Pro Pool in 2019: What Moments Stand Out?
The curtain has just dropped on the 2019 pool year. Now, it’s time to reflect.
I wonder what the match of the year was, and also what was the shot of the year. It’s never a simple matter, and I saw neither every match played nor every shot executed, so I’ll need help. I’ll consider the matter of the accomplishment of the year, and also try to single out the pool event of the year.
Match of the year Nominees
1 January: Bigfoot 10-ball Final, JL Chang over Filler, 11-9
It was the final so many of us saw coming, and both played superbly. In the end, JL Chang won the final in a brilliant display of world class pool.
2. April: US Open 9-ball, YL Chang over Liu Haitao, 11-10
Despite very few errors by Liu Haitao, YL Chang came from way behind to beat Liu Haitao in the quarterfinals of the US Open 9-ball. The defining moment of the match was when Liu Haitao appeared to be running out for an 11-9 victory but got cushion hooked in Rack 20, sold out, and never saw the table again.
3. September, China Open Final, Wu over Raga, 11-10
Raga had a big lead, but Wu stormed back to take the lead, only to be caught at double hill. In the end, it was Wu capturing one of the toughest titles in pool, but Raga turned some heads, too, in his “here I am” moment and it seemed a bright new star had arrived on the pool scene.
4 October, International 9-ball, Lechner 11 Van Boening 10
Maximilian Lechner, a talented Austrian player, rode a six-pack to a 9-0 lead, but Shane stormed back and won ten consecutive racks, earning a chance to break on the hill, but his comeback ultimately fell short. Lechner began a run that took him all the way to the final, which he’d lose to Jayson Shaw.
5. October: International 9-ball, Bergman 11, Pagulayan 8
After a grueling battle up to 6 - 6 featuring exceptional play, a Bergman error opened the door and Alex took an 8-6 lead. Somehow, Bergman came back from 8-6 with some of the best safety play and kicking I’ve ever seen, ultimately winning 11-8. It was the only time I’ve ever seen anyone beat Alex, the best tactical player since Efren, by out-moving him time and time again.
My choice here is Match 3, Wu over Raga, a match featuring two great stories in the excellence of Wu and the emergence of Raga.
By all means, call out other matches you feel merit consideration.
Shot of the Year
This is easy. I have to award this to David Alcaide’s long bank of the nine ball at double hill against Alex Kazakis in the final of the World Pool Masters. It’s one of the most clutch shots I have ever seen at double hill in an event final.
Honorable mention to Jayson Shaw’s back to back jump-ins of the one ball and then the two ball at 12-11 in the International 9-ball final in October. He then ran out the rack out to claim the title.
Feel free to nominate other shots you feel deserve consideration.
Accomplishment of the Year
Here, I’ll give a shout out to John Schmidt’s record run of 626 in straight pool. Mosconi’s record lasted for 65 years and, despite the presence of a few who are capable of it, it wouldn’t shock me if it took 65 more years for somebody to run more than John.
Honorable mention goes to all those who brought two new WPA sanctioned events to America - the WPA Players Championship and World 10-ball Championship. Added to the US Open 9-ball and the International, America now has four major WPA sanctioned events, so more and more elite overseas players are coming to the top events in America. That’s good for every American pool fan.
Feel free to nominate other accomplishments deserving mention.
Event of the Year
To me, it’s not even close. The inaugural Matchroom version of the US Open 9-ball raised the bar for how a pool event can be staged. It gave us an elite 256 player field, adhered to an ambitious match schedule, and raised the profile of America’s top event. Props to Matchroom for embracing the event’s history by naming the event trophy the “Barry Behrman trophy” and by having Brady and Shannon Behrman front and center at the event. The event was so well received that the 2020 field was filled six months in advance. Lastly, added money was greatly increased for the 2020 edition.
Feel free to nominate other events you feel merit consideration.
Conclusion
2019 was a great pool year, one I enjoyed sharing with the AZB forum. Let’s hope 2020 is just as unforgettable.
