SPM Magazine Issue One

What’s Inside?

Banging Balls -vs- Drills Johnny Archer “The Scorpion” April “The Shark” Larson How Billiards Has Changed Buffalo Unleashed Eric Roberts - “Living the Dream” National Juniors Pool Month!

Techniques en Masse Texas Tony - A Tale of pool

Eric Roberts Pool Player

Intervi ews, Review s, Stories & Mor e!

Photo by William Burkle

Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013 1 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - Sneaky 2013 - Inaugural Issue

Table of Contents Letter from the Editor - pg 3 Banging Balls -vs- Drills - pg 4 & 5 Johnny Archer - pgs 6 & 7 April “The Shark” Larson - pg 9 Angel of Billiards - pg 10 Eric Roberts: Living the Dream - pg 11 How Billiards Has Changed - pg 13 Techniques in Masse - pg 15 Chalk Review - pg 16 The Magic of Chalk - pg 17 National Juniors Pool Month! - pg 18 Texas Tony - A Tale of pool - pg 19 Pool & Pills - pg 20 & 21 Doubt 101 - pg 22 North Central Ohio BCAPL - pg 24 Bingo at the Academy - pg 27 How do I choose? - pg 28 Secret to Gambling - pg 29 What would a sucker do? - pg 30 An Out of Town Adventure - pg 31 A New Life-Phorm - pgs 32 & 33 Buffalo Unleashed - pgs 34 & 35

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine: Our founder’s motto is, “Let’s take it to the next level.” Our magazine will do just that, providing instructional articles to help take your game to the next level, reviewing the diverse array of products available throughout the billiards industry, and sharing stories by and about the players. Sneaky Pete Mafia will deepen your connection and understanding to the game and use the virtual world to connect you to the world pool community. Mafia means family and we at Sneaky Pete Mafia are a family of folk passionate about our games and diversifying the connection we have to each other through it. Join us in exploring the game and all the players around the world who love pool too. Are you a professional or new to the game? We have room here for all who want to learn and share. Thank you for joining us on our journey and joining the Sneaky Pete Mafia family.

Letter from the Editor Hello all and welcome to Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine. My name is Suzanne Smith “SOS”, and I am hopeful that you will enjoy this new style of pool collaboration. You might be thinking, there is already so much pool media out there, how could Sneaky Pete Mafia possibly bring something new to the industry? But that is exactly what we have done. It’s not just the material, it’s the people that are involved.

This is an exciting time for us, as we are trying to take some emphasis away from the results of individual events to focus on your needs as the player. Everyone loves a good road story, a new drill to try, and reading about both up-and-coming and well established players in the sport that we all love. For me personally, I love the people of pool. We are such a unique and diverse community, but we all share the passion for this crazy game. It is my goal to bring refreshing interviews, whereas the reader, you can experience the interviews with me. More personal, more connection, and closer to what we as people need and want from each other. Don’t get me wrong, I am a fierce competitor as well, so the players that I am drawn to must have the fighting spirit too.

For Sneaky Pete Mafia to truly be all that we imagine, it is critical that we get feedback from our readers about what they want to see. We are you, as you are us. Let’s do this together, because together we are all better. Please send any questions or comments to editor@sneakypetemafia.com 3

Photo credit- Sandro Menze

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

BANGING BALLS -vs-

DRILLS WHAT MAKES YOU BETTER? How do you know your Game is improving? What if I can show you a way to measurably see your progress toward increasing your playing skills? I can and it’s through the time tested method of training drills. I have the rudiments to push you past the plateaus that seem to hold you back , get you out of the slump that’s cost you dearly or bring you back up to speed if you’ve been away from the game for any number of years.

WHY IS PRACTICE BORING? Admit it! You don’t really practice do you? You play a lot of pool. You even compete sometimes – but practice? That’s BORING!!! Why is that? Because the majority of players don’t know how to practice, or at least practice effectively. I’m going to help you make practicing more desirable and productive.

DO YOU ALWAYS WARM UP FIRST? Most of the time, you walk up to the table, empty a few pockets, and start shooting at balls. This is not practice and it’s definitely not warming up; that’s just banging balls around the table. However, on league night or before the start of a tournament, you need to get warmed up – the right way. Completing one Pro Skill Drill will warm you up more than 30 minutes of banging balls can.

WANT FOCUSED AND FINE TUNED SHOT MAKING? Nothing increases your playing skills like practice drills. They develop your utmost in focused concentration, isolation in shot making, and establish your pacing for technique and execution. Your overall player skill level will be improved through practicing professional pool drills. The Pro Skill Drills series of books and DVD’s, nine volumes in all, will develop your focus, fine tune your shot making skills, and build your playing consistency like nothing else can.

ARE DRILLS A TIME-PROVEN STAPLE? “I wish I would have had these practice drills when I was learning how to shoot pool years ago. Today, I’m proud to say I have won the World Champion title eight times, and the only player in history to have won it in all five disciplines of pool. Also, I’m honored to be in the Billiard Congress of America’s Hall of Fame. It was through years of working with drills like these that gave me the tools that I’ve used to win.” Nick Varner Now you can use these fully illustrated Books and DVDs to establish your pace of play and mechanical consistency. Your speed control for making cue ball position, will be perfected within hours – not years. During play, shot patterns will become easier to see within seconds. Outside distractions will not divide your attention so easily. You will win more games of pool in direct proportion to your ability to execute each of these Pro Skill Drills successfully. ~continued top of next page Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

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Start making your practice time count with this drill from Pro Skill Drills, volume 1 Walking The Line: This drill is perfect for warming up, testing your mid table shot making skills, getting the feel or the roll of the table before a match and discovering any shot making and position playing weaknesses.

This drill can be attempted at two different playing skill levels.

Level 1 has a degree of difficulty designed for beginner to mid-skill level players 1. Start with Ball In Hand from any position on the table.

2. Make any ball, in any order, in any pocket of your choosing.

3. Avoid the cue ball from contacting any of the other balls on any of the shots. No Combination Shots.

4. If you miss or make contact with any other ball, reset that missed shot and try it up to three times, if you keep missing it. Finally, if you missed it for the 3rd time, stop the drill and repeat shooting that specific shot until you successfully make the ball 100 times. Then reset the entire line and start the drill over.

Level 2 has a degree of difficulty designed for advanced to pro level players 1. Start with Ball In Hand from one end of the table.

2. Shoot and pocket the first ball on the rail. Continue to make position to pocket the next ball in a pocket of your choice. Be sure, however, to make each ball in successive order up the line.

Continue following steps 3 and 4 above for the balance of the drill

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Finally, I believe that the first step to making it to the winner’s circle is to have the skill building material and knowledge that only Pro Skill Drills offers. Fact is, if you can do these drills 7 out of 10 times, you’ll be good enough to beat 70% of the players you meet. To help you get started, all Sneaky Pete Mafia members can log into TheDrillInstructor.us and order any of the Pro Skill Drills books or DVD using the Coupon Code SPM007 and receive a solid $5 discount from each item you order. GET YOURS TODAY!

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

Johnny Archer: The Scorpion, The Man

By Suzanne Smith In American billiards, Johnny Archer is a living legend. With a multitude of accomplishments in nearly all disciplines of the game, there is very little that I can add to the story of his legend. That is the reason I accepted this assignment: not only would I have to listen to my heart, but I would also have to find a story that defines Johnny Archer, not as the Scorpion, but as the man who is making his way through this life, as we all do. I hope you enjoy the read as much as I enjoyed the interview.

