2022 AZ Open

is there an announcement somewhere that details the logic behind two short races and then the third decided by spot shots, or do we all just assume it’s for crowd excitement?
 
Do you see any Predator logos on the shirts? I don't see any on Gorst and he is a Cuetec guy like SVB, right? But they're small, maybe I can't see it. Looks like Garcia has one on but I thought the announcer in previous match said both of those guys were Predator team guys. The player guide only says the player may have to wear an event logo (presumably would have Predator as part of it) plus up to three patches/logos.
I can't really tell. I'm going by last year where Shane made a big deal about it. I can't recall if it was this event, or a completely unrelated event.
 
I can't believe ALL the USA players did not jump on these events. Even if they don't like the shootout, the money added is higher than almost all the other events. And from an entire year standpoint, the whole tour is cumulatively the highest added.

If they all played in Bonus Ball, I'm scratching my head why they are not in this series.
 
I can't believe ALL the USA players did not jump on these events. Even if they don't like the shootout, the money added is higher than almost all the other events. And from an entire year standpoint, the whole tour is cumulatively the highest added.

If they all played in Bonus Ball, I'm scratching my head why they are not in this series.
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe they couldn’t afford the travel expenses to both Arizona and Derby City?
 
I broke down and watched the finals. It is nice to watch two top players go out it, and Gorst and Garcia are certainly two of the best. CSI Media does an excellent job of streaming the matches with good camera work and no lapses or freezes at any time. The reliance on the number one camera is a good thing, as this is the best view of the table and makes it easy to follow the flow of the game. The occasional use of the other cameras only adds to the viewing content. THANK YOU for using "correct" colored balls! Enough said about that. The table, cloth and even the bridge all appear to be tournament worthy equipment. The commentary was good with Tony Robles in the lead, accompanied by Mark White and George Teyechea.

John Leyman did his usual good job as referee, but I was glad he chose not to do an oratory on the score every game. He comes off a like a Shakespearean actor when announcing the score and who's turn it is to break next. Thank you John for sparing us your acting chops here. :)

These events are very nice paydays for the top finishers. 25K on top puts it up there with some of our biggest tournaments. And when reading the schedule for Predator I see tournaments with even bigger paydays (100K as opposed to 75K here), and even a Finale next year with 250K in the purse, making it a true Major in our sport. Bravo to Predator for stepping up to the plate with some good tournaments that are well run with good prize money and free viewing for pool fans worldwide. We are reaching the point where it will be feasible to aspire to be a pool professional, with a realistic chance to earn a decent living doing it.

In the match itself, both players played well until Garcia dogged an easy eight ball to close out the first set. He didn't look quite the same after that and once again made a critical error at a key point in set two, failing to contact the six ball for pretty much no reason. I'm kind of glad it did not go down to a shootout. I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around this choice of formats. Why not just play two out of three sets? That would be just as exciting, (how about hill-hill in the third set?), and conform more to a bonifide pool tournament and not some farcial exhibition at the end.

One other criticism. Whoever is writing the graphics at the bottom of the screen has no clue what is being said! Better to leave that out than to put utter nonsense on the screen. It made the telecast look very amateurish.

And finally, kudos to Fedor Gorst, a very deserving champion. What a fine player he is. His game is complete, with all the necessary attributes - Excellent shot making and cue ball control, a solid set up on every shot, great focus and execution, he has it all! He just does everything right. It is hard to find anywhere to fault him. Both players are good sportsmen and great representatives for our sport.
 
Last edited:
I broke down and watched the finals. It is nice to watch two top players go out it, and Gorst and Garcia are certainly two of the best. CSI Media does an excellent job of streaming the matches with good camera work and no lapses or freezes at any time. The reliance on the number one camera is a good thing, as this is the best view of the table and makes it easy to follow the flow of the game. The occasional use of the other cameras only adds to the viewing content. THANK YOU for using "correct" colored balls! Enough said about that. The table, cloth and even the bridge all appear to be tournament worthy equipment. The commentary was good with Tony Robles in the lead.

