March 2011 Inside POOL Magazine

The

truest

playing cloth h a s a l w a y s been made

in B e l g i u m . . .

Do you know where your cloth comes from?

速

A u t h e n t i c. A c c u r a t e. A l w a y s.

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Instruction 10

Beat People With a Stick

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Tricknology

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Pro Pool Workout

Swing the Hammer!

Beware!

Making Decisions

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Get in Shape

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Banking With The Beard

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Fresh From the Freezer

Contents On the Cover: The year 2011 saw three new winners at the 13th Annual Derby City Classic. Shane Van Boening won not only the one-pocket division but the coveted all-around award as well. Alex Pagulayan took the short-rack banks event, while Dennis Orcollo celebrated his victory in the 9-ball.

For the full story, please visit Page 22.

Cross the Green

Cross-Side, Cross-Corner Twice, and Up and Down

Taking a Foul Can Win You the Game

Features

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22 New Slew of Winners at DCC Pagulayan, Van Boening, and Orcollo Earn Derby City

Classic Titles

31 Super Billiards Expo Vendor List 32

Super Billiards Expo Map

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Allen Hopkins

Billiards Renaissance Man

2 InsidePOOL Magazine â—Š March 2011

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Publisher

JR Calvert publisher@insidepoolmag.com

Editor

Sally P. Timko editor@insidepoolmag.com

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Contents

Departments 6 8 17

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Pool on TV Advertiser Directory Billiard Community.com Player of the Month Billiard Education Foundation Player of the Month APA Player of the Month

Regional Roundup

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Northeast Southeast Central Western

Advertising Sales Director Bill Perry sales@insidepoolmag.com

Technical Consultant Tom Simpson

Staff Videographer Alvin Nelson

Feature Photo Credits

Website

www.insidepoolmag.com

Instructional Staff

Johnny Archer, Freddy Bentivegna, Shannon Daulton, Bob Henning, Scott Frost, Jason Lynch, Matt Sherman, Tom Simpson

Standing Room Only

4 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

Lea Andrews

E-mail

Food on Tour Places to Play, Places to Buy Industry News SudoCue Puzzle Crossword Puzzle

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Editorial Assistant

info@insidepoolmag.com

38 What’s New 40 Stripes 42 46 50 63 64

Laura Luzier art@insidepoolmag.com Allen Hopkins Jr.

JR Calvert, Manuel Berrios Roig

Columns

Graphic Artists

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Contributing Writers

Fred Agnir, Lea Andrews, Jose Burgos, Alison M. Fischer, Rob Johnson, Keith Loria, Ken Shuman

Toll Free

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Administrative Offices

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InsidePOOL Magazine Volume XI, Issue 3 (ISSN1547-3511) is published monthly except June and August by Spheragon Publishing, PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA 16201. Single copy price: $3.95 in U.S.A., $5.95 in Canada. Subscription prices: $19.99/yr in the U.S.A., $28/yr in Canada, $39/yr international. Periodicals postage at Kittanning, PA, and additional mailing offices.

Submissions of manuscripts, illustrations, and/or photographs must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The publisher assumed no responsibility for unsolicited material. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: InsidePOOL Magazine, PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA 16201.PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

POOL on TV

All times are Eastern Time Zone - check local listingstv for changes pool on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN CLASSIC All times are Eastern Standard Time

2000 WPBA Classic Tour 1-Sept 10:00 AM ESPNC 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 2-Sept 10:00 AM ESPNC 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 3-Sept 10:00 AM 2007 Skins Billiards Championship March 2 10:00 AM ESPNCESPNC 20012001 Sudden DeathClassic 7-Ball Tour March 5 4-Sept 7:00 AMAM ESPNCESPNC WPBA 10:00 20072001 International Challenge of Champions March 9 9-Sept 10:00 ESPNCESPNC WPBA Classic Tour 10:00AM AM 20012001 BCAWPBA Open 9-Ball Championship March 1312-Sept 8:00 AMAM ESPNCESPNC Classic Tour 11:00 20072009 TrickWPBA Shot Magic March 1613-Sept 10:00 ESPNCESPN U.S. Open 3:00AM PM WPBA Masters March 20 1:30 PM ESPN 2009 WPBA U.S. Open 13-Sept 4:00 PM ESPN WPBA Masters March 20 2:30 PM ESPN 2009 WPBA U.S. Open 13-Sept 5:00 PM WPBA Masters March 20 3:30 PM ESPN ESPN 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 14-Sept 10:00 AM 2007 Tournament of Champions March 30 10:00 AM ESPNCESPNC 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 15-Sept 10:00 AM ESPNC 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 16-Sept 10:00 AM ESPNC Live Streams 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 17-Sept 10:00 AM ESPNC Great Southern Billiard Tour Murfreesboro Billiard Club March 5-6 www.greatsouthernbilliardtour.com 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 18-Sept 10:00 AM ESPNC Lone Star Billiards Tour Houston’s March 12-13 www.lonestarbilliardstour.com 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 19-Sept 11:00 AM ESPNC Great Southern Billiard Tour Classic Billiards March 12-13 www.greatsouthernbilliardtour.com 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 10:0026-27 AM ESPNC Great Southern Billiard Tour Speakeazy Billiards 21-Sept March www.greatsouthernbilliardtour.com 2001 WPBA Classic Tour 22-Sept 10:00 AM ESPNC Great Southern Billiard Tour Fast Eddie’s Sports Bar and Grill April 2-3 www.greatsouthernbilliardtour.com Lone StarWPBA BilliardsClassic Tour Tour Q-Stix Billiards April www.lonestarbilliardstour.com 2002 23-Sept 10:009-10 AM ESPNC Great Southern Billiard Tour Classic Billiards 24-Sept April www.greatsouthernbilliardtour.com 2002 WPBA Classic Tour 10:009-10 AM ESPNC 2002 WPBA Classic Tour 25-Sept 10:00 AM ESPNC 2007 Texas Hold ‘Em Billiards Championship 26-Sept 11:00 AM ESPNC 2009 WPBA U.S. Open 27-Sept 5:00 PM ESPN Please InsidePOOLmag.com for television schedules.

2002 WPBAvisit Classic Tour 30-Sept 10:00 AM ESPNC

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Advertiser Directory

To contact any of our advertisers, visit their website, send an e-mail, or give them a call.

InsidePOOL Magazine www.InsidePOOLmag.com

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American Cuemakers Association www.Cuemakers.org

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Iwan Simonis, Inc. www.SimonisCloth.com

American Poolplayers Association www.PoolPlayers.com

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Jason Lynch 54 www.MichiganKid.com

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Jim Murnak Cue Cases 61 www.JimMurnakCueCases.com

Baby’s Pro Shop www.BabysProShop.com

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Banks That Don’t Go—But Do! 773-956-6280

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Atlas Billiard Supplies www.CueStik.com

Billiard Education Foundation www.BilliardEducation.org Billiards Express www.BilliardsExpress.com California Pizza Kitchen www.cpk.com

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Inside Front Cover

McDermott Handcrafted Cues www.McDermottCue.com

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Pneu Power Cues 19 www.PneuPowerCues.com Pool Player Excuses Towel 59 www.PoolPlayerExcuses.com Power One-Pocket With Scott Frost www.OnTheRailTV.com

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Seminole Pro Tour www.SeminoleProTour.com

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Sterling Gaming, Inc. www.Sterling-Gaming.com

Castillo Leather Goods www.CastilloLeatherGoods.com

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Classified Ads

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Definitive Synergy www.DefinitiveSynergy.com

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Super Coffee Café www.SuperCoffeeCafe.com

Diamond Billiard Products, Inc. www.DiamondBilliards.net

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Tiger Products www.TigerProducts.com

Fury 14.1 Challenge www.fury-cues.com

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Ice House Inn www.IceHouseInn.com

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Follow

8 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

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Super Billiards Expo 15 www.SuperBilliardsExpo.com

Tom Simpson, Billiard Instruction www.PoolClinics.com

Back Cover

Ultimate 10-Ball Championships www.Ultimate10Ball.com

9 11 13

Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video

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Instruction Swing the Hammer! walking around in class, I pester players to “Swing O ften, the hammer!” I get funny looks. What’s up with Simpson? First he beats people with sticks, and now he swings hammers!

Okay, okay. Remember the first time you tried to hammer a nail into a board? If you’re like most of us, you tried to knock it in with muscle. You clenched onto the handle, locked up your arm muscles, and worked really hard, but the nail didn’t do much.

Eventually, after bending a lot of nails and hitting your thumb, you kinda realized you have to relax and swing the hammer. Get the head of the hammer moving nicely and it will drive the nail.

Simple. Maybe your dad came along and told you to let the tool do the work. A proverbial light bulb went off in your head. “What a great idea!”

In pool, our hammer is the cue stick. It weighs about three times as much as the cue ball. If you get the stick moving nicely, it will drive the cue ball. You don’t have to hang muscle on it. It doesn’t require any extra, fancy movements or “gripping and ripping.” In fact, to the extent you are clenched up and muscling the stick, you are inhibiting the nice, fluid, swinging motion required to deliver a good pool stroke and play good pool.

The stick is a spear we’re throwing through the cue ball. Ideally, all we have to do is make the spear move forward at the right speed and direction, and we’ll get the results we want. Simple idea – hard to do. Any extra or unintended muscle use or arm movements can deflect the stick off the intended path. The answer? Don’t do anything. Just swing your hand smoothly forward without steering, jerking, twisting, or stopping. Soften or change however necessary so that your arm and hand movements power the tool but don’t interfere with its delivery through the cue ball.

A big part of the challenge in pool is consistency—how consistently can we move the cue ball just so. How consistent can we hope to be if we are gripping hard or clenching up our arms?

Our bodies perform much more fluidly and consistently when we grip lighter and swing more freely. Fast and loose. Golfers can hit the ball 300 yards because they swing. They swing the club without a lot of tension in their hands and arms. Club head speed, hammer head speed, cue stick speed. It’s about generating speed without jerkiness. Jerkiness makes us inconsistent and makes us miss. And jerkiness is caused by—guess what—too much muscle or unfortunate muscle timing.

“Trust the hammer to drive the nail,” I’ll say. “Get off it and let it do its job with the least possible interference.” More funny looks.

If the hammer has hit the nail and you are still pushing it down, you’re interfering. If you’re squeezing your cue, you’re interfering.

When you try to steer the moving hammer, you hit your thumb.

When you try to steer the moving pool cue, you usually miss.

10 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

< by Tom Simpson

Get the stick going nicely and follow it to its final resting place.

No pushing, no grabbing, no steering. Nothing fancy. Swing through the cue ball, letting your “tool cue” do the work. A great pool stroke is like a throwing motion. It accelerates smoothly to the finish. Way back, when you threw the rock that hit that stop sign, street light, or neighbor’s window, you lined your body up to the target and trusted your tool (your arm) to deliver. Maybe you were surprised, but you scored because you lined up well, focused on the target, and didn’t interfere with the throw.

A big part of the challenge in pool is consistency—how consistently can we move the cue ball just so.

’

Some players seem to effortlessly move the ball. They don’t seem to be doing much. It even sounds different. It sounds different because they are not gripping hard, not hanging muscle on the stick, damping the sound. When you “throw” the stick through the ball, the tool does all the work. I’m not suggesting you let go of the stick. I’m suggesting you let it do its job. It looks effortless because it is effortless. Effort is the problem. Effort is muscling the hammer. This is why we use tools.

Less effort. Better results.

Try working through a few racks with a commitment to letting the stick do the work. Get it going and let it go. No grabbing. No jerking. No hitches. Smooth and light. It’s possible to grip so lightly that the stick will slide forward in your grip at the end of the shot. Try to witness the difference in cue ball behavior and try to experience the power and simple joy of using your tool well.

Look effortless. Hit effortlessly. Trust the tool. Be amazed.

Tom Simpson

Tom Simpson is a Master Instructor in both the BCA and ACS Instructor Programs. He delivers his acclaimed 3-Day Weekend Intensive in 12 cities nationwide. As inventor of Elephant Practice Balls®, the Stroke Groover™, and the Ghostball Aim Trainer®, and authorized instructor for Secret Aiming Systems™, Tom’s innovations in training have helped thousands of players. Listen to an audio description of the Intensive, and read 35 instructional articles at www.NationalBilliardAcademy.com. Contact: Tom@PoolClinics.com.

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4/23/2010 9:58:26 AM

< by Jason Lynch

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Beware!

month I decided to do something a little difT his ferent and feature three hustles that you may run

into on your travels. Make sure to learn them well in order to avoid becoming the mark!

The first is one that has been around for awhile. Place the balls as shown in Diagram 1. The object of this shot is to pocket the 9 ball into the side pocket. If you hit the 1-2 cluster in the middle, you will miss the 9 by as much as a half diamond. The secret to the shot is to graze the side of the 1 to barely move the 9 so when the cue comes through it plays a 2-9 combo into the side pocket. Keep shooting it until you graze the 1 just right, and you will be rewarded with a score.

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The final shot is one that I use in my shows occasionally.

It is a neat way to illustrate that you can clear out balls as you hit a shot that wasn’t there before you did. Place the balls as shown. Make sure that the 4-5 tangent misses the side pocket so the 8 has room to go in. The 5 should point away toward the corner. Hit the cue ball with center, making sure that you catch enough of the 1 ball to clear the 4-5 to allow the 8 to go through.

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The second is a moisten shot that is literally older than I am. Place the 1 ball on the first diamond on the table and freeze the 9 to it. Place the cue ball as shown and try to make the 9 in the corner. Usually the 9 will go out from the rail and miss the corner.

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We had a local guy in our area who was using this shot against one of my friends and had taken a sizable amount from him. I decided that I would get my friend’s money back for him, so I lined up on the shot and hit it about 30 miles per hour, and the 9 fired into the pocket. The throw didn’t have time to take. The way the hustler was making it was to moisten the spot between the balls, allowing the combo to go because of the lack of friction (I have shown the miss by the second line on the diagram).

12 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

Until next time, beware of the hustlers out there—or maybe show them a trick or two of your own.

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Jason Lynch Jason Lynch grew up playing pool in Michigan. In his early twenties he started playing in the VNEA and placed as high as 16th in 8-ball and 9-ball. In 2005, he won the Michigan VNEA speed pool contest. He has also pocketed 11,100 and 12,011 balls in 24 hours as fundraisers for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. In 2007 he had his best finish to date, placing sixth at the Artistic Pool U.S. Open and winning the stroke category. Jason is ranked 14th in the world by the WPA. His sponsors are Shelti Pool Tables, Seybert’s Billiard Supply, McDermott Cue, and Leisure Elements. Visit his website at www.michigankid.com.

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Instruction

Making Decisions of the best ways to let your pool performance O ne unfold in an easy-flowing manner is to make good, common-sense, and non-anxiety-producing decisions. This means to avoid the choices that put pressure on yourself and to choose the options that allow you to remain clear-headed and in a highly-confident and positive energy state.

This is easy to do when the situation and the subsequent decision has no major price attached to it—when there are no consequences tied to the choice that are meaningful to you.

