Stroke Magazine July Issue 2012

Lucky’s Vegas Vacation

VNEA Vegas Team Results Allison Fisher Back-2 -Back WPBA U.S. Open

Kelly Fisher World 9-Ball Champion

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4 JPNEWT 5 Women’s World 9-Ball 8 Laurel Highlands TAP

18 Bison Billiards 27 WPBA U.S. Open 28 Ask the Viper

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07/14/2012 11:00 AM-3:00 PM

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(Quarterfinals)

07/15/2012 12:00 PM-3:00 PM

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(Semifinals & Finals) These schedules have been provided by ESPN. These are tentative dates and are subject to change

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Stroke P.O. Box 100 Three Forks, MT 59752 Phone 1-406-285-3099 Fax 1-406-285-3098 Email pool@onthebreaknews.com www.StrokeMagazine.net

Lucky’s Vegas n Vacatio

VN EA Veg as Tea m Res ult s Alli son Fish er Bac k-2 -Ba ck WPB A U.S . Ope n

er K e l l y Fll iChsamhpio n Wo rld 9- Ba

Cover Photo Courtesy of: Zhao Yue

STROKE STAFF PUBLISHER/EDITOR Don “Cheese” Akerlow MARKETING DIRECTOR Mary Akerlow LAYOUTS & DESIGN Erica Senf Don Akerlow Mary Akerlow

DEADLINE:

25th of each Month - CALL IF LATE

Don “Cheese” Akerlow

Contents

ABOUT US

Stroke is a monthly publication, dedicated to the advancement of the sport of pool and to promoting enthusiasm and encouragement among the players Publisher 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 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. © 2012 Stroke

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 3

IT’S DYANMITE IN DOHA! IN A LEGENDARY EPIC THRILLER, DARREN “DYNAMITE” APPLETON WINS THE WORLD 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A 13-12 VICTORY OVER LEE HE WEN Darren Appleton

By Ted Lerner Photos courtesy Vinod DivaKaran, Doha Stadium Sports Weekly June 22-29, 2012

(Doha, Qatar)--In one of the most thrilling and surreal finals ever witnessed in pool history, England’s Darren Appleton won the 2012 World 9-ball Championship, barely beating China’s Lee He Wen, 13-12 in front of hundreds of stunned fans inside Doha’s Al Sadd Sports Club.

It was a match that had everything that the sport of pool could possibly offer; fantastic, clutch shot making, an unbelievably impossible comeback, edge of your seat drama that was downright unbearable, and a finish that blew the roof off the house.

For Appleton, the win is his first World 9-ball Championship and is the culmination of a dream he has held since turning to pool from English 8-ball in the mid-2000’s. With his World 10-ball crown in 2009, his double US Opens in 2010 and 2011, and now the World 9-ball Championship, Appleton can certainly lay claim to be one of the greats of all time.

For Lee, he came within a whisker of nearly pulling off a comeback for the ages, and at the same time, earned for himself the admiration of legions of pool fans around the world who were in awe at the 31 year old’s tenacity and never-say-die spirit.

What’s more striking for Lee is that midway through the match he was nothing more than an afterthought to a sure coronation for Appleton.

Lee, who had beaten Ralf Souquet in the semis, was absolutely and thoroughly written off by every single person who was watching in person or following the match online streamed over the Al Kass Sports channel.

That’s because after handily taking down Japan’s Naoyuki Ohi in the

4 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

semi-final, Appleton raced out of the starting gates in the race to 13, alternate break final and was streaking towards a total rout on the way to the title.

After splitting the first four racks, Appleton caught the type of gear every single pro player dreams about when they wonder how they would hope to play in a championship final. He had several break and run outs, he punished every mistake Lee made, and as he piled up the racks and his lead grew ever wider, he literally oozed confidence.

Clearly in that rarefied zone that’s only reserved for the great champions, Appleton soon found himself out in front 9-2. Lee got one rack back to make it 9-3, but that didn’t deter the Englishman as a break and run and a clear off a scratch by the Chinese pushed the score to 11-3.

At this point, the score line and the body language of both players told the whole story; the match was surely over and it was just a formality of going through the last few motions before Appleton would be lifting the trophy. It was such a sure thing that Appleton’s fans on Facebook took to congratulating “Darren Appleton, the new World 9-ball Champion.”

When Lee grabbed the next rack to make the score 11-4, nobody even thought anything of it. When Appleton failed to convert off a foul by Lee in the next rack, and even scratched to help get Lee to 11-6, it still didn’t mean anything to anyone. Indeed Appleton, for all intents and purposes, put the match away in the next rack when he cleared the colors after Lee left a safety open, and moved to within one of the world title.

But then, with Appleton leading 12-6, that moment came, that mysterious (Doha continued on page 31)

A L I M C S Y T L H L E E K

GOLD!

Kelly Fisher Wins The 2012 Women’s World 9-Ball Championship With A 9-6 Victory Over China’s Fu Xiaofang

Kelly Fisher

BY TED LERNER Photos Courtesy of Zhao Yue June 14-21, 2012

(Shenyang, China)--Capping an all around solid week of pool with yet another air tight performance, Britain’s Kelly Fisher won the 2012 WPA Women’s World 9-ball Championship with an emphatic 9-6 victory over Chinese superstar Fu Xiaofang, in front of a packed house inside the Richgate Shopping Center in this northeastern Chinese city.

With the victory Fisher now holds the distinction of being the only woman to ever hold the World 9 ball and World 10-ball Championships all at the same time.

But perhaps more importantly, the win cemented Fisher’s status as the hottest player in the women’s game right now, and is a lasting testament to years of toil, long travel and plenty of near misses to go along with a lot of W’s. With the victory she will now claim the mantle of WPA World Number 1.

It was an all-around brilliant Thursday for the 34 year old from Yorkshire, as she took down two huge names in Chinese pool on their own turf. The opening salvo came with a dramatic match against 2009 World 9-ball Champion Liu Shasha in the semi-finals. Fisher had to slog it out for over two hours and the contest went down to the last ball, with Fisher claiming a heart stopping 9-8 win by a whisker.

The final started well for both players. Fisher won the lag and broke and ran for the early lead. Fu stepped up and did the same to tie the match at 1-1.

Fu then stepped on the gas for the next twenty minutes, performing perfectly, winning two safety battles sandwiched around a break and run, to go up 4-1.

Fu had clearly caught a gear and was well on her way to clearing the next rack for a massive 5-1 lead. But as she stretched far over the table to line up a shot, the referee called a foul, saying she had touched a ball with her shooting hand.

As so happens in pool, one small incident mysteriously sends the momentum, and the roll of the balls, over to the other side. Fisher cleared the table to cut the lead to 4-2. She then caught a break in the subsequent rack when an over-hit cue happened to land on a 6-9 combination, which she nailed.

Fu then missed a long one ball and Fisher cleared to tie at 4-4. In rack 9, Fisher grabbed her first lead at 5-4 when Fu left a safety open.

After the pair traded break and runs, Fisher started tightening the screws. She won the next rack after she buried Fu in a lockdown safety, forcing Fu to scratch. With Fisher up 7-5, Fu lost another when she inexplicably failed to hit a rail after trying to hide the balls.

Fu cut the score to 8-6 but Fisher went out in style with a break and run to reach the holy grail. But as the last 9 ball fell, Fisher didn’t realize that she had won, as she thought match was a race to 11. Only when she looked up and saw Fu shaking her hand and the photographers furiously snapping photos did she realize she was the new World 9-ball Champion.

After receiving the golden trophy and drinking in the accolades from the throng of fans, an ecstatic Fisher said she was not only happy with her accomplishment, but also with the way she did it.

“I’m absolutely thrilled,” a beaming Fisher said. “I can’t explain what I’m feeling.

I just can’t believe it. I played really solid tonight. I played solid all week. Overall I’m really happy with my performance.”

As usual with all the Chinese pool stars, Fu was the model of graciousness in defeat. She admitted, however, that the foul in rack six affected her frame of mind.

“After I fouled, the match seemed to change,” she said. “And my emotions changed. I wasn’t the same after that.”

Fu also confessed that playing in a world championship final in China with millions of fans expecting her to win brought on almost unbearable pressure.

“The finals were stressful,” Fu said. “I’m Chinese and everyone in China wants me to win.”

Fisher, who pocketed $40,000 for her win, pointed to Fu’s foul in rack six as the point where the match turned. But after a week where she played brilliantly and won two 9-8 thrillers in the knockout stage, the new world champion figured there must be a much bigger picture involved.

“She was playing well until that foul,” Fisher said. “That was the turning point.

But you know this week somebody has been by my side.”

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 5

Torres takes first Poison Title JOSE YBARRA, TONY CROSBY, CARLOS TORRES

Stroker’s Billiards Palm Harbor, Fl hosted the latest Poison Cues tour event. 30 players showed up for the$1000 Added Amateur one day event which was held Fathers day weekend, June 16, 2012.

Carlos Torres would prove to be the man to beat, as he made his way to the hotseat with strong wins over Lee Holland 7-4, Tim Baron 7-3, Jake Nauman 7-5, Trey Jankowski 7-3 which he followed up with a hard fought 7-4 win over Brett Lykins to take the Hotseat.

While all this was going on Jose Ybarra was running riot on the one loss side, after taking a 7-4 loss to Nathan Rose, Ybarra would go onto defeat Marty Linzy 5-2, Dave Ross 5-1, Paul Mullins 5-4, Jake Jacobson 5-2, Trey Jankowski 5-4, Lee Holland 5-1 and then another strong win over Brett Lykins 5-4 to set up a final match with Torres.