The curtain has just dropped on the 2019 pool year. Now, it’s time to reflect.
I wonder what the match of the year was, and also what was the shot of the year. It’s never a simple matter, and I saw neither every match played nor every shot executed, so I’ll need help. I’ll consider the matter of the accomplishment of the year, and also try to single out the pool event of the year.
Match of the year Nominees
1 January: Bigfoot 10-ball Final, JL Chang over Filler, 11-9
It was the final so many of us saw coming, and both played superbly. In the end, JL Chang won the final in a brilliant display of world class pool.
2. April: US Open 9-ball, YL Chang over Liu Haitao, 11-10
Despite very few errors by Liu Haitao, YL Chang came from way behind to beat Liu Haitao in the quarterfinals of the US Open 9-ball. The defining moment of the match was when Liu Haitao appeared to be running out for an 11-9 victory but got cushion hooked in Rack 20, sold out, and never saw the table again.
3. September, China Open Final, Wu over Raga, 11-10
Raga had a big lead, but Wu stormed back to take the lead, only to be caught at double hill. In the end, it was Wu capturing one of the toughest titles in pool, but Raga turned some heads, too, in his “here I am” moment and it seemed a bright new star had arrived on the pool scene.
4 October, International 9-ball, Lechner 11 Van Boening 10
Maximilian Lechner, a talented Austrian player, rode a six-pack to a 9-0 lead, but Shane stormed back and won ten consecutive racks, earning a chance to break on the hill, but his comeback ultimately fell short. Lechner began a run that took him all the way to the final, which he’d lose to Jayson Shaw.
5. October: International 9-ball, Bergman 11, Pagulayan 8
After a grueling battle up to 6 - 6 featuring exceptional play, a Bergman error opened the door and Alex took an 8-6 lead. Somehow, Bergman came back from 8-6 with some of the best safety play and kicking I’ve ever seen, ultimately winning 11-8. It was the only time I’ve ever seen anyone beat Alex, the best tactical player since Efren, by out-moving him time and time again.
My choice here is Match 3, Wu over Raga, a match featuring two great stories in the excellence of Wu and the emergence of Raga.
By all means, call out other matches you feel merit consideration.
Shot of the Year
This is easy. I have to award this to David Alcaide’s long bank of the nine ball at double hill against Alex Kazakis in the final of the World Pool Masters. It’s one of the most clutch shots I have ever seen at double hill in an event final.
Honorable mention to Jayson Shaw’s back to back jump-ins of the one ball and then the two ball at 12-11 in the International 9-ball final in October. He then ran out the rack out to claim the title.
Feel free to nominate other shots you feel deserve consideration.
Accomplishment of the Year
Here, I’ll give a shout out to John Schmidt’s record run of 626 in straight pool. Mosconi’s record lasted for 65 years and, despite the presence of a few who are capable of it, it wouldn’t shock me if it took 65 more years for somebody to run more than John.
Honorable mention goes to all those who brought two new WPA sanctioned events to America - the WPA Players Championship and World 10-ball Championship. Added to the US Open 9-ball and the International, America now has four major WPA sanctioned events, so more and more elite overseas players are coming to the top events in America. That’s good for every American pool fan.
Feel free to nominate other accomplishments deserving mention.
Event of the Year
To me, it’s not even close. The inaugural Matchroom version of the US Open 9-ball raised the bar for how a pool event can be staged. It gave us an elite 256 player field, adhered to an ambitious match schedule, and raised the profile of America’s top event. Props to Matchroom for embracing the event’s history by naming the event trophy the “Barry Behrman trophy” and by having Brady and Shannon Behrman front and center at the event. The event was so well received that the 2020 field was filled six months in advance. Lastly, added money was greatly increased for the 2020 edition.
Feel free to nominate other events you feel merit consideration.
Conclusion
2019 was a great pool year, one I enjoyed sharing with the AZB forum. Let’s hope 2020 is just as unforgettable.
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