October 2007 - Inside Pool Magazine

Transcription

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October 2007
On the Cover
CONTENTS
Up-and-coming player
Rachael Abbink of
Canada brings a
sense of style,
courage, and
fearlessness to
the game of
pool.
INSTRUCTION
16 Grady’s Grad School
Three Smart Bank Shots
Find her story
on page 32.
18 This Is Your Captain Speaking
The Ten Most Common Problems, Part Ten
20 Pro Pool Workout
Losing Track of Time
22 Beat People With a Stick
Shoot Yourself
24 According to Allison
Back Foot First
26 Technically Speaking
The Perfect Stroke
FEATURES
28 Sudden-Death Finals Go to Feijen
30 APA National Team Championships Feature Record
Crowds and Payouts
28
More than $1 million in prize money awarded in 27th annual
event
32 Hot Stuff
Rachael Abbink is Changing the Face of Pool
36 Accessorize Your Pool Game
InsidePOOL’s 2007 Accessories Issue
42 Corteza Captivating at the Turning Stone Classic IX
Bests Field of 128 for U.S. Win
4 InsidePOOL Magazine - October 2007
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Volume VII, Issue 8
COLUMNS
42
46 Cue Maker’s Corner
Tascarella Cues - Managing Tradition
50 Industry Ink
Longs Billiards - Melding the Past With
the Future
52 On Board With the BCA
New BCA Board Year Off to a
Busy Start
54 Industry News
56 You’re On Two!
Heartless
58 Places to Play, Places to Buy
DEPARTMENTS
36
8
14
62
64
68
72
74
76
80
Publisher
Advertising Sales Director
JR Calvert
Bill Perry
[email protected] [email protected]
Editor
Sally P. Timko
[email protected]
Graphic Artist
Thomas W. Hartman
[email protected]
Editorial Assistant
Rick Davis
[email protected]
Technical Consultant
Tom Simpson
Instructional Staff
Johnny Archer, Steve Crutchfield, Max Eberle,
Allison Fisher, Bob Henning, John W. Loftus,
Grady Mathews, Keith McCready,
Tom Simpson
Feature Photo Credits
JR Calvert, Mitch Heydt,
Jerry Tarantola
Contributing Writers
Fred Agnir, Jose Burgos, Tony Butera, Rick Davis,
Carolina Fernandez, Willy Hermoza,
Rob Johnson, Keith Loria
E-mail
[email protected]
Toll Free
866-961-7665
Website
www.insidepoolmag.com
Administrative Offices
220 S. Jefferson Street, Kittanning, PA 16201
Pool on TV
Advertiser Directory
League Player of the Month
Regional Roundup
Northeast
Southeast
Central
Western
World
Photo Caption Contest
InsidePOOL Magazine Volume VII, Issue 8 (ISSN 1547-3511)
is published monthly except June and August by Spheragon
Publishing, 220 S. Jefferson Street, Kittanning, PA 16201.
Single copy price: $3.95 in U.S.A., $5.95 in Canada.
Subscription prices: $19.99/yr in the U.S.A., $28/yr in
Canada, $39/yr International. Periodicals postage at
Kittanning, PA, and additional mailing offices. Submissions
of manuscripts, illustrations, and/or photographs must be
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publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material.
Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part without
written permission of the publisher is prohibited.
POSTMASTER: Please send address
changes to: InsidePOOL Magazine,
P.O. Box 972, Kittanning, PA 16201.
PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
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Pool on TV
(continued on page 10)
All times are Eastern Time Zone – check local listings for changes.
ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic
2007 WPBA Florida Classic Semifinal #1
1-Oct
7:30 PM
ESPN2
2007 WPBA Florida Classic Finals
1-Oct
9:30 PM
ESPN2
ESPN2’s 1995 WPBA National Championship Semifinal #2
4-Oct
10:00 AM
2007 WPBA Florida Classic Semifinal #2
1997 WPBA Classic Tour Finals
1-Oct
2-Oct
8:30 PM
10:00 AM
ESPN2’s 1995 WPBA National Championship Finals
5-Oct
10:00 AM
ESPN2’s 1998 WPBA Classic Tour Finals
10-Oct
10:00 AM
1998 WPBA Classic Tour Semifinal #2
2007 Cuetec Cues U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship Quarterfinal #1
9-Oct
10-Oct
10-Oct
10-Oct
10-Oct
10:00 AM
8:00 PM
9:00 PM
10:00 PM
11:00 PM
ESPN2
ESPNC
ESPNC
ESPNC
ESPNC
ESPNC
ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN2
11-Oct
10:00 AM
ESPN2’s 1998 WPBA Classic Tour Semifinal #2
12-Oct
10:00 AM
ESPNC
2007 Cuetec Cues U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship Semifinal #2
14-Oct
3:30 PM
ESPN
2007 Three-Cushion Billiards Challenge Exhibition
14-Oct
5:30 PM
2007 Cuetec Cues U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship Finals
11-Oct
14-Oct
14-Oct
11:00 PM
2:30 PM
4:30 PM
ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN
ESPN
ESPN
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Pool on TV
(continued on page 12)
15-Oct
10:00 AM
ESPNC
10:00 AM
ESPNC
16-Oct
10:00 AM
18-Oct
10:00 AM
17-Oct
19-Oct
10:00 AM
ESPNC
ESPNC
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20-Oct
11:00 AM
ESPNC
24-Oct
10:00 AM
ESPNC
23-Oct
25-Oct
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
26-Oct
10:00 AM
1997 WPBA National Championship Semifinal #1
30-Oct
10:00 AM
27-Oct
31-Oct
ESPNC
ESPNC
ESPNC
11:00 AM
ESPNC
10:00 AM
ESPNC
ESPNC
1997 WPBA National Championship Finals
1-Nov
10:00 AM
ESPNC
3-Nov
11:00 AM
ESPNC
3:30 PM
ESPN
2007 WPBA Midwest Classic Semifinal #1
2007 WPBA Midwest Classic Semifinal #2
2007 WPBA Midwest Classic Finals
2-Nov
4-Nov
4-Nov
4-Nov
10:00 AM
2:30 PM
4:30 PM
ESPNC
ESPN
ESPN
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Pool on TV
2005 Women’s Trick Shot Challenge Championship
4-Nov
5:30 PM
ESPN
1998 WPBA National Championship Finals
6-Nov
10:00 AM
ESPNC
8-Nov
10:00 AM
ESPNC
7-Nov
9-Nov
10-Nov
13-Nov
14-Nov
15-Nov
16-Nov
17-Nov
20-Nov
21-Nov
22-Nov
23-Nov
24-Nov
26-Nov
27-Nov
28-Nov
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
ESPNC
ESPNC
11:00 AM
ESPNC
10:00 AM
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ADVERTISER DIRECTORY
To contact any of our advertisers, visit their website, send an e-mail, or give them a call.
