Septemer 2012 Inside POOL Magazine

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Beat People With a Stick This Game Can Drive You to Thinking Pro Pool Workout Spin Back Zigzag Confessions of a Pool Hustler Doin’ the Twist Intermediate Objectives The Best Ways to Fix a Bad Habit

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Fisher Catches the Big One Claims Women’s World 9-Ball Championship Dynamite in Doha!

Appleton the New World 9-Ball Champ Yim and Shilinksi Go to the Head of the Class Snag ACUI 9-Ball Championships For Flag and Country Chinese-Taipei Take World Team Title BEF Junior National Champions Crowned Shuffett, Miller, Hampton, and Larson Triumph Schmidt Solidifies USA’s 14.1 Stake Southern Classic Comes up Aces Hall and Pagulayan Hold Winning Hands

On the Cover: Dynamite struck in Doha when Darren Appleton edged out He Wen Li in a hill-hill nail-biting final match to claim the prestigious WPA World 9-Ball Championship.

For the full story, please visit page 18.

2 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

Publisher JR Calvert publisher@insidepoolmag.com Editor Sally P. Timko editor@insidepoolmag.com Graphic Artists Laura Luzier art@insidepoolmag.com Allen Hopkins Jr. Editorial Assistant Lea Andrews Advertising Sales Director Bill Perry sales@insidepoolmag.com Technical Consultant Tom Simpson Staff Videographer Alvin Nelson Feature Photo Credits Ricky Bryant, JR Calvert, Lissette Chaparro, Ted Lerner, World Pool-Billiard Association E-mail info@insidepoolmag.com Website www.insidepoolmag.com Instructional Staff Johnny Archer, Shannon Daulton, Bob Henning, Robert LeBlanc, Allan Sand, Tom Simpson Contributing Writers Fred Agnir, Ricky Bryant, Rob Johnson, Ted Lerner, John Leyman, Ken Shuman, Suzanne Smith Toll Free 888-428-7665 Administrative Offices PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA 16201

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Advertiser Directory APA Player of the Month Regional Roundup Northeast Southeast Central Western

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What’s New Stripes Proceed With Caution SudoCue Puzzle Matched up Word Puzzle No Quarter!

InsidePOOL Magazine Volume XII, Issue 7 (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. September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 3

Advertiser Directory

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

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Back Cover

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Inside Back Cover U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships www.usopen9ballchampionships.com

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It’s Not Over!

“Raise it Up?”

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This Game Can Drive You to Thinking P game gets the blame—or the credit—for many pool

close that ball is to the cushion. We don’t bother to look far enough ahead to plan for dealing with problems. We’re not taking enough time, and we fail to see a much easier plan. Through hindsight, we realize too late that we’ve painted ourselves into a corner, got on the wrong side of the ball, got snookered, or we just plain didn’t think ahead.

Of course pool is very physical, and our emotional state supports or undermines our physical performance. But pool also calls for thinking, and lots of it. Some games require more thinking, more planning, more weighing of risks and alternatives than others. Nine-ball, for example, doesn’t require a great deal of strategic thinking, since the requirements for a legal shot are very narrow.

At the other extreme, 14.1 continuous (a.k.a. straight pool) calls for very detailed, precise, specific planning involving many balls, many problems, many options.

Yes, we get lazy. We kinda know how we have to think to raise our game, but it’s work. I know. Do it anyway. Plan as well as you can.

Do the right thing. Play the right shot (for you, right now), honestly considering the full situation. This is hard work, but like most other of pool skills, thinking gets better, faster, and easier with practice.

layers often mention “the mental game.” The mental

outcomes. But what we mostly mean by mental game is emotional game. We’re referring to a player’s emotional state—are they in the zone; do they have their game face on; are they focused, calm, and present; how are they dealing with the pressure, and so on.

One day I was visiting 14.1 legend Jose Garcia in his South Jersey poolroom and feeling a little envious of the locals having continuous access to such a great player. I asked Jose whether he was swamped with players wanting straight pool lessons. He replied that he occasionally gets a player who wants help with their game, but about 10 or 15 minutes into the lesson, the player will say something like, “You’re thinking that much? I don’t want to do that.” Pretty sad.

Many old timers believe 14.1 is “the mother game.” If you can play it well, you can play all the other games. That’s because it teaches you how to think. How to think simply, precisely, clearly. How to think further ahead. How to play smarter. How to do less, more.

Players come along in their game—some quickly, some slowly. The gains come easy in the early days of your pool career. Later, to get better, you have to work harder, take more responsibility for every detail, be more present, think more, and think better. We tend to realize too slowly how much we really have to ramp up our thinking to make significant progress.

Golf and pool are similar challenges in many ways. Beginning golfers are going for the hole pretty much every shot, all day. Better golfers are thinking strategically, making realistic plans based on many factors. They are assessing risk and difficulty more honestly. They’re making simpler, smarter choices and producing better scores. At some point in their development they got lessons and were taught how to think—or reality just kept beating them down until they finally understood they had to play intelligently.

Beginning and intermediate pool players do the same thing. They try to run out every time they get to the table. They fail to realistically assess risk and difficulty. They try to make crazy hard shots.

They don’t have a plan, or they don’t have a reasonable plan. They lose sight of the bigger picture.

Oh, you are thinking? Good. Think more. We tend to get lazy.

We don’t bother to go look at the angle to the pocket or how 6 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

Think more. We tend to get lazy.

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Suggestions? Knowing that appropriate thinking will raise your game, spend more time building that skill, especially in practice. Slow down. Take lots of time to study the layout. Take a lap of the table. Consider alternatives. What’s easy? What’s reasonable?

What’s Plan B?

Hall of Famer Buddy Hall distilled it down to the essence: “How do I win from here?” Powerful stuff. Take time to study the play of better players. Try to predict several balls ahead. Try to understand why they choose to do what they do. Think like a winner. Be fascinated with the challenge before you, every shot, every game.

It’s the right flavor of thinking.

Pool takes everything we’ve got (which is a big part of why we like it). Commit to better thinking. These days we have great books, videos, and instructors—and no excuses.

Tom Simpson Tom Simpson is a Master Instructor in both the PBIA 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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Spin Back Zigzag in the last column, zigzag safeA stiesI mentioned are a category of shots included in Pro

Safeties: The TOP 100 Safety Shots in Pool. In this common and effective safety, the cue ball, the object ball, or both balls zigzag across the width of the table to end up behind—or even frozen to—an obstacle ball.

This category can be divided into three subcategories, depending on which ball or balls are moved. We covered a great cue ball zigzag in the last Pro Pool Workout, so now let’s take a look at an important object ball zigzag.

The Spin Back Zigzag comes up frequently near the end of a game when only one or two balls are on the table and you don’t have a reasonable shot at pocketing the required ball. In the demonstrated 9-ball situation, the cut to the corner is a sucker shot and the bank to the side is a kiss. Banking the 7 ball to the corner is an option, but trying to move the cue ball for a decent shot on the 9 is too risky. Even if you make the 7 ball, you will probably end up playing a safety on the 9, which is not to your advantage. It’s better to play safe now.

den behind the 9 ball. If you do this, his only option is to kick. The best outcome is to freeze the cue ball and the 7 to their respective cushions and keep the 7 hidden by the 9.

The trajectory to send the 7 ball two rails to the middle of the end rail requires contacting it to the right of center with the cue ball. A three-quarter-ball hit works well and is more than enough cut to slide the cue ball to the side rail. The english will take there and spin the cue ball back to the name plate. For a second variation, move the cue ball and the 7 ball a couple of inches farther to the left. The safety will work from there with the same cueing and a little fuller hit.

For an 8-ball scenario, put the 8 where the 7 is and take the 9 off the table. In this situation, you have the option of shooting the safety as shown or, if you’re feeling confident, by shooting the bank to the corner with the same speed and cueing. If you make the bank, you win; if you miss, you’re okay as long as you get the cue ball frozen to the rail. Unless, youin both leave the Tom Simpsonof is a course, Master Instructor the PBIA 8 ball in front of theand pocket.

But mostHeof thehistime, the ACS Instructor Programs. delivers acclaimed missed bank will end3-Day upWeekend safe. Intensive in 12 cities nationwide. As

Tom Simpson

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inventor of Elephant Practice Balls®, the Stroke Groover™, and the Ghostball Aim Trainer®, and authorized instructor Good luck and good for Secretshootin’!

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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Bob Henning Second variation

The primary goal of this safety is to leave the cue ball close to the name plate and, if possible, frozen to the rail. If you do this, you cut off the bottom of the cue ball and eliminate several options for your oppoKen Shuman of Sacramento, CA, is one of the country’s nent. The second objective is to leave 7 ball hidpremier tournament directors.

He is anthe accomplished

Ken Shuman

professional referee and is considered an expert on the

8 InsidePOOL Magazine rules ◊ofSeptember play. Ken has2012 officiated at World Championship

events in the USA and the Philippines. He directs some of

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. Bob recently released a new book titled Pro Safeties: The TOP 100 Safety Shots in Pool.

Robert LeBlanc

Doin’ the Twist ears ago I was in Nashville and matched up with a

Y great bank pool player named Tony playing 9-ball on the bar box. We never could agree on a fair game because we both were trying to get the edge on each other, so it ended up in a stalemate. But we became good friends, learned a lot from each other, and wound up going on the road together—and making lots of money.

One day Tony and I were practicing banks and the shot exhibited in Diagram 1 came up. Tony asked me what I was going to do with it, and I said, “Well, I guess I’ll just play safe, because I don’t think I can get the cue ball out of the way to play it straight back.” The angle was wrong: It looked like the ball I was banking was going to run right back into the cue ball, and I couldn’t get enough spin on it to twist it into the pocket. Tony said, “Nah, man, it’s a hanger.” I looked at the shot and told Tony, “Fire away!”

The second shot is my favorite to shoot. I like to set it up and fire at it a few times, especially if I’m looking for a backer.

When they see this one split the wicket they can’t get their bankroll out of their pocket quickly enough! As shown in Diagram 2, the 1 ball and cue ball are directly straight in the hole.

The 3 ball is sitting in Pocket A, blocking the two-rail bank, so we have to bank the 1 ball in three rails and impress those backers.

Tom Simpson Tom Simpson is a Master Pocket A Instructor in both the PBIA 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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Pocket B

Bob Henning Bob Henning is the author of The Pro Book, widely

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Pocket A

Pocket B

Ken Shuman

The 1 ball wasKen sitting 3 inches out from Shumanabout of Sacramento, CA, is onestraight of the country’s the center of Pocket A. Tony called the bank two rails premier tournament directors. He is an accomplished up and down the table. He got down shot, loaded upthewith beprofessional referee on and the is considered an expert on rules of play.

Ken has officiatedcut at World tween 4 and 5 o’clock inside english, the Championship ball a little backevents the USA and the Philippines.

He directs some of back wards, and pulled theintrigger.

The 1 ball took off, banked thethe majorshort tournaments, includingan the inch Derby City Classic, up under him, hit rail about from Pocket B, the back U.S. BarupTable Championship, CSI’s A National reversed, and rifled the table to Pocket and, swish, Championship Series, the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship, dead center! and the U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship. Contact Ken at shucue@yahoo.com.

I was impressed. Tony said, “I told you it was a hanger!”

The nice part is that it’s also a great defensive shot, because the cue ball stays down on the end rail in case you miss— much better than just shooting the ball in the hole and playing safe.

10 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

considered be the most advanced training resource and for

Striking the cue ball at 5 too’clock with inside english competitive pool players. Itto brings latest techniques of shooting the 1 ball about a half-inch thetheright of Pocket top coaches and you, trainersreverse of all sportsback into pool.

It is A, the 1 ball will bank the back toward toward intended for those who wish to prepare physically, Pocket A, then bank back to Pocket B, swish, dead center. The mentally, and psychologically for pool competition. Bob is only thing left is to figure out which backer you want to have also the author of “The Pro Book Video Series,” a putcomplete, you inon-the-table action. 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 This shot also twoofrails if there is aBob ball in front Cornbread Red,goes a biography the colorful Billy Burge. recently releasedof a newB. book Pro Safeties: TOP 100 Safety Shotsabout in Pool. a quarter-inch Pocket Totitled adjust, just The shoot the 1 ball to the right of Pocket A for the same results.

Robert LeBlanc Robert “Cotton” LeBlanc is a well-known pool player and was a roadman for almost 40 years, traveling the country playing virtually all of the pool legends and champions—and making friends with them. Highly skilled himself, he is the author of the best-selling book Confessions of a Pool Hustler, which chronicles his life and hundreds of stories about being on the road. Visit his website at www.confessionsofapoolhustler.com.

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Instruction Tom Simpson Sand < by Allan

Tom Simpson is a Master Instructor in both the PBIA 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™, innovations done on a kitchen or dining table.

If you needTom’s a ball, use in antraining orhave helped thousands of players.

Listen to an audio ange or a tennis ball with an upturned shoe box as a backstop. description of the Intensive, and read 35 instructional articles at www.NationalBilliardAcademy.com. Contact: Tom@PoolClinics.com.

The Best Ways to Fix a Bad Habit he term “bad habit” takes in a lot of territory. It could

T have to do with the way you position your body, it

could be due to your cue handling, it could be a shortcoming in your stroke, or it might be a problem based on your mental abilities.

The painful truth about bad habits is that you have allowed tens of thousands incorrect experiences to be buried in your muscle memory. This means that you can’t seem to get past a certain plateau of capability. Your lifelong intention to become the tough player you want to be is severely restricted.

