Rackem Magazine - November 2009 Issue by Rackem Magazine

November 2009 page 2

November 2009 page 3

What’s Inside

Cover Photo by: Don “Cheese” Akerlow

www.RackemMag.com

Places People Play DEADLINE: 30th of each Month CALL IF LATE

Rackem P.O. Box 100 Three Forks, MT 59752 Phone 1-406-285-3099 Fax 1-406-285-3098 Email rackemmag@aol.com

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Rackem Staff PUBLISHER/EDITOR Don “Cheese” Akerlow

MARKETING DIRECTOR Mary Akerlow

LAYOUTS & DESIGN Wendy Swenson Sunshine Ross Mary Akerlow Don Akerlow

DISTRIBUTION Sheila Papke

About Rackem

Rackem is a monthly publication, dedicated to the advancement of the sport of pool and to promoting enthusiasm and encouragement among the players at all levels, regardless of their league affiliation, in addition to recognizing those businesses who support them all. Covering the midwest. Look for Rackem by the 10th of each month. The opinions expressed are those of the author or advertiser and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rackem or its staff. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher. © 2009 Rackem

ACS Green Bay, WI

All American Billiards Muskogee, OK

Atlas Billiard Supply Skokie, IL

Billiard Center Cape Girardeau, MO

billiardcoach.com

Billiards On Main Galesburg, IL

Crown Cues Broken Arrow, OK

Cue & Case

Fargo Billiards Fargo, ND

League Central Kansas

Lucasi Hybrid

MN ACS Walker,MN

Mendota Valley Twin Cities, MN

Mueller Lincoln, NE

Northern Lights Rugby, ND OTBnTV Live Pool Cue Guru

19 3,18 9

Q-Spot Tulsa, OK

Red Shoes Billiards Alsip, IL

sammspocket.com

Sharky’s Sedalia, MO

Shooter’s Olathe, KS

Six Arrows

Minnesota

Two Stooges Fridley, MN

USAPL Henderson, NV

Varsity Club Oshkosh, WI

Information &Columnists

POOL ON TV All times are Central time.

Classic 11-01-2009 8:00 am Willie Mosconi vs. Babe Cranefield 11-01-2009 10:00 am 2007 U S Pro Tour Championship 11-07-2009 1:00 am Willie Mosconi vs. Babe Cranefield 11-07-2009 2:00 pm Willie Mosconi vs. Cowboy Jimmy Moore 11-07-2009 3:00 pm Willie Mosconi vs. Cowboy Jimmy Moore 11-07-2009 4:00 pm 1983 Willie Mosconi vs. Irving Crane

11-15-2009 2:30 pm Colorado Classic Finals 11-15-2009 3:00 pm 2009 Pacific Coast Classic 11-15-2009 4:00 pm 2009 Pacific Coast Classic 11-15-2009 5:00 pm 2009 Pacific Coast Classic 11-07-2009 5:00 pm 1983 Willie Mosconi vs. U.J. Puckett 11-07-2009 5:00 pm Willie Mosconi vs. Minnesota Fats 11-29-2009 8:00 am Generationpool.com Men’s 9-Ball

These schedules have been provided by ESPN. These are tentative dates and are subject to change

Streaming Schedule

Bill Smith Billiard Coach Bob Jewett Melissa Little OTBnTV Live

7 4 13 13 18

Pool On TV Samm Diep Tournament Trail Weekly Tournaments

3 7 18 17

Battle in the BigHorns Sheridan, Wy Nov 13-15: 8 Ball

Northern Lights Shootout Rugby, ND Dec 10th: International Cup Canada vs. U.S.A. Dec 11th-13th: 8-Ball stay tuned for more info Watch on www.OTBnTV.com or ustream.tv/channel/otbntv-live

November 2009 page 4

Big Table to Bar Box: Making the Adjustment

Much as golfers must adapt to weather conditions and different courses, pool players must make a sometimes difficult transition themselves: switching between 9-foot and 7-foot tables. Many capable big table 9-Ball players have trouble downsizing to a bar box to play 8-Ball. Keeping key concepts in mind will make the change less challenging and make a player more comfortable on different sized tables. Keep the cue ball movement to a minimum. Less cue ball movement is advantageous on a bar box. The 7-foot table has tight quarters. Some players exhibit better control of the cue ball using a slightly more compact stroke. Shorten or reign in your stroke since most shots can be made without a big stroke. Punch balls in by focusing on a deliberate stroke. If you are struggling with speed control on the bar box, consider rolling balls in. Follow and natural position leave less to chance if you have confidence in the table at a slower speed. Simple, natural position at controlled speeds also gives you a better chance to get the correct speed for position. Rails on bar tables are easier to predict at a low speed than high speed. Just beware of skid and learn to recognize which angles and pace the balls tend to stick. Select patterns appropriate to the table size. Shot selections should favor stop and stun shots over shots with close distance. Close distance refers to positional shots with little distance between the cue ball and object ball. For example, it is better to take a long stop shot over a close range cut where the cue ball will travel two rails back to the center of the table flirting with traffic. A slight miss hit will still pocket the ball in a stun/stop shot and hold cue ball position. Conversely, the cut may still pocket the ball, but the speed and direction of the cue ball will be altered. This could lead to the possibility of bumping into balls or missing position from too much or little cue ball pace. The saying goes, “Get in line and stay in line.” If your position becomes a little less than ideal, chances are that the amount of inaccuracy will escalate on the next shot. This may accumulate over several shots until you are in a self imposed trap and are forced into a low percentage or desperation shot. It’s one of those runs that you wish you could rewind and select another opening shot or play a preemptive safety. Beware of equipment differences. In bar box pool, you have a much greater chance of finding a subpar (or less than ideal) cue ball, mismatched object balls, a cheap triangle, inferior cloth, and mismatched cushions. All of these factors hurt the highly skilled player because they introduce unexpected variables into the game. Under ideal conditions, the more advanced player can exhibit a mind blowing demonstration of control. Such a player can move the cue ball ten feet or more to a target the size of a quarter. If the cue ball arrives via three cushions, one of which is from a different table, then the player may have to settle for a dinner plate for position. Pay special attention to the cue ball model and condition. Heavy or large cue balls drive through the object ball and alter the tangent line. It just doesn’t follow the physics of ball behavior. It is yet another variable that befuddles experts, but doesn’t harm the lower skilled players who may not realize the difference. It’s an equalizer. Ralf Souquet will not even hit a ball on a seven foot table. He considers it mini-golf compared to a professional PGA approved course. Souquet, the money leader on tour in 2008, once commented on the bed of a nine foot table where the bed had new cloth, but the rail cloth was unchanged. He is so sensitive to table conditions that his continued on page 19

“Pool Saved My Life” One Man’s Tragic Story and What Pool Means to Him By Samm Diep, PoolTipJar.com © August 2009

From the early age of 13, Phil recalls banging balls around at the nearby YMCA with his skateboarding buddies. With no bridges available, it was normal to switch between shooting righthanded and left-handed. Their summers were Samm Diep carefree and pool kept them out of trouble. It would be seven years later before Phil’s adolescent pastime would rescue him from his darkest demons. Continuing to play throughout grade school, he entered college and found himself a regular at Classic Billiards, the all-ages pool hall at the time. On one late night he witnessed the owner, Jason, matched up in 9-ball sets with a road player and for the first time, “I was purposely he recalled seeing two players “play destroying myself. I was 9-ball the way it was supposed to looking for answers. be played.” The two men broke and Why is this happening ran racks, played strategic defensive to me? What did I do moves, made all the tough shots and made the game look so beautiful. I’m wrong?” sure we can all remember the first time we saw pool played at a high level. It’s like making music. A couple years later, Phil invested in his first pool cue. It was a hundred dollar Viking cue which he still owns today. Along with the cue, he picked up a couple instructional videos. The one he watched over and over was Jerry Briesath’s “How to Play Pool Right.” That would be his first breakthrough in taking the game more seriously. At a young age, his parents divorced and his mom remarried. Both his dad and his step-dad also dabbled in the game and encouraged his interest. At age 20, Phil attended a college party that would forever change his life. It was there that he met Julie, an old high school crush. The two instantly connected and within weeks were head over heels. Their continued on page 14

High Performance Cues Professional Billiard Instruction Everything a Serious Player Could Need

