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The Break - December 2009
Billiard Directory The Break P.O. Box 100 Three Forks, MT 59752 Phone 1-406-285-3099 Fax 1-406-285-3098 Email otbnews@aol.com www.thebreakmagazine.com
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Don “Cheese” Akerlow
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The Break 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: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Nevada & anywhere pool is played. The opinions expressed are those of the author or advertiser and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Break 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 Publisher 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. © 2010 The Break
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January 2010 - The Break
3
Going Thin, may Give You a WIN! By Bill Smith “Mr3Cushion”, Old School Pool.net
THIS IS THE era of increased aware¬ness of one's thickness around the mid¬dle; and billiards has its fullfigure problems, too, when it comes to hitting too much ball when playing certain shots for position. During the heyday of 3-cushion bil¬liards, in the '30s, '40s and into the '50s, the game tended to be bettersuit¬ed to players who hit the first ball fuller, and stroked the cue ball harder. There were several reasons for that: ivory balls were used, the rail rubber was a natural material, and the all-wool nap cloths of that time had long and short rolls to them. Also, the com¬bined techniques of fuller hit and hard¬er stroke kept the ivory balls from rolling off as much, and allowed for the slower cushions and cloth. But in the last three decades, with the advent of phenolic billiard balls, com¬position rubber, wool/nylon blend non-directional highspeed cloth, and, of course, heated European tables, bil¬liards has become a very different game. It's elevated to a very high-tech, precision game, almost totally deter¬mined by the correct use of proper cue techniques, and, even more important, the correct speed of the cue ball and first-ball contact. In other words, it's not a matter of driving through the first ball anymore; it's a precise, controlled positioning of the first ball by the least amount of speed needed. And one way to accomplish this is to strike the first ball thin. When you do that, the path of that first object ball is much simpler to determine. You can figure your cue ball path easily, too, because when you cut the first ball thin, the cue ball speeds up after contact; you therefore don't require as much force, which in turn leads to increased accuracy. You'll notice a common concept in three of the four examples I've selected: they have at least the first or second ball already in a prime position zone, sim-plifying your task. But even these sim¬ple position opportunities are often overlooked, by players using poor speed. Diagram 1 confronts us with he problem of landing on the scoring ball correctly to take full advantage of our position. You already know that we're striking the first ball thin in all of our examples; but here, we need to score on the third ball short — that is, as far away from the long rail- as we can — so as not to drive it away from the cor¬ner, besides defeating the purpose of leaving the first ball ahead near the long cushion. Use minimum 11 o'clock English; the reasons for that are to control the speed of the cue ball (the more English, the more quickly the ball rebounds off the cushions), and to lessen the risk of
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The Break - January 2010
driving the scored-upon ball farther, which added spin will do. Diagram 2 demonstrates a solution somewhat contrary to the first. Here we cut the first ball to the corner, to leave it there, and score again short on the third ball softly. Again, use very little 11 o'clock English, but for a dif¬ferent reason this time: your carom in this shot brings you very close to the corner, as shown. The cue ball devel¬ops more English and speed as a result of contacting those two rails almost simultaneously; keep that in mind when calculating your four examples, the cue ball and first ball to be contact¬ed have been close to one another, five or six inches, so the effect of the cue ball's swerving on the cloth in trying for a thin hit with English hasn't been a factor. In Diagram 3, we find our cue ball 3 to 4 four feet from the first ball, and it has to travel farther to the proper scoring zone than on the previous shots. To help keep the cue ball more on line, a short stroke serves better here — it results in less deflection and adds a little more speed to the first ball, which we need for this shot. Also, use 3 o'clock English to get a pure hit; since the third ball is close to the long rail, try to hit short on it to improve your position for the next shot. Diagram 4 is quite a bit different. It's a five rail position shot with little twist to it: you play six rails, not five, so as not to wind up behind the third ball. The main objective here is to bank the first ball cross table twice while the cue ball, with proper speed, travels to six cushions. Employ a rapid stroke and 2 o'clock English, and remember the element of timing; there's a slight chance of a kiss between rails five and six. Hitting the shot as diagrammed will solve this problem too. Bear in mind that these shots repre¬sent the simplest solutions to position opportunities. The final position of all three balls is fairly easy to visualize, because in most of the examples, the balls aren't traveling that far. But mas¬tery of these techniques should give you the confidence to examine tough situations this way too.
It’s Not a Resolution. It’s a Movement! By Samm Diep, PoolTipJar.com © January 2010
Samm Diep
It’s that time of year again! It’s our chance to turn over a new leaf and start the year with a fresh, clean slate. Blah, blah, blah… Unfortunately, over 90% of New Year’s resolutions are not kept each year. This year will be no different. That’s why I’m not asking you to make a resolution. I’m pleading with you to start a movement. Let’s work together to rebuild our dying pool community, one player at a time, one pool room at a time. Will you please join me?
10 ways to make our billiard world a better place for everyone:
#10)
Have a sense of humor. Miss a shot? Don’t get
pissed off. Laugh it off. Have a better attitude for yourself and your peers. Believe me, if Efren can do it, so can you. No one wants to play with a whiner or a jerk. Work on having a more positive, productive outlook. You’ll be amazed at how it can attract better outcomes. #9) Introduce outside friends to pool. Our sport can only grow if the participation grows. We have the power to influence our friends and neighbors to also enjoy the game. Bring new people to your favorite pool room and make it a positive experience for them. Bonus points for every new friend that gets addicted! #8) Take up writing. If you don’t already have one, start a journal or a blog. Tracak your progress and measure your improvement. What better way to document your development? Blogs are free. You can pick up a small notebook and a pen for under a buck. It’s never too late to start and there’s no excuse not to. #7) Respect your opponent. Done shooting? Get out of the way. Miss position? Oh well, deal with it. The whole world doesn’t need to know where you meant to leave the cue ball. Lose a match? Shake your opponent’s hand and move on. It’s not necessary to tell them how lucky they got. None of that matters. The match is over. Now prepare for your next one. Win a match? Shake hands and go check the board. You don’t need to tell your opponent what they did wrong. I’m sure they already know. Stay in your seat when it’s not your turn and give the same respect that you would expect. #6) Share your knowledge. Don’t keep it to yourself. If you learned something that worked for you, pass it on. You don’t need to be “that guy” that goes around telling everybody what they should do, but tell a story about how a change helped you improve. It may work for your friends too. #5) Take better care of the equipment. The next time you’re at the pool hall, set the chalk blue side up, don’t set food or drinks (or cigarettes in some towns) on the table, don’t sit on the pool table, do not shoot object balls with your cue (only the cue ball), treat the equipment as if it were your own. Room owners are reluctant to spend money maintaining equipment because they think pool players can’t respect it. Let’s show them we can. Be aware of your actions and don’t be afraid to remind others to do the same.
#4) Pay it forward. I don’t care how cliché this phrase gets. I
enjoyed the movie and I love the concept. Be a better person and be kind to others, not because you expect something in return but because we want to make the world a more pleasant place to live. Let’s start with our own pool world. #3) Spend money. Do your part to help replenish our struggling billiard economy. Support your local pool room. Practice for hours. Eat lunch there. Buy a drink or two. Tip your server. Find ways to cut corners without cutting out pool. #2) Improve your pool game. If you can’t afford to take a pool lesson, buy a book, borrow a video, surf the net. Billiard resources are becoming more widely available each and every day. There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to not be able to learn more and improve if they really want to. That’s the key, you must want it. Feel free to contact me personally if you need help locating free or close-to-free pool tips. #1) Remember why we’re here. Last, and definitely not least, we’re playing this game because we love it. Don’t ever let that slip your mind. Appreciate every single opportunity we have at the table. Make it a pleasant experience for you and for those around you. Have fun! If you enjoyed this article, take it with you and share it with at least one other person. Let’s start a movement! Let’s work together to improve our pool community!
Scotch Doubles Feb 13, 2010
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January 2010 - The Break
5
Sam’’s Straight Pool The December 14.1 Tournament at Sam's Billiards on December 6 was no less than great! Among the 16 players there were 13 runs of over 20. Even more impressive there were four runs of 49 or more. Although Arlo Walsman had three of those (49, 50, and 54), Bob Zack won the high run prize with a run of 57. However, Arlo beat Bob in the finals to win the tournament. Since Arlo hardly ever plays straight pool, all three of his high runs were the longest runs he's had in the game. Coming in third was Aubrey Robinson, whose only loss came to Bob
881 E. El Camino Real Mountain View, CA. 94040 (650) 965-3100
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The Break - January 2010
Zack who hit him with a 30-ball run. Bill Enger from Seattle made a fine showing, winning his first three matches and falling to Arlo and Aubrey in the finals to end up in fourth place.
RESULTS: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
$70 $55 $40 $20
Arlo Walsman Bob Zack Aubrey Robinson Bill Enger
In Memory of:
Kelsey Christensen
The following excerpt was taken from the Caring Bridge webpage for Kelsey. It was a journal of Kelsey’s life and struggle with spine cancer and brain tumors. Kelsey was only 4 years old. Saturday December 12, 2009 “Kelsey went with the Angels at 1:20 pm today peacefully on her Momma’s lap with her Grandpa and Grandma by her side, she was also surrounded by many, many friends and family.” You can read more about Kelsey by reading the journal entries posted by her loving family http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kelseychristensen We had the great honor and pleasure of meeting Kelsey, Andrea her Mom, Lacy (her twin sister), Cierra and Christa (her other sisters) in October and November of 2008. Words cannot express what a beautiful child she was, so full of life and laughter. She did not let her illness get her down. Her life was all about living and was not concerned with the day to day things that can so often bring us down. She was an inspiration. She will always be in our hearts and will be missed greatly. Don & Mary Akerlow
Jaap Sweeps Tourney The Party Palace had a great open tournament on November 28th and 29th . The cost of entry was a $25 fee with an added $310 by the Party Palace . Food was (as at all tournaments put on by the Party Palace ) provided both days . Players enjoyed a simple race to 5 , double elimination tournament . Twenty three of the best caliber pool shooters from Butte Montana and the surrounding areas joined in a strong singles tournament that came down to six people who need to recognized as true players of the game. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife . Top six players were all paid out as they were shut out one at a time on the 29th .Brian Lafond ( Butte ) ended as sixth place receiving $25 , Dave Rodriguez ( Hamilton) ended 5th also receiving $25. Wally Schoeller (Butte ) put up a strong fight but came out 4th taking home $80. Andy Jaap (Butte) rode the winners circle right up till almost the end , he played a great game and came out in 3rd taking home $100. Pat Ferryman (Missoula ) played some of the smoothest pool seen in Northwest America taking 2nd he received $220 as he was shut out by one of the greatest young pool prodigies we have had a chance to see come up in Butte. Coby Japp (Butte ) finished his day with a confident grin as he took the final victory of the day , 1st place receiving $320. Judy Lorengo received $25 for top female shooter. All players had a great time and the Party Palace would like to thank Mary Garcia for organizing and running the brackets. Great job , thanks Mary. Keep an eye out for up and coming tourneys!