This takes the goal of fixing a habit out of the “wish” part of your life and into the reality of daily activities. Be prepared for a short term degradation of your game. Above all, be patient. You can’t get around the fact that the repetition is necessary. Eventually, as muscle memory builds up enough correct actions, the effort becomes less and less intrusive into your competitive game situations. The wrong way will fade away into your history.

Bob Henning is the author of The Pro Book, widely

Bob Henning

considered to be the most advanced training resource for

Most players really have five or more activities that require necessary fixes—for some of which a qualified instructor and videotaping is needed to identify. However, it is good that you are aware enough of your playing activities that you do recognize a couple bad habits that need to be fixed.

Ken Shuman

If changing a physical habit, you can use the “force of mind” approach. The majority of your attention is put on, forcing yourself to do whatKen is Shuman necessary.

And, if to do of Sacramento, CA,you is oneattempt of the country’s so for two or even three at directors. the same your game premier things tournament He istime, an accomplished suffers—a lot. As soon as your focus backantoexpert playing professional referee and goes is considered on thethe of play.

Ken has officiated at World Championship game, the bad habitsrules come back. 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.

If you are really serious about getting past these problems, a plan and a program are needed.

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Most people find the process of fixing a bad habit to be painful. They may have enough self discipline to keep it up for varying lengths of time (a few days to a few weeks), which does not have any lasting results.

If you are really serious about getting past these problems, a plan and a program are needed. Rule number one: Don’t try to fix everything you want at one time. Deal with a single habit at a time. Write down a plan that involves a set number of conscious repetitions per day for six months. This adds some reality to the correction process with an end in sight.

Note: Some physical corrections (e.g., stroke followthrough, chicken wing, feet positioning, getting down on the stroke) do not require a pool table. The same actions can be 12 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

competitive pool players.toIt brings the latest techniques

There is one fast (well, kind of ) way overcome a singleof the top coaches and trainers of all sportseasy into pool.

It is bad habit. This uses the mental approach.

Sit in your chair intendedphones, for thoseTV, whoradio, wish toetc.) prepare without distractions (no head andphysically, relamentally, and psychologically for pool competition.

Bob is tive silence. With eyes closed, mentally go through the movealso Then the author of a“The Proscript Book Video Series,” ments of your current habit. make new of the cor- a complete, on-the-table system, andlittle he alsoone-inch released The movements.

Advanced Pro Book rect movement.

Break training it down into and The Stroke Zone: The Pool Player’s Guide to Dead Stroke. In addition, he has In very slow motion, play the inch movements, mentally recogauthored Cornbread Red, a biography of the colorful Billy Burge. Bob recently released nizing each increment. a new book titled Pro Safeties: The TOP 100 Safety Shots in Pool.

This is like watching a very slow-motion video, frame by frame, hitting the advance button to get to the next frame.

Repeat this mental process ten times at about 10% of normal speed. Then move the whole action at 25% (10 times), 50% (10 times), and 100% (10 times). A single session takes about Robert “Cotton”for LeBlanc well-known poolmay player 30 minutes. Do this three times a week twois aweeks.

You and was a roadman for almost 40 years, traveling need a weekly session to further drive the fix into your brain. the

Robert LeBlanc

country playing virtually all of the pool legends and

making friends with them.

However you face thechampions—and problem, a serious dedication to Highly fixskilled himself, he is the author of the best-selling book ing yourself and the necessary self discipline is required. It helps Confessions of a Pool Hustler, which chronicles his life that you have a certain level of irritation over your problem to and hundreds of stories about being on the road. Visit his motivate yourself.

When one bad habit is fixed, facing down the website at www.confessionsofapoolhustler.com. next one is less difficult.

Bob Henning Allan Sand Bob Henning is the author of The Pro Book, widely

considered to be the most advanced training resource Allan Sandpool is a pocket billiards instructor, for competitive players.

It brings the qualified latest by the Professional Instructor techniques of the Billiards top coaches andAssociation trainers of(PBIA) all and American CueItSports (ACS). He players sports into pool. is intended forteaches those who wishhow to to become “intelligent shooters” and how to think before prepare physically, mentally, and psychologically for shooting. He has played the green game for more than 50 pool competition. Bob is also the author of “The Pro years and now resides in Santa Clara, CA, where he keeps Book Video Series,” a complete, training and he also5x10 released hison-the-table skills sharpened on a system, double-shimmed Saunier The Advanced Pro Book and The Stroke Zone: The Pool Player’ s Guide to Deadand and Wilhelm 1938 table. Sands has authored seven books on how to play better Stroke. addition, he has Cornbread a biography colorful smarterInpool, including Artauthored of War Versus the Art Red, of Pool, PsychologyofoftheGamesmanBilly Burge. ship, and Safety Toolbox. For more information and details, please visit www.billiardgods.com.

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SINCE 1965

Fisher Catches the Big One

C

Claims Women’s World 9-Ball Championship

apping an all-around solid week of pool with yet another airtight performance, Britain’s Kelly Fisher won the 2012 WPA Women’s World 9-Ball Championship with an emphatic 9-6 victory over Chinese superstar Xiao Fang Fu in front of a packed house inside the Richgate Shopping Center in Shenyang.

With the victory Fisher now holds the distinction of being the only woman to ever hold the World 9-Ball and World 10-Ball championships at the same time. But perhaps more importantly, the win cemented Fisher’s status as the hottest player in the women’s game right now and is a lasting testament to years of toil, long travel, and plenty of near misses to go along with a lot of W’s.

by Ted Lerner photos courtesy of Ted Lerner/WPA

This was the fourth year running that the biggest prize in women’s pool was contested in this former imperial city turned manufacturing and industrial hub, and until now it had been a home side winner three years running. In 2009, 16-year-old Sha Sha Liu came out of nowhere to win the world title. The next year Xiao Fang Fu fulfilled her promise of greatness by winning the title. Then last year, unknown Zhu Qing Bi shocked everyone by storming through the field, taking down Fu in the semis and then 17-year-old prodigy Siming Chen in the finals to take an unlikely world title.

The 64 players were divided into 8 groups of 8 players. They played a doubleelimination format in the group stage, race to seven, alternate break. The top 4 players from each group progressed to the final 32, where the format became single-elimination knockout, race to 9, alternate break. The winner received $40,000, while the runner-up earned $20,000. The total prize fund was $300,000.

STARS RISE, A BIG STAR FALLS

Xiao-Fang Fu, Kelly Fisher 14 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

The first day of play produced one of the biggest hometown downers imaginable as China’s wildly popular Pan lost twice and was sent packing from the 64-player field.

Pan’s lightning-quick exit took a mere few hours. Trailed by paparazzi and adoring, camera-toting fans, the petite and likeable Pan was first up on the TV table. Things

tage. Chen woke up and got it to 5-3 on the back of some poor shots by Fu. But then the wheels slowly fell off for both players. Fu had it to 8-4 when Chen decided on one more effort and the youngster cut the lead to 8-7 and had the break. But a dry break in rack 16 was all Fu needed, and the former champion put the high profile match away.

Pei Chen Tsai was next up on the TV table in a match against Chinese national team member Han Yu. Tsai never trailed in the match, but neither could she put much distance between herself and Yu. With the match tied at 5, the gravity of the moment caught up with both players and simple mistakes started to rear their ugly heads. But Tsai came through in the end when it counted and won 9-7.

Xiao-Fang Fu, Kelly Fisher

looked to be going well for the superstar as she racked up a 6-3 advantage over Indonesia’s Angeline Ticoalu.

But then the 27-year-old from Jakarta, playing on the biggest stage of her career, got her game on and soon tied the match at 6-6. In the final rack Ticoalu played two marvelous safeties that forced Pan into giving up the table, allowing the upstart Indonesian to take the match and leaving local fans in stunned silence.

Ticoalu could barely believe what she had just done, but Pan had no time to rue what went wrong. First-round losers had to play straight away, and this time Pan never had a chance as she went down easily on the upstairs table, losing to Singapore’s Charlene Chai Zeet 7-4.

Always trailed by awestruck fans and photographers, Pan, who is known as China’s Queen of 9-Ball, revealed afterwards that she has been suffering from terrible neck pain for over a month because of a misaligned spine. The injury and constant visits to the doctor have eaten into her practice time and make competing at a high level difficult. But always the polite competitor, Pan put on a brave face.

“There are many other tournaments to play,” she said, hiding her disappointment.

AN EPIC WORTHY OF A FINAL

Korea’s Ga Young Kim and Great Britain’s Kelly Fisher are two giant names in today’s world of women’s professional pool. And when the event entered the knockout stages, the two put on a show that will surely enhance their reputations many fold for years to come.

Up early, Kim continually repulsed every effort by Fisher to grab the lead. Along the way, Kim continually pushed her lead up but always saw it shrink back again. The pair executed one amazing shot after the next, as if the contest was a great heavyweight fight of years past, where every bomb was answered with another bomb back.

Stellar banks, pots off kicks, lock-down safeties, great escapes; this was championship 9-ball at its best.

That was one of the best matches I’ve ever played.

- Kelly Fisher

The next match between Korea’s Park Eunji and former champion Liu had every twist and turn imaginable. Park led from the start and pushed the score line to 6-2. Liu looked completely deflated and was ready to call it a night when, out of the blue, Park missed an easy 8 ball with a five-rack lead in her grasp.

Faster than you can say “turning point,” Liu caught a gear, and 30 minutes later the former champion was leading 8-6. Park broke and ran to make it 8-7. The next rack had the crowd in fits as both players missed with just two balls on the table. A fortunate pot on the 7 ball sealed the match and much relief for Liu.

Eventually Kim found herself on the hill 8-6. But Fisher had the last laugh, as she pounced on Kim’s one missed shot in the match in the last rack and took a 9-8 win to move into the final 16.

“That was one of the best matches I’ve ever played,” an obviously ecstatic and relieved Fisher said afterward. “The standard was so high. I had to play that good to beat her because when she’s on fire, she’ll kill me. She has in the past.”

CHAMPIONS BREAK FOR THE FINISH LINE

The 24-year-old Fu certainly looked the goods when the round of 16 began, delivering a 9-1 beatdown to Taiwan’s former world 9-ball champion Lin Yuan Chun.

Fu then headed for a quarterfinal showdown with world-number-one Chen, who had just issued a warning of her own as she blanked Japan’s Chichiro Kawahara 9-0. Fu quickly put Chen on the back foot, playing marvelous safeties and controlling the cue ball with ease. Chen couldn’t get settled, and the steadier Fu shot out to a 5-0 advan-

Xiao-Fang Fu

September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 15

After her spectacular escape over Kim the day before, Fisher grinded out a solid win against the USA’s Monica Webb in the round of 16, winning 9-7. In the last quarterfinal of the night, Fisher faced Taiwan’s Ho Yun Tan, who had reached this stage when earlier she bested Allison Fisher in a nail-biter 9-8.

Pei Chen Tsai, Sha Sha Liu, Kelly Fisher, Xiao-fang Fu

Fisher came roaring out of the gates and never looked back. Breaking perfect, potting with deadeyed accuracy, and playing with an oozing confidence, Fisher put on a show for the ages, completely obliterating the Taiwanese 9-0 in a match that took no more than 45 minutes.

“I’m over the moon,” Fisher said afterward. “I was a bit edgy at the beginning, but once I settled in I was as comfortable as comfortable can be. “

CLASSIC CLASH OF EAST AND WEST

In one of two semifinal matches Fisher barely squeaked by 2009 World 9-Ball champion Liu 9-8 in a heart-pumping match that wasn’t decided until the very last ball. Things didn’t look to be going well for Fisher early on, as it was 40 minutes into the match before she finally got a rack on the board and started to battle back to tie the match at 4-4.

I’m over the moon.

- Kelly Fisher

The pair exchanged racks until Fisher finally grabbed her first lead at 7-6. While Fisher was fighting, Liu looked slightly shaky, and a blown 8-9 combo

by Liu put Fisher on the hill up by two. Liu broke and ran to make the score 8-7, then tied it up when Fisher ran out of position and left a safety open.

Liu could barely hold the cue and had three chances to clear the table, only to miss or leave poor position. After over-hitting the cue ball, Liu had an impossible full-table shot on the 7 ball and missed by a mile, leaving Fisher a three-ball run-out that was anything but simple. As the 9 ball dropped, Fisher let out a scream of relief and joy.

Sha Sha Liu

“When the nine-ball went in, that was an amazing feeling,” Fisher reported. “It was a very tough match. I never felt like I was in control. I was calm but I couldn’t get anything off the break. I was always pushing out. And she (Liu) plays a lot of safeties.

But I was patient.”

Fisher’s opponent in the finals was reigning 2010 World 9-Ball champion Fu, who handily defeated Taiwan’s Tsai 9-6 in the first semifinal.

The final match started well for both players. Fisher won the lag and broke and ran for the early lead. Fu stepped up and did the same to tie the match at 1-1. Fu then stepped on the gas for the next 20 minutes, performing perfectly and winning two safety battles sandwiched around a break and run, to go up 4-1.

Clearly in the zone and well on her way to clearing the next rack for a massive 5-1 lead, Fu stretched far over the table to line up a shot, and the referee called a foul, saying she had touched a ball with her shooting hand.

As so happens in pool, one small incident mysteriously sends the momentum— and the roll of the balls—over to the other side. Fisher cleared the table to cut the lead to 4-2. She then caught a break in the subsequent rack when an over-hit cue happened to land on a 6-9 combination, which she nailed.