Allison’s World Champion Academy . . . . . . .25
www.AllisonFisher.com
American Poolplayers Association . . . . . . . . .63
www.poolplayers.com
Atlas Billiard Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
www.cuestik.com
BCA Pool League . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
www.playbca.com
Bebob Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
www.bebobpublishing.com
Billiard Aim Trainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
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Billiard Club Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
www.billiardclub.net
Billiard Warehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
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Billiards Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
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Billiards 911.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
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Blue Book, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
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CaliforniaTables.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
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Chadam Innovations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
www.AcCueShot.com
CHALK-O-MATIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
www.chalk-o-matic.com
Champion Shuffleboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
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College of Pool & Billiards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
www.cue-u.com
Creative Inventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
www.porper.com
Cue Cube Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
www.cuecube.com
Cue Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
www.cuedoctor.com
CueStix International . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover
www.scorpioncues.com
CueTable.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
www.cuetable.com
DLT Billiards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
www.DLTbilliards.com
DMI Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
www.DMIsports.com
Florida Pro Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
954-966-6300
Falcon Cues Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
www.falconcues.com
Frank’s Center, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
www.frankscenterinc.com
Hampton Ridge Billiards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
www.hrbilliards.com
Grady Mathews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
www.gradymathews.com
InsidePOOL Magazine . . . 23, 44, 55, 65, 70, 76
www.insidepoolmag.com
Iwan Simonis, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC
www.SimonisCloth.com
J. Pechauer Custom Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
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Jacoby Custom Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
www.jacobycue.com
John W. Loftus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
[email protected]
Kwikfire Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IBC
www.kwikfireinc.com
Longoni Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
www.longonicues.com
LOOP International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
www.Rx4POOL.com
McDermott Handcrafted Cues . . . . . . . . . . .59
www.mcdermottcue.com
Monk Billiard Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
www.monkbilliardacadem-e.com
Mueller Recreational Products . . . . . . . . . . . .62
www.poolndarts.com
OMGWTF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
www.omgwtf.spreadshirt.com
Ozone Billiards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
www.ozonebilliards.com
Predator Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5, 17
www.predatorcues.com
RAM Gameroom Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
www.ramgameroomproducts.com
Rockwell Billiards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
www.RockwellBilliards.com
Seybert’s Billiard Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
www.seyberts.com
The Henry W.T. Mali & Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . .14
www.malicloth.com
The TWISTER Tip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
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ThePoolRack.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
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Tiger Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
www.tigerproducts.com
Tom Simpson, Billiard Instruction . . . . . . . . .78
www.poolclinics.com
U.S. Professional Poolplayers Association . . . . .73
www.upatour.com
VIGMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
www.vigma.com
Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
800-200-7665
Willard’s Cue Products, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
www.WillardsCueProducts.com
9/4/07
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INSTRUCTION
T
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GRADY’S GRAD SCHOOL
BY GRADY MATHEWS
Three Smart Bank Shots
This month’s column features three off-angle but
“free” bank shots. Free is the operative word
here. It means shots that can win a game but cannot lose the game. What this in mind, let’s get to
it.
Banking one rail, at first glance at Diagram
1, looks like the correct shot. It might be if the
cue ball weren’t frozen to the rail. To make the
cue ball go to the far end rail would require two
tips of left-hand english. It’s an awkward angle,
and neither the cue ball nor the object ball can be
controlled when playing the one-railer.
A much better shot is to three-rail the 1 ball
and, at the same time, send the cue ball down to
about Point X. A level cue, high english, and
medium speed will get the best results.
In Diagram 2, there is a possible kiss on the
one-rail bank. It is also difficult to tell how thickly to hit the object ball. For these reasons, I prefer the two-rail bank.
All I have to do is cue the 1 ball a little to
my right of a straight-ahead hit. This sends the
object ball toward my pocket, and it’s easy to see
how much of the 1 ball to contact.
A high ball hit and medium speed work best
here. The cue ball travels naturally down to the
end rail.
The cue ball is a quarter-inch off the rail in
Diagram 3. It’s a natural scratch into Side Pocket
P if I use a level cue and try to shoot the 1 ball
straight into my pocket. If I elevate my cue, my
accuracy diminishes quite a bit.
The solution is to two-rail the object ball for
my pocket. The thicker hit on the 1 ball causes
the cue ball to travel past the side pocket and on
down to the end rail. I like using a level cue, no
side english, and a medium speed on this shot.
If I miss-hit the shot, I would much rather
strike the object ball too thickly than too thinly,
because I’ll never “sell out” in this fashion.
Remember: Take a little extra time when
down to the last ball or two. There is usually a
good common-sense shot to take. Intelligently
aggressive. That’s how we want to play.t
Grady “The Professor” Mathews is one of
pool’s most recognized figures. His success at the
table has opened doors for him as technical advisor to movie producers, commentator on Accu-Stats
video productions, producer of lliard instructional
video tapes, and as an author. Grady has won several one-pocket world titles.