Carlos Torres looked like he was going to cruise his way to the win as he stormed out to a 6-2 lead, Ybarra had other ideas as he grinded his way back into the match rack by rack and eventually tying it up at 6-6, unfortunately for Ybarra a scratch in the last game would give Torres the chance he had been waiting for as he calmly ran the last few balls to take down his first Title on the Poison Tour.

Payouts 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th-6th 7th-8th

Carlos Torres Jose Ybarra Brett Lykins Lee Holland Trey Jankowski, Glenn McMohan Jake Jacobson, Jake Nauman

6 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

$600 $400 $300 $200 $100 $60

We would like to thank Stroker’s Billiards for hosting another great event and all the players that showed up. Also our title Sponsors Poison Cues for supply some of the best hitting cues on the market.

The Poison tour will be at Cuephoria Billiards Café in Orlando July 28th-29th Orlando always draws a big crowd so this should be another great weekend of pool. If you would like to see some of the matches from this and past events visit www.poisonpooltour.com for more info you can also sign up to receive emails with the latest news.

COLUMNIST

Mike Massey

Rapid Fire Wing Shots

When preparing for this shot, place six additional object balls where shown. You must roll the object ball into the target zone by hand and shoot it into Pocket F while it is rolling down the table. The cue ball must be shot from behind Line X. I prefer to place the cue ball after letting go of the object ball because I feel this improves my rhythm. You can, however, have the cue ball in place prior to rolling the object ball or you can place it after letting go of the object ball.

Mike Massey

Nine time World Champion, Mike Massey is considered pool’s best trick shot artist. He was voted the “Best in History” and is a member of the BCA Hall of Fame.

Mike’s most amazing accomplishments were in two 24 hour poolathons. In one he pocketed 8,090 balls playing with one arm. In the other poolathon he ran 330 racks of 9-ball in Austria on live TV. Mike has consulted or appeared in the movies, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”, “The Baron and the Kid”, “Justice”, “Chalk”, and “Pool Hall Junkies” Mike is available for exhibitions and clinics. Please contact Mike or Francine Massey at 435.640.5787 or francine.massey@gmail.com

These so called Wing Shots are mostly timing and instinct.

What makes the Artistic Pool version more difficult than the “normal” version is the cube of chalk in the foot spot. It can throw off your rhythm, which is crucial on a shot that requires such precision.

I hold the cue ball and object ball in my left hand. I roll the object ball and place the cue ball in a smooth and continuous motion. Most good wing shot shooters shoot medium hard because they don’t have much time before the object ball reaches the zone. In competition we have to shoot seven shots in succession. The key is to stay cool and acquire a good rhythm.

Plan on spending a lot of time practicing these shots if you intend to master them.

Tom Rossman and Earl Strickland are excellent at wing shots.

Minnesota Fats was also pretty good. Dan Willis was great at wing shots. In fact, I heard that he once made 30 in succession.

In exhibitions I shoot one handed jacked up, while rolling the cue ball and object ball at the same time. I also shoot them one handed jacked up under my leg!

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS: SUR: Set up Ratings EXR: Execution Ratings MSR: Mike’s Success Ratio

SUR: N/A EXR: 4.0 (1) 5.0 (all seven) MSR: 60% (for 1)

MIKE MASSEY

Nine Time World Champion

EXHIBITIONS & CLINICS Contact Mike or Francine Massey 435.640.5787 francine.massey@gmail.com

To order Mike’s book call 888.295.7665 or 714.894.1157 Visit us on the web at www.billiardspress.com

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 7

PAGE PULLS AHEAD

West Palm Beach, FL (June 9, 2012) – Jennifer Page and Debbie Barkley made it through the round robin format to the finals of the second FBT Mini-Tour event of 2012, held at Grover's Billiards in West Palm Beach, Florida on Saturday, June 9, 2012. In this handicapped event, the players played each player a set of 3 games, one 8-ball and two 9-ball.

Robin Boggs and Sue Roberts played strong, as did Alicia DeAbreau and Susan Martin. The games were played on bar boxes, and the scores were very close.

Page and Barkley ended up with 11 games each. The final match was a race to five, with the winner of the lag picking the race or the game, 8-ball or 9-ball. The match started with 8-ball, and Barkley took the lead 2-1.

However, Page came back and took the lead in 9-ball. But for Barkley's scratch on the 8-ball it likely would have been a hill-hill match, but Page won the next game and the match. In addition to cash, Page wins a paid entry to the Flamingo Billiard Tour stop at Slate Billiards in Boynton Beach, Florida on June 23, 2012.

Many thanks to Grover’s room owner Jason Jenkins for

supporting the Flamingo Billiards Mini-Tour, and thanks to all the players who came out to play.

RESULTS: 1st Jennifer Page 2nd Debbie Barkley

$60 $30

STARINN Inn wINS STAR WINS The Laurel Highlands TAP spring Titleholder is history. 54 teams from three states showed up to battle it out for a portion of the $13,100 prize fund in Derry, Pa at the Cooperstown Vets.

After it was all said and done as teams competed in a round robin format and then to a single elimination board, the Star Inn from Ohio walked off with the top prize on Sunday evening. The final match was pitted a strong opponent from Johnstown, Pa., The Country Inn. In the hill-hill match with the Star Inn player, Wilie Sanchez needing just one game and the Country Inn player, 17 year old Jake Humphreys needing 2 and on the table, Jake left himself with a tough cut on the 8 to send the match to a final game. But it was not to be as Jake miscued and gave Willie a ball in hand and a easy run out for the championship. All of this can be seen on the U Stream link on poolpa.com The 2nd bracket champion was the Slovak Trophy Hunters from Mt. Pleasant besting another Ohio team, Just Hold The Wings 3-0. The 2nd chance winner was Pigskins Tavern from Twin Rocks, Pa.

This was the first live stream broadcast ever of a TAP event and it was a instant hit. Over 35 hours was broadcast during the event. which was held from June 1 to the 3rd. One player even mentioned that a

8 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

Star Inn L.H. T.A.P. Titleholder Champs

brother he has not seen in several years was watching him from Hawaii.

The next Titleholder is scheduled for August 23-26 and again will again be broadcast on U Stream.

JUNIOR PLAYER PROFILE

CHAD BEHNKE

NAME: Chad Behnke DATE: 2/1/12 HOME TOWN: Farley, Ia BIRTH DATE: 6/5/95 NICKNAME: Cheddar SCHOOL YOU CURRENTLY ATTEND: Western Dubuque High School GRADE: 11 FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: History AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START PLAYING POOL? 5 TITLES/HIGH FINISHES: 2012 Acs Midwest 8-Ball Masters Champion 2011 Acs Midwest 8-Ball Masters Champion 2009 Iowa State Champion 2007 Iowa State Champion 2006 Super Billiards Expo 8-Ball Champion, 14 & Under Division WHAT KIND OF CUE(S) DO YOU USE? Schon, Predator Air LEFT OR RIGHT HANDED: Right SPONSORS: Cuesports International (Csi) FAVORITE BAND/MUSIC: Wiz Khalifa HOBBIES: Snowboarding

FAVORITE FOOD: Tacos REAL-WORLD HERO: My Dad GOALS (PERSONAL AND/OR CAREER): Attend A 4 Year University

JUNIOR BILLIARDS...

PLAY. SPONSOR. GET INVOLVED WWW.BILLIARDEDUCATION.ORG

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 9

COLUMNIST

San Francisco Billiard Academy www.sfbilliards.com

Bob Jewett

San Francisco Billiard Academy is a BCA Certified Master Academy.

The academy offers: Private Instruction Basics Clinic Eight Ball Clinic Nine Ball Clinic Introduction to Billiard Instruction BCA Recognized Instructor Course BCA Certified Instructor Course

10 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

Bob Jewett

T h e 1-2-3 G a m e I’m a firm believer that trying new games can quickly improve your pool skills. The new techniques and strategies involved in a new set of rules will broaden the situations and shots that you are comfortable with. There are few things sadder than an “eight ball player” who doesn’t want to try nine ball or 14.1 for fear that it will take away from his perfection at eight ball. Just the opposite is true -- nine ball will sharpen tough shot skills and 14.1 will improve pattern play.

Carl Sandstrom is pool fanatic who seems to spend all his spare time thinking up new games to play. His “1-2-3” game is particularly designed to help with your pattern play. It is intended as a single-player practice game but you can compete for high score.

The game starts as shown with the 1, 2 and 3 in front and the 7 stripes behind in the same shape as for 10 ball. Smash the balls open. Anything made on the break spots up, and you take ball in hand.

The goal is to make the 1, 2 and 3 in order, but you have to make some stripes before you can pocket the low balls. You must make three stripes before the 1 and two before each of the 2 and 3. (This is similar to snooker, where you have to pocket red balls before you can go for higher-valued “colours”.)

Scoring is by the number on each low ball, so a total of 6 points (1+2+3) is available per rack. The stripes are not worth anything. Any foul or miss ends the rack.

You are not required to hit balls in order, so it is OK to play a stripe-1 combination when it is time to play the 1 ball.

Balls spot when needed so that you can always complete a proper stripes/low ball sequence. That means that any ball made on the break spots up. To keep the table more open when spotting multiple balls, use the foot spot for the first ball, the center spot (between the side pockets) for the second ball and the head spot for the last ball. Also, if you make, for example, a low ball when playing a stripe, the low ball spots up immediately.

Similarly, if you make a stripe when pocketing a low ball in its proper turn, the stripe spots up so you will have 2 stripes available before the next low ball.