When there is no fear or apprehension associated with such a choice, you just make the decision and continue on with the required action. It’s natural and easy and follows a simple three-step process:

1. You review the potential options.

2. You anticipate the probable results of each.

3. You choose the option that seems best.

When you attach significant importance to the choice, however, there is the possibility for inner turmoil. When you fear the outcome or believe that the consequences may be great or even harmful, it can greatly impact your ability to accurately perceive the situation in front of you. The fight or flight mechanisms get fired up and the adrenaline begins to flow, even though there is no one to fight and nowhere to run.

The first step in making good decisions under pressure is to let go of the outcome. Surrender it to your higher power or whatever else works best for you. The essential step, however, is to remove attention from the result and focus it totally on the process. Although this may seem like a challenging shift of attention at the moment, in reality it’s a very simple thing to do. After all, there is nothing existential about a pool competition. No one is going to live or die over the way a shot, a match, or a tournament turns out. Besides, a player can never completely control the final outcome of a competition anyhow. Things happen, upsets take place, cue balls scratch. One never knows when that beatable opponent is going to jump to a new level and shoot the lights out. All that a player can really control is the process, and even then it can only be controlled moment by moment.

When we let go of our attachment to the outcome, we allow the mind to become still and the body to relax. At this point, we’re just simply playing pool. To reference a common metaphor, we’re not walking in fear along the edge of a twoby-four laid between the rooftops of two tall buildings. We’re just walking along, step by step, on a two-by-four laid on the

14 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

< by Bob Henning

ground. The mind is still because it is neither threatened nor anticipating an award. The body is calm and enjoying the process of action because that is its primary function. It is designed for action.

Letting go of the outcome is the proverbial paradox of pool.

Of course we really want to win. Of course we are giving it everything we’ve got. Of course we are playing our heart out. But when we let go of the outcome, we respond to the ultimate truth about pool. It really doesn’t matter that much in the final analysis. You probably won’t even remember what happened today in a month or two. In a few years, unless you’re playing in the U.S. Open finals, it’s predictable that no one in the entire world will remember what happened.

No one is going to live or die over the way a shot, a match, or a tournament turns out.

’

So, if letting go of attachment to the outcome creates a still mind and a calm body, how can we consciously learn to do that?

What can we focus on to help us give up our attachment to the outcome? Here are some ideas: When in the player’s chair, focus on stilling the mind and calming the body. Mentally ask your body to relax. Visualize your mind as a still pool of water. Listen to your breath as it goes in and out. When at the table, run through your shot-selection process as you chalk your stick and walk around the table. Make a good, clear decision and then get right down and execute that shot with the same care and confidence that you use when you are at your best. Love what you are doing! This is process and this you can control.

Good luck and good shootin’!

Bob Henning Bob Henning is the author of The Pro Book, widely considered to be the most advanced training resource for competitive pool players. It brings the latest techniques of the top coaches and trainers of all sports into pool. It is intended for those who wish to prepare physically, mentally, and psychologically for pool competition. Bob is also the author of “The Pro Book Video Series,” a complete, on-the-table training system, and he also released The Advanced Pro Book and The Stroke Zone: The Pool Player’s Guide to Dead Stroke. In addition, he has authored Cornbread Red, a biography of the colorful Billy Burge.

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Instruction

< by Matt Sherman

Cross The Green the silly jingle “Cross at the green, not in beR emember tween?” It’s been in use for Public Service Announcements since the late 1950s. It’s safest to cross the street at a marked and lighted intersection. Jaywalk instead … and you might wind up dead.

On a pool table, all the cloth might be a lovely green or blue, but crossing your cue ball at the wrong spot can be deadly. Specifically, an unplanned kiss with an object ball can ruin an otherwise easy run. Let sleeping balls lie. It’s best to touch only those balls needing to be sunk, broken from clusters, nudged into better position, or used for safety play.

Any table layout may be categorized as four kinds of balls, comparing ball types to suits in a pack of cards. What I call an Ace is any ball that lies on an unobstructed pocket path. A King prefers an ace that blocks its path to sink first, making way for His Royal Highness to proceed. And no one likes a trouble ball, a Joker, mocking them, but a Queen ball lends her aid to help you. Consider a sample table that shows all four kinds of balls.

In the diagram shown, you have the solids in 8-ball. The 1-ball is a “King” that looks tough until you clear Pocket A by shooting the 6 ball (an easy ace) first. Across the table, the 2, 3, and 5 balls are clustered together like the jokers they are. I can hear their frightful, evil giggling.

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I’d begin to run the table by having my first two shots make way for the king and bust the jokers apart. The ace 4 ball for Pocket B is really a queen, a joker helper. First I shoot the ace 6 ball to Pocket A with a tad of draw, coming off the near rail to Position B and converting the 1 ball king to an ace for later. Next I cut the 4 ball to Pocket B with a stun stroke, the cue ball traveling the tangent line to break the cluster. The angle taken from Pocket B leaves a clear shot at the 1 ball in case the cluster break is ineffective. (My alternative to a run would be to play safe behind the joker cluster, but having that 1 ball freed for an emergency gives me powerful options.)

When you see jokers, neither panic or ignore them—identify a queen ball and then shape the cue ball to play it.

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16 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

How about a “Get In Shape” quiz next?

1. You begin an 8-ball game by sinking a stripe and also a solid on a legal break. The first ball to consider on the table before you bend to shoot again is:

A) Whichever stripe (or solid) that sinks easily to secure your choice of high or low balls.

B) Whichever trouble ball (along a rail, perhaps) that might hurt your run later.

C) The 8 ball.

2. If you could, you’d play this cut shot angle constantly to make life easy:

A) 30 degrees

B) 10 degrees

C) 90 degrees

3. When shooting the cue ball with english on a cut shot, sidespin affects this the most:

A) The object ball’s direction after impact with the cue ball

B) The cue ball’s direction after impact with the object ball

C) The cue ball’s direction after impact with a cushion

Quiz answers:

1. C) – Always look at the 8 ball first to determine whether it can be sunk with ease and which key ball leads up to it last. Memorize this phrase, “Run ‘em all including the eight or play safe.” The absolute worst 8-ball play is a run of all solids or stripes without the 8. That’s like asking your opponent, “What’s easier for you? To run the table since I’ve cleared all my obstacle balls off or to play safe behind one of your seven balls?”

2. B) – 10 degrees (up to about 15 degrees), a.k.a. a highly useful angle for cut shots. Ten degrees is almost straight in, yet there’s enough cut angle to maneuver the cue ball for shape with ease. If you prefer to cut extremely thin shots near 90 degrees instead, you are a truly masterful pool shooter.

3. C) – Using a near-level cue, english has significant effect on the object ball’s direction after impact with the cue ball only on relatively slow strokes and on the cue ball’s direction after impact with the object ball not at all. If you believe shooting with english alters cue ball direction at impact with an object ball, it’s because you’re not aimed in the direction you think you are.

Matt Sherman Get in shape for pool with Matt "Quick Draw" Sherman, who appears frequently in print and on television promoting billiards and entertainment. His popular site is billiards.about.com, and his Picture Yourself Shooting Pool book and DVD are available at Amazon.com and other outlets worldwide.

Featured Member - Sandra Badger Where are you from: Alberta, Canada Age: 34 Favorite game: My favorite game is 9-ball, but I will play anything.

Cue: Predator Q: What made you start playing pool?

A: I was drawn to the game as a teenager, like most people. When I realized that I had a pretty good potting ability I wanted to learn more. I would hang out at the pool hall and see what other people were capable of doing on the table, and I wanted to do it too!

When I became of age I joined a local 8-ball league. I started playing in the A division right off the hop because the team I joined needed a spare. I ended up winning all my games. Needless to say, I was not a spare anymore—I played every week after that. That was 15 years ago, and I'm still going strong. I play as many local and not so local events that I can, mostly against the men because there aren't enough ladies’ events in my area. I recently had a successful run at the 2009 VNEA Championships in Las Vegas. I won the 8-ball singles intermediate division. My team “Kisita” (it means “Finish It”!) won the 8-ball masters division. My partner and I won the Intermediate scotch doubles, and I placed fourth in the Intermediate 9-ball event. I made the all-star team for the first time! I have also tried my hand in an NWPA Tour event. I placed second, losing to my fellow teammate, Jana Montour.

Q: Why should people check out billiard community?

A: People should definitely check out BilliardCommunity.com because there is a diverse pool world out there just waiting to be discovered. We need to get the message out there that pool is alive more now than ever. You get to meet players from everywhere and share your experiences. It's a great social network where I know everyone in it shares the same passion for pool that I do!

Send Sandra a friend request today at BilliardCommunity.com.

Because100,000 your local

friends pool room www.BilliardCommunity.com

Diagram 2

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Cross-side, Cross-Corner Twice, and Up and Down

< by Freddy Bentivegna v

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Instruction

they say down South, “Twice-teh” (and for those A swho have never experienced the inimitable “South-

Cross-Side Twice Cut-bank, cross-side twice.

Use one tip left hand english, medium speed. Hit half tip below center.

ern drawl,” that is “twice” with an extra “teh” at the end).

The best person I ever saw shooting “twices” is a player from Louisville, KY, who is at the Derby City Classic every year.

His family runs a fancy candy-making company in Louisville that puts out a delicious product, and he is always handing out candy samples at Derby City. He is also a decent speed banker in his own right. His nickname is, appropriately, “The Candy Man.” His real name, the one nobody uses, is Stanley Bennett.

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Up and Down Pass-over bank, up and down.

Use one tip follow, no english, medium speed. Hit one tip above center.

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Following are some keys I use that will take a little of the mystery out of “cross-side twice,” “cross-corner twice,” and “up and down” banks.

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For those of you who attend the Derby City Classic, you have probably watched him play. Everybody down there knows him. If you ever get to see him play, it will be a memorable experience. He has an unusual style: His game plan is to shoot about 30% of his bank shots two rails rather than one! It might sound like a bad percentage strategy, but if you ever played a game with him and seen how incredibly well he handles double-railers, you might change your mind.

The key action you are looking for in any twice shot is for the object ball to “break” slightly toward the desired pocket and, conversely, to not “reverse” and run short when it contacts the second rail.

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Cross-Corner Twice Dead-straight on. Use one tip lefthand english, medium speed. Hit half tip below center.

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Speed is a critical element, and it is relative. The best way to hit these shots is to use medium speed, using only enough speed to get the object ball to make it to the necessary pocket and maybe advance another diamond if you miss. It’s relative, because the distances vary between two-railers traveling between the long side rails and those traversing between the short rails.

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The most salient element to consider before attempting any of these two rail shots is the shot approach angle. The first question to ask yourself is: Is this a “dead-straight-on bank,” a “cut-bank,” or a “pass-over bank”? Dead straight is self-explanatory: Hit the object ball dead in the face to achieve the angle needed. A cut-bank requires you to cut the object ball toward the angle you are attempting, and a pass-over bank needs you to cut the object ball back and away from the angle by “passing over “ the face of the object ball. You need to adjust a little differently for each angle.

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Freddy Bentivegna Chicago-born Freddy “The Beard” Bentivegna has been in the mainstream and the underbelly of pool for over 50 years. In 2005 Freddy was elected on the first ballot into the Bank Pool Hall of Fame. He has written two books and two popular DVDs on his specialty, bank pool. He is widely regarded as one of the premier experts on the game and science of banks.

TM

Play Video Play Video

WARNING:

XF

Xtremely Fun

The Pneu Power Cue may cause addictive behavior due to the sensation of XTREME FUN during use.

www.pneupowercues.com

< by Scott Frost

Taking a Foul Can Win You the Game in one-pocket you can take a foul and still manS ometimes age to turn the entire game around and give yourself a chance to win. This month I have detailed three scenarios from my “Power One-Pocket” DVD that come up in my game all the time, and the fouls I’m about to describe should improve your game tremendously.

Many top players and I take the foul shown in Diagram 1 all the time. It comes up after your opponent breaks. Your opponent broke them close to perfectly, and there really is no way out unless you take a chance in selling out the game. This is why taking this foul after the break is so important. It may cost you a ball, but I promise it will guarantee you another shot.

I live and breathe by the foul shown in Diagram 2. Let’s say you each need two or three balls apiece. As you watch me play you will most likely see this come up, and I will surely take a foul so I can win this game.

As you can see, the 1 ball and 2 ball are on the spot, but you can shoot this shot even if there is only one ball on the spot. There are six object balls on the table. You want to roll the cue ball one rail into the 2 ball using enough speed just to rub against the ball. In turn, since you don’t get a rail, you spot a ball.

And here’s the power behind this foul: The ball you spot up will spot right in front of the cue ball and in turn will snooker your opponent from any object ball on your side of the table. So what if you owe another ball and have to spot it—the only real option your opponent has is to try to kick his way out of it.

Diagram 3 shows another great foul that will at least put you in the position to win you the game. This shot, or something close to it, mostly comes up early in the game.

Diagram 3

Diagram 1 8

10

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Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Instruction

6

1

15

14 9

11

15 14

6

2

3

4

13

12

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7 12 5

3 2 7

5 4

1

13 11

8

my pocket

9

10

my pocket

As the diagram shows there’s really no good way out of this break. If you notice, the 8 ball and 10 ball are close to the rail. What you want to do is play the cue ball one rail to the top side rail. Using that side rail helps control the speed so you can get that cue ball frozen to the top rail.

The reason this is so effective is because 90% of the people that I’ve put in this position feel like they have to shoot the combo or try to cut a ball in. Remember that they are frozen or close to it, so any shot they take is difficult to make. If they shoot at their pocket and miss, it’s a given that you’re going to get a shot.

Diagram 2

2

1

9 7

my pocket

I hope you learned something, and please remember: If you are in a bad spot playing one-pocket, you can always take a foul and turn things around in your favor.

Scott Frost Scott “The Freezer” Frost was born in Des Moines, IA, in July 1975. After living there 25 years he relocated to Phoenix, AZ, where he currently resides. His favorite pool game is one-pocket, but he has been known to play a mean game of 9-ball as well. His resume includes championships in the Legends of One-Pocket, U.S. Open One-Pocket, Carolina State One-Pocket, Arizona State One-Pocket, and Derby City Classic one-pocket division. In 9-ball Frost has been the Music City Open champion, a five-time Arizona State 9-ball champion, and a two-time Arizona Desert Classic Tour Championship winner. His new one-pocket DVD, entitled "Power One-Pocket," is a full-length instructional DVD for beginning through advanced players and is available at ontherailtv.com for $39.95.

v 8

The 9 ball and 10 ball are near the rail and are a tough combination to make. You have another ball you could cut, but that is too risky. Just like the other shots, you will play the cue ball one rail into the back of the object balls.

Once again you are forcing your opponent to kick one rail out of trouble. He will either thin a ball or put you up table, leaving you a better shot on the cut or on the combination.

4

3 5 6

10

14

15

13

20 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011 11

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22 InsidePOOL Magazine â&#x2014;&#x160; January 2011

T

he new year ushered in a brand-new batch of winners at the 13th Annual Derby City Classic, with a fresh face appearing in the winner’s circle of each of its three divisions. Alex Pagulayan, Shane Van Boening, and Dennis Orcollo took home trophies in the main event, while Rodney Morris and Darren Appleton earned recognition for their abilities as well.

Diamond Billiard Products’ nine-day extravaganza was held January 21-29 and was hosted by the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel in Elizabeth, IN, for the third year since the tournament left the Executive West Hotel in Louisville, KY. Despite the forbidding weather that complicated travel to chilly Elizabeth, IN, the first event, short-rack banks, attracted 386 entrants to fight for the $10,000-added prize purse.

