I started this grand adventure thirteen years ago in a disgusting hotel, hoping to keep my family alive. Last month, we published our 50th issue, and now we look back to where we came from, where we are now, and into the future of what SPM and the billiards community have to come this year.
Where We Came From
Many of you already know the story. If you do not, it goes a little like this.
I was homeless. My wife at the time was nine months pregnant with my daughter Willow. I sold anything I could, including my cues and case to keep us in an infested hotel until Willow was born. I went crazy without having my cues and being unable to play, I couldn’t earn even a little money.
I started SPM while in that hotel by making a Facebook group with the intent to share the knowledge that I had, which at the time wasn’t shit. But I started a group and watched it flourish as more people connected. I was masking my depression while trying to encourage the group to grow. While in a dark place, I found that working to develop the community and learning a lot along the way was not knowing what would become of the idea. We eventually saved enough money to move out with my new daughter and two sons.
Facebook groups were a new feature and I learned a lot of hard lessons about social media at this time. I realized that I didn’t know what I wanted. It evolved from an idea forming into a snowball, that once started rolling down the mountain became an avalanche.
A year later I was working with Sandy Schuman, who had an existing billiards-based magazine. After I started gaining momentum, I began to see that I could turn this community that I started into a small business. I gathered a small group of people, including Rosanna Rameriz to do our graphic design work. Our editor at that time was Suzanne Osborn Smith. Once we connected with a few writers, it was easy to see the idea form into a reality. We all worked hard to produce and create the first issue in September 2013, a true accomplishment. This issue had #Eric Roberts on the cover, with an article about Eric being the youngest APA player at that time with the rest of his accomplishments.
But before this, I was over in life and my only accomplishment was populating the world with my bloodline. I purchased a domain in August of 2013 and got my custom website up with only a single issue created. The entire time I worked hard to expand the group I started with my passion, dedication, and common knowledge of the sport. This gained me many comments and new threads and each one added to the avalanche you see here today.
So when I started I had the drive and vision of what I wanted although I was not a writer. The first article I wrote was a pro is specific cue was a straight maple cue and I had received it at the Super Billiards Expo in 2014. Shawn is a great guy and really helped me along the way. This was before the advent of the Carbon Fiber Craze. The cue had a straight maple shaft and a 3/8X10 pin. This was the starting point of my becoming a contributing part of the company I created.
So I quickly understood that this is what I wanted to do with my life. After starting it I soon became an LLC. Although this legitimized the company that had on paper had just started it was a personal milestone and I remember the feeling when it came in the mail. It made me feel important and like I had accomplished something. It’s not our past that defines us, it’s our actions post-crash. I look back on the milestones and accomplishments that really matter. Becoming a single father and running a business was very hard for me. Before SPM I only lived in the moment and had no long-distance foresight into the future. I’ve always had big dreams and ambitions but what SPM did was put all
that together and I started pushing myself to become more than my past defined me as. 2025 will be a huge year for SPM and it’s taking me 13 years to get to the point. In the coming year, I’m going to fulfill the ideas and passions that I’ve had since I started this empire.
I’m extremely excited to see the growth of SPM
Putting a magazine together isn’t easy. Doing it month after month is very difficult. Doing it fifty times is a mountain to climb. It’s really like herding cats, there are many moving parts. Getting writers together, trying to create a deadline, and then getting it edited and submitted to the graphic designer is all hard. But the hardest part of this entire shit show is acquiring content. And again, bringing that new fresh content to you month after month, over fifty issues, takes a village. Even to this day, we struggle with that. But my original goal was to have a monthly billiard-lifestyle magazine full of everything that the billiard enthusiast needed in the industry. And that is what we strive for.
So for me, SPM makes me feel like somebody in life. I’ve always been a very passionate person in life but this put a direction into my drive. I’m creating a legacy that my children will be proud of. I have made my fair share of mistakes along the way and I try to learn from each of them. Maybe not the first time but eventually I learned. I’m extremely excited to see the growth of SPM, and I look forward to the new horizon.
I found out how hard those feet actually were. So my monthly goals turned into a quarterly publication. This was frustrating but after the first few issues, it became a smoother rhythm. There were times when it was really hard to create content and get it in on time. Throughout
this entire evolution, I gained a following and lost colleagues like an ebb and flow of the ocean.
We learned creating this new magazine on a monthly cycle was unrealistic. We were forced to turn it into a quarterly publication. It wasn’t what we wanted and that frustrated us, but after the first few issues, we began to find a smoother rhythm in our production.
This became the norm and I started to learn about different ways to create content. Nine years ago we added a blog and more and more content started coming in. I started a YouTube channel but had no idea how impactful that platform would have on a business like mine. The big changes came when I began creating and sharing more and more content in the community to grow my following. I needed help and learned many lessons from many great people I still call friends.
In 2021, we were in a better place and getting a better feel for the industry, so we started creating a monthly magazine cycle again. I learned that we should reserve our cover for content more relevant to the “current” industry.
Through a strange meeting, I met Kat Day. She gave her time and energy into my project and not being in the industry. We grew as colleges and started creating more and more. I was working with another web designer at the time. He had hired Kat and it was a good fit and she is very loyal and dedicated. Kat is a great asset and we have grown to understand what we expect from each other.
You see, I had a plan of great ideas that I wanted to pursue. After thirteen years my original plan hasn’t changed that much. It has just become more refined. I created a monthly magazine, blog, growing podcast, and YouTube channel working with Mark White. How cool is that?
