SPM Billiards Magazine Issue 43 by SPM Billiards Magazine

SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE ISSUE 43

CONTENTS

INSTRUCTION ARTICLES

06 OF SHEEP AND WOLVES BY RICK PRINCE 09 THE ART OF TEAM PLAY BY STEVE JENNINGS 10 SCENARIO #2 WHAT WOULD A SUCKER DO? BY JACKIE KAROL 13 DYNAMITE POOL SCHOOL BY DARREN APPLETON 27 G1’S DRILL RUNS BY ERIC NARETTO 30 PLAYING THE LAST TWO BALLS BY THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR 34 MYTHS OF THE GAME EXPOSED BY CHIP KLEIN 72 SET GOALS NOT LIMITS BY ANTHONY BEELER

BILLIARD NEWS

16 THE ADVENTURES OF CONNOR BENSON VOLUME 5 BY TOMMY HILL 21 THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY BY ELLIOTT WEST 24 MIKA IMMONEN ICEMAN WARRIOR ... BY KAT DAY 39 TEAMWORK INFLUENCING THE PACK BY MATT ANDREWS 45 DAVID ALCAIDE JOINS TEAM PECHAUER PRESS RELEASE 48 WE HOPE 2024 GOES YOUR WAY BY STEVE RAU

FROM OUR EDITOR Greetings everyone! Hello everyone,

In 2023, the World of Pool had a fantastic year, and it ended with a bang thanks to the Mosconi Cup. Now, we’re looking forward to what 2024 has in store. The New Year started with a bang with the 25th annual Derby City Classic. Joshua Filler emerged victorious, winning the Bigfoot Ten Ball Challenge title, 9 Ball, Banks, and Master of the Tables. Meanwhile, Fedor Gorst won the One Pocket championship with SVB finishing as the runner-up.

The Las Vegas Open, with over $500,000 in prize winnings, will take place from February 21st to 24th. And Matchroom has some exciting events lined up for the year, starting with the Premier League Pool in March. It’s going to be an exciting year - let the games begin! Happy Shooting, Kat Brown Day Editor in Chief and Content Creator

AN EVERYMAN AND HIS DEBY CITY DREAMS BY KEITH SHANER BRIDGE-MATE... BY GARRET TROOP

PRO TIPS MENTAL TECHNIQUES BY EMILY DUDDY INAUGURAL SAUDI ARABIA MASTERS.. BY ADAM CLAPHAM MARK WHITE ROLLING OUT THE INTERVIEWS BY MARK WHITE JERI ENGH ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

BILLIARD NEWS

THE BIG QUESTION BY GREG HOGUE

51 56 58 60 64 67 70

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ANTHONY BEELER

SET GOALS NOT LIMITS

id you know that your goals for pool should be written or typed? Studies have shown that putting your goals on paper will make your chances of achieving them roughly 20% greater than if you only thought about them.

them any time you see fit. In fact, I encourage my students to review their goals every month or so just to see if they are still appropriate. I encourage setting 1 month, 3, month, 6 month and 12-month goals. If you are exceeding your goals along the way, just adjust them. If you cannot meet them, The following three organization goals are sure to no worries, just adjust them down a bit. Failure to help you get your play off to a great start this year. reach your most lofty goals shouldn’t deter you from Whether you are preparing for your next tournament future improvement. The idea is to keep challenging or you just feel the need for a fresh start, use the yourself, but you must also be realistic as to what strategies below to get yourself prepared for your your expectations should be. Remember that next big match. Setting good goals is absolutely a your goals give you “direction” for your upcoming critical part of playing your best pool. practice routines, and you can use them to put a little pressure on yourself during practice. Literally, 1. Outcome Goals this is one way you can mirror the pressures of Outcome goals require you to think about what you tournament play without being in a tournament. would like to accomplish in the next 12 months. Use these goals to give yourself purpose and direction. Outcome Goal Examples: Nothing is “etched in stone,” and you can adjust • Your increased success percentage on various drills 6

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that are part of your practice routine • Finishes you aspire to have, or the number of times you would like to place in local or regional tournaments • Raising your league handicap to a specific level • Achieving a higher “Fargo Rating” • Any pool league stats you would like to improve upon

2. Physical Performance Goals Physical Performance Goals require that you honestly assess your current skills, technique, and equipment to see how they match up with your outcome goals. Make a list of the aspects of your physical game that need to be strengthened to reach your outcome goals. Physical Performance Goal Examples: • Pocket more balls on the break • Miss less shots • Improve your decision-making at the table • Improvement of your ability to execute specialty shots If needed, include: • Goals for upgrading or changing your pool-playing equipment • Take lessons from a certified instructor to enhance specific skills • Incorporate specific types of drills into your practice routine.

3. Mental Performance Goals

Mental Performance Goals require an insightful look at why you have not been playing to your potential or getting the most out of your game. Make a list of the mental skills you need to strengthen to reach your outcome goals. Some specific examples might include: • Improving your focus when you are down on the shot • Learn how to better handle high-pressure situations during match play • Enhance your ability to better manage your emotions • Follow your complete mental game pre-shot process • Stay committed to your pre-shot routine • Improve self-talk If you are not sure where you need to start, you can enroll at Virtual Billiard Academy, and I will help you develop specific goals related to your individual playing needs. My online academy has various lessons addressing all topics that affect your play. Students enrolled can set all three types of goals and share them to get personalized feedback. While simply creating a list of goals can be helpful, remember that your list should be realistic and unique to you. Everyone measures success differently, and a successful year of pool might be different for you when compared to someone else. Just get out your pen and paper or login to a computer, and you’ll be on your way to a better game in no time!

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 competitions.

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RICK PRINCE

OF SHEEP AND WOLVES

t all started in 1971 when my father bought me the “The Big Foot” ... 10-foot Brunswick table. Countless friends would gather at my home to play pool. It was just a fun game at first; then, one day, one of my friends said: “Let’s Play the Marbles!” Marbles was very popular at the time, and we often would play for milk or lunch tickets. The day we played pool for marbles was the beginning of my taking pool seriously.

GSWs (gunshot wounds) and was cut several times with glass and knives, clubbed over the head with cues, and broke a few bones, mostly contributed to pool.

When it got more lucrative for me to play pool, I gave up the bouncer job, and my K-9 and I went on the My grandfather, Charlie Blueyes, and my stepdad were road. He was half German Shepherd/half Timber road players, and they both were excellent Snooker Wolf and would protect me as if his life depended and 3 Cushion Billiards players. I was gambling at on it. pool with kids by age 11, and by the time I was 16, my father was taking me to one of his night clubs, “The In the 70s and 80s, there were all types of personalities Ebony Club,” which was primarily African American, playing pool. There were three types of Hustlers you and I was matching up with adults of all ages, and had to contend with. There were the Bottom Feeders I would win the majority of the time. My father and that would only play for 20-50 a game if you were grandfather were putting up 100s, sometimes 1000s. lucky. Then there was the Middle Class (The average Con artist), who, on a good day, might pull off a few The more I won, the harder my father and grandfather hundred to a couple of thousand. And, of course, you would be on me about practicing. had the Elites, the well-known, who would play for After my schoolwork, I’d have a couple hours to play an insane amount of money. Fortunately for me, my with my friends, but then I was required to practice father and grandfather taught me to stay away from drills for 2 + hours a night prior to bedtime. By the time the heavy hitters simply because they would cause you I was old enough to go into the bars, I was taken on to become well-known if you beat them well enough. the road to the bigger cities like Atlanta, Columbia, and the surrounding areas. I was juggling Football, I learned that a pool hall didn’t have to have a Baseball, Tae Kwon Do, and Pool all through junior lot of people in it to get a great money match. I high and high school, so I was accustomed to long had the gift of gab, and after making friends with hours of playing. my perspective opponent, sometimes it was the bartender or bar owner and no other customers. Then, out of the blue, life showed up. I enlisted in the I would hustle them out of everything I could, and service and was required to learn and practice other by the time I’d convinced them I was just lucky and skills. In the Military, my pool continued. We would go was playing out of my norm, I’d often get an invite to the offices of Club and Gamble, and I was asked back. And oftentimes, I’d return and play them again to go over some of my Commanding Officers’ homes . to play. I beat one of them so badly one night that he After a good while on the road, I’d learned intuitively made my life a living Hell for months. who I should play, as well as who not to play. If, by chance, I did match up with an elite, and there were After my Discharge, I landed a job at the Outlaws many, my goal was to take them out of their element. Club in Jacksonville, Florida, where I became an If they wanted to play 9 Ball, I’d insist on One Pocket honorary member of the Outlaws Biker Club. I was or Straight Pool. I wanted to see their Pool I.Q. See allowed to play as much pool at work as I wanted. As just how well they could think their way out of a bad you can imagine, the guys were big, tough, and hard situation. 9 Ball, 10 Ball, etc., etc. Rotation Games to handle after the alcohol took effect. I sustained 2 involve a lot of Luck. When it came to luck, I was SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

generally running on empty. During my 35 years running all across America, ducking and dodging most Pros, I became involved with 3 Guys who went Pro. Danny Medina out of Denver, Tony Ellis out of my own State of South Carolina, and of course Scott Townsend out of Louisiana. I learned a great deal from all three, and all three have since passed. RIP, brothers. Since my Road days, things have changed tremendously, mainly because of cellular phones and players being able to get in touch with players in the surrounding areas and give them the Heads up. Today, there are very few “True Road Hustlers,” As most players that Match up have already made prior arrangements. There are very few like Townsend who would just walk in and Yell, “Anybody wanna gamble on Pool!”? Today’s gamblers generally try to keep it on the low. So, if you’re contemplating becoming a Road Hustler, just remember this: If you’re new to the road, you are a Sheep. The seasoned Road Hustlers are Wolves. You Will Be Eaten Alive at First; Just Never Give up! And..... There’s Nothing as Dangerous as a Loser who’s figured out How to Win! Until Next time Happy Shootin’ From Ole “White Wolf”

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STEVE JENNINGS

THE ART OF TEAM PLAY Team Play vs Individual Competition

here are many reasons we play pool, and several different formats are available for us to participate in the sport/game. We might occasionally go out with a few friends and spend a few hours just having some fun at the table. We might join a league and play every week with our teammates. There are also many weekly tournaments available where we can test our skills against a field of other individuals, higher-level tournaments where the competition is stronger, or even top-level open tournaments where we can play some of the best players around.