Johnny Archer was born to George Archer and Mary Lee Hester November 12, 1968, in Waycross, Georgia. One of five children, Johnny had two brothers and two sisters. His father was a hardworking man, an auto mechanic. He didn’t recall what his mother did for a living. Their lives changed forever, when at the age of 6 years old, Johnny’s mother passed away from breast cancer.

Photo credit- WPBL

As a youth growing up in the south, there were many opportunities for Johnny to get into trouble, but Johnny had a different idea and began playing pool at 12 years old. He is grateful for his mentor Chester Flynt. Johnny told me that Chester, “kept me out of trouble, kept my nose forward.” When not playing, Johnny watched the older players, whom he idolized: Buddy Hall, Nick Varner, and Mike Sigel were mentioned.

Not only did Johnny perform exceptionally well in singles, he has been a Mosconi Cup team member for a record, 16 years, since the events inception in 1994. (Earl Strickland is in second with 13 years.) Of those, the USA won the Cup in 94, 96, 97, 98, 99, 01, 03, 04, 05, 06, and 09, with Johnny being a critical part of those teams in every year that he had participated.

This last year 2012, Johnny did not lose a single match that he played, however, Team Europe edged out the win 11-9 to retain the coveted Mosconi Cup. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Johnny would have been named team MVP if the USA won. When speaking of the MVP award, Johnny spoke softly and graciously, “It would be an amazing honor, but it would mean that the USA had won, and that is what the Mosconi Cup is all about. It is the team, not the individual, that wins...”

In 2001, Johnny’s life would change forever again because of a woman, this time it was young Melanie Wynne. Melanie was the niece of Brass Tap Billiards owner in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Johnny was competing at a memorial tournament there and Melanie held him up at the door for the $10 spectator’s entry fee.

Johnny told her he was one of the players competing and she let him through, but Johnny lingered longer as the attraction was immediate and all-consuming. They made arrangements for their first date, dinner at Vincents Italian Cafe and a movie. Johnny and Melanie were married in 2002 and welcomed Johnny Jr. into the world in 2004 and little miss Mary LeeAnne made the family complete a few years later. Johnny, Melanie, and the kids make their home in Acworth, GA.

Photo credit- Suzanne Smith Johnny decided to make his professional debut at the ripe age of 17 years. He would play straight pool for practice, but his true love was for rotation, especially 9 ball. To this day, he has won more titles in 9 ball than any other discipline. His performance throughout the ‘90s resulted in being named the Billiards Digest Player of the Decade.

During that period, he won two WPA World 9 Ball Championships, in 1992 and 1997, and the US Open 9 Ball Championship in 1999.

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In Johnny’s words: “Melanie and the kids completed my life. I used to always be out on my own, no one to be accountable to or for. If I wanted to get up and play golf or eat a McDonald’s cheeseburger, that is what I would do. I was like a dog chasing his tail, same thing different day. Now, everything matters. When I do make a serious decision, I choose what is best for all of us.” ~continued top of next page

Bonus Ball is designed to get those players paychecks, get large corporate sponsorship of pool, and extend the careers of players by taking out the fast paced break and increasing strategic play. Although on a short term hiatus currently, I am hopeful that all of Johnny’s hopes for Bonus Ball success come true. Pool needs more players that want to improve the image of the sport, taking it more mainstream. These players have so much talent, it really is a shame that they have to struggle at all.

Johnny’s family and faith are what keep him strong and motivated to do well in all his endeavors. Real life stresses about finances and health care, loss of loved ones, and raising a family the best way that he can are all in the front of his mind at the end of the day.

Away from family and competition, Johnny is a co-owner of the Marrieta Billiards Club with life- long friend Kim Davenport. I have never been to the room, but from what I hear it is spectacular: onsite cue repair, forty 9 foot Brunswick, Olhausen, Diamond Pro, and Triple Shimmed Brunswicks, weekly pool and poker tournaments, APA, BCA, and Tap Leagues, the Scorpion Room is available for private parties, and Golden Tee, plus many more video games available. Top it off with a fantastic menu of down home grub and you really have no need to go anywhere else. It is on the top of my pool room bucket lists, for sure!

In closing, I asked Johnny if there were any sponsors he would like to thank for their support. He wanted to thank: Scorpion Cues (20+ year sponsor, designed a line in Johnny’s name) Triangle Tips Cuesticks International Championship Billiard Fabric My thanks to Sneaky Pete Mafia; the forum provided me the opportunity to conduct a complete and personal interview with one of the most iconic pool players in American history. I will be conducting more interviews with the magazine in the future, so please email me any questions or recommendations for future interviews at editor@sneakypetemafia.com

Photo credit- WPBL In addition to family, competition, and running a business, Johnny is very involved in organizations within the professional billiards community. He is the president of the Association of Billiard Professionals (ABP) and is the captain of the Atlanta Scorpions Bonus Ball team with Shannon Daulton and Dennis Hatch as his teammates. Johnny and I discussed both organizations at length and he feels very strongly that the ABP is a critical component to unifying the players in a sport that has been well known for its divisiveness. The ABPs primary goals are to unify the sport with one voice and to make sure that the players are getting paid. By sanctioning events through the ABP, criteria and contracts can be established in advance to ensure funds are available for payouts.

The creation of Bonus Ball has been discussed, at length, in multiple forums and media. When Johnny and I spoke of the game, it wasn’t so much the format that he was promoting, it was more the idea that professional pool players could make a living at the sport that they love without being on the road for 48 weeks out of the year. Tournaments and traveling take a lot out of a player, especially those who are interested in having a family and other obligations.

www.jbcases.com 7

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

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April “The Shark” Larson: 12-Year-Old Contender by - Tino Talamantes

April started knocking balls at age 7, wins first Junior National title at age 12, and aspires to be a professional pool player.

They call April Larson, “The Shark.” She has won titles, trophies, college scholarships, prizes and traveled the world playing pool. Sounds like the life of a celebrity athlete, maybe? No, just another day in the life of “The Shark,” from Farmington, Minnesota, pool player extraordinaire.

When I hear Minnesota, I think of the most notable U.S. pool player in American history, Minnesota Fats of billiards lore. But I’m here to tell you when you hear Minnesota, you’ll have a new name come to mind!

Titles/High finishes: 2012 Billiard Education Foundation Junior National 9-Ball Championships 1st place, 14 & Under Girls’ Division 2011 BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships Runner-up, 14 & Under Girls’ Division 2011 BEF Artistic Pool Championships, Runner–up, 14 & Under Girls’ Division 21st Annual VNEA Int`l Junior Pool Championships, 2011 Jr Division, highest female team & 4th place team 2011 Ultimate Pool Leagues Advanced MVP Tournament 3rd Place 2011 MN VNEA Youth Singles Tournament 1st Place, 9-14 Division

2011 MN VNEA Youth Doubles Tournament 3rd Place 9-13 Division 2011 MN VNEA Youth 3-Person Team, 1st Place, 9-13 Division 2011 MN VNEA Youth Singles Tournament, 1st Place, 9-11 Division 20th Annual VNEA Int`l Junior Pool Championships, 2010 Youth Team Division, 7th-8th place 2010 MN VNEA Singles Youth Tournament, 2nd Place, 9-14 Division 2010 MN VNEA Singles Youth tournament, 3rdPlace, 9-11 Division

This 12-year-old pool player has earned international exposure by qualifying for Junior World Championships, shooting in adult pool leagues and playing against, “The Black Widow”. I can see it now folks: “The Shark Vs. The Black Widow” for World Pool Championships . It can happen!

