Rack'em Pool Magazine January Issue 2017

Page 1



Designed & Engineered by

Victory after victory, unleash your game with precision. Every Valhalla Cue is designed, engineered and backed by the craftsmen at Viking Cue. Valhalla Cues offer a LIFETIME WARRANTY against manufacturing defects including warpage. Valhalla premium import cues are hands down the best value in billiards. Prices starting at $49.99 VA471

VA211

VA951

New 2017 Viking Catalog

VA603

18 New Valhalla Cues Wicked Tribal Designs New Paint Cues Real Woods Rich Colors

VA601

VA204

www.vikingcue.com



RACK’EM 2017 P M

January

Who Are We?

We recognize the players achievements, accomplishments and championships!

We Promote Pool No Excuses, No Apologies OnTheBreakNews.com

ool

agazine

© 2017 Rackem Pool Magazine

r e v o C e On Th rlow

on Ake

y: D Photo b

FEATURE ARTICLES

If you can’t find a copy of Rack’em Pool Magazine, go online to: www.onthebreaknews.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

6 Space City Open 16 Blue Diamond Bar Table Classic 18 Mosconi Cup 22 Super High Roller

DEADLINE:

COLUMNISTS

25th of each Month - CALL IF LATE

12 Tom Simpson 15 Anthony Beeler 14 Bob Jewett 13 Stefano Pelinga

WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS 32 Central U.S. Weekly Tournaments

Rackem is a monthly publication, dedicated to the advancement of the sport of pool. The opinions expressed are those of the author or advertiser and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Break 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.

Don “Cheese” Akerlow

34 Central U.S. Tournaments

Publisher

OnTheBreakNews.com

CONTACT US: On The Break News P.O. Box 1566 Bozeman, MT 59771 Phone 406-285-3099

PLACES PEOPLE PLAY

6 Pockets Decatur, AL 26 Astros Lawrence, KS 26 Back Alley Billiards McAlester, OK 22 Big Dog Billiards Des Moines, IA 17 Blue Diamond Cape Girardeau, MO 8 C R Sports Bar Coon Rapids, MN 26 Chinook Winds Open Lincoln City, OR 9 Chris’ Billiards Chicago, IL 26 Fat Toad Junction City, KS 26 Jamaica Joe’s Midwest City, OK 17 Kato Cue Club Mankato, MN 26 Open Table Azle, TX 29 Q-Spot Tulsa, OK 22 Red Shoes Billiards Alsip, IL 16 Sharky’s Bar & Billiards Davenport, IA 31 Shooter’s Billiards & Pub Springfield, MO 8 Sidepockets Shreveport, LA 22 Skinny Bob’s Round Rock, TX 27 T’s Billiards Tulsa, OK 11 Teacher’s Billiards St Peter’s, MO 27 Varsity Club Oshkosh, WI 31

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

billiards@onthebreaknews.com www.OnTheBreakNews.com

BILLIARD SUPPLIES

Big Dog’s Showroom Des Moines, IA 23 CueStix Int’l Lafayette, CO 36 Delta Sport Int’l Canada 25 McDermott Cue Menomonee Falls, WI 2 Tiger Products Burbank, CA 4 TNT Billiard Products St Paul, MN 8 Valhalla Middleton, WI 3 Viking Cue Middleton, WI 35

INSTRUCTION/SERVICES

Anthony Beeler 15 Bob Jewett 14 Stefano Pelinga 13 Subscription 33 Tom Simpson 12

Rack’em

January 2017

5


McMinn Emerges at Space City Open V Written by: Kim Newsome Photos by: RE Visual Concepts (McMinn, Jones), Michael Moon Photography (Hall), Eugene Lee Images (Rocha)

Shane “Doomsday” McMinn captured his first-ever Space City Open 9-ball title, plowing through an 87-player field, besting Alex Calderone in the second set of the true double elimination final, 7-2. Justin Hall went unscathed in the 32-player one pocket division, ousting the famed Josh Roberts in the final set, 4-2, taking home his second Space City Open one pocket title. Jeremy “Double J” Jones went undefeated in the 9-ball banks division, taking down Manny Chau in the final set, 3-1, earning himself a third 9-ball banks title. Wrapping up four long days of match play, the ladies 9-ball concluded on Sunday afternoon, with hot seat winner Natalie Rocha defeating Ricki Casper in the second set, 5-0, capturing her very first Space City Open 9-ball title. The 4-day, 4-division, $6,000 added Space City Open V (SCO) was held at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar in Houston, Texas, December 1st-4th, 2016. In its fifth year, SCO continues to increase in talent and value, and professional players from across the U.S. flew in to take advantage of this annual event. This year’s line-up featured an all-star cast of phenomenal talent going head to head in a test of wills and stamina. New on the scene, Arizona’s Scott Frost and South Carolina’s Josh Roberts, along with resident players Jeremy “Double J” Jones (TX), Justin Hall (FL), Shane “Doomsday” McMinn (TN), Alex Calderone (FL), Sylver Ochoa (TX), Robb Saez (TN ), Manny Chau (Peru), Richie Richeson (MI), and many others, entertained a packed house and hundreds of at-home viewers who tuned in to the live stream provided by PoolActionTV.com.

n n i M c M e n a Sh

In the 87-player 9-ball field, McMinn took an early hit from Jeremy Jones in the fourth round, 9-4, but came back

6

January 2017

swinging. While McMinn made his way through the one-loss side, Alex Calderone was doing some damage of his own, taking down Ed Ambros, Tony Barrington, 9-8, and Josh Roberts, 9-6, to reach the winners’ side final four. Jeremy “Double J” Jones ousted Jason Klatt, Blaine Barcus, 9-1, McMinn, 9-4, and Justin Espinosa, 9-8, to reach Calderone. Manny Chau had an impressive run, defeating Scott Frost in the first round, 9-4, Jason Chance, 9-4, Ruben Bautista, 9-5, Ernesto Bayaua, 9-8, and Sylver Ochoa, 9-5. Playing out to meet Chau, Tommy Tokoph took down Lee Clark, 9-1, Bill Blanda, Kenneth Price, and Bob Eaton, 9-6. On the one-loss side, upsets included Jacob Watson with a stunning victory over Justin Hall, 7-4, and Bob “The Pittsburgh Kid” Guzik, eliminating Bautista, 7-6. Finding himself in unfamiliar territory, Frost secured five consecutive matches on the one-loss side, with wins over Klatt, 7-0, Sergio Rivas, 7-2, Blanda, 7-6, and Barrington, 7-3. Frost fell to Jethwa, 7-3, while McMinn took out Robb Saez, 7-6. Bayaua defeated

Rack’em

OnTheBreakNews.com

Watson, and Joey Torres took out Kenneth Price, by the same score, 7-4. As the final eight took shape on the one-loss side, the winners’ side final four was on fire, with Calderone defeating Jones, 9-6, and Chau sliding by Tokoph, 9-8. Back on the west side, Roberts ousted Bayaua, 7-2, and Torres eliminated Espinosa, 7-6, while Ochoa overcame Jethwa, 7-5, and McMinn bested Eaton, 7-0. Roberts went on to win sets against Torres, 7-5, and Tokoph, 7-2, while McMinn took down Ochoa, 7-0, and Jones, 7-4. The hot seat match witnessed an undefeated Calderone make quick work of Chau, 9-4. McMinn dusted off Roberts, 7-6, then Chau, 7-1, for a shot at the title. Both Calderone and McMinn were hungry for their first Space City Open win, leading up to a battle for the finish line. The first set commenced, and it appeared to be anyone’s ball game. McMinn settled in, and pulled ahead to win the first set,

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


determined to not to let this one slip away. Once again, a seasoned Hall overcame Roberts in the first set, 4-2, going undefeated to win his second SCO one pocket title, becoming the only player to win two titles in this division.

Justin Hall 9-7. In overtime, there was little Calderone could do from the sidelines, as McMinn had the break down cold, coasting to a 7-2 win over Calderone, and securing his first-ever, SCO 9-ball title. Former Mosconi Cup Player and Southern Classic All-around Champion, Justin Hall, went through the 32-player one pocket division like a hot knife through butter. Hall blazed through Sonny Bosshamer, 4-2, Jeremy Jones, 4-3, Marvin Diaz, 4-1, and Sylver Ochoa, 4-1, while Josh Roberts took out Scott Frost, 4-0, Aaron Springs, 4-0, Jason Chance, 4-1, and Richie Richeson, 4-0. On the one-loss side, Jones won an incredible five consecutive matches, besting Adam Cooper, 3-0, James Davis, Jr., Tommy Tokoph, 3-0, Chance, 3-1, and Ochoa, 3-2. Following a third round loss to Hall, 4-1, Diaz came back to defeat Jeff Sparks, 3-0, Sergio Rivas, and Richie Richeson, 3-2, to meet Jones. Back on the east side, after a long, drawn-out battle, Hall secured the hot seat, 4-3. Back on the one-loss side, in a surprising upset, Diaz defeated Jones, 3-0, to meet Roberts. Fresh off a hot seat loss, Roberts did what any champion would do, and that’s fight back. He made quick work of Diaz, 3-0, earning himself a rematch with Hall. In the final set, Hall was bit more subdued, but

Kicking off Space City Open V was the 20-player, 9-ball banks division, witnessing former Mosconi Cup MVP and former U.S. Open Champion, Jeremy Jones, capture his third Space City Open banks title. It was a long row to hoe for Jones, as he took down a list of worthy competitors, including Chris Thompson, Jason Chance, 3-0, Anthony Shea, 3-0, and Denis Strickland, 3-2. Also making his way through the field, Manny Chau defeated Viet Do, 3-1, Gail Eaton, 3-0, and Norman Small, 3-0, to face Jones for the hot seat. On the one-loss side, after suffering a first round loss to Do, James Davis, Jr. came back to win six consecutive matches, eliminating Scott Frost, Jim McCarry, Richie Richeson, Aaron Springs, 3-0, and Strickland, 3-0. Sergio Rivas was dealt a first round loss by Strickland, and also came back to win six consecutive matches, booking wins over C.J. Escalera, Do, 3-2, Shea, 3-1, Thompson, 3-0, and Small, 3-1. On the east side, Jones took the hot seat wheel, defeating Chau, 3-0. Back on the west side, Davis ended Rivas, 3-0, but fell to Chau, 3-0. The rematch between Jones and Chau ended all-too quickly for Chau, as Jones pulled ahead, winning the first set, 3-1. Jones crushed it, losing a total of three games throughout the 9-ball banks event, defending his 2015 title, while securing his third SCO banks title. Wrapping up the event, 20 women battled it out on Sunday for over $2,200 in cash, in the Ladies 9-ball division. Natalie Rocha came out firing, ousting Brandi

e Jeremy Jon

OnTheBreakNews.com

s

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

Humber, 7-1, Gail Roles, 7-3, and Marie Clark, 7-3, while Ming Ng defeated Monica DeTuncq, 7-0, and Kim Pierce, 7-6. Ricki Casper made her way to the winners’ side final four with wins over Gail Eaton, 7-6, and Alicia Huff, 7-1, while Teresa Garland bested Lois Morgado, 7-3, and Nicole King, 7-6. Ng fell to Rocha, 7-3, and Casper defeated Garland, 7-4. Rocha went on to secure the hot seat, over Casper, 7-4. On the one-loss side, Eaton dusted off Clark, 5-1, and Garland, 5-2, while Roles ousted DeTuncq, 5-4, only to be eliminated by Ng. Eaton ended Ng, 5-4, but fell to Casper, 5-4. Casper earned herself a rematch with Rocha, and she intended to use it for all it was worth. As the first set commenced, the (continued on page 8)

Rack’em

January 2017

7


McMinn Emerges at Space City Open V

(continued from page 7)

players fought relentlessly, each vying for their first Space City Open title. Rocha and Casper traded game for game, until Casper inched ahead to win the first set, 7-6. The second set was a different story, as Rocha came out of the gate running, and never slowed down. Rocha closed out the final set, 5-0, winning her first Space City Open 9-ball title. The Space City Open extends a heartfelt “thank you” to the venue, staff, sponsors, supporters, and vendors for this event; Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar, along with owners David and Shannon Richardson, the entire Bogies’ staff, assistant tournament director, John Newsome, Mike Fabacher, Ray Hansen and Justin Schwarz with PoolActionTV.com, Simplified Electronics, APA of North Harris County, Vapor Knights, Ozone Billiards, Outsville Billiards who supplied Accu-Racks for this event, Crazy Erica, and RE Visual Concepts. Special supporters included Marc McClure, Jeff Kay, David Taylor, Willie Duran, and Floyd Smith, and this year’s vendors, Ron Geyer and Jerry Olivier (cues) with the Custom Cue Connection, Joe Salazar Connoisseur of Custom Cues, and Darrold Stiehl of Champions Cues.