This game will teach you how to get through a run out. Since you are playing alone for score, there is no safety play. Figure out from the very first shot how you are going to solve any problems on the table. If there is a cluster of balls, get to it while there are still plenty of options. Try to have everything open by the time you shoot the 1 ball.

For pattern situations, I like the way pool writer Larry Schwartz puts it. Think of the stripes as your “soldiers” who need to help you with the tasks at hand. Don’t just kill them without purpose. Too many eight ball players go through the early part of the rack pocketing their loose soldiers and then wonder why there is no one to help break up clusters or get position on the eight ball.

For several other new games, visit Carl’s web site at sites. google.com/site/poolandbilliard/.

Kim Meyer-Gabia wins A/D 9 Ball Tri-State Tournament Kim Meyer-Gabia wins his A/D 9 Ball Tri-State Tournament

held at Carom Cafe' Billiards in Flushing, N.Y. Her tournament trail included wins over Ron Mason 6 - 4; Mashak Daniel 6 - 4; Tony Ignomirello 6 - 3; Pat Mareno 7 - 6; Stewart Warnock 8 - 5 for the Hot Seat. While Kim settled into the Hot Seat, Chrip Karp braved his way back to the finals after suffering a loss to Stewart Warnock 7 - 6 and defeating Stewart in a rematch 7 - 2. Considering the late hour, both players decided to call it a night with Kim as the rightful winner. Third place finisher Stewart Warnock and forth place finisher Ron Mason with a 7 & 2 win/loss record, deserve recognition for their fine performance. The next Tri-State event is a $1000 Added A/D at Amsterdam Billiards & Bar in NYC, NY on June 23 & 24, 2012. Please provide a thank you to Sterling-Gaming, Ozone Billiards, Ron Tarr Cues, Kamui Tips, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, Human Kinetics for their sponsorship leading to this event. Please leave tournament staff names out of this article, comments and credits to remain general. Thank You!

Left to right: 2nd Place Chris Karp; 1st place - Kim Meyer-Gabia; 3rd place - Stewart Warnock.

A/D 9 Ball Tri-State Tournament Payouts 1st 2nd 3rd

Kim Meyer-Gabia Chris Karp Stewart Warnock

$700 $440 $270

4th 5th - 6th 7th - 8th

Ron Mason Basdeo Sookia & Pat Mareno Daniel Dagotdot & Ben Castaneros

$160 $105 $80

Richard Ng wins A/D 9 Ball Tri-State Tournament Richard Ng wins his A/D 9 Ball Tri-State Tournament held at

Gotham City Billiards Brooklyn, N.Y. His tournament trail included wins over Edward Ng 7 - 3; Raul Reyes 7 - 5; Paul Raval 7 - 0; Alex Osipov 7- 5; Scott Bannon 7 - 6 and Mike Harrington 7 - 6 to get into the Hot Seat. Mike then defeated Scott 7- 6 to face Rich for a second time. The Final match was tied at 3 all before Rich gained the momentum and closed the match 7 - 3. Third place finisher Scott Bannon winning 6 matches and forth place finisher Mike Strassberg with a 5 & 2 win/loss record, deserve recognition for their fine performance. The next Tri-State event is a $1000 Added A/D at Carom Cafe & Billiards in Flushing, NY on June 16th, 2012. Once again Kevin and Isabel hosted a great event in their beautiful room. Thank you to Sterling-Gaming, Ozone Billiards, Ron Tarr Cues, Kamui Tips, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, Human Kinetics for their sponsorship leading to this event.

Payouts 1st ................ Richard Ng.........................................$1,385.00

4th ............... Mike Strassberg......................................$450.00

2nd .............. Mike Harrington...................................$930.00

5th - 6th . ..... Carl Yusuf Khan & Mesdhak Daniel..... $290/ea.

3rd ............... Scott Bannon.........................................$620.00

7th - 8th . ..... Alex Osipov & Lou Loria...................... $200/ea.

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 11

COLUMNIST

The Monk

ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE PLATEAU PLAYERS? Tim Miller

This is not a feel good program. This is the real deal. You will be working with the monk for over four months. You will be working step by step to build the skills at nine ball that your opponent does not have. You will master the important moves this game calls for.

You will become a master nine ball player and play better nine ball than you have every played this game before.

May all the rolls go your way, The Monk

CALL THE MONK TODAY 1-603-566-6229

There are players who maintain the same winning percentage year after year and wonder what they need to do to break through to the next level. The problem with these players is that they keep trying to solve tomorrow’s problems with today’s line of thinking. If you have reached the Plateau experience you need to make some inner game changes. In other words, you have to change the way you think for it is this thinking that has you stuck in the plateau experience.

The plateau type of player comes to me more often than any other pool player. They are sick of the same old thing year after year. Many of them have tried other instructors with no real progress.

We often have breakfast before we start our two day session and it is at this time I talk about building a mind set. You must have a specific set of values before you can realize progress in this game. A value is what drives us. Without a purpose we are floating around like a man who is treading water. I go over his purpose to make sure it is measurable and easy to understand.

Our minds always move towards our values so we must establish a strong set of values. Have you ever heard a pool player say, “If that was for money I would not have missed that shot”? Or you hear the player say he cannot play well unless it is for money. There are players who cannot play for money and must play this game socially. Our values drive us so we need a clear understanding of what they are. Have you ever complained that you can’t play well when you are competing against a lesser player? But if you play that same person for a hundred dollars you would play much better. It is the same lesser player, different performance. The money in the second example was your value. You did not care about the guy you were

playing. You only cared about winning.

I spent the last year working on a new book. In this book I teach how to develop a strong value and how to design your training to reach that goal. This is a book about the golfer. I teach a principle that we advance the ball in accordance to the club we have in our hand which means we do not over swing a club to get ten more yards. The same applies to pool. We shoot the shot as it presents itself on the table. I don’t want to lean over the table for a shot I think I am going to miss. If it is a tough low percentage shot I will always tell myself I have a chance to succeed if I try real hard. In other words, give one hundred per cent and let the results be whatever they are. This technique of recognizing the value of the shot in front of you is taught in my Road Players Nine Ball training series. I have run so many tables with this thought.

If you fall out of the boat and stay afloat so you can breathe you will be happy for a little while. Then it dawns on you that you will have to swim to shore. You will need to know which direction to swim. Then you need to get started with the idea that you will reach shore soon.

This is the plateau experience. You are treading water.

In order to reach the shore you will have to make an effort. And that effort is found within your values.

Define your values and design your training to bring you to the goals. I will look for you in the winner’s circle.

http://www.monkbilliardacademy.net/9-balltrainongprogram.html

12 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

SEAVER

strikes again on the

Flamingo Billiards Tour!

Boynton Beach, FL (June 23, 2012) – There was not a more appropriate day for the third 2012 Flamingo Billiards Tour stop at Slate Billiards in Boynton Beach, Florida, than National Pink Flamingo Day! Sixteen players braved the wind and rain from tropical storm Debby to compete in the modified-double elimination format, playing down to the final four. Two from each side redrew into a single elimination bracket.

The first player to make it to the final four-board was Shanelle Loraine. Loraine made her way there defeating Kelly Coyle, Tour Director Mimi McAndrews, and Kelly Cavanaugh. Crystal McCormick was the second player on the final four- board, winning over Debbie Barkley, new player Juliette Waiter, and then sending Jeannie Seaver west in a much anticipated match up. Seaver, who did not have her usual game on Saturday, came back after being down 6 -2, winning three games in a row making it 6-5. Just when it looked as if Seaver would get to the hill, a missed shot left McCormick out.

Kelly Cavanaugh, fresh off her first professional event at the WPBA US Open, was the third player to make it to the final four. Cavanaugh sent Cassidy Mulligan and Alicia DeAbreu to the west before losing to Shanelle Loraine. Cavanaugh stayed in the event with a tough hill-hill battle against Sue Roberts. Roberts, who earlier sent Jennifer Page west, followed Page west courtesy of Seaver. Roberts then knocked out Cassidy Mulligan, to battle it out with Cavanaugh. On the hill, Roberts, with ball in hand and the 8-ball on the rail, over cut the 8-ball trying to get shape on the 9. That miss allowed Cavanaugh to take the game and the third spot on the final four-board.

The last spot on the final four was filled by Seaver. After defeating Robin Boggs and Sue Roberts, and then losing to McCormick, Seaver matched up again with Boggs. Missing a crucial 9-ball that would have put Boggs on the hill, Seaver pocketed the 9 and took the last place on the final four board.

In the redraw Cavanaugh squared off against McCormick, who had been playing almost flawlessly all day. Seaver drew Loraine. Both McCormick and Seaver won handily and advanced to the finals. Although Seaver’s game was off, and she had earlier lost to McCormick, McCormick couldn’t keep the momentum going and wasn’t able to take advantage of Seaver’s missed shots. Seaver went on to win the match and the third Flamingo Billiards Tour stop.

Many thanks to room owners Mike Bradford and Joe Sistarelli at Slate Billiards (www. slatebilliards.com), for being great hosts, and to Boynton Billiards for their continued support of the FBT. The Flamingo Billiards Tour is a WPBA-recognized Regional Tour, and is a stepping stone to the Women’s Professional Billiard Association for women who want to play professionally.

The next stop is August 25, 2012, location to be announced. For more information, visit http://www.flamingobilliardstour.com/.