I am incredibly thankful for the relationships I have created and evolved in this industry. These friends set the stage for what I believe is possible, and without their guidance and support, I doubt we would’ve gotten this far.
But now we look to the future with confidence. This next step is limitless. This next year will be a huge step for me and the industry.
The Future of SPM
We have learned so much to get this far. We may have achieved our original goal of creating a monthly billiard lifestyle magazine, but that only means it is time to set new goals.
The first new goal of 2025 is to do the old goal perfectly, every time. As I said earlier, pulling these issues together takes a village. We will do better. At times, we have missed months. At times, we have made mistakes with our content. We accept that and apologize. But we’re making changes to fix those problems so that they do not continue to happen.
The next major goal for us is to expand our audience through new websites and an app. Our new website has been in development for roughly two years. I can tease the information here, but I won’t. We have learned to wait until it’s perfect before we can share the details. There is nothing like this in our game right now and every reader will see the power and use this resource.
The current version of the SPM website is a bit dated and in desperate need of a facelift, a fresh new look, and a more modern feel. Media is a whole industry and the way you consume it is up to you. My goal is to create media that defines the industry as a positive place where our children’s children will walk the path that we have paved.
We are adding SPM Merchandise and working with vendors who allow you to get customized branded equipment. And, we’re asking our kind audience to help. At the bottom of this page is an advertisement for our new ko-fi account where we invite you to donate. If you’ve read this far, you are a loyal reader, we need your help.
Then, take a closer look at this issue here. Maybe compare to some from last year. We have added new feature articles like Custom Cue Connection where we will show off custom cue makers, new and old, and their cues every month. We will be making a point to have more content relating to the incredible up-and-coming junior players. We have added professional player rankings and some fun puzzles for you also.
The best part about achieving your goals is that you get to make new ones.
Throughout all these new adventures I want to keep the idea that the billiards community is the most important part of this. I have built a community and know that it takes a long time. I’m open to helping new and existing companies get exposure. We are one of the three last magazines that are still out there. I want to preserve that and improve the way that people consume media.
I started this 13 years ago and I see the growth little by little. I’ve had a vision of where I want it to go from the start and now we are on the cusp of creating a reality out of my dreams. I’ve made my mistakes along the way and feel that little by little I’m repenting my past and growing my future into the person and company I dream about every night when I go to bed.
Minnesota Fats once said: “Pool is mainly played on a five-and-a-half-inch slate… the space between your ears.” Pool is undoubtedly one of the most mentally challenging sports there is. It’s an individual pursuit and there’s nobody to help you when you have bad luck, or your opponent gets a good roll.
Almost all the top players are students of sports psychology. They use mental game strategies to help them find the right frame of mind before a game and to give them methods to stay in a “happy place,” for the duration of their match.
There are some key psychological pointers that can help average players stay mentally tough on the table. Below are a few of the best, they might seem obvious, but ask yourself whether you employ these simple mental game strategies during a match. If not, perhaps you should start.
1) Live in the present.
All negativity stems from thinking about past mistakes or fearing the unknown. If your mind is ahead of you, how are you going to focus on the immediate task – the shot you are facing at that moment? You can’t control what will happen two games from now or what happened 30 seconds ago. All you can do is concentrate on your next shot.
2) Every shot is a new challenge.
Each time you come to the table your objective is to run out. Don’t think about what has gone before, or any possible worst-case scenarios, just focus on how to run the balls in the most efficient way possible.
If you play bad position that results in a difficult shot, try to think of it as a new challenge. Don’t just wallow in self-pity; start over. Remember, your objective is to run out or pocket the money ball any way that you can.
All you can do is concentrate on your next shot.
3) Don’t dwell on past mistakes.
Most pool players dwell on poor shots. What’s the point? Once it’s been hit, nothing can be done about it. The only thing you can affect is what happens next. A great way to let off steam and forget the errors is the “chair rule.” It’s a psychological strategy employed by several top professionals. After a bad shot, you can
vent your frustration (internally) until it’s your turn again. After you get up from your chair to shoot again, that shot is history, it should be totally forgotten, and your mind should move on to the next stroke.
4) Never surrender.
League players are often guilty of giving up on their matches too early. Remember, your fortunes on the table can turn with one good stroke or one decent break.
Amateurs who get the most out of their game tend to give it their all until the very last ball is pocketed. If you get to a point when you realize, there’s no chance of winning – set different kinds of goals for yourself. You might try to get 2 to 3 games in a race to 9 rather than being whitewashed 9-0..
Don’t dwell in the past or think about the future.
5) Maintain a positive attitude.
If you’re having one of those days where the balls just don’t seem to fall, don’t get down on yourself. Focus on the positives. Eventually, the law of averages will win out. Stay in the present! Don’t dwell on the past or think about the future. A positive attitude goes a long way and is a key part of overcoming challenges you may encounter during match play.
Anthony Beeler is the current Billiards Instructor of the Decade and is a former BCAPL National Champion. He has numerous “Top 25” national finishes and is the primary author of the ACS National Billiards Instructor’s Manual. He has also authored the book Unstoppable! Positive Thinking for Pool Players.
Anthony currently has the highest established Fargo Rating of any Master Instructor. He has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competition.
Be A Student of Human Moves
by Rick ‘The White Wolf’ Prince
Hopefully, you’ve done your recon on your opponent prior to your match with them. Knowing your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses as you prepare to match up with them can greatly influence the outcome of the game.
Make their weaknesses your strengths.