Fu then missed a long 1 ball and Fisher cleared to tie at 4-4. In rack 9, Fisher grabbed her first lead at 5-4 when Fu left a safety open.

After the pair traded break and runs, Fisher started tightening the screws. She won the next rack after she buried Fu in a lockdown safety, forcing Fu to scratch. With Fisher up 7-5, Fu lost another when she inexplicably failed to hit a rail after trying to hide the balls.

Fu cut the score to 8-6, but Fisher went out in style with a break and run. But as the last 9 ball fell, Fisher didn’t realize that she had won, as she thought match was a race to 11. Only when she looked up and saw Fu shaking her hand and the photographers furiously snapping photos did she realize she was the new World 9-Ball champion.

After receiving the golden trophy and drinking in the accolades from the throng of fans, an ecstatic Fisher said she was not only happy with her accomplishment but also with the way she did it.

“I’m absolutely thrilled,” a beaming Fisher said. “I can’t explain what I’m feeling. I just can’t believe it. I played really solid tonight. I played solid all week. Overall I’m really happy with my performance.”

16 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 5th

9th

Kelly Fisher Xiao-Fang Fu Pei Chen Tsai Sha Sha Liu Ho-Yun Tan Eun Ji Park Han Yu Siming Chen Chichiro Kawahara Yuan-Chun Lin Jia Li Chieh-Yu Chou Kyoko Sone Xue Chen Allison Fisher Monica Webb

Appleton the New World 9-Ball Champ I

by Ted Lerner

pool history, England’s Darren Appleton won the 2012 World 9-Ball Championship, barely defeating China’s He Wen Li 1312 in front of hundreds of stunned fans inside Doha’s Al Sadd Sports Club.

“If I’d have lost that match I would have jumped off a bridge,” Appleton said. “But I played the best rack of my life that last rack. Incredible. I can’t believe what just hapThe WPA 2012 World 9-Ball Championship, considered perhaps the most prestigious title in men’s professional pool, took place over eight scorching days in the end of June and attracted 128 of the best pool players from over 50 countries, all 18 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

vying for $300,000 in prize money, with $40,000 going to the eventual winner.

vided the players into 16 groups of 8 and used a double-elimination, race-to-9, alternate-break format. The top 4 players in each group—2 from the winners’ side, and two from the onement became a straight knockout, with all matches a singleelimination, race-to-11, alternate-break format.

The 2012 World 9-Ball Championship was hosted by the

were once again Diamond Tables, and the pockets were set ex-

Photo courtesy of Vinod DivaKaran, Doha Stadium Sports Weekly / WPA

in

FRANTIC RIDE TO THE WIRE

Antonio Gabica

In a long day of hardcore pool and tense drama, the grind kicked into high gear as the unforgiving single-elimination knockout rounds commenced, leaving 32 players relieved to play another day, while the other 32 seriously considering a long, lonely walk into the Qatari desert.

With 13 players in the final 64, the Philippines had the most to lose, and that’s exactly what happened as 8 Pinoys, including 2010 World 9-Ball champion Francisco Bustamante and 2006 champion Ronnie Alcano, went down to defeat.

Based upon some of the upstart performances in the group stages, the morning session with eight tables in action offered good possibilities for a few upsets, but instead it became a confirmation of that age-old phrase, “The cream rises to the top.”

DESERT STORM SWEEPS INTO THE FINAL 64

Judgment Day lived up to expectations as the pool gods passed down plenty of surprising verdicts and left a final 64 that promised an all-time classic shootout for pool’s biggest prize.

Not surprisingly, the Philippines brought the largest contingent into the single-elimination stage, with a power house lineup of 13 players out of their 17 original entries having qualified. Taiwan has put in its usual impressive performance with 7 of its players having gone through. Japan has looked extremely strong so far and 6 players in the final 64 are a testament to a high grade effort on the table for the Japanese.

Two surprising developments so far point to a massive shift in the global pool landscape: The USA had no representation in the final 64, while the tiny country of Kuwait had 4 players competing for glory.

The USA’s Shane Van Boening said earlier in the day that winning the World 9-Ball Championship would be his highest accomplishment in pool. But his dream will have to wait yet another year as he was steamrolled by the Philippines’ Jundel Mazon.

Easily one of the best stories to come out of this year’s event was the marked improvement of players from the Middle East, especially Kuwait.

The Kuwaitis are surely no fluke as they played strong and confident pool.

This was exemplified by Khaled Al Mutairi in his early match against Europe’s number one, Dimitri Jungo of Switzerland.

The two fought tooth and nail the entire match, and any regular observer of the game had to figure it would be the Kuwaiti who would fold. But with the pressure nearly unbearable late in the match, Al Mutairi showed impressive fortitude. Tied at 8, he lost position on the 8 ball but proceeded to pocket a three-quarter tablelength thin cut shot to seal the victory. The four Kuwaiti players in the knockout stage marks the first time ever Kuwait has had any player reach the round of 64 in a World 9-Ball Championship.

Germany’s Ralf Souquet, Taiwan’s Fu Che We, and the Netherland’s Nick van den Berg all beat back pretenders to the crown, as did the Philippines’ Dennis Orcollo, who took a measure of revenge against Hong Kong’s Andrew Kong, who had beaten the Filipino in the group stages.

I played the best rack of my life that last rack.

“

Photo courtesy of Ted Lerner / WPA

- Darren Appleton

“The pressure is very big here,” Orcollo admitted after his match.

“You just have to deal with it because it’s only going to get bigger.”

The second session presented the fans with a terrific match as multiworld champion Mika Immonen faced the Maltese speedster Tony Drago.

The two stars engaged in a back-and-forth slugfest that neither could put away. Drago, who plays five shots while others in the arena play just one, sprinted to a 10-8 lead in the race-to-11, alternate-break match and seemed to have the win in hand when he tied Immonen up in a pickle.

But Immonen escaped with his second incredible late match shot in two days and ended up catching Drago. A break and run sent the Finn into the final 32 while Drago headed for the door.

“I’m lucky to be here,” Immonen said. “He’s a phenomenal shot maker. It’s easy to get shell shocked when you play Tony. You blink your eyes and you’re out.”

The Kuwaitis continued their Cinderella story with a seriously awesome performance from 19-year-old Omar Al Shaheen. Al Sha-

Ralf Souquet Photo courtesy of Ted Lerner / WPA

September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 19

by young German talent Dominic Jentsch 11-10.

But while the match was close throughout, Oi seemed impervious to any of Boyes’ pressure and fought off the Englishman the whole way. Oi never trailed and advanced with an 11-9 victory.

China’s He Wen Li first took down Canada’s John Morra 11-8. He then met up with one of the tournament’s surprises, Al Shaheen, who played a fantastic match and had the score even after ten racks.

But like all great players, once Li got the lead, he managed to hold on to it by hook or by crook. Al Shaheen fought furiously and had the backing of the boisterous crowd. But despite some late errors, the Chinese held on for a tight 11-9 win.

Li then met up with the Philippines’ Antonio Gabica in the quarterfinal. Gabica, a coach for the Qatar national team, was the last Filipino left in a field that started with 17 on the first day and had just come off a thriller with Immonen, barely besting the Finn 11-9.

Li, though, looked like a machine in the first half of the match, streaking out to an 8-4, then a 9-5 lead. But Gabica used his superbly fluid stroke to crawl back in the match. Li started to wilt under the pressure, but Gabica closed the gap to 10-9 but Li broke and ran to book his place in the semis.

He Wen Li Photo courtesy of Ted Lerner / WPA

heen was a heavy underdog against Taiwan’s Chung Yu Lu, but the pride of Kuwait held his own and led for much of the match. But he showed his real mettle when Chung caught him at 7-7, then moved to a 10-8 lead and what looked like a sure win for the Taiwanese. Al Shaheen battled back and, to the delight of the crowd, tied the match at 10. A cool break and run in the last rack put the youngster in the final 32.

“I was just lucky,” the humble Al Shaheen said. “Every time I break, I get two balls down and an open table.”

Defending champion Yukio Akagariyama of Japan put in a highquality outing as well, with a hard fought 11-9 comeback win over Thomas Engert of Germany. His buddy Toru Kuribayashi wasn’t so fortunate, as he fell 11-7 to one of the tournament’s feel-good stories, Matthew Edwards of New Zealand. No Kiwi has ever made it this far in a World 9-Ball Championship before, and Edwards’ run attracted real media and fan attention down under.

THE GANG OF FOUR GOES FOR GLORY

The Al Sadd heaved with drama and emotion as the field was cut from 32 players down to just 4. It was a marathon of hard core pool that, when combined with the gravity of the circumstances, seemed to tax each and every player to the core. At times the winners of matches came down to a matter of who had the stamina and willpower to withstand the constant pressure.

Another quarterfinal featured two of the games superb talents in Appleton and Taiwan’s Ko Pin Yi. Appleton barely got by one of the tournament’s upstarts, New Zealand’s Matthew Edwards 11-10 and then put in another fine performance against talented Greek Nick Ekonomopoulos, winning 11-8.

Ko had looked positively brilliant all week and he continued his fine run today. In the round of 32, Ko and Japan’s Lo Li Wen engaged in what was arguably the highest-quality match of the day, with Ko winning by a hair 11-10. Ko then put a muzzle on the Philippines’ Mazon, who had looked strong and steady up to that point.

Against Ko, Appleton displayed championship form early and went up 8-3. But Ko took advantage of two flukes and closed the gap to 10-9. With the pressure and drama thick and heavy, Ko, tried to jump and pot a basic 2 in the jaws, when the cue ball flew off the table. Game, set, match for Appleton.

“I played perfect to go up seven to two,” Appleton said. “I feel good overall because he was the man to beat. He was playing better than anyone.” He then added, “To hold the U.S. Open and World Nine-Ball at the same time would be nice. It would be unbelievable.”

In the other quarterfinal, Hall of Famer Souquet went up against the Netherland’s van den Berg. Steady and reliable Souquet had quietly worked his way through the field, first squashing Venezuela’s Jonny Martinez 11- 7, then Italy’s Bruno Muratore 11-4.

Karl Boyes

Perhaps the most impressive player in the field today, and also the one who seemed to best be able to let the pressure effortlessly slide off him was Japan’s Naoyuki Oi. The 29-year-old from Osaka, known amongst fellow players as an affable free spirit, played like it throughout the day. Oi came out and completely steamrolled Taiwan’s Chang Jung Lin in the round of 32, 11-3. He then met up with Germany’s Thorsten Hohmann in the round of 16, where he came back from an early deficit and glided to the finish line for a well-earned 11-9 victory.

A similar scenario happened in Oi’s quarterfinal matchup against England’s Karl Boyes. Boyes had been developing a head of steam as he had just beaten Taiwan’s Fong Pang Chao 11-8 and then barely squeaked 20 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

Photo courtesy of Ted Lerner / WPA

Van den Berg was playing the Dutch version of steady and solid, first besting China’s Han Hao Xiang, then outmaneuvering Orcollo 11-6.

Naoyuki Oi

As expected, this match became a total grind. The contest was close throughout, but both players, apparently exhausted, had difficulty deciding on how to proceed on ordinary shots. Over three hours after it began, van den Berg scratched with just the 9 ball left on the table, handing the match to Souquet 11-9.

APPLETON AND LI FOR WORLD 9-BALL SUPREMACY

In the semifinals, Appleton didn’t leave anything to chance in his match with Oi. The two played the first four racks perfectly, each breaking and running the balls twice. Oi took the lead in the next frame, but that was the last he saw of the lead.

Appleton caught Oi at 4 and then pulled a two-prong strategy to take the match home: He stepped on the gas and kept his mistakes to the bare minimum. As usual the Englishman didn’t do anything flashy.

He just took advantage of a handful of mistakes from Oi and didn’t take any chances when faced with shots that weren’t a sure thing. He won the match 11-7.

“I played solid,” Appleton said right after the match. “I didn’t do anything stupid. I only made one or two mistakes in the whole match

Ko Pin Yi

Photo courtesy of Ted Lerner / WPA

U.S. Opens in 2010 and 2011, and now the World 9-Ball Championship, Appleton can certainly lay claim to be one of the greats of all time.

For Li, he came within a whisker of nearly pulling off a comeback for the ages, and at the same time earned for himself the admiration of legions of pool fans around the world who were in awe at the 31-year-old’s tenacity and never-say-die spirit.

What’s more striking for Li is that midway through the match he was nothing more than an afterthought to a sure coronation for Appleton. Li, who had defeated Souquet in the semis, was absolutely and thoroughly written off by every single person who was watching in person or following the match online streamed over the Al Kass Sports channel.

That’s because after handily taking down Oi in the semifinals, Appleton raced out of the starting gates in the race-to-13, alternate-break final and was streaking towards a total rout on the way to the title.

Photo courtesy of Ted Lerner / WPA

After splitting the first four racks, Appleton caught the type of gear every single pro player dreams about when they wonder how they would hope to play in a championship final. He had several break and run-outs, he punished every mistake Li made, and, as he piled up the racks and his lead grew ever wider, he literally oozed confidence.

and he made a bunch of mistakes. I had no luck after the break either.

But I think my experience was the key.”

Clearly in that rarefied zone that’s only reserved for the great champions, Appleton soon found himself out in front 9-2. Li got one rack back to make it 9-3, but that didn’t deter the Englishman as a break and run and a clear off a scratch by the Chinese pushed the score to 11-3.

Against Souquet in the other semifinal, Li came out all business, while Souquet seemed out of sorts. Lee went up 8-2, and it seemed like it would be a cake walk. But if there was one weak spot in Li’s game, it’s that he often fell prey to the inevitable pressure and gave away racks. This could be chalked up to Li’s relative inexperience in cue sports: He’s only been playing pool since 2006.