Diagram 1
Diagram 2
Diagram 3
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INSTRUCTION
I
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THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING
BY JOHN W. LOFTUS
The Ten Most Common
Problems, Part Ten
I’m always curious to learn how I can get
better at pool. So I watch pool players who
want to get better at the game and observe
what they are doing. At least in my neck of
the woods, too many players who want to get
better at the game are not doing what it takes.
I see them regularly playing pool, both in
tournaments and for money. This is what
they consider practice, and the more they
play the game the better they think they’ll get
at it. This is true, of course, but I hardly ever
see someone really practice. Practice takes
discipline. It’s not fun or rewarding. It’s
essential aspect to the game, the shots you
choose to work on should focus on placing
that cue ball on a spot on the table after making that ball. And you should do this over and
over and … get the point?
When I do see people practice what I
notice the most is that they set up a difficult
shot and try to make it. It can be an almost
90-degree long green cut on a shot or a tworail bank or kick shot. Cue ball control seems
irrelevant when doing so. The only question
here is whether someone can make the shot.
Don’t get me wrong. You should practice
Practice takes
discipline
.
It’s not fun or
rewarding.
monotonous in many ways. But it’s essential
if we want to get better at the game. That’s
why I call this a common problem among
pool shooters, and it’s probably one of the
biggest ones of all. Let me explain.
I’m not saying that people don’t practice when they play a game of pool. They are.
For instance, no one can practice pressure
shots unless he is under pressure, so the only
way to practice these shots is to play pool
under pressure. But other than that, to really
practice pool is much different than merely
playing a game. Practicing pool means setting up a shot and repeatedly sinking it over
and over and over and … well, you get the
point. But since cue ball control is the most
every shot at some time or another. But I
think you should practice the shots that come
up the most, that’s all. When you do so, focus
on leaving the rock exactly where you want
it. Do this over and … enough.
The shot action requirements most
commonly are: (1) the stop shot, (2) the
stun shot, (3) the follow shot, (4) and the
draw shot, which I’ve previously written
about. These are the shots that should be
practiced the most. Set the last three of these
shots up and try to make them while placing
whitey in different places on the table.
Practice these shots on a straight-in short
shot, a long green shot, and at various cut
angles. Then expand into other shots, all the
while never neglecting these basic ones.
Anyone can make balls. It’s the expert who
can place the cue ball on a dime after doing
so. That’s what you need to repeatedly
practice.
Now, granted, these shots come up in a
game of pool quite often, so you are indeed
practicing them as you play. But nothing
jump-starts your mastery of the game more
than repeatedly shooting in the same shot
until you get the results you want about 75%
of the time, before moving on to another
shot. That’s what I call real practice. If
you’ve never done this before, I challenge
you to do so. You will see a noticeable difference in your game within a week if you
merely practice these shots one hour a day.
You’ll also be gaining necessary confidence
for the other shots you don’t practice.
I remember taking piano lessons when I
was young. Since my mother could play, she
wanted her kids to at least try it to see if we
liked it. I didn’t. The thing I hated the most
was the time I was required to practice during the week. It wasn’t something I cared to
do. My mom had to literally stand over me to
make sure I did. Needless to say, I can’t play
the piano today. For me, at the time, it was
too much like work. I wanted to skip past the
work and play like my mom did. But that
does not happen. Practicing pool like I recommend will feel like work to you. The only
question you need to ask yourself is this:
“How bad do I want it?” Well, what’s your
answer?
“Captain” John Loftus, of Angola,
Indiana, has been the captain of a number of
first-place pool teams and is presently a skill
level 7 in the APA 8-ball and a skill level 9 in
the APA 9-ball leagues. He has played on as
many as seven different pool teams a session. John is the author of How to be the
Captain of a Winning APA 8-Ball Team, and
he is the captain for a Master’s Division APA
team.
Contact
him
at
[email protected].
9/4/07
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INSTRUCTION
L
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PRO POOL WORKOUT
BY BOB HENNING
Losing Track of Time
Last month we saw that Losing Yourself
is one of the trickiest components of getting into The Zone. When you’re worried about how you look, concerned
about what people think, or are anxious
about the results, you place a restrictive
influence on your performance. This
month let’s take a look at Losing Track
of Time, another essential ingredient of
the Dead Stroke state.
As a serious pool player, you’re
probably familiar with the concept of
losing track of time. In fact, you may
have used it many times as an excuse
with wives, girlfriends, and employers.
ing it against the movement of a machine.
This requires a detachment or separation
between the doer and the action itself. In
other words, you can’t be one with the
action if you have to dedicate part of
yourself to “observing” it. When you
become aware of the passage of time
while shooting pool you steal attention
from “you the player” and give it to “you
the spectator.” It simply cannot help your
performance.
This is the reason why the sharking
technique of calling slow time on a
methodical player is so effective. When a
referee is standing there measuring time
you can’t be one with the action
if you have to dedicate part of
yourself to o“ bserving” it.
“Sorry, baby, I was shooting pool and
just lost track of the time.” “Sorry, boss,
I was already on the hill when I realized
how late it was, so I finished off the set.”
You hoped they would understand the
irrefutable logic behind these explanations, but they probably didn’t. In fact,
you may even have come to think of losing track of time while shooting pool as
a BAD thing. Reject that suggestion!, as
famed pool hypnotist Ryan Elliott
would say. You have to be able to lose
track of time if you want to play in the
Dead Stroke Zone.
On one level, being aware of the
passage of time means taking the actual
unfolding of an experience and measur20 InsidePOOL Magazine - October 2007
on a shot clock, the focus tends to shift
from the action of execution to the passing of time. Everyone becomes aware of
the movement of time. You’re watching it,
the referee is watching it, the spectators
are watching it, and—unless he’s very
tough—so is the player. It’s hard for him
to shoot free of the constraints of time,
when everyone else is watching it tick
away. Am I too slow? Am I taking too long
to think? How many seconds are left? If
he begins to react to the shot clock, his
game will deteriorate.
