Friday Open Thread: 32 Men Left Standing

JAM

JAM

I am the storm
Silver Member
If my math is right and if AzBilliards table brackets have been updated, there are 32 men left standing: 8 on the winners side and 24 on the B side of the chart.:smile:

Interesting that this year, there are no lady pros competing, most likely because of the China ladies pool tournament. :cool:

Here's a brief synopsis of the charts for your review:

Winners Side Matches:

  • Ernesto Dominguez v. Francisco Bustamante [How about that Ernesto! Battle of Two War Veterans] :smiling-heart:
  • Nick the Greek v. Warren Kiamco [This will be an all-out war to the finish line] :eek:
  • Mike Dechaine v. Dennis Orcollo [sjm and Jay will be sweating this one, I'm sure.] ;)
  • Karl Boyes v. Shane Van Boening [Shane will have his work cut out for him; Karl is on the warpath.]

B Side of the Chart and Last Chance for the Win:

  • Niels Feijen v. Hennessee from Tennessee, winner plays Jason Klatt [Go, Johnathan, go]
  • Raj Hundal v. K. Uchigaki, winner plays Efren Reyes [Not sure about this one.]
  • Li H.W. v. J. Morra, winner plays Darren Appelton [Darren still in it to win it.]
  • R. Geronimo v. Justin Bergman, winner plays D.H. Quan [Justin looking good!]
  • Earl v. Majid W., winner plays Chris Futrell [Look at Young Gun and Local Champ Chris] :smile:
  • C. Bruner v. A. Kazakis, winner plays Thorsten Hohmann [Greeks making a statement this year] :p
  • Daryl Peach v. H. Liu, winner plays Corey Deuel [USA, ALL THE WAY, Corey]:cool:
  • J. Hall v. J. Sossei, winner plays Nick Van Den Berg [Nick is having a great tournament this year.] :yes:

Any predictions on who's going all the way? This is a toughie. Thinking with my heart, I would love to see Hennessee from Tennessee get there. If I'm a results picker, I'd say Karl Boyes, after shutting down Darren Appelton, may be the new 2014 Open champ. Ever since last year's Mosconi Cup, he's been on a mission to be all that he can be.

Who do *you* like? :D
 
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BeiberLvr said:
Winner's side I like

Busti
Nick
Dennis
SVB
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Good picks. Ernesto Dominguez is really playing strong this Open. I always favor Bustie in all tournaments, mainly because he's one of my faves.

I did not see the Karl Boyes v. Darren Appleton match. I know they're buddies, but seeing Karl spanked Darren 11 to 1. That's pretty strong right there! :cool:
 
JD_Hogg said:
Karl and Dennis in the finals -- Dennis takes it
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I can see this one happening, too. ;)

One thing that strikes me about this year's tournament is that I have not read one action report from Q-Masters. Players like Dennis will juggle both a tournament and action at the same time, which will wear you down.

Has there not been any action at Q-Masters this year? I hope somebody chimes in.
 
I like the old dogs and underdogs
Historically champs mostly from winners side
On winners side I like
Kiamco, Mr Nice Guy who plays almost every tourney . Win or lose he smiles and a classy gentleman
Ernesto - now he can show his son what he can do and maybe take his sons place in MC
Busty- surprisingly has not won US open despite playing almost every year

On losers side I like one of these to be champ :
-Li He Wen- a brilliant sublime veteran with a very strong mental game.In previous W9B final v Darren he was down 2-12 in race to 13 alternate break and he rallied to hill hill 12-12 before Darren win final rack
-Waleel Majid- a strong player who showed he can play in last W9B. A win by him will be first major win by player from Middle East and could book the gam and bring in the oil sheikhs to throw their loose change to find the global game and tourneys
-Nick Van den berg- another long time veteran who has surprisingly not won a WPA major (either W9B,W8B,W10B, US Open, All Japan, China Open) so he is due a major
-Efren- everyone wants him to win

Actually do not mind who wins long as it is not ex- champs like Darren, Earl, Shane. They won few times before so they should give to others
:)
 
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My guess is that Dennis Orcullo will win this US Open. I think he's been the best player to this point. His .925 Accu-stat performance against Efren was breathtaking and he is steamrolling his opponents. Still, about a dozen guys remain that I could imagine winning this.