At this point, the score line and the body language of both players told the whole story: The match was surely over and it was just a formality of going through the last few motions before Appleton would be lifting the trophy. It was such a sure thing that Appleton’s fans on Facebook took to congratulating “Darren Appleton, the new World 9-ball Champion.”

But Li has a way of prevailing, and that was exactly what got him this far in this tournament. Souquet mounted a spirited comeback and cut the lead to 8-6, while Li was obviously feeling the heat. But Li pulled off some extremely difficult pots just when he needed them and pulled away for the 11-6 win.

When Li grabbed the next rack to make the score 11-4, nobody even thought anything of it. When Appleton failed to convert off a foul by Li in the next rack and even scratched to help get Li to 11-6, it still didn’t mean anything to anyone. Appleton, for all intents and purposes, put the match away in the next rack when he cleared the colors after Li left a safety open and moved to within one of the world title.

The final was a match that had everything that the sport of pool could possibly offer: fantastic, clutch shot-making, an unbelievably impossible comeback, edge-of-your-seat drama that was downright unbearable, and a finish that blew the roof off the house.

For Appleton, the win was his first World 9-Ball Championship and is the culmination of a dream he has held since turning to pool from English 8-ball in the mid-2000s. With his world 10-ball crown in 2009, his double

But then, with Appleton leading 12-6, that moment came, that mysterious turning point where the balls, seemingly impregnated with a mind of their own, had had enough of catering to the Englishman’s every whim and abandoned him like the plague.

It happened when after breaking in rack 19, Appleton had a wideopen layout to the finish line and the world championship. But with September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 21

After 24 racks, the World 9-Ball Championship was to be decided by one single frame.

“

just four easy balls left, he inexplicably snookered himself. Appleton was forced to play safe, but a counter-safe led to a foul and another rack for Li.

From there on, everything went Li’s way, while Appleton couldn’t buy a piece of fortune. Appleton blew a push-out, and Lee cleared to make it 12-8. Appleton left a safety open, and Li cleared again. Then Li broke and ran to make the score 12-10.

Having come back from sure defeat, Li was suddenly in freewheeling mode, playing without a care in the world. Appleton, on the other hand, looked like he was bearing the weight of several worlds squarely on his shoulders. And it only got worse.

Li moved to within one at 12-11 when Appleton tried to jump but missed and left the shot on, allowing Lee to run out. With the drama building to a massive crescendo, Li then coolly stepped up in the next game and broke and ran. After 24 racks, the World 9-Ball Championship was to be decided by one single frame.

over with. And I’m thinking, ‘I can’t lose, he needs a miracle.’ At twelvesix I was sure it was over because I had the easiest clearance you could ever have. But I snookered myself because I had too much adrenalin.

Then after that, nothing happened for me. Around twelve-ten I started feeling the heat.”

Li had figured the match was over when he was down 11-3 and never considered he could come back until a few racks later, when he started to notice Appleton getting concerned.

“At first I didn’t think I could catch up,” Li said through an interpreter. “Then at twelve-six I started to play well, because it was like I had already lost the match so I was relaxed. When I started to get close to him I could feel that he was nervous, and then I started to get excited, thinking I can win.”

But while Li nearly made a miracle comeback, it was Appleton who pulled off the miracle win, at the very last chance, in the biggest match of his life.

Results:

1st 2nd 3rd

Darren Appleton He Wen Li Ralf Souquet Naoyuki Oi 5th Ko Pin Yi Karl Boyes Antonio Gabica Nick van den Berg 9th Bruno Muratore Dennis Orcollo Mike Immonen Omar Al-Shaheen Thorsten Hohmann Dominic Jentsch Nick Ekonomopoulos Jundel Mazon 17th Lo Li Wen Konstantin Stepanov Matthew Edwards Haitao Liu Efren Reyes Fong Pang Chao Yuko Akagariyama Jung Lin Chang John Morra Khaled Al Mutairi Ching Shun Yang Hao Xiang Han Kai Lun Hsu Che Wei Fu Jonny Martinez

$40,000 $20,000 $12,000 $8,000

$5,000

$3,500

Hill-Hill Thriller

With the crowd in a state of disbelief and the tension in the arena at the boiling point, a shell-shocked Appleton, who had only moments prior been waltzing his way to the world title, gamely stood up to give it one last go.

He got a ball down and could see the 1 ball, which he pocketed. But the 2 ball was unavailable, and he played a safety. Li then played a countersafety. Appleton then pulled out his jump stick and proceeded to make history: He jumped the cue ball over the blocking ball and potted the 2 ball at a fairly sharp angle straight into the side pocket.

The crowd erupted as a suddenly rejuvenated Appleton grabbed his cue and then picked off the remaining colors. As the 8 ball fell and left the Englishman with an elementary shot on the championship ball, Appleton let out a shout and pumped his fist. Then as the 9 ball fell Appleton roared like a proud lion. Impulsively he jumped up on the pool table with his arms and cue held high, then pumped his fists and shouted, then jumped down from the table and threw his stick onto the ground in pure joy and relief as the crowd lustily cheered him on.

After taking in the cheers, the hugs and congratulations from well wishers, Appleton tried to figure out what had just happened.

“At eleven-three down I lost my focus,” Appleton reported. “That’s because I had played so good up to that point. I was anxious to get it 22 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

Darren Appleton Photo courtesy of Vinod DivaKaran, Doha Stadium Sports Weekly / WPA

“CHALK IT UP TO EXPERIENCE”

Balabushka Performance Chalk

480.940.7003 www.BalabushkaCues.com

by InsidePOOL Staff photos courtesy of Lissette Chaparro Delia Macanu

ichelle Yim and Matt Shilinski took straight A’s at the Association of College Unions International’s (ACUI) 72nd Collegiate Pocket Billiards National Championship, held at Indiana University’s IMU Back Alley June 29-July 1. With 41 men and 23 women participating, 2012 saw the largest field in the 75-year history of the ACUI Pocket Billiards program.

Matt Shilinski

Delia Mocanu of Northeastern University forged through the winners’ side of the women’s division like a tiny freight train, winning decisive matches over Angelica Rudow (University of Arizona, 7-0), Melissa Chesky (University of Minnesota, Duluth, 7-3), Heather Platter (University of Florida, 7-2), and Cindy Ho (California State University, Sacramento, 7-5). She sat comfortably in the hot seat while Michelle Yim (University of Houston) handily defeated Jackie Sanchez (Barry University, 7-0), Morgan Bowles (University of North Carolina, Charlotte, 7-2), and Miranda Blazek (Northern Wyoming Community College District, 7-2) before falling to Cindy Ho in the winners’ side semifinals 7-4.

coming down to the final two balls. Yim jumped out to a 4-2 lead, but Mocanu tied it hill-hill. In the last game, Mocanu narrowly missed the 7 ball to leave Yim a simple two-ball run-out for the victory.

Yim then bested Jennifer Acierto (Virginia Commonwealth University, 7-5), Platter (7-5), and Ho (7-3) on the one-loss side to face Mocanu in the finals. In the first set, it seemed that Mocanu couldn’t catch a gear, as she fell to Yim 7-2. The second set, though, was extremely close,

Three-time ACUI nationals contestant Charles Barker (Weber State University) won his first three matches with victories over Cody Terry (University of North Carolina, Charlotte, 8-3), Thomas Smith (James Madison University, 8-3), and defending champion Raymond

24 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

On the men’s side, newcomer Matt Shilinski (University of Maryland, University College) was quiet but confident and steady as he took the hot seat with victories over Mark Muir (University of Illinois, 8-0), Brian Myung (Indiana University, 8-3), George Mansour (University of Akron, 8-3), Mack Harrell (East Carolina University, 8-6), Lee Nathanson (University of Maryland, 8-7), and Bo Jin (Purdue University, 8-6).

Linares (Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus, 8-6) before falling to Jin 8-5.

On the one-loss side, Barker topped Harrell 8-3, Stephen Skvarka (Virginia Tech, 8-7), and Jin 8-3 to advance to the finals. The true double-elimination playoff match was a suspenseful, neck-and-neck race from start to finish. Shilinski came out on top 8-7 to take the 2012 title in a single set.

Charles Barker

The winners of this year’s sportsmanship awards were Jennifer Acierto of Virginia Commonwealth University and Brian Myung of Indiana University.

Winning the annual break contest were Will Hill of East Texas Baptist University and Amanda Neal from Ivy Tech Community College, Central Indiana.

Women’s Results: 1st Michelle Yim 2nd Delia Mocanu 3rd Cindy Ho 4th Heather Platter 5th Jennifer Acierto

Angelica Rudow 7th Giovanni Aviles

Amanda Neal

Men’s Results: 1st Matt Shilinski 2nd Charles Barker 3rd Bo Jin 4th Stephen Skvarka 5th Lee Nathanson

Mackenzie Harrell 7th Raymond Linares

Ryan Kuhlmann

Michelle Yim

September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 19

For

Flag Country and

Chinese-Taipei Take World Team Title

J

story and photos courtesy of Ted Lerner

oyriding a powerful wave that had been building steadily all week, the four-member Chinese-Taipei pool team cruised to an emphatic 4-0 finals victory over Japan to lay claim to the 2012 World Pool Team Championship in the Beijing suburb of Tongzhou. Their final performance was yet another statement from Jun Lin Chang, Pin Yi Ko, Che Wei Fu, and Yu Chou Chieh.

It’s not often that the best pool players in the world perform their normally solitary craft as members of a team. But in the first week of July in hot and muggy Beijing, the world found out that the game’s top players could coalesce with each other and around flag and country.

The 2012 World Pool Team Championship got underway inside the gymnasium of the Tongzhou Luhe High School in the Tongzhou district of China’s capital, bringing together 24 pool teams from 23 nations (two from China.) Each team was required to have one female player, and the format assured plenty of drama.

In each match between two countries, the teams played each other in a set of six matches, all alternate break: two races in 8-ball, two in 9-ball, 26 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

and two in 10-ball. One 8-ball match was men’s scotch doubles, race to 6.

The other 8-ball match was a men’s singles, race to 6. In 9-ball, the teams competed in a women’s singles, race to 8; and a men’s singles; race to 8. In 10-ball, the teams played one mixed doubles match (scotch doubles), race to 7; and one men’s singles match; race to 7. The female player was required to play in the 10-ball mixed doubles match and a 9-ball match. No player was permitted to play more than two matches per session.

POOL’S BEST IN UPHILL CLIMB TO THE TOP

After three days of play, the tournament arrived at the business end of the proceedings as the field of 24 pool-playing nations was reduced to 16 teams, who then moved into the single-elimination phase of the competition.

The list of top seeds was a who’s who of the world’s best pool-playing countries: Chinese-Taipei, China 2, the Philippines, China 1, Japan, and Great Britain.

Chinese Taipei, led by a confident squad included world 8-ball champion Jung Lin Chang, Che Wei Fu, Pin Yi Ko, and two-time Amway Cup champion Yu Chou Chieh, outlasted a game German team 4-2. Germany made it through to the final 16, but they were clearly hampered by the lack of experience of their female player, Jasmin Michel.

The Philippines, with Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, and Rubilen Amit, looked the goods as they brushed aside Croatia 511. The team employed a unique strategy by putting the legendary Reyes only in doubles matches.

With the home town crowd cheering their every move, both China 1 and China 2 won their matches handily. China 1, with He Wen Li, Jian Bo Fu, Haitao Liu, and females Xiaofang Fu and Xiaoting Pan alternating, blanked Finland 6-0. China 2 took out Hong Kong 5-1.

Great Britain, one of the early favorites in this event, had a tough tussle with South Korea today and the match ended in a 3-3 tie. Japan also presented a formidable squad, but they lost to an inspired Sweden team, led by veteran Marcus Chamat. Sweden needed to win their matchup with Japan to go through, and they fought back from a 2-0 deficit and took the last four matches to win 4-2.

“We had the knife to our throats,” Chamat said. “We had everything to play for, so we were pumped up. You win as a team and you lose as a team.”

and came through again, besting Fu 7-4 in singles 10-ball to force a shootout.

With hundreds of partisan fans watching, the Brits cashed in with four quick pots on the spot shot to move up 4-0. China closed the gap to 5-3, and the fans were sensing comeback. But Melling put a stop to the noise with a clutch pot to send Great Britain into the final.

At about the same time, Japan and the Philippines were headed toward a dramatic final. The Philippines battled back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the match and force a sudden death shootout.

The shootout went back and forth and was tied at 3, 4, and 5. With each clutch pot, the players would shout and dance around the table and high-five their teammates. But the Philippines’ had a weak link in the shootout and it turned out to be Reyes, whose 57-year-old eyes failed him each time he tried the shot. Japan won the shootout 7-5.

SHOOT IT OUT LOUD!

Day 4 began with 16 teams out of the original 24 facing off for the first time all week in the single-elimination format. This was also the first time fans got to see the dramatic shootout decide who advanced and who went home.

The shootout is unique to team pool and was implemented when the two teams split their six matches against each other at three matches each. The 8 ball was then put in the middle of the table down near the short rail level with the first diamond and the cue ball was placed way down at the other end near the head string. The three men and one woman on each team took turns trying to pot the 8 ball in either far corner. All contenders played in sequence, and the team who scored six hits first with a margin of two or more (6-4, 7-5, etc.) won the match and advanced to the next round.

