Describe your signature cue. Saboia Ebony forearm and butt, handle is Birdseye maple burl stained coco brown, with brass railroad track rings at all sections.
What makes a perfect cue? A good solid hit where you can feel the transfer of energy through the whole cue, from tip to hand. It should have a good balance when the the player is holding it where they like. I feel that the balance point should be in front of the hand about 6-8 inches. This will let the cue want to drop towards the table. If too much weight is in the back the cue will want to “bounce” up when striking the ball. As far as shaft material, tip and ferrule goes it is entirely up to the player.
Tell me about your process - When I talk to customers about building a cue for them I start with asking about what they like for a “hit”. Do they want a firm strike? Or a softer type of vibration when striking the cue ball? I ask what type of stroke are they most comfortable with, power or finesse? This will help determine what type of core they might want, such as maple or purpleheart. I like to have them find pictures of cues that they find attractive. This helps determine color schemes and wood types. Do
they want simple designs or intricate? Traditional points or floating? Once I have the basic parameters for what they want I like to get other information. How long do they want the cue? How big are their hands? What kind of taper do they want on the shaft?
What is the price range for your cues? The base price for a custom cue is $850 this would include their choice of woods, (there are time where there might be an extra charge for rare or exotic woods or burls that need to be stabilized) for the handle, basic joint and collars (phenolic, Juma, ABS or some other type). Their choice of pin, ferrule and tip on a AAA grade maple shaft. From their prices will grow for what they want to include. For example, if they want 4 veneered points add $225, Kielwood shaft add $125. I have a price list for just about anything that they would want to add like fancy rings or intricate inlays.
What is your favorite wood to work with? For my own personal favorite’s, I like working with stabilized burls. I really like Buckeye burl in it’s natural coloring too.
Who or what inspired you to want to learn cue-making? I have been a shop teacher for more than 20 years and have always enjoyed turning things on lathes and making almost anything out of wood or metal. I have a
friend in South Dakota that is a cue maker too. I decided have him build me a cue that I designed the inlays for. This got me interested in the process of cue making. I believe that my love for pool and being a decent player helped me understand what makes a great cue.
Who taught you how to do it and describe that? I am a self-taught cue maker. One of the things that I teach is CAD/CAM (computer aided design & computer aided machining). So, with my background in woodworking, cabinet building and CNC machining I was able to bring that knowledge to my cue building. My first home CNC was an inexpensive small Chinese platform for doing pockets and inlays. While it worked it did not have a 4th axis and was not capable of turning shafts or tapered handles. So, I decided to build my own 4 axis CNC for cues. I still use the first one I built and have made and sold some to other cue makers.
Are there any products that you recommend to other cue makers? I recommend Fusion 360 and V-Carve pro
for design software and the CNC machining process, with these 2 CAD/CAM products you can make anything. But I do believe that you should buy the best tools that you can, high quality bits, accurate measuring calipers, quality materials. If you skimp on any of those your product will suffer.
How long is your current waiting list? I am about a year out on custom cues. But what I am probably most well known for are my break cues and jump cues and as I am always prepping material for those the wait is usually 4-8 weeks.
What other custom cue makers make you jealous? I am not jealous of other cue makers, I don’t envy their skills or even their loyal customer base. I will admit that there is some envy in their shops and tools. It is always in my heart to have more stuff to build better stuff.
How many cues do you make every year? I produce about 100-150 break cues each year and the number is growing. I like to think that I make one of the best break cues on the market and my customers tell me this is true. I build between 8-10 custom cues per year. I also build 5-6 spec cues (ones for sell that are builds that I came up with) a year.
Tell me about your work area – I have two shop areas. My build room is attached to my home and was a single car garage so about 140 sqft. It has 2 CNC’s and 2 cue lathes and my design computer. My finish room is in the back of our detached garage and is 8’X16’ so 128sqft. I have some old Taig lathes that I picked up from school auctions for turning cues slowly as I apply finish and a Joe Porper mini Q lathe that I still use when I go to tournaments to do tips and shaft work.
What’s your turnaround time for a custom cue to be made? Usually about 8 months minimum. I do add time for materials like ebony that take longer to bring down to size and proper drying.
Where do you get your materials from? I like to support
other companies that sell cue making products like Atlas billiards, Prather, Seyberts and a few others. For woods I like Gilmere woods out of Portland OR. Curlymaple.com, Bell forest products, Jesse Gilbert for specialty burls and stabilized woods that I don’t have time to stabilize myself.
What’s in your bag? I have one of my break cues, and one of my jump cues, my knock around player that is a curly maple handle with a kielwood shaft deer antler ferrule with a Outsville Techno-dud tip, I keep in my case one of my personal custom cues that I use for display of my building skills, either my celtic knot cue or my ebony maple burl cue. I will sometime have a for sell break cue in my case too.
Do you have any Celebrity or Professional Customers? I sponsor a National Junior Champion by the name of Eddie Vonderau, he uses my break and jump cues.
What is the one question everyone should ask about buying one of your cues, but doesn’t? Can I get 10 more? Though I do have several customers that have ordered several break cues because someone always wants to buy theirs. And one customer that has been collecting my cues since I started making them and now owns 8 custom cues and 6 break cues.
In the movie Top Gun, 1% of all Naval aviators are invited to Miramar, CA every year to find out who is “best of the best”. The Navy’s most elite pilots come to train, learn new skills/techniques, and dogfight against each other to see who will be Top Gun!
There is a similar proving ground playing out in the pool world right now, and it’s happening all across the country every day. An elite group of young girls and boys in training, learning new skills/techniques, and competing against each other, all on a mission to answer the question, who is Top Gun in junior pool right now in the United States?
They come from different backgrounds but they share the same characteristics: become one with the game, soak up as much table time as possible, play in as many tournaments as possible, learn from higherskilled players, seek out professional instruction, spend countless hours working on drills, and develop the skills necessary to compete against the best of the best. Their insatiable appetite to compete fuels the fire to practice and improve which in turn allows their game to level up, win, and build confidence in themselves.
This process keeps repeating itself over and over until once in a while during this chain reaction a star is born whose fire burns a little brighter and a few degrees hotter. If 2024 was a sky full of stars in the junior pool
world, there was one star that outshined them all…his name, Hayden Ernst, call sign “Maverick”:
• JAS STOP #1 - 14U Champion / 3rd 19U
• JAS STOP #2 - 14U Champion / 3rd PRO-AM
• JAS STOP #3 - 14U Runner Up
• WORLD JUNIOR ALL AROUND - 3rd Banks / 3rd 9Ball
• JAS STOP #4 - 14U Champion / 3rd 19U
• BEF Junior Nationals - 14U 9Ball National Champion / 14U 8Ball National Champion / 16U 10Ball National Champion / 14U Heyball National Champion
• 2024 Nick Varner / Cues 4 Christ “Play Like HIM” Award Recipient
Throw in a team NAPA title, countless local tourney wins, becoming a junior champion/content creator/ spokesperson for the all-new Level Up Junior Billiards app, and a brand new sponsorship deal with Onboard Sportswear, Maverick accomplished more in one year than most juniors accomplish in their entire careers.
