Deuel Edges Out Morra to Win $20,000 at Smokin Aces

From left to right Corey Deuel, Justin Bergman, Dennis Orcollo, John Morra. Photo courtesy of  Pool Action TV

By: Erik Hjorleifson 

Smokin Aces BBQ and Billiards in Poplar Bluff Missouri, hosted the third edition of their $2000 entry 16 man invitational. The format was Bar Box 9 Ball double knockout race to 21 winner breaks. Notables in action on the weekend included; Corey Deuel, John Morra, Johnny Archer, Warren Kiamco, Shane VanBoening  and Dennis Orcollo. Also past winners Justin Bergman and Skylar Wodward were present as well. 

The first round yielded one major upset with Missouri native Chuck Raulston dispatching Shane VanBoening. VanBoening had recently dropped out of an event in Sweden after complaining about a pinched nerve in his neck. The 3 time reigning U.S Open Champion did go on to win his next three, so it does appear that he has at least partially recovered. Also in the first round Warren Kiamco won over Johnny Archer, who surprisingly went two and out losing his next match to Danny Smith.

In the Second round John Morra had his first of many impressive wins on the weekend defeating Warren Kiamco 21-6. In a field of only 16 Morra quickly found his way into the final four on the winners side with tournament favourites Orcollo, Bergman and Deuel. Morra matched up with Orcollo in what turned out to be a real barn burner. With the score at 20-20 in the race to 21  Orcollo miscued on the 8, leaving a stunned Morra to finish out the rack. Deuel also advanced defeating Bergman.

This set up a winners side final with Deuel and Morra. Who were also the finalists at the Chinook Winds Casino Bar table 8 ball tournament in March. The match lived up to its billing and was very close with Deuel edging out a hard fought 21-18 victory. On the losers side Jayson Shaw's run was ended by Justin Bergman. This came after Shaw was putting together a good run which included a win over Shane VanBoening.  Dennis Orcollo also ended Rob Saez bid leaving him one short of the prize money in 5th place.

In the 4th place match Filipino star Orcollo would defeat Bergman to set up a rematch with Morra. This was another close one with Morra pulling out the 21-18 victory. The finals was played as a true double knockout and Morra would have to beat Deuel twice. 

Photo courtesy of Pool Action TV

Morra took the early lead 14-3, but Deuel made a huge comeback bringing it all the way back to even and eventually gaining the 20-18 lead. Morra managed to get it to hill hill but after a safety exchange Deuel ran out a tough rack for the win. Deuel has long been revered as one of the best bar table players in the country and with the recent move to big prize money tournaments on the bar table he has had the chance to prove that. For Morra the future looks bright coming up just short in this one but he has been unstoppable in recent months. The  next tournaments will be the Super Billiard Expo in New Jersey and the the Carom Room $2000 entry bar table event in Wisconsin.

This event was streamed by Pool Action TV. I welcome you to visit their website www.poolactiontv.com  and check out their upcoming events. Also you can follow them on their Facebook page Pool Action TV

Prize money


Corey Deuel $20 000 + $8000 Calcutta                 


John Morra   $7000 + $5500 Calcutta


Dennis Orcollo $5000+ $4000 Calcutta


Justin Bergman $2000+$2000 Calcutta