shuff double dips wilkie in a 65-player field while deska crushes the break & run pot and wins the points event!

Left to Right: Shaun Wilkie and Brandon Shuff
The Action Pool Tour (APT) held its 13th and final points event of the 2011-2012 Session at Big Daddy's Billiards in Glen Burnie, MD on the weekend of September 8-9, 2012. A very impressive field of 65 players including the likes of Brandon Shuff, Shaun Wilkie, Brian Deska, Matt Krah, Danny Green and Rob Saez just to name a few.
Play began at approximately 1:00pm on Saturday, September 8th with no significant early upsets. By the end of Saturday, sixteen (16) players remained; eight (8) on the winners’ side and eight (8) on the one-loss side. The winners’ side final four consisted of Rob Saez, Sergey Bolotin, Brett Stottlemyer, Danny Green, Shaun Wilkie, Dave Hunt, Brandon Shuff and Brian Deska while the one-loss side included Jeremy Perkins, Dan Madden, Chuck Roth, Larry Kressel, Alan Duty, Matt Krah, Sean Sporleder and Chris Garrett.
Sunday began on the winners’ side with a much anticipated live stream match-up between Green and Stottlemyer in which Green came away with an 8-6 victory. Meanwhile, Shuff defeated Deska by the same score; Saez sent Bolotin west 8-4; and Wilkie squeaked by Hunt with a hill-hill win. The next round saw Saez cruise by Green 8-3 while Wilkie sent Shuff to the one-loss side by a score of 8-6. This set up Wilkie vs Saez to decide who would get to the hot seat. Although it was sure to be a great match, this was a one-sided affair. Wilkie played almost flawlessly and never relented as he cruised by Saez 8-2 and earned his rightful place in the finals.
Meanwhile on the one-loss side, Madden eliminated Perkins 6-2, Kressel took care of Roth 6-4, Krah defeated Duty 6-4 and Sporleder eliminated Garrett 6-3. The next round saw Deska shut out Madden 6-0, Kressel defeat his road partner Hunt 6-2, Krah eliminate Stottlemyer 6-3 and Sporleder edge Bolotin 6-5. In the next round, Krah drilled Sporleder 6-1 and Kressel upset Deska 6-4. Kressel then moved on the face Green and was finally eliminated 6-4 while Shuff narrowly escaped a 5-2 deficit to eventually eliminate Krah 6-5. This led to Green vs Shuff in what was sure to be a fantastic match. Although the match was close the entire way, Shuff again narrowly escaped with a 6-5 victory. This set up a Saez vs. Shuff for the right to face Wilkie in the finals. Appearing determined after back-to-back hill-hill victories, Shuff cruised to a 6-3 win and earned his place in the finals.
Shuff would have to defeat Wilkie twice in the true double elimination format. The first set was close the entire way and both players shot terrific. However, in the end, Shuff came out on top by a score of 8-6 and forced a final and deciding race to 6 for the title. This match proved to be a mere formality for Shuff as he rolled over Wilkie 6-1 and claimed the tournament win. The complete bracket is posted on the Results Page.
Deska wins the #1 Ranking!
The #1 ranked player in the points race at the conclusion of this event would win free entry into the 2012 US Open 9-Ball Championship (a $500 value). Coming into this event, Brian Deska had a respectable but not insurmountable lead over Brandon Shuff. In order for Shuff to catch Deska, he would have to win the entire event and Deska would have to finish no higher than 13th-16th. Shuff did exactly what he needed to do by winning the tournament but Deska was not cooperative as he finished 7th-8th and won the 2012 Action Pool Tour points race! Congratulations to Brian and we are sure that he will represent The Action Pool Tour well in the 2012 US Open 9-Ball Championship!
Top Female Prize!
Eight (8) females: Pauline Mattes, Ann Reynolds, Lai Li, Shanna Lewis, Cheryl Sporleder, Laurie Bunn, Jackie Rivera and Euginia Gyftopoulas competed in the event in which the top placing female would earn a $100 cash prize. In the end, Sporleder and Rivera finished in the same level of the tournament. Rather than playoff for the prize, they elected to split with each taking home a $50 cash reward.
Deska Crushes the Break & Run!
The Break & Run contest, which had a payout of $260 per ball, was conducted on Saturday night. Brian Deska had the winning ticket and the opportunity at the cash. Everyone crowded the table as Deska plowed the 10-ball rack and pocketed a ball in the side pocket. He had a long, thin cut on the 1-ball along the rail but position for the 2-ball was very tricky and required total precision. As everyone looked on in total silence, Deska cut in the 1-ball and landed perfectly on the 2-ball. He then cut the 2-ball in the side pocket and broke out the only cluster on the table. The rest of the rack was a formality as he ran the entire rack with near perfect position on every shot and earned $2,340! Congratulations to Brian for a terrific break & run when it counted the most! The Break & Run payout for the next event will be $40 per ball!