Crystal McCormick, Jeannie Seaver

RESULTS

($250 added, modified double elimination)

Jeannie Seaver Crystal McCormick Shanelle Loraine Kelly Cavanaugh

$325 $225 $120 $120 July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 13

Cimarelli Takes Atlantic City Billiards

By Kia Sidbury The J. Pechauer Northeast Women’s Tour (JPNEWT) headed to Atlantic City Billiards in Egg Harbor Township, NJ on the weekend of May 17-18, 2012. Atlantic City Billiards is one of several new venues to JPNEWT this year.

Pam Cimarelli returned to JPNEWT to take the win. She started out the gate fired-up with victories over Briana Miller 7-1 and Meredith Lynch 7-1, consecutively. Pam ended day one sending Sharon O’Hanlon west after defeating her 7-2. Meanwhile, Linda Shea downed Ji-Hyun Park 7-3, Denise Reeve 7-4 and Judie Wilson 7-3.

Judie Wilson’s first round bye shortened her number of matches played, but her skills shined through as she defeated Shanna Lewis 7-4, was put down by Shea 7-3, but picked things back up with a win over Lynch 7-4. Shanna Lewis defeated Kia Sidbury 7-2, was put down by Wilson, had two hill-hill victories over Pauline Mattes and 14 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

Briana Miller, and finished day one with a win over Sharon O’Hanlon 7-4.

The final four met Sunday morning to continue the battle. Cimarelli sent Shea west after defeating her 7-4, putting Pam in the hot seat.

Meanwhile, Lewis had a second chance to redeem herself against Wilson, but to no avail. Wilson eliminated Lewis 7-1. Judie met yet another rematch, but could not outdo Linda Shea’s 7-2 victory.

The finals met yet another rematch, Pam Cimarelli vs Linda Shea.

Cimarelli maintained consistency and defeated Shea again 7-4 leaving Cimarelli undefeated.

The J. Pechaurer Northeast Women’s Tour thanks all the players, spectators, and ustream.tv viewers for your participation and support. A special thank you goes out to our sponsor J. Pechauer Custom Cues for your continued support of women in billiards. Last but not least, thank you Atlantic City Billiards for hosting this event and inviting the tour back for future competitions!

APA Doubles

Winners go to Las Vegas team play. The team of Jim Doran and Rick Pendleton made a real strong run after falling behind 0-3, in a race to 4, they fought back to hill-hill, only to leave the 8 ball hanging in the corner pocket. Jason and Drew, who lost their first match then went on to win 4 in a row on the one loss side playing great team pool, then had to beat Victor Guerra and Dave Wright twice if they were to advance to Las Vegas. Dave and Victor proved too tough for Jason and Drew beating them 4-1 earning themselves the chance to compete in the nationals.

Dave on left, and Victor on the Right

Bison Billiards Congratulations to all 8 doubles teams, who won a qualifier. We saw some very good

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 15

Team “8 on the Break”Team

4 year old (Keelyn Rogers)

APA 9 Ball Money Cup in South Florida

Gene and Captains going over the rules.

Submitted by Janis Sessions Picture by Janis Sessions

Two Great People and Pool Players Passed Away in June 2012 from South Florida:

Mike Guttiere and Bill Surette

At this time we would like to offer our deepest sympathy and prayers to the families and friends that knew these two. Some of us played on their pool teams and some of us played matches with them. We know they will be missed at home as well as at the pool halls.

The 9 ball Money Cup for the APA League in South Florida was held at Lucky 7 Billiards (formerly the Arcade Billiards) in Hollywood, FL this year. This place has only been open for about 4 months; Tiffany and Charlie the owners wanted to host this event. They have 13 regulation tables plus 1 billiard table. One of the tables has pink cloth and this table plays very fast.

16 Teams were eligible for this event. Players came from; Coral Springs, Davie, Hollywood, and Sunrise area. The matches would start around 9:00am on 05/26/2012, unless your team got a bye. The Team’s that got a bye would come in around 12:00pm to start their matches around 1:00pm.

My Team is called “Just Shoot the 9”; we started our match around 9:00am and got the boot from the team called “All the Hard Way”.

I stayed around to watch some of the other matches and a young girl who is only 4 (Keelyn Rogers) practicing with her mother. Players beware she is going to be a good player one day.

The Team called “Arcadians” had one player who was very sick and keep playing his matches and doing his part to keep his team going. That is dedication!

The team called “8 on the Break” stood out and was looking very sharp in their matching team shirts made it to Tiffany and Charlie (owners of Lucky 7) the semi-finals. The team called the “High I Cues” would end up winning the 9 ball money cup which I understand finished around 3:00am or so.

I want to thank Tiffany and Charlie for hosting their first APA 9 Ball Money Cup. Hope they will host more events like this.

Thanks to Gene Weaver for running this event, he is our league operator.

See ad page 31

Pink table (Leslie Arias)

Winners – High-I-Qs

July July 2012 2012 -- Stroke Stroke Magazine Magazine 17 17

B

i l B l i a n r o ds s i

by: Don “Cheese” Akerlow

Interview

For the celebration of the 3rd Anniversary of Bison Billiards, owner Mike Shriver, held a $1,000 added 8-Ball tournament and had 36 very strong players show up. The rules were modified BCA and Mike designed a two bracket system. One bracket for the A players and a second bracket for the B and below players. That way according to Mike, “The players wouldn’t meet until the quarter-finals so somebody from the B bracket would be guaranteed to be in the money. I have a lot of B-C players here and they don’t mind playing in the tournament because they have a chance.” The A players raced to 8 and the B players raced to 6.

Ron (kingpin) Kingsley

18 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

Roger Jackson

Mike and his wife Lyn, have worked very hard to make Bison Billiards the place to come to in the Buffalo area. Mike speaks proudly of the success he has had with his pool room, “I bought the pool room April 1, 2009. It was kind of a cesspool - mostly hustlers, no food, no drinks, liquor license had been lost, card games everything done the wrong way. The previous owner was nice guy but had the pool hall during its heyday in the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s and just wanted out. I could see what this place could be. It was a beautifully laid out pool room, very classy looking place, had all the right equipment, 8-9’ Diamond Tables, 3-9’ Gold Crowns, 6-Diamond Bar Boxes (all covered with 860 Simonis Cloth) and a Gabriel 5‘x10’ three cushion carom table, but he wasn’t doing any leagues or tournaments. We picked up APA and BCA leagues which do fantastic. Youth league are starting in late June which the BEF is helping sponsor. One young man that is going to the Junior Nationals, only 11 years old, plays in all the tournaments at Bison - Jake Miosi does really well.”

Bison Billiards is a family run pool hall with Lyn doing 90% of the cooking, Mike and his youngest son taking care of the customers. They offer a full menu and have 24 different types of bottle beer and wine.

Mike even enforces a “No Vulgar Language” policy, which keeps things on an even keel. “There is no reason that the people on Table 1 should know what is going on Table 18! I have even thrown some people out but have always given everyone

Mark Craemer

Mike and Lyn Shriver owners of Bison Billiards

a second chance and it has paid off,” admits Mike. And payoff it has, Mike has seen a nearly 20% growth in his business each year, which is amazing when pool halls are closing all over the country. Mike has combined leagues and tournaments to offer something to all his customers no matter their skill level. He also tries to offer his customers everything pool that he can. He has his flat screen TV tied into his computer so that when Dennis Hatch, a regular at Bison Billiards, was playing in the U.S. Open 10 Ball tournament from Las Vegas everyone could sit around and enjoy the game.

The anniversary tournament was a great success.

Congratulations goes to Jason Hunt who went all the way through the winners bracket and did not lose a match.

Tom Dimatteo

Second place finisher Nick Coppola (from the B bracket) beat many A players. Bison Billiards had its local players win first through sixth place.

Jake Miosi, didn’t place in the money but he really played well. He has a great attitude, takes lessons from Dennis Hatch and has a lot of pool ahead of him.

Bison Billiards has a monthly 8-Ball Bar Box tournament, a monthly 9-Ball tournament, a Thursday Night 9 Ball Tournament, APA and BCAPL leagues, full menu, beer and wine and is an all around great place to play pool. Be sure to stop in and say hello to Mike, Lyn and family. They are located at 8216 Main Street, Williamsville (a suburb of Buffalo), New York or call 716-632-0281. They are open 7 days a week from 3 pm until 3 am.

Shawn McCluskey and special guest Former Mosconi Cup MVP and one of our countries best players, Dennis Hatch

$1000 Added Anniversary Tournament Results 1,000.00 added, 34 shooters, and excellent home cooked food, all made for a great tournament.

1st – Jason Hunt $900.00 plus $1100.00 2nd – Nick Coppola $450.00 plus $525.00 3rd – Santo Merlo $225.00 plus $275.00 4th – Mark Hatch $150.00 plus $150.00 5th/6th Frank Rodriguez and Corey Welfare $100.00 each plus $80.00 each 7th/8th Ron Casanzio and Bob Brewer $50.00 each Lyn Weschler and Marco Cam Brian Barr

Tee Than

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 19

20 Stroke Magazine - June 2012

PRESS RELEASE

George Natili is May Licensee of the month TAP, LLC Corporate would like to recognize George Natili of Route 19 TAP as the May Licensee of the month. George, along with his wife Nancy started their TAP league in May of 2009 and has proven not only truly committed to their players and Corporate but a real asset as well.

George has recruited over 200 players in his area and is increasing his divisions every day. His local events pay out large cash amounts and trophies. George and Nancy have put in countless hours at TAP National Tournaments and annual Rally in the Valley event, helping to insure a smooth running of each event.