Having witnessed this incredible year firsthand it’s not hard to see why Fedor Gorst called this young man the best 13-year-old in the world. Quite a compliment coming from the reigning World Champion himself, both of whom play out of Railyard Billiards in Louisville, KY which also happens to be home of Women’s World Champion, Kristina Tkach as well.
Like a true “Maverick” (actually Hayden’s middle name) he began playing pool when he was 7 years old at his grandparent’s home. He and everyone on the junior tour affectionately know them as Amma & Pop. Lisa and Michael White, Hayden’s grandparents both have
been instrumental in helping Mavericks development and as a team, they’ve been on the junior tour together since 2019. Together as Team Mav, they have traveled all over the country and the world including 3 Junior World Tournaments in Puerto Rico, Austria, and New Zealand.
“Junior pool today brings such a bright, promising future for the sport”, said Lisa who helps serve as Team Mav travel coordinator among other roles. “Witnessing the incredible up-and-coming talent in Junior pool is so amazing and entertaining. I love watching them learn the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. They make each other better!”
Want to look inside the mind of a 13-year-old junior pool phenom?
Me: “What is your favorite pool game?”
Maverick: “My favorite game is 9ball and once I made 7 balls on a break and yes I got out.”
Me: “If you could play a long set of 9ball against anyone in the world, who would it be?”
Maverick: “I would play Laz Martinez because we always have great battles against each other on the junior tour.”
Me: “Given the choice to play with anyone in 9Ball scotch doubles who would you choose to be your partner?”
Maverick: “I would choose Major Payne McBride, we always play really well together.”
Me: “Who do you think are the Top 3 Juniors in the United States right now?”
Maverick: “I would say Landon Hollingsworth, Laz Martinez, and Payne McBride but there are several that are very close.”
Me: “What are your thoughts on FargoRate and handicaps in pool?”
Maverick: “I think FargoRate is a decent system but I think everyone should have two different Fargos, one for 9’ competition and the other for barbox. I’m personally not a fan of handicaps in pool because the best player doesn’t always win.”
Me: “What are your pool goals for 2025?”
Maverick: “Win the Predator Junior event in Las Vegas next month, medal at the World Championships this year, and break the 700 FargoRate barrier (currently 661).”
Me: “Team Shane or Team Fedor?”
Maverick: “Cuetec, Team Shane of course!”
Hayden “Maverick” Ernst is proudly sponsored by: Cuetec, Level Up Junior Billiards, Onboard Sportswear, Mako Tips, Cues 4 Christ, Railyard Billiards, Railbirds Cue Repair & Pro Shop
Join us next month as we delve deeper into the fascinating world of junior pool! Every month I will be interviewing the brightest junior player stars in the United States, seeking advice from the top instructors in the country as we gain from the personal experiences of the parents, coaches, and people who make up Junior pool. What does it take to build a junior champion? How much does it cost to be out on tour all year long? What are proven ways to gain valuable junior sponsorships to fund a dream? How has social media made an impact on Junior pool? Who is “best of the best”?
1. Mosconi’s Ability to Focus
Summarizing Willie Mosconi’s mental greatness into a single tip is nearly impossible. From childhood, Mosconi was destined to be a pressure player, defeating every great of his era. His rise to becoming the world’s best was both preordained and historically significant.
But even if you weren’t born with prodigious ability or lifelong training, you can still improve by learning from Mosconi’s approach to focus.
Steve Cook once asked Mosconi, “What do you do to focus?” Mosconi replied, “Actually, I hear everything.” His point: the key isn’t to block out distractions but to become comfortable within them—to hear everything but pay no attention to it.
For many players, focus falters in noisy environments. Instead of trying to tune everything out, train yourself to thrive despite distractions. A simple way to practice this is to read with the TV on. Apply the same principle to pool—practice in loud, unpredictable settings so that when it really matters, the noise won’t faze you.
2. Ronnie Allen’s “No Bad Days” Approach
Every pool player has bad days. They’re inevitable, and they always seem to strike at the worst moments—like
during a big tournament or an important league match. Likewise, bad shots are a fact of life in pool.
What separates champions from everyone else is how they respond to those bad days and bad shots. That’s where Ronnie “Fast Eddie” Allen set himself apart.
Allen believed the key to consistency was learning to forget mistakes quickly. He explained: “That’s one of the things I’ve learned—or maybe just matured into—is learning how to forget bad shots and move on to the next. It’s not the end of the world. I’d be upset for about a minute or two, then I’d move on. If something else popped into my mind, I’d focus on my pre-shot routine. You’ve got to learn to go out there and do your best. Even after a little bad luck, you’ve got to be a fighter, a competitor, and just see what happens.”
Dwelling on mistakes does nothing but drain your confidence and focus. The best players accept the bad, move on immediately, and reset their minds for the next shot.
To apply this to your own game, practice a quick reset after every mistake. Take a deep breath, refocus, and commit fully to the next shot. The sooner you move forward, the better you’ll play.
3. Lassiter’s Endurance and Mental Stamina
One of the biggest challenges for amateur players isn’t
focusing—it’s staying focused. Many can lock in for a few games, but what about an entire tournament? How do you maintain concentration for hours without mental fatigue?
Seven-time World Champion Luther Lassiter had a simple solution: train for endurance the same way an athlete would.
After winning a World Championship, Lassiter revealed his approach to strengthening mental stamina: “I’m making progress just by trying to elongate my focus. I might play 10 hours a day, focusing on every shot so that when I play for six, it doesn’t feel like a strain. I’m training my mind like a muscle—working it harder to make it stronger. As I’ve gotten older, maintaining focus and visualization has been tougher, so I push myself even more.”
If you struggle to stay sharp through long matches, the best solution might be longer, more deliberate practice sessions. Try extending your focus beyond your comfort zone—play longer sets, stay mentally engaged, and gradually build your endurance.
Final Thoughts: Train Your Mind Like a Champion
Mastering the mental side of pool is just as important as sharpening your stroke. Learn from the legends:
• Train your focus like Mosconi—get comfortable in distracting environments.
• Handle mistakes like Allen—accept them, forget them, and move on immediately.
• Build endurance like Lassiter—push your focus beyond your usual limits.
