By Mary Kenniston
Photo credits to PoolActionTv
The Action Palace in Huber Heights, OH – a suburb of Dayton – hosted eight of the best one pocket players in the world to compete in the High Stakes One Pocket Championship.
Held this past weekend and presented by PoolActionTV.com and the Action Palace, owner Alex Olinger welcomed the red hot Roberto Gomez who is just coming off his Texas Open One Pocket title as well as the victor in the recent Champions One Pocket Challenge over Corey Deuel. Roberto is also the current International Open One Pocket champ. Alex Pagulayan, BCA and One Pocket Hall of Famer and the holder of many one pocket titles as well as the current Scotty Townsend Memorial One Pocket title, was looking to add another notch to his belt.
Also in this star-studded field was Tony Chohan. He is a two-time US Open One Pocket champ and the winner of this year’s Southeastern Triple Crown One Pocket Championship, Buffalo’s Pro One Pocket Championship and the Midwest Open One Pocket title.
Looking for his first major one pocket title of the year and the winner of the 2021 Southeastern Triple Crown One Pocket Championship was John Morra as well as the 2013 Derby City Classic One Pocket champ and the 2019 Derby City Classic runner-up, Corey Deuel.
The winner of the 2021 Racks On The Rocks Classic One Pocket Championship in West Peoria, IL and this year’s Champions One Pocket Challenge over Josh Roberts, Evan Lunda, has consistently finished high in most of this year’s one pocket events. Earlier this year, Chip Compton was the winner over Justin Hall of the One Pocket Challenge Match at the Cajun Coast Classic in Morgan City, LA.
Rounding out the field was veteran Dee Adkins. Dee was the 2000 Derby City Classic Master of the Table – need I say more!
These players each paid a $5,000 entry fee to compete in this $10,000 added event. The format was double elimination – races to seven. After the players auction, the draw was completed and the brackets posted.
Both John Morra and Roberto Gomez won two matches to play for the hot seat. John edged out Chip in the opening round 7-6 and then defeated Corey 7-3. Roberto thumped both Dee and Alex – 7-2 and 7-1, respectively. Gomez had a bit of a tougher time with Morra but he locked up his seat in the finals 7-4.
Over on the B-side of the chart, Tony and Dee went two and out, Alex smoked Chip 7-1 and Evan handily defeated Corey 7-3. The following match saw Evan rocket ahead of Alex 5-2 and then the wheels came off. Missing several makeable balls let Pagulayan back into the match and he squeaked out a win 7-6.
Patiently waiting for Alex was John. He, unfortunately, was no match for Alex as he was dusted 7-2. Morra’s consolation was third place prize and auction money while Pagulayan moved to the finals.
As this was true double elimination, Alex would have to defeat Roberto two sets to take top honors. The first set saw the two scratching and clawing their way to a 6-6 tie. With an opening shot and the remaining balls on the table, Roberto had his chance to end it right there but missed! Alex came to the table & methodically ran out the balls to force a second set.
The second set was the same as the first – neck and neck to five apiece. Gomez won the next game – on the hill – 6-5. Pagulayan battled but Roberto took the final game and the title! Congratulations, Roberto! Great effort, Alex!
PoolActionTV.com would again like to think Alex Olinger and his staff for rolling out the red carpet. We’d also like to thank our Tournament Director, Jason Hill, for a great job!
We’d also like to thank Jeremy Jones, Tony Chohan and Ray Hansen for their topnotch commentary.
In addition, we’d like to thank our viewers and sponsors. They include JB Cases, Hanshew Jump Cues, Aramith, Lomax Custom Cues, Diamond Billiard Products, Diveney Cues, Simonis Cloth, Durbin Custom Cues, Fort Worth Billiards Superstore of Fort Worth, TX and the Action Palace of Dayton, OH.
Our next event is the Seventh Annual $3,000 added Senior One Pocket Championship to be held at Bogies Billiards in Houston, TX. The dates are September 29th- October 2nd. Hope to see you there!!!