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18 FEATURES
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Rackem is a monthly publication, dedicated to the advancement of the sport of pool and to promoting enthusiasm and encouragement among the players at all levels, regardless of their league affiliation, in addition Publisher to recognizing those businesses who support them all. Covering the midwest. Look for Rackem on or before the 15th of each month. The opinions expressed are those of the author or advertiser and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rackem or its staff. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher. © 2013 Rackem
5 Red Shoes 7 World Juniors 8 Columnists 11 Jr Profile 12 Mosconi Cup 22 Chalk Talk
4 Rackem Magazine - January 2013
23
POOL ON TV All times are Central time.
There are no scheduled broadcasts of pool or billiard events on any ESPN networks in January. These schedules have been provided by ESPN. These are tentative dates and are subject to change
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RED SHOES BILLIARDS One Pocket Tournament
Red Shoes Billiards closed it 2012 Tournament Calendar with the classic "iron man style" tournament held on Saturday December 8th, 2012. The one day event saw not only Chicago's top one pocket players but also drew one pocket players from the neighboring states of Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The almost full field (one player shy) started play immediately after the players meeting and "open blind" draw at 1:00 PM. Fourteen hours of consecutive play saw the two finalists squaring off for a single race to three Championship Match. Ike Runnels had the "hot seat", going through the winners side bracket undefeated winning 5 consecutive matches. Tom Karabatsos was the "B' side challenger only loosing one match to Ike for the hot seat. Unlike many tournaments, Red Shoes Billiards uses a "single race" in the finals to determine the tournament Champions. This is the main reason Red Shoes Billiards has so many "chops" in the finals, no player has the advantage of being able loose a set. There would be no "Chop" (split) this time though. Ike Runnels sent Tom Karabatsos to the "B" side with a 3-0 defeat. Tom Karabatsos now had to play Ward Stephenson of Ohio to see who would get a "crack" at Runnels for the finals. The semi-finals went hill-hill with Stephenson making a great "kick" to a straight back bank to go hillhill with Karabatsos (the very knowledgeable crowd @ Red Shoes gave the appropriate applause). The final game was less dramatic with Karabatsos never really relinquishing an early ball count lead. This set up the final match between Tom and Ike for the "cheese". An early mistake by Ike in the first game put the momentum on Tom's side. Tom won the first then the second game. It looked like Tom would be able to reciprocate the 3-0 loss to Ike earlier in the tournament. "Looks" can be deceiving, especially when One Pocket & Ike Runnels are involved. All Chicago "pooldom" knows you can not just kill "Ike" in a match...you have to make sure " rigor mortise" has set in completely. Ike finds a way to grind it to a hill-hill match. This time though Tom was to not be denied his revenge. Tom won the final game. CONGRATULATIONS to the "cashed" players.
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January 2013 - Rackem Magazine 5
6 Rackem Magazine - November 2012
Champions Crowned at WPA World Junior & Wheelchair Championships December 7, 2012 (Englewood, CO): Cheng-Chieh Liu of Taiwan, Kamila Khodjaeva of Belgium, and Henrik Larsson of Sweden secure gold medals at the 21st Annual WPA Junior & Wheelchair 9-Ball Championships in Willingen, Germany. In the junior boys division, Liu went undefeated to take top honors among the strong field of 32 players. In the girls division, Khodjaeva defeated reigning champion, Czuprynska, in the finals with a convincing score of 7-0. Meanwhile, Larsson received his sixth medal, and fourth gold medal, in the wheelchair division. Over 30 countries were represented at this prestigious event and the Billiard Education Foundation coordinated international travel for the nine North American junior representatives: Brendan Crockett (USA), Chad Behnke (USA), Brady Behrman (USA), Manny Perez (USA), Brianna Miller (USA), April Larson (USA), Charles Guimont (CAN), Cody Ward (CAN), and Kayla Roloson (CAN). Miller and Behnke both continued to day three of competition, finishing just one spot away from achieving a medal. The BEF congratulates our young North American players for their hard work and dedication. These junior players achieved their chance to compete in this world event through the junior state and national championships. 2013 marks the 25th Annual Junior National 9-ball Championships. Summer dates and location will be announced soon. The WPA provided online brackets, live scoring, and complete event information at www.wpapoolonline.com. Live was made available by www.kozoom.com. The online photo galleries are courtesy of Markus Hofstaetter: http://blog.markushofstaetter.at/. The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) was formed in 1993 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity committed to promoting a lifelong love of pool and building the next generation of players through youth programs and academic scholarships. Visit billiardeducation.org or call (303) 926-1039 to learn more about junior billiard programs in your area.
Wheelchair Winner: Henrik Larsson, Sweden
Jr. World Winner: Kamila Khodjaeva, Belgium BOYS RESULTS: Cheng-Chieh Liu Tobias Bongers Moritz Lauwereyns Berk Mehmetcik
Chinese Taipei Germany Belgium North Cyprus
Gold Medal Silver Medal Bronze Medal Bronze Medal
GIRLS RESULTS: Kamila Khodjaeva Oliwia Czuprynska Karen Garcia Szu-Ting Kuo
Belgium Poland Nicaragua Chinese Taipei
Gold Medal Silver Medal Bronze Medal Bronze Medal
WHEELCHAIR RESULTS: Henrik Larsson Jouni Tahti Fred Dinsmore Roy Kimberley
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Sweden Finland Ireland Great Britain
Gold Medal Silver Medal Bronze Medal Bronze Medal
January 2013 - Rackem Magazine 7
“The“The Viper” Viper” More Facebook Questions to
An interview with WPBA Professional Melissa Little
Melissa Little
Melissa “The Viper” Little has been a WPBA Touring Professional for over 10-years, she has represented the USA in Four WPA World Championships and has over 20 top-10 WPBA career finishes. Melissa is currently the housepro at the Wynkoop Brewing Company located in Downtown Denver. She teaches monthly clinics, gives private lessons, and has created a juniors program that promotes billiards education to the local youth. For more information about Melissa please visit: www.melissalittle.com Read more articles by Melissa Little at www.onthebreaknews.com
Over the past few months, my FB friends have been requesting an interview of the Viper. So your wish has been granted and here you go… Where were you born? While my mom worked, Rich played pool with his friends and Viper: I was born in 1970 30-miles west of Denver in Boulder, then a few times a week a couple of young kids would drive Colorado. up from Boulder to gamble with him (Dave Evans and Kevin Satterfield). I was so intrigued by how good those young players Where and when did you first start playing were. One day they asked me to play a game and I almost beat pool? them. Viper: I was 12-years-old when I first pick up a pool cue. Over the years, Rich continues to inspired me to be one of the best Everyday after school I would walk to the local arcade on the in the world and even bought me my first Gold Crown that is still Boulder mall called “The Milky Way” where my childhood friend covered up at Buenos for only special people Keith Lavender worked as a part time can play on. He even built be a Viper shrine manager. I truly looked up to him as a that he brags about to this day. gamesmanship – as he played so many What was your biggest accomplishment in games and well. Each day I would try the sport of billiards? and beat him at my favorite game, which Viper: Back in the day, the criteria to play at the time was foosball but never could. full-time on the WPBA tour was that you had So one day I asked him to play a game of to participate in x amount of tournaments pool and I drilled him. He encouraged and you had to place in the top-half of those me by saying I was a natural and that I tournament x amount of times per year. In should continue playing. Agreeing to my 1999, I travelled to 18 different places trying friend’s compliments I ran to my moms to qualify for WPBA pro events. work and shouted out loud to her that Going into that BCA pro event I knew if I when I got older that I was going to be finished in the top half of the field, I would a famous professional pool player that establish my touring pro status. I had won played pool on TV. My mom nodded her my first two matches and lost a nail biter head in disbelief and said, “They don’t 9-7 match against Jeanette Lee, which put even have pool on TV, forget about it me into the loser’s bracket prematurely of and just focus on school”. I questioned her answer by hoping and achieving my goals. saying that pool would eventually be on TV someday. I didn’t pick My next match was a 7 PM feature match against now Hall up cue again until I was 17 years old. of Famer Loree Jon Jones. The spectator seating of the Riviera In high school my mom was managing a Mexican restaurant in ballroom was sold out and in the middle row was my mom Broomfield, CO named Buenos Tempos that housed a few pool and step-dad looking as nervous as ever. One of my biggest tables. The owner, Rich Hamilton, was also the previous owner of accomplishments was winning that match 9-7 and ending the Billiards on the Hill in Boulder, CO. and was very familiar with tournament with a 5th place finish. the sport of billiards. Viper continued page 19
For Juniors Events, Tournament News, Sponsors, Lessons & For My Fans...