John Leyman did his usual good job as referee, but I was glad he chose not to do an oratory on the score every game. He comes off a like a Shakespearean actor when announcing the score and who's turn it is to break next. Thank you John for sparing us your acting chops here. :)

These events are very nice paydays for the top finishers. 25K on top puts it up there with some of our biggest tournaments. And when reading the schedule for Predator I see tournaments with even bigger paydays (100K as opposed to 75K here), and even a Finale next year with 250K in the purse, making it a true Major in our sport. Bravo to Predator for stepping up to the plate with some good tournaments that are well run with good prize money and free viewing for pool fans worldwide. We are reaching the point where it will be feasible to aspire to be a pool professional, with a realistic chance to earn a decent living doing it.

In the match itself, both players played well until Garcia dogged an easy eight ball to close out the first set. He didn't look quite the same after that and once again made a critical error at a key point in set two, failing to contact the six ball for pretty much no reason. I'm kind of glad it did not go down to a shootout. I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around this choice of formats. Why not just play two out of three sets? That would be just as exciting, (how about hill-hill in the third set?), and conform more to a bonifide pool tournament and not some farcial exhibition at the end.

One other criticism. Whoever is writing the graphics at the bottom of the screen has no clue what is being said! Better to leave that out than to put utter nonsense on the screen. It made the telecast look very amateurish.

And finally, kudos to Fedor Gorst, a very deserving champion. What a fine player he is. His game is complete, with all the necessary attributes - Excellent shot making and cue ball control, a solid set up on every shot, great focus and execution, he has it all! He just does everything right. It is hard to find anywhere to fault him. Both players are good sportsmen and great representatives for our sport.

Great review Jay.

I have liked the spot shot shootouts I have seen play out but your idea of 2 out of 3 sets is also solid.

The level of play and everything around it is very good! I will look in on more of these events and I am sure others will too.
 
I broke down and watched the finals. It is nice to watch two top players go out it, and Gorst and Garcia are certainly two of the best. CSI Media does an excellent job of streaming the matches with good camera work and no lapses or freezes at any time. The reliance on the number one camera is a good thing, as this is the best view of the table and makes it easy to follow the flow of the game. The occasional use of the other cameras only adds to the viewing content. THANK YOU for using "correct" colored balls! Enough said about that. The table, cloth and even the bridge all appear to be tournament worthy equipment. The commentary was good with Tony Robles in the lead, accompanied by Mark White and George Teyechea.

John Leyman did his usual good job as referee, but I was glad he chose not to do an oratory on the score every game. He comes off a like a Shakespearean actor when announcing the score and who's turn it is to break next. Thank you John for sparing us your acting chops here. :)

These events are very nice paydays for the top finishers. 25K on top puts it up there with some of our biggest tournaments. And when reading the schedule for Predator I see tournaments with even bigger paydays (100K as opposed to 75K here), and even a Finale next year with 250K in the purse, making it a true Major in our sport. Bravo to Predator for stepping up to the plate with some good tournaments that are well run with good prize money and free viewing for pool fans worldwide. We are reaching the point where it will be feasible to aspire to be a pool professional, with a realistic chance to earn a decent living doing it.

In the match itself, both players played well until Garcia dogged an easy eight ball to close out the first set. He didn't look quite the same after that and once again made a critical error at a key point in set two, failing to contact the six ball for pretty much no reason. I'm kind of glad it did not go down to a shootout. I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around this choice of formats. Why not just play two out of three sets? That would be just as exciting, (how about hill-hill in the third set?), and conform more to a bonifide pool tournament and not some farcial exhibition at the end.

One other criticism. Whoever is writing the graphics at the bottom of the screen has no clue what is being said! Better to leave that out than to put utter nonsense on the screen. It made the telecast look very amateurish.

