SPM Magazine Issue 4

The Industry’s New Billiard Cloud

What’s Inside?

Why You Missed - Pg 20 Adapt-A-Shaft - Pg 41 Spirit of Billiards - Pg 50

Hillbilly Bryant - Pg 37

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine1 - September - Mafia 2014 - -Issue 4 Sneaky Pete Magazine September 2014

Table of Contents The Value of a coach - Pg 4 “The Constant Provider” - Pg 8 The Whip Draw - Pg 11 The OB-2 Shaft Review - Pg 13 Baddies of Billiards - Pg 14 What Would A Sucker Do? - PG 17 Minimizing Chaos - Pg 19 Find Out Why You Missed - Pg 20 The Evolution of Pool &Billiards - Pg 22 My Life in Leather - Pg 26 JB Cases Review - Pg 28

www.jbcases.com

How it’s made - Pg 29 Elevate to the Moon - Pg 34 Charlie “The Hillbilly” Bryant - Pg 33 Adapt-A-Shaft - Pg 37 McDermott G-Core Review - Pg 38 Running Out is as Easy As - Pg 42 True Spirits of Pool - Pg 46 Hurricane Hot Seat - Pg 54 Diane Hoppe - Photographer - Pg 58 Universal Clothing Company - Pg 62 Mr Roboto - Pg 64 Meet the Streamers - Volume II -Pg 68 Black Belt Billiards - Pg 71 Buffalo Unleashed - Pg 74

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

The Value of a Coach?

know how long] 8 to 12 young men acting like a drill team waiting to learn pool. I worked with them as long as I could before I had to sleep. In the morning I woke to Johan’s beautiful wife’s face getting me up for breakfast. That is when I began to understand how great coaches create themselves.

Bert Kinister

When my friend Ralf Souquet says best coach ever I sit up and take notice. He was talking about someone that I knew well but had not connected with in several years, Johan Ruijsink, the nonplaying captain and coach of Europe’s Mosconi Cup team. What is there about a man that can bring players from four different countries, with four different languages together to form a cohesive battle unit that laid waste to the best of

While Johan was out getting an assortment of cheeses for breakfast his wife [an Olympic swimmer] explained that Johan was ex Dutch Special Forces, an expert in discipline and teamwork. This explained all of the eager teenagers waiting for us in the middle of the night and Johan’s tireless work ethic. Johan must have been born with joy that he brought to the game. After spending several days teaching with Johan and his friends I went on to fulfil teaching engagements all over Europe. Johan went on to work tirelessly and for very little financial reward bringing his joy, discipline, work ethic, and did I mention JOY to his students from the youngest players in the Netherlands and Europe to the Champions of today. For Johan It has been a 12 year road to success and when Ralf Souquet says American players?

I first met Johan in 2002 in Cardiff Wales at the Johan Ruijsink is the best coach in the world I World Tournament. We were introduced by Niels believe him.

Feijen a student I had been working with since he was a teenager and Mosconi cup MVP. We Who was the coach for the American team again? struck up an immediate friendship and I agreed to return to The Netherlands with him to teach in his poolroom. I was with the great Arubian champion Ditto Acosta and the three of us set out from Cardiff to Northern England in Johan’s old Volvo.

Not always driving on the correct side of the street our very merry band made it to an old hotel in the north of England where we spent the night in very cramped uncomfortable conditions made worse by Ditto’s [El Snorizo] unbelievable snoring. Johan and I never got any sleep, none. In the morning we drove onto the giant catamaran that would ferry us and our car [along with 500 others] to The Netherlands later that day. With over 1,000,000 horsepower the trip did not even take 3 hours, clearing customs was another story.

Finally on the road to Johans home, night club, and pool room in the Hague we coasted in under cover of darkness with no brakes, no gas, no sleep, and there they were waiting for [I do not Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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If you compete in tournaments, gamble, play pool regulary, or occasional 8-Ball, 9-Ball, One-Pocket or Straight Pool, these tapes will cut your learning curve by years, it may even turn you into a winner.

Trusted by Niels Feijein, World Straight Pool Champion who owns all of Bert’s Videos. For years, Neils has traveled all the way from Holland to the United States to take Private Lessons from Bert.

As a subscriber, you can access over 100 “One-Hour” DVDs 24/7 on your computer, iPhone and iPod-Touch for less than 22 dollars a month with your premier subscription. If purchased separately at their retail price of $31.95 each, they would total more than $3000. This is an absolute groundbreaking service for present and future pool and billiard enthusiasts.

Bert Kinister’s DVDs are on sale, you can purchase the videos at http://www.bertkinister.com/dvd.html. Or you can contact Bert.

He will personally return your call. Bert is available for private One-On-One private training. Please book in advance.

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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Angel of Billiards Jacqueline “The Angel” Karol (formerly Broadhurst) is an instructor, author, inventor, and philanthropist, and has been playing pool since she was 3 years old. She earned her nickname, the “Angel of Billiards”, for organizing and participating in charity fundraising events including, trick shot exhibitions, challenge matches, and spectator contests.

Jackie is also an instructional columnist for AZBilliards, Fury/Cuesight, Professor Q-Ball and Cue Times.

Jackie has developed and teaches a variety of training programs including her new Billiards Boot Camp, a challenging and intensive 2-day course designed to quickly take your game to a higher level.

She also produced billiards training videos, is authoring a new instructional book, and has invented several training devices which she uses in her Billiards Boot Camp.

Jackie can be reached at Jackie@AngelOfBilliards.com Visit her on the web at www.AngelofBilliards.com & www.BilliardsBootCamp.com

www.jbcases.com 7

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

“The Constant Provider” by “Mighty” Joe Young, Freelance Writer

If you frequent the national and regional league scene and the annual Super Billiards Expo, there’s a cue repair vendor that is highly regarded as one of the best in the business—Joe Blackburn. At these events, Joe is never too far from his work companion, Steve Lomax of Lomax Custom Cues. The duo has garnered high respect from both players and fellow cue makers alike.

Steve’s story is not too unfamiliar but a success story none-theless: devout player has his cue retipped at a tournament, tip pops off and a decision was made to do it better; that decision was made in 1999. Fast forward 15 years, his hobby has turned career, an accomplishment difficult to achieve in our industry. For 10 years since 1999, Steve repaired cues and worked full-time as a trim carpenter. During that time as his experiences accumulated, he built his first cue in 2002. By 2009, it was a new beginning: Steve was a full-time cue maker.

Steve was inspired by traditional cues—4 pointers with veneers. He recalls back in the 70’s when we looked at fancy cues and wished he could make those or at least, figure out how they were made. He regrets not pursuing cue making sooner instead of waiting nearly 30 years to get into the business but life was different back then. To say he enjoys what he does is an understatement; he “enjoys every minute of it and has met players from all over the world.” Traveling across the country from tournament to tournament and returning home to his shop to make cues, he is so busy these days that he has “no time to play much.”

That is to say, his successes are not entirely due to the quality of his work and cues but more so as a result of his character, personality and customer service.

Over the course of the past 20 years, Steve Lomax has probably seen it all. Many of us feel the decline of interest in our sport but Steve thinks “it’s growing bigger every year.” He attributes this growth mainly from the handful of amateur leagues that promote regional and national events. He thanks these leagues, the Super Billiards Expo and the many operators and hardworking individuals that help keep pool alive and growing year after year.

Pool is such a small niche market of indoor sports that those making a living off it should be commended obviously for their commitment, dedication and passion to keeping our great sport alive. Next time you’re at a national event, be sure to stop by and say hello to Steve Lomax at Blackburn Cue Repair.

For more information on Lomax Custom Cues (706)776-1252.

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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Holiday Gift Ideas

for billiard enthusiasts

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Visit BilliardBuddies.com

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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THE WHIP DRAW Nkyoko Eddy This is one category of shots I personally found difficult to master and mastering this one means mastering all the 2mm draws. I’m not sure whether it’s even right to say I mastered it yet I rarely make it 10 times out of 10 attempts. Imagine being faced with a challenge of drawing back the cue ball from a ball only 2 millimeters away without jacking up (no masse). Not forgetting the principles of a good draw shot which include good follow through. Yet in this case if your tip remains in contact with your cue ball past 1mm, the result is a double hit which can even result into jumping the cue ball off the table.

THE SET UP

The blocker ball is on the spot and the cue ball is 1 ball gap from the blocker ball towards the short rail. The 1 ball is 2mm away from the cue ball aimed towards the corner pocket. The 2 ball is hanging in the opposite corner pocket.

THE EXECUTION

Aim about 1/2 diamond on the long rail away from the corner pocket and use maximum draw plus 1 tip of left English on the cue ball. Keep your wrist lose all through and apply as much follow through as possible. It needs a pretty fast stroke to get enough spin to bite around the blocker. This is not a very simple shot one could easily make in 1 or 2 attempts. It takes some practice and dedication, however if missed, the adjustments are simple. You don’t need to temper with the spin and draw, if you miss the hanger on the long rail, you adjust your aim towards the pocket and if you miss it by the short rail, you adjust otherwise. It could also be missed by over stroking but if that’s the case, the cue ball won’t draw back and may possibly jump of the table. To address this try to move your cue out of the stroking line as you contact the cue ball. This shot is easier on new felt and a tip tool is one other secret. All the best in you practice, next time.

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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The OB2 Shaft Review

By Garret Troop

OB-2 shaft specifications: Standard tip is Everest.

Tip diameter is 11.75mm.

OB-2 ferrule is patented ½” laminated maple ferrule made from 25 pieces of maple (OB-1 ferrule is longer and has about 37 pieces).

Taper is a modified conical taper.

Internal technology in the shaft includes a combination of mass reduction foam and silicone rubber to produce an Ultra-Low Deflection shaft.

Shaft blank is made up of 6 crescent shaped pieces and each piece is a strip of 10 pieces of flat laminated maple so the shaft blank is made up of 60 different pieces of wood.

Average OB-2 shaft weight is 3.8oz

There are so many shafts on the market that are all amazing. I have had the pleasure of shooting with the OB-2 for the last couple of months and have to say, this is a shaft for a player. The feel it gives you when shooting is really one that you can trust, especially for those dead on shots that need to be made without hesitation.

The technology that OB puts into their work is unmatched and ever evolving. They have been in the successful business of producing mass production cues. The taper on this shaft give it a unique feel and ability to maximize the amount of english that can be placed on the cue ball with a moderate stroke.

On a personal note, I have to say that I can personally draw the cue ball about half a table length more with this shaft than any other I have used. I like the feel of this and only expect better thing to come from OB cues.

I had the pleasure of meeting this staff at OB and know that they strive towards excellent in the work and business mindset that they have about making cues and their stand in supporting players of all skill levels in the industry.

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

The Baddies of Billiards

mother…” I’ll shut my mouth.

8. Caller (Neville Stevenson). If looks could kill, then Caller, the pierced, dreadlocked, bare-chested eight-ball opponent from the 2001 New Zealand film Stickmen, would be like walking genocide.

Fortunately, his opponent Wayne is too blitzed out of his mind to notice and handily runs the table on Caller before he can make a shot.