Samsara Cues

MIKE FIELDHAMMER

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W W W. B I L L I A R D C O A C H . C O M

November 2009 page 5

PACIFIC COAST CLASSIC Story & Photos by Anne Craig – WPBA Story & Photos by Anne Craig – WPBA

For Xiaoting Pan, this was her first chance to win a WPBA Tour event since 2008. For Jasmin, this was her opportunity to win her second title of this year. Both came into this match undefeated and both were shooting lights out. Xiaoting won the lag and ran out to post the first game of the match, up 1-0. Jasmin broke, came up dry Xiaoting missed and Jasmin ran out. Xiaoting had the break in game 3, pocketing a ball and soon it was now 2. Jasmin made a great bank shot on the 1 to continue through the layout and ran out to go up 3-2. Xiaoting broke in game 9 but came up dry and left Jasmin an open shot to start Jasmin Ouschan her run. She made the 1 but was forced to play a safety on the 2 ball, which Xiaoting missed. Jasmin knew she had to take advantage of this opportunity and ran out to regain a one game lead, up 5-4. The 2 was about 10” off the bottom rail, with the 9 ball sitting another 8” above that in line with the corner pocket way up-table and Xiaoting aimed for the strange carom, and the crowd oohed and aahed as the 9 went straight in traveling 8’ away and we were tied again at 5 all. Xiaoting broke in game 11, making the 6 ball. She had a very, very tough cut on the one ball, which she missed badly and left it wide open for Jasmin to take advantage of the error. To her frustration, her shape to the 4 ball was straighter than she’d wanted it and in trying to cheat the pocket with draw, she missed the ball. Xiaoting stepped up and also missed the ball, leaving it a duck in the pocket. Jasmin made the 4 but snookered herself behind the 7. She could see half the 5 and executed a beautiful short jump shot, with position on the 7. Her force follow came up short on the 8 which was just off the bottom rail, and she had a choice of a bank, or a safety as her coach, Michael, looked on in concern. She chose the safety although Xiaoting could see about ¼ of the ball as a result. Xiaoting’s return safety came up dry leaving Jasmin a bank shot which Jasmin missed. Luck was on Jasmin’s side though as the cue ball slowly rolled right up under the 9, giving Xiaoting nothing more than a one long rail kick shot. Xiaoting did hit the ball, but the 8 rolled up for perfect position for Jasmin who ran out and reached the hill in the most tense of all the games, 6-5. Jasmin broke in game 13 and although she made a ball, missed Xiaoting Pan

the 2 ball playing position for the 4. Xiaoting was left to play a one rail kick slider on the ball and made it with great position to the 4. She took a quick look at the 6 which was tied up awkwardly with the 9, and missed the 4, leaving a 4/9 combination after she’d knocked away the 6 ball. Jasmin stepped up, shook the nerves out and made the 4/9 to win her second tournament of the year! Dee Pigsley; Chairperson of the Siletz Tribe of Oregon, presented our winner and runner up with their custom made Pendelton blankets and blown glass trophy bowls. Many thanks go out to Chinook Winds Casino Resort, especially Josh Blacketer and Kelli Duhamel of the Marketing Department. The staff here at the casino was wonderful and treated our staff and players well. The shot clock volunteers provided by Merle & Boomer Humphries were a fantastic group of people and we hope to see them next year! Thanks to our sponsors; The American Poolplayers Association, Aramith, Brunswick, Cuetec, Pooldawg. com, Mueller Recreational Products and Simonis Cloth, for their continued support of the WPBA. Next up; the final tournament of the season, the 2009 WPBA Tour Championships at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, November 11-15, 2009. See you there!

November 2009 page 6

Lucasi Hybrid ACS at Miller Time Billiards The 2009-2010 Lucasi Hybri All American Tour (produced by the American CueSports Alliance – ACS) came to Davenport, Iowa, on Saturday, October 17, at Miller Time Billiards. The $500 added event featured twenty-two players in a double-elimination 8-ball format on 7-foot bar boxes. Rich Bideaux (Moline, IL), rated a 6 on a regional handicap system, took the undefeated route to the hot seat that included A-side victories over Rodney Flenoi [6] (Davenport, IA) 6-5 in the semi-finals and Dan Kuhl [5] (LeClaire, IA) 6-4 in the finals. In the B-side Ron O’Meara Jr. [6] (E. Moline, IL) eliminated Mason Parks [5] (E. Moline, IL) at 7th place 6-1, while Danny Pena [5] (Davenport, IA) tied Parks with a 3-6 loss to Steve Parlow [6] (Davenport, IA). Josh Johnson [7] (Bettendorf, IA) and Steve Parlow tied at 5th place in the next round, courtesy of losses respectively to Ron O’Meara Jr. 5-6 and Rodney Flenoi 5-6. Staying true to the handicapping, Ron O’Meara Jr. recorded another 6-5 win over Rodney Flenoi to stay Flenoi at 4th place. Dan Kuhl, in turn, ended O’Meara’s run at 3rd place via a 5-3 B-side finals win. The tourney finals went to the hill again, as Rich Bideaux [6] gained the title in the first set with a 6-4 win over Dan Kuhl [5]. By virtue of Dan Kuhl being the highest-finishing ACS member in the event, he qualified for a free 9-Ball singles entry into the 2010 ACS Nationals in Las Vegas – courtesy of the ACS. The ACS wishes to thank sponsors Lucasi Hybrid Cues, Championship Billiard Fabric, Nick Varner Signature Cases, Ozone Billiards and Pool Cue Guru for their support in donating “Value-In-Kind” product for this and all stops on the Lucasi

Hybrid All American Tour. All entries in the Tour are also entered into a drawing in January for a $1,000 Lucasi Hybrid Cue, courtesy of Ozone Billiards. Sponsorship opportunities and tour stop openings are still available for the 2009/2010 All American Tour by contacting the ACS. The Tour splits off into six events in two states the weekend of October 23-25, as the $1,200 added Nebraska State Invitational hosts four separate events (open 9-ball and 8-ball, women’s 8-ball and scotch doubles) at Fort Crook Billiards in Bellevue, NE, October 23-25 (contact Claire Banks at 402-291-7665), while Brick House Billiards produces a $500-added 8-Ball Tour Stop in Decatur, IL (contact Frank Black at 217-454-9995), and Billiards on Main promotes a $500-added 8-Ball Tour Stop in Galesburg, IL (contact Mark Hammerl at 309-342-7665). Further information, entry details and schedules for the 2009/2010 Lucasi Hybrid All American Tour are available at www.americancuesports.org.

FINAL RESULTS: 1st $350 2nd $210 3rd $160 4th $100 5-6th $40 7-8th $20

Rich Bideaux (Moline, IL)-pictured above left Dan Kuhl (LeClaire, IA)-pictured above right Ron O’Meara Jr. (E. Moline, IL) Rodney Flenoi (Davenport, IA) Josh Johnson (Bettendorf, IA) Steve Parlow (Davenport, IA) Mason Parks (E. Moline, IL) Danny Pena (Davenport, IA)

Midwest 9-Ball Tour from: Shooters Billiards - Olathe, KS - Oct 1-4, 2009

Jose Parica, Joey Gray

ONE-POCKET 37 PLAYERS - $1000 ADDED 1st $760 Jose Parica, W. Covina, Ca 2nd $500 Joey Gray, OKC, OK 3rd $370 Mike Banks, Jr., Blue Springs, Mo 4th $250 Brian Jones, Tulsa, Ok 5-6 $180 Mike Lacy, Olathe, Ks, Mark Haddad, Denver, Co 7-8 $120 Jamie Fenton, Des Moines, Ia, Chip Compton, OKC, Ok LADIES - 13 PLAYERS - $500 ADDED 1st $500 Julia Gabriel, St. Charles, Mo 2nd $300 Melissa Little, Denver, Co 3rd $155 Jessie James, Ames, Ia