Congratulations George! We wish you continued growth and success. Route 19 TAP serves Butler, Erie, Mercer, Warren and Venango counties in Pa. “TAP appreciates all of our Licensee’s and enjoys sending an extra “Atta Boy” each month” If you would like to be a part of this fast growing league give George a call at 724-256-3436

DIAMOND OFFICIAL TABLE MATCHROOM SPORT is pleased to announce that Diamond Billiard Products will be the Official Table Supplier to all Matchroom pool events in 2012. Following their debut at the 2011 Mosconi Cup, Diamond will now provide their top-of-the-range tables for the World Cup of Pool, World Pool Masters and of the course, the Mosconi Cup. Founded in 1987, Diamond is highly regarded both in the United States and around the world and is the Official Table of major events such as the US Open, the Derby City Classic, US Open One-Pocket Championship, US Open 10-Ball Championship as well as all WPBA events. In addition it is the popular choice among tournament players across the United States.

Diamond tables will make their 2012 Matchroom debut at the PartyPoker. net World Cup of Pool which takes place at Robinsons Place in Manila, Philippines from 4th to 9th September.

From there the next event is the long-running PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters which runs over the weekend of 5th, 6th & 7thOctober.

Finally, the action moves to the historic York Hall in London’s Bethnal Green for the 19th annual Mosconi Cup as two five man teams representing USA and Europe do battle from 10th to 13th December.

Chad Scharlow, Vice President of Diamond Billiard Products Inc. commented, “Diamond Billiard Products are very excited to be once again working with Matchroom Sport to supply Diamond pool tables to not only the Mosconi Cup event but also to the World Pool Masters and World Cup of Pool events.

“This is an exciting time in pool as international acceptance of American pool increases, the demand for high quality television coverage of these pool tournaments increases. Couple that with today’s hottest professional pool players and that is a match made for a Diamond table.

“The Diamond brand is very strong in the US market and it is time to expose this world calibre pool table to international markets and Matchroom Sport provides the perfect platform for Diamond to truly build international branding,” he added.

Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn said, “We’re very pleased to be once again working with Diamond Billiard products following the success of the Mosconi Cup last year. Diamond is without doubt the No.1 brand in the USA and Matchroom is delighted to be working with them and helping them spread the word to all corners of the globe.” www.diamondbilliards.net www.matchroompool.com Luke Riches, Matchroom Sport: luke.riches@matchroom.com +44 7785 395688 Notes: Matchroom Sport are one of the world’s leading producers of televised sport and are responsible for over 1,000 hours of original programming across a range of sports. Based in the UK and chaired by charismatic founder Barry Hearn, Matchroom Sport produce three pool events on an annual basis – the Mosconi Cup, the World Cup of Pool and the World Pool Masters.

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 21

VNEA’s 22nd Annual

International Junior Pool Championships!

If you weren’t there... here’s a taste of what you missed.

• 300 excited junior pool league players from 10 States & Ontario, Canada • Matches on 80 Valley Pool Tables • Competition in 15 unique divisions • Players representing 23 VNEA Charter Holder Members • A fabulous Team Opening Ceremonies which featured a colorful Parade of Flags, Singles Awards Presentation and many dignitaries.

• Artistic Pool Competition featuring “Dr. Popper” Mark Dimick.

• Personal Professional Instruction by Jerry Briesath.

• Jerry Briesath “Sportsmanship Award” • Dick Hawkins “All-Star Teams” • Every team had matching uniforms.

• A Fun-filled Players Reception including free Pizza & Pop. • Tournament Sponsors...

- Valley - VVS - Pechauer - Charter Holders - Mueller Sporting Goods - GW Cue Collection - Tom’s Q-Stix • 200 juniors participated in 3 divisions of Scotch Doubles competition.

• Team Hardluck Competition.

• 29 separate Mini-Tournaments were held with the winners receiving GW Cues (donated by Valley) and runner-ups receiving Cue Cases.

• Thousands of dollars in Savings Bonds were awarded to the winners along with beautiful cues and cases And this is surely just a taste of everything that took place!

Stay tuned to VNEA.com for the complete press release.

22nd Annual SPONSORS VALLEY mini-tournament cuesticks and other numerous contributions

PECHAUER TOM’S Q-STIX scotch dbls./mini-tr. cuesticks

VVS set-up/tear down event staff

MUELLER SPORTING GOODS team packet giveaways

GW CUE COLLECTION winners cuesticks

CHARTER HOLDERS & PARENTS weekly league involvement

22 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

MAJORS TEAM CHAMPION

Shooters - North

MINORS TEAM CHAMPION

VVS Wolf Pack

YOUTH TEAM CHAMPION

American Amusement Arcade

VVS

Triple Trouble C & N Sales

1

1

4

4

6

6

8

2

3

5

7

9

10

1. Youth Teams 1st - 3rd

5. 2012 Youth Male Singles

8. Youth Doubles 1st & 2nd

Triple Trouble, Break N Run, Fantom Cue Kids

Spencer Medel, Brandon Vanoverbeke, Colben Christensen, Nicolas Ridley

Brandon Vanoverbeke, Tristan Hansen, Nick Ridley, Spencer Medel

1st place Minor Division Singles

3. Youth Speed Pool

Austen Warner, Tyler Steihaus, Scott Jaycox, Zach Baker

7. 2012 Majors Males Singles

Chandra Campion, Emily Skrutsky, Deanne Keim, Ashton Rowley

1st place Tristan Hansen

Larry Simmons Jr, Cale Coffey, Nathan Mindham, Taylor Anderson

Taylor Hansen, April Larson, Hailey Fullerton, Selena Aranda

2. Tyler Steinhaus

4. 2012 Minor Males Singles

6. Minor Scotch Doubles

9. 2012 Major Females Singles

10. 2012 Youth Females Singles

Tyler Steinhaus, David Moyer, Austen Warner 11

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 23

International Pool Championships!

VNEA’s 32nd Annual

If you weren’t there... here’s a taste of what you missed.

Womens Team Champions

• 5,000 excited pool league players from 30 States, 6 Canadian Provinces and 7 Other Countries • Matches on 250 Valley Pool Tables • Competition in 34 unique divisions • Players representing 150+ VNEA Charter Holder Members • New Tournament Software! Ten 40” Monitors and QR Code Scanners made life a breeze for our players to find their matches and view results.

• 3,000 players partying at our fabulous Team Opening Ceremonies which featured awesome fireworks and the sounds of “The CRUSH” • 32 Year History Wall display • 2 Valley Home Pool Tables were given away throughout the event

24 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

• 1st Annual World Team Championship • Facebook Contests and Daily Tweets • The Amazing Alf Taylor • Daily Cuestick, Cabana and Aramith Ball Set Drawings • Artistic & Speed Pool Competitions • Tournament Sponsors...

- VALLEY • ARAMITH An Awards Banquet which was extraordinary to say the least... The Blues Brothers and Comedian David Gee! And this is surely just a taste of everything that took place! See the complete results on VNEA.com.

Mens Team Champions GOLD CROWN BILLIARDS

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July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 25

Burford CRUSHES D'Alfonso in Joss Tour Finals

By AzBilliards.com Phil Burford made the most of his pool playing trip to the US, as the British import redefined the word "dominating" in the finals of the Joss NE 9-Ball Tour stop at Snookers Billiards in Providence, RI. Burford and Tom D'Alfonso made their way untouched through the field of 65 other players, to face off for the hotseat late on Sunday. Burford already had a lopsided win over Mike Dechaine to his credit in this event, but he came up short in the match against D'Alfonso with a scoreline of 9-5. That would not be the last that D'Alfonso would see Burford on this day though.

Burford went to the left side of the board and eked out the closest of 9-8 win over Jeremy Sossei to earn another shot at D'Alfonso in the finals.

Having already lost once, Burford would have beat D'Alfonso twice in the finals, and he got off to a great start with a 9-1 win over D'Alfonso in the first set of the finals. Just to prove that the first set was no fluke, Burford did himself one better with a 9-0 win over D'Alfonso in the second set of the finals.

Twenty players who had already been eliminated on Saturdya, came back on Sunday to compete in the second chance event. That event saw Josh Gormly come back from an earlier loss to defeat Chris Coviello3-1 twice in the finals to earn first place.

This event was the final event before the Turning Stone Classic XIX, which will take place at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY on August 23-26. Tour director Mike Zuglan stressed that there are "very few" spots left for this event and interested players are urged to call Mike at 518-356-7163.

JOSS NE 9-BALL TOUR STOP Place Playername 1st Phil Burford 2nd Tom D'Alfonso 3rd Jeremy Sossei 4th Nelson Oliviera 5th Paul Dryden

Mike Dechaine 7th Matt Tetreault

Tim Perry 9th Randy Labonte

Ron Casanzio

Chance Chin

Joe Dupuis 13th Mike Yamauchi

Bucky Souvanthong

Zuid Thweib

Dave Pinkston

Prize $1,200 $900 $700 $500 $350 $350 $250 $250 $150 $150 $150 $150 $100 $100 $100 $100

JOSS NE 9-BALL TOUR STOP AMATEUR EVENT Place Playername Prize 1st Josh Gormly $330 2nd Chris Coviello $220 3rd Steve Goulding $150 4th Stacie Bourbeau $100 5th Josh Thiele $50

Ranulf Tamba $50

2012 Sunshine State ACS Championships Open to all ACS, APA, BCAPL, and VNEA league players

July 26th thru 29th Scotch Doubles, Team, and Singles Contact: Robbie Morito 813.263.4144 Justine Stewart 813.986.4344

$3300 Added Ultimate Billiards

4112 Okeechobee Rd, Ft. Pierce, FL 34947 772.464.7665 www.ultimate-billiards.com Cue repair onsite by Ted Harris

26 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

Fisher REPEATS WPBA U.S. OPEN CHAMPION

TULSA, OK - Gerda Hofstatter won the opening lag and break, pocketing the six and playing safe. Fisher missed the kick and with ball in hand, Gerda ran the rack to lead 1-0, but lost the safety battle in the next rack to give Allison her first game. Gerda got back to the table in game three, but Gerda missed a tough 8, leaving Allison a bank on the eight and an easy nine to pull ahead 2-1.

