APPLETON VS DEUEL - 2010 US OPEN 9-BALL
FINALS. The win-by-two games format of this finals match forced a long, 180 minute battle. Darren Appleton, the British bar box gambler proved he has made the jump to big-table mastery completely. He took the championship away from disappointed Corey Deuel 15 to 13. The professional commentary was provided by Jim Wych, Bill Incardona and Danny Diliberto.
APPLETON VS KLATT - 2011 US OPEN 9-BALL
This match between Britain’s Darren Appleton and Canada’s Jason Klatt was a fight to the finish. Appleton was the favorite and did indeed win. But he was sorely tested by the young Canadian who battled him all the way to the hill, 10 to 10, before Darren was able to pocket the last nine ball of the match. Commentary came from Jim Wych and Bill Gibbs. 140 minutes.
APPLETON VS PUTNAM - 2011 US OPEN 9-BALL
FINALS. Darren Appleton, the reigning US Open Champion, made no qualms about defending his title in this 146 minute match. With jump shots, bank shots and spectacular position control, he left his opponent, Shawn Putnam, shaking his head in the chair. The final score, as witnessed by Jim Wych and Danny D., was 13-6.
ARCHER VS ORCULLO - 2010 US OPEN 9-BALL
Filipino player Dennis Orcullo took an early lead that most viewers thought would be impossible to overcome. But Johnny Archer, always a champion, did exactly what was necessary. He kept his game together and started piling up the wins, finally wrapping it up at 11-9. Jim Wych and Danny Diliberto were on the microphones throughout. 100 minutes.
BUSTAMANTE VS REYES - 2003 US OPEN 9-BALL
The two most feared Filipino pool players of the era battle it out to the very end. Efren Reyes lands on top in the last game, winning over Francisco Bustamante 11-10. This 105 minute match is a fine exhibition of world-class pool. Commentary by Jim Wych and Bill Incardona.
FAST & LOOSE IN THE ROCKIES (OUT OF STOCK)
Currently Out of Stock & (Maybe Out of Print) This 2-DVD set is a ‘must see’ contest between Efren “The Magician” Reyes and Johnny “The Scorpion” Archer at the height of their careers. Both players go on the offensive in this winner take all 9-Ball & 8-Ball challenge match. After shooting safeties for a couple of games, they bust loose and hit you with 2 hours and 40 minutes of the most go-for-it, pocket splitting, position playing, perfect run-out pool you’ve ever seen! Set in the beautiful Foundry Billiard Club in Boulder, Colorado, pool legend Bill “Weenie Beenie” Staton and trick shot champion Paul Gerni commentate and predict plays with uncanny accuracy. Their combined knowledge about the sport would fill volumes. $24 (FAL)
HATCH VS VANN CORTEZA - 2011 US OPEN 9-BALL
Dennis Hatch, the former American Mosconi Cup player, gets in the ring with Filipino Lee Vann Corteza. Hatch is well known for his aggressive and powerful style, while his opponent is more of an artist, with plenty of finesse and precision. Big hearts both, they battle it to hill-hill, where Hatch lands the final blow, winning 11-10. Excellent commentary from Jim Wych and Bill Gibbs. 122 minutes.
HSUAN VS BOYES - 2015 US OPEN 9-BALL
FINALS. This US Open had 5 players from China and 3 of those made it to the final 8 players. One, Cheng Yu Hsuan, made it to the finals to square off with Karl Boyes of Great Britain. After 137 minutes, the score was finalized at 13-6 and Hsuan was the 2015 US Open Champion. Danny D. and Mosconi Cup Captain Mark Wilson explain it all.
IMMONEN VS MILLS - 2009 US OPEN 9-BALL
SEMI-FINALS. Florida’s Donny Mills drew a lot of spectators during this US Open with his athletic, fast-shooting style. Coming from a tough hill-hill match which he lost to Ralf Souquet, he fought his way in this match to the hill where he faltered again, losing to Mika Immonen 10-11. Jim Wych and Danny D. provide the commentary. 113 minutes.
IMMONEN VS SOUQUET - 2009 US OPEN 9-BALL
FINALS. This race to 13 ends with Mika Immonen winning the championship for the second year in a row, besting Ralf Souquet 13 to 10. It was tied at 10-10, but Mika played without mercy, squashing Ralf’s chance to win his second US Open crown. Jim Wych and Danny Diliberto entertain and talk shop. 172 minutes.