March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 23

Videos Derby City Classic

o o o o o o o o o o o

Pretty Boy Floyd Jimmy Mataya's Update Derby City Classic 2011 InsidePool Interviews Deadliest Catch Producer Doug Stanley at the 2011 Derby City Classic 2011 Derby City Classic InsidePool Interviews The Young Todd Jones Shane Van Boening vs Dennis Orcollo in 2011 Derby City Classic 9 Ball Finals Darren Appleton vs Rodney Morris 2011 Derby City Classic Annual FatBoy 10-Ball Challenge Final Match 2011 Derby City Classic One Pocket Finals Earl Strickland vs. Shane Van Boening Scott Frost at the 2011 Derby City Classic Brandon Shuff at the 2011 Derby City Classic Jeff Abernathy Whats in the Case? 2011 Derby City Classic Allen Hopkins Inducted into One Pocket Hall of Fame Alex Pagulayan Wins 2011 Derby City Classic 9-Ball Banks

Play Play Video Video Play Play Video Video Play Play Video Video

Former banks champion John Brumback scored the winnertakes-all banks ring game on Derby’s opening night.

Brumback Banks on Ring Game

To kick off the festivities, Friday evening saw a six-person, short-rank banks ring game with John Brumback netting the winner-takes-all $9,000 prize and Shannon Daulton as runner-up.

Rounding out the field were Jeremy Jones, Shannon Murphy, Mike Hughes, and Louis D’Marco.

Defending banks champion Brumback made it through seven rounds in the banks division before suffering a defeat at the hands of Sylver Ochoa, who was then summarily ousted

by Shannons Murphy and Daulton. But Brumback went on a tear, eliminating Michael Hughes, Tommy Tokoph, and Francisco Bustamante to become one of three remaining players.

Banks ring game runner-up Shannon “The Cannon” Daulton is a constant threat in any event he enters.

In the next round former world champion Ronato “Ronnie” Alcano eliminated Jeremy Jones, Alex Pagulayan dispatched Justin Hall, and Brumback had the bye. The redraw saw Brumback and Pagulayan on the Accu-Stats table. Brumback won the lag, banked three balls and missed a jacked-up long bank, but it wasn’t long before he was back at the table and had won 5-2. The second game was a long safety battle, with Brumback winning by a close 5-4. The third game went speedily, as Brumback broke and banked five and out, winning the match 3-0 as Pagulayan bowed low in homage.

The next redraw set Alcano and Brumback against each other in the semifinals while Pagulayan waited in the wings. Brumback dropped five balls on the break and made one ball before spotting the balls and turning the table over to Alcano, who was faced with a layout more like a position exercise than a banks game. Neither player could get a run going, and the lengthy rack ended in Alcano’s favor 5-3. The second game took even longer, with fatigue etched into the players’ miens, and it also went to Alcano 5-2.

Brumback came to life a bit in the next, running three and then two banks to win 5-2, making it 2-1. Alcano notched three balls before a series of misses by both players ensued. Finally Alcano pocketed his last two to win the match 3-1.

Hall of Famer Earl Strickland gave Shane Van Boening a run for his money in the onepocket finals.

24 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

Former world champion Ronato Alcano eliminated Brumback but then was outplayed

by Alex Pagulayan in the banks finals.

Pagulayan Nets Late-Night Banks Final

In the all-Filipino final, Pagulayan opened up by banking five and out in the first game, exciting the onlookers who had stayed up to watch.

It was a defensive game all the way in the following, though, more similar to a one-pocket game than banks. The abnormally quiet Pagulayan eked out a 5-3 win. He missed after his next break shot, and Alcano banked five and out, making it 2-1 Pagulayan. Alcano pocketed the first ball in the next rack, but Pagulayan chipped away at the balls, finally getting the ball count to 4-1 in his favor. Alcano kept playing safe, and Pagulayan was crestfallen when he would miss. “I thought my picture was going to be up there already!” he exclaimed, indicating the enormous pictures of past winners hanging from the ceiling. Alcano was fading fast—it was 3:30 a.m.—and left a simple cross-side bank for Pagulayan, who studied it briefly and then whipped it in. “Finally!” he cried.

The $15,000-added one-pocket division kicked off January 23 with a field of 317 hopefuls—more hopeful than ever with many-time one-pocket winner Efren Reyes being absent. Last year’s champion, Scott Frost, enjoyed a strong run through the field until Shannon Daulton took some of the wind out of his sails and handed him his first loss in the tenth round. In the next, Frost ran into Shane Van Boening, who ended “The Freezer’s” tournament.

innings in the next, but with Van Boening up 5-2, Strickland got a bit daring and shot a cross-corner bank and broke up a cluster of balls. “Efren would’ve hit it perfect,” he mused. “What a game.”

Strickland then proceeded to calmly pocket ball after ball and then slow-rolled the final one, a long-rail bank, into his pocket to take the hill.

Strickland ended up leaving Van Boening an opportunity in the fourth rack, and he ran with it, going up 6-2 before a safety shuffle. Attempting a two-rail bank shot, Strickland ended up giving Van Boening another shot, which he took to make it a hill-hill final. Van Boening quickly found an opening in the final rack and thinly cut a ball into his pocket, opening up the table a bit and picking his way through the rack to win 8-2, taking the title 3-2.

The $10,000-added Fatboy 10-Ball Challenge began January 25 with 16 players. In the first round, it was an epic battle between two of the best when Ralf Souquet and Shane Van Boening matched up. Van Boening had an early lead, but Souquet chipped away at it until the score reached double-hill, at which point Van Boening pushed through for the win 15-14.

Francisco Bustamante had a much easier experience in his first-round match, eliminating Rafael Martinez 15-1. InsidePOOL Magazine’s 2011 Player of the Year, Darren Appleton, drilled

Mike Davis 15-6, while Chris Bartram ousted Dennis Orcollo 15-10.

On the bottom half of the bracket, Lee Van Corteza sent Jesse Engel home 15-8, while Stevie Moore eliminated Hall of Famer Johnny Archer 15-10 in the first round. “Rocket” Rodney Morris struggled against Tommy Kennedy but came out ahead 15-13, while Holland’s Niels Feijen advanced over Jason Klatt 15-12.

Appleton matched up with Van Boening in Round 2 of the challenge and eliminated him 15-8, going on to face Bustamante, who had just ousted Bartram 15-9. It was a narrow victory, but Appleton prevailed 15-13.

Morris faced off against Feijen in the second round in another close match that ended in Morris’s favor 15-12. He then played Corteza, who had just defeated Moore 15-8. Corteza put up a good fight, but still Morris was the more determined and came out the 15-10 winner.

Morris Finishes First in Fatboy Challenge

The final match seesawed for the first half, with both players trading the lead until the score reached 7-6 Morris, at which point the Hawaiian pulled ahead to 9-6. Frustrated, Appleton began making errors and down 11-7 took a break. He came back and the players split the next two

While Van Boening went on to deal Pagulayan a donut in their following semifinal match 3-0, Earl Strickland was busy fighting off a strong threat from Daulton in the other semifinals. The first couple games were speedily split by the players, and Daulton ran eight and out in the third to go up 2-1. Strickland, however, was unfazed and answered back with a three-ball and four-ball run of his own to tie the match on the hill. The players stuck to defense at first, but when Daulton sent the cue ball uptable he gave Strickland the opening he needed, and Strickland took that game 8-2, winning the match 3-2.

It Would’ve Gone for Efren …

A bad miss by Van Boening saw the first rack of the finals go to Strickland 8-4, with “The South Dakota Kid” retaliating in the second after Strickland hung a ball in his pocket, going out 8-2 to knot the score at 1 apiece. The players traded

Well-rounded Player of the Year Darren “Dynamite” Appleton took first in the Straight Pool Challenge and second in the Fatboy 10-Ball Challenge.

March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 25

The charismatic Alex Pagulayan came through the banks division with flying colors to take first place.

racks to make it 12-8, and then Appleton pulled closer by taking the next game. Morris played an excellent massé shot in the following game to get out of a safety by Appleton and notched that rack, but Appleton took the next two, bringing the score to 13-11 Morris. When Appleton went for a bank shot on the 1 ball, he scratched, and Morris ran out to take the hill. However, even though Appleton got ball in hand in the final rack, he missed the 9 ball, and Morris was able to pocket the last two balls for the win 15-11.

on, and it looked good for him at the start as he took a 3-1 lead in the short race to 7. But Van Boening won a couple of safety battles and soon the score was knotted at 4. Though out of line for the 2 in the next rack, Van Boening coolly made a 2-7 combo and ran out, and then he broke and ran the following to take the hill 6-4. With no good shot on the 1 ball, Van Boening went for a safety but sold out, and Feijen grabbed that game and broke and ran the next to tie the score on the hill.

As Efren Reyes, last year’s winner, was not present, the 9-ball event was anyone’s. The short races were made it more attractive to more players, and there were 293 who attempted to capture a piece of the $25,000-added prize fund.

After sorting out a tricky 2 ball in the final rack, Feijen opted to play safe on the 4. Van Boening took out his jump cue and played it perfectly with low right so that the cue ball came back around for the 5. Now with an easy table, Van Boening quickly cleared up and won the match 7-6. By winning the semifinal over Feijen, Van Boening cemented his all-around status, winning $20,000. Runner-up Pagulayan collected $2,000.

It was new father Niels Feijen of Holland who stepped up to challenge 2009 winner Van Boening in one of two semifinal matches going

26 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

Orcollo Edges out Van Boening

Orcollo, who had just crushed Mika Immonen 7-1 in the other semifinal, was ready for the final and Van Boening. An overcut 3 ball by Van Boening deposited him in his chair for that game and the four following, as Orcollo calmly and deliberately picked his way through rack after rack. Up 5-0, Orcollo came up empty on the break, and after exchanging a couple of innings each, Van Boening won that rack to get on the board. But when he missed an easy 5 ball in the next, it was all over. Orcollo cleared the table and broke and ran the final rack to win 7-1 on his 32nd birthday.

The last event to finish at the 13th Annual Derby City Classic was the $10,000-added Straight Pool Challenge, which attracted a field of 28. Each player was afforded twelve attempts over four days to see how many balls he could run, and when the scores were tallied, the top

Dennis Orcollo celebrated his birthday by routing Mika Immonen in the 9-ball semifinals and going on to put a four-pack on Van Boening in the finals for the win.

Niels Feijen was a semifinalist in both the 9-ball division and the Straight Pool Challenge.

eight players qualified for a single-elimination tournament.

Having finished third in the 9-ball division, now Feijen, whose high run numbered 102, had to face off against Appleton, who easily scored the highest run with 183, in the semifinals of the 14.1 event. Switching gears so abruptly did not prove easy, and Appleton ended up winning their match and advancing to the final match.

It was a close one, but “Rocket” Rodney Morris won the final match of the Fatboy 10-Ball Challenge to earn $9,000.

His opponent there, Pagulayan, was another player recently eliminated from 9-ball glory who had been waiting quite some time to play.

Though Appleton was all business, Pagulayan seemed more willing to focus on the fun of the event, and it wasn’t long before Appleton, a relative newcomer to straight pool, had won the final match 100-31.

March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 27

Derby City Classic Results 9-Ball Banks: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

6th

8th

12th

Alex Pagulayan Ronato Alcano John Brumback Justin Hall Jeremy Jones Shannon Daulton Francisco Bustamante Dee Adkins Shannon Murphy Sylver Ochoa Tommy Tokoph Mike Grooms Buddy Hall Tim Heath Michael Hughes Jason Hunt Larry Nevel Dennis Orcollo Brandon Shuff

Straight Pool Challenge: 1st 2nd 3rd

5th

High run:

Darren Appleton Alex Pagulayan Niels Feijen Mike Davis John Schmidt Corey Deuel Beau Runningen Dennis Orcollo Darren Appleton

$10,000 $5,000 $2,500 $1,335 $1,050 $800

$600

$2,500 $1,800 $1,150 $700

One-Pocket: 1st 2nd 3rd

5th 6th

9th

13th

Shane Van Boening Earl Strickland Shannon Daulton Alex Pagulayan Scott Frost Niels Feijen Jeremy Jones Brandon Shuff Larry Nevel Richie Richeson Nick Vita Ron Wiseman Warren Kiamco Rafael Martinez Jerry Matchin Jason Miller Shannon Murphy Sylver Ochoa Joshue Oneal Beau Runningen Adam Smith Charlie Williams

Fatboy 10-Ball Challenge: 1st 2nd 3rd

Rodney Morris Darren Appleton Francisco Bustamante Lee Van Corteza

$1,000

Peat Presents Action Prospects

After the votes had been tallied, David “Dippy Dave” Peat dominated in winning the 2011 “St. Louis Louie” Roberts Action and Entertainment Award at the Derby City Classic (DCC).

In a world where there’s often more woof than bite, Dippy Dave’s action was all the talk during the weeks leading up to the DCC. Peat did not disappoint as he continued his heralded tour de force to and through the DCC action rooms.

Also known as “Viffer” in the poker circles, this highly entertaining poker pro was in constant action throughout the grueling grind that is the Derby City Classic, often drawing standing-room-only crowds. And if he wasn’t in action, crowds of woofing hopefuls could always be seen around him trying to get a piece of his next game. Usually playing one-pocket and getting huge spots, Dave played mostly top-tier champions whom he deemed “qualified” to try to outrun the nuts for the large amounts he would bet. The list of champions included Corey Deuel, Gabe Owens, Cliff Joyner, and John Drew Hagar.

Winning the award by a rout, Peat was named on over 95% of the votes received. With the award, Dave will be granted free tournament entry and hotel accommodations at the DCC for life. He joins the exclusive list of past winners and will be added to the Louie Roberts Action and Entertainment Champions banner in the Derby City Classic tournament room.

28 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

$11,000 $6,000 $2,600 $1,925 $1,400 $1,000

$650

$9,000 $4,500 $2,250

9-Ball: 1st 2nd 3rd

5th

9th

14th

Dennis Orcollo Shane Van Boenign Niels Feijen Mika Immonen Glenn Atwell Warren Kiamco Johnathan Pinegar Huidji See Ronato Alcano Lee Van Corteza Jeremy Jones Larry Nevel Alex Pagulayan Johnny Archer Francisco Bustamante Robb Saez Ralf Souquet Earl Strickland Shaun Wilkie Charlie Williams

$16,000 $8,000 $3,950 $1,800

$1,260

$850

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llen A

opkins H H

Billiards Renaissance Man

by Keith Loria photos courtesy of Manuel Berrios Roig

e’s a world champion, a Hall of Famer, one of the most popular pool commentators, and the organizer of one of the sport’s biggest billiards expos, but when it comes to getting his due, Allen Hopkins feels sort of like Rodney Dangerfield.

“I’ve never won player of the year,” griped Hopkins, and you almost expect Dangerfield’s trademark “I get no respect, no respect” to follow the thought. “One year I won three of the six major tournaments, and I still didn’t get it.”

At 17, Hopkins and his friend left school and hit the road looking for their fortune. Although he won plenty of action on the tables, he would go broke playing cards. He decided to quit the card playing and began making money and becoming successful as a player.

Not that Hopkins is holding any sour grapes. Pool has been very good to him, and he is very proud of the accomplishments he has achieved as a player and by looking in on the game.