In rack four, Gerda made a classic two ball shot, only to be called a foul. She protested the call and officials reviewed on the ESPN cameras and the call was reversed! She then proceeded to make a brilliant run-out to tie the match 2-2.

The match tied again at 3-3, but then Allison took advantage of a foul and a 3-9 combo to lead 4-3, followed by a break and run to take the first two game lead in the match 5-3. In the ninth rack she won an early safety battle and ran out from the two ball to get to the hill 6-3.

In the final rack, Allison had a dry break but Gerda missed a long cut on the 2. Allison was hooked, kicked to safe. Gerda left a shot though and Allison ran out to win her record 6th US Open title!

The quarter final, semi final and final matches of the WPBA US Open 9-Ball Championships will be broadcast by ESPN in seven one-hour national shows, airing Saturday, July 14, (Quarterfinals 12-4pm on ESPN2) and Sunday, July 15, (Semifinals/Final 1-4pm on ESPN2).

Fans and media view all final results at http://www.wpba.com/images/stories/ brackets/2012_us_open.pdf.

Thanks for a great week at the River Spirit Event Center, adjacent to the River Spirit Casino at 81st and Riverside in Tulsa!

Champ

ion - A

About the Women's Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) The WPBA was established in 1976 as the Women's Professional Billiard Alliance, and celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2011 as the oldest pro player organization in the sport. The WPBA sanctions and produces the Women's Pro Billiard Tour, which features ESPN-televised events with the world's greatest women players.

Visit www.wpba.com for more. The WPBA Classic Tour is sponsored by Diamond Billiards, Iwan Simonis cloth, Delta 13, Pooldawg and Aramith balls.

About River Spirit Casino and Event Center River Spirit Casino, Tulsa's $195 million casino project at 81st & Riverside, showcases 300,000 square feet of gaming space and is one of the largest gaming floors in Oklahoma. With over 2,600 high-tech electronic machines, 23 table games and 15 poker tables, River Spirit Casino offers the most current technology and latest games available. The facility features four dining and beverage venues including the largest casino buffet in Oklahoma, a steakhouse, a 24-hour cafĂŠ, a lounge and a sports bar. The newly renovated River Spirit Event Center is located at the site of the former Creek Nation Casino - Tulsa at 81st and Riverside Drive. The venue has nearly 20,000 sq. ft of useable space for sporting events, entertainment, conventions and meetings and all amenities.

For more information on River Spirit Casino visit www.riverspirittulsa.com.

llison F

isher

1st 2nd 3/4 5/8 9/12 13/16

Runner-U

photo by:

p - Gerda

Hofstatter

$10,000 $5,500 $3,000 $1,800 $1,300 $1,000

Allison Fisher Gerda Hofstatter Jeanette Lee, Monica Webb Helena Thornfeldt, Brittany Bryant, Line Kjorsvik, Mary Rakin Melissa Herndon, Kim Shaw, Jennifer Barretta, Jennifer Chen Jana Montour, Teruko Cucculelli, Angelina Paglia, Vivian Villarreal

Lee e t t e n a e J lace -

Third P

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Suzann photo by:

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Fourth P

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 27

“The“The Viper” Viper” More Facebook Questions to

Questions

Shane/New Iberia, LA In 8-ball what is better, to break from the rail or in the box??

Viper: Shane, I play so much 9-ball using the Magic rack that I am very used to breaking the balls from the rail. So, naturally I start off from there but if I find that I am not making balls on the break then I start moving my cue ball towards the center of the table to try and find the tables sweet-spot.

Although, in 8-ball I break using the “Second-ball cut break”, in which I use a little inside-draw striking the second ball of the rack with medium speed. Be careful not to scratch. No matter what though, before your match its important to not just practice running balls but to also include practicing the break to find the best spot to break from during your match.

Melissa Little

Melissa “The Viper” Little has been a WPBA Touring Professional for over 10-years, she has represented the USA in Four WPA World Championships and has over 20 top-10 WPBA career finishes.

Melissa is currently the housepro at the Wynkoop Brewing Company located in Downtown Denver. She teaches monthly clinics, gives private lessons, and has created a juniors program that promotes billiards education to the local youth.

For more information about Melissa please visit: www.melissalittle.com Read more articles

by Melissa Little at www.onthebreaknews.com

Hector Otani/San Antonio, TX Does working out, as in weights or biking affect your stroke?

Viper: Hector, I can’t answer for all pros but when I was younger I hired a personal trainer that did not know that I played professional pool for a living. He had me working out with weights three-times a week and after a while I noticed that I was muscling the ball around the table like I was the incredible Hulk! It was funny at the time but I had to learn the hard way and immediately stopped!

Later in the my career, I met a personal trainer at the Denver Athletic Club, while being the house pro there, who really helped me develop a workout routine built just for me as a pool player. He had me doing a lot of cardio and most of all he got me into Yoga/Palate classes. These classes really helped with me with the mental part of the game as well, so I defiantly suggest going to your local gym and trying one of these classes out!

Morne Du Toit/Lichtenburg, North-West, South Africa Is there a way to break 'properly' @ if there, is how is it done?

Viper: Morne, what’s important about the break is pocketing a ball and controlling the cue ball. Your cue ball never lies it always tells the truth! So if you have a powerfully strong break and pocket three balls but lose

28 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

control of your cue ball by scratching then you obviously need to work on better control.

If you control your cue ball and never pocket a ball then you need to move your cue ball around until you do pocket a ball on the break. And most of all, what helped me with my break was by reading/watching a books/DVD called “Racking Secrets” by pro player Joe Tucker. Go to his website: www.joetucker.net for more details and he even has some free videos that might help out.

Jimneezy Johnson/Vallejo, CA How can one master the use of inside English?

Viper: Jimneezy, when I teach my classes I explain to my students that any English is like the dark side of pool…lol! It’s very difficult to apply, use, and master.

Let me share a little secret about position, the only reason why you should apply English is to create something that does not exist and that is a natural angle! In the fantasy world of playing perfect pool, it’s best to always leave yourself a natural angle for your next shot!

But in the real world of pool that doesn’t always happen…If your straight in on a shot and need to get position on a ball that is on the opposite side of the table then you would need to use right-hand English to get the ball to travel to the right.

Just an FYI, to me by using topspin, center or draw is not really using English because you’re on a straightline access. I imagine using a clock system for applying English. For example, looking at the cue ball 1 PM-5 PM is used as right-hand English and 7 PM-11 PM is used for applying left-hand English. And just a rule of thumb, most of the time your only using the circumference size of a nickel to apply English on the cue ball.

On top of this basic information there are tons of free videos on YOUTUBE and multiple books out there that can help explain English in more depth.

Keep the questions coming… email them to me at Melissa@melissalittle.com or join my Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/wpbaviper

er

Till n

, Vip h t n o m ext

ROCK BEHIND THE

TOUR

Lee “Lightning” Brett and Jing Gicoso set new tour records last month. Lee Brett posted a new tour record for Behind the Rock Tour for high score previously set by Tommy Najar back in September of 2011.

Najar’s record was a solid 139 with 5 Snap games, 2 consecutive Snap games, 1 COE and 1 Cut game. Brett crushed Najar’s match statistics with 7 Snap games LEE “LIGHTNING” BRETT and 1 COE for a score of 154. If you’ve never played the game 211 before let me tell you these scores are a feat to be reckoned with.

Lee Brett comes to us from Liverpool. He was an outstanding snooker player in Europe and is now making his name in the USA playing pool. The name “Lightning” was given to him for his rapid and deadly accurate play. Lee is also a coach and trainer with a published DVD and instructional book. BTRT is now selling his DVD and book on the website at www.behindtherocktour.com on the Store/merchandise page if you want to learn more about his unique technique that enabled him to set this world record playing 211.

Jing Gicoso set a new record for highest points scored in one game of 21 points. This is Jing’s second time in the tour title page. He also has tied the tour record for 3 consecutive Cut games. You can view all the tour records on the website www.behindtherocktour.com. What does all this mean?

In “211” player’s play 11 games of 10 ball vs. The Ghost which means players break, take ball-in-hand and run balls in rotation until they foul, miss or run-out.

Every ball pocketed scores one point. A Snap, Cut and COE defines they type of run-out a player had. A Snap simply means at least one ball was made on the break and the player ran out. A Cut means the player did not make a ball on the break, took ball-in-hand and ran out, and a COE means in the game following the Cut game he/she did not take ball-in-hand after the break. Brett had a total of 8 break and run games out of 12 games (if you break and run in your 11th game you shoot a 12th game to finish scoring the 11th game). This extraordinary performance by Lee Brett should inspire all players, pro’s and amateurs alike.

Behind The Rock Tour (BTRT) is designed to inspire players to improve their games. The format forces players to take a real look at their skill level. It helps to identify problem skills, highlight personal great performances and it teaches everyone how important the break shot is regardless of the game.

BTRT is designed for all skill levels using a 90% true handicapping system.

