week at APA in vegas

K

kaznj

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Had a great week in Vegas at the APA team 8 ball tourny. We only played three matches before getting knocked out. I only played one match and won. The two matches we lost were very close and fun to play. My 3 almost beat a seven. He could not make the 8 ball which was 1/2 a diamond out of the corner on the rail. The qb was about 3/4 of the table away. Tough shot for someone with bad eyes. It was exciting to watch. For the most part I didn't think people were not rated correctly. One team I talked to won six matches and was kicked out of the league for 2 years. They said the were told they were not marking safeties. Five players were moved up during the week.

It was very hectic there. 707 8 ball teams. There was also a women's bracket as well as a masters level. Also many mini tournaments for different levels. Over all the APA did a good job keeping everything going smoothly. The league put on a party at the Riveria's pool at night. Dr. Cue put on a great show. He is very entertaining. The conditions were difficult for him with a very loud band playing nearby. We were outside with limited lighting. The conditions never seem to bother him.

Stayed at Treasure Island. Nice place. Nice rooms. Food was good, but no cheap snacks or meals.
 
We had a great time also. We were down for the 9-ball tourney...Everything was absolutely ran very well...It is an accomplishment if you win this tourney...maybe the hardest of all time. But i bet it is sweet when you do....I hope i get the chance=))
 
kaznj said:
For the most part I didn't think people were not rated correctly. One team I talked to won six matches and was kicked out of the league for 2 years. They said the were told they were not marking safeties. Five players were moved up during the week.
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I wonder if it's the team we lost to? We wound up in 33rd and got crushed by a team from Philly. All I can say is, "HOLY CRAP" they were good. The 6 I played didn't miss a shot the entire set. I ran with him for 3 games but just couldn't keep up. Best 6 I have ever seen :(
 
The masked marvel

Koop said:
I wonder if it's the team we lost to? We wound up in 33rd and got crushed by a team from Philly. All I can say is, "HOLY CRAP" they were good. The 6 I played didn't miss a shot the entire set. I ran with him for 3 games but just couldn't keep up. Best 6 I have ever seen :(
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If it was this guy wearing the mask I don't think he's from Philly but last I heard he was ranked a 6 and had figured out the "Equalizer System." You better ask for a picture ID or passport next time. :D


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There was a lot of good in the tourney and much bad. The volunteer refs were wonderful. Inconsistent at times, but very professional. The observers (all LO's) were just awful. They bumped each of our 3's to 4. Neither one can draw a ball an inch. All the time while we competed against a 2 that ran 6 balls remains a 2! APA management ought to be shot for this tournament. We are amateurs, not pros. No reason to play matches all day with a 4 hour break to the next match (including SLEEP!). Quite ridiculous. Despite some of these downers and what seemed to be "let me be queen *****" attitude from most of the women players (Catherine from Vested in Pool from Livonia, MI an exception), many friendships developed and made the time bearable. What was the funniest was the difference in the smoking area as the tourney progressed. The first day, it was like a cloud in front of the doors. On Friday, hardly a soul.

To Cat, Ervin, Chuck, Bob, Frank, Leonard and the rest of the Vested in Pool team from MI, it was a pleasure meeting you all. You were all very classy and kind. Wish I could say that about many other teams.

Regards,
tim
 
sandbagging at its best

Did any of you play Nothin Personal from Topeka, KS in the 8 open? This team finishes in 5th place at the national tournament but dead last in their summer 2008 session. In the past three years this same team, or at least four members have finished 1st (Bankers and snookers), 9th (Bankers and snookers), and now 5th (Nothin personal). They do this by winning a session and then finishing in the bottom half in the other two sessions a year to keep their skill levels down. Only their 2 7's are correctly handcapped. Thier captain, a 6 should have a skill level of 7; their 5 is really a 6; their 4 should be a 6; and their two 3's should be 4's. Since 2003, teams from Topeka have finished 3rd (2003), 1st (2004), 1st (2006), 9th (2007) and 5th (2008). Are we a hotbed for pool or what?
 
We had a great time in Vegas, My team had some problems with it's players. To many of them were seeing vegas for the first time and it was overwhelming for them. Hopefully next time they will be ready to play. It was disappointing for me because it's what we play for (to get to vegas) then they weren't ready to play at all! I played very well in my 8ball match and in the mini's.
 
mongoose- said:
If it was this guy wearing the mask I don't think he's from Philly but last I heard he was ranked a 6 and had figured out the "Equalizer System." You better ask for a picture ID or passport next time. :D
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Nope, it wasn't Gary although I almost spit my coffee out this morning when I heard he was allowed to play in an APA event. Didn't this guy cash in the IPT?

The team we played was a team out of Philly that got DQ'd the round after us. I played a 6 that never missed a ball the entire set. I ran with him for 4 games but then my AMATEUR status took over and I actually missed a ball ;)

Tim, it was great to meet you and congrats on your 17th place finish. If it weren't for these ringers we would have been right there with you. No regrets though, it was a great time.
 
I don't feel bad as the team that beat us wound up in 3rd place. We were a simple 8 ball away from sudden death with me at the helm. I think a race to one against Catherine would have gone my way, but you never know. THe kid who missed had come up big in an earlier match, so no big deal. You win or lose as a team. If any of you nuts ever get a chance to meet Koop, you really should. There really is only one of him and that's unfortunate. There just isn't any mean in him at all. Really a good solid person. We need more of him in this sport, no doubt.

tim
 
stikapos said:
I don't feel bad as the team that beat us wound up in 3rd place. We were a simple 8 ball away from sudden death with me at the helm. I think a race to one against Catherine would have gone my way, but you never know. THe kid who missed had come up big in an earlier match, so no big deal. You win or lose as a team. If any of you nuts ever get a chance to meet Koop, you really should. There really is only one of him and that's unfortunate. There just isn't any mean in him at all. Really a good solid person. We need more of him in this sport, no doubt.

tim
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I feel the same way Tim. First class all the way and a helluva job in Vegas buddy.