Hopkins was married to his first wife, Sandy, at the time and had son Allen Jr. Being on the road so much eventually led to a divorce, and Hopkins admits he wasn’t always the father he thought he could be.

“

Hopkins has earned titles in four decades, including winning the 1977 World Open 14.1 Straight Pool championship, the 1977 and 1981 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships, the 1990 Cleveland Open 10-Ball Classic, and the 1991 Legends of One-Pocket event.

“My career took off after the world championship win. It built up my confidence and I felt really good about my game,” Hopkins shared. “I started winning more. I won the World Championship Nine-Ball in 1983, and I played a lot of tournaments and did well.”

Starting Early

His love for the game can be traced back to when he was just seven, playing a checker pool game in the park with his friends.

My dad said to me at the time, ‘Someday you are going to be a world champion.’

And I was at the age of twenty-five.

“My aunt had a pool table at her house, and the first time I went downstairs to play, I picked up the cue and I ran about eight to ten balls,” Hopkins remembered. “Everyone was in awe and they knew I was going to be a pool player.”

It didn’t take long for his father to buy a pool table for his own house and Hopkins was already playing tournaments at the age of 12.

“My dad said to me at the time, ‘Someday you are going to be a world champion.’ And I was at the age of twenty-five.”

34 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

Building the Résumé

“

Hopkins continued climbing the ranks in becoming one of the most successful players of the ‘70s and ‘80s, taking home major titles in straight pool, 9-ball, 10-ball, and one-pocket tournaments. In total, Hopkins has amassed over 40 tournament titles in his playing career and holds the record for most second-place finishes in the history of professional pool.

“What I remember about him when we were younger was that he was tough to beat,” said Hall of Fame player Mike Sigel. “He at one time dominated for a while and had a streak for a long time when he was like a machine.”

Hopkins has twice won the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships (1977 and 1981) and promoter Barry Behrman has strong feelings about the champion.

“I hate Allen Hopkins,” Behrman shared jokingly. “But all twentyfour individual U.S. Open champions all love him because in 1977 Allen won five thousand dollars, and when I called him the next year to make sure he was coming to defend his title, he wanted me to pay his entry fee.”

Behrman was mad at the time and wasn’t going to pay the $250 fee, but just a year later Hopkins’ insistence started something that makes the U.S. Open special today.

“

My career took off after the world championship win. It built up my confidence and I felt really good about my game.

“

March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 35

Over the next few years, shake-ups in the billiards landscape caused many changes. The PBT started to split up, the women went to their own association, and suddenly the Expo needed to be different.

“We were continuing to grow, probably at about seventy to eighty booths, but the PBT was going in the wrong direction and I felt I should get away,” Hopkins recounted. “I resigned from the PBT and then I wasn’t allowed to call it the PBT Expo anymore, but that also meant I didn’t have to share the profits.”

Hopkins made alliances with the TAP Leagues and made a deal with the American Cuemakers Association and international cue makers to come to the show.

“In 1979 I started paying everyone’s entry fee who has ever won,” Behrman explained. “Now, all U.S. Open champions receive a free entry—even the old timers.

I also seed them as paying homage to all former U.S. Open champions. I really don’t hate him—I’m glad that he did what he did, and it’s been great for the U.S. Open all these years.”

“That first year I lost about twenty-four thousand dollars, but I saw a future in it,” he says. “I knew I had to move it because the Meadowlands was too expensive, so I moved it to Valley Forge for the second year and we have been there since.”

As much as he did on the table, perhaps Hopkins is better known for what he accomplished off of it.

“Not only did I get my money back I had lost the first year, but I made a profit of about fourteen thousand dollars,” Hopkins said. “The pro tour liked it because they received a check from me and everyone was happy.”

Establishing the Super Billiards Expo

This year marks the nineteenth anniversary of his Super Billiards Expo, which will once again take place at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA, from March 10 through March 13.

The story of the popular expo traces back two decades.

“I had gotten involved with the Pro Billiards Tour and it was struggling, so I said to my friend Mike, ‘Why don’t we start our own?’” Hopkins shared. “We went to the PBT and came up with the ideas of the event and went to work.”

Hopkins had recently come in to some money by selling a bar he owned, and he set out to create what he hoped would be a successful expo. There was resistance at the time from the Billiard Players Association (BPA), but he forged ahead and made a profit-sharing deal with the PBT.

“We held the first one in the Meadowlands Convention Center,” he said. “We had two hundred and fifty amateurs, women, juniors, and a celebrity pro-am with stars like Paul Sorvino and Danny Aiello playing pool to kick off the show.”

The show was a hit with most in the industry. There were 48 booths, star players, and industry vets on hand to push their wares.

36 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

Year Two saw considerable growth to the show and the money made.

“I commend him. It’s a huge draw and the show is very successful,” said Jerry Olivier of Houston, Texas-based Jerry Olivier Custom Cues. “It gives the ACA the opportunity to showcase all of its members to a broad number of people and helps us kick off new stuff for the year. It gets a lot of people and is in a key place.”

Today the expo showcases more than 150 exhibitors and pool players from all over the world come to take part in the action at the show. Scheduled to appear this year are junior players from Argentina, Germany, and London.

“We don’t have super big prize money, but it’s a great event,” Hopkins said. “We have pros, amateurs, and industry all under one roof. A lot of people didn’t know some of the products we have in this industry so it’s great.”

It was about three years into the expo pool,” Sigel said. “And he is great at promoting when Hopkins met his second wife, WPBA it and being involved.” player Dawn Hopkins, and that led to his putting his playing career on hold.

With all he does, Hopkins admits that he misses playing regularly. Next year Beau will

“I ended up going out with Dawn and be 17 and driving, so Hopkins will be making a she got pregnant and I didn’t get to see comeback. my other son grow up and I wanted to stay home and watch [Beau],” Hopkins said. “I “My goal right now is to try and win anbasically stayed home and let her go play. other pro event for the decade of 2010-2020,” I gave up playing pool competitively and he warned. “I went to Derby City and was hapstarted working on other stuff.” py with the way I played and wasn’t discouraged about my game. I rose to the occasion

One of those things was to put more when I needed to.” time into commentating and marketing the game. Hopkins was already announcing Looking back on all his accomplishments, some events on ESPN, but now he had the Hopkins says he has lots of great memories in time to really increase pool’s awareness on the game, but one stands out. the channel.

“I brought Matt Braun in and we got all kinds of things started. I’m the reason that women were on ESPN,” Hopkins explained.

“I invented the Skins Billiards and Texas Hold ‘Em Billiards. All these things that are getting good ratings on ESPN I came up with.”

Hopkins also co-promoted ESPN standards Trick Shot Magic, Sudden Death 7-Ball, and the Ultimate 9-Ball Challenge.

As a commentator, Hopkins is well regarded for his insight and knowledge of the game.

Getting Back in the Game

“Allen has done a great deal. He got involved with TV and has done pretty good. I would say he does more than anyone else in

“

“When I was younger I played a thousand-point challenge match against Luther Lassiter. We played for five thousand dollars, and I bested him, averaging over forty balls an inning,” he recalls. “I beat him one thousand to three hundred and forty, and he was a fivetime world champion. I played better than I ever thought I could play that day.”

Still, with all the great pool feats, Hopkins admits the greatest feeling in his life was having his two sons.

“It was a bigger thrill than anything,” he said fondly. “It’s pretty special and better than winning any pool tournament.”

My goal right now is to try and win another pro event for the decade of 2010-2020.

“ March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 37

What’sNEW Impact® High Performance Break Cue

Each Impact break cue is equipped with a TIGER IB® high-performance shaft, a phenolic ferrule, a Tiger® all-leather jump/break tip, radial Tiger joint protectors, and a soft velvet case. Tigers' patented unique X5 lamination system is used to make the butts, making the cue as solid as it can be. Our unique weight balance control and patented design gives the cue its unique ability to adapt to any power with total control. The suggested retail price is $399. To order, please call 800-5-TIGER-5 or log onto www.tigerproducts.com. Please visit Tiger Products at Booths 120-122 at Valley Forge to test this American-made product.

Tip Pik Shaper

The new Tip Pik is available with a shaper/scuffer combo and has an optional chalk box for just a dollar. Dealers can purchase the new Tip Pik Shaper for as little as $4.95. Packaged in quantities of 24 and individually packaged for retail sales, this Tip Pik will be a favorite for the price-conscience shopper.

To order, please call Scott or Daryl at 800-540-1761.

Elephant Lunar Rocks

Back by popular demand, this state-of-the-art set of Elephant Lunar Rocks™ were engineered for the Hollywood motion picture Pluto Nash starring Eddie Murphy. The silvery moon rock texture combined with stylized oversized numbers make these balls unlike any on the planet. Elephant Lunar Rocks™ are precision-crafted for perfect size (2.25”), balance, roundness (within .001”), and weight (6 oz). The high-gloss finish and premium-grade materials reduce table cloth wear. The suggested retail price is $180.

Please visit www.elephantballs.com to view the full line of Elephant products, exclusively distributed by McDermott Cue, or call 800-666-2283.

Fury HL Series Pool Cue Model HL-7

Fury defines the modern classic look with this cue consisting of a zebrawood forearm and buttsleeve accented with butterflyspliced flame veneers of black, red, orange, and yellow stained maple in both the forearm and buttsleeve. This cue features a Speed-Loc joint pin and stainless steel collars, a 12.75 mm Tiger Everest tip, an Irish linen wrap, and it comes with joint protectors. Available at CueSight.com for $380.

38 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

London Bridge

The London Bridge is a unique new product that enables pool players to play shots close to the side rail, over clusters of balls, catering for every shot variation that comes up during a game. The most significant feature of the London Bridge is the rubber grommet that allows a house cue to be inserted into it, giving extremely good rigidity while making shots. It is endorsed by world champions Allison Fisher and Daryl Peach, who stress that all players should carry their own London Bridge in their case so that they are not at the mercy of what is available hanging on the side of the table. For ordering information, please log onto www.LondonBridgeBilliards.com.

Pool Player Excuses Towel

This whimsical towel gives your favorite pool player an easy out with six excuses for why that ball didn’t drop. Adorned with original animalthemed cartoons, this 22-inch by 13-inch towel is made of lint-free flour sack material and has a hanging loop on the back. Retail price is $7.95, with 10% of the profits donated to H.E.A.L. Inc (Helping Every Animal Live). To order, please visit www.poolplayerexcuses.com, or stop by the InsidePOOL Magazine booth at the Super Billiards Expo to pick one up.

Cut Shot

The new manual Reflections on the Cut Shot is a workbook that teaches the most frequent, yet most difficult, shot in pool to learn—the cut shot. This manual will teach you real visual aids to help line up the aim point for cut shots. You no longer have to imagine what isn't there, such as ghost balls or imaginary lines, and you don't need any expensive gadgets.

For whatever discipline of pool you play—8-ball, 9-ball, straight pool, one-pocket—this manual illustrates the most common cut shots that consistently come up and makes them as easy as connecting the dots. The manual retails for $25 and is only available online. To order, please visit www.thecutshot.com.

Moori-V Four-Layer Premium Pigskin Tips

New to the market in 2011, these four-layer premium pigskin tips by Moori are the higher end of their line. Four layers of leather means less glue and more leather on the impact surface. This special design provides unique and better playability. The superb quality of these Japanese made tips will make you think twice before using anything else. To order, please visit www.cuestik.com, or call 800-283-7845 or 847-972-6244.

March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 39

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Stripes

Standing Room Only < by you’ve watched a professional pool match in perI ’mson,sure on TV, or on the Internet that had a referee presiding

over the match. “Presiding” simply means the referee watches every shot and is right there in the arena with the players. This month we’re going to discuss some of the issues that impact where the presiding official stands during play. Although referees each have their own individual style, there are basics that most officials think about before getting into position.

The most important consideration, as it is with most shots, is to not stand in the shooter’s line of sight or where we can be seen in their peripheral vision. For the opening break shot, we usually stand on the same side as the breaker, behind them at roughly a 45 degree angle. From here we have a clear look at the cue ball and cannot be seen out of the corner of the shooter’s eye.

After the break shot, where we stand usually depends on the game being played. In 9- and 10-ball, we know what ball must be played next and can easily see where to stand if there is a clear shot to a pocket. If so, we try to position ourselves angled somewhere behind the player that affords a clear view.

But in 8-ball or 14.1, we don’t always know what their next shot is. If we wait until the shooter decides we may still be able to get in position; however, we don’t want to be arriving or in motion once they are down on the shot.

In some cases we could make a call from 20 feet away just by knowing the physics of a shot and what must happen after contact.

To prevent this, a technique that most top referees employ is to move with the player between shots rather than standing stationary until the shooter gets into position. Premiere officials like Michela Tabb, Jay Helfert, and Bill Stock will do this routinely. It’s almost as if we’re following the player around the table. This approach enables us to be ready to take our angled position behind the player when they get ready to shoot.

If we have to be elsewhere to watch a hit or potential object ball foul, the position of the balls and even the way the shot will be attempted dictate where we stand. Frequently there will be more than one position we can take and still make an informed call. In some cases we could make a call from 20 feet away just by knowing the physics of a shot and what must 40 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

Ken Shuman

happen after contact. Other times we may have no choice but to stand where the shooter can see us. Should a player ask us to move so as not to be in their line we’ll always try to accommodate them, provided there is another place to stand that allows us to be in proper position to make the call.

Many of our high profile officials are, or were at one time, very accomplished players. Accordingly, they sometimes use that knowledge to anticipate what a player may do. For example, it may be apparent the player will need a bridge for their next shot, so we need to be ready to provide it and be standing where we can reach it quickly. If we do have to hand a bridge to a player or take it from them, we never do so over the playing surface. The same applies to handing them the cue ball— always away from the table. Accidents can happen and nobody wants to be embarrassed by dropping equipment where it can affect play.

Another aspect of the proper standing technique is what we do with our hands while watching the match. We’ll either place them behind our back, let our arms hang normally at the side, or keep our hands together in front of us about belt high.

We never put our hands in our pockets or fold our arms. Doing so would make us look unprepared, unprofessional, and uninterested.

Deciding where to stand also requires us to be aware of our surroundings. We often have to deal with obstacles like TV cameras, booms, other match tables, and even spectator seating.

Recognizing we may have to wait before getting into position or perhaps temporarily obstructing spectators is a frequent occurrence.

In a future column we’ll take another look at the where-tostand issue, but we’ll add specific close-hit situations and discuss the various factors that impact our choice. In the meantime, I’m going shopping for more comfortable shoes!

Ken Shuman Ken Shuman of Sacramento, CA, is one of the country’s premier tournament directors. He is an accomplished professional referee and is considered an expert on the rules of play. Ken has officiated at World Championship events in the USA and the Philippines.

He directs some of the major tournaments, including the Derby City Classic, the U.S. Bar Table Championship, CSI’s National Championship Series, the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship, and the U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship. Contact Ken at shucue@yahoo.com.

FoodonTour King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 1

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5 2

American

Caribbean

1.The Cheesecake Factory

3. Rock Bottom Brewery

2. Chili’s Bar and Grill

4. Seasons 52

640 W. Dekalb Pike The Cheesecake Factory is famous for its generous portions of over 200 menu items made from scratch daily. Their vast menu offers something for everyone, from soup and sandwiches to fresh fish, steak, and pasta. However, they also offer 50 varieties of cheesecake and other desserts, so make sure to leave room for dessert.