After writing my previous post about “my friend Harvey” from The Honeymooners episode “The Bensonhurst Bomber” I started thinking further about the role intimidation plays in billiards.

Certainly, a number of prominent players today have assumed nicknames that are intended to psych out their opponent to some degree. Consider: Thorsten “The Hitman” Hohmann, Tony “Silent Assassin” Robles, Evgeny “Assassin” Stalev, Allison “Duchess of Doom” Fisher, Florian “Venom” Kohler, and of course, Jeanette “Black Widow” Lee, who would “eat people alive” when she got to the table.

7. Eddie Davies (J.W. Smith). “Pool Hall Blus - September 4, 1954,” from the second season of Quantum Leap, is an insulting chapter of billiards television history. But, as far as reprobates go, Eddie Davies, the local loan shark, is high on the list. His scare tactics include sleazing all over the pool hall proprietor’s daughter, beating up an old man, and – far worse – directing his goon to snap in half the prized cue stick of Charlie “Black Magic” Walters.

6. 8-Ball (Jeff Hagees).

OK, I admit it, this But, in billiards movies and television, intimidation villain has nothing to do and fearmongering extends well beyond violent with movies, but Marvel monikers. On and off the table, the villains of Comics’ misfit is too billiards pop culture are known to do everything perfect not to include from bullyragging and browbeating to terrorizing in this list. From his and murdering. It is in their honor then that I profile: “8-Ball wielded announce the TOP 10 BILLIARDS BADDIES OF a pool cue specially ALL TIME (and sorry, but my friend Harvey did not designed to magnify any make the cut). Let the countdown begin: force applied to it to more than a thousand-fold and 10. Third Eye Ryu. In the 1972 pinky violence transmit that force at anything it struck. He also film Wandering Ginza Butterfly, the recently- carried a variety of pool balls for throwing, some designed to act as grenades. He traveled aboard a paroled Nami must use giant hovering pool ball.” her billiards skills to prevent the local yakuza 5. Joe (Chazz Palminteri). Though Joe doesn’t from taking over a bar. actually play pool in the 2002 film Pool Hall Junkies, The fate of the bar lies in he is every bit hustler-gangster-thug, starting with a game of three-cushion the fact he ruins Johnny’s dream of playing pro billiards that Nami must billiards by throwing out the invitation. But, that’s play against the yakuza’s junkie tiddlywinks compared to his later nefarious acts, henchman, Third Eye Ryu. Behind including breaking Johnny’s finger, beating up mirrored glasses, the stone-faced Johnny’s brother, and trying to destroy Johnny’s pool shark is a formidable opponent reputation. Bad-ass quote: who exudes cold evil.

“Take that you motherless motherfuckers.”

9. Frosty (Richard Roundtree).

The song “The Baron” is not the only memorable remainder of the 1984 made-for-TV movie The 4. Natasha (Rebecca In the 1998 Baron and the Kid. To that list, we should also Downs). add the formidable, impeccably dressed in white, “Pool Sharks” episode Southern hustler Frosty, who doesn’t like to lose in of Monsters, we’re first pool. He proves particularly adept at intimidation introduced to Natasha as when he removes his jacket, showing a holstered just another buxom, blackgun, and when he corrals his opponents with his clad, pale-skinned vamp posse of rednecks. Roundtree always was a “bad with a flirtatious mien and Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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a tendency to be forward with men by sucking their bleeding finger wounds. (And if you’ve seen From Dusk Till Dawn, you’re correctly thinking, “This can’t be good.”) Sure enough, in time, Natasha bears her fangs and the friendly game of 50-point straight pool turns into a death match.

3. “Cue Ball” Carl Bridges (Ving Rhames). Ving Rhames trades in the “pliers and blowtorch” that made him famous in Pulp Fiction for a pimped out wardrobe, 8-ball cane, stogie and an appetite for chicken feet in the 2005 movie Shooting Gallery. The plot may be ludicrous, but local gangster Cue Ball Carl not only manages a city-wide street team of pool hustlers, but also dabbles in guns, drugrunning and violence.

you’re a born loser,”) and ultimately, causing his girlfriend Sarah to kill herself, even if it were Eddie and Bert who “really stuck the knife in her.”

So, there’s my list. Was it unfair of me to omit Baisez, the macho billiards-playing vampire from The Understudy: Graveyard Shift 2? Or, what about Topdog, the goon from Hard Knuckle who runs the pool hall where game losers must chop off their own fingers. These were all tough choices. Let me know the choices you would have made and share your comments.

2. Joey (Kurt Hanover).

So sinister he’s almost cartoonish, Joey is the lying, cheating, backstabbing, thieving, scoundrel of the 2012 film 9-Ball. Responsible for the care of his niece Gail since her father died, Joey exploits her billiards talents to make money for himself.

When that starts to unravel, he threatens her to stop watching instructional pool videos (!!), and in time, steals from her and brutally beats her. Oh, and if that weren’t enough he – [SPOILER ALERT!] - also killed his brother (i.e. Gail’s father) in a fit of jealousy.

1. Bert Gordon (George C. Scott). Clearly, there are rogues on this list who have personally committed more heinous acts, but I still give the Billiards Brute top spot to Bert Gordon, the unscrupulous, vicious, milk-drinking, mastermind of the 1961 movie The Hustler. Gordon never pulls the trigger, but he pulls all the strings, manipulating “Fast” Eddie, destroying his character and confidence (“Eddie,

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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What Would a Sucker Do? (Part 4)

If you look around the room and don’t see any suckers….YOU are the sucker!

You have stripes here. You each only have one ball left and the 8-ball. Your opponent’s ball, the solid, is sitting in the jaws and is directly blocking your corner pocket shot. What do you do?

1) “Bank your stripe in the corner!”

2) “Slowly roll the your ball up in on front of their solid to prevent them from hitting their ball!”

3) “Replace their ball with yours by softly shooting yours directly into theirs!”

Suckers…

You must assess each situation to come to the best possible answer, which is the one with the highest winning percentage.

Why are these not good ideas?: Bank shots are low percentage and if you miss, your opponent will most surely run out and win.

Slow rolling your stripe in front of theirs with accurate speed control is very hard to do and the cost is high if you miss.

Softly shooting your ball into theirs will leave your ball in the jaws but you probably won’t get another shot because you will leave them an easy shot on the 8-ball.

Answer: Use draw to put forward spin on your stripe and call it in the corner. This will likely result either one of two positive outcomes: A: If you pocket your stripe, you can now shoot the 8-ball to win the game.

B: If your ball does not follow it in and instead, stays in the jaws, you have now blocked their pocket with your stripe because you used a draw speed to set your 8-ball shot in that same corner.

By planning more than one shot ahead and assessing the possible outcomes, you will tremendously increases your odds of winning.

By Jacqueline Karol House Pro at DownLo Billiards in Chico, California League Operator & Tournament Director www.AngelofBilliards.com - www.BilliardsBootCamp.com

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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Minimizing Chaos A chaotic system is one that shows sensitivity to initial conditions. Any uncertainty in the initial state of the given system, no matter how small, will lead to rapidly growing errors in any effort to predict future behavior.

Have no fear, though, as under present conditions it is within the realm of possibility to predict and control those little colored balls with hair-raising accuracy.

This does require concentration as the outcome is still very sensitive to initial conditions.

Basically, very small changes can result in greatly different final states in a weather system; this could mean that the flapping of a butterfly’s wings in Australia may lead to the formation of a hurricane in the Caribbean; hence the “butterfly effect.” In a pool shot or “system,” this could mean that a slight change in the way you address the cue ball could entirely change the outcome of the shot.

Cueing the cue ball and following through are like addressing a letter to a friend. Where you cue the cue ball will take it to the right zip code, and the speed will take it to the mail box for perfect position.

If you watch a good pool player who first started out playing snooker, you may notice that he has exceptional ball pocketing skills. This is partly because snooker requires tremendous aiming accuracy to pocket a ball; however, excellent cueing skills are equally important.

Out of necessity, world-class snooker players are not only excellent at keeping their body still; they have finely honed a skill which surely comes in handy for playing all types of pool - ACCURATELY CUEING THE CUE BALL! In saying “cueing the cue ball,” I am referring to the contact point between the cue’s tip and the cue ball at impact. Accurately cueing the cue ball means that the player actually hits the cue ball on the spot that he intended to strike. If a pool shot is the result of a chaotic system, then the behavior of the balls can be predicted only if the initial conditions are known to an infinite degree of accuracy, which is supposedly impossible. However, a pool shot does not unfold completely because the balls will eventually stop due to the friction of the cloth.

Now, imagine there was not any friction between the balls and the cloth and you had to accurately predict the exact route of a seven hundred and twenty five rail bank shot! Can you see how minor discrepancies in where you cue the ball and the speed with which you hit it can show up way down the line?

However, if you give an incorrect address, the cue ball and object ball(s) may arrive in the wrong state!

Increasing your awareness of where you are hitting the cue ball will definitely improve your position game.

If you have the discipline to pay attention to this, you will also become a more consistent shot-maker by learning how minute differences in spin can affect deflection and your line of stroke.

Next time you practice, try directing most of your consciousness towards cueing the cue ball. Even though you will be looking at the object ball on the last follow through, you can still be aware of the cue ball. With practice and good form it will become second nature.

One thing to try is looking at the cue ball on your final stroke once you are confident in your line of aim.

This will force you to stay still and give you a new awareness of cueing the cue ball.

Also practice your center ball hit by putting the cue ball on the head spot (the spot on the end of the table where you break from), shooting it over the foot spot (the spot on which the front ball is racked) and having it rebound off the end rail so it comes straight back to hit your cue tip. This improves your awareness of center ball and thus your ability to put small increments of spin on the cue ball. Anywhere on the vertical-center ball axis is still a center ball hit, and it is good to practice center ball follow (top spin) and center ball draw (bottom spin) as well.

Max Eberle

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

Find Out Why You Missed It is one thing to miss a shot, but you need to find out why.

There is a big difference between a reason and an excuse for missing shots. When the balls don’t drop, you need to find out WHY. The “why” will usually fall into 3 different categories: Category 1 - Physical Error Physical errors are caused by weaknesses and deficiencies with your fundamentals, ie -your stroke, your stance, your sighting, etc. Many beginners don’t realize when they are popping up out of their stance or when they are taking their eye off of the ball. Usually, minor adjustments and fine tuning with your stance, head alignment, and stroke could alleviate some of those problems. Never forget that the game of pool relies upon perfect application of the basic fundamentals in much the same way a chain depends upon the strength of its links. Weaken one link, and the chain becomes useless.

Category 2 - Mental Error Mental errors are evident when you are taken completely out of your normal shooting rhythm and either over-think or talk yourself out of certain shots. There is no quick fix for mental errors. Remember that CONFIDENCE is the prerequisite to CONSISTENCY. If you believe that you will make the shot, you have a better chance of having the ball drop in the pocket. If you tell yourself that it won’t go, chances are that it won’t. This goes back to self-talk - that conversation that is going on in your head while you are shooting. If you listen to the negative - your outcome will be all negative. If you decide to listen to that little voice that tells you that you can and will make the shot, good things will happen. It is like listening to the radio. It all depends what station you tune into. If you hear that negative stuff creeping in, take the time to start over - walk away from the table - CHANGE THE CHANNEL - and begin your evaluation of the shot, your approach, and your pre-shot routine all over again.

will have to overcompensate to make it - and you may still be out of line on the 8 ball. If you miss the 8 ball, it is a good idea to look back and see how you got yourself into that position in the first place. Reading the rack is just as important as running the rack. Planning then executing.