All of the favorites, such as Chinese-Taipei, China 1 and 2, the Philippines, Great Britain, and Japan advanced into the quarterfinals untouched. But 2 matches in the round of 16 offered up tasters of what was to come.

Sweden ended up tied in their match with another up-and-coming squad, Indonesia. The Swedes’ good fortune continued as they won the shootout 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Japan

Canada had been quietly doing their thing for the last four days, as was South Korea, which featured two-time WPBA U.S. Open champion and former world 9-ball champion, Ga Young Kim. The two quality squads battled neck and neck throughout and went to a shootout to decide the victor. Canada prevailed with a 10-8 win.

The quarterfinals offered some terrific showdowns at the highest levels of the game. One match, though, seemed a formality, and indeed Sweden finally ran out of steam against Chinese-Taipei, falling 4-1.

The drama and nerves were reserved for the other three matches.

The marquee match of the night saw Great Britain take on China 1. With two current world 9-ball champions in Darren Appleton and Kelly Fisher, along with Daryl Peach, Chris Melling, and Mark Gray, the Brits have been fancied as possible champions from the beginning. But with home court advantage, the China 1 side were probably slightly favored.

China 1 appeared as if they didn’t want to let anything to chance and remained in control throughout. Up 2-1 in points and needing just four points to advance, China looked a sure bet as Li, in a rematch of the World 9-Ball Championship final just a few days earlier, had Appleton down 6-2 in a 9-ball race to 8. But Appleton, who had admittedly been out of it this week coming off his amazing world title win, turned dead serious and won the match 8-7.

Appleton wasn’t done yet. China won the mixed doubles 10-ball match to move within one of victory. But Appleton then stepped up

The home fans didn’t leave disappointed, however. China 2, with female stars Shasha Liu, Siming Chen, and lesser-known male players Jinhu Dang, Yong Dai, and Haoxiang Han had to go the limit with a relentless Canadian team that simply wouldn’t quit. At 3-2 the match was headed for a sure shootout, but Canada’s Brittany Bryant missed an open 2 ball in the very last rack of a mixed doubles 10-ball match, allowing China 2 to advance 4-2.

September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 27

WHITE HOT CHINESE-TAIPEI CUT DOWN BRITS, WHILE JAPAN SHOCK CHINA

Team Japan, who have laughed and smiled their way through this entire event, had the last laugh as they stunned a shell-shocked China 2 team via a sudden death shootout in front of hundreds of vocal Chinese partisans to move into the finals. It was the second straight win by the Japanese squad, comprising Yukio Akagariyama, Toru Kuribayashi, Naoyuki Oi, and female player Chihiro Kawahara, via the dramatic shootout rule.

The weight of the crowds’ expectations seemed to play on the China 2 side as they played tight, while Japan kept joking, smiling, and playing

what amounted to freewheeling pool. China 2 won the first two matches, the 8-ball singles and doubles, to move in front 2-0.

Japan then applied serious pressure by winning the next three matches, the women’s and men’s 9-ball singles and the 10-ball singles, to lead 3-2. China needed to win the 10-ball mixed doubles to take the match to a shootout. That they did, 7-4, but not before some nervy moments and missed opportunities nearly allowed Japan back in the match.

In the shootout, Japan jumped out to a 3-0 lead. China sent the crowd into a tizzy by cutting the score to 3-2. Japan, though, seemed impervious to the crushing pressure and answered right back to go up 4-2, then they did it again in the next round to make it 5-3.

China potted the next spot shot to get within one. Japan, however, kept it loose, and when Akagariyama sank the very next shot for the 6-4 shootout win, the Japanese danced and shouted as they had ousted China 2 to move into the finals.

The Chinese-Taipei express continued barreling down the tracks in the first semifinal against Great Britain. Everything went Taiwan’s way, while Great Britain stumbled badly from the opening singles 8-ball match.

When the Brits literally gave away a hill-hill doubles 8-ball match to drop to a 2-0 deficit, the handwriting was on the wall. Chieh then handily defeated Fisher in 9-ball, and Ko finished off the beating by easily taking down a demoralized Appleton in 9-ball. Chinese-Taipei cruised into the final 4-0.

CHINESE-TAIPEI ALL THE WAY

Great Britain

Chinese-Taipei were barely touched all week, and they showed the pool world how great individual talents can come together and perform as a well-oiled machine with all parts working in harmony. For Japan, their smiling faces never seemed to go away, but their good fortune did.

Backed by the over-400 fans, who had obviously taken to their crossstrait cousins after both China squads had been eliminated, the Taiwanese came out guns blazing. In the opening match of 8-ball doubles, the duo of Chang and Ko walloped Oi and Akagariyama 6-0 to give ChineseTaipei a 1-0 lead.

Japan looked like they would make a match of it in the second of six scheduled matches, that one the 8-ball singles. Kuribayashi was up 5-2 in a race to 6, but a tenacious Fu clawed his way back. Tied at 5, Kuribayashi had the break shot but scratched on the bust-out, and Fu stepped up to clear his colors for the win and a 2-0 finals lead.

That missed opportunity signaled the beginning of the end for Japan, as Chinese-Taipei pounced like an anemic shark after fresh blood.

Chieh took her turn in the women’s 9-ball singles against Kawahara and turned up the gas yet another notch for her squad, winning easily 8-2.

Chinese Taipei Japan Great Britain China 2 Sweden China 1 Philippines Canada India Indonesia Australia Poland Norway Germany South Korea Finland

$80,000 $40,000 $20,000 $12,000

$7,500

28 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

Results:

1st 2nd 3rd

5th

9th

The score was 3-0 in favor of Chinese-Taipei, and the Japanese, along with the fans in attendance, sensed the end was very near. The always strong Ko confirmed the storyline with a strong performance in the men’s 10-ball singles, handily defeating Akakagariyama 7-4.

After collecting the cash, a beautiful vase, fresh flowers, and the accolades of the fans, the players of Chinese-Taipei joked with their Japanese counterparts and exchanged congratulatory handshakes and slaps on the back.

There were absolutely no hard feelings about the result. ChineseTaipei had dominated the event all week, and they closed it out in style, all the while offering others a lesson in the ways of a team in a sport normally played alone.

“I think the reason we played so well all week is because we are all good friends,” Ko said through an interpreter afterward. “Each one of us knows exactly how the other plays on the table, how they shoot. Pool is usually a game you play alone, and there’s a lot of pressure in singles.

But here you have your teammates to pick you up, to give you advice and courage.”

BEFCrowned

Junior National Champions

Shuffett, Miller, Hampton, and Larson Triumph

by InsidePOOL Staff

F

our fine players stood in the winners’ circle at the end of the Billiard Education Foundation’s (BEF) 24th Annual BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships. In the 18-and-under boys’ division, Landon Shuffett of Greensburg, KY, prevailed, while Briana Miller of Allentown, PA, defended her title in the 18-and-under girls’ division. In the 14-and-under boys’ division, newcomer Zachary Hampton of Rocky Mount, VA, was victorious, and April Larson of Bloomington, MN, captured her first title in the 14-and-under girls’ division.

Nearly 130 junior pocket billiard players from 28 states gathered in Milwaukee, WI, at Romine’s High Pockets July 11-15. Players took aim to win a title, scholarships, prizes and an entry into the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior 9-Ball Championships.

The top finishers in the 18-and-under boys’ division were native to junior billiard competition. Shuffett, winner of four consecutive Junior National titles from 2007 to 2010, proved that he hadn’t forgotten how to win after taking a year off from competition in 2011. Shuffett steadily proceeded through the winners’ bracket with wins over Kevin Sun 9-5, Ryan Ponton 9-1, Zachary Leonard 9-2, and William Chappell 9-1 before Brendan Crockett bested him 9-5.

Crockett, runner-up in the 2011 Junior Nationals and 2009 champion of the 14-and-under boys’ division, effortlessly cruised through the winners’ bracket without a loss. He defeated Tyler Howell 9-0, Daniel McComas 9-3, Joey Torres 9-5, Tyler Styer 9-5, and then Shuffett 9-5 to claim the hot seat, the lone undefeated player out of 43.

On the one-loss side, Chad Behnke diligently proceeded to win an impressive eight matches after being bested in first match by Brady Behrman 9-6. Behnke shot his way through Austen Warner 9-2, JC Torres 9-7, 30 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

Logan Zuponcic 9-0, Jonathan Ailstock 9-5, Zachary Leonard 9-2, Kevin Sun 9-8, and Styer 9-4 before a rematch with Behrman, winning 9-3.

With only one more match to win for a chance to rumble with the undefeated Crockett, Behnke fell short by only three racks, as Shuffett defeated him 9-6 in the semifinals. Shuffett gladly embraced a rematch with Crockett and an opportunity for another title. In the race-to-11 finals, a scratch by Crockett at 7-4 caused a shift in the ebb and flow, and Shuffett seized the opportunity to tighten the gap and then followed with a break and run, narrowing the score 7-6.

The alternate-break format allowed Crockett to get back to the table, and he gracefully took charge, pocketing eight balls but scratching while getting position for the 9 ball. Staying focused and determined, both players edged their way to a hill-hill, 10-10 match. Shuffett won the final game and his fifth title as Junior National champion.

The showdown in the 18-and-under girls’ division featured Briana Miller and Taylor Reynolds. Advancing to the 18-and-under bracket this year, 15-yearold Reynolds was determined to prove that age is not a factor in winning. She steamrolled her first three opponents—Tessa Brown 7-0, Carly Fristoe 7-0, and Cristina Watson 7-0—before being slowed down. Miller needed only one game to take charge of the winners’ bracket, but the trailing Reynolds confidently won the next five games to win the match 7-6.

Miller made her way by defeating Sarah Bridgman 7-0, Ashley Fisher 7-2, and Juli Poutry 7-2 before her 7-6 defeat by Reynolds. She collected her composure and ambushed her next opponent, Ashley Fisher, 7-1 and earned an opportunity to defend her title. Miller tamed the fierce Reynolds in the finals, winning the match 9-7 and claiming her sixth title as Junior National champion.

In the 14-and-under boys’ division, Zachary Hampton, first-time attendee at Junior Nationals, received an initiation by a second-round loss to hometown

Rivas made his way through the winners’ bracket defeating Brandon Descamps 7-0, Hampton 7-6, Shane Wolford 7-5, Kaiden Hunkins 7-0, and Begay 7-1 before being defeated by Manny Perez 5-7. Perez advanced through the winners’ bracket with victories over Peter Steele 7-5, Ricky Evans 7-3, Mikey Evans 7-1, Mason Koch 7-2, and Rivas 7-5 to guarantee himself a seat into the finals. In the semifinals, Rivas and Hampton eagerly battled for a chance to play in the finals, where this time Hampton prevailed 7-5. Hampton’s momentum continued in the finals as he persevered in the 54-player field, ousting Perez 9-6 and winning the championship title.

In the 14-and-under girls’ division, it was former runner-up April Larson who gleamed as she breezed through the winners’ bracket defeating Morgan Chesla 7-2, Tori Kover 7-1, Katelin Ballou 7-1, Isabelle Plumb 7-2, and Kyra Avalos 7-4 to secure her seat in the finals. Avalos trekked through the event with wins over Jessica Pitsinger 7-0, Katilyn Hall 7-0, Alex Booth 7-4, and Karsyn Terry 7-4 before a loss to Larson 4-7. In the semifinal match, Terry dashed to the finals with a 7-1 win over Avalos. The confident and poised Larson kept Terry at bay, winning the match 9-2 and earning her first Junior National title.

Results:

favorite Sergio Rivas 6-7. Hampton’s lighthearted demeanor and determination carried him through the one-loss bracket, defeating Joshua Goodknight 7-0, Michael Darling 7-0, Mahkeal Parris 7-6, Cody Carter 7-2, Seth Chilcutt 7-0, Ricky Evans 7-3, Mason Koch 7-5, and Shawn Begay 7-3 before a rematch in the semifinals with Sergio Rivas.

18 & Under Boys’ Division Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Landon Shuffett of Greensburg, KY Brendan Crockett of Bell Canyon, CA Chad Behnke of Farley, IA Brady Behrman of Albers, IL

18 & Under Girls’ Division Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Briana Miller of Allentown, PA Taylor Reynolds of Winslow, ME Ashley Fisher of Ocala, FL Carly Fristoe of Bend, OR

14 & Under Boys’ Division Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Zachary Hampton of Rocky Mount, VA Manny Perez of Kansas City, KS Sergio Rivas of Milwaukee, WI Shawn Begay of Gallup, NM

14 & Under Girls’ Division Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

April Larson of Bloomington, MN Karsyn Terry of Chicago, IL Kyra Avalos of Anthem, AZ Keila Perez of Waltham, MA

The champions of the four divisions received trophies, prizes, and scholarship funds. Each champion, as well as the second- and third-place finishers in the 18-and-under boys’ division, earned an opportunity to represent the United States in the 2012 World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior 9-Ball Championships. Prizes were also given to all top eight finishers in each division.

During the BEF annual banquet, 300 attending players, family members and fans were honored and thrilled to have BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher share words of inspiration. Afterward they enjoyed an evening of instruction and challenge matches. Tournament director Earl Munson kept the event running smoothly as did his staff: Rick Doner, national head referee; Justin Ballou, national referee; Jamie Strait, national referee; Tammy Leonard, tournament director assistant; Mel Leonard, mini-tournament coordinator and assistant; Terry Romine, Nikki Romine, and all their staff; Roy Pastor, BEF Board of Directors; Laura Smith, BEF Executive Director; and volunteers Susanne Brandom, Brinda Avalos, Trena Wolford, Meghan Howell, Wayne Kelly, Mark Brendemihl, and Randy Fisher.