When she shoots for this world title, it will most likely be with her cue of choice made by Predator Pool Cues. Although she came to love pool by watching her dad play, her real life hero is the American soldier. This is one pool player I don’t want to be in the “Shark” tank with.

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

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

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Interview by Suzanne Smith

I recently had the opportunity to interview 10 year old Eric Roberts at the BCAPL National 8 Ball Championships. He was there with his father Brian and his 9 year old brother Jourdan. Both boys were competing at the BEF Junior National Championships. Eric is a 2 time Florida State Junior Champion and this was his fourth BEF Junior Nationals. His highest finish was in the first year that he competed. This rkle Bu Photo by Suzanne Smith m ia ill W by o year, he ended up finishing tied 13-16, while Phot Jordan finished 17-24th. Our time was short, but I met with Eric’s’ coach Dominic Esposito, aka “The Drill Instructor”, and asked Eric several questions about his love of billiards.

Me: Why do you like playing pool?

Eric: Because it’s an inspiring game, it’s very challenging to do well and I like that.

Me: Do you have a coach? Are there any players you look up to?

Eric: My coach is the Drill Instructor, Dominic Esposito.

My favorite players are Shane Van Boening and Skyler Woodward.

Me: What are your goals? What do you want to be when you grow up?

Eric: To get a scholarship to go to college, shoot pool overseas, and help take care of my family.

Me: Tell me about your equipment.

Eric: I have a Pechauer sponsorship and Pool A Holic Apparel sponsor me.

Me: How do you feel about the BEF and the opportunities they are giving to young players?

Eric: I just want to say “Thank You” to them.

Me: Who taught you how to play pool?

Eric: My dad did and we tried to teach my grandmother how to play.

Me: Who is your favorite superhero?

Eric: Wolverine (X-Men) Me: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Eric: Vanilla Me: If you were granted three wishes, what would they be?

Eric: 1. Beat anybody in the world.

2. Help me with my family so no one ever got sick.

3. Help me with money, so I could take care of my family.

Eric is a sweet boy and I wish him all the best in his endeavours. I know we will be seeing much more of him and his brother at events in the future. Thanks to Sneaky Pete Mafia for the opportunity to do a short Q&A interview with one of the rising stars in the pool world.

Photo by Suzanne Smith Sneaky Pete Mafie Magazine - September - 2013

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

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by Anthony Beeler There are many ways to gage the changes in billiards since it was invented approximately 350 years ago.

Obviously, from the earliest days to today’s modern game there have been many rule changes but these changes extend way beyond just matters related to sport—Billiards has grown up and transformed as much as the United States has during it’s existence.

How billiards has changed begins in many ways with how it began. As an amateur sport it was a loose organization of rules and it became more and more sophisticated as time passed. After the Billiards Congress of America was formed in 1948, the rules were adapted to meet the needs of the players.

Previously, the predominant game was 14.1 but as time progressed, 9-Ball grew in popularity because it was a quick game friendly for television audiences.

Today, many other leagues have formed. The American CueSports Alliance (ACS) and the American Pool Players Association (APA) offer players popular alternatives to the Billiards Congress of America Pool League. The variety of league’s and varying schedules have made it easier for working players to participate in the game that they love.

Billiards has always been populated with stars and as it grew in popularity the need to track and distinguish between players become more important. Most significantly, the Billiard Congress of America, Hall of Fame was founded in 1966. “The purpose of the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame is to honor outstanding people who, through their competitive skills and dedication, have enriched our sport and Photo by Rosanna Ramirez industry.” Later, in 2005, the Legends of One Pocket and Bank Pool Hall of Fame were founded to further recognize players who have demonstrated excellence in competition over time.

Another way that billiards has changed over the years is, of course, equipment. Brunswick Billiards dominated the table scene at professional tournaments during the 1970’s and 80’s. However in recent years, Diamond Billiard Products have become the table of choice at most professional events.

In 1976, Bob Meucci developed the concept of low deflection shafts which were further developed by Predator and OB Cues. Today, McDermott offers a wide range of GCore and I-Shafts with a carbon fiber core to give players the popular feel of a traditional shaft but with low deflection characteristics. Years ago there was no such thing as a jump or break cue. Today, players cue cases look more like a golf bag, housing multiple cues. Specialized cues such as the Stinger Jump/Break Cue, the Lizard Jump Cue and the Sledgehammer break cue have revolutionized the sport. In fact, the need for specialized equipment has forever changed the game.

Forty years ago Champion tips were the choice of many professionals. However, this trend quickly changed as LePro, Elk Master, and Triangle tips began manufacturing their products. Today, layered tips are considered to be the choice of champions. Companies like Tiger, Kamui and Morri now dominate the market. There are even specialized tips for both jumping and breaking.

Even the way we rack the balls has changed. Traditionally, players used either a plastic or wooden triangle. However, the need for perfectly frozen racks has allowed companies to develop and introduce many new racking options. Approximately 10 years ago the Sardo Tight Rack was developed and was popularized on ESPN and IPT matches. Today, Cue Sports International endorses a new product called The Magic Rack. Both racking options have forever changed the way that we play the game and have eliminated many arguments between players relating to the tightness of the rack.

Thankfully, the core of the game has remained untouched. Each player argues that the era that came before was more difficult and more authentic and all of them may be right. But even as it has morphed and changed the game of pool still remains one of America’s favorite past times.

Photo by Rosanna Ramirez

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By Nkoyoyo Eddy The art of billiards is comprised of 8 techniques that include: trick/fancy, follow, draw, bank and kick, jump, masse, stroke and special art. But amongst all, the masse is the most difficult to master and the most splendid stroke one can ever see. The way it translates those seemingly impossible trajectories, it’s so fun and undoubtedly the greatest crowd pleaser to the trick shot audience.

Basically, the masse is a shot made with the cue stick elevated (butt end in air and shaft pointed into the felt) at some angle of elevation which is dependent on amount of curve required. Even though most masses require much energy, the most effective masse stroke requires an effortless, yet elegant execution. When we consider the physics involved in the masse, it’s all about kinetic energy (KE).

From the law of conservation of energy, we know that the KE received by the ball during impact with the tip is equal to the one developed by the player’s movement except for some negligible amount converted into heat due to friction.

From the formula KE = ½ mV2 where m stands for mass put in motion by the player and V standing for velocity of that mass. It’s evident that mass and velocity are the two quantities that can effect the energy transferred into the ball. Implying an increase in mass can increase the energy transferred, therefore a heavier cue is most effective with a masse. And most importantly, change in velocity means a massive change in energy since velocity (V) is squared (multiplied by its own value). Below is how we can maximize our velocity. Considering other equations of motion, we have all the tools we need.

• V = u +at • S = ut + ½ at2 • V2 = u2 + 2aS (V-velocity, u-initial velocity, a-acceleration, t-time, S-distance) Since the final stroke starts from rest, initial velocity is zero (0).

V = u +at → V = aXt. Maintaining the same acceleration (a), velocity (V) can be increased by an increase in time.

This can only be done by increasing the distance. In summary, the larger the bridge length, the more the velocity generated and hence more kinetic energy.

