What was the BEST Pool Tournament you every played in?

[CocoboloCowboy]

Where was the Tournament?

Where was the Tournament held?

What was the Tournament?

8 Ball, 9 Ball, One pocket, 10 Ball, 14/1 or ?

What was it that you like so well about the Tournament?

 

[Myk]

OK, it's not much, but I will probably remember it for the rest of my life.

It was somewhere between 1998 and 2001, and it was a Viking tour 9 ball event. It was the first Viking event I ever went to, and it happened somewhere in a pool hall in a mall in Monroeville PA.

I had been to a few BCA All American Tour stops by this time, and had had some mixed results, and I wanted to try out the "big" tour.

I was in pretty good stroke in warm ups, and feeling pretty confident in my chances, when they announced my first match. My opponent was Shawn Putnam.

I think Shawn had won the last 2 Viking events prior to this one, so I was a little intimidated.

I won the lag, and I broke and ran the first rack, which amazed me. I broke the second rack and made the 1 and 2, and played safe on the three.

Shawn came to the table for the first time in the match and kicked length of the table and safed me.

Ball in hand Putnam.

He proceeded to lock me up again on the 3.

You're on 2, Mike.

Safety #3 was as good as the first 2. Game over.

I always kinda took it for a lesson that maybe I wasn't supposed to run out on the champ first rack of the tourney.

I went on to lose the match like 9 -5, but I got the pleasure of watching Shawn Putnam at a time when he was just shooting the lights out, and it was something to see.

My next match, I beat my opponent 9 - 3, and the final rack, I beat him on 3 fouls.

I wound up finishing 13th - 16th.

I spent a good bit of time watching Tom Rossman between my matches, and he was incredible.

That's my favorite tournament story and memory.

 

[ironman]

Where was the Tournament?

Where was the Tournament held?

What was the Tournament?

8 Ball, 9 Ball, One pocket, 10 Ball, 14/1 or ?

What was it that you like so well about the Tournament?

I still think the greatest extavaganza I ever saw and the greatest idea was The world Series of Tavern Pool at Ceasars backin like 81-82, somewhere around there. It was just great!!

 

[plague]

IPT was the nuts. long hrs,big bucks

 

[macguy]

Where was the Tournament?

Where was the Tournament held?

What was the Tournament?

8 Ball, 9 Ball, One pocket, 10 Ball, 14/1 or ?

What was it that you like so well about the Tournament?

Dayton Ohio around early 70's. It was at Joe Burns place. It was the Woodstock of pool tournaments. Freddy the Beard could give the details he was there. Everybody who was anybody were there. It wasn't a tournament, it was a "pool happening". It lasted weeks.

 

[JAM]

IPT was the nuts. long hrs,big bucks

I didn't play in the IPT, but I went to all of them, except Reno.

Speaking as a railbird, I cannot say enough good things about my IPT experience. The players had a green room with a buffet of healthy food and beverages, Fiji water, a masseuse, lounge area, shower facilities. It was first class all the way.

Here's a picture of the Starship Stage. :smile:

 

[JAM]

Here's one more IPT pic from Vegas. Check out Bobby Hunter looking at Ewa's -- ahem -- form.

That Bobby Hunter, from what I hear, has always been a sort of "eye candy" for the ladies.

This tournament was like a Who's Who in pool. See how many players you can name in this picture alone. It's amazing!

 

[JAM]

What's an international pool tournament without Efren? Check him out practicing.

Look at all the suits. Do they really look like hot dogs with whipped cream wearing their Sunday best? :thumbup:

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Great Photo's JAM!!!!

 

[corvette1340]

The best tournament I ever played in was the first one I put on at my pool room. I had $2000 in added money. Stevie Moore won it, Brian Butler came in 2nd, Cliff Joyner came in 3rd, and Bruce Berrong came in 4th. Several AZ'ers were there like Steve Lomax who frequented our place. The late Red Willis ran the tourney and did a great job of running the tourney and entertaining as only Red could. I bought Stevie in the calcutta so it offset a little of the added money. I actually won a match as well, and that was 9 years ago.

After the tourney Stevie and Cliff matched up with Cliff giving Stevie 9-5 in one pocket, 4 ahead for $1500. Stevie had no idea how to play one pocket but he fired in some shots and it went back and forth for hours. They finally agreed to play a race to 4 for the cash and Cliff won 4-3.

 

[stick8]

where ???

The best tournament I ever played in was the first one I put on at my pool room. I had $2000 in added money. Stevie Moore won it, Brian Butler came in 2nd, Cliff Joyner came in 3rd, and Bruce Berrong came in 4th. Several AZ'ers were there like Steve Lomax who frequented our place. The late Red Willis ran the tourney and did a great job of running the tourney and entertaining as only Red could. I bought Stevie in the calcutta so it offset a little of the added money. I actually won a match as well, and that was 9 years ago.

After the tourney Stevie and Cliff matched up with Cliff giving Stevie 9-5 in one pocket, 4 ahead for $1500. Stevie had no idea how to play one pocket but he fired in some shots and it went back and forth for hours. They finally agreed to play a race to 4 for the cash and Cliff won 4-3.

great read, but did i sleep through somthing?? where was your room??

 

[corvette1340]

great read, but did i sleep through somthing?? where was your room??

The one Andy and I had. Hey I need to talk to you about Worm also. PM sent.

