Archer Wins Tennessee State 8 Ball Open Championship

Taken from Johnny Archer's Facebook Page. 

By: Erik Hjorleifson

The weekend Octobre 29-30 the Chattanooga billiard club one of the most iconic rooms in Tennessee played host to the Tennessee state 8 ball championships. This was a $150 entry fee with five thousand added guaranteed, the tournament aimed to draw 64 players and ended up with 60 including top guns Johnny Archer, Antonio Lining, Ramil Gallego, Jeremy Jones and Jason Klatt. Play for this tournament was on the unusually sized four by eight tables. It was a double knockout race to 6 on both sides.

As play progressed Johnny Archer who is known for his 8 ball prowess made his way through the winners side undefeated. After Losing to Jeremy Jones in the winners side semi final match Jason Klatt came all the way back getting his revenge on Jones in the third place to match to face Archer in the finals. In this true double elimination format Klatt was able to take the first set 6-5 and after trailing 4 1 in the second set he pulled back to take a 5 4 lead. It was not to be though for Klatt as Archer took the last two and went in to win his most notable tournament of 2016.

At this time I would like to acknowledge the interesting dynamic that has formed between Team High Pockets members Jason Klatt, Robb Saez and Shane McMinn. With Saez taking the fourth place spot in the tournament we once again saw two of the members from this crew finishing in the top 4. This has happened on many occasions in 2016 and on a couple occasions they have actually finished 1 2 and 3. Sponsored by Tracy Whitney owner of High Pockets billiards in Memphis, Tennessee this group has found great success since coming together in early 2016. For those who are friends with any of them on facebook we are able to get an occasional glimpse of their life on the road through videos taken by candid cameraman Jason Klatt. It is clear that the three have formed a great friendship and the support and camaraderie has been a nice formula for success for all three of them. Best of luck to all of them going forward.

Payouts

1st Johnny Archer $3750

2nd Jason Klatt      $2400

3rd Jeremy Jones   $1600

4th Robb Saez        $1150

Players Auction $10 000 total