It eliminates that “I don’t know where I’m going but I’m getting there fast” brand of 9 ball that you can see every day in the local pool hall.

Unless you figure out which of the 3 categories your misses fall into, you’ll always be running east looking for a sunset. Never underestimate the effectiveness of organized, goal-oriented practice. Practices should be centered around accomplishing short term goals and turning any weakness into a strength. The more organized your practices are, the more organized you will be when you are in competition. If you simply toss the balls on the table with little or no purpose or goal in my mind, you will not improve very much.

However, if you take the time to evaluate these 3 areas of your game on a CONSTANT basis - you will be able to identify and attack the parts of your game that are holding you back by focusing your practices on specific deficiencies instead of merely putting in your time, or merely banging balls around.

Category 3 - Tactical Error Many players get themselves into tough situations because of tactical errors committed earlier in the rack. Usually, a tactical error will have a snowball effect as you proceed through the rack. If you miss position on the 7 ball - you Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

Op Ed: The Evolution of Pool & Billiards

by Alvin Nelson

The central idea that seems to be most important is promoting others in the industry and promoting Pro and amateur billiards is on a swing in the the top pros ability’s and value while promoting right direction. That is the mindset that I want our individual cause. I believe one of the key to program into the mass collective and begin elements to unlocking this door is for us all to materialize A Golden Age for billiards right take a vow to help thy neighbor here in the pool from our own thoughts. I am responsible for the World as much as we can. The step up to positive industry as it is now. My mind is a reflection thinking is ultra important. of the outward appearance. As soon as I can change my mind the World will change around The common mind of someone in the Billiards me. This is the end result of ten years in the pro industry is that of an outside the box thinker— pool world, owning responsibility for everything intelligent, and understanding of how difficult it is to make something out of yourself in the and that is powerful. pool world. They are focused and strong minded This article will bring accounts of several top of for sure. The focus needs to move from separate the industry pro Players who have been in the interests only to unification of support. professional levels of the industry for many years as well and attempt to inspire us all to take our All companies and players in the pool World are working for the limited amount of money and game and sport to the next level. products that can be used to trade for advertising I feel that with Live Streaming, the alternative and player expenses. I believe the key is to really media, and platforms like Facebook, Youtube, pump up your advertisers who support you and Ustream, SneakyPeteMafia, NYCGrind, and others. Sell their products well and that will build InsidePool, we are beginning to build a strong a stronger ad base for the industry to give back. foundation to set our palace to pool and billiards The common wrong thought system is: “ I just need to get my expenses paid.” From here the among the stars. mindset needs to move to: “What can I do to help this advertiser make more money than what they put out of pocket to get me to this event?” From there it is very important to really represent their investment in you, and go out of your way to put that product or person on a pedestal for the people and media.

The next sensitive subject is that we need to remove the Rose colored glasses is the road player enigma we all watch, and follow.

The public view of Gambling and the hustler rubber stamp, although romantic and exciting, in its current manifestation leads this game on a downward spiral. Until the entire aura of that mindset changes the World will not view Pool properly. The way in which this activity is done is the key. Most important is professionalism and appearance when out in the field, and being low key about gambling. Throwing money around with a big smile, rolling in cash on a pool table Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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and see the game, our collective mind needs to put its foot down and begin with the man in the mirror.

for Facebook pictures, boasting how much you’re playing for or how much you won. I see this repeatedly make the players of this sport look like what it really is, dark room gambling.

Changing the sport is really a decision to say, “I am responsible for the industry being the way it is.” I did this. I own that truly.

It is me that has to change before the Pool World Changes and the outside World. The pool World is a reflection of the state of mind I have now, a mirror image. It’s what we think, say, and do that creates or destroys.

All the power is within. It is up to us to enforce a dress code on our selves at your tournaments and keep those people who decided to look like they just walked out of a food fight off your live stream no matter how good they are.

Pool is the Gentlemen’s game. I find the more “in the background” those hustler movements move, the faster professionalism progress. I believe that it lives within everyone to bring the game up. How can we do this? It starts with positive thinking about everything and enforcing a dress code on yourself when out in public participating in cue sports. The way you look is the way others will perceive dedicated pool players.

Now that more and more tournaments are being live streamed to the world on major broadcasting platforms like Youtube live, Ustream tv as well as the soon to be Yatube from Yahoo, there is a need for everyone who cares to be trigger ready for people in the top levels who may be watching, and it does happen.

For instance, let’s say the most famous personality with the most influence who is interested in Billiards is watching. We will call him Mr. X to mask his identity but we all know him. Let’s say Mr. X for some reason is watching a live stream sitting in an airport on his phone between stints as a super megastar.

Through his eyes we see Billy Joe walk up to the table with his wrinkled Giant M+M candy T-shirt with BBQ sauce on the front adjusting his crotch every thirty seconds. Every once and awhile he strolls over and has a big gulp of beer and chews on a chicken wing, then fills the camera lens full of smoke from his cigarette. Also Mr. X notices that the live streamer producing the video is having his dinner as well live on the microphone and commentating at the same time about how good the food is. We hear his fork clink off the plate and chewing sounds emitting through Mr. X’s headphones. I am speculating here but I would bet that Mr. X will change what he is doing at that moment and decide to watch something else. Theoretically he thinks, “ Why should I do anything to promote or help this game, look at how these people show up?”

The old saying goes: You never know who is watching. The streamers out there, including myself, all need to jump up the levels of the productions as well and the industry needs to continue to realize the power of live streaming, online magazines, and other avenues digitally to jump there products, our beloved pro players, and sport.

The following is several quotes from pro players I asked to participate in this article. I asked them about what needs to be done to help this sport.

Max Eberle: “First what we can all do on daily basis to improve the sport is to simply be friendly and respectful with each other to help create a welcoming culture in and around the game. If we do choose to compete in any form, it is great practice NOT to purposefully shark and pull moves on our opponents. Personally I want to win on the merits of my play, not my ability to distract. Win or lose, we can show respect for our opponent and have dignity knowing we will live to win again.

As for pool hall owners, don’t wait for the law to make you switch to non smoking, make the move Mr. X walks away shaking his head and so do the as a leader who wants the best for the sport. rest of the 200 people from across the globe who Quite frankly most people don’t want your smoke never have seen pool online before that happened filled air. What kind of other sport allows this to drop into the feed from out in the ether. In environment? It’s time for pool to grow up on so this day of constant camera, media footage and many levels, I could go on and on... maybe in a now that big names are paying more attention future interview.”

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Robb Saez feels that The sport needs Unity and we need to promote the next man as well as the normal habit of looking out for ourselves. He feels there is no equal treatment for players and favoritism runs rampant thru the industry. He says instead of bickering and trying to get the best game and ball spot, to just throw yourself out there and give it a chance. He said that was the way he reached to the top fighting the champions. This was the way it was done in the old days. Working together is the key in Robbs statements.

Stevie Moore stated that the games growth begins with the kids and getting them into the game the right away. He thinks that individually begin in your own hometown to help the game grow.

Ralf Souquet says: “First of all I think it would be helpful if we would play after the same rules worldwide and not have different rules everywhere.

Especially in the USA a lot of promoters think to know staff better than the majority of the world.

We do have a set of rules from the WPA which is good and should be followed by everyone. Could you imagine if in tennis or golf you would have

new scenarios? I doubt it that people would buy it and would lose interest in it. Besides that I believe that maybe only one discipline should be pushed (whichever game it might be) and declared as the pools professional game, otherwise it is too difficult to follow. Snooker and 3-cushion for example are the other billiard games that everyone knows and pool also just needs 1 game or discipline. For the sport to grow we need money and money comes through TV from sponsors and the industry. As soon as the sport is actually treated like a sport from fans and players, it will grow but money comes only from TV coverage. Internet might be helpful but is not big enough. Only a few people will sit in front of a computer watching something for hours but in front of a TV or a big screen in a bar you could watch sports for hours and hours.”

Charlie Williams stated that he felt that we should all accept pool for what it is now and work from there. He feels the younger generation is not seeing and hearing the complaining and negativity that pervades our sport from the amateur level to the pro level. He feels that being more positive about what we have is key and of course continuing to improve the sport as we go.

Dennis Orcullo Feels that an organized Pro pool tour is the answer.

An Unnamed Pro Player feels that the Amateur level of the sport is where things can change for the pros. All the money that can ever fund a pro tour is within the industry every year. He feels If you look at amateur level golf as the model one can see how the pro level of the sport is funded by its industry and amateur tour.

Thank you for reading and thank you to Garret, Suzanne, and the rest of Sneaky Pete Mafia magazine for all that you give to the sport.

to play with different rules wherever you go and have to tell the spectators every weekend some

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My Life in Leather For all of human recorded history and even well before we were able to make records of our activity humans have used the skins of animals to assist them in life. Leather is simply an animal skin that has been processed so that it does not decompose. This process is called tanning and there are several methods of tanning. For the most part leather is tanned today the same way it was done hundreds of years ago.

Leather can be seen as one of the cornerstones of civilization. No matter what the culture and what period of mankind leather is used in all aspects of life. Its use for case making is almost incomparable when the ease of making a container and versatility is considered. Leather can be tanned using naturally found chemicals and it can be worked using rudimentary tools.

Once tanned it is incredibly durable and long lasting. And as long as there are animals there is an endless supply of raw material.

One of my fondest memories as a young man was the first time I went to a leather factory in the mountains of France. Walking into a cavernous warehouse filled to the ceilings with stacks of leather, mostly goat, and it was intoxicating. The smell, textures and colors were overwhelming.

I spent $2000 on leather I couldn’t even really use, that’s how green I was to the business at the time. Then several years later and much wiser I went to a leather broker’s warehouse in Germany and spent all day and $10,000 climbing racks of leather to find the hides which would become our Limited series of cases. To me, there is almost nothing better than being in such a place and hunting down the choiciest pieces of well-tanned leather. I think that most cue makers probably feel the same when buying wood.

For the purpose of this article we aren’t going to get into the very technical descriptions of each tanning method. In general the main two methods are chrome tanning and vegetable tanning.

Chrome tanning uses the chemical Chromium as an additive. This produces soft and supple leather. Vegetable tanning uses the bark of trees, primarily oak and produces a stiffer leather.

Vegetable tanned leather is known as veg tan and while it does come in several varieties the most common type is simply called veg tan. And the most commonly known term for non-leather Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

- John Barton

working consumers is saddle leather. When the average person thinks of saddle leather they think of cowboys and harsh conditions and something tough and durable. In reality saddles are made of many kinds of leather and the saddle maker will adjust his methods to account for the various types. But for the most part veg tan leather is the most durable of the many types.