KIAMCO VS IMMONEN - 2013 US OPEN 9-BALL
Mika Immonen scored an exemplary .948 TBA in this match, which means he missed very few shots. Warren Kiamco didn’t execute quite as high, but he also came with a bushel of cunning, which was what it took to win the match 11 to 10. Jim Wych and Danny Diliberto added insight and instruction. 100 minutes.
McCREADY VS HALL - 2003 US OPEN 9-BALL
This entertaining 105 minute match between veterans Keith McCready and Buddy Hall doesn’t showcase the highest pocketing average of the tournament. But the fight-to-the-hill score, the personalities and the overall suspense make it a keeper. Keith wins 11-10 and the fine commentary is from Jim Wych and Bill Incardona.
REYES VS APPLETON - 2012 US OPEN 9-BALL
It doesn’t get much better than a hill-hill match between Efren Reyes, a former US Open Champ and Darren Appleton, the reigning US Open Champion. How it gets to the hill is unbelievable and how it ends is unforgettable. Jim Wych and Bill Gibbs do the play by play until Reyes takes it with a score 0f 13-7. 140 Minutes.
REYES VS MURPHY - 2010 DERBY CITY 9-BALL
SEMI-FINALS. Shannon Murphy got past all but a couple of the 257 entries in this tournament, but he didn't get by Efren Reyes, who has won the Derby City all-around “Master of the Table” four times. Oops…he won it again this year, so make that five! Murphy took it to the hill 7-6 and that says a lot about him. A great 82 minute match monitored by Danny Diliberto and Bill Gibbs.
VAN BOENING VS ALCANO - 2007 US OPEN 9-BALL
FINALS. This is a great match with both players shooting at a very high clip. Ronnie Alcano started off with a bang that left Shane Van Boening appearing a bit stunned. But the crowd was on his side and amidst the cheering and cries of support, Shane bore down and took the win with a score of 13-10. It was a full house in the expert booth with Danny D, Jay Helfert and Jim Wych on the job. 120 minutes.
VAN BOENING VS FEIJEN - 2011 DERBY CITY 9-BALL
SEMI-FINALS. Niels Feijen had his second Derby City Classic title in his grasp when he hooked Shane Van Boening with the match tied on the hill 6-6. But Shane jumped to pocket the ball and drew the cue ball an incredible three rails for perfect shape on the next ball. The crowd roared and you will too. Possibly the greatest shot caught on tape, not to mention he ran out to nail Master of the Table honors. Mark Wilson and Danny D. commentate. 98 minutes.
VAN BOENING VS MORRA - 2014 DERBY CITY 9-BALL
FINALS. John Morra took Shane Van Boening to the hill 10-10 in this year's Derby 10-Ball Big Foot Challenge and he did it again in this 110 minute Derby 9-Ball finals. Unfortunately, he lost both matches at the very end. One of the unluckiest rolls in recent history almost lost Van Boening the 9-Ball crown, but he miraculously prevailed. Watch out for John Morra in the future! Mark Wilson and Danny D. observe and comment.
VAN BOENING VS ORCULLO - 2012 US OPEN 9-BALL
FINALS. Shane Van Boening and Dennis Orcullo meet in the finals to see what will reign, Shane’s effortless break and run-out skill or Dennis’ articulate, precision cue ball. When the smoke clears after 106 minutes, it’s Van Boening taking the Crown 13-7. Play by play from Jerry Forsyth and Bill Gibbs.
VAN BOENING VS ORCULLO - 2014 US OPEN 9-BALL
FINALS. This is not the first time that Shane Van Boening and Dennis Orcullo have faced each other in the finals of a US Open. The last time, Orcullo lost with a score of 13 to 7. This time, with both players shooting near perfect pool, he lost 13 to 10 and allowed Shane to capture his fourth US Open Championship. Jim Wych and Mark Wilson report during this 110 minute match.
VANN CORTEZA VS SHAW - 2013 US OPEN 9-BALL
SEMI-FINALS. Jayson Shaw fought into overtime in this win-by-two format semi-final match. But at 10-10, Lee Vann Corteza broke and kicked it into overdrive, running the last two games needed to oust Shaw 12-10 and move on to a spot in the finals. Jim Wych and Danny Diliberto provide the expert commentary for this 90 minute battle.
WOODWARD VS PAGULAYAN - 2014 US OPEN 9-BALL
Skyler Woodward, formerly known primarily as a bank player, upsets former US Open Champion Alex Pagulayan by posting an amazing .925 total performance average in this race to 11. Alex, never a slouch in the performance department, came in slightly behind, but that was enough to tilt the match in Skyler’s favor 11-8. Mark Wilson and Bill Gibbs reported on this one. 96 minutes.