Sports psychologists say that when
competitors are interviewed about the
flow state, they can articulate their experience with time, but only in hindsight.
Some of them say that time seemed to
stand still. Everything slowed down. A
tennis player could see the fuzz on the
ball as it approached. A batter could see
the seams on the baseball as it came
towards him. The gymnast felt suspended in the air as she tumbled and turned.
Others report that time seemed to
“fly by” for them. The contest was over
before they realized it. It felt like the
match had just started, but when they
looked up, there were already eight
beads on the wire. At one moment the
table was congested with balls, and the
next thing they can remember, they were
pocketing the nine ball.
Think about the last time you were
in dead stroke. What was your experience of time? Did it slow down or speed
up? There is value in knowing this,
especially if you can see it in terms of
tempo. After all, the most intimate experience of time is not measured by a
clock but by the beat of your heart and
the pulse of blood in your veins and
arteries. Were you moving at a fasterthan-normal tempo? Or were you moving slower than usual? Good stuff to
know. Use it to get into the zone more
often … and you’ll win more money …
and your significant other will finally
understand. “Look, honey … I lost track
of time again!”
Good luck & good shootin’!t
Bob Henning is the author of The
Pro Book, widely considered to be the
most advanced training resource for competitive pool players. It brings the latest
techniques of the top coaches and trainers
of all sports into pool. It is intended for
those who wish to prepare physically,
mentally, and psychologically for pool
competition. Bob is also the author of
“The Pro Book Video Series,” a complete,
on-the-table training system, and he
recently released The Advanced Pro Book.
In addition, he has authored Cornbread
Red, a biography of the colorful Billy
“Cornbread Red” Burge.
9/4/07
4:44 AM
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INSTRUCTION
A
9/4/07
4:45 AM
Page 22
BEAT PEOPLE WITH A STICK
BY TOM SIMPSON
Shoot Yourself
At pool school, one of the first and most
important analytical tools we use is the video
camera. Each player shoots a standard
sequence of four shots, viewed from three
different angles: the front, the back, and the
side. Often players ask whether they can get
a copy of their video. We chuckle and
explain that after they’ve been through a day
of bridge, grip, stance, alignment, and stroke
training and then see their “before” video,
they will be offering to bribe us to record
over it. Most of us have burned in a lot of our
fundamentals. Video shows the truth.
Regardless of how “correct” or “natural” you
may feel at the table, you may be shocked at
what you actually look like and what you
actually are doing. You may want to shoot
yourself.
Let’s look at how to set up and shoot a
“fundamentals” video. You’ll need a video
camera, tripod, pool table, laser, and some
“donuts” (the little white donut-shaped hole
reinforcers sold at office supply stores). It
also helps to have an assistant to run the camera while you’re shooting.
First, we’ll need to establish a perfectly
straight line between the effective centers of
two corner pockets, shown on the diagram
below as Laser Line 1. That line runs through
the intersections of the rail gutters (the wear
lines a half-ball out from each cushion nose)
at Corner Pockets A and D. Use those points
to align the laser. Stick donuts on the cloth at
Spots B and C. Set up the camera about 10
feet back from the table, if possible. Align
the camera’s lens with the same laser line.
Adjust the tripod so the camera is about a
foot higher than the table surface.
We also place donuts over the lip of the
pocket lining of the far corner pocket (Spot
X) and on the outside of the table (Spot Y),
below the pocket, where the camera can still
see it below the stick when the player is
shooting down the line. And of course, these
donuts are also on Laser Line 1.
Use the laser to set up Laser Line 2
dead center between the corner and side
pocket, as shown. Stick donuts at Spots E
and F. This layout is for right-handers. Flip it
for lefties.
Stick a donut to the rubber bumper on
the bottom of your cue to help make it visible on camera.
Place a cue ball on Spot B and object
ball on Spot C. Have the player get in position to shoot this shot down Laser Line 1
toward the camera into Pocket D. Zoom in or
out until the frame contains the bottom of the
shooting toward the camera. The stick should
hide the donut—otherwise, it is not pointed
straight down the line. When shooting the
other direction, watch to make sure the donut
on the butt of the stick is aligned directly
above Spot Y.
Check out your approach to the shot,
your ball address, practice strokes, eye
movements, elbow dips, swerves, stance,
balance, stability, bridge, smoothness, confidence, hit stroke, and follow-through/finish.
Slow-motion viewing can be very insightful.
Warning: What you witness may not be pretty. You’ll probably see things that will surprise you—and motivate you to come to pool
school. t
CB to the top of the player (elbow point or top
of head, whichever is higher). Now you’re
ready to shoot the first four shots. Record the
player shooting this shot four different ways: 1)
stop shot, 2) draw to center of table, 3) follow
forward to the pocket, 4) maximum draw, back
toward or into the corner pocket.
Now, reverse the CB and OB so that the
shot is toward Pocket A, with the camera behind
the player. Zoom out to include the top of the
player and, if possible, all the way down to the
feet. Shoot the same four shots as above.
Set up the side pocket shot as shown, with
CB at Spot E and OB at Spot F, shooting toward
Pocket G. Pivot the camera on the tripod and
zoom until the frame includes everything from
the CB to the back of the stick, and everything
from the player’s feet to whatever is highest.
Shoot the same four-shot sequence.
A
Laser Line 2
E
Laser Line 1
B
C
F
Rail Gutter
D
G
Y
era
m
Ca
Review the video, observing closely. The
first eight shots should be perfectly aligned to
the camera and Laser Line 1. Check to ensure
your entire stroke arm is aligned vertically to
the Laser Line—no tilting, no tucking the elbow
in or winging it out. No wrist curls. Where is
your tip? Is it on the vertical axis of the CB?