When I’m about to play “a heavy hitter”, I don’t only practice hard on my offensive game, I also practice my safety game. Let’s face it, the common rule is, if you don’t have a shot, duck!
Now, most semi-pro and pro tournaments and some organized tournaments employ the “three foul rule”, where three conservative fouls in a game is a loss. If you’ve done your recon on your opponent, then hopefully you’ve picked up on their weaknesses.
For instance, I noticed that they struggle to get out of safeties by kicking. Then you best believe that if they can’t kick, they have to learn real fast or take a loss. If they struggle with long shots, that’s what I try to leave them. If they aren’t good at banking, I’m setting them up for a bank shot.
Make their weaknesses your strengths. If you’re matched up against a guy with a huge reputation, if you’re like most players, we sometimes tend to give him or her
the common rule is, if you don’t have a shot,
duck!
more credit than they deserve. When you place players above their ability level, It takes away from your own game. You begin to anticipate or predict an unfavorable outcome as to what is going to happen. Instead, think that now is the time to play your own game, play the table and simply forget who your opponent is.
Play the table, not your opponent.
We all sometimes fall into the trap of playing the opponent and not the table. All player’s games would improve if they concentrated on their skills. Never take a win over an opponent for granted, but don’t overestimate the talent of a “higher-echelon player”. Find your even keel by playing only the table.
Another great quality to develop when facing tough competition is tenacity. Be a bulldog, never give up. Even if you are down 8 - 1 in a race to 9, it doesn’t matter. We’ve seen countless matches in which players have been that far in the hole and come back to win. We’ve also seen players who after being up 8-1, completely lost their mental toughness as their opponent came back on them. Some players fold, but players with tenacity never fold. They want to beat their opponent as quickly as possible. This attitude comes from developing mental toughness through practice and experience.
Psychological warfare.
Always try to remain focused on the game better than your opponents do. It doesn’t matter what they do, or what they leave you with, or if they run five straight racks, stay focused! Play your own game when it’s your turn. This can be difficult to do at first.
Most matches contain at least a small degree of psychological warfare. The toughest part of the game is to watch while your opponent runs racks and gets the great role. You’re sitting in the chair and can do nothing about it. But rather than get frustrated and throw a tantrum which too many players do, you’re better off showing no emotion. This will get into your opponent’s heads. They’ll wonder, what’s he thinking about? Or aren’t they worried? A tough mental attitude wears opponents down and gives you the edge.
The physical side.
That’s the mental side of it. Now what can you do physically to improve your chances?
8 Ball is an excellent game from which to draw examples of physical changes you might make in your game depending on the skill level of your opponent.
The game of 8 Ball so often comes down to timing, which is nothing more than knowing when to try to run out. If you’re playing a weaker player, chances are good that he or she won’t run out, but will clear only three or four balls and leave you a wide open table. All things being equal, if two players are evenly matched, the outcome usually comes down to who’s psychologically stronger. The player who plays the strategically sound game is in a better position to win.
For example, if it’s prudent to play a safety in a match situation, the person with the better strategy will play the safety. A player with weaker strategic skills might take the flyer or try something off the wall in a desperate attempt to create something that isn’t there.
These are the decisions that come back to haunt you. You’ll develop a sound strategy most quickly by facing tough competition over and over again. Building mental toughness and becoming aware of certain shots and situations is a process that takes time. The more you play the tougher you become. The tougher you become, the more matches you’ll win. You’ll develop mental calluses that enable you to shake off tense situations, surrounding distractions, and the pressure of knowing what’s at stake.
So, my advice to you, do your recon, whenever possible, on all your upcoming opponents and prey on their weaknesses, just like “The Wolf”!!
Until Next Time, Happy Shootin’!
Rick “The White Wolf” Prince
Talk about a success story deadlocked on harnessing the skills, dreams, and competitive nature of an eager youth teeming with a monster appetite to become better billiards players! Especially when they have access to the ONLY app designed to implement every facet of building a better youth not only for billiards but also for their young lives! Kids and young adults only can download
the LEVEL UP JUNIOR BILLIARDS app! And words do not justify how insanely beneficial this app can be in the palm of their hands! If you need a reason to justify adding a kids line to your phone service, the LEVEL UP JUNIOR BILLIARDS app is a minuscule 38 cents a day! The plethora of information at their disposal is priceless! Add to the mix sponsorships, donations, and volunteering; you can’t afford not to sign your kid up, yesterday! Just by signing up, their enrollment gets them a Free LEVEL UP JUNIOR tee shirt, bag tag, and bag patch.
Our program is about
reaching at-risk youth through the game
of pool
This highly interactive junior billiards app was the brainstorm of Kentuckian Chris Curtis and members of Cues4Christ, a nonprofit ministry founded by Chris! Folks when I say if you could bottle up his enthusiasm and sell it to use the proceeds to help funnel money into
supporting the junior players; you’d have to get them to slow down production so they could bottle it fast enough !! When I interviewed Chris, over the phone, I felt uplifted and excited about his outspokenness in regards to the mission of the teams from Level Up and Level Up Junior Billiards academies! “Our program is about reaching at-risk youth through the game of pool and helping change lives through mentorship on the app. It’s our why,” Chris shared with me about the intentions of using those apps as a ministry through pool. His relentless efforts to connect with junior players through the academies, and making connections at events throughout the year are astronomical. They have an open door for any youth/teen to become involved! “There are many features of both Level Up and Level Up Junior Billiards Academies that work together to help us achieve our mission,” he proclaimed.
