Overview of the Tournament
Setting the Stage
IN 2006 the IPT hosted the North American Open 8-Ball Championship. At the time it was the biggest tournament in the history of the game in terms of prize money! The winner was to be awarded $350,000!
Even the venue was mindblowing with the tournament held at the 5 star Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada! tournament.
Round Robin Format and Prize Money Breakdown
The tournament format was a round robin event which meant that every player would play either four or five matches per day, making it a grueling format that was demanding both physically and mentally.
Each player would go on to play a minimum of eight hours per day, and on certain days, each player ended up playing for ten hours or more.
The prize money breakdown for the tournament was as follows:
1st Place: $350,000
2nd Place: $99,000
3rd Place: $80,000
4th Place: $65,000
5th Place: $50,000
6th Place: $40,000
7th – 18th Place: $30,000 each
19th – 36th Place: $17,000 each
37th – 60th Place: $10,000 each
61st – 120th Place: $5,000 each
121st – 200th Place: $2,000 each
The Road to the Finals
Top Players in the Tournament
One player who had been dominating was 50-year-old Efren Reyes, who was the only player to remain undefeated, winning all five of his matches in a row.
Another player who has qualified for the next round was Ralf Souquet, who led the pack in his group, only losing one match to Dennis Orcollo.
The Finals: A Battle to Remember
Final Six Players and Their Journey
Saturday saw the top six players advance in the North American Open 8-Ball Tour at The Venetian. The format was grueling, and some players found it tough, but 50-year-old Efren Reyes remained undefeated, winning all five of his matches in a row.
In Group 2, Ralf Souquet led the pack, losing only one match to Dennis Orcollo. Orcollo had to fight his way onto the tour by beating world champions, but he won three of his five matches.
Group 3 was intense, with a three-way tie before Thorsten Hohmann sealed his spot by winning the match against Marcus Chamat. Marlon Manalo also qualified from this group.
The Thrilling Conclusion: Hohmann vs. Manalo
In the finals, Thorsten “The Hitman” Hohmann triumphed over “Marvelous Marlon” Manalo in a double-hill match. Hohmann was confident and relaxed, having slept well the night before. He thanked everyone who supported him and took home $350,000 in cash and an enormous silver trophy. The crowd was thrilled with the competition, and Michael Buffer added to the excitement with his famous phrase, “Let’s get ready to rack ’em!”
A Historic Event in Pool History
The IPT North American Open 8-Ball Championship was a truly historic event, with the biggest prize money pool ever seen in the game of pool. It was held at one of the most beautiful venues in the world, the Venetian in Las Vegas, and featured some of the best players in the world battling it out in a grueling round robin format.
| Player Name | Total Matches | Matches Won | Matches Lost | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hohmann, Thorsten | 29 | 22 | 7 | $350,000 |
| Manalo, Marlon | 29 | 23 | 6 | $99,000 |
| Orcollo, Dennis | 28 | 20 | 8 | $80,000 |
| Reyes, Efren | 28 | 22 | 6 | $65,000 |
| Souquet, Ralf | 28 | 20 | 8 | $50,000 |
| Stalev, Evgeny | 28 | 17 | 11 | $40,000 |
| Alcano, Ronato | 23 | 15 | 8 | $30,000 |
| Appleton, Darren | 23 | 15 | 8 | $30,000 |
| Bustamante, Francisco | 23 | 14 | 9 | $30,000 |
| Chamat, Marcus | 23 | 16 | 7 | $30,000 |
| Diks, Rico | 23 | 14 | 9 | $30,000 |
| Hann, Quinten | 23 | 14 | 9 | $30,000 |
| Luat, Rodolfo | 23 | 14 | 9 | $30,000 |
| Matlock, David | 23 | 15 | 8 | $30,000 |
| Nevel, Larry | 23 | 14 | 9 | $30,000 |
| Owen, Gabriel | 23 | 14 | 9 | $30,000 |
| Pagulayan, Alex | 23 | 14 | 9 | $30,000 |
| Peach, Daryl | 23 | 15 | 8 | $30,000 |
| Adkins, Dee | 18 | 13 | 5 | $17,000 |
Impact on the Players and the Sport
This tournament not only showcased the immense talent of the players but also served as a testament to their physical and mental endurance. It pushed the limits of what was thought possible in the world of professional pool, raising the bar for future tournaments and creating a new standard for pool competitions worldwide.
Final Thoughts on the Tournament
The 2006 IPT North American Open 8-Ball Championship proved to be an unforgettable experience for both players and fans alike. The intense competition, the beautiful venue, and the record-breaking prize pool all contributed to making this tournament a truly historic event in the world of professional pool.
Thorsten Hohmann’s victory in the finals against Marlon Manalo, culminating in a double-hill match, was an incredible display of skill and determination. Hohmann’s victory not only earned him a place in pool history but also served as an inspiration for aspiring pool players around the world.
In conclusion, the 2006 IPT North American Open 8-Ball Championship was a groundbreaking event that will be remembered for years to come. Its impact on the world of professional pool, as well as its influence on future tournaments, will be felt for generations to come.
