Pool Fiction's Return Highlights Western Showdown

Nearly two months after leaving Pool Fiction to join the more active Xtreme Pool Legendz, Kerry has returned to her longtime home in hopes of reviving one of the most storied leagues in pool. It's a fitting coincidence then that following a Bye in the CIP competition, Pool Fiction will play its first WSOP match of the season against Freedom at the end of the week. But before that match there are two double-headers on the schedule.

POOL DRAGONZ @ MISCUES - Monday, 7:00

Pool Dragonz Captain DJ did all he could to put his team in a position to win last week against Break and Run but PDZ was simply outmatched. This week should be an even taller order. Miscues is coming off a convincing 4-2 victory over previously unbeaten Simply Pool Souls. The biggest problem MC should have this season is dependability. Only five players showed up for what could have been a very difficult match on a different night. Barring some sort of catastrophic attendance mishap I think MC should have no problem this week. MC wins 5-1

Actual Result: MC wins 5-1

DEADSTROKES @ BREAK AND RUN - Monday, 7:00

Neither team has been particularly impressive to this point but it should be very clear which team is more talented. Break and Run's two losses had come against the two teams which played each other last week - undefeated Miscues and the aforementioned SPS. Deadstrokes also comes in as statistically the worst team in WSOP with only four wins in 18 games. BNR is generally weak early but if Dina can keep her team in contention we all saw last week how good a team can be when they can go Jordy-Daru-Jim to close out a match. This week should be no different. BNR wins 4-2

Actual Result: BNR wins 6-0

EXTREME POOL COMPETITORS @ SEXY POOLERZ - Tuesday, 6:00

Sexy Poolerz is one of just three winless teams in WSOP. But the past two weeks have seen SP suffer rather cruel defeats. Against Xtreme Pool Legendz (now Pool Fiction) two weeks ago, it was a game seven loss. Last week a tape timed out and overturned a result as part of a 4-2 Freedom victory over SP. EPC on the other hand has not faced any competition at all after losing in the first week, having beaten winless Pool Dragonz and Deadstrokes. This week, EPC plays yet another winless team but this time it's the best of the three. I think Sexy Poolerz will go the distance again, but also come up short yet again. EPC wins 4-3

Actual Result: EPC wins 4-2

STRAIGHTSHOTS @ SIMPLY POOL SOULS - Tuesday, 7:00

For the first time this season Simply Pool Souls must try and rebound from a loss. Last week SPS fell to undefeated Miscues in a battle for the top spot in the Eastern Division. This week it's a contest for the second spot in the East against Straightshots. Last week SS handed Xtreme Pool Legendz its first - and technically its only ever - WSOP loss. That was essentially Straightshots' premier lineup. I suspect you'll see those same six scattered among other SS lineups as the season goes on. SPS will need its big guns to show up in full force for this one. Giving an actual prediction for a match like this is difficult because you're never really sure who will show up. I think SS will see this as an important enough match to call the heavy hitters in for. SS wins 4-2

Actual Result: SS wins 4-2

MATCH OF THE WEEK: FREEDOM @ POOL FICTION - Wednesday, 6:00

Pool Fiction returns to the World Series of Pool after Kerry had decided XPL was going nowhere as a league following the absence of its Head Admin, Nick. There is no more appropriate opponent for PFN to face than undefeated Freedom, which has combined with Pool Fiction (and briefly Xtreme Poolerz) to create many memorable moments and develop a sort of rivalry between members of the teams.

Pool Fiction may not necessarily have its entire XPL roster transfer over. Eligibility will be a concern for players who were not previously on the Pool Fiction ladder. But last week's loss to Straightshots should prove to be an eye opener for the players that do follow along into PFN. The team has played good enough to win for the past month or so. But at this point in the WSOP season the competition has been much tougher. Kerry will no doubt bring her best six for this matchup as Pool Fiction looks to create a tie atop the Western Division standings.

Freedom is one of three teams with a combined 8-1 match record who share 12-6 overall records. They've walked the tightrope in a couple of those matches, getting a forfeit credit which led to a game seven win for Captain Petey against EPC, and then a DQ via tape timer last week which led to Pete clinching a win in game six rather than forcing another decider. It's a dangerous team at full strength and a contender for not only the Western Division crown, but also the WSOP title. There's concern that because the match couldn't be rescheduled Freedom will not be at full strength. Personally, I doubt it. The two leagues have plenty of history together including most recently a 4-0 sweep to finish off Pool Fiction in the CPA Playoffs last month. Wednesday may not quite provide the entertainment value the previous Pro Players Association season (or any other matchups between the two) delivered, but it should still be a hotly contested match. PFN wins 4-2

Actual Result: PFN wins 4-2 (http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/12738558)

With one week to go before the halfway point these games gradually become more and more important. This is the part of the season where you see the contenders prove themselves and the frustration at the bottom set in. We're in for an exciting month and a half in WSOP.