I'll share some of my impressions of Thursday's play.
Ortmann's 150 and out continued his majestic run of brilliance this week. Thorsten Hohmann, Mika Immonen, Tony Robles, Staefan Cohen, Johnny Fulcher, Charlie Williams, and Johnny Archer also took the easy route to the single elimination stage of the event, not having to facepossible elimination in the evening sessions.
That left sixteen others to do batlte for survivial, and the matches delivered.
Dan Barouty had a huge lead on Allen Hopkins but Allen ran a 109 to come all the way back for the victory.
In a seesaw affair, Mike Davis narrowly beat Steve Lipsky. Steve had rallied impressively but was done in on a scratch on a seven ball about 25 balls from the finish line.
Jim Gottier came from behind with very impressive play to outlast Ralph Eckert.
Zaid Thweib took a big early lead on Max Eberle, but Max came all the way back and the match got to 132-130. Thweib took a big chance on a combo and nailed it, running the rack for 146-130, but his next break shot didn't produce a shot. Moments later, Thweib won the safety battle and the match.
Stevie Moore and Chamberlain had a fine match, and when Chamberlain made an error at about 100-89, Stevie ran 61 and out for the win.
Bob Madenjian and Shawn Wilkie had a nailbiter, and the entire match came down to a safety battle with both players in the 140's. Madenjian won the safety battle and then ran the last eight he needed for a 150-141 win.
Corey Deuel, after losing 150-0 to Archer earlier, beat Waldo easily to advance.
Earl Herring easily dispoed of Zion Zvi, 150-44.
So the last sixteen are set. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.
Bedtime for me.