07/07/2026
Huge turnout for last night's KOTT 8-Ball tournament! 28 players, $320 in entries and $190 added for a total of $510 in payouts for the 2-hour tournament.
As always, the players are ranked from high to low based on FargoRate. The top 50% go into the Upper division, and the bottom 50% go into the Lower. When we get 27+ players, we split the field into three divisions: Upper, Middle, and Lower! The players all shoot against each other randomly, but the cash is split equally between the divisions.
P.j. Perez held the lead for most of the night while fending off the likes of Richard Carbon, Derak Gergen, and Mark Sternal. Just when Derak was getting within striking, he lost a game with 15 minutes to go, and that pretty much stopped any forward momentum he had going. Then, PJ followed suit, opening the door for Richie and Mark to pass him up.
When time expired, Richie and Mark ended dead tied with 13 wins in 15 games, each pocketing $70 for 1st in the Upper division. PJ held on for 3rd and $30 with his 12 wins in 16 games.
In the Middle division, Paul McArthur was at the top of the leader board all night long, and he ended with 10 wins in 13 games (4th best score overall), taking the 1st place prize of $90. Becky Perfetti was just half a step behind him all night, but couldn't catch him. She finished with 9 wins 10 games, taking the 2nd place cash of $50. In 3rd place, Robert Finley and Aaron Schilla tied with 7 wins in 10 games, splitting the $30.
In the Lower division, Martin Crum had a solid night, scoring 6 wins in 12 games, taking the top prize of $90. Gavin Sotona was right on his heels with 5 wins in 9 games, pocketing $50 for 2nd. And Kris Dickey grabbed the $30 prize for 3rd with 3 wins in 8 games.
The BNR grew to $176 per ball, and the lucky contestant was Drew Sotona! Drew popped the break well. He pocketed the 6-Ball on the break, and the 7, 8, and 10-Balls damn near fell as well! Just when it looked like Drew would land with a long, straight shot on the 1-Ball, the 2 got in the way, halfway hooking the line. But that didn't slow Drew down, as he elevated his cue to shoot a little swerving masse, pocketing the 1. He then turned his sights on the 2, lined it up, fired, and... missed. Doh!
Don't miss tonight's KOTT 9-Ball tournament. The BNR pot will start at $176 per ball and grow.