Although there were few errors, the ones that came out affected the momentum of the game. Neither player took more than a one-game lead in the test, but with Hall coming off a win to make it 8-7 in favor of Parica, Hall hooked himself in a corner pocket a fter making a long side cut shot on the 2 ball.

"After Buddy did that," said Parica, "I knew I had the victory." After Hall failed to contact the 3, Parica ran out to seal the victory and ensure him the $50,000 bonus for winning the Camel points race.

Earlier in the match, with the score tied at 5, Parica missed a straight-in on the 5 ball, giving Hall an easy run-out and a one-game lead. "When I missed that 5," said Parica, " I thought I was going to lose. It's possible that I would never get back to the table. But I think I must be Buddy's nemesis. Every time we play, I play well or get lucky."

Hall ends his tournament run in fourth place but $25,000 richer for his runner-up finish in the points standings. Parica moves on to play Rodolfo Luat in the one-loss final. The winner will meet Francisco Bustamante for the Denver Open title. Bustamante b eat Luat 9-8 in the other winner's semifinal match.