Alain Robidoux Wins Inaugural Richler Cup

The Idea Behind the Richler Cup

Literary giant Mordecai Richler left us 13 years ago, however his work has lived on and it continues to impact his readers to this day. Patrick Guigui, President of Snooker Canada, was moved to such an extent by Richler's book On Snooker when he read it two years ago, that it triggered a whirlwind of events that concluded in this weeks inaugural Richler Cup April 24-27, 2014. 

Upon finishing the book, Guigui immediately decided he wanted to host an event in honour of Richler and contacted his family. As Mordecai's son Daniel Richler eloquently described in his piece in the Globe & Mail last week, snooker was not just passion for his father but for the whole family. At the family cottage in Lake Memphremagog, his mother had an addition made to their cottage so that Mordecai could have a proper place for his table. For years this became the scene of the original Richler Cup which included family and friends and anyone who dared to participate.  

Mordecai was not just a banger either; World Champion Cliff Thorburn dubbed him with the nickname "Captain Hook."  He is remembered by many in this way, as he took a great deal of joy in burying his opponents to a rail often leaving lots of green baize between the cue ball and object ball making the hit as difficult as possible.  For Mordecai, Snooker was a way to be competitive, to spend time with friends and family and was an escape for the famed author in his down time between novels. This is the essence of the Richler Cup and it is what motivated Guigui to host a tournament to continue the Richler family tradition.

Patrick Guigui, Alain Robidoux, Daniel Richler

Tournament Results 

Over 100 people cycled through the stands during the final session, which was a race to 6 frames. Alain Robidoux met up with Gilles Boismenu to decide who would become the inaugural champion. Much like Saturday, Robidoux was off to a slow start missing shots early on. However Boismenu was a very game competitor and did not appear intimidated by the formerly ranked 9th player in the world and took the first frame. Boismenu, a grinder, was the more patient of the two and capitalized early to earn himself 2 out of the first 3 frames. Robidoux rallied and finished up 3-2 going into the break .

Gilles Boismenu

The break proved agreeable for Boismenu as he came back strong and easily took the 6th frame, getting Robidoux to concede  with two reds left to tie the match up at 3. This is when Robidoux did what any world class player has the ability to do, and took over the match. His safeties got tighter and his potting crisper as he never really gave Boismenu another chance. He won the following 3 frames to become the first Richler Cup Champion claiming the $5,000 top prize. Boismenu received $2,500 for second and Bob Chaperon and Rodney Cullierier were rewarded with $1,000 each for their troubles. In total the top 16 players were paid. 

Alain Robidoux and Daniel Richler

 What is Next for the Richler Cup

Guigui himself said, "this will definitely be an annual event"  as he admitted  he even exceeded his own lofty expectations for the first year. The support he has gotten from the Richler family as well as the players and fans has motivated the President of Snooker Canada even further. This has him thinking big as he would like to attract players like Ronnie O'Sullivan in the future and increase the already impressive $20,000 added standard he set this year. 

The 2015 Richler Cup will be played in Toronto at a location to be determined at a later date. Guigui plans to take this event all over Canada in the coming years and chose Toronto next as he calls it the other "mecca"  besides Montreal for snooker in Canada. 

On a final note, something worth mentioning is that Guigui is attempting to get Snooker on mainstream television in Canada once again. At this time convincing RDS or TSN to fund a production team to set up for 4 days and film this event or any other cue sport is a tough sale. So Guigui is thinking ahead and has his own production team which filmed this entire 4 day event. They will be editing the video themselves for their website, Snooker Canada , and will attempt to sell the finished product to one of the big networks.  Guigui has not only set a standard for the Richler Cup but also a standard that every other promoter in Canada should be trying to meet for their own events. I for one look forward to what he has in store for us next year in Toronto. 

Robidoux looking on as Boismenu takes his turn.

Semi-Final Day at the Richler Cup

Alain Robidoux

After two days of battling at the 147 Snooker Club, the Richler Cup changed venues to Le Skratch West Island for the remainder of the tournament. In the back corner of this pool hall there is a large room with 3 Shender tables set up to seat 100 plus, a perfect area to watch the ending of a big $20,000 added event such as this one. This large prize fund brought out a lot of players from all over Canada and the United States including Jason Williams, John Morra and multiple U.S Champion Ahmed Aly.

The spectators, whose numbers neared capacity, were treated to two great semi-final matches played simultaneously beside one another. On my left I had the pleasure of watching Alain Robidoux, formerly ranked 9th in the world and who holds multiple Canadian titles, take on Bob Chaperon winner of the 1990 British Open. These two are widely considered the best Snooker players in the country. Both got off to a slow start by their own standards as perhaps a touch of nerves was bothering each player. Robidoux was the first to get a feel for a table after bobbling his first few attempts. After methodically picking away cherries and playing safe he found his opening and closed out the frame with a run of 48.

