IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 7, 2009
Jose Parica Wards Off Strong Shaun Wilkie in the 2009 NCS 10-Ball National Championship Final

In front of over 300 spectators both on-line and on-site, Jose Parica defeated Shaun Wilkie in the NCS 10-Ball National Championship finals at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Produced by CueSports International (CSI) with Bad Boy Billiards Productions, the 4th event in the new NCS series had a small but talent loaded field, including such notible players as Harry Platis, Jon Kucharo, 14 year phenom and Junior National Champion Brendan Crockett, Sal Butera, Adam Kielar and Denis Strickland to name a few as well as Parica and Maryland top player Wilkie.

Parica, who found himself early in the tournament on the left side of the bracket battled back to meet Wilkie in the final single extended race to 13. The semis finals saw Parica playing Bill Anderson from McKinney, Texas. Anderson, who started competing again in 2008 after years away from the sport, found Parica too dominant a force and settled for 3rd.

The final match was also all Parica, as Wilkie faced the lethal combination of dry breaks and an in-form Parica. Thus, the leader of the U.S Pinoy invasion handily added another title to his long list of pool accomplishments. Both Wilkie and Parica will join the top two finishers of the NCS 9-Ball National Championship, Santos Sambajon Jr. and Sal Butera receiving a paid entry to the 2010 U.S Open 10-Ball Championship scheduled next May at the Riviera Hotel and Casino.

As the winner of the inaugural NCS 10-Ball event, Parica also received $3000 in cash, a #308 model cue designed by Danny Janes exclusively for NCS sponsor OB Cues, a custom engraved DELTA-13 Elite rack and a custom solid crystal trophy.

The NCS (National Championship Series) is a division of CueSports International. CSI is also the parent company of the BCA Pool League, the newly launched USA Pool League. CSI also produces the U.S Bar Table Championships and the Jay Swanson Memorial in addition to the U.S Open 10-Ball Championship. For more information about CSI and the NCS, please call (702) 719-7665 or email holly@playcsipool.com.

Results:

1st Place: Jose Parica (CA) $3000 + Listed Prizes and Entry to the 2010 U.S Open 10-Ball Championship
2nd Place: Shaun Wilkie (MD) $1900 + Entry to the 2010 U.S Open 10-Ball Championship
3rd Place: Bill Anderson (TX) $1200
4th Place: Denis Strickland (TX) $800
5th - 6th Place: Todd Marsh (WA) & Jon Kucharo (IA) $500

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 4, 2009
Sambajon and Butera Duke to the Hill in the NCS 9-Ball National Championship Finals

Friday Night at the NCS 9-Ball National Championship finals, spectators witnessed the finesse and knowledge of top veteran players, Santos Sambajon and Sal Butera. Both men played the extended finals race to 15 in A class form. On the tough pro cut 9' Diamond table and with the alternate break format, initially the match was tied up. However starting with game 9, Butera started making his move when given ball in hand after Sambajon scratched on the break and in quick fashionSambajon saw himself down 9-6.

With a combination of well executed safes and patience Sambajon fended off Butera, who as a spectator said earlier was playing all day as if giving a clinic. The next 30 minutes saw the match tied up 10-10. Butera, also known for his laid back and patience at the table, calmly waited for his opportunity. It came when the next break by Sambajon came up dry allowing Butera to run out. The next came when Butera broke and ran out to now give himself a two game advantage making it 12-10.

In game 23, Butera pushed to a jump. Sambajon chose his option and handed the table back to Butera. The cue ball close to one short rail on one end and the one ball near the other short rail but close to the corner pocket. Butera had one big challange, the wall of other balls between whitey and the one. Due to a couple of other balls obstructing the potential kick path, Butera had no choice but to jump almost the entire length of the table and over two balls in the middle in order to keep Sambajon in his chair. Poise, stroke, bang, the cue ball flew through the air and landed dead pocketing the one in the corner and getting perfect on the two. The crowd of 70-80 spectators went wild. Butera, after taking a moment to compose himself from the shot and crowd response, ran out to make it 13-10.