The 2012 Junior National 9-Ball Championships were sponsored by Simonis Cloth, the Billiard Congress of America, Romine’s High Pockets, and the BEF. Viking Cue sponsored the Academic All-American awards.

September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 31

Schmidt USA’s 14.1 Stake

Solidifies

by InsidePOOL Staff

J

ohn Schmidt put the USA back on the straight pool map with his first-place victory over Efren Reyes in the finals of the Predator World 14.1 Tournament. Schmidt defeated a field of international superstars, and in doing so he proved to the world America still has game.

Some major roadblocks en route to his victory included Stephan Cohen, the 2009 World 14.1 winner; Ralph Eckert of Germany, a former European champion; and Germany’s Thorsten Hohmann, the reigning 14.1 champion.

On the second day of the tournament, hosted by Carom Café July 29-August 3, fans were highly anticipating the France versus USA match.

Schmidt put on a masterful clinic, running a flawless 100 balls in a row to win 100-0.

Though 2006 bronze medalist Max Eberle gave Schmidt a surprise defeat in the second stage of the event, Schmidt bounced back and defeated Dennis Spears and later avenged himself against Eberle in the final stage of the event 200-46.

In the quarterfinals Schmidt faced reigning champion Thorsten Hohmann. In the neck-and-neck battle, Schmidt pulled through for a close 200-164 win that wasn’t pretty, but it was dramatic and pressure packed.

On the final day Schmidt faced Ralph Eckert, who defeated USA champion Johnny Archer the previous day. Schmidt was on fire, running 98 balls in the first half of the match. Eckert mounted a short comeback, but Schmidt was too much to handle as he flew around the table running racks in minutes.

In the other bracket, Efren Reyes was terrorizing his opponents with his pinpoint cue ball control and defense. The Filipino star went undefeated in 9 consecutive matches, pocketing 1,250 balls to reach the finals.

For the first time in nearly a decade, there were no Europeans in the finals. Schmidt came out guns blazing with a 107-ball-run. Unbelievably, Reyes responded with a 112-ball-run. Schmidt came back with a short 20-ball-run, and Reyes returned to finish the job.

The match had gone back and forth with both players taking over the lead at different points in the three-hour match. With Reyes at the table needing 31 balls, Schmidt hoped for one more chance. And he got it. Reyes missed, allowing Schmidt back in. Schmidt came with a tough off-angle combination shot. He slow-rolled it in.

Needing nine balls only, Schmidt faced the biggest break shot of his life.

“He is wishing the cue ball was ten inches more to the right. The pressure is huge,” explained Darren Appleton.

Schmidt fired the final break shot with authority, and upon its success, he slammed the table rail with his hand in partial relief and celebration. As he made the final ball, Schmidt let out a yell and fist bump as the emotions could no longer be contained. The USA has finally rekindled its shine in the limelight of straight pool.

32 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

2012 BCA HAll of fAme BAnquet AT THE U.S. OPEN 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP Friday, Oct. 26, 2012 • 5:00pm – 7:00 pm Holiday Inn Virginia Beach/norfolk Hotel and Conference Center Virginia Beach, VA

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BE PART OF HISTORY! The biggest night in pool, held during the game’s longest-running pro tournament!

TICKETS $60 Per Person • $500 for a table of 10 (single payment only) (ticket includes sit-down dinner)

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SC

outh

Southern Classic

Aces ern Comes�up

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Hall�and�Pagulayan�Hold� Winning�Hands

S

story and photos courtesy of Ricky Bryant

D

iamond Billiard Products brought it in this summer with their new Southern Classic, as hundreds of entrants flocked to Harrah’s Casino in Tunica, MS, to participate in the inaugural event. Taking away the lion’s share was Justin Hall, with his firstplace finishes in the 9-ball banks and one-pocket divisions, but he was stopped from a complete rout by Alex Pagulayan, who took top honors in the 9-ball tournament.

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Like Diamond’s January juggernaut, the Derby City Classic, this event comprised three main events with a points system to crown the Master of the Table at the end. Also, numerous amateur events were conducted by CSI, NAPA, TAP Memphis, and APA Memphis on over 40 Diamond seven-foot tables. There was also an action room stocked with Diamond nine-footers, and the hallway was packed with vendor booths.

Four 10-foot Diamond tables were available for the pros and the Diamond 10-Ball Invitational Challenge, as well as the Kamui Pay or Play events, five different disciplines of 8-ball, 9-ball, one-pocket, straight pool, and banks. The events on the 10-foot tables were streamed 24 hours a day on the free Inside Pool Ustream Channel, which was sponsored by Diamond Billiard Products, Kamui Chalk, Seyberts Billiards, Simonis Cloth, and Viking Cues.

34 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

Justin Hall

John Morra

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The $15,000-added one-pocket event started with a field of 159. Hall as still fighting in the final four, as were Shannon “The Cannon” Daulton, Daniel McKenney, and Ryan Stone. Daulton handed McKenney his walking papers with a 3-0 win and went into the next round of three players the favorite as he was the only one with a buy-back left. Hall got the bye in the next round, with Daulton facing Stone. Their match went hill-hill, with Daulton committing an error in the final rack that gave Stone the win.

The third and last division of the event, the 9-ball drew 135 contestants with its $25,000-added prize purse. The final match came down to Pagulayan and Johnny “The Scorpion” Archer. Pagulayan was on a mission and jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the race to 7. Archer took the next, but Pagulayan caught a gear and took the next four to reach the hill.

Alex Pagulayan

$20,000 $3,000 $2,000

9-Ball Banks Results: 1st Justin Hall 2nd Alex Pagulayan 3rd John Brumback 4th Richie Richeson 5th Scott Frost 6th Jamie Farrell 7th Jim Griffith 8th Thorsten Hohmann 9th Warren Kiamco 10th Jason Miller 11th Jason Chance 12th Chip Compton 13th Robert Frost 14th Dennis Orcollo 15th James Roberts 16th Michael Delawder

$5,600 $3,000 $2,200 $1,600 $1,100 $750 $750 $750 $750 $750 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $300

One-Pocket Results: 1st Justin Hall 2nd Ryan Stone 3rd Shannon Daulton 4th Daniel McKenney 5th Sylver Ochoa 6th Darren Appleton 7th Benny Conway 8th Ike Runnels 9th Danny Smith 10th Chris Bartram 11th James Davis Jr. 12th Corey Deuel 13th Chris Gentile 14th John Morra 15th Daryl Biggart 16th Charlie Bryant

$7,000 $3,500 $2,575 $1,850 $1,850 $1,300 $1,300 $1,300 $1,300 $900 $900 $900 $900 $900 $600 $600

9-Ball Results: 1st Alex Pagulayan 2nd Johnny Archer 3rd Warren Kiamco 4th Shane Van Boening 5th John Morra 6th Josh Oneal 7th Dennis Orcollo 8th Darren Appleton 9th John Brumback 10th Michael Delawder 11th Jason Klatt 12th Adam Smith 13th James Davis Jr. 14th Thorsten Hohmann 15th Manny Chau 16th Phil Burford

$11,800 $5,900 $3,400 $3,400 $2,850 $2,000 $2,000 $1,300 $1,300 $1,300 $1,300 $800 $800 $800 $800 $800

SC

Daulton exercised his buy-back and in the next round matched up with Hall, who dominated 3-0. The final between Hall and Stone look to be another battle when the score was 1-1, but Hall took his one time out to compose himself and began firing in shots to take his second championship of the event 3-1, cementing his hold on the Master of the Table award as well.

Master of the Table: 1st Justin Hall 2nd Alex Pagulayan 3rd Warren Kiamco

iS

Like Diamond’s January juggernaut, the Derby City Classic, this event comprised three main events with a points system to crown the Master of the Table at the end.

Warren Kiamco

Dennis Orcollo

Results:

Nine-ball banks kicked things off, with 153 players in a single-elimination race to 3 with a one-time buy back option fighting for a piece of the $10,000-added purse. Down to the final three, Justin Hall got the bye in the final round, with Alex Pagulayan eliminating his proclaimed hero and DCC banks champion John Brumback. In the final match against newcomer Hall, Pagulayan put the pressure on by taking the first two games in the short race. In the third rack, with the score locked at 4-4, Hall made his move and got on the board. In the fourth game Hall put on a show, breaking and running to take the match to double-hill. The fifth and deciding game all hinged on a long-rail bank by Pagulayan. The ball didn’t drop, and Hall finished it off to become the first Southern Classic 9-Ball Banks champion.

But Archer hadn’t given up and, playing all out, caught his own gear. After he won two and notched three break and runs the score was knotted on the hill. Breaking in the thirteenth and final game, Archer had a tough shot on the 1 and opted to push. Pagulayan declined, and Archer kicked the 1 down table and hit the 9 ball, driving it toward the corner pocket. It just needed a slight kiss from the 7 to go, but Archer just missed it. “The Lion” came to the table and completed the run-out to take the first Southern Classic 9-Ball Championship.

a

September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 35

Southernďż˝ Classic

ideos Shane Van Boening vs Earl Strickland on 10 Foot Diamond Pool Table

Landon Shuffett vs Earl Strickland in the Diamond 10-Ball 10 Foot Challenge

Alex Pagulayan vs Darren Appleton in the Diamond 10-Ball 10 Foot Table Challenge

Cliff Joyner vs Ike Runnels in the One Pocket Finals of Kamui Pay or Play

Jeremy Sossei vs Tommy Najar in the Kamui Pay or Play

Marc Vidal vs Adam Smith in the Kamui Pay or Play One Pocket

Robert Frost vs Jason Klatt in the Kamui Pay or Play 8-Ball

Gene Albrecht vs Charlie Morra in the Kamui Pay or Play

Robert Frost vs Justin Klusinak in the Kamui Pay or Play Banks Event

Pool�and�billiards coming�to�you

on�YouTube www.YouTube.com/insidepoolmag

McDermott G709 and G508

The G709 is the latest addition to McDermott Cue’s shaft inlay cue line. It features cocobolo, brass, and recon ivory and ebony inlays on both the butt and shaft. Priced at $790, the G709 comes with a lizard-embossed leather wrap and the high-performance i-2 shaft. McDermott has also introduced the G508, which It features pewter, turquoise, and recon ivory short inlays on the forearm and sleeve. The G508 retails for $590 and comes standard with McDermott’s G-Core shaft. For ordering information, please call 800-666-2283 or visit www.mcdermottcue.com.

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Kamui Chalk consists of fine particles that maximize friction and provide a larger sweet spot to generate more spin on the cue ball. The all-new Kamui Chalk #1.21 is designed for more consistent playability, offering improved longevity with a harder compound to give the player more confidence with a pre-chalking routine.

Additionally, Kamui Chalk reduces compound transfer to the cue ball. To find your closest dealer, please contact www.kamuitips.com, or call 877-GO-KAMUI.

Klematch ®

Widely regarded as the best carom rubber available and also available for pool, the world-famous Klematch® premium billiard cushions will be available soon from Iwan Simonis, Inc. For pricing and availability, please call 800-SIMONIS.

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Tiger Products, Inc.’s new LX Pool and Three-Cushion Cue Series is an homage to the classics with a modern twist. It combines natural exotic woods with new materials and vibrant colors for a design unlike any other.

The new series comes fully loaded with Tiger’s X5 patented shaft technology. To order, please log onto www.tigerproducts.com, or call 800-584-4375.

36 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

In their time-honored tradition of excellence, Balabushka Cues is pleased to present their new Performance Chalk. This chalk adheres to your cue tip, making frequent chalking a thing of the past, and it grips the cue ball, allowing for superior ball control. Also, Performance Chalk produces little dusty residue, keeping the table, balls, and your hands cleaner. A three-piece box of Performance Chalk retails for $8. To order, please visit www.balabushkacues.com to find an authorized dealer.

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Made in America, the Viking™ eXactShot® Pure Performance Shaft is designed to improve your accuracy from the moment you line up your first shot through our exclusive SightLines running the length of the shaft. The revolutionary eX-Core® construction redefines just how a performance shaft should perform through a quad-core construction technique that lowers deflection. MSRP with Everest tip $279; with Kamui tip $299.

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Proceed with Caution < by Ken Shuman n the previous column we discussed the rule regarding

I when and how you must issue the two-foul warning to

your opponent and the consequences of not doing so. In keeping with that theme, this time we’re going to take a look at another situation that should immediately alert you proceed with caution every time it arises: Your opponent offers you unsolicited rules information during your match.

Here are some of the most common occurrences of opponents giving unsolicited rules advice. All of these scenarios were taken from actual tournament play: •

Don’t ever, under any circumstances, accept or rely upon your opponent’s advice regarding the rules. Both of you have recourse to go ask a tournament official for clarification if you are unsure or don’t agree. It’s possible your opponent did not attend the players’ meeting and their statements to you are neither current nor accurate. And your own personal rules knowledge should guide you as well.

•

But some players still accept what they’ve been told by their opponent without getting verification or confirmation.

Why? Perhaps the player is simply too lazy to go get an official (it happens). Maybe the player is so intimidated by their opponent that they are afraid to question them. Or maybe their opponent is a Hall of Fame world champion whom they idolize, and they assume that a world champ must certainly know the rules. Possibly they fear embarrassing their idol by questioning them in case they are proven wrong.

•

Do you question the greatest player ever on his rules knowledge?