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Our overall attitude toward pool dictates our motivation and choices. If you think of pool as a game, you’re more likely drawn toward a friendly night out or possibly toward some league play. Viewing pool as a competitive sport will probably lead you to more tournament play. (League play can be a combination of the two) These two types of play can serve up some very different challenges to a player. With tournament play, you are on your own. It’s you against the rest of the field. Whatever happens in the match is entirely up to you. You are the only one affected by your decisions or how well you play. Any pressure you may feel is strictly from within. Team play can create a very different kind of pressure. When you are part of a team, others have a vested interest in your performance. Oftentimes, your teammates are watching your entire match. They are encouraging you and supporting your efforts. And when you play well, they celebrate with you. The problem comes when you are struggling. Even though you have that support, it’s easy to feel like you are letting your team down. Any selfdoubt can be increased if you allow those thoughts to enter your mind. Those thoughts can snowball if those nagging inner thoughts disrupt your mental process. The longer this continues, the more it can negatively impact your performance. The fact is that pool is, by its nature, an individual sport. When you are at the table, you are on your own. It is critical that you maintain control of your emotions and thought processes. We frequently focus on our physical shooting routines when playing pool. Too often, we neglect to work on our mental routines to the same extent. And those mental routines can be just as important to our success at the table. Solid mental routines help us think about only those things relevant to what we are wanting to accomplish at the moment. We have to train ourselves to focus on what matters at the time. “What do I want to do”? “How do I want to do it”? “Where do I need to aim”? “How much speed is required”? How much spin should I apply”? These are the only things we should be thinking about. Anything else becomes a distraction and can adversely affect our performance. Thousands of players participate in team play every week. Having your friends and teammates joining you can greatly add to the pleasure of the game. Just remember that we must control both aspects of our game to be successful. Our sound physical fundamentals must be paired with a solid mental routine to achieve the best result. Work on eliminating any mental distractions, stay focused on the things you can control, and you will achieve the success you desire. Have fun! Until next time, Steve Jennings ACS/PBIA Master Instructor 980 253 0211

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JACKIE KAROL

SCENARIO #2: WHAT WOULD A SUCKER DO?

IF YOU LOOK AROUND AND DON’T SEE ANY SUCKERS, YOU ARE THE SUCKER…

ou have stripes here. You each only have one ball left and the 8-ball. Your opponent’s ball, the solid, is sitting in the jaws and is directly blocking your corner pocket shot. What do you do? 1) “Bank your stripe in the corner!”

2) “Slowly roll your ball up in the front of their solid to prevent them from hitting their ball!” 3) “Replace their ball with yours by softly shooting yours directly into theirs!” Suckers… You must assess each situation to come to the best possible answer, which is the one with the highest winning percentage.

Why are these not good ideas?: 1) Bank shots are low percentage, and if you miss, your opponent will most surely run out and win. 2) Slow rolling your stripe in front of theirs with accurate speed control is very hard to do and the cost is high if you miss. 3) Softly shooting your ball into theirs will leave your ball in the jaws but you probably won’t get another shot because you will leave them an easy shot on the 8-ball. Answer: Use draw to put forward spin on your stripe and call it in the corner. This will likely result in either one of two positive outcomes: A: If you pocket your stripe, you can now shoot the 8-ball to win the game. B: If your ball does not follow it in and instead stays in the jaws, you have now blocked their pocket with your stripe because you used a draw speed to set your 8-ball shot in that same corner. By planning more than one shot ahead and assessing the possible outcomes, you will tremendously increase your odds of winning. See Diagrams on Next Page...

JACKIE KAROL | The Best Damn Billiards Instructor! www.AngelofBilliards.com National Champion 8 Ball PBIA Instructor | ACS Instructor

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JACKIE KAROL

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STEVE RAU

WE HOPE 2024 GOES YOUR WAY! BY STEVE RAU OF STEVE RAU PRO BILLIARDS, MANAGER OF ‘KWIKFIRE’ KELLY FISHER AND WEI WEI ‘THE WAVE’ -WEI TZU CHIEN

One thing I can say for sure and have witnessed first-hand is Kelly and Wei Wei help others in big ways, improve their pool game. These ladies are amazing instructors.

hat a year 2023 was. For me personally, it was a good yet challenging year. Recently, my family had the very unexpected death of my Uncle Terry Rau, who passed away in the early morning hours of December 23rd, 2023. At age 68, it is far too young of an age to die and not a great time of year for tragedy to hit anyone’s family. My sincere condolences to my Aunt Sue and cousins Adam, Scott, and Kelly. He was a great man. I feel fortunate to have had him in my life. My Dad and him were my scout leaders growing up and my uncle was my pool partner later in life. I really appreciate him not only as an uncle but as a friend. I will deeply miss him. I can still hardly believe it. He had about 150 people attend his funeral. A testament to the 16

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kind of person he was. I know for a lot of folks; this past year was not so good. Many people experience the deaths of loved ones, serious illness, failed relationships, loss of income, etc. My heart goes out to you. One thing I am still learning how to do is to grieve properly. To grieve properly after the death of a loved one is truly the key to being able to move forward. I have run the gamut of emotions. Dr. Suess is quoted as saying, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” I shared this quote with someone, and they emphatically said to me, “Smile because bad things happened to me?”

With a heartfelt response and a sincere smile, I said to this person, “No, we smile because it happened.” This new perspective of thinking really helped me understand some things. First, we were given the opportunity to feel love from someone in our life, and second, we were able to love someone. We can cherish memories, look at photos, and reminisce with others. These activities are a vital part and the first step in grieving properly. The second step to grieving properly is to make the decision not to repress your grief. Grief hits people differently. When we repress emotions, we are taking sole responsibility to find the solution to our grief. This is not a fair approach to your health or well-being. Instead, seek help from loved ones or

others that you can trust. It’s okay, to not be okay. What’s not okay is to not do anything about your grief. Unfortunately, not doing anything is where harmful thoughts and behaviors can creep in. I think the game of pool serves as a great illustration of life. Sometimes, you feel snookered, not seeing things clearly, and couldn’t make the right decision if you had to. Your approach to the table and life some days are not your best. Sometimes you may feel rushed, lazy, or inadequate. Exhaustion may occur after a grueling battle on the table or in life. Other times, it could be a lack of discipline and focus. Sound familiar? In mid-December, Kelly Fisher, Wei Tzu Chien, and I were in Rothschild, WI, for the WPBA Dr. Pool Tour SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

Championship. While there, we appeared on the Combat Life Podcast hosted by Curran Jacobs. Kelly and Wei Wei were asked, “How do they keep their composure under such heavy pressure?” When thinking about the myriad of emotions I feel while grieving, living my life or in my pool game, Kelly’s answer really resonated with me. She shared, “For a person to have success, discipline in their training was key. With this training, the ability to keep calm is achievable. With this calmness, we prevent our mind from wandering when it’s not your turn to play.” This holds true in our daily lives, too. Sometimes it is simply not your turn to make or control life-changing or altering decisions. When you allow your mind to wander, that is when you experience taking one step forward, then two steps back. Seemingly, never feeling like you are going anywhere. She added, “it is important to keep your confidence when losing, and the more you practice, the more experience you will attain.” In your life, you will not always win. I had ABC-9 TV come out to the Central Wisconsin Convention and Expo Center where we were. Wyatt, the camera operator, was looking over the arena floor and was really impressed seeing all the pool tables set up and then getting the chance to interview Kelly Fisher, Wei Tzu Chien, and WPBA 18

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President Dean Roeseler. He said that he had a great time. It occurred to me, though, as we watched the ladies’ pot balls that both Kelly and Wei Wei have most likely missed way more shots than they have made in their careers, yet they still find the motivation and determination to keep going. I think the reason we grieve loss of any kind, whether in sports or in life, is because we love deeply, and it hurts. One thing that impresses me about Kelly and Wei Wei is their ability to rebound after defeat. It is the love for the game that keeps them captivated. It is our love for life that gives us the ability to rebound and move forward. One thing I can say for sure and have witnessed firsthand is Kelly and Wei Wei help others in big ways, improve their pool game. These ladies are amazing instructors. In a short amount of time watching someone shoot pool, they can identify what needs to be corrected to help a person become a better player. From approach to stance, stroke, and aim, they are able to identify and teach others rapidly. Then, they take the time to talk about strategy, practice techniques, identify shot selection and more. It is truly remarkable. I highly recommend that pool halls contact me to set up a coaching academy with us. It will cause

your local players to compete at a higher level, drawing more attention to your business from the fans and general public in your area. You can send me a text or call by contacting me at (989) 277-4759 or email steverau@ hotmail.com. We advertise wherever we go on mainstream media in hopes of raising awareness for your business and the coaching academy! We look forward to meeting you. If you have experienced 2023 like so many others we know, we hope 2024 goes your way! You can view our episode of the Combat Life podcast on YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=N4c5hx2suFc and the ABC-9 TV interview on their website at: https://www.waow.com/news/top-stories/wpba-pool-championships-in-rothschild/article_a964464a9563-11ee-9b53- dfbcb5c9903a.html?fbclid=IwAR0lrY5HgklKF9df-0cJgV-pn-Kjp2Drkkv7lP2rciK_ noui7CnrCxYe1os To stay updated with us, you can find us at Steve Rau Pro Billiards on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ steverauprobilliards Regardless of how 2023 went for you, we hope 2024 goes your way!