By strengthening your mental game, you’ll give yourself a competitive edge in 2025 and beyond. Train smart, stay sharp, and play your best when it matters most.
Anthony Beeler is the current Billiards Instructor of the Decade and is a former BCAPL National Champion. He has numerous “Top 25” national finishes and is the primary author of the ACS National Billiards Instructor’s Manual. He has also authored the book Unstoppable! Positive Thinking for Pool Players. Anthony currently has the highest established Fargo Rating of any Master Instructor. He has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competition.
Your Name: Cheng Yong, NORTH DEMON CUES
Location: Fushun City, Liaoning Province, China
Facebook & Phone: On Facebook and Instagram
Describe your signature cue. 1.~WINTER RHYME~ The really difficult part of this cue is the forearm. I used my original bridging points. No stitching at all. In the middle photo you can see all the turns without any seams. They are integrally formed in a circle. This is my original craft.
2.Knights of the Round Table ~ King Arthur. This should be the most difficult work in my inlay craft so far. Among them, wood grain gold is used as the material of inlay for the first time. It is also the first time to inlay on malachite and Azurite Malachite, which are easy to break. I don’t know if anyone has done this before me. But this is my first time doing this. The difficulty has reached “Rocket”. I even think it has reached an unprecedented level. Many of the inlay parts are almost as small as they can be. In terms of my craft. This should be the limit of my hand carving. It can be said that most of the inlay of the entire cue is basically done under a high-power magnifying glass. If you have bad eyesight you can’t even see fine details.
What makes a perfect cue? I think the perfect cue
is one that makes you happy. Everyone cares about different things. Some people care about its appearance, some care about its functionality, some care about its craftsmanship, and some care about its People care about its story. So it is difficult to have a standard answer. But I think when you have it, you will feel happy
and satisfied, which is a good cue. So my production concept is to hope that I The cue produced can meet all the requirements of the customer in all aspects as much as possible. I think this is also the main meaning of customized cue - you can customize everything you want.
Tell me about your process - When I reach a consensus with the customer, I will collect a 50% deposit. Then I will put the order into the list.
What is the price range for your cues? The price will vary depending on the complexity. Currently my Merry Widow starts at $2000.
What is your favorite wood to work with? Ebony.
Who or what inspired you to want to learn cue-making? My initial intention was just to make a cue for myself.
Who taught you how to do it and describe that? I’m mostly self-taught. The earliest foundation came from Cue Components Cue Building DVD Set Of 10 by Joe Barringer/CueComponents. And the articles shared by seniors on AzBilliards Forums. And the Dzuricky custom cues website. In the middle and late stages, Bill Stroud once shared some of his experiences with me. Of course, he also gave me some useful suggestions. But for most of the production processes, I almost figured them out on my own. I often worked with other Communicate with people in other fields and then think about how to apply processing methods in other fields to make cues. I think this is the reason why my works are very different from traditional cuemakers.
Are there any products that you recommend to other cue makers? I think in this era, it is much easier for us to learn various technologies than before. When we have a certain processing foundation, I would suggest that you try as many new technologies as possible and then technology into our field. This will enable our industry to develop more vigorously and produce more unique works.
How long is your current waiting list? Forty
What other custom cue makers make you jealous? Black boar, Tonkin, Bob Manzino, Thomas Wayne, Ron Haley, Joel Hercek, Dzuricky, Gina, HAKU, Shelby, These are the cuemakers and brands I really like.
How many cues do you make every year? 50~70
What’s your turnaround time for a custom cue to be made? I use a cross-production process. So my waiting time is not fixed. It varies according to the complexity of the work. The simplest Merry Widow currently takes about 6 to 8 months to wait. More complex works may take 1 to 2 years or longer.
Do you have any Celebrity or Professional Customers?
Will Prout(President of ICCS ), Joe Rogan
SPM PUZZLE PAGE
ACROSS
2. He played Bert Gordon, last only
8. Last name of Billiard Hall of Fame Kim
9. Hustlers target
10. Skill shot used to determine who breaks first
12. Jason Shaw’s new 14.1 World Record number
14. Total number of red snooker balls
15. Bumpers
17. The Cloth of Champions
18. Popular technique used in kick shots
20. Where Vince works
1. Last name of famous billiard commentator, Mark
3. Billiard _________ of America (BCA)
4. Auction-style betting pool where participants bet on opponents
5. Jeanette Lee
6. Taom home country
7. Derby city 9ball winner last name
11. Total number of balls in one American plus one snooker ball set
13. 9ball game played by more than 2 players
16. George’s opponent in Bad to the Bone video 19. Vince’s girlfriend
bca bodiddley bumpers calcutta carmen childworld congress coreydeuel davenport derbycity finland filler georgecscott ironcity jasonshaw lag mark mirror mosconi pagulayan rails ringgame white
I’m going to start with a different kind of pool, once a week every Thursday I take my son to his swimming lessons and relax with a coffee at the back of a viewing area they have, next to where they swim. He has been going for around two and a half years now and has slowly grown in strength during that time.
From where I sit, I can see my son and its great to see how he enjoys the sessions, interacting with the instructor and the independence from myself, as well as mixing and socialising with the other members of the group. I am a huge people watcher, and really the reason why I moved into the area I work within, is because human behaviour fascinates me.
It’s here I watch as most of the other parents battle for the nearest seats, press up against the glass partition and begin waving, gesturing and motioning to their children, virtually swimming lengths through the glass, trying to demonstrate to their child what they should be doing.
These parents pay a monthly fee as I do for their children’s lessons, yet they miss some important benefits that come from taking a step back. The parents seem to have forgotten that they have paid to give their children professional tuition, and by trying to coach themselves are not only making it extremely difficult for the instructor but are also taking away the child’s focus from where it should be, also at times increasing the perception of pressure and stress.
Behind everything else, this behavior is mostly backed by huge love and caring and comes from a place of such. However, there can be other elements that come into play and affect how a parent supports their child. Genuine care can be distorted, and where parents believe that their actions and a desire for their child’s success are from a place of Love, the way that they are implemented can greatly undermine the good intentions. There is probably nothing more important than the parent-child relationship, however, this can be greatly damaged by excessive pressure, scathing criticism, and the chase to win, over our children’s enjoyment and happiness.
The outcome and result can quickly turn to be the driving focus with many factors encouraging this behaviour such as a parents missed opportunity when they were growing up or competing themselves, perceived pressure of expectation as there are signs of ability noticed by coaches, other parents and peers, or a need to prove a place within a certain community such as within those around the cue-sports scene.
