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Sunday, 27 March 2016
Dragon Promotions: 76th World Tournament of 14.1 September 5-11,2016!
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Shi Hanqing Comes out on Top at Chinese 8 Ball World Championship
The 2nd CBSA ‘Sanlig’ China Billiard World Championship final was between Shi Hanqing from China and Mick Hill from England. They played the full 41 racks and Shi Hanqing won the title with the smallest margin, 21-20.
By Alison Chang
Translated by Chris Kuai
The final was a close game from the beginning to the end, with the largest lead being 3 when Hill was 15-12 up during the second session. In rack 38, Shi Hanqing was about to grab the game point when he was up 19-18. He cut the black into the corner pocket but scratched cue ball into the side and the score came to 19-19. After each player won another rack, Mick Hill made a dry break in the decider with solid balls spreading well. Shi cleared the table to become the first male Chinese Championship in this event.
The controversial part came in late in the game when Shi Hanqing intentionally fouled on breaks twice, in rack 38 and 40 respectively. According to the rules, fouls on breaks without four balls touching the rails will leave the opponent with three options: accept the current table and play on, rerack and break or rerack and let the fouling player break again. Hill chose to take the break himself both times and won those two racks.
Shi explained the reason of intentional fouls on breaks. ‘No ball’s falling in my breaks and ball distribution appeared good for my opponent. I was winning when I slowed down the pace and play safeties, so I have to avoid dry breaks.’ said Shi Hanqing after the game. ‘I think it was the right strategy at that time but was unfortunate to lose that two racks. In fact, I was able to win the deciding rack given my opponent’s dry break.’
Chinese players made more than half of the last 16, but Shi didn’t think it means Chinese players are dominant in this game. ‘Those international players lack the experience and tactical plays in Chinese 8 ball. I was more familiar with the table and rules so that gives me an advantage and made 50% of the total contribution to my wining outcome.’
By Alison Chang
Translated by Chris Kuai
The final was a close game from the beginning to the end, with the largest lead being 3 when Hill was 15-12 up during the second session. In rack 38, Shi Hanqing was about to grab the game point when he was up 19-18. He cut the black into the corner pocket but scratched cue ball into the side and the score came to 19-19. After each player won another rack, Mick Hill made a dry break in the decider with solid balls spreading well. Shi cleared the table to become the first male Chinese Championship in this event.
The controversial part came in late in the game when Shi Hanqing intentionally fouled on breaks twice, in rack 38 and 40 respectively. According to the rules, fouls on breaks without four balls touching the rails will leave the opponent with three options: accept the current table and play on, rerack and break or rerack and let the fouling player break again. Hill chose to take the break himself both times and won those two racks.
Shi explained the reason of intentional fouls on breaks. ‘No ball’s falling in my breaks and ball distribution appeared good for my opponent. I was winning when I slowed down the pace and play safeties, so I have to avoid dry breaks.’ said Shi Hanqing after the game. ‘I think it was the right strategy at that time but was unfortunate to lose that two racks. In fact, I was able to win the deciding rack given my opponent’s dry break.’
Chinese players made more than half of the last 16, but Shi didn’t think it means Chinese players are dominant in this game. ‘Those international players lack the experience and tactical plays in Chinese 8 ball. I was more familiar with the table and rules so that gives me an advantage and made 50% of the total contribution to my wining outcome.’
Monday, 21 March 2016
Chen Siming wins World Chinese 8 Ball Championship
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| Champion Chen Siming. |
By: Alison Chang
Last women’s match in the 2nd China Billiard World Champion was held between Chinese home star Chen Siming and British legend Kelly Fisher. Chen Siming took the victory 17-11 with a purse of 400,000RMB.
Chen Siming started rolling with a 3-0 lead before Kelly Fisher came back and tied the score 3-3. It was a close game til 8-7, when Chen won the last 3 racks to finish the first half leading 11-7. After the mid-session Chen pulled the game away with a convincing final score 17-11.
Chen Siming had winning records in events like Asia Olympics and international Opens, but lacked World Championship titles in her profile. ‘This Chinese 8 ball Championship is the first World Championship I have won, although I’m not a Chinese 8 ball player. It means a lot to me and gives me a tremendous boost in my confidence.’ Said Chen Siming.