Where does your tip finish? Does it follow
through the CB adequately? Does it veer off the
line? Is your stick pointed perfectly down the
Laser Line? Look at the donut at Spot X when
Tom Simpson is a BCA Master Instructor. A
full-time instructor with a BCA Accredited
National Billiard Academy in Columbus, Ohio, he
has worked with thousands of players. As founder
of Elephant Balls, Ltd., inventor of Practice
Balls®, developer of the Ghostball Aim Trainer®,
and Secret Aiming Systems™ Coach, Tom’s innovations in training have helped players dramatically improve their skills and deepen their knowledge. Read 35 instructional articles at the academy website: www.PoolClinics.com.
Contact: [email protected], 614-975-8337.
X
A
9/4/07
4:46 AM
Page 23
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INSTRUCTION
L
9/4/07
4:47 AM
Page 24
ACCORDING TO ALLISON
BY ALLISON FISHER
Back Foot First
Like any other ball sport, pool requires
that a player use their feet correctly. Can
you imagine Roger Federer, a righthanded tennis player, going for a backhand winner with his left foot in front of
his right foot? It just wouldn’t happen.
Correct foot placement is crucial to
proper execution in a game like tennis.
The same applies to golf, basketball,
bowling, and certainly billiards.
So what is the correct placement of
the feet when playing pocket billiards?
Well, surely most of you have read user
manuals depicting the correct placement.
And more than likely you’ve noted that
there are differing opinions. One thing is
for certain: All teachers will agree that
your stance needs to be solid and balanced. But more importantly, I want to
tell you something about how your feet
alignment can affect your accuracy when
playing the shot. Let me explain …
Just like our tennis-player example,
no matter how good you are at hitting the
ball or how good your eye-hand coordination is, if you are not correctly aligned
with the shot, the ball will not go where
you intend. In billiards, it is simply not
good enough to have the fundamentals
of a good stance and then not pay attention to how your feet are aligned in relation to the shot. And the most important
foot in this regard is the back foot. For a
right-handed player, this is your right
foot.
Once you have surveyed the table
and calculated the angle of the shot (see
Ingredient #2), you absolutely must get
the center of your right foot in line with
the path you wish to send the cue ball on.
Then, and then only, fall down naturally
into your stance.
Both feet should be shoulder-width
apart for balance. You should feel completely rooted, like a tree with your weight
coming slightly forward. As you do this,
you should also naturally shift the majority
of your weight to the front leg, which will
then automatically move your hip away
from your cue arm. The position of the
front foot is nowhere near as important as
the back foot. Depending on your body
type, this positioning can vary dramatically. But the back foot needs to be properly
aligned.
Why? Because as soon as your back
foot is aligned correctly, your entire
body will be also, and then the mechanics of the shot delivery will take over.
For any decent player, it is relatively
easy at this point to play the shot with
eyes closed.
As a modern snooker player, I tend
to face the shot (Figure 1); therefore,
both of my feet point in the same direction as the line of the shot with my left
foot slightly ahead of the right. Most
pool players tend to point the right foot
out and only parallel the left foot with
the line of the cue stick (Figure 2).
Both of these stances work very
well. You will notice that either way, the
center of the right foot stays in line with
the shot. The only difference is that one
stance may be more comfortable for you.
In traditional pool, a player will turn
the right foot out and have the left much
more in front and spread more. This is
also typical of the old fashion snooker
stance of the legendary Joe Davis.
In both stances, your left knee
should be slightly bent, and depending
on your height, you may choose to
slightly bend the right leg as well. Be
careful not to lean back, however,
because this could tend to make you
jump up on the shot. What we want from
our stance is to be able to send the cue
forward effortlessly. Having your weight
forward will make this easier.t
Co-authored by Paul Turner, inventor
of the Allison Fisher Billiard Aim Trainer
www.billiardaimtrainer.com).
9/4/07
4:48 AM
Page 25
INSTRUCTION
9/4/07
M
4:50 AM
Page 26
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
BY STEVE CRUTCHFIELD
The Perfect Stroke
Many instructors and instruction manuals
compare the pool stroke to the motion of a
pendulum. It makes sense, then, to understand the physics of a pendulum if we are
to copy it in our pool stroke. A simple pendulum is just a weight on the end of a
string that is attached to a fixed position at
the end opposite the weight.(see illustration)
The only variables in a pendulum are
the length of the string and the amount of
weight. The defining characteristics of a
pendulum are the period and frequency.
The period is the time required for one
complete cycle of the pendulum as it
swings back and forth. The frequency (f)
is the inverse of the period. In equation
form:
f = 1/T
For small angles the period depends
only on the length of the pendulum and is
given by the equation:
T = 2π SQRT(L/g)
“T” is the period measured in seconds, “L”
is the pendulum length, and “g” is the
acceleration due to gravity. Apply this to a
playground swing with length 12 feet, and
you get a period of 3.8 seconds and a frequency of 0.26 cycles/sec. In other words,
it takes 3.8 seconds between consecutive
pushes of the swing, and the swing makes
about 1/4 of a cycle per second. If you
want the swing to achieve its maximum
amplitude, you have to deliver the push
every 3.8 seconds. If you try to push the
swing in 3 seconds, you will decrease the
amplitude, and if you push it in 5 seconds
you will be pushing air. The period that
results in what’s called the natural frequency of a 12-foot swing is 3.8 seconds.
The swing operates most efficiently at this
frequency. Natural frequency is a concept
common to all kinds of periodic motion,
including the earth’s rotation on its axis
tion of the length of the arm pendulum.
This results in a period of almost exactly 1
second and a frequency of 1 cycle/sec. The
resulting natural frequency should produce maximum amplitude in the stroke,
more commonly called follow-through.