’

For example, you’ve waited a lifetime but the pool gods have finally smiled on you and you’re playing your all-time hero, Efren Reyes, at the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships. You win the lag, break, make the 9 in the side, and are elated to have won a game. But Efren tells you the 9 doesn’t count as a win on the break in any pocket and it has to spot. You recall from the players’ meeting that making the 9 on the break is a win in all but the two foot corner pockets. Now what do you do? Do you question the greatest player ever on his rules knowledge? Do you want to risk making Efren look bad? Are you afraid to look silly if you’re wrong?

Although none of these are valid reasons to accept Efren’s words, because “The Magician” is the opponent it may affect your decision. It shouldn’t, but in some cases I bet it will. Would you handle it any differently if your opponent was Joe Shortstop?

•

• •

Player A makes the 8 on the break and scratches. Player B tells Player A it’s loss of game because the 8 was pocketed and a foul committed. Player B is incorrect. The game cannot be won or lost on the break.

Player A is hooked on the 8 ball and kicking. The 8 is not contacted on the kick shot. Player B tells Player A they lost the game for fouling on the 8 Ball. Player B is incorrect. The foul results in ball in hand and the game is not over because the 8 is still on the table.

Player A is racking in a 10 ball match. Player B tells Player A he must rack the 2 and 3 in the corners. Player B might be correct. This depends on the rules of play for the event.

In a winner-breaks format 10 ball event, Player A has just won the first game of the match and is about to rack. Player B tells Player A it is not rack your own. Player B might be correct. This depends on the rules of play for the event.

Player A is hooked and takes out a jump cue. Player B tells Player A jump cues are not allowed. Player B might be correct. This depends on the rules of play for the event.

In a U.S. Open 10-Ball match, Player A misses the 1 ball and hooks his opponent. Player B says it’s their option and tells Player A to shoot again. Player B is incorrect. There is no option to the incoming player if a ball was not illegally pocketed.

I hope the above examples illustrate how easy it can be to play a few games or even a whole match under different rules than the ones in place for the event. The unfortunate part is we usually don’t find out about these things until after the match is over, when it’s too late to do anything.

The simplest was to prevent this is to go to the players’ meeting. If you couldn’t attend, you should always check with event officials prior to your first match about the rules. If you chose not to attend the meeting, you risk the possibility that one or both of you could be forfeited or disqualified for modifying the rules of play during the tournament. So whenever these situations arise, please be sure to proceed with caution.

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.

September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 37

>Player of the Month Cory Hamon of Athens, GA, has been an APA member since 2006.

His team, “Too Strong,” played in the 8-ball open division of the APA National Team Championships in 2007. Cory lets everyone know that he went undefeated in his Vegas matches. He’s currently a skill level 4 in both 8-ball and 9-ball.

“Cory is always nice to everyone; people just love to watch him shoot.

He’s a real team player,” said APA of Northeast Georgia League Operator Joe Kirkland.

Cory received a full college scholarship for soccer. During a soccer match Cory had an aneurysm. In the surgery to remove the blood clot he had a stroke and was left paralyzed on one side. He then went on to graduate from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business. He plays pool with one arm and a makeshift bridge.

“Cory is a true example that anyone can play,” Kirkland said. “If a guy who is paralyzed on one side of his body and shoots with one arm can be a skill level four, then people with both arms have little to complain about. Watching him shoot should make you want to take your game to the next level; he’s truly an inspiration.”

38 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

Giallorenzo the New Grand Champion Tri-State Tour / East Rutherford, NJ

by John Leyman

Chuck Giallorenzo rose to the top of the field at the fifteenth annual Tri-State Tour Invitational Tournament to be named the new grand champion of the event. Held July 14-15 at Castle Billiards in East RutherChuck Giallorenzo ford, NJ, the tournament drew 15 A and A+ players, 32 B and B+ players, 32 C and C+ players, and 14 D and D+ players.

Rhio Anne Flores was named the most improved player of the year, while Dan Cintron was given a special achievement award.

Also, the sportsman of the year award was given to Tony Ignomirello. The other top players of the year in the their respective classes were Daniel Dagotdot in the A+/A class, B+ player Ed Culhane, B player Joe Palone, C+ player and ladies’ player of the year Kim Meyer-Gabia, C player Tony Ignomirello, and D+/D player Pat Mareno.

The B+ class saw two players dominate the event and meet each other in the hot seat match. Guy Iannuzzi bested Gary Rhio Anne Flores Murgia on the hill and moved to the finals. In the finals, Murgia sought his revenge for the hot seat loss and succeeded in winning the match 9-6. The B class was controlled by one player, Giallorenzo, who saw all the rolls go his way while winning the event undefeated. His last two matches were against Basdeo Sookhai, whom he bested 7-2 and 7-3.

The D+/D class saw Pat Mareno and Mike Strassberg play a hard-fought match, with Mareno coming out on top 5-3. Strassberg then was ousted

by Ada Lio, and the final match was set between Lio and Mareno. Lio forged ahead as Mareno struggled, but Mareno kept strong and won the match 8-7.

After a secondround loss, Daniel Dagotdot progressed through the one-loss side of the A+/A class

to overpower Beau Baer in the finals 9-4. The C+ class had a similar outcome, with Eddie daCosta losing his first match of the day and then fighting his way all the way to the finals and the win over Michael Aro 8-6. But in the C class Tony Ignomirello proved why he was the two-time C class player of the year, besting all comers to topple Vincent Morris in the finals 6-4.

This left six class champions to do battle for the grand champion title. Ignomirello bested daCosta on the hill to win the C+/C playoff only to then be defeated by Mareno on the hill in the C/D playoff. But Giallorenzo continued to dominate, first winning against Murgia 7-3 in the B+/B playoff and then against Dagotdot 8-4 in the A/B playoff.

Two players were still standing: Mareno, a player of the year point winner, and Giallorenzo, who qualified as a stand-by player and got into the event after another player bowed out.

This turned out to be Giallorenzo’s toughest match, as Mareno reached the hill first. But Giallorenzo didn’t give up, and he won the last two games of the set to take the match 8-7 and win the title of grand champion.

Bubet Rebounds for Tri-State Title Tri-State Tour / East Rutherford, NJ

by InsidePOOL Staff

Kyle Bubet bounced back from a late loss at the July 28 stop on the TriState Tour to take the title from John Trobiano in the final John Trobiano, Kyle Bubet, Rick Shellhouse match. Bubet joined two dozen other amateurs at Castle Billiards in East Rutherford, NJ, for the $500-added 9-ball tournament.

Bubet was sent west after his match with Rick Shellhouse in the winners’ side final four went Shellhouse’s way 6-4. In the other match, Trobiano triumphed over Eddie daCosta 7-6. Trobiano went on to face down Shellhouse for the hot seat 8-5.

Once on the one-loss side, daCosta was soon ousted by Scott Simonetti in fifth place 9-7. Donna Padavano tied with daCosta after being eliminated by Bubet 6-4. Bubet and Simonetti met each other in the quarterfinals, with Bubet routing Simonetti 10-2.

In the semifinal match, Bubet escaped a determined Shellhouse 6-5 to advance. Bubet had a four-game lead in the finals before Trobiano got Results: on the board. Trobiano never really got 1st Kyle Bubet $520 going, and Bubet 2nd John Trobiano $280 managed to take the 3rd Rick Shellhouse $180 win 10-6.

4th Scott Simonetti $100 5th

Tony Ignomirello

40 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

Eddie daCosta Donna Padavano

$60

> Upcoming Northeast Tournaments 9/1-3 9/8 9/8-9 9/15 9/16 9/22 9/29 9/29-30 9/30 10/6 10/6 10/6-7 10/6-7 10/7 10/13-14 10/14 10/20 10/27-28 10/28 10/28 11/3-4 11/3-4 11/4

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Authored by Allan P. Sand PBIA/ACS Pocket Billiards Instructor September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 41

over Jared McGee 7-10. Roberts and Padgett went head to head in the next round, with Roberts racing ahead to an 11-4 win.

Bouncing back from an early loss, Britt wound his way through the west side with wins over Gatlin Askins 7-2 and Larry Jackson 9-7 to reach the quarterfinals. Meeting him there was Wendell Thompkins, who had just sent McGee home in fifth place 9-4. Britt was able to win 9-6 over Thompkins to advance.

McPherson Hits Pay Dirt in Albemarle Great Southern Billiard Tour / Albemarle, NC

by InsidePOOL Staff

Mike McPherson enjoyed an unchallenged run through the field at the June 30-July 1 stop of the Shannon Daulton, Mike McPherson, Great Southern BilScott Roberts, Steve Compton liard Tour to best Scott Roberts, who had come through the one-loss side, in the finals. The $1,500-added amateur event drew 43 players to Lucky Shot Billiards in Albemarle, NC.

The B-rated McPherson matched up with the equally ranked Josh Heeter in the winners’ side final four, and they went double-hill before McPherson advanced 7-6. In the other winners’ side match, Mark Patterson bested Dan Heidrich 7-10. The hot seat match was a race to 7, and it was another hill-hill victory for McPherson over Patterson.

Roberts was making his move on the one-loss side, eliminating Heidrich in seventh place 7-9. Heeter tied with Heidrich after being ousted by Shawn Padgett 7-4. Roberts went on to dominate Heeter in the quarterfinal match 7-3, sending Heeter home in fourth place.

Patterson didn’t put up enough resistance in the semifinal match against Roberts, who won their match 7-2. But it was all McPherson in the finals, as he went on to wrest the title from Roberts 7-5.

In the semifinals, Britt dominated Padgett 9-4 to face Roberts in the final match. It was a lopsided event, with Roberts easily handling Britt 11-4 to win the title.

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

7th

Josh Roberts Phillip Britt Shawn Padgett Wendell Thompkins Jared McGee Larry Jackson Larry Faulk Gatlin Askins

$1,000 $500 $300 $200 $100 $50

news-images- videos games- lessons

Insidepoolmag.com

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

7th

Mike McPherson Scott Roberts Mark Patterson Shawn Padgett Josh Heeter Dan Heidrich Mike Mauney Kris Chavez

$1,000 $500 $300 $200 $100

When this SudoCue is solved, the letters in “MATCHED UP” will appear in each row, column, and box—but only once, and not in any particular order. Answer available online at www.InsidePOOLmag.com.

$50

Roberts Romps Through Great Southern Field Great Southern Billiard Tour / Myrtle Beach, SC

by InsidePOOL Staff

Blazing through the winners’ side, Josh Roberts went through unscathed at the July 7-8 installment of the Great Brent Hudgins, Josh Roberts, Phillip Britt, Southern Billiard Shannon Daulton Tour to best Phillip Britt in the final match for the title. A field of 52 amateurs gathered at Shore Thing Bar and Billiards in Myrtle Beach, SC, for the $1,500-added tournament.

The AA-ranked Roberts faced off with Larry Jackson in the winners’ side final four, turning him away with an 11-6 win. In the other winners’ side match, it was Shawn Padgett earning a victory 42 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

Courtesy of Sandy Brown

Knight and Lombardo Top Poison Tour Poison Tour / Orlando, FL

Hans and Thorpe Take Great Southern Titles Great Southern Billiard Classic / Fairfield, OH

Richard Knight and Hunter Lombardo aced their respective divisions at the July 28 installment of the Poison Tour. Dakota Cameron, Tony Crosby, Richard Knight Cue-Phoria Billiards and Café hosted the tournament, with 53 players showing up for the $1,000-added amateur 9-ball event and 33 participating in the $1,000-added 10-ball division.

Charlie Hans and Billy Thorpe walked away with first-place honors at the Great Southern Billiard Tour’s July 14-15 weekend event, winShannon Daulton, Billy Thorpe, Mike Medley ning the 8-ball and 9-ball divisions, respectively. A total of 38 entrants participated at Michael’s Billiards and Games in Fairfield, OH, in the dual-headed tournament.

by InsidePOOL Staff

The amateur 9-ball event saw Knight make his way to the hot seat match with wins over Jason Bowen 7-6, D. J. Dorman 7-2, Julio Del Pozo 7-4, and then 7-5 over Cal McGann to set up the winners’ side match with tour newcomer Dakota Cameron. Knight’s run was stopped quickly as Cameron came out strong and powered his Tony Crosby, Adam Wheeler, way to the hot seat with Hunter Lombardo, Faheem Zia a dominating 7-1 win.

After a second-round 7-2 loss to Dorman, Mike Destafano went on to eliminate Ted Lepak 5-2, Jason Bowen 5-2, John Souders 5-3, Bill Eisenhard 5-3, Brett Lykins 5-4, and Tim Baron 5-2 before Jason Sheerman ousted him in fourth place 5-0. Sheerman then had the tables turned on him as Knight cruised to a 5-0 win in the semifinals, putting himself in the finals with a revenge match against Cameron.

To force the one-rack shoot-out for the title, Knight had to come back and win a race to 7, and he did just that, battling his way to a 7-5 win. He then ran a solid last rack to take his first title of the season and second Poison Tour title.

In the open 10-ball division, Lombardo proved to be too strong for everyone. He reached the finals with victories over Kelly Cavanaugh 6-1, Tony Amateur Results: Crosby 6-4, Tim Baron 1st Richard Knight $600 6-4, and Nathan Rose 2nd Dakota Cameron $400 7-3. A 7-4 triumph 3rd Jason Sheerman $300 over Raymond Lin4th Mike Destefano $200 ares then put him in 5th Cal McGann $150 the hot seat.