Julia Gabriel, Melissa Little

Joey Gray, James Baraks

OPEN - 88 PLAYERS - $3500 ADDED 1st $1800 Joey Gray, OKC, Ok 2nd $1300 James Baraks, Rock Island, Il 3rd $700 Gary Lutman, St. Louis, Mo 4th $500 John Gabriel, Tulsa, Ok 5-6 $400 John Morra, Toronto, ON, Scott Hargens, Cedar Rapids, Ia 7-8 $300 Kenny Turner, Branson, Mo, Jon Kucharo, Bettendorf, Ia 9-12 $200 Jamie Fenton, Des Moines, Ia, Jose Parica, W. Covina, Ca Steve Rector, Wichita, Ks, Chip Compton, OKC, Ok 13-16 $150 Sean Monkman, Winnipeg, MB, Mark Haddad, Denver, Co Danny Harriman, Springfield, Mo Mike Banks, Jr., Blue Springs, Mo 17-24 $100 Jerrod Spence, Winnipeg, MB, Mike Lacy, Olathe, Ks Mike Bennett, Ames, Ia, Jimmy Neal, Austin, Tx David Matlock, Olathe, Ks P.J. Hoffman, St. Louis, Mo, Travis Gallup, Olathe, Ks

Mika Back2Back

November 2009 page 7

Story & photo of Mika Immonen provided by NYC Grind Contributor, Alison M. Fischer

Pool fans from across the country gathered at the final day of the US Open 9-ball Championships in Chesapeake, VA, as they watched the showdown of the final four players, out of a field that started with 216. And these fans did in fact get to see history in the making, as Mika Immonen was crowned US Open 9-ball Champion for the second consecutive time. This had only been done once before, by Nick Varner nearly twenty years ago, with his back-to-back wins in 1989 and 1990. At 1:00 pm, on Saturday, October 24, two matches would determine the fate of the four final players at the US Open. In the Predator Arena, in a match streamed live by Accu-Stats, “The Kaiser” Ralf Souquet andDonnie Mills faced off as the final two undefeated players in the event. In this “hot seat” match between Souquet and Mills, where seasoned veteran Souquet was the favorite, it looked like Souquet would run away with the match, jumping ahead 9-5 in a race to 11. However, after Souquet scratched on the break in the following rack, Mills went on a four-game tear to tie the score at 9-9. With the score 10-9 in Mills’ favor, Donnie MIlls broke dry, leaving the 9-ball hanging in the bottom right corner pocket. And yes, Ralf Souquet ran out to go hill-hill, while Mills sat stewing in his seat. And in the next rack, Donnie Mill’s dreams of going into the finals undefeated were shattered as Souquet broke and ran out.. Meanwhile on the adjacent table, Mika Immonen was facing off against Lee Van Corteza of the Philippines in the quarterfinal match. Once again, Mika looked to be exiting the event when being down 8-5, but turned things around to win six straight games to take the match 11-8. Congratulations to Lee Van Corteza of the Republic of the Philippines for his fourth place finish at the US Open. Corteza is becoming one of the most threatening Pinoy players around, having finished 7th in 2008 US Open, and winning the Derby City Classic 10-ball Challenge. Watch out for him in upcoming major events, including the WPA World 9-ball Championships in Manila. This moved Immonen into the semifinal match against Donnie Mills, where Mika Immonen got off to a slow start. Mills led the match 7-4, but Immonen picked up speed after an untimely scratch on the 8 by Mills. However, Mills had another letdown as the cue ball headed right into the side pocket in his hill-hill break, and Mika ran out to claim the spot in the finals against Ralf Souquet.

The final match of the 2009 US Open 9-ball Championships would be a showdown between two European Champions who have undoubtedly matched up many times before. The undefeated Ralf Souquet faced Mika Immonen, in a single race to 13 games. The arena surrounding the beautiful Diamond Paragon Table was packed, and this would be the defining match to make one of them a two-time US Open Champion. After US Open promoter & founder Barry Behrman introduced the players, the match began shortly after 7 pm. Mika Immonen jumped to take the lead at 4-2, and looked to take a 3-game lead, but missed an easy 8-ball, with the crowd gasping in shock. Souquet

took that game, the broke and ran to tie the set 4-4. Following that, Immonen missed a 6-ball, which allowed Souquet to take a 5-4 lead. Souquet claimed the next fwo racks for a 7-4 lead, but the momentum shifted again in favor of Immonen, and after a solid safety on the one ball, Souquet fouled, allowing Mika to take a 9-7 lead. Immonen and Souquet both added a game to the score to go 10-8, and after Ralf’s dry break in Rack 19, it looked like “The Iceman” was out for sure. However, he misjudged the angle to get to the 8 ball on the head rail, and landed the cue ball on top of the 8. Immonen attempted to play a safe

on the 8, but ended up nearly banking it into the bottom corner pocket, leaving the 8 and 9 for Ralf, who edged closer with a score of 10-9. In Rack 20, Souquet broke and ran to the 3, where he played a safety. This forced Immonen to jump, and although he got a good hit, he left an open shot for Souquet to run out and tie at 1010. The next rack brought a safety battle over the 3, which ended when Souquet left it hanging in pocket and Immonen cleaned up to take the lead. Immonen broke in the next rack, and shocked the audience by missing the 2 ball entirely. This gave Souquet ball in hand, however, a scratch on the 6 ball proved lethal, and Immonen took the hill, 12-10. Immonen successfully made a ball on the break in the next rack, and a clear 1-9 carom laid out for The Iceman to claim the match. He collapsed to the floor in shock as his name would be put in the history books as only the second player to ever win back-to-back US Open titles. The celebration proceeded in the arena as fans and friends watched Mika Immonen receive his plaque memorializing this event. In his blog, www.icemanmika.blogspot. com Mika shared his thoughts on his comeback win. “I’m still in disbelief that it really happened. I lost my second game in the tournament and went on a crazy mission to win 14 games in a row to snap it off from the B-side of the double elimination chart.” Look for more updates on the Iceman’s blog on his performance at the US Open. Congratulations to Mika Immonen for this landmark in his career. Immonen continues to prove that he one of the most dominant players in the sport today, and we will look to see many more great performances from him to come… Let’s see if he can do it again next year! 1st $40,000 2nd $15,000 3rd $10,000 4th $7,000 5/6 $6,000 7/8 $5,000 9-12 $4,000 13-16 $3,000

Mika Immonen Ralf Souquet Donnie Mills Lee Van Corteza Rodney Morris Kim Davenport Karl Boyes Steve Moore Johnny Archer Shane Van Boening Imran Majid Chris Bartram Y. Akagariyama Charlie Williams Mike Dechaine Jose Parica

Deadwood Shootout

November 2009 page 8

Deb Gustafson

in the field. The action was hot and heavy at the Pavillion and VFW all day Saturday. 16 players went to the finals in the Open Division on Sunday, 4 Seniors and 4 form the Women’s Division, with a redraw on Sunday. All finals players started over with no losses. All the matches on Saturday and Sunday went off on time and many were early, kind of a rare occurrence for most tourneys. All matches had posted times, so the players were able to enjoy Deadwood between matches. Thanks to all

The Deadwood Shoot-out was held October 23-25, 2009. It’s pretty hard to find a better place to hold a pool tournament than in Deadwood, South Dakota. Lots of fun, or should I say slots-of-fun, good food and plenty of action packed pool occupied the entire weekend. OTBnTV was there streaming live and that always makes the tournament more exciting. A really big thanks to OTBnTV for their time and efforts. The $5,000 added purse brought 115 players to the Open Division with 8 states being represented

Tammie George

Billiards On Main Dec 5, 2009 ACS 8-Ball

$500 Added $35 entry (incl g.f.) - Handicapped 7’ Valley - Doors open 10 am Sign-up until 1pm 156 E Main St - Galesburg, IL 309.342.7665

the players, and OTBnTV.com. We hope you will all be back next year.