9-BALL BANKS 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

$1,100/$1,060 $740/$700 $460/$430 $300

OPEN 9-BALL 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5/6

7/8 9-12 13-16

$2,300/$4,300 $1,300/$3,230 $860/$1,880 $680/$1,250 $520/$620 $430/$310 $250 $170

Jeremy Jones Manny Chau James Davis, Jr. Sergio Rivas

Shane McMinn Alex Calderone Manny Chau Josh Roberts Tommy Tokoph, Jeremy Jones Sylver Ochoa, Joey Torres Ernesto Bayaua, Andy Jethwa, Justin Espinosa, Bob Eaton Jacob Watson, KenPrice, Scott Frost, Robb Saez

417-315-8340

Weekly Pool Tournaments 525 S Glenstone Ave Springfield, MO

8

January 2017

Rack’em

ha c o R e i l a t a N LADIES 9-BALL 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

$575/$530 $375/$340 $175/$190 $100

ONE POCKET 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5/6 7/8

$1,300/$3,380 $900/$2540 $500/$1700 $320/$840 $180 $100

Space City Open VI will take place November 30th-December 3rd, 2017. For more information, visit SpaceCityOpen.com and Facebook @SpaceCityOpen.

Natalie Rocha Ricki Casper Gail Eaton Ming Ng

Justin Hall Josh Roberts Marvin Diaz Jeremy Jones Sylver Ochoa, Richie Richeson Tommy Tokoph, Sergio Rivas

Serving: Lunch, Dinner & Late night snacks!!! Ice cold beverages served till 1:30am Pool ~ Darts Live Entertainment 26 N Main Cape Girardeau, MO

Specials!!!!!

Everyday till 9pm 573-837-1148 Hours: Mon-Sat: 2pm - 1:30am & Sun: 2pm - Midnight

OnTheBreakNews.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


hinook C inds Wpen O 4th Annual

March 9-11, 2017 Chinook Winds Casino Resort Lincoln City, OR

$24,000 Added Men’s Division Race to 7, Alternate Breaks $15,000 guaranteed for 1st place if FF $10,000 guaranteed for 2nd place if FF FF = Full Field = 128 entries Maximum bracket size - 256

Women’s Division Race to 5, Alternate Breaks $6,000 guaranteed for 1st place if FF $3,670 guaranteed for 2nd place if FF FF = Full Field = 48 entries Maximum bracket size - 64

8-Ball Championships Entry Fees: $200 ($175 entry + $25 gf) Entry Deadline: March 3, 2017 Entry Forms: go to westernbca.org

Schedule of Events

March 8 (Wed), 6p - Calcutta March 9 (Thurs), Noon - Play Starts March 10 (FrI), 7p - 2nd Chance Tournament $2000 added/$100 entry Limited to 64 players Finals will be Saturday, times TBA

Dress Code

Collared Shirts/Slacks/Jeans ok if not torn or frayed. No leggings or shorts.

Questions-Call Mike Jensen at 360-703-4081


Kim Pierce Returns G I B H W IT

WIN

s Haye n e l e H er y Car e p o H

ierce Kim P

ierce Kim P Kim Pierce, a.k.a. “Texas Heat”, went undefeated among a strong field of 43 semi-professional players during the final stop of this year’s WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour. San Antonio’s Helen Hayes lost her third round match, and came back to win 6 consecutive matches, meeting Pierce in the finals. Pierce overcame Hayes in the first and final set, 7-1, securing her first win of the 2016 season. On November 12th-13th, 2016, some of the most talented women in Texas converged on Fat Racks Sports Bar and Lounge in San Antonio, Texas, for the very first time, to compete in the two-day, $1,000 added 9-ball event finale, vying for a place in the Gulf Coast Tour winners’ circle. Fat Racks’ owners, Daniel and Alice Tarpley, along with tour sponsors Cyclop Pool Balls, Delta-13 Rack, and the APA of North Harris County, facilitated another successful event for the women of the Gulf Coast Tour, featuring

10

January 2017

Rack’em

premium equipment, along with the unveiling of their new, official balls, Cyclop Pool Balls. For the first time in its four-year history, the ladies of the Gulf Coast Tour traveled to San Antonio, Texas, their final destination, Fat Racks Sports Bar and Billiards. Local players Kawania Watson and Sophia Lopez were thrilled, that for the first time, a women’s billiard tour visited their neck of the woods. “Finally, there is a Gulf Coast event close to us that we can attend, and it’s a nonsmoking venue.” Tour owner and director, Kim Newsome, was excited for the players who had the opportunity to test their skills on the road in San Antonio. “We’re excited at the prospect of having more out-of-town events. Fat Racks was an immaculate venue, and the players couldn’t have been happier. Daniel and Alice Tarpley hosted a first-class tournament which we’ll never forget.” In 2017, the tour will be headed back to Fat Racks in San Antonio, and making its mark on CK Billiards in Dallas, each with $1,000

OnTheBreakNews.com

s Haye Helen

added 9-ball events. At this event, the tour welcomed its newest members Tina Williams, Kristin Wilburn, Sophia Lopez, Kawania Watson, Yvette Cox, Celeste Espinosa, Marilina Nieves, Karen Sui, Naomi Garcia, Lisa Bailey, Sherry Gear, Lois Morgado, Hopey Carter, Megan Hardin, Edelina Flores, and Angela Garza. Also new to the tour this year, Monica Detuncq, won the Cyclop Raffle Package, valued at over $775.00. Ricki Casper assembled gift baskets which were given away as door prizes, while Alice and Daniel Tarpley, along with Teresa Garland, provided sweet snacks for the players throughout the

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


weekend. The tour would like to recognize Hopey Carter and Tina Williams, who travelled 6 hours from Shreveport, Louisiana, to compete, and sincerely thank all the players, old and new, who have attended events year after year, making this tour what it is today. After months of suffering from various health issues, Kim Pierce finally made her presence known at the final stop of 2016, winning an incredible 7 consecutive matches, taking on one of the most competitive fields the Gulf Coast Tour has seen all year. She surged to victory with wins over Jennifer Dooley, Tiffany Mundie, 7-4, Marilina Nieves, 7-1, and Angela Garza, 7-2, while former tour champion Ricki Casper overcame Sophia Lopez, 7-3, Yvette Cox, 7-4, and Megan Hardin, 7-1. Rounding out the final 4 on the winners’ side, Shreveport, Louisiana’s Hopey Carter took the tour by storm, ousting San Antonio’s 13-year old young gun, Aryana Lynch, Diana Cardona, 7-3, and Tam Trinh, 7-6, while Gail Roles took down Teresa Garland, 7-6, Veronica Perez, 7-0, Shreveport’s Tina Williams, 7-4, and former tour champion Gail Eaton, 7-3. On the west side, Bonnie Mason fell to Nieves, 5-4, Kawania Watson eliminated Cardona, 5-1, and Lopez took down Mercedes Vasquez, 5-1. After losing her third round match to Eaton, 7-1, Helen Hayes came back to secure 6 consecutive matches, including wins over Lisa Bailey, Williams, and Hardin. Lynch went on to defeat Nieves, 5-1, Eaton overcame Watson, 5-0, and Lopez took out Garza, 5-4. It was down to the final 8, and the players were fighting for every last ball. Back on the east side, Pierce defeated Casper, 7-5, while Carter overwhelmed Roles, 7-2. Carter, fighting so hard to make her mark, lost the hot seat match to Pierce, 7-4. On the one loss side, Eaton ended Lynch and Casper by the same score, 5-4, while Hayes surpassed Lopez, and Roles, 5-3. Hayes went on to defeat Eaton and Carter, by the same score, 5-3, to meet Pierce for a final showdown. Pierce appeared collected at the table, as if she’d been in this situation a thousand times. Hayes seemed relaxed as well, and it became a matter of who was on their game. As Pierce broke each rack, the sound rang out across the room as fans became hypnotized by the rhythm of her play. It was evident, Pierce

OnTheBreakNews.com

was back, and on this particular day, Hayes was no match. Although Hayes played her heart out, she fell short to a determined Pierce in the first set, 7-1. Congratulations to both players on a well-fought event. Finally, the tour would like to recognize 13 year-old Aryana Lynch of San Antonio, Texas, for achieving a 7th-8th place

Kim Newsome with Ricki

Casper

Results & Payouts 1st $630 Kim Pierce 2nd $380 Helen Hayes 3rd $220 Hopey Carter 4th $140 Gail Eaton 5th-6th $80 Ricki Casper, Gail Roles 7th-8th $65 Aryana Lynch, Sophia Lopez 9th-12th $35 Marilina Nieves, Kawania Watson, Megan Hardin, Angela Garza 13-16th $25 Tina Williams, Mercedes Vasquez, Bonnie Mason, Diana Cardona

finish, her highest to date. Aryana is currently the youngest player competing in the WPBA Regional Tour System. Tour veteran, Ricki Casper, added another notch to her belt, becoming the 2016 Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour Champion, for the second consecutive year. For her efforts, Casper will receive a spot in the prestigious WPBA Masters to be held at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, February 1st-5th, 2017. The Gulf Coast Tour ended its year with 76 WPBA player members on the roster which earned them a whopping 32 invites for the annual WPBA Regional Tour Championships to be held at Zingales Billiards in Tallahassee, Florida, on January 12th-15th, 2017. The Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour is open to players of all ages and skill levels, however, the top 32 WPBA Exempt Professionals are not permitted to participate. The next Gulf Coast Tour 9-ball event will be held on January 7th, 2017, at Bogies Billiards and Sports Bar, 3040 FM 1960 E., in Houston, Texas. This event will be played on 9’ tables with Cyclop Pool Balls, TV Sets. Free practice begins at 10am, and the mandatory players’ meeting begins at 11am. For more information about the WPBA sanctioned, Gulf Coast Women’s Regional Billiards Tour, please visit us on Facebook@gulfcoasttour1 and Twitter @gulfcoasttour. The Gulf Coast Tour website, GulfCoastWomensTour.com, is under construction and will be relaunched in January 2017. Article and Photos by Kim Newsome

T’s Billiards Gunslinger Pool

• • • • •

Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-2am Sun: 6pm-Close

15 Pool Tables Tournaments Coldest Beer Sandwiches Pizza

8155 East 21st St - Tulsa, OK - 918-622-7747

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

Rack’em

January 2017

11


10 VITAL FUNDAMENTALS by Tom Simpson © November 2006 – All Rights Reserved – PoolClinics.com

Tom Simpson

Master Instructor, National Billiard Academy, “Beat People With a Stick!”

