Rack-M-Up Summer Series is Underway

Winner of the second qualifier Marc Malette and runner up Clayton Disotell

By: Markus Noé

The much anticipated annual Rack-M-Up Summer Series has begun. Thus far there has been two qualifiers played out of the eight. In order to be able to participate in the Grand Final September 8th one needs to play in no less than 4 out of 8 of the qualifying tournaments. This series is handicapped and open to players from begninner level to AAA which is just under Semi-Pro and Pro level. The game is 9 ball alternative break and call the 9 ball only.

Winner of the first Qualifer Mark Roy and Director Doug Disotell

Each player is given a number 5-9 based on their skill level which is determined by tournament director Doug Disotell. Once this number is established, that is the number of games one must win in order to win their match. So far after two events we have two different winners both of whom went undefeated to capture their wins, congratulation to Mark Roy for winning the first event and Marc Malette for taking down the second. Below is the reamaining dates we hope to see many new faces in this edition of the Summer Series. If you are curious and feel like spectating feel free to beat the heat this summer and come on in grab cool beverage and enjoy the air conditioner.

For questions about leagues, tournaments, cue/repairs and table installation contact Doug Disotell through the Rack-M-Up Billiards Facebook Page or by telephone at 1-613-362-5035. 

Charette Goes Undefeated to Win Falcon Cues QC Pro Tour Grand Final

Michael Bernier, Danny Hewitt, Nicolas Charrette, Luc Salvas, John Morra

 By: Markus Noé

The weekend of April 28th-29th the Falcon Cues Québec Pro Tour wrapped up its season at Dooly's Valleyfield. 50 players from all over Québec and Ontario came to participate in this $4000 added season ending tournamnet. With the edition of players like John Morra and Erik Hjorleifson who came from Toronto this was the most talent stacked tournament of the season.

Early on the main storyline for me was that world renown player and major champion Morra, was playing with his opposite hand. I have some insight on his abilities as a few years back I went to the Steinway Classic in Queen's NY and played some cheap matches with him as he played left handed. He even spotted me and I think I was lucky to win 1 out of 4 matches. Morra being a right handed player but heavely left eye dominate has been discussed in length in the pool community.

Being so dominate in his opposite eye something I am trying to overcome myself, has caused some issues for Morra. He is currently in a lot of neck and back pain and told me this past week "if i am going to contiue to play professionally, I have to make the switch." Morra also said he believes in two years he will be preforming better than ever. Besides overcoming the pain their are some technical advantages for him as well.

With all that being said Morra went on to finish in third place, playing opposite hand the entire way. He met up with Danny Hewitt the most dominate player in Falcon Tour history earlier on and lost a close match. Later on the losers side he met up with another legend Alain Martel on the losers side and eliminated him, then also got revenge against Hewitt beating him out in 4th.

It was runner up Michael Bernier who ended Morra improbable run in the losers side final. Bernier has to be one of the most aggressive pro players I have seen on the tour. He literally takes on most shots without much regard for safety play and it serves him well as him and Nicolas Charette met in the winners side final.  Both players had to get by some tough pro's as Charette beat Alain Martel and Bernier beat Danny Hewitt two Canadian legends on route to the winners side final

Charette would get the win 9-5 in this match. Overall all weekend Charette seemed to be the most comfortable out there, just queitly going about his business never taking a shot off or taking a gamble at the "wrong shot." It was this combination that served him well throughout the event.

The final was a thrilling match as until half way though the race to 11 either player had not made a mistake. They were exchanging racks back forth the entire match until the end were Charette got his nose ahead to win 11-9 in what was one of the highest level matches I have seen on the tour all season. Congratulations to finalist for putting on a great show.

I would like to thank Danny Hewitt and Luc Paquette for putting on a great tour again this year! As always I cannot wait to be back next season and keep climbing up the ladder myself! See you all in September!