SJM 2014 Derby City Trip Report

[JB Cases]

Did anyone see the straight pool final? Please report if so.

I saw half of it. I came back when the score was 60+ for Orcullu to 3 or so for Stepanov. Orcullo ran a few more racks and then missed and Stepanov didn't complete the rack and Orcullo ran out the game I think. I didn't pay 100% attention because we had a discussion going on about other things.

Orcullo though looked like he was literally strolling through the park running racks effortlessly.

 

[sjm]

Stu's not just on the ball, he's seeing it from all angles.

Have been juggling through results and threads in what spare time I have, and this was a great summary to be able to get a feeling of what went on there.

Perhaps Morra could have been added to the conclusions as a rotation player to watch. I'd guess any Canadian's success can give encouragement to US players, among an event where Filipinos and Europeans did very well again.

Would love to attend the DCC.... seems like Pool heaven!

Nice to hear from you, Colin.

Yes, Morra's development as a player was one of the stories. I believe I did take note that Shane beat him 11-10 in the ten ball and 9-8 in the nine ball. John is playing great, and although I'm no guru on the subject of fundamentals, I feel John's have improved.

Another takeaway from the Derby is the continuing development of Niels Feijen, recently the Mosconi MVP. He seems to have developed reasonable proficiency across the disciplines, as follows:

Niels reached round 8 in the banks event
Niels reached round 6 in the one pocket event
Niels reached round 10 in the nine ball event
Niels was second to Souquet with a high run of about 160 in 14.1
Niels Came second to Shane in the Bigfoot ten-ball event

That means he won 21 matches at the Derby and ran 160. Not too bad. Not counting the "midnight minis," that is probably more match wins than anyone other than Shane or Orcullo. To be fair, the players who live in Europe generally have a tough time becoming proficient across all the disciplines, but Niels is a clear exception to the rule. Niels has gotten better with age and is, without a doubt, a future BCA Hall of Famer.

Yes, Niels and John deserved more praise than I gave them in my original post.

 

[sjm]

Stu it was wonderful to talk to you and get the inside scoop on some of the happenings in the pool world. You are like the CIA with knowledge of everything! And your match descriptions made me feel like I was watching. Thanks for a great report on a great event.

Yes, nice to have you on our side of the Pacific Ocean. It was great seeing you after all these years, John, and I'm glad we got to have a nice chat.

 

[sjm]

How about other aspects, like the accommodations,food,etc. That's what makes a "trip report." No offense meant, but this is a tournament report.

Gotcha. Expedia sent me an email asking for that kind of feedback. Here goes.

I'm a big fan of the Horseshoe. The rooms are very comfortable, although I'd definitely like to have a few more channels on my TV.

The casino, on a boat, which I visited only occasionally (losing a total of $60, all in slots, in case anyone cares), is also very nice.

The food at the Horseshoe, however, has never been to my liking. The buffet, notably no longer called the "Paula Deen Buffet," is pretty awful and the offerings barely change from day to day. The Aroma Café, the coffee shop, wasn't too bad for breakfast but fell short for the other meals. The Legends, a smaller restaurant that is essentially part of a bar and grill setup, was my favorite place to eat, and was pretty decent. The steak house was very nice, but I went there just once. I don't eat Chinese food, but heard from a few that the Chinese Restaurant was quite good. There is quite a nice ice cream shop on the premises, very near the tournament room, that I visited just once.

A limitation of the Horseshoe is that the walk from the hotel rooms to the main ballroom in which the tournament is contested is a long one, perhaps a third of a mile, but, to be honest, if not for that, I'd have gotten no exercise at all during the Derby so maybe it was a good thing.

On the whole, though, the Horseshoe is cozy and comfortable. I always enjoy it and recommend it.

 

[sjm]

Nobody appreciates Derby more than Stu and Fred. I say we put them on 14hr overlapping shifts next year and we'll get the report of a lifetime, thanks guys. I was there and still needed reports from them, lol

LOL. Actually, Joe, I think Freddie and I are already on 14 hour overlapping shifts.

Was great seeing you and wish you continued success with the American Rotation events.

 

[sjm]

Stu doesn't miss too much at DCC. It always seems like he's right there in the Accu-Stats pit sweating all the action. If I don't see him there, I find myself looking at his spot over and over, wondering when he will arrive. And sure enough, here comes Stu, pool's greatest sweater!

He and Freddie together know all about pool and who is playing good and who isn't. Pretty tough twosome to try and handicap against them. I wouldn't dare! :wink:

Jay, you are killing my side betting action! Actually, I haven't bet on the matches at the DCC for years. Last time I did, Joey A barbecued me.

PS To be called "pool's greatest sweater" by you, Jay, is a truly great honor.

 

[Bigtruck]

The familiar faces at this years Derby City were many. Some faces stand out like beacons of light and positive energy. SJM's is one of those. It was great seeing you and the many other great people that our sport is blessed with Stu. I always come away from meeting you feeling a little better about things.