Tyler Perry

OTBnTV would like to thank Art and Linda Erickson, Mike Trucano, the Deadwood Pavilion, Ponch at the VFW, the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, the Iron Horse Inn and all the players who made this LIVE streaming possible and all the viewers in record numbers. Art and Linda Erickson made sure the tournaments ran smoothly with all matches having a designated time which gave the players time to rest in between matches knowing what time they had to be back. As well as to see Historic Deadwood South Dakota, with Vegas-like slot machines and some of the best food you will find anywhere. OTBnTV brought to you by Lucasi Hybrid was asked to join the Deadwood Shootout and to LIVE stream from 6 pm Saturday night where the action took place at the Deadwood Pavilion and again on Sunday starting at noon through 8 pm. A redraw on Sunday for all divisions so all players started without a loss. OTBnTV caught some of the best young players in the midwest and even the country. Jared Truman You can see all the action at www.otbntv.com and click on the Deadwood Shootout or go to Ustream and watch from our showpage www.ustream.tv/channel/otbntv-live below the player are all our recorded matches look for the videos designated DSO-1 through DSO-16. Sponsors of OTBnTV: Lucasi Hybrid, Crown Cues, Rackem Magazine, CuePen and www.onthebreaknews.com

Mike Bailey continued on next page

November 2009 page 9

Pool for Boys & Girls

by: Don “Cheese” Akerlow Boys & Girls Clubs of the Phoenix Metro area, has a new guardian angel and benefactors. Bruce de Lis (the Cocobola Cowboy) posted a request on a local chat room “An Idea How You Can Support Youth Pool”. In the chat room Bruce wrote, “These kids who are members of the Boys & Girls Club in the Metro Phoenix area are mostly from poor homes. They don’t have cell phones, wifi’s, Xboxes, and they don’t get to go to a pro sporting event, so when they get an opportunity they go to the local Boys & Girls Club to have fun.” Bruce said when he was a kid this is where he went. The members of the chat room came through big time! As well as the Senior Center Bruce goes to, who donated ball sets. Others donated chalk, cue balls, cues, instructional DVDs, table brushes, wall racks, tips, triangles, cue holders, all items that the Boys & Girls Club needed desperately. Anthony Markey the youth program director of the Peoria Boys & Girls Club said, In the 8 months he has been there the cues didn’t even have tips or chalk. Bruce made several deliveries to Anthony at the Club site and teen center to deliver all the items he had collected. Bruce received an email from Anthony stating “We’re very thankful for all of the help that you and your friends have extended our way. Again, I’ll put out a request to our Clubs to put together a list of additional needs that they have.” de Lis got involved in pool back in 1954 at a Boys Club in Miami, Florida, “It was a great life experience and this is a way to give back some 50 years later. These kids are the future of pool. They are the future tournament players, league members and now is the time to invest in the future of our great sport, if it is to survive in the future.” “The last suggestion I will make is that there are kids playing pool in Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA’s, Teen Centers, City and Country Recreational

Deadwood Shootout RESULTS: Open Division: 1st $2000 Tyler Perry (ND) 2nd $1400 Jared Truman (NE) 3rd $1000 Ole Olson (SD) 4th $800 Jim McNenny (SD) 5/6 $375 Caleb Schumacher (ND) Ron Sully (SD) 7/8 $275 Jim Corean (SD), Wayne Smith (SD) 9/12 $225 Tom Kaminski (ND), Lucasi Hybrid Cue Winner & Art Erickson (TD) Gari Jo Bloomberg (SD) Shane Hatfield (WY), Ken Nash (SD) 13/16 $160 Tom Bourdeon (SD), Rich Haines (WY) Brett Van Vost (MT), Matt Evans (WY) Women’s Division: 1st $440 Deb Gustafson (CO) 2nd $330 Tammie George (WY) 3rd $220 Kim Shama (SD) 4th $110 Barbara Walker (MT) Senior Division: 1st $392 Mike Bailey (SD) 2nd $294 Gary Wilcox (CO) 3rd $196 Chip Wild (WY) 4th $98 Dick Spain (SD)

Centers right in your own back yard in many areas of the U.S.A. and throughout the world. Many of the places that these kids are playing pool have little or no equipment, are under funded and would be a great place for you to get involved as I did with our local Boys & Girls Club.” ---- Be like Bruce! ABOUT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix has been serving youth in Phoenix and the West Valley since 1946. Today, the organization operates 12 Clubhouses and 8 “The Club” Teen Centers, providing after-school and summer programs for some 35,500 youth ages 6-18 each year. All of the Clubhouses are located in areas neighborhoods that are in desperate need of positive activities for kids. For kids at the Clubs, learning to play pool is a great way to build new skills, make friends, and stay off the streets and out of trouble. Unfortunately, with such a high volume of youngsters wanting to play, the Clubs don’t have nearly enough pool equipment to keep up with the need. If you’re interested in donating new or used pool equipment to help keep the game alive for kids, please contact 602-954-8182 or mail your donation to: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix Del E. Webb Administrative Center 2645 N. 24th Street - Phoenix, AZ 850208 or email Bruce at: brucesdelis@yahoo.com

November 2009 page 10

Lucasi at Fort Crook The 2009-2010 Lucasi Hybri All American Tour (produced by the By Staff. CueSports Alliance – ACS) highlighted four separate events American Friday-Saturday, October 23-24 at Fort Crook Billiards in Bellevue, NE – The Nebraska Invitational. The final four in the Men's 9-Ball Singles witnessed Pedro Castro (Omaha, NE) defeating Cirino Caniglia (Omaha, NE) 7-4 in the winner's bracket semifinals, while Jerrod Frideres (Ft. Dodge, IA) joined Castro by outpointing his wife, Jessica Frideres (Ft. Dodge, IA), 7-5. In the winner's finals, Pedro knocked off Jerrod Frideres 7-5 to take the undefeated seat. In the loser's bracket semifinals, Dustin Gunia (Omaha, NE) eliminated Caniglia 7-4 and claimed a position in the tourney finals by ousting Jerrod Frideres at 3rd place, 7-5. Gunia continued his hot pace in the finals against Castro by taking two close sets over Pedro Castro, 7-6, 7-5 for the title!

8 Ball Women’s Singles Champions: (L-R) Becky Anderson (2nd), Jessica Frideres (1st) and Dot Cyr (3rd)

9 Ball Open Singles 1st Place $220 2nd Place $165 3rd Place $105 4th Place $50

Dustin Gunia (Omaha, NE) Pedro Castro (Omaha, NE) Jerrod Frideres (Ft. Dodge, IA) Cirino Caniglia (Omaha, NE)

8 Ball Open Singles 1st Place $230 Pedro Castro (Omaha, NE) 2nd Place $175 Dustin Gunia (Omaha, NE) 3rd Place $105 Alfredo Carrillo (Omaha, NE)

event by eliminating Zack Willis (Omaha, NE) 5-3 in the B-side semifinals and Carrillo in the B-side finals 5-4. In the tourney finals however, Pedro Castro put the stopper in and toppled Gunia 5-3 for the division win! The Scotch Doubles 8-Ball division went to form, as the team of Pedro Castro/Becky Anderson eliminated GlennaJones/Scott Jones 4-3 in the B-side finals. Dustin Gunia/Jessica Frideres teamed up to take the tourney finals with a 4-2 win over Castro/Anderson!

The Women's 8-Ball Singles came down to a playoff between Jessica Frideres and Becky Anderson (Omaha, NE) – both with 3-1 match records in the event. Frideres clipped Anderson on the hill 4-3 in the deciding set to claim the division win! In the Men's 8-Ball Singles, Pedro Castro went looking for revenge against Dustin Gunia – and he found it. Castro again claimed the hot seat in this division as well – finishing with A-side semifinals and finals wins over Dustin Gunia 5-4 and Alfredo Carillo (Omaha, NE) 5-3 respectively. Gunia tried to repeat his results from the previous 9-ball

8 Ball Open Singles Champions: (L-R) Pedro Castro (1st), Dustin Gunia (2nd) and Alfredo Carrillo (3rd)

9 Ball Open Singles Champions: (L-R) Jerrod Frideres (3rd), Dustin Gunia (1st), Pedro Castro (2nd) and Cirino Caniglia (4th)

Scotch Doubles Champions: (L-R) Jessica Frideres & Dustin Gunia (1st), Scott and Glenna Jones (3rd), Becky Anderson & Pedro Castro (2nd)

