Stroke Magazine April Issue 2011

DEADLINE: 25th of each Month - CALL IF LATE

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Stroke P.O. Box 100 Three Forks, MT 59752 Phone 1-406-285-3099 Fax 1-406-285-3098 Email strokemagazine@aol.com

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Stroke Staff Publisher/Editor Don “Cheese” Akerlow Marketing Director Mary Akerlow Layouts & Design Wendy Swenson Sunshine Ross Don Akerlow Mary Akerlow Distribution Sheila Papke

About Stroke

Don “Cheese” Akerlow

Stroke is a monthly publication, dedicated to the advancement of the sport of pool and to promoting enthusiasm and encouragement among the players at all levels, regardless of their league affiliation, in addition to recognizing those businesses who support them all. Covering the Eastcoast and adjoining states.

Look for Stroke by the 10th of each month.

The opinions expressed are those of the author Publisher or advertiser and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rackem or its staff. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher. © 2011 Stroke

Read Stroke Online at: www.strokemagazine.net

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presents

Cover Photo by: Don “Cheese” Akerlow

POOL ON TV

Streaming Schedule Watch on www.OTBnTV.com ustream.tv/channel/otbntv-live www.facebook.com/otbntv

Apr 1-3, 2011 Platte Valley Open - WY Apr 8-10, 2011 MCMOA Montana State 8-Ball

Columnists Bob Jewett Ken “Sarge” Aylesworth Samm Diep

6 15 6

Information About Us AZBilliards Scoreboard LUCKY OTBnTV Pool On TV Product Review Tournament Trail

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All times are Central time.

04/20/2011 10:00 AM

2008 International

Speed Pool Challenge

ESPN Zone Las Vegas, NV

Elite billiards competition

featuring the world’s best

billiard players These schedules have been provided by ESPN. These are tentative dates and are subject to change

Sponsored by: www.tigerproducts.com www.delta-13.com www.simoniscloth.com www.lucasihybrid.com www.kamuitips.com

April 2011 - Stroke Magazine 3

Kiamco & Villarreal

Warren Kiamco

Come snow or shine the U.S. Bar Table Championships (USBTC) held February 2127, 2011 brings players from all across the globe to “the Biggest Little City in the World.”

Hosted at the Terrible’s Sands Regency Casino Hotel in Reno, Nevada, the $25,250 guaranteed added event celebrated its 18th anniversary in 2011.

The event had over 450 entries in six divisions: Men’s / Mixed 10-Ball, 9-Ball, 8-Ball and Women’s 10-Ball, 9-Ball and 8-Ball. This was the first year in the event’s history to include a full set of women’s divisions and women’s All Around bonuses.

The USBTC is produced by CueSports International (CSI), sponsored by Terrible’s Sands Regency and Diamond Billiard Products, and directed by Bad Boys Billiard Productions. During the event players were

Alex Pagulayan

4 Stroke Magazine - April 2011

Take All A ro u n d T i t l e s

paid immediately on-site.

Over $66,000 was available for cash payouts.

The tournament began with the 10-Ball divisions, with 16 women and 93 men. The 9-Ball division started its engine mid-week with 23 women and 128 men. The 8-Ball competition, with 36 women and 157 men in contention, wrapped up the event. After two years of bandwidth issues at the host venue, the innovative team and internet live pool action leaders, TAR, this year was able to live stream.

In the women’s competition, a tornado ripped through all three fields with little mercy. Vivian Villarreal, long time WPBA professional and fan favorite, took first place in all three women’s divisions. Her dominance solidly secured her the $500 first place All Around Women’s Bonus.

Competing for the second place women’s All Around included Melissa “The Viper” Little, Nicole Keeney, Brittany Bryant, and Susan Williams. While the points were close, it was Bryant who came in second in the women’s All Around points behind Villarreal.

For the first time in several years, the Men’s / Mixed All Around competition was not dominated by one or two individuals. Instead there were a handful of players who were neck and neck in All Around points throughout the week.

The final board of the Men’s / Mixed 10-Ball division included the diverse crowd of Stevie “the Blade” Moore from Georgia, Canadian Pros

Stan Tourangeau and John Morra, Californian Louis Ulrich, Arizona monster Mitch Ellerman, Midwest young gun Branden Ashcroft and 2008 World Pool Master Champion Alex “the Lion” Pagulayan.

Going into the 10-Ball finals between Pagulayan and Morra, the railbirds were putting “The Lion” heavily in favor over Morra.

The live stream audience was treated to both men playing dead stroke in the first race to

John Morra

7. However, two scratches on the break by Pagulayan gave Morra the edge needed to win the first set. Coming from the one loss side, Morra would need to beat Pagulayan again in a second set. It was not to be as Pagulayan came back strong and Morra seemed to lose steam, giving Pagulayan an easy win in set two.

18 th U.S. B ar T able

C hampionships Heading into mid-week Pagulayan led the division, there were more Vivian Villarreal men’s All Around points with Morra hot on his horses in serious contention heels. However in the 9-Ball division both were for the USBTC All Around were slightly ahead of Pagulayan and Morra knocked out much earlier than anticipated. bonuses than the 9th race at Aqueduct. in the point list. Two darker horses but still in “The Lion” was ousted by Vegas player Ray The top contenders were Kiamco, Nevel, contention were Ashcraft with a 5-6th place Skenandore and the kid from Ontario, Morra, Moore, Pagulayan, Morra, Ashcraft, O’Neal finish in the 10-Ball and a 17-24th place in the was sent to the sidelines by Phoenix player and Tourangeau.

9-Ball and O’Neal with a solid 9-12th place Moore played consistently all week placing Nick DeLeon. Both Pagulayan and Morra finish in the 10-Ball and strong 5-6th finish in 7-8th in the 10-Ball and 5-6th in the 9-Ball. finished 49th-64th place in the division. The the 9-Ball.

Tourangeau was also one to watch with a gate was now wide open to a slew of other The top contenders still had to maneuver 5-6th place finish in the 10-Ball and 7-8th players to pursue the meaty $2,000 first place the 157 player 8-Ball field. Some fared well, place in the 9-Ball. Although they faltered in Men’s / Mixed All Around bonus. some fell to the wayside. The final 8 players Prime to take advantage of that opening the 9-Ball, the 1st and 2nd place finishes in included: Amar Kang, O’Neal, Kiamco and were Moore, Tourangeau and lesser known the 10-Ball still put Pagulayan and Morra in Ashcraft on the winner’s side and Morra, Tennessee player Josh O’Neal who all cashed solid All Around position. Nevel and Kiamco Moore, Josh Smith and Ivan Doty on the one high in the 10-Ball division and two additional garnered new life after their 9-Ball finishes and loss side. Kang, Smith and Doty could only dangers, Larry “the Truth” Nevel cash in on the All Around bonuses and top Philippine player Warren if they won the 8-Ball division.

RESULTS / PAYOUTS (through 5-6th each division) Kiamco. The finals of the 9-Ball

Kang, Smith and Doty were men’s division were those very two For the full lists of players, payouts and match results visit CueSports Tournament System motivated and potential spoilers (CTS) at www.ctsondemand.com dangers who uncharacteristically to the other 5 players; evidenced didn’t catch the final board earlier 10-Ball Men’s / Mixed 9-Ball Women’s when Doty knocked Moore out of ($4,400) Alex Pagulayan 1st: ($850) Vivian Villarreal in 10-Ball, but earned redemption 1st: the 8-Ball division 5-0. After the 2nd:

($2,500)

John Morra 2nd:

($550)

Nicole Keeney in the 9-Ball. ($1,600) Louis Ulrich 3rd: ($350) Brittany Bryant dust settled Morra and Kiamco Nevel’s road to the 9-Ball finals 3rd: ($1,100) Mitch Ellerman 4th: ($200) Heather Pulford were the last two players standing. was a long one. After a first loss to 4th: 5th-6th: ($100 each) Bonnie Plowman While Kiamco again was the hot Beau Runningen in his third match, 5th-6th: ($500 each) Brandon Ashcraft

Stan Tourangeau

Susan Williams Nevel had to grind it through 9 (Paid down to 24th place) seat man, Morra meticulously more matches on the one loss side made his way through 10 matches 8-Ball Men’s / Mixed to make it to the mountain. Kiamco 10-Ball Women’s before facing Kiamco. It must have 1st: ($5,000) John Morra was more leisurely in his travel to 1st: ($825) Vivian Villarreal 2nd: ($3,000) Warren Kiamco been the taste of his near 10-Ball the finals, enjoying the sweetness 2nd: ($450) Brittany Bryant 3rd: ($2,000) Amar Kang victory that spurred Morra as he ($250) Susan Williams 4th: ($1,100) Josh O’Neal of being in the hot seat. The finals 3rd: handily double dipped Kiamco 5-2, ($125) Nicole Keeney 5th-6th: ($800 each) Brandon Ashcraft came down to Nevel and Kiamco. 4th: 5-2 to take the 8-Ball division title.