When you see a cue case that has been handtooled, meaning that it’s decorated with cuts and sculpting and stamps then it’s almost certainly veg tan leather. Other types of leather don’t take this type of manipulation well if at all. Let’s just run down the main types of leather you might see in a typical description of a case: Veg tan/saddle – this type is easy to carve on and is preferred for hand-toolers. This leather is easy to dye and shape.

Oil Tan – this type has high oil content and is preferred for uses in moist environments. It resists moisture and allows for scratches to be rubbed out.

Nappa – this is soft leather that you will typically find used in upholstery, car seats, couches and the like.

Prints/Embossed – Prints are typically cowhides which have had a texture imprinted or embossed onto the surface. The bonding process often creates leather that is stiffer than nappa but not as stiff as veg tan.

Suede/Nubuk – Suede is simply the rough side of the leather. When leather is split then it’s rough on both sides. Nubuk is very fine suede.

The leather is shaved and sanded to the point where the feel is similar to velvet.

Exotics – this applies to the skin of animals such as python, alligator, crocodile, ostrich, shark, elephant and so on, basically any uncommon animal. Each of these has varying properties and levels of availability from relatively easy to get to difficult. So the price varies accordingly. Some exotic animals are farmed but since the luxury bag makers use so much of it then it’s difficult to get pieces large enough for cue cases.

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Now that you know the main types of leather let’s talk about quality. Leather is generally graded in three ways, top grain, corrected grain, and split.

A piece of cowhide will be split into two or more layers. The upper layer, the one where the hair grows is called the flesh side. It is uppermost layer. When this layer is stripped of hair and then nothing else is done to it, leather is called top grain and natural grain. Basically this means the leather’s texture is as it came off the cow. All the scars, scratches, bite marks and stretch marks are visible and tactile. When the leather is very clean with little to no marks then it is the highest grade of top grain leather. The price goes down from there with the appearance of the leather.

So the next step down is corrected grain. This is where the top layer is sanded and buffed to correct the marks and make the leather smooth.

This results in a very nice even layer. The leather has little to no natural character at this point.

But it’s very good to work with if the goal is to have a product with a very consistent and even color. Some case makers prefer this blank canvas as it gives them a consistent work surface with no need to work around any blemishes.

Then the next quality level is split leather.

Splits have no top grain so the texture has a suede feel. Essentially the back of a piece of top grain is what both sides of a split feel like.

Leather manufacturerers have a wide variety of techniques to apply textures to the leather. This ranges from sanding and rolling the leather and impressing textures on it to bonding a layer of plastic on the surface. There is typically a wide range of quality in splits having to do with the look and feel and durability of the surface treatment.

Splits are commonly used on handbags, shoes, and upholstery. Unfortunately there is not a good way to test the quality of a split without doing a scratch test. We use a razor blade to test the surface of leathers we consider to determine if it will be durable enough for use on our cases.

In general if the piece feels very stiff and plastic then it probably has a plastic top layer. This doesn’t mean it’s not good quality because the surface treatment can be very tough and durable.

Bad quality is when the surface treatment is easy to remove and flakes off with light use.

And finally there is recycled leather. This is known as bonded leather in the trade and it’s leather’s equivalent of plywood. This is a material made of ground up leather bits which is pressed together with glue under high pressure. It is produced in

sheets and the surface texture is typically painted on or bonded to a layer of plastic. Legally this leather may not use the term Real Leather. Done well this is actually a decent material for cases.

Done wrong it’s a terrible material. You will never find recycled leather used in custom cases.

And that’s pretty much the education you need to figure out what kind of leather is being used on the cases you are looking at. The important thing to remember is that each type of leather requires different methods to work it and the experienced case maker will know those methods.

For example a nappa leather case will need extra work to secure the stress points.

As durable as leather is, it can still be weakened by improper techniques. With care in putting the parts together a leather case can last for dozens of years. With proper care of the leather the case, it can last even longer. Unfortunately most people don’t realize that leather requires the same type of care as a person’s skin. At least once a year, it should be moisturized and it is preferably done twice a year. It should be inspected for mold and treated against it if found. Doing these simple things will keep your leather case healthy and durable. When you are considering a leather case check the fittings, check the fit, check the edges and check the stress points. Inspect the leather and make sure that you feel comfortable with the durability.

Leather is a skin and it reacts to the environment, tightens up in cold weather and expands in hot weather. So the better that leather is worked the more it can withstand. Those cowboys who had to spend most of their lives in the saddle out in the country knew the value of a well-built saddle and they knew the agony of a crappy one. In my opinion, the purest form of leatherworking uses leather to build something intended to outlast it’s owner. You don’t need to be an expert to figure out when you have a leather case in your hands if it’s built to that standard or not.

If you would like to educate yourself about leather you can find an endless supply of great information on the web. After all this material has been part of our lives long before we used it to record our achievements.

See you next month, John Barton - JB Cases

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•How It’s Made - Episode 2•

by Kim Walker

In this section we are going to mount the round pieces of Curly Maple on dowels. The forearm section will be mounted on the permanent ¾ in dowel that will be the backbone of the cue.

This will insure that the butt never warps and will give the cue a consistent “hit” like all the cues I build. The butt sleeve will be temporally mounted on a sacrificial dowel so we can turn it on the lathe. The forearm is glued on the 30 in long dowel using gorilla glue. It foams and expands about 4 times and fills any small voids.

This does not mean that there is foam inside the cue. It only foams where it escapes the glue joint. The butt sleeve is glued on the short dowel with 3 dots of super glue (CA) on each end

(Figure 3) Now that we have the forearm and butt sleeve tapered, we can cut the “V” grooves for the points.

The grooves are cut using a large 90 degree “V” cutter. A special taper bar, that I designed and built, will be used to cut the proper shape and depth of the grooves.

(Figure 1)

(Figure 4)

(Figure 2) After 24 hours, we can begin to work on the Curly Maple pieces. We will mount each one in the lathe and taper them using the butt taper bar.

Each one will be turned to about 100 thousands over size.

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(Figure 5) Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

Now that the point grooves are cut, we need to make something to fill them. The 1 in squares of Gaboon Ebony need to be squared up and sanded until they are smooth and the edges are sharp. To do this, we will run them through a drum sander, sometimes referred to as a thickness sander.

sets, about 1 hour. The oak strips are covered with freezer paper to prevent sticking. Glue does not stick to the paper’s waxy surface.

(Figure 8)

(Figure 6)

When the glue has set, the edges are trimmed flush using a router and flush trimming laminate bit.

When the Ebony point stock is ready, it’s time to cut it to length. The forearm points are about 9 inches long so we will cut one of the ebony point stock pieces to 10 in long. The ebony square for the butt points will be cut to about 5 inches long as the points in the butt sleeve are 4 ½ in long.

Starting at the Ebony, the point veneers will be yellow, orange, red, and black. The black veneer will outline the point in the Curly Maple forearm.

The yellow veneer is cut into strips that are the proper length and about 1/8 in wider than the point stock.

(Figure 9) After sanding the veneer edges smooth, the other 2 pieces of yellow veneer is glued on and clamped.

When the glue is dry, the edges will be trimmed with the router and sanded smooth. The next color is orange.)

(Figure 7) The veneer strips are glued on the point stock 2 sides at a time. Titebond wood glue is used because it is very strong and does not leave a glue line. The veneer strips and point stock is clamped between two oak strips until the glue Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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(Figure 10)

4 points are cut from each block, leaving a small piece of Ebony left over. (Figure 14)

(Figure 11) The orange veneer is followed with the red veneer.

(Figure 14) In the next section, we will glue in the points and turn them even with the surface of the forearm and the butt sleeve.

(Figure 12) The final layer is the back veneer.

(Figure 13) From each point block, we will cut 4 points. The points are held in 90 degree “V” blocks and cut free hand with the band saw. I always count my fingers when I am done. (Figure 13) 31

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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For more information on ways to get involved, contact Samm Diep directly at 303-926-1039 or samm@billiardeducation.org. Request a donation box or download a donation banner ad from the BEF website (http://www.billiardeducation.org).

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Committed to promoting a lifelong love of pool & building the next generation of players through youth programs and academic scholarships.

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

Elevate theMoon Moon Elevateto to the by

Tom Simpson

© D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 2 – A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e d – Po o l C l i n i c s . c o m

Most of us have pretty good bridges for getting over a blocking ball – at least when the blocker is not too close to the cueball. But what about when we have to seriously elevate our stick because the balls are close together, and maybe we need some draw? Much, much tougher.

Unless you’re really tall, extreme elevation is a challenge. We’ll illustrate two different ways to accomplish extreme elevation and still keep your stick under control: the Press Stroke and the Shoulder Stroke. And yes, it’s even possible to get good draw while frozen to the rail!

Part of the difficulty with elevating is keeping your stroke arm in the vertical swing plane. Most players wing their forearm out sideways to get more elevation. But then they can’t really see down their stick, and their tip is moving side to side as they stroke. Problematic. The photos below show two surprising ways to elevate to an extreme, see down your stick, and stroke straight.

The Press Stroke requires flexibility and strength. Here are the steps, but once you have it, you can get there in one smooth move: Photo 1: Choke way down on the cue. Stand close to the table, pressing the table with your thigh. Form a high open bridge on the rail. Using the webbing between the thumb and index finger of your grip hand, press the front of the stick down securely into your bridge. Maintain that downward pressure as you bend forward from the waist and raise the back of the stick to get into shooting position. Tuck your bridge elbow to your body as you bend. To raise the butt of the stick, lift the point of your elbow straight up (vertically, not tilted). Unfortunately, we’re not ready to hit yet.

Notice how my stroke arm is already fully folded. I have nothing to stroke with. The solution appears in Photo 2.

Photo 2: The final move is pretty weird, but it works. To get stroke room for your arm, glide your head down the stick line until your forearm is perpendicular to the stick when the tip is near the cueball. This puts your arm in the proper place to perform an accurate, athletic stroke. Of course, it will seem very strange to have your eyes overtop the cueball, and you will have had to aim well prior to the head move. Don’t try to hold this position for long. You’re using lots of muscle. Finally, stroke and hit while holding the stick against your chest for greater stability.

The Shoulder Stroke is remarkably easy for most players.

They’ve just never seen it. Even players with physical limitations like neck pain, stiffness, and lack of flexibility can usually do well with this technique: Photo 3: The beauty of the Shoulder Stroke is that you can stand up straight and comfortably see down most of the length of the stick. The actual stroke is different from the standard, but so is this technique. So what if the method is unconventional? It works, and it’s legal. Stand facing fairly square to the shot. Find a place on your shoulder where the stick can ride pretty smoothly and you can see down it. Make a high bridge. Here’s the key – grip the shaft about halfway between the joint and tip. Hold the stick gently against your shoulder and your bridge by pulling your elbow straight back along the line of your forearm. Find the angle and pulling pressure that allows the stick to stroke smoothly and straight, without slipping around on your shoulder or being loose in your bridge. Stroke with your forearm, right through the cueball like you’re trying to hit the table.

On elevated shots like this, most players prefer looking at the cueball during the hit stroke. Notice in Photo 3, I’m taking a half tip of cushion. It’s rubber, after all. I’m going through like it’s not there.