In the second frame Chaperon looked to have found his form controlling the frame from the start and acquiring a 57-22 lead. However after one misstep, which led to a scratch, Robidoux leaped out of his chair and ran out the remaining cherries and colours for the win and a two frame advantage. In the 3rd frame Robidoux misplayed a safety early on and Chaperon took advantage running 52 and then held on to take the frame.

Gilles Boismenu shooting and Rodney Cuillerier

Going into the break both matches were 3-1. On the table to my right Gilles Boismenu was ahead in his match against Rodney Cuillerier, which admittedly was not getting my full attention as I was enthralled with the battle going on before me in the other semi-final match. However each time I would glance over, Boismenu would have his opponent in an air tight safety or he was stringing points together. In my opinion Boismenu was dominate, while putting on a clinic in Snooker strategy and eventually winning 5-2 to book his ticket to the final.

Bob Chaperon

The other match was slightly more contested as Chaperon won the first frame coming back from the break to trail 3-2. At this point the former British Open champion had found his form and looked poised to tie the match at 3. However Robidoux fought his way back into the frame making it so both players needed the final black to win. Chaperon played a  cross corner on the black which missed and rolled up safe under the side pocket. Robidoux did not take long to line up the off angle cross side, which he buried to take the frame and caused the crowd to erupt with applause. This to me was the shot that sealed the deal for Robidoux as he once again took a two frame lead and needed only one more to win. Chaperon was able to take one more frame but never recaptured his momentum from before and eventually went on to lose 5-3 to Robidoux who was just slightly the better of these two great players on this occasion.

The final will be held tomorrow April 27th once again at Le Skratch West Island at 1 pm, come early to get seating as this event will likely sell out. Alain Robidoux will take on Gilles Boismenu to decide who will become the first ever Richler Cup Champion. Also Russ Anber will once again be in attendance as well as former Montreal Canadiens tough guy Chris Nilan. For those of you that wont be there Guy Simard of Billiard Quebec will be streaming live.

Russ Anber

Results from ABO Grande Finale

Neil Ayotte and Karl Periard Finalist in the Open. 

For the last time this season shooters from the ABO Ottawa/Gatineau Circuit gathered at Terminus Billiards in Gatineau to play the Grand Finale April 12-13. In order to qualify for this event each player had to have participated in at least 4 out of the 8 tournaments held in their respective division. On day one each division played down to the final 8 who were all paid out.

Open Division

Day 1 had no real upsets to speak of. However in day two the top shooters who most favoured to win this event started facing off.  Two Semi-Pro's met up on the A side in the first match of the day, Roger Miller an Jason Hubert. A couple rolls where the difference in this match as I watched a 7 ball drift off the rail on cut shot by Hubert costing him the rack and eventually losing the set 9-7.  A few tables away a short time later another key match up was taking place, as Pro ranked John Leblanc was taking on Semi-Pro Karl Periard. This match up went right down to the wire, the room was filled with anticipation as people gathered to see who wins this hill hill thriller. Periard earned himself the first opportunity at closing out this match. He began his run out without much concern until he left himself a little funny on the 8 ball forcing him to play a delicate touch shot to hold shape. With perhaps a little bit of pressure tightening  up in his back arm Periard over hit the 8 leaving himself with either a tough safety or a full table cross corner. He chose the cross and missed it essentially selling out the set, however Leblanc must have tightening up a bit as well as he uncharacteristically rattled the 9 for the win.

Unfortunately for Leblanc the torture was not yet done for the day as he later met up with AAA Neil Ayotte. This was another match that Leblanc was spotting multiple games on a race to 9. After battling hard to get to the hill Leblanc looked like he had the set won shooting the 6 ball on an open table. He chose to come back two rails for the 7 ball, however the siding he put checked off the second rail and slowly found its way to the 8 ball where it froze leaving him no shot on the 7 and costing him the match. Ayotte who was taking advantage of his opportunities and grinding out the B side all day met up with Roger Miller and ended his stellar tournament in third. Ayotte then met up with Periard who had been sitting a few hours since his last match and was able to edge him out 9-7 to take the trophy and $1000 first place prize.

Winner Neil Ayotte

1.Neil Ayotte $1000

2. Karl Periard $700

3. Roger Miller $500

A/B
In day one myself and Eric Mallet who's home room is also Rack-M-Up Billiards won all of our matches on the A side. Our reward was we got to come back the next day to play each other in the A side final four. It was a nervy match with neither one of us playing well. I survived with less then my best and won 7-4 to move on to the A side final against Marc Plamondon. After the pressure of having to beat a friend to the B side was gone I was free stroking. Starting off the match 5-0 capitalizing on all his mistakes early on. I went on to win this match 7-3.  Mallet went on to win his next match against Leonard Hereault who had a great tournament and finished tied for 5th with Gerry Filion. Christian Dodgier and Eric Mallet battled to a Hill-Hill with Dodgier getting the win after playing a well timed safety earning him the rack.  Dodgier went on to play Plamondon in the B side final taking advantage of his opportunities and wining convincingly. I gave Dodgier 1-7 in the final and we battled to 5-5 with Dodgier taking a break after he evened up the match. I took this opportunity to grab a beverage and collect my thoughts. Dodgier came back scratched off the break leaving me a nice table, I ran out and took back control of the set and won 7-5. Thank you to Mike Meunier President of the ABO and to the host venues Terminus Billiards and Dooly's Ottawa for a great season.