Bonnie Plowman

Ivan Doty But even the best grinders can hit 5th-6th: ($75)

With division play over Heather Pulford (Paid down to 48th place) a wall. Although Nevel trounced and points list in hand, it was Kiamco 9-2 in the first set, a little 8-Ball Women’s 9-Ball Men’s / Mixed announced that Kiamco took the déjà-vu of the Pagulayan – Morra 1st: ($4,650) Warren Kiamco 1st: ($875) Vivian Villarreal $2,000 first place Men’s / Mixed 10-Ball final took place. In set two 2nd: ($3,100) Larry Nevel 2nd: ($525) Melissa Little All Around bonus, Morra took the Nevel lost a little steam and Kiamco 3rd: ($2,000) Ross Fregoso 3rd: ($325) Shawn Modelo $1,000 second place bonus and played solid taking the set 9-6 and 4th: ($1,250) Bobby Emmons 4th: ($225) Bonnie Plowman the initial lion that roared early in first place in the division. Now it 5th-6th: ($800 each) Josh O’Neal 5th-6th: ($150 each) Brittany Bryant Stevie Moore

Susan Williams the week, Pagulayan, squeaked appeared there was a new Sherriff (Paid down to 32nd place) (Paid down to 12th place) in the All Around point list town. past the rest of the field to take the Going into the 8-Ball and final $500 third place bonus.

April 2011 - Stroke Magazine 5

Spinning The Wagon Wheel Watch Out. It’s Contagious!

By Samm Diep © April 2011

By: Bob Jewett

San Francisco Billiard Academy www.sfbilliards.com In my column last month, I described the basics of the Wagon Wheel position system. The idea was to use just follow or draw to take the cue ball the right distance in the right direction to just touch a target ball for position. (You’re not actually getting position on the other object balls; they are just providing a goal for position. If you prefer, just Bob Jewett place a coin where you want the cue ball to go.)

This time I’m going to ask you to perfect your side spin to achieve the same sort of result using a cushion. In the top shot in the diagram, the object ball is by the middle of the end cushion about one ball’s width off the rail for each shot. The target object balls are placed on each diamond. The cue ball is placed so that when shooting the shot, your stick passes over the 11 ball.

For your first shot, pocket the 15 and use right English to send the cue ball towards the 1 ball. Adjust your spin and speed so the cue ball just reaches the 1. This will probably take your best side spin. Consider your control on the shot good enough when you can leave the cue ball within a ball diameter of the position target, and go on to the next shot. For the 2 ball, you will need less right side spin, but you probably can’t get the angle off the cushion with just follow. By the time you get to the 4 or 5 ball, just follow with no side spin should be sufficient.

To get to the 6, you have a choice.

You could play with no side spin and hit the cue ball below center so it arrives at the 15 ball without follow or draw. Then the cue ball will simply bounce off the cushion more or less straight to the 6 ball. An alternative is to let the cue ball roll with follow and correct the angle off the cushion by adding a little left English. The two effects will fight against each other and the result can be the path you want depending on how much side spin you have added. This technique of cancellation is useful when you don’t want the follow to bend the ball forward but if you hit the ball hard enough to keep its draw it will also have too much speed. Try both ways and see which works best for you.

As you move on to the 7 and 8, you will need to use both draw and left English at some point and by the time you are sending the cue ball to the 11, you will need your best side and draw simultaneously. Table conditions can have a large effect on how both draw and side spin work. With sticky cloth, any draw will quickly turn into follow but the side spin will generally take more, especially if you are at maximum RPMs. With slippery cloth, the spin may not take completely on the cushion, but draw shots will be easier. If possible, try this drill on a variety of tables -- you could use it as a warmup in competitions.

In the lower part of the diagram the cue ball has been moved to a harder cut shot.

This will make it difficult or impossible to reach the spots nearest the corner pockets.

Can you achieve the cue ball angles indicated? Experiment with your mixture of draw/follow/side to see which combination makes each shot easiest.

Remember to shoot the shot in the other direction also, or you’ll get lop-sided.

Read more articles by Bob Jewett at www.onthebreaknews.com

6 Stroke Magazine - April 2011

In my recent interview with Hall of Famer Nick Varner, he said: “You're always liable to miss those hard shots; you got to brush them off and just try to learn from 'em what you can as far as getting used to the table and stuff so you don't miss the next shot you come up against. You try to not let it become contagious. It becomes like cancer where you go from bad to worse. That happens to a lot of players.”

Unfortunately, there is no antibiotic Samm Diep you can take to keep this condition from progressing when you start to catch a miss. It could be that the balls are just getting a little sticky or maybe the air is humid and everything is reacting a little differently than you’re expecting. The spin exaggerates and combinations become much tougher.

When you start missing a shot here and there due to the table conditions, it’s very common to start losing confidence. That’s when, as Nick says, “it becomes like a cancer where you go from bad to worse.” Once your confidence is shaken, it’s very difficult to regain your composure and that’s when we often make bad decisions too. It’s really easy to start questioning your mechanics or abilities when you miss a couple back to back shots. The key is to be aware of why you’re missing so that you can make the appropriate adjustments.

It could be something mechanical or a variance in the equipment. Whatever it is, this is where all those long hours of practice come in handy. It’s so critical to be in tune with your game so that when the conditions and the equipment are slightly off, you can adjust quickly before it’s too late. Pay close attention to what’s happening. If you know your game, then you should know what the cue ball should be doing on certain shots.

Home Remedy: Practice on as many different tables and in as many different playing conditions as possible. The only way to recognize when things go from bad to worse is by experiencing it. Learning to adjust to various circumstances will keep the cancer from spreading. When it starts happening in a match, reduce your speed and use less english until you can make the adjustment.

Remember, each time you approach the table, it’s a new shot, a new opportunity to do your best, and anything that happened before is now in the past. Learn from it, and then let it go.

The above excerpt is from the article, “Nick Varner: The Original Comeback Kid.” Go to AzBilliards.com to read the complete interview and other Pro Vision interviews.

Read more articles by Samm Diep at www.onthebreaknews.com

April 2011 - Stroke Magazine 7

CARBIN CAPTURES OPENING 2011 USSA SNOOKER TOUR EVENT The Paul Carbin (Queens, NY) has captured the Prince Snooker Classic - Event 1 of the 2011 United States Snooker Association

B, Laszlo Kovacs, by a narrow 3-2 margin. in the quarterfinals and raced away to a Wong then faced Yan Y. Zhen in the 3-0 success to set up a semifinal match-up semifinals, who had previously topped against the reigning and twice United States Group A in good form with three 2-0 match National Snooker Champion, successes before then - claiming a 3-2 Ahmed Aly (Brooklyn, NY). Aly, quarterfinal success over Group C runnerwho had won Group B with up Tommy Chen. This semifinal encounter three successive 2-0 victories was a repeat of their Round of 16 match in and had advanced through the last year's United States National Snooker quarterfinals by overcoming Championship at the Embassy Billiards the runner-up of Group A, Ng Club in San Gabriel, Guo Ning, by a 3-1 California. Wong won scoreline, defeated that tie 3-2 and this Carbin at this stage This semifinal again went down to of the event last year, encounter was the final frame as Yan but Carbin proved a repeat of their again succumbed to a to be too tough of Round of 16 match 4-3 loss. an opponent on this Match chart available occasion and ran in last year's at www.snookerusa. out a surprising 4-1 United States com. The USSA would winner.

