One Pocket Tournament In Las Vegas

[jrhendy]

The one pocket tournament at the Plaza in Las Vegas starts today & I heard Ed Kelley is playing. I believe it is his 1st tournament in years. He won the last one he played in at Reno after a long layoff so who knows. Some of the big boys are there & Cliff Joiner & Scott Frost are probably the guys to beat. Hope we have someone there to keep us updated. If not, Ronnie Allen is there with my friend Howard & I'll try to keep up with it & post it here through them.

[yobagua]

Mark Griffin has done a fine job of bringing back the US Open and promises to make it even better. He and Greg Sullivan have done a fine job. Where else can you see the likes of Shannon Dalton, Cliff Joyner, Scott Frost playing side by side in the best game their is in pocket billiards.
Midnight Wed Ed Kelly showed why he was once considered to be the best all around player. After losing to a great unsung NY player Flaco Rodriquez, who this morning is undefeated after beating top player Ike Runnels. Eddie Eddie came storming back running 8 and out a couple of times and putting the best moves you could see to a young man who kept saying "who is this guy?". Mr Kelly is a fine and respectful gentleman who has the sweetest stroke. Its no wonder his nickname is Champagne.
Ronnie Allen was also in fine form as he was undefeated as of Thursday morning beating Arizona shortstop Terry Osborne. The usually loud and boisterous RA kept himself down to a low chuckle as he focused on winning his match. He has won 3 so far. Johnny Ervolino not to be outdone by the old timers tried hard to keep his head up but ran into Shannon the Cannon who put Johnny in the lost side.
As for the young guns. Cliff, Scott, and Shannon are playing out of this world pool. Banking from every angle, running balls, and lock up safety play. These 3 are looking to be in the winners circle.
Also some top shortstops are there as well Marco Marquez, Ike Runnels and Richard Grenier are trying to cut these champions short. And Harry Platis brings the bank to the table.
Its a shame that some of the California guys are in abscence. Guys like Billy Palmer, Tony CHohan, Amar Kang, Rafael Martinez, Ernesto Dominguez, and Morro Paez to name a few would have given this wonderful tournament a spice to it.
All thanks to Mark Griffin and his crew. Oh did I mention it was a free event. No charge for tickets to events.

[gulfportdoc]

Mark Griffin has done a fine job of bringing back the US Open and promises to make it even better. He and Greg Sullivan have done a fine job. Where else can you see the likes of Shannon Dalton, Cliff Joyner, Scott Frost playing side by side in the best game their is in pocket billiards.
Midnight Wed Ed Kelly showed why he was once considered to be the best all around player. After losing to a great unsung NY player Flaco Rodriquez, who this morning is undefeated after beating top player Ike Runnels. Eddie Eddie came storming back running 8 and out a couple of times and putting the best moves you could see to a young man who kept saying "who is this guy?". Mr Kelly is a fine and respectful gentleman who has the sweetest stroke. Its no wonder his nickname is Champagne.
Ronnie Allen was also in fine form as he was undefeated as of Thursday morning beating Arizona shortstop Terry Osborne. The usually loud and boisterous RA kept himself down to a low chuckle as he focused on winning his match. He has won 3 so far. Johnny Ervolino not to be outdone by the old timers tried hard to keep his head up but ran into Shannon the Cannon who put Johnny in the lost side.
As for the young guns. Cliff, Scott, and Shannon are playing out of this world pool. Banking from every angle, running balls, and lock up safety play. These 3 are looking to be in the winners circle.
Also some top shortstops are there as well Marco Marquez, Ike Runnels and Richard Grenier are trying to cut these champions short. And Harry Platis brings the bank to the table.
Its a shame that some of the California guys are in abscence. Guys like Billy Palmer, Tony CHohan, Amar Kang, Rafael Martinez, Ernesto Dominguez, and Morro Paez to name a few would have given this wonderful tournament a spice to it.
All thanks to Mark Griffin and his crew. Oh did I mention it was a free event. No charge for tickets to events.

Great post, Yobagua. I suspect Eddie Kelly and Ronnie Allen are doing well because neither of them wants to be shown up by the other. They've clashed many times on the green baize (and off) for over 40 years. I'm delighted to hear that "Champagne" Eddie is back playing!!

In regards the West Coast players: With the exception of Tony Chohan, very few of them care to venture out of their provincial comfort zones; most especially the Bay area players. They'll travel to Reno (a short drive), but that's about it. Billy Palmer is arguably the best West Coast one-pocket player, but he rarely plays anyone of note. There is very little gamble on the West Coast. A $100/rack one-hole makes the front page of the sports secton. ;) I asked Joyner a few months ago how he would play Palmer. Without hesitation he said, "I'd give him 10-7". That's pretty strong. My hunch is that Palmer would not rank in the top 25 1-P players in the U.S.