Tom Simpson

12

January 2017

It’s a good idea to stop and check some basics from time to time. Unless we’re vigilant, we tend to drift into old habits and go into slumps. When you’re having a slump, or when you’re trying to help someone learn the game, the following are ten of the most common problem areas that cause us trouble, and some simple suggestions for dealing with them. 1. Doubt: Don’t shoot in the Thinking Position; don’t think in the Shooting Position. Don’t go down on a shot until you have a plan. If you go down, and feel you should change your plan, stand up, back away, chalk up, and start over. If you shoot with doubts or without committing to your plan, you’re likely to get what you had in mind – doubtful results. 2. Tip & Chalk: Some players don’t maintain their tip adequately. If your tip is too flat, you will not get as much spin as you expect, and you’ll miscue more easily. Keep your tip rounded and shaped the same all the way around. Chalk the edge of the tip. That’s where it really is needed, and where you will miscue. Actually look at your chalk job before hitting an extreme spin shot. 3. Vertical Axis: Many players gradually develop a habit of using english on every shot. When you hit the cueball anywhere on its vertical axis (in other words, no sidespin whatsoever), it goes straight, in precisely the direction you aimed. Hit even a millimeter to the left or right of the axis, and that cueball is going to squirt and curve. If it hits the target, it’s because the squirt and curve happened to exactly cancel each other out at that distance & speed. And of course, there is also spininduced throw and transfer of spin to the object ball to deal with. Master the vertical axis. Get off the axis only when there is good reason, and you know you’re making the adjustments. It’s a lot easier to deal with a cueball that’s going where you aimed. 4. Undercutting: Because of collision-induced throw (a sideways friction phenomenon between balls), most misses are by undercutting. For example, how often do you see someone miss a table-length, close-to-the-long-rail shot to a distant corner pocket by overcutting and hitting the end rail? Rarely. In fact, I call this “missing on the pro side” because most of us undercut and miss by hitting that side rail. The real fix here is to gain a clear understanding of the “rules” of throw. But since we don’t have space for that here, just plan on cutting a little thinner. The dirtier the balls, the softer you’re going to hit the shot, the further it is from the pocket, and the closer the cut angle is to a half-ball hit (30°), the more throw effect you’ll get, and the more you’ll need to compensate. Overcut a little.

Rack’em

OnTheBreakNews.com

5. Elevation: Because we have knuckles, and because pool tables have rails, we can never get our stick completely flat. It’s important to get as close to flat as practical, though, because as we elevate the butt of the cue, we risk unintentionally causing the cueball to curve. If we strike the cueball with any sidespin whatsoever, it’s going to curve. The more sidespin, and the more elevation, the more curve. Try to keep your stick within a finger thickness of the rail, unless you have reason to elevate. When you must elevate and hit straight, focus on hitting the vertical axis. 6. Unstable bridge: The purpose of the bridge is to provide a solid foundation that will guide the cue to your precisely intended contact point on the cueball. If your bridge is not a rock, your plans are not going to work. Do not move your bridge side to side. Try anchoring the bridge to the table. With an open bridge (no loop over the shaft), press your forefinger firmly into the cloth. With a closed bridge (forefinger looped over the shaft), press your middle finger into the cloth. Nail it down. 7. Unstable stance: If your stance is moving, you’re not going to deliver where you think you’re aimed. Settle into the floor. If you’re not comfortable, or if you have to twist or move to get aimed, get up, chalk up, and try again. 8. Finishing: One of the most common problems is not finishing a shot. Not following through, poking, and jumping up all lead to missed shots and inconsistent ball action. Get your stick through the cueball, and allow it to follow through as far as its momentum takes it. 9. Staying down: Coming up before the shot is complete is a common problem. Your body knows you’re going to jump up, and that affects your stroke. You need to plan on staying down, so your stroke will complete without interference. When possible, stay down and watch the shot until the balls come to a stop. Down until done. 10. Pocket speed: The harder you shoot, the smaller the pockets become, and the more you lose control of the cueball. Pocket speed is the speed that sinks the ball, but without hitting the back of the pocket. Less speed, more control. Shoot only as hard as necessary for the current shot, position requirements, and equipment – and understand the trade-offs. Far more games are won or lost on these kinds of basics than are won or lost with tricky, advanced shots. In fact, with better basics, we don’t get in trouble and need those fancy shots nearly so often. Simple is good.

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


TEST YOUR STOP SHOT STEFANO PELINGA stefanopelinga.com Stefano Pelinga (born 1964) 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.” 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 earned a spot in ESPN’s Trick Shot Magic Hall of Fame. Most importantly, on November 17, 2012, Stefano was 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 was awarded this honor, becoming a member of this group of legendary Italian Americans.

OnTheBreakNews.com

This month’s shot is what we call a “show shot” as it has been used by numerous artists through several decades during their exhibitions. Most of its outcome depends on the rack we use as a prop. In the past, only wooden racks were available so we usually doctored them by putting a dent on all three corners and on both sides. Later, with the plastic racks (the thick ones though) or the “Delta” racks, this shot became even easier because of the large half-moon shaped holes present on their corners. Let’s get started by placing the rack as shown in the diagram, resting on three balls, one under each corner but making sure that the one we will pocket (the red ball in our diagram) is NOT right under the corner but about a couple of inches closer to the pocket. Let’s place three more balls on top of the rack’s corners. At this point we could add more racks and more balls, building a multistory tower. My good friend and great trick shot champion Bogdan Wolkowski in his shows builds a 15-20 story tower turning this simple shot into a very impressive one, even more so because he shoots it blindfolded. The truth of the matter is that the higher the tower is, the more it weighs, therefore wobbling less, and making this shot easier. Now place your Cue Ball in a straight line with the Object Ball and the pocket, starting at position A. Hit the CB at 6 o’clock using one tip of English (backspin) and aim the OB full to sink it in the close corner pocket. If your stop shot will be appropriately performed, the CB will stop as soon as it hits the OB and rest right under the corner of the rack. The balls swapping will happen so quickly that all the balanced balls will not move, or worse, fall. You can then make a practice drill out of this shot to A improve your stop shot skills by moving back the CB to B, then C and even D position. Obviously, the farther you B will be from your OB, the lower and slightly harder you will need to hit the CB so that C its backspin carries on all the way to the impact point. May everyone have a New Year filled with Peace and Joy! D

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

Rack’em

January 2017

13


San Francisco Billiard Academy www.sfbilliards.com

PBIA certified instruction is available for all levels from beginners to instructor training.

Rotation Caroms This drill will improve several aspects of your cue ball control, including speed, direction, using cushions, and learning the natural angles. Each shot will be a unique challenge as the positions never repeat exactly.

Bob Jewett

Bob Jewett

The drill starts by breaking a rack of nine ball. After that on each shot the goal is to play a carom from the lowest ball to the next ball in sequence. You get to take cue ball in hand for each shot. In the diagram, you have to get from the 1 ball to the 2 ball. There are lots of ways to do that and part of your job is to find the easiest.

January 2017

This drill can also be used as a two-player game by awarding a point for each successful carom.

For this shot the easiest for me is to play the cue ball from roughly the position shown and hit half of the 1 ball on the right side using medium pace and a rolling cue ball. The hard part is knowing where to place the cue ball to make the shot easy. Knowing that rolling-ball deflection angle, the so-called 30-degree rule, is one of the most fundamental parts of playing position. If you have trouble seeing it, you must practice it separately until it is burned into your consciousness. A few more rules: The cue ball isn’t allowed to hit any extraneous ball before the second ball but rails are OK. If you make the carom, remove the lowest ball from the table if you did not pocket it and give yourself a point. Scratches after the carom don’t matter. The cue ball can’t be placed right up against the lowest ball -- that would allow too many easy 90-degree shots.

D

C

A

6

7

3

2

4

B 9

If you want a little more challenge, play that you have to make the carom as planned and extra rails nullify the shot. In the case of the shot diagrammed, you’ll have to decide before you shoot whether the cue ball will hit the cushion by the 2 ball before the 2 or not. Work out some other reasonable ways to get from the 1 to the 2 before reading on. You could put the cue ball on the line between them and draw the cue ball straight back to the 2 ball. You could shoot the 1 ball into the pocket by the 2 with a nearly full shot and follow to the 2. Or, you could shoot from the position shown with a stun shot (no draw or follow on the cue ball when it hits the object ball) and use the 90-degree rule to hit the 2 ball. In your practice shots try a variety of shots as they are all useful. Some times you can play position in this drill. That is, you can shoot one shot in a way that will make the following shot easier. For example, when shooting from the 3 to the 4, notice where the 5 is. If you can go more or less full into the 4 ball off the 3 it will be sent in the direction of the 5 and next shot will be easier. I’d put the cue ball at A and hit half of the 3 with a soft shot.

14

On some shots you will have to plan to use the cushions. To get from the 5 to the 6 (assuming you haven’t moved the 5 to a better location) you will have to touch a rail. The easiest looks to be the side rail at B and then straight to the 6 or maybe off the end rail at D first. A little harder shot is to play from the 5 to just miss the 7 and hit the cushion at C or D while using the correct side spin (right or left, respectively) to spin into the 6.

Rack’em

OnTheBreakNews.com

8

1 5

REJ

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


KEYS TO WINNING ON POOL’S BIGGEST STAGE

Keys to Success

Anthony Beeler is a 2013 BCA National 9-Ball team champion. He also finished 9th out of 1086 players in the 2013 BCA National 8-Ball Championships. He is a certified Level 3 instructor for the American CueSports Alliance and is the founder of Maximize Your Potential Billiards Academy located in Bradfordsville, Kentucky. Beeler is also a fully licensed Kentucky Educator having, received his bachelor’s degree at Campbellsville University and his master’s degree in Education Leadership at Eastern Kentucky University. Throughout his pool-playing career Anthony has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competition.

