Billiard News

With great sadness, I report to you that Allen Gilbert died peacefully early morning, July 15, 2006, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in West Los Angeles, after battling a long illness. He was 77. As you know Allen was seven times United States National 3-Cushion Billiard Champion and four times “Champ of Champs”. He was also the author of Systematic Billiards, a renowned billiards instructor, a charter and life member of the United States Billiards Association, and a friend of innumerable players and others in the billiards community. During his many playing years he was also a BWA contract player and played on the world tour. (more about Mr. Gilbert)

Southwest Regional Qualifications for 2007 National Championship to be held Nov. 17, 18 19 at Burbank Elks Lodge 2232 No. Hollywood Way, Burbank, Ca. USBA Sanctioned Tournament.

This tournament, held in memory of Allen Gilbert, featured 24 players trying to qualify for 3 automatic entries into the 2007 Nationals which will be held at Eight Ball Billiards, Maywood Ca. (323)-562-9092 in February 2007, the week following the Superbowl.

Twenty-four players signed the sheet and play began at high noon on Friday Nov.17, 2006 at the Burbank Elks Lodge on five heated Verhoeven tables with new Simonis cloth and new Aramith spotted balls; the players found playing conditions great with the tables very consistent and playing very nicely.

The format was four groups of six players playing a round-robin with the two top players from each group moving to a final eight man round-robin event to determine the order of finish. All games including the finals were played to thirty points. One player was seeded into each group with the remaining players drawn at random to fill out the groups.

The seeds were as follows: Kahlil Diab of Vallejo Ca. (winner of this tournament last year) Timoteo “Timo” Moreno, long time top Los Angeles player. Also Vicki Penada, a very smooth stroking and very tough Los Angeles player. And the fourth seed “Sudden” Sam Worley, renown for his ability to “suddenly” put big numbers on the wire. Sam shared in the high run prize along with Ron Sudy with a run of nine. The seeding was effective, as three of the four seeds moved on to the final day.

George Aronek was the tournament director with Bruce Warner and Adrien “Toluco” Rentaria assisting. Burbank Elks has a great billiard room with comfortable seating for spectators and players alike. Attendance was high for all three days. With twenty-four players, the Southwest Regional qualified three players to compete in the 2007 USBA Championship, which will be played in Los Angeles this February at the Eight Ball Billiards (located at 5250 So. Atlantic Blvd, Maywood Ca. (323) 562-9092) on twelve heated Verhoevens. The three top qualifiers have their entry fees paid into the 2007 USBA Championships and will receive $200.00 expense money. Innings were not kept for every game, but the quality of play was high and unofficial spot checks of innings kept showed the winners to play between .85 to 1.2. Overall, the quality of play was high. Here are the results.

Eight Ball Billiards, Maywood Ca. (323)-562-9092. This 2 day tournament hosted by Jose Cerda, owner of Eight Ball Billiards, will start promptly at 11:00AM on Saturday the 5th, the players meeting will be at 10:00. It will be a handicap tournament with games played to 30 points. Inscription will be $125.00, with all monies placed into the prize fund. George Aronek will be tournament director. The dress code will be black pants, white shirt, black shoes with vest or tie optional. Eight Ball Billiards has added 4 additional Verhoeven tables, bringing the count to 14Carom tables.

Alfredo Moreno was undefeated in finals until the last round against Pancho Palafox and he lost by only one point, giving him a total number of points of 149. Alfredo was victorious over Pedro by two points. 30 point games.

Tournament High Run: Chava Diaz 16 (& out during Pre-lims, his poor opponent was leading at the time 15-14)

June 24, 25, 2006 Saturday & Sunday Mi Oficina Family Billards 5431 E. Holt Blvd. Montclair, Ca 91763 Telephone #909-983-8939, 951-675-5379. $125.00 entry fee. $1000.00 added. Handicap. Dress code. black pants, white shirt, black shoes, vest or tie optional. Strictly enforced

1st Place. . . Pedro Piedrabuena 7-0 Undefeated throughout tournament. Winner High Run @ 13

Two day tournament hosted by Toluco Renteria with 4 flights of 7, handicap round robin style with top two players out of each flight going to the finals. Piedrabuena going undefeated through out the tournament and Palafox suffering only one defeat; that at the hands of Piedrabuena in the final round on the final day of the tournament. The tournament was very well run with Toluco doing a great job of organization while George Aronek kept the scores and drew up the usual beautiful charts. A good time was had by all, a big success. Pete Folsom

January 13, 14, & 15 2006 North Hollywood Billiards 11130 Magnolia (at Lankershim) North Hollywood, Ca. 818-769-9144

This three day tournament hosted by Larry Wier, owner of North Hollywood Billiards was a round robin event, prefaced by 4 flights of 6 players in a round robin format. The top 2 players from each flight then advanced to an 8 man round robin finals. In the final round robin event Palafox had an early defeat at the hands of Frank Torres, (past American champion multiple times) as Pedro Piedrabuena went undefeated through the first 6 rounds of the finals. In the 7th and final round, Palafox defeated Piedrabuena 30-22, leaving each player with 6-1 records. The first tie breaker is total points scored, and as Palafox had scored 25 points in his loss to Torres, Palafox was declared the winner. Total points scored by Palafox 205, total points scored by Piedrabuena 202. Pedro Piedrabuena was 2004 United States Billiards Association champion and is considered one of the best players in the United States. He also is past national champion of Uruguay. He and his family now reside in Los Angeles. Francisco "Pancho" Palafox is considered one of the best players in the Los Angeles area and has played in major tournaments in New York City and many cities in Mexico. George Aronek was tournament director.

Nov. 18, 19, & 20 2005 Burbank Elks Lodge, 2232 No. Hollywood Way, Burbank, Ca. USBA Sanctioned Tournament.

Oct. 21, 22 & 23, 2005 Eight Ball Billiards, 5250 So. Atlantic Blvd, Maywood Ca. (323) 562-9092

Sept. 17 & 18, 2005 South Gate Billiards 10511 So. Atlantic Blvd, South Gate Ca. (323) 563-3392