Draw off the cushion? Yep, it’s beautiful and it’s easier than you’d think, but it could cost you some “customers.”

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Charlie“The Hillbilly”Bryant

By Heather Bryant

The portrait of a professional

What is the definition of a professional pool player? According to some, it is a competitor who attends sanctioned events and maintains a point standing. According to the dictionary, and anyone who runs “amateur only” tournaments, a professional pool player is anyone who successfully earns a living with their skill. There is no better example of that definition than Charlie “The Hillbilly” Bryant.

few and far between. Living with friends and never knowing where his next stop would be, Charlie’s world was rooted in chaos and disorder. I took it upon myself to give him a stable life where he could come home and be loved by his family. I placed myself in the position of ‘manager’ and started turning down offers that were non-beneficial to his goals. I took over his website and re-vamped it to give him an identity. I helped him heal mentally and get focused again. A whole new ‘Hillbilly’ came to the surface.

While playing in a tournament in Louisiana, Charlie met a gentleman that would go on to sponsor his touring for the next few years. Times were good and the stress was off. After the economy fell into crisis, that generous sponsor was forced to back out.

Trying to cover those expenses ourselves, we ended up in considerable debt and were unable to pay the bills. We began to consider the fact that “The Hillbilly” may have to retire from pool. Instead, we sat down and developed a method of booking lessons and clinics in advance and coordinating them with events in those areas.

Don’t let his nickname, his southern drawl or the tell-tale overalls and straw hat fool you. This ‘Hillbilly’ is all business. As his wife, travel companion and business manager, I am witness to the 3am ideas that turn into a flurry of notes and diagrams in our game room. Ever evolving, ever learning, ever developing, Charlie is the epitome of pool business. He plays, practices, learns, teaches, films, writes, markets… lives and breathes pool. It didn’t start out that way through. This professional was forged by adversity and learned through trial and error over a span of 4 decades.

Several magazines and websites over the years have covered the rise of Charlie’s career but I have only been witness to his transformation over the last six years, so I will begin where I came in.

When I first met Charlie Bryant, he was an established top 12 American on the Pro Tour. Still suffering from the loss of his mother a few years before, he couldn’t seem to focus his mind on the business side of his sport. He managed to get himself into several deals that were not properly handled and fell short of his expectations. The Pro Tour was less than inviting and sponsorships were

Refusing to be beaten, Charlie attended what pro events he could but focused more on state and local open events and booking clinics. As with all new ventures, there was a slow start but it looked promising. It seemed as if his prayers had been answered when a promoter called and asked

Charlie to be part of a group of professional players that were going to tour around the United States appearing for exhibitions and instructional clinics.

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I advised against it, encouraging him to stick with our own developments but the anticipation was more than Charlie could resist. Eager to get back out there, the contracts were signed and the first event was booked.

It didn’t take long for Charlie to feel out of place with his peers. Noticing a difference in goals and a lack in income, he struggled with the decision. It took a call from home informing him that the lights were about to be shut off to seal the deal. After talking with the manager Charlie decided that he had to call it quits. Counter-contracts were signed and he was released from the team. Once he got home and uttered the mandatory, “honey, you were right,” we got back to work.

After a few trips, realizing that his heart was with the amateurs and in instruction, Charlie “The Hillbilly” Bryant officially retired from the Pro Tour. Shedding his professional competitor skin and adjusting to his new role as an instructor was an effortless transition. It was the gratitude from his students and their excitement at improvement that warmed Charlie’s heart. Not long after, a good friend offered him a job and the option to take time off when he had events booked. The flexibility of his instructional schedule in conjunction with the dependability of a job when he was home was just

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

the boost we needed to get back on our feet and give us time to organize the identity into an entity.

On The Hill Enterprises, the official company that is the efforts and products offered by Charlie “The Hillbilly” Bryant was born. Using relationships with area league directors and venue owners to book clinics and developing ideas for products, the once pool player, turned instructor, had officially transformed into a business man. After receiving lesson inquiries from locations out of our reach and an inability to book multiple events at the same time, the next logical step was to take the lessons to the web. Filming lessons by skill or subject and then offering them online, as a rental service, allowed players to access the content instantly and on any type of device. Instead of waiting for delivery of a DVD and then only being able to play it on a TV at home, this method allowed students to play the video on their smart phone or tablet and take it to the table where they train.

2013 saw an increase in private lessons and clinics that keep us on the road. The “Hillbilly Smacker” Jump/Break Cue, with its Purple Heart shaft, was introduced late in the year and will go on sale to the public in February of 2014 along with an official apparel line and inspirational game room décor. Also in earlyproduction stages are a line of billiard accessories such as gloves and chalkers. The instructional book that has been 8 years in the making is being re-done as a series. All products and services will be available through the website at www. hillbillyonthehill.com.

After a long road, Charlie has adopted and preached a philosophy… “The Pro Tour should be used as a vehicle to establish a reputation that sells products, not as a life time occupation.” He teaches that to truly become great at the sport, you must understand the individual skills that make it up and to be inspired in a productive manner. If you treat it like a game, it will always be a game. For it to be a passion, you have to find your inspiration and honor it with every thought and action.

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IntroducIng

Adapt-A-Shaft

When looking for products that I can add to my billiard toolbox that will help my playing capabilities, I look for things that are unique, unusual and extremely functional. I happened to come across one of these items, right in my own area, and from a pool player a lot of people in North Central & Central Ohio are familiar with. He is a pool addict with extra skills - making stuff to enhance your game - Chris “Chilli” Dininger. The new idea that he has come up with is called “Adapt-A-Shaft” which was born from the idea of using your favorite shaft with a different cue bottom of a different thread - Mcdermott to Meucci, or Viking, - etc.... It can also be used as an extension to give you more length to a cue for those hard to reach shots.

Chilli can get 30 different colors of wood to make your custom Adapt-A-Shaft - clear coated, burnished or waxed American Oak, Olympic, Crimson Ironwood, Desert Stripe Wood, Evergreen Camo, etc. and can do custom exotic hardwoods as requested including Maple, Black Ebony, Birds Eye Maple, Black or Snake Juma... and more.

Turnaround time is approximately 6 days and can be made any length from 2 1/2 inches up to 10 inches - Chilli has been making Adapt-A-Shafts for about 2 1/2 years now and is fully customized for your cue - Base price is $55 - shipped add $5 for radial or uniloc. Comes with a lifetime warranty. *Joints Available * 5/16 - 18 Original Uni-Loc 5/16 - 14 Uni-Loc Radial 3/8 - 10 Schuler 3/8 - 11 For more information and sample photos go online to www.facebook.com/adaptashaft

call or message for special pin and exotic hardwood pricing at

419-543-4692

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

McDermott G-Core Shaft Review

By Anthony Beeler

Throughout my pool-playing career I have had the opportunity to play with a variety of low deflection shafts. This month I was charged

by Sneaky Pete Mafia to write a review of McDermott’s G-Core shaft. Since I play with of stiffness and stability. In fact, custom cue the G-Core on a regular basis, I found my maker Bill McDaniel, known by many experts assignment to be rather easy. to produce one of the finest hitting custom cues made, questioned many professional In my opinion, McDermott leads the way among players on the subject of shaft taper and after all cue makers in high-performance shaft many years or research found that a 12 inch technology. G-Core technology significantly pro-taper seems to provide the best playing stabilizes the shaft through the use of a three- characteristics. layer core positioned in the front impact area of the shaft. McDermott’s new technology As for feel, the G-Core has the hit of a traditional increases shaft stability by 65% promoting maple shaft and doesn’t sound hollow like increased accuracy with enhanced radial most of its competitors. Many players choose consistency. The G-Core shaft also utilizes a not to play with a low deflection shaft for this proprietary CT Tenon technology: a carbon very reason. However, McDermott’s technology fiber ferrule core, which results in greater produces a solid, crisp hit that is preferred by strength, efficiency and precision. top players.

Carbon fiber extends through the shaft wood and into the ferrule with an additional red colored dampening device to reduce vibration.

This results in a stronger ferrule assembly with maximum impact properties and enhanced feedback. The G-Core’s triple layer design stabilizes the front impact area of the shaft, reducing vibration and minimizing shaft distortion. Its carbon fiber layer increases radial consistency, promoting enhanced accuracy and stability.

The shaft also comes standard with a Tiger, Everest tip which shapes like a hard tip, hits like a medium, and offers the control of soft tip.

It includes a red warning layer that indicates when the tip needs to be replaced. McDermott also offers Kamui tips as an optional upgrade to players who have that preference.

The G-Core shaft also offers a 12-inch protaper. Over the years, I have discovered that this taper length provides the correct amount

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Standard G-Core shafts are 13 millimeters in diameter. However, the shaft size can be customized to nearly any dimension that you want. McDermott will even customize the shaft length for you. Recently, I ordered a G-Core shaft for my child’s playing cue.

Not only was the shaft perfect in size, but it also made the cue play unbelievable!

Finally, another characteristic I find desirable is the price tag. The base McDermott G-Core shaft retails for around $149.00 and is priced well below most of its competitors. Additionally, McDermott offers 3/8X10, 5/16X14, 5/16X18, radial, quick release and uni-loc joint configurations so that nearly anyone can purchase a shaft to fit their cue.

of the G-Core to be simply amazing.

Very few shafts play the same day in and day out. However, I have found this shaft to play more consistently than any other I have ever played with. In fact, during 2013, I won a BCA National 9-Ball Championship and also finished 9th out of nearly 1100 players at the BCA National 8-Ball Championships.

I did this all with a McDermott G-Core shaft.

So the next time you are in the market for a high performance shaft. Think about all of the advantages that the McDermott G-Core offers. Visit your local McDermott dealer and take it for a test drive. I promise you won’t be In my opinion, the G-Core shaft is the best disappointed. playing high-performance shaft made. I am very choosey about the products that I play with, and I have found the radial consistency

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.

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RUNNING OUT IS AS EASY AS 1 - 2 - 3 The Drill Instructor

By Dominic Esposito

How to Become 1-Ball Better in just 30 Days – Guaranteed!

I personally promise to that this drill will make you at least one ball better within 30 days—so long as you keep one promise to me.

It’s very common for people to agree to a deal on the front end. It’s on the back end that most people break down. So, here’s what we’re promising each other, I’ll teach you a drill that will make you run out better than you currently do if you’ll promise to do this drill every day for 30 days. If you can keep your promise, I know mine is in the bag.

9

7 ① ① 8

①

C

A

1

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2

3 ①

4 ①

5 ①

6 ①

1. Rack the 7, 8 & 9 balls on the spot.

2. Break the balls and spot-up any ball that is pocketed.

3. Take Ball in Hand and pocket each ball in rotation order as you would in finishing a 9 Ball game.

If you miss, continue shooting until you run out, then rack the same numbered balls again and do it again.

Count and score 1-pt. for each rack you run out (from Ball in Hand). Be sure to score a total of 10 points before moving on to the next level.