OnTheBreakNews.com

The 2017 edition of The Derby City Classic is once again going to be perhaps the most entertaining event of the year. The venue at the Horseshoe Casino in Elizabeth, Indiana is always spectacular. Numerous tables, top of the line vendors and stellar match play sets the scene for one of the pool’s greatest stages. If the tournament continues to live up to all the hype, the individual who makes the best decisions will have a fighting chance to lift the all around championship trophy at the end of the grueling 9-day period. I believe that there are 7 keys to winning at the derby. Think about them and you can use them to play more competitively in any tournament venue. 1. Quick Recovery High-level competition causes everyone to make mistakes. Even “lock down” safeties will get returned, which will make things seem “unfair.” When playing in such a talented field, this is inevitable. The champion will be the person who can recover quickly from the frustration of bad breaks and maintain confidence and composure. Every player is going to get bad rolls, the key will be to accept this from the first shot and embrace the challenge. 2. Shot-Making Because the tournament consists of 3 events, each having a shorter race format, the player who can choose and commit to the right shot and execute it, will be in the mix as the weekend approaches. Each game will require a different set of challenges and demand different types of ingenuity. Sound mechanics, position play and defensive execution will allow a player to

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

become a serious threat. 3. A Controlled Break Knowing how to break the balls effectively will also be key to success. Whether the game is bank pool, one pocket or 9-ball, cue ball control is imperative. Losing control of the cue ball will equate to games lost over the course of the tournament. Practice your break! 4. Patience As with many past Derby City Classics, finishing high in any event can put a player in the hunt for the all around. With this in mind, you must give every single shot your upmost attention. Taking unnecessary risks will inevitably result in losses. Playing smart pool and being patient enough to keep your opponent locked down will be another key to success. Pace will also factor. With the length of the tournament there will possibly be some very long days. Being able to stay calm and remain patient will be critical. 5. Creativity As with all tournaments, there are many ways to play a most shots. The winner will be the person that is the most creative, imaginative and the one that continually exhibits strong visualization techniques. In essence, just think about what you are going to do, then do it! 6. Being Able to Slow Everything Down When we’re under pressure, most of us have the tendency to speed up. If we allow this to happen it is inevitable that we will make mental mistakes. Staying tension free and maintaining a nice smooth tempo will be an important part of playing well. Top professional players tend to slow everything down to stay in a nice rhythm. When you’re playing in a big tournament, you’ll need to do the same thing. Take extra time in between shots, walk around the table slower, slow down your backswing, and you’ll maintain a good tempo and play quality pool. 7. Health Health and fitness is becoming a much bigger part of most pool player’s practice regimens. It is not just about eating the right foods or strengthening muscles; players are now trying to build physical and mental stamina so they can maintain focus throughout a 10-12 hour day. Any tournament or competition is going to require a sound mental game and these 7 elements highlight the skills that are necessary to win any championship. So think about these skills and adopt them as part of your pool game. Maybe with some practice this will be the year that you snap off the all-around championship in Elizabeth, Indiana.

Rack’em

January 2017

15


Bar Table Winter Classic 9 Ball Blue Diamond Sports Bar CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO Congratulations to Justin Bergman for finishing 1st in our Bar Table Winter Classic 9 Ball $3000 added tournament. Great playing on his part. He had a few close matches but for going into the losers bracket from the first match and coming all the way through to double dip Manny Perez was great playing kid! 1st $1,800/$1,050 Justin Bergman 2nd $1,340/$790 Manny Perez 3rd $900/$520 Taylor Anderson 4th $440/$260 John Gabriel

JUSTIN BERGMAN

TAYLOR ANDERSON

open late

JOHN GABRIEL

12009 S Pulaski Rd Alsip, IL 60803 redshoesbilliards.com

708-388-3700

FULL BAR & GRILL

“Now offering LEGAL VIDEO GAMING (slot machines)”

Monthly Tournaments

Feb 18th: One Pocket Mar 18th: 10-Ball Apr 15th: Bank Pool MANNY PEREZ

16

January 2017

Rack’em

$5DD0ED0 A

n a full

(based o

field)

$50 entry (g. f. included) One Day “IRON MAN” events Double Elim. - Sign-up 12 PM (NOON) OnTheBreakNews.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


Anthony Ludwig ... Des Moines “Big Dog” 63 players came to this Tournament. No Masters were allowed and you must be a resident of Des Moines in order to play. This was a $20 entry with $500 guaranteed added. 63 was a great turnout, considering it was the first one of these ever, and the weather!

1st Anthony Ludwig, 2nd Curtis Sellers

Thank you to each and every one of you local players for supporting this event!! Can’t wait to do more of these in the future!! See you all again soon for our 11th Annual Hangover Event on New Year’s weekend.

Results and Payouts 1st $470/$1050 2nd $330/$750 3rd $230/$500 4th $150/$330 5/6th $100/$175 7/8 $70 9-12 $40 13-16 $20

4th Eddie Robinson

Anthony Ludwig Curtis Sellers Chans Vongphasouk Eddie Robinson Jeremy Bates, Jonathan Guy Jim Case, Tyler Casey Doug Morrow, Luke Wagner, Mike Angstead, Reid Downing David Brownlee, Dustin Lair, Joe Jones, Jerry McGrath

3rd Chans Vongphasouk

HOURS: 11:00am to 1:30am Monday thru Thursday. 11:00amto 2:00am Friday & Saturday. 1:00pm to 1:30am Sunday

High lady Madison Bond

Pool Table Sales Installation, Moving Service and Repair PRO SHOP CUES & ACCESSORIES

Jamaica Joe’s Billiard Bar & Grill

Full Service Bar & Grill Pro Shop - Leagues Weekly & Monthly Tournaments Wednesday Night 9-Ball at 7:30PM - $15 entry - House matches $5 per player 5920 S.E. 15th. Midwest City, OK - 405-736-0590

www.jamaicajoes.net

OnTheBreakNews.com

We build Custom Cues 4510 East 14th St - Des Moines, IA

515-266-6100 www.bigdogbilliards.com

http://www.facebook.com/bigdogbilliardsdsm

40 POOL TABLES - FOOSBALL DARTS - LARGE SCREEN TV Weekly Tournaments: Sun-Mon-Tues-Fri 1st & 3rd Saturday Tournaments

Full Service Bar - Great Food!!

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

Rack’em

January 2017

17


Europe Maintains Strangle Hold on Mosconi Cup Mark Gray

Article courtesy of: Luke Riches Matchroom Sport Photos courtesy of: Marchroom Sport - JP Parmentier Day 1 - December 6 – Score: Europe 4 – 1 USA Team Europe 5 – 2 Team USA Gray / Ouschan 5 – 2 Van Boening / Morris Niels Feijen 5 – 2 Mike Dechaine Shaw / Appleton 1 – 5 Woodward / Bergman Darren Appleton 5 – 3 Shane Van Boening TEAM EUROPE showed exactly why they are big favourites to retain the 23rd annual Betfair Mosconi Cup as they enjoyed a convincing opening session, winning four out of the five matches to take a 4-1 lead into day two. It was the worst possible start to the event for the Americans who have not won the Mosconi Cup since 2009. Even after just one day they face a mammoth task against a European side that looked confident throughout. Commented European captain Marcus Chamat, “The first day is always really tough. The way they put out their team, they came with their strongest but I feel

18

January 2017

Rack’em

there are no weak links in my team and whatever I came out with today, I had four aces. My point of view was to put Albin out first because he made the winning 9 last year, so I wanted to start off where we ended. That worked out well, and Mark played awesome in the match. Then Niels went to work, and he played great. For the day to end with Darren beating Shane, meant a lot to me, to him and to the team. The last match is always important to get under your belt. Darren fights with his heart just like I did when I was playing, I wanted it so bad and he wants it so bad too. It proved a point.” The Betfair Mosconi Cup is the annual Europe v USA 9-Ball showdown. It runs from Tuesday, December 6 to Friday, December 9, with all sessions getting underway at 18.30 GMT. There are a potential 21 singles and doubles matches with the first team to reach 11 carrying off the famous trophy. With 2,000 rabid fans in the Alexandra Palace, the vast majority of them proEuropean, the atmosphere was wild from the off and the show opened with the customary team match where all ten players compete in consecutive racks.

OnTheBreakNews.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


Historically, it has been Europe’s strong point and once again they took the honours to draw first blood. There were some errors from the US – Skyler Woodward failed to get out with ball in hand against Niels Feijen – which allowed the Europeans the opportunities to take the point by 5-2. Mark Gray and Albin Ouschan then made it 2-0 as they overran a weak Shane Van Boening and Rodney Morris by 5-2. The American pair missed some balls they shouldn’t have and in this exalted company it was enough for the Englishman and the Austrian to skate to victory. Commented Ouschan, “It is incredible in the arena; I was shaking. I was going to the toilet again because I was pretty nervous! I remember it from last year and to get back here and feel this moment again is huge, unbelievable.” Gray added, “The team match gave us great confidence, Albin played great and won two racks and I had a good out in my rack. That gave us a bit of confidence and you feel you’re in the tournament then. We were straight back on, against Shane van Boening, one of the greatest players in the world, and Rodney Morris. Shane looked a little bit shaky I thought and showed his disgust when Rodney didn’t get him into position and that gives you a little bit of confidence. We always say day one is critical. You can’t win it in day one but you can lose it if you have a nightmare start.” 5-2 was the repeat score line in the third game as Mike Dechaine succumbed to the relentless accuracy of Niels Feijen, who took his first point in his quest for his fifth Mosconi Cup MVP. The American looked solid in the opening exchanges as the match went to 2-2 but Feijen piled it on to take the next three for victory. “In your first match you have to get comfortable with your stroke, with the table, and you need a little bit of luck. My tactical game was solid, it brought me back into it and I had a couple of nice run outs. I started nicely, I won the first rack and he ran a couple. I made a really nice run out for 2-2 and I was breaking well in the match. I created opportunities and came out and won it.” As early as three matches in, the Americans were staring down a barrel as they trailed 0-3 but a stellar performance from Justin Bergman and Skyler Woodward stopped the rot as they beat Jayson Shaw and Darren Appleton 5-1. The American

Alvin Ouschan and Darren Appleton duo looked assured throughout as they clinically went through the racks and kept European involvement to a minimum. In the final match of the first session, Darren Appleton piled on the misery as he got the better of an increasingly lackluster Shane Van Boening, to complete a marvelous evening for the Europeans. Appleton looked shaky in the opening stages as he trailed 2-1, but Van Boening failed to capitalize, as a scratch off the break in the fourth let the Englishman back in. Appleton commented “It is like déjà vu, the last four years we have played each other in the last singles of the first day and I have won them all. He is one of the top two players in the world at this moment in time along with Jayson Shaw. After losing the doubles it was a big game. We had put a lot of work in to get to 3-0 and we wanted to finish the day strongly, and there is always a good sporting rivalry with me and Shane. In another event I might lose that match because I wasn’t feeling great but I dug in and kept grinding.

Team USA: Mark Wilson (Captain), Sky Woodward, Justin Bergman, Shane Van Boening, Mike Dechaine, Rodney Morris

OnTheBreakNews.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

Rack’em

January 2017

19


Day 2 - December 7 – Score: Europe 7 – 2 USA Feijen / Gray 5 – 2 Van Boening / Woodward Jayson Shaw 3 – 5 Rodney Morris Ouschan / Appleton 5 - 4 Dechaine / Bergman Mark Gray 5 – 1 Justin Bergman TEAM EUROPE piled the misery on a floundering American side to take a fivepoint lead into the third day of the 2016 Betfair Mosconi Cup at the Alexandra Palace in London. They won three of the four Wednesday night matches to leave the USA a mountainous task if they were to win the Mosconi Cup for the first time in eight years.

“It feels good to win that point. I won the lag, we haven’t been winning those and when the other team gets the first shot it feels like you’re on your heels. I broke and ran the first game so the heat was on him, so that was massive. Jayson is the hottest guy on the planet, it doesn’t matter where you go - he is the man. Being here wasn’t the reward for me; it was the beginning of a massive week of work. I wanted this; I played all year to get back here. I am retiring at the end of next year so if this is my last Mosconi Cup I want to enjoy it.” The second doubles match was arguably the best of the tournament as Darren Appleton and Albin Ouschan enjoyed a hard fought contest as they overcame Justin Bergman and Mike Dechaine in a final rack decider. The momentum was swinging the USA’s way when Dechaine locked up the Euros in what looked like a match-winning safety. Appleton though, kicked out of the snooker and pocketed the 3 ball to set up a run out for victory and a 6-2 lead.