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TOMMY HILL

THE ADVENTURES OF CONNOR BENSON VOLUME FIVE SOMETIMES, ALL YOU NEED IS A NEW PAIR OF SHOES.

t was still dark when Connor pulled off the highway and made his way to The Sands. He was weary from a long day of playing pool followed by a couple of hours of driving, but his nervous excitement couldn’t keep him from going inside to check the place out. He had never been inside a casino before. When he walked through the doors, he was hit with the noises of the hustle and bustle that a casino puts out. Machines were dinging, people would cheer when someone rolled the dice, and there was just the constant jibber-jabber of voices. It was a rush, to say the least. Connor wandered around aimlessly for a while because he didn’t know what to do. A cocktail waitress came by, and he asked if she knew where the upcoming pool tournament would be held. She pointed him in the right direction, and he was on his way. The first two tournaments didn’t start for three more days, but Connor wanted to get the lay of the land and see if anything was happening. There were two rooms, one of which was the main tournament room, and the second was the practice room. The double doors to the tournament room were locked;

however, the practice room was full of tables, and surprisingly, to Connor, there were many tables being used. He walked in and took a seat. Although he didn’t recognize anyone, it didn’t take long for him to see that some money games were going on. There were still plenty of tables open, which had balls on them, so Connor went back to the truck to grab his cues. He didn’t even get his cues together when a kid who looked about the same age came over and asked if he wanted to play a set for $50. Connor showed no fear as he accepted the game. Winning the coin flip, Connor broke dry. With an open shot at the one and a relatively open table, the kid ran out. He broke and ran two more racks to go up 3-0 in a short race to five games. The kid missed a pretty easy six-ball on the fourth rack, and Connor got out. Connor broke and ran the next game to pull it to 3-2, but he knocked the cue ball off the table on the next break and didn’t shoot again, losing 5-2. Connor felt like he had a chance to win, so he asked if the kid wanted to play another set, and the kid happily racked the balls. SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

It didn’t take long for his nerves to settle, and Connor fell into a rhythm, what most players refer to as dead stroke. He played at the top of his game, making everything he shot at and executing tight safeties. Although Connor’s opponent was a strong player, Connor easily won that set, and the next two before the kid called it quits. Connor never did get his name. The Sands had a room rate deal for the players, a room with two double beds for a whopping $14 per night Sunday through Thursday and $19 Fridays and Saturdays. Connor checked in for less than two hundred dollars and was home for the next two weeks. Connor scuffled around the local pool rooms for a couple of days. He didn’t really try to find any action, and he was happy to watch and take in the atmosphere. After all, he is still an 18-year-old kid out on his own for the first time, and pool hall life is a lot to take in. Players were coming into town, and action was everywhere. The Main tournament and practice rooms had opened up for open play. The first of two tournaments was the USPPA handicapped tournament, and the Open tournament followed the following week. Connor had sent in his entry fees over a month ago. He didn’t like spending the money then on what

felt like nothing because it was so far off, but he was happy now not having to dip into his bankroll. The player’s meeting was at 7 PM Sunday night. There were over a hundred guys & gals there, by far the largest tournament Connor had ever been a part of. He was a bit nervous just sitting in the stands with the other players. The tournament director went over the rules and dress code. Connor’s heart sank when he heard the TD say no sneakers were allowed. Dress shoes only. He didn’t have any dress shoes. He didn’t even know where to get a pair. Upon the conclusion of the meeting, he checked the board to see when he was scheduled to play. His first match was at 11:30 AM Monday morning. At 10 AM, the Payless Shoe store opened in downtown Reno. Connor found a pair of black Chef shoes. They looked nice enough; better yet, they had good traction and were comfortable. He hurried back to The Sands and put on one of his two pairs of slacks, a polo shirt, a belt, black socks, and his new shoes. Knowing he couldn’t wear his ballcap, he fixed his hair, grabbed his cue case, and was ready to head to the tournament room. Before he did, he stopped to look in the mirror and stood there for a minute looking at

himself. He looked like the pictures of the pros he had seen in the magazines. A sense of pride came over him, followed by unexpected tears. He was proud of himself. Not for anything he had done but just for being there and following his dreams. Connor made his way into the tournament room. He already knew what table he was playing on. The 9 AM match was over, and his opponent had yet to arrive, so Connor went to the table and began putting his cues together. He was so nervous he didn’t even look into the stands and started to hit some balls when he finally looked up. He had to hold it together, but it was tough. Sitting right there in the front row was his best friend in the world. His Dad. Well, folks, it sure was emotional for Connor to see that his dad came to see him play. You will have to check in next month to see how our young road warrior can perform under the pressures of playing in his first big tournament and having his dad there to watch. Thank you all for reading; I certainly appreciate it. Until next month, everyone, stay safe out there and keep that cue ball rollin’.

Tommy is a master instructor with both the PBIA & AMP; ACS. When he was a younger man Tommy played on the Men’s Professional Billiards Tour and the Camel ProTour. Like many un-sponsored pro players of that era he also played on the road in order to keep the dream alive. Tommy has spent 40 plus years in the billiards industry. The adventures of Connor Benson are fictional short stories of a road player. Although fictional, some stories may derive from his own experiences, stories he had heard or things he witnessed along the way.

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ELLIOTT WEST

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

“IT TOOK ME SIX MONTHS TO GET OVER IT”. —MIKE HALLETT

Introduction The year was 1991, the first Gulf War was raging and Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as president of Russia, signalling the end of the Cold War. In snooker, Stephen Hendry was the dominant force, having already won ten ranking titles to date and two crowns at The Masters. A player who grew in stature year on year, clinical, brutal and a potting machine. So who was going to challenge him? Most had faced the full force of this Scottish typhoon and were still licking their wounds in defeat. So by the time the calendar reached The Benson and Hedges Masters at Wembley Conference Centre in February of that year, the crown looked safe in the reigning champion’s hands and the number one seed was in no mood for anyone to get in his way. When play began at this iconic venue, it seemed 24

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Stephen could do no wrong. He wounded and spat out everyone in his path, dispatching John Virgo 5-1, Tony Meo 5-0 and Jimmy White 6-1 before reaching the final. With Steve Davis already defeated by Neal Foulds in the last 16, the bookmakers had pretty much written this tournament off in terms of a surprise winner. The only hope lay in the hands of either Terry Griffiths or Mike Hallett. The Man from Grimsby Terry ended up losing to Mike 3-6 in the semi-finals and the weight was put on Halletts’ shoulders to try and inflict a fatal blow on Hendry’s mastery of snooker. Mike had already reached the final of The Masters once before, whitewashed by Steve Davis 0-9. Determined for this not to happen again, Hallett decided to pace himself after being “buried” by Davis. Six weeks prior to the tournament, he put

his nose to the grindstone and went into practice mode, playing umpteen best-of-35 frames. He knew that couldn’t go into this prestigious tournament, playing on a half-tank and by the time he reached Wembley, he felt good, striking the ball well and he knew that it would take someone very special to beat him. Mike knew Hendry’s game very well, largely due to them being doubles partners. So he was probably the best candidate to unpack the wiring of this Scottish genius. As they say, you never settle until you get your first frame on the board and Mike took the opening frame. It turned out to be the highlight of Mike’s career. The former number six took a commanding 7-0 lead in the afternoon session, never missing a ball. One of those historic leads that only a master could claw back. The Snooker Migraine “I wish I never switched over, because I was sitting in my chair in the evening session thinking about that interview. I wish I just kept it on the football”. — Mike Hallett Returning to his hotel room, Hallett riding on the crest of a wave, decided to turn on the television. The snooker coverage was still showing on the BBC. Tony Gubba was speaking to John Spencer. When asked by Tony what Hendry needed to do to come back, John replied by saying that the Scot needed to win the first two frames of the evening session. It was a comment that stuck in Mike’s head and one that he took back to the Conference Centre. Although this comment didn’t appear to faze him, Hallett had to get over the winning line, the hardest task for any snooker player. The tide gradually started to change directions with Mike on the brink at 8-2 up. Surely nothing stop his first Masters victory? The moment came when Mike got

a winning chance, a moment where he could see himself lifting the trophy. However, he cleared to the blue and missed the pink with the rest. Hendry sensed a weakness in his opponent’s game by the way that Hallett didn’t pot the blue cleanly. Stephen took the frame to make it 8-3 to Mike. The Final Chapter All the way back to the dressing room, Mike kept banging his cue on the floor in frustration. Hendry was right behind and could see that Hallett was rattled. The Scot devised a game plan of just winning one frame at a time and leaving Mike out in the cold. The plan worked and little by little, Stephen chipped away at his opponent’s lead. 4-8, 5-8 soon became 8-8 and when your opponent throws numerous punches at you, it is very hard to get. The mindset had been broken by a player who had won back-to-back tournaments and an amazing mental strength. The seeds were sown and Stephen won the match 9-8. Broken “I was massively disappointed. I went home, and found out that my house had been burgled. So it wasn’t a great day. It was a great week, but not a good last couple of hours”.— Mike Hallett Mike’s face at the press conference displayed his utter disappointment. A man who looked like he had a brick wall with ultimate force. Not only that, he received a phone directly afterwards to tell him that his house had been burgled. Mike went on to win two major invitational events, the 1991 Scottish Masters, beating Steve Davis 10-6 and the 1991 Belgian Masters, defeating Neal Foulds 9-7. However, it had taken six months to come to terms with his crushing defeat. Mike would end up dropping out of the top 16 the following year and drifted away from the elite.