4. Next, rack the 6, 7, 8 & 9 and follow the opening steps again to break the balls and spot-up any ball that is pocketed. Take Ball in Hand and pocket each ball in rotation order as you would in finishing a 9 Ball game.

Don’t forget, if you miss, keep shooting until you finish running out that rack. Then, rack the same numbered balls again and run those out until you have run a total of 10 racks at each number count.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Next, rack the 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 and follow the opening steps again.

Next, rack the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 and complete 10 successful racks without missing.

Next, rack the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 and follow the same steps.

Next, rack the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 and finally, Rack the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 and follow the same steps out.

NOTE: When you break the full rack, leave any balls made in the pocket. Then, start with ball in hand and continue to run the rack until you have finished 10 racks.

There is a more challenging level to this drill for players who feel they’re ready for some real action.

If you miss a ball, re-rack the balls and start that entire rack set over again. You only need to restart at the rack level you’re on if you miss. Your goal is to run 10 racks at each ball count level without a miss.

You can find this drill and more like it on the DI’s web site or from your favorite pool supply dealer.

JUST GET YOURS TODAY! Now, don’t forget our promise.

Continue to direct your Pool Skill Building questions or requests for group exhibitions, clinics or one-on-one coaching or private instruction to Dominic at 407-927-1484 or write him at dominic@thedrillinstructor.us Want more free drills to practice, how about free app drills, get them at: www.thedrillinstructor.us.

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Times are tough for all. I want to start doing a “RAK” for Sneaky Pete Mafia. This mean Random Acts of Kindness.

If you are willing to help the pool community you could possibly donate a cue, a case, a few pieces a good chalk, gas cards, books, DVDs and anything that compels you to do something nice for another pool player in need. This goes both ways though. If you are in need of something please put it out there. Not promising the world but we can sometimes start with a little help. we need to change the pool community and the image of it. But this means taking the initiative. Let’s build a community.

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TRUE SPIRITS OF POOL

thus it was for Jeff, who once said “I couldn’t get a date before the accident –now I find out that girls dig guys in chairs—REVELATION!” And with THAT, he was able to “marry” both POOL and LOVE! Along with new bride Kathy, and matching Muecci cues, he moved across the country in 1987 and ended up pursuing a career serving his veterans with the PVA—Paralyzed Veterans of America. Putting pool on hold while building his family and career, he caught the pool bug again, 7 years later.

Seeing a notice in a magazine for the 1994 National Wheelchair 9 Ball Championship in Cleveland , he was off and rolling. That trip was what gave

by Barbara Lee Jeff the drive to increase his knowledge, learning No matter what circumstances lead to their about all the aids available to “chair” players. wheelchair lives, one thing is for sure—they can There are specialized handgrips, cue extensions, extendable bridges, no-hands-required bridges take you out on the table! and much more! Continuing to pursue his love Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing the of pool, he eventually studied with Fran Crimi, passionate “spirit” of Jeff Dolezal, president of BCA master pool instructor in 2003 where he the non-profit National Wheelchair Poolplayers himself became a recognized BCA instructor!

Association (NWPA). Jeff knows all too well the Also during this time, he attended Predator Pool challenges of disabilities. Having started his School with Dragon Promotion’s Charlie Williams pool career at the age of 12, friendly wagers and superstar Mika Immonen. soon earned him enough “pocket change” for incidentals. Entering the Military right after In 2006, he accepted the appointment of President High School, he continued earning supplemental of the NWPA, with a mission statement of income with his fellow service members UNTIL “DEDICATED TO ENCOURAGING, DEVELOPING the fateful day his life changed forever.

AND REGULATING WHEELCHAIR BILLIARDS” —the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) On April 20th, 1980, a motorcycle joyride with equivalent to disabled players. His efforts with friends culminated in a disastrous encounter this organization have inspired and helped many with a concrete mailbox which left 19 year old with disabilities to rise up, compete with anyone, Jeff, a high-level paraplegic. During his long and gain confidence and knowledge for the sport and tedious rehabilitation, he observed fellow they love. “wheelers” in his rehab unit shooting pool, and knew right then that as soon as his strength During our interview, I asked many questions returned, he would be “at the table” again! regarding the differences that are endured by those playing “from a seated position” as well as Sometimes events like this can enhance lives in Jeff’s personal preferences, habits etc. What he the wake of what may seem a lost cause. And told me was enlightening to say the least. Here are a few “tidbits” to help us get a little “reality” on the subject of “shooting from the seat”!

1. Unlike non-disabled players, wheelchair players strive to leave the cue ball somewhere closer to the rails—mid table is problematic for them.

2. Wheelchair players many times have an advantage over opponents because of a preconceived idea that they can’t play well.

3. 50-60% of the NWPA’s “members” are NOT only disabled, but ARE also Veterans.

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Backed by and alongside the PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America), and in coordination with the BCA, and more, this organization has created 5. There are “power chairs” available which the ways and means for those pool loving “spirits” enable some to play who without it could not. to thrive. The NWPA sanctions 8 to 12 regional events a year, which culminate in a National 6. Many wheelchair players use a “side arm” Championship and at times an International stroke.

Championship, many having been aired by ESPN. 7. The “underhand” stroke is quite common— The organization is also the National Governing In fact the current WPA World Wheelchair Body for wheelchair billiards through Wheelchair 9-Ball champion, Jouni Tähti of Finland Sports U.S.A., the BCA, and is a member of the World Pool Association (WPA). uses this type of stroke.

4. Upper body balance is one of the largest FACTORS of Wheelchair play!

8. Jeff personally has personalized his chair to hold ANYTHING and EVERYTHING he might need during a match. “This way”, he says “I maintain my rhythm without having to go get something—it’s ALL right here!”

With the goal of encouraging persons with disabilities to play, they hold clinics and fundraisers throughout the country and actively seek players, associate members and sponsors to help their endeavors.

Those wishing to offer a helping hand via donations, sponsorships or the like to this wonderful organization can email Jeff Dolezal 10. Many individuals who have significant directly at jdolezal@verizon.net. upper limb disabilities can play the right tools and adaptive equipment.

9. Jeff’s extension offers him a whopping 72” length!

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- Wayne Jenkins

Hello and welcome back to the Hot Seat. It has been a couple months since you started working on improving your ball pocketing skills. How did you do? Post your results and chat with us at www.facebook.com/groups/SneakyPeteMafia/ Last issue we also worked on a proper stance and not moving our head until the object ball hits the pocket. Now we are going to build on what we have already learned.

1. Improper stroke while shooting: A proper

stroke is difficult to maintain while trying to also concentrate on aiming, English, ball speed, and playing 2 to 3 balls ahead. This is why it needs to become completely natural and that it requires no effort to perform.

A proper stroke never takes its aim away from the shot you are making during the entire length of the stroke. Over drawing during your stroke causes the butt of your cue to rise as your arm straightens out. When you do this you are then pointing your cue down through the table instead of through the cue ball.

Solution: When you set up to the cue ball to aim, make sure your forearm is hanging straight down at a 90 degree angle. Shorten the length of your stroke. You can shoot just as hard with a short stroke, even when you need to come around the table 3 or more rails.

When you draw your cue back and it comes to the end of your back stroke, look to make sure that you are still aiming at the same place on the cue ball as when you first set up to it.

When you are ready to make your shot, never start your shooting stroke by drawing your cue back. Instead when you are stroking to aim, when you draw back, and see that your aim is the same as your set up, push the cue ball from the drawn back position.

This gives you a more consistent stroke, better English control, and finesse with your cue ball speed. It will also help to eliminate misscueing, doubt when shooting, and trying to “steer” the cue ball (you know that… pull your elbow into your side to try to make the cue ball curve or spin more.)

2. Cue Ball English: Cue ball English “throws”

more or less depending on cue ball speed and amount of English applied. Throw is

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how much it will actually cut the object ball.

Throw will cut a ball even if you shoot it as if you were going to shoot it straight ahead. This will also cause you to miss a straight in shot if you hit the cue ball off center whether or not you are trying to follow, stop, or draw the cue call. If you shoot soft it will have more throw.

If you shoot hard it will have less throw. How far can you actually throw a ball? Let’s take a look…

The 5 ball is the object ball to be pocketed but is blocked from a regular cut shot by the 6 ball.

Place the end of your cue stick in the center of the pocket you want to pocket the object ball into.

Then place the other end of your cue stick to the inner edge of the cue ball. Your cue stick will now represent the rail and the cue ball placed against it. Now take the three measurements to see if the ball can be thrown into the pocket.

If you shoot the 1 through 4 balls slow, with left - (9 o’clock) English…..you will have maximum throw towards the pocket.

First: The 5 ball is 1 ¾ ball diameters from the cue stick. This is the base measurement for the entire shot.

The 1 ball is approximately one ball diameter distance from the rail, one diamond distance from the cue ball, and one diamond distance from the pocket. The black circle is for measuring purposes. This is the maximum throw you can cut a ball, and the minimum distances, when shooting it straight ahead as if another ball were blocking you from a regular cut shot. If the object ball were closer to the rail with the same cue ball and pocket distances, it would take less throw to pocket the object ball.

Second: This means the cue ball must be at least 1 ¾ diamonds distance from the 5 ball. In this case it is 2 ½ diamonds.

The 2 ball is two balls from rail and 2 diamonds from pocket and cue ball.

Next issue we will be working on eliminating an improper bridge and a ball pocketing skills game with short distance cue ball control.

The 3 ball is three balls from rail and 3 diamonds from pocket and cue ball.

The 4 ball is four balls from rail and 4 diamonds from pocket and cue ball.

These throw shots were all measured with the cue ball against the rail, giving us an easy way to measure the distances and angles. Now let’s look and see how to measure a throw shot that is in the middle of the table.

Third: The 5 ball must be at least 1 ¾ diamonds distance from the pocket you are shooting the 5 ball into. In this case it is 1 ¾ diamonds.

This shot meets all 3 required measurements. A throw shot must meet all 3 measurement rules to be a pocketable throw shot.

Check out my youtube.com channel…………....

Hurricane Wayne Jenkins…. for the video lesson on this article. http://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCJxGgvL9WKcdvWeZ1fg9SGA

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In 2000, Diana went to her first pool tournament and she described “the lighting was like a bat cave”, she knew if she could work through this, she would learn a lot. That she did and the pool world drew her in. She has managed multimedia projects and is great friends with Earl “the Pearl” Strickland. She has been published by all the billiards magazines and did a lot of coverage for AZB, she produced 3 dvds: the Road Scholars, Earl the Pearl’s Road Stories, and the Wonder Wop with Danny Diliberto. They all have stories and trick shots and pictures, Danny D even sings on his. Diana covered the US Open and Derby for years. “There is so much action, a lot of ups and downs in pool, but I love getting those shots.”

She has a web site dianahoppe.com. Her feature is Earl’s wisdom tooth signed. In addition to the billiard memorabilia and collectibles available for sale on her website, there is also some of her art and nature photography listed that is also available for sale.

Photographer Feature Spread Diana was born in Queens NY and eventually ended up in Winthrop NY, near the Canadian border on a 500 acre farm. Her dad traveled the world on a ship and took pictures, naturally Diana started taking pics at 3, and she even has a photo of that. She uses a D3 Nikon, loves it and uses many different lenses; she has her own lighting studio for indoors but prefers shooting pics outdoors, in Mother Nature.