European captain Marcus Chamat was in no doubt as to how the day had gone; “What can you say, I thought today I would relax, watch some games, but it is very hard not to get involved in every game – the games are so tough and my players are playing so good so I am over the moon, and especially with a score like this. The mood in the group is electric The Englishman commented, “I made a mistake in and we feel like we are on top of the world. The the first rack but after that we played perfect. Mike confidence in the guys and the charisma everybody missed one or two easy chances which gave us a has, it is a dream team. I played the Mosconi Cup chance to get back in the game. At 4-2 you think for so many years and I know a lot of things can you will win but Justin especially played a couple take turns, anything can happen at the Mosconi of great shots – I think he has been by far their best Cup. Today we showed how well the guys are player. We were praying to get an opportunity in the playing and how well the team is grouped together. last game because it was their break and they were We will go back to what we discussed before we Rodney Morris unlucky not to get a shot one the 1 ball. Albin played started – we are here to make history and tie the cup a good push out, they put us back but Albin tied up the 3 and 5, which was our overall and for that we need to win every match, played like the score is 0-0.” insurance. Mike played a good safety and I kicked in the ball but when I looked at the 4 ball for the next shot, I thought it was impossible to make it and get shape on For American captain, Mark Wilson it was another draining day that saw his team the 5. When he made it, potted it clear and landed perfect, it is one of the greatest fall further behind; “We are a little disappointed because we came over here playing shots I have ever seen!” well and we are expecting to win. We have trained and worked hard all year, prepared to win and now we feel like we still deserve to win. We have to come out In what was the final match of the evening, Mark Gray looked excellent in and win tomorrow. To win the Mosconi Cup you have to dominate a day so we will recording his second win of the evening, beating Justin Bergman 5-1. The have to make that day tomorrow.” American, wearing his baggy shirt outside of his trousers, carelessly gave away ball in hand in the opening rack as his shirt touched a ball while cueing over the table. The opening match saw Shane Van Boening continue his miserable run of form as, Amazingly he didn’t tuck it in, and he took the next to level things. Gray though in tandem with Skyler Woodward, the US went down 5-2 to the accuracy of Niels didn’t really make a mistake as he won the next four to dash American hopes. Feijen and Mark Gray. Trailing 1-4 from the opening day, every match was a ‘must Gray said, “I have played in three Mosconis and I have played well in the other two win’ for the US but this was one they didn’t, as both Americans missed balls and but my stats are pretty poor but for me, that is the performance of my Mosconi the European pair looked solid throughout. career and especially against the guy who has probably been their best player. You can tell the future of American pool, especially at the Mosconi, is going to be Feijen said, “It was a dream start for us. In the practice room we focused on starting Bergman and Woodward and some of the youngsters that are coming through. I with a fresh day, I have been on the team when we were down 4-1 and the next day knew I was in for a tough time and maybe we could have gone up 6-4 so we didn’t want them to do it to us. We had to come on paper he is slight favourite but I have out strong, we knew the first point was a big one and I am glad we took it.” really produced. I love the big stage with the bigger crowds, and you don’t get much In the second game, Rodney Morris dug in to upset Jayson Shaw and give the US bigger than Ally Pally with 2,000 screaming some hope as the second day unfolded at the Ally Pally. A win was essential given fans going wild. If you can’t play well the result of the opener and Morris delivered after looking a little shaky in the here, then you aren’t going to play well opening racks. Shaw’s downfall was a couple of dry breaks that gave Morris the anywhere.” opportunity to get to the table and get the badly needed win. Day 3 - December 8 - Score: Europe 10 - USA 3 Appleton / Feijen 5 – 2 Dechaine / Van Boening Shaw / Ouschan 5 – 3 Morris / Woodward Albin Ouschan 5 – 4 Skyler Woodward Gray / Appleton 4 – 5 Bergman / Morris

the evening matches to reach the required 11 points to retain the Mosconi Cup for the sixth time.

TEAM AMERICA lives to fight another day at the Alexandra Palace as the pairing of Rodney Morris and Justin Bergman won the final match of the evening in the final rack to stall European celebrations at the 2016 Betfair Mosconi Cup. With the Europeans leading 7-2 going into the final session, they need to win all four of

20

January 2017

Rack’em

“We can smell the Cup!” said Euro captain Marcus Chamat. “It is really hard to win every match but we were close. We have Jayson first tomorrow and then Niels so we have a good line-up for the first two matches tomorrow. I wanted Jayson and Albin to play together because I think they are going

OnTheBreakNews.com

Niels Feijen

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


to be on the team for many years to come, they are the future of the European team. Jayson wants this so much. He has been watching Mosconi Cup since he was small and this is a dream come true for him to be here and tomorrow he is first up so he can go and finish this up. It would be a perfect end to an amazing year for Jayson to win it tomorrow.” Darren Appleton and Niels Feijen won the opening game of the session as they defeated Shane Van Boening and Mike Dechaine 5-2. Van Boening is enduring a miserable time in London having failed to have won a point from five matches and looked all at sea this evening. Albin Ouschan secured two points for the Europeans as he won his doubles match with Jayson Shaw and then defeated Skyler Woodward in the singles. Neither match was of high quality as all the players felt the pressure, but when Ouschan won a final rack decider against Woodward, it put Europe on the hill. “That was a huge match and it felt almost like the last match from last year; I Day 4 - December 9 - Score: Europe 11 - USA 3 Jayson Shaw 5 – 1 Mike Dechaine THE EUROPEANS needed just one match to retain the 2016 Betfair Mosconi Cup as Jayson Shaw had the honour of potting the winning 9-Ball, as he eased past Mike Dechaine 5-1 to spark wild celebrations at the Alexandra Palace. Team Europe entered the fray carrying a 10-3 lead after dominating the first three days of the competition and they delivered a crushing defeat to an American side that looked out of their depth at times in front of a very vocal 2,000 strong crowd. Shaw, who came into the event on the back of a run of brilliant form, never looked too comfortable over the first three days. However, he came with some terrific shots to banish Dechaine to the sidelines and secure the European’s seventh consecutive victory. A delighted Shaw said, “There were a lot of nerves out there but you have to stay calm and take every ball one at a time. It is easy to get hyped up with everyone screaming. It felt pretty good to make the winning 9-Ball. I had a pretty good year and had a couple of dreams about making the final 9-Ball and it came true. We have five great guys on the team who all fight for each other and support each other, stick together. Now I have played in it, I want to play the Mosconi Cup every year.” For Europe it was a case of strength to strength under captain Marcus Chamat. After last year’s 11-7 win at the Tropicana, the emotional Swede fired his team up to further feats at the Alexandra Palace.

played Skyler in singles and it went to 5-4. I didn’t feel really comfortable in the beginning, I made a couple of mistakes and was unlucky with the break at the beginning, but I was fighting and stayed focused and it was a happy ending for me”, said Ouschan. The final match was a thriller as each team rode their luck in a pressure cooker environment but it was Rodney Morris and Justin Bergman who denied Darren Appleton and Mark Gray the chance to pot the winning 9-Ball. Morris said, “We are fighting hard and Justin played unbelievable. We need to try and hold our nerve because it is crunch time but little victories, we are trying to win each match and get momentum and have some energy for our team. We will worry about winning the lag and getting the advantage, but if you win one it can bring two and you never know – Donald Trump is going to be US president so we know anything can happen! They brought me in for the experience and I will not let these guys get down because that is not what we are about. We are about team unity and, as much as people say we are not united, we are all pulling for each other and, if I dog it, I know my team-mates feel it.” I know they are watching in China, in the Philippines, well we will put these guys on a plane and come over. At the start of the week we said the six of us are in this together, no matter what happens. Everybody is behind each other and this is the best team in the world – we just showed it.” For once Niels Feijen kept his hands off the MVP trophy, as Albin Ouschan’s three doubles wins and a singles win were enough to give the reigning World Champion the trophy in his second Mosconi Cup. “Before I played last year I had watched the Mosconi Cup for over ten years and always looked up to the people who won the MVP so it is a huge pleasure for me to be here with the MVP award in my hands. It has been a huge year and I am speechless. The Mosconi Cup gets bigger and bigger and more intense every year. Hopefully I will be back next year in Vegas and we will win it again. We were probably the best team on paper and we showed it, it was perfect.” The Americans will need to look inwards as they try and regroup for next year. They have now won the Mosconi Cup just once in the past 11 years with bleak prospects for next December in Las Vegas. Shane Van Boening, unequivocally their best player, failed to record a single point, likewise Mike Dechaine who finished second in the year long Mosconi Cup rankings. Their dejected captain Mark Wilson said, “Complete respect for the professionalism of Team Europe, they played great from start to finish and kept us off balance throughout the week. My five guys never quit, did everything I asked of them all week and I have great pride and respect for my team. I believe in them and we will be back. We need to begin working from January forward to compete with the great team that Europe has.”

“It has been an amazing week; how could you top what happened last year, but this year we came out firing,” said Chamat. I used to live in America and I know what these guys are about. They will bounce back, America never gives up but this is probably the best team in the world, ever. Jayson Shaw

OnTheBreakNews.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

Albin Ouschan Mosconi Cup 2016 MVP

Rack’em

January 2017

21


Sharky’s Super High Roller Results

Novice Division: Sharun Mims, Josh Goodknight

Sharky’s Billiards - Davenport, IA Dec 4-5, 2-16 Novice Bracket 1st Josh Goodknight (Davenport, IA) 2nd Sharun Mims (Cedar Rapids, IA) 3rd Nick Soucie (Davenport, IA)

Open Division: Don Lawson, Dan Johnson

Open Bracket 1st Dan Johnson (Bettendorf, IA) 2nd Don Lawson (Peoria, IL) 3rd Jenna Bishoff (Bettendorf, IA) Open Bracket 2 1st Shane Born (Bettendorf, IA) 2nd Kamron Fuller (Davenport, IA) Advanced Bracket 1st Jason Welker (Dixon, IL) 2nd Alex Grell (Bettendorf, IA) Thank you to the players for coming inside and playing another good event, and giving the spectators so many Hill-Hill matches to watch.

Advanced Division: Alex Grell, Jason Welker

Hours: M-F: 2pm-2am Sat: 11am-2am Closed Sunday

6149 E 31st St Tulsa, OK

918-779-6204 122 1/2 E Carl Albert Pkwy - McAlester, OK Open 7 days a week opens at 2pm M-F Noon Sat-Sun

Hours: Sun-Thurs 2pm-Midnight Fri-Sat 2pm-1am

8 Valley Pool Tables - (1) 9’ Brunswick - 1 Snooker Jukebox - Video Games - Sports on the Big Screen

22

January 2017

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Rack’em

FAMILY BILLIARDS ROOM

PRO SHOP - CUE REPAIR - CUES - CASES - SUPPLIES

OnTheBreakNews.com

2013 Nelson St Shreveport, LA 318-425-8112

• • • • •

21 Bar Boxes 2-9’ Diamonds 6 Reg. Dart Boards 1 Golden Tee 2 Full Bars

Best Bar Food in town www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


Mark Wilson Stands Down as USA’s Mosconi Cup Team Captain — from: Luke Riches, Matchroom Sport

FOLLOWING THREE YEARS at the helm of the USA Mosconi Cup team, Mark Wilson has stood down as captain after the recent heavy defeat at the Alexandra Palace, London. Wilson was appointed in January 2014 following a run of defeats and was in charge of all team affairs for the next three Mosconi Cups, all of which resulted in losses. Commented Wilson; “The three-year record speaks for itself and while it is personally painful and deeply disappointing, it is the reality. Sport is about winning and a philosophy change is due when the scoreboard reflects a team’s shortcomings. Despite the pain of losing there have been victories towards building the sport and I hold no regrets in terms of the efforts, support, and direction chosen. The tremendous individual people and businesses that have shared the vision and contributed wilfully to create a brighter future for billiards all have my deepest gratitude. I completely respect the opportunity afforded me to be part of the best event that our sport has to offer. All of us look forward to the day that Team USA reclaims the Mosconi Cup.” Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn said, “I’d like to go on record to thank Mark and his team for all the hard work they put in to try and turn American fortunes around in the Mosconi Cup. Mark is a man of great integrity and has a deep passion for the sport and it is a personal disappointment to me that the results didn’t come for him.” Matchroom Sport hopes to announce new leadership details in the New Year.