January 2010 - The Break
7
Ellis Heads To Derby
Sure Shot
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BCA Pool League Wednesday’s at 7 pm Meat Shoot Fridays at 3 pm 1414 Bay Ave - Ocean Park, WA
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Hard Times Billiards of Sacramento 5536 Garfield Ave Sacramento, CA (916) 332-8793
After 10-weeks of playing Viper’s “15-Rack” 10-ball leagues, Adam Ellis came out on top with 955 points winning paid airfare and entries into all the events at the 2010 Derby City Classic in Louisville, KY. Ellis also won a custom pool cue made by Jacoby and a custom rack made by Delta-13. Avery Pier came in second with 950 points claiming the runner-up spot. Cathy Crump fought hard all session and will be awarded the “highest finishing female” award. The $300 added “end of the session” tournament is scheduled for Saturday, January 9th, 2010 and all of the qualified 15-rack players will be present. The tournament will be broadcasting live starting at 12:00 PM via www.15rack.com and www.melissalittle.com and will be hosted at The Wynkoop Brewing Company located at 1634 18th Street, Denver, CO. The next session will start the weekend of February 7th, 2010 and will offer six -paid entries into the Open Colorado pro qualifier (April 17th & 18th, 2010) for the CSI US Open10Ball Championships to be held this May in Las Vegas, NV during the BCAPL national 8-ball championships. The summer session will feature a Men’s US
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The Break - January 2010
Open qualifier and the winter session will feature paid spots into the 2011 Derby City Classic. The top-2 ladies at each session will receive paid entries into the 2010 WPBA Amateur National Championships to be held in November 2010 at the Wynkoop. For more information please visit www.15rack.com Melissa Little, WPBA touring professional/house pro at Wynkoop is the owner/operator of 15-Rack pool leagues. 15-rack is based on a 10-week session of 10-ball “the ghost”, handicapped, with no membership/green fees pool league. Players can also visit the website to view stats to promote growth within their pool games. Each week the league gives out weekly gift bags that include gift cards to places like www.pooldawg.com, www.wazeesupperclub.com, www.impulsetheater.com, and Charlie’s billiards.
Rails BAR 841 Broadway Sheridan, WY
“Wyoming’s Best Pool Hall” 8-Ball Every Saturday at 5PM Art & Linda Erickson - Owners
Monthly Jamboree Weekend 1st Weekend of each month
One Pocket Saturday Sign up & Free Practice for Paid Entries Noon - Entry fee $20 Race to 2 - Double Elimination - $10/player added up to 30 players
9-Ball Sunday
Sign up & Free Practice for Paid Entries Noon - Entry fee $25 Race to 6 W/4 L - Double Elimination - $10/player added up to 50
Weekly Tournaments
Wed: 9-Ball $5 entry-$50 added-7PM Signup-7:30PM Start Single Elimination-Race to 3 (25 or more players) race to 4 with 24 or less players $75 added each week Thurs: 9-Ball USPPA $15 entry-7PM Signup-7:30PM Start Single Elimination-Race to 5-Must be a member of the USPPA Sun: 9-Ball Open $15 entry-Noon Signup-1PM Start-Double Elimination Race to 6 Winners to 4 One Loss-$5 per player added up to $150
December in Diablo Valley Christmas Party at Cue N Brew
1st Place Mili Chin/Robert Van Fredenberg and 2nd Place Kristen Eisen/Ron Yu
On December 12, 2009 Cue N Brew was the place to be if you were looking for very high scotch doubles competition, a warm clean setting, food, many friendly faces and any drink imaginable. The league held its annual holiday party which was held at Cue N Brew; which is a new sponsor to the league. The menu included rice, beans, tacos, lasagna, salad, fruit salad and veggies. The food and the beverages made everyone warm inside but the competition in the scotch doubles tournament really made everyone focus on their team strategies, their stroke, and safeties. This years’ teams included new players to the league, new team for the special day and returning teams. There were a total of twenty three teams (46 players). No one could predict how this tournament would end up because of the high level of skill. This years Champions of the Holidays are new to the scotch doubles league and have shown everyone that they are duo that can run the table. 1st $390.00 Mili Chin/Robert Van Fredenberg 2nd $240.00 Kristen Eisen/Ron Yu
3rd $195.00 4th $145.00 5th-7th $50.00
Dave Gomez/ Leslie Bernardi Jason Williams/ Holly Robinson Place Jared Williams/Brenda Johnson Stacy Wilson /Frankie Triolo Lauren Rutkovitch/Marshall Williams
Bonnie Plowman Clinic
Bonnie Plowman
The Diablo Valley Pool League had the pleasure of inviting Bonnie Plowman to do a pool clinic for our intermediate level players. She is a 9-ball player and has won several tournaments including the BCA Canadian 8-ball Championship in Toronto among many other high level tournaments. This was the opportunity for those of us who wanted to grab more knowledge of the game that we love to play. She covered the basic shots of pool, stop, follow and draw the ball, and a bit of English when applied to the cue-ball. She also provided the attendees to specific drills to improve our skills and proper techniques. But more than anything she gave everyone involved individual attention with her hands on approach. The clinic was $25.00 per participant and lasted one and half hour which flew by due to Bonnie’s humor and ability to coach participants threw the drills. It was worth it ladies. She does offer private lessons for a reasonable fee and 8-Ball is her strong game.
Annette Wood, Jess Quinata Bonnie Plowman Tina Mendoza, Laura Tow, Linda Henry, & Cony Mendoza.
January 2010 - The Break
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AMERICA RECLAIMS Hatch MVP in Storming Sunday
Story and photos courtesy of: matchroom.com
TEAM USA have won the PartyPoker. net Mosconi Cup outright for the first time since 2005 as they took the required two points on Sunday to defeat defending champions Europe by a four point margin. A win for Dennis Hatch, who took ‘Most Valuable Player’ honours as the winning team’s biggest point scorer, took the team to the hill and then Shane Van Boening snatched the trophy clincher as he defeated Ralf Souquet. It was a proud moment for American captain Nick Varner after last year’s disastrous trip to Malta; “This has been the best five days of my life and they all just played so well and I’m so proud of them,” he said. “I feel really good and I think I’m going to be like Dennis and probably start crying. The whole team - Dennis, Johnny, Corey, Oscar and Shane - have played so well and I am so happy.” Making his Mosconi Cup debut, Buffalobased Hatch was the star of the show throughout as his ebullient presence from start to finish as well as his outstanding play, drove his side on. Clutching his glass MVP Award, a tearful Hatch said, “I can’t explain how I feel; this is the best moment of my life. “I want to thank all the fans for being here and if it was not for those guys we wouldn’t have won. It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had and this team is just amazing. “Nothing can compare to this. I’m already thinking about the Turning Stone Classic which I have to play in three days but I won’t care if I win or lose because it won’t be as good as this. How can it compare to this?” he added. For Europe it was a tough defeat after two consecutive victories; "We came here very motivated but from day one we felt we were swimming upstream,” said Alex Lely.
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The Break - January 2010
“Today we got going but hats off the Americans, they played really well. Oscar and Dennis played really strong and the old schoolers did well and they deserved it. "But I'm proud of my team. We've been swimming upstream and we had to fight for it and it didn't happen for us. But hanging around these guys is great and a lot of fun and we will be back next year in Europe." Trailing 9-5 at the start of the day, Europe needed the biggest comeback in Mosconi Cup history to retain the trophy
and Ralf Souquet was the reliable choice for skipper Alex Lely and he delivered a solid performance to defeat Shane Van Boening by 6-3. Van Boening hasn’t been at the top of his game at this year’s event and Souquet had a little bit too much in all departments. He ended the match with a confident 3/9 combination to put his side within three of the Americans. "It was very important for us to win. We were down 9-5 and with the US only two games away from victory so we went into today as playing a regular tournament,” said Souquet. “Even though it's still a double elimination where we can lose once, we want to win every match. "The first one was very important and I'm really looking forward to every match. But we have to take it one step at a time and that was only the first step." People’s Champion Dennis Hatch, who was selected by a fan vote, took America to the brink of Mosconi Cup glory as he pounded Niels Feijen 6-0 to take the score 10-6. As ever, Hatch was fired up as he strode into the arena and his aggressive play was too much for the Dutchman who suffered the first whitewash of the competition and his second reverse to the Hatchetman in two days. "I've lived for this moment all my life. It's all about enjoying it while you're there, having fun and living the moment,” said Hatch. "No words can say how proud I am to win for my fans, my family and myself. It's just the best environment ever and the best player format I've seen in my life and I'm loving it. "We couldn't have a better story for me to beat Niels 6-0 and then Johnny to beat Thorsten to win the cup."
MOSCONI CUP It was not to be though as Thorsten Hohmann played a blinder as he upset Archer 6-1 to keep the Euro comeback dream alive. The American, who was undefeated up to this point, succumbed to Hohmann’s doggedness as he played to keep his team in the competition. That left it to Shane Van Boening to win his first Mosconi Cup in three attempts, as he reversed his earlier defeat to Ralf Souquet with a historic 6-2 victory. ‘This is the third year I have been in it and I’ve lost the last two so there was no way I wanted to lose again,” said Van Boening. “Before that match with Ralf started I was thinking ‘how the hell did he beat me?’ so I said to a friend that he is never going to beat me again.