ELLIOTT WEST HAS A BLOG TITLED SNOOKER LOOPY WHICH HE CREATED AND IS INSPIRED BY HIS LOVE OF THE GAME SPANNING OVER 32 YEARS. AT ALWAYSM A GREAT READ HERE, CHECK IT OUT! HTTPS://GREENBAIZE1972.COM

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DARREN APPLETON

Dynamite Pool School Tuition Lesson No. 1

•Fundamentals•Alignment• Stance •Timing and Tempo Drill•

irst of all, like all beginners and amateurs, we want to make sure the fundamentals are good. Unfortunately, I can’t see yours blind, but I will explain the importance of good, solid fundamentals. My pet hate, with most amateurs, is laziness. Don’t be lazy, and what I mean by that is don’t play a shot, then walk around the table to your next shot and get straight down, and start pivoting and adjusting while down on your shot. Yes, sometimes you will get away with it, but a good percent of the time, it will bite you. I see it all the time, and you miss it because LAZY!.. So rules 1.•Stance• Make sure you have a good balance with your stance/ Feet. Personally, I like a walking stance or, like a boxer, good balance doesn’t need to be perfect just online as everyone stands different. It’s all about balancing the key and making sure you are lined up to the shot. 2. Alignment/Position The Butt of my cue against my groin and cue tip at the Cueball look at the shot and then step in with your left foot if right-handed and right foot if lefthanded. Also, check your dominant eye, which is very important for your alignment. Finding a local coach will really help with alignment. 3. Set up & Spin Always look at the shot before you get down to the shot, and if playing with right or left, English set up to play with left or right. Never get down, then start pivoting your cue tip. It will cause you to cue across the Cueball and go offline. I see it all the time.

4. Golfers are the same; they always look at the target and line up before getting over the ball, and pool is exactly the same 5. Timing/Tempo/Routine Good timing and rhythm are everything. Don’t hit the ball too hard, and short back swings and stopping at Cueball, for example, don’t stop, follow through once, and strike the Cueball. Inconsistent with strokes and addressing of the Cueball will lead to many problems and breakdowns. So, a little tip: make sure you pull the cue back for at least 75-80% of your shots, and always, especially when you have your hand on the table and at least a couple of feet between Cueball and object ball. If Cueball is close to the object ball or cueing of the rail, then yes, shorten up your bridge hand and keep everything nice and compact. Little tip: when addressing Cueball, most players are between 3-5 feathers, then slight pause at Cueball, then pull Cue back. You can even count in your head to 2 seconds: 1-2 for pull back, then 3 for forward motion to follow and drive through Cueball. This will help you big time to get better timing and tempo, and when playing with draw, make sure you go very low on the Cueball and don’t try to hit the balls too hard. That’s the key; otherwise, it will cause missed cues and jumping/lifting your head up before striking the Cueball… also hand position is very important for timing and tempo. You don’t want to be too close with your hand to the Cueball unless it’s essential like Cueball and object very close together…. I don’t want to be too far from Cueball because I will miss time the ball a lot, and it will be hard to hit my contact point consistently under pressure. They will not stroke through the Cueball and lose timing; just become very inconsistent, and that’s why the professionals are SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

so good because they have a good routine and repeat it over and over again. All professionals have a routine, and it is so important to repeat it then it becomes second nature. Sadly, this is the downfall for most amateurs: no routine and laziness. If you want to improve and go to the next level, you have to repeat good habits over and over again. 6. Do these simple things consistently, and your game will improve big time So I set up a simple drill to make sure everything is online because, without this, you will not improve and will just become, as I said, lazy !! I use this little drill all the time for my own practice by placing an object ball from 1 diamond from the side pocket and Cueball 1 diamond down from the side pocket. The most important my hand in the middle of the middle diamond because for at least 80% of your shots, your hand should be 8-12 inches from Cueball depending on your height and size of the cue, but for me 5,7 and 58inch cue my hand knuckles middle of diamond is perfect this will give you better timing and tempo and a better strike .. you don’t want your hand too close because not be able to pull the Cue back and become very jabby. I see it all the time or either hand too far back because then you miss time the ball also and don’t stroke through the Cueball and miss time the

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ball, and if your hand is too far away, it’s going to be hard to hit your contact point consistently all the time, especially under pressure. So this drill is the best for all levels to make sure 1. You are timing the ball right 2. Lined up properly 3. and cueing straight 4. After all these checks, you are ready to start play. Do around 10 of each and keep improving your scores 1. Follow shots Cueball to pocket 2.10 Stop shots 3.10 Draw shots to short rail Do these before any practice session or match, and if you are making this shot consistently, then you in a good stroke and ready again three simple things that are essential to learning first 1. Follow 2. Stop shot 3. Draw shot Good luck Darren Appleton

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ERIC NARETTO

G1’s Drill Run!

n order to become a high-level player, one must do more than just play games with friends. In this issue of SPM, I would like to introduce one of my favorite drills and how it can be manipulated in many different ways.

I was born an 8-ball player. In 2016, I captured the Iowa State 8-Ball Championship, and the following March, I captured the 2017 Illinois State 8-Ball Championship. In order to obtain high-level championships, one must comprehend what the spirit of 8-ball is. 8-ball can be described as an object ball pattern game where a player may have multiple opportunities to be successful and many opportunities to fail. The drill that is going to be discussed is my favorite object ball pattern drill. This drill is called “Twelve Ball Mayhem.” Check it out below, and you can find a YouTube clip demonstrating the drill and its different variations here.

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SET-UP On one side of the table, freeze seven object balls to the rails on one side of the pool table. Two object balls will be on the side rail frozen on the diamonds closest to the corner pockets, while three object balls will be frozen on the diamonds located on the same side end rail. Place the remaining object balls along the diamond lines that connect the object balls by the side rails. Place the cue ball on the spot. INSTRUCTIONS 1) With the cue ball on the spot, shoot as many object balls as possible using the cue ball without missing. 2) All pockets are available to pocket object balls. 3) Banks and kicks are allowed. 4) No object ball can touch another object ball. 5) The cue ball cannot touch an object ball that isn’t currently being shot. Stroke Straight. “G1” Eric Naretto

12 Ball Mayhem Drill by Eric Narretto of G1 Billiards

https://youtu.be/GzA1Dq226CM?si=L8BDxzu1OKwOLt_q SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

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DOMINIC ESPOSITO, A.K.A., THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR

PLAYING THE LAST TWO BALLS

n reflection on some of the negative things I saw among the pool players this past year, not playing, “the last two balls” correctly was one of the single most prevalent problem among them. To their advancement, I’d like to focus on these lessons.

The Last Two Balls that seemed to cause the most difficulty was the side pocket shot and then having to travel up and down the full length of the table to make position on the winning ball. Above all the variations of Last Two Balls shots I watched, this setup seemed to give players the greatest trouble. The trouble was both in the Key Ball being pocketed in the side pocket, as well as controlling the cue ball speed, having to travel nearly two full lengths of the table. Due to the fact that different games can cause a need to use different cue ball paths, I will show you the two best possibilities I recommend if you want to shoot this The Drill Instructor’s way. The following table layout

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shows the details for understanding how to set up and shoot both Option 1 and Option 2 for making perfect straight-in position on the winning ball. Playing the last two balls is difficult for multiple players. It’s most disappointing after a good run the last two balls seem to shut you down and give your opponent an easy win. That’s why, I created the book and DVD, Last Two Balls, How to Get Straight In Position On the Winning Ball. It’s on the website, www.thedrillinstructor.us

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IMPROVE YOUR GAME THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR WAY! 36

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KAT DAY

MIKA IMMONEN ICEMAN WARRIOR, CHAMPION, & FIGHTER FACING ADVERSITY WITH THE STRENGTH OF A WARRIOR, DETERMINATION OF A CHAMPION, AND THE COURAGE OF A FIGHTER.

MIKA IMMONEN AT US OPEN PHOTO BY TAKA WU FOR MATCHROOM MULTI SPORT

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legend in his own right and loved across the globe, the Finnish billiards legend Mika Immonen is fighting the greatest match of his life with an alien invader that has taken root in his body. The proper terminology for what has invaded his body is called Stage 4 Colorectal Carcinoma or Colon Cancer, which was discovered through imaging and a biopsy in Costa Rica. In a conversation with Mika Immonen, he stated, “I first started feeling pain (both back and pelvis area) in Puerto Rico in early November. Went to the ER there. They brushed it off as hemorrhoids. I got some meds, but it obviously wasn’t helping. Also, a glitch in my insurance in the USA made it tricky and very costly to get treatment. Doctors were super booked, and it wasn’t even possible to see a specialist without a 6-week wait. I still went to Japan in the middle of November because, despite the pain, thinking the worst case, I’d go to a hospital there, which I ended up doing with the help of my buddy Naoyuki Oi.” Mika discusses the All-Japan Championship and states, “I suffered a first-round loss in Japan, and that’s the day I went to the ER there. Naoyuki looked at me and said, “That’s enough! We are going to the hospital now…” then I won three matches in

the loser bracket to make the final 64. In the first single knockout round, I got revenge on the guy who beat me in the first round. Then, I won against Wu Kun Lin and Masato Yoshioka to book my place in the quarterfinals. I ran out of steam finally, with excruciating pain, sleep deprivation, dehydration & weight loss pulling me down. Yapp got me in the end, but I was in no shape to play. Still getting into the quarterfinals, there was one of my greatest achievements.” In Japan, they did a CAT scan and told Mika he would need medical attention ASAP. Mika’s itinerary took him to Costa Rica next, where he called his friend, who he knew as one of his students and was a doctor and worked at the ER. They were friends, but Immonen never dug into the details as to what type of doctor his friend was. His friend told him, I am an Oncologist, so I’m going to check you out personally; I’ve been in this field for 30 years. When Immonen first got to the hospital, his doctor put him on a saline IV drip and a steroid shot because he was in such bad shape. Immonen had lost 20 pounds in a matter of 6 weeks. Mika’s doctor fast-tracked all the tests and procedures: he had an MRI, PET scan, endoscopy, biopsy, biopsy results, diagnosis, and prognosis, including surgery for the port in his chest and the first Chemo within ten days. All while playing one more tournament, which Immonen finished in the semifinals. Immonen stated, “And with all the pain and sleep deprivation, I didn’t want to let down my fans.” Mika played the tournament while undergoing all the tests, and thanks to the promoter, they scheduled his matches around his tests. In a Facebook post, Mika stated, “Finally, in Costa Rica, the biopsy & imaging revealed a stage IV cancer diagnosis. My oncologists have informed me that this type of cancer, while very serious, responds well to treatment. Although I have an arduous wellness journey before me, I hope to be back in action as soon as practically possible.” While in Costa Rica, Immonen was joined by his girlfriend, Mee, and his mother, Laura. Immonen stated, “Honestly, I don’t think I could have made it without them. Also, it was nice to catch up on lost time with Mom. This is the most I’ve seen her in 30 years. She just flew back to Finland after two months.”