Sambajon was now facing needing 5 to Butera's 2. But Sambajon has been in this rodeo before and knows how to keep focus and bear down just waiting for his opening chance. Perfect shape, well played safes and few misses by Sambajon slowly allowed him to edge up on Butera. Soon the match was hill-hill. Butera broke but scratched in the side leaving the final rack wide open. Sambajon meticulously played perfect shape on the entire rack until his shot on the 8-Ball did not come up on the table as high as he played leaving himself a deep back cut to a corner pocket. With the cue ball and 9-ball only about an inch apart as well, this shot is one that tests any player. Taking a close examination, Sambajon also had to impart high inside to avoid a potential scratch at the other end of the table. He made this under pressure tough shot and to a standing ovation by the crown, Sambajon won 15-14.
Both players will receive paid entry to the 2010 U.S Open 10-Ball Championship at the Riviera Hotel and Casino where 96 players from around the US and world will vie for approximately . Sambajon also won $3800 in cash, the #308 cue from OB Cues and custom engraved rack commemorating his win by DELTA-13 and a custom engraved and made solid crystal trophy.
The NCS 10-Ball National Championship starts today at 10 am Pacific Time and also will be live streamed at www.playcsipool.com

Results:
1st Place: Santos Sambajon (IL) $3800 + Entry 2010 US Open 10-Ball Championship
2nd Place: Sal Butera (CA) $2500 + Entry to 2010 US Open 10-Ball Championship
3rd Place: Adam Kielar (PA) $1700
4th Place: John Kucharo (IA) $1100
5th – 6th Place: Jui Lung Chen (TX) $750 / Denis Strickland (TX) $750
7th – 8th Place: Justin Whitehead (AZ) $400 / Todd Marsh (WA) $400

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 15, 2009

More Poolrooms Sign Up for NCS Qualifiers in CO, VA, OH & NC

During the next 6 weeks poolrooms throughout the U.S will host dozens of qualifiers for the NCS 9-Ball and 10-Ball National Championships. The two National Championship Series (NCS) tournaments will take place back to back this fall, September 3-5 for 9-ball and September 5-7 for the 10-ball event, at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV. The Golden Nugget was also the host location for the first NCS national event, the 2009 NCS 8-Ball National Championship which was held in February where 57 players competed for $28,500 in cash and prizes.

Each of the two national tournaments, the NCS 9 and 10-Ball National Championships, will have a 64 player field limit and with a full field will have a $32,000 prize fund.  Additionally, the top two finishers in each event, for a total of 4 players, will receive paid entries to the inaugural $25,000 Added U.S Open 10-Ball Championship. The NCS is sponsored by Diamond Billiard Products, OB Cues, DELTA-13 Rack, Aramith and Simonis.

To view the complete NCS qualifier list click the events tab on the CueSports International website at www.playcsipool.com. Below are the most recent host pool rooms and dates added to the NCS qualifier calendar:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2009

 

CueSports International

 

Dan Louie Wins NCS 14.1 Qualifier at Uncle Jack’s Billiards

Uncle Jack’s Billiards and Lounge in Lynnwood, Washington June 27-28, 2009 hosted the Pacific Northwest NCS 14.1 qualifier. Sixteen top players from Washington and Oregon participated in the double elimination tournament with the goal of winning a paid spot to the 2009 NCS National Championship being held at Comet Billiards July 31-August 2.

Some of the notable names in the event were Dan Louie, Harry Platis, William “Diamond Bill” Cress and Bob Zack to name a few. The room, which features eleven 9’ Gold Crown tables and an extensive menu, is considered one of the top rooms in the Seattle area.

After two full days of play, Dan Louie, long considered one of the best players in the region beat out veteran Oregon player Bob Zack in the finals 150-120. Louie will receive his entry to the NCS 14.1 Continuous National Championship and hotel and airfare, courtesy of Uncle Jack’s Billiards.

For more information about Uncle Jack’s Billiards visit their website at: http://www.unclejacksbilliards.com/

Louie will be joining top 14.1 players such as: Larry Nevel, john Schmidt, Walter Glass and Tom Walter at the NCS 14.1 national event.

Results and Payout:

1^st Place: Dan Louie / Entry and expenses to 2009 NCS 14.1 National Championship

2^nd Place: Bob Zack / $200

3^rd Place: Bill O’Brian / $150

4^th Place: Don Wirtaman / $100

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2009

CueSports International

 

NCS 9 and 10-Ball National Championship Dates Announced

CueSports International (CSI) would like to announce the National Championship Series (NCS) 9-Ball and 10-Ball National Championships are scheduled September 3-7, 2009 at the award winning Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.

The NCS 9-Ball and 10-Ball national tournaments will be treated as two separate events yet held consecutively over the scheduled five-days. 9-Ball will start September 3 and finish September 5 and 10-Ball will start September 5 and finish September 7. By combining the two tournaments together players who qualify for both national events have the opportunity to save on their time and travel while getting the chance to win a U.S national champion title and expand their prize winning potential.  