“He had my number in the first match and I couldn’t let him beat me again so I just put him away. I played perfectly in that match and didn’t make a single mistake.” Making a record-equalling 13th appearance in the competition, veteran Johnny Archer put the disappointments of ’08 behind him, and delivered a series of outstanding performances to help his team over the line. “It’s easy to say we’ve had a good time when you’ve won but the whole experience has been fantastic,” said Archer. “Losing the last two years wasn’t an inspiration but we really wanted to redeem ourselves but I was just so excited to be on the first team without any negativity.” THE SCORES Ralf Souquet 6 – 3 Shane Van Boening Niels Feijen 0 – 6 Dennis Hatch Thorsten Hohmann 6 – 1 Johnny Archer Ralf Souquet 2 – 6 Shane Van Boening Live in its entirety on Sky Sports in the UK, the PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup features two five-man teams representing Europe and the USA doing battle in a series of singles and doubles matches.
Story and photos courtesy of: VegasBilliardsBuzz.com
They certainly accomplished their mission and a big congratulations goes to Team USA for becoming the 2009 Mosconi Cup Champions. “We began preparing for the event much earlier this year after our loss last year.” said Team USA captain, Nick Varner. At the pre-event reception Nick was focused, determined and very serious about why they were there and that was....to win. Thursday morning as Match 1 was underway, the crowd was anxious to see how rookie, Oscar Dominguez, would fare under pressure. To everyone’s surprise, he seemed to be the most relaxed player on the team. Cool, calm and playing extremely well. Johnny Archer, being a veteran of the Mosconi Cup was an outstanding teammate. Whether playing in a scotch doubles match or sitting in the sidelines, he was always right there to support and applause his teammates. Corey Deuel never ceased to amaze the audience with his astonishing shot making ability and the most deserved MVP trophy went to Dennis Hatch for his entertaining performance all weekend. Lastly, Shane Van Boening was extremely strong and consistent. He lost to Ralf Souquet 3-6 on the final day and had to play Ralf again 3 matches later. With Team USA only needing 1 more match win to claim the cup, Shane never looked back and defeated Ralf 6-2. Great job Team USA, we couldn’t be more proud.
January 2010 - The Break
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Listen and Learn
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The Break - January 2010
This article is the first of a series of posts written in coordination with other pool bloggers on the topic of strategy. Pool stories. I love to hear them. I find the more players I talk to, the more little gems of information fall into my lap. This month, I’d like to highlight small tidbits from four of the best players in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. I struggled to select one great and memorable story that made a major impact on me that elevated my game, so I decided to pass on four small tips gleaned from great players. Jimmy Wetch. Jimmy and I were at a major tournament watching a race to eleven between two players. One a legitimate pro and one with loads of talent and the ability to beat anyone, but not as seasoned in the pro circuit. The rookie played hard and happened to get down 7-2. From the bleachers, Jimmy and I could see the player losing steam and not playing with the same determination as the first part of the match. Jimmy said to me, “That’s the worst thing he can do. Now he’s gonna get punished by that guy for a long time.” I asked Jimmy to explain further. The upshot is that by giving up he was letting his opponent gain confidence and knowledge for the next time they drew each other. He would have an edge on that player by knowing that he only had to get halfway to the finish line and his foe would ease up and he could coast in for the win. The trailing player should have fought harder with every turn at the table and made the match a hard fought victory for the other guy no matter what the score was. Showing no give up, sometimes even in an un-winnable situation, the player will have a twinge of respect for showing determination and fighting to the end. That type of reputation might be more useful for the next match up than the alternative. Lee Heuwagon. Years ago, Lee saw the frustration in my eyes after getting bounced out of a tournament earlier than I had hoped. We started to discuss my disappointing performance and he suspected that I was putting too much pressure on myself. It is true that I felt I should have done very well in that particular tournament. I went in with high hopes. My preparation for the tournament was as good as it could have been. I had been practicing and the field was one that I really felt I had a chance to win. Maybe all these factors took me out of my best game because the high bar I’d set was exerting undue pressure. His advice was that when it is time to win, it will happen. He suggested that I focus on playing the great pool I was capable of and that winning would come easier if I relaxed and let it happen. The magical blend of high level play, confidence, and determination is still a complicated equation. Learning from every experience but not beating yourself up about it is a more productive and pleasant way to deal with an early exit from a tournament. Demetrius Jelatis. Demi is a real student of the game. Every serious player would benefit from watching Accu-Stats matches. Demi has found inspiration in some matches so compelling, he’s able to commentate matches from memory from seeing them so many times. His unusual advice about the DVDs is that you should watch some subpar matches too. Pat Flemming’s company denotes recommended matches in their catalog with an asterisk to help customers select great discs, and they are great. Many of them are semi-finals or finals matches with an incredible level of play. The players who win tournaments are usually on a roll, playing tremendous pool and shooing in the high 900’s according to the Accu-Stats rating system. Demi says that continued on page 27
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Owning the Shot
“I’ve recently hit a wall as far as improving my game. Do you have any advice on how to take my game to the next level (i.e.: books, drills) and what’s your opinion on private lessons?”
By: Bob Jewett
San Francisco Billiard Academy www.sfbilliards.com Bob Jewett
Do you ever come up against a shot which is easy enough to make but you have no feel for how you’re going to get position? When that happens to you, it’s a great clue as to what you have to practice. Here’s an example. The 15 ball is one diamond from the side cushion and one diamond down the table from the side pocket.The cue ball is on a line such that your cue stick passes over the second diamond on the other side cushion as shown. The goal of each shot is to pocket the 15 in the side and take the cue ball to just touch the target ball. How close the cue ball is to the 15 is up to you -- move it farther away for more challenge, especially for draw shots. First, try to park the cue ball by the one ball with plain draw. This is about at the limit for this angle of cut into the side, and will be impossible with a heavy bar cue ball or if the cloth is old and sticky. Shot 2 is easier and should be possible under all conditions. On each shot, you should try to get both the speed and direction just right. For the 3 and 4, go one rail off the side cushion. There are two ways to adjust the angle from the cushion -- draw or side spin. If I don’t know the table well, I’ll use a rolling cue ball and adjust the side spin to fix the angle. Draw position will be more affected by how new the cloth is. For shots 5, 6 and 7, you can get there two ways, as shown for the 6 ball. If you go two rails, get the 3 ball out of the way -- it’s not supposed to be a blocker on this drill. You can also get the last three balls with follow and one cushion. The 5 ball will probably need a little right english, while the 7 ball will need left english. Can you take the cue ball to the other side pocket using either one or two rails? I think this is nearly impossible on some tables. Try each position until you leave the cue ball “close enough” to the object ball, which might be to end up within a ball’s diameter or within a hand span. If you want to keep score, consider three tries for each shot as par, so a total of 20 would be good. This is just one example of how to “own” a shot you might stumble over during play. Note any such shots in your own competition and spend some time with them on the practice table.
Melissa Little
By Mellissa Little, Ask the Viper
Everyone’s learning curve is different- but it seems like eventually all players hit some sort of plateau. My advice is to always be a student of the game and to be open-minded on advice. Sometimes you can learn the smallest thing from some random person that helped you immensely. If you can learn something new everyday-your game will elevate quickly. When I was younger a lot of different people helped me with my game. Mostly guys friends in the poolroom, and when people noticed I had some natural talent everyone wanted to put there two-cents in. I am very grateful to EVERYONE that helped me get to where I am today. Eventually, I had a great player come out of retirement to help me get to the next level and the others stepped aside to watch my progress and patiently wait for me to win the big one. Pool is like an investment- I recommend reading books, magazines, player’s blogs, and invest in private lessons from a professional. Take a moment to explore all of your possibilities- if you see a professional that inspires you, and then ask if they offer lessons. Over the years I have given hundreds of lessons and down the road they have come back and said how much I made a difference in their games. When people share information, listen to them. Its up to you to take what they have to offer and use it and its also your choice to throw it away, but give them the respect of listening. You never know, it might a great piece of information that you could use in the future? Most importantly, I can give you all the advice to improve but it is up to you to use that information and transform your own game. Practice everyday that you can and believe me it is a necessity for improvement. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and practice. Practice makes perfect, and preparation brings bliss!! If you have a question for “The Viper” please e-mail them to otbnews@aol.com
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January 2010 - The Break
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Players Memorial Ladies and gentlemen, the pool players memorial tournament date is Feb. 19-21, the format has changed this year. There will be at least $1500 added money and is usually more. It was around $2000 last year. The brackets will be 45 A’s and 45 B’s with the money split 60/40. A mini and calcutta on Friday night. And I would like to state again that all entries must be in by Jan.31st. On Feb. 1st all remaining spots up to the 90 player cap will be filled by people on the waiting list. So if you didn’t play last year and want to this year it would be wise to get on the list as early as you can. There will not be a womens division this year. Unfortunately we could not find anyone to host a womens tournament and Cattlemans just doesn’t have enough tables to run both the men’s and womens. We are also going to split the field into an A and B division. All players from last year including the girls have an automatic invite to this years event but we will only host 90 players this year. A and B combined. Entry will be $35 again this year and needs to be paid starting Jan. 1st and no later than the 31st. Getting the entry fees in as soon as possible will be greatly appreciated by those that are on the waiting list. If you have ANY questions please call Mike Dalager @ 253-6408 or myself, Don Lundy @ 471-4294. P.S. We have already rated all the players we know personally but anyone can play in the A division if you want. Thanks
The Shootout
results and photos courtesy of Tami DeLano
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The Break - January 2010
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Friday Night
January 2010 - The Break
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Northern Lights Shootout l a nu n
11th A
Felix Beardy
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The Break - January 2010
By: Don “Cheese” Akerlow We started off December 8th heading for Rugby, North Dakota. It was minus 18 when we left, by the time we got to the Bozeman Pass, some 40 miles down the road, it was minus 25. We stayed in Glendive, Montana and headed out the next day at 21 below zero. Got into Rugby around 4:30 pm Central time. The first thing I noticed were signs announcing the tournament all along the highway and in town. The local weekly newspaper had done a story about the Northern Lights Shootout the Saturday before. The Chamber of Commerce, Sports Boosters and local cue maker extraordinaire Jim Stadum of Samsara Cues and pretty much the whole town got together and put on this tournament of the Lights from the North. We set up our OTBnTV booth, brought in our computer, monitors, boom, cameras and with only one thing left to do that would start the following day, “ACTION”. The Rugby Armory was to host the 20 Valley 7’ pool tables for the 11th year. It was a pleasure to meet everyone that we have talked to on the phone for years. The players started coming in on Thursday and play was to start with the International Cup and the game was 9 Ball. OTBnTV filmed all the matches that night and finished up around 12:30 am. It was decided that we would Live Stream the finals just before the start of the 8 Ball competition on Friday in Prime Time with Marc Oelslager and Tony Weert in the finals (http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2963548) marked NLS-11A. Saturday’s Live Streaming was also to be in Prime Time starting at 6 pm. The Live Streaming would prove to be a record setting number of viewers with over 74,000 unique viewers watching the Northern Lights Shootout in Prime Time. This was in large part due to Ustream featuring OTBnTV’s Live Stream on it’s home page and we maintained viewers consistently throughout the Prime Time event. Throughout the tournament we were treated to food and drink that was made available by the sponsors. I even experienced an unusual combination that I had never seen before, “uffda”, a perennial favorite. Simply put this was “taco in a bag”, tortilla chips in a bag that was cut open lengthwise on one side. You could either crush the chips or leave them whole, taco meat, lettuce and cheese. You could add onions, black olives, pretty much anything you would put on a taco. It was excellent! Sunday the Live Streaming started at noon. We had matches from 7th place, 5th place, as well as 4th, 3rd and the Championship match. We also have a Northern Lights Video Magazine Page that will have all of the 25 matches that we streamed. Here is the link http://www.otbntv.com/NLS12-09.html or you can watch all the matches labeled NLS-1 through NLS-27 directly on our showpage on Ustream at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/otbntv-live We at OTBnTV would like to thank the Northern Lights Shootout, Rugby Chamber, Northern Lights Inn and all the players and fans that helped to make this Live Streaming event the best ever! We would also like to thank our sponsors: Lucasi Hybrid, Delta-13, Crown Cues, Rackem Magazine and On The Break News.