MIKA IMMONEN WITH DR.ZENEN ZELEDON, HIS COSTA RICAN ONCOLOGIST,(THE MAN THAT HAS MOVED HEAVEN AND EARTH FOR HIM. Mika gave SPM Billiards the honor of interviewing him once with Dominic Esposito THEY ARE AT THE COSTA RICA TOURNAMENT.

and Kathryn Day sat in for one interview and in

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the second interview, Kathryn Day talked with Mika in a casual conversation while Mika sat in a New York Café after his third treatment of Chemo, which he had to travel from New York to Costa Rica to receive. Immonen has had three treatments in Costa Rica. The Oncologist in Costa Rica has been of considerable help to Immonen, dropping everything and litterally moving heaven and earth to make sure that Mika got his third treatment while Mika was trying to get into an Oncologist in New York. Mika now has set appointments in New York which will take the stress off his body from the traveling and unknown appts. It is difficult to get settled after being on tour and getting a diagnosis of Cancer in another country. Immonen stated in the interview with Kat that he would finally have his first oncology appt the next day. In a later message, Immonen has now received his fourth Chemo treatment, which would have been on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Immonen is receiving treatments every two weeks and is now halfway through. He just had his fourth treatment last week. The treatment could run from

8 to 12, depending on what the next tests show. Immonen has set a realistic goal of returning to the UK Open in May of 2024. In the latest interview with Mika Immonen, we discussed a variety of topics. We talked about his bucket list of things he wants to do and what he has done, including Ice Baths and tournament wins. In our first interview with Dominic Esposito, Mika was going to ride a horse on the beach in Costa Rica after the interview! He accomplished that and had a lovely ride with friends! You can see that interview here. https://youtu.be/ S16JXzB7S8E?si=TPYQs6Fzc96WUvN_ Mika explained the benefits of Ice Baths, and the word he used is the Anterior Mid Cingulate Cortex, which plays a role in your fight or flight moments and allows you to handle stress. Ice baths help to strengthen the Anterior Cingulate Cortex, which plays a role in your thinking under stress, such as tournament conditions, to help the player think well under stressful conditions while playing in a winning

MIKA READY TO GO RIDE ON THE BEACH WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS IN COSTA RICA! THEY RODE FOR A FEW HOURS AND BY THE TIME THEY WERE RETURNING THEY HAD THIS BEAUTIFUL SUNSET TO END A PERFECT DAY’S RIDE ON THE BEACH!

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match. Ice baths have many other benefits, which are discussed in the interview with Kat. https:// youtu.be/jBrRa2v0ig8?si=qoEHUIrY1fkJOzSa In the second interview with Mika, he shared getting his first tattoo since being back in New York, “Shadowtight!” another item on his bucket list! It is a great tattoo that symbolizes how a rack of balls is so tight that with no gaps, shadow-tight or the strong bond and friendship is so tight with no gaps it is a metaphor. The S with the knife going through also symbolizes Sisu’s fighting spirit, determination, and never giving up. To Mika, this has so much meaning. Sisu is that unbelievable force that we find deep within ourselves, which we find in times when we have emotionally, physically, and psychologically used up our endurance. We dig down and find the strength of will, determination, and perseverance, as well as act rationally when faced with adversity. In an article in the BBC titled ‘Sisu: The Finnish art of inner strength.’ Olga Smirnova writes, “We all have these moments when we all need to reach beyond what we think we are capable of. At the end of physical, emotional, and psychological endurance. And then we have some kind of force that allows us to continue even when we thought we couldn’t,” says Lahti. For Finns, that ‘second wind’ of inner strength is Sisu.”

Mika would also like to accomplish parachuting and work on a biography of his story his way with the help of a professional writer. Mika talked about how he started playing pool with a group of friends growing up, and when he got good enough, he started advancing to a new level. He never had a traditional coach. We went on to discuss his favorite table to play on, and he likes Diamond and the old-school Brunswick tables. Immonen’s most favorite win was his first world championship win! Nothing can ever beat that first win! Then, the following year’s US Open defense, winning 14 in a row from the losing side and defending his title, is also very precious, and it’s a record that won’t be beaten. We went on to discuss the Mosconi Cup. He played 15 Mosconi Cups. His favorite win in the Mosconi Cup was getting the MVP in 2008, and it was sinking the winning 9 against SVB! Which was the second-best feeling! His next big win that he would like to get under his belt is The World 8 Ball! He would love to add that to his list of wins! A 1-pocket title would be a nice addition to his wins as well! Mika wants to express his gratitude to the pool community for their love and support. He would like to extend a special thanks to Jeanette Lee for the heart-warming gesture she made on his GoFundMe account, which touched his heart and left him speechless. Mika is fighting hard and staying positive, and he is immensely grateful for the network of friends and family who are standing behind him during this difficult time. You can help Mika Immonen with medical costs by going to his GoFundMe page at: https:// gofund.me/da06d27e

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MATT ANDREWS MENTORING

TEAMWORK – INFLUENCING THE PACK

he chalk dust from the 30th Mosconi Cup has long settled and been swept away with the Christmas tinsel at Alexandra Palace, as have the resignations and celebrations from the December event. Two teams, Team Europe and Team USA, with all the apprehension, excitement, and anticipation felt before the tournament, are left thinking over the results of it all and are back settled down after the party to dry clean the suits and nurse the hangovers while the analysis of what went right or wrong begins. The Mosconi Cup is a tournament that showcases the ability of some of the best in the sport. However, pool players all around the world at various levels will transfer between playing individually or as a team member regularly, and knowing what can make a great team member can greatly help a player improve their performance also as an individual.

same issues in our pool hall when it comes to working with others to bond and play well together fluently to make the biggest impact here. We explore what areas we can work on to create that winning unit, as well as cover some of the things that may or may not have worked well during the Mosconi Cup. A strong pool team requires far more than just relying upon each individual’s high level of ability; it needs consistent unity, great communication, a high level of trust, respect, understanding, and knowledge, amongst other things, of what motivates each player and what calms and focuses individuals when needed. Clear goals should be established with plans for achieving them, and a positive environment should be developed where everyone feels heard and valued.

As they say, there is no I in Team, but as I always say, if you look hard enough, you will find a ME, and although we can be encouraged to think of the group, it is important to look at ourselves and how we can make the difference.

Teammates must be able to trust each other and trust each other’s abilities and skills; this can often be achieved through regular practice sessions with each other, as well as watching each other’s matches and playing styles and knowing their experiences and past achievements. Learning from When putting a team together, there is a need to each other can help build a strong connection find a balance across many elements; many teams by talking over various scenarios and providing across all team sports have often made the mistake encouraging feedback while supporting each other of picking their members on talent alone and often to remain positive when experiencing setbacks. what that talent has achieved in the past. Knowing that teammates are trying their best and are fully motivated toward the cause can greatly Much consideration when being around national improve a team’s cohesion. teams has also been around fan or public opinion, and a large problem for any manager Knowing how your own mindset and approach or coach is, “How can I not include them? What can affect others around you and having this selfwill the fans think?” awareness not only helps yourself but also your teammates, who can take a lead from your own Although large professional team events are an body language. extreme pinnacle of the sport, we can face the SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

Losses are important opportunities for individuals and teams to learn, providing moments of growth and improvement rather than just a sense of failure and disappointment, and it’s important for teammates to encourage each other to see these moments as such so that a growth mindset is maintained, allowing for continued learning.

role but also how they can look after themselves, maintain their own healthy mindset, and how their actions and behaviours affect and impact others. This is great not only for the team but also for the individual if they have especially not worked upon or recognised this area before and can hugely help them in the future. An individual’s personality, attitude, and body language can greatly impact By continuing a growth mindset, teams can bounce the performance of a team and make a huge back from setbacks and greatly increase their difference in achieving the planned goals. chances of improving their performance going Players can ask themselves if they are the best team forward into future matches and tournaments. members they can be. A team can, in many cases, have a more balanced view of a situation and match than an individual, Do you maintain a positive attitude? which allows for mistakes to be analysed and for changes to be implemented. A positive attitude not only looks after your own mindset but also contributes to the overall morale Great opportunities arise when competing in team of a team. Positivity helps overcome setbacks and events, such as collaborating together to optimise challenges, helping improve performance and a the group’s abilities and skills while analysing happier environment to be involved with. Positivity and planning to counteract opponents and the breeds positivity, which also helps with motivation opposition. This can greatly help individuals to and keeping energy levels within a team high. identify key elements that can help them plan better and to be more organised for individual Knowing and appreciating each other’s roles competition; however, having team members in a team and remaining flexible and open to to bounce ideas off of can enhance the team’s working with others helps a team gain stability overall performance by sharing tactics, tips, and consistency; a team can often have a mixture and knowledge providing a solid foundation of personalities and egos, which can be used and strategy. in several positive ways, such as motivating or calming when appropriate and to grow confidence A positive team atmosphere that shows a sense and belief. of fair play, respecting opponents, and gracefully accepting losses and wins can show its own kind Are you aware of the body language that of strength and resilience, outwardly grabbing you project? people’s attention and focus that in itself can build an aura of being hard to beat and a team that Non-verbal communication plays an extremely others would want to be a member of. This good important role in team dynamics. Sitting straight, sportsmanship can greatly gain a team a head standing tall, looking positive, looking focused and start in matches as the team has already had a engaged, and projecting good energy help to instil presence in opponents’ minds. confidence, control, and calmness. Think of a team who have a great reputation within your area, perhaps one that you have competed against, and take note of what makes them great, what important traits they have and regularly use, how they support each other, and how they use good Sportsmanship. A team that may not always play well but reacts well to various situations will often have great support, which in turn will have many great benefits. So the ME A good team will perform best when its individuals are aware and accountable for not only their 46

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A player looking up at their teammates and seeing someone slouched, looking uncertain, worried, or concerned, or perhaps sighing, shaking their head, etc., is only going to be off-putting, energydraining, and confidence-sapping and can quickly unsettle an individual and demoralise a team. Often it is forgotten the effect that this can also have upon a rival team as energy lost from one team is handed to another and will help to inspire them instead as they see the heads drop of their competitors. The more people within a team that are aware

of these elements, the better; ideally, every member will have better control of these aspects, and individually, these areas are what a player would be highly recommended to work on to enhance their own individual performance. No matter your role within a team, you have the power to influence the pack. You can make the difference.