The WPBA Touring Profession
www.melissalittle.com 8 Rackem Magazine - January 2013
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2013 is the year of the Pool Player
The Monk
Tim Miller
It is time to make our New Year’s Resolution. How about skipping the diets, quitting smoking, loving people more and go on to the more important things like, “I will have a world class game in 2013”. In order to achieve your goals you must “be your goals”. As a world class player you don’t mind a specific and deliberate training program. You don’t mind hard work. You don’t mind training. You are sure of your success. You have confidence because you are your goals. As I say in Point the Way. “In order to follow the path you must become the path.” Let me give you a pattern from THE PHILIPPINE EXPERIENCE. This is a training program I wrote for my Philippine students. I am here in the Philippines for six months working with players who want to be world class. I ask each student to achieve an 80% success rate with this pattern. These are the kind of shots that will win tournaments and win games. Time for some tough work. Shoot the seven, then the eight and finish with the nine and it does not matter which pocket you shoot the balls into. The important thing is to achieve 80% success rate. All through this training program I offer two and three ball runs that you need to have the skills to run out on. With these skills you will win more games. How many times have you wondered why you did not run three balls that were on the table? We hit ourselves in the forehead and feel like failures. Here is a pattern that looks easy. I faced this one time in the finals and was so happy I had the training to succeed.
When you approach this first shot, visualize exactly where you want the cue ball to end up and anything less that that is not acceptable. Remember, you are striving to be the best in your area. It is possible you may have to shoot this pattern for months before you reach the 80% level. While you are training, make sure you go through your pre shot routine in every single shot this way you are gaining even if you don’t reach the 80% level right away. Go on my web site, www.monkbilliardacademy. net and click on THE PHILIPPINE EXPERIENCE to find out more about this program. Your game is worth your investment and this program cost less than a shaft. In training, always strive for excellence. We strengthen that which we focus on. So when you work hard, you strengthen your skills even if you do not succeed with the shot. Always know your training has value. I will look for you in the winners circle. Tim "The Monk" Miller http://www.monkbilliardacademy.net/
The Philippine Experience YOU ARE READY FOR A NEW GAME AND A UNIQUE TRAINING MANUAL FULL COLOR WIRE BOUND FOR ONLY $129.95 http://www.monkbilliardacademy.net/PHILIPPINEEXPERIENCE.html
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January 2013 - Rackem Magazine 9
COLUMNIST
Bob Jewett
San Francisco Billiard Academy www.sfbilliards.com San Francisco Billiard Academy is a BCA Certified Master Academy.
Bridge Work If you are like me and like most players I’ve watched, you need to work on your technique for using the mechanical bridge. Some players would rather miss than use the crutch. They’ll twist and stretch until there’s no hope of making the ball and they’re lucky just to hit it. Let’s both try to get over that. The first problem is to find a decent bridge. Some rooms have none so you will have to bring your own bridge head at least. Some rooms provide bridges but the metal heads have sharp edges (from flashing) that will tear up your shaft. Even if the bridge head is not sharp, if it has a corner right where the cue sits it will leave a dent. If you do have to shoot with a bridge that’s dangerous, use a house cue for the shot. Once you solve the equipment problem try the practice shots in the diagram. In Shot A the goal is to make the 1 ball and just break up the 2-3. The shot itself is not hard; the point is to perfect your technique with simple shots before moving on to tougher challenges. Lots of players have trouble with stance and stroke with the mechanical bridge. Here are the major points: First hold the bridge with your left hand (for righties, of course) with the handle flat on the table. If you will need to get the bridge out of the way during the shot, you can keep your left hand wrapped around it with your knuckles on the cloth. Occasionally you may need to hold the bridge handle up in the air to avoid interfering balls, but that’s less stable. Second, hold your cue stick with the same grip that dart players use -- mostly between the thumb and index finger with your pinky nearest the tip. Third, keep your right forearm horizontal. Fourth, make sure you follow through a little extra. This last is to make sure you have the power you need and that your
10 Rackem Magazine - January 2013
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Bob Jewett
stroke is as straight as possible. When playing Shot A, you will need some right draw. Pay special attention to how much you have to compensate for the English and swerve. Often shots with the bridge will have more elevation than you are used to and consequently will need different compensation. After you are comfortable with making the 1 ball and just separating the 2-3, move the 2-3 mini-cluster back another foot and try again. Try some other distances and angles such as coming straight off the cushion or going forward to the end rail with left follow. In all cases, make sure you have a specific goal for the cue ball such as touching the pair. In Shot B the goal is to build up your power with the bridge. The cut on the 4 is too thin to try to hold the cue ball by the first cushion, so the play is to take the cue ball around the table with a thin hit and a little right English. Work your way up to speed gradually; first play the shot at a speed that just makes the 4 then increase the speed to go clear around the table. This shot can also be played with a little left English so the cue ball comes straight off the end rail. This path will require that you get the bridge out of the way promptly. Finally, go back to Shot A but place an extra object ball just on your side of the cue ball so that you will need to do something special. Some bridge heads have configurations that give enough elevation to get over an obstructing ball like that but more commonly you will have to stack two bridges by placing the handle of the top bridge where the cue stick would normally be on the bottom bridge. When you have a precarious structure like that, severely limit your ambitions; just roll the object ball into the pocket. You may have to settle for a harder shot but at least you will still be shooting.
JUNIOR PLAYER PROFILE
IULIAN CERNATINSCHI
FULL NAME: Iulian Cernatinschi
FAVORITE POOL GAME: 10-ball
NICKNAME: The Eagle
FAVORITE POOL PLAYER: Shane VanBoening
HOME TOWN: Jersey City
GOALS (PERSONAL AND/OR CAREER): Video Producer and being member of the Mosconi team.
BIRTH DATE: 7/5/12 GRADE:
ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW
9th
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Biology
ABOUT YOU? I enjoy creating videos and I’m fluent in
WHAT KIND OF CUE(S) DO YOU USE? Lucasi Hybrid Playing cues, Dunkel Custom Cues Jump cue, Dunkel Custom Cues Masse cue.
have a wide knowledge of Spanish and French.
a few languages such as Romanian and Russian. Also I
AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START PLAYING POOL? 12 LEFT OR RIGHT HANDED? Right OTHER NOTABLE AWARDS: Sportsmanship Award at the 2012 Artistic Pool World Championship. SPONSOR(S): Lucasi Hybrid,Kamui
Tips,Seybert’s Billiards Supply, Dunkel Custom Cues HOBBIES: Shooting Videos and Pictures, Learning Languages and Volleyball.