from Rugby, North Dakota We look forward to seeing everyone next year! Story by Matt Mullally, Pierce County Tribune Tournament field down ‘Shootout’ organizers go back to one men’s draw due to fewer players Organizers with the Northern Lights Shootout were planning to feature two men’s divisions this year for the 11th annual eight-ball tournament in Rugby, but before the first break elected to go back to one division due to a smaller-than-anticipated field. “We didn’t have as many master-level players that we normally get and we didn’t have as many open-level players as we were hoping to attract,’ said Mark Hamilton, tournament organizers. So two divisions went back to one, however, a provision was put in place. Whenever a master-level player faced an amateur in a match, the master player had to spot the amateur a one-game lead in the race to six. All totaled, there were 74 players in the men’s draw which was just three less players than last year, Hamilton pointed out. However, the field didn’t feature as many high-end players. Hamilton suspects the smaller top prize payout because of the planned two divisions likely kept some from coming to compete. The plan next year is to go back to an open division and increase the payout. The women’s draw had just nine players, which was also disappointing. “It’s not just our tournament, but other larger ones are struggling to get a lot of women to play,’ Hamilton said. “For our tournament I don’t know if being this close to Christmas is a factor in keeping some from coming.” However, of the nine women who did compete there were a few newcomers. One came from as far as Aberdeen, S.D. Live webcast This tournament also was shown via webcast by “OTBnTV” - a Montana firm. Over 135,000 Internet hits went to the site to watch the tournament live. “That was a nice addition and they did a good job of also visiting with our sponsors on their broadcast as well as showing the matches,’ Hamilton said. “We’re hoping to work something out to get them to come back next year.” The Geographical Center Chamber of Commerce coordinated the tournament and itwas run with volunteers. Hamilton said the support of the businesses and organizations is what makes it possible for the community to host this tournament.
Inside OTBnTV behind the scenes
Rachel Wentz
Men’s tourney This year’s champion was again from north of the border. Felix Beardy of Winnipeg, MB became the seventh Canadian to win the title. He had been runner-up on one occasion. Three-time ‘Shootout’ champion Marc Oelslager, of Fargo, won the 9-ball International Cup held on Dec. 10 prior to the start of the eight-ball tournament. It features 16 players from U.S. and Canada. He also placed in the nine-12 range in the men’s division. There was a payout for the top 32. Three area players also finished in the top 32. Travis Hamilton of Rugby placed in the 13-16 range; Layne Opstedal placed in the 17-24 range; and Curt Roerick placed in the 24-32 range. Jeff Claire of Winnipeg won the consolation title. Wentz wins women’s title
January 2010 - The Break
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Northern Lights Shootout (continued from page 17)
Minot’s Rachel Wentz, formerly of Rugby, has been competing in the Northern Lights Shootout since 2000, and now the 29-year-old can call herself a champion. She dropped her first match in the double elimination preliminary round, but battled to advance to the re-draw. Then, she finished undefeated, claiming the title with a win over Devils Lake’s Joan Jacobs in the finals, 5-4. “Both of us ran the table three times each,’ Wentz said. “Joann competes in the master’s league in Rugby, so she’s a good player.” So is Rachel, whose best finish prior to the title was third a year ago. She didn’t start playing pool until nine years ago. “I played at Opie’s Pool Parlour and the first time I picked up a cue I just loved the sport,’ she said. “It was a way for me to be competitive at sports.” Wentz practices every day to keep improving her game. “I have a pool table in the house,’ she said. Her victory marked the first time a local player has captured a ‘Shootout’ title. Wentz said the ‘Shootout’ is one of the best pool tournaments in the area and the organizers deserve a lot of credit for putting it on as do the local businesses who support it as well. **** Beardy wins elusive ‘Shootout’ title Winnipeg pool player takes $2,000 first prize by Matt Mullally, Pierce County Tribune Winnipeg, Manitoba pool player Felix Beady has many titles to his credit, including winning the 2008 Canadian Eight-ball championship. He can now add another to his growing resume. The 38-year-old captured his first Northern Lights Shootout title on Dec. 13 in Rugby. Beardy has participated in six other times and has reached the semifinals on four other occasions, but he could never quite capture the top prize. However, he would not be denied this time, winning seven matches en
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The Break - January 2010
route to taking home $2,000. The talented field and close proximity to Winnipeg is what has brought him back over the years. Beardy has been playing the game since he was a young boy growing up on the Garden Hill Reserve in northeastern Manitoba. “ I lived right next to a pool hall and there wasn’t much to do growing up, so I spent a lot of time at the hall,” Beardy said. “I learned to play on a four by eight snooker table.” He moved to Winnipeg and there concentrated on mastering his game. “There is a lot of good players there and you learn by watching,’ he said. “You’re always a student.” He continues to play in pool leagues in Winnipeg and was part of a team that won a prestigious tournament in Las Vegas a few years ago that had 600 teams. His Canadian EightBall title in Toronto included several professional players. Felix said what separates good players from great ones is the mental side of pool. “You need a short memory,’ he said. “You can’t let a bad shot linger in your mind, or get too excited about making a great shot. You have to remain (calm).” That approach has served him well, and Beardy is now part of that prestigious list o f champions at the Northern Lights Shootout.
9-BALL INTERNATIONAL CUP 1 $800 MARC OELSLAGER 2 $400 TONY WEERT 3 $200 BRUCE WHEELER 4 $100 CHAD BARBER 5/6 $50 JARED BAILEY, KEN AZURE MEN’S TOP 32 1 $2,000 Felix Beardy 2 $1,300 Carey Hafner 3 $900 Robert Pulver 4 $600 Clayton Enno 5/6 $400 Clarence Davis, Tony Weert 7/8 $300 Terry Daniels, Tyler Perry 9-12 $200 Mike Fieldhammer, Marc Oelslager, Brent Hanson, Chad Barber 13-16 $150 Bruno Nadeau, Travis Hamilton, Jared Bailey, Sheldon Haas 17-24 $80 Mike Frechette, Brent Donahue, Frank Howe, John Thorson Curt Roerick, Dusty Geller, Richard Martin, Kurt Hanson 25-32 $70 Layne Opstedal, Ed Herman, Chris Halkyard, Arden Smoke Ken Azure, Brad Arny, Bob Larson, Dave Strachen WOMEN’S TOP 4 1 $300 Rachel Wentz 2 $200 Joan Jacobs 3 $100 Claudia Martin 4 $75 Tammy Doerr 1003 7th St-Oregon City, OR CONSOLATION (503) 656-9501 1 $150 Jeff Clare 2 $100 Bob Flores 3 $80 Jared Steiner 4 $60 Jeff Nadeau 5/6 $40 Tim Markwart, Larry Lord $3 per player added 7/8 $20 Tom Komanski, 6 Valley + 6 Diamond Pool Tables Spencer Edwards
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The 12 Skill Levels in Pool: A Descriptive Breakdown By Roger Long, Advanced Certified Instructor
If you want to see pool players get really fired up about something, just get them talking about rating other players. There is no hotter topic in pool than who should be able to beat who, and why it all should be obviously so. Problem is, everyone’s opinions are just that – opinions. But maybe that’s no problem at all. Maybe the fact that no comprehensive rating system exists, is also what keeps the subject so fresh and interesting. After all, if it Roger Long were easy, it would be dull. So, with that thought in mind, please allow me to interject my own opinions on how players should be rated. My method is based upon Phil Capelle’s “Pyramid of Excellence” that he introduced in his excellent book, Play Your Best Pool. Phil’s “Pyramid” identified 10 skill levels, ranging from D up to A+. I liked Phil’s basic premise, but I didn’t think it was quite broad enough, so I added two new levels to the “D” category and then made up my own descriptions for all 12 levels. Here goes: D- Novice. Knows almost nothing about the game except maybe a few general rules of play. D Novice. May not know anything about the fundamentals or making shots. Non-competitive. D+ Novice. Knows little about the fundamentals, but might know a couple of shots. Average social player. C- Novice. Very basic knowledge of the fundamentals. Knows almost nothing about position play. Lowest level league and tournament
player. C Novice. Has a grasp of the fundamentals, but does not know much about the physics of the game. Lower-level league and tournament player. C+ Intermediate. Has learned quite a few shots, but has a lot to learn about position play and strategy. Inconsistent. Average league player. B- Intermediate. Fair amount of knowledge and experience, but inconsistent in execution. Above average league player. B Advanced. Good position play, strategy and consistency. Strong league player. Competitive in local open tournaments. B+ Advanced. Very good position play, strategy and consistency. Top-level league player. Consistent competitor in local open tournaments. A- Semi-pro, or player possessing professional skills. Capable of winning or placing high in the money in local and regional open tournaments. A Professional, or player possessing professional skills. Capable of winning local and regional open tournaments. Usually finishes in the money in regional tournaments. A+ Top professional. World-class player. Capable of winning major professional tournaments. Almost always finishes in the money in any tournament entered. Now all I have to do is to take every player in the world and stick him or her into one of these categories. No sweat.