Iowa’s Diamond Dealer! 4510 East 14th St - Des Moines, IA 50313

PH: 515-266-6100 www.bigdogbilliards.com

http://www.facebook.com/bigdogbilliardsdsm Contact Randy Hanson 218-234-9393

Visit our Diamond Billiard Products Showroom! Factory Direct Pricing

Arkansas Table

Diamondwood Smart Table & MiniLight

Dymondwood Oak Walnut Cherry Maple Black PRC Finishes available

Dymondwood Professional Table

OnTheBreakNews.com

The New Paragon Table

Pro-Am Table

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

Cyclops Ball Sets

Rack’em

DEALER FOR: • Gameroom Furnishings CUES: • Big Dog • Jacoby • McDermott • Viking • Diveney Custom Cues • Purex • Action • Elite • and more .... • Kamui tips

January 2017

23


IN MEMORY OF … Robert Leo Byrne (5/22/1930 – 12/6/2016)

in a book called “Behold My Shorts.” His book, “Memories of a Non-Jewish Childhood” was made into a musical by the talented David Resnick and performed at the Grand Theatre 12 years ago. He considered that one of the highlights of his career. It will be reprised on August, 2017, and he would have so loved to see the new version. His humor was well-known in Dubuque and elsewhere, and because of his billiard videos, was

Clara Byrne, and was one of four rambunctious boys. They drove their mother to distraction, but Bob was always her favorite. She spoiled him unreasonably. Bob went on to get a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado, and for many years edited Western Construction, a trade magazine in San Francisco, then turned to a full-time career in writing. Tom and John Byrne survive him, and he really was unhappy to know that he, being the youngest, would die before they did. His brother Bill preceded him in death many years ago, so Bob was only able to beat one of his siblings in the game of Mortality. Bob was the only one who came back to live in Dubuque (in 1995), a town he loved in every way and promoted every chance he got. As a husband, he was beyond reproach, except for his habit of leaving peanut butter fingerprints all over the house and himself. He was kind, loving, intelligent, tolerant, and always thought “mama was right.” His wife Cindy will miss him beyond reckoning. The years they spent traveling and going to the Dubuque Symphony, art events, Dubuque gatherings of all kinds, made him many friends because of his good nature and ability to come up with a sharp quip just when needed. The life-size cutouts of him in his residence window will continue to stand there, despite any objections from customers of Caroline’s restaurant. Cindy is so glad that she wrote him a fan letter back in 1985 in response to two of his collections of quotations, and that he responded. Postage at the time was only 22 cents, so she got a real bargain. Bob always said he felt like a mail-order husband. People from the writing, billiard, and humor worlds will miss his voice, as will his many nieces and nephews, too numerous to mention, his dog Betty Boop and his son Russell, Russell’s wife Jackie, and his grandchildren, Julia and Tyler, who chose to visit grandpa rather than take a luxury vacation in a tropical climate in winter. Too bad their plans came too late to see him one last time.

BOB BYRNE, DERBY CITY, LOUISVILLE, 2006

Robert Byrne was not only the World’s Leading Authority on Pool and Billiards, having written many books and made numerous instructional videos, but he was also a talented writer of other genres, and a humorist without compare. His columns for the Dubuque Telegraph Herald drew many comments, mostly complimentary, and they were compiled

24

January 2017

Rack’em

recognized all across the U.S. and even the world. He was inducted into the Billiard Hall of Fame in 2001, and has received many other awards and prizes for his contribution to carom sports, including U.S. Amateur and Senior Championships. He left this earth on December 6, 2016, peacefully, painlessly, with his wife and son at his side, never to return except in spirit and his writings. Bob was born in Dubuque in 1930 to Thomas and

OnTheBreakNews.com

According to his wishes, there will be no services. There will be a party in May where everyone who loved or even liked Bob can come and celebrate his long and happy life. He wanted “drinks and light appetizers for those who wish to attend.” His wife is thinking of going against his wishes and having heavy appetizers. Bob was a practical and scientific thinker who didn’t know what awaited him, but wasn’t afraid. As I scientific thinker, he knew that matter cannot be created or destroyed, and the memory of his personality will never be destroyed. Contributions can be made to the Dubuque Symphony in his name, or whatever charity you desire. Robert Byrne passed away December 6th. --- Written by: Gary Eake

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews



Decemb er 9-Ball

t e k c 6 Po rds a i l l i B

6 Pocket Billliards in Decatur, Alabama hosted their monthly 9-Ball Tournament on Saturday, December 3, 2016. Format was $35 entry, race to 7/5, Texas Express and jump cue allowed. $500 was added and there was a player auction and meeting and play began at 7pm. There were 26 players who battled to the end.

(256) 686-3171

8525 Cottonwood St NW Coon Rapids, MN 763-780-1585

Watch for Upcoming Tournamnts

Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11AM-Midnight Fri-Sat: 11am-1am

121 E Cherry St Mankato, MN

507-388-7665

Weekly & Monthly Tournaments

14 Diamond Pool Tables - Leagues Full Menu - Gourmet Burgers - Beer

All Ages Welcome

26

January 2017

Rack’em

First Sat at 7pm Monthly 9 ball $35 entry Players Auction $500 added.

9 Ball Fri & Sat 8pm-$13 entry

22 Diamonds (16-7ft and 6-9ft) 1819 Bassett Ave SE, Decatur, AL 1-5x10 Snooker

Wednesdays 9-Ball FREE entry $100 added 7:30PM

ments

na Watch for upcoming tour

Sundays Rated 9-Ball $15 entry Break Challenge 1PM

741 W 6th St - Junction City, KS 785-579-6465

OnTheBreakNews.com

Results and Payouts 1st $500/$965 Kenny L. 2nd $220/$580 Scottie M. 3rd $120/$385 Chris D. 4th $70 Sam Rowland 5/6 $40 David S., J. Whitehead Top Lady $50 Julie Cone

• •

Sponsored and payout tournaments Pool leagues every Monday - Thursday

• • • •

Kansas Hold ‘Em Keno AMI trivia Dart leagues

601 Kasold Dr, Lawrence, KS (785) 749-7699

Chris’ Billiards A Chicago Classic Weekly Pool Tournaments @ 7pm Wed: 8-Ball & Sun: 10-Ball

41 Pool Tables - APA Leagues 4637 N Milwaukee Ave - Chicago, IL

773-286-4714

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


R U O T L L A B 9 T S E W D I M ip

eB Mik

le e eh

o r, J

hn

h y, C e l i R

m Co

On December 10-11, 2016, Boulevard Billiards in Topeka, KS hosted a Midwest 9-Ball Tour event featuring an Open Division and a Ladies Division. This was a $2500 added, double elimination tournament with an alternating breaks/rack your own format. The Open Division was $65 entry/race to 9 and the Ladies was $50 entry/ race to 7.

n pto

Results/Ladies Division 1st Amy Boulware 2nd Kat Smelling 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5/6th

Results/Open Division Michael Beehler Chip Compton Kent Henderson John E Gabriel Joey Gray & Patrick Cady

Leon Sylvester, 1st Amy Boulware, Bob Reed, John Riley, 2nd Kat Smelling

The Premier Pool Hall and Sports Bar in Round Rock, TX • • • • • • •

Home of the Young Guns. . who’s next? • 4 - 9’ Diamonds • 15 - TV’s • 14 - 7’ Diamonds • Full Bar Watch Monday Night Matchup on the FREE stream at OnCue2.com LIVE STREAMING BY:

OnTheBreakNews.com

COLORADO

3611 N St Peters Pkwy St. Peters, MO 63376 (636) 441-9964

Hours: Mon – Fri 11am to Midnight Sat – 11am – 1am Sun – Noon to Midnight

14 Nine Foot Gold Crown III Pool Tables 8 Seven Foot Diamond Smart Tables 3 Cushion Billiard Table Golden Tee - Touch Tunes Jukebox 24 High Definition Screens Direct TV’s Sports Package New Smoke-Free Section & Bar POOL, POKER & SPORTS Pool Tournaments Poker Nights 8-Ball & 9-Ball Leagues Daily Drink Specials

WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS

Friday 9-Ball, $12 entry, 8pm, Races 3/3 (last woman standing wins cash prize) Saturday 9-Ball, $12 entry, 8pm, Races 4/3 (plus 9-ball break contest) Sunday 10-Ball, $12 entry, 2pm, Races 5/3 (plus 9-ball break and break & run contests) 300 Hester’s Crossing, Ste A1 - Round Rock, TX 78681 512-733-1111 www.skinnybobs.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

Rack’em

January 2017

27


Billy Teter wins

Back Alley Billiards’ 460 Fargo & under 8-Ball tourney Billy Teter, of Stillwater, Okla., doubledipped his opponent in the finals to win the title of tourney champion at Back Alley Billiards’ 460 Fargo & under 8-Ball tourney. Teter won his first two matches in the tournament with scores of 5-3 and 5-3. He then lost a match to Shane Austin, of McAlester, Okla. He then won his next three matches with scores of 5-2, 5-4, and 5-3 to make it to the finals. Teter played Don Mendenhall, of McAlester, Okla., in the finals and won 5-3 and 5-1. He won $400 for his first-place finish. Mendenhall won $240 for getting second place. Shane Austin won $150 for taking third place and Troy Franks, of McAlester, Okla., won $60 for finishing in fourth place. Back Alley Billiards in McAlester, Okla., hosts numerous leagues and tournaments throughout the year. For more information, call the pool hall at 918-916-CUES (2837).

Mize and Fossler split

8-Ball tourney at Back Alley Billiards Darren Mize, of Spiro, Okla., and Greg Fossler, of Tulsa, Okla., split first and second at the CUBIT open-rated 8-Ball tourney at Back Alley Billiards in McAlester, Okla. Mize had the hot seat after finishing the day undefeated in the tourney. Fossler beat out numerous competitors to make it back to the championship match. First place paid $170 in tourney winnings and $240 in Calcutta. Second paid $120 in the tourney and $140 in the Calcutta. Billy Barnes, of Van Burren, Ark., took third and won $80 in the tourney and $80 in the Calcutta. Jason Chappell, of Atoka, Okla., took 4th place and got $40. PICTURED, FROM LEFT, ARE BILLY BARNES, OF VAN BURREN, ARK., GREG FOSSLER, OF TULSA, OKLA., AND DARREN MIZE, OF SPIRO, OKLA.