To maintain an elegant stroke, a player is required to remain free and loose, putting only the necessary body parts in motion. This includes the hand and forearm, although it’s common practice among players to include the arm and shoulder, but they limit elegance.

The other important part is the cue grip.

Requirement of a loose grip is no question but still the most effective grip is one that allows grip rotation around the wrist which in turn increases the acceleration.

Having understood all the above information and principles, one can at ease masse the cue ball and dribble it off on single cushion a number of times but the question still remains, how do we judge the final direction of the curved cue ball?

Thanks for visiting Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine and enjoy your curving balls experience, we welcome any further questions, reactions, and comments. Please list straight to Eddy in the subject line, I hope this article has provided insight into your masse evolution.

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By Peggy Mallen Chalk on a cue tip is as important as tread on tires. Chalk creates friction that helps a cue “hug” the surface of the cue ball and keeps the tip from skidding off –especially on those difficult shots where a lot of English is necessary to achieve the results needed to set up for the next shot!

Until 1893 the chalk used on leather cue tips was carbonate of lime, better known as blackboard chalk. This chalk was messy; it discolored and rotted table cloth over time and was only made in white. Most chalk used today is comprised of fine abrasives and does not contain a speck of chalk. The original chalks were produced mainly to keep the leather tips dry and secondly to assist with grabbing the ball. The only problem with this was these chalks had no “grit” added and miscues were a big problem.

In 1892, a professional pool player from France by the name of William A. Spinks came to the United States with a few pieces of French chalk in his pocket. When he arrived, he realized that the chalk he had in his pocket was superior to the chalks made in the United States and went to a chemist to learn what the formula is. After much trial and error, he then started producing chalk adding Silica and Aloxite—giving the “grit” needed to grab the cue ball and, therefore, changing the game of pool forever. Never before could players make such difficult “English” shots as they could with the new formula!

Most recently, with new technology, chalk formulas have become more complex and “performance” chalk has been developed by many billiard companies. Chalk has become as important to pool players as the type of cue they choose to play.

Now that the mystery of how chalk came about has been answered, let’s talk about chalk in today’s world.

Did you know that the type of tip you have on your cue dictates the amount of chalk it can hold and retain? Pool cue tips have a variety of grades and range from very soft to very hard. The softer the tip, the better it holds the chalk.

After making several shots and chalking after each one, you will notice that the surface of your tip is smoother and slippery and you see a sheen. This is a sign that the tip has compressed. Once compressed, it is very difficult for chalk to adhere to the surface. This sometimes happens when players chalk too frequently and tend to grind the chalk as hard as they can into the tip wearing it down faster.

The new performance chalk formulas require less chalking between shots and last longer than standard brands. They produce less dust, leaving the table, balls and hands very clean. If you chalk with performance chalk after every shot, you may see negative results by creating a chalk barrier between the leather tip and the ball. If there is too much chalk on the tip, you must go through that barrier before making contact with the leather tip—and that can create a miscue.

The correct method of applying chalk is to use a “brush stoke” using the perimeter of the chalk. Grinding the chalk into the tip is not necessary and is discouraged. If you blow on the tip after chalking, there should only be a small amount of dust. If there is a lot, you have over-chalked. Chalk makes the magic happen between the tip of a cue and the surface of a cue ball. Quality performance chalk will take a players game to the next level.

“The History of Pool & Billiards” http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/facts.html. http://www.ehow.com/ about_4661087_why-do-chalk-pool-stick.html http://www.ehow.com/about_4661087_why-do-chalk-pool-stick. html#ixzz2XHOxK4hS http://www.ehow.com/about_4661087_why-do-chalk-pool-stick. html#ixzz2XHMn0aCC “The Billiards Encyclopedia” New York, 2008, Third Edition

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Sneaky Pete Mafie Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

Some Pool History... to look at :)

www.jbcases.com

Support the future of our sport by raising money for junior pool programs, scholarships, and pool in school programs!

For more information on ways to get involved, contact Samm Diep directly at 303926-1039 or samm@billiardeducation.org. Request a donation box or download a donation banner ad from the BEF website (http://www.billiardeducation.org).

All donations can be made to: Billiard Education Foundation PO Box 11197 Englewood, CO 80151 Or Paypal: info@billiardeducation.org

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

And I will happily se nd you a rece ipt for your dona tion.

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by Daniel Cosper

When I was 13, Texas Tony was one of the best 9-Ball players at Red Carpet Billiards.

He was wise for his age and had a special rule about never giving lessons for free. I knew if I could ever get him to play me my game would considerably improve.

He showed up regularly on Friday nights to play in Desoto Don’s Midnight five dollar 9-ball tournament. On this particular Friday night it was still early yet almost all the players were in attendance, including Texas Tony. Both Poker Paul and Desoto Don had been mentoring me for weeks on how to get him to play me.

True, I had strong young eyes and a little talent, yet Texas Tony believed these advanced lessons were not suitable for someone of my young age. After all I was a just boy and these men simply thought I wasn’t quite ready for the brutal reality of a true pool hustler’s game. My plan was to propose some simple action before the tournament started as a warm up session.

All the 9-Ball players always gathered together before the tournament to swap stories and tell lies, and with all his brethren gathered around him I spotted an opening and took my shot: “Say TT, how about some 9-ball action for 25 a game?” They all looked surprised to say the least! He cautioned me, “you don’t want to throw your money away Kid, save it for a rainy day!” I said, “Hey, if you’re not up for it, I promise not to tell your girlfriend!” It got laughs from all the brethren who were now each encouraging TT to “Go ahead and play the Kid! Show him what you know!”

When he stood up and grabbed his stick he asked me if I was sure I wanted to play for 25 a game? I told him, “Sure! I’m ready! I got a whole pocket full of quarters right here!” All the brethren busted out laughing again and each one insisted he had to play me now! We lagged for break and he won and over the next two hours beat me 88 times for a grand total of $22 bucks!

But that’s not the whole story!

True, I lost, but every once in a while I’d put him in a spot where he’d actually have to show me what he knows to win! I noticed at those times he’d distract his brethren’s attention across the room at a pretty girl then shoot the tough shot when they weren’t looking, yet I watched and studied every shot he made. To how he analyzed a shot, how he focused, to how hard he concentrated on the tough ones. I studied his stance stroke and bridging and just as Poker Paul and Desoto Don predicted I got a crash course in 9-ball for $22 bucks, which would have cost anyone else hundreds$$$!

The very next week I played in Desoto Don’s Race to 5 Tournament and was pitted up against Texas Tony in the very first match. I used every trick he used on me from the week before and I won 5 games in a row!

I won the last game with a shot he actually showed me! The 9 ball was hanging in the pocket and I had a three ball combination lining up down the rail, instead I shot the 3 ball around the 8 off the rail and made the 9! A slick shot for a 13 year-old Camino Kid.

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

by John Langwig

Being in the pool business and having invented a game that involves the ubiquitous Kelly Pills and shake bottle, I wondered what the pills were originally for and why there are sixteen of them. Players who have seen the bottle and pills a million times donít know much about them. Up until quite recently every new pool table came with a bottle and pills as part of the accessories.

Attempting to track the origin of the pills and bottle brings one back to America in the first half of the 19th century when billiard parlors first began to appear in the cities. We know that the invention of the pills precedes the game of Kelly, and although the exact date and original purpose of the pills is lost in the fog of history, a look at how pool was played yields some possible answers.