True Love and caring are unconditional, where a child’s well-being and happiness are prioritized over achievements and victories, although there are indeed many sporting successes who have spoken openly about experiencing extremely determined
parents, such as golf’s Tiger Woods, Tennis star Andre Agassi, and swimmer Michael Phelps, all have reported physical and sometimes mental burn out and moments of extreme outbursts and issues have been well reported.
The situation is always a sensitive one, and to gain the highest of levels in life, determination, commitment, and sacrifice all play a part, yet a balance also needs to be struck. Overall, there is far more chance of healthy improvements, growth, and achieving the larger sporting goals if a competitor has learned their trade within a stable and balanced environment, and where reassurance and encouragement are placed with discussing and learning from mistakes and losses, instead of these important moments being clouded by stress, anxiety, and annoyance.
This situation has had many names over the years such as Pushy Parent Phenomenon and Helicopter parenting. Like many things, pointing out to another that they may be pushing too hard can be fraught with danger, and parents or guardians can feel attacked, defensive, embarrassed, or simply just justified in their actions, with a belief of “I know best and this is how you stand out from the crowd” I have worked with many youngsters over the years, these working relationships usually start with a parent contacting myself stating that their child could do with working on the mental side and when completing a first session sometimes it is evident that I am probably going to work with the parent just as much if not far more than their child.
In my experience this has always worked well, at times discussions have been firm, yet once we have agreed that our goals are the same and that we are just aiming to achieve them from different angles it has been possible to move on and create a much more helpful environment for improvements to take place. When we are battling or fighting for something and where conflict is being fed there is often a sense of being stuck, frustrated, and misunderstood and the quicker we can gain a perspective and a change of mindset that we
are now managing the situation, rather than being in conflict, the better.
The Signs
The main points that can indicate if someone is perhaps being overly involved is if you are finding yourself in regular circumstances where there are arguments about performance, long periods of silence with parent and child not talking, especially when traveling to and from tournaments and practice. A parent’s conflicts with others such as with coaching and training staff, referees, or other parents interfere with coaching decisions, and perhaps regularly changing these due to different ideas and expectations.
Micromanagement of training schedules, dictating playing times and deciding when equipment like cues etc should be changed or not. Our relationship with sport, especially as we get more involved with it can become increasingly strained. However, it’s incredibly important to maintain as much as possible, a healthy interest, even obsession, but again even more so for a child or young competitor coming up through the ranks.
The hope is that a person has a long and rewarding career in the sport, so you would like to think that even with all the ups and downs that may hold, it will be somewhat of a happy and enjoyable one or can at least be reflected upon as such at its end. In truth, “pushy” parenting in sport can create huge amounts of excessive pressure where demands for improvement, setting unrealistic expectations and concentration on results instead of process make burn out more likely.
It becomes so much easier for someone in this environment to lose a love and interest for something they once looked forward to, and when, and if this is a shared interest with a parent is such a shame, and the disappointment can greatly affect both when this is lost.
The worst this has ever gotten for me was when I was at a tournament and a young person who I had never
met before bravely approached me and asked if I was the person who worked with players, once confirmed they went on to disclose that they just didn’t want to be here, on asking what they meant, He explained “Not just at the tournament but here on earth, My Father and Grandfather keep telling me how I have to win, have to become professional as they have put all their time, money and effort into me” The young person had explained to myself that the pressure was unbearable, that he didn’t even want to play anymore and that he was so low that he was seriously thinking of suicide and had plans of how he would do this as he felt trapped.
Thankfully this young person reached out to find help,and after reassurance we spoke together with his father and grandfather and informed them of how serious things had got. Although disappointed and confused the father especially was understanding and realised that things had to greatly change for the sake of his child’s wellbeing.
Creating a Healthier Environment
There are several things that we all can do to create a healthy and positive learning environment in sports, not only for young people but also for ourselves at any level.
Remembering how and why we or a child started in sport and the fun and enjoyment we gained from it is often a great start. Reflecting upon our participation, what we have added to sporting events and groups, and how far we have come during that time to get to this point can reinforce the importance of the process instead of winning at all costs and the pressures that can bring.
It is important for all of us to feel that we have a safe and healthy environment to communicate within, which can help to establish realistic expectations, to talk over concerns and to learn from setbacks. Parents, guardians and coaches should regularly engage with honest self-reflection to assess their own motivations and behaviours. With awareness, people in a position of influence can continue to educate themselves
regarding building healthy paths to development, how to help build confidence through encouragement and praise and how to avoid over involvement.
As parents, we can achieve being huge positive role models, providing a safe and nurturing environment to develop our children in a rounded and more fulfilled way that can help in turn to create real solid foundations to build further upon, not only in sport but also everyday life. Stepping back and creating space may seem an incredibly hard thing to do, however, the weight of our unfulfilled dreams, our anxieties about our children’s future, and the relentless pressure of societal expectations can easily distort our intentions. We must constantly ask ourselves: Are we truly nurturing their love for the game, or are we projecting our ambitions onto them?
Trophies and medals are a reward for doing as many things as possible right, but true success is in the development of resilience, perseverance, and a genuine love for the journey. Let us strive to be parents who celebrate effort over outcome, who embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth, and who prioritise their child’s happiness above all else. For in the end, the greatest victory lies in raising children who are confident, compassionate, have stability and are fulfilled, both on and off the table and that’s real winning.
For information about Matt Andrews Mentoring, please find him on Facebook, at Matt Andrews Mentoring, or just click the link below to learn more.
Drill running is one of the best ways to improve a player’s game. The problem for many players is they don’t understand how a drill is supposed to better a player’s game. In order to perform at a high level, a player must have many sharp qualities that allow a player to survive against other players. Players need a combination of skill and smarts in order to play at a high level. Drilling is no different.
Name of Drill - Run Around Sue.
With the name inspired by Dion , Run Around Sue is a drill that teaches players the beginnings of moving the cue ball around the table while shooting rail shots. A player can split the drill up into difficulties that focus on core disciplines which is the prime example of purposeful practice.
Beginner Level 1
Player starts with ball in hand behind the red line. Pocket the one ball and send the cue to the other side of the table to pocket the two ball. Replace the one ball and continue to drill until you miss.
Beginner Level 2
Player starts with ball in hand behind the red line. Pocket the one ball and send the cue to the other side of the table to pocket the two ball. Replace the one ball and continue to drill until you miss.
Advanced Level 1
Beginner Level 3
Player starts with ball in hand behind the red line. Pocket the one ball and send the cue to the other side of the table to pocket the two ball. Replace the one ball and continue to drill until you miss.
Start with ball in hand behind the red line. Same as with the earlier drills, shoot all balls in sequence through the four. Replace all balls and continue until you miss.