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 11:00 a.m.

– 12:30 a.m. Sun: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Phone: 610-337-2200 www.thecheesecakefactory.com $-$$

739 W. Dekalb Pike New $6 lunch combos and $20 dinners for two draws a crowd to Chili’s Bar and Grill. This Tex-Mex casual dining spot offers premium margaritas and spicy Southwest fare. Feast on fajitas, ribs, or chili, or go guilt-free with their Guiltless Grill or vegetarian options. For dessert, try their famous molten chocolate cake.

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 11:00 a.m.

– 12:00 a.m. Sun: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Phone: 610-992-0899 www.chilis.com $-$$

42 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

1001 King of Prussia Plaza For lively and casual dining with fresh, handcrafted beers brewed on its premises, visit Rock Bottom Brewery. The menu features traditional American pub food such as starters, salads, burgers, pizzas, wraps, chicken, and steaks. As for the beer, half a dozen unique brews are available, from lagers to IPAs to dark beers.

Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 11:00 a.m.

– 10:30 p.m.

Phone: 610-230-2739 www.rockbottom.com $-$$

160 N. Gulph Road, Suite 101 Seasons 52 is a fresh grill and wine bar that invites you to focuses on a seasonally inspired menu based on the appeal of a farmer’s market. Natural cooking techniques such as wood-fire grilling, brick-oven cooking, and caramelizing vegetables are employed to bring out the best flavors, and nothing on the menu is over 475 calories. Enjoy sophisticated and organic soups, flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, and a range of main dishes without guilt.

Hours: Lunch: Mon-Thurs: 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Dinner: Mon-Thurs: 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 11:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Sun: 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Phone: 610-992-1152 www.seasons52.com $$-$$$

5. Bahama Breeze

320 Goddard Boulevard Feed your island spirit with a visit to Bahama Breeze, which features seafood, chicken, and steak recipes inspired by the Caribbean islands. The atmosphere is casual, the portions are large, and the service is friendly. New items on the menu include a shrimp and lobster quesadilla, chicken with cilantro crema, and a strawberry mojito.

Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. Fri-Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

Phone: 610-491-9822 www.bahamabreeze.com $$

Price Range: Cheap $ Moderate $$ Affordable Fine Dining $$$ Fine Dining $$$$

1

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Editor’s Choice

Pizza 1. Angelo’s Pizza

212 W. Beidler Road If you’re in the mood for traditional local fare, try the Philly cheese steak at Angelo’s Pizza. Open for dine-in and carry-out, Angelo’s offers customary pizzas, steak sandwiches, hoagies, and “fun food” such as chicken tenders and mozzarella sticks.

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Phone: 610-265-4148 www.angelospizzakop.com $-$$

Editor’s Choice

Italian Editor’s Choice

2. California Pizza Kitchen

470 Mall Boulevard As the name of the restaurant suggests, pizza is the specialty of the house. Over 30 different types of designer pizzas are listed on their menu, and you can also make your own. The most popular is the barbecue chicken pizza, but the variety ranges from pear and gorgonzola to California club to basic pepperoni. Additionally, California Pizza Kitchen offers a variety of fresh pastas, salads, soups, and sandwiches, as well as a glutenfree menu.

Hours: Mon-Sat: 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Sun: 11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Phone: 610-337-1500 www.cpk.com $$

Editor’s Choice

3. Maggiano’s Little Italy 4

Editor’s Choice

160 N. Gulph Road, Suite 205 Dine on Italian-American fare while enjoying the old-fashioned feel of Little Italy. Specialties of the house include baked ziti with sausage, pepperoni and arugula flatbread, chicken parmesan, and, of course, lasagna. Portions are massive, so bring a friend—and a doggie bag!

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Sun: Noon – 10:00 p.m.

Phone: 610-992-3333 www.maggianos.com $$-$$$

Seafood 4. Creed’s 5

Editor’s Choice

499 N. Gulph Road This independently owned restaurant features a warm, comfortable atmosphere and excellent service. The menu focuses on fresh fish and steaks, and they offer an evolving wine list as well. Stop by during happy hour for half-priced oysters, or try the bar’s simple yet satisfying fare. Friday and Saturday nights also feature live entertainment and a late bar menu.

Hours: Lunch Mon-Fri: 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Dinner Mon-Sat: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Phone: 610-265-2550 www.creedskop.com $$$

5. Legal Sea Foods

690 W. Dekalb Pike Their slogan is “If it isn’t fresh, it isn’t Legal!” Hang out at the oyster bar, have a seat in their casual dining room, or visit their take-out window for seafood and creamy soups. Their award-winning New England clam chowder has been served at every presidential inauguration since 1981. The menu offers salads, sandwiches, the freshest of seafood, dessert, and gluten-free offerings. The lobster roll is a perfect choice for a quick bite.

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Sun: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Phone: 610-265-5566 www.legalseafoods.com $$-$$$ March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 43

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Steak 1. The Capital Grille

236 Mall Boulevard Offering relaxed elegance surrounded by mahogany paneling and warm lighting, The Capital Grille features a menu of nationally renowned dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood. Their award-winning wine list features over 5,000 bottles, and they feature daily culinary creations crafted with fresh, local ingredients.

Hours: Lunch Mon-Fri: 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Dinner Mon-Thurs: 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 4:00 p.m.

– 11:00 p.m. Sun: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Phone: 610-265-1415 www.thecapitalgrille.com $$$$

2. Ruth’s Chris Steak House

220 N. Gulph Road For a prime steak in a warm, comfortable atmosphere, try Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Feast on traditional steak house fare, such as filets, ribeyes, T-bones, and lobster.For something lighter, their happy hour is from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and includes a half-priced bar menu and drink specials.

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 4:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 4:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Sun: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Phone: 610-992-1818 www.ruthschris.com $$$

44 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

5

Japanese 3. Morton’s – the Steakhouse

640 W. Dekalb Pike Morton’s is paneled to resemble a private club, and its atmosphere affords the same hushed environment. It is best known for its USDA prime-aged beef, fresh seafood, hand-picked produce, and exceptional service. Visit for a full dinner or stop by the upbeat Bar 1221 for their Bar Bites menu. Gluten-free and soy-free menus are also available.

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Sun: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Phone: 610-491-1900 www.mortons.com $$$$

4. Sullivan’s Steakhouse

700 W. Dekalb Pike This vibrant American steak house features fine steaks, seafood, hand-shaken martinis, and live music. Steaks are aged a minimum of 28 days, and the seafood, which includes ahi tuna and Australian lobster tails, is of the highest quality. An extensive menu of salads, starters, and sides complements the main dish, and don’t forget the house-made desserts.

Hours: Lunch Tues-Fri: 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Dinner Tues-Sat: 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Sun-Mon: 3:00 p.m.

– 10:00 p.m.

Phone: 610-878-9025 www.sullivansteakhouse.com $$$-$$$$

5. Kabuki Japanese

180 E. Dekalb Pike Rice-papered windows and a sushi bar add to the charm of Kabuki, which ranks as the area’s top stop for Japanese food. The menu features not only sushi rolls but tofu, tempura, sashimi, and a smoked salmon sushi. For dessert, indulge with red bean ice cream.

Hours: Mon-Fri: Lunch 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Dinner: 4:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Sat: 11:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Sun: 12:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Phone: 610-878-9203 $-$$

>

Places to play, Places to Buy The Cue Ball opened The Cue Ball in Salem, Oregon, in 1963. Much has changed in those 47 J imyears,Lebold but Jim’s philosophy remains the same.

“I wanted to create a family-friendly pool hall, one that is comfortable for both beginners and top amateurs,” Lebold said. To this day, its 23 nine-foot Brunswick Centennial and Anniversary tables welcome all ages and abilities and make it one of the largest billiard rooms in the Northwest.

The Cue Ball has grown and changed over the years, adding two 10-foot Brunswick snooker tables and a Chevillote heated carom table, attracting players from around Oregon and Washington.

Jim sells new and used quality cues and billiard equipment, wholesale lines of cloth and parts, darts, and other gaming supplies, helping weather ups and downs in the industry. The crew of two table technicians, with a combined 35 years of experience, keeps area tables in top shape in homes and businesses. But Jim’s bread and butter is in table sales, featuring Olhausen and, recently, Presidential tables. Jim also keeps dozens of used tables in stock and features top-quality antique tables for the discriminating buyer.

The Cue Ball’s monthly 32-player handicapped 9-ball tournament draws players from a wide area. Jim also hosts the Northwest regional U.S. Amateur qualifier and the WPBA qualifier for Northwest women.

Several original patrons continue to make weekly visits, and friendships are a big part of The Cue Ball’s appeal. Younger players are encouraged to learn the game and etiquette of pool from the “old bulls.” Now even fourth-generation patrons are coming in, sometimes in baby carriers!

The Cue Ball will adapt to changing times and tastes, but it will continue to emphasize personal service, competitive pricing, and nurturing a love for the sport. What the future holds for the industry is hard to guess, but Jim stated, “We will stick to the philosophy we started with and has made us a successful and respected billiard room.” Thankfully, some things don’t change.

The Cue Ball sales@thecueball.com www.thecueball.com 1262 State St. Salem, OR 97301 503-362-9740

Billiard EducationJunior Foundation Player Profile Robert “Landon” Shuffet Hometown: Greensburg, Kentucky

Are you right- or left-handed? Righthanded

Birthdate: July 9

Sponsors: JustCueIt Professional Billiard Instruction, Justis Cases, Rack 66 in Louisville, KY

School you currently attend: Green County High

Favorite band/music: ‘60s and ‘70s classic rock (The Doors, Jimmy Hendrix, Cream)

Grade: 10

Hobbies: Working out and music (guitar)

Favorite subject in school: History

Memorable pool moment: Running 159 in 14.1

Started playing pool: Age 5

Favorite food: I like everything and I like to eat healthy.

Titles: 4-time BEF Junior National 9-Ball champion, Three-time Southeast U.S. Junior champion, Kentucky State Men’s 9-Ball champion.

Real world hero: Grandfather Dr. Robert Shuffett

Other notable awards: “Fair Play” award at World Junior Championship in Velden, Austria; awarded “Most Likely to Succeed” at Green County Junior High.

Fondest childhood memory: Traveling to Europe with my family.

Goals: Go to college, continue playing pool, and keep up my interest in music.

What kind of cue do you use?

McDaniel’s Starburst, Capone custom, OB Cues, Predator, Lomax jump cue

Support Junior Programs ...

Join now! www.BilliardEducation.org

>

Industry

>

News News

Billiard Education Foundation Scholarship Opportunities for High School Seniors

The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is pleased to announce that they are accepting applications for the 2011 scholarship awards.

The objective of the BEF Academic Scholarship Program is to grant scholarships to high school seniors who have benefited from the sport of billiards and are pursuing a college education.

The BEF Academic Scholarship Program is divided into two categories: Excellence in Education scholarship (a single $2,000 award) and Aiming for Higher Education scholarships (three individual scholarships at $1,000 each). Each applicant will be considered in both categories; only one completed application is required and must be postmarked no later than April 18, 2011. Applications can be downloaded by going to the BEF website at www.BilliardEducation.org.

Students must adhere to the following scholarship criteria: (1) hold a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, (2) have an ACT score of at least 23 or SAT combined score (critical reading + math) of 1050 or higher, (3) submit a 500-1000 word essay on how billiards has been an integral part of his or her life, (4) be accepted to an accredited undergraduate academic program by June 1, (5) must attend an accredited undergraduate institution and carry at least 12 hours per semester.

The final application must also include a letter from the applicant outlining academic achievements, leadership and/or community service work, a description of the applicant’s background and career objectives, plus personal and professional (academic) goals. Applicants must also submit an official high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores.

APA Receives Guinness World Record Amongst Recent Accolades APA National Team Championships Recognized as World’s Largest Pool Tournament

The year 2010 was yet another banner year for the American Poolplayers Association (APA). In October APA Founders Terry Bell and Larry Hubbart were inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame. Then late last year, the 2010 APA National Team Championship, held in August in Las Vegas, was recognized by Guinness World Records as the “world’s largest pool tournament.” Shortly thereafter, APA set yet another membership milestone with a record 270,366 members in 2010.

The good news hasn’t stopped for the APA with the turn of the calendar. They were recently recognized in USA Today as one of the “top 50 franchises for veterans.” They’ve also been recognized once again by Entrepreneur Magazine as the number-one “Sports Business Franchise,” and number 100 as “America’s Top Global Franchise.”

“These accolades are a tribute to the hard work of our league operators and our national office staff, in addition to our very loyal members. The entire APA network should take great pride in these accomplishments, and we look forward to even more success in 2011,” said APA President Reneé Lyle.

48 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

ACA Honors Tad Kohara, Keith Josey

The American Cuemakers Association (ACA) is proud to announce its latest inductee into the prestigious ACA Hall of Fame and its 2011 “Cuemaker of the Year,” Tad Kohara and Keith Josey. The ACA was formed in 1992 to promote the American cue and cue maker, to recognize a standard of excellence in the art of cue-making, to educate the public about cues, and to work with other organizations whose objectives are compatible with the ACA’s to promote pool and especially the American cue.

Considered the most prestigious award in the cue-making industry, the ACA’s Hall of Fame presently has 13 inductees. They include George Balabushka, Herman Rambow, Burton Spain, Ernie Gutierrez, Harvey Martin, Gus Szamboti, Frank Paradise, Eugene and Ilona Balner, Dan Janes, Jerry Franklin, Bill Schick, and Richard Black. The 2011 inductee is Tad Kohara of Tad’s Custom Cues.

Tad began repairing cues in 1963 in a poolroom he owned in Los Angeles. Within a year, because of popular demand, he began making his own cues. Although not a pool player himself, Tad had a lot of input regarding the playability of his cues from the likes of Willie Mosconi, Jimmy Caras, and Joe Balsis. Tad was also influenced by cue makers Harvey Martin, Ernie Gutierrez, Gene Balner, and Doc Fry, three of whom are previous inductees themselves.

Never making more than approximately 100 cues per year, Tad used very little ivory in his cues because of the large numbers going overseas. In 2003, after 40 years of making top-quality, highly collectible cues, Tad Kohara was recognized as a “Master Cuemaker” by his peers and collectors at the “Showcase at the Ritz” in California. Although making very few cues today, the Kohara name carries on as his son, Fred, continues the tradition started by his father.

The “Cuemaker of the Year” award was begun in 2008 to recognize an ACA member who has provided a top quality product in an ethical, honorable, and professional manner through the years. The award is presented annually at the Super Billiards Expo at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA. This year’s Expo will be held March 10-13 with the presentations being made at the ACA banquet March 12.

The 2011 ACA “Cuemaker of the Year” is Keith Josey of Josey Custom Cues in Savannah, GA. Keith grew up playing pool and woodworking in his father’s shop. In 1988 Keith opened Josey Cue Repairs in Savannah when he became dissatisfied with local repairs. In 1992 he opened Josey Custom Cues. Known for his elaborate points and inlay designs, many Josey cues have complex floating points with a “medieval” motif.