For our purposes the stroke has to be
defined as starting at maximum extension
of the final practice swing to maximum
extension of the shot. That motion should
take 1 second and should simulate the
A Simple
motion of any 10-inch pendulum.
Pendulum
To develop this stroke, build a simple
pendulum using fishing line, a heavy
sinker (2-3 ounces), and a support. Make
Rigid Support
sure the distance from the pivot point to
the center of the sinker is 10 inches. This
is the cheapest 1-second timer you’ll ever
find. Place your pendulum on the table in
front of you, set it in motion with a small
angle displacement, and keep time with it
String
as you stroke your cue. At the end of your
backstroke try to simulate the very slight
pause of the pendulum at its maximum
amplitude. The beauty of this is that the
Length
time period of the natural frequency is
independent of the amplitude for small
Mass
angle arm motion. Whether you take a 3inch or an 8-inch stroke, you just need to
match the period of your pendulum. With
enough practice you can train your muscles to develop this natural stroke and
summon it when it’s time to play. For you,
this might be an important aspect of
“getting in stroke.” The natural followthrough from this stroke will improve
center of fist is about 12 inches for the shot-making and cue ball range.t
average male. In the ball-string pendulum Having worked in a poolroom his last two years of high
it is assumed the string mass is negligible school, Steve was already an accomplished player before
and the system center of mass is at the cen- entering Purdue University’s Indianapolis campus, where
he won the campus 14.1 championship his freshman year.
ter of the ball. However, to calculate the He won again his sophomore and junior years after transperiod of the arm pendulum we need to ferring to Miami University of Ohio where he spent the
five years earning his B.S. and M.S. in physics.
shorten the length a little to account for the next
Having given up pool his senior year of college, Steve
fact that the center of mass is not at the fist maintained his interest in spherical objects by lecturing at
but closer to the wrist since the arm mass Henry Hudson CC in Dearborn, MI, the University of
Virginia, and Miami University of Ohio on “Pool and
is not negligible. The addition of a 20- Physics.” Mr. Crutchfield has taught college physics as an
ounce cue keeps the center of mass near adjunct professor. Returning to the game that he loves in
Steve joined the APA 9-ball league, where he is a
the fist. Ten inches is a good approxima- 1998,
skill level 8 and was MVP in his district in 2001.
(24-hour period) and middle C on a piano
(256 cycles/sec of a vibrating wire).
By now I suspect you see where I’m
going with this. If you want to achieve a
true pendulum motion with optimum output in the pool stroke, you should do it in
a time period that achieves the natural frequency of your arm swinging at the elbow.
A typical arm length from elbow hinge to
9/4/07
Page 27
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by InsidePOOL Staff
“This is the title I wanted most,” said an elated Niels Feijen
moments after capturing the 2007 International Challenge of
Champions title. The Dutchman had managed to fend off the intense
pressure of the dangling $50,000 winner-takes-all prize to calmly
break and run out the sudden-death rack against Lee Van Corteza.
Hosted by the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT, this event
was presented by Billiards International, Ltd. in association with
Gregg Hovey, their new partner. It was also sponsored by Olhausen
Billiards, Imperial International / J-S Sales, Aramith Super Pro
Balls, Simonis Cloth, L.E.A.N.I. Slate, RST2 International, Ozone
Billiards, Original Italian Slate, AcCue Shot Training, and Silver
Cup Chalk.
With the staggering winner-takes-all prize of $50,000, the event has a format of two races to 5. In case of a split, a one-game playoff
results. Eight champions were invited from all over the world to play in this single-elimination tournament.
August 8, the first day of the 17th Annual International Challenge of Champions billiard tournament wrapped up with not one sudden-death
playoff, an unusual occurrence. Defending champion Johnny Archer advanced into the final four players at the International Challenge of
Champions by defeating Taiwan's Ching-Shun Yang, 5-4, 5-0.
Current U.S. Open champion John “Mr. 400” Schmidt was the first to fall, going up against Dutchman Niels Feijen, who won the
matches by narrow 5-3, 5-4 margins. Former U.S. Open champ Ralf Souquet went next. Corteza of the Philippines sent the German
packing with his decisive 5-2, 5-1 victories.
Defending champion Johnny Archer bested Taiwan’s Ching-Shun Yang, going double-hill in the first set and then delivering a 5-0
whitewashing. And two world champions clashed when Thorsten “Hitman” Hohmann ousted reigning champ Ronato Alcano 5-3, 5-4.
In the next day’s first semifinal match, Feijen raced to a 4-1 lead in the first set, in part because of the alternating-break format and a couple
of errors on opponent Thorsten Hohmann’s behalf. He broke and ran the next rack to win 5-1. Things did not improve much for the German
champion in the second set—he tried to play safe but left Feijen a 2-9 combination, which he made. Another miss by Hohmann drove the
nail into the proverbial coffin, and Feijen won the second set 5-2, advancing to the finals.
Corteza struck down defending champion Johnny Archer in the second semifinal match. After a rocky start in the first set for both,
Corteza tried to play defense on the 1 ball when it was 4-3 Archer and left a shot. From there, it was smooth sailing for “The Scorpion” to
claim the win. But in a stunning turn of events in the second set, Archer came up dry on his first two breaks, instantly putting Corteza
up 4-0. A missed 3 ball lent Archer hope, and he took the next two racks, but then a missed 7 ball by the American forced the first one-game
tiebreaker of the event. Corteza won the lag—always key—and broke and ran out.
Corteza looked as though he might steamroll over Feijen, and he did
do everything right in the first set, quickly winning 5-1. The great
pressure must’ve caught up to both players, for they both missed the 8
ball in the first rack of the second set, though Feijen ended up drawing
first blood. The Derby City Classic’s 9-ball champ took the next two
games, one by virtue of a missed 5 on Corteza’s part. “Van Van” got the
next rack after Feijen fouled on a jump attempt, but the Dutchman
rebounded to reach the hill. A 2-9 combo on his next break earned him
that match 5-2. The all-important lag was won by Feijen, who was
forced to play safe on a tricky 3 ball. In trying to reach the 3, Corteza
scratched, giving Feijen ball in hand and, essentially, the match.