By virtue of Dustin Gunia, Zack Willis and Jessica Frideres being the highest-finishing ACS members in the various singles divisions, they each qualified for a free 9-Ball singles entry into the 2010 ACS Nationals in Las Vegas – courtesy of the ACS. The ACS wishes to thank sponsors Lucasi Hybrid Cues, Championship Billiard Fabric, Nick Varner Signature Cases, oZone Billiards and Pool Cue Guru for their support in donating “Value-In-Kind” product for this and all stops on the Lucasi Hybrid All American Tour. Sponsorship opportunities and tour stop openings are still available for the 2009/2010 All American Tour by contacting the ACS. The Tour splits off into three events in Arizona and Illinois the weekend of November 7-8, as two tour stops (separate Men's and Women's 8-Ball) are being conducted during the $5,000 added Southwest Amateur Pocket Billiards Championships at Skip & Jan's Sports Bar in Tempe, AZ, November 8 (call 480-598-8611), while Pockets Billiards will produce a $500-added 8-Ball Tour Stop in Crestwood, IL (contact Dan Taylor at 630-399-8890). Further information, entry details and schedules for the 2009-2010 Tour are available at www.americancuesports.org 4th Place Zack Willis (Omaha, NE) 8 Ball Women's Singles 1st Place $150 Jessica Frideres (Omaha, NE) 2nd Place $125 Becky Anderson (Omaha, NE) 3rd Place $100 Dot Cyr (Omaha, NE) Scotch Doubles 8 Ball 1st Place $210 Jessica Frideres & Dustin Gunia 2nd Place $120 Becky Anderson & Pedro Castro 3rd Place $60 Charlie (Glenna) Jones & Scott Jones

November 2009 page 11

November 2009 page 12

CSI Forms New Team

Premier U.S. pool and billiards organization CueSports International group lesson or to inquire about participating as a sponsor partner (CSI) and innovative Legends contact Mark Cantrill at (480) 612and Champions producer Mark 7732. Cantrill are pleased and proud to announceTeam CSI – American Grand Masters. Team CSI – American Grand Masters is a collective of highly BreakRAK, LLC and The Action accomplished and well regarded Report (TAR) are joining Team U.S. players working together with CSI as team sponsors. BreakRAK CSI and Cantrill to promote the is the manufacturer of the premier game via exhibitions and group break training tool BreakRAK instructions across the country. and TAR is the leader in online Additionally the team will promote cue sport promotions and live CueSports International along with streaming. their individual sponsors at tours As the group at BreakRAK knows, and tournaments. Cantrill will act great breaks are developed as the team’s manager. they do not happen by accident. The 2009-2010 team members Photo by Justin Collette: (LtoR) Charlie Bryant, Corey Deuel, Accuracy, rhythm, coordination are: BCA Hall of Fame inductee, John Schmidt, Earl Strickland and speed are imperative in a well 13 year U.S. Mosconi Cup Team executed break. Founded in 2002 member and legend Earl “The Pearl” Strickland, #7 U.S. ranked by Charley Bond, the BreakRAK allows a more efficient and effective player and two time Houston Open winner Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant, way to break train helping players take their game to a higher level. # 6 ranked U.S. player, 2006 U.S Open winner and 2009 Derby City The BreakRAK is used in well respected training schools and utilized Classis One Pocket winner John “Mr. 400” Schmidt and current #1 by numerous instructors all over the U.S. U.S. ranked player Corey Deuel who has served on the U.S Mosconi The Action Report (TAR) exploded on the pool scene just a few short Cup Team 5 times, won the U.S. Open in 2001 and is one of the most years ago. TAR has brought professional cue sport online streaming gifted pool stars on tour. to a new level. To date TAR has streamed 16 events with over Team CSI – American Grand Masters is part of a larger concept with $400,000 in prize money. more details to be announced shortly. For more information about For more information www.playcsi.com Team CSI – American Grand Masters, to schedule an exhibition,

BreakRAK and TAR Join Team CSI

November 2009 page 13

Raising Your Sights

“Have you ever used drills in your practice routine?” And if so, how do you keep from getting board?

By: Bob Jewett

San Francisco Billiard Academy www.sfbilliards.com

Bob Jewett

A common piece of advice around pool tables is that you have to play better players to get better yourself. While I'm sure playing tough competition helps your game, I think watching top players is nearly as useful. I remember the first big tournament I went to that had players like Steve Mizerak, Jersey Red and Luther Lassiter. Back then, the highest run I had ever seen was my own, and I had no idea who the top players were or how they played. That 1969 US Open (14.1) was a real eye opener and mind expander. I learned shots, moves and personalities. There was great play and major controversy. I just got back from the 2009 US Open (9 ball) in Virginia. It was my first time to Barry Behrman's annual event which is in it's 34th year, and I had a great time. If you have never been to the event, I urge you to make time and see it at least once. There were current and former world champions playing Wing ball continuously for a week, 2 ball always and the problem was to in back pick which one to watch. 2 I tried to watch them all, 5 8 3 9 7 paying special attention 6 4 1 to the ones I had not seen before like Donnie Mills and Chris Bartram. Draw Towards and spin The general seating had side great views, with raised bleachers. (Some other tournaments try to skimp by with chairs on the floor Potential scratch or with low risers.) A VIP ticket got you special The “Cut Break” at seating close to the action the US Open and with a table for drinks and snacks. Play was on 16 Diamond tables. They were the 9-foot model Break Box with one-piece slate. Leveling is done using 26 levels simultaneously, with 18 independent adjustments. That's a show in itself if you arrive early. If you do make the trip to Virginia next year, there is a lot to see besides pool -- seven days is a little much for a steady diet of nine ball -- including Navy installations, several military museums, gardens, and Virginia Beach. Mid-week the weather was great and I visited Colonial Williamsburg during two days to see where people like Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and George Washington started the colonies on the path to independence Of course, I was back at the Chesapeake Conference Center in time to see the evening matches. The main controversy, and it was pretty minor, was the use of the break box at nine ball. The players are required to place the cue ball in the middle two diamonds of the kitchen when breaking. In addition, the players were required to use a "hard, open break" that was not otherwise specified. Most players were using the "cut break" in which you hit the one ball along the same line as if you were playing the standard break from the REJ

continued on page15

From an up and coming player in Colorado Melissa Little

By Mellissa Little, Ask the Viper

Answer: Here in Colorado I only have a few pool players I workout with- 1) John Sandifer is one of my workout partners and has been for yearsbut these days he travels a lot for work and I only get to see him maybe once a week or so. 2) Mark Haddad (my significant other) is the other partner I spar with, but he travels a lot too. So, I had to create something that keeps me interested in the game but at the same time challenge me to progress. A few years ago I created some custom workout sheets that helped me monitor what I am doing wrong offensively. I would monitor how many misses, scratches, positional errors, hooks, fouls, and racks run. Basically, I play 10-ball the ghost for 45 –racks per day- and it takes me about 5 ½ hours per session with plenty of feedback on my errors. People in the poolroom would ask “what are you playing” and that’s when made up a name for it and called it “15-Rack”. A few months later I turned it into a pool league, and that is when my star was born…. I strongly believe players MUST receive some sort of feedback on their games to improve. When you play in a tournament the best feedback you receive is if you won matches or not- if you play in a league that does not support stats then where are you receiving the feedback that you need to improve your pool game? If you want to view my sheets on-line visit www.15rack.com and if you are interested in practicing with my sheets drop me a e-mail at Melissa@melissalittle.com lately I have taught a few pros (like John Morra, Belinda Calhoun, Allison Fisher, and Tiffany Nelson) how to play and all of them have asked me for 15-Rack sheets to practice with at home. No matter what your drills are make sure you document any progress made- so this way you can make goals for yourself. If you have a question for “viper” please e-mail them to otbnews@aol.com