Also to be recognized at the banquet will be this year’s recipient of the “People’s Choice Award.” This award acknowledges the public’s choice of their favorite cue on display at the ACA booth at the Super Billiards Expo. Every ACA member can display one cue of which they are especially proud. Attendees at the show can then cast their votes for their favorite cue. The cue maker whose cue receives the most votes will be recognized with the “People’s Choice Award. Last year’s winner was Pete Tonkin.

Pictures of the award winners and the winning cue will be posted after the presentations on the ACA website, www.cuemakers.org.

The Ultimate 10-Ball Championships are being hosted by the Embassy Suites Hotel Dallas-Frisco in Frisco, TX. Matches will be played on Diamond Pro-Am 9-foot tables covered in Simonis cloth and using Super Aramith Pro Ball sets and red circle cue balls. For reservations please call 972-712-7200.

Ultimate 10-Ball Championships Accepting Registrations Sign up Now to Get Your Spot

Ultimate 10-Ball Championships are pleased to announce that the Ultimate 10-Ball Championships are accepting registrations. The event, scheduled for April 21-24 in Frisco, TX, will feature the best players in the world, both male and female, to compete for $50,000 guaranteed added prize monies.

This is the second event of its kind Nazhat has produced—last year’s Ultimate 10-Ball Championships were held in Aruba. There will be two divisions: a women’s event limited to 64 players with a $15,000-added prize purse, and a men’s event limited to 128 players with a $35,000-added prize purse. Women will race to 7, while men will race to 8. Both divisions will feature extended semifinal and final matches. With full fields expected, the prize money will top $110,000 for the event.

“I really enjoyed the first Ultimate Ten-Ball Championships, and I’m looking forward to years of success for the event and the players.

We really want to help promote the sport and the superstars playing it, and we feel the Ultimate Ten-Ball Championships is the perfect vehicle,” said Badi Nazhat, Ultimate 10-Ball Championships promoter.

Entries are currently being processed via e-mail at info@ultimate10ball.com. Please contact them today to ensure your spot in this ground-breaking event.

About the Ultimate 10-Ball Championships

The inaugural Ultimate 10-Ball Championships took place in Aruba in 2010 and featured some of the most talented players in the sport of billiards. The Ultimate 10-Ball Championships is an open tournament that will continue to feature the finest men and women pool players in the world. The 2011 is an event ranked by both the Billiard Congress of America and the Women’s Professional Billiard Association ranked event and is a World Pool-Billiard Association sanctioned event.

The official web site, http://www.ultimate10ball.com, will provide stats, two free live streams, and live scoring.

LONDON BRIDGE BILLIARDS will be exhibiting at the "SUPER BILLIARDS EXPO" on the "FURY 14:1 CHALLENGE STAND"

- L3 to L9

March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 49

APA Player of the Month his wife and two daughters for an extended period of time, Jim says one of the first things he does is search for an APA Pool League. He says that no matter where he goes, he finds that just being an APA member has a very strong aura of camaraderie that is very similar to the military—despite different backgrounds, APA players across the country already share very similar experiences and it’s always helpful to go some place different and find that you already know everyone there. To Jim, APA isn’t just about getting to Vegas, it’s also about the journey!

“Of all the things that I enjoy about the APA, I would have to say the other members are the best,” Adams said. “Everyone is out to have a good time and I’ve made a lot of friends in the divisions that I’ve played in. Even when the competition heats up, it’s still easy to just break away from the everyday norm and spend some time having fun with everyone.”

Jim Adams (center)

member Jim Adams from Howell, NJ, is a member of the United APAStates Marine Corps. He’s currently stationed in New Orleans for 18

months. During his nine years in the military, Jim has been stationed in New Jersey and Tampa. He’s also been deployed to combat in Iraq and Djibouti, Africa, and has visited many other countries in the process. While deployed, Jim very much enjoys being able to play pool.

“During a deployment to Africa, we had the luxury of a pool table in one of the tents,” Adams said. “It was a great way to spend some time after coming back from patrol or from standing guard and just meet up with everyone and relax a little when we could.”

At the young age of 7 Jim began playing pool. He joined the APA four years ago when a member noticed his cue case in the back of his Wrangler—he invited Jim to play in the league and the rest is history. When having to leave

Jim also enjoys getting others involved in pool. Last Thanksgiving, Jim was in Bethesda, MD, and visited a friend at the Wounded Warrior Regiment (WWR). He was given a Marine-Corps-themed “Semper Fidelis” pool cue the year before as a gift—he always carried it in his cue case as a spare. The WWR had a recreation room with a pool table but received little attention when he was there. Jim used a shaper and a punch to fix up the tips on the sticks, and he also gave the counter attendant his “Semper Fidelis” cue stick and Master chalk to keep for the table.

“Visiting those guys and their families, especially around the holidays, really introduces you to new emotions. As a fellow service member you just wish you could do more to change things,” Adams said. “Pool delivers such a universal form of competition that watching a wounded veteran ignore their physical limitations to shoot a game is nothing short of inspiring to those of us more fortunate who sometimes take our own abilities for granted.”

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John & Kelly Croft Peterborough, ON

Jace Layton & Tracy Ahlstrom - Layton Seattle, WA

Marc Lancaster/Kim Ramsey Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC

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KT Thompson Charlotte, NC

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Randy Jones Des Moines, IA

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They were poolplayers just like you.

Now they make a living running an APA Pool League.

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> >>

Regional Roundup Cintron and Sookhai Split on Tri-State Tour Tri-State Tour / Brooklyn, NY

by InsidePOOL Staff

Ken DeCuire, Basdeo Sookhai, Dan Cintron

Dan Cintron returned from a late loss to split top honors with Basdeo Sookhai in the finals at the TriState Tour’s January 15-16 stop. The 9-ball event was hosted by Gotham City Billiards in Brooklyn, NY, and drew 36 A-D players.

Cintron’s first meeting with Sookhai came in the winners’ side final four, and Sookhai took that win 8-5 to move on to the hot seat match. Meeting him there was Ken DeCuire, who had just sent Frank Barecca to the west side of the chart 6-1. The hot seat match was a lopsided one, with Sookhai advancing easily 7-3 while DeCuire went to the left side of the bracket.

Having to fight his way back to the finals, Cintron scored a strong 7-2 win over Mark Pantovic, who tied for fifth place with Mike Ettl. Barecca eliminated Ettl 6-3 and moved on to the quarterfinals against Cintron, who eked out a 9-7 victory there. After a 9-6 win over DeCuire, CinResults: tron advanced to the final Dan Cintron $815 match. As Sookhai had 1st 2nd

Basdeo Sookhai

$815 to make an early exit to Ken DeCuire $390 help his team at the APA 3rd Frank Barecca $240 playoffs, the two split first 4th 5th

Mark Pantovic

$160 place.

Mike Ettl 7th Dave Deserio $115

Tony Ignomirello

Stottlemyer Stakes out Mezz Championships Mezz Pro-Am Championships / Egg Harbor, NJ

by Jose Burgos

Brett Stottlemyer escaped a determined Manny Chau in the finals of the Mezz ProAm Championships Brett Stottlemyer, Gary Conover, Manny Chau to take the title. The event was hosted by Atlantic City Billiard Club in Egg Harbor, NJ, January 15-16, where a field of 53 came out to play.

Stottlemyer went undefeated to the final match, notching victories over Marty Ciccia 9-2, Randy Schwager 9-5, Soner Bulut 9-2, Joey Testa, 9-4, and Phil Wines 9-7. Tearing through the bottom half of the bracket was Chau, with wins over Bill Smith Jr. 9-5, Michael Prasents 9-6, Jim O’Hara 9-4, Rob Pole 9-7, and Eddie Abraham 9-6.

52 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

The hot seat match between Stottlemyer and Chau went double-hill, but it was Stottlemyer who advanced 9-8, sending Chau to the west side of the chart. Meeting Chau in the semifinals was Matt Krah, who recovered from a first-round loss to Bruce Nagle 9-6 by eliminating Randy Schwager 7-6, Joe Hong 7-3, Jim O’Hara 7-1, Jeremy Sossei 7-5, Josh Brothers 7-5, Testa 7-5, Abraham 7-6, and Pole 7-2. This turned out to be a one-sided match, as Chau quickly won 7-3 to reach the finals.

Chau had to defeat Stottlemyer twice to take the title, and he almost pulled it off. He scored a 9-5 victory in the first set, but Stottlemyer recovered in the second and won by a narrow 7-5 margin to take top honors. The top three finishers also received spots into the 2011 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships.

Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

7th

9th

Brett Stottlemyer Manny Chau Matt Krah Rob Pole Phil Wines Eddie Abraham Joey Testa Sean Morgan Wali Muhammad Josh Brothers Bruce Nagle OscarBonilla

$1,450 $1,000 $430 $300 $200 $150 $100

Murgia Unmarked on Tri-State Tour Tri-State Tour / Edison, NJ

by InsidePOOL Staff

Gary Murgia, Pat DiBuono, Teddy Lubis

It was a good day for Gary Murgia, who went undefeated January 22 to claim the first-place prize on the Tri-State Tour. The tour stopped in at Sandcastle Billiards in Edison, NJ, for a 32-player, B-D 9-ball tournament that featured a $502-added prize fund.

Murgia escaped a hill-hill bout against Peter Brennan in the winners’ side final four and moved on to the hot seat match. Challenging him there was Pat DiBuono, who had fought off Serrafin Serrano and sent him to the west side of the chart 7-4. It was a fairly easy victory for Murgia, and he advanced 7-3 while DiBuono headed to the semifinals.

Once on the left side, Brennan and Serrano did not have much luck and were eliminated in fifth place by Teddy Lubis 7-2 and Richard Ng 7-4, respectively. However, Lubis and Ng fought tooth and nail for the right to advance to the semifinals and meet DiBuono.

Their score seesawed to hill-hill, with Lubis eking out a 7-6 win.

But DiBuono was determined to have another run at Murgia and eliminated Lubis in the quarterfinals 7-3 to earn a Results: Gary Murgia $530 rematch. It was neck and 1st $330 neck through the race, but 2nd Pat DiBuono Teddy Lubis $210 up 6-5, Murgia managed 3rd Richard Ng $120 to win the next and decid- 4th 5th Peter Brennan $80 ing rack to take the title.

Serrafin Serrano 7th Kyle Bubet $60

Tony Ignomirello

<

Hewitt Holds Off Souvanthong Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour / Latham, NY

came out to make a statement at this double points event, which Victor Nau took down.

by Lea Andrews

Despite a strong push by tour hotshot Bucky Souvanthong, Montreal native Danny Hewitt made his way undefeated through a hefty field of 56 to reach the winner’s circle at the latest installment of the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour. The $1,500-added main event was held January 29-30 at Diamond Eight Billiards in Latham, NY.

Hewitt got past tour director Mike Zuglan 9-6 to reach the hot seat match against Jarrod Clowery, who’d had his own 9-6 win over Bruce Carroll. Hewitt took care of Clowery quickly, sending him west 9-2.

On the left side of the bracket, Greg Antonakos, who’d been plowing through the one-loss side since his hill-hill loss to Clowery in the second round, ousted Paul Rozonewski 9-4 and Bruce Nagel 9-6 to face Carroll. Meanwhile, Souvanthong notched back-to-back 9-4 wins over Dave Varano and Jeff Smolen to once again face Zuglan, who was responsible for his earlier loss. After his 9-6 revenge, Souvanthong moved on to the quarterfinal match against Antonakos, who’d put Carroll into a fifth 9-2. Another lopsided match followed for Antonakos, but this time he was on the other end of it, and he landed in fourth 9-3. Moving steadily along, Souvanthong kept Clowery from getting another shot at Hewitt, planting him in third 9-3 and advancing to the true double-elimination final match himself.

Souvanthong got out to a 3-1 lead, but Hewitt put together five racks in a row to go up 6-3. Souvanthong fought back to get within one at 7-6, Open Results: but that’s as close as he Danny Hewitt $1,200 came. Hewitt dropped 1st 2nd Bucky Souvanthong $850 the final 9 ball to claim 3rd Jarrod Clowery $600 his first win this season 4th Greg Antonakos $450 9-7.

5th Bruce Carroll $350

In Sunday’s $500added non-pro second chance event, Reggie Cutler claimed the hot seat, but Phil Davis came through the left side of the 19-player field to reach the finals, and he took both sets 3-1 to claim first for himself.

7th

9th

Mike Zuglan Bruce Nagel Jeff Smolen Dave Fernandez Paul Rozonewski Dave Varano Spencer Auigbelle

$200 $100

Second Chance Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Phil Davis Reggie Cutler Brent Boemmels Cleiton Rocha Steve Way Mark Stewart

$330 $200 $150 $100 $50

Nau Nails Predator Tour Opener Predator 9-Ball Tour / Queens, NY

Sam Andol, Mike Miller, Joey Korsiak, Tony Robles

Veteran player Linden Druminski was impressive while going through the winners’ bracket, scoring wins over Luis Novas, Ray Sam, Dave Shlemperis, Michael Yednak, Alberto Estevez, Victor and Eddie Filangeri beNau, Sam Andol fore Alberto Estevez defeated him 7-5. Estevez went undefeated to the finals with wins over Gail Glazebrook, Alex Borukhovich, Mike Harrington, Antonio LoBello, Druminski, and Michael Yednak 9-8.

In the finals Estevez met Victor Nau, who had a breakthrough event. Nau started out with wins over Bob Mammarella, John Trobiano, and Rikki Ragoonan before Yednak sent him to the west side 7-5. But Nau bounced back with wins over Gary Murgia 7-4, Lionel Rivera 7-6, Christian Smith 7-6, and Adrian Daniel 7-5, setting up a rematch with Yednak.

In this feature match Yednak broke, made a ball, and looked to have a chance at the run out, but after he made a costly position error on the 1 ball, Nau was able to gain control of the game and eventually squeaked out a clutch win, putting him in the first finals in approximately three years.

Amateur Results:

Nau went on to get the monkey off his back by capturing the first event of the season by emerging victorious in the finals over Estevez 7-5.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

7th

9th

13th

Victor Nau Alberto Estevez Michael Yednak Adrian Daniel Christian Smith Linden Druminski Dave Shlemperis Lionel Rivera Jack Smith Gary Murgia Antonio LoBello Eddie Filangeri Alex Borukhovich Diana Rojas Rikki Ragoonan Dennis Lake

$1,000 $700 $425 $300 $205 $150

The pen/pro 10-ball $100 event kicked off Sunday. It was the first of four qualifying events for the U.S. Open 10-Ball Champion$75 ship at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in May. Joey Korsiak was impressive with an 8-1 win over Mike Badstuebner Open Results: as well as a tight hill-hill 1st Tony Robles $500 match against Tony “The 2nd Joey Korsiak $300 Silent Assassin” Robles en 3rd Mike Miller $170 route to the finals. In the final match, again Korsiak met Robles, who bounced back from his loss with wins over Carl “The Warrior” Khan 8-2, Frankie Hernandez 8-2, and Mike Miller 8-2. In the finals it was all Robles, who controlled the match on the way to an 8-5 score to close out the first stop of the season.

by Alison M. Fischer, NYCgrind.com

The Predator 9-Ball Tour kicked its 2011 season the weekend of January 29-30 at Cue Bar in Bayside, Queens, NY. The $1,000-added first stop of the season was stacked with a full field of 64 players who March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 53

< Culhane Captures Tri-State Win Tri-State Tour / East Rutherford, NJ

by InsidePOOL Staff

Ed Culhane warded off a late charge from Christian Smith in the finals of the February 5 Tri-State Tour event to take first place.

