Some of the finest players in Southern California assembled at Danny K's Billiards in Orange California on August 23-24 to play in the second Rotation Continuous double elimination pool tournament. Even though only 32 players entered, the field hosted some local and national pros, like Jose Parica, Ernesto Dominguez, Tang Hoa, David Hemmah, Oscar Dominguez and Max Eberle.
The entry fee was $50, with $2,000 added to the prize money.
The format was a race to 100 points on the winner's side and 75 points on the loser's. Rotation Continuous is played like rotation, with each ball counting a point and with each player coming to the table with cue ball in hand. Safeties are not allowed, and if the shooter makes a ball on the break he or she takes cue ball in hand,
In the opening round, Max Eberle ran 30 against Lorry DeLeon, coming up empty on his next break. He won the match 100-56.
Max ran a 28 in his next match and also didn't make a ball on his next break.
Tang Hoa and Jose Parica matched up in an early round that saw Parica run 49 balls in the middle of the game. Tang could not answer this onslaught and lost 100-40.
Corey Harper and Marshal Jung matched up on the winner's side and a battle back and forth saw the match at 99-95 Jung. Corey got to 99 but missed shape on the 4 ball. Corey brought out his jump cue, hit the 4 solid, but made nothing. Marshal wins 100-99.
Max Eberle played an exciting match early with Ramin Biakhtiari. Behind 95-40 Ramin ran 44 balls only to miss and have Max run his remaining five and out. During this match Max jumped the cue ball off the side rail to go over a ball blocking his shot and made the six in the side. He ran out the rest of that rack.
On Sunday, Max played Jose Parica in the winner's bracket semis. Tied at 75 points, Max scratched on the break. Jose had the option to give the shot back to Max and did so because the one ball was tied up on the spot with other balls. Max banked the one in the side, breaking up any clusters and ran the table.
Parica then went to the loser's side, where he again played Tang Hoa. At 74 points (loser's go to 75) Jose got out of line on his out ball, and rattled it in the corner. Tang had 56 points when this happened, and mounted a charge and ran 11 balls, but got out of line on the 8 ball and missed position on his next ball. Tang missed and Jose won 75-66.
Jose then had to play Nick Spano, from Victorville. Spano showed a lot of heart but lost 75-55. Nick picked up a check for $300 for his fourth place finish.
Meanwhile, Max Eberle and Oscar Dominguez were battling it out for the hot seat. The audience witnessed some great pool and Eberle won 100-40.
Oscar played Jose for the winner of the one loss round. Oscar displayed great cue ball control in winning 75-54.
In the final, a single race to 100, Max Eberle displayed near perfect cue ball control, running 28 balls and then 22 later in the match. Oscar seemed to have a difficult time making a ball on the break. Max won the match 100-54 and the tournament.
Here is the money breakdown:
Max Eberle $1,000
Oscar Dominguez $650
Jose Parica $450
Nick Spano $300
Marshal Jung $250
Tang Hoa $250
Lorry Deleon $150
Ramin Biakhtiari $150
Ernesto Dominguez $100
Frank Almanza $100
Corey Harper $100
Jim Burt $100
Here are some quotes from some of the players regarding this game:
"Thanks to Danny K's for holding a Rotation type tournament. This game has a lot of strategy, to run a whole rack of balls, and each ball counting one point. I believe this is better than nine ball or ten ball. The better player should win in the long run because of his consistency. Luck is not as much a factor in this game as in other games. Also, because of the ball in hand rule, both players have an opportunity to show their skill. The change in rotation rule of counting one point per ball makes the game tougher and consistent.
Jose Parica
"Rotation Continuous may just be my new favorite game. I've always loved rotation and this is a great way to bring into an exciting and highly playable format. It's an awesome test of skill and focus and this may well be the game of the future."
Max Eberle
"This is a great game where you need to be very creative. With no safeties, you need to come with tough shots. Very fun."
Ernesto Dominguez
"First of all, Danny K is trying to promote a new game in Los Angeles (area) and at least show some support, Y'all. And it's a pure game, total offense."
Tang Hoa
"Danny's new game is a mixture of 14.1 and rotation. It's definitely and accurate measure of one's skill level where luck is minimized. Looking forward to the next event."
Oscar Dominguez