These early rooms had tables, but no balls. Players from this era owned not only a cue, but a set of three or four Carom billiards balls. Three balls was the most common, but you can find both kinds of sets for sale today. If you went to the billiard parlor, you would bring the balls with you. These sets most commonly consist of one red ball and two white balls, although some have a red, a white, and a yellow.

When reading periodicals and literary references to billiards from the nineteenth century, mention was often made of a person working in the billiard parlor whose job title was Billiard Marker. References to the Billiard Marker can be found as early as 1800. The games they played in that era were scored on points, and someone was certainly needed to record the scoring.

While the Markersí duties are variously listed as collecting money, keeping the peace, and keeping score for the players on a chalkboard, there may have been another job that helps explain the job title.

Picture yourself in 1830 going to the billiard parlor to play. When you come into the room there might be a few people already playing carom billiards and they all have the exact same set of balls that you brought with you. But over at another table are four friends of yours and they suggest that you five players put your balls together and play the new game of the day ìPoolî.

The game called Pool is an old game, with rules first appearing in print around 1820. It is a game that any number of players could play. So, a pool of players would pool their balls, and pool a wager, and play Pool. When colored balls became available, the game was played with them.

The game called Pool has a complex point scoring system and a marker board was regularly used. The Billiard Markersí duties included marking the scores. Pool, and its successor, Pyramid quickly overtook English and carom billiards in popularity, at least in America. But, how did the players ìpoolîù their balls together and still go home with the same ones they brought?

I believe that to solve this dilemma one of the jobs of the Billiard Marker, one of the duties that earned him the title, was to mark numbers on the balls as they were brought in, so that each player knew which balls were his. It is not much of a stretch to postulate that this practice was the origin of numbered pool balls. Russian Pyramid to this day is played with all white balls with numbers on them. ~continued top of next page

www.jbcases.com Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

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But, of course, that is only half the story because after marking the balls the Billiard Marker needed a token to give to each player. This is where the pills come in. The oldest pill sets we see are ivory or bone, probably fashioned from broken billiard balls. Early pill sets could number twenty or more, and in both games, Pool and Pyramid, mention is made of up to 21 balls in play.

There is ample evidence that the pills preceded the leather shake bottle we now store them in.

This would all make sense if the original purpose of the pills was a token to give players in order to keep track of which balls they brought. The pills could be kept in a bag or wherever worked for the players.

The traditional Pill bottle that we still use today has a unique shape, but not if you look at beer bottles from the 1870ís where one will note a striking similarity, right down to the lip of the bottle.

This seems like more than a coincidence, and again not much of a stretch to conclude that a beer bottle was the original container. It would also explain the size of the pills themselves. They fit perfectly in a beer bottle, I know, because Iíve seen it happen.

By the last quarter of the century 1875-1900, Pyramid was increasingly popular, and was being played with fifteen balls. If you wanted to play, youíd go to a billiard parlor and pool your balls with some other players. With Pyramid being the dominant game, it was evident that what the Billiard Marker needed was a set of pills for each table playing Pyramid, and each bottle needed exactly sixteen pills to mark the balls in play. I believe this is why there are sixteen pills in the set even today.

In 1894 Calistus ìKellyî Mulvaney of Chicago invented Kelly Pool and the true calling for the pills was found. Kelly Pool came to dominate the American Pool scene for the next 35 years or so, and the peas became known to everyone as Kelly Pills. To this day, if you want to buy numbered billiard balls in Great Britain, just ask for a set of Kelly balls, because thatís what the British call the numbered balls.

And what became of the Billiard Marker? By the turn of the century inexpensive resin balls and even cheaper clay balls in numbered sets of sixteen were the norm and cheap enough so that you no longer had to bring your own balls to the pool room. After the pool halls were able to afford their own sets of balls, and games that required scoring of points were passed over, the job of Billiard Marker was no longer necessary, and the job became a casualty of progress.

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

By “Blackjack” David Sapolis

Tied to a Dump Truck

Many of us have something holding us back. Most of the time it because we have attached ourselves to something negative along the way - or- it is because we have allowed our belief systems to be altered or led off course.

We have to guard our certainty. Certainty is the absence of doubt. It is believing in yourself and your ability to be successful in any situation, no matter how bad the circumstances are. Diligence, certainty, and perseverance fuel our survival. Doubt prevents it.

It’s hard to be doubtful, bummed out, or trapped in despair when you are moving forward with diligence and perseverance. Doubt creeps in through the weak areas of your mental game. It does not take over your thoughts because of anything that happens out on the table. Doubt is created in your mind. That makes it “controllable”.

You become very susceptible to doubt after a loss. I have learned that if you keep moving forward, you will not have enough time to doubt yourself. Enter another tournament, play another match, match up with somebody - do something - do anything to keep yourself moving forward. If you pause, or if you give your mind the opportunity to question your ability - you open the door for doubt to come in and take over. There are a lot of bad things out there, but doubt is ENEMY NUMBER ONE. It creeps in like a thief in the night, then it consumes you, and ultimately destroys you. Doubt is definitely the last thing that you want controlling your thought process. When you try to move forward again, it’s as if you have a bull rope connected to a dump truck tied around your waist. Don’t get fooled into thinking that doubt is powerful, it’s not. Doubt is heavy, it halts your movement, and it will keep you stationary no matter how bad you want to move away from it.

When immersed in doubt and uncertainty, many players fall into the trap of telling themselves that they just have to be more determined.

They believe that if they commit themselves and all of their energy towards grabbing the rope and pulling the dump truck up a steep hill, then they will eventually conquer doubt. You can pull on that rope with all of your might, but you’ll never move the dump truck.

You see, when we’re desperate, our minds don’t work very well. Our problem solving and common sense skills become non-existent, and panic flies in while reason flies out the window. Somehow, we seem to forget that when we started the race, we did not have a rope tied around us, and we were not attached to the dump truck. So why pull the rope? You’d probably get better results if you tied the rope around your neck.

You need to remember that doubt is the dump truck, not the bull rope.

The bull rope represents your thoughts. If you attach your thoughts to Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

doubt, then that’s what you will get. However, if you attach your thoughts to certainty, you’ll get that too. Certainty pulls you ahead, while doubt holds you back.

Notice I said that doubt holds you back. Doubt is not pulling you back. As I said earlier, the dump truck is not moving. It is stationary. It designed to have you spin your wheels and smoke your tires when you try to move forward. So, if you’re not getting anywhere, flooring the gas pedal will not solve the problem… but that is exactly what we do.

We figure we need to work harder, so we practice until we are completely exhausted. We figure that we need to be more determined, so we keep fighting and pulling that rope until we are completely exhausted.

We don’t need the dump truck, so why are we pulling it? My theory is that doubt plays with your mind in several different ways, but it is most effective in provoking you to battle against it. Once it is able to grab your attention, it attaches itself to your emotions, and then it proceeds to consume all of your energy. Doubt preoccupies your thoughts, your emotions, and your energy.

Doubt:

… is stationary and has no power … …holds in place - does not pull … … grabs your attention … … attaches itself to your emotions … … proceeds to consume all of your energy … … preoccupies your thoughts … … preoccupies your emotions … … preoccupies your energy … … keeps you spinning your wheels …

So if we look at this with reason and common sense, we can clearly see that doubt’s provocation is met with our competitive nature. What this does, is it takes us off course and we end up battling against doubt.