January 2010 - The Break
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The Break - January 2010
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Oregon Albany: Bob Cook 541.760.8242 bcook@northstarsurveying.com Astoria: Bonnie Russell frumpy2003@yahoo.com Coos Bay: Barbara Sisneros bsisneros49@charter.net Tioga BCA - Rick Tillett 541.404.0453 redsquatch101@yahoo.com Eugene: Darcy Williams-Moss 541.517.9816 darcy@lcpl.net Grants Pass: Danny Burdick 541.659.0467 anbvending@earthlink.net Lincoln City: Alex Shuey 541.921.3111 alexshuey@hotmail.com Portland: Andrew Monstis / Sassy Campbell 503.252.4215 sharandrew@comcast.net Division Managers: Forest Grove: Chris Christison 503-961-3298 starbandchris@gmail.com Gresham: Sean Kilpatrick 503-668-7675 srkilpatrick@harbornet.com Joyce Phipps 503-819-4526 phippsjoyce@yahoo.com Milwaukie: Teena Mowery 503-785-1227 sharksgoneblind@comcast.net Joyce Gumm 503-704-6671 joyce.gumm@att.net
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509-534-0401
LUNCH DINNER FULL BAR POOL DARTS PULL TABS IN HOUSE POOL LEAGUES
12801 NE 175th - Woodinville, WA
(425) 488-0140
Great Food Pool Darts Games Pull Tabs Cocktails
All times are Pacific Coast Time - Add one hour for Mtn Time
Log Cabin
Pub & Eatery 2719 E Valley Hwy E-Sumner, WA
253-946-9734
31216 PACIFIC HY. S. FEDERAL WAY, WA
Karaoke Thurs thru Sat with Seth Bates and Friends
Come Join The Fun!!!
01-03-2010 07:00 am 1998 Wmn’s Tourn of Champs Finals 01-03-2010 08:00 am Generationpool.com Women’s 9-Ball-Semi #1 01-10-2010 07:00 am 1999 BCA Championship Finals
01-10-2010 08:00 am Generationpool.com Women’s 9-Ball-Semi #2 01-24-2010 07:00 am 1999 Wmn’s Tourn of Champs Finals 01-31-2010 07:00 am 2000 BCA Championship Finals
These schedules have been provided by ESPN. These are tentative dates and are subject to change
2010 USSA National Snooker Tour
Hours: 10:30 - 2 am Kitchen 10:30-1 am
5608 119th Ave SE Bellevue, WA
425-603-9001
Wednesday Night 8-Ball 7:30PM
$5 entry - House Matches Pot to $100 Limit 16 players B Players Only
158-100th St So. Tacoma, WA
253-535-6688
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 PM Pool Leagues Sun - Thurs Karaoke Wednesdays D J Dancing Fri & Sat Food Specials
Hot Shot Cafe & Billiards
Weekly Tournaments Mon-Tues-Wed at 7PM Monthly Tournaments Every 3rd & last Saturday 6285 Ball Rd. Cypress CA (714) 952-1120
The United States Snooker Association (USSA) is pleased to announce the second Tour year of the popular “2010 USSA National Snooker Tour.” Each event is open to any individual except professional snooker players. For details, please contact the USSA representative assigned to each respective event (listed below). A $25 annual membership to the USSA is not required, but requested, of entries. The 2010 USSA National Snooker Tour is proud to be sponsored by two of the heavyweights in the snooker industry – Aramith Snooker Balls and Strachan snooker cloth! The USSA recently sent two members (National champion Ahmed Aly El Sayed and national runner-up Ajeya Prabhakar) to the IBSF World Snooker Championships in Hyderabad, India, November 15 – 25. Both had qualified through the 2009 USSA National Championships, the 2010 version of which will be determined in the near future by the USSA board of directors. The top finishers from each Nationals also become qualified for Team USA in the annual Can-Am Snooker Challenge conducted at the site of the 2010 USSA Nationals.
World 9-Ball The World Pool Association is pleased to announce that the World 9-Ball Championship will be conducted in Doha, Qatar from June 25 until July 5, 2010. Qualifiers for this event will be held in Doha from June 25 until June 27 and the main event will be conducted from June 28 until a champion is crowned on July 5. The prize fund for this initial appearance and in 2011 in Qatar is $250,000 and will increase to $300,000 for both 2012 and 2013. Invitations will be done according to WPA rankings, and via the WPA members. Invitations will be done according to WPA rankings, and via the WPA members and should commence during the spring of 2010. More details will be forthcoming shortly but the WPA wishes to take this opportunity to thank the organizers in Qatar who have worked so diligently to make this event a reality and it is their efforts who have made this possible.
253-863-2905
6 POOL TABLES TOURNAMENTS Mon, Tues & Sat
Great Food Tuesday 9-Ball - 7:30pm $5 entry House Matches Wednesday 8-Ball - 7:30pm $5 entry House matches
6106 SE King Rd - Milwaukie, OR
503-654-4201
Jan 15-17: Bar Box Open
$50 entry - Race to 5 Calcutta 6 PM ($20 min) Play Starts 7 PM $1,000 added
Feb 6: Bud Sautter Memorial Doubles $40 entry - Race to 5 Play Starts 10 AM $300 added
Feb 26-28: Budak Memorial
3 Man Team - Round Robin $120 entry - 16 team max Calcutta 6 PM Play Starts 7 PM $$ Added Money $$ 3108 Euclid Ave - Helena, MT 406-449-4997
January 2010 - The Break
21
PC’s Pub 3021 Rucker Ave Everett, WA (425) 258-9465
Now Serving Cocktails
“Where we take pride in what you swallow!”
Oasis Bar 304 N Main
Pocatello, ID
208-232-9347
30 YEAR SPONSOR
VNEA CHARTER MEMBER Bozeman
Eagles Crystal Bar Molly Brown Scoop Cats Paw Filling Station Mixers The Haufbrau
Lucky Cuss The Hub Bar Friendly Lucky Palms
Broken Arrow Sports Depot Sir Scott’s Oasis American Legion
Frontier Bar Town Club Plaza Wolf Den
Belgrade
Manhattan
Three Forks
22
The Break - January 2010
PULL TABS
POOL DARTS - GAMES
VEGAS 8 BALL WEDNESDAY
Sunday 8 or 9-Ball - 8PM (alternating)
$5 entry 7:30PM POKER - THURSDAY $20 Buy In - 7:30 PM
$5 entry - House Matches the Pot
HAPPY HOURS M-F 4-6 PM
“WHERE EVERYDAY IS A HOLIDAY”
SPOT BAR & GRILL
FREE POOL Mon-Fri: 7-9 AM 4-6 PM & 12-2 AM
Pool Tournaments Friday 8-Ball at 8PM $2 entry-Call Pocket-$2 added Saturday Blind Draw Sc Dbls at 8PM $2 entry-Call Pocket-Meat Shoot
7225 4th Plain Blvd Vancouver, Washington 360-256-1110 Karaoke Sun-Thu 9:30PM Live Music Fri-Sat 9:30 PM
The East Bay’s Finest Billiard Room 20 Beautiful Pool Tables Full Bar - Full Kitchen Pro Shop - Smoking Lounge Private Party Facilities
Tournament 2nd Weekend of Every Month Monday College Night Tuesday USPPA Tournament Wednesday Ladies Night Located at the Public Market in Emeryville across from the Emberybay Cinema
(510) 652-9808 6005 Shellmound Emeryville, CA
Team CSI
Heads to the Heartland
CueSports International (CSI), in partnership with promoter Mark Cantrill, would like to announce that Team CSI – American Grand Masters is heading to the U.S. Midwest for the first leg of the Team CSI Tour. The team is comprised of: BCA Hall of Fame inductee and 5 time U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion Earl “The Pearl” Strickland, 2009 Texas Open winner Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant, 2006 U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion and 2009 Derby City Classic One Pocket winner John “Mr. 400” Schmidt, and 2001 U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion Corey Deuel who has also served on the U.S. Mosconi Cup Team 6 times. Each of the four members of Team CSI still actively compete in both U.S. and international events, thus two members of the team travel together for each leg of the tour. The Midwest Tour, which is scheduled January 8-17, will feature Earl Strickland and John Schmidt. “I have always enjoyed teaching and passing on knowledge in person. I also enjoy meeting new people and so this is going to be a great experience and can’t wait.” said John Schmidt. Strickland and Schmidt will perform a series of exciting exhibitions and hold pool schools throughout Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska and Iowa. The pool school is 4 hours in length with a maximum of 12 students per school. Each student will have an opportunity for individual instruction with both Strickland and Schmidt addressing the student’s personal needs to progress in their respective games. The total cost to attend the pool school is $200 per student. For information about Team CSI visit the CSI website at www.playcsipool.com. For more information about the tour, to schedule an exhibition or pool school in your area, and to register to attend a pool school contact Mark Cantrill at (480) 612-7732 or email him at markc@playcsipool.com In addition to CSI, Team CSI – American Grand Masters 2010 Midwest Tour is sponsored by, Mueller Recreational Products, Cornhuskers Billiards, Sterling Gaming, and Nielsen’s Billiards. CueSports International (CSI) is dedicated to creating more choices for all players. CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League, the National Championship Series (NCS), and the USA Pool League. CSI also produces independent events such as the U.S. Bar Table Championships, the Jay Swanson Memorial 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.
