American 14.1 Straight Pool Championship (Oct 24-29), Norfolk, Winner $10K

[Majik89d]

Having a hard time with Bobby Chamberlain interrupting Dawn Hopkins every 3 seconds at the start of the Women’s Finals match. Dawn actually had to say, “Did you hear what I said?” because he talks over her

 

[Joe_Jaguar]

Having a hard time with Bobby Chamberlain interrupting Dawn Hopkins every 3 seconds at the start of the Women’s Finals match. Dawn actually had to say, “Did you hear what I said?” because he talks over her

She don't have much to say anyways.

 

[mikemosconi]

I am absolutely amazed at the ability of the players we are seeing here this week- the very best of this group- that are able to get onto full rack break balls from almost any final three to five ball leave. Their shotmaking and position play, esp. given pocket size here, is the best that I have ever seen. It is only once a year- but what a treat to witness this caliber of 14.1 on American soil.

 

[Joe_Jaguar]

Their shotmaking and position play, esp. given pocket size here, is the best that I have ever seen.

You guys are nuts, or completely starved of 14.1.

 

[JusticeNJ]

Jungo wins it - marathon approx. 4 hour finals to 175.

 

[Fatboy]

You would have loved beenie. Smooth as silk and smart as they come. He was the hustler's hustler! He charmed you into a slumber and made you smile while you were going off. He liked me and let me be his partner in a Blackjack game he ran. All I did was keep track of the bets and make the payoffs and the collections after each hand. We won 6K that night (mid 70's) and that was a big score back then. The next day we laid out by the pool and he enticed me to play a little Gin Rummy. I blew back a thou to him before I wised up. He was good!

Sounds like he was the kind of guy to beat someone and also hustle them to paying for dinner afterwards. When you can get the guy you just beat to pick up the tab you KNOW you laid it down properly.

I wish I’d have met him. Thx Jay.

 

[Fatboy]

Jungo wins it - marathon approx. 4 hour finals to 175.

I watched the safety exchange when they were around 132 each. That was great, I love tactics in pool, runouts get boring. Who beats who to the shot is much more interesting.

 

[pt109]

I watched the safety exchange when they were around 132 each. That was great, I love tactics in pool, runouts get boring. Who beats who to the shot is much more interesting.

This was probably why, in my day, that 14.1 produced the best one-hole players.

 

[JusticeNJ]

I watched the safety exchange when they were around 132 each. That was great, I love tactics in pool, runouts get boring. Who beats who to the shot is much more interesting.

I will agree with the commentators on this - Wiktor's safety play could have been better. I'm not sure I'd say it cost him the final, but it didn't help either. Jungo outmoved him IMO. But Jungo didn't really convert that into offensive wins. Wiktor looked like he got tired and Jungo has the grind in him.

 

[sjm]

I just got back from the final, which, in my assessment was a beauty. It had a little bit of everything, with Jungo running in the 50s twice and the 40s once. The safety exchanges were interesting and hard fought and while it would have to be said that Jungo outmaneuvered Zielinski a little, Zielinski prevailed in the safety battle in the 130s that looked like it might decide the title. After beating Jungo to the shot, however, Zielinski had a bad miss on a five ball and Jungo ran out the match.

Some might rather watch a run-fest, but this hard fought and generally well-played battle was 14.1 at it's very best. It's the kind of straight pool I enjoy most.

Well played, Mr. Jungo, 2009 European Straight Pool Champion and now 2022 American 14.1 Champion.

On a side note, the play of Kristina Tkach in the women's final against Karen Corr was most impressive. Kristina manages the table nicely, hits the break shots well and shows superior speed control. Well done!

 

[skip100]

I thought Jungo had blown it when he passed up the cut on the 13(?) ball, but Zielinski opened the door back up for him with that miss on the 5. Nice finish to the 175 mark for Jungo from there and a well deserved win.

It’s hard to say Zielinski was outmoved when he was able to get back to the table at the key moment in the match with a chance to win. He just didn’t pull off the run.

 

[sparkle84]

I will agree with the commentators on this - Wiktor's safety play could have been better. I'm not sure I'd say it cost him the final, but it didn't help either. Jungo outmoved him IMO. But Jungo didn't really convert that into offensive wins. Wiktor looked like he got tired and Jungo has the grind in him.

