Louie Roberts Award - Final Year

Cornerman

Cue Author...Sometimes
Gold Member
Silver Member
Again, to the forum fans and billiards, it has been this committee’s honor and pleasure to name the annual Louie Roberts Action and Entertainment Award for the past 10+ years.

Initially what was started as a way to reward the excitement that action players brought to the green room, it quickly became one of the more sought after titles. For the first several years up until just two years ago, the winners of the award would have their photos hung high in the tournament hall, even higher than the tournament winners. The previous year's recipient would have his likeness next to the previous year's 1P, Banks, and 9-ball Champion.

However, as of last year, the award is no longer affiliated with Derby City Classic due to its going against the host casino sites bylaws as well as the Gaming Commissions rules.

As such, this year’s award and announcement is bittersweet, as this will be the final year that the award will be presented. We’ve had a good run, and all things must end. The spirit of the award was to highlight the action and its entertainment value in our world of pool. The winner’s image was showcased in the tournament room as equal if not higher (literally) than the other tournament champions. Of late, those winners are longer showcased at all. Unfortunately, it’s that’s same highlighting and glorifying of that gambling action that doesn’t sit well with the host casino site. One-on-one gambling is legal, but the side action that is counted and encouraged as part of the entertainment value is exactly what the Casino and Gambling Commission doesn’t want to see. So the long and short of it: 2016 will be the final year. Without the ability and fun of presenting the gambling side of pool as entertainment, the award has lost its spirit.

Yours in Action,

Freddie Agnir
Committee Head - Louie Roberts Action and Entertainment Award
 

Black-Balled

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Eh, too bad.

I know it has been a lo or of love for ta, and it has been fun for us to watch too.
 

Cuebuddy

Mini cues
Silver Member
Like you said Freddie you had a good run.
Thanks for all your hard work and great game updates. Louie Roberts Action and Entertainment Award or not I look forward to attending this event in the years to come.
 

cueaddicts

AzB Gold Member
Silver Member
Thanks, Freddie, for all you've done with this over the years. You're as good as they come!
 

12squared

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
Silver Member
So are you taking votes or player suggestions for the award? If so I would think that Danny Smith should be in the mix.

Dave
 

JB Cases

www.jbcases.com
Silver Member
Again, to the forum fans and billiards, it has been this committee’s honor and pleasure to name the annual Louie Roberts Action and Entertainment Award for the past 10+ years.

Initially what was started as a way to reward the excitement that action players brought to the green room, it quickly became one of the more sought after titles. For the first several years up until just two years ago, the winners of the award would have their photos hung high in the tournament hall, even higher than the tournament winners. The previous year's recipient would have his likeness next to the previous year's 1P, Banks, and 9-ball Champion.

However, as of last year, the award is no longer affiliated with Derby City Classic due to its going against the host casino sites bylaws as well as the Gaming Commissions rules.

As such, this year’s award and announcement is bittersweet, as this will be the final year that the award will be presented. We’ve had a good run, and all things must end. The spirit of the award was to highlight the action and its entertainment value in our world of pool. The winner’s image was showcased in the tournament room as equal if not higher (literally) than the other tournament champions. Of late, those winners are longer showcased at all. Unfortunately, it’s that’s same highlighting and glorifying of that gambling action that doesn’t sit well with the host casino site. One-on-one gambling is legal, but the side action that is counted and encouraged as part of the entertainment value is exactly what the Casino and Gambling Commission doesn’t want to see. So the long and short of it: 2016 will be the final year. Without the ability and fun of presenting the gambling side of pool as entertainment, the award has lost its spirit.

Yours in Action,

Freddie Agnir
Committee Head - Louie Roberts Action and Entertainment Award

You have been an excellent steward. Sad to see the era come to an end. As someone who was fortunate to have attended the wild west days at the Executive West I think it really took a blow when that venue was no longer viable. That era of the DCC will always be fondly remembered by me as historic and insanely impressive. The action there was amazing and pervasive and simply an unavoidable part of the experience.

Not so at the Horseshoe. One could literally play all week and never even see an action match there. Although there were of course legendary matches played to me after the Executive West experience none of them ever held the same excitement for me personally.

I am sad though that one of the main pillars of Greg's vision is being swept away. I wouldn't be surprised to see it completely lose all the luster and attraction next year due to casino cops acting like hall monitors in fear of the gaming commission. I can also imagine that the Horseshoe would rather have any money slotted for gambling be in play in their casino rather than in the tournament rooms.

I sincerely and earnestly hope that the DCC can find a new home somewhere more convenient and player friendly that allows the entire foundation of what the DCC is built on to flourish as intended.

John - no one ever side bet on me at the DCC - Barton
 

JAM

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
You have been an excellent steward. Sad to see the era come to an end. As someone who was fortunate to have attended the wild west days at the Executive West I think it really took a blow when that venue was no longer viable. That era of the DCC will always be fondly remembered by me as historic and insanely impressive. The action there was amazing and pervasive and simply an unavoidable part of the experience.

Not so at the Horseshoe. One could literally play all week and never even see an action match there. Although there were of course legendary matches played to me after the Executive West experience none of them ever held the same excitement for me personally.