Chris has a strong background in the billiards world. He is a 39-year veteran of the game. He picked up his first pool cue when he was 10 years old in a friend’s basement. His consistent playing through his high school years led to his joining the University of Kentucky billiards team while in college. He honed his playing skills at a small pool room in Cynthiana, Kentucky called Billiards Plus during high school. “I played much of my collegiate pool at the UK Student Center on 9-foot Gold Crown 1’s. I was able to travel to the University of Tennessee representing U.K. and play pool in their home pool room against top collegiate pool programs. I’ll never forget all of the cloth was Tennessee Orange, yuck!” he snarled laughingly. Born and raised in Kentucky, Chris decided to serve in the Kentucky Army National Guard for 8 years. He shared an interesting story about his days in basic training. Word had spread that Chris played pool well so every morning one of his drill sergeants would call him out of PT formation to play one rack of 8-ball in front of the entire company of soldiers. If he won, they’d only run 4 miles. If he lost, they’d run 5 miles. They never had to run 5 miles and he became quite popular amongst his fellow soldiers! In 2017 Chris was the Runner Up BCA National Champion, respectfully. In 2018 he opened a billiards club which he lost, regrettably, right after COVID. It was then that
Chris wanted to continue the junior academy they held at the club which led to the birth of a 501C3 called Cues4Christ. Chris stated,
“Through the foundation, I wanted to reach the pool world like Jesus would, not by power or might but by a servant’s heart with humbleness and humility. Not to conquer on the pool table but to love and serve others
through the game. Faith gives strength!”
As a father of two teens; Ethan, 15, and daughter Campbell, 18, Chris fully understands the importance of children needing a father, mentor, provider, and spiritual guide through their developing years of adolescence. The target age group for the academy is
8 to 19 years old. The program is specifically designed for those age groups. “We plug into everything we can to overcome all the hurdles we face together,” Chris reinforced wholeheartedly. When I posed the question of what would Chris want to share from his mindset he stated, “There is no better way to fundamentally change the game of pool for the better than to engage with our juniors. Know them, listen to them, understand them, support them, encourage them, mentor them, and connect them. Do I want them all to be world champions? Of course! But what I want more is to raise a generation who are champions in life!” When God has your back, nothing is impossible. I asked Chris how he juggles all these apps, websites, academies, and tournaments. He replied, “My faith gives me the strength, my purpose gives me the motivation and a well-rounded junior is the reward! I have an amazing support team including an active Board Of Directors that helps me keep it all in the air and I also have a group of donors(I like to call them champions) who give, pray, and believe in our mission 100%!”
Our program is about reaching at-risk youth through the game of pool
With the combined efforts of like-minded people, Chris’s energy reverbs through his entire team like a contagion set loose on a parallel journey, “to serve and love others through the game!” in Chris’s own words.
As a parent, caregiver, or older sibling raising a junioraged player you will find it incredibly reliable to tie your child into the LEVEL UP JUNIOR BILLIARDS app. The app offers 7 channels: Shooting Stars Showcase,
Journey of 10K Hours, LU Endorsed Instructors, Skills & Drills, Chat With Champions, Junior Billiard Events and In The Zone!
1. Shooting Stars Showcase Channel: Track victories, breakthroughs, and milestones so they can celebrate together and encourage one another!
2. Journey of 10,000 Hours Channel: Juniors post daily and track the number of hours they put on and off the table as they reach different levels of hours!
3. LU Endorsed Instructors Channel: Designed to help aid our students in seeking out qualified professional instructors who we endorse across the country. This provides help and support apart from the app and helps our students grow!
4. Skill & Drills Channel: Juniors can challenge one another by posting the drills they perform and in turn their teammates can challenge themselves and post their performance of these drills!
5. Chat With Champions Channel: A junior can message directly with a Level Up Champion! There they can receive encouragement to help them with their pool journey!
6. Junior Billiards Events Channel: It places their fingertips at all of the junior event tournaments endorsed all across the country and around the world!
7. “In The Zone” Channel: Learn life skills and character building through content provided by Junior Champion, Landon Shuffett(junior pro)
The focus is on 10 codes to help build well-rounded Junior Champions!
1. Respect Yourself
2. Respect Your Opponent
3. Respect The Game
4. Play With Integrity
5. Don’t Scratch
6. Journal Everyday
7. Love/Serve Others
8. Never Give Up
9. Encourage Others
10. Have Fun
Each channel highlights a unique aspect of pool, life, and friendships which are all positively reinforced constantly. The unlimited amount of resources available to each member is beyond comprehension! There are no limits that Chris will not go to for each member of the app. The outline of the 7 channels encompasses various stages of accomplishments and rewards the individual based
on their performance, needs, life skills, and spiritual journey! Junior Pros are a pivotal part of the program. Landon Shuffett is just one success story of the academy. His accolades are too many to list in this article but he was a pool prodigy at a young age. At 12 years old, he was the youngest player to participate in the Derby City 9 Ball tournament. Players like Landon have achieved the highest levels of the app. They are great mentors/coaches for the junior players. They can direct the upcoming juniors by giving them personalized attention and advice! Some top-level Junior World players have shown interest in getting involved with the app. The ongoing growth of the academies and support from those who see and want to invest in the future of junior players is growing by leaps and bounds! Chris recognizes, “People come to this game because of the givers, not the takers. Allowing us to use pool as a ministry.”
a
way to make
a
positive impact in the pool world and the real world
Chris’s passion for growing the Level Up Junior Billiards app is channeled from every venue he has his hands in. This year he will be launching a 3 piece, full-carbon playing cue called Yoru(Yaw-roo), Japanese for “night” (Chris currently shoots with the prototype he designed), along with a private signature line of chalk (27,000 pieces of chalk were gifted to the foundation) and a new pool game Chris invented. “These endeavors will help support junior pool initiatives and our foundation,” Chris emphasized. As profound as all these efforts will be contributing to the financial needs to keep the academies going, there is an omnipresent need for support from people like YOU! “Our intentions are
pure and our mission is transparent and visible,” Chris stated regarding the support thus far.