For once, I'm not going to overlook Warren Kiamco. For one reason or another, I never predict big things from him, and yet he's always there in the late stages of many big events. He's my dark horse.

Still, I'm watching the "Mosconi 8" carefully. I think they played very well yesterday and five of them remain in Shane, Bergman, Sossei, Hall, and Deuel. Their fine play in what is, in the estimation of the commentators, the strongest rotation pool field ever assembled in the United States, is making me feel a whole lot better about the level of play of some of our top young Americans. Wishing them well and hoping that one of the four on the losers side makes a deep run.

I'm also keeping an eye on the Joss Tour guys. They took three of the top five spots (Shaw, Dechaine, Strickland) in the crazy-strong field at Turning Stone, and three of their top four ranked players remain in this US Open in Dechaine, Sossei and Strickland (Jayson Shaw was eliminated last night). The Joss Tour will soon be well known in Austria when World 9-ball silver medalist Albin Ouschan and World #6 gets home and speaks of his losses to Dechaine and Sossei. LOL. I'm sure Joss Tour director Mike Zuglan is enjoying the US Open!

Today should be fun. Good luck to all of the 32 players that remain, each of whom will cash for at least $2,000.
 
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spartan said:
I like the old dogs and underdogs
Historically champs mostly from winners side
On winners side I like
Kiamco, Mr Nice Guy who plays almost every tourney . Win or lose he smiles and a classy gentleman
Ernesto - now he can show his son what he can do and maybe take his sons place in MC
Busty- surprisingly has not won US open despite playing almost every year

On losers side I like one of these to be champ :
-Li He Wen- a brilliant sublime veteran with a very strong mental game.In previous W9B final v Darren he was down 2-12 in race to 13 alternate break and he rallied to hill hill 12-12 before Darren win final rack
-Waleel Majid- a strong player who showed he can play in last W9B. A win by him will be first major win by player from Middle East and could book the gam and bring in the oil sheikhs to throw their loose change to find the global game and tourneys
-Nick Van den berg- another long time veteran who has surprisingly not won a WPA major (either W9B,W8B,W10B, US Open, All Japan, China Open) so he is due a major
-Efren- everyone wants him to win

Actually do not mind who wins long as it is not ex- champs like Darren, Earl, Shane. They won few times before so they should give to others
:)
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I agree with you about these old-school players. Man, it's good to see them shining brightly.

I remember Keith seeing Nick van den Berg on Party Poker a few years ago. In the chat window, Nick said he gave up on pool, just too expensive. I don't know what turned him around, but it looks like he just might have found his calling. He's back in the saddle again in the pool world, and by golly, he's doing great. :cool:
 
sjm said:
My guess is that Dennis Orcullo will win this US Open. I think he's been the best player to this point. His .925 Accu-stat performance against Efren was breathtaking and he is steamrolling his opponents. Still, about a dozen guys remain that I could imagine winning this.

For once, I'm not going to overlook Warren Kiamco. For one reason or another, I never predict big things from him, and yet he's always there in the late stages of many big events. He's my dark horse.

Still, I'm watching the "Mosconi 8" carefully. I think they played very well yesterday and five of them remain in Shane, Bergman, Sossei, Hall, and Deuel. Their fine play in what is, in the estimation of the commentators, the strongest rotation pool field ever assembled in the United States, is making me feel a whole lot better about the level of play of some of our top young Americans. Wishing them well and hoping that one of the four on the losers side makes a deep run.
Click to expand...

Interestingly, Johnny Archer had a high Accu-Stat score against Sky Woodward on the TV table match. It is amazing how they can have bursts of greatness and then fumble in another match.

One thing for sure, the Filipinos have always traditionally risen to the top at the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. Dennis will be there in the semi-finals, I have a strong feeling. If he can keep it going, this will add another notch on Dennis' champion belt.

I'm always "USA, all the way." Hennessee had a horrible motorcycle accident last year which crippled him for a long while. To see him playing so well really warms my heart, so my heart still lies with Johnathan Pinegar aka "Hennessee from Tennessee." :smiling-heart:
 
JAM said:
Interestingly, Johnny Archer had a high Accu-Stat score against Sky Woodward on the TV table match. It is amazing how they can have bursts of greatness and then fumble in another match.