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January 2013 - Rackem Magazine 11
MOSCONI CUP 2012
Americans battle to first day lead
TEAM EUROPE
Europe 2 – 3 USA | Europe 3-5 USA
Nikos Ekonomopoulos, Chris Melling, Johan Ruysink (team captain), Barry Hearn (founder Matchroom Sport), Darren Appleton, Nick van den Berg, Niels Feijen
Johnny Archer
12 Rackem Magazine - January 2013
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Chris Melling
TEAM EUROPE TEAM EUROPE
Nick van den Berg
TEAM EUROPE
Brandon Shuff
Niels Feijen
TEAM USA
Shane Van Boening
TEAM EUROPE
Jim Wych & Jerry Forsyth (live streaming commentators) Nikos Ekonomopoulos
TEAM USA
TEAM USA
TEAM USA
Mike Dechaine
TEAM USA
Dennis Hatch
- Melling & Van Den Berg 4-5 Archer & Shuff - Niels Feijen 5-0 Mike Dechaine - Appleton & Ekonomopoulos 4-5 Hatch & Van Boening - Darren Appleton 5-2 Brandon Shuff TEAM USA, the pre-match underdogs took the early lead in the 19th running of the PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup as they took the team and pairs matches but lost both of the singles matches in front of a very noisy crowd at London’s York Hall. It was just the sort of start US captain CJ Wiley was looking for but at this stage the match is anyone’s. The opening match of the competition featured all ten players playing racks at a time and there were plenty of nerves in the early stages – Feijen missed a couple of makeable balls to hand his rack to Dennis Hatch and then Mike Dechaine was forever chasing a lost position before finally missing the 9 ball to give Nick Van den Berg the game. Some typical Mosconi Cup gamesmanship entered the next one as one of the American players incorrectly accused Nick Ekonomopoulos of nudging the 4 ball after playing an outstanding full table kick shot to deposit the 3 ball. The Greek rookie went on the miss a tough pot on the 8 ball to give Brandon Shuff the game. That took the score to 3-2 to the USA. Feijen look in much better shape in his next outing as he made the score 3-3. Shuff won the battle of the rookies in the seventh game as he once again beat Nick Ekonomopoulos and Mike Dechaine was back to take the match for the USA with a tidy 6/9 combination. The Americans made it two out of two as a game Johnny Archer and Brandon Shuff came back from 4-1 down to beat the Euro pair of Nick Van den Berg and Chris Melling. It was a nervous affair as all four players missed balls but the American duo stuck with it and capitalised on a few gifts to put themselves into a 2-0 lead. “It’s never over until it’s over and you must never give up,” said a relived Shuff. “I’ve never experienced a crowd like this but I have the experienced
the pressure but it’s not fading me and I’m doing good. This could be the best team we have had in years, everybody has been saying that, and it does feel good,“ he added. “We are definitely the underdogs, that is for sure, everybody says it,” added Archer. “We know that all we have to do is stay together. Absolutely we are good enough. We are a great team, a great bunch of guys, C J Wiley (USA team captain) we have a great new guy and some experience so it is a lot of fun,” he concluded. Niels Feijen got the Europeans back on track in the third match as he took Mike Dechaine to the cleaners, winning 5-0. Dechaine was not at his best, giving his opponent chances throughout and the Dutchman was all over him. “This match was a must win as we didn’t want to go down 3-0 because that means we’ve lost the session and the best we can get is 3-2 and that puts a lot of pressure on the other guys,” said Feijen. “They’re not going to run over us – we’re here to stay. I don’t feel like I’m any better than the other guys and I put my faith in them.”
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TEAM USA
Nikos Ekonomopoulos
TEAM EUROPE
TEAM EUROPE
Mosconi Day 1 continued on page 20
January 2013 - Rackem Magazine 13
MOSCONI CUP 2012
It’s all square at the halfway stage Europe 5 – 5 USA Appleton/Melling 4-5 Archer/Dechaine Nick Ekonomopoulos 5-3 Shane Van Boening Feijen/Van Den Berg 5-2 Hatch/Shuff Chris Melling 5-3 Dennis Hatch Appleton/Feijen 4-5 Van Boening/Archer
TEAM EUROPE won the second session of the 2012 Mosconi Cup by three points to two to leave the annual Europe v America match dead level at the halfway stage. There were wins for American pairs in the first and last doubles matches of the day while Europe took both singles matches as well as the second doubles match. With America leading 3-2 from the first day’s play but underdogs at the start of the competition, there was a feeling that both teams would have been happy being tied at the end of the day. It was Johnny Archer, playing in his 16th Mosconi Cup and Shane Van Boening who squared it up in the final match of the evening as they beat the stellar European team of Darren Appleton and Niels Feijen. It was another 5-4 match – the fourth of the competition and the fourth won by the American team – but Archer and Van Boening came with some
14 Rackem Magazine - January 2013
great shots under pressure to record the win. The Europeans got off to a bad start to the session though, as the English duo of Darren Appleton and Chris Melling lost a squeaker to Mosconi legend Johnny Archer and Mike Dechaine. The Americans had lead 4-2 before Europe clawed their way back into it with a pair of quality run outs. At 4-4 Dechaine broke, but Archer missed a fine cut on the 1 ball. Melling was left with a full table pot on the one but it failed to drop and in the end Dechaine took the point with a 6/9 combination. That took the overall score to 4-2 in favour of the away team but Archer was as cautious as a man who has played in 15 Mosconi Cups could be; “It is going to be nip and tuck all the way, any match you could lose it at any time or you could win it at any time. We made a mistake tonight but we have to take advantage of whatever first shot we have and Melling made a mistake to give us the opportunity. “I want to say congratulations to Mike because he felt bad after losing yesterday but he came out today and played wonderful like the champ that he is.” Mosconi Cup Day 2 continued on page 20
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MOSCONI CUP 2012
Europe supershow puts Cup in sight Europe 9 – 6 USA
Van Den Berg & Ekonomopoulos 5-4 Dechaine & Shuff Nick Van Den Berg 4-5 Johnny Archer Ekonomopoulos & Feijen 5-4 Hatch & Dechaine Chris Melling 5-2 Brandon Shuff Darren Appleton 5-0 Shane Van Boening TEAM EUROPE needs just two more points to make it three PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cups in a row after a blistering night at the York Hall that saw them win four of the five matches with only a game Johnny Archer offering any sort of resistance. The two teams shared the opening two matches before the Euros squeezed past the USA in the final doubles match of the tournament. Then followed two demolition jobs as the English pair of Chris Melling and Darren Appleton beat Brandon Shuff and Shane Van Boening respectively, conceding just two racks in the process. Appleton looked super-focused as he pasted Van Boening, capitalising on the American’s errors and taking full advantage of his own excellent break. The Englishman’s win made the final score 9-6 and with most of the American side distinctly under-powered, it looks a big
ask for CJ Wiley’s men. The session got off to a flyer as the two Nicks – Van den Berg and Ekonomopoulos – finally won a hill-hill match as they took a thrilling decider against the American pairing of Mike Dechaine and Brandon Shuff. The Americans looked strong at outset but both players missed balls to let the Europeans back in the match. There was drama as the Americans lead 4-3 and Van den Berg made the 9 on the break but scratched into the middle pocket. Dechaine and Shuff came with a couple of miracle shots to keep the run out going before Dechaine missed a bad one on the 6 ball and the Europeans made it 4-4. Both had chances in the final rack before Dechaine missed another one – this time a 4 ball down the rail. Van den Berg made it and made perfect position on the 6 ball and he and Ekonomopoulos ran the last three balls to spark wild scenes of celebration. Van den Berg was back out for the second match of the evening as he faced a revitalised Johnny Archer in the first singles match of the evening. Archer had won all three of his doubles matches while Van den Berg was also in great shape.