What this handicapping system does is it let’s not the best player win, but players that have a personal high performance. This system starts all players at the same level each week at their individual average and it’s the player that plays above their average that is rewarded. BTRT just opened the Advanced and Advanced Scratch division which makes 5 divisions for players to play from: 2 scratch divisions for players just getting started and establishing their averages, Intermediate - 0-30 points (less than three balls per game), the Open division is 30-70 points (players will run an average of 3-7 balls per game or maybe slip in a Snap or Cut game along the way), the Advanced division are players who shoot a 70 and above for players who can consistently break and run 2-5 racks out of 11 games. All players start in a scratch division for 6 matches to establish an average and then are moved to a division according to skill level and assigned a handicap.

JING GICOSO

This is a weekly combined national tournament that can be played out of any participating pool room. This is a tournament so players are not required to play every week, however players can play multiple matches a week if they choose.

A new tournament starts every Sunday and closes every Saturday night. Every division pays a third of the field and is paid out every week. Tri-annual events are every 4 months with the next event scheduled for Aug. 4-5. All rooms will play simultaneously starting at 10:00am PDST from their local room. Two rounds are played and matches are uploaded to the website www.behindtherocktour.com, winners of round 1 are calculated and the top 75% of the field move to the Sudden death round. Sudden death is one match, it’s uploaded and the top one third of the field goes to the finals on Sunday for 2 matches. This is a very exciting event. As matches are completed they are uploaded to the website so players can see on the west coast what scores are coming in on the east coast (and vice/versa). To qualify for the tri-annual events, players need to have played 11 matches during the previous 4 months.

If you’d like to play, talk to your local pool room owner and contact us at 253-226-3594 or info@behindtherocktour.com and let’s get you playing.

Congratulations Lee Brett and Jing Gicoso on your new World Records in the Behind the Rock Tour’s 211 Tournament! - see ad page 31

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 29

Shuff goes two out of three versus Futrell to win Action Pool Tour

By Skip Maloney - AzB Staff Brandon Shuff and Chris Futrell faced each other three times in the Action Pool Tour stop on the weekend of June 9-10, and battled to double hill in all three matches. Shuff took two out of the three, including the second set of a true double elimination final to capture the event title. The event drew 58 entrants to Q-Master Billiards in Virginia Beach, VA. The recipient of one of the six, first-round byes, Shuff gave up only four racks in his first two rounds of play, one against Daniel Choi and three versus Brian Deska, before running into Futrell the first time, among the final eight winners. Futrell gave up only five racks over three matches to get to that point, shutting out both Jackie Duggan and Anne Reynolds, before giving up the five in a match versus Dwight Cherry. In their first of three, Shuff advanced to the winners' side final four to faceDanny Mastermaker, while Futrell moved to the loss side and began a five-match winning streak back to the finals. In the other winners' side semifinal, Chad Pike squared off against Rafael Reyes.

Shuff advanced to the hot seat match 8-6 over Mastermaker, and was joined by Reyes, who'd sent Pike west 8-2.

Shuff sent Reyes to the semifinals 8-2, and waited in the hot seat for the return of Futrell.

Futrell moved to the loss side and immediately resumed his table domination, giving up only three racks in his first two matches, one against R.J Carmona and two versus Cary Dunn, which set him up to take on Pike. Mastermaker picked up Bill Duggan, who'd shut out Jesse Figueroa and battled Deska to double hill. Futrell and Mastermaker advanced to the quarterfinals with identical 6-2 victories over Pike and Duggan.

Futrell then chalked up two more 6-2 scores, over Mastermaker in the quarterfinals and Reyes in the semifinals, for a second shot at Shuff. In their second of two, it was Futrell prevailing in the opening set of a true double elimination final. In a reduced race to 6, Shuff came back to win the second set and secure the event title. In addition to Shuff's $800, first-place prize, the victory gave him a free entry to October's US Open 9-Ball Championships, valued at $500. The victory also kept him in the number one spot on the Action Pool Tour's rankings.

In a concurrently-run Second Chance Tournament on Sunday, Tuan Chau went undefeated through a field of 16 entrants. Chau's opening and closing matches were double hill battles, while in his three middle matches, he gave up only a single rack; to Nil Lim, in the hot seat match. Chau's opponent in the finals, Paul Helms, had been sent west by Lim in the second round of play, and won five straight, including a 4-2 revenge match against Lim in the semifinals.

Chau prevailed in the double hill finals to take the top, Second Chance prize.

30 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

Action Pool Tour Stop RESULTS 1st

Brandon Shuff

$1,300

2nd

Chris Futrell

$600

3rd

Rafael Reyes

$400

4th

Danny Mastermaker

$250

5th

Chad Pike

$150

5th

Bill Duggan

$150

7th

Brian Deska

$100

7th

Cary Dunn

$100

9th

R.J. Carmona

$75

9th

Eric Moore

$75

9th

Jesse Figueroa

$75

9th

Mitch Sutphin

$75

IT’S DYANMITE IN DOHA! turning point where the balls, seemingly impregnated with a mind of their own, had had enough of catering to the Englishman’s every whim, and abandoned him like the plague.

It happened when after breaking in rack 19, Appleton had a wide open layout to the finish line and the world championship. But with just four easy balls left, he inexplicably snookered himself. Appleton was forced to play safe but a counter safe led to a foul and another rack for Lee. From there on, everything went Lee’s way, while Appleton couldn’t buy a piece of fortune.

Appleton blew a push out and Lee cleared to make it 12-8.

Appleton left a safety open and Lee cleared again. Then Lee broke and ran to make the score 12-10.

Having come back from sure defeat, Lee was suddenly in freewheeling mode, playing without a care in the world.

Appleton, on the other hand, looked like he was bearing the weight of several worlds squarely on his shoulders. And it would only get worse.

Lee moved to within one at 12-11 when Appleton tried to jump but missed and left the shot on, allowing Lee to run out. With the drama building to a massive crescendo, Lee then coolly stepped up in the next game and broke and ran. After 24 racks, the World Championship was to be decided by one single frame.

With the crowd in a state of disbelief, and the tension in the arena at the boiling point, a shell shocked Appleton, who had only moments prior been waltzing his way to the world title, gamely stood up to give it one last go.

He got the one ball down on the break. But the 2-ball was unavailable and he played a safety. Lee then played a counter safety. Appleton then pulled out his jump stick and proceeded to make history; he jumped the cue ball over the blocking ball and potted the 2-ball at a fairly sharp angle straight into the side pocket.

The crowd erupted as a suddenly rejuvenated Appleton grabbed his cue and then picked off the remaining colors. As the 8-ball fell and left the Englishman

(continued from page 4)

with an elementary shot on the championship ball, Appleton let out a shout and pumped his fist. Then as the 9-ball fell Appleton roared like a proud lion. He then threw down his stick and impulsively jumped up on the pool table with his arms held high, shouting in joy and relief, pumping his fists as the crowd lustily cheered him on.

After taking in the cheers, the hugs and congratulations from well wishers, Appleton tried to figure out what had just happened.

“At 11-3 down I lost my focus,” Appleton said. “That’s because I had played so good up to that point. I was anxious to get it over with. And I’m thinking, I can’t lose, he needs a miracle. At 12-6 I was sure it was over because I had the easiest clearance you could ever have. But I snookered myself because I had too much adrenalin. Then after that, nothing happened for me.

Around 12-10 I started feeling the heat.”

For Lee he had figured the match was over when he was down 11-3 and he never considered he could come back until a few racks later, when he started to notice Appleton getting concerned.

“At first I didn’t think I could catch up,” Lee said through an interpreter. “Then at 12-6 I started to play well because it was like I had already lost the match so I was relaxed. When I started to get close to him I could feel that he was nervous and then I started to get excited, thinking I can win.”

But while Lee nearly made a miracle comeback, it was Appleton who pulled off the miracle win, at the very last chance.

“If I’d have lost that match I would have jumped off a bridge,” Appleton said.

“But I played the best rack of my life that last rack. Incredible. I can’t believe what just happened.”

LEE HE WEN

1st $40,000 Darren Appleton 2nd $20,000 Lee He Wen Total Prize Fund: $300,000

Lucky

7 Billiards

4850 South State Road 7

www.lucky7billiards.com

Hollywood, FL 954-239-8254

Home of the Pink Table (pinkie)

14 Pool Tables - 1 Billiard Table - Weekly Pool Tournaments APA - TAP - Player Leagues

Smoke Free Environment

Hours: Mon-Fri 3pm to 2am

Sat-Sun Noon to 2am

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 31

STORY

Lucky

Cont…..Oh Vegas…. I had been hanging around a week in tournament area and my room. A day left for the singles tournament. I watched some people playing especially a women player Shelby Locoti. She was tearing up the competition in the BCAPL nationals. She exhibited of some pretty excellent shooting skills. Shot with much poise.

Wished Lucky was here to see this girl play. Maybe he will get back to Vegas in time to check her out!.

I thought by now Lucky would have called me. I thought I should call him to see how things are going.

I called his cell no answer I did leave a message…. “In Vegas hope to see you soon”. I know when Lucky was available he would call. I won’t worry yet. I’ll wait another day to start worrying. ……..I’ll come down find some small action. I noticed a few new faces looking for action, many of the old faces were not there. Many of those were young players. That was a good sign that pool was not dead and the new breed was maintaining the tradition of pool. It is what makes pool have so much excitement. Rumor was that there was a 10 thousand dollar match at Best Billiards pool hall across town. Harry Platis was in action. Harry is a well known player with the ability to gamble. It dawned on me that could be Lucky in action at the pool hall. I went to my room to change cloths to go to the pool hall and turned on the TV to catch a few minutes of the free streaming 10ball championships and in the background I saw a figure sitting there I said to myself that looked like Lucky…..

I looked at my cell phone and I had a missed call.