There is nothing to win in the battle. It is designed to wear you out, and consume all of your energy. All that will happen is that you will get tired. If you continue fighting this battle long enough, it will start to affect your motivation. You will start to tell yourself that it’s not worth the energy to fight it anymore. You can prevent all of that by telling yourself right now that it’s NOT worth the energy to fight it, AT ALL. Just don’t give in to the provocation!!!

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

Sneaky Pete Mafia & Focus Billiard Gear Sneaky Pete Mafia & Focus Billiard Gear have teamed up and the T-shirts and Hoodies are now here.

Range of colors are white, black, grey and blue. Sizes come in small to 4X. Shirts and hoodies will be shipped when ordered.

Orders over $50 get free shipping in the usa. Use Promo code - 201302 Prices are as follows: Racer back $18, T-shirt$ 22, Long sleeve $28, Hoodie $40, Polo $30 shipped to your door.

To buy a shirt or hoodie, go to https://www.facebook.com/ FocusBilliardGear/app_251458316228 http://focusbilliardgear.com/ Both types of Sneaky Pete Mafia patches have arrived and are ready for immediate delivery. The patches are $11 each, mailed within CONUS and $16 each shipped worldwide by postal service. Please send paypal payment to americancueist@aol.com and indicate how many of each you would like: round and/or rectangular. I also take all major credit cards if you don’t have a Paypal account. Please call me at 609-553-8810 for all phone orders.

You know you are obsessed with pool when...

1. You can masse a skittle with the eraser end of a pencil.

2. your copy of the Hustler stops working because

of overuse.

3. You are late to work because you had to go back and get your cue.

4. The trade-in Value of your cue is worth more than the trade-in value of your car.

5. You still lose sleep over a missed 3-ball in 2011.

6. When the kindergarten teacher holds up the number 9 and your child yells, “Moneyball!”

7. People stop asking you, “What are you doing tonight?”

8. You try to claim Billiard Training on your taxes as an educational expense.

9. Someone offers to sell you a bridge, and you buy it.

10. Parts of your bridge hand are permanently blue.

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

24

As a league operator in a small North Central Ohio area (Richland & Crawford Counties) I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people in the two years since I became an operator and the eight years since I started playing pool.

I cannot even begin to elaborate on how much playing pool has changed my life. Playing this game has enabled me to meet people whom I never would have that have a love of the game as I do, and others who are in it just for the money.

For me, one of the best things that I have been blessed to do in this last year is to be involved in a junior league of sorts. I talked to one of the local players (Carl Davis), who runs one of our area tournaments to see if he would be interested in running a small Junior League” over the summer so kids that dont participate in other sports would have something to do that they enjoy and could be involved in learning. These are our future players. I was never into the other sports growing up, but I could sit and watch games of pool for hours.

I would like to congratualte all of the kids that participated in these summer tournaments and took the time to learn how to play BCAPL rules. The first tournament only had three kids show up, we still played.... two weeks later when we held the second tournament, we had 7 players.

For the rest of the summer, we played every two weeks... the kids were allowed to pick an adult coach for the first two times they played, after that they could ask their opponent or the tournament director if they were unsure of something. Each of the kids were given a rulebook. I have to say that I absolutely enjoyed watching them learn and play... and the excitment they showed to learn the game :) I would like to thank all of the kids that participated and thank their parents for allowing them to - Noah Hall, Colton Eckard, Mariah Gambill, Heather Newman, Chelsie Betancourt, Desiny Valdez, Quinten Scott, Breona Scott, Nick Johnston, Rebecca Vance and Korrey Vance, Jr. I am so proud of them all. This year it was started quickly after a conversation just to see if there was an interest. We will do this again next year but with better planning involved.

Hopefully we can get donations of trophies and such to give to the kids. Even some of the other adult players that would like to give an half-hour of their time to work with them. ~

Rosanna Ramirez graphixrose3@aol.com

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

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.

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

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BINGO! At The Academy Written by Bert Kinister

My chat with Max Eberle was refreshing, to say the least. By the end of it, I wanted to stand up and yell, “BINGO!,” but being that I didn’t have a dauber or a cute little card with numbers on it, I exercised enough self-control to resist the temptation. Max has an impressive resume when it comes to billiards, but his success reaches far beyond that of just being a great pool player. He is an artist, producer, author, professional pool player and instructor. This is a guy who has journeyed down many professional paths and faced a variety of experiences that tapped into his innovative side. Max told me something that gives me the impression that he might have inherited some of his visionary ways from his dad. Though he credits his grandfather for his early exposure to pool, his dad is the one, that at age 16, convinced the local YMCA that having a pool table didn’t portray the image they really wanted and they should therefore sell it to him – so they did, for just $100! I would venture to say that was one really smooth hustler move!

Max has utilized his own creativity to provide some modern tools for the everyday pool player. The first to get my attention was the Pool Player Book, which reminds me of a cross between MySpace and FaceBook, but with more of a directory-kind-of-feel to it. Members create their profiles, find or invite friends and add content or apps. The platform contains categories for photos, videos, events, blogs, forums, chat and much more. I love the idea of being able to connect to players all over the world, especially if you are like me and travel for tournaments.

While the Pool Player Book is quite impressive, I think the Max Eberle Pro Pool Academy takes the cake. I am a new student to this program and words do not begin to describe what this curriculum has to offer. You just have to see it for yourself. There are a number of different learning methods, so it can be a challenge to find the right approach. This program is unique in its ability to deliver content proactively with audio reinforcement and visual aids in a work-at-your-ownpace style. My opinion is that the Pro Pool Academy is an extremely useful learning tool for any and all players. It has something to offer for everyone, no matter what your skill level may be currently.

There are several interesting facts in the library of Max Eberle, but instead of me going on and on I will just refer you to Google. It can tell you everything else you want to know and more!

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

How do I choose between all the Hybrid cue shafts on the market?

First of all, hybrids refer to pool cue shafts that are not the traditional solid piece of hard rock maple. More and more are flooding the market, but the main and most popular models are the Predator 3142 & Z2, OB-1 & OB-2…, McDermott I-Shaft, G-Core, and there are others that have not gained that much popularity. My personal favorite is the OB, because of the way it “feels”—but that doesn’t make me right by any means—a personal preference always trumps opinion. The bottom line to every one of them is this: they all promote “low cue ball deflection” or “less cue ball squirt,” same thing. Many players think this terminology refers to the shaft itself — not true. The shaft only makes contact with the cue ball for 2/100th of a second and that isn’t enough time for much of anything to happen to the shaft itself. Deflection refers to how the cue ball reacts when struck.

The principal behind a low deflection shaft is this: the shafts are made from multiple pieces of wood in order to strengthen the shaft wall because they are cored out down the center and the wood that is removed and replaced with a lighter material, i.e., different wood, foam core or some other high-tech material. The multiple pieces of wood are needed to increase the structural integrity of the shaft wall to prevent warping and breaking. It also gives the shaft a stiffer feel. By reducing the weight in the front end of the cue, you reduce the mass of the cue and mass reduction makes the cue ball “deflect” or “squirt” less than a solid piece of wood because the mass of a solid piece of wood is greater than the technological components used in the hybrid. Whew! That was a mouthful.

What that really means is that your accuracy improves because the ball has a better chance of going where you are aiming due to less deflection/squirt.

