We arrived at the Holiday Inn, the host hotel for the U.S. Open, and the staff greeted us with open arms. Many of the Open players are staying here, but there are quite a few staying at nearby lodging facilities.
BCn was setting up the equipment getting ready for the TV table matches which will be aired live. Ralf Souquet, Danny Diliberto [sp], Carmine Sardo, and Keith McCready had a live chat-fest. I couldn't hear it, but I watched them from afar, and there were lots of laughs and chuckles.
The equipment is Diamond tables with the Simonis Blue Tour cloth and the red-dotted cue-ball. The TV table is a unique Diamond table made out of cocobola [ph] wood, quite beautiful and unique. Format is race to 11, must break from the box, and no soft breaks, meaning 3 balls must pass the side pocket. The Sardo rack will be used with the 9-ball placement on the spot and the 2 ball in the rear.
The venue is beautiful, with elevated seating and padded chairs. There ain't a bad seat in the house. Before the players meeting, there was a complimentary buffet for all in attendance.
There were 48 seeded players and no byes, since it is a full field. The tournament will pay out 98 spots out of 256.
Frankie Hernandez was supposed to play Dennis Hatch, but for some reason Dennis isn't coming and his spot was replaced with Delaware player Kevin West.
Jerry Bento from South Carolina will be matching up with Jose Parica his first round. Don Steele made the trek from Pittsburgh with his lovely wife Paula. His first match, he faces John Schmidt.
AzBilliard's sponsored player Black-Balled was practicing for the big event, and he's looking forward to this tournament and is thrilled to be here.
Danny "Kid Delicious" Basavich is looking GREAT, having slimmed down quite a bit.
Action is already in progress at Q-Masters with Little John playing Ronnie Wiseman EVEN for an undisclosed sum.
There is an international flavor to this year's Open. I saw quite a few players from England. The Canadians are well represented, Luc Salvas, Jeff Kennedy, Jeff White, and MANY others. It was really cool seeing The Russian.
This Open is going to be very special. Everybody is in high spirits, and I predict that every seat in the house will be filled. I can't wait until tomorrow when the festivities begin. Keith's first match is at 7:00 p.m.
Joe Blackburn is providing cue maintenance and repair, and he had a long line of customers. Reed Pierce and Jimmy Wetch were getting their sticks spruced up for combat.
That's about it for now.
JAM
BCn was setting up the equipment getting ready for the TV table matches which will be aired live. Ralf Souquet, Danny Diliberto [sp], Carmine Sardo, and Keith McCready had a live chat-fest. I couldn't hear it, but I watched them from afar, and there were lots of laughs and chuckles.
The equipment is Diamond tables with the Simonis Blue Tour cloth and the red-dotted cue-ball. The TV table is a unique Diamond table made out of cocobola [ph] wood, quite beautiful and unique. Format is race to 11, must break from the box, and no soft breaks, meaning 3 balls must pass the side pocket. The Sardo rack will be used with the 9-ball placement on the spot and the 2 ball in the rear.
The venue is beautiful, with elevated seating and padded chairs. There ain't a bad seat in the house. Before the players meeting, there was a complimentary buffet for all in attendance.
There were 48 seeded players and no byes, since it is a full field. The tournament will pay out 98 spots out of 256.
Frankie Hernandez was supposed to play Dennis Hatch, but for some reason Dennis isn't coming and his spot was replaced with Delaware player Kevin West.
Jerry Bento from South Carolina will be matching up with Jose Parica his first round. Don Steele made the trek from Pittsburgh with his lovely wife Paula. His first match, he faces John Schmidt.
AzBilliard's sponsored player Black-Balled was practicing for the big event, and he's looking forward to this tournament and is thrilled to be here.
Danny "Kid Delicious" Basavich is looking GREAT, having slimmed down quite a bit.
Action is already in progress at Q-Masters with Little John playing Ronnie Wiseman EVEN for an undisclosed sum.
There is an international flavor to this year's Open. I saw quite a few players from England. The Canadians are well represented, Luc Salvas, Jeff Kennedy, Jeff White, and MANY others. It was really cool seeing The Russian.
This Open is going to be very special. Everybody is in high spirits, and I predict that every seat in the house will be filled. I can't wait until tomorrow when the festivities begin. Keith's first match is at 7:00 p.m.
Joe Blackburn is providing cue maintenance and repair, and he had a long line of customers. Reed Pierce and Jimmy Wetch were getting their sticks spruced up for combat.
That's about it for now.
JAM