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Mosconi Cup Day 3 continued on page 21
January 2013 - Rackem Magazine 15
MOSCONI CUP 2012 16 Rackem Magazine - January 2013
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Europe claim third Mosconi in a row Europe 11 – 9 USA
Nikos Ekonomopoulos 3-5 Dennis Hatch Niels Feijen 1-5 Johnny Archer Darren Appleton 1-5 Shane Van Boening Chris Melling 5-2 Brandon Shuff Nick Van Den Berg 5-2 Mike Dechaine EUROPE HAVE retained the PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup, defeating the USA 11-9 in front of a packed York Hall to make it three wins in row in the annual transatlantic team tussle. It was Holland’s Nick van den Berg who dropped the final 9 ball of the four day event to spark wild scenes of celebration. The Americans were on the floor after the Wednesday night session, trailing 9-6 going into the final day but they dug deep and turned the tide as they won the first three matches to level it at 9-9 and make it anyone’s match. It was Chris Melling though, a deserving MVP, who stopped the rot with a confident 5-2 over Brandon Shuff and then Nick Van den Berg who closed out a dog fight with Mike Dechaine to win the final match for the Europeans. “That was by far the most thrilling Mosconi Cup win of all,” said a jubilant captain Johan Ruijsink. “They pulled out a big gun today and it was really hard work. I’m happy for the fans and the team; absolutely delighted and over the moon!” he added. Van den Berg was relieved to get the team over the line in what must rank as the greatest moment of his career. “I think my heartbeat was about 220 the whole match and Johan told me to calm down but it was almost impossible. That last shot, I had to break it open, but it worked out perfectly. That must be the most exciting match of my life but also I made a lot of mistakes but in the end I won.” All players had fired throughout the tournament and England’s Darren Appleton consolidated his position as a potential Mosconi Cup legend. “The emotion is amazing, it is all about the team. The
Americans fought really hard today, showed a lot of heart but at 9-9 Melling played unbelievably and Nick at the end that was just a dog fight. “The pressure is unreal, it is just crazy out there and the crowd is amazing.” Chris Melling looked assured throughout and his MVP trophy was the result of three superb singles wins, “It has been unbelievable. It is a dream come true to win it once but to win it twice is just unbelievable. Wow! I cannot believe I have won the MVP. The first two days I started off very slowly, lost two 5-4s which I could have easily won but I came good at the end.” For Niels Feijen it was his fifth Mosconi Cup win and sweeter than the others, “This is the best, the heat was really on. We were up 9-6 and they came back and left us really nervous. Chris came out, started firing and then the pressure on Nick was unbelievable.” Finally, debutant Nikos Ekonomopoulos played a huge part as he took
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Mosconi Cup Day 4 continued on page 21
January 2013 - Rackem Magazine 17
For Junior
Stefano Pelinga Inducted Into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, November 17, 2012 -- Stefano Pelinga, a 5-time World Champion in Artistic Pool, has been inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. In the presence of approximately 500 VIP guests and many sports stars such as Tommy Lasorda, Mike Piazza, Tony Esposito and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Stefano has been awarded this honor, becoming a member of this group of legendary Italian Americans. Also inducted that evening were former World Boxing Middleweight Champion Vito Antuofermo, World Series Champion John Smoltz, Stanley Cup champion Mark Recchi, Olympic Medalist Alicia Sacramone, New Jersey Devils CEO and GM Lou Lamoriello, GM of the Los Angeles Dodgers Ned Colletti, President of Comcast SportsNet Chicago Jim Corno and the Venturini Family (Venturini Motorsports). All of them, together with Stefano, are extremely proud and humbled to represent the Class of 2012. Past NIASHF Hall of Famers include Joe DiMaggio, Rocky Marciano, Jake LaMotta, Mario Andretti, Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu, Vince Lombardi and Willie Mosconi… to name a few! This year was a special occasion for NIASHF as it celebrated its 35th anniversary since it was founded by George Randazzo in 1977. Stefano, now residing in Las Vegas, Nevada, hails from Rome, Italy, where he has served since 1985 as a police officer for the Italian government (Polizia di Stato), until his retirement in 2011. He began to play pool at the age of 12, drawing inspiration from his favorite singer and actor, Dean Martin. Stefano, currently a 5-time World Champion in Pool Trick Shots, won several titles in Italy in straight pool and nine-ball throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. In 1990, he devoted himself entirely to “Artistic Pool,” commonly referred to in its practice as “Trick Shots.” In a few years, Stefano became not only the reference point but a true idol for fans of this exciting game worldwide, earning the names of “Mr. Trick Shots” and “Il Maestro” from his loyal fans.
18 Rackem Magazine - January 2013
w Stefano has given the sport considerable international exposure by performing exhibitions, organizing competitions and raising funds for a variety of charitable organizations with his personal appearances. He has been featured for over ten years in the prestigious ESPN’s televised tournaments, as well as in articles and on the covers of many pool and billiards publications around the globe. In addition to having won several international titles, Stefano’s achievements have been numerous and remarkable in other facets of the sport: he produced best-selling instructional videos and he was appointed official instructor of cue sports by FIBIS (Italian Billiards Federation) and CONI (Italian Olympic Committee). He was also awarded the honorary title of Professor of Sport Games by the University of Kharkov (Ukraine). Stefano has the largest repertoire of Trick Shots and is able to execute more than 1,000 unique and “fancy” shots. Due to his outstanding achievements, Stefano is recognized worldwide as one of the greatest Trick Shot champions in the history of the sport, and has also earned a spot in ESPN’s Trick Shot Magic Hall of Fame.
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rs Events, Tournament News, Sponsors, Lessons & For My Fans... Viper
continued from page 8
Did you ever play in a pool league? Viper: I tried it once but in reality I have always been an independent player pursuing to be a top ranked pro player. Are you good at any other sports? Viper: Oh yea…Being born a very competitive person I could honestly say that I play all games well. As a matter of fact my boyfriend of 8-years Mark Haddad and I have had numerous world championship games between the two of us in games like real tennis, table games, bowling, and race car driving. Oh, and he still can’t beat me playing any game on our Wii system at the house. Describe yourself in three words? Viper: Tenacious, diligent and loyal If you had to live your life over again, what would one thing you change about yourself and/or your career? Viper: When I was younger I truly wanted to become who I am today so I would have to say nothing. Who were/are your favorite professionals? Viper: All of my WPBA sisters who I compete against, without them I would be nothing. I am a Mark Haddad fan, of course when he is in stroke; I love to watch him play. I also like Warren Kiamco, he is such a true gentleman and a heck of a player. How did you prepare for events? Viper: I learned from Cory Deuel that you have to put in 50 hours of play before majors, whether that is playing in tournaments, gambling or just practicing with friends. I took that advise to heart, these days I try and stay active all the time so you don’t have to put those 50 hours in because your already there. What was the best advice you were ever given? Viper: My friend, 1st coach and mentor Sam Jones once told me that when approaching the cue ball you should always look to make sure you are hitting center ball. I still do that to this day and I suggest you try it too. What is one thing that you enjoy most while playing pool? Viper: It is a complete honor to me to have represented my country USA in six world championships, there’s nothing like it in the world. If you could say one thing to a young upcoming player what would it be? Viper: Follow your dreams…have the courage to plow through any fears that stop you from accomplishing any of your lifetime desires. What’s your Favorite game? Viper: ALL games that have to do with pool. I live, dream, and love to play pool. 9-ball, 10-ball, 1-pocket, 3-cushion billiards, you name it, I love them all. Facebook Questions: Phil Carpenter from Atlanta, GA asks, what is your high run? Viper: In straight pool I once played my friend Howard Ashford who tried to give me 50 points to 100 for dinner and I won 100-7. I think I ran 45 balls before he shot…lol Denise White from Vancouver, WA asks, can you tell us of a time when it looked like you were going to lose, but you came back to win. What did you focus on to come back and
The
win? Lissie Baguio from Bronx, NY asks, what drills do Viper: I once played Mike Hellmer (great player from here you practice the most and for what amount in Colorado) in a tournament and he broke and ran the first of time? How many days a week? How do 6 racks in a race to 7, then scratched and I ran 6 racks right you fit it in your normal life schedule? back on him, played safe, he scratched and then I ran the rest Viper: Lissie, your right about having a tight schedule but of the set out. in reality you have to make time to play. I do not do drills Jason Christopher Hunt from Buffalo New York asks, anymore but I do schedule workouts with friends and family do you think the young talent of America and we play an array of different games in the same time needs to rise up? frame for instance I might play a set of 9-ball, a race in Viper: Jason, one of the biggest reasons that I support kids 1-pocket and a set of bank pool. playing pool is that we need them playing. It takes like Michael Gray from Boulder, CO asks, Do you think 10-years to become halfway decent, so if we can get them the fact that everyone is heartless and playing at a younger age then we hope they will stick with it refuses to gamble for even small amounts and become the next generation of pro players. (without the mortal nuts) has hurt the Colin Brandt from Rock Island, IL asks, I see you play game? It seems to me that having even a a lot of men’s events as well as women’s, small financial incentive in a match is the which do you prefer? difference between motivation to focus Viper: Colin, I like to play in both men’s and women’s and lax/lazy process. How can we get the because they both offer different challenges. It seems like I new players to gamble? Can we pass some play in more men’s events because these days they have more legislation to make it mandatory? tournaments to offer me. Viper: Michael, in earlier postings I wrote that pool is Chris Smith from Belton, TX asks, through trials like a subculture with multiple subdivisions. Pool offers and tribulations, what made you decide to tournament, money, league players, and then we have the go pro? sweaters and stake horses, then all of the different type of Viper: Even as a young commutative person I just knew that players that play all the different games?? But the most was what I wanted to do for a living. I surrounded myself important thing is that we all enjoy the same sport. Some around encouraging people, stepped fear aside and went for people like to gamble and others don’t. I personally think it. that you should play for something to keep your focus a little Rick Worby Jr. from Bridgeport, CT asks what do you bit longer. But it’s not a necessity to gamble… think about having something similar to a A special “Thank-you” to ALL of my FB friends who Mosconi Cup for women?? participated in this interview. Next month I’ll be back Viper: Watching the men’s Mosconi cup this year, I think interviewing other pros. it’s a terrific idea and the WPBA should segregate the players into countries and instead of just having USA vs. Europe but we could incorporate other countries like Asia and Canada? Jackie Claxton from Springfield, MO asks, when you practice, what do you practice on more mental or physical aspects of the game? In your off time, away from everything pool, what do you do for enjoyment? Viper: Jackie, what a cool question to ask. Thinking about it I practice both and by doing so, I try real hard when I play pool, whether I am playing in a tournament Fargo Billiards & Gastropub 9-BALL – Starts 6:00 pm Friday or playing my mom my demeanor is always the same. 8-BALL – Starts Saturday 3234 43rd Street South For enjoyment I like to go to the movies, play Wii, Fargo, North Dakota 58104 9:30am breakfast 701-282-4168 watch football, and shop till I drop… 10:30am full-field Calcutta Tournaments limited to first 96 and 128 paid Gary Pacatan from Orange Park, FL asks, what entrants, respectively. Entry includes $10 green fee drives you to do what you’re doing, with your life and with the kids, in your future goals, in what puts a smile on $60 entry fee race to 5 Alternate break the Viper’s face? Viper: Gary, a long time ago, a friend asked me what did pool offered me during my career and I said a lot; $40 entry fee race to 7 Winner breaks pool has offered to take me to places I would have never Mail cashier’s check or money order to gone to before, meet all of the different people and to MIDWINTER SHOOTOUT, FARGO BILLIARDS, 3234 43RD ST. S., FARGO ND 58104. have a career that I truly love! The same person asked Include name, address, phone, email me but what have you offered the game of pool? So I Over $14,000 paid out last year use that motto to encourage me each day and create events that can make a difference for our sport.