Difficulty - Hard
Advanced Level 2
Start with ball in hand behind the red line. Same as with the earlier drills, shoot all balls in sequence through the four. Replace all balls and continue until you miss.
Start with ball in hand behind the red line. Same as with the earlier drills, shoot all balls in sequence through the six. Replace all balls and continue until you miss.
Difficulty - Dragon
Start with ball in hand behind the red line. Same as with the earlier drills, shoot all balls in sequence through the six. Replace all balls and continue until you miss. The gray balls in the center of the table represent blocker balls. If you hit a blocker ball or get stuck behind one, you must start over. Replace all balls and continue until you miss.
CURRENT RATINGS
As of the February 10, 2025 -
CURRENT RATINGS
As of the February 10, 2025 - FARGORATE
In an electrifying display of skill and precision, Jayson Shaw has etched his name into the annals of billiards history by breaking the long-standing record for the most consecutive balls sunk in a game of straight pool, for the second time. The previous record of 14.1, held by Jayson Shaw himself, was 712. Last month, Shaw surpassed his record in a remarkable performance that captivated fans around the world. With a blend of technical prowess and unwavering focus, the Scottish superstar showcased why he is heralded as one of the finest players of his generation.
Shaw, 36, burst onto the professional pool scene in the early 2000s, quickly building a reputation for his formidable break and impressive shot-making ability. His steady ascent culminated in a series of tournament victories and accolades. Yet, he always harbored the ambition of setting a new record and being the first player to run 1,000 balls without a miss in standard 14.1 straight pool format. This discipline emphasizes a player’s ability to strategize, control the table, and maintain a relentless rhythm, without ever making a mistake.
This is what Jayson posted on his social networks after... “It is with great pride that I announce my new world record high run of 832 balls in 14.1 straight pool on the early morning of January 6th (day 2 going into day 3), surpassing my previous record of 714 and breaking the one and only, legendary Willie Mosconi’s record for the third time. Last night and early this morning, I carefully
examined the tape to confirm there were no errors, and I am now certain and at ease with it.
During the high run, I felt comfortable and relaxed, but in the 59th rack, I made a silly error which [caused] my high run to end. The following day after running 832 balls, I endeavored to hit over 1000 balls, but couldn’t quite reach that goal due to fatigue and had to make preparations for Turning Stone Classic.”
Shaw’s remarkable achievement has ignited renewed interest in straight pool, a game that many felt had been overshadowed by faster-paced variations like 9-ball and 10-ball. Promoters and enthusiasts want to rejuvenate the sport, shining a spotlight on its strategic depth and emphasizing the artistry involved. Shaw’s record run underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of traditional formats while inviting fans and players alike to appreciate the nuances that define straight pool.
As recognition pour in, Shaw has become a beacon of inspiration for aspiring pool players everywhere. His record-breaking run is not just a personal milestone. It is a bold assertion of the future of billiards. The game has evolved and the world of straight pool stands poised for an exciting comeback. As fans eagerly await his next move, one thing is clear: the legend of Jayson Shaw is just beginning, and the straight pool table has never felt more alive.
Pool players are athletes with less physical demands but more mental skill requirements than athletes in other sports. Once fundamental pool skills are mastered, pool primarily becomes a mental venture. So, working on your pool mental skills is just as important as your time spent working on shotmaking and position play. And yet, most pool players do not spend much time addressing the mental aspects of playing pool. The mental side of pool is often overlooked.
PERFORMANCE ANXIETY learn how to truly relax by relaxing your body
It is more fun to play pool or practice running balls than to work on mental skills. But, fifteen to thirty minutes per week of mental training can significantly improve your pool playing abilities. This is because the words and images you put in your brain are what create your physical motions.
Performance anxiety, also known as sports anxiety or competitive anxiety, is a common experience among pool players. It can and often times does negatively impact
performance – reduced self-confidence, lack of focus, overthinking actions, muscle tension, and self-doubt.
Performance anxiety can be a real challenge, but here are several strategies that can help you manage it effectively:
1. Preparation: The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel. Practice and work on your pool game as often as you can.
2. Visualization: Imagine yourself succeeding. See yourself executing perfect pool shots and the positive reactions from your audience.
3. Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your pool game strengths and past successes.
4. Accept Imperfection: Understand that no one is perfect, and it is okay to make mistakes. Embrace them as learning opportunities.
5. Focus on the Present: Instead of worrying about winning or losing, focus on your pool tasks at hand.
6. Physical Exercise: Regular physical activity can help reduce overall anxiety levels and improve your mood.
7. Healthy Lifestyle: Ensure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, and staying hydrated. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, as they can increase anxiety.
8. Breathing Techniques: Deep, slow breaths can help calm your nerves. Here is an excellent method.
Diaphragmatic or belly breathing is a valuable technique pool players can use to better focus, energize, and calm themselves while playing. Whenever you sense anxiety or nervousness is impacting your play, breathe in deeply and slowly (for a count of four seconds) through your nose. Focus on allowing the air to move down into your lower belly. Then exhale slowly (for a count of eight seconds) through pursed lips (as if blowing out a candle). Humming quietly to yourself as you exhale and shaking your arms and hands can increase relaxation as well. Appropriate times to belly breath are when chalking your cue tip and when sitting. Aim to practice belly breathing at home for a few minutes periodically when you can.
Another way to reduce stress and performance anxiety is to learn how to truly relax by relaxing your body. The
problem is most pool players do not know how to do that. They view body relaxation as sitting or lying down. While these are good things and do remove some tension, the body can be trained to become more deeply relaxed.
Train Yourself to Truly Relax
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a physiciandeveloped technique of stress management that teaches people how to achieve full body relaxation on command. By practicing PMR you will learn how it feels to be truly relaxed, as well as how to relax muscular tension when it occurs.
PMR involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups of your body. The aim is to tense each muscle group firmly (but not so firmly that you strain them) for ten seconds, and then relax for ten seconds. Count “one thousand, one thousand one, one thousand two, etc.” until you reach ten seconds. Use this “ten-second tense, ten-second relax” time interval for all muscle groups. Say to yourself relax during each relaxation interval.
Pay particular attention to how each muscle group feels when relaxed in contrast to how it feels when it is tensed. Throughout the exercise, maintain your focus on your muscles. When your attention wanders, bring it back to the particular muscle group you are working on.
Do the entire PMR routine daily or every other day for a couple of weeks. As you gain skill in this relaxation technique, you will find that the amount of time you need to experience the relaxation response will decrease. Adopt a “let it happen” attitude. Do not worry about how well you are using the techniques.