National Snooker Wong's passage like to give its thanks to the final was to all the participants Championship. somewhat more of this event, and also difficult after finishing to Tommy Chen, the top of Group D, as he then proprietor of the Prince Snooker Club for got through his quarterfinal tie his continued support in hosting yet another Winner of Event 1 of the 2011 USSA Tour, Paul Carbin (pictured against the runner-up of Group successful USSA Tour event. left) with the proprietor of the Prince Snooker Club, Tommy Chen, presenting the trophy

(USSA) Tour, sponsored by Aramith billiard balls and Strachan West Of England snooker cloth, with victory at the Prince Snooker Club in Brooklyn, NY, February 26-27. Carbin, who honed his considerable snooker skills back in his native Ireland, was a losing semifinalist in this event last year, though this year secured his first ever USSA Tour event win with a 4-2 victory in the final over Henry Wong.

Carbin's progress to the final was very comfortable, as he eased through the group phase to advance into the knockout stage of the event without losing a frame, recording successive Group C 2-0 match wins over Tommy Chen, Ahmed Mehega and Peter Chen, to top the group.

Carbin then faced Chen Yan Jun, The four semifinalists of Event 1 of the 2011 USSA Tour, (pictured left to right) Henry Wong, Paul Carbin, Ahmed who finished runner-up of Group D, Aly and Yan Y. Zhen 8 Stroke Magazine - April 2011

Dave Pearson The Ginger Wizard We had proposed a live streaming on OTBnTV of Dave’s record attempt at the VNEA Nationals in 2010. For logistical reasons we were unable to live stream Dave’s record try. We caught up with him at the South Dakota State 8-Ball Championships which hosted an exhibition with Mr. Pearson. He was there to help raise money for the VNEA Junior National Program by giving performances, challenging players, giving lessons and selling his cues. The event was a huge success and raised $2,000 - a record!

Dave Pearson is the world's number one pool entertainer and the most exciting pool player the game has ever seen. He is known all over the world and is without a doubt the top exhibition player in the world. Dave has broken over 20 world records with the Guinness Book of World Records.

Dave is considered the fastest man in the world. He was 21 when he broke his first world record. He was able to run a rack of 15 balls, waiting for the cue ball to stop in between shots, and pocketing the 8 ball last, in an amazing 43 seconds. Looking back now that seems slow as Dave’s current record is 26.5 seconds.

The next challenge for Dave was the 24 hour World record which he managed to run 16,499 balls in 24 hours, only resting a total of 35 minutes through this ordeal.

“Fastest Man In The World”

Dave was performing for Guinness when they tried to push him to the limit and see what he could achieve. They set up 2 pool tables 6 ft apart and wanted to see if it was possible to run 2 tables in under 2 minutes, low and behold Dave set a new record 1 minute 58 seconds.

His record for this feat currently stands at 1 minute and 22 seconds.

Now the ultimate challenge, running 10 racks of 15 balls on 2 pool tables 6 ft apart in under 10 minutes. Well he did not let the 5 million viewers down he ran 10 racks in 9 minutes 46.3 seconds! He has since then bettered that record and it now stands at 8 minutes and 57 seconds.

Dave is available to entertain at your event, corporate party, poolroom, birthday party, tradeshow or on TV. To contact Dave visit his website http://www.poolsensation.net where you can find all the information you need or email Dave at info@poolsensation.net Dave said he was on his way the following week to the Iowa VNEA State Championships.

Information and stats courtesy of poolsensation.net Photo by: Don “Cheese” Akerlow April 2011 - Stroke Magazine 9

Shot Gods Elite 1st Place Little River, SC, Mar. 17th, 2011 - TAP Pools Amateur Tour is about family and tradition. TAP is also about innovation, taking the old and mixing it with the new, striving to be better, promoting the industry with sportsmanship and class, with an owner that is the key to our success because of his unbelievable foresight. TAP has been learning from our past to take us all to a very bright future. TAP is one team, with one goal.

In 1996, TAP’s founder and owner Loyd Schonter started the Rally in the Valley Dream Team event and concept, in conjunction with his good friend Allen Hopkins, who had the Super Billiards Expo, in Valley Forge, PA.

At that first event, less than 30 teams were there from Virginia and Maryland.

Charlie Brocklehurst, Owner of MidAtlantic TAP Licensee # 01, stated “It’s hard to believe that 15 years have passed already. I can still remember the first rally.

There were very few teams in a large convention center. Now, we’re overflowing with players. As one of the few territory owners who was there at the start, I can’t express enough the joy and pride I have with the TAP Members.” “Every year, they come and play with the understanding that it’s about the love of the game that binds us all together.”

Today, TAP’s Rally in the Valley event has to be limited to 144 teams through out the USA and Canada. It now has 5 Singles Brackets, by skill level and it’s infamous midnight mini tournaments that players line up, to sign up and compete in. Last year, it’s little brother event Rally at Bally’s was formed and ran in conjunction with the TAP National event, due to the popularity of this Valley Forge event.

If you ask Loyd Schonter, What do you think when you look at the event from the first year to now, does it surprise you how it’s grown? He will tell you he knew the event would be successful and popular, but he credits his tournament staff for making the event, one that services the player and has evolved it into what it is today.

Schonter states “Now, that we have 144 teams, we will keep it there until we make sure it is the best served event we have. It is all about the player. The staff I have in place, can take care of it without involvement from me. That’s what I am extremely proud of.” “They need the deadlines we have put into place to organize and coordinate and each time, it continues to get better because of that planning time.”

TAP is proud of the event staff they have, comprised of all TAP Licensees, Operators and Representatives from throughout the USA and Canada. This hardworking, dedicated staff works long hours at these events and come back every day to do it again, but are happy to commit and dedicate themselves to each other, the corporate office and the player.

Kelly Senior, TAP Operations and Event Director stated, “Two years ago,

10 Stroke Magazine - April 2011

when I came into this position, I didn’t fully appreciate as a player or an operator, what this staff truly does, today I know.” “Throughout the planning, setup and running of the event, you tend to get caught up in the moment and in the heat of the battle, but the stress, the sleepless nights are all worth it, when you know you have brothers and sisters up there with you, not above you, not below you, but beside you who appreciate you, because we are one team, with one goal.”

“That goal, to give the TAP player the best we have to give; organize and run an event they can appreciate, that always has them in mind.” Senior continued, “You know you have met that goal, when a player says, “Thanks for all you do”, when they acknowledge they see it; when they respond on the TAP message board and Facebook page with more positives than negatives, and constructively tell us what they see that can be improved and their suggestion to help make it better. With each event we see it getting better and better. “That is what makes it all worth it.”

But Senior, who is new to the crew, looks to those that have been in it for the long haul. Bruce Williamson, TAP’s National Director and Sam Rullo, TAP’s Singles Director have been working these events for 13 to 14 years. The balance of old school and new school coming together and reviewing each process of this team, is what makes this the successful group that it is.

Returning from the good ole days, is Chuck Schonter TAP’s Licensee Support Director. Chuck, the brother of owner Loyd Schonter, can tell many stories of the past and appreciate what TAP and this event are today. He stated, “ It was awesome, very well run, best I have been at , definite improvement over the years, all of you should be very proud of such an accomplishment.”

This year, additional licensees have stepped up to the plate to help and help they did. April Bradley and staff from Upstate TAP, SC; Charlie Brinkman L & N TAP, PA, George and Nancy Natili Route 19 TAP, PA; John Heiken Southwestern Indiana TAP; Dan Mitchell Rock Solid TAP, ME; Carl Johnson Big Dawgs on TAP, FL; and Cindy and Rusty Williard, North Texas TAP with many more committing to help at future events as well. Senior stated, “this will help us with continued success in the future, a willingness to help and be a part of our events by our licensees, operators and representatives. You can have a first rate staff, but you always need new blood to help with breaks, on the job training for their own events and if needed potential replacements that are all ready to go. A back up plan and team are never a bad idea.”