‘I was thinking I might end up with another runner-up before the final, but it was still not bad to finish second so I simply went out and play. I will be mentally stronger and stay calm for future 9 ball World Championship games. You have to forgive yourself and forget about the mistakes you made during games. The best form you can have is the current form.’
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Pro's React to World 8 Ball Championship Announcement
By Markus Noé
This past weekend the World Pool Association (W.P.A) through Azbilliards.com dropped a bombshell of an announcement into the pool world. The first time since 2012 the World 8 Ball Championship will be played. Over the past few years outside of the World 9 Ball Championships both the 8 Ball and 10 Ball have had difficulties getting the $275,000 prize pool necessary to receive the W.P.A sanctioning.
Last year boxing legend Manny Pacquiao stepped up and put the money forward so that the Philippines could host the World 10 Ball. This year Jim Wych and John White owners of the Corner Bank in Toronto, Ontario are bringing us the World 8 Ball Championships, the first World Pool Championships in North American since the 1990's. This will also be the first World Pool Championship ever to be held in Canada.
If any sport needs a shot in the arm it would be pool which has seen the money sucked out of it over the last decade. Pool coverage on major television networks have been cut down to just a handful of events throughout the year. The result of this is that it has been increasingly difficult to obtain major sponsorship which has taken its toll on the prize funds and intern has left the sport in some disarray.
However in this recent announcement is was stated that first prize for this event will be $100,000 something that has not been seen since Matchroom Sports ran the World Championships. This has created a significant buzz throughout the pool community especially in North America. Below are some quotes from a few of the top North American players on what they think about this announcement. The dates have not been set yet but they are tentatively planning on mid August, we will be updating continuously as the details are made available.
Erik Hjorleifson
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| 2014 Canadian 10 ball Champion, recent runner up Turning Stone Classic |
"The news coming out of the corner bank this week is a little surreal for me. On a personal level this will be the first time I well ever be able to play a World Championship on home soil and the fact that it is actually in my home room is a dream. For the game as a whole in North America and Canada it is my deepest hope that this tournament receives extensive media coverage so that everyone In North America can see the athletes that we are. Congratulations to everyone involved at the corner bank on this monumental announcement"
Robb Saez
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| American Pro, runner up 2011 Super Billard Expo |
Jason Klatt
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| Multiple Canadian Champion |
Shannon Ducharme
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| Canadian representative at the 2015 World Championship |
"So happy that it is held in Canada ,the game needs more people like Jim Wych and John White out here, the prizes are amazing"
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| cuesportnation.com |
Saturday, 12 March 2016
Corner Bank: 2016 World 8 Ball Championships Coming to Toronto!
By: Markus Noé
Over the last week or so I have heard rumblings of a big announcement to come out of the G.T.A (Greater Toronto Area). This is one of those times in which the rumors have turned out to be true, Today the World Pool Association announced that "The Corner Bank" pool hall in Scarborough Ontario will host the 2016 World 8 Ball Championships.
The Corner Bank has been open for just over a year now and has already established itself as one of the premium rooms in the country. It is co-owned by Canadian snooker legend John White and Jim Wych, a very accomplished player in his own right. However most of you would know Wych as the longtime commentator for Matchroom Sports events which includes the Mosconi Cup, World Cup of Pool and the World Pool Masters. Also Wych makes an annual appearance on the Accu-Stats stream during the U.S Open.
As many know in order to be credited by the W.P.A for a World Championship there needs to be at least $275,000 in the Prize Pool. Early reports state that financing for this event will be over the minimum requirement and first place is projected to be $100,000 (CAD). This is encouraging not only for Canadian pool but perhaps North America as a whole. Just going off the top of my head I do not think their has been a World Championship held in North America since the 1990's.
Details are still trickling in but this is a hard story to wait for. The event is currently scheduled to be played in mid August, this would place it about two weeks before the Turning Stone Classic traditionally. As the story develops we will have reaction from our Canadian top pros and maybe a word or two from the Canadian Billiard & Snooker Association.
For questions about the upcoming World Championship you can contact Jerry Forsyth at Jerry@azbilliards.com or Jim Wych at jwych@thecornerbank.ca.
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| www.cuesportnation.com |
Friday, 4 March 2016
Andy Cloth 9th Wyoming Open April 1-3 Saratoga, Wyoming at the Platte Valley Community Center
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