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In this issue of Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine, I wanted to feature one of the top pool action My name is Diana Hoppe. I have been a practicing photographers in the country. Her experience photographer since the age of 3. I have covered the speaks for herself, however, when I approached pool world for 15+ years. I do freelance work and her about contributing I got a taste of the passion have been hired by almost all the major billiard that Diana holds for life and the pool world. She publications. I’ve covered such high profile events was thrilled to contribute and immediately started as the US Open and the Derby City Classic. I’ve reminisicing about her multitude of memories in worked with ESPN2, Sports Illustrated and many the New York pool scene and beyond. For this international publications. Additionally, I’m on the feature I asked One Pocket Hall of Fame board and do whatever I Diana to submit a can to help put the sport of billiards on the map. collection of some of her favorite photos.

I recently produced the Road Scholars DVD in Enjoy. If you have order to educate the up and coming generations any questions of to the history of our sport and to help the guys the photos that are involved make some money for financial support. included, please The ‘Scholars’ members are also available for don’t hesitate to lessons, exhibitions, dinner or most any type of contact Diana at appearance. Please contact me if you’re interested her website listed in booking any of these amazing characters from above. our great sport.

A few words from Diana…

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Universe Clothing Mission Statement I apologize in advance for the length of this message.

I am going to try to make it as short as possible, but there is a lot to say and this message cannot be compressed any further. I started UNIVERSE CLOTHING with one goal in mind: to change the general’s public perception of pool.

If people could see what pool really is all about, if they could see past the bad image that it has, they would fall in love with it, like we did. It’s a game of strategy, finesse, patience, discipline, perseverance and skills.

It’s a game that does not discriminate in any way: tall or short, rich or poor, big or slim, no matter the skin color, no matter where people are from, everyone can play pool, and everyone has a chance to become a good player if they work hard at it. How many other sports can claim that? And Yes, pool IS a sport, just as much as Golf is.

If the general public could see all that, pool would have a lot more respect and our pros wouldn’t be struggling to make a living. Unfortunately that is not the case. I ran a test with a number of nonpool players just to see what the results would be. The test was very simple: I wrote down 4 Words on a piece of paper: Chess, Tennis, Golf and Pool (with the understanding that I meant Billiards).

Each word had its own column. I then asked each person to write as many words as possible in each column based on what each word meant to them in terms of associated values or perception. This was just a test to satisfy my own curiosity so I did not record the results in an organized fashion. However, here is the gist of what people wrote: CHESS

TENNIS

GOLF

POOL (BILLIARDS)

Smart

Difficult

Expensive

Smoking

Strategy

Pricey

Elitist

Drinking

Intelligent

Good for your health

Outdoorsy

Gambling

Difficult

Requires to be in good shape

Classy Lots of money in it for the players

Hustling

Good business networking tool Fun

Fun Bar Game Entertaining

Again, these are people who are not pool players. They might have picked up a cue every now and then, but they don’t play on a regular basis at all. This illustrates what the problem is pretty well: People associate great values to those other activities: Smart, Good for your Health, Classy. But when it comes to pool there is overwhelming sense of negativity. Most of those people wouldn’t want their kids to pick up pool as their hobby because of that. That’s not something that would be considered “good news”. Here is a post I found on Facebook the other day that I think sums it up pretty well: It is my firm belief that unless we “clean up our act”, we won’t be able to attract companies outside of pool to invest in the game and help us grow so we can have bigger, better tournaments, which in turn will help the Pros make a better living and help the sport get more exposure and respect. I believe that this is what this sport needs.

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is not going to help us achieve the goal of attracting new people to the sport. People gamble in Golf, they gamble in Tennis, but that is not what those sports focus on.

They focus on the positive values. And unless we start doing the same, we won’t get rid of the bad image we currently have. I am only talking about the US of course, because that is all I know. The pool industry might be better off in other parts of the world, but the US is my focus.

So when people ask me if I do Clothing, I say “Yes and No”. Clothing is a means to an end. But the project is much broader than that. I didn’t start UNIVERSE Clothing so we could sell clothes and make money. I had a great paying, stable job as CEO of an electronics company. I was doing well and if money was my motivation I would have simply stayed right where I was and continue my career.

I started UNIVERSE Clothing to try and make a small difference for a Sport that I absolutely love. That’s why from the get go I included the players. I wanted to compose with them, to better understand what they had to go through, what they thoughts the problems were and what ideas they had to try and change it. I chose clothing because I think perception of paramount. And if we truly want to change the general public perception of pool, it starts with what they see. We have guys working hard to stream and document pool events. But if the players do not look professional, regardless of how great they play, the event won’t look “important” or “respectable” to those non-pool players who might come across it. The same reason why you don’t show up to work in your pajamas is why we shouldn’t dress up in jeans and a T-shirt for competitions.

It simply doesn’t look professional. And for better or worse, image is paramount. That’s why I thought starting with clothing would be a good way to get the ball rolling. But eventually we want to do a whole lot more. We want to have our own tournaments, sponsor more players, help up and coming players, even put together scholarships, whatever can help promote and grow the sport. It’s a long term plan and a very ambitious one. I started this, but there is no way that this plan is going to come to fruition with just me working on it. I need the support of this industry, from the players to the companies that are involved.

This message is my way to ask your opinion, so I can know whether or not you agree with what I said and support what I am doing. Because if people within the industry don’t think any of what I said here is true, then this is never going to work. I have received a lot of support from a lot of people so far, but I feel that it is now time to reach out to everyone and get real feedback from the industry, directly from the source.

Great players like Johnny Archer, Dennis Hatch, Shannon Daulton, Rodney Morris, Shawn Putnam and Jennifer Barretta have shown me great support and have been invaluable in getting this started. Companies like AZ Billiards, Big Truck, TV Mike, Sneaky Pete Mafia and many others have gone out of their way to help me get the word out. I feel very fortunate that I have been able to get all that support.

MATCHROOM sports also showed their vote of confidence by letting UNIVERSE Clothing manufacture and make available to the public all the uniforms for this year’s upcoming MOSCONI Cup, which is a great honor for me.

Now is time for you to voice your opinion and let me know what your thoughts are.

Please post a comment and start by typing one of the following:

I AGREE AND I SUPPORT THIS - I PARTIALLY AGREE - I DON’T AGREE. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and let’s see what the pool community has to say.

As always: please get involved, spread the word and keep on playing!

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“Mr. Roboto”

I noticed as David approached each ball he would always aim from a standing position then settle into his stance.

Aiming while standing seemed to be the first checkpoint before each shot.

Anthony Beeler

A cold breeze and the drizzle of rain marked a cold November afternoon back in 1997. Shadowman’s Billiard Parlor in Campbellsville, Kentucky, was the setting for the area’s monthly 9-ball tournament.

Next, he would take several slow warm-up strokes to ensure aim (second checkpoint), and then move into what many refer to as, “The Firing Order.”

The field was star studded. Players like David Rice, Mike Blevins, and John Brumback, were all regulars in quest for the monthly title.

As the tournament progressed, David Rice and I were pitted against one another in the finals. David was an incredibly difficult player to beat and always demonstrated sound pool mechanics. Local player, Eddie Adams once said, “Look at David, he is just like a robot. He does everything over and over perfectly!” In fact, it was Eddie that coined David the nickname “Mr. Roboto.”

During my match with David, I paid close attention to his stroke in an attempt to learn something that might help my game.

www.jbcases.com Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

The first part of “The Firing Order” is called “Set” (third aiming checkpoint). This is where you stop your cue tip 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch away from the cue ball and take one final look. You should note that it takes the human eye 3 seconds to focus on a target from a still position. Therefore, it is imperative that you come to a complete stop to zero in on the intended target. You will want to note that your eyes should be focusing on the cue ball at the end of the “Set” position.

The next thing David would do is move into what many instructors refer to as “Pause.” This is where he would slowly pull back the cue and stop at the end of his backswing. When making the transition from “Set” to “Pause” always remember that your eyes should move from the cue ball to the target. A good pause helps remove a jerky forward swing and should help you maintain accuracy.

The third part of David’s stoke is commonly 64

referred to as “Finish.” During “Finish” he would smoothly accelerate his cue to strike and follow through the cue ball. Always remember to keep your eyes on the intended target during this phase.

The final part of David’s stroke was another stop known as “Freeze.” During “Freeze” it’s important to keep your body, head, and cue still. This is the evaluative part of the stroke.

It is here that if the shot is missed, you should try to diagnose what went wrong.

While practicing the elements of a good pool stroke many instructors will teach you to say “Set, Pause, Finish, Freeze” out loud to internalize each part. However, it is now my belief that each part of the stroke should be substituted with counting.

Always remember never to count during a match. You should practice the parts of your stroke so that they become a natural part of your game. They should become something that you don’t have to think about.

I am happy to say that I was lucky enough to win the pool tournament against David that day, but the real victory wasn’t the 9-ball championship. I learned something much more valuable. I witnessed the parts of a good pool stroke in action, and I had the opportunity to dissect them in a real game situation. Always remember, if you want to play like a robot incorporate “Set, Pause, Finish, Freeze” and you will play less like a human and more like a machine.

In other words, instead of saying, “Set” you should say “1… 2… 3…” (first stop). Then pull back to “Pause” and say “1… 2...” (second stop) and then “Finish” with “1… 2… 3… 4…” (third stop).

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Meet the Streamers, Volume II

By Suzanne Smith

In our last issue we interviewed Inside Pool’s Alvin Nelson, this issue we are featuring another well-known live streamer, Mr. Ray Hansen, aka Big Truck, who runs Pool Action TV. I first met Ray when I ventured down to Louisiana for my first Dragon Promotions event, the US Amateur Open, in 2009. At Emerald Billiards, Ray was streaming the professional 9 and 10 Ball events, ran concurrently with the amateur and proam events. Ray exudes southern charm and I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying his running commentary of pool in general. Ray and I have stayed in contact via Facebook, and he has been very busy promoting events all over the Midwest and Southeast regions. Some of his upcoming events include Fight Night 07 Bar Table 9 Ball and Big Dog Billiards One Pocket and Hunter Cole Benefit Tournaments. You can check out his live streaming website at www.poolactiontv.com and give their group page a like on Facebook.

Without further ado, please enjoy our interview: 1. Why did you get involved with Live Streaming?

I originally got involved in live streaming for fun with my friend My Nguyen pronounced (Me Win). I saw the media as something that could really promote the regional tournaments in my area. My Nguyen played a big role in helping me get started. I guess you could say he pointed the way and provided a means.

2. What are the key elements to a good stream?

I think that’s a matter of personal opinion.

My definition of a good stream is one that you can see the players, the ball are clear, scoreboard on screen, updates from around the room, relative commentary and interaction with the viewers. A good stream can really benefit the industry as a whole if done properly.

3. How do think players can benefit from watching streaming?

Players can really learn a lot from the streams, especially if the commentary/ analysis is from a knowledgeable player. It’s really great listening to a top player explain their thought process during a live game.