The crowd gave Feijen a standing ovation when he sank the last ball.
He raised his arms in victory and then accepted the highest single purse
in international winner-takes-all tournaments of $50,000. The trophy
and the check were presented by Bob Yalen of Mohegan Sun and Sue
Doyle of Olhausen Billiards, and Michael DiMotta of Imperial/J-S
Sales presented a one-of-a-kind “Champion of Champions” Cuetec cue.
The presentations brought another round of cheers from the audience.
“We may look cool out there, but the pressure is just incredible,”
said Feijen “There’s no margin for error when every player is a
champion. One shot missed and you can lose fifty thousand dollars!
Dutchman Niels Feijen earned the title he most wanted
Your nerves are off the chart during the entire tournament.”
when he defeated Lee Van Corteza in the finals of the
International Challenge of Champions.
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9/4/07
4:53 AM
Page 29
9/4/07
4:55 AM
Page 30
APA
National Team Championships
Feature Record
Crowds and Payouts
More than $1 million in prize
money awarded in 27th
annual event
by InsidePOOL Staff
The American Poolplayers Association’s (APA) 27th Annual
National Team Championships saw a record number of teams
compete in this year’s 9-day extravaganza. More than 1,500 eightball, nine-ball, doubles, and Masters teams made the trek to Sin
City to compete August 17-25, for more than $1 million in prize
money. The National Team Championships are hosted by the
Riviera Hotel and Casino and sponsored by Cuetec Cues, Aramith
Billiard Balls, Valley Teflon Ultra Cloth by Championship, and
Valley Pool Tables.
In the 8-ball open division, “Have Fear” of Glen Burnie, MD,
defeated “Bridge Street” of Fairhaven, MA, 3-2 in the finals to
take home $25,000 in cash and the championship title. In addition
to their first-place prize money, “Have Fear” also received a team
trophy and individual team plaques.
As runners-up, “Bridge Street” received $15,000 in prize
money, a team trophy, and individual team plaques. Finishing in
third place were “Cold Ones” of Akron, OH, and “Dominant
Force” of Houston, TX. They each received $7,500 in prize
money. In a four-way tie for fifth place were “Ms. Rhonda’s Pool
Fools” of Summit, MS; “20th Street” of Philadelphia, PA; “This is
It” of Jackson, MS; and “The Chosen Ones” of Trenton, NJ. Each
team received $5,500 for finishing tied for fifth place .
In the finals of the ladies’ 8-ball division, it was “Refuse to
Lose” of Arlington, VA, defeating “8-Up” of Fairfield, OH, 3-1 to
win $10,000 in first-place prize money. In addition to the prize
money, “Refuse to Lose” also received a team trophy and individual team plaques. As runners-up, “8-Up” received $5,000 in cash,
a team trophy, and individual team plaques.
“Refuse to Lose” advanced to the finals with a victory over
“Black Widows” of Dallas, TX, in the semifinals. “8-Up” defeated “Miss Underestimated” of Seminole, FL, in the semifinals to
advance. Both “Black Widows” and “Miss Underestimated” each
took home $2,500 for their third-place finishes.
In a tie for fifth place were “Parkway Pets” of Chattanooga,
TN; “Step Aside Ladies” of Jackson, MS; “The Heartbreakers” of
Fort Wayne, IN; and “Under Dawgs” of Bristol, PA. Each fifthplace team received $1,000 in prize money.
All teams in the 8-ball championships squared off in a modified single-elimination format that ensured each team played at
least twice before elimination. All 8-ball open division teams
automatically received $350 in national qualifier money, and the
top eight teams won at least $5,000. In the 8-ball ladies’ division,
all teams automatically earned $350 national qualifier money,
9-Ball Doubles Champions Fire-N-Ice: Tammy Brathbury, Stacy Gisclair
Wheelchair Challenge Champion - Jamie Havard
8-Ball Doubles Champions Z's Odd Couple: AJ Loyd, Stephen Krotek
9/4/07
4:56 AM
Page 31
Masters Champions - Goof Troop:
Gary Sunda, Paul Joko, John Balan, Rigo Pena
9-Ball Women’s Champions - Refuse to Lose: Amaryllis Perez, Deeqa Nur, Racquel Scott,
Debra McMullen, Kathleen Ward, Jessica Lewis, Lisa Eckstein, Tena Lewis (not pictured)
8-Ball Open Champions - Have Fear: Michael Fair, Jonathan Beam, Jason Koch, Joseph
Wright, Jr., Paul Pastorek, Alicia Pastorek, William Francis, Michael Alt
9-Ball Open Champions - The Way We Were: Bill Modica, John Stewart, Al Solotky, Frank
Barkalow, Dave Piotrowski, Vince Sacco, Kevin Kennedy, Nick Lepone
with the top eight teams winning at least $1,000.
The open division began play August 20 and concluded August 25. The ladies’ division of the
tournament started August 17 and concluded
August 19.
In open 9-ball national championship
action, it was “The Way We Were” of Trenton,
NJ, defeating “Lethal Weapons” of Chanute, KS,
in the finals 52-28. “The Way We Were” took
home $15,000 of the more than $180,000 guaranteed purse. As runners-up, “Lethal Weapons”
received $7,000 in cash, a team trophy, and individual team plaques.
Two teams tied for third place in the open 9ball division—“It Is What It Is” of Joliet, IL, and
“Red Rooster” of Philadelphia, PA. Each team
took home $3,500 in prize money.
Finishing in fifth place were “Q-Club” of
Terre Haute, IN; “Blue’s Cues” of Latham, NY;
“The Arena” of West Monroe, LA; and “Wicked
Stix” of Houston, TX. Each fifth-place team
received $2,000 in prize money.