 

[tom mcgonagle]

The Eastern States Nine-ball championships in New London Ct. will always have a special place in my heart.

It started on Friday night and ran through Sunday.

The field was limited to thirty-two players. One side of the room, featured the four tournament tables and a large spectator area. Sy and Dolly always ran a first class operation. The field was always a who's, who of players up and down the east coast. Jim Rempe, Alan Hopkins, The Miz, Ray Martin, Jack Colavita, Pete Margo, Mike Zuglan, who won it back to back years, David Howard, showed up one year, and came in second.

I was a virtual unknown player in 1982. I finished in third place and won possibly the best match I ever played, as far as drama goes. Ray Martin and I went to the hill, after he led 8-3. The last rack we both kicked and safed each other four consecutive times on the two-ball. I know i played mine and I'm quite sure Ray played his. I finally got a shot, and ran out to win the match.

Just to prove it wasn't a fluke, I finished 4th the following year. Ray got his revenge. He beat me on the hill this time.

Great memories.

Turning Stone has replaced New London, as my favorite venue.

 

[JAM]

The Eastern States Nine-ball championships in New London Ct. will always have a special place in my heart.

It started on Friday night and ran through Sunday.

The field was limited to thirty-two players. One side of the room, featured the four tournament tables and a large spectator area. Sy and Dolly always ran a first class operation. The field was always a who's, who of players up and down the east coast. Jim Rempe, Alan Hopkins, The Miz, Ray Martin, Jack Colavita, Pete Margo, Mike Zuglan, who won it back to back years, David Howard, showed up one year, and came in second.

I was a virtual unknown player in 1982. I finished in third place and won possibly the best match I ever played, as far as drama goes. Ray Martin and I went to the hill, after he led 8-3. The last rack we both kicked and safed each other four consecutive times on the two-ball. I know i played mine and I'm quite sure Ray played his. I finally got a shot, and ran out to win the match.

Just to prove it wasn't a fluke, I finished 4th the following year. Ray got his revenge. He beat me on the hill this time.

Great memories.

Turning Stone has replaced New London, as my favorite venue.

What a cool read. Thanks for sharing.

Turning Stone seems to be the place to be these days. Hope I make it back there someday soon! :smile:

Railbirds get in for free! :thumbup:

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Speaking of the IPT, anyone notice this guy is back do INFOMERCIAL for anther get rick quick book, I saw him the other a.m., and almost puked,

 

[swrooster]

The BCA in Vegas was always great at the Riveria, especially with the 9-ball championships running concurrently. Lots of major players and extra action. The last Swannee at Hollywood Billiards was great for me because of the location (Hollywood Billiards is the nicest room I've ever been in) the TD, Jay did a wonderful job and the powerful field of top notch players. The Texas Open has been pretty sporty. I look forward to attending a major tourney on the east coast or the Derby.

 

[Andrew Manning]

I've only ever played in very small tournaments, but lately I've been playing in one that Matt Clatterbuck, Ryan McCreesh, and Brandon Shuff all frequent. It's a new experience for me to be up against players of that caliber (and the last 2 times I played in it I did last long enough to lose to these guys in the money), and even though I haven't gotten close to winning a match against one of these players, it's hard to wipe the smile off my face when I'm in a safety battle with a player whose name people know.

-Andrew

 

[JAM]

I've only ever played in very small tournaments, but lately I've been playing in one that Matt Clatterbuck, Ryan McCreesh, and Brandon Shuff all frequent. It's a new experience for me to be up against players of that caliber (and the last 2 times I played in it I did last long enough to lose to these guys in the money), and even though I haven't gotten close to winning a match against one of these players, it's hard to wipe the smile off my face when I'm in a safety battle with a player whose name people know.

-Andrew

I miss my buddies at that tournament. That's a fun pool room.

That Brandon has really risen in the pool ranks. Wow, Virginia State Champ, won numerous tournaments, one in Vegas, he's the real deal. Just don't play him on Table No. 1 at First Break.

 

[JAM]

I've only ever played in very small tournaments, but lately I've been playing in one that Matt Clatterbuck, Ryan McCreesh, and Brandon Shuff all frequent. It's a new experience for me to be up against players of that caliber (and the last 2 times I played in it I did last long enough to lose to these guys in the money), and even though I haven't gotten close to winning a match against one of these players, it's hard to wipe the smile off my face when I'm in a safety battle with a player whose name people know.

I have MANY "Genie Man" pictures, but this one may be my favorite. No, actually, there's another one that I like, but it's on my other computer, the time Ryan and Keith played Ginky and this poker/pool player, whose name escapes me, on Queens Boulevard West in NYC. Ginky and his partner won -- two sets.

At any rate, the player on the left and I were getting ready to leave the pool tournament, after he got knocked out, and he thought we were heading straight for Foxwoods Resort Casino. So he couldn't wait to leave.

Right as I snapped the picture, I said, "I don't think we'll have time to stop at Foxwoods this time." The look on his face says it all. Ryan cracked up! :grin:

 

[Andrew Manning]

I miss my buddies at that tournament. That's a fun pool room.

That Brandon has really risen in the pool ranks. Wow, Virginia State Champ, won numerous tournaments, one in Vegas, he's the real deal. Just don't play him on Table No. 1 at First Break.

Nobody plays him on Table 1.

-Andrew