Cornerman
Verified Member
Again, to the forum fans and billiards, it has been this committee’s honor and pleasure to name the annual Louie Roberts Action and Entertainment Award for the past 10+ years.
Initially what was started as a way to reward the excitement that action players brought to the green room, it quickly became one of the more sought after titles. For the first several years up until just two years ago, the winners of the award would have their photos hung high in the tournament hall, even higher than the tournament winners. The previous year's recipient would have his likeness next to the previous year's 1P, Banks, and 9-ball Champion.
However, as of last year, the award is no longer affiliated with Derby City Classic due to its going against the host casino sites bylaws as well as the Gaming Commissions rules.
As such, this year’s award and announcement is bittersweet, as this will be the final year that the award will be presented. We’ve had a good run, and all things must end. The spirit of the award was to highlight the action and its entertainment value in our world of pool. The winner’s image was showcased in the tournament room as equal if not higher (literally) than the other tournament champions. Of late, those winners are longer showcased at all. Unfortunately, it’s that’s same highlighting and glorifying of that gambling action that doesn’t sit well with the host casino site. One-on-one gambling is legal, but the side action that is counted and encouraged as part of the entertainment value is exactly what the Casino and Gambling Commission doesn’t want to see. So the long and short of it: 2016 will be the final year. Without the ability and fun of presenting the gambling side of pool as entertainment, the award has lost its spirit.
Yours in Action,
Freddie Agnir
Committee Head - Louie Roberts Action and Entertainment Award
Initially what was started as a way to reward the excitement that action players brought to the green room, it quickly became one of the more sought after titles. For the first several years up until just two years ago, the winners of the award would have their photos hung high in the tournament hall, even higher than the tournament winners. The previous year's recipient would have his likeness next to the previous year's 1P, Banks, and 9-ball Champion.
However, as of last year, the award is no longer affiliated with Derby City Classic due to its going against the host casino sites bylaws as well as the Gaming Commissions rules.
As such, this year’s award and announcement is bittersweet, as this will be the final year that the award will be presented. We’ve had a good run, and all things must end. The spirit of the award was to highlight the action and its entertainment value in our world of pool. The winner’s image was showcased in the tournament room as equal if not higher (literally) than the other tournament champions. Of late, those winners are longer showcased at all. Unfortunately, it’s that’s same highlighting and glorifying of that gambling action that doesn’t sit well with the host casino site. One-on-one gambling is legal, but the side action that is counted and encouraged as part of the entertainment value is exactly what the Casino and Gambling Commission doesn’t want to see. So the long and short of it: 2016 will be the final year. Without the ability and fun of presenting the gambling side of pool as entertainment, the award has lost its spirit.
Yours in Action,
Freddie Agnir
Committee Head - Louie Roberts Action and Entertainment Award