Getting to know and understand Chris’ mindset wholeheartedly gives you a firm grasp on his motivation to have such a dramatically positive impact on these young humans’ lives. “I would describe myself as a lover of Jesus, pool, and people, more specifically today’s youth. I have been an innovator all of my life, recognizing problems and offering new and fresh solutions at every step of the way. I have a deep passion for the game of pool and recognize its redeeming qualities as a way to make a positive impact in the pool world and the real world,” he boasts with flamboyant humbleness. “I just wanna play my part with a serving type of lifestyle!” he added.
As well intended as Chris and his team’s efforts are in touching the lives of at-risk youth, we can only help reach more youths with your help; by volunteering, donating, sponsoring, providing your expertise, and spreading the word! “No contribution is too small,” Chris stated emphatically. Your contributions go a long way to changing the lives of not only at-risk youth but also those who deal with bullying, disabilities, and countless other diurnal youth challenges. The opendoor policy of the foundation will welcome any youth seeking direction!
Once they are a part of the Level Up Junior Billiards app, which is a $10 monthly subscription covering the Level Up App and its 7 “channels”, weekly 2.0 HR in-person Level Up After School Academy, and Level Up Welcome Package (T-shirt, Bagtag, Bag Patch). At each 2,500-hour level, they qualify to begin being sponsored: those juniors and subsequent levels of 5,000/7,500/10,000 hours till fully sponsored. Membership gives the juniors access to Level Up Endorsed instructors who offer private lessons at discounted rates. There is also Onboard Sportswear who provide custom Level Up Jerseys at a discounted rate. Tanner Pruess, one of Level Up App instructors offers a discount on his book, “Pool Confidence” to everyone on the app. “Our Level Up Welcome Packages serve a specific purpose in our program. The items in the Welcome Packages, “connect” our juniors outside of
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2024 WNT RANKINGS
As of the December 31,
As of the December 31, 2024
2024 WPBA RANKINGS
TAOM TIME WITH JAVIER GOMEZ & MARK WHITE
“The last time I spoke to Javier was just as covid was coming to an end. I met up with him in his native Mexico City while quarantining before heading to Vegas.
I was so impressed with his dedication to artistic pool and his great knowledge of 3-cushion.
Javier will be competing in the Artistic Pool World championships in February, so I thought this was a good time to catch up with him once again to learn more about his passion, how he got started, talk about other disciplines of the game, and to get to know more about the man behind the extremely heavy masse cue.”
- Mark White
An Instructor’s Presence by Eric Naretto
This summer will mark my 20th year in the pool world. Within my short 20-year span, I have become a local champion, a league champion, a multi-tournament winner, a multi-time state champion, and a multi-time national champion. Within this time, I have acquired more success than some pool players ever do in a 50year career.
Many people believe that to achieve this type of success one must possess this magical power known as “natural ability”. Natural ability in pool is when a player picks up a cue and instantly has core concepts that take others longer to learn. I assure you that I was the least natural person at this game and everything I have worked hard to obtain.
In 2017 I sought out Mark Wilson after winning two state championships. I will never forget what Mark told me on our first day of training. Even after I told him I had accomplished two state championship victories, Mark looked at me and said “You have two options. Option 1, don’t listen to anything I’m going to tell you and continue to suck. Option 2, listen to what I have to say and together we can make you a champion.” Mark didn’t care how many championships I already had, he was concerned with how many I had the potential to win. Working with Mark helped me gain knowledge that was crucial in the advancement of my game. I could have done it the hard way, but instead, I invested in myself and did it the easy way (that took a lot of hard work).
After Mark trained me, my level of ability skyrocketed... not because of natural ability, but because of straight hard work and determination. The knowledge that was taught to me paved the way for me to help other players improve.
Instruction is a way for coaches to help students grow in something the student feels strongly about. An instructor has researched to gather the knowledge necessary to provide a student with knowledge that he or she may otherwise never find.
My name is Eric Naretto, I am a PBIA and ACS Master level instructor. I am an endorsed CTE instructor under Stan Shuffet. I am part of the SPF family that is led by Randy Goettlicher. Why are these accolades important to me? Because I love helping other people learn the game I love. I have taken lessons from master instructors Stan Shuffet, Kim Young, and Anthony Beeler. I have worked alongside Master Instructors Randy Goettlicher and Craig Hauck. I have trained under Instructor/Pro players Mark Wilson, Margaret Styer, and Neils Feijen. I did all this for me, and I did all this so I could gather information to help aid other players on their journeys.
Ladies and Gentlemen, if you want to find someone to help you increase your game I have some tips to help you find an instructor for you.
Tip #1
Forget about whether or not you can beat the instructor: Remember your job is to seek knowledge. Quit worrying about the instructor’s level and listen to what they have to say.
Tip #2
Do your research on who you want training you: Instructors are all different. Many of us believe in different things because we have different experiences in the game. Find an instructor that has a solid background. If there is an instructor in your area, call them and ask for references if you have to. Make sure you are comfortable with your teacher.