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JPECHAUER PRESS RELEASE

DAVID ALCAIDE JOINS TEAM PECHAUER

J. PECHAUER CUSTOM CUES WELCOMES WORLD CHAMPION POOL PLAYER DAVID ALCAIDE TO EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP.

. Pechauer Custom Cues, a world-renowned pool cue manufacturing company, proudly announces the signing of professional pool player David Alcaide to an exclusive partnership. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both Pechauer and Alcaide, a partnership that will combine expertise and excellence in the world of pool.

Recently concluding an exceptional 2023 season, Alcaide ended the year as the #9 ranked player in the world, according to the WNT World Rankings. Alcaide claimed victory at the 2023 European Open Championship and played a pivotal role within Europe’s Mosconi Cup Team, among other achievements. Alcaide’s accomplishments are remarkable, but it is his sportsmanship, respect within the community, and strong character that makes this partnership even more fitting. “We could not be more thrilled to have David join the Team Pechauer family,” says Joe Pechauer, President of Pechauer Cues. “David’s core values and talent, coupled with his commitment to the products that we have spent decades carefully perfecting, will make for a very exciting partnership,” says Pechauer. “As we begin this journey together, we look forward to achieving new milestones and developing a lasting relationship rooted in mutual respect, hard work, and shared ambition,” Pechauer expressed. Alcaide is also very excited about the journey ahead with Pechauer. “I have arrived at a point in my life where I am conscious of every unique moment and special experience in my career. Because of this, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that this very special team at Pechauer has given me,” says Alcaide. “I am excited to both improve my game and help Pechauer continue to innovate new products in their brand. To work with Joe and the rest of the team and be a part of an exciting partnership is the best thing that could have happened to me. It feels like a new life. With these new wings, I am motivated to work harder than ever, achieve my goals, and make Pechauer proud of me.” Pechauer feels it is a special moment for both the company and those who use Pechauer equipment, stating, 48

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“It is a proud day to bring our line of products to the highest level of competition and hopefully make those who have put their trust in our brand for the last 60 years equally as excited as David, and we are for this journey ahead.” Early discussions are already in motion for a David Alcaide cue line. Learn more about each partner and follow on social media below for further updates. J PECHAUER DAVID ALCAIDE About J. Pechauer Custom Cues: J. Pechauer Custom Cues has been supplying art and performance to the billiard community for over 60 years. Pechauer Cues was founded in 1963 and has since established itself as a trusted name in the world of cue manufacturing. As a family-owned and operated business with a forward-thinking approach, Pechauer Cues takes pride in delivering the highest quality American-made products around the globe. For more information about J. Pechauer Custom Cues, please visit pechauer.com. About David Alcaide: David Alcaide has been playing pool since the age of eight years old in his hometown of Málaga, Spain. By the age of 12, Alcaide became runner up in the yearly national Spanish Championships. By age 14, he became a champion, and the rest is history. On top of many more championships in Spain, Alcaide has gone on to become a two-time World Pool Masters Champion, World Cup of Pool Champion, three-time Mosconi Cup Champion, and six-time European Champion.

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KEITH SHANER

AN EVERYMAN AND HIS DERBY CITY DREAMS – PART ONE

I remember one day seeing a guy in the corner, just breaking and racking the balls over and over. His break was crazy. It ended up being Cory Duel, who I got to see play a bunch of money matches there and that’s what probably got me hooked for life.

he Derby City Classic is one of the premier events in the world of pool, and it’s certainly my favorite to attend. I have been fortunate to have been able to play and watch the action there many times in the past, so I love seeing when someone else gets to experience DCC for the first time. A local player in central Ohio has been dreaming of going to The Derby for a very long time, and this year, that dream came true. This is part one of an

Everyman sharing his story leading up to attending the DCC, and then next month, we will get with him again as he shares the experience of being there in person. Let me present to you Richard Ashby! KS: So, Richard, tell us a little about who you are and what you do. RA: I’m 43. I do commercial painting for a living. I’m SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

a very easy-going, laid-back roll with the punches kind of guy. KS: Where are you from, and what was it like for you growing up? RA: I grew up on the southeast side of Columbus, Ohio. Growing up for me was really kind of tough. I went through a lot of trauma as a young child. I got burnt really bad when I was seven years old and had third-degree burns over forty percent of my body, and kids are not very nice. KS: That’s certainly a tough start as a young person. When were you first introduced to pool, and what other activities interested you? RA: There are a few things that stand out to me when I think about how I was introduced to pool I had to go to counseling when I was really young to deal with anger issues, and they had a bumper pool table there. I look forward to playing on. And when I was around twelve, I was in Kentucky, and my uncle Dallas was showing me a bunch of trick shots and 3 rail banks. That’s definitely one of the reasons I like playing banks so much. KS: When did pool become a primary focus for you? RA: Pool became a primary focus for me when I was 15; a small room called Shooters opened across the street from the mall close to my house. KS: Who were some of your favorite players when you were first coming up? RA: Some of my favorite players back then were Mike Massy, who I got to see do an exhibition in the little pool room I hung out in, and, of course, all the guys like Earl and Jonny, who you could see on ESPN back in the day. When I was around seventeen, I started going to Cornfed Reds, a big poolroom in Columbus at the time. I remember one day seeing a guy in the corner, just breaking and racking the balls over and over. His break was crazy. It ended up being Cory Duel, who I got to see play a bunch of money matches there and that’s what probably got me hooked for life. The action was crazy. KS: Nowadays - What’s a normal week of pool for you on a regular basis? Leagues, tournaments, practice time…?

league on Wednesday nights. Then tournaments Friday night and Saturday nights, especially since I’ve been getting ready for The Derby. The practice time on the off days. KS: Now we come to one of my personal favorites, The Derby City Classic, when did you first learn about the DCC? RA: I remember hearing about The Derby back when it first started. I love going to big tournaments and have always wanted to go to the biggest major tournament, The Derby. KS: Have you attended a major tournament in the past? RA: I’ve been to the US Open when it was still in Virginia. I didn’t play it, I just went with my cousin Andrew who played. He drew Joshua Filler in the first match. It was a pretty cool experience. KS: What attracted you to The Derby City Classic? RA: What attracted me to the Derby? Well, I’ve always wanted to go, and this year, my cousin called and said he was getting a room and asked if I wanted to come. So, here we go! KS: So now the DCC dream is coming true, and you are going for the first time; what events are you playing? RA: I’m signed up to play in the banks as I feel like that’s the only game where I won’t make a total fool out of myself. [Laughing] KS: How are you preparing for the event, and when did you start getting ready? RA: I’ve been preparing for this for about two months now. I’ve been playing lots of matches of bank pool with all the strong players I can find and just practicing a lot more. KS: With so many of the world’s elite, mid-tier, top shortstops…etc. coming from all over, are you excited to be in that type of atmosphere? RA: I’m extremely excited to be around the best players in the world. I can’t wait to take it all in with my cousin. This is like the Super Bowl, and I get to go!

RA: Nowadays, a normal week of pool for me would KS: What kinds of expectations and goals have be a singles League on Monday night. A NAPA team you set for yourself? 52

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RA: Some of my favorite players now, I would have RA: As far as expectations go. I expect to learn to say, are Fedor Gorst, Shane Wolford, Billy Thorpe, something. That’s the main goal of playing at The Skyler Woodward, and, of course, SVB. Also, I Derby, to learn something while I’m there. I also like watching all these young players from Europe expect I will have a great time! coming out, like Moritz Neuhausen and Wictor Zielinski. I really enjoy watching all these players KS: Do you closely follow professional pool as far as because of the level of excellence they achieve on the tracking player results and/or watching streams? table. It’s amazing to watch sometimes how close to perfect they can get. RA: If I’m not working or playing pool, I’m probably watching it. I love the fact that there is always a KS: What story do you think Pool has to tell the stream going on and all the Accu stats videos that world as far as its players, its fanbase, and the get released. I like the old Derby videos; I especially community that is currently built around it? love watching Banks and One Pocket. RA: As far as what the pool community has to tell KS: From a fan’s perspective and as someone the world, I would say that we accept all types. I have heading to a major event, what are your thoughts met so many different kinds of people playing pool, on what is going on with the WPA and the and it’s crazy how this community comes together building of the WNT by Matchroom? to help out when somebody needs it. I just played in a benefit a few weeks ago that had 43 teams and RA: As far as what’s going on with the WPA and raised thousands of dollars for a young couple in Matchroom, we need to get more money involved in the community who had some unexpected medical pool to grow the sport, and Matchroom seems to be expenses and were going to be missing work for a putting their money where their mouth is. while. Everyone comes out and does what they can to help. KS: Who are some of your favorite players to watch these days, and what do you like KS: How do you think pool can attract more casual about them? fans to watch major events? Do you think being a serious player is a requirement to be a fan? Can a SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

non-player enjoy watching the sport and become connected to professional players through more backstories, more highlights, interviews, and a presentation that presents a better viewer experience?

programs that we have locally, and what impact have you seen them have on pool in this area?

