Jeremy Jones (Photo courtesy of PoolAction.tv)
Legends Billiards of League City, TX was the destination. 138 players in two divisions competed on the nine footers to see who would be this year’s Houston 9-Ball Open champions.
Thirty women entered the Ladies Division trying for a piece of the $1,900 purse plus $1,460 in Calcutta action. Playing down to the semi-final match were well-known Texas players Jennifer Kraber and Amanda Lampert. Jennifer won the match 5-2 and Amanda went west to await the results of the Natalie Rocha-Kim Pierce match. Natalie defeated Kim leaving her in fourth place with $190 in prize money plus another $145 in Calcutta cash. Natalie was unstoppable as she defeated Amanda to move into the finals. Amanda received $285 in prize money and $220 in Calcutta cash for third place.
Natalie was on a tear but Jennifer was having none of it as she defeated her 7-4. Natalie cashed $385 prize money plus $365 Calcutta for her second place finish. As the 2016 Houston Open champ, Jennifer received $570 plus $510 from the Calcutta for her efforts.
The Open Division drew 108 players fighting for a piece of the $16,630 purse plus another $13,690 from the player auction. When the music stopped, it was last year’s Houston Open champ Jeremy Jones and Cesar Garcia Jr in the hot seat. Looking to repeat, JJ made quick work of Cesar 7-2. Meanwhile, Kevin Cheng and former Houston Open champ, Charlie Bryant, were duking it out. Hillbilly prevailed 7-4 and moved on to play Cesar for the other berth in the finals. Taking fourth place, Kevin received $1,170 in prize money plus $1,230 Calcutta.
After defeating Cesar and leaving him in third place, Charlie moved on to the finals. Cesar cashed $1,610 in prize money plus another $1,780 from the Calcutta.
Jeremy was a man on a mission – it was JJ all the way. He defeated Hillbilly 9-3 to repeat as the 2016 Houston Open champion. Charlie received $2,340 in prize money in addition to another $2,400 from the Calcutta. Jeremy received $3,520 for first place plus $3,770 in Calcutta cash.
Congratulations to both Jennifer and Jeremy – our defending Houston Open champions!
PoolActionTV would like to thank Craig and Mindy Cohen as well as their great staff for their hospitality. They always do a fabulous job! We’d like to thank the Houston Open’s main sponsor, Jerry Olivier Custom Cues, for their support. We’d also like to thank John Barton of JB Cases, Club Billiards, Hanshew Custom Cues, Aramith, Simonis, Lomax Custom Cues, GoPlayPool.com, Kamui and Durbin Custom Cues for their support.
Thanks to Justin Schwartz for doing such a great job running the show as well as Terry Hanna and Jason “Helpdesk” Walton for keeping the ride smooth.
PoolActionTV’s next stop is the Tennessee State 8-Ball Championships and the Southern Cue & Case Show at the Chattanooga Billiards Club. Hope to see you there!!!