Bozeman Holiday Classic The 10th annual Holiday Classic was held on November 28-29, 2009 in Bozeman, Montana. Curt Watts and Candace Evans would like to thank the Eagles Club, Molly Brown, Cats Paw, Scoop and the Crystal bars for hosting the event. Jim Walker, Eagles Club manager, and Mike Schaff, event coordinator, would like to extend their gratitude to the Eagles Women's Auxiliary for providing lunch for the participants during the tournament. This year's tournament featured sixty-three men and twenty-four women. In the women's tournament, Jana Montour finished in first place, while Juanita Brown placed second and Misty DeBates came in third. On the men's side, Jeff Boucher shot his way to first place with P.J. Massicott finishing second and Ace Brown in third. Rounding out the top eight were Edwin Montal with a fourth place finish. Fifth and sixth places were claimed by Britt Schwartzer and LeRoy Dorsey. Congratulations to Jason Rolfe for winning the custom cue made by Keith Ericksen. Next tournament will be held January 23, 2010, 9ball-$200 added at the Eagles Club. RESULTS: 63 guys - 24 women First Place - $550.00 Second- $350.00 Third- $350.00
Jana Montour Juanita Brown Misty Debates
First- Second- Third- Fourth- Fifth/Sixth- Seventh/Eighth
Jeff Boucher P.J. Massicott Ace Brown Edwin Montal Britt Schwartzer And Leroy Dorsey Juston Salcido/Mark Vinogradov
$1800.00 $1000.00 $550.00 $350.00 $200.00 $150.00
January 2010 - The Break
23
2009 Year in Review
JANUARY
-Mike Davis Wins Reno Open -Max Eberle Wins Spot in 8 Ball CSI Nationals -Jim Winter, Linda Asleson Win Battle of the Bighorn -Live Streaming Guide -Carl Wilson Jr Takes 46th USPPA -Todd Gooch Wins 14.1 Portland, OR -Bryce AvilaWins at Billiard Palacade -Pat Vise Wins at Malarkey’s
MAY
-SVB Wins at Saratoga, WY -Winter Youth 8 Ball League -Avila is Crowned at Jointed Cue -Glass Shines in Las Vegas, NV -Jim Conway Qualifies NCS -Cadillac Island Hosts Team Event -Glenn Atwell Wins Nitehawk -Nick Douma Is MCMOA Champion -Rafael Martinez Wins Jamboree -Paul Martinez Is Back -Pacific ACS Crowns Champions -Tom Scott Memorial, Libby, MT -Father & Son 1st & 2nd at Hard Times Bellflower, CA -NWPA Season Opener WA State Championship
24
The Break - January 2010
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
-Mike Schaff Wins Eagles 9 Ball -Golden Fleece Billiards Qualifies 4 for CSI Nationals -Hard Times Qualifiers CSI Trevor Smith & Austin Murphy -Wade Fortune Wins in Medford, OR -Stacy Novack #1 at AWBT -15 Rack 10 Ball Pool League Starts -Ballad Town Billiards Forest Grove, OR to host Youth 9 Ball -Dave Randall win Sam’s 14.1 -Carlos Santibanez Wins a Cue Ball
-Yu Ram Cha Dominates BCAPL -OTBnTV LIVE Streams BCA Grand Masters -Simon Pickering Defeats SVB -Mary Rakin Masters Champ -Dustin Harwood APA 9 Ball National -Tyler Edey Wins Back to Back 9 Ball Challenge Las Vegas, NV -BCAPL Results -Diablo Valley Results -Bob Zack Wins 14.1 Sam’s Billiards -Northwest Women Win Masters in Las Vegas -Appleton Wins World Pool Masters -Liz Cole Wins at NWPA -LeRoy Dorcey Wins Eagles 9 Ball -Linn Petty Wins at The Cue Ball
-Brandon Shuff NCS Champion -Railhouse Billiards Modesto, CA -Mitch Ellerman Wins Swanee -WBCA Casino Tour Crowns Champions -Ming Ng Wins Regional Tour Championship NWPA -Bud Sautter Helena, MT 1st place Dan Kisner, Heath Gradwohl -Derby City Classic Results -Glenn Atwell in 3 of 3 Finals at U S Bar Table -Soundview Champions Oak Harbor -The Cue Ball Winner Mike Jarvis
-Northwest Men Win VNEA Nationals -OTBnTV LIVE Streams VNEA Nationals -ACS Nationals Results -George Michaels Wins at Hard Times -USPPA Summer Shootout -Dan Louie Wins NCS 14.1 Qualifier -Snohomish County APA Results -APA Pierce County LTC Results
-Jackie Fitchner/Glenn Atwell Win Master’s at Western BCA -OTBnTV Films Western BCA -Tacoma APA Crowns Regional 8 and 9 Ball Champions -Diablo Valley Women’s League -Mark Budak Memorial Helena, MT -Colorado All Stars -Wynkoop 15 Rack Results -Jim Anderson wins Cue Ball -14th Annual Western BCA Results -Awards Bash Cascade Pool League -Bob Zack Wins at Sam’s Billiards -OTBnTV to film at VNEA Nationals
-VNEA Juniors Results -OTBnTV LIVE Streams VNEA Jrs -July Jamboree Results -Liz Cole Wins at Malarkey’s -Cindy Sliva Wins NWPA at Jillian’s -Michelle Rakin Wins West Coast Women’s Regional -BEF Juniors Results -Everett Invitationals -Olympic ACS
You can read past issues of The Break at: http://www.onthebreaknews.com/PastIssuesIndex.htm OR http://issuu.com/thebreak (September, October, November, December continued on page 26)
January 2010 - The Break
25
2009 Year in Review
SEPTEMBER
-Dan Louie NCS 14.1 Champion -Rafael Martinez Wins Chuck Markulis Memorial -Seattle 9 Ball Open Results at Uncle Jack’s -Jason Williams Wins Dave Piona Memorial -Diablo Valley Women’s Tournament -Trick Shot Challenge Las Vegas -Rodder’s 9 Ball Oregon City, OR -Ironman New Peking, Port Angeles -Tamra Rademakers Wins NWPA -APA National Team Championships Results -Tom Brady Wins in Salem, OR
OCTOBER
-George Michaels Wins San Francisco 9 Ball -WPBA Colorado Classic Results -Mary Rakin Wins Shoreline -Toadstool Cafe Emmett ID Results -Don Wirtaman Wins Stixx and Stones -National Championship Series Results -Hard Times Billiards Jamboree -Bob Marquart and Candice Evans Win Eagles Club -Todd Gooch Wins Sam’s Billiards -Chris Byers Wins at The Cue Ball -Corner Pocket Cody Clark Wins -Diablo Valley Results
NOVEMBER
-SVB Wins Shootout Great Falls, MT -OTBnTV LIVE Streams Shootout -Jasmin Ouschan Wins Pacific Coast Classic -Rockin The Party Palace Butte, MT -Perry and Gustafson Wins Deadwood Shootout -OTBnTV LIVE Streams Deadwood -Mary Rakin Repeats -Mika Immonen Wins Back to Back U S Open -Western BCA 9 Ball Results -Jason Tigart Wins Big Dogs -The Cue Ball Results -Susan Smith Wins NWPA
DECEMBER
-Battle in the Bighorns Results -OTBnTV LIVE Streams Battle in the Bighorns -MT State 8 Ball Results -Tony Chohan Wins Glenn White Memorial -Top Amateurs Crowned -2 New World Champions -Evans and Debates Wins Women’s Doubles -Western WA BCA 8 Ball Results -Billy Palmer Wins Jamboree -Bob Zack Wins at Sam’s -Wayne Willet Wins at The Cue Ball -Cindy Sliva Wins NWPA Final Stop -Utah Open Results -Palmer Wins at Family Billiards
You can read past issues of The Break at: http://www.onthebreaknews.com/PastIssuesIndex.htm OR http://issuu.com/thebreak
Open Team 8-Ball American Legion Headquarters February 20-21, 2010
$500+
Entry $25 Stick Fee, $25 Sponsor Fee + $25 green fee added $150 per team 100% payback 4 Players per team - Shooting singles - Limit 2 Masters per team BCA Rules - Call Pocket - Double Elimination Race to 7/5 - Final Race to 9 Entry Deadline Feb 19th - Players Meeting 10AM - Feb 20th
Entry Fee & Information: Chuck Hassler 2842 Hunt Rd - Oak Harbor, WA 98277 360-929-6076 (cell) or 360-675-3732 (nights)
26
The Break - January 2010
SPORTS BAR & GRILL THURSDAY: 9 Ball 7:00 pm
Valley rules - $5 entry - Matching Pot
SUNDAY: 8 Ball 6:00 pm
Valley rules - $5 entry - Matching Pot FREE POOL Mon-Fri 11 am - 3 pm
Karaoke DJ Sun-Thurs 7 pm
Fri-Sat
Live Poker Daily at 10 am Hold-em and Omaha
3663 Pacific Ave SE #D - Olympia, WA (360) 412-1330
Listen and Learn (continued from page 12) players can be fooled and discouraged to see such high level pool. I think we have all seen a shot or a miraculous run-out that has made us groan and during the appreciation, thought, “I can’t believe how good that was. I don’t think I could do that in a million years.” This kind of blue sky thinking isn’t reality. Every top professional is human and they have bad matches, bad tournaments, and bad months. Demi suggested watching some early matches that didn’t have the Accustats asterisk. These matches sometimes show top professionals struggling to run out. They may show great exchanges where safeties and silly mistakes are made. These can be the types of games that happen to you and maybe you can see some familiar shots and learn from them. It also might just make the pros less intimidating and give you the confidence to know that you too can play with the pros. Beau Runningen. Beau means business. At only 25 years old, he has demonstrated the patience and wisdom of a player one might expect to see in a player twice his age. Local players talk about the guy who did nothing but break for 2 hours straight, or the guy who didn’t pocket a ball during an hour long practice session because he was working on safeties. Beau takes every part of a tournament seriously beginning with planning for a tournament months in advance. He’s got notebooks full of diagrams, drills, match notes, and the like. All this planning and preparation seems to be regurgitated on the pool table. Beau makes run out after run out look routine. In fact he makes them look boring, which is really a compliment. No nailbiting shots, no wild chances with the outcome unknown, just the facts. Taking inspiration from Beau’s attention to detail and serious approach to every aspect of the game can do wonders for your game. In fact, my New Year’s resolution is to make a plan, work that plan, and repeat. Repetition of good habits breeds good habits.
January 2010 - The Break
27
WEEKLY POOL TOURNAMENTS
Colo
WY
UT
CALL FIRST: Dates, Times & Tournaments are subject to change without notice.
