership.
Thorsten on the verge of running 150 and out vs Ruslan. And this is after Ruslan ran 86.
edit : seems that Thorsten ran an 80 something before this run. but I cant tell because the chat is mixed about it and the commentators aren't saying much.
This tournament is what happens when you put the best 14.1 players in the world on 5-inch pockets with new Simonis - it's a joke for a field of this caliber. Just watch the final shot Gorst made on the 8-ball in the corner pocket when he was on 149. The cue ball hit between the first and second diamond on the side rail, and still went in. That ball wouldn't have gotten anywhere close to the pocket on our tables. I know these are great players, but they need a little more of a challenge than these tables offer. Just my opinion.RC1 -- opening safe, left tough shot on 12-ball
TH1 -- badly missed 12-ball
RC2 -- ran 86 and got stuck, missed a cross-side bank [0-86]
TH2 -- ran 144 and got stuck, missed a swerve shot on a long, off-angle combo [144-86]
RC3 -- ran 9, missed a cross-side bank [144-95]
TH3 -- ran 6 & out [150-95]
This tournament is what happens when you put the best 14.1 players in the world on 5-inch pockets with new Simonis - it's a joke for a field of this caliber. Just watch the final shot Gorst made on the 8-ball in the corner pocket when he was on 149. The cue ball hit between the first and second diamond on the side rail, and still went in. That ball wouldn't have gotten anywhere close to the pocket on our tables. I know these are great players, but they need a little more of a challenge than these tables offer. Just my opinion.
I'm restricting this to those that have shown strong form in 14.1 at some point recently, not just talented guys who shoot straight and, therefore, can't be discounted.
Using this principle, I'd call eleven of these to be world class "great" at present, namely Ruslan Chinakhov, Mike Davis, Max Eberle, Thorsten Hohmann, Mika Immonen, Dennis Orcollo, Alex Pagulayan, Tony Robles, John Schmidt, Ralf Souquet, and Lee Van Corteza.
Off the top of my head, the most noteworthy world class "great" straight pool players at present who are missing: Darren Appleton, Nick Vandenberg, Niels Feijen, Oliver Ortmann, Jayson Shaw, Earl Strickland, Johnny Archer, Stefan Cohen, Shane Van Boening, Corey Deuel, Danny Harriman, Dennis Hatch and Francisco Bustamante.
Postscript — I watched a couple of young Polish players (not including Konrad J.) defeat John Schmidt and Alex Pagulayan tonight. They were very impressive. After his match had ended and he had had something to eat, Schmidt came over and randomly sat next to me to watch the Hohmann vs. Orcollo match. He was very friendly and engaging, and shared aloud his thoughts on the shots facing and just played by the two players, which was very interesting. In any event, at one point I asked him a simple question about his opponent in his just completed match, and he volunteered that there are lots of really good young players today, adding that “they are all really good,” and then saying: “It’s never been tougher.” Interesting comments.
Even if it was a PPV show, knowing how well put the production is, you'd still pay for it. It honestly really is the best production I've seen for a pool tournament outside of the accu stats and matchroom stuff. Only complaint I've had is the majority of the guys not wearing a vest and tie. Would have loved to seen that.
Anyone knows who is behind the stream?
Postscript — I watched a couple of young Polish players (not including Konrad J.) defeat John Schmidt and Alex Pagulayan tonight. They were very impressive. After his match had ended and he had had something to eat, Schmidt came over and randomly sat next to me to watch the Hohmann vs. Orcollo match. He was very friendly and engaging, and shared aloud his thoughts on the shots facing and just played by the two players, which was very interesting. In any event, at one point I asked him a simple question about his opponent in his just completed match, and he volunteered that there are lots of really good young players today, adding that “they are all really good,” and then saying: “It’s never been tougher.” Interesting comments.