Find a quiet location where you will not be distracted. Assume a comfortable position. Lie down on a sofa or bed or sit in a reclining chair. Loosen any tight clothing and take off your shoes. Once you are comfortably situated in a quiet place, take a deep breath through your nose; let it out slowly through your mouth. Take another deep breath; let it out slowly. Then follow these instructions:
Head
Tense the muscles around your eyes by clenching your eyelids tightly shut for ten seconds, and then relax for ten seconds. Follow the ten-second tense, and ten-second relax for all muscle groups. Open your eyes as wide as possible (raise your eyebrows), and then relax. Open your mouth as far as possible, tense, and then relax. Bring your lips together (pucker your lips) as tightly as possible, tense, and then relax. Clench your jaw by biting down, and then relax.
Neck
With your shoulders relaxed, turn your head slowly (do not roll your head) to the right as far as you can, tense for ten seconds, and then relax for ten seconds. Turn your head slowly (do not roll your head) to the left and repeat. Push your chin into your chest, tense, and then relax.
Shoulders
Pull your shoulders straight back, as if to make your shoulder blades touch for ten seconds, and then relax them for ten seconds. Push your shoulders straight forward, tense, and then relax. Raise your shoulders straight up as if you were going to touch your ears, tense, and then relax.
Arms
Tense both of your biceps by bending your arms at the elbows and moving your forearms toward your shoulders
(“making a muscle”) for ten seconds, then relax them for ten seconds. Tense your triceps by extending your arms straight out until you feel the muscle in the back of each arm contract, and then relax.
Hands
Clench both of your fists tightly, and then relax.
Chest
Take a deep breath through your nose and hold it for ten seconds, then exhale through the mouth and relax for ten seconds. Repeat.
Stomach
Tighten your stomach muscles by sucking in your stomach as far as possible, tense, and then relax.
Buttocks
Squeeze your buttocks together tightly, tense, and then relax.
Legs
Tense your calves and thigh muscles by extending both legs and raising your heels a few inches, and then relax.
Feet
Tighten your toes by curling them downward, tense, and then relax.
Now sit quietly and take a long, deep breath through your nose. As you slowly exhale through your mouth, feel a wave of relaxation flow through your body, starting at the top of your head and gradually flowing through every muscle group all the way down to your toes.
The best players are the ones who can control their nerves and stay relaxed.
As you do PMR, you may notice some parts of your body are more difficult to relax than others. Typically, these are the neck, shoulders, back, jaws, or eye muscles. Pay particular attention to any areas that are tight or
more difficult for you to relax, because these may be muscle groups where you chronically tend to carry your tension. As you become more aware of and sensitive to your tension areas, a process that typically takes a couple of weeks, you then have to concern yourself only with those areas that become tense. During a pool match, whenever you feel tension in these areas, tense these muscles and then relax them.
When you complete PMR training, you will find yourself relaxing more quickly, easily, and completely. The mere intention to relax will initiate a relaxation response within your body without going through the “ten-second tense, ten-second relax” routine. Then, whenever you feel excess tension in your body, take a deep breath through your nose, let it out slowly through your mouth, say to yourself relax, and feel the relaxation flow from your head to your toes.
“The best players are the ones who can control their nerves and stay relaxed.” Francisco Bustamante
Your Name: Gregory Scott Bush, G.S.B. Cues
City, State: Walton, Kentucky Facebook & Phone: GSBCUES.com - 513.446.6355
Describe your signature cue. This is a full core cue. It has highly figured orange stabilized black ash burl with stabilized tiger maple handle. The ring work is scrimshaw vines on elpheron. The playing cues has black buffalo horn with a copper radial pin. This cue has two high grain maple shafts with G2 medium tips It weighs 19.37 oz. This is a well-balanced cue for playability and control It produces a solid hit with a lot of action.
The jump break cue is full core cue with a phenolic wood as the core. It has a uniloc quick release at the jump handle. It has a black G10 radial pin. Phenolic wood shaft with a Lexan break tip. Like the playing cue it has highly figured orange stabilized black ash burl with stabilized tiger maple handle. The ring work is scrimshaw vines on elpheron. This is a heavier cue at 21.5 oz and hits like a monster with little effort. A firm shot makes for an explosive break.
The shortie cue for trouble shots and masse is a combination of phenolic black laminate and the highly figured orange stabilized black ash burl and stabilized tiger maple. It has a simple brass ring work and a high grain maple shaft. It is well balanced and weights 19 oz
with a 13mm shaft. This cue is well balance and, in your hands, you can’t even tell it not a full-size cue. The weight is in your hand so you don’t even miss the extra length.
What makes a perfect cue? For a perfect cue you need the correct balance of form, function, and artistry
through quality woods. Highly figured woods in the right combination makes for a beautiful cue when paired correctly. I prefer merry widows as this shows off the true beauty of the woods. Pointed cues are always classic and can add to the design along with inlays. The build process has to be correct as to get the correct balance and playability. Different materials can change the balance point and how the actual weight of the cue feels in your hands.
Tell me about your process - Each cue is made over months of processing and drying time. Shafts are stepped down over five months and then sit for the final cut for the correct size. The butts are stepped down once they are assembled. This is slightly less lengthy as they are stepped down and processed before assembly. Inlays are done when the cue is almost to finishing size for a clean and smooth cue before it is sanded and finished. Pins and weight bolts are done before sanding. A lot of care has been taken to get the lathes that perform the
critical work to less than .002 of an inch. Machinery setup plays a more critical role in the production of the cue than a lot of people give them credit for. They have to be accurate and precise to avoid problems and make the cue true and proper fit.
Whatisthepricerangeforyourcues? Cues start at around $650 and go up depending on materials and design.
What is your favorite wood to work with? I have a lot of favorite woods but a highly figured stabilized and cored burl really stands out in a cue. There is always figure, color tones, and the grain figures are beautiful.
Who or what inspired you to want to learn cue-making? I always had a passion for pool in my younger years. I would play for hours every night. At first it was for gas and partying money. It was funny how much a $1 game would get up to in the 90’s. I played through college making it to nationals several times.
After I graduated, I worked in maintenance, field service engineering, manufacturing engineering, and industrial engineering. I had a business degree from college also. I had always like making things out of wood growing up. Lamps, tables, clocks, cutting boards, etc. So, I decided to take my experience and education into something I loved. You have to be so accurate making a cue I figured it would be a good fit and challenge.
Years later I’m still at it just not as heavy in production as previous years.
Who taught you how to do it and describe that? I learned by watching videos and from cues maker groups. Have made a lot of friends over the years. I had and advantage as I had been dealing with machining and equipment for years previous. The biggest challenge was learning how to handle the woods as this was a big change from metals and plastics.