DAY Tuesdays Thursdays
CITY LOCATION Salt Lake City E O’s Billiards Salt Lake City E O’s Billiards
PHONE (801) 967-0777 (801) 967-0777
EVENT / RULES ENTRY ADDED 9-Ball race to 5 Handicap. $15 9-Ball race to 5 Handicap. $15
TIME 6:30PM 6:30PM
DAY Saturdays
CITY Sheridan
LOCATION Rails Bar
PHONE (307) 751-1609
EVENT / RULES 8-Ball
ENTRY $10
ADDED $100 w/16
TIME 5:00PM
DAY Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Fridays Saturdays Sundays
CITY Aurora Aurora Aurora Denver Aurora Aurora Aurora
LOCATION Rack’em Billiards Rack’em Billiards Rack’em Billiards Wynkoop Rack’em Billiards Rack’em Billiards Rack’em Billiards
PHONE (303) 755-7675 (303) 755-7675 (303) 755-7675 (303) 297-2700 (303) 755-7675 (303) 755-7675 (303) 755-7675
EVENT / RULES 8-Ball Bar Box BCA Rules 3-Ball on 9’ Tables 9-Ball on 9’ Tables 15-rack 10-Ball Hndcp 8-Ball Bar Box BCA Rules 9-Ball Race to 5/5 Prog. Pot 8-Ball Bar Box BCA Rules
ENTRY $5 $5 $10 $12 $5 $10 $5
ADDED
WASHINGTON
DAY Mondays
28
CITY LOCATION Tacoma Latitude 84 Call to get your weeklys listed Tuesdays Belfair Allen’s Billiards Belfair Allen’s Billiards Federal Way P J Pockets Lakewood Longhorn Saloon Mountlake Terr O’Houlie’s Pub Sumner Log Cabin Wednesdays Auburn The Sports Page Bremerton Stixx and Stones Billiards Everett P C’s Pub Lakewood Full Splice Tacoma Malarkey’s Pool & Brew Tacoma Latitude 84 Thursdays Bellevue Mustard Seed Everett P C’s Pub Graham Qz’s Olympia Frankies Fridays Kenmore Golden Fleece Billiards Longview Cadillac Island Monroe Robin’s Billiards Ocean Park Doc’s Tavern Snohomish Kornerpocket Billiardz Tacoma Malarkey’s Pool & Brew Vancouver Legends Vancouver Spot Bar & Grill Saturdays Lakewood Schooners Snohomish Kornerpocket Billiardz Sumner Log Cabin Vancouver Legends Vancouver Spot Bar & Grill Sundays Bremerton Stixx and Stones Billiards Graham Qz’s Kennewick Billiard’Aires Club Lakewood Full Splice Lakewood Longhorn Saloon Longview Cadillac Island Lynnwood Uncle Jack’s Olympia Frankies Snohomish Kornerpocket Billiardz Tacoma Latitude 84 Tacoma Malarkey’s Pool & Brew Vancouver Spot Bar & Grill
The Break - January 2010
TIME Call Progressive Pot Call Progressive Pot Call $100 7:30PM Matching/Prog.Pot Call $200 1st Guar. Call Matching/Prog.Pot Call Matching/Prog.Pot
PHONE EVENT / RULES ENTRY ADDED (253) 531-5154 9-Ball $5+$3 g.f. 406-285-3099 www.TheBreakMagazine.com (360) 275-2668 8-Ball (1st & 3rd Tues) $7+$3 g.f. $$$ (360) 275-2668 9-Ball (2nd & 4th Tues) $7+$3 g.f. $$$ (877) R-U-LUCKY 9-Ball $8 $200 field based (253) 581-2580 8-Ball $5 Pays 75% field (425) 776-1833 8-Ball $7 100%+BreakPot (253) 863-2905 9-Ball Vegas Rules $5 Matching (253) 288-0436 8-Ball $5 50% up to 16 (360) 377-2359 9-Ball (Break pot) $5+$3 g.f. 100% (425) 258-9465 Vegas 8 Ball $5 (253) 512-6898 9-Ball $5+$3 100% w/15+ (253) 383-3301 9 Ball-Race to 3-DE $5+3 g.f. (253) 531-5154 9-Ball $5+$3 g.f. (425) 603-9001 8-Ball B only Limit 16 $5 up to $100 (425) 258-9465 Poker $20 buy in (253) 262-8437 8-Ball $5+$3 g.f. 100% (360) 455-0352 9-Ball Valley Rules $5 Matching (425) 908-7332 9-Ball Handicap $10 $300 min (360) 957-0065 9-Ball $25 top B player $5+$2 g.f. $200 (360) 794-7878 9-Ball Open $7+$3 g.f. Breakpot (360) 665-4105 8-Ball Open $3 Meat Shoot (360) 862-9054 9-Ball Round Robin $10 (incl g.f.) Break Pot (253) 383-3301 9 Ball-Race to 3-DE $5+3 g.f. (360) 693-8125 8 Ball - Mod BCA $5 Matching (360) 256-1110 8-Ball Call Pocket $2 Matching (253) 584-1919 8-Ball BCA rules $5 100% (360) 862-9054 Scotch Doubles $25 2nd Saturday (253) 863-2905 8-Ball $5 Matching (360) 693-8125 8 Ball - Mod BCA $5 Matching (360) 256-1110 Blind Draw Scotch Dbls $2 Meat (360) 377-2359 8-Ball $5 100% (253) 262-8437 9-Ball $5+$3 g.f. 100% (360) 783-4071 9-Ball $10+$2 g.f. (253) 512-6898 8-Ball/9-Ball Alternating $5+$3 100% w/15+ (253) 581-2580 9-Ball $5 Pays 75% field (360) 957-0065 Blind Draw Sc Dbls $5+$1 Matching (425) 640-5474 9-Ball - Race to 3 $7 $5/player (360) 455-0352 8-Ball Valley Rules $5 Matching (360) 862-9054 8-Ball Open $10 50% w/16 (253) 531-5154 8-Ball $5+$3 g.f. (253) 383-3301 8-Ball $5 100% (360) 256-1110 9-Ball Race to 3 $5 Matching
TIME 8:00PM 7:00PM 7:00PM 8:00PM 8:00PM 7:30PM 7:00PM 6:30PM 7:30PM 7:30PM 7:30pm 7:30PM 8:00PM 7:30PM 7:30PM 7:00PM 7:00PM Call 7:00PM 7:00PM 7:00PM 7:00PM 7:30PM 7:30PM 8:00PM 7:00PM 3:00PM 2:00PM 7:30PM 8:00PM 6:00PM 7:00PM 1:00PM 1:30PM 8:00PM 2:00PM 4:00PM 6:00PM 1:00PM 8:00PM 2:00PM 2:00PM
MT
ID
WEEKLY POOL TOURNAMENTS DAY Tuesdays Wednesdays Fridays Saturdays Sundays
CITY Moscow Moscow Twin Falls Emmett Moscow Pocatello
DAY Mondays Wednesdays Saturdays Sundays
DAY Mondays
LOCATION Mingles Mingles The Pocket Toadstool Mingles Oasis Bar
PHONE (208) 882-2050 (208) 882-2050 (208) 733-9676 (208) 398-7321 (208) 882-2050 (208) 232-9347
EVENT / RULES 9 Ball 8 Ball 8-Ball Handicapped 8-Ball or 9-Ball 8 Ball 8/9 Ball Alternating
ENTRY ADDED $5 $5 $6 $25 w/16+ $5 $5 Matching $5 Matching
TIME 8:00PM 7:00PM 7:00PM 7:00PM 7:00PM 8:00PM
CITY Kalispell Three Forks Kalispell Butte Kalispell Belgrade
LOCATION Cattlemen’s Casino Frontier Club Cattlemen’s Casino Party Palace Cattlemen’s Casino Hub Bar
PHONE (406) 257-9656 (406) 285-9876 (406) 257-9656 (406) 723-4247 (406) 257-9656 (406) 388-1811
EVENT / RULES 8-Ball Pool All Day 8-Ball 8 Ball 8-Ball Pool All Day
ENTRY $5
ADDED Matching
TIME 7:00PM
$5 $5 $5
Matching $50 Matching
7:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM
CITY Sacramento
Cypress Emeryville Garden Grove Mountain View Riverside Sacramento Sacramento Wednesdays Cypress Sacramento San Francisco Thursdays Garden Grove Riverside Sacramento San Francisco Fridays Concord Saturdays Daly City Riverside San Francisco San Francisco Sundays Garden Grove Mountain View
LOCATION Jointed Cue Family Billiards Hot Shot Cafe Broken Rack Bart’s Pub & Grill CA Billiard Club Shooters Hard Times Jointed Cue Hot Shot Cafe Hard Times Billiards Palacade Bart’s Pub & Grill Shooters Hard Times Family Billiards DVPL Town & Country Shooters Family Billiards Billiard Palacade Bart’s Pub & Grill CA Billiard Club
PHONE (916) 456-3243 (415) 931-1115 (714) 952-1120 (510) 652-9808 (714) 891-1719 (650) 965-3100 (951) 785-9588 (916) 332-8798 (916) 456-3243 (714) 952-1120 (916) 332-8798 (415) 585-6800 (714) 891-1719 (951) 785-9588 (916) 332-8798 (415) 931-1115 (510) 861-0812 (650) 992-7900 (951) 785-9588 (415) 931-1115 (415) 346-9140 (714) 891-1719 (650) 965-3100
EVENT / RULES 9-Ball B USPPA 9-Ball USPPA 8-Ball No ‘A+’ Players USPPA 75 & Under 9-Ball Handicapped 8-Ball Line 9-Ball Open staggered entry 8-Ball 9-Ball ‘B’ player 8-Ball 8-Ball No ‘A+’ Players 9-Ball 10-Ball USPPA Tourny at Vinnie’s Bar 9-Ball 9-Ball USPPA NPL NPL 8-Ball No ‘A+’ Players 10-Ball Open
ENTRY ADDED $5 $20 $12 $15 $10 $12 Break Pot $12 $10 $5-$15 $50 $12 $5 $10 $50 $10 $12 $10 $20 Call Call $12 $50 w/16 $20 $20 $500 Break Pot $10 $10 $25w/every 8
TIME 8:00PM 7:00PM 7:00PM 8:00PM 8:00PM 7:00PM 8:00PM 7:00PM 8:00PM 7:00PM 7:00PM 7:30PM 8:00PM 8:00PM 7:00PM 7:00PM 8:00PM 1:00PM 1:00PM 3:00PM 1:00PM 8:00PM 5:00PM
DAY Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Fridays Saturdays Sundays
LOCATION Hot Shots K C Midway Rodders Cues Billiards Greek Village Hot Shots Wichita Cues Billiards Ballad Town Billiards Wichita Cues Billiards Cues Billiards Ballad Town Billiards K C Midway Jake’s Bar & Grill K C Midway Jake’s Bar & Grill NiteHawk Sam’s Billiards Sam’s Billiards
PHONE (503) 644-8869 (503) 656-9501 (360) 798-6678 (503) 251-8399 (503) 643-2119 (503) 644-8869 (503) 654-4201 (503) 251-8399 (503) 357-1111 (503) 654-4201 (503) 251-8399 (503) 251-8399 (503) 357-1111 (503) 656-9501 (503) 362-3600 (503) 656-9501 (503) 362-3600 (503) 285-7177 (503) 282-8266 (503) 282-8266
EVENT / RULES 9 Ball ‘B’ -Texas Express 9 Ball - No masters Play on Diamond Tables 8-Ball BCA Rules 9-Ball (minimum 6) 9 Ball ‘C’ -Texas Express 9-Ball 9-Ball C & below 9-Ball/BCA 3/2 DE 8-Ball 9-Ball 8-Ball 8-Ball/BCA 2/2 DE 9 Ball Play on Diamond Tables 8 Ball-Open 8 Ball Play on Diamond Tables 8-Ball Blind Draw Sc Doubles 8 Ball Straight Pool (1st Sun.) 8-Ball Open-Chris Nieland TD
ENTRY ADDED $6+$1 FREE $3/player $5+$2 g.f. Matching $7 incl. g.f. $5 50% $6+$1 $5 House Matches $7 incl. g.f. $5 House Matches $5 House Matches $6 incl. g.f. $$$ $6 incl. g.f. $$$ $5 House Matches $5 $3/player $5 $$$ $5 House Matches $5 $$$ $3M/$2W $100 $15 $5 3rd Sun
TIME 7:00PM 7:30PM 7:00PM 7:30PM 6:00PM 7:00PM 7:30PM 7:30PM Call 7:30PM 7:30PM 9:30PM Call 7:30PM 7:30PM 7:30PM 7:30PM 6:00PM 11:00AM 11:00AM
CALIFORNIA
Tuesdays
OREGON
CALL FIRST: Dates, Times & Tournaments are subject to change without notice.