There were 2 prolonged safety battles and Jungo won both of them despite starting out at a disadvantage in both of them. He played superb pool all week. Everyone thought he'd get run over in the finals. I didn't. I watched this guy all week and he was extremely impressive. He ran over Ouschan in his 1st match and went 5-1 in the round robin. His only loss was to Appleton who he had 84-0 before scratching on a breakshot. Darren came back and beat him through sheer force of will. He had to or he was out of the elimination round.
A lot of people complain about the slow play but that's part of this particular game. Go watch 9B instead.

Granted the commentary sucked at times but that's the norm nowadays. Digital Pool leaves a lot to be desired and will hopefully be either better or gone next year.

And BTW, Stu's praise of Tkach is understated. This girl's a big time player. Real big.

 

[jay helfert]

Obviously, I'm just having a little fun with my comment about Mosconi and Greenleaf, but I saw Pat Fleming at breakfast this morning and we chatted briefly about Sanchez-Ruiz vs Zielinski, yesterday's "Round of 16" match.

Sanchez-Ruiz opened with 145 and Zielinski answered with 150 and out. Neither of us could remember a match as crazy as that one, although we recalled a match in which Pete Margo ran over 100 and Balsis answered with 138 and out, in approximately 1979.

In the quarterfinals, Zielinski ran 136 and out on Filler. During the round robin stage, Zielinski had a "continuation run" of 214. I've been attending 14.1 events live for 46 years, and I've never seen anyone get hotter than Zielinski is right now. If he closes the deal today, I'll call this a historically great performance.

I miss Dennis Orcollo. He ran balls like water. No one in this bunch has to like it playing 14.1 with him. A 200 ball run is only average for Dennis. I asked him after he ran off 204 in DCC if this was one of his best runs. His answer, "Only average."

 

[stewie]

I don't follow Euro pool that closely - isn't 14.1 part of the Eurotour (or some other regular event in Europe)?

I thought Niels mentioned that a lot of the European contingent have a soft spot for 14.1 because they are used to playing it in competition somewhat regularly.

Whereas in the US, there's one 14.1 tournament per year - at most.

Not Eurotour, but the European championship is every year and done in 8,9,10 and 14.1. The league system in Germany is a team combo league, one Matchday is covering 2 of each. So, yes, there is way more competitive opportunity on 14.1 in Europe.

 

[maha]

pool will never draw more crowds unless the organizers stop letting slow players in. soon all will speed up for the benefit of everyone.

 

[maha]

beenie was a great guy. that was when pool was more about the players and their personalities rather than just who can run the most balls.

 

[sjm]

I miss Dennis Orcollo. He ran balls like water. No one in this bunch has to like it playing 14.1 with him. A 200 ball run is only average for Dennis. I asked him after he ran off 204 in DCC if this was one of his best runs. His answer, "Only average."

Yes, we all miss Dennis. In the very last DCC 14.1 Challenge, Dennis ran 260 to set the all-time record for that event. but later that day, Filler ran a 285 to deny him the high run prize. I agree that Dennis is one of the most elite at 14.1. Hoping to see him compete soon. I was lucky enough to see him compete live at the Matchroom UK Open in May in London. I'm greatly looking forward to Friday's BCA Hall of Fame dinner at which time Dennis will join the ranks of pool's immortals.

 

[ChrisinNC]

I thought Jungo had blown it when he passed up the cut on the 13(?) ball, but Zielinski opened the door back up for him with that miss on the 5. Nice finish to the 175 mark for Jungo from there and a well deserved win.

It’s hard to say Zielinski was outmoved when he was able to get back to the table at the key moment in the match with a chance to win. He just didn’t pull off the run.

I’m sure it’s been said, but what were the size of these corner pockets? Jungo pocketed a 9 ball up the long cushion late in the match on his final run (11:38 on the tape) that did not appear that it should have fallen. The commentators thought he had missed it as it was rolling towards the pocket.

The inside edge of the 9 ball appeared to be 1-1/2” off the side cushion as it entered the pocket facing, and still dropped. I’m guessing they had to be at least 4-1/2” pockets and playing bigger than that due to the new cloth, forgiving pocket facing angles or most likely a combination of both.

 

[kling&allen]

Here a link to the final if anyone missed it:

 

[sjm]

Here a link to the final if anyone missed it:

Although he had been outplayed tactically by Jungo to that point of the match, it was the safety battle at 11:05:32 that gave Zielinski his chance to win the title, but after winning the safety battle, hie didn't cash in the chance presented, and Jungo ran 40+ to close it out. It was, more or less, consistent with the tone of the entire match --- Jungo did just a little more with his chances than Zielinski and it added up to a first-place trophy.

Those who practice their 14.1 by playing against the ghost alone would have been unprepared to succeed in the tricky tactical sequences found in this final.