2nd Chance Tournament
Finally, nine (9) players showed up on Sunday to compete in the 2nd Chance Tournament. Meredith Lynch, who didn't even play on Day #1, won the winners' bracket and waited as Rob Metz came through the one-loss side to face her in the finals. Metz won the first set easily by a score of 4-1 but the second and final set was a nail-biter. However, in the end, Metz won by a score of 4-3 and earned $100 while Lynch won $60. Coming in 3rd was Thomas Kobus winning $30. The complete bracket is posted on the Results Page.
The Action Pool Tour would like to thank all of the players who came out to participate in this final points event of the session. A very special thanks goes out to Rick and Cindy Molineiro for providing a terrific venue, an awesome environment and great equipment. We look forward to returning to this room many more times in the future for more great Action! Thanks also to our sponsors: Lambros Cues, Magic Ball Rack (CSI), AzBilliards.com, PoolActionTV, and individual contributor, Steve Lingafelter.
2012 Lambros Round Robin - September 29-30!
The next stop for The Action Pool Tour is the much anticipated 2012 Lambros Round Robin on September 29-30, 2012 at VIP Billiards in Catonsville, MD. This event is sure to be incredible as two events will be run simultaneously. First, the top 10 ranked Action Pool Tour players will compete in a free round robin event. Everyone will play everyone in relatively short races and each game won will be worth one (1) point. Whoever comes away with the most points will win a brand new Lambros Custom Cue valued at $1,800-$2,000! Simultaneously, we will be conducting a separate 10-ball Open tournament. As an added bonus for our top 10 players, they will be automatically seeded in the 3rd round of the 10-ball Open! This event is limited to the first 88 paid entries so click here to sign up and pay your entry fee online! Click here for all the details and sample brackets of how the weekend will unfold!
The Action Pool Tour is continually looking for sponsors. If anyone is interested in placing an ad during our live stream, on our website, or any other sponsorship arrangement, please contact Tour Director Ozzy Reynolds at admin@actionpooltour.com.
By Tour Staff
Payouts
1 – Brandon Shuff $1000
2 – Shaun Wilkie $600
3 – Rob Saez $400
4 – Danny Green $250
5-6 – Larry Kressel $160
5-6 – Matt Krah $160
7-8 – Brian Deska $120
7-8 – Sean Sporleder $120
9-12 – Dan Madden $80
9-12 – Dave Hunt $80
9-12 – Brett Stottlemyer $80
9-12 – Sergey Bolotin $80
13-16 – Jeremy Perkins $50
13-16 – Chuck Roth $50
13-16 – Alan Duty $50
13-16 – Chris Garrett $50
Top Female Finisher: Cheryle Sporleder & Jackie Rivera: – $100 ($50 each)
Play began at approximately 1:00pm on Saturday, September 8th with no significant early upsets. By the end of Saturday, sixteen (16) players remained; eight (8) on the winners’ side and eight (8) on the one-loss side. The winners’ side final four consisted of Rob Saez, Sergey Bolotin, Brett Stottlemyer, Danny Green, Shaun Wilkie, Dave Hunt, Brandon Shuff and Brian Deska while the one-loss side included Jeremy Perkins, Dan Madden, Chuck Roth, Larry Kressel, Alan Duty, Matt Krah, Sean Sporleder and Chris Garrett.
Sunday began on the winners’ side with a much anticipated live stream match-up between Green and Stottlemyer in which Green came away with an 8-6 victory. Meanwhile, Shuff defeated Deska by the same score; Saez sent Bolotin west 8-4; and Wilkie squeaked by Hunt with a hill-hill win. The next round saw Saez cruise by Green 8-3 while Wilkie sent Shuff to the one-loss side by a score of 8-6. This set up Wilkie vs Saez to decide who would get to the hot seat. Although it was sure to be a great match, this was a one-sided affair. Wilkie played almost flawlessly and never relented as he cruised by Saez 8-2 and earned his rightful place in the finals.
Meanwhile on the one-loss side, Madden eliminated Perkins 6-2, Kressel took care of Roth 6-4, Krah defeated Duty 6-4 and Sporleder eliminated Garrett 6-3. The next round saw Deska shut out Madden 6-0, Kressel defeat his road partner Hunt 6-2, Krah eliminate Stottlemyer 6-3 and Sporleder edge Bolotin 6-5. In the next round, Krah drilled Sporleder 6-1 and Kressel upset Deska 6-4. Kressel then moved on the face Green and was finally eliminated 6-4 while Shuff narrowly escaped a 5-2 deficit to eventually eliminate Krah 6-5. This led to Green vs Shuff in what was sure to be a fantastic match. Although the match was close the entire way, Shuff again narrowly escaped with a 6-5 victory. This set up a Saez vs. Shuff for the right to face Wilkie in the finals. Appearing determined after back-to-back hill-hill victories, Shuff cruised to a 6-3 win and earned his place in the finals.