28

January 2017

Rack’em

OnTheBreakNews.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


e l z z a D s r e t s t o h S k c i Tr

Had a blast organizing my first Trickshot tournament and feels amazing to have won it along with my friend and legend Stefano Pelinga! Our opponents Tom Rossman & Abram Diaz were as tough as it gets and played awesome!! More than the win, I am very proud of everyone’s sportsmanship, what a bunch of classy people!! I haven’t had this much fun in a tournament in years! I really hope this is the beginning of something bigger and a fresh start for our sport. On my side I do not regret a thing. I am ready to work another thousand hours to make it happen again next year.

Stefano Pelinga and Florian Kohler Special thanks to all the sponsors who believed in me: Mezz Cues, Iwan Simonis Billiards, Marty Carey’s JumpQ, Rasson Song, Kamui Brand, SkillCon, Sal’s Vinyl Grafx, Delta-13 Billiard Rack - The True Triangle. Also huge thanks to everyone who was involved one way or another, could not have pulled this off without your support!!! Thanks also to Jason Freddie Lynch, Jason Garfield, Mark Estes, Jim Barnard, Marty Carey, Iana Kohler, Tommy Beauregard, Ramin Bakhtiari, Tim Kovacs and the many others I forgot.

Stefano Pelinga wrote “Last night Team Europe (myself and Florian) won over Team USA (Dr. Cue and Abram Diaz). After I beat Tom 12-11 and Florian took care of Abram, we started the final match with a 2-point lead. The match was stopped before completing all the shots as Team USA could not catch up even by making all the remaining shots. I’d like to thank Florian for putting together such a nice event that brought me back to the ESPN years, the Rio Hotel and Casino and Skill-Con for hosting the event, Jason Lynch for his tech support and commentary and, last but not least, my fellow champions for their impeccable sportsmanship.

SCOREBOARD BANK POOL

Red Shoes Billiards Alsip, IL Dec 3, 2016 1st Mark Jarvis 2nd Neal Jacobs 3rd Eric Wermes 4th Mark Pratico 5th-6th Al Martinez & Pete Heard

OnTheBreakNews.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

Rack’em

January 2017

29


E K S A B T E E L P OIT R O !! ! H T

Thirty-three players braved the wintry conditions to arrive at The Carom Room in Beloit, WI for the third stop on the Taom Tips Tour – bar box 10 ball, alternate break, race to 8, true double elimination event. After a rousing player auction, play began. Since a 64-man chart was used, there were an unlucky two players who didn’t receive a bye. They were Roy Schueler and Bob Lange with Roy advancing. A tough early match-up saw Gene Albrecht being defeated by Sergio Rivas followed in the next round by Larry Nevel sending Jason Klatt over to the west side. One loss side action also featured a few notable matches: Tyler Styer knocking Sky Woodward out of the tournament and young gun Billy Thorpe doing the same to veteran Jeff Carter. Tyler went on to defeat Sergio Rivas only to be knocked out in the next match by Alex Olinger. Meanwhile, on the winner’s side of the chart, Dennis Hatch had emerged to play Nevel with Hatch prevailing and Shane McMinn defeating Sean Mitchell setting up a hot seat match between the winners from last weekend’s tournaments. Shane proved too hot for Dennis to handle as McMinn claimed his seat in the finals 8-2. Loser’s side action saw Thorpe defeat Albrecht in a nail biter of a match 8-7 while Demetrius Jelatis emerged from the top of the chart to complete the final four. Billy went on to battle Demetrius and emerged the victor 8-5 and Demetrius in 4th place. Both Dennis & Billy were in top form as they duked

30

January 2017

Rack’em

Carom owner Dave Coles, Shane McMinn, Tony Chohan, Billy Thorpe, Larry Scwartz it out for that other spot in the finals. The match was neck and neck until Dennis pulled ahead 5-3. Billy battled back to tie it up at five each and went on from there to take the set 8-5. Dennis would have to settle for a third place finish. Wow, what a match! After losing his first match and winning eight in a row to get to the finals and coming out on top at the White Diamonds Super 9 Ball last month, Billy was looking to finish out the year with another title. On the other hand, after knocking on the door and being runner-up in several events, Shane finally took it down at the Space City Open in Houston, TX and was looking to make it two in a row. The finals started and Shane drew first blood but Billy battled back to take a 3-1 lead. Shane tied it at three but again, Billy stormed ahead to take a 7-3 lead. Shane won the next one but Billy closed out the first set 8-4. Again, Shane won the first game of the final set and from there it was a tight match with each player winning on their break. Tied at four apiece, Billy went ahead for the first time in the match with a carom on the ten. Breaking and running out, it was now 6-4. Shane scratched on the break – 7-4 Billy and on the hill! He broke and ran out for the cheese! Ten matches in a row for the title! Congratulations to both men for a well-played event.

OnTheBreakNews.com

Both players played great throughout and nearly flawless in the finals – only a couple of rolls made the difference between winning and losing. Congratulations on a great tournament, Billy! Shane – you’re playing great! Congrats to you also! As always, Dave Coles and the staff at The Carom Room pulled out all the stops to make everyone feel welcome. PoolActionTV.com would like to thank them for their top-notch hospitality as well as Tony Chohan’s Taom Tips 10 Ball Tour for a great event. Our other sponsors include Lomax Custom Cues, GameTight Apparel, Durbin Custom Cues, Andy Cloth, Hanshew Custom Cues, EnviroAssessments. com, Diveney Custom Cues, Aramith, GoPlayPool. com, Kamui, Outsville and Club Billiards of Wichita, KS. This wraps it up for 2016. We’d like to take this opportunity to again thank all our sponsors and host rooms for a fantastic year. However, it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of all our fans! PoolActionTV.com would like to wish everyone a fabulous holiday season and here’s hoping 2017 is a happy, healthy and prosperous year for all of us!

— By Mary Kenniston

Results and Payouts: 1st $3060/$5500 Billy Thorpe 2nd $1890/$2680 Shane McMinn 3rd $1170/$1502 Dennis Hatch 4th $730$920 Demitrios Jelatis 5-6th $435 Sean Mitchell, Larry Nevel 7-8th $290 Zach Marquartt, Gene Albrecht

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


Hatch is Back Dennis Hatch It was truly a weekend to remember... Despite the snowy weather, players from 12 different states traveled to Griffith Billiards in Northwest Indiana for the 3rd Annual Fall 9-Ball, sponsored by Fast Action Cue. With a nearly-full 128 player bracket and more than $28,000 up for grabs, the 3rd installment of this event has surely solidified its place amongst the “can’t miss” events of the year. In the end, Dennis Hatch fought off challenger Robb Saez in the finals after battling past Larry Nevel in 3rd and Shane McMinn in 4th. A 1st place payday netted $8,700 with the Calcutta while 2nd place brought in a total of $5,500! With payouts like that, you know both the players and the buyers walked away happy! From me personally... This caliber of event could never happen without a ton of support from some very amazing people, and I sincerely appreciate you all. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who helped bring this dream to life the past 3 years, especially James Jeffers and Robert Bugielski, as well as the 2 best tournament board managers in the business... Lacy Bugielski and Jamey Glynn!

Top Finishers Thank you to both Fast Action Cue (Alex Fenili) and Griffith Billiards for their sponsorship of the event, thank you to TVMike for his support and for bringing this event to viewers around the country, and thank you to our event photographer, Pamela Planera of Farfalla Designs + Photo. Last but not least, THANK YOU to all the players and fans for your support, encouragement, and kind words. This event does not exist without all of you, and I sincerely hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Griffin Glynn.

SHARKY’S BAR & BILLIARDS 2902 E Kimberly Rd - Davenport, IA

Winner Dennis Hatch writes “I’M Back. After practicing all week, I was able to snap off the win at the tournament this weekend at Griffith billiards in Griffith, Indiana. I’d like to thank James Jeffers, Griffin Glynn, Robert Bugielski Bugielski and the girls for running one of smoothest tournaments I’ve ever played in. There was a field of 128 men, no money was taken out of the tournament or Calcutta and it finished Sunday night at only 7pm. I’d like to thank my rock and #1 supporter, who always believes in me, and bought me in the Calcutta blind bid for $1600, Jaymi Levenhagen. You’re the most amazing woman ever and I’m lucky to have you.”

920-651-0806

570 N. Main St - Oshkosh, WI 54901

563-359-7225

26 Pool Tables - 6 Flat Screen TVs Weekly Tournament at 7PM Sun-Mon-Thurs-Fri $100 added for every 16 players

Daily Food Specials - Happy Hour: 4-6pm M-F See the Tournament Trail for Upcoming Tournament Dates OnTheBreakNews.com

Full Bar and Grill

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

Rack’em

(9) 9' Diamond Tables (12) 7' Diamond Tables January 2017

31


WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS If you have any changes to your weekly pool tournaments EMAIL: billiards@OnTheBreakNews.com DATE CITY Mondays Davenport, IA Houston, TX Des Moines, IA Green Bay, WI Tuesdays Lawrence, KS Des Moines, IA Houston, TX Wednesdays McAlester, OK Davenport, IA Des Moines, IA Midwest City, OK St Peters, MO Houston, TX Alsip, IL Oshkosh, WI Thursdays Azle, TX Oshkosh, WI Davenport, IA Des Moines, IA Lawrence, KS Fridays Azle, TX McAlester, OK Houston, TX Coon Rapids, MN Des Moines, IA Farmington, MN Tulsa, OK Poplar Bluff, MO Midwest City, OK Davenport, IA Round Rock, TX Oshkosh, WI Mankato, MN Green Bay, WI St Peters, MO Decatur, AL Saturdays Azle, TX Houston, TX Tulsa, OK Decatur, AL Des Moines, IA Round Rock, TX Houston, TX Tulsa, OK St Peters, MO Springfield, MO Sundays Azle, TX McAlester, OK Des Moines, IA Davenport, IA Lawrence, KS Round Rock, TX Oshkosh, WI Springfield, MO

LOCATION Sharky’s Bar & Billiards Bogies Billiards Big Dog Billiards KK Billiards Astro’s Big Dog Billiards Bogie’s West Back Alley Billiards Sharky’s Bar & Billiards Big Dog Billiards Jamaica Joe’s Teachers Billiards Bogies Billiards Red Shoes Varsity Club Open Table Sports Grill Varsity Club Sharky’s Bar & Billiards Big Dog Billiards Astro’s Open Table Sports Grill Back Alley Billiards Bogies Billiards CR’s Sports Bar Big Dog Billiards Farmington Billiards Q-Spot Billiards Smokin’ Aces Jamaica Joe’s Sharky’s Bar & Billiards Skinny Bob’s Billiards Varsity Club Kato Cue Club KK Billiards Teachers Billiards 6 Pockets Open Table Sports Grill Bogies Billiards T’s Billiards 6 Pockets Big Dog Billiards Skinny Bob’s Billiards Bogie’s West Q-Spot Billiards Teachers Billiards Shooters Billiards Open Table Sports Grill Back Alley Billiards Big Dog Billiards Sharky’s Bar & Billiards Astro’s Skinny Bob’s Billiards Varsity Club Shooters Billiards

