Local Pool Players Are Las Vegas Bound
Local Pool Players Are Las Vegas Bound
Lauren Smith and Her Team Are Headed to the American Pool Players World Championship!
Experienced in playing several different sports, Lauren Smith of Randolph was initially hesitant to try her hand at pool. “I was nervous to even get involved,” she recalled. “If I wasn’t good, I didn’t want to be judged. But doing this made me realize it’s for all skill levels… Anyone can play pool: It’s really about showing up, participating, and having a good time!”
Five years and an eighteen-hour pool tournament later, Smith and her team are headed to Las Vegas for the American Pool Players Association World Championship!
Some may recognize Smith from Madigan’s in Ellicottville, where she waitresses, but on Wednesday nights, she can be found at the Gowanda American Legion, where she and her team play weekly to prepare for the Las Vegas tournament scheduled for August 8-12th. “My dad, Casey Smith, is my captain, and he’s been my captain and coach for the past five years,” she explained. “We’ve been playing on the APA league for the past five years together. We’re a team of eight, and Hughes Hotel in Little Valley is our home base - our big trophy is there!”
Smith’s team, Smitty’s Strokers, has been playing 8-ball and 9-ball, known as double jeopardy, in a weekly league at Hughes Hotel. Team members include Brian Ruth, Rusty Ruth, Barbie Smith (Lauren’s aunt), Lorene Martin, Jenna Frederickson, Logan West, and Casey Smith, the team captain. In 8-ball, all 15 balls are used, with the 8-ball in the middle of the rack. “After the break, you’re hitting solids or stripes, and you don’t have to go in number order,” said Smith. “In 9-ball, you play with only nine balls. It’s a game where you have to go in number order, one through eight, and then the 9-ball is two points - it’s all graded on a point system.”
Smith’s team advanced to the WNY APA World Pool Qualifiers for 9-ball, and on Mother’s Day weekend, their skills were put to the test! Held at the Gowanda American Legion, the WNY APA World Pool Qualifiers included players who compete weekly in 8-ball, 9-ball, and doubles (8 and 9-ball format), masters and ladies formats. The WNY APA Pool League is owned by league operators Chris and Vernoica Washy, who have owned and operated the franchise since July of 2015. Initially, the franchise included all of Erie County, but in 2018, the territory was split into two leagues: WNY APA (which includes southern Erie County) and Buffalo APA. WNY APA has over 360 local members and is the largest pool league in the southern Erie County area and Cattaraugus County.
“When we played in the qualifiers on Mother’s Day weekend, we played 9-ball all day on that Saturday,” said Smith. “We ended up being there for 18 hours! We weren’t playing for 18 hours straight, but with how the bracket worked out, we were there from 7:30am until about 2:30 in the morning. It came down to the last two teams on that Saturday. We went back on Sunday and ended up winning!”
All league members pay weekly dues, a portion of which is used as tournament prize money for the APA, which is the largest amateur pool players’ association in the world. Each member of Smitty’s Strokers received $450 to use toward their trip to Las Vegas, where they will compete against teams from all over the country. The largest pool tournament in the world, the APA World Pool Championship will be held at the Westgate. For Smith’s dad, the team captain, this will be his fourth time playing in the world championship, but the first time going with his daughter. “It’s going to be a pretty cool experience,” said Smith. “There are hundreds of pool tables in this huge room - it’s true Vegas for you! I’m really excited to participate. It’s basically double elimination. You have to lose twice to be out. If we win, our team would win $20,000 to be split among the eight of us!”
Smith emphasized that teams consist of players of varying skill levels, and the league is always looking for new players. “Playing in the league is something to look forward to every week,” she noted. “You have your eye on the prize to go to Vegas - that’s what everyone wants! It’s a great outlet to be involved in a team sport, without being overly physical. You could be a farmer or a CEO on Wall Street… anyone can play pool; it’s people from all walks of life. I’d highly recommend getting involved.”
While it can be intimidating to try a new sport, Smith discovered that the friendly atmosphere among league members was – quite literally – a game changer for her. “Everyone is so welcoming and helpful; it’s a great team building atmosphere. Even people from other teams will help you out if you have questions. After you’re done playing, other teams and players will give advice and suggestions. You can go and ask anyone for help.”
For those who may be brand new to the sport, Smith’s advice is simple: “Just go do it. You won’t regret it. You’ll be thankful you did!” For more information about the WNY APA, visit www.wny.apaleagues.com or call 716-545-0505. Check out WNY APA on Facebook to follow Lauren and her team as they compete in Las Vegas!