Each of the two events will have a maximum field of 64 players. The prize fund for each separate event, based on a full 64 player field, is $32,000. Should both events have full fields the total payout for the dual NCS event would be $64,000. While players interested in playing in 9-Ball are not required to qualify for the 10-Ball event or visa-versa, it would seem they might be interested in doing so since the two events are being held consecutively. The first NCS national event, the NCS 8-Ball National Championship came close to a full field in this first year with 57 players with a prize fund of $28,500.

To compete in an NCS national event players must win a spot at an NCS qualifier. Qualifiers are scheduled in area pool rooms throughout the U.S. The NCS is open to all U.S citizens and permanent residents who have resided in the United States the previous 12 consecutive months prior to the date of the qualifier in which they win an NCS spot.

The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, winner of the AAA Four Diamond Award since 1977, is the most luxurious resort on the Fremont Street Experience, and consistently receives critical acclaim for exceeding customer expectations. The Golden Nugget offers more than 1,900 deluxe guest rooms and suites; a high-energy casino featuring the most popular slot and video poker machines, table games, race and sports book and poker room; nightly entertainment; world-class restaurants; luxury spa and salon and The Tank, a year-round outdoor swimming pool complete with a live shark aquarium. In September 2005, Landry’s Restaurants, Inc. purchased the Golden Nugget hotels and casinos in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev., and embarked on a 14-month, $100 million renovation project, which was completed November 2006. In December 2007, the Golden Nugget completed its $60 million Phase II project, which expanded the resort west onto First Street and introduced additional entertainment, event and dining venues.

The NCS is sponsored by Diamond Billiard Products, OB Cues, DELTA-13 Rack and Aramith. For more information about the National Championship Series, the Golden Nugget, the Fremont Street Experience and a list of all NCS qualifiers visit the CSI website at www.playcsipool.com, call 702-719-7665 or email Holly Ryan at holly@playcsipool.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2009

 

CueSports International

 

National Championship Series (NCS) Player Eligibility Expanded

CueSports International (CSI) would like to announce the following National Championship Series (NCS) player eligibility change which will take effect immediately: the NCS is open to all U.S Citizens and to U.S Permanent Resident Aliens who have resided full time in the U.S for a minimum of 12 consecutive months prior to winning a qualifying spot at an NCS national event.

The previous policy, which required players be eligible to hold a U.S passport, was with the goal of meeting eligibility to represent the U.S in a WPA World Championship. However, after discussion with representatives of the WPA, the NCS is able to expand its previous policy to include long term U.S residents who do not however have U.S citizenship.

Players who win a spot(s) to any NCS national event will receive a welcome packet which includes important information pertaining to the NCS national event for which they qualified. The NCS is a series of five U.S national championships in the follow five cue disciplines: 8-Ball, 9-Ball, 10-Ball, 14.1 Continuous and One Pocket.

The NCS 14.1 Continuous National Championship is scheduled July 31-August 2, 2009 at Comet Billiards in Parsippany, NJ. The top two finishers at the 14.1 NCS national event will represent the U.S to the 2009 World 14.1 Championship scheduled August 24-29 in East Brunswick, NJ and will be streamed online by Accu-Stats.

The NCS 9-Ball and 10-Ball National Championships will be held together over a 5 day event at the historical and award winning Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, NV September 3-7, 2009. TAR will be streaming both events. Players must participate and win a spot in an NCS qualifier to be able to play in an NCS national event.

The NCS is sponsored by Diamond Billiard Products, OB Cues, DELTA-13 Rack and Aramith. For a complete listing of qualifiers please visit the NCS calendar at www.playcsipool.com, call the CSI office at 702-719-7665 or email holly@playcsipool.com.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2009

From CueSports International

 

Glass Shines at Pool Sharks Heads to NCS 14.1 Nationals

 

April 18-19, 2009 Pool Sharks in Las Vegas, Nevada hosted the first NCS 14.1 Continuous qualifier. Fourteen players from Nevada, California and Arizona competed for a spot to the NCS 14.1 Continuous National Championship which will be held July 31-August 2 at Comet Billiards (home of the Accu-Stats Arena) in Parsippany, New Jersey. Accu-Stats will be streaming the entire three days of the national event.