My most recent production series, Fight Nights, featured Scott Rabon and guest commentary from top players such as Nick Varner, Shawn Putnam and even James Davis Jr. This type commentary makes it like a class on pool rather than simply a past time.

4. How do think streaming has changed the pool world?

Streaming has changed the pool world in that we get to see inside the events that we have previously only heard about. It has allowed players to become celebrities, pool rooms to be shown and products to be marketed like never before.

5. What types of events do you stream?

I stream all kinds of events throughout the U.S. 8 Ball, 9 Ball, One Pocket, 10 Ball. Mostly regional events but I have also streamed some Pro events like the Seminole Pro Tour, The Ultimate 10 ball Championships, The Gem City Classic (now the Johnny Archer Classic) and a few Dragon Promotion events in Louisiana.

6. What is the average cost of your stream?

The average cost of my stream is mostly free now but I do broadcast the end of the tournaments pay-per-view. That currently is only about $13. That fee along with the help of the venues and the industry often time are what makes it possible to even be there .

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public speech from The Derby City Classic just a few months before he passed. Grady and I started putting a tournament together at his pool room but Grady, R.I.P., left this earth before we could follow through with it and it became the Grady Mathews Memorial tournament. Another fond memory was organizing the Country Calvin Classic old school 9 ball tournament and having Country Calvin finish 9th!! He was so excited to feel the excitement of doing well in a big event. It had been several years since he had that kind of fun.

7. What events do you stream?

Some of my favorites have been the Ultimate 10 Ball Championships, Seminole Pro Tour, White Diamond Super 9 ball, 4 Bears 8 Ball Classic, the Pro events from Emerald Billiards, The Texas Open, Houston Open and I really love doing the 2 man tournaments like the Fight Nights series. I also cover annual and semiannual events. All in all I do 25-30 events a year.

We would like to thank Ray for taking the time to complete this interview with us and we hope that our readers are able to enjoy his streams for many years to come. There have been several streaming companies that have agreed to do an interview with us for this series, if you have a streamer in your area that you would like featured, please send me a message at editor@sneakypetemafia.com. Our next issue will feature Daniel Busch from POV Pool.

8. What are some of your fondest memories from events you have streamed?

Some of my fondest memories from streaming include streaming some of George SanSouci aka Ginky’s last matches from Long Island pool room Cue Nine and Brooklyn’s Skyline Billiards. Another great memory is filming Grady Mathews final

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s d c r a l k a B Belt Billi Wayne Jenkins

In the last edition of Black Belt Billiards, we started working to increase our ball pocketing skills with a game called Strieght Pool. How did you score? Post your scores at www.facebook.com/ groups/SneakyPeteMafia/ You should continually see your scores increase week after week as you make this game part of your daily practice session.

This issue we are going to start working on our cue ball control. We will take the focus off of ball pocketing by placing the object ball near the pocket and focus on cue ball angles off of the rail and cue ball speed to a targeted location.

For this game you will need: 1. The cue ball 2. The 1, 2, 3, and 4 balls 3. Three sheets of 8.5 x 11 notebook

or printer paper.

4. Scotch tape

(will keep target from moving )

1. 1-1 2. 2-2 3. 2-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-2 4. 1-2, 2-3, 3-2, 2-1 5. 1-3, 3-1, 1-3, 3-1

Set up the table as shown above with the 1-4 balls in each corner. Do not place them far into the corner, but out far enough so the cue ball will not hit the points of the pocket when pocketing the object ball.

Mark your 3 sheets of paper 1-3 and place them on the marked locations on the table. Scotch tape on the corners will keep it from sliding when you shoot. Below the table you will see 5 sets of numbers. They are the starting and finishing locations on the table you will shoot from and back to. You will always shoot the balls in order 1 through 4.

The first set is as shown: 1. 1-1 The first number 1 is the starting location of the cue ball. Then a dash and the second number 1.

This is the finishing location (target) where the cue ball is to stop upon. Shoot the balls in order 1-4.

The second is as shown: 2. 2-2 This set uses the number 2 target as the start and finishing location.

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The third set is as shown: 3. 2-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-2 This set shows the 4 shots using a different starting and finishing location. The first numbers, 2-1 is for pocketing the 1 ball and uses the number 2 target as the starting location and the number 1 target and the finishing location. The second numbers, 1-2 are for the 2 balls starting and finishing location. The third numbers, 2-3 are for the 3 balls starting and finishing location. The fourth numbers, 3-2 are for the 4 balls starting and finishing location.

Sets 4 and 5 are played the same as set 3. Remember to always shoot the balls in order 1 through 4. You will always finish on the target you started on at the end of the set.

For all 5 sets with 4 shots on the table you will have made a total of 20 shots.

Scoring as follows with a pocketed object ball: 5 points for stopping the cue ball on correct target.

3 points for cue ball edge over the edge of the target but not on target.

1 point for cue ball rolling onto and off of target, but not stopping on or over the edge of the target.

20 shots x 5 points maximum per shot = 100 points per table.

If you miss a target, leave the cue ball where it stops. Do not move it to the next target. This will give you a different angle and English control shot each time you practice these target tables.

Here are the target table scores needed to achieve each level. Keep an average each time you play this challenge.

Post your scores and chat with us at www. facebook.com/groups/SneakyPeteMafia/ Next issue we will continue to work on our cue ball control and a ball pocketing skills game that utilizes one half of the table.

Check out my youtube.com channel…………....

Hurricane Wayne Jenkins…. for the video lesson on this article. http://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCJxGgvL9WKcdvWeZ1fg9SGA

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by Jason Christopher Hunt

The Universal Law of Heart Well sports fans, it’s the fourth installment of Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine and what a ride it’s been! Since the last issue, my brother Steve and I have moved to Reno, Nevada and with the help of my family we have purchased Diamond Billiards, which is the oldest and largest most respectful pool hall in all of Reno. I have since built it into a five star pool room with an adjoining Ultra Lounge and a high-end club atmosphere. We have actually lowered the prices since the previous owners and refinished the four tables to make them look brand new! With daily action and four tournaments a week it is a true players room with living legends sleeping in their assigned chairs! acquire Heart as their journey continues over (Yes I am talking about Monk!) time. It can also be deliberately grown from the I’m not trying to plug my poolroom (Buffalo’s will to become a warrior. Those people just may Silver Cue Billiards and Ultra Lounge), it’s just have more credit coming to them. a perfect lead into what I am writing this piece about in my fourth submission for “Buffalo Winning doesn’t come so easy for some people.

Unleashed.” Which is? DUH DUNNAANAAA! Many have to work a lot harder to get where they are than others that are naturally gifted or have Heart! Heart! the perfect conditions that some players seem to Heart is a word that is thrown around to describe have. many things from the will to win to the amount of gamble a player has. For a player to “Have Heart” In my humble uneducated opinion we are all is a compliment. You don’t have to be a “World born with some degree of Heart, whether it’s just Beater” to have Heart. It transcends all levels a little or immense. But one thing is for sure, of players and brings us all together through a Heart can be grown. That which doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger and that is where we acquire bond of warrior-ship (if that’s even a word). our most Heart from--just being in the heart of I have not ever been the best of players, but I battle all of the time! had a ton of heart in my life in pool. I have made comebacks against some very good players being Getting into strange tournaments, gambling with down 9-0 in a race to 10 and coming back to friends and strangers for amounts that won’t win--from nowhere. Now that is Heart. Do you hurt your life and responsibilities, watching have the will to win? Is it something we can other players who are killers on the table and practice or are some people just born with it and mimicking them and being around other warriors others not? This is an age old debate. I tend to in battle. Immerse yourself in anything. If we believe it’s both. Some people are born with a ton want something bad enough and it is hard to of it naturally. Some may have very little in the attain, if we struggle day after day to achieve our beginning of their journey in this game but can goals and never give up we can finally achieve Heart.

And it’s a hell of a drug! Heart comes from the confidence that is obtained by being in battle, whether you win or lose. ~continued top of next page Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

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players who thought they were stealing just to create an opportunity for me to win money--even if the odds were against me. I’d have to find a way to win. Now that’s where you need your Heart.

Gain heart every time you match up with an opponent for whatever reason, as long as we play with the intention of winning. Playfully hitting balls with someone but not caring about the outcome will not develop your Heart. Generating Heart cannot be done by practicing alone. It may generate confidence, but not the confidence to win. That only comes from having an opponent and trying to crush him! This mentality is the mentality of a winner!

Tenacity--the killer instinct, the CHI that shines outward and allows you to perform better that you ever have before. It allows you to overcome all obstacles no matter how immense, to gain victory. No matter what happens, you are going to win. And that’s how I got my poolroom--with my Heart. And this translates to all of life--not just pool. From each step out of bed each morning to each task you do at work to each kiss you lay on your spouse, children, and pets--you should do it with Heart.

There is a magical energy in actions that are performed with Heart. I can’t explain it, but maybe the best way to encompass it would be to call them miracle opportunities. When you do things with Heart, miracles may happen. This is when great insurmountable comebacks are The “I will do anything to win” mentality is pulled off. This is where the buzzer beating goal the cheater mentality. To get Heart, we need to is made. This is when lives are saved in extreme be the honorable warrior in battle with another circumstances.This is when a guy kicks in a ball honorable warrior who understands that one from Alcatraz and runs the set out on your ass to of them has to win and the other has to admit win the Finals of the tournament, or a gambling defeat. Respect should always given and upheld. match when his goose was cooked. Those actions This is the mentality we need to grow Heart. For take Heart. Performing those actions is how you you may learn just as much if not more from build it. your losses than you do from your wins. Losing teaches us what we did wrong and what we need It’s that stuff that is so deep in your bones, that to improve. you have to will it to seep out. It just doesn’t I got my poolroom from my Heart. I had a happen on its own. dream, and nothing was going to stop me from achieving it. I didn’t know how I would get it, I could talk about how having Heart can be but the Universe works in mysterious ways. If a detrimental thing in this weird, amazing, you have enough Heart in everything you do, magical sport of Pocket Billiards we have here in you will be successful. I believe it is an unwritten the United States. Just ask Earl Strickland and Universal Law the older I get. his 11 rack run for one million dollars. I can’t speak for other countries because I’ve never been I have been through a lot in this game--more there, but in the United States it’s a trip. Being than some could ever imagine and more than a winner isn’t always going to give you the best some like to admit, even though they witnessed it results through the hatred, jealousy and plain old firsthand. But I never gave up. I found new ways to lies that are so rampant in this game. But when succeed. I found new ways to win. I just couldn’t the balls are rolling right and you have those let those people beat me. Somehow my success Heart moments, you feel on top of the world. In equaled their failure. For that’s how they made it life if you have Heart you have no choice to end for me--a war. If I would win tournaments, they’d up a winner at the end of the day. This I believe, jack up my spot and I still found ways to win. is the Universal Law of Heart.

Then to stop me from winning they had to ban me and then tell lies as to why I was banned. Then I would have to work to find new tournaments in bars, clubhouses or wherever. I had to find undiscovered little action spots. I’d have to gamble and get into bad games with stronger 75

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