As a result of not only a great staff, TAP is growing at record numbers.

Territories are selling every week. So, for the first time in history the Rally in the Valley Dream Team event sold out in Mid February.

The 144 dream team event kicked off at 8 a.m. and ran through Sunday.

TAP’s dream team event is a round robin event, that goes to single elimination of

Valley Forge, PA TAP, LLC celebrates 15 Years of Rally in the Valley Events !

Elite, Championship and Best of the Rest . This guarantees 4 rounds of team play.

Over $100,000 in total prizes were given out at the event. Players enjoyed 100% payback in the singles event; open Diamond tables during their events, along with great competition of players throughout the USA and Canadian leagues representing each of their TAP territories and mixing it up with others.

As always, entry of all score sheets for team and singles events, ensures an overall solid handicap based on player performance week to week and at National competitions. New Pool Net features were used for the planning of the event, which took manual processes and made them automated, which efficiently and effectively streamlined preparations. Autoflag was used once again at the event, ensuring any player playing two levels above their handicap twice, is disqualified from the event. As players are getting use to this new feature, it enables the National Director to explain to the player about this disqualification process and show them the reasoning behind it. Taking an upset player, with politeness and professionalism showing them why such action must be taken, so they can accept it with the facts and figures.

Once again, the Predator Group was an event sponsor providing items from their Predator and Poison lines to all TAP players; Poison Jump Cues to each player on the Elite Bracket Dream Team various Cues for the player prize giveaway. Their overwhelming support of our Rally and National event has been greatly appreciated, through out the years.

Additional sponsors included, AZ Billiards, Fox and Hound, D & D Cue Repair and Staybridge Suites in Malvern.

On Sunday, March 13th the Champions were crowned !

Championship Board Winners More Cow Bell

Congratulations to the 2011 TAP Rally in the Valley Elite Board Champions, “Shot Gods” from Kansas. Players; Jeff Wharton, Patrick Cady, Joe Johnson, Marcus Alonzo, Tom Czajkowski, Troy Ramirez, Shane Duffee, and Jaime Garcia (See Picture)

Congratulations to the 2011 TAP Rally in the Valley Championship Board Winners, “More Cow Bell” from Pennsylvania ; Players; Joe McCarthy, James Hammond, Jeremy Lepley, Shannon Wanamaker, John Parks, III, Erik Bell, Tom Rishel, Kyle Eberlin and Paul Snyder (See Picture)

Congratulations to the 2011 TAP Rally in the Valley Best of the Rest Board Winners, “D & D Misfits”; Picture not available at press time.

Congratulations to Singles Championship Winners; Jagdesh Raghoo 7 Handicap; Sean Nave 6 Handicap; Dave Bardo 5 Handicap; Carol Clark 4 Handicap and Richard Brown 3 Handicap.

A complete list of team and singles winners will be posted on www.tapleague. com and on TAP, LLC Pools Amateur Tour Facebook. $10, In November 2011, TAP will be returning to Las Vegas, Nevada for our Nationals and hosting , RALLY AT BALLY’s.

Want more information about TAP? Check out our website, www.tapleague. com and contact us, through our corporate office, at the Live Help desk, via email or IM. Join the countless others that have been checking us out. We look forward to hearing from you ! Until then, TAP ON!

April 2011 - Stroke Magazine 11

Product Review FingerSlides

RAYMOND ROMANSKI, TONY IGNOMIRELLO, WALI MUHAMMAD

IGNOMIRELLO

UNDEFEATED March 20, 2011. Cue Nine Billiards, Levittown, NY. A/D 9 Ball $1,000 added. 34 players

Tony Ignomirello undefeated in A/D at Cue Nine Billiards' first Tri-State Tour event.

His trail to victory, included wins over Mike Davie 6 - 3; Mike Strassberg 6 - 4; Chuck Giallorenzo 6 - 5; and Ray Romanski 9 - 8 for the Hot Seat, and finished ahead of Ray Romamski for the tournament.

As well as a hardy congratulations to Tony, Ray deserves praise with a strong 6 & 2 win/loss record. Special thanks belong to John Brendle for providing a georgous venue with great food and spirit.

Please provide a thank you to Sterling-Gaming, Ozone Billirds, Ron Tarr Cues, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, and Dr. Dave Billiards Insructional Products for their sponsorship leading to this event.

1st $680 Tony Ignomirello 2nd $440 Raymond Romanski 3rd $270 Wali Muhammad 4th $160 Chuck Giallorenzo 5th - 6th $100 Nick Bouquet, Steve Wade 7th - 8th $80 Stuart Warnock, Steve Wade

12 Stroke Magazine - April 2011

This unique billiard product was sent to us by Nancy L Cote to try out. When we first saw it we were a little skeptical and amused. It looked like it was very uncomfortable and hard to get used to.

We were wrong. The FingerSlides are easy to slide on, so light you almost forget you have them on.

If you can’t get used to wearing the traditional cue glove but still want that slide and feel, you should try these.

They are easy to wash, handmade in the USA, come in black, tan and striped. Size S-XL. Nancy inspects and makes them by hand!

You can order the FingerSlides from Nancy’s website www.cuezctc. com for only $15 each. While you are there look around, you can also order a cue tip cover or embroidered personalized billiard towels. Put your name or your team name on them!

Prestige Billiard Balls This amazing ball set is the standard 2.25” pool balls but has NO numbers on them!

They are made from imported resin and have a standard color scheme.

Oh and did I say NO numbers. It makes playing 8 ball fun, solids and stripes are easy to tell. BUT if you are playing 9 or 10 ball you really have to know your ball colors, so you don’t shoot out of sequence.

These balls were created by Steve Kesting, the owner of L8START LLC. Steve writes, “I have been in beautiful Seattle, Washington since 1994 after serving a few years in the Army. In the past 17 years, I have met some great players and this is my way of giving back to a game that will always be my favorite.”

You can order your own set of Prestige Billiard Balls from Steve’s website www.prestigebilliardballs.com for only $79.00 or from Amazon.com

Klatt Crowned New NYC 9-Ball Champ

By Samm Diep, PoolTipJar.com on behalf of AzBilliards.com On March 19-20, the sixth annual NYC 9-Ball Championship was held at Skyline Billiard Club in Brooklyn, NY. Skyline graciously adds $3,000 each year to this event. The format was a race to 9/7 with an affordable entry fee of $150 to draw players of all levels. Hot homemade entrees were brought in on Saturday for players, catered by co-owner Rob Pole’s own mom.

“This tournament used to be held the weekend before the world straight pool tournament,” said tournament director, Jose Burgos. This event has always boasted an impressive attendance record, most notably Francisco Bustamante’s win in 2008 with Mika Immonen, Mike Davis, and Johnny Archer among the field and, Neils Feijen’s victory in 2007 when the Filipino contingency of Dennis Orcollo, Ronnie Alcano, Lee Van Corteza, and Jose Parica all made appearances.

This year was no different. A tough field of 39 players showed up, including reigning U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion Darren Appleton, as well as Mike Davis, Jason Klatt, and John Morra. Two-time reigning champion, Stevie Moore’s hope of bringing home a third title was shattered when he got the one-two k.o. from Appleton. Moore was defeated 9-7 in a first round match deemed worthy of the finals. He was later eliminated

by Appleton 7-1 in 30 minutes flat and settled for 7th place.

Appleton received his first loss by Klatt when he missed a 3 ball at hill-hill. A few rounds later, he found himself down 5-2 against Morra who’s only mistake was breaking dry.

Appleton closed the gap before hanging a 5 ball.

Morra pocketed the 5 and hooked himself on the 6. His jumping skills failed him this time, allowing Appleton control of the game and match. Appleton dished another convincing win of 7-1 over local player Joey Kong before getting handed a 7-1 loss from Rob Saez. Saez was ahead 6-0 before Appleton won his first game. The Brit had several uncharacteristic misses on the 9 ball and received a third place finish for his efforts.