San Francisco
CITY Beaverton Oregon City Oregon City Portland Portland Beaverton Milwaukee Portland Forest Grove Milwaukee Portland Portland Forest Grove Oregon City Salem Oregon City Salem Portland Portland Portland
January 2010 - The Break
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Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice
DATE Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 3 Jan 8-10 Jan 8-10 Jan 9 Jan 15-17 Jan 15-17 Jan 16 Jan 16 Jan 16-17 Jan 22-24 Jan 23 Jan 27 Jan 29-31 Jan 30-31 Feb 6 Feb 6 Feb 7 Feb 7 Feb 6-7 Feb 13 Feb 13 Feb 13-14 Feb 13-14 Feb 13-14 Feb 19-21 Feb 20 Feb 20-21 Feb 20-21 Feb 24 Feb 22-24 Feb 24-26 Feb 24-26 Feb 26-28 Feb 26-28 Feb 26-28 Feb 27-28 Feb 27-28 Mar 6 Mar 7 Mar 7 Mar 8-14 Mar 20 Mar 26-28 Mar 27 Mar 27-28 Mar 31 Apr 20-25 May 14-22 May 17-22
CITY LOCATION PHONE EVENT / RULES ENTRY ADDED TIME Lynnwood, WA Uncle Jack’s (See ad p18) (425) 640-5474 9-Ball Open $25 $250 Guar. 9:00AM Sacramento, CA Hard Times (See ad p8) (916) 332-8793 One Pocket $20 $10/p up to 30 Noon Sacramento, CA Hard Times (See ad p8) (916) 332-8793 9-Ball $25 $10/p up to 50 Noon Portland, OR Sam’s Billiards (See ad p6) (503) 282-8266 Straight Pool $15 11:00AM Butte, MT Party Palace (See ad p7) (406) 723-4247 Women’s Doubles Ma-Bell $20 $500 Call Butte, MT Cinz (See ad Dec) (406) 782-2468 Traynor Memorial Doubles $50 $500 w/20 t 8:00PM Salem, OR The Cue Ball (See ad p22) (503) 362-9740 9-Ball So. Willamette Valley players $10 $200 10:00AM Mtn View, CA CA Billiard Club (See ad p23) (650) 965-3100 9-Ball - Chet Itow Memorial $50 (no g.f.) $12,500 10:00AM Helena, MT Edge Casino (See ad p21) (406) 449-4997 8 Ball Bar Box Open $50 $1,000 6:00PM Billings, MT Kings Korner (See ad p8) (406) 256-8946 8-Ball Blind Draw Sc Dbls $10/player $200 Call Denver, CO Wynkoop (See ad Dec) (720) 296-5395 “Viper” Clinic $40 2:00PM Bremerton, WA Stixx & Stones (See ad p23) (360) 377-2359 9-Ball $50 ($10 g.f.) $750 W/32 Guar 10:00AM Butte, MT Party Palace (See ad p7) (406) 498-3740 8-Ball 3 Man FREE $3200 Call Bozeman, MT Eagles #326 (See ad p20) (406) 587-9996 9-Ball Singles - Limit 32 $25 (incl g.f.) $200 11:00AM San Francisco, CA Billiard Palacade (See ad p11) (415) 585-6800 8-Ball Handicapped $20 $200 Call Billings, MT Players Open (See ad p27) (406) 672-8208 4 Person Team 8-Ball Singles $140 $2,300+ Guar 7:00PM Oregon City, OR Rodder’s (See ad p18) (503) 650-2363 9-Ball Open $25+$5 g.f. $250 w/32-$500 w/64 11:00AM Helena, MT Edge Casino (See ad p21) (406) 449-4997 8 Ball Bud Sautter Mem Dbls $40/team $300 10:00AM Sacramento, CA Hard Times (See ad p8) (916) 332-8793 One Pocket $20 $10/p up to 30 Noon Sacramento, CA Hard Times (See ad p8) (916) 332-8793 9-Ball $25 $10/p up to 50 Noon Portland, OR Sam’s Billiards (See ad 6) (503) 282-8266 Straight Pool $15 11:00AM Tacoma, WA Malarkey’s (See ad p6) (253) 383-3301 9-Ball February Freeze $40+$10 g.f. $3,000 w/128 9:30AM Emmett, ID Toadstool (See ad p5) (208) 398-7321 8-Ball - Scotch Doubles $50 (incl dinner) $$$ 11:00AM Bozeman, MT Eagles #326 (See ad p20) (406) 587-9996 Sweetheart Mixed Doubles $20/team $200 11:00AM Tacoma, WA Malarkey’s (See ad p6) (253) 383-3301 8-Ball Mixed Scotch Doubles $40+$15 g.f. $1,500 w/48 t 9:00AM Hollywood, CA Hollywood Billiards (See ad p2) (702) 719-7665 9-Ball Swanee Memorial $75 $3,000 Guar 9:00AM Butte, MT Party Palace (See ad p7) (406) 723-4247 8-Ball Mixed Scotch Doubles $25/team $$$ Call Kalispell, MT Cattlemen’s (See ad p14) (406) 253-6408 Players Mem A & B Divisions $35 $1500+ Call Billings, MT Kings Korner (See ad p8) (406) 256-8946 8-Ball Blind Draw Sc Dbls $10/player $200 Call Mtn View, CA CA Billiard Club (See ad p23) (650) 965-3100 Sat: One Pocket / Sun: 9-Ball $20 / $20 $400 each 1:00PM Oak Harbor American Legion (See ad p26) (360) 675-3732 8-Ball 4 person team $150/team $500+ 10:00AM San Francisco, CA Billiard Palacade (See ad p11) (415) 585-6800 8-Ball Handicapped $20 $200 Call Reno, NV Sands Regency (See ad p2) (702) 719-7665 10-Ball Bar Table Champ. $125 $6000 Noon Reno, NV Sands Regency (See ad p2) (702) 719-7665 9-Ball Bar Table Champ. $125 $6000 Noon Reno, NV Sands Regency (See ad p2) (702) 719-7665 9-Ball Bar Table Champ. Wms $75 $1000 w/16 Noon Reno, NV Sands Regency (See ad p2) (702) 719-7665 8-Ball Bar Table Champ. $125 $7000 Noon Reno, NV Sands Regency (See ad p2) (702) 719-7665 8-Ball Bar Table Champ. Wms $75 $1000 w/16 Noon Helena, MT Edge Casino (See ad p21) (406) 449-4997 8 Ball Budak Mem 3 man team $120 $$$ 6:00PM San Francisco, CA Family Billiards (See ad p26) (415) 931-1115 One Pocket/9-Ball $25 each $300 ea w/32 1:00PM Bozeman, MT Eagles #326 (See ad p20) (406) 587-9996 Women’s MT State Doubles $20/team $600+ 10:00AM Sacramento, CA Hard Times (See ad p8) (916) 332-8793 One Pocket $20 $10/p up to 30 Noon Sacramento, CA Hard Times (See ad p8) (916) 332-8793 9-Ball $25 $10/p up to 50 Noon Portland, OR Sam’s Billiards (See ad p6) (503) 282-8266 Straight Pool $15 11:00AM Lincoln City, OR Chinook Winds (See ad p25) League Operator Western BCA 8-Ball Varies $26,000 based on entries Call Billings, MT Kings Korner (See ad p8) (406) 256-8946 8-Ball Blind Draw Sc Dbls $10/player $200 Call Billings, MT MCMOA (See ad p27) (406) 442-7088 MCMOA State Championships Qual. at bars TBA Call www.otbntv.com or www.ustream.tv/channel/otbntv-live Bozeman, MT Eagles #326 (See ad p20) (406) 587-9996 Mixed Scotch Dbls - limit 30 t $20/team 10:00AM San Francisco, CA Family Billiards (See ad p26) (415) 931-1115 One Pocket/9-Ball $25 each $300 ea w/32 1:00PM San Francisco, CA Billiard Palacade (See ad p11) (415) 585-6800 8-Ball Handicapped $20 $200 Call Shelton, WA Pacific ACS (See ad p19) League Opr 8 & 9 Ball Regionals Varies $12,500 9:00AM Las Vegas, NV BCAPL (See ad p2) (702) 719-7665 8-Ball National Champ *(based on 2008) Varies $750,000* entries Call Las Vegas, NV BCAPL (See ad p2) (702) 719-7665 U S Open 10-Ball Call $25,000 Guar Call Watch it LIVE on www.OTBnTV.com
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The Break - January 2010
December 2009 - The Break
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