Culhane and 49 others gathered at Castle Billiards in East Rutherford, NJ, for the $500-added, B-D tournament.

Smith took the right side of the bracket by storm, besting Steve Wade 8-5 to reach the hot seat match. There he faced off against Bogie Uzdejczyk, who had just sent Brian Capp to the oneloss side 7-2. It was a hill-hill affair, but Smith ultimately prevailed 7-6.

Play Video Play Video

Culhane was fighting his way through the west side of the chart, ousting Paul Raval and Guy Iannuzzi before running into Capp. Theirs was another hill-hill match, but Culhane was the 7-6 victor. Jake Schwartz, who had just eliminated Steve Wade 7-2, was Culhane’s opponent in the quarterfinals, and though he put up a good fight, Culhane carried on with a 7-4 win.

Uzdejczyk, just over from the winners’ side, faced off with Culhane in the semifinal Results: match. This was yet anEd Culhane $600 other nail-biter, with Cul- 1st 2nd

Christian Smith

$400 hane advancing to the fiBogie Uzdejczyk $250 nals 7-6. Culhane took an 3rd 4th

Jake Schwartz

$150 easy 7-1 lead in the final 5th

Brian Capp

$100 match against Smith only Steve Wade to watch as Smith roared Guy Iannuzzi $75 back into the match and 7th

Joe Fego brought the score to douPaul Raval $65 ble-hill. However, Smith’s 9th

Luis Garchitorena efforts were in vain, as Nick Verducci Culhane notched the final

Brian Hunter rack and took the title.

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215-385-6114 $250

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3/19-20 Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour

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Clifton Park, NY

518-383-8771 $1,500/$500 Open/Amateurs

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3/26

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5/21-22 New England 9-Ball Series Finale Boston Billiard Club 54 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

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> >>

Regional Roundup Fuller Finishes First in Goldsboro Great Southern Billiard Tour / Goldsboro, NC

by InsidePOOL Staff

Mike Fuller rebounded from a late loss at the January 1516 installment of the Great Southern BilMike Frowein, Mike Fuller, liard Tour to snap off Danny Mastermaker, Shannon Daulton the event in the finals against the undefeated Danny Mastermaker. The $1,500-added amateur event was hosted by Fast Eddie’s Sports Bar and Grill in Goldsboro, NC, and drew a crowd of 39 players.

Fuller first collided with Mastermaker in the final four of the winners’ side, where Mastermaker dealt him a convincing 9-3 loss and sent him to the one-loss side of the chart. Advancing to the hot seat to meet Mastermaker was Mike Staubes, who whitewashed Chris Vollmar 9-0. Staubes put up a fight, but still Mastermaker overcame him easily to take the hot seat 9-5.

Once on the west side of the chart, Vollmar foundered, and though he and Mac Herrell had a close match, Vollmar ended up in fifth place 9-7. An even closer match saw Sam Monday tie with Vollmar, as he came out on the wrong end of a double-hill match with Fuller that saw Fuller move on 11-10.

Now on a serious roll, Fuller made quick work of Herrell 11-2, sending him home in fourth place and advancing to the semifinals to face Staubes. It was yet another hill-hill match for Fuller as he prevailed 11-8 to move on to the double-elimination finals and have his rematch with Mastermaker. Fuller fought to earn his revenge against the player who had sent him to the west side—he Results: won the first set 11-5, and 1st Mike Fuller $750 in the second set he only 2nd Danny Mastermaker $500 allowed Mastermaker two 3rd Mike Staubes $350 racks before winning the 4th Mac Herrell $250 final set 11-2 to take his 5th Chris Vollmar $125 first Great Southern Bil- Sam Monday liard Tour title.

7th David King $85

Larry Faulk

DeStefano and Crosby Take Down the Island Poison 9-Ball Tour / Merritt Island, FL

by InsidePOOL Staff

The Poison 9-Ball Tour kicked off the new year with a stop at Island Breakers in Merritt Island, FL. Mike DeStefano came out on top of the 51 players who showed up for the $1,000-added Tony Crosby, Mike DeStefano amateur event, while tour director Tony Crosby took down the 25-player, $1,000-added open field.

DeStefano proved to be the man to beat as he made his way to the hot seat with strong wins over Allen Auman 7-5, Rick Hefelfinger 7-5, Glenn Miller 7-2, and Chip Dickerson 7-0. Another strong 7-1 win over James Adams saw him capture the hot seat.

On the one-loss side Lincoln Seifert looked dangerous after taking a first-round loss to Mel Rowe 7-4. He went on to win six straight matches on the west side before running into Craig Horton, sent him home in fifth place 5-4. Horton then went on to eliminate Dickerson 5-2 to set up a semifinal rematch with Adams.

Adams was fully focused on getting to the final and cruised his way to a 5-0 win to set up his own rematch with DeStefano in the final. DeStefano proved to be too strong, Amateur Results: though, as he took down 1st Mike DeStefano $600 Adams and his first Poi- 2nd James Adams $400 son tour title.

3rd Craig Horton $300 4th Chip Dickerson $200

Crosby made his way 5th Lincoln Seiffert $140 through the open field Steve Howitt by taking down James 7th Jeanie Seaver $100 Adams 7-2 and Mike Joe Scarborough DeStefano 7-1. He fol- 9th John Stucky $70 lowed this up by scoring George Saunders wins over Julio Aquino Glenn Miller 7-3 and Carlos Torres 7-4 Jim Sandaler to earn the hot seat. On 13th Rick Hefelfinger $50 the one-loss side Aquino

Mike Mallen was taking down names

Carl Moxley as he made his way to the

David Dowdy final with victories over David Dowdy 6-2, Jim Sandaler 6-1, and Carlos Open Results: Torres 6-3. The final went 1st Tony Crosby $550 all the way—both players 2nd Julio Aquino $400 traded racks to bring the 3rd Carlos Torres $300 score to 6-6, with Crosby 4th Jim Sandaler $200 eventually taking the fi5th David Dowdy $100 nal rack.

Mike DeStefano

Ussery Outdoes Davis in Carolina Jacoby Custom Cues Carolina Tour / Fuquay-Varina, NC

by InsidePOOL Staff

B.J. Ussery rebounded from a late loss at the January 30 stop of the Jacoby Custom Cues Carolina Tour to best Mike Davis in the finals and take top honors. The $1,000-added event was hosted by On The Snap Billiards in Fuquay-Varina, NC.

The first time Ussery and Davis met was in the hot seat match, after Ussery had sent Ty Bissett to the one-loss side 8-2 and Davis defeated Chris Turner 8-5. Their meeting turned out to be a lopsided match that saw Ussery head west after an 8-1 routing by Davis.

Charlene and Mike Harvey were relegated to a seventh-place tie after being ousted by Tony Morrison and Arnold Hamlet, respectively, both 8-3. Hamlet in turn was sent home in fifth place by Chris Turner 8-6, while Bissett tied with Turner after an 8-5 loss to Morrison.

Morrison and Turner ended up colliding in the quarterfinal match, with Morrison advancing by an 8-2 win to face Ussery in the semifinals. But Ussery was determined to wreak revenge on Davis for his hot seat loss and turned Morrison away 8-3. It was an epic struggle in the finals, but Results: eventually it was Ussery B.J. Ussery $1,000 who eked out the 11-10 1st 2nd Mike Davis $400 victory.

March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 55

< Beahn Wins BAAT Season Opener Tiger Bay Area Amateur Tour / Holiday, FL

by InsidePOOL Staff

Sabra MacArthur Beahn, Gary Blatt, Chris Fields

Sabra MacArthur Beahn prevailed at the Tiger Bay Area Amateur Tour (BAAT) tournament at Hammer Heads Billiards in Holiday, FL, January 22. This was the first win for the tour regular, topping the field of 22 players in the $440-added event.

The quarterfinal match between Chris Fields and Kelly Cavanaugh promised to be a duel, as both players had battled through the one-loss side following first-round losses. But it wasn’t to be as Fields dominated the 6-5 race, winning 6-1. In the hot seat match, Beahn and Stephanie Mitchell expected a fight, but Beahn had the nerve to combo three 9 balls, and she sent Mitchell to the left side of the board with a score of 5-3.

This set up the semifinal match between Fields and Mitchell.

Fields jumped out of the gate, winning all three games of 8-ball. The game changed to 9-ball and Mitchell took the first game. Fields answered by snatching the next game and reaching the hill in the 5-5 race. Mitchell continued to fight, but Fields held on, securing the last rack and the match with a score of 5-3.

The double-elimination finals between Fields and Beahn was also a 5-5 race. Beahn took the first rack of 9-ball and all three of the 8-ball, forcing a second set.

Results: The second set began with 1st Sabra MacArthur Beahn $310 9-ball again, with the play2nd Chris Fields $225 ers trading the first four 3rd Stephanie Mitchell $150 racks. At that point Beahn 4th Kelly Cavanaugh $100 surged ahead to win the 5th Valerie Dukich $50 remaining 9-ball games

Marci Whitaker and the final 8-ball game 7th Sabrina Bunnell $40 for her first BAAT champi Stacey Lantz onship.

Parisian and Morris Kings of the Hill Poison 9-Ball Tour / Spring Hill, FL

by InsidePOOL Staff

Tim Parisian and “Rocket” Rodney Morris took down the February 5 stop of the Poison 9-Ball Tour, winning the amateur and open division, respectively. The event was hosted by Capone’s Billiards lounge in Spring Hill, FL.

The $1,000-added amateur event attracted 52 players.

Parisian, a player known more from the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour, was determined to make his name known in Florida as well by cruising to the hot seat match with wins over Wayne Thomas 7-3, John Stucky 7-5, Jarred Schlauch 7-5, Jerry Troisi 7-6, and Joe Scarborough. He then notched a 7-3 victory over Coot Highsmith to capture the hot seat.

56 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

On the one-loss side Louie Smith, a.k.a. “The Spoiler,” was living up to his nickname with seven back-to-back wins before running into another local player making a name for himself, Bill Delisle.

Delisle eliminated Smith in seventh place but was himself ousted in fifth after a 5-4 loss to Mike Destefano.

Destefano’s Tim Parisian tournament was ended by Joe Scarborough, who then went on to whitewash Highsmith 5-0 to set up the final match with Parisian.

The final was a classic, with Parisian coming out of the gates strong to take a commanding 6-3 lead only for Scarborough to rally back and take the set 7-6 to force a onerack shoot-out. Parisian got his chance, navigating his way through a tough rack to be crowned champion.

On Sunday 29 players showed up for the $1,000-added open event. Corey Deuel made his way to the hot seat match with wins over Tony Crosby 7-4, Hunter Lombardo 7-6, and Han Berber 7-5. Morris was not looking to be upstaged as he was on home court. He made his way to face Deuel with wins over Avi Vega 7-4, Casey Merrel 7-2, Chris Sepulveda 7-3, and then Amateur Results: Steve Goulding 7-1.

1st Tim Parisian $600 The Deuel and Mor2nd Joe Scarborough $400 ris match-up was 3rd Coot Highsmith $300 another classic, with 4th Mike Destefano $200 Morris coming out on 5th Bill Delisle $140 top with a 7-6 win.

Jason Bowen 7th Jason Attkison $100 While all this was go Louie Smith ing on Mike Destefa9th Neil lalone $70 no was causing hav Chris Gentile oc on the one-loss

Steve Goulding side, ousting Crosby

Jerry Troisi 6-3, Sepulveda 6-5, 13th Everette Elliveau $50 Berber 6-1, Goulding

Rick Gatta 6-1, and then scoring

Derek Greenwood a strong 6-4 win over

Dale Campbell Corey Deuel. Morris proved to be too Open Results: tough for Destefano and came through 1st Rodney Morris $600 with a 7-3 win to take 2nd Mike Destefano $400 the title.

3rd Corey Deuel $300 4th Steve Goulding $200 5th Louie Smith $100

Han Berber

< >Upcoming Southeast Tournaments 3/1-5

The Masters 10-Ball Tournament

Chesapeake Conference Center Chesapeake, VA

757-499-8900 $36,000 Open

3/5-6

Great Southern Billiard Tour

Murfreesboro Billiard Club

Murfreesboro, TN

615-893-0088 $1,500

Amateurs

3/12-13 Great Southern Billiard Tour

Classic Billiards

Conyers, GA

770-679-5278 $1,500

Amateurs

3/19-20 Maxim Billiards Classic Tour

Blue Fox Billiards

Winchester, VA

540-665-2114 $1,000

Open

3/20

Maxim Billiards Classic Tour

Blue Fox Billiards

Winchester, VA

540-665-2114 $1,000

Amateurs

3/26

Tiger Classic Tour

Strokers 2

Tampa, FL

813-814-2277 $500

Amateurs

3/26-27 Tiger Southeast Open 9-Ball Tour

Park Avenue Billiards

Orange Park, FL

904-215-1557 $1,000

Open

3/26-27 U.S. Open 10-Ball Qualifier

Stroker’s Billiards

Palm Harbor, FL

727-510-2849 $500

Open

3/26-27 Great Southern Billiard Tour

Speakeazy Billiards

Sanford, NC

919-775-1166 $1,500

Amateurs

4/2-3

Tiger Southeast Open 9-Ball Tour

Starcade Billiards

Ft. Walton Beach, FL 850-244-2349 $1,000

Open

4/2-3

Maxim Billiards Amateur Tour

Randolph’s Billiards

Hickory, NC

828-326-7005 $1,500

Amateurs

4/2-3

Great Southern Billiard Tour

Fast Eddie’s Sports Bar and Grill Goldsboro, NC

919-759-0071 $1,500

Amateurs

4/9

Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour

Q’s Sports Bar and Girl

Port Charlotte, FL

941-585-9600 $500

Open

4/9-10

Great Southern Billiard Tour

Classic Billiards

Conyers, GA

770-679-5278 $1,500

Amateurs

4/23

Tiger Classic Tour

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge Holiday, FL

727-939-9494 $500

Amateurs

5/15

Tiger Classic Tour

Side-Pocket Billiards

727-399-0890 $500

Amateurs

Seminole, FL

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> >>

Regional Roundup Wolrab Wraps up Lucasi Win Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour / Cedar Rapids, IA

by InsidePOOL Staff

The January 15 stop of the Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour drew a full 32-player field to 2nd Avenue Corner Pocket in Cedar Rapids, IA, where room owner Dennis Wolrab took top honors. The $500-added event featured a double-elimination 9-ball format on 7-foot bar boxes.

Dennis Wolrab

Wolrab took down the A-side, which included a win over John Gorsch 5-2 and a hot seat win over Scott Hargens 5-6. Hargens had earlier vanquished Scott Kitto 7-5 in the winners’ side final four match just prior to his loss to Wolrab.

On the B-side Greg Knight and Steve Strasburger dispatched Chad Behnke and Matt Paine by respective 5-4 and 5-6 scores.

Knight and Strasburger succeeded in the next round as well, with Knight eliminating Kitto 5-1 and Strasburger ousting Gorsch 5-4.

Knight then ended Strasburger’s run at fourth place by a 5-4 margin. Hargens finished Knight’s day at third place by a 7-4 score.