George Saunders 7th Brian McBride $100

Adam Wheeler

Tim Baron navigated his way 9th Kelly Cavanaugh $80 through the one-loss

Brett Lykins side, eliminating Cal

Julio Del Pozo McGann 5-1, Mike

Chip Dickerson Destefano 5-3, and Rose 5-4. With a 5-2 win over Linares, he Open Results: set up the finals with 1st Hunter Lombardo $600 Lombardo. Wheeler 2nd

Adam Wheeler

$400 pushed Lombardo all 3rd

Raymond Linares

$300 the way in the race to 4th

Nathan Rose

$200 8, in which Lombardo 5th Julio Del Pozo $100 eventually prevailed

Bill Eisenhard with a hard-fought 7th Mike Destefano $75 double-hill win.

Ted Lepak

by InsidePOOL Staff

In the 44-player 8-ball event, the C-rated Hans went undefeated through the field, besting Rick Gyamati in the winners’ side final four 4-4, as B-ranked Lucas Hawkins won Leo Campos 6-5. The hot seat match saw Hans win again, this time over Hawkins 4-5.

Once on the west side, Campos was toppled by Corey Morphew 6-4, while Gyamati ousted Brad Gibson in a fifth-place tie with Campos 5-5. Gyamati eliminated Morphew in fourth place 5-5 to advance to the semifinals, where he was whitewashed by Hawkins 6-0. In the double-elimination final bout, Hawkins only allowed Hans one rack in the first set before he won 6-1.

The second set went Shannon Daulton, Charlie Hans, the other way, as Hans Lucas Hawkins, Mike Medley grudgingly gave his opponent a single game before he took the title 4-1.

Thorpe ran away with the 34-player 9-ball division, but he barely escaped Hawkins in the winners’ side final four with a hill-hill victory. In the other winners’ side match, it was Adam Glover over Tim Baron in a more lopsided 7-2 win. Thorpe went on to claim the hot seat over Glover 9-4.

8-Ball Results:

Steve Dillon put an end to Hawkins’ event 7-8, depositing him in fifth place. Baron soon followed suit after his 6-5 loss to Mike Burnette. Dillon went on to send Burnette home in fourth after winning the quarterfinal match 7-2. Still on a roll, Dillon then defeated Glover 7-4 to advance to the finals against Thorpe, who had no trouble winning the match 9-5.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

7th

Charlie Hans Lucas Hawkins Rick Gyamati Corey Morphew Leo Campos Brad Gibson Justin Lazaro Leo Kincannon

$700 $400 $300 $200 $100 $55

9-Ball Results: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

7th

Billy Thorpe Steve Dillon Adam Glover Mike Burnette Lucas Hawkins Tim Baron Leo Kincannon Dave Cross

$600 $400 $300 $175 $100 $50

September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 43

Ussery Goes Undefeated Great Southern Billiard Tour / Myrtle Beach, SC

by InsidePOOL Staff

Dominating the field, B. J. Ussery roared through undefeated at the August 4-5 stop of the Great Southern Billiard Tour Shannon Daulton, B. J. Ussery, James Council, to win first place.

Brent Hudgins Sixty-two amateurs gathered at Shore Thing Bar and Billiards in Myrtle Beach, SC, for the $1,500-added 9-ball tournament.

Ussery faced down Chase Gilbert 11-5 in the winners’ side final four, while in the other bracket, James Council won a hill-hill match over Derek Leonard. The next round saw Ussery squash Council 11-2 for the hot seat match.

Leonard bounced back on the one-loss side with an 11-5 victory over David Styers. Tying with Styers in fifth place was Josh Heeter, ousted by Gilbert 7-4. In the quarterfinal match, it was all Leonard as he eliminated Gilbert in fourth place 11-2.

Itching for a rematch with Ussery, Council sent Leonard home in third place after their semifinal match ended in his favor 7-6. But Council was no match for Ussery, who easily handled him 11-4 in the finals for the title.

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

7th

9th

B. J. Ussery James Council Derek Leonard Chase Gilbert David Styers Josh Heeter Chris Vollmar William Foster Josh Roberts Sidney Champion Mickey Hucks Joshua Pedron

$1,000 $600 $400 $200 $150 $75 $50

> Upcoming Southeast Tournaments 9/1-2 9/8-9 9/8-9 10/6-7

Great Southern Billiard Tour Great Southern Billiard Tour Poison U.S. 9-Ball Tour Great Southern Billiard Tour

44 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

Shore Thing Billiards Raisin Cain’s Top Hat Billiards Shore Thing Bar and Billiards

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Amateurs Amateurs Open Amateurs

Bryant and Porter Make Marks Lone Star Billiards Tour / Houston, TX

pated in the amateur division: Mike Calderaro and Michael Fain.

Junior Nick Calderaro competed in the open, drawing Ochoa his first round and losing by a score of only 9-6.

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

Charlie Bryant Sylver Ochoa Sonny Bosshamer David Gutierrez Henry Rocha Grady Cooper

$500 $300 $150 $80 $35

by InsidePOOL Staff

The Lone Star Billiards Tour held its first event of the season June 16-17 at Houston’s Sports Bar, where the $1,000-added tournament drew 57 entries over the open and amateur divisions. Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant took Sonny Bosshamer, Ray Porter down the 25-player, starstudded open division, while Ray Porter captured the 32-player amateur division.

On the winners’ side final four in the open division, Grady Cooper defeated Al Mason 9-5 and Henry Rocha bested Sonny Bosshamer 9-6, but both were defeated in their hot seat bids by Sylver Ochoa and Bryant, respectively. David Gutierrez suffered a first-round loss to Mason and won five consecutive matches until he was upset

by Bosshamer 7-2.

It seemed like old times as Ochoa and Bryant hammered it out for the hot seat. They traded racks, executing dead-lock safes Sylver Ochoa, Charlie Bryant and kicking in balls, until Ochoa pulled ahead and closed it out 9-7. “Hillbilly” made quick work of Bosshamer and then exacted dual-set revenge on Ochoa to win his first Lone Star Open division title in two years.

Newcomer Porter stormed the amateur division, escaping three hill-hill matches to reach the hot seat. Surprise player Bill Fain reached his bid for the final four winners’ side with victories over Steve Williams, Carlos Martinez, and Rocha. Fain was defeated

by Bosshamer 7-4 and then eliminated by Brent Thomas 5-3. Demetro depleted Thomas in the first round, but after six rounds of wins, Thomas exacted revenge on Demetro in the quarterfinals.

After a 7-4 loss to Porter for the hot seat, Bosshamer faced off with Thomas, ending his seven-match winning streak. Victory was short-lived for Bosshamer as the indomitable Porter swiftly secured the final set Amateur Results: to win his first Lone 1st Ray Porter $420 Star Amateur division 2nd Sonny Bosshamer $280 event.

3rd Brent Thomas $150 4th Sonny Demetro $100

Tiffany Boysen 5th Bill Fain $55 finished as the top

Bobby Pacheco lady in the amateur di7th Grady Cooper $25 vision. There were two

Henry Rocha juniors who partici-

Demetro and Bryant Go Undefeated Lone Star Billiards Tour / Houston, TX

by InsidePOOL Staff

Charlie Bryant and Sonny Demetro dominated the July 7-8 installment of the Lone Star Billiards Tour to take top honors in the open and Bill Fain, Sonny Demetro, Kim White, amateur divisions, Charlie Bryant, James Baraks respectively.

There were 72 players who gathered at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, TX, with open and amateur division entries totaling 106.

From Beaumont to Houston to Bryan College Station, players came in droves to compete for the over-$6,000 prize purse.

The open division’s final four on the winners’ side pitted an impressive Will Felder against Bryant and Brian Rosenbaum against Sonny “The Boss” Bosshamer. Bryant defeated Felder 9-2, and Bosshamer steamrolled Rosenbaum 9-4. Bryant then secured the hot seat over Bosshamer 9-3.

Sylver Ochoa fell to Bryant the day before 9-3 and was subsequently eliminated by his own forfeiture. After a 9-5 loss in his first match to Bryant, James Baraks won an incredible nine consecutive matches on the one-loss side to meet Bryant in the finals. The final match saw Bryant eke out a 9-8 win over Baraks.

In the amateur division, Jeff Chauncey worked his way to his first hot seat match by defeating Sonny Bosshamer 7-2, Joey Torres 7-1, Danny Lee, and Phillip Thweat. His opponent, Sonny Demetro, won the hot seat 7-5.

After a second-round loss, Mikey Frost won five consecutive matches until he was eliminated by Bill Fain. Bob Guzik, “The Pittsburgh Kid,” had Open Results: his best finish ever, regardless of an 1st Charlie Bryant $550 early round loss to 2nd James Baraks $300 Demetro. Guzik had 3rd Sonny Bosshamer $200 eliminated Pedro Me4th Brian Rosenbaum $150 dina, Ray Porter, Boss5th Will Felder $75 hamer, Felder, and Ng

Viet Do before he fell to Fain 7th Coby Rabourn $50 5-3. A patiently wait Ben Deutsch ing Chauncey was defeated by Fain in the Amateur Results: semifinals 5-3. In turn, 1st Sonny Demetro $535 Demetro bested Fain 2nd Bill Fain $345 in his first- ever event 3rd Jeff Chauncey $205 final 7-5.

September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 45

< > Upcoming Central Tournaments

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ousted Cole 6-4, while Dennis defeated Smith 6-3. In the quarterfinals, Jones barely escaped against Ross, who pocketed the 9 ball hill-hill but scratched.

Montour Wins at Malarkey’s Northwest Women’s Pool Association / Tacoma, WA

by Suzanne Smith

Fresh off her best finish yet on the Women’s Professional Billiards Association, Jana Montour made a comeback in the finals of the Northwest Women’s Pool Association to defeat Kim Jones for the title. A total of 28 ladies adjourned at Malarkey’s Pool and Brew in Tacoma, WA, for the June 16-17 stop.

Early play progressed with few upsets, with only eight ladies returning the second day. Montour bested Shari Ross 7-2 to advance to the hot seat against Deby Welfringer, who had just defeated Suzanne Smith in a double-hill match. Montour dominated the hot seat match 7-2, sending Welfringer to the west side of the chart.

On the left side, Liz Cole advanced over Kit Dennis 6-2, as Mary Hopkin eliminated Jones 6-2. Fresh from the right side, Ross then

Jones then faced Welfringer to earn a shot in the finals and continued her solid shooting to defeat Welfringer 6-4. Jones started shooting lights out and gained a 4-0 lead before Montour got on the board. When Jones capitalized on a missed 8 ball to take a 5-1 lead, Montour turned up the heat and took the next six racks to reach a 7-5 lead. The two ladies continued exchanging racks, with Montour winning the final 9-7.

Eight ladies returned Sunday for the $200-added second chance tournament.

Alisha Rogers and Cindy Sliva ended up being the final two ladies. Sliva defeated Rogers 4-0 in the final to earn the top prize.

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September 2012 ◊ InsidePOOLmag.com 47

Across

1. Pieces of ____ were Spanish

silver coins worth one peso.

3. A euphemism for “Davey

Jones’ locker.”

4. To dance the hempen jig.

5. Jacob’s ____ was used to

climb aboard a pirate ship.

7. Scuttlebutt, derived from

the nautical term for water

cask, now refers to ____.

9. To clean the deck or a dero-

gative term for a seaman.

11. Crew members.

13. “You will always remember

this as the day you almost

caught Captain Jack ____!”

14. Henry ____ was known as

the “Sword of England.”

16. Long John ____ was the

antagonist in “Treasure

Island.”

18. A gunner’s assistant was

also known as a powder ____.

19. The only pirate known

to bury treasure was Wil-

liam ____.

21. Leather drinking cups

stiffened with tar.

24. A derogatory adjective or

a deficiency of vitamin C. 25. Studying nautical terms

will get you stuck with

this nickname.

27. To leave a pirate on a

deserted island.

28. Spanish pirates that

patrolled the Caribbean Sea. 31. Old English for a slow,

clumsy person.

34. The pirate’s version of

“hello.”

35. “Treasure Island” was the

first live-action film made

by this company.

36. A taste of the cat.

37. Rum added to water that

has gone bad to mask the

flavor.

38. The Jolly ____ flag usually

portrays a skull and cross-

bones.

39. A saucy young lass.

40. “____ me timbers!”

No

Quarter!

Ahoy, me hearties!

In honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day this September, we're celebrating all things corsair with this fun word puzzle. Fair winds!

Down

1. Pirates called this food

item “cackle fruit.”

2. “Dead men tell no ____.”

3. The ____ Pirate Roberts is

famous for taking no

prisoners.

4. J. M. Barrie’s Captain ____

was so named because

he lost a hand to a

hungry crocodile.

6. A large cask containing

alcohol.

8. A conversation between

opposing sides to discuss

a cease-fire.

10. This most famous of

pirates has inspired books,

movies, a miniseries, and

amusement park rides.

11. Biscuits also referred to as

tooth dullers, molar

crackers, and worm

castles.

12. The stereotypical “pirate

accent” was originated by

Robert ____.

48 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ September 2012

13. Another term for sea dog.

15. Beer and liquor mixed

with raw eggs. Arrrrr!

17. Meat preserved with salt

in a barrel.

20. Spanish gold piece.

22. ____ Jack had two

women disguised as men

among his crew.

23. To cheat someone of their

valuables.

24. “Hurry up!”

26. Much pirate lore is based

on ____ Louis Stevenson’s

book “Treasure Island.”

28. “Red beard” in Italian.

29. “Check this out!”

30. Victims who walked t

he plank were in danger

of drowning or being

eaten by ____.

32. A dumpling made of flour

and lard.

33. The lowest level of a ship.

36. Long John Silver’s pet parrot

was named Captain ____.

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