The Alicandro Challenge returns to the Valley! Those of you that are old enough to remember the old days may recall an event that was run at Casino Billiards called the Alicandro Challenge. This event was a winner take all (or very top heavy) payout single elimination event that offered players an opportunity to take a shot at making a nice score without having to mortgage the house. This was the brainstorm of Danny Alicandro who worked the counter at Casino Billiards and thought it would allow players an excuse to get matched up in an organized fashion.

Originally designed to be a full race to handicap event, the new Alicandro Challenge will showcase the most adventurous players from each rating category. The first group will be for 10’s only and will be held on April 2nd at Mike O’Hara’s new joint, Sweet Tooth Billiards. The field will be limited to 16 players maximum and will begin promptly at 7 PM. Players that have to work the next day will realize that if they lose, they still get their sleep, but if they win 3 matches they will be in the cash and the next day will not be a drag at all with the extra dough in their pocket!

Mike is taking signups now for this event. It will be played on the 9’ Diamond tables and will be streamed live on azpoolscene.com. Matches called to the streaming table will be random, so you never know who you will see matched up, but you know it will be entertaining.

Entry to this event is $100 & $10 greens. Players may come early to practice on that Thursday and practice on the Diamonds free of charge from 5 PM until it is time to get matches started. These will be races to 9 and of course Mike O’Hara will be playing so there is some soft money to be won! If you are a 10 and want to play, call Mike at Sweet Tooth evenings at (623) 463-2222 or try him on his cell at (623) 826-2242.

Each Thursday in April, we will be featuring a different class of player for the Alicandro Challenge. 9’s only will be playing on the following Thursday the 9th. 8’s on the 16th and 7’s on the 23rd. We are leaving the 30th open to host either 6’s or players rated higher than 10. Those interested in any of these events should call soon so that they do not get shut out. You can drop by Sweet Tooth Billiards any night from 5 PM to 6 AM. Mike is usually there to take your sign up.