Tip #3
Just because your instructor did not play professional pool and win a US Open does not mean they don’t know what they are talking about: Think about this. Would you rather be trained by a world champion? or the world
champions Coach? Not that the world champion could teach you, but they learned from their Coach. Seems like a logical answer to me.
Tip #4
Make sure the instructor you choose keeps you invested in the material: there are instructors out there who unfortunately aren’t good at what they do. Every sport has them. The moment the instructor doesn’t make you feel invested anymore... is the moment you should let them know. If it doesn’t change, it is time to move on to another instructor.
Tip #5
Find an instructor who makes it fun for you to learn: We learn the best by finding people who make the material the most enjoyable. Make sure the coach you choose, you enjoy being around. Don’t give all instructors a bad rap because you work with someone who doesn’t speak your language. The number one rule, have fun in the game.
JANUARY FEBRUARY
As of the printing of this magazine, the 2025
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APRIL MARCH
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AUGUST JULY
OCTOBER SEPTEMBER
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Matchroom events have not been posted yet.
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DECEMBER NOVEMBER
SPM REVIEW: CUE POCKET
Custom Cue Holders & More
SPM Billiards Magazine was offered an opportunity to review Cue Pocket cue holders, and we love what we found. These are not your daddy’s cue holders.
Check out this 3d printed cue holder that holds four cues and comes with a built in phone charger. They are simple and effective and come in many varieties. Being very stylish and lightweight, they fit in the case nicely and can travel anywhere your stick does.
Cue Pocket is headed by Chris Ouimette, and these products are well-built, colorful, unique, and are at sold at marketable prices. With accessories like the phone charger, you know you’ll be the most popular league player in town. They offer customizable options and have varieties for holding up to four sticks at once. You can easily fill your bag with items like the stroke trainer and ghost ball training kit. Find them on Facebook at Cue Pocket LLC or www.cuepocket.com
SPM PUZZLE PAGE
Puzzle answers are published on our Facebook page.
BEATIT
CUSTOMCUECONNECTION
DJANGO
EMILYFRAZER
FERRULE
HOHMANN
IRISHLINEN
IWANSIMONIS
JAYSON
JOINT
MIKAIMMONEN
MOSCONICUP
NIELSFEIJEN
SHAW
SKYLER
SNEAKYPETE
STRICKLAND
THEPEARL
WILLIE
Did your playing skills increase in the past twelve months as much as you planned or hoped they would? How do you know that they did without guessing? That’d be a tough answer if you didn’t have a starting basis point, like some quantifiable data to determine your actual playing skills progress.
The PSD-PSR will affirm and confirm that your next pool year (and each year thereafter) will prove that your pool playing skills have grown and by how much.
If this is your first time, congratulations! You can start any time to get your Pro Skills Drill Player Skill Rating (PSD-PSR) done. You can do this PSD-PSR any time of the year, regardless of your game-playing preferences.
However, it is essential to do the exact drill each time, year after year to stay consistent. Copy the attached score sheet or make one. Consider getting one of my complete Practice Record Keeping Journal books from my website.
What matters most is that you must keep an accurate score. The table setup shown is drill-specific; The PSD-PSR tests your skills regardless of the game formats you play.
The PSD-PSR includes but is not limited to, ball pocketing skills, cue ball position control, and complex shot-making - including long and short banks, combinations, kicks, caroms, and even jump shots.
Whatever game format you play, this drill will prove your overall Pro Skills Drills Player Skill Rating.
8 Ball Players: Total of 10 Full Attempts:
1. Start each inning with ball-in-hand.
2. Select the solid or stripe suit.
3. Attempt each suit of object balls five full times.
4. Other balls are allowed to be hit during each shooting inning.
5. Should you miss pocketing a ball, STOP! Write down how many balls you successfully ran before missing.
6. After marking your score, re-set the table and start your next attempt.them. If they aren’t good at banking, I’m setting them up for a bank shot.
Rotation Game Players: Total 10 Full Attempts
1. Start each rack with ball in hand.
2. Run out balls in the rotation order of the game you choose, i.e., 9 or 10 balls.
3. Restart the exact position of the balls for the start of each of your 10 attempts.
4. Other balls are allowed to be hit during each shooting inning.
5. Should you miss pocketing a ball, STOP! Write down how many balls you successfully ran before missing.
6. After marking your score, re-set the table and start your next attempt.
Two Critical Scores Make Up Your International “Pro Skill Drills” Player Rating.
1. How many times of all 10 attempts have you successfully run out without missing a ball? This answer is your 8 Ball Player or Rotation Game Pro Skill Drills Rating.
2. Add up the total number of balls pocketed during each of the 10 attempts. Then, divide that total number by 10. This answer is your PSD Average Balls Run Out Rating.
8 Ball and Suited Game Players Scoring:
SAMPLE:
If 6 out of your 10 attempts were successful -PLUS- you pocked 65 balls during all 10 attempts, that’s a 665 PSD (Pro Skill Drills) Rating.
THE MATH:
Divide the 65 balls made during your 10 attempts by 10. It comes out like this (65/10) = 6.5
PSD-PED:
Combine the two numbers to get 665. The 6 out of 10 makes the first digit a 6. Then, drop the decimal point from the 6.5 and make it 65. That’s your total ball run. Put them together to get 665, your International Pro Skill Drills Player Rating.
Continued on Page 43
PSD-PSR
(continued from page 41)
Rotation Game Players Scoring:
SAMPLE:
If 5 out of your 10 Attempts were successful -PLUS- you pocked 72 balls during all 10 attempts, that’s a 572 PSD (Pro Skill Drills) Rating.