Klatt defeated Saez 9-6 to enter the finals, while leading the entire match. The confident Saez, who finished runner-up to Ralf Souquet last weekend at the Super Billiards Expo, was out for blood. His strong victory over Appleton gave him the chance for a rematch against Klatt.

Without hesitation, Saez claimed the first set 9-7. Both players took a quick break before starting the second set. Klatt got his mistakes out of the way early in the match

ROB SAEZ, JASON KLATT

when he missed a 4 ball to go up 1-0.

Before Saez knew it, Klatt caught a gear and jumped ahead 6-1 before missing the same 4 ball in the side. Saez took that game and the next two but his comeback was short lived. Klatt ran the final rack to win 7-3.

Complete online brackets here.

RESULTS 1st $2,000 2nd $1,150 3rd $700 4th $550 5th $475

7th $350

Jason Klatt Rob Saez Darren Appleton Joey Kong John Morra Eddie Hubler Jerry Tarantola Stevie Moore

OCHOA AND KIELAR HEADING TO VEGAS

The first qualifiers for both the 12th U.S Open One Pocket Championship and the 3rd U.S Open 10-Ball Championships were held March 19-20.

At Drexeline Billiard Club in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, young gun Adam Kielar won the paid spot to the U.S. Open One Pocket event. While simultaneously in Houston, Texas at Bigtyme Billiards, Sylver Ochoa grinded it through a strong lone star state field to nab the paid U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship spot.

Produced by CueSports International (CSI), both U.S. Open events will take place at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in conjunction with the 35th BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships. The One Pocket kicks off Thursday, May 12 and concludes the 15th. The 10-Ball Championship will start Monday, May 16th and conclude Saturday, May 21st.

For more information about both U.S. Open events including all upcoming qualifier dates and locations visit www.playcsipool.com. Both events will be live streamed and available via PPV by The Action Report (TAR) at www.theactionteport.com. CSI would like to thank the following

sponsors: Diamond Billiard Products, Simonis, The Magic Ball Rack, Mueller Sporting Goods, McDermott and Billiards Digest for their support of the 12th U.S. Open One Pocket and 3rd U.S. Open 10-Ball Championships.

This year the Riviera reduced their room rates and the registration numbers have been tremendous. For anyone booking 8 or more nights, the rate is $60 per night (restrictions apply). For reservations less than 8 nights the rate is $80. These rates include Friday and Saturday evenings; allow up to 4 people per room and no resort fee will be added. To make your reservation call (800) 634-6753 and use group code BCAPCPP. CueSports International is dedicated to creating more choices for all players. CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League and the USA Pool League. CSI also produces independent events such as the U.S. Bar Table Championships, the Jay Swanson Memorial, the U.S. Open One Pocket Championship and the U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship. Visit www. playcsipool.com, www.playbca.com and www.playusapool.com for more information about CSI and its divisions.

April 2011 - Stroke Magazine 13

Lucky Recap: In Part III I was a guest at Lucky’s ranch, listening to stories of his life and politics and anticipating action in town the next day.

I woke up the next morning to a crowing rooster instead of an alarm clock. I could see blue sky through the window and immediately jumped out of bed, feeling extraordinarily refreshed.

After a quick shower, I followed the bacon and coffee aromas and found Lucky downstairs, drinking a brew and reading the local paper. “Good Morning! Sleep ok? Bacon and eggs over on the stove.

Check out this story here!”

I replied, “Mornin’. Yes, thanks.

Where’s the coffee?” And noticed the local newspaper headline was news I had already read back home three days before

In the truck on the way into town, we talked about the upcoming day.

“Everyone will play hard,” he said. “I just have to make it look tough." It was remarkable, the confidence Lucky had.

Some of these guys were famous money players. But, I saw Lucky play last year and he did not miss a ball. No one I've seen has ever played like that. “I'll win some money today and everything will be ok.”

My ears perked up. “What do you mean everything will be ok? Does it have to do with the stuff you wrote in your letters?

“Oh, I’ve been ailing a little this last year. Finally went to the Doc and he keeps me under lock and key! Lucky chuckled. “Gets kinda expensive! Don’t have “medical insurance” and I’m eating my savings up.” He wished a push for universal health care were more assertive. Insurance companies and medical costs are the real culprits.

I was speechless. What could be so serious that it would cost Lucky all his savings? My heart was sad for him as I listened. But, as before, Lucky stopped talking about it when we hit town, and I didn’t make an issue of it. It was better not to get into a big discussion like that before a match. I couldn’t think of anything to say to get both our spirits up.

Then, out of the blue, Lucky asked me, “Do you know this old salt, John Antons?” I said, “Sure do. He’s a friend back home.” Come to find out, they knew each other and Lucky had even been sailing with Antons. I told him John used to play pool with my father! We talked, too, about another old friend of his, Eddie Parker, an old time pool hustler who, at this recounting, has passed on to play with the pool gods in the sky. Lucky and Fast Eddie matched up in the early 50’s and went on the road for a while until they had an argument about, guess…money.

We sneaked in the back of the hotel and walked out the front. People were waiting around. It reminded me

14 Stroke Magazine - April 2011

Lucky Part IV: “Lucky and the Doc”

of the movie High Noon. One cocky guy stepped in front of Lucky and said, “You’re going to lose today.” Lucky just brushed past him, saying to me, “Ronnie Allen said the same thing thirty years ago. He left busted. True champions say nothing. They don't talk -- they just play.

That was false confidence. Trying to verbally intimidate the other player shows weakness. I learned that from Caras.”

We walked in and immediately the crowd opened up a path to the pool table.

Two city slickers were playing a race to something for a thousand. We waited and watched. The crowd kept sidling

by Lucky and peering at him. They looked like a wolf pack on their prey. It didn't seem to bother him at all. He just watched as if the two guys playing were the marquee match. I noticed the crowd had thinned out from yesterday. Probably losers, leaving town while they still had gas in the tank. A gangly kid standing next to me kept cracking his fingers. I asked him how the ring game went yesterday. He sniffed and said, “Aw, it wasn’t nothin’. Pretty even. Two of ‘em argued over every dollar and finally got throwed out.”

The match ended. It was apparent they weren’t going to play anymore.

Maybe they would have continued if Lucky had not shown up. Lucky knew what time it was and just cut to the chase. He spoke clearly and to no one in particular, “Who's first?” and moved over to a counter near the table and took out his cue. He stood there rubbing Cue Glide on his shaft, ignoring the crowd, who were kind of looking around at each other, waiting to see who would come out first. “Humpf,” said Lucky. Then the young player I’d talked with earlier jumped up and said, “Ok, let’s play some. “

“How much?” Lucky murmered.

“Two thousand to nine,” from the kid. The side bets started, so I got in, putting five bills on the set and a bill a game with one guy. I also took a few smaller bets on the set. I figured I’d make fifteen hundred on the match. Pocket change for some…a lot for me. The kid played pretty good, but Lucky won 9 to 4, and the kid sniffled his way out the door. I collected my grand from one guy and the other five from the rest.

One of two men who were hanging together approached and placed two grand on the table. “Bet?” said someone.

“Sure,” said I. Lucky made it look tough, won 9-7. The player conferred with his stakehorse. Another two grand on the table. “Bet again?” the stranger said to me. “This time I want two games on the wire for a thousand, nothing on the games.” “Ok” I said. The games went back and forth. The score was 8 to 6, Lucky. I hadn’t told Lucky I was side betting. He broke, made nothing. His

opponent was running out. I would be back to square one if this guy got to 7.

Somehow he left himself with a bank on the nine and missed it, to my relief. Then Lucky missed and left a small angled cut shot, and I thought, that’s it. The player eagerly shot it but over cut it. He left another bank shot for Lucky. Lucky shot. It looked like it was going in but it settled on the end rail just next to the pocket. He’s planning to lose, I realized!