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January 2013 - Rackem Magazine 19
MOSCONI CUP 2012
Mosconi Cup Day 1
continued from page 13
Unfortunately for the Europeans, Team USA regained their two point leading margin as the heavyweight pairing of Shane Van Boening and Dennis Hatch held on to beat Darren Appleton and Nick Ekonomopoulus 5-4. The crowd, who nearly blew the roof off the venue in the earlier part of the evening were becoming increasingly subdued and Hatch took full advantage with a few taunting chants of ‘USA, USA!’. Appleton looked increasingly uncomfortable as they spurned a 2-0 lead and found themselves 4-2 down. The fought back to 4-4 but the Americans ran out the last for the win and a 3-1 lead. In the final match of the session, World 9 Ball Champion, Darren Appleton had a chance to make amends as he faced
Mosconi Cup Day 2
continued from page 14
Dechaine enjoyed the moment, “It is incredible; I feel I have had to go back to basics with my game because of the crowd yelling and everybody cheering Europe on. I feel that might put some more pressure on them as well because they have to win in front of their own crowd.” That put enormous pressure on European captain Johan Ruijsink as arguably his weakest player Nick Ekonomopoulos went out to face the pick of Team USA in Shane Van Boening. However, the nervy Greek debutant clearly hadn’t read the script as he powered to a 5-3 win to pull his team off the floor and set the York Hall on fire. Aided by one or two rolls at opportune times, Nikos, as he is known in his home country, stayed with Van Boening in the opening stages before the tide turned. At 3-3, the American looked a little less confident than at the outset when he shot into a 2-0 lead. Ekonomopoulos looked a different player from yesterday’s slowpaced bundle of nerves as he moved swiftly around the table punching the cue ball with authority. He took the final two racks to take his team to within one of the Americans. “I feel great, with so many people cheering,” said a delighted Ekonomopoulos. “It was a very difficult game and Shane Van Boening is a very good player, a great player. I tried to be relaxed, I think I was relaxed and I won. We lost three matches 5-4 and I believe we were unlucky. But now it will be better for us I think. I think the crowd helps me, I like to play in front of these people.” There was more joy for the Europeans in the next as the dynamic Dutch duo of Nick Van den Berg and Niels Feijen turned the momentum in a big way as they beat Dennis Hatch and Brandon
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Shuff 5-2 in front of an increasingly vocal York Hall crowd. Everyone was talking about a miracle jump shot that Van den Berg executed to set up a run out at a decisive point in the match. Using a strange looking Perspex bridge, he dug into the cue ball and clipped the orange 5 down the rail. Afterwards Van Den Berg said, “Unbelievable, did I make that shot?! I was running to the table to get the rest and I heard the shot clock so I just totally went for it. “I just couldn’t reach it with my bridge hand so Darren Appleton had said before the match that he had this tool and I said we would never use it! I have never used that before.” Feijen added, “I played horrible shape for him to get there. There was nothing for him to do, he couldn’t reach the jump, he couldn’t reach with the normal cue, the extension was gone and he had only 10 seconds left, so he is running back to the chair to get this thing. ‘Where is that thing?’ he said, and I said ‘What thing, you have five seconds!’ He runs back, manoeuvres it around and 3, 2, 1, boom he makes it.” Chris Melling piled on the misery for the Americans in the next as he outplayed Dennis Hatch to give the Europeans the lead for the first time in the Mosconi Cup. The boisterous crowd gave ‘The Hatchetman’ a run for his money and he seemed to lap it up but it was Melling who cashed in on Hatch’s errors to run out a 5-3 winner. And in the final match of the day Archer and van Boening levelled it to leave the 2012 PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup intriguingly poised at five points each.
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20 Rackem Magazine - January 2013
US debutante Brandon Shuff and he did just that winning 5-2 to leave the event poised at 3-2 to the Americans. It was a big point for the Europeans as the alternative was a nasty looking 4-1 deficit which they managed to avoid. “I went in and we were losing 3-1 which was amazing as we should have won the first doubles match; me and Nikos were a bit unlucky and on another day we’d have won,” said Appleton. “I felt like we’ve played pretty well but we didn’t break well in the first half of the evening. 3-2 is probably a fair score but winning that last match was massive so at least we’ve something to build on for tomorrow,” he concluded.
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MOSCONI CUP 2012
Mosconi Cup Day 3
continued from page 15
The Dutchman looked rock solid as he lead 4-2, not missing a ball but somehow Archer clawed his way back into it, fighting both Van den Berg and a rowdy crowd who at times stepped close to the line. Archer, playing in his 16th consecutive Mosconi, showed immense heart as he took the game to a deciding rack and then gave Team USA its fifth 5-4 win of the competition to level the scores. “Our team needed that, they needed some boost. I didn’t play too well, I really was going to blow it for our team if I didn’t do something there because I had chances but I was lucky enough to have chances at the end and I just came through,” said a relieved Archer. “I didn’t play well, Nick made some mistakes but I didn’t know if I was going to get a shot, I was praying and it worked out. As a team we play hard, we grind it hard. We haven’t played great as a team but I know the guys have fought hard and are giving it heart and I would rather that happen than everything go well. “We lost a couple of heartbreakers but we won some we could have lost so it has evened out. Morale has to be a little better now that I have won that one.” The final doubles match of the competition saw the Europeans regain the lead as Nick Ekonomopoulos and Niels Feijen won the third 5-4 game as they beat Dennis Hatch & Mike Dechaine. Europe motored to the hill first as the experienced Feijen and rookie Ekonomopoulos looked sharp throughout. The Greek debutant had played
Mosconi Cup Day 4
superbly over the past two days despite looking shaky on day one. The Americans came back but once again the decider was claimed by the Europeans for a 7-6 lead. There were scenes of celebration in the arena and somehow Feijen failed to shake Dechaine’s hand which lead to a verbal exchange. “We were 4-2 up and we played pretty well but USA came back to make it 4-4 so they showed a lot of heart there. Everything is going 5-4 so it was close,” said Feijen. “Mike said I was waiting to shake your hand. Everybody gets carried away a little bit, it is the pressure and I meant no harm to the guy. I wanted to shake his hand I didn’t see him in the corner of my eye and everyone was going crazy. It was a misunderstanding and it is no big deal I hope.” In the penultimate match of the evening, England’s Chris Melling, making his second Mosconi Cup appearance, put on a masterclass to overpower Brandon Shuff and give Europe a two point lead. Melling hadn’t looked at his best in the opening two days and with a point to prove took Shuff to the cleaners. After the three hill-hill battles of earlier, the match seemed over in a flash as Melling cued perfectly and left his opponent at the starting gate. That left the stage clear for Dynamite Darren Appleton to make it a massive night for Team Europe as he whitewashed Shane Van Boening to put one hand on the Mosconi Cup.