See you at the Qualifiers next month for another crack at this Vegas thing :wink:
 
Koop said:
Nope, it wasn't Gary although I almost spit my coffee out this morning when I heard he was allowed to play in an APA event. Didn't this guy cash in the IPT?

The team we played was a team out of Philly that got DQ'd the round after us. I played a 6 that never missed a ball the entire set. I ran with him for 4 games but then my AMATEUR status took over and I actually missed a ball ;)

Tim, it was great to meet you and congrats on your 17th place finish. If it weren't for these ringers we would have been right there with you. No regrets though, it was a great time.
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LOL Koop @ spitting out the coffee. I don't know about the IPT thats a very good possibility as well but I do know he just won an open at breakers this month with some pretty impressive names. Heres the link.

http://www.azbilliards.com/2000storya.php?storynum=5574

Gary is a good guy. I'v met him on a few occasion back in NH. First time I met him was in the state 8ball in NH back around 2000 or so. Needless to say I was knocked out in 4th when matched up to him. :eek: Can't blame him he's just a player out there trying to make a living.

Was back a few years ago I was out there playing the masters in the APA which I will add we done ok & finished 17th. The detriot boys had Kirkwood, Brandon Ashcraft & Ken Brisbon. Hell of a team... they did get upset in the finals though by a team from NC.

I got out of the APA this year for the reasons posted right in this thread about the handicapping. And I do agree that a lot of teams try to keep their skill levels down. HOWEVER only those teams can't ONLY be to blame. The operators of those leagues know what is going on and do not care as long as their pockets are lined. It looked to me like the groups from Lousiana this year done quite well & you cannot tell me that operator down there has run that on an up & up basis.

It's too bad overall for the real Amateur players who pay that money in on a weekly basis to get taken for a ride. I would love to be able to play a league with my wife & some of my friends that are a low skill and see them progress but personally I will NEVER pay money into the APA again. We are looking to start our own in house league so those players can enjoy pool. Myself i'll go to the nationals in the player member division of the ACS or BCAPL. At least you know your gonna get beat by the cream of the crop in Amateur players and don't have some greedy operator using an "equalizer" handicap system.

Good to see everyone had a good time out there. Winning isn't everything. Good luck to you all next year.
 
mongoose- said:
If it was this guy wearing the mask I don't think he's from Philly but last I heard he was ranked a 6 and had figured out the "Equalizer System." You better ask for a picture ID or passport next time. :D


View attachment 75359
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The guy on the left I'm pretty sure is Marc Ransom. He is a damn strong player who used to own Renaissance Billiards in Quincy, MA. If your masked man there beat him, he must be a serious open player!!

KMRUNOUT
 
KMRUNOUT said:
The guy on the left I'm pretty sure is Marc Ransom. He is a damn strong player who used to own Renaissance Billiards in Quincy, MA. If your masked man there beat him, he must be a serious open player!!

KMRUNOUT
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Ok...if that guy is Gary I rest my case. If he is allowed to play in the APA, that is just crazy. Yes, he came in 4th in an IPT event which included such players as Thomas Engert, Chia Ching Wu, and 50 other world beaters.
 
KMRUNOUT said:
The guy on the left I'm pretty sure is Marc Ransom. He is a damn strong player who used to own Renaissance Billiards in Quincy, MA. If your masked man there beat him, he must be a serious open player!!

KMRUNOUT
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It is Mark and yes, he is a great player. Renaissance used to be my home room and it still saddens me that it closed.
 
mongoose- said:
LOL Koop @ spitting out the coffee. I don't know about the IPT thats a very good possibility as well but I do know he just won an open at breakers this month with some pretty impressive names. Heres the link.

Gary is a good guy. I'v met him on a few occasion back in NH. First time I met him was in the state 8ball in NH back around 2000 or so. Needless to say I was knocked out in 4th when matched up to him. :eek: Can't blame him he's just a player out there trying to make a living.
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He is definitely a nice guy and a REAL strong player. I honestly don't blame him either, at least for trying. Although it's still robbery no matter how you slice it.
 
That be him

KMRUNOUT said:
Ok...if that guy is Gary I rest my case. If he is allowed to play in the APA, that is just crazy. Yes, he came in 4th in an IPT event which included such players as Thomas Engert, Chia Ching Wu, and 50 other world beaters.
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That would be Mr. Abood lol. Looks like he did ok out there as well. I would also be willing to bet that nice looking lady he played the doubles with is quite a SL3 as well.

http://www.poolplayers.com/ntc/2008ntc/8-ball_doubles.html
 
Koop said:
LOFL...my buddy and I were saying the same thing this morning. I'm sure she's more like a solid 5.
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Hate to say it, but....thats the way it is.

Anything that is handicapped will always have these situations. Hell, I saw a bunch of guys floating around the mini tournies i.e. Brian Gregg, Gary Abood, Brian Groce (I think), et al. What are ya gonna do, lol?

BTW, how's "Irene" doing, Koop?


Eric >(Koops new booty call)
 
I played Gary & Stacy in the Doubles Tournament. Stacy is definitely a strong shooter but it was hard to tell as Gary was so good at placing the cue ball that she had very few difficult shots. I really enjoyed meeting them and enjoyed competing against them. We almost had 'em. Glad I didn't realize who he was at the time.... LOL!

I've heard that the APA has already said this was his last tournament and he is no longer considered an amateur. I have mixed feelings....on the one hand it was a great opportunity to play against such a good player, on the other I have a hard time understanding how he could be considered an amateur even before his recent win in Alabama.
 
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