Look forward to seeing you again my friend.

Ray

 

[sjm]

The familiar faces at this years Derby City were many. Some faces stand out like beacons of light and positive energy. SJM's is one of those. It was great seeing you and the many other great people that our sport is blessed with Stu. I always come away from meeting you feeling a little better about things.

Look forward to seeing you again my friend.

Ray

Thanks for the kind words, Ray. Great seeing you, too.

 

[sjm]

Failed to report one thing that happened at Derby City that was important to me.

I was glad to catch up with Billiards Digest's Mike Panozzo, whom I'm pleased to count as a friend.

After offering condolences for the loss of his close friend George Fels, I told Mike that I thought I owed him an apology for so vehemently disputing (right here on AZB) his claim that Barry Hearn had done more for American pool in the last twenty years than anybody else.

Mike suggested that no apology was due him and that it is, indeed, a matter of opinion. Thanks for being so understanding, Mike.

 

[Koop]

Koop, I tend to go up to Snookers a couple of times a year. Been a good few years since I saw you. Perhaps our paths will cross one of these days. Would be nice.

I hope so too. Let me know the next time you're coming up this way.

 

[watchez]

Stu - this may sound weird but I sweated you along with the matches and could see the utter enjoyment on your face while you watched. It was hard for you to get the grin off your face as you watched any of the matches. I kept thinking why doesn't pool have more fans like Stu.

 

[Cornerman]

Stu -

It was hard for you to get the grin off your face as you watched any of the matches. I kept thinking why doesn't pool have more fans like Stu.

You ain't kidding.

 

[sjm]

I hope so too. Let me know the next time you're coming up this way.

Will do, Koop.

 

[Bigtruck]

You ain't kidding.

You have to watch out for that guy next to Stu though. He looks like he could go postal at any moment. :shocked2:

Ray

 

[sjm]

Stu - this may sound weird but I sweated you along with the matches and could see the utter enjoyment on your face while you watched. It was hard for you to get the grin off your face as you watched any of the matches. I kept thinking why doesn't pool have more fans like Stu.

Yup, I was having a blast.

 

[sjm]

You ain't kidding.

Of, my lord Freddie, what a picture! I think you were having just as much fun as me, but were a little less inclined to show it.

 

[dynamite]

Of, my lord Freddie, what a picture! I think you were having just as much fun as me, but were a little less inclined to show it.

stu which was your fav match of the week? and who your fav player besides me

 

[sjm]

stu which was your fav match of the week? and who your fav player besides me

Very tough choice. I was lucky enough to see several of the truly great matches.

The candidates would seem to be:

Banks Final: Orcullo beats Bustamante to win the title
One Pocket Semifinal: Daulton beats Frost to advance to the final
9-ball Round 4: Dechaine beats Van Boening double hill. Shane would win his next eight, of course!
9-ball Round 6: Reyes comes back from 8-4 down to beat Skyler Woodward
10-ball First Round: Souquet catches fire to come from way behind vs Biado

My choice for best match of the Derby would be the banks final, in which both Orcullo and Bustamante played brilliant pool. The match also set the tone for the Master of the Table race and may, on reflection, have been the most important match of the DCC.

Honorable mention goes to Skyler Woodward for his breathtaking performance in the banks ring game. Not sure it qualifies as a match, though.

My favorite player not named Darren this year was Francisco Bustamante. He's about to turn 50, but I swear he's playing the best pool of his life. He's an inspiration.

 

[dynamite]

Very tough choice. I was lucky enough to see several of the truly great matches.

The candidates would seem to be:

Banks Final: Orcullo beats Bustamante to win the title
One Pocket Semifinal: Daulton beats Frost to advance to the final
9-ball Round 4: Dechaine beats Van Boening double hill. Shane would win his next eight, of course!
9-ball Round 6: Reyes comes back from 8-4 down to beat Skyler Woodward
10-ball First Round: Souquet catches fire to come from way behind vs Biado

My choice would be the banks final, in which both Orcullo and Bustamante both played brilliant pool. The match also set the tone for the Master of the Table race andmay, on reflection, have bene the most important match of the DCC.

Honorable mention goes to Skyler Woodward for his breathtaking performance in the banks ring game. Not sure it qualifies as a match, though.

My favorite player this year not named Darren this year was Francisco Bustamante. He's about to turn 50, but I swear he's playing the best pool of his life. He's an inspiration.

agree pal... they were great matches by all accounts...

and probably missed many more great matches..

must be difficult to know where to sit sometimes as a fan and personal friend to many players lol

 

[sjm]

agree pal... they were great matches by all accounts...

and probably missed many more great matches..

must be difficult to know where to sit sometimes as a fan and personal friend to many players lol

Yes, it's hard to know whether these really were the five best matches. Catching everything isn't easy, especially in the early rounds when some of the matches are upstairs, but I count myself lucky to have seen as many matches as possible.

Would love to hear from anyone on the subject of other great matches at the Derby other than the five I indicated.