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November 2009 page 14

Wilder Takes Brickhouse

The 2009-2010 Lucasi Hybrid All American Tour (produced by the American All entries in the Tour are also entered into a drawing in January for a $1,000 CueSports Alliance – ACS) traveled to Decatur, Illinois, on Saturday, October Lucasi Hybrid Cue, courtesy of Ozone Billiards. Sponsorship opportunities 24, at Brick House Billiards. The $500 added event featured thirty-five and tour stop openings are still available for the 2009/2010 All American Tour players in a double-elimination 8-ball format on 7-foot bar boxes. by contacting the ACS. On the A-side semifinals, Michael The Tour splits off into three events Wilder (Decatur, IL) dominated Mike in Arizona and Illinois the weekend Dunklin (Normal, IL) 5-1, while Milton of November 7-8, as two tour stops Strack (Monticello, IL) eclipsed (separate Men’s and Women’s 8-Ball) Mike Verkruyse (Mahomet, IL) are being conducted during the 5-3. Strack then took the hot seat $5,000 added Southwest Amateur by beating Wilder 5-3. With eight Pocket Billiards Championships at remaining players, on the B-side Skip & Jan’s Sports Bar in Tempe, Marco Jyawook (Springfield, IL) and AZ, November 8 (call 480-598-8611), Larry Parke (Decatur, IL) respectively while Pockets Billiards will produce eliminated Scott Boyd (Pekin, IL) and a $500-added 8-Ball Tour Stop in Tom Gallagher (Champaign, IL) at Crestwood, IL (contact Dan Taylor at 7th place by identical 5-4 margins. 630-399-8890). Further information, Both Parke and Jyawook continued entry details and schedules for through the next round by upending the 2009/2010 Lucasi Hybrid All Michael Wilder Mike Verkruyse 5-3 and Mike Dunklin American Tour are available at www. 5-4 respectively. In the B-side americancuesports.org. semifinals, Jyawook bested Larry Parke 5-3, but Jyawook in turn completed his day at 3rd place at the hands of Michael Wilder 3-5. In the tourney finals, FINAL RESULTS: Michael Wilder had to defeat Milton Strack twice, and he succeeded in doing 1st $350 Michael Wilder (Decatur, IL) so by scoring 5-4, 5-1 wins for the title! 2nd $250 Milton Strack (Monticello, IL) By virtue of Larry Parke being the highest-finishing ACS member in the 3rd $150 Marco Jyawook (Springfield, IL) event, he qualified for a free 8-Ball singles entry into the 2010 ACS Nationals in 4th $100 Larry Parke (Decatur, IL) Las Vegas – courtesy of the ACS. The ACS wishes to thank sponsors Lucasi 5-6th $75 Mike Verkruyse (Mahomet, IL), Mike Dunklin (Normal, IL) Hybrid Cues, Championship Billiard Fabric, Nick Varner Signature Cases, 7-8th $50 Scott Boyd (Pekin, IL), Tom Gallagher (Champaign, IL) Ozone Billiards and Pool Cue Guru for their support in donating “Value-In9-12th $25 Dave Gentry (Decatur, IL), Joe Ramsey (Champaign, IL) Kind” product for this and all stops on the Lucasi Hybrid All American Tour. Mark Reynolds (Decatur, IL), Curtis Conley (Decatur, IL)

Pool Save My Life

making her way back home from Chicago when, the state patrol later continued from page 5 confirmed, she had fallen asleep romance quickly progressed. They behind the wheel and drove off the were madly in love and after a brief road. Luckily, no one else was injured five-month courtship Phil proposed but the grief over her marriage and death still remains Julie accepted. with him to this day. It was a fairytale “You might leave the Phil fought back the love story that game, but the game will tears as he shared would have a never leave you.” the details with me. devastating “The most ending. painful day of my life The two married and briefly moved was when I saw my baby girl just lying to the East coast. In the fall of 1996, there,” he said, “She looked peaceful they returned to Colorado where Phil but I never hurt so badly in my life. I would face the initial blows of the wanted to die. This whole time, I just hardships to come. That December, asked ‘why?’.” After failed counseling Phil’s step-father was diagnosed with sessions and turning to his religion pancreatic cancer. They were told he for answers, Phil then turned to the only had three months to live. He called only thing at the time that numbed his his wife to break the news. She was sorrow – alcohol. spending Thanksgiving with her family Meanwhile, he and his mom in Chicago and planned to return to were still pained by his step-dad’s Colorado as soon as possible. diminishing health. Phil explained, The haunting events that followed “I was purposely destroying myself. will remain with Phil for the rest of his I was looking for answers. Why is life. this happening to me? What did I do On a chilly December evening, wrong?” Failing to find a reason to live, Phil received the most shocking he was giving up on life. phone call you could ever imagine. It After three months of selfwas Julie’s mom. He listened in utter destruction and complete misery, a disbelief as she spoke the words, “… good friend’s words would unknowing she’s gone…” commence Phil’s healing process. Just like that, in an instant, Julie She said, “She [Julie] wouldn’t want was gone. Phil’s beautiful bride was you to live your life like this. Didn’t you

love to play pool?” someone going through struggles of “It made perfect sense,” Phil their own could benefit from his story, recalls. In February 1997, he screwed he adds, “whatever situation you’re his cues together again. “The first day, going through, it doesn’t have to be I was just going through the motions. pool but find something that you’re I forced myself to do it again the next passionate about, something you love, day. Then, for about half an hour, I and use that energy to do something actually forgot about what happened, positive versus feeling like life dealt for the first time.” He was immediately you a crummy hand. Think about what flushed with all his fond memories and you have, how fortunate you are. Sure experiences from the game. enough, there’s someone out there in “From that point on, I really shaped the world that would kill for what you up. I went back to school and took up have.” pool again,” he recalls with a smile As a powerful final statement, on his face, “Yeah, she wouldn’t want “You might leave the game, but the me to live this way. She knows that game will never leave you.” These I’ll always love her.” He began taking days, Phil experiences another high lessons and playing again for hours. in his life from marathon running and He transferred his pain from the bottle training. His time is split between pool to the balls. He even took trips to the and running. He is thankful for having pool hall with his step-dad after chemo found such a magnificent, faithful treatments, before friend in pool. his condition “My heart will “My heart will always be worsened and always be to the to the game because of eventually ran its game because of what it’s given to me.” course. what it’s given to How does me. It’s hard to he handle pain describe in words. nowadays? “Nothing can possibly It gave me my life back. It’s really not compare to what happened,” he just a hobby. It’s a passion.” explains, “Pool definitely saved my [The player’s name in this story life, wholeheartedly. Yeah, I started to has been changed to protect his get my act together, but at the same identity.] time, all the energy that I had, whether it be good or bad, I channeled it into something positive.” When asked how

November 2009 page 15

Big Table to Bar Box

continued from page 4

position play was a tad shaky because draw and follow took differently than the side spin did off the rails. He doesn’t require new, slick cloth to play well, just the same cloth for the bed and the rails. A light cue ball is a problem as well. All pool balls wear down with use. After all, they are hit with micro sandpaper in the form of chalk impregnated tips (only the cue ball, of course). That is why players hitting object balls with their cue tip is highly discouraged at finer billiard establishments. Object balls accumulate chalk from both the bed cloth and the cue ball, which can wear them down too. Cue balls have them all beat. I’ve seen and played with sets of balls where the cue ball was a full eighth of an inch undersized. This smaller lighter cue ball draws easily and follows reluctantly. Understandably, it doesn’t break out clusters as effectively as a heavier, regular sized ball does. The size of cue balls also affects cut shots. Smaller cue balls tend to overcut shots because the diameter is smaller, as the line at impact is slightly off. Likewise, oversized cue balls hit everything too thick. This, combined with the heaviness/lightness of the ball, makes predicting the tangent line (the final path of the cue ball after impact) almost like a guessing game. If you can run out, do it. The game at its highest level is very aggressive. Top players will try to run out even if they have two or three problem areas to deal with. Many times they’ll put on the brakes if their first crack at a breakout doesn’t work, but sometimes they’ll keep firing away. Why the testosterone overload? Players know that a safety is only so good on a bar box. Balls are so easy to kick, jump, or bank in on 7-footers that the shooter would rather go down firing than lay down a paper thin safety. Making a good hit on a ball isn’t that tough on a bar box and the chance of getting lucky looms large. The table can be in worse shape than pre-safety. After a kick or jump, foul or no foul, balls may be rearranged and un-runnable. The worst case scenario is the player making a lucky hit and magically getting safe. Many players have scratched their heads and thought to themselves that perhaps the safety wasn’t so wise and a run out would have been more likely to win the game. All of these adjustments can seem daunting to the small table game. Keep your head up. Many advantages make the game seductive. Larger pockets and less distance on the bar table make every shot makeable. Aggressive and creative play are rewarding and satisfying. Faced with a tough situation, you might dig up some low percentage kiss or carom and open up the rack perfectly. Bank shots are ill advised on tough 9-footers, but may be the correct shot on a bar box. Make some slight changes to your thinking and start running racks on the bar box.

Raising Your Sights

continued from page 13

side cushion in which you hit the one ball full. From a tight rack, the "wing ball" will usually go in for this break, and sometimes the one ball will go straight into the side. The problem with the cut break is control since the cue ball retains a lot of speed due to the cut angle. The solution is to turn down the speed -- the wing ball seems to go even more often for a somewhat softer break -- and use draw and outside english to bring the cue ball back to the center or top of the table. The problem was that some players turned down the speed too much to keep the officials happy. I don't think any player lost his turn for a soft break, but some were warned and cranked up the speed a little to comply. There were many great matches A few that I saw were the loss in the second round of Mika Immonen to Chris Bartram and the final three matches -- Mills v. Souquet, Mills v. Immonen and Immonen v. Souquet. All were well-played and close, with a variety of styles. If you have never seen these great players live and in person, you really need to take a trip. If Virginia seems like too long a trip and too far away, consider the Mosconi Cup -- ten champions fighting for the title in Las Vegas, December 10-13. The next US Open will be October 16-23, 2010.

