Pool professionals put passion in pockets

Griff ’s plays host to U.S. Open 8-ball Championships

Pool sharks were on the hunt Sunday as they competed for a moment of glory and up to $13,500 in cash.

The sharks circled around Griff ’s in Las Vegas during the U.S. Open 8-ball Championships, which featured 52 of the top international pool players from 13 countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Qatar, Finland and New Zealand.

“Having this event here provides an opportunity for amateur players towatchandtalktotheirfavorite players,” said Mark Griffin, owner of the pool hall and tavern at 3650 S. Decatur Blvd. “There’s a certain element of intelligence that it takes to be a pool player. Every shot is different,andtherearesomanyways of approaching this sport.”

Griffin opened Griff’s in Novembertocreateacomfortableenvironment for pool players and other customers. He said he hoped the intimate setting would let players and spectators interact during the tournament.

Professional player and Las Vegan Vilmos Foldes, 32, found his passion for pool at age 7. The Hungary native said that shortly after learning how to play, he was beating adults at the game.

Part of success, he said, is keeping a cool head.

“This sport can get stressful, but you have to remain calm and focus every time, otherwise you put yourself into a bad situation,” Foldes said. “You can’t express yourself if you’re mad.youjustdealwithit.”

Father and son Ernesto Dominguez, 62, and Oscar Dominguez, 32, traveled from Southern California to compete in the championship.

Ernesto Dominguez began competing in Mexico almost 50 years ago totraveltheworldandmakemoney. His son learned pool from his father whenhewasachildandbeganplaying

seriously as a teenager.

“In the beginning, I didn’t want him to compete in pool,” Ernesto Dominguez said. “This life is tough, but he wanted me to teach him and he forced me to do it. He got hooked.”

“It’s a beautiful sport,” his son said, adding he practices up to 12 hours a day. “I’ve become addicted to improving myself and winning.”

Emily Duddy, 33, of New York, was the only woman competing in Sunday’s event. The former reality tele-

Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-journal @Pconnpie Vilmos Foldes lines up his shot Sunday during the U.S. Open 8-Ball Championship at Griff ’s Las Vegas.

Roberto Gomez Jr., right, and Chris Mcdaniel see who will get to break Sunday during the U.S. Open 8-Ball Championship at Griff ’s Las Vegas.