I think of it as a compensation for human error. If you decide to add this weaponry to your arsenal, be prepared to make a few adjustments to your game. Every player is different, but it will mess up your game for some period of time until you get used to it.

It can take anywhere from one day to two months, but for many players, the increased performance is well worth the investment.

Some players are old school and understand the deflection of a solid piece of wood just fine and have no intention of messing with a good thing that works—either that or we are just too old, stubborn and set in our ways. Either way, as with everything else, it is always personal preference and choice. If you want to feel the difference, stop by your local billiard store and ask to test drive one.

Most stores will have demo shafts to try so you can compare them and decide if that journey is right for you.

Until next time, if you know how to play with your shaft, you can create magic on the table, old school or hybrid style. ~ Robert Mallen

A word from our chief When I started the FaceBook Sneaky Pete Mafia group, I envisioned a place where all of us that love the game of pool could go to chat with fellow enthusiasts, share tips and discuss the topics and products we come across in more detail. Your response has been amazing! I am thrilled at the growth of the group and how many pool players from around the world I have gotten to know. The next step will be a web page, and I will let you know when that’s done. In the meantime thanks so much for your support! Please visit often, share anything you hear about that might be new or any tips that we can talk you into sharing. Anything that is good for the sport is good for us, and we all want to know about it.

For those of you that are here for the first time - welcome.

We would love for you to introduce yourself to the rest of the group and tell everyone where you are from, how long you have been playing and what equipment you are using. Feel free to post and ask questions. The group is world-wide, making it a great place to see and be seen. Never hesitate to add your two-cents-worth on any topic that interests you.

We are here to learn from each other.

Be sure to tell all your friends about us, and Keep on Shootin’ Straight!!! Garret Troop :) Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

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Bert Kinister

Bert’s Secret to Gambling and Winning

T

here are no absolute rules for gambling that guarantee you will win. Advice can be given that allows you to limit your losses. If you follow absolute laws on how to win money at any game, you are doomed. A great gambler has to vary his game in an artistic manner. You may play badly for a time on purpose. Deception is the hallmark of a winning gambler. The most important attribute in a winner, is that either he never loose his temper with his opponent, or more importantly with the game he is playing. There will be no sympathy from the game. You must always maintain a quiet mind. If you lose your temper, you will lose all of your money. Gambling is one of the greatest barometers of character that there is. Your customers should not be privy to your emotions. Teddy Roosevelt described the winning gambler best when he said “Walk Softly But Carry A Big Stick”.

You have to have faith that the laws of chance are absolute.

If your current style looses two days in a row, it may trump your opponents approach tomorrow. You must maintain your approach to the game until the laws of chance equalize your wins. Patience is one of the most important attributes of the great gambler. The gambler who is willing to wait the longest for his opportunity will always find one. The gambler that never deceives will find that the game has little empathy with him. Because his attitude is known and unwavering, only those players that can beat him will want to play with him. A lot of curiosity is destructive. All of the money saved at gambling comes from not betting. To be overly cautious is just as destructive. It is perfectly legitimate to bait your opponent. All is fair in love, war, and friendly competition.

To be less than honest when you are playing is not a deviation from moral rectitude or sound thinking. Many players cannot help but lie when they play. If that is their constant approach, the game will cure them. It is not a good idea to tell stories about your ability. It is enough, if you are able, to don the guise of innocence with your demeanor alone. This is the most effective way to catch a fish. It is best not to show your true ability at all unless you have to and to remain silent about it altogether. To be most effective your ability should remain a mystery. Never make a play while your opponent is not present nor allow him to so. Thereby you are an honest player and can expect the same. Never allow someone else to bet on your game. It unduly shows your adversary strength, and depletes his reserves if allowed. Never play for more than you can afford to loose. Quit when you know you cannot win. Pride is the biggest enemy a gambler has. It is the foundation of most losses.

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

What Would a Sucker Do? If you look around and don’t see any suckers….YOU are the sucker!

Do you want to win, or are you content to just hit balls around at random? If you want to win, you must play the odds. Skilled players understand the chances of pocketing their ball versus the likelihood of executing a successful safety, while also assessing the cost and benefit of each option.

My next series of articles will be a sample of what we go over in my Billiards Boot Camp held here in Northern California.

You have stripes here. Your opponent’s ball is in the jaws and the 8 ball is on the opposite end rail. What do you do? A sucker would attempt a low-percentage bank shot on the stripe and, if successful, be rewarded with ANOTHER low-percentage bank or thin cut on the 8-ball.

The skilled player would pocket opponent’s ball in the corner with a combination shot, leaving the opponent a tough bank shot and leaving your ball in the jaws.

Now it is almost impossible for them to play safe on you, and they are now forced to attempt a low-percentage bank shot. You are now the favorite to win this game.

By Jacqueline Karol House Pro at DownLo Billiards in Chico, California League Operator & Tournament Director www.AngelofBilliards.com www.BilliardsBootCamp.com Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

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An Out of Town Adventure

by Samuel Garret Bitner

clipping the last ball, cue ball two rails up table behind the yellow. He scratched; shooting from the D, I had a long pot on a red to the left corner. I hand Masters my camera to video my first shot in my first game of snooker. Concentrating, wanting to make the red, I lined up, touched the red into the pocket with a tip of top, down it goes, shape for the black. I ran a few reds and a few blacks, eventually winning our first game of snooker, which for me was strong, Masters is the better player. Masters then beat me more than I beat him for a several games.

My best Friend Jon Masters and I got an early start for a day off. We left for Dayton, TN midmorning, on a Thursday. I had wanted to play snooker since I started playing pool; I finally located a table by a chance meeting during a tournament in Crossville with a man named J. T. the Saturday before. After playing some one pocket for ten a game he invited me to his pool hall in Dayton, and informed me that he had a snooker table. So we were on our way to play some snooker with anticipation and excitement. The trip took almost two Led Zeppelin albums, driving through the hills on the Cumberland Plateau. I also anticipated another small time match up with J. T. a one pocket wizard, I really enjoy playing him.

We arrived in Dayton around two o’clock in the afternoon. After not being able to locate the pool room, we went into town to ask for directions, we found a music store and went inside to test the guitars and ask directions. When we got to the pool hall it was CLOSED! no hours posted? WHAT? Oh, there’s a number to call...

No answer... Sigh... So we went back into town to eat and waste some time, exploring downtown Dayton was cool. All kinds of neat shops to look through, one of which was a book store, that was also an army surplus store, and the second story of the book store was an urban warfare airsoft arena... Really... Whenever I go to used book store I always have to look, hoping to find a lost copy of Winning One Pocket, the holy book of secrets to any one pocket player. After four o’clock we headed back and saw a truck parked out front of the pool room. Oh good, we might get to shoot.

I approached the truck, the driver was also waiting for the pool room to open. He called J. T. and let him know that the shooter he invited to play some snooker was waiting for him. Shortly after that J. T. arrived. J. T. was of medium height, medium build, white hair, parted on the right side, a classic look about him, quiet, he means what he says. He has intense blue eyes and doesn’t look a day over sixty, yet he is seventy. He opens the door and beckons us in, “I haven’t had anyone in here to play snooker in a long time, the table has been covered for about three months.” He brushed of the table and got us a set of balls, only ten reds though. Masters got the first break; I suggested that he use the standard straight pool break,

The climate was different; we were used to shooting on the home tables in Crossville. In Crossville they have a near perfect climate control system, all Diamond tables, classy, quaint, great pool hall.