Are there any products that you recommend to other cue makers? If I was to recommend a product, I would say a good set of sanding mandrels will save you a lot of heart ache when matching butts and shafts.
How long is your current waiting list? Minimum wait time is 6 months and goes up from there depending on demand, complexity and materials.
What other custom cue makers make you jealous? I wouldn’t say I’m jealous but there are a few that I definitely admire. Rounceville make a very good full splice. This is an art to itself. Inlays I like Black Boar. Merry widows I’ve always been a Prewitt fan.
How many cues do you make every year? Currently, I make 5-10 cues a year.
Tell me about your work area – I work in a roughly a 1200foot shop with various equipment. There are stations set up for specific functions to ensure accuracy and efficiency. There are two CNCs, Three lathes and another finishing lathe in a separate area. There are different presses and jigs.
Couple router tables and sanding stations. Then the other standard wood working equipment as any wood shop.
What’s your turnaround time for a custom cue to be made? Minimum turnaround time is 6 months if it is not already in process. I can some times reduce this if the wood has already been processed in some previous steps.
Where do you get your materials from? Materials come from multiple suppliers from around the world.
What’s in your bag? In my bag I have my feature cues. They were a set and a three-year process to complete.
Do you have any celebrity or professional customers? I make cues for several players over the years mostly local. Shannon Murphy, Mike Leek, TJ Back, Kat Stant, Dee Adkins Jr Program and others across the country. I’ve made cues for various politicians and stars but we will leave them unnamed as I do not want to use them for clout.
What is the one question everyone should ask about buying one of your cues, but doesn’t? If someone were to buy a cue, I would say the question they need to ask is what can I get for my money instead of what does it cost. If you have a budget things can be worked into it. If you don’t, you can get anything you want but people don’t realize the amount materials have gone up over
Personally, I love the kick shot. The kick is basically just a bank shot without an object ball.... the only difference is, instead of figuring placement of the object ball to the pocket, you’re trying to figure placement of the cue ball to the object ball.
Lots of players employ the “mirror-image system”. This system can be utilized to kick balls from anywhere on the table. It’s the same formula or principle as in banking - “angle in equals angle out”. This is for a 1 rail kick of course, just like a bank shot, providing you shoot it with medium speed and a center-ball hit. You’ll need to experiment a little to see first-hand how the cue ball reacts as it bounces off the rails.
I practice my kick shot, without an object ball. I simply try to come off the cushion and scratch, either in the side pocket or the corner pocket, until I have a good feel of the shot. Once I’m able to “scratch consistently” I then add an object ball in front of the pocket. After I
can make the kicks from in front of the pocket, I then move the object ball 1 diamond at a time, out towards the middle of the table.
most only kick to try to get out of a safety
I get it, most players hate to kick. Most only kick to try to get out of a safety, but if you take the time to learn the mirror-image system and use the formula I’ve described, you’ll be kicking like a mule in no time at all!!
I hope this helps your kicking game!
Until next time.... Happy shootin’!!
Rick “White Wolf” Prince.
There are many aspects of pool that are needed for cue sports to exist. Cue makers and companies making the cues we use. Ball makers to make the pool balls we use. Chalk makers. Table makers. Cloth makers. Pool room owners.
Another aspect of pool that is needed, which sometimes gets overlooked, is promoters. No matter what level of pool one plays at, there is a need for people to run events. The weekly pool tournament at the bar or pool room doesn’t happen without someone running it and advertising about it. The leagues that people play in do not happen without a lot of work from individuals or teams of people. The professional level is another animal all its own. The amount of money that needs to be raised is more than for a random amateur event.
Having a business background would be beneficial for someone wanting to get into the professional game. That was the reality for Don Mackey. Don had a promotional background in real estate and was successful at it. A meeting between him and the legendary Willie Mosconi led to his career in promoting professional pool. From 1991 to 1997, Don was the promoter for the Pro Billiard Tour, which featured the biggest names of the day, many of whom would go on to be Hall of Fame players. Don still has the website up with a lot of great matches from that tour.
After taking time away from the game, Don is back in the billiards world. Partnering with friend and BCA Hall of Famer Kim Davenport, Don is promoting a new pool game called Stroke Zone.
Stroke Zone is a drill concept that can be played with more than one person. The location of the cue ball after the initial shot determines the score. People can now practice together as well as compete with each other. With how popular drills have become for practice, Stroke Zone is a good option. Don and Kim have taken the next step in making Stroke Zone digital, where people can compete against other players who are not present in their location, which hasn’t been done before. The idea is similar to Bull Shooters darts, where a player can play darts in a bar in one state and compete against a player from another state. An end goal of Stroke Zone
is for a person who has a table at home to perform these drill-type shots and compete with someone else in realtime. It is something different and a first for the pool world.
You have a business and promotion background. What aspects of that background that you used out of pool that you utilized in promoting pool?
Startups are a science fused with passion and determination. You need to be all in on them because they’re filled with ups and downs, and the downs sap your passion and break your determination. The science is about your product and your customer. Are you building something that people will embrace? Are you giving your customers proper attention by listening to what they’re telling you?
What was it like to meet Willie Mosconi?
As a youngster in Staten Island, NY, in the sixties, I played pool with my dad, Harold, in our game room. We often watched Willie play on TV as we played with our friends and family. He became kind of a hero of mine. In 1985, I was the Director of Productions at the Valley
Forge Convention Center (VFCC). One day, Dan Birkbeck and Charles Ursitti visited with me to explore doing a 14.1 World Championship at the VFCC as a sort of retirement sendoff for Willie.
As it turned out, I undertook producing the 1986 World Straight Pool 14.1 Championship for ESPN at the Philadelphia General Hotel in downtown Philadelphia. The event was attended by most of the big names at that time, including Steve Mizerak, Jim Rempe, Mike Sigel, Nick Varner, Allen Hopkins, Pat Fleming, Irving Crane, Sammy Jones, Joe Balsas, Jimmy Fusco, Ray Martin, Lou Butera, and many other luminaries. It was my first exposure to the inner world of pro pool.
After the event in Philly, my wife Diane and I socialized with Willie and his wife Flo several times as we worked with the Birkbeck twins on the production of a series of dinner shows. These shows featured Willie playing exhibitions with guys like Sigel, Rempe, Hopkins, and Varner. That was when I really got to know Willie.
In 1990, I asked Willie if he would endorse and support a new professional World Team Championship signified by the Mosconi Cup. He loved the concept and immediately threw his name and support behind the project.
With any type of production, just like movies and TV shows, promoters put a lot of hours behind the scenes putting stuff together. What is something that the fans don’t see that they should appreciate?