One thing for sure, the Filipinos have always traditionally risen to the top at the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. Dennis will be there in the semi-finals, I have a strong feeling. If he can keep it going, this will add another notch on Dennis' champion belt.

I'm always "USA, all the way." Hennessee had a horrible motorcycle accident last year which crippled him for a long while. To see him playing so well really warms my heart, so my heart still lies with Johnathan Pinegar aka "Hennessee from Tennessee." :smiling-heart:
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So true, Hennessee is a great story. Surely, though, the sentimental favorite will be the well-liked Ernesto Dominguez. USA has played rather well in this open.
 
sjm said:
So true, Hennessee is a great story. Surely, though, the sentimental favorite will be the well-liked Ernesto Dominguez. USA has played rather well in this open.
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I wouldn't mind Ernesto winning one bit. In fact, I'l be standing up cheering for this one.

This photo was taken at Oscar's very first Open experience. I think it was in 2003, if memory serves me right. Oscar shot well, and Ernesto was so proud. What a great family! :smile:
 
JAM said:
I wouldn't mind Ernesto winning one bit. In fact, I'l be standing up cheering for this one.

This photo was taken at Oscar's very first Open experience. I think it was in 2003, if memory serves me right. Oscar shot well, and Ernesto was so proud. What a great family! :smile:
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Great picture. These two are a credit to our sport.
 
I believe Dennis Orcullo is playing the best right now, however, what that has to do with winning a 9 ball set, I don't know.
 
JAM said:
I can see this one happening, too. ;)

One thing that strikes me about this year's tournament is that I have not read one action report from Q-Masters. Players like Dennis will juggle both a tournament and action at the same time, which will wear you down.

Has there not been any action at Q-Masters this year? I hope somebody chimes in.
Click to expand...


I watched Nick the Greek and Robb Saez race to 30 9 ball...ended at 4am. First 2 legs tied at 20all ....then Robb hit a late night gear that put Nick the Greek to sleep!! Beat him 30 to 22 if If I recall correctly....man Robb was rolling!

Also Mike Davis vs Lil mike one pocket. Mike spotting him ball or 2 ? Was wearing him out. Not sure the final score or race but Davis won easily.
 
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3andstop said:
I believe Dennis Orcullo is playing the best right now, however, what that has to do with winning a 9 ball set, I don't know.
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I like Orcullo to win but do not think it is his year
Cos he is not tested so far, his matches have not been hill hill or 11-9 type and his opponents not very tough except for Efren. But if I am not mistaken Orcullo has Efren's number for last few years
By and large in any pool or sports tourneys the guy who is champ without playing tough matches or opponents is exception rather than the rule:)
 
Bassmaster said:
I watched Nick the Greek and Robb Saez race to 30 9 ball...ended at 4am. First 2 legs tied at 20all ....then Robb hit a late night gear that put Nick the Greek to sleep!! Beat him 30 to 22 if If I recall correctly....man Robb was rolling!

Also Mike Davis vs Lil mike one pocket. Mike spotting him ball or 2 ? Was wearing him out. Not sure the final score or race but Davis won easily.
Click to expand...

Hey, man, thanks for the action report. Interesting that Nick the Greek is in action, being that he's still on the winner's side of the chart. I guess being in combat can be a good thing, as far as hitting balls, but rest, good sleep, and eating well are also important when you're competing in a tournament of this caliber. ;)

Nice to see Mike Davis back in pool. I do hope he considers all options for his life's journey, however. He really is a good person, and the pool lifestyle, especially in American, is brutal.
 
Thanks for the post for updates for US Open. Last night I could get into the live stream to watch because they were down.
 
my dark horses: Waleed Majed, Geronimo and Li He-Wen. i think Li deserves a major title. i love his game and his consistency.
 
And we can't forget dechaine...he has faced only tough opponents thus far (iirc) and has sent them all to the west side.
 
Can it be?

I get this weird feeling that Mike Dechaine is getting ready to shock the world...

#OBStrong
 
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