THE MATH:
Divide the 72 balls made during your 10 attempts by 10. It looks like 72/10 = 7.2
PSD-PED:
Combine the two numbers like this 572. The 5 out of 10 is the first digit, 5. Then, drop the decimal point from the 7.2 and make it 72. That’s your total ball run. Put
them together to make 572, and that’s your International Pro Skill Drills Player Rating.
Use this exact PSD-PSR exercise at least once each year to prove your international player skill rating.
When you can do my offensive and defensive drills successfully, 7 out of 10 times, you’ll be good enough to beat 70% of the pool players in the world.When you can do my offensive and defensive drills successfully, 7 out of 10 times, you’ll be good enough to beat 70% of the pool players in the world.
LEVEL UP JUNIOR BILLIARDS APP
(continued from page 20)
the app to one another, incentivize them, and give them a sense of team while playing in different venues and pool rooms,” Chris expounded. After achieving the 10k hours through the Level Up App, juniors can continue tracking their Journey with the next age bracket for Level Up which will be 20-25. Level Up is partnering with an organization called Collegiate Cues whose founder is on the Level Up App currently. That organization has under its wing approximately 20 universities and colleges around the country allowing Level Up App to continue their mission, post junior pool. At this writing, 59 members are using the Level Up App.
“Now that LEVEL UP is here, there’s never been a better time for junior pool players all over the United States and all around the world to commit! Connect! & Win together!AndtomoveForward!Onward!&Upward!”Chris Curtis
LEVEL UP can be applied to so many facets of our lives! LEVEL UP your game!
Chris and I concluded our phone interview with a strong prayer! The blessings that have nurtured LEVEL UP JUNIOR BILLIARDS have only just begun! We hope you get your child/young adult involved in a lifechanging app that will have a profound impact on their lives!
As I always say, “Carpe Diem!” Seize The Day
WINNINGLOSING
Pool players are athletes with less physical demands but more mental skill requirements than athletes in other sports. Once fundamental pool skills are mastered, pool primarily becomes a mental venture. So, working on your pool mental skills is just as important as your time spent working on shotmaking and position play. And yet, most pool players do not spend much time addressing the mental aspects of playing pool. The mental side of pool is often overlooked.
It is more fun to play pool or practice running balls than to work on mental skills. But, fifteen to thirty minutes per week of mental training can significantly improve your pool playing abilities. This is because the words and images you put in your brain are what create your physical motions.
Winning - Losing
Winning a pool match is a lot more enjoyable than losing. Always play to win and never give up even if you are far behind in a match. Savor your victories but do not let winning become a major focus of your pool game.
Getting better and playing better is more important than winning, even for top-level players. When you play at your peak level (excellent shotmaking, smart position play, strong defensive play, strategic runouts) winning takes care of itself and you gain intrinsic rewards.
Each shot is a puzzle to solve. I don’t think about winning or losing.
Worrying about winning or losing can be detrimental to your pool game because you put undue pressure on yourself which elevates anxiety and tension. Anxiety, tension, and pool are not a good mix. Instead of thinking about winning or losing, make your goal in any match to play to the best of your ability. Play your best and graciously accept the win or loss results. Efron Reyes –“I stay calm by focusing on the process. Each shot is a puzzle to solve. I don’t think about winning or losing.”
Try to develop a positive winning attitude with a desire to win but a focus, not on beating an opponent, but on playing well. Strive for perfection but accept your mistakes as learning opportunities. Be a humble winner or a gracious loser with no excuses.
Winning a pool match results in a multitude of benefits
for a player. Winning provides a burst of adrenaline coursing through your veins because your practice, dedication, and skill are validated. A victory boosts your self-esteem. It proves your capabilities, skills, and worthiness. Winning tells you that your hard work was not in vain, motivating you to keep pushing for new heights. Winning also triggers the release of dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. While winning is enjoyable, losing also has value.
Failure is an opportunity to analyze performance, identify weaknesses, and grow as a pool player. If you let it, resilience (bouncing back) and determination can emerge from setbacks, propelling you toward future success. Defeats can prompt you to analyze your performance and identify weaknesses, mistakes, and areas for improvement. Losing will teach you humility. Players recognize that they are not invincible and that everyone faces challenges. Losing can fuel the desire to prove yourself. The taste of defeat can become a powerful motivator.
Remember, defeats are not failures; they are stepping stones toward success. Players who embrace them as learning opportunities gain more than those who fear them. Both victory and defeat contribute to a pool player’s journey. Embrace them both—they shape your character and drive you toward excellence.
Pool confidence is the difference between getting the luck roll and a terrible set when playing pool. Tanner Pruess has gone above and beyond in his service to the industry his short read pool instructional guide. A perfect ‘pool for dummies’ beginner guide that teaches good midlevel drill setups and mental discipline support.
His website describes this book by saying, “This guide will help players to develop better confidence and consistency for their pool game! Improve your routine, cue ball control, and mental game.Apracticetargetwillbeincludedwiththebinder. Recordtoughornotableshotsonblanktablelayoutsfor future practice.”
If you are under 500 Fargo (or equivalent), you need to rush to get a copy. This book is not just some Youtube video. You can truly read how Tanner put his soul into creating stances, drills, footnotes, and more. When I was learning how to play, I was a self-taught “YouTube master”. And while I’ve had some success, I’m not anywhere close to being a top player. This book has allowed me to see a whole new angle.