The open 9-ball national championship was
held August 17-20, with each team competing in
a modified single-elimination format that
ensured each team played at least twice before
elimination. All national qualifiers received a
minimum of $350, with the top eight teams winning at least $2,000.
After winning their divisions in weekly APA
8-ball and 9-ball league play and then placing in
local team championships throughout the United
States and Canada, 689 open 8-ball, 333 open 9ball, and 44 ladies’ 8-ball teams, all consisting of
five to eight players, qualified to compete in the
2007 National Team Championships.
In the open 8-ball doubles championship, it
was “Z’s Odd Couple” of New Stanton, PA, winning $5,000 in the finals with a victory over
“Cues and Crown” of West Warwick, RI. “Cues
and Crown” received $3,000 as runners-up in the
256-team event.
The finals of the Masters championship
event featured “Goof Troop” of Monterey, CA,
defeating “Billiards & Barstools” of Beaverton,
OR. “Goof Troop” took home $7,500 in firstplace prize money, while “Billiards & Barstools”
received $3,300 as runners-up in the 128-team
event.
In the open 9-ball doubles championship,
“Fire n Ice” of Marrero, LA, defeated “Fobia” of
Bloomington, MN. “Fire n Ice” took home a
first-place prize of $4,000 and a trophy, while
“Fobia” walked away with $2,000 in prize
money.
Jamie Havard of Lucedale, MS, defeated
defending champion Charlie Hans of Cincinnati,
OH, for $1,500 in the finals of the APA
Wheelchair Challenge.
In addition, the APA conducted nearly 600
MiniMania tournaments, which took place daily
and were open to all APA members. The
MiniMania tournaments offered multiple formats
with 100% prize money payback that awarded
more than $200,000. t
9/4/07
4:57 AM
Page 32
Just about everyone has had their share
of memorable first dates in their life.
Gather with any group of friends and
bring the subject up, and you’re sure
to create a conversation full of laughs
and tears as the memories and
“horror stories” are conjured up.
When Rachael Abbink was 18,
she went on a first date that
changed her life forever. Rather
than taking her to a nice dinner or
spring for a show, her date decided
to take her to play pool. Looking back
a decade later, the date himself isn’t
very memorable, but what happened
that night is. Rachael fell in love. Too
bad for the guy in question that it
wasn’t with him.
“I fell in love with the game, not
the boy,” Abbink laughs today. “That
was the first time that I ever
picked up a cue stick, and it
was just something that I
knew that I wanted to
continue to do.”
9/4/07
4:59 AM
Page 33
While most women on the tour
egotistical male and bring his ego
today began playing much younger,
back down to my world.”
Abbink never played as a child
The most money she ever
growing up in Kingston, Ontario,
played for in one night—
and didn’t even start playing com“$50,000, but I only had $3,000
petitively until she was 21,
on the line.” Incidentally, she
although she did play for fun whenwon that match yet only saw
ever she had the chance. Although
$100 tips from two other betters.
even fun games meant being ultraThe man who taught her to
competitive for the then-18-yeargamble also taught her about the
old.
game and introduced her to some
“My dad was any Olympic
billiard magazines. It was by
swim coach and he made me swim
reading these publications that
for 10 years, so he kind of discishe learned of the existence of the
plined me towards sports and being
Ontario Woman’s Pool Tour.
conditioned and competitive in
“I saw all the girls in the piceverything that I do,” she said. “I
tures, and I wanted to be like
was graduating high school, and I
them,” Abbink said. “I joined up
broke my leg in a car accident and
and played mostly the handibroke both bones in my leg, and I
capped tour around Toronto. I
wasn’t allowed to play any sports.
played a few and saw my handiAt the time I was playing basketcap go from a four to a nine plus
ball, volleyball, rugby—every sport
one in a year, and I was winning
in high school. That’s when I startall these events. I won that tour
ed playing more pool.”
my first year and was like, ‘Wow,
Since she could play on her
I’ve only been playing a couple
crutches and didn’t have any other
of years, I must have a knack or
sports interfering with her learning
some type of talent for this.’ I
process, Abbink’s love affair with
went for it and got it.”
pool intensified over the next few
Her competitive drive kicked
years. She could play in a wheel
in again, and she soon became
chair, while she was going through
addicted to learning all she could
therapy and even when she had her
about pool and challenging hercast on.
self more and more at the money
The car accident also provided
matches. She said so long to the
Abbink with some insurance
world of gambling and hello to
money, and the cash, combined
the top women’s tournaments.
with her competitive drive, led her Rachael always dresses professionally at
“It was really fun and the
to learn about the gambling scene tournaments and adds that she likes to have some
women were great competition
sexiness to it, also.
around town.
and so nice,” she said about her
The guy who taught her the
early days of competition. “I
most about competitive pool in Kingston, where she was from, was knew I had a lot to learn.”
a gambler all his life and opened her eyes up to a world she knew
She quickly made a name for herself in Canada and became one
virtually nothing about.
of the top players in the country. She still remembers her first big
“He inspired me and I used to drive him and he won $3,300 one win at an OPT tournament.
night and threw me $500 just for driving him, and I got to stay up
“I’ll never forget. The feeling of winning my first OPT tournaand watch pool all night long, so yeah, this was something I was ment was amazing because I wasn’t expecting to win. It was a little
interested in,” she said. “There is this mysterious world behind the luck and a little guts.”
scenes of pool, and I loved it. I was
With her combination of good
working full time at McDonald’s
luck, great skill, and fearlessness,
making pathetic money—maybe
Abbink was racking up win after
$200 a week—and I fell in love
win. Of course, Abbink eventually
with the easy money and the world
started playing for the bigger
he showed me.”
money in tournaments around
As far as doing the hustler
America, and people took notice
thing, Abbink admits that she had
of her skills rather quickly.
her share of “pretