Women & Americans at Predator World Straight Pool Championship: Complete Schedule

The two lone ladies Yu Ram Cha of Korea and Gerda Hofstatter of Austria won both their matches handily. Cha defeated Chicago Qualifier winner Jeff Mohl 100-62 while Hofstatter defeated NYC Qualifier winner Jude Rosenstock 100-38. Both women played last year’s World 14.1 but failed to pass the round robin. This year could be different.

Johnny Archer escaped underdog Ed Deska after trailing 82-50, but came back and ran the set out after a great jacked up cross side bank. Forum fan favorite Max Eberle returns to the World Tournament after 2 years absence with his dominating 100-28 win over California’s Dan Wallace. Notable absence from John Schmidt who broke his arm a few weeks before the event. Schmidt would’ve been USA’s top hope to win the crown, but players such as Archer, Eberle, Robles, Hopkins, Barouty are more than capable.

In an entertaining match on Accu-Stats, legendary Grady Mathews took on Danny Barouty, local NY legend. In a long winded match full of safeties, three fouled, and scratches, Barouty came on top at the very end 100-73.

“I just read the comments from the European contingent. Don’t be surprised if the winner doesn’t celebrate in a beer hall over a tall stein. There are going to be a few surprises coming out of the Big Apple. A victory drink at Greys Papaya on 72nd is a definite possibility. The owner of Amsterdam Billiards should start getting the joint ready for the celebration following the return of the title to the greatest city in the world. Not Berlin or Helsinki but New York. (Apologies to Madrid, Paris, Seoul and Tel Aviv. It ain’t happenin’).  I guarantee victory or my name isn’t Steve Lipsky.” said the always entertaining Danny Barouty of NY.