RA: I’ve seen firsthand what these junior leagues are capable of, and this is exactly how you grow the RA: As far as attracting more casual players to game. There has always been some kid out there watching pool I think first you need to be able to kicking butt and taking names, and now they are appreciate how easy they make it look and know everywhere! The local youth league here has had that it’s not. I don’t think you need to be a serious over fifty kids at once, and they do a great job of player to be a serious fan, but you must love the teaching them the game and sportsmanship. It’s game. I don’t think non-players would watch it really a great opportunity for the kids, gives them without some kind of soap opera drama just because goals and focus, and just a positive environment for they make it look too easy. I do think learning more them to be in where they can bond with friends about the players and their backstory would create and family. fans. There are a lot of interesting characters that play pool. And to me, as a fan, a big part of KS: Now for my usual first interview ending. watching pool is listening to the commentators, What do you like to do away from the table? Any and the better the commentator, the better the hobbies or pursuits that you enjoy during the year? experience. A good commentator will make you a better player if you listen to them. To me, the best RA: Outside of pool I really enjoy fishing and riding of all time was Grady Matthews. He was always my motorcycle, going to concerts or comedy shows. I halfway through explaining what the players were like cooking probably because I like eating and really going to do before they even knew what they were that’s about it. going to do. KS: Richard, I want to thank you for taking the KS: There has been a surge in Junior events in time to do this for us and letting us have a glimpse the past few years but there have also been some of you as you pursue a dream and get set for a restrictions placed on them as well. Most agree grand adventure. As you said, “Here we go!” that pool has to improve junior programs and Thank you so much. gain more interest from young players, especially here in the US. What do you think of the junior

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GARRET TROOP

BRIDGE-MATE, A GREAT BILLIARD ACCESSORY

n the world of new and trendy items on the market, there is an ever-present trend of trying to reinvent the wheel. With that being said, it’s essential to see the prospect that newer things might have a place on the market to innovate to a different level of excellence.

bridge that is perfect for any occasion when you need to get further down the table and you need to get down the table just a little more. There are creations that allow you to bridge off the rail and over balls. I see Larry in his infancy when it comes to his designs and see a bright future for his products.

I had the chance to meet Larry Holton of LH Inventions, who is from Waterford, Michigan. He came up with a new idea and decided to pursue it. He named it the Bridge-Mate, which is a bridgehead initially created for handicapped players. His product line is specifically designed for players with disabilities, those in a wheelchair, or those who struggle to make a decent bridge.

This bridge has many, many uses, and I will personally keep it in my case for years to come. I can’t rave enough about this and feel that all players should give it a go. There are so many options out there for bridges, and this is the one I choose. Check out his website, order your Bridge-Mate here, and join the family. This bridge is the perfect addition to any case. They retail for $35.

The Bridge-Mate has a unique design that allows you to use the bridgehead independently and almost have a hands-free experience. I’ve used a lot of bridges, and this one is very unique. All of Larry’s products are made with the intention of helping those who love the game of pool but have limitations. Visit Larry Holton’s Facebook pages to view how these great bridges have helped players! LH Inventions.

These bridgeheads are a necessary addition to your game. It allows you to play on any table, which is a big help for the league players. The players that just want to get out and have a little fun and the hustle’s wanting a little extra edge. Larry now offers a 3D printed version with a two-piece design that allows you to break it down for an easier way to carry it in your case.

This bridge, with the proper marketing, could really make some big waves in the industry. It’s a universal 56

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Here is the link that you can buy them from: https:// lh-inventions.square.site/

All of the bridges are unique in their own way. The 3D version has all the same great attributes as this one. This version has a wire frame with a tube that has a soft inner lining that prevents cue scratching. They all come with an aluminum base to add weight and hold it to the table for stability. The tubes come in a variety of colors and universal size and length.

Larry Holton was recently at the WPA World Artistic Pool Championship and had his Bridge-Mates at the tournament! Check out his short video on his Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/ reel/1079931006447222 Here is another link to photos from the WPA World Artistic Pool Championship These bridges are designed to be used one-handed, with Florian and Larry! https://www. and it feels a little awkward at first, but you will come facebook.com/groups/689815606386183/ to love them. This allows you to use a variety of cue- posts/781587127209030/ handling positions. The dimensions of the bridge are This product definitely gets the SPM Seal of the aluminum base, which is 50mm wide; the tube Approval. I can’t wait to see what else Larry comes is also 50mm long to create synergy between the two of them; and it is 67mm tall, creating the perfect out with. This is a keeper. height for cue positioning. I personally know a girl who is very short but can run tables entirely with a bridge. It’s an amazing site to see, and she would love this. It’s those little things that you have to think about. For a very long time, the universal bridge to use was the moose. No, it’s not a bad design, but the little grommet would wear out over time. It had limited sizing and needed the use of another cue. Different people and companies have made a lot of different variations on the Moose head bridge, and this is simply the next evolutionary step and the next level to getting your cue in the perfect position to make the shot no matter where you are on the table, and what sets you back this will set you forward.

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EMILY DUDDY “THE BILLIARD BOMBSHELL”

PRO TIPS MENTAL TECHNIQUES WHILE IN “THE CHAIR”

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THE LAST SHOT: Analyze the last shot quickly - decide what went right and/or wrong. Would you do something differently? Then let it go! Did you make the right decision? Did you consider offense & defense? Did you commit 100% to the shot while standing up? Did you make a mistake in your PSR (pre-shoot routine) or fundamentals? Let mistakes go & get ready to shoot! ADRENALINE MANAGEMENT: Consider your adrenaline, nerves, heart rate, mental state. You want to feel calm & ready. You want to be aware of how you feel and then adjust to find that sweet spot. Do you feel nervous? Frustrated? Overly Excited? Overly confident? Bored? Try to relax your eyes/body before your next shot. You want to conserve energy. Consider using a breathing technique to manage your heart rate. (Ex - 4 count in, 4 count hold, 4 count out. Repeat as needed) Feeling tired or bored? Remember how much you love the game. Remind yourself of a big win & how that felt. Channel the excitement of playing well. WHEN THE STRUGGLE IS REAL Are you struggling to execute well? Making uncharacteristic errors? Are you simply struggling to shoot your best? Take it one shot at a time. Focus on doing the best you can. Be kind to yourself; you are human. Remember, even world champs struggle. Enjoy the beauty of the game, and remember winning/losing, rank and money won are all temporary. CONCENTRATE ON THE TABLE Focus your attention on the pattern of the balls instead of your opponent. Look for problems or clusters that might need to be broken out. Identify key shots—open pockets for 8-ball, pattern options for rotation. Get ready for your next opportunity instead of being upset you’re not at the table or that your opponent is playing well. Good luck & happy shooting! Emily Duddy, “The Billiard Bombshell”

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Inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters And World Pool Championship To Take Place In Riyadh And Jeddah As Part Of Major 10-Year Deal

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nooker’s ‘fourth Major,’ with over £2m prize fund, to launch in Riyadh in August

‘Crown Jewel’ World Pool Championship will take place in Jeddah this June Exciting legacy commitment with the Ministry of Sport for Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation sees a strong focus on developing both sports in the region over the next decade The world’s best snooker and Nineball pool players will this year descend upon Saudi Arabia to launch a 10-year deal that will bring two major annual sporting events to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and transform Billiards in the Middle East. The World Snooker Tour and World Nineball Tour – in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation and the Ministry of Sport for Saudi Arabia – confirmed today that a historic, decade-long association will start this summer, with events in both Riyadh and Jeddah.

ADAM CLAPHAM

sports and we’re excited by the opportunity to add new world-class events in snooker and Nineball pool to our growing year-round calendar. Hosting global events is all part of our strategy to grow all sports and to inspire our people to participate by giving them the chance to enjoy live sporting action. We are a young country with a young population and the approach is working. Since 2018 we’ve hosted over 100 international sports events and during that time sports participation has more than tripled.” Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s ongoing social and economic transformation, the country has become a welcoming host for some of the biggest global sports events for both male and female athletes including football, motorsports, tennis, equestrian, esports and golf, attended by over 2.6 million sports fans.

Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has forged a reputation for growth and creating new opportunities for sports to grow in a new market to new fans. The country has hosted some of the world’s premier sporting events in recent years, welcoming visitors from all It begins this June (3rd-8th) when the 2024 World over to experience its passion for sport and unique Pool Championship – the crown jewel of the World culture. The addition of both the Saudi Arabia Nineball Tour – takes place at the Green Halls Snooker Masters and World Pool Championship in Jeddah. over the next decade further enhances that as it heralds an exciting chapter for Snooker and Nineball A record World Nineball Tour prize fund of pool. We have seen the incredible impact Boxing has $1,000,000 will be contested by the planet’s premier had in this region. Now, I believe we will see Billiards pool cueists, including reigning world champion cement its legacy here too, creating incredible Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, five-time US Open opportunities and competition for the finest players champion and 2022 world champion Shane Van on the planet.” Boening, and 2018 world champion Joshua Filler. Saudi Arabia Billiard & Snooker Federation President, Dr. Nasser Saab Al-Shammari, added: Then, in August (31st-September 7th) in Riyadh, “The introduction of two brand new global events in the inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters – Saudi Arabia with long-term deals in place is spearheaded by the world’s leading players – takes an absolute game-changing moment for our sports. place and officially becomes the sport’s ‘fourth We have a flourishing community, but until now, major’’. Alongside the traditional Triple Crown opportunities were limited exposed to the events, a prize pot of over £2million will be at stake in what is the second richest event on the prestigious game’s elite. World Snooker Tour schedule in 2024. “This will undoubtedly accelerate our progress and development. We look forward to warmly The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters will be a world welcoming the very best snooker and Nineball pool ranking event open to all 128 tour players, plus six players in the world to the Kingdom and taking their local wild cards from the Saudi Arabian Billiard & sports into the heart of our communities while also Snooker Federation. giving emerging young Saudi players the chance to compete at this level for the first time with a HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Saudi ‘home’ event.” Minister of Sport, and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Sports said: “Both events will be underpinned by community engagement to “Saudi Arabia is an ever-emerging home to all SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

introduce new players to the sport and will open up new talent pathways over the decade. Clinics for coaches, referees, and player visits will guarantee a massive boost and a bright future for both snooker and pool in Saudi Arabia.