continued from page 17
down America’s top player in his opening singles match to set the tone the hill. Shuff was fighting the nerves as well as Melling but like his team for days two and three, “It is very exciting, the atmosphere is very nice. I mates before, tried to stay focused and he stayed with the European like it very much. We played very well, I think we deserved it but the USA in the early stages. Melling though started to come with his best in the also played very well.” latter stages and in the end there was only one man in it. The Americans started the evening three behind and first out was His piece de resistance was in the final rack when, blocked behind Dennis Hatch, playing in his third Mosconi Cup, and he needed to do the 8 ball, played a side rail kick shot to pocket the 6 ball in a move that something to stem the flow and give his side a chance and he did just would have done Efren Reyes proud. that, beating Nick Economopoulos 5-3 to put his side within two of the That set the stage for Nick Van den Berg to seal another glorious Europeans. Mosconi Cup win for the Europeans. They will be returning to Las Vegas Hatch looked better than he had done at any point in the in December 2013 as they go for win No.4. tournament in what was a scrappy match but he took advantage of some For the Americans it was more disappointment and they have now errors to claim the win. won this tournament just once in the past seven years. However, they Johnny Archer continued to show the sort of form that has given him can take some heart from the courage that they showed in the final day. the record for Mosconi Cup appearances, as he took care of Niels Feijen “For the first three matches we were playing very well, we had the 5-1 to give the European side an uneasy feeling as their three point lead momentum, and then we had a key match that could have gone either started to evaporated. way,” said skipper CJ Wiley. The Georgia veteran was the definition of focus as he kept “I cannot complain, the first three players did a fantastic job and we everything out and played about as good as he could under the testing just had a little hiccup on the fourth one but there is next year. We have circumstances. In fact, Archer was unbeaten throughout the week – a plans for them in the United States. I hope they enjoy it, for one year.” stunning feat. Finally, Johnny Archer summed up American feelings; “Firstly I There was more American joy in the next as Shane Van Boening did would like to say I am very proud of my team, they showed a lot of heart a number on Darren Appleton, running out a 5-1 to tie the Mosconi Cup today. We were down and my hat is off to the European guys, they up at 9 all. outplayed us for the week. The Englishman suffered a couple of bad rolls, but like Hatch “The guys showed a lot of heart today, we were all so nervous and and Archer before him, Van Boening was a picture of focus and under a lot of pressure but they are great champions.” determination. The South Dakotan ended the watch with a spectacular 6149 E 31st St 1464 Main St eck table length combination bank Tulsa, OK e ch t Green Bay, WI m shot on the 9 ball. He had run out Co s ou 918-779-6204 920-432-0059 u of position and it was his only real BILLIARDS Hours: Hours: Noon-2am Everyday option and it paid off in spades. Under New Ownership Sun 2-10 pm Finally it was Chris Melling Mon-Thurs 12-2am Fall Leagues Forming: A/B - Women’s - Youth - Couples Fri-Sat 12-1am who stopped the rot when he beat Tournaments Sat 2pm-Mon 7pm-Wed 7pm Brandon Shuff 5-2 to put Europe on Pool - Darts - Games - Music FAMILY BILLIARDS ROOM Great Food & Great Atmoshpere PRO SHOP - CUE REPAIR - CUES - CASES - SUPPLIES KK Billiards reserves the right to change any scheduled event
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January 2013 - Rackem Magazine 21
CHALK TALK.....
It’s All About the Momentum
BY: DON “CHEESE” AKERLOW
What you are about to read in no way has anything to do with Team USA. While sitting at home watching the 2012 Mosconi Cup on my computer, something struck me that I find very odd. I noticed it at the 2011 Mosconi Cup in Las Vegas, watching it live at the MGM Grand. I was taking photos and rooting for the U.S. Team, but it never struck me what I was seeing. Now back to today, watching it live on my computer. The camera pans, as they say, after the final ball was potted for the Europeans to win 5-4 in the match between Chris Melling and Brandon Shuff. The camera pans the audience as they erupt. I have rarely seen such enthusiasm from any player, let alone a spectator. Members of the audience were jumping up and down, hugging each other as if they themselves had won the match. It dawns on me the audience has been doing this all along during each match. Even when the Europeans lost it was a crushing, emotional blow to them. Yet by the time of the next match they were raring to go. The enthusiasm was BACK. In comparison to the American spectators, it would be like they would high five each other or one or two fist pumps. I don’t want to psychoanalyze them or even myself for stating what I am, but the enthusiasm that the spectators show and what they give to the players cannot be measured by a win or loss but by momentum. Whether to change it, keep it or exploit it. I am not saying in any way, shape or form that the American team doesn’t want to win but they would surely need to tap into the enthusiasm that they all possess whether
players or spectators. Momentum is a huge factor that is driven by enthusiasm along with other emotions. It is a sad state of affairs when the Mosconi cup here in America can’t even draw enough spectators to fill a 3 sided arena that has seating for 500 to 1,000 spectators. If the pride and enthusiasm in the American team is not shown, especially from the spectators, it may very well be that the United States will not win another Mosconi Cup in the near future. I hope this, with all my heart, not to be true. We must support the U. S. Team 110% if not more. I’ll be there in Vegas in 2013 for the 20th Mosconi Cup. Hope to see all of you. Just come up and say “Hi”. IMHO
If you have something to say about anything in pool, billiards or any of the games played on the felt, send it to Chalk Talk. Is it about the leagues or a tournament that you played in? Is it about people that play - the pool player? Or people on the rail? Did you get sharked or is someone sharking you? Let’s make this game better by weeding out what is wrong or tell us what you like. Email: pool@onthebreaknews.com Subject line: Chalk Talk
22 Rackem Magazine - January 2013
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January 2013 December 2012--Rackem RackemMagazine Magazine 23 31