The Elevator Shot - Go Up and Down By Bill Smith “Mr3Cushion”, Old School Pool.net

WHY DO SO many billiardists play around the table shots when up-anddown shots would suit them much better. Start taking a closer look at your around-the-table opportunities, especially when the second object ball isn't "big" in the corner. You can turn small target areas into huge ones. In Diagram 1, for instance, the third ball is positioned in a small, unforgiving area; an around-the-table shot would have to score on the way in or not at all. Also, you'd have to hit the first ball very thin, using extreme English, and avoid a kiss in passing the first object ball. But play the same shot up and down, and you have far more control of speed; you're assured of leaving the first ball in a high scoring zone; and that final ball is much, much bigger. Hit the first ball with enough speed to bank it twice across the table to the side cushion; use minimum 2 o'clock English with a slightly elevated cue to create a little curve on the cue ball. In the shot of Diagram 2, most players not only choose an around-the-table shot but the wrong one to boot: four rails instead of five or six. There's a kiss there, too. So why not go up-and-down again, going four rails in behind the second ball as shown, and getting good position too? Hit the first ball thin, with minimum 1 o'clock English, and again, a slightly elevated cue. The first ball is banked cross the table to a "big ball" position in the corner for the next shot. Diagram 3 shows another often-overlooked option. Most average, and even skilled, players will try for five to seven rails around the table, and just about always get a kiss after the third rail. Instead, bank that first ball cross-corner the long way, and go up and down with high center ball, a level cue this time and an eighthof-a-ball hit on the first ball. You get a high degree of success of scoring, plus simple position for the next shot. Again, four rails work slightly better for position than three. The important thing to keep in mind is that these up-anddown shots give you a much bigger target — plus simple opportunities for great position play.

November 2009 page 16

“The Mosconi Cup is coming!!! Get excited!!!” Matchroom Sports presents, “The Mosconi Cup!” at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas, NV Dec 10-13, 2009!!!

To celebrate and welcome the Mosconi Cup back to the United States, Matchroom Sports is generously sponsoring the world’s longest running weekly 9-ball tournament - *22 years and still going strong! Matchroom Sports will provide prize giveaways for distribution on November 8 & December 6, 2009 at Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, Ca! To include a **Grand Prize (2), trip for two to the Mosconi Cup live at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas!!! *These giveaways will be awarded in conjunction with Hard Times Billiards’ $1,000 added 1st Sunday of the Month tournament. Brought to you by: C³ Sports Marketing and Hard Times Billiards! *Total sponsorship support value at over $5,000!!! Sweaters & Rail Birds alike are highly encouraged to join the festivities; only tournament participants will qualify for prizes. **Grand Prize Package Winners (2) to receive the following: • Five night’s room accommodations for two at the MGM Grand Las Vegas (Dec 9-Dec14, 2009)!!! • Two all-session passes to the four days of the Mosconi Cup!!! • Two invitations/passes to the Mosconi Cup players’ reception (Dec 9th – evening) – Meet the Stars!!! • $500 in spending cash!!! For more information about these events, email crowncitycorey@yahoo.com.

BCAPL Rules and Refs Past, Present and Future

When Mark Griffin purchased the BCA Pool League (BCAPL) in 2004, the league did not have its own rules to govern play. Griffin assembled a team to begin writing the first-ever BCA Pool League set of rules. The team included main writer Bill Stock, now the BCAPL Director of Rules and Referees, and National Senior Referees Buddy Eick and Ken Shuman who served as technical editors. Over a year in the making, the first edition of The Official Rules of the BCAPL became effective October 1, 2007. The second edition was released June 1, 2008, and an annual updated version is scheduled to be released every June. Once the official BCAPL rules were established the next step was the creation of the new BCAPL National Referee Training Program. Eick was appointed as Director of Training and Shuman as Referee Instructor. Eick and Shuman designed a brand new course, including formal classroom and floor training sessions, physics demonstrations, and strict testing requirements. The BCAPL is the only league organization to offer this program of classes in remote host locations away from their home base. For more information go to www.playbca.com 810 W 56 Hwy - Olathe, KS 913-780-5740

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ACS Midwest 8-Ball The fourth annual"ACS Midwest 8-Ball Championships" has a new home and an increased added-money purse! To be conducted at the Riverside Resort & Casino, January 21-24, 2010, near Iowa City, IA, the American CueSports Alliance (ACS) event will feature singles 8-ball, 9-ball, scotch doubles, 4-person team and 2nd-chance divisions, and is opened this year – and this year only! – to any players who have played a minimum of four matches over a minimum of four weeks in one session of any pool league sanctioned by a credible National or State pool association since 6/1/09. Non-ACS league members pay an extra $25 ($10 if team) for entry into any division. Complete details, entry forms and flyers are attached or may be downloaded from the ACS website at www. americancuesports.org. Any pool league can sanction or dual-sanction with the ACS simply by paying a $10/player sanction fee. Leagues that choose to sanction with ACS receive an extra perk this year of receiving a FREE J. Pechauer Custom Cue! ACS league members are qualified to compete in twelve (12) ACS state championships within their respective states, four (4) CCS Canadian regional and national championships (see www.cdnqsport.com) and the 2010 ACS National Championships to be conducted June 6-12 at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The ACS also offers both certified referee and instructor/coach programs, and the highestplacing ACS member wins a free entry into the ACS Nationals at each Lucasi Hybrid All American Tour stop – open to any amateur player. Event schedules for the Lucasi Hybrid All American Tour are also available on the ACS website. The ACS is a non-profit, national organization dedicated to heightening the interest and awareness of cue sports through the support and sanctioning of organized competition throughout the United States.

November 2009 page 17

Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice DATE CITY LOCATION PHONE EVENT / RULES ENTRY ADDED Wednesdays Wright City, MO Dano’s Hillbilly Heaven (636) 745-8020 8-Ball - pays top 3 places $10 $100 Oshkosh, WI Varsity Club (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Beginners $8 Thursdays Oshkosh, WI Varsity Club (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Intermediate $10 Fridays Cape Girardeau, MO Billiard Center (573) 335-9955 9-Ball Handicap Call $200 Galesburg, IL Billiards On Main (309) 342-7665 8 Ball on 7’ Valleys $10 $$$ w/full field Tulsa, OK Q-Spot Billiards (918) 779-6204 8-Ball 7 & under $5 Oshkosh, WI Varsity Club (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Open - Break Pot $15 $5/player Guar. Saturdays Midwest City, OK Jamaica Joe’s (405) 736-0590 9-Ball 8 & under Call Tulsa, OK Q-Spot Billiards (918) 779-6204 9-Ball 7 & under $10 (incl. g.f.) Sundays Fridley, MN Two Stooges (763) 574-1399 9-Ball Open on 7’ DE Race to 5 $15 (incl g.f.) $75 w/16

TIME 7:30 PM Call Call 7 PM 7 PM 9 PM Call 7:30 PM 9 PM 6:30 PM

Scoreboard Results for 10/10/09 $1000 added No Masters 9-Ball Tournament - 58 players 1 $1850 Kenny Williams (includes calcutta) on left in picture 2 $1300 Kendall Koch (includes calcutta) on right in picture 3 $850 Troy Miley (includes calcutta) 4 $490 Jack Wu (includes calcutta) 5/6 $265 Jay Slonske, Jeremy West (includes calcutta) 7/8 Kurt Jennison, Tony Loper 9/12 Dean Paulette, Mitch Roepcke Josh Smith, Jeff Brown 13/16 Chad Elston, Ponz Cruz Tylor Westhuis, Brad Gibson October 17th One Pocket Results 1st/2nd split Chris Gentile &Tim Heath 3rd Jeff Carter 4th Bobby Hunter October 31st Bank Tournament Results 1st Mark Jarvis 2nd Riley “Jet” Johnson 3rd Freddy “The Beard” Bentivgna

www.obcuestour.com Tournament Payouts – 41 Players - $2000 Added: 1st $750 Lisa Marr from: 2nd $550 Amanda Lampert Rusty’s Billiards Arlington, TX 3rd $400 Orietta Strickland October 24-25, 2009 4th $265 Deanna Henson 5th $150 Melinda Bailey, Ashley Nandrasy 7th $100 Cristina De La Garza, Kim Pierce 9th $70 Monica Anderson, Tara Williams, Borana Andoni, Christy Powell 13th $50 Nancy French, Julie Comitini, Michelle Cortez, Shirley Fields 17th $20 Lisa Henderson-Major, Tina Lehrmann, Tera Saunders, Julie Stephenson, Kathy Knuth, Rosemarie Culhane, Michelle Prince, DeAnn Bray-Warner