I was reaching into my pocket to get out the money. Thok! What the? The guy miscued, but the cue ball rolled right up to the nine ball, pushed it to the rail, but failed to drop it. Oh brother. Lucky shrugged his shoulders slightly and pocketed the ball. How lucky was I.

The stakehorse was shaking his head, but came up with the money for another set. I tried to signal Lucky and let him know I was betting on him, but I couldn’t get his attention. More bets were placed, mine included, and Lucky broke, then stalled, giving up shots all over the place. He had to be trying to keep the players lined up to play him. While I was winning money by the narrowest of margins, I was thinking about Lucky’s illness, the only thing that would cause him to be playing this kind of pool. He must have needed the money bad.

Lucky pocketed the nine on an early combination to end the third set. “I’m done,” the guy said. “My stakehorse quit, not me.” How many times have I heard that excuse, I thought.

An older man wearing a nice sport coat stood up and asked Lucky to play some One Pocket. “We can bet more … five thousand a game all right with you?

Lucky stood there chalking his cue for about ten seconds. Then he looked up at the guy and smiled. “I like that idea,” he said. They posted the money. This guy said, “I know you’ve been stalling - that doesn’t bother me.” Lucky took a break, and the challenger checked over his equipment. Side bets were placed.

Chairs were rearranged. I got a good seat and table with a clear view of the pool table, and I was glad to see the old guy who took the other chair didn’t light up a cigarette. The waitress was kept busy taking orders for food and drink.

Someone opened the door for a few minutes to clear the air. The atmosphere crackled. The stage was set.

Lucky and the challenger who some said was a lawyer, lagged for the break.

Lucky’s ball stopped an inch from the headrail, the challenger’s an inch behind.

Lucky reached for the cueball and set it for the break shot. But when he stroked through it, he stumbled, his legs buckling.

Time stopped as Lucky flailed his arms in an attempt to regain his balance and not fall onto the table. Oh no! The cue ball hit the rack hard and opened up the table.

Balls were scattering all over for an easy

Andrew Monstis

run. Then Lucky fell, his body folding to the floor. For a moment no one moved, then pandemonium broke loose. I was the first one to reach Lucky.

“Stay back! Give him air! Call a doctor!” Lucky just lay there. I grabbed a coat someone handed me and placed it under his head. He was conscious and tried to talk to me. “It’s the illness,” he whispered. Oh boy, I thought. I tried to quiet him. “Don’t talk,” I told him. “Just relax, you’re going to be fine.” But he croaked, “Did I make a ball?” Several voices called out, “Yeah, we saw a ball drop in his pocket.” Lucky’s eyes closed, and I leaned down to check his breathing. He seemed to be slipping into unconsciousness. Now the crowd was becoming anxious on another level.

“What about my bet?” I heard someone say. “He’s got to finish or he will forfeit the money he posted!” Lucky’s eyes fluttered open. He struggled to raise his arm. In a weak voice, he said, “Let him play for me.” He was pointing to me.

Everyone’s eyes turned to me and lit up. Sure! Yeah! Some people in the crowd betting against Lucky said, “Sure let him finish, if that’s what Lucky wants.”

“No!” I protested, trying to tell Lucky I couldn’t do it. I yelled, “Everyone stand back. Give him a break. He’ll finish the game, just give him a break.” The local doctor quickly arrived, and when he saw it was Lucky, he looked really worried.

While he checked Lucky over, the crowd stood by, talking quietly. I stayed there with Lucky, and heard the doctor tell him he’d have to take him in to the hospital.

Lucky shook his head feebly, and tried to get up, “No, I’m fine, I’m fine. I have to do this first. I can’t go now.” The doctor pushed Lucky back down and insisted.

Lucky gave a tired sigh and stared up at me, his eyes pleading. “Drew, you have to play for me. I need you to win for me.

Please, Drew, you can do it.” His eyes closed.

I started to sweat. I never heard of this before. The players betting on the match talked it over and all agreed that it was fine with them. Lucky’s challenger sized me up and said, “Sure, he can finish the game. I took a deep breath, stood up, and said, “Ok, let’s do it.” I saw the corner of Lucky’s mouth turn up ever so slightly.

We got him to the doctor’s car, and he kept whispering, “You can do it, you can do it, Drew.” I stood there, watching until it disappeared in the distance.

Lucky, I will do this, I promised. I’ll do it (Lucky continues on page 17)

Sandcastle’s Monthly Scoreboard Tuesday 9 Ball Tourney on 2/15/11 open to ALL levels; Total Number of Players: 7 Total Prize Fund: $275.00 1st Place - $200.00 - “Billiard” Bob 2nd Place - $75.00 - Ralph Panuzzo Congrats guys!

“The Gauntlet” Weekly 10 Ball Tournament-Pro-Open-A-B levels; VALENTINE’S DAY (mini tourney) Total Number of Players: 8 Total Prize Fund: $420.00 1st Place - $210.00 - “Billiard” Bob 2nd Place - $145.00 - John Woo 3rd Place - $65.00 - Roger Hanos Great shooting gentlemen!

Thursday Tourney on 2/10/11 open to ALL levels; Total Number of Players: 19 Total Prize Fund: $795.00 1st Place - $410.00 - Rich Ng 2nd Place - $250.00 - Dinko Busanich 3rd Place - $135.00 - Ron Lubas Congrats everyone!

Tuesday 9 Ball Tourney on 2/8/11 open to ALL levels; Total Number of Players: 16 Total Prize Fund: $630.00 1st Place - $315.00 - Pete V. 2nd Place - $215.00 - Teddy “TNT” Taso 3rd Place - $100.00 - Mustafa Dikilitas Congrats everyone!

Trick Shots by Sarge

By Ken “Sarge” Aylesworth

BANK/KICK DISCIPLINE

(reprinted from June Issue 2003) This month we are going to explore one of the harder Disciplines Bank/Kick. My first four articles on Artistic Pool were from the four easier Disciplines. The four easier Disciplines are performed on the first day of our two day, North American Artistic Pool Continental Qualifier for the World Championship.

Starting this month I’ll be covering the four harder Disciplines that are Ken “Sarge” Aylesworth performed on the second day, Bank/ Kick, July - Stroke, August - Jump, and September - Masse. One of my greatest accomplishments is that I hold the World Record for: Most points scored for the four hardest Disciplines of Artistic Pool (Masse, Jump, Stroke and Bank/Kick), for all continental qualifiers ever held. I set this record in October 2001 during the North American Continental Qualifier held at Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, California.

Onto this month’s shot that had a Degree of Difficulty, (D.O.D.) of 6. Object ball letter coincides with corresponding pocket letter. To

“The Gauntlet” Weekly 10 Ball Tournament-Pro-Open-A-B levels; Total Number of Players: 15 Total Prize Fund: $760.00 1st Place - $420.00 - Eddie Abraham 2nd Place - $240.00 - Ed Culhane 3rd Place - $100.00 - “Billiard” Bob Great shooting gentlemen!

Thursday Tourney on 2/3/11 open to ALL levels; Total Number of Players: 19 Total Prize Fund: $685.00 1st Place - $400.00 - Pete V. 2nd Place - $220.00 - Wali Muhammad 3rd Place - $65.00 - Ed Culhane Congrats everyone!

Results from weekly Tuesday 9 Ball Tourney on 2/1/11 open to ALL levels; Total Number of Players: 13 Total Prize Fund: $485.00 1st Place - $300.00 - Teddy “TNT” Taso 2nd Place - $155.00 - Rich Ng 3rd Place - $30.00 - Raj Vannala Congrats everyone!

set this shot up position the object ball B in the center of the table.

The cue ball is placed on the vertical centerline, plus one diamond segment from pocket B. The objective of this shot is to shoot the cue ball to B ball. Object ball B will bank to cushion #4, then to #2 cushion, then back to #4 and finally be made in B pocket. A scratch is allowed. Here are some helpful hints on executing this shot. I use a touch of low and a lot of left English on this shot. I aim the cue ball at ball B for approximately a ¾ ball aim. On this shot you will use a hard stroke. Ball B travels 14 diamonds of distance before being pocketed. If you over cut ball B it won’t reverse back to cushion 4, so pay close attention to what the object ball Maryland 14.1 Championships July 22-24 does. Aim to hit ball B fuller if it $275 entry - $8000 Added doesn’t reverse, or use a little Open event Call for Info more left English.