Shuff would have to defeat Wilkie twice in the true double elimination format. The first set was close the entire way and both players shot terrific. However, in the end, Shuff came out on top by a score of 8-6 and forced a final and deciding race to 6 for the title. This match proved to be a mere formality for Shuff as he rolled over Wilkie 6-1 and claimed the tournament win. The complete bracket is posted on the Results Page.
Deska wins the #1 Ranking!
The #1 ranked player in the points race at the conclusion of this event would win free entry into the 2012 US Open 9-Ball Championship (a $500 value). Coming into this event, Brian Deska had a respectable but not insurmountable lead over Brandon Shuff. In order for Shuff to catch Deska, he would have to win the entire event and Deska would have to finish no higher than 13th-16th. Shuff did exactly what he needed to do by winning the tournament but Deska was not cooperative as he finished 7th-8th and won the 2012 Action Pool Tour points race! Congratulations to Brian and we are sure that he will represent The Action Pool Tour well in the 2012 US Open 9-Ball Championship!
Top Female Prize!
Eight (8) females: Pauline Mattes, Ann Reynolds, Lai Li, Shanna Lewis, Cheryl Sporleder, Laurie Bunn, Jackie Rivera and Euginia Gyftopoulas competed in the event in which the top placing female would earn a $100 cash prize. In the end, Sporleder and Rivera finished in the same level of the tournament. Rather than playoff for the prize, they elected to split with each taking home a $50 cash reward.
Deska Crushes the Break & Run!
The Break & Run contest, which had a payout of $260 per ball, was conducted on Saturday night. Brian Deska had the winning ticket and the opportunity at the cash. Everyone crowded the table as Deska plowed the 10-ball rack and pocketed a ball in the side pocket. He had a long, thin cut on the 1-ball along the rail but position for the 2-ball was very tricky and required total precision. As everyone looked on in total silence, Deska cut in the 1-ball and landed perfectly on the 2-ball. He then cut the 2-ball in the side pocket and broke out the only cluster on the table. The rest of the rack was a formality as he ran the entire rack with near perfect position on every shot and earned $2,340! Congratulations to Brian for a terrific break & run when it counted the most! The Break & Run payout for the next event will be $40 per ball!
2nd Chance Tournament
Finally, nine (9) players showed up on Sunday to compete in the 2nd Chance Tournament. Meredith Lynch, who didn't even play on Day #1, won the winners' bracket and waited as Rob Metz came through the one-loss side to face her in the finals. Metz won the first set easily by a score of 4-1 but the second and final set was a nail-biter. However, in the end, Metz won by a score of 4-3 and earned $100 while Lynch won $60. Coming in 3rd was Thomas Kobus winning $30. The complete bracket is posted on the Results Page.
The Action Pool Tour would like to thank all of the players who came out to participate in this final points event of the session. A very special thanks goes out to Rick and Cindy Molineiro for providing a terrific venue, an awesome environment and great equipment. We look forward to returning to this room many more times in the future for more great Action! Thanks also to our sponsors: Lambros Cues, Magic Ball Rack (CSI), AzBilliards.com, PoolActionTV, and individual contributor, Steve Lingafelter.
2012 Lambros Round Robin - September 29-30!
The next stop for The Action Pool Tour is the much anticipated 2012 Lambros Round Robin on September 29-30, 2012 at VIP Billiards in Catonsville, MD. This event is sure to be incredible as two events will be run simultaneously. First, the top 10 ranked Action Pool Tour players will compete in a free round robin event. Everyone will play everyone in relatively short races and each game won will be worth one (1) point. Whoever comes away with the most points will win a brand new Lambros Custom Cue valued at $1,800-$2,000! Simultaneously, we will be conducting a separate 10-ball Open tournament. As an added bonus for our top 10 players, they will be automatically seeded in the 3rd round of the 10-ball Open! This event is limited to the first 88 paid entries so click here to sign up and pay your entry fee online! Click here for all the details and sample brackets of how the weekend will unfold!
The Action Pool Tour is continually looking for sponsors. If anyone is interested in placing an ad during our live stream, on our website, or any other sponsorship arrangement, please contact Tour Director Ozzy Reynolds at admin@actionpooltour.com.
By Tour Staff
Payouts
1 – Brandon Shuff $1000
2 – Shaun Wilkie $600
3 – Rob Saez $400
4 – Danny Green $250
5-6 – Larry Kressel $160
5-6 – Matt Krah $160
7-8 – Brian Deska $120
7-8 – Sean Sporleder $120
9-12 – Dan Madden $80
9-12 – Dave Hunt $80
9-12 – Brett Stottlemyer $80
9-12 – Sergey Bolotin $80
13-16 – Jeremy Perkins $50
13-16 – Chuck Roth $50
13-16 – Alan Duty $50
13-16 – Chris Garrett $50
Top Female Finisher: Cheryle Sporleder & Jackie Rivera: – $100 ($50 each)