In Dayton, oh man, humid, after a few hours I couldn’t even use a closed bridge. I hate powders, and did not have a shooting glove yet. The tables were Brunswicks and Valleys. After getting nice and warmed up shooting snooker on the 5x10, I approached J. T. “nine six, five a game?” “Well sure, you break.” Man, trying to beat a wizard on his own table, yeah, that’s a smart move. He played like a wizard, making two and three rail bank shots that just won’t go on a Diamond. I tried my hardest on this unfamiliar table; the most I made was five. J. T. is a lefty, so it doesn’t matter if I break or not, he gets the advantage of always getting the left handed pocket. He beat me out of my betting money, and then instead of charging us for the five hours we played on his snooker table, he only charged us for one. Masters and I played two more games of snooker with one of the local shooters from Dayton, a fifteen year old who has been shooting for ten years, great player for his age.

The day trip to Dayton was the most fun I had in a long time, just great. I want to stress to you the importance of these little day trips to other pool rooms. One of the major differences between a good player and a great player is the ability to adjust to playing on new equipment in a different environment. Playing in other places helps you to develop your ability to adjust, and, if you shoot well, you will start to build a reputation for it in these other places. Soon enough, if you make these trips regularly, you’ll start to become better known in the billiards community as a whole. So in my estimation, the more you play on strange equipment in strange places the better.

Challenge yourself, play games that you know you’ll have to shoot your best to win, play in places you’ve never played before. Use all the resources you have at hand, plan your trips, but don’t over plan them. Leave some room for things to go differently than you expected. Making an adventure out of your billiards training and enjoying yourself. Challenging yourself constantly keeps you playing better and better all the time, don’t get discouraged when you struggle.

Overcome your ruts by trying harder games. Force yourself to play better through keeping yourself interested. Playing in strange places always keeps you interested. My closing statement, go and have your own out of town adventures, you’ll thank me later.

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

Hello Sneaky Pete Mafia readers!

Well we finally made it....with lots of hard work, dedication, a budget of blood sweat and tears, and a team of unique individuals all with a unified overlapping goal in life: change the foundations of pool so we can all make a good living at it!

If you don’t know me my name is Jason Christopher Hunt; also known as “Buffalo” and “The Huntsman” and if you knew me prior to 2001, “Quick”—my first nick name given to me by one of the biggest “Ballers” in Buffalo NY after Eddie Murphy’s character in Harlem Nights. I was brought into this amazing team of unique individuals because of my uniqueness in this game.

I have been playing for a living since right after 9/11 when I moved to NYC on the second flight into JFK that they allowed after the flying ban to be with my girlfriend at the time, Candace Mooney, a professional make-up artist to the “STARS”.

It was here in NYC where I got a hard lesson about the prices you pay for playing great pool and the prices to be paid for not playing “good enough” pool. Since I had lots of natural talent, I was able to beat almost everyone but the top players and top short stops.

Of course you probably know: nobody likes a guy from out of town coming in and dominating the local scene. They try and get all the big dogs to come eat you.

As well as trying to make it impossible for you to win a nickel in their city. (People will make it a personal mission to “kill” your “Action” and slander your name so people will not play you and sabotage every opportunity for you to make a living.)

It’s a very sad state of affairs to be at the top of the food chain in your local area...right underneath the “sanctioned Pros” if there are any.

In NYC there are lots of clicks and coat tailers. It was probably the best “Pool World Education” I could get at an early age, before it became the Keetchy pool scene it is now.

After I broke up with Candace, I traveled around the whole country playing the same role: “THE BEST OF THE NON PROFESSIONALS AND TOP ROAD PLAYERS.” I learned it is a tough role to play: people hate you for winning....and it’s your job to win. Or you don’t eat. You’re a paradox. You get persecuted....for doing your job.

So without going into much more about me....let’s get to “What Role I Will Be Playing with this Mafia Family.” I am going to be the voice that changes peoples mentality about “How to think about pool, the players and the subculture.” Because you know what? We are all one big family and self-contained self-supporting self-sustaining subculture. And when people start realizing this....and start working together, supporting, congratulating and applauding each other...and condemning the bad seeds and the people who steal from our pockets while smiling in our faces and try to make us feel like they are doing us a favor this is when pool will take off in Media and on TV. Things will get better in the pool world for everyone, from the professionals to the people who Samm (Diep) Vidal (an amazing woman in pool by the way, now currently married to my old friend Mark “SPAIN” Vidal..) wrote about in her book “YOU KNOW YOUR A D PLAYER IF...” a very cute book.

Now here is one thing about pool that is different than other professional sports: There are no big outside sponsors.

WHY? The people in pool screwed it up.

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This is a major underlying theme in pool. The people who run tours, run leagues, run organizations, run major events, They are stealing all our money!!! Also they manipulate the course of tournaments within their events many times for their own benefit. when you’re honest about your “speed” and someone else is “sandbagging”. The worst thing poolroom owners can do is schedule tournaments on the same day it’s like 2 gunslingers drawing at the same time and shooting each other in the head every week. Nobody wins....they all lose.

This is not for everyone. And not everyone who is doing it all is doing the same thing. BUT? It’s all going on in some shape or fashion for the majority of the events in the majority of the country.

I want to apologize right now to all the people who are on the UP AND UP in this game. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart (and my pocket.) I make a living off this competitive art form. And it’s the people like you, who have kept me from totally going postal. And actually still, despite all the bad, I have been able to be successful in my travels with just a piece of wood, a tip of leather, some chalk and a lot of talent and heart.

My goal is this: One day it will be worth saying to your mother, father and teachers when you’re young and they ask you, “So what do you want to be when you grow up little fellow?” and you can proudly answer “a professional pool player!” And they will be very proud and supportive of your answer. Because to be a professional pool player will be a prestigious place in life and generate millions of dollars as a career.

I hope to be a powerful role in that effort and ultimate goal. I love pool…and for the majority…I love the people within it. We need to all come together and not be selfish and look out FOR THE PLAYERS…and constant progression for everyone playing ...all over the world.

You are role models for all the new up and comers in the business side of the game. And in my opinion should be teaching younger players how to do things right on the opposite side of the counter so we can start to breed a new fleet of room owners, tournament directors and league organizers, as well as players to make pool worth playing monetarily, morally and emotionally.

Now, I don’t just want to put all the blame on the people involved in running the show. There is much responsibility that lays in the players hands also. The hustling (as in sand bagging) part of the game needs to end in the league environments! It will always be a part of the gambling world so if you agree to play someone you don’t know for money just understand that there Might be a chance he’s not playing his full speed to keep you on the hook and milk you while you think you can win, and that he, “ JUST GOT LUCKY”.

-Sincerely, Jason “Buffalo” Hunt http://anditdntstop.wordpress.com/ • anditdntstop@yahoo.com

It is your responsibility to police yourself as a grown adult.

Nobody should be there to protect you. As a matter of fact, if I had a pool room and there was a guy in there who was a “Stool Pigeon” or “action killer” and went around knocking peoples action, he wouldn’t be a customer for very long.

That’s bad for business. And let’s face it: people make a living at playing pool. They don’t need outside people getting them fired from a job before they even get hired.

However, in a league environment, where people pay money to be involved in a fair handicap system league with the chance to go to Las Vegas and win money as a team and individual, it’s a real spit in the eye 35

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September - 2013

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