 

Nevada player Walter Glass won the qualifier spot after demonstrating his knowledge, perseverance and cue ball position and speed control. The NCS 14.1 Continuous National Championship will be the second national NCS event which Glass will be participating. Last February at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Glass took 4^th place in the NCS 8-Ball National Championship.

 

The NCS is a series of five U.S national championships in the following games: 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball, 14.1 Continuous and One Pocket. The 14.1 Continuous is the second in the series then following by 9 ball, 10 ball and One Pocket. The NCS is open to all U.S players; men, women, junior, amateur and professional who are eligible to hold a U.S passport. In order to participate in an NCS national event, players must win a qualifier spot via a qualifier tournament at a locally or regionally scheduled host pool room.

 

CueSports International is dedicated to broadening opportunity to players of all ability.  CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League, the National Championship Series (NCS), the USA Pool League (USAPL) and produces independent events such as the U.S Bar Table Championships, the Jay Swanson Memorial and starting August 2009, the Shootout at the Sands.

 

For more information about CueSports International or the NCS please contact the CSI office 702-719-7665 or email holly@playcsipool.com. For the list of NCS scheduled qualifiers in 14.1, 9 and 10-ball please visit the NCS Calendar under the events tab at www.playcsipool.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2009
From CueSports International

NCS Qualifiers Scheduled in 14.1, 9 and 10 Ball

When CueSports International (CSI) launched the National Championship Series (NCS), the first fully open U.S national championships open to men, women, amateur and professional players, it announced plans to produce not one but five separate championships in five different cue disciplines.

The first event, the 2009 NCS 8-Ball National Championship in the elegant Grand Ballroom at the Golden Nugget was a success both from the level of play and the response of those who watched it both in person and on the live stream by The Action Report.

Recently CSI announced the second NCS national event: the NCS 14.1 National Championship, which is scheduled July 31- August 2 at Comet Billiards in Parsippany, NJ and the home of the Accu-Stats Arena. The NCS 9-Ball and 10-Ball National Championship dates are in discussion and will be announced in the near future.

In order to play in any of the NCS national championships players must win a spot via a local qualifier in pool rooms around the country and a U.S citizen. Currently qualifiers are being scheduled in the following games: 14.1 Continuous (Straight Pool), 9-Ball and 10-Ball.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2009

CueSports International

From Kokomo to Kenmore Players Vie for Spots to NCS 14.1 and 9-Ball Nationals

 

The weekend of April 25-26 saw three National Championship Series (NCS) qualifiers take place, two in 14.1 Continuous and one in 9-Ball.

 

Hard Times Billiards in Sacramento, CA hosted a 14.1 qualifier and top local favorite Frank Nordmann Jr. edged out Robert Aldana by a mere 6 points to win the spot to the NCS 14.1 Continuous National Championship being held July 31 – August 2 at Comet Billiards.

 

Across the nation the memorably named pool room, the Ryno Room, hosted Sunday April 26 a 14.1 qualifier. The NCS qualifier portion was part of a three day annual tournament called the Ryno Cup which featured 8-ball, one pocket and 14.1. Mark Ritter took a domineering victory over Brian Artrip 100-14 and too will be heading to Comet the end of July for the NCS national event.

 

In addition to 14.1, NCS qualifiers in 9 and 10 ball are also scheduled. Golden Fleece Billiards in Kenmore, Washington hosted a field of 45 players in the first NCS 9 ball qualifier in the Pacific Northwest. Jim Conway and Damien Deng won the two spots to the NCS 9-Ball National Championship. The dates and details of the NCS 9 and 10 ball national tournament will be held in the early fall in Las Vegas. Details about the Las Vegas 9 and 10 ball NCS national events will be announced soon.

 

The NCS is a series of U.S national championships in five cue disciplines: 8-Ball, 9-Ball, 10-Ball, 14.1 Continuous, and One Pocket.

 

For more information about the NCS, any of its national championship events or CueSports International call 702-719-7665 or email holly@playcsipool.com

 

CueSports International is the parent company of the BCA Pool League (BCAPL), the National Championship Series (NCS), USA Pool League (USAPL) and produces the Jay Swanson Memorial, the U.S Bar Table Championships (USBTC) and the new Shootout at The Sands scheduled August 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 7, 2009

Parica Comes Back Strong to Take the 2009 NCS 10-Ball National Championship
span style="font-size: xx-small">In front of over 300 spectators both on-line and on-site, Jose Parica defeated Shaun Wilkie in the NCS 10-Ball National Championship finals at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.