Keep fillin' us in on the proceedings!!

Thanks,

Doc

[yobagua]

Doc, Im going to respectfully disagree with you. Ive seen Billy play a lot as I travel throughout the West coast. Dont forget he was the only man to put Efren on the one loss side in last years Derby. Ive seen him also beat Scott Frost, Jose Parica, and Santos Sambojon. Although this was tournament play and not big money propositions. Billy does have a young son that he is trying to raise and thats what keeps him near home digs. Though I am not a big fan of Billy as a person I think he is a top player and I think Cliff might be on the losing end of that spot. Thats if everything was on the up and up.

[gulfportdoc]

Doc, Im going to respectfully disagree with you. Ive seen Billy play a lot as I travel throughout the West coast. Dont forget he was the only man to put Efren on the one loss side in last years Derby. Ive seen him also beat Scott Frost, Jose Parica, and Santos Sambojon. Although this was tournament play and not big money propositions. Billy does have a young son that he is trying to raise and thats what keeps him near home digs. Though I am not a big fan of Billy as a person I think he is a top player and I think Cliff might be on the losing end of that spot. Thats if everything was on the up and up.

If he's beaten Reyes, Frost, Parica, and Sambajon in one-pocket, then he may be a much stronger player than I thought!! Would love to see him and Joyner match up...

Doc

[yobagua]

I would like to apologize to anyone offended by the term I used SHORTSTOP. It is not a reflection on you but of my ignorance. I am sorry.

[NH Steve]

Doc, Im going to respectfully disagree with you. Ive seen Billy play a lot as I travel throughout the West coast. Dont forget he was the only man to put Efren on the one loss side in last years Derby. Ive seen him also beat Scott Frost, Jose Parica, and Santos Sambojon. Although this was tournament play and not big money propositions. Billy does have a young son that he is trying to raise and thats what keeps him near home digs. Though I am not a big fan of Billy as a person I think he is a top player and I think Cliff might be on the losing end of that spot. Thats if everything was on the up and up.I posted this a while back (after watching Billy Palmer at the Hard Times Summer Jamboree One Pocket in May):

With all those rumors about the wide open aggressive California style One Pocket, isn’t it interesting that the guy that wins, plays the most conservative style…

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747085/BillyPalmerwebsized.jpg
Billy Palmer lining up a shot

Actually, I see a contrast of styles in Billy Palmer’s game: he’s very conservative, patient, and favors simple safeties during the back and forth sparring while he waits for an opportunity to shoot; but then when he gets a shot he becomes a different player – and very aggressive (and successful!) at running the balls.

Anyone who is a strong 9-ball player, seeking to improve their One Pocket game, would do well to study Billy’s approach to the game. He seems to play the old fashioned lock down patient safety style – laying off the more complicated and splashy power shots that open up balls, but that might leave a bank – in favor of waiting for his opponent to make a mistake. Of course, you guys see him a lot more than I do, I could be wrong, but this is what I saw during the tourney, IMO.

[vagabond]

Jump cues were not allowed in this tournament.Tounament brackets are weird and I did not see any reason for not using the traditional,easy to read and widely accepted ,format for the brackets.Cheers
vagabond

[Poolfan]

The BCA League tournament in Las Vegas was fun to attend. A few changes need to be addressed to vastly improve this tournament.

The biggest problem I saw was that there were no "beads" or game scores on the tables. If you left and returned, you had to ask someone what the game scores were. You couldn't tell who was leading and what game they were in.

As mentioned previously, the double elimination board was sectional so it was difficult to determine who and where the players played. In addition, the one pocket tournament lasted 4 days. Many of the players felt that this could have been done in 3 days.

Ronnie Allen requested his entry fee returned for the bank pool tournament as the one pocket tournament lasted too long. Mark Griffin said that there would be no refunds. The major problem with this is that many players will not pay up front in the future but will enter the tournament at the start date. Then it will be difficult to determine how many players will actually play the tournament. This may hurt the organizers in the future as they might cancel the tournaments due to lack of players.

I enjoyed the Las Vegas venue and seeing almost all the best players in the country compete. I hope this tournament was successful as I would like to attend the next one.

[senor]

I asked Joyner a few months ago how he would play Palmer. Without hesitation he said, "I'd give him 10-7". That's pretty strong.

From what I have learned, if Cliff is talking about pool, or about how he matches up, he is usually lobbying for the next stakehorse. Billy most likely asked for 10-7, which Cliff probably could not win consistently, and Cliff is looking for a backer.

That being said, there is no American player that can beat Cliff consistently in an even session of one pocket.

