I had the privilege of calling the first two days of the match with Jason Sword and below are some observations for the benefit of those who did not watch the match:
1. The table was tough and affected Compton's banking more than Chohan's. Home table showed up, as Tony dialed in on the long rail banks and Compton never really did. At this level, most players start an offensive run with a made bank and position to run balls. If you don't make the bank, you settle for ones and twos and never get to run a bunch of balls. Day 2 and 3, Chip banked the short rails and cross banks much better, but he rarely made his long rail banks. This kept him from sustained offense.
2. Up table game was the norm. Tony was happy to play along with Chip's up table game strategy. This led to runs of one and two and long games. Again, the long rail banks fell more for Tony than for Chip, and Tony was more effective at taking out balls near his opponents hole than Chip because Tony's balls were usually in the jaws and Chips were just out of the jaws, allowing Tony to showcase his great take out skills.
3. Tony's conservative approach nullified chip's wedge strategy. Chohan showed patience and timely moving and completely shut down Compton's game because Compton could not get the long rail banks to fall. This was the most decisive difference in the match. By Tony abandoning the power one pocket style and playing a more traditional game, he nullified Compton's strategy of patience and banking.
4. On this equipment, Tony is tough to beat. Home Court advantage is real, and only the best ball strikers have a chance against Tony on this tough diamond. Not only are the pockets tight (4.125 inches), but the humidity makes the rails bank short and they react differently then most anywhere else. The table also plays differently through the night as the crowd swells and thins. I think we might see the following matches next at Buffalos for Tony, though I don't know who will end up streaming them:
1. Bustamante v. Tony
2. Dennis v. Tony (9/8)
3. Alex v. Tony (9/8)
4. Filler v. Tony
As for Compton, he was game, coming into the lion's den and facing all the adversity that goes with trying to dethrone the American king on his home table. Compton still has games with Lunda, Deuel, Hall (although they are friends and unlikely to play), Bustamante and Frost, several of which could happen at the Pro Classic.
John Morra is playing his best pool and will also be in the grease at the Pro Classic. He has a good stake horse and is brimming with confidence from his recent high finishes in tournament play and his success in after hours action. I expect him to match up and play well, as he has five days experience on the tough TV table within the last 30 days. And let me say this for those that don't know: He banks as well as any one pocket player on that tough table. Period. Morra and Lunda are sneaky dark horses for the tournament. Make your bets accordingly.
Joe Long
1. The table was tough and affected Compton's banking more than Chohan's. Home table showed up, as Tony dialed in on the long rail banks and Compton never really did. At this level, most players start an offensive run with a made bank and position to run balls. If you don't make the bank, you settle for ones and twos and never get to run a bunch of balls. Day 2 and 3, Chip banked the short rails and cross banks much better, but he rarely made his long rail banks. This kept him from sustained offense.
2. Up table game was the norm. Tony was happy to play along with Chip's up table game strategy. This led to runs of one and two and long games. Again, the long rail banks fell more for Tony than for Chip, and Tony was more effective at taking out balls near his opponents hole than Chip because Tony's balls were usually in the jaws and Chips were just out of the jaws, allowing Tony to showcase his great take out skills.
3. Tony's conservative approach nullified chip's wedge strategy. Chohan showed patience and timely moving and completely shut down Compton's game because Compton could not get the long rail banks to fall. This was the most decisive difference in the match. By Tony abandoning the power one pocket style and playing a more traditional game, he nullified Compton's strategy of patience and banking.
4. On this equipment, Tony is tough to beat. Home Court advantage is real, and only the best ball strikers have a chance against Tony on this tough diamond. Not only are the pockets tight (4.125 inches), but the humidity makes the rails bank short and they react differently then most anywhere else. The table also plays differently through the night as the crowd swells and thins. I think we might see the following matches next at Buffalos for Tony, though I don't know who will end up streaming them:
1. Bustamante v. Tony
2. Dennis v. Tony (9/8)
3. Alex v. Tony (9/8)
4. Filler v. Tony
As for Compton, he was game, coming into the lion's den and facing all the adversity that goes with trying to dethrone the American king on his home table. Compton still has games with Lunda, Deuel, Hall (although they are friends and unlikely to play), Bustamante and Frost, several of which could happen at the Pro Classic.
John Morra is playing his best pool and will also be in the grease at the Pro Classic. He has a good stake horse and is brimming with confidence from his recent high finishes in tournament play and his success in after hours action. I expect him to match up and play well, as he has five days experience on the tough TV table within the last 30 days. And let me say this for those that don't know: He banks as well as any one pocket player on that tough table. Period. Morra and Lunda are sneaky dark horses for the tournament. Make your bets accordingly.
Joe Long
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