And finally, kudos to Fedor Gorst, a very deserving champion. What a fine player he is. His game is complete, with all the necessary attributes - Excellent shot making and cue ball control, a solid set up on every shot, great focus and execution, he has it all! He just does everything right. It is hard to find anywhere to fault him. Both players are good sportsmen and great representatives for our sport.
That was the best part of the final match. it didn't go to a childish shootout.

Otherwise nice seeing top pro 10 Ball. Puts 9 ball to shame. No Filler at the event but saw on Facebook he is due in for Derby. Piss poor showing by American contingent.
 
Keep the shootout, but for the finals go to 4 shorter sets to 3. I like the idea of seeing a set line like 3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 2-3, followed by a shootout. In that scenario, who could really complain about it? Even with a 0-3 set thrown in, both players at least win 2 sets. Short sets to 3 aren't really bad for this variety of 10 ball. I don't think there's really a problem with the shootout, just the formula is slightly off.

Great event at any rate.
 
Last edited:
I broke down and watched the finals. It is nice to watch two top players go out it, and Gorst and Garcia are certainly two of the best. CSI Media does an excellent job of streaming the matches with good camera work and no lapses or freezes at any time. The reliance on the number one camera is a good thing, as this is the best view of the table and makes it easy to follow the flow of the game. The occasional use of the other cameras only adds to the viewing content. THANK YOU for using "correct" colored balls! Enough said about that. The table, cloth and even the bridge all appear to be tournament worthy equipment. The commentary was good with Tony Robles in the lead, accompanied by Mark White and George Teyechea.

John Leyman did his usual good job as referee, but I was glad he chose not to do an oratory on the score every game. He comes off a like a Shakespearean actor when announcing the score and who's turn it is to break next. Thank you John for sparing us your acting chops here. :)

These events are very nice paydays for the top finishers. 25K on top puts it up there with some of our biggest tournaments. And when reading the schedule for Predator I see tournaments with even bigger paydays (100K as opposed to 75K here), and even a Finale next year with 250K in the purse, making it a true Major in our sport. Bravo to Predator for stepping up to the plate with some good tournaments that are well run with good prize money and free viewing for pool fans worldwide. We are reaching the point where it will be feasible to aspire to be a pool professional, with a realistic chance to earn a decent living doing it.

In the match itself, both players played well until Garcia dogged an easy eight ball to close out the first set. He didn't look quite the same after that and once again made a critical error at a key point in set two, failing to contact the six ball for pretty much no reason. I'm kind of glad it did not go down to a shootout. I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around this choice of formats. Why not just play two out of three sets? That would be just as exciting, (how about hill-hill in the third set?), and conform more to a bonifide pool tournament and not some farcial exhibition at the end.

One other criticism. Whoever is writing the graphics at the bottom of the screen has no clue what is being said! Better to leave that out than to put utter nonsense on the screen. It made the telecast look very amateurish.

And finally, kudos to Fedor Gorst, a very deserving champion. What a fine player he is. His game is complete, with all the necessary attributes - Excellent shot making and cue ball control, a solid set up on every shot, great focus and execution, he has it all! He just does everything right. It is hard to find anywhere to fault him. Both players are good sportsmen and great repr
What graphics are you referring to? I watched on youtube. All i saw was chat off to one side. I always just hide that.
 
Last edited:
I can't really tell. I'm going by last year where Shane made a big deal about it. I can't recall if it was this event, or a completely unrelated event.
Here was a better close up, no Predator patch for Cuetec Pro...

NoPredatorPatch.jpg
 
I can't believe ALL the USA players did not jump on these events. Even if they don't like the shootout, the money added is higher than almost all the other events. And from an entire year standpoint, the whole tour is cumulatively the highest added.

If they all played in Bonus Ball, I'm scratching my head why they are not in this series.

i don't get it either. obviously the cream rises to the top no matter the format. and it's 10-ball - shane's best game. he would have had a very good chance to cash 25k.
 
Back
Top