1. Markus Noe $500
2.Christian Dodgier $375
3.Marc Plamondon $225

Markus Noe and Mike Meunier

The Richler Cup: 20,000 Guaranteed Snooker Tournament

Alain Robidoux

We are just a few short weeks away from one of the most anticipated events of the year, the $20,000 guaranteed Richler Cup. This is in honor of world famous author Mordecai Richler. When he wasn't writing novels like Barney's Version or The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, Richler was a snooker fanatic and avid player before his passing in 2001, . This event will take place at Le Skratch West Island April 24-27.

Rotation games like 9/10 ball are the more common games played here in North America. However throughout Europe and many parts of the rest of the world, snooker is the dominate cue sport. Patrick Guigui from Snooker Canada who is putting on this event plans to reignite Canadian interest in Snooker back to the heights when Canadian Cliff Thorburn was the World Champion.

This is an open event that welcomes anyone, there was also qualifiers held all over the country including Vancouver, Quebec and Toronto so the best of the best will be in attendance. Big names like Alain Robidoux and Bob Chaperon along with reigning Canadian 9 ball champion John Morra will be there taking their shot at the large prize pool.

Guigui has added 4 more Shender tables to make 5 total and there will be a seating area which can hold up to 100 people at any given time. Weekend passes are available for ten dollars with proceeds going to local charities. More information on the tournament and sponsors can be found at the Snooker Canada Website. This is just the inaugural event for the Richler Cup which Guigui hopes to make bigger each year. Special guest will include former Montreal Canadiens Chris "Knuckles" Nilan and one of Mordecai's sons will be flying in from England to present the trophy to the winner.

John Morra

Team Ontario Edges out Quebec to take the Winning Stroke Cup.

Every year just before the Grande finale tournament for the ABO out of Ottawa/Gatineau there is a challenge match between Quebec and Ontario. These teams are made based on points earned throughout the season by players in the Open and the A/B division, the higher the finish in each tournament the more points you gain. Once the 8 regular season tournaments are played the top 4 in each division make the team.

Ontario had won the last two Winning Stroke Cup's and Quebec was eager to regain the title and the bragging rights that go with it. The day started off with a challenge match between Ontarian Sylvain Sigouin (AAA) and Quebecois Dany Provencher (Semi-Pro). The challenge match is the most important match of the day, as the wining team earns first break in the rest of the matches that day. Sigouin who was also team captain played nearly flawlessly, impressively wining 9-4 and set the tone.

Next up was the doubles event where an Open player matches up with an A/B to play 4 matches best of 3 games. Quebec dominated the doubles erasing a 5 point deficit winning 28-20 and earning a 3 point lead going into the speed pool challenge. This challenge was played with a full rack of 15, one can hit any striped or colored ball on the table leaving the 8 ball last. Team Ontario got back on track by sweeping the A/B and Open division to earn 10 points and take a 7 point lead into the single event despite impressive times by Daniel Shane 1.52 and  1.31 by Kitty Solomon both of Quebec.

The single event is best of 5 in which players in the A/B and Open pair off to play everyone in their own division once. Team captain for Quebec Dany Provencher came out as a man possessed trying to recover from his opening match loss by dominated his first 2 matches 4-1 and 5-0, Kitty Solomon also added a 5-0 win for team Quebec. Luckily for team Ontario they were making up for their early shortfall in the A/B division wining nearly every match. Gilbert Carrier from Quebec up against Pierre Lamarche from Ontario was the last match of the day and as Lamarche buried the last 9 everyone attention immediately dialed in on the score keeper to see who won. It was clear that this was going to be a nail bitter at the finish and after about 5 mins of calculation Steve Gelinas from the Winning Stroke had his number. The final was 117-114 for team Ontario, the wining team not only receives bragging rights for the year but a medal and 100$. A big thank you goes out to the people at the Winning Stroke who helped put this event on, as well as the hosts Terminus Billiards. Next up for the ABO is the Grande Finale which will be played April 12-13

Rack-M-Up Billiards players Eric Mallet/Markus Noe

Team Ontario Members: Walter Szydlowski, Slyvain Sigouin, Pierre Sauve, Alain Macmillan, Markus Noe, Eric Mallet, Pierre Lamarche, Gerry Fillion.

Team Quebec Members: Dany Provencher, Kitty Solomon, Mike Meunier, Dan Desjardin, Christine Gauthier, Daniel Shane, Gilbert Carriere, Christain Dodier.