Eric,
I suppose this is a "contest" of sort, but I do not believe it is phony in the least bit. No one is going to buy their way into having the winning cue. I remember a couple years ago at the ICCS there was a $150,000 cue. Did that cue win... no.
The "AZB Cue of the Year is all about the opinions of the people voting... that's it. Some like chocolate, some like tuiti fruiti... it should not be taken personally. As I stated before, the cue that wins at the ICCS, may not be the cue that wins on AZB. There are two completely different demographics of people in each group, so I expect the outcome to be different... I could be wrong.
It sounds like you were offended by what some people posted about your BB (including myself). But isn't that what makes posting on forums interesting? There is never 100% agreement. That is what fuels the discussions.
I do not believe there is one person here that does not appreciate all the work that went into your cue or Tony's ability.
Respectfully,
Jamie
we can agree to disagree, anything can be bought.