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CITY LOCATION Green Bay, WI K K Billiards Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards Hanover Park, IL Bungalow Joes Chicago, IL Chicago Billiards Melrose Park, IL Elite Cafe Billiards Dundee, IL Hammerheads Schaumburg, IL McCullough’s Rockford, IL Rockford Billiards Kansas City, MO Side Pockets Cedar Rapids, IA 2nd Ave Corner Pocket Palatine, IL Quentin Corner Pocket Troy, MO Georgee’s Pub Barnhart, MO Kenny’s Bar & Grill Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards Kansas City, MO Brass Rail Lenexa, KS Side Pockets Chicago, IL Chris’ Dundee, IL Hammerheads Troy, MO Georgee’s Pub Palatine, IL Quentin Corner Pocket Wright City, MO Hillybilly Heaven Bar & Grill Alsip, IL Red Shoes Green Bay, WI K K Billiards Oshkosh, WI Varsity Club Oshkosh, WI Varsity Club Schaumburg, IL McCullough’s Orland Park, IL Pro-Tyme Classic Chicago, IL Chicago Billiards Palatine, IL Quentin Corner Pocket Kansas City, MO Boomers Bar & Grill Kansas City, MO Brass Rail Lenexa, KS Side Pockets Manhattan, KS Fast Eddy’s Billiards Cedar Rapids, IA 2nd Ave Corner Pocket Chicago, IL City Pool Hall Dundee, IL Hammerheads Coon Rapids, MN CR’s Sports Bar Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards Farmington, MN Farmington Billiards Barnhart, MO Kenny’s Bar & Grill St Peter’s, MO Teachers Billiards Tulsa, OK Q-Spot Billiards Topeka, KS Diamond Joes Kansas City, MO Country’s Tavern Cape Girardeau, MO Billiard Center Round Lake Rebecca’s Pub Rockford, IL Rockford Billiards Aurora, IL Rudy’s Place Tonganoxie, KS Helen’s Hilltop Topeka, KS Terrys Billiard Club Raytown, MO Raytown Rec Jonesville, LA Les Charles Inn & Gameroom Oshkosh, WI Varsity Club Green Bay, WI K K Billiards Jonesville, LA Les Charles Inn & Gameroom Raytown, MO Raytown Rec Raytown, MO Raytown Rec Topeka, KS Terrys Billiard Club Grandview, MO Zone Sports Bar Eureka, MO JP’s Sports Bar St Peter’s, MO 3rd Base Kansas City, MO Boomers Bar & Grill Oak Lawn, IL Demma’s Joliet, IL Pool Loft Aurora, Il Rudy’s Place Fox Lake Bay Billiards Chicago, IL Chris’ Salina, KS Sunset Billiards & Sports Bar Kansas City, MO Brass Rail Topeka, KS Diamond Joes Blue Springs, MO Roadies Rock House Lenexa, KS Side Pockets Tulsa, OK Q-Spot Billiards Cedar Rapids, IA 2nd Ave Corner Pocket Cedar Rapids, IA 2nd Ave Corner Pocket Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards Barnhart, MO Kenny’s Bar & Grill St Peter’s, MO Teachers Billiards Chicago, IL Chris’ Topeka, KS Terrys Billiard Club Chicago Hts, IL Oasis One-Sixty Jonesville, LA Les Charles Inn & Gameroom Raytown, MO Raytown Rec Raytown, MO Raytown Rec Lenexa, KS Side Pockets Blue Springs, MO The Getaway Inn
24 Rackem Magazine - January 2013
PHONE EVENT / RULES (920) 737-2904 8-Ball A/B Semi-slop (515) 266-6100 8-Ball - Race 4 - No handicap (630) 830-8899 8 Ball (773) 545-5102 8 Ball (708) 344-7112 8 Ball (847) 836-8099 10 Ball (847) 352-1700 8 Ball (815) 962-0957 9 Ball (816) 455-9900 9 Ball (319) 366-0979 8-Ball-Race to 2 (847)705-1361 8 Ball (636) 528-9601 9 Ball (636) 464-9070 8 Ball (515) 266-6100 8-Ball B/C Race to Hdcp (816) 468-6100 8 Ball (913) 888-7665 9 Ball (773) 286-4714 8 Ball (847) 836-8099 9 Ball (636) 528-9601 8 Ball (847) 705-1361 9 Ball (636) 745-8020 8 Ball (708) 388-3700 10 Ball (920) 606-2639 9-Ball (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Beginners (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Intermediate (847) 352-1700 9 Ball (708) 403-0600 9 Ball (773) 545-5102 9 Ball (847) 705-1361 9 Ball (815) 639-3333 8 Ball (816) 468-6100 9 Ball (913) 888-7665 9 Ball (785) 539-4323 8 Ball & 9 Ball (319) 366-0979 8-Ball-Masters Race to 3 (312) 491-9690 8 Ball (847) 836-8099 8 Ball (763) 780-1585 8-Ball on 7’ Diamonds (515) 266-6100 10-Ball - Race 4/3 (651) 463-2636 8 or 9-ball rotation (636) 464-9070 9 Ball (314) 210-8064 9 Ball (918) 779-6204 8-Ball 7 & under (785) 783-2883 8 Ball (816) 231-8007 8 Ball (573) 335-9955 9 Ball (847) 740-5405 8 Ball (815) 962-0957 Open 8 Ball (630) 898-7769 Call (913) 369-3772 8 Ball (785) 273-3553 8 Ball (816) 358-5977 Players Vote (318) 339-4540 8 Ball (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Open - Break Pot (920) 737-2904 Pool (318) 339-4540 8 Ball (816) 358-5977 Players Vote (816) 358-5977 9 Ball (785) 273-3553 9 Ball (816) 331-6044 8 Ball (636) 938-5030 8 Ball (636) 447-5300 9 Ball (816) 436-7245 8 Ball (708) 636-1240 8 Ball (815) 722-0964 8 Ball (630) 898-7769 Call (847) 587-8888 8 Ball (773) 286-4714 9 Ball (785) 826-9992 Multiple (816) 468-6100 Big Table 9 Ball (785) 783-2883 9 Ball (816) 228-7625 8 Ball (913) 888-7665 APA Rated 8 Ball (918) 779-6204 9-Ball 7 & under (319) 366-0979 9-Ball-Race to 5 (319) 366-0979 8-Ball-NO MASTERS (515) 266-6100 9-Ball - Race 6/5 - Alt Break (636) 464-9070 9 Ball (314) 210-8064 9 Ball (773) 286-4714 10 Ball (785) 273-3553 9 Ball (708) 756-0600 9 Ball (318) 339-4540 9 Ball (816) 358-5977 One Pocket (816) 358-5977 Players Vote (913) 888-7665 9 Ball (816) 988-8888 8 Ball
ENTRY ADDED $15 (incl. g.f.) $10 $$$ $5 150% payback $10 100% payout $15 $100 1st w/8 $15 $$$ $10 $$$ w/12+ $14 Call $5 $5 $7 Call $7 Call $10 $100 $10 $$$ $5 $6 $10 Call $5 $5 + /player $7 Call $7 Call $10 $$$ $15 Call $15 (incl. g.f.) $8 $10 $10 $$$ w/12+ $20 Call $10 100% payout $7 Call $5 $10 $6 $15 $5 $15 Call $5 Call $16 $75 $10 $$$ $15+$5 g.f. $50 w/16 $10 Call $10 Call $5 $5 $10 $10 $200 $10 100% payback $10 Call $15 $100+ w/10 $10 $5 $10 $5 $15 $5/player Guar. $15 (incl. g.f.) $5 $10 $25 $5 $5 $10 $$$ w/8+ $15 Call $5 $10 Call $15 Call $15 $100+ w/10 $15 Call $10 Call Call $5 $10 $5 $10 $10 (incl. g.f.) $5 $5 $15 $$$ $10 $100 $10 Call $15 Call $5 $10 $5 $25 $10 $6 $5
TIME 7PM 6PM 8PM 8PM 8PM 7:30PM 7/7:30PM 7:30PM 7PM 7PM 7:30PM 7PM 6PM 6PM 7PM 9:30PM 8PM 7:30PM 7PM 7:30PM Call 8PM 7PM Call Call 7/7:30PM 7:30PM 8PM 7:30PM 7:30PM 7PM 9:30PM 6PM 7PM 7PM 7:30PM 7PM 6PM 6:30PM 7:30PM 7:30PM 9 PM 8PM 8PM 7:30PM 8PM 7:30PM 7:30PM 7:30PM 7PM 2AM 8PM Call 2PM 8PM 2AM 12PM 7PM 6:30PM Noon 1PM 7:30PM 3PM 4/5PM 7:30PM 8PM 7PM Call 2PM 8PM 8PM 1PM 9 PM 2PM 7PM 5PM 6PM 1:30PM 8PM 7PM 6PM 8PM 3PM 2AM 9:30PM 2PM
Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice www.RackemMag.com
PRESS RELEASES
McDermott Cue Mfg. moves
By Derek Blaguski, McDermott Cue
MENOMONEE FALLS, WI (December 6, 2012) McDermott Cue Mfg. LLC is a leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of pool cues, performance shafts and billiard accessories. McDermott is proud to announce that they have moved to a brand new location. The new location features an upgraded facility and showroom. In the past, McDermott's showroom has primarily consisted of their own brand of pool cues and accessories. The new showroom will now add popular game room gear such as pool tables, foosball tables, air hockey tables, shuffleboard tables and billiards lights. "We are proud and excited to add Connelly pool tables, Tornado foosball, Dynamo air hockey and Champion shuffleboard tables to our retail showroom product lineup," said Jayme Cernicka, Showroom Manager. "These 'Made in the USA' products align perfectly with the commitment to quality, performance and value that is synonymous with McDermott cues." The showroom isn't the only thing upgraded at the new facility. The pool cue manufacturing process has been improved with new production equipment and a streamlined workflow. "Over the last 35 years, we've become much more efficient with our cue building process,"
said Larry Liebl, Executive Vice President. "We are now able to build more cues in less time using less space." McDermott's new factory showroom is open in time for the holidays and operates from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday at N84 W13660 Leon Rd, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. McDermott Cue is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, WI and markets under the brands of McDermott Cue,Star Cue, Lucky Cue, Element Cue, Wildfire, Pool Prodigy, Intimidator i-Shafts, G-Core Shafts, Big Boy Shafts, Sledgehammer Break Cue, Stinger Break/Jump Cues and Elephant Balls.