PHONE (563) 359-7225 (281) 821-4544 (515) 266-6100 (920) 432-0059 785-749-7699 (515) 266-6100 (832) 912-4432 (918) 916-2837 (563) 359-RACK (515) 266-6100 (405) 736-0590 (636) 441-9964 (281) 821-4544 (708) 388-3700 (920) 651-0806 817-400-1990 (920) 651-0806 (563) 359-7225 (515) 266-6100 785-749-7699 817-400-1990 (918) 916-2837 (281) 821-4544 (763) 780-1585 (515) 266-6100 (651) 463-2636 (918) 779-6204 (573) 712-2900 (405) 736-0590 (563) 359-7225 (512) 733-1111 (920) 651-0806 (507) 388-7665 (920) 432-0059 (636) 441-9964 256-686-3171 817-400-1990 (281) 821-4544 (918) 622-7747 256-686-3171 (515) 266-6100 (512) 733-1111 (832) 912-4432 (918) 779-6204 (636) 441-9964 (417) 315-8340 817-400-1990 (918) 916-2837 (515) 266-6100 (563) 359-7225 785-749-7699 (512) 733-1111 (920) 651-0806 (417) 315-8340

EVENT / RULES ENTRY ADDED TIME 9-Ball $12 $100 every 16 7PM 9 Ball on 8’ tables-Race 4/3 $7 $100 w/20 8PM Open 8-Ball $10 Call 7PM 9-Ball-Race to 4-Alt Break-DE $10 $50 w/16 7PM BCA 8-Ball $5 Matching Call Handicap 8-Ball-DE $10 Call 7PM 9 Ball-Limit 32 $12 8PM 9 Ball Open - Race to 3 $5 $$$ 7:30PM 8-9-10 Ball Coin Toss $10 (incl g.f.) $100 every 16 6:30PM Call Pocket 9-Ball $10 Call 7PM 9 Ball - 10 & under $15 $5/player 7:30PM 5,6,7 9-Ball - Race to 3+ $13 $5 side pot 7:30PM 8 Ball on 8’ tables-Race 2/1 $7 $100 w/20 8PM 10 Ball $15 Call 8PM 9-Ball Beginners $8 Call Call BCA 8-Ball 2/2 DE $10 $100 every 16 8PM 9-Ball Intermediate $10 Call Call 8-Ball $10 $100 every 16 7PM Short Rack 8-Ball-Race to 3 $10 Call 11PM BCA 9-Ball $5 Matching 7PM BCA 8-Ball 2/2 DE $10 $100 every 16 8PM 8 Ball Open - Race to 3 $10 $$$ 7:30PM 8-Ball-on Bar Tables $10 Call 7PM 8-Ball on 7’ Diamonds $16 Break Pot 7PM Open 10-Ball-Race to 6/5 $10 $3/player 7PM 8 or 9-ball rotation $15+$5 g.f. $50 w/16 6:30PM 8-Ball 7 & under $5 Call 9 PM 9 Ball $10 $200 7PM Open 8-Ball - Rated Call Call Call 9-Ball on 7’ Valleys $10 $100 every 16 7PM 9-Ball Race 3/3-Last Woman $ $12 Call 8PM 9-Ball $15 $50 7PM 8-Ball Progressive - Hdcp $16 Call 6:30PM 8-Ball Race to 3/2 $5 $50 w/16 8PM 3,4,5 8-Ball - Race to 2+ $13 $5 side pot 7:30PM 9-Ball $13 Call 8PM BCA 8-Ball 2/2 DE $10 $100 every 16 8PM 8-Ball on Bar Tables $10 $$$ 8PM Alt 8/9 Ball - Vegas Style $25 $100 every 8 1PM 9-Ball $13 Call 8PM Bank Ring Game $1/rail Call 8PM 9-Ball Race 4/3 9-Ball Break Pot $12 Call 8PM 8 Ball-Limit 32 $11 $100 w/20 4PM 9-Ball 7 & under $10 (incl. g.f.) Call 9PM 9-Ball - Race to Hcp - DE $15 $5 side pot 1PM 8-Ball $5 $100 7:30PM BCA 8-Ball 2/2 DE $10 $100 every 16 8PM Scotch Doubles - Race to 3 $10 $$$ 5:30PM 8-Ball / 9-Ball $10 Call 6PM 10-Ball $12 $100 every 16 7PM 3-Ball Rounds - Winner take all $1 10AM 10-Ball Race 5/3 9-Ball Break Pot $12 Break&Run Pot 2PM 10-Ball on 9’ tables-Race to 5 $15 Call Call Majority Rules $5 $100 6PM

Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice

32

January 2017

Rack’em

OnTheBreakNews.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


Subscribe Today!

12 Issues of Rackem - 1 year y l for $30 n O Order all 3 Pool Magazines - 1 year 95 y l for $54. n O

Order online at: http://www.onthebreaknews.com/Subscription.htm - Offer subject to change without notice 12 Issues of Rackem Pool Magazine for ONLY $30. All 3 Magazines for $54.95 Send Check or Money Order for $30 or $54.95 (U.S. Delivery Only) On The Break News - P O Box 1566 - Bozeman, MT 59771 Name Address City State Zip Or call 406.285.3099 to order by phone --- credit cards only OnTheBreakNews.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

Rack’em

January 2017

33


Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice DATE Jan 1 Jan 1 Jan 1 Jan 1 Jan 6 Jan 7-8 Jan 7 Jan 7 Jan 7-8 Jan 6-8 Jan 6-8 Jan 13-16 Jan 13-16 Jan 14 Jan 14 Jan 21 Jan 21 Jan 27-29 Jan 28 Jan 28 Feb 11 Feb 16 Feb 16 Feb 17 Feb 17 Feb 17-19 Feb 18-19 Feb 18 Feb 18-19 Feb 24 Feb 25-26 Feb 25 Mar 9-11 Mar 9-11 Mar 18 Apr 15 Apr 28-30 Apr 28-30

CITY Des Moines, IA Davenport, IA Davenport, IA Davenport, IA Decatur, AL Decatur, AL McAlester, OK Houston, TX Houston, TX Junction City, KS Junction City, KS Round Rock, TX Round Rock, TX McAlester, OK Davenport, IA Azle, TX McAlester, OK Cape Girardeau, MO Davenport, IA McAlester, OK Davenport, IA Round Rock, TX Round Rock, TX Round Rock, TX Round Rock, TX Round Rock, TX Round Rock, TX Alsip, IL Azle, TX Shreveport, LA Shreveport, LA Davenport, IA Lincoln City, OR Lincoln City, OR Alsip, IL Alsip, IL Coon Rapids, MN Coon Rapids, MN

LOCATION Big Dog Billiards Sharkys Billiards Sharkys Billiards Sharkys Billiards 6 Pockets 6 Pockets Back Alley Billiards Bogies Billiards Bogies Billiards Fat Toad Billiards Fat Toad Billiards Skinny Bob’s Billiards Skinny Bob’s Billiards Back Alley Billiards Sharkys Billiards Open Table Back Alley Billiards Blue Diamond Sharkys Billiards Back Alley Billiards Sharkys Billiards Skinny Bob’s Billiards Skinny Bob’s Billiards Skinny Bob’s Billiards Skinny Bob’s Billiards Skinny Bob’s Billiards Skinny Bob’s Billiards Red Shoes Open Table Sidepockets Sidepockets Sharkys Billiards Chinook Winds Open Chinook Winds Open Red Shoes Red Shoes C R’s Sports Bar C R’s Sports Bar

PHONE 515-266-6100 563-359-RACK 563-359-RACK 563-359-RACK 256-686-3171 256-686-3171 918-916-CUES 281-821-4544 281-821-4544 913-980-9808 913-980-9808 512-721-8229 512-721-8229 918-916-CUES 563-359-RACK 817-400-1990 918-916-CUES 573-837-1148 563-359-RACK 918-916-CUES 563-359-RACK 512-721-8229 512-721-8229 512-721-8229 512-721-8229 512-721-8229 512-721-8229 708-388-3700 817-400-1990 318-425-8112 318-425-8112 563-359-RACK 360-703-4081 360-703-4081 708-388-3700 708-388-3700 612-240-1018 612-240-1018

EVENT / RULES ENTRY Hangover 8-Ball Scotch Doubles $40 no g.f. 8-Ball New Year’s Day-Mens Div $30 8-Ball New Year’s Day-Wms Div $20 8-Ball New Year’s Day-Jrs Div $10 Ladies 9-Ball - Limit 32 $30 incl g.f. 9-Ball - Limit 128 $100 incl g.f. Progressive 8-Ball Open $20 Gulf Coast Tour $25 Lone Star Tour-9-Ball Limit 64 $35/$25 9-Ball play on 7’ Diamonds $50 incl g.f. One Pocket play on 9’ Diamonds $100 incl g.f. 9-Ball Main Event $60/$80 +$15 g.f. Women’s 9-Ball $35 + $5 g.f. 7 & Under 8-Ball $20 No Master 9-Ball-Race to 7/7 $40 incl g.f. Open 8-Ball - Limit 48 $50 Rated 9-Ball $20 9-Ball Team - Winter War $200/T Shark Shootout 9-Ball Champ. $65 incl g.f. 6 & Under 8-Ball $20 8-Ball Jack & Jill Sc Dbls $60/T incl g.f. Open Bank Ring Game $100 Open 10-Ball-Race 3 Single Elim. $25 Open 10-Ball Ring Game $100 Ladies 10-Ball Ring Game $30 Texas Open 10-Ball Race 7/7 $150 incl g.f. Texas Open 10-Ball Ladies Race 7/7 $40 One Pocket $50 incl g.f. APA 8-Ball 6 & Below-Limit 64 $20 10-Ball Ring Game-Limit 16 $100 Open 9-Ball Limit 128 $75 incl g.f. Open 10-Ball-Race to 5/5 $40 incl g.f. CWO 8-Ball Men $200 incl g.f. CWO 8-Ball Women $200 incl g.f. 10-Ball $50 incl g.f. Bank Pool $50 incl g.f. 8-Ball - Limit 16 - Race to 15 $1,000 10-Ball - Limit 32 - Race to 7/9 $200

FOLLOW US

Read Us in Print

www.twitter.com/onthebreaknews Over 6,000 Followers

Over 30,000 Readers each month

We Got You Covered!

Read Us Online

www.onthebreaknews.com 6 Years of Archived Issues

34

January 2017

Rack’em

ADDED TIME $500 Guar 10AM $1,000 w/64 10AM $250 w/32 10AM Prizes/Awards 10AM $200 8PM $1,000 w/32 Noon Call 2PM $500 w/32 11AM $1,000 Guar 11AM $1,000 Guar Noon $500 w/16 9PM $3,500 1PM $350 10AM Call 2PM $1,000 w/64 Call $1,000 w/48 9AM Call 2PM $1,000+ 11AM $1,500 Call Call 2PM $1,000 Call Call 7PM Call 8PM Call 2PM Call 2PM $4,000 7PM $500 Guar Noon $500 w/ff Call $1,000 w/64 Noon Call 8PM $2,000 Guar 11AM $1,000 Noon $18,000 Noon $6,000 Noon $500 w/ff Call $500 w/ff Call $6,000 Guar Call $2,000 Guar Call

We Got You Covered!

LIKE US

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews Over 10,000 Likes OnTheBreakNews.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews


OnTheBreakNews.com

www.facebook.com/onthebreaknews

Rackem

June/July 2016

35


ACHIEVE PEAK PERFORMANCE TIP TOOLS CHALKERS

METAL TIP TOOL TTSØ1

ACRYLIC TIP TOOL TTSØ2

COMPACT TIP TOOL TTSØ3

MULTI-TOOL MAGNETIC CLIP CHALKER In black, burgundy, purple or white

Features a tapper, shaper, trimmer & burnisher In black, blue, gold or red

TTSUM

QCSMC

800.645.9803

www.cuestix.com

qualified dealers welcome - free catalog


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.