[jrhendy]

I posted this a while back (after watching Billy Palmer at the Hard Times Summer Jamboree One Pocket in May): As a No. Calif. player for several years, I have played Billy many times in one pocket & 9-ball tournaments. He has always been a good player, but in my opinion his improved success in one pocket is in his shot selection. A few years ago he was way too carefull and lost games & matches (sometimes to yours truly) he could have won. Now the agressive style & shot selection that he uses suits his game better and he can compete with anyone on the planet. Shot selection is the most important thing in one pocket and it changes for the skill level and ability in each player. Billy can move with the best of them, but when the situation calls for it and he has to bring it, he can.

[bjspivey]

Mark Griffin has done a fine job of bringing back the US Open and promises to make it even better. He and Greg Sullivan have done a fine job. Where else can you see the likes of Shannon Dalton, Cliff Joyner, Scott Frost playing side by side in the best game their is in pocket billiards.
Midnight Wed Ed Kelly showed why he was once considered to be the best all around player. After losing to a great unsung NY player Flaco Rodriquez, who this morning is undefeated after beating top player Ike Runnels. Eddie Eddie came storming back running 8 and out a couple of times and putting the best moves you could see to a young man who kept saying "who is this guy?". Mr Kelly is a fine and respectful gentleman who has the sweetest stroke. Its no wonder his nickname is Champagne.
Ronnie Allen was also in fine form as he was undefeated as of Thursday morning beating Arizona shortstop Terry Osborne. The usually loud and boisterous RA kept himself down to a low chuckle as he focused on winning his match. He has won 3 so far. Johnny Ervolino not to be outdone by the old timers tried hard to keep his head up but ran into Shannon the Cannon who put Johnny in the lost side.
As for the young guns. Cliff, Scott, and Shannon are playing out of this world pool. Banking from every angle, running balls, and lock up safety play. These 3 are looking to be in the winners circle.
Also some top shortstops are there as well Marco Marquez, Ike Runnels and Richard Grenier are trying to cut these champions short. And Harry Platis brings the bank to the table.
Its a shame that some of the California guys are in abscence. Guys like Billy Palmer, Tony CHohan, Amar Kang, Rafael Martinez, Ernesto Dominguez, and Morro Paez to name a few would have given this wonderful tournament a spice to it.
All thanks to Mark Griffin and his crew. Oh did I mention it was a free event. No charge for tickets to events.
How did Ronnie Allen Do in the meet?? B.J.the bandit??????

[bjspivey]

Who did Ronnie play?? how did he do??? did H Platis get him a game?? did he win?? Would like to know!! I was pullin for my old friend. B.J.the bandit :confused:

[yobagua]

Ronnie did great. He played some nice games of one pocket and even gave some hints to a player he beat on what he should do to improve his game. He did play a great game against Arizona Cueist Terry Osborne. (Who I referred to as a "shortstop" to which I regret, due to my ignorance.)

Love or Hate Ronnie he still puts on a good show and makes some great shots. Watching him closely you can see why he was considered at one time to be the worlds best.

[bjspivey]

thanks for the reply,but coujd you please tell me if he won? Did he match up? Did he win any $$? Did Harry get him a game? OK!! B.J. :eek:

[Scrzbill]

[QUOTE=gulfportdoc;1900]Great post, Yobagua. I suspect Eddie Kelly and Ronnie Allen are doing well because neither of them wants to be shown up by the other. They've clashed many times on the green baize (and off) for over 40 years. I'm delighted to hear that "Champagne" Eddie is back playing!!

In regards the West Coast players: With the exception of Tony Chohan, very few of them care to venture out of their provincial comfort zones; most especially the Bay area players. They'll travel to Reno (a short drive), but that's about it. Billy Palmer is arguably the best West Coast one-pocket player, but he rarely plays anyone of note. There is very little gamble on the West Coast. A $100/rack one-hole makes the front page of the sports secton. ;) I asked Joyner a few months ago how he would play Palmer. Without hesitation he said, "I'd give him 10-7". That's pretty strong. My hunch is that Palmer would not rank in the top 25 1-P players in the U.




Keep fillin' us in on the proceedings!!

Doc, I'm going to disagree with you about the best coast one pocket players
There is lots of action two hundred a game, hunert a game, sets for two K.
The reason Billy doesn't travel is because he has a JOB. Like everyone
says, there is no room for a job if you want to play pool. Tony
of course is still in his training program, Rafeal I think is putting a
New engine in his car. As far as no one leaving the best coast
Rich, Scott, JR Hendy are there. We don,t see any PHD's in
One pocket at the West Coast one pocket challenge. Anyway, who
Cares really. If you get a chance to be there great, if not there
Will be anOther tournament. Let me know when the ten eight
Game goes off

[suki]

These posts are from 2004. Or am I missing something.