KC RATED 9-BALL TOUR 10/17/09 Side Pockets Blue Springs, MO STOP 2 - 39 Players. 1st: Rick Carlton, 2nd: Bobby Wyatt, 3rd: Lo Tuala, 4th: Patrick Kowalski, 5-6 Jesse Vogel & David Heinonen, 7-8 Jeff Montgomery & Chad Bowman. kc9ball.com

Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice

November 2009 page 18

DATE Nov 4-8 Nov 7 Nov 7 Nov 7-8 Nov 7-8 Nov 7-8 Nov 13 Nov 14-15 Nov 14 Nov 14 Nov 14 Nov 14 Nov 20-22 Nov 21 Nov 21 Nov 21 Nov 21 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 21-22 Nov 21-22 Nov 28-29 Nov 29 Dec 3-6 Dec 3-6 Dec 5 Dec 5 Dec 5-6 Dec 10-13 Dec 12 Dec 12 Dec 12-13 Dec 19 Dec 19 Dec 20 Dec 31 Jan 2-3 Jan 8-10 Jan 8-10 Jan 9 Jan 16-17 Jan 21-24 Jan 23 Mar 11-14 Mar 11-12 Mar 12-14 Apr 15-16 Apr 16-18 Apr 23-24

CITY Harker Hgts, TX Mission, KS Oshkosh, WI San Leon, TX Midwest City, OK Crestwood, IL Fargo, ND Fargo, ND Dubuque, IA Alsip, IL Great Bend, KS Mission, KS Tower, MN Davenport, IA Coon Rapids, MN Kansas City, MO Sedalia, MO Cape Girardeau, MO Cape Girardeau, MO Houston, TX League City, TX Ft Collins CO Great Bend, KS Tulsa, OK Tulsa, OK Oshkosh WI Galesburg, IL Sedalia, MO Rugby, ND Alsip, IL Weston, WI Houston, TX Addison, IL Cape Girardeau, MO Cape Girardeau, MO Sedalia, MO Crestwood, IL Cape Girardeau, MO Cape Girardeau, MO Clinton, IA Great Bend, KS Riverside, IA Dubuque, IA Tower, MN Walker, MN Walker, MN Walker, MN Walker, MN Portage, MN

LOCATION E-Center Clarette Club Varsity Club Casper’s Jamaica Joe’s Pockets Billiards Fargo Billiards Fargo Billiards Bulldog Billiards Red Shoes Billiards Rack Billiard Cafe Clarette Club Fortune Bay Casino Miller Time Billiards C R’s Sports Bar Side Pockets Sharkey’s Billiards Billiard Center Billiard Center Parker’s Legends Billiards Match-ups Rack Billiard Cafe Magoo’s Magoo’s Varsity Club Billiards On Main Sharky’s Billiards Rugby Armory Red Shoes Billiards Dale’s Weston Lanes Bogie’s Billiards Pyramid Club Billiard Center Billiard Center Sharkey’s Billiards Pockets Billiards Billiard Center Billiard Center Legends Sports Bar Rack Billiard Cafe Riverside Casino Bulldog Billiards Fortune Bay Casino Northern Lights Northern Lights Northern Lights Northern Lights Grand Portage Caisno

PHONE (317) 440-1143 (913) 384-0986 (920) 651-0806 (281) 559-1400 (405) 736-0590 (708) 371-7665 (701) 282-4168 (701) 282-4168 (563) 663-6600 (708) 388-3700 (620) 792-5851 (913) 384-0986 (218) 335-7665 (563) 359-7225 (612) 240-1018 (816) 455-9900 (660) 826-5855 (573) 335-9955 (573) 335-9955 (281) 870-0120 (281) 332-7716 (970) 482-2337 (620) 792-5851 (918) 663-3364 (918) 663-3364 (920) 651-0806 (309) 342-7665 (660) 826-5855 (701) 776-5846 (708) 388-3700 (715) 359-8488 (281) 821-4544 (630) 688-1719 (573) 335-9955 (573) 335-9955 (660) 826-5855 (708) 371-7665 (573) 335-9955 (573) 335-9955 (563) 243-4266 (620) 792-5851 (920) 662-1705 (563) 663-6600 (218) 335-7665 (507) 210-7558 (507) 210-7558 (507) 210-7558 (507) 210-7558 (218) 335-7665

EVENT / RULES ENTRY ADDED TIME Texas State BCAPL 9-Ball Varies $3,000 Call KC Rated 9-Ball Tour $30+$10 g.f. $300 w/32 Noon 8-Ball No Masters $40 $1,000 Call 9-Ball Big Table Open II - Wmn $40 $1,000 Noon 9-Ball Bar Table $50 $2,500 Guar. 11 AM 8-Ball $40 $500 Call 9-Ball $40 (incl.g.f.) $500 8 PM 8-Ball Fargo Shootout $60 (incl.g.f.) $2,500 Noon 8-Ball $30 $500 Call Straight Pool $75 (incl g.f.) $500 w/full field Call 9-Ball $50 Call 2 PM KC Rated 9-Ball $30+$10 g.f. $300 w/32 Noon Six Arrows Amateur 8-Ball $65/$55 $6,000 Guar 8 PM 8-Ball (No Masters) $30 $500 Call 8-Ball $35 $500 Call KC Rated 9-Ball Tour $30+$10 g.f. $300 w/32 2 PM Powder Puff Power 8-Ball Call Call 8-Ball Handicap Call $200 Noon 9-Ball Handicap Call $500 Noon Lone Star Tour - Women $40 $1,000 Noon OB Cues Ladies 9-Ball Tour Call $2,000 10 AM 8-Ball $25 $1,000 Call 8-Ball $10 $100 w/16 Noon Midwest 9-Ball-1 Pocket $60 $1,000 8 PM Midwest 9-Ball-9-Ball $55-$65 $2,500 11 AM 9-Ball - Lucasi Hybrid ACS $40 $1,000 Call 8-Ball ACS Handicapped $35 (incl g.f.) $500 10 AM 8-Ball $35 $500 Call Northern Lights Shootout $75 M/$45 W $3000 1st Guar 5 PM One Pocket $75 (incl g.f.) $500 w/full field Call 8-Ball $40 $500 Call Lone Star Tour-Women FINALE $40 $1,000 + Noon 8-Ball $30 $500 Call 8-Ball Handicap Call $200 Noon 9-Ball Handicap Call $500 Noon 14.1 Continuous Call Call 8-Ball $40 $500 Call Midwest 9-Ball Tour Open $50 $5000 w/128 Noon 10-Ball Ring Game-Limit 16 $200 $200 7PM 8-Ball $40 $500 Call 8-Ball - 3 man King of the Mtn $150/team Call 11 AM 8-Ball ACS Midwest Sgls/Team Varies $10,000 Call 8-Ball $30 $500 Call Six Arrows Amateur 8-Ball $65/$55 $6,000 Guar 8 PM 9-Ball Singles MN State ACS $50-70 $2000 7 PM 8-Ball Singles MN State ACS $50-85 $10000 7 PM 8-Ball Mx Sc Db MN State ACS $60/team $2000 7 PM 8-Ball Teams MN State ACS $150-250 $10000 7 PM Six Arrows Amateur 8 Ball $65/$55 $4000 8 PM

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Streaming Schedule Battle in the BigHorns Sheridan, Wy Nov 13-15: 8 Ball

Northern Lights Shootout Rugby, ND Dec 10th: International Cup Canada vs. U.S.A. Dec 11th-13th: 8-Ball stay tuned for more info

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November 2009 page 19