ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Bank Shot Billiards & Taproom’s High-Stakes Race to 17 match on Aug. 9 started late due to traffic delays from the Bay Area.

The 4:15 p.m. match was between Jaypee Medel (JP) and Jay Tolon (Jay), for a $10,000 ITM (In The Middle) Prize. That was the total cash prize that was put up for the match. 

Once both players had arrived and warmed up, they raced to win 17 individual racks of a 10-ball game. This format and type of play is very long and tiring. It has the chance to either last 17 racks, or 33 if both players win 16 games, forcing a tiebreaker. This format is not common for casual play, but it’s normal for a high-stakes money match like this one. 

JP would come out to a hot start, winning seven straight racks. But then Jay would fight back with four straight racks of his own, being able to build confidence and cut into the lead, making it 7-4. 

However, JP would then bounce back, extending his lead by two. Then it would become a back-and-forth game as they traded wins for the next eight games, making the score 13-8. 

JP was able to hit a stride and be able to win the next four racks, winning both the match 17-8 and the cash prize, after about four hours of play. 

It was an intriguing game from the start with back and forth action and other players gathered to watch the two play. The venue even live-streamed the match. 

The Bank Shot not only hosts and live streams high-stakes money games, but anyone is allowed to have their game recorded while playing on one of the eight professional Rasson tables.

Whether one is new to playing billiards or has been playing for years, it is a great place to play with professional-grade equipment where anyone can walk in and play or even host parties. 

  The Bank Shot Billiards & Taproom is at 8535 Elk Grove Blvd. Learn more at bankshotsac.com.