Tanners’ book “Pool Confidence” will be an effective tool for the player who looks to invest themselves in its teachings. I want to express gratitude for Tanner’s patience with this review for that reason. I’m now
using the book to teach others in my area a lot of new players are just in awe of all the information it contains.
Pool Confidence has hidden features like a notes section and a template zone sheet, which is useful when learning cue ball control and zone play. The best part about the drills in the book is it doesn’t just tell you what to do but how to do it, breaking it down, and making it easy to understand. Pool Confidence is a must-have for home practice if you are a player looking to improve your game!
To get your own copy of Pool Confidence, please visit Tanner’s website, go to tannerpruiss.com.
“Well….that shot depends on your stroke, and everyone’s stroke is personal.”
ANSWER: Weeeeell, after a lifetime of experimenting with firm grips, loose grips, more wrist in the stroke, and dropping the elbow and shoulder during the shot, I can attest that if you hit the cueball with the same energy and location, you will get a similar result, even if you have the ugliest stroke the world has ever seen. Some players play with a full-time chicken wing, and others play sidearm!
Even players that stroke through the cueball 10 inches get no better result than going through the cueball 2 inches. Most players who think a long stroke is necessary are not hitting the cueball where they think they are hitting the cueball. Players that have a long follow-through often recoil further and have more energy as they hit the cueball, not understanding the guy with a short pokey stroke if he hits the cueball the same speed he’ll get the same reaction.
I bring this up because the other day I was showing a student a shot, and he told me that because his stroke was different he couldn’t execute the shot. So, I duplicated his stroke by punching the cueball and executed the safety perfectly. Then I showed him that he was actually aiming wrong at the shot, and that was the reason he was not executing the shot properly.
A smooth recoil and a smooth transition forward and through 8-15 inches can help you with speed and consistency. That doesn’t mean your pokey stroke can’t take you to high levels of competition.
I remember Hill/ Hill playing a guy that didn’t go through his cueball more than maybe 2 inches and played phenomenally on 4-inch pockets. He had a long nine-ball off the rail and I said this is where he’s going to pay for that short stroke.
It turns out… I paid for his short stroke! $500. He nailed it dead center pocket!
POSITIVE THINKING
Pool players are athletes with less physical demands but more mental skill requirements than athletes in other sports. Once fundamental pool skills are mastered, pool primarily becomes a mental venture. So, working on your pool mental skills is just as important as your time spent working on shotmaking and position play. And yet, most pool players do not spend much time addressing the mental aspects of playing pool. The mental side of pool is often overlooked.
It is more fun to play pool or practice running balls than to work on mental skills. But, fifteen to thirty minutes per week of mental training can significantly improve your pool playing abilities. This is because the words and images you put in your brain are what create your physical motions.
Positive thinking
For a pool player, positive thinking means making the most of the obstacles in front of you. Obstacles like having no shots, missing shots, bad luck, opponent good luck, distractions, being off your game, and losing. If you respond negatively to these kinds of stumbling blocks, your pool game will oftentimes go into a death spiral. Players who let their negative emotions get to them and especially those who lose their cool, also lose focus and their pool game suffers.
Correct any negative thinking with positive success thinking. When you miss a shot, instead of getting upset and discouraged, say to yourself I missed this shot but know I can make it. Do not respond negatively to distractions. Instead, recognize and address distractions by saying to yourself OK, good reason to relax.
When you are off your game, do not get distressed. Make an effort to try focusing on one key fundamental (e.g., anchoring bridge hand, smooth stroke, or keeping your body low and ‘stay down’) for the whole match. Play your best and accept the results. No excuses.
Winners do not complain. Positive thinking helps them think clearly, make good decisions, and perform well. Start and finish every pool match with the goal of performing at your peak level, enjoying yourself, and knowing getting better is more important than winning. Remember, thinking positively gives you power over your circumstances!
I use positive self-talk. I tell myself, ‘You’ve done this a thousand times. Trust your instincts.’
Replace Negative Thoughts with Positive Ones
Every repeated thought you have, positive or negative, strengthens that thought synapse in your subconscious mind. But your subconscious mind does not know the difference between positive and negative, good and bad, black and white. It hears only the action you are thinking about and uploads the information your body needs to act. How often has the thought “scratch” crossed your mind before you scratched?
When you think or say to yourself, “I am not going to get nervous, the subconscious hears: Nervous. Ok, I can make him/her nervous, I have done that many times. Before you know it, the opposite of what you wanted to happen occurs, you become nervous. The subconscious mind has disregarded the word not because it does not know what to do with it. Instead, it hears nervous as a command and helps you carry out what it thinks you want.
So, a key to replacing negative thoughts with positive ones is to always think about what you want to happen, rather than what you do not want to happen. For example, thinking I am calm and relaxed would be an
excellent substitute for I am not going to get nervous.
Positive self-talk can make you a more confident and focused pool player. Write down three or four positive statements describing what you want from yourself and your pool game. Write them in the present tense as if they already exist and say them to yourself ideally every day but whenever you want. The more you say them the more your subconscious will go to work and try turning them into reality. Here are affirmations that may work for you:
• I am an excellent pool player.
• My pool stroke is smooth and accurate.
• I am calm and relaxed.
• I make easy and difficult shots regularly.
• I play outstanding offense and defense.
• I am a confident pool player.
• I easily visualize the perfect shot.
Allison Fisher: “I use positive self-talk. I tell myself, ‘You’vedonethisathousandtimes.Trustyourinstincts.”
