James a Safe Bet at Golden Eagle Casino

By Bill Rosenberger

Anyone who bet o­n James to win the Midwest 9-Ball Tour event at the Golden Eagle Casino had a pretty good chance to come out a winner.  Both James Baraks and James Walden earned spots in the finals in the November 20-21 tournament, so the odds were split down the middle o­n who would come out the winner.

The $5,000-added event drew 82 players to the nicely dressed-up bingo hall, where 16 pool tables were brought in for the large weekend event.  Tournament director Evelyn Dysart also included a small casino employee tournament that brought 41 players.  Sonny Samqua, who works in security, took first-place and won a three-day paid leave. 

Sunday's final players included Baraks and Walden, who met in the hot seat.  Walden held an early lead at 5-3, which he grew to 7-3, thanks to two break-and-runs.  After Baraks took the next game, Walden broke and ran for the third time in the match, and he went o­n to win 9-5. 

Baraks headed to the semifinals to face Danny "The Springfield Flash" Harriman in a long and grueling match.  With the score tied at 2-all, Harriman took control and won two straight for a 4-2 lead.  Baraks battled back, and the match drew even at 7.  Harriman grabbed the next game for an 8-7 lead, but Baraks wouldn't concede in the next rack.  Baraks played safeties most of the match until he was able to go o­n the offensive and put the match o­n the hill.  After a slow start to the deciding game, Baraks caught a break midway through the game and ran out the last few balls for a 9-8 win.

In the double-elimination finals, Baraks and Walden met in a rematch, and it was anyone's match to win.  Because of the alternate-break format, Baraks got to the table first.  Interestingly enough, both players broke and ran their respective racks the entire way through.  Baraks, who broke the odd racks, broke and ran the final rack for the 9-8 win. 

In the second set, Walden simply lost his break.  In the 9-0 whitewash, Walden scratched o­n the break three times and never had took a shot after the break.  The slots definitely came up triple 7s for Baraks in the comeback victory.

Results:

1st James Baraks $2,030

2nd James Walden $1,300

3rd Danny Harriman $900

4th Mark Chernin $650

5th Tony Zierman, Chad Bilmont $400

7th Shane Jones, Gene Albrecht $300