Cantrell, Griffin, Hays, Felder, Fuller, Yi, Shabib, Rojas
Kyle Yi bested Victor Rojas, 6-2, in the finals of the 54-player, open 9-ball division, at the fourth stop on the 2023 Poison Lone Star Billiards Tour. However, Kyle did not stop there. The teen phenom ruled the 60-player amateur division as well, ousting Eric Cantrell in the final, 5-4. Yi went unmatched in both divisions, to capture his first-ever, division wins. Yi became the third player to capture both divisions, in Tour history, and the youngest player, at age 15, to win either division.
On June 3rd-4th, 2023, title sponsor Poison by Predator Cues, sponsors Predator Cues, Outsville Billiards, and Team Straight Pool Eye, facilitated another successful event, drawing nearly 80 players, and paying out over $ 8,000 in prize money. Slick Willie’s Family Pool Hall, located at 5913 Westheimer, in Houston, Texas, provided twenty-three, 8’ tables for tournament play, in a non-smoking environment, while Predator sponsored the Arcos II ball sets used on each table, and Accu-Racks were provided by Outsville Billiards, for discussion-free racking.
In the open 9-ball division, winners’ side final eight, Will Felder bested Tuan Nguyen, 6-3, and Kyle Yi detoured Alex Baker, 6-1. Victor Rojas ousted Nick Quirona, 6-2, and Raed Shabib overwhelmed Joshua Pangilinan, 6-1. In the following round, Yi handled Felder, 6-4, and it was Rojas over Shabib, by the same score. Hot seat action witnessed Yi deny Rojas, 6-4. On the west side, down to the final 8 players in the event, Griffin sent Cantrell and Felder packing, 5-2, 5-4, respectively, while Hays ended Fuller, 5-4, but fell to Shabib, 5-2. Griffin curbed Shabib, 5-3, but lost his bid against Rojas, 5-3. The final match featured an undefeated Yi, searching for his first victory, and Rojas, reaching for redemption. In the true, double elimination final, a focused Yi took few chances, and played a near flawless set, defeating Rojas, 6-2, earning his first, open division win.
Cantrell, Yi, Griffin, Alienes, Miller, Nguyen, Hays, Fuller
In the amateur 9-ball division, winners’ side final eight, Johnny Griffin defeated Tuan Nguyen, 5-3, and Javier Alienes slid past Eric Cantrell, 5-4. Colton Hays denied Shane Thompson, 5-1, and Kyle Yi sent Zac Ryan west, 5-1. In the following round, it was Griffin over Alienes, and Yi surpassed Hayes, by the same score, 5-3. Hot seat action witnessed Yi overcome the former Tour champion, 5-3, to secure his first, division hot seat. On the west side, and in the final eight, Bill Fuller shut out K.J. Miller, 4-0, and bested Alienes, 4-3, while Cantrell eliminated Nguyen and Hays, by the same score, 4-1. Fuller was on fire, with 8 consecutive wins, after suffering a first-round loss to Nick Quirona. Cantrell ended Fuller’s run, 4-1, and Griffin, 4-0, to meet Yi in the final. In the final match, both players were composed and focused, vying for their first, division win. In the end, Yi inched ahead to defeat Cantrell, 5-4, taking home his first, amateur division win.
The Tour would like to congratulate Kyle Yi on his well-deserved victories, as well as Eric Cantrell, who achieved his highest finish to date. These players are proof that hard work and stiff competition pays off.
Finally, the Tour would like to thank all of the players who came out to support this event, especially those who attended their very first event! We invite you back at every opportunity.
Amateur Payouts – Total $4,635
1st Kyle Yi $560 / $1,335
2nd Eric Cantrell $340 / $900
3rd Johnny Griffin $250 / $500
4th Bill Fuller $170 / $200
5th-6th Colton Hays, Javier Alienes $90 ea
7th-8th K.J. Miller, Tuan Nguyen $50 ea
9th-12th Shane Thompson, Zac Ryan, Drew Kassman, Robert Salinas $25 ea
Open Payouts – Total $3,445
1st Kyle Yi $600 / $845
2nd Victor Rojas $370 / $450
3rd Johnny Griffin $280 / $200
4th Raed Shabib $180 / $100
5th-6th Colton Hays, Will Felder $90 ea
7th-8th Bill Fuller, Eric Cantrell $50 ea
9th-12th Joshua Pangilinan, Nick Quirona, Tuan Nguyen, Alex Baker $35 ea