I am sad though that one of the main pillars of Greg's vision is being swept away. I wouldn't be surprised to see it completely lose all the luster and attraction next year due to casino cops acting like hall monitors in fear of the gaming commission. I can also imagine that the Horseshoe would rather have any money slotted for gambling be in play in their casino rather than in the tournament rooms.

I sincerely and earnestly hope that the DCC can find a new home somewhere more convenient and player friendly that allows the entire foundation of what the DCC is built on to flourish as intended.

John - no one ever side bet on me at the DCC - Barton

Well said, and I agree. Greg puts his heart and soul into this event, and I know he wants what is best for pool. Unfortunately, when working with the venue folks, he has to follow *their* rules and stipulations. I sincerely wish him and the Derby City Classic much success in the coming years. It's the one event that celebrates pool to the fullest, whether you're an pool purist, an action junkie, a player, a pro, or a railbird like me.
 

cueenvy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The casino has condoned the open pool gambling for years....pure hypocrisy.

It's just a shame what is happening to big table pool in this country.
 

Tooler

AhSheetMaDruars
Silver Member
Just another nail..... sad.:shakehead:

Thanks Freddie for all you've done over the past years.
 

TheBook

Ret Professional Goof Off
Silver Member
deleted as I seen the answer in another thread

��
 
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CreeDo

Fargo Rating 597
Silver Member
Couldn't you just nominate someone unofficially? I'm sure the casino wouldn't care about an AZ post.
 

Pushout

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Sad, indeed, to hear this happening because of a casino being against it. As someone already said, how hypocritical.
Thanks, Fred, for your work and enthusiasm.
 

Kickin' Chicken

Kick Shot Aficionado
Gold Member
Silver Member
imho, the casino, of course, will take issue with gambling on anything that doesn't flow their way. Basically, the side action on pool matches has to be viewed by them as competition and they don't want any of that on their property.

Fred; thank you a million for your efforts all these years on the Louie Roberts Award.

It's been very appreciated and fun!

best,
brian kc
 

pt109

WO double hemlock
Silver Member
Couldn't you just nominate someone unofficially? I'm sure the casino wouldn't care about an AZ post.

I'm not sure what you mean.

I think CreeDo and I are on the same page here....
...lets just move the Louie Roberts Award to AZ.

..of course, you have to agree...it's your baby.

It was great meeting you, Freddie...regards, pt
 

GideonF

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The casino has condoned the open pool gambling for years....pure hypocrisy.

It's just a shame what is happening to big table pool in this country.

I'm not sure this is really the casino's fault.

My recollection, and it is just based on what I've read on the internet (so it must be true), is that after this magazine article was published (http://grantland.com/features/the-f...rl-strickland-efren-reyes-derby-city-classic/ ), there was pressure from legal powers that be (perhaps the gaming commission or law enforcement) to stop the side action (which is illegal under Indiana law). Pure money matches (betting between the players) is apparently considered a game of skill and thus not illegal. Having an award recognizing action that may include side action would no doubt raise red flags for them.

So the casino might have tolerated (or turned a blind eye) to side action in the past, but you cannot expect them to expose themselves to liability or to risk losing their license over this.

Gideon<----Can't believe I'm defending a casino!
 

HouTexPlayer

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
What about a simple name change and some nondescript criteria?

The Louie Roberts Memorial Trophy

- Presented to the attendee at the XXXX Derby City Classic whose participation in the event best honors the spirit and memory of Louie Roberts (XXXX - XXXXX).

Give the winner a plaque at the end of the event plus the free lifetime entry - take a couple of pictures for AZ Billiards and voila - a legitimate award worthy of recognition in the casino's eyes. No mention of action or gambling but the meaning is 100% understood.
 

$TAKE HOR$E

champagne - campaign
Silver Member
So in other words the tournament is going to continue to be held at the Horseshoe? Not surprising since that 10 day period is one of very few events keeping the place afloat...literally. Rumor has it they are on hard times and its no wonder, location and accommodations are about as bad as it gets. At least the DCC is still running but it will never be like it was before it crossed the river. Heres a quick rundown on how chicken shit that place really is. For one, you can walk into the establishment basically any other time during the year and get a room for about half of what the "discounted rate" is for the tournament. Awfully nice of them to only charge double...just trying to help the pool players out ya know. The $100 a pop per night actually isnt to bad when you consider they want $279 if you just want to stay one or two nights. Now if by chance you do manage to score a decent priced room or dont mind sleeping 11 deep in one with a single bed previously occupied by Cheech and Chong you gotta fade the ever dwindling options on eating. The new BBQ place is closed all day multiple days which leaves you Binions (which if it were any bigger it would probably be closed also) and someone please correct me if im wrong but surely that sign outside the buffet didnt say $34.95. It just seems like a place that has its hand in your pocket the instant you step on the property would be a little less of a nickle dick for lack of a worse term. It is what it is, the place is a joke but if thats the sacrifice to keep the DCC is full swing then so be it...guess its even a gamble to see which one can outlast the other. Its hard telling how all of it works but since Diamond is gonna be saving that weeks room expense for the action award will that be thrown in the kitty for the tournament as "added money" :groucho:

$H,
Walked outta that mfr singing "Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty we are free at last.”
 
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