Scrolled through calls, It was Lucky, he left a message on my cell, “I am at the tournament, what room do we have?’

Says he was watching the 10 ball and Earl Strickland just got told to shut the F&%# k up by the player on the next table. I guess Earl was whining again….“Earl’s mouth always gets him in trouble”. Lucky says he would like to play Earl some time, and he might be in the mood after this loss. Earl’s a little dense and has to be told, “Never under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night”. Might not figure it out on his own.

Well I knew Lucky was here and could rest easy now.

He wasn’t at the pool hall. But I did want to know what happen especially after that strange dream he had…..

I ran into Lucky walking down the hall way and we took his small bag to the room…. ”That DAMN Spirit airlines. NEVER Again”…..”They gave me the biggest run around or I would have been here days ago”.

Curious I asked him. As Lucky told the story about Spirit I had heard several people at event who took Spirit to Vegas complain about cancellations and delays. It was if everyone who booked flights with Spirit had horror stories.

“Our flight was a fully booked flight. About an hour before scheduled departure, the notice board was suddenly changed from 8:50 to 10:00. Shortly thereafter, an employee said departure would be at 9:57; upon inquiry, she said it was because the plane was delayed somewhere else. Perhaps 30-40 minutes after that, it was announced that departure would be at 10:12 PM. Shortly thereafter, that

was changed to 10:32 PM; not long after that, to 10:42

32 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

BY: ANDREW MONSTIS

Vegas Vacation PM. By this time, it was around 9:35 or perhaps 9:45. All of a sudden we witnessed another plane’s passengers boarding our plane. We were asked to move over to their gate. These passengers were telling us as we were passing in the concourse they had been sitting on their plane for an hour and they were putting them on another plane. It was obvious Spirit was giving our plane to another group. As the time lengthens there was widespread panic and anger. A number of passengers had connections to other cities and weren't getting satisfactory responses. Spirit continued to blame everything on the weather so that they could evade any responsibility. Lucky said “We all started to look for other flights when they told us they were cancelling our flight” Spirit made us go to ticket counter to arrange other flights after two hours in line we at the middle to the end of the line were finding out that all flights were full and booked.

It would be days before they could get us on flights. Lucky said that he spent the night and asked the next day when he could leave. “Four days” he was told. Lucky said he got mad. He rented a car and drove to Las Vegas 4 days, he found out he beat the flight by a day. Spirit airline is so stupid. Never again!!!

“Well, glad you are here” I said

I asked Lucky “how everything went in Ashville”

He said that is old girl friend’s husband was sick and died. He was there for support and the funeral. Says he lifted her spirits the best he could. Her husband was smoking the past 20 years and it caught up with him. He wouldn’t quit.

Lucky “The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. There is no wealth but life.” “Don’t squander it away by smoking or drinking it does shorten your life.”

“Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are at”.

We were walking down to the action room conversation started on oil companies again. I asked the question to Lucky: Last year one company made 640 Million. Oil companies say they don’t make anything money.

The high prices are all due to taxes? Which is it?… Lucky says Taxes are part of it, federal taxes are about .18 cents a gallon that’s all, state taxes are about .28 on average.

About $1.60 per gallon goes for the rest, to buy the crude, refining it and distribution and marketing it. Lucky that still doesn’t add up to $4.00 a gallon? That is about $2.10 a gallon. 1.90 plus is left over, most of which goes to stock holders. A dollar of that goes to stock holders the rest to oil company to reinvest…..

Lucky says you have to ask yourself a few things …..Rhetorically buying Oil stock costs about $76 dollars a share. Who can buy it ?? What is the percentage of population that owns oil stock ?? Lucky says only about 1.5% owns oil stock. How many people own tens of thousands of shares?. But most of the country thinks it’s our government that is causing the high gas prices… Lucky, ha ha ha That’s what some people think!!! Lucky said “Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often.”

There is not that many slow people out there they usually figure it out. I hope it’s not too late. But it is a tragedy people

will deny the truth even when it right in front of us.

I guess Lucky was bitching about stuff, a lot to think about driving to Vegas….

We walked into the action room to see what was going on. The Riviera had built a wall to the old action room.

Walked in and there was, Glenn Atwell was hanging out.

I told Lucky I knew him. Lucky says he reads ON THE BREAK and Glenn has been on the front page more than once.

“Glenn’s a Bar Table champion”.

Glenn was trolling for action a rare occurrence. He had a backer with him. Lucky started a conversation with Glenn and Glenn politely asked Lucky to play. Glenn had sized up Lucky, race 5 for $200, Lucky said “why not” Lucky knew if he gave Glenn a shot that he was more than capable of running out the short set. Glenn played very good after even did run out a set to 5, and was ahead $600 when Glenn wanted to bump the bet the whole time knowing he had the nuts. Some complaining that it wasn’t enough. So Lucky said same race to a thousand, Glenn check with backer and it was a GO!. They flipped Glenn won the first break. He ran 3 and 4th game hooked Lucky… Lucky just kicked it in and won that game. Lucky made two nine ball breaks to tie score. Lucky broke and made 6 balls with hangers to win and then ran out. Lucky won the $1000.

Glenn said “the race is too short”

Lucky agreed and said $2000 race to 11. Nods of the heads and they were starting. Lucky had 1st break didn’t make a ball. Glenn stated running balls when he dogged one, like the six.. It didn’t take long before Glenn was starring at people in crowd. Some sweater was eating a bag of potato chips. I know the crunch bothered Glenn. Trying to be polite Glenn was asking people to be quiet or not to move around so much. It was over at that point for Glenn.

He was indirectly admitting he wasn’t focused. Lucky said “hey potato chips sound good”, could someone get some for me”…The little snack bar was right outside the room and before long Lucky was munching and crunching chips.

Lucky fully aware of that milked the score to 9-9 and than just went ahead and won. As tough of a player as Glenn is, Glenn made it easier. Another $2000 It wasn’t fancy or it didn’t need to be. Glenn didn’t know what just happened.

Glenn figured he just was not with it today. They played one more for $2000. Glenn won some games and Lucky won some games the score kept pretty even until the end of the set. Lucky just made some unorthodox balls. Shot some too hard into the rails, lost the rock and still balls went in. It looked like he slopped balls in, but I knew they were calculated. Lucky got paid, they were done.

Glenn said it best. “The tragedy of life is not that you lose, but that you almost wins”.

Even if Glenn was playing his best pool he would have never won and never know why. Ahead $5000 and the old man just looks lucky.

It was almost time to leave Vegas and the Riviera.

Dread leaving saying good bye to it all. We went up to pack.

Lucky basically missed Vegas this year. Next year the event is in a new place the Rio. There will be new people to play I would bet on it.

The Natives from left to right: Evelyn Yazzie, Carl Yazzie, Janis Sessions, Salomon Ojalvo, Elenor (aka Jane) Freeman and Jason Betz. (Missing in picture and on the team are Laura Clay and Valnei Santos)

Gene and Evelyn the Captain of the Natives receive the price money.

APA 8 Ball Money Cup in South Florida Article and Photos by Janis Sessions The 8 ball Money Cup for the APA League in South Florida was held at the Billiard Club in Davie, FL this year. Teams eligible for this event came from Coral Springs, Davie, Hollywood, and Sunrise area. An APA 8 ball money cup has a time limit (3 hours) and the team that wins 3 out 5 matches advances.

Of the 32 teams, 16 teams would make it into the money cup around. The other teams would have to pack up and try again next time. Matches would start around 9:00am on 05/12/2012, unless your team got a bye. The teams that got a bye had to be at the Billiard Club by 12:00pm to start their matches around 1:00pm.

This was the third time our team called the “Natives” was be in the 8 ball money cup. The last two times that we played; we come in 9th-16th Place and received $250.00 to split with the team. This year we all seemed more determine to stay in as long as we could.

We started our first match around 1:00pm sending “Break n Out” and “Chopstix” home. By this time it was getting late and 8 teams would be back on Sunday 05/13/2012, which was also Mothers Day. Evelyn, Laura, Elenor (aka Jane) and I put our Mothers Day plans on hold to continue the battle along with the other teams for the first place 8 Ball Money Cup prize money and trophies.

Because it was Mothers Day I brought my mother along to watch the matches.

Sunday came our team the “Natives” were back and ready to

play. We started the matches around 12:30pm. We continued to play very well sending “Overrated” and “Outsiders” home.

WOW!! We made it to the final round and by this time it is 9:00pm.

Our team the “Natives” would meet up with “The Truth is 2 Offensive” team. We would have to play our best pool ever if we want to win. We knew “The Truth is 2 Offensive” team would play their best also. We started playing and took the first 2 matches.

We only needed to win one more and we had to play our “6” against their “5”. Both players wanted to win. One of the games within the match had about 20 defensive shoots between them.

Both players wanted to pull off the win, but our “6” stepped up to the challenge and we ended up winning.

What a great Mother’s Day for us the “Natives” coming in First Place. $2,000 1st Place – The Natives $1,500 2nd Place – The Truth is 2 Offensive $750 3rd-4th Place – 2 Leafed Clovers and The Outsiders $500 5th-8th Place – Cue Sharks, 2nd Chance, Overrated and Yellow Bus 9th-16th Place – HellFind, Rack n Roll, W84 It, Outta Control, Chopstick, Y So Yako and Constantly Amazed Thanks to the Billiard Club (Davie, FL) for hosting this event and Gene Weaver the league operator for all the hard work putting this together.

July 2012 - Stroke Magazine 33

Presents

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34 Stroke Magazine - July 2012

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March 2011 - Rackem Magazine 15