Well, I've been in Vegas since Tuesday evening, and I'm here with my college friend Vinnie who actually brought a laptop. Still, I'm a little pressed for time, andcan only offer bits and pieces of what I've seen so far.
Away from the table, I had the pleasure of meeting John Barton (onepocketchump) and we had a nice chat. John and I have sparred back and forth onthe forum, especially on the subject of jump cues, but we got along famously and I feel I made a new friend,
At the table, I can't say I remember too much from Tuesday, but one match that was a bit painful to watch was Robles vs Manalo, an uneven, poorly played match. Tony was two balls away from going up 8 - 6, but miscued and the tide turned. Tony had a few more good chances but just couldn't get it done, and he lost 11 - 9. For all I'd heard about Manalo, I was sad to see him play at what surely was the bottom of his form. On the other hand, watrching Corr thrash Kajitani 9 - 3 with near perfect play was a real treat.
Wednesday, I saw a lot of pool.
Women's Draw
Ouschan missed just one ball in the entire set against Dos Santos, for a 9 - 0 win. Wendy Jans also cruised impressively in the first match I'd ever seen her play. Wendy pockets very cleanly and plays stun-oriented position (meaning she uses a lot of cetner ball to get around the table) very much in the style of Allison Fisher, and plays very aggressively. Wendy has a bright future. Ewa is certainly the story of the event so far, as she added Chen to a victims list that already included Barretta. Sarah Rousey is on a nice roll, too, and has been wearing very nice clothes to her matches, and looks great. Lee's performance against Nelson was way off form, making Tiffany's work relatively easy. Nelson's safety play was outstanidng and appeared to furstrate Jeanette. In a match that lasted until 1:30 AM, Barretta made a spirited comeback against Janet Atwell. A few early mistakes cost Jennifer, and Atwell really played nicely for a 5 - 1 lead. Jennifer dug down deep, though, and had to come with a very tough seven ball to pull within 6 - 5 and rose to the occasion. Barretta then played at her highest level to close it out, eliminating Janet by 9 - 7. Fisher and Corr both appear to be in their top form, and seem sure to play for the hotseat Thursday evening. There a slight dispute in the Fisher vs Villareal match, and it would appear that referee Tipton misinterpreted a rule to Vivian's detriment and displeasure, which is unfortunate. Still, Fisher clearly outplayed Vivian in that one.
Men's Draw
A nice match early in the day was Baraks vs Morris, my first ever look at Baraks. I was quite impressed. Takahashi was absolutely phenomenal in his win ver Sambajon. The shot that really cost Morris in that one was at 4 - 3 behind, he had no choice but to run into a ball playing shape from the four to the five. Rodney misjudged the carom angle, and lost the cue ball right into the corner pocket. This was the defining moment of the match. A super match was Daulton vs Hemmah. Hemmah had been under my radar until I saw him beat Archer at the World summit in September, but this time I knew I was watching a fine player. Daulton, who appears to have lost about 40 pounds since I last saw him, played well to earn an early lead, but Hemmah played really well to comeback and ultimately sneaked by with a double hill win. Stve Lipsky delighted the New York faithful with a great win over Max Eberle, but had a hard time of it against Immonen, inclduong two missed nine ball in the early stages. Steve has a great tournament! Dave Matlock played well to beat Earl, but lost a nail biter to Robles that was close all the way, 11- 10. Archer and Hohmann are playing the best pool, and my sense of it is that Hohmann's the one to beatthis week.
These Connely's are playing a little on the tight sight by my standards, and a lot of balls are jawing out.
Wish I had more time to share, but if I don't run along immediately to breakfast, I'll be late for the 11 AM round, and there will be none of that.
Away from the table, I had the pleasure of meeting John Barton (onepocketchump) and we had a nice chat. John and I have sparred back and forth onthe forum, especially on the subject of jump cues, but we got along famously and I feel I made a new friend,
At the table, I can't say I remember too much from Tuesday, but one match that was a bit painful to watch was Robles vs Manalo, an uneven, poorly played match. Tony was two balls away from going up 8 - 6, but miscued and the tide turned. Tony had a few more good chances but just couldn't get it done, and he lost 11 - 9. For all I'd heard about Manalo, I was sad to see him play at what surely was the bottom of his form. On the other hand, watrching Corr thrash Kajitani 9 - 3 with near perfect play was a real treat.
Wednesday, I saw a lot of pool.
Women's Draw
Ouschan missed just one ball in the entire set against Dos Santos, for a 9 - 0 win. Wendy Jans also cruised impressively in the first match I'd ever seen her play. Wendy pockets very cleanly and plays stun-oriented position (meaning she uses a lot of cetner ball to get around the table) very much in the style of Allison Fisher, and plays very aggressively. Wendy has a bright future. Ewa is certainly the story of the event so far, as she added Chen to a victims list that already included Barretta. Sarah Rousey is on a nice roll, too, and has been wearing very nice clothes to her matches, and looks great. Lee's performance against Nelson was way off form, making Tiffany's work relatively easy. Nelson's safety play was outstanidng and appeared to furstrate Jeanette. In a match that lasted until 1:30 AM, Barretta made a spirited comeback against Janet Atwell. A few early mistakes cost Jennifer, and Atwell really played nicely for a 5 - 1 lead. Jennifer dug down deep, though, and had to come with a very tough seven ball to pull within 6 - 5 and rose to the occasion. Barretta then played at her highest level to close it out, eliminating Janet by 9 - 7. Fisher and Corr both appear to be in their top form, and seem sure to play for the hotseat Thursday evening. There a slight dispute in the Fisher vs Villareal match, and it would appear that referee Tipton misinterpreted a rule to Vivian's detriment and displeasure, which is unfortunate. Still, Fisher clearly outplayed Vivian in that one.
Men's Draw
A nice match early in the day was Baraks vs Morris, my first ever look at Baraks. I was quite impressed. Takahashi was absolutely phenomenal in his win ver Sambajon. The shot that really cost Morris in that one was at 4 - 3 behind, he had no choice but to run into a ball playing shape from the four to the five. Rodney misjudged the carom angle, and lost the cue ball right into the corner pocket. This was the defining moment of the match. A super match was Daulton vs Hemmah. Hemmah had been under my radar until I saw him beat Archer at the World summit in September, but this time I knew I was watching a fine player. Daulton, who appears to have lost about 40 pounds since I last saw him, played well to earn an early lead, but Hemmah played really well to comeback and ultimately sneaked by with a double hill win. Stve Lipsky delighted the New York faithful with a great win over Max Eberle, but had a hard time of it against Immonen, inclduong two missed nine ball in the early stages. Steve has a great tournament! Dave Matlock played well to beat Earl, but lost a nail biter to Robles that was close all the way, 11- 10. Archer and Hohmann are playing the best pool, and my sense of it is that Hohmann's the one to beatthis week.
These Connely's are playing a little on the tight sight by my standards, and a lot of balls are jawing out.
Wish I had more time to share, but if I don't run along immediately to breakfast, I'll be late for the 11 AM round, and there will be none of that.
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I hope that between you, Jimmy, and Kay we can get realitive quick updates of winners of the various matches...especially those of then AZ ladies.
Is she still doing that.... i told her to play more safe! 
