Over a two-week period on Sunday nights this month, Starbusters Bar and Grill and Otto’s Niteclub challenged each other in the first crosstown billiards tournament for bar bragging rights.

Both bars have provided their own individual billiards tournaments for their patrons during the past two years at least once a week. But this tournament offered different kinds of bragging rights.

The tournament format featured the 10 best players from one bar pitted against the other 10 players for a bar trophy.

“It’s cool and different getting a separate venue to come together and compete,” said Chris Tsiftilis, manager and owner of Starbusters, 930 Pappas Drive. “I’m glad [Otto’s] came at us with the idea.”

The consensus of this particular tournament and the individual bar tournaments were well-appreciated. Both teams have stressed that both bar tournaments have given patrons an activity for Sunday and Monday nights.

“It’s a relaxing environment, there is no trash-talking and everyone just plays,” Otto’s player Sean Buchanan said. “We root for anyone to win. It’s therapeutic and we try to better ourselves.”

Bryant Massey, tournament coordinator for Otto’s, 118 E. Lincoln Highway, chose Otto’s 10 players from a small try-out that was open for anyone who wanted to represent the bar.

“There is no pressure here,” he said. “I wanted to be fair. We wanted to attract people who have not played in a pool tournament. We want to attract people who want to play and have good time.”

Adam Chillmon, Starbusters billiards tournament coordinator, agreed.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Chillmon said. “Guys come out and have a lot of fun … [But] we don’t have a Top 10 at Starbusters. Both groups of five guys were used to playing with each other.”

On average, both bars attract about 20 to 30 participants at their respective tournaments. Starbusters offers a Monday night tournament with a $5 entry fee, so the tournament offers a small cash prize to the top three players.

The first half of the tournament, which was held at Otto’s, had the bottom half of the respective Top 10s play against each other. The night’s winner had to win three rounds out of five.

Starbusters took the first half of the tournament, winning three straight rounds.

“They had their best last Sunday night,” Massey said . “They basically won every match.”

The second half of the tournament was held at Starbusters, and after Otto’s lost three consecutive matches during the first half, they looked for redemption. But the following Sunday had the same results.

“Though we lost, a respect has been gained for both sides, but my guys are ready to go again,” Massey said.

Tsiftilis hopes the two bars can get a network going during tournaments, pitting players from each place against each other.

The tournament influenced six new people to show up at the Starbusters tournament the following night. Both bar representatives affirmed that they are going to try and do the crosstown tournament every semester.

“There won’t be a reigning champion for long,” Massey said.christian arrecis photo

Hank Van Winkle, a Ph.D. student in biological sciences, warms up before the second round of the Crosstown Billiards Tournament. Following a poor showing the previous Sunday at Otto’s Nightclub, the Otto’s team looked to make a comeback.