By Zak Ross

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 “Never tell me the odds.” - Han Solo

Chris Byers (717) and Daniel Sardoncillo (692) faced-off Wednesday night (12/28) in a highly anticipated nineball match. It was a race to 15, winner break format. This match was predicted by many to be a tight and exciting matchup. In contrast, FargoRate favored Byers with a winning probability of 68.1% vs 31.9% for Sardoncillo. OK so now I’ve told you the odds… how about, “may the odds be ever in your favor.”

Both players recently represented their home states in the annual Northwest (NW) Cup, Byers of Oregon (OR) and Sardoncillo of Washington (WA), with WA prevailing over OR in a close 9-7 overall team score. On day two of the NW Cup, Sardoncillo defeated Paul Marquez 5-0, and immediately afterward Byers defeated James Davee 5-0. These score lines indicated a potential head-to-head matchup that was both palpable and sure to entertain.

A dozen or so in-person attendees from King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap Counties, as well as an average of 84 online viewers (peak viewership 183) gathered for this highly anticipated matchup. Online viewers were treated to commentary by local players and mainstays including: Frances Tso, Prathamesh Sawant, ChalkBox Productions Producer Patrick Nicks, & Ox Billiards Co-Owner Christian Youngers (spicy!).

The Match

Racks 1-3 saw back and forth play, both players missing a couple shots but also playing good defense. Sardoncillo ahead of Byers 2-1. 

In Rack 4, Sardoncillo had his first Break & Run, ahead 3-1.

In Rack 5, Sardoncillo made an impressive four balls on the break, potted his next shot, but would barely miss the 6-ball into the side pocket which opened it up for Byers to make a comeback. That he did! Byers would take Racks 5-7. Byers had a strong defensive shot in Rack 6 with a reward of a ball-in-hand, followed by an impressive 1-9 combination in Rack 7. This small streak would put Byers in the lead for the first time of the match, 4-3 over Sardoncillo.

Byers made a ball on the break in Rack 8, then potted the 1-ball giving him a long position for the 2-ball. In a very unlucky move, Byers would overdraw the cue ball when potting the 2-ball resulting in a side pocket scratch. This uncharacteristic error would be ominous and foretelling for Byers. Match tied 4-4.

In a calm and calculated fashion, Sardoncillo would go on to take racks 8-13, with a Break & Run in rack 9, strong defensive maneuvers in rack 10, and back-to-back Break & Runs in racks 12 & 13. Sardoncillo 9-4 over Byers. 

Byers would take Rack 14 after Sardoncillo missed the 4-ball. Byers would proceed to bank the 4-ball and run out, making the match 9-5 in favor of Sardoncillo. 

However, that would be the last rack Byers would win. Sardoncillo would go on to win racks 15-20, but not without giving Byers chances in Racks 17-19, with a scratch on the break from Sardoncillo in rack 18.

Sardoncillo won the match 15-5 over Byers with a total of five Break & Runs, an impressive 1/3 of his total racks were won in that manner. Sardoncillo made ~114 balls to Byers ~57. Roughly, the Tournament Performance Average (TPA) of this match was Sardoncillo .927 and Byers .826. A TPA above .850 over a long match is considered pro level, and TPAs above .900 are considered world class. Sardoncillo dropped an exclamation point on this match, proving his dedication to the craft and solidifying he has the tenacity to improve and expand his game.

Byers’ play was marred by a cold and a long drive from the Portland area. Could there be a rematch in their future? We certainly hope so!