Global television syndication will ensure fans around the world will get to enjoy both the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters and the World Pool Championship.

Both sports have also pledged a strong focus and commitment to grow and develop the game in the region in tandem with the Saudi Arabian Billiard and Snooker Federation, along with offering wild card places to burgeoning local talent to take part in the annual world-class competitions. Further details in relation to both ground-breaking events will be released in due course separately by the World Snooker Tour and the World Nineball Tour.

Catch up from last years 2023 World Pool Championship Francisco Sanchez Ruiz won the 2023 World Pool Championshipafter a long match with Runner Up Winner Mohammad Soufi which was held in Kielce, Poland. Francisco Sanchez Ruiz played Mario He in the Semi Finalas winning 11-8. Mohammad Soufi playeda against Wu Kun Lin. An older Matchroom article stated, “The Syrian left Wu Kun Lin frozen in his chair at times as he raced into a 6-0 within inside 45 minutes. Wu had chances but otherwise it was flawless pool by Soufi.” Mohammad won the Semi Finals 11-6, and secured his spot in the Finals against FSR. In the finals FSR won the match 13-10 against Mohammad Soufi becoming the 2023 winner of the World Pool Championship! What will happen this year at the WPC!

FRANCISCO SANCHEZ RUIZ WINNER AT THE 2023 WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO BY TAKA WU OF MATCHROOM MULTI SPORT

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MOHAMMAD SOUFI RUNNER UP AT THE 2023 WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO BY TAKA WU OF MATCHROOM MULTI SPORT

MARIO HE, FSR, MOHAMMAD SOUFI, & WU KUN LIN THE FINAL FOUR, PHOTO BY TAKA WU OF MATCHROOM MULTI SPORT

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MARK WHITE ROLLING OUT THE INTERVIEWS

he month of January and February has been a great month for interviews! Mark White has been busy talking it up on the microphone on video and off! He recently commentated the WPA World Artistic Pool Championship all the way from Thailand! Mark has been on a roll He recently interviewed Katherine Marie Blackbird-Arcan Miller CEO of Native Billiards Foundation, Kelly Fisher MBE, Jason Freddie Lynch that put togetherf the WPA World Artistic Pool Championship in Bay Coty, Michigan and Allsison Fisher MBE! The interviews are below if you woul dlike tgo take a listen to any of them!

Katherine Marie Blackbird-Arcan Miller CEO of Native Billiards Foundation Interview

HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/L5VZEWCADIK

Kelly Fisher MBE Interview

https://youtu.be/woNM9aw-3iY?si=4m-O5jp4DNcn4JYI 64

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Jason Freeie Lynch, “The Michigan Kid” Intertview

https://youtu.be/wocO0q1ZzCc

Allison Fisher MBE Interview

https://youtu.be/0ftpVcGEjjs

“The Krystal” Kristina Tkach Interview

https://youtu.be/hfPFnDum_94 SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

WPBA PRESS RELEASE

JERI ENGH ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER A TRAILBLAZING CAREER IN PROFESSIONAL POOL

JERI ENGH WPBA EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY BY CORBY DAYHOFF FOR WPBA

he Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) is both proud and nostalgic to announce the upcoming retirement of one of its most inspiring players, Jeri Engh, after the 2024 season. Jeri, who will be turning 86 this year, has decided to make this year her final tour, marking the end of an extraordinary journey in the world of professional pool.

Jeri’s story is not just about pool; it’s a tale of discovering new beauty and exuberance in life. Her journey began in Horse Creek, Wisconsin, where a 9-foot Brunswick pool table, originally from the Minneapolis Athletic Club, found its way into her family’s farmhouse. What started as a strategy to keep her teenage son and his friends close, turned into a lifelong passion for Jeri. Hours spent practicing in a snowmobile suit in an unheated basement laid the foundation for a remarkable career. SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

Jeri and her husband Rohn’s forays into the local taverns of rural Wisconsin in the 70s marked the beginning of her competitive journey. Despite being a rare sight as a woman in pool halls at the time, Jeri navigated this male-dominated world with grace and skill, earning respect and admiration from all quarters. Her experiences ranged from the conviviality of friendly games to the tension of being mistaken for a hustler in the more remote bars of the Northwoods. Her competitive spirit took her to the 1979 Pro-am in Las Vegas, a pivotal moment that solidified her love for the sport. Jeri’s dedication to mastering the game was evident in her voracious consumption of pool literature and her eagerness to learn from the legends of the sport. Her journey through the professional circuit in her 50s and 60s, often as the most senior member, is a testament to her tenacity and love for the game. The challenges Jeri faced and overcame, both on and off the table, are a crucial part of her story. Her resilience in the face of prejudice as a woman in a male-dominated sport, her triumph in local league play, and her memorable victories against seasoned players all speak to her extraordinary character and skill. The support and mentorship she received from greats like Jay Helfert, Jerry Briesath, Nick Varner, and his dad, Nick Sr., Buddy Hall, Grady Mathews, and many others were instrumental in her growth as a player and as a person. Jeri’s return to the sport after a 17-year hiatus following the passing of her beloved husband, Rohn, is a story of resilience and the healing power of passion. Her recent accolade, the respected WPBA Tournament Director’s Award in 2023, is a fitting tribute to her enduring spirit and contribution to the sport. As Jeri prepares for her final year on the tour, she reflects on a career that has been as much about people and relationships as it has been about the sport. Her gratitude extends to her family, sponsors, fellow players, and the WPBA community, who have been her support system throughout this journey. Jeri’s 2024 season will kick off at the WPBA Fairfield Invitational in Fairfield, Iowa, from March 21st to 24th. This event marks the beginning of her farewell tour, where she plans to participate in as many events as possible, embracing every opportunity to compete and celebrate her final year with the WPBA. The WPBA celebrates Jeri Engh’s remarkable career and her contributions to the sport of pool. Her story is one of passion, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence, serving as an inspiration to players of all ages and backgrounds. “Here’s to 2024! Bring it on!” - Jeri Engh For more information, please contact the WPBA Office (wpbaoffice9@gmail.com) **About WPBA** The Women’s Professional Billiard Association is the governing body for women’s professional billiards in the U.S.A., and is dedicated to promoting the sport and providing a platform for women’s professional pool.

SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

Greg Hogue Red Door Training Den

THE BIG QUESTION

hy do we miss balls? And the truth is many reasons can add up to a missed shot. All the favorites come to mind. My Head moved, my shoulders came up, I flat-out jumped up on the shot, or I didn’t line up right. It’s a long list…

translates to looking at where the Cueball will end up on that shot. The final outcome of a pool shot comes in two parts The outcome of the target and the positioning of the Cueball.

But the one thing I never hear or read about from the top coaches is subconsciously tracking—the cue ball It’s up to you, the player, to realize in order to Excel, and looking for its destination. you must watch the outcome of the target instead of its counterpart watching where the cue ball ends up. It’s something that happens so quickly that the player (he or she) doesn’t even realize they’re doing The fix is fairly simple. The key is to train your brain it. I see it all the time: amateurs and upper level, even to look at the pocket after impact. some pros. So after you do your pre-shot, get into position, pull Most players don’t realize any movement from the the trigger, and focus your eyes on the pocket only. head area moves the neck and shoulders. That, It’s an easy transition, but it takes a little time to in turn, moves you off the shot line at the most get comfortable important time. At impact, the body and stance must be solid It just happens in the Blink of an Eye. concrete, like only the arm and eyes moving. It’s my understanding that subconsciously, the mind wants to see the outcome of the task at hand. That

SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

CHIP KLEIN

Myths of the Game Exposed! “If I stroke the ball and follow through I will get more distance with a much softer stroke.” No. You won’t. It may feel like it to you but when you decide to follow through, you most likely are pulling back a little farther and acceleration will feel smoother which makes you think you are hitting softer, leading to false evidence conclusions.

beleive it was 15 mph. Conclusion: Follow-through was irrelevant when struck with the same speed, and same spot on the Qball. However, most students and players report hitting the object ball more accurately with a finish past 8 inches.

But it certainly isn’t necessary. A 15 mph stroke is a 15 mph stroke no matter what magic you have in your arm and wrist. Often a Many players can draw the Qball the whole player strokes differently and hits the Qball at length of the table with very little follow-through. a different spot and uses this as evidence to support theory. Using a speed gun in 2005, here are two balls struck with the same tip speed after dozens of attempts. One is a 20 inch follow through and one is a 3 inch follow through. The results were similar within a few inches. A tip crutch was used to insure same contact on Qball and the same elevation of grip hand was noted as to insure the energy crossing the cueball was the same. Black line was 20 inch follow-through. Yellow line was 3 inch follow-through. My notes did not indicate speed of strike but I

SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

SPM Billiards Magazine Issue 43

Articles inside

MIKA IMMONEN ICEMAN

G1’s Drill Run!