The Pro Billiards Tour was structured as a partnership between me and the players. Managing over 100 professional players from all around the world was a daily challenge. The political and sociological dynamics of unifying and leading guys who were all unique and strong characters was extremely demanding. I look back at that era with both amazement and pride. What we accomplished laid the foundation for all that you see at the professional level today.
How did you come to be involved in “Stroke Zone?”
It started when friends urged me to tell the PBT story. Around 2020, golfing buddies kept telling me I should write a book or a script, and even my wife pushed me a bit.
I had kept the dot com and all the tapes of the shows we produced in the nineties, and I was curious to see if they had survived. I sent some down to production friends in Fort Meyers and most were in great shape. That led me to get the catalog of great shows digitized and a decision to create a website to give pool lovers access to that golden era.
Kim Davenport and I had a discussion one day after a round of golf that centered on the current state of pro pool – and how 20, some years down the road from 2,000, the pool was still stuck in a niche.
We arrived at the conclusion that pool was ripe for innovative development, which could take advantage of a host of things that other sports were successfully exploiting – starting with the internet and digital technologies.
Kim had created the Target Pool training game back
in the early nineties and I always liked its potential to serve as a more exciting way to play and watch pool. We decided to create a new game that was built on Kim’s extraordinary ability to design shots that were both educational and entertaining.
As a producer, I focused on creating a richer, more engaging, and more entertaining gaming experience that can attract audience demographics such as iGaming, virtual gamers, poker, and crypto followers and gain traction with the millions of amateur pool players.
Stroke Zone starts by connecting players on the web (The Zone) and offering an “Equal Challenge.” Each player in a game shoots the same shots (designated layouts), and each shot scores points for pocketing and positioning. The stroke becomes the performance reward. As a training tool, SZ helps all games. As a competitive format, SZ is about as fair a game as can be created.
You have been testing Stroke Zone in person in Wisconsin. What has been the feedback?
We’ve had roughly 100 people play SZ. About half are players who bought the PPB Projection version to play at home, and the other half have played in the varsity club. The reviews have been VERY positive from all levels of skill.
If you could play any player, living or deceased, who would it be and what game?
Jackie Gleason. Straight Pool. According to Willie Mosconi, Jackie was a highly skilled player who was always fun to be around.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Probably on a boat in the British Virgin Islands.
For those interested in reading more about the Pro Billiards Tour story, watch some of the matches from that time, or learn more about Stroke Zone, check out probilliardstour.com.
One of the most important skills in any sport is effective defense. Imagine a football team that didn’t put the defense on the field. Or a baseball team with no players in the outfield. Soccer or hockey without a goalie? It wouldn’t be pretty. So how can you hope to have a complete pool game if you don’t develop some solid defensive skills? The fact is, without a defensive game, you put yourself at a distinct disadvantage.
So what does it take to add safety play to your game? One important skill you need is the ability to read the table. When you first step up to the table, you need to see if you have a clear path to run out. If it’s there, you can go for it. But if not, you need to plan how far you can go before you hit a roadblock. Then look for an opportunity to play safe before you reach that dead end. You may still have another shot or two remaining, but remember your ultimate goal is to win the game and not just to run as many balls as possible. A cluster of balls that might prevent a run out might offer a great opportunity to play a lock-up safety.
Knowing your own ability is also important in deciding which direction you want to go. If you’re faced with two options, you need to weigh the odds for each choice. If you know you have a 60% chance of making a shot, but an 80% chance of executing a solid safe, it’s probably best to duck and give yourself a chance to return to the table, maybe with ball in hand.
Be on the lookout constantly for safety opportunities. I see many players, usually lower or mid-level league players who are so focused on making shots that the idea of playing defense never enters their mind. You also need to remain flexible. Every shot can change the table requiring you to reevaluate your game plan. Missing position, or unintentionally moving other balls can force you to change your plan. Don’t fall into the trap of sticking to a plan that is no longer viable. Finally, and probably most importantly, you must master cue ball control.
Most safeties depend on your ability to accurately control the cue ball. Good cue ball control comes from learning to accurately control ball speed and spin, if any, you apply to the cue ball. If speed and spin aren’t part of your practice routine, playing effective defense is going to be much more difficult. Learn where the cue ball naturally wants to go after contact with the object ball, and how to direct it to a path you need it to follow.
In organized, competitive pool, strong defensive play is just as important as pocketing balls. Don’t limit your options when you come to the table. A strong defensive game will open opportunities to win more games and matches.
Until next time
Steve Jennings ACS/SPF/PBIA Master Instructor
The 2025 Derby City Classic, one of the most prestigious events on the professional pool calendar, has concluded in spectacular fashion, with Joshua Filler emerging victorious in the 9-Ball final against a determined Alex Pagulayan. Held at the iconic Derby City Billiards in Evansville, Indiana, the tournament drew some of the world’s top players to compete for the coveted title and the prize money.
Filler, the German sensation who is currently ranked fourth in the Billiard Congress of America rankings, has been on a tear in recent months, and his form showed no signs of abating as he navigated the challenging field at Derby City. The 25-year-old’s consistent cue ball control and precision shooting ultimately proved too much for his opponents, including Filipino-American dynamo Alex Pagulayan. Pagulayan, a multiple-time World Cup of Pool champion, pushed Filler to the limit in the final, but ultimately fell short, losing nine to six in a thrilling encounter.
In the final match, Filler and Pagulayan battled neck and neck for most of the contest, with neither player able to gain a decisive advantage. The German’s experience and composure under pressure eventually told, however, as he edged ahead in the late stages of the match. Pagulayan refused to give up, but Filler’s strong safety play and clutch shooting secured the win.
Filler defeated world champion Fedor Gorst, American star Shane Van Boening, and Moritz Neuhausen before reaching Pagulayan in the finals, again demonstrating his enduring skills and determination. Pagulayan defeated Skyler Woodward in a tight match, besting him by a score of nine to seven on his way to the final match against Filler.
Filler has now established himself as one of the leading
contenders for the World Pool Championship title later this year. His performance at the Derby City Classic was a testament to his growth as a player and his ability to compete with the best in the sport.
The Derby City Classic has long been a highlight of the professional pool calendar, attracting some of the best players from around the world to compete in a unique and challenging format. This year’s 9 ball event did not disappoint, with Filler’s victory adding another chapter to his burgeoning legacy in the sport. As the international pool community looks forward to this coming year, it is obvious to everyone paying attention that Joshua Filler will be a major force to be reckoned with in 2025.
Pijus Labutis makes up for last year’s 9-ball disappointment by tearing off an undefeated run, plowing through the Diamond Bigfoot 10-Ball Championship, and completing that exciting event by defeating Joshua Filler in the finals.