2013 Junior Nationals
December 19, 2012 (Englewood, CO): The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) announces its 25th Annual Junior National 9-Ball Championships to be held July 26-29, 2013 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. This special anniversary event will be hosted alongside the CueSports International (CSI) annual amateur and professional events. Many of the top professional players today got their start with this prestigious junior event and it continues to attract the nation’s finest youth with its four divisions: boys’ 15-18, boys’ 14 & under, girls’ 15-18, and girls 14 & under. These young competitors vie for titles, scholarships, and prizes each year, along with an opportunity to represent the US at the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) Junior World Championships. “I’m very excited for next year’s venue. With CSI’s support, we’ll be able to offer professional equipment, live streaming, real-time scoring, online brackets, and more! The juniors will play alongside their favorite pros, and even attend clinics featuring many of them,” said BEF Executive Director, Samm Diep-Vidal, “we’re looking forward to a memorable 25th anniversary.” “CSI has been actively supporting junior programs for years and look forward to putting them on center stage. We are happy and proud to be able to provide the juniors
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with the best playing equipment and conditions possible (Diamond tables, Simonis cloth, and Aramith balls),” added Mark Griffin, CEO of CSI. For more information on the BEF, Junior Nationals, and other junior billiard programs, visit the BEF website at www. billiardeducation.org. CueSports International (CSI) is dedicated to creating more choices for all players. In the past 8 years CSI has directly paid out $8,000,000 to players. CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League and the USA Pool League and will also be producing the following events at the Rio: WPA World Artistic Pool Championship, the 37th BCAPL National Championships and the 3rd USAPL National Championships, and the 14th US Open One Pocket Championship, the 5th US Open 10-Ball Championship and the inaugural US Open 8-Ball Championship. Visit www. playcsipool.com, www.playbca.com, and www.playusapool. com for more information about CSI and its divisions. The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) was formed in 1993 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity committed to promoting a lifelong love of pool and building the next generation of players through youth programs and academic scholarships. Visit billiardeducation.org or call (303) 926-1039 to learn more about junior billiard programs in your area. January 2013 - Rackem Magazine 25
Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice
Click on the MAP link online to get directions to each location
DATE Jan 5 Jan 5 Jan 11 Jan 12-13 Jan 12 Jan 19 Jan 19 Jan 19 Jan 24-25 Jan 25-27 Jan 26 Jan 26
CITY Waukon, IA Des Moines, IA Fargo, ND Fargo, ND Dodgeville, WI Tomah, WI Des Moines, IA Monroe, WI Coon Rapids, MN Coon Rapids, MN Appleton, WI Colby, WI Elizabeth, IN Elizabeth, IN Elizabeth, IN Elizabeth, IN Elizabeth, IN LaCrosse, WI Des Moines, IA Springfield, MO Farmington, MN LaCrosse, WI Alsip, IL Oshkosh, WI Des Moines, IA Centerville, WI Bellflower, CA Reno, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV Alsip, IL Des Moines, IA Alsip, IL Des Moines, IA Lafayette, LA Spring, TX Spring, TX Spring, TX Spring, TX Spring, TX Alsip, IL Oshkosh, WI
Jan 25-Feb 2 Jan 27-Feb 2 Jan 27-Feb 2 Jan 29-Feb 2 Jan 30-Feb 2
Feb 2 Feb 2 Feb 8-10 Feb 9 Feb 16 Feb 16 Feb 16 Feb 16 Feb 23 Feb 23-24 Feb 25-Mar 3 Feb 25-Mar 3 Feb 25-Mar 3 Feb 25-Mar 3 Feb 25-Mar 3 Feb 25-Mar 3 Mar 2 Mar 2 Mar 16 Mar 16 Mar 16-17 Mar 21 Mar 22 Mar 22-24 Mar 24 Mar 24 Mar 30 Mar 30
r Ke lly Fis he all Wo rld 9-B Ch am pio n
LOCATION PHONE VFW (563) 568-2530 Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Fargo Billiards (701) 282-4168 Fargo Billiards (701) 282-4168 Hills Pub (608) 319-2345 Kelsey’s Class Act (608) 372-3220 Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Friendly Inn (608) 325-9983 C R Billiards (763) 780-1585 C R Billiards (763) 780-1585 Sharks Club wpps9balltour.com VFW (715) 507-0042 Derby City Classic (812) 288-7665 Derby City Classic (812) 288-7665 Derby City Classic (310) 370-3994 Derby City Classic (812) 288-7665 Derby City Classic (812) 288-7665 Chapter II (608) 782-3038 Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Billiards of Springfield (417) 866-4319 Farmington Billiards (651) 463-2636 Top Shot Red Shoes (708) 388-3700 Varsity Club (920) 651-0806 Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Jailhouse Saloon (608) 539-5245 CSI (702) 719-7665 CSI (702) 719-7665 CSI (702) 719-7665 CSI (702) 719-7665 CSI (702) 719-7665 CSI (702) 719-7665 CSI (702) 719-7665 Red Shoes (708) 388-3700 Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Red Shoes (708) 388-3700 Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 White Diamond Billiards (337) 989-9889 Big Tyme (832) 725-9750 Big Tyme (832) 725-9750 Big Tyme (832) 725-9750 Big Tyme (832) 725-9750 Big Tyme (832) 725-9750 Red Shoes (708) 388-3700 Varsity Club (920) 651-0806
EVENT / RULES 8-Ball Closed Div+Men’s Open 8-Ball 9-Ball Midwinter Shootout 8 Ball 8-Ball Open+Women 8-Ball Open Rated 9-Ball WPPS 9-Ball Bar Table Shootout Singles Bar Table Shootout Teams 9-Ball 8-Ball Open 9-Ball Banks (buy back option) One Pocket (buy back option) Straight Pool Challenge 10-Ball Challenge 9-Ball (buy back option) 8-Ball Closed Div 8-Ball MO State 9-Ball (MO residents) 8-Ball Mixed Scotch Doubles 9-Ball Bank Pool 8-Ball Open Rated 9-Ball 8-Ball Open Jay Swanson 9-Ball (Max 192) 10-Ball Bar Table-Open Div 10-Ball Bar Table-Wmns Div 9-Ball Bar Table-Open Div 9-Ball Bar Table-Wmns Div 8-Ball Bar Table-Open Div 8-Ball Bar Table-Wmns Div 8-Ball 8-Ball One Pocket Rated 9-Ball Super 9-Ball Bar Table One Pocket-Invite Only 9-Ball Banks-Invite Only 9-Ball - Max 128 Wmns 9-Ball - Max 32 Senior 9-Ball - Max 32 10 Ball 9-Ball-Tour Final
ENTRY ADDED $30 Call $25+$10 g.f. $1,000 w/64 $40 $500 $60 $2,500 $30 Call $30 Call $25+$10 g.f. $1,000 w/64 Call $500 w/32 $50-$90 $5,000 $250 $40 $250 $30 Call $110 $10,000 Guar $135 $15,000 Guar $100 $6,000 Guar Call $10,000 $160 $25,000 Guar $30 Call $25+$10 g.f. $1,000 w/64 $95+$10 g.f. Call $50 $500 Guar $40 $250 $50 incl. g.f. $500 w/full field $30 Call $25+$10 g.f. $1,000 w/64 $30 Call $80/$85 $3,000 Min Call $5,500 Call $1,000 w/16+ Call $5,500 Call $1,000 w/16+ Call $5,500 Call $1,000 w/16+ $50 incl. g.f. $500 w/full field $25+$10 g.f. $1,000 w/64 $50 incl. g.f. $500 w/full field $25+$10 g.f. $1,000 w/64 $40 $1,000 w/128 $150 incl. g.f. $1,000 Guar $150 incl. g.f. $1,000 Guar $40 $3,500 Guar $40 $1,000 Guar $40 $500 Guar $50 incl. g.f. $500 w/full field $40 $2000
Th 12:30PM Fri 12:30PM
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