Hargens then had to de- Results: feat Wolrab two sets for $450 the crown, and Hargens 1st Dennis Wolrab 2nd

Scott Hargens

$300 took the first set on the 3rd

Greg Knight

$195 hill 7-4. However, Wolrab 4th Steve Strasburger $120 regained the momentum 5th Scott Kitto $80 in the deciding set to take

John Gorsch the title 5-3.

7th Chads Behnke $50 Matt Paine

Tschudi Claims Lone Star Opener Lone Star Billiards Tour / Houston, TX

by InsidePOOL Staff

The Lone Star Billiards Tour’s bar box 8-ball season opener was claimed

by Marco Tschudi, who came out on top of a 59-player field at the $1,000-added January 22-23 event.

There were also 14 ladies, 12 juniors, and 11 one-pocket players who converged on Bogies Billiards in Houston, TX.

On the east Rick Castillo, Marco Tschudi side, Castillo defeated Tschudi 6-2 and Hickman defeated Herrin 6-5, setting up the hot seat match between these two young guns. Castillo 58 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

ran away with the set and the hot seat 6-2. Out west, Barry Strickland was ousted

by Marco Tschudi 5-3, and Brent Thomas defeated Chris Young 5-3, who was on a role after a first-round upset by Dalton Riley. Thomas plowed Courtney Peters, Ming Ng, Teresa Garland through seven opponents, including Davis, Rosenbaum, and Herrin, but he fell short of Tschudi 5-1. Hickman shared the same 5-1 fate and the Swiss player moved on to play the undefeated Castillo in the finals.

Tschudi exacted his revenge on the San Antonio master player who had sent him west earlier 6-2. Castillo was defeated the first set 6-5 and the match went into overtime. In the second set, Castillo proved no match for the focused Tschudi and was laid to rest 5-1.

In the one-pocket event, David Gutierrez defeated Danny Lee for the hot seat, while Jason Brown fought through the one-loss side after he suffered a blow from Gutierrez in an earlier round. Brown defeated John Newsome, Lanny Herrin, and Lee for a rematch with Gutierrez.

Brown came on strong from start to finish and scored a two-set win.

Juniors completed their 8-ball event on Saturday with Joey Torres, Robyn Petrosino, J.C. Torres, and Carlos Martinez, who finished first through fourth, respectively.

The ladies’ 8-ball event geared up Sunday.

Ming Ng annihilated the 14-player women’s field with wins over 10-yearold Tiffany Abernathy, Terry Petrosino, and Courtney Peters. Peters bested Garland in the semifinals 4-3 but lost to Ng in the final match.

Open Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

7th

9th

13th

Marco Tschudi Rick Castillo Brian Hickman Brent Thomas Barry Strickland Lanny Herrin Brian Rosenbaum Danny Roland Andy Jethwa T.J. Davis Dalton Riley Kevin Frauenberger David Gutierrez Dale Briones Chris Young Jason Brown

$700 $450 $250 $200 $165 $130 $80

$65

Ladies’ Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Ming Ng Courtney Peters Teresa Garland Belinda Lee

$225 $170 $110 $55

Juniors’ Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Joey Torres Robyn Petrosino J.C. Torres Carlos Martinez

$75 $50 $35 $20

One-Pocket Results: 1st Jason Brown 2nd David Gutierrez 3rd Danny Lee

$365 $210 $140

< Lucasi Teams Collide in Columbus Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour / Columbus, OH

by InsidePOOL Staff

At the twentyfourth stop on the Lucasi Hybrid AllAmerican Tour, 18 women and 74 men gathered for singles play at the Central Ohio Open contested at 8 Ball Sports Bar and Billiards in Columbus, OH. Team play consisted of 17 men’s and 8 women’s teams. The $1,500 added weekend featured double-elimination 8-ball formats on twenty 7-foot tables.

Alex Olinger

Tara Justice

At the end of the men’s single event, Alex Ohlinger collected the $650 first prize money.

Having lost early in the winners’ bracket to Mark Thompkins 6-7, Ohlinger battled his way back through the one-loss bracket, with wins over Tony Mougey 5-3, Shayne Morrow 5-3, Billy McCollim 5-1, Mike Cantrell 5-1, Tim Roberts 5-4, and Mark Thompkins 5-1. He then met Jerry Hager in the finals in two sets and defeated him 7-3 and 5-0 for the event title.

In the women’s singles, Tara Justice remained undefeated throughout.

Justice defeated former USA Junior National team member Liz Lovely 5-4 to win the hot seat.

Lovely then succumbed to 2010 champ Teruko Cucculelli 5-1. Justice lost the first set of the final to Cucculelli 5-1 but came back to win the hill-hill game in the deciding set to capture

Open Singles Results: 1st Alex Ohlinger $650 2nd Jerry Hager $400 3rd Mark Thompkins $240 4th Tim Roberts $180 5th Mike Cantrell $130

Mark Snodgrass 7th Adam Martin $90 Bill McCollim 9th Luke Hawkins $70 Shayne Morrow Jason Thomas Tony Mougey 13th Abel Ferrer $40 Rod Day Mike Deshaies Tim Chambers

the women’s $275 first prize money.

In the men’s team event “Fiddlestix” of Canton, OH, bested “Thrown Together” 7-5 for the hot seat.

“Thrown Together” then ousted “No Chance” 7-5 for the rematch. “Fiddlestix” won the finals 7-5 for the $1,900 first prize.

Tara Justice Teruko Cucculelli Liz Lovely Julie Skripak

“O’Malley’s Day” Teri Tigyer Tracy Cantrell Sandy Day “Boobie Trap” Carrie Shannon Julie Skripak Amy Theriault “Sportsmen’s Trap” Tara Justice Shannon Dunn Rosallie Fuller

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3rd

1st “Fiddlestix” Brian Frank Chris Szuter Ben Zimmer Brian Halter 2nd “Thown Together” Michael Dunn Shane Lykins Jerry Hager Wes Davis 3rd “No Chance” Shayne Morrow Skip Shumate Willie Vanguilder Stormy Flick 4th “Extreme Team” Steve Rose Nathan Wallace Mario Herevia James Cantrell Mike Cantrell

In the women’s team event “O’Malley’s$300 Day” of Columbus, OH, performed the same feat on the women’s side, beating “Sportsmen’s Class” 5-3 for the hot seat. “Sportsmen’s Class” then lost to “Boobie Trap” 5-2. In the event finals “Boobie Trap” bested “O’Malley’s-Day” hill-hill in the first set, but then “O’Malley’s Day” won the deciding set 5-3 for the title and $730 first prize.

Woman’s Singles Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Open Teams Results:

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March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 59

<

Finishing tied for seventh place were Corina Campbell and Tara Williams. In fifth place it was Ashley Nandrasy and Orietta Strickland, and Jennifer Kraber went home with fourth place.

Belinda Lee defeated Marr to earn a spot to play for the hot seat against Lampert.

But Lampert would not go without a fight and earned her spot in the finals match. Then it was down to Marr to avenge her earlier loss to Lee, which she did to earn her spot in the finals as well.

Amanda Lampert, Lisa Marr

Marr Scores Year’s First OB Cues Tour Stop OB Cues Ladies’ Tour / Arlington, TX

by InsidePOOL Staff

Lisa Marr came back from the one-loss side to topple Amanda Lampert in the finals of the January 29-30 OB Cues Ladies’ Tour to take first place. The $2,000-added stop, the first of the year for the tour, was hosted by Rusty’s in Arlington, TX, and garnered a field of 40 ladies.

Open Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

7th

9th

13th

17th

Lisa Marr Amanda Lampert Belinda Lee Jennifer Kraber Ashley Nandrasy Orietta Strickland Corina Campbell Tara Williams Julie Stephenson Christy Powell Lisa Henderson-Major Michelle Prince Shayla Neris Natalie Mans Tera Saunders Kim Mills Janea Taylor Amber Stone Rebecca Riley Jennifer Sherman Angela Garza Michelle Abernathy Barbara Wisdom

$750 $550 $400 $270 $155 $100 $70

$30

$15

As Lampert and Marr have paired up in many previous OBCLT finals matches, this time was no surprise to the fans and spectators.

In true double-elimination format, Marr had to up-end Lampert twice, and that is exactly what she did. Both sets were hill-hill matches. In the final set Marr, scoring her only break and runout all weekend, did so for the final game to earn firth place.

In the second chance event Sunday, 15 ladies participated in the $200-added event. In the end, Lisa Henderson-Major took first place honors against Kim Mills in the finals, while Julie Stephenson finished in third.

>Upcoming Central Tournaments 3/12

Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour

Legends Sports Bar

Clinton, IA

563-243-4266 $500

Open

3/12

Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour

Dale’s Weston Lanes

Wausau, WI

715-845-4129 $500

Open

3/12-13 BCW Midwest Billiards Tour

Romines High Pockets

Milwaukee, WI

414-281-2212 $1,000

Open

3/12-13 Lone Star Billiards Tour

Houston’s

Houston, TX

713-825-1411 $1,350

Open

3/13

Mickey’s Billiards

Wausau, WI

715-241-7665 $500

Open

3/15-20 BCAPL 8-Ball State Championships Buffalo Run Casino

Miami, OK

918-906-0839 $20,000 Members

3/19-20 24th Midwest Bar Table Classic

Brickyard Billiards

Indianapolis, IN

317-858-0637 $1,500

Open

3/19-20 U.S. Open 10-Ball Qualifier

Bigtyme Billiards

Spring, TX

832-725-9750 $1,000

Open

3/26

Sportsman Billiard Club

Columbus, OH

614-279-5888 $400

Open

3/26-27 BCW Midwest Billiards Tour

The Varsity Club

Oshkosh, WI

920-651-0806 $1,500

Open

4/2

Red Shoes Billiards

Alsip, IL

708-388-3700 $250

Open

4/6-10 Texas State BCAPL 8-Ball Champs

e-Center

Harker Heights, TX

317-440-1143 $7,000

Members

4/9-10 Lone Star Billiards Tour

Q-Stix Billiards

Houston, TX

713-825-1411 $1,350

Open

4/16

Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour

U.S. Open One-Pocket Qualifier U.S. Open 10-Ball Qualifier

The Varsity Club

Oshkosh, WI

920-651-0806 $1,000

Open

4/20-23 MI BCAPL State Tournament

Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour

Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort

Mount Pleasant, MI

920-988-0493 $5,000

Members

4/22-24 Ultimate 10-Ball Championships

Embassy Suites Hotel Dallas-Frisco Frisco, TX

972-712-7200 $50,000 Open

4/30

U.S. Open One-Pocket Qualifier

Red Shoes Billiards

Alsip, IL

708-388-3700 $250

Open

5/7-8

Lone Star Billiards Tour

Bogie’s Billiards and Games

Houston, TX

713-825-1411 $1,350

Open

60 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

> >>

Regional Roundup

Silva Slams Lucasi Field Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour / Lakewood, CO

Silva recovered from an A-side loss to Skinner 5-3 to eliminate Nick Smith at fifth place 5-4 and Frank Urbaniak at fourth place 5-3. He wreaked his revenge on Skinner in the semifinal match, sending him home in third place 5-4 to claim a spot in the finals versus the undefeated Piazza. Silva successfully dispatched Piazza in two sets, concluding with a 5-4 victory to claim the title.

by InsidePOOL Staff

Ruben Silva double-dipped Tony Piazza in the finals of the January 22 installment of the Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour to take top honors and the first-place prize of $500. The $500-added event was hosted by Bill Skinner, Frank Urbaniak, Rubin Silva, Greenfields Pool and Tony Piazza Sports Bar in Lakewood, Results: CO, and featured 31 play1st Ruben Silva $500 ers in a double-elimination 2nd Tony Piazza $300 8-ball format on 7-foot bar 3rd Bill Skinner $225 boxes.

4th Frank Urbaniak $125 5th Nick Smith $75

Piazza swept through

Lou Valdez the winners’ bracket un7th Darian Trujillo $50 defeated. Once he moved

Dave Hughes past Lou Valdez 5-4 on the 9th Bill Meacham $35 winners’ side final four,

Andrew Pettinger he sent Bill Skinner to the

Dave Merrill west side of the chart as

Dave Hubbard well 5-3.

13th John Sandifer $20

Ron Lincoln

On the one-loss brack Matthew Bates et side of the board, Ruben

Ray Padilla

>Upcoming Western Tournaments 3/7-13

Western BCA Regional 8-Ball

Chinook Winds Casino Resort

702-719-7665 $26,000

Members

3/26

Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour

Greenfield’s Pool and Sports Bar Lakewood, CO

303-989-9820 $1,000

Open

4/2

U.S. Open One-Pocket Qualifier

Hard Times Billiards

Sacramento, CA

916-205-1144 $300

Open

4/8-10

Lucasi Hybrid All-American Tour

Nite Hawk

Portland, OR

503-285-7177 $1,500

Open

4/9-10

U.S. Open 10-Ball Qualifier

Pool Sharks

Las Vegas, NV

702-222-1011 $500

Open

4/9-10

U.S. Open 10-Ball Qualifier

Wynkoop Brewing Company

Denver, CO

303-297-2700 TBA

Open

4/16-17 U.S. Open One-Pocket Qualifier

The Golden Fleece

Kenmore, WA

425-908-7332 $500

Open

4/16-17 U.S. Open 10-Ball Qualifier

Butera’s

Moorpark, CA

805-523-3088 $500

Open

4/30-5/1 U.S. Open 10-Ball Qualifier

The Golden Fleece

Kenmore, WA

425-908-7332 $1,000

Open

5/13-21 BCAPL National 8-Ball Champs

Riviera Hotel and Casino

Las Vegas, NV

702-719-7665 TBA

Members

5/12-15 U.S. Open One-Pocket Championship Riviera Hotel and Casino

Las Vegas, NV

702-719-7665 $10,000

Open

5/16-21 U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship

Las Vegas, NV

702-719-7665 $25,000

Open

Riviera Hotel and Casino

Lincoln City, OR

March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 61

Videos Icebreakers

o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

Tim Beba vs Ben Zimmer at Ice Breakers Stormy Flick vs Ben Zimmer at Ice Breakers Jason Balas vs Ben Zimmer at Ice Breakers Nick Balcato vs Ben Zimmer at Ice Breakers Shane Jackson vs Adam Smith at Ice Breakers Nick Balcato vs Jason Balas George Rothrock vs. Shane Winters George Rothrock vs. Shane Morrow Dave Grau vs Jason Balas Dan Madden vs Billy Mcullum Billy Pinion vs Earl Robinson Ben Zimmer vs. Tim Bebe Ben Zimmer vs Shane Winters Pt 1 Ben Zimmer vs Dave Grau Finals Adam Smith vs. Zach Decker Inside POOL and Billiards Tournament Match Billiards Match from Ice Breakers Billiards Ben Zimmer vs Shane Winters

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Videos Champion Billiards

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Lion Lucky Mardi Gras National Anthem Nutrition Passover Pisces Planting Pot of Gold Purim Rain Renewal Robins Savings Shamrock Spring St. Patrick’s Day Sunshine Women’s History

pring t ime S

Word Search

This month's March-themed word search will put some spring in your step!

Search for springtime-related words, holidays, and famous birthdays.

64 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ March 2011

Visit www.InsidePOOLmag.com for the answers to this puzzle.

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Dick Gahm (513) 484-8651 March 2011 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 63