7954 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd Please call me at (206) 719-2695 with your questions. Glen Burnie, MD 410-760-1332

Big Daddy’s Billiards

April 2011 - Stroke Magazine 15

Scoreboard

Visit AZBilliards.com for the latest pool information

racks until Souquet played a combination on the 10 ball to pull ahead at 8-7, winning 10-7. This would give Saez and Van Boening a chance for a rematch.

Saez and Van Boening captivated fans for another hill-hill saga. Saez immediately jumped to a 5-1 lead over Van Boening. Both men appeared confident and missed very few shots. Toward the end of the set, they each hooked themselves toward the end of the rack and couldn’t finish the run allowing the other to capitalize. In the final rack, Van Boening made an error that would cost him when he got poor position on the three ball resulting in a miss on the four ball. This would allow Seaz the opportunity to bank in the four and run out for another chance at Souquet.

Souquet Crowned Pro 10-Ball Champion at Super Billiards Expo

Germany’s Ralf Souquet went undefeated to claim the 2011 Open 10-Ball Pro Players Championship at the Super Billiards Expo. Souquet, who had a fifth place finish in 2009, had his eye on the prize this year. It seemed he had notable wins this weekend over nearly the entire U.S. Mosconi team, Dennis Hatch, Johnny Archer, and Shane Van Boening.

The tournament was played using WPA rules where a pocket must be called for each shot. If a ball is slopped in, the incoming player has the option to take the shot or return it to the shooter. Ironically, Souquet helped in implementing the rule.

The 2008 and 2010 champion Van Boening fought hard to defend his title but was unable to get through the steady Robb Saez who sent Van Boening to the one-loss on Saturday in a hill-hill back and forth battle. Van Boening went on to defeat Hatch with a convincing score of 10-3 while Saez and Souquet met up on the a-side. Souquet was ahead 4-0 before Saez won the next five games. The players exchanged the next few

In the finals, both Souquet and Saez appeared to be getting fatigued the percentage of errors were increasing. Souquet remained ahead for the entire match and Saez struggled to close the gap. While down 8-7, Saez had an opportunity but was unable to capitalize, missing the one ball and giving the rack to Souquet. Another miss on the one ball would allow Souquet to get to the hill first and ultimately the match and title. Final score: 13-8.

1st $20,000 Ralf Souquet 2nd $7,000 Robb Saez 3rd $4,000 Shane Van Boening 4th $3,000 Dennis Hatch 5th $2,100 Johnny Archer, Darren Appleton 7th $1,800 Alex Pagulayan, Gabe Owen 9th $1,500 Mika Immonen, Jason Klatt, Dee Adkins, Stevie Moore 13th $1,250 Shawn Putnam, Rodney Morris, Tony Robles, Max Eberle 17th $900 Thorsten Hohmann, Matt Clatterbuck, Raj Hundal John Morra, Shaun Wilkie, Ryan McCreesh Hunter Lombardo, Tommy Kennedy

Super Billiards Expo Results World Artistic Pool Championships 1st $3,500 2nd $2,500 3rd $1,800 4th $1,300 5th $1,000 6th $800 7th $750 8th $700 9th $650 10th $500 11th $450 12th $400 13th $100

Andy Segal Jamie Gray Tim Chin Gabriel Visiou Nick Nikolaidis Abram Diaz Florian Kohler Jamie Moody Tom Rossman Chris Woodrum JR Owens Bruce Barthelette Paul Danno, Javier Gomez Steve Markle, Joe Bonge Sebastian Giumelli, Gordon Hedges Steve Geller, Tom Kinzel, Jason Lynch Mark Dimick, Dave Nangle

16 Stroke Magazine - April 2011

Fury Straight Pool Challenge 1st $1,500 2nd $900 3rd $400 5th $200

Darren Appleton John Schmidt Mika Immonen, Dave Daya Mike Davis, Max Eberle Bobby Chamberlain, Nick Varner

Pro Am Division 1st $1,500 2nd $1,000 3rd $700 5th $500

Charlie Williams Justin Hall Masafumi Mochizuki, Bill Dunsmore Shane Clayton, Marc Vidal Tommy Tokoph, Michael Delawder

Amateur Open Division 1st $5,000 2nd $2,000 3rd $1,500 5th $1,200

9th $950

Bucky Souvanthong Tony Long Gary Lutman, Ben Zimmer Brett Stottlemyer, Chris Mitchell Alex Olinger, Danny Mastermaker Houston Rodriguez, Mike Wishwanick Steve Mack, Jorge Rodriguez Greg Antonakos, Shayne Morrow Toshiki Kiuchi, Phil Wines

Amateur Ladies Division 1st $1,500 2nd $1,000 3rd $700

5th $450

Jia Li Stacie Bourbeau Liz Lovely, Gail Glazebrook Amy Theriault, Grace Nakamura Diana Rojas, Lonnie Fox

Seniors Division 1st $3,000 2nd $1,500 3rd $1,000

5th $725

9th $450

Sy Brown Horace Godwin Ike Runnels, Ed Matushoneck Gary Nolan, Horace Aughtry Ray MacNamara, Marc Pantovic Mark Hatch, Tony Mougey Bob Talford, Victor Nau Joe Sauro, Patrick O’Neill Al Muccilli, John Jennings

Lucky Continued from page 14 for you. Slowly, I turned and walked back into the lion’s pit.

I held Lucky’s cue, finding the balance, stroking the slender shaft. My shot. Oh man, I thought. The first shot was very difficult. If I missed playing it right, I’d sell out…why not just shoot and miss and let this guy win. Just give him the game. All I wanted to do was get in my car and go to the hospital. This game didn’t mean anything. But, with a sigh, I knew was important. Lucky’s health was at stake, and no one was just going to hand him a big wad of money. So the decision was made for me.

As soon as I could get out of there, I got directions from the hotel to the town where the hospital was and took off in a cloud of dust. The hospital really wasn’t much more than a small clinic, in fact, it looked like the veterinary clinic we take our cats to back home. A nurse in bright pink scrubs directed me to a room down the linoleum hall. She wouldn’t tell me anything. I feared the worst, I opened the door but found Lucky sitting up in bed, watching tv and I thought I saw Lucky spinning a pool ball on his finger as he quickly put what ever he was spinning under his covers “Are you all right?” I asked, concerned and confused.

“Did you win?”

“Lucky, are you all right?”

“Did you win?”

“Look, are you all right?” I was beginning to panic. And was he spinning a pool ball on his finger.

“Yeah, I’m ok. Did you win?”

“Lucky, I really need to know what’s going on,” I said to him. “I can’t deal with this. Why are you here? I don’t know what to do. I’m really worried.” Lucky sighed and looked at the ceiling.

“You lost the money.”

Frustrated, I paced the room. “Ok, the first shot was the hardest one of the whole game. When you miscued you messed up the table pretty good. I had to kick the fourteen, and make it or not, leave me good and him tied. The balls were fairly scattered, so I had catch a certain spot to get the leave. I wasn’t exactly geared up for the game, you know,” I stopped pacing and glanced over at Lucky, who was still studying the ceiling. “But I made it, and got the leave.”

I reached in my pocket and pulled out ten thousand dollars and tossed it on the bed. “After that first shot the rest was pretty easy, actually.” Lucky reached out and collected the bills in gnarled fingers.

I calmed down, then. I knew he wouldn’t tell me a darn thing until he was good and ready. No use getting into a knot about it. As Lucky smoothed out the bills, it occurred to me he might have done this whole thing to me on purpose. Did he set me up to challenge me? The whole thing seemed planned … choreographed, a real Oscar performance. Stop it, Drew, I said to myself. You don’t know anything about any of this.

The door to Lucky’s room swung open and a doctor came in. When he

saw me he asked me to leave for a few minutes. Lucky held up a hand, “No, doc, let him stay.” Then I found out that Lucky really was sick. I didn’t understand all that the doctor said, but the gist of it was that Lucky probably wouldn’t be around a much longer if he didn’t follow orders and take these medications. I looked at Lucky in alarm, but he didn’t seem bothered much by the prognosis. The doctor reassured Lucky that with regular medication and treatment, he’d be able to do pretty much everything right up to D-Day, whenever it came. Then he reamed Lucky up and down for not taking his advice. With a start, I realized he probably hadn’t had the money. Lucky threw me a warning look and said to the doctor, “Yeah, I know, I just keep forgetting.”

Lucky didn’t have to stay long at the clinic, so we drove back to town to get his truck, and I followed him back to the ranch. I felt somewhat reassured by the doctor’s word’s that Lucky was going to be ok as long as he took his medication, and had made sure that he filled his prescription before we left the clinic.

Lucky he had money on him, because the stuff cost a fortune without insurance.

Over lunch, Lucky was assuring me he’d be ok, and I should go ahead and head for home. “I have friends here,” he said. “I’ll be fine. But before you go, I want to propose something.” He chugged a half a glass of milk and swiped his mouth. “I want to go on the road. Can you get away for a couple of months?”

Now that was something I didn’t expect. “I thought you never wanted

to do that again,” I said, somewhat astonished. “Why now? You’ve got this great place and you seem happy here.

Why would you want to go out there when you’ve got this?”

With a twinkle in his eyes, Lucky scratched his head and said, “Well, I thought so too, but you know, if I’m only gonna be around for a little while, I kind of like the idea of shooting some stick. I’m getting kind of tired of this peaceful life anyway. I just need a couple of months to take care of some things here. So what do you think?”

“Let’s do it,” I said without hesitation, already knowing my wife would be supportive and enthusiastic. “I’ll be ready.” I couldn’t turn this down! I was ready to jump up and leave so I could hurry up and get back

“Good,” said Lucky, “and before we go, I will share more pool secrets with you.”

We talked awhile longer, then said our goodbyes, and I left in a cloud of euphoria on one hand, and concern for Lucky’s health on the other.

On the long drive home I was thinking that maybe I shouldn’t tell anyone what we were planning. Or that Lucky was sick. I still didn’t know how his illness would affect him on the road.

Come to think about it, I still didn’t get his real name, either!

Well, you’ll all be the first to know how it went. But that will be awhile down the road…I still can’t figure out how he can spin a pool ball on his finger. I have to practice spinning that ball.

April 2011 - Stroke Magazine 17

Read Online www.strokemagazine.net

Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice DATE Apr 1-3

CITY LOCATION PHONE EVENT / RULES ENTRY ADDED TIME Saratoga, WY Platte Valley Open (307) 329-8924 8-Ball 3 Divisions $60-$160 $9,000 6 PM Watch it LIVE on OTBnTV.com presented by Tiger Products Apr 2 Alsip, IL CSI Qualifier (708) 388-3700 Red Shoes 10 Ball Qual. $75 (incl g.f.) $250 w/16 max 10 AM Apr 2 E Rutherford, NJ Castle Billiards (201) 933-6007 Tri State Tour A-B-C-D 10-Ball Call $500 Noon Apr 2-3 W Hempstead, NY Raxx Pool Room (516) 538-9896 Joss NE Tour $120/$70 $2,000 Call Apr 3 Frasier, PA Main Line Billiards (610) 647-8805 Mezz Pro-Am Tour Call $1,000 Call Apr 8-10 Billings, MT MCMOA (See ad Mar) League Operator State 8-Ball Champ. M/W (A/B) Qualify at bars $10,000 3:00PM Watch it LIVE on OTBnTV.com presented by Tiger Products Apr 9 Brooklyn, NY Gotham City Billiards (718) 714-1002 Tri State Tour B-C-D 9-Ball Call $1,250 Noon Apr 16-17 Albany, NY Golden Cue Billiards (518) 459-9442 Northeast 9-Ball Open $120/$70 $2,000 Call Apr 16-17 Lindenhurst, NY Mr Cue Billiards (631) 226-9486 Predator 9-Ball Tour Open/Pro Call $1,000 Call Apr 23 Holiday, FL Hammerheads (727) 939-9494 Florida Classic Cue Tour $45M/$25W $500 Noon Apr 23 Edison, NJ Sandcastle Billiards (732) 632-9277 Tri State Tour A-B-C-D 9-Ball Call $1,000 Noon Apr 27-May 1 Beijing, China Beijing Open Check matchroomsport.com for details Apr 29-May 1 Mtn View, CA California Billiard Club (605) 965-3100 Seminole Pro Tour 10-Ball $115 $12,000 Call Apr 30 Alsip, IL CSI Qualifier (708) 388-3700 Red Shoes One Pocket Qual. $75 (incl g.f.) $250 w/16 max 10 AM Apr 30 New York, NY Eastside Billiards (212) 831-7665 Tri State Tour B-C-D 9-Ball Call $1,000 Noon May 3-8 Asia Dragon Promo Mx Doubles Check dragonpromotions.com for details May 7 Edison, NJ Sandcastle Billiards (732) 632-9277 Tri State Tour B-C-D 10-Ball Call $750 Noon May 9-15 Manila WPA World 10-Ball Check matchroomsport.com for details May 12-15 Las Vegas, NV CSI (702) 719-7665 U S Open One Pocket Call $10,000 Guar Call May 11-22 Las Vegas, NV BCAPL (702) 719-7665 BCAPL Nationals Varied $750,000 payout Call May 14 E Rutherford, NJ Castle Billiards (201) 933-6007 Tri State Tour A-B-C-D 9-Ball Call $500 Noon May 15 Seminole, FL Side Pocket (727) 399-0890 Florida Classic Tour $45M/$25W $500 w/20 Noon May 16-21 Las Vegas, NV CSI (702) 719-7665 U S Open 10 Ball Call $25,000 Guar Call May 21 Jackson Hghts, NY BQE Billiards (718) 779-4348 Tri State Tour B-C-D 9-Ball Call $1,000 Noon May 28-29 New York, NY Amsterdam Billiards (212) 496-8180 Tri State Tour B-C-D 9-Ball Call $1,000 Noon May 30-Jun 5 Venue Changes World Pool Masters Check matchroomsport.com for details Jun 4 E Rutherford, NJ Castle Billiards (201) 933-6007 Tri State Tour B-C-D 9-Ball Call $500 Call Jun 4-5 W Hempstead, NY Raxx Pool Room (516) 538-9896 Predator 9-Ball A-B-C-D Open/Pro Call $1,500 Call Jun 4-5 Williamsville, NY Bison Billiards (716) 632-0281 Joss NE Tour $120/$70 $2,000 Call Jun 11-12 Brooklyn, NY Gotham City Billiards (718) 714-1002 Tri State Tour A-B-C-D 9-Ball Call $2,000 Noon Jun 11-12 Providence, RI Snookers Billiards (401) 351-7665 Joss NE Tour $120/$70 $2,000 Call Jun 18 Edison, NJ Sandcastle Billiards (732) 632-9277 Tri State Tour B-C-D 9-Ball Call $750 Call Jun 18-19 New York, NY Amsterdam Billiards (212) 995-0333 Predator 9-Ball Tour Open/Pro Call $1,000 Call Jun 25-26 New York, NY Amsterdam Billiards (212) 496-8180 Tri State Tour A-B-C-D 10-Ball Call $1,000 Call Jun 25-Jul 2 Qatar Men’s WPA World 9-Ball Check wpapool.com for details Jul 8-10 Spring Hill, FL Capone’s Billiards (352) 688-9965 Seminole Pro Tour 10-Ball $300 $25,000 Call Jul 22-24 Glen Burnie, MD Big Daddy’s Billiards (410) 757-3488 Maryland 14.1 Championships $275 $8,000 Call

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Apr 1-3, 2011 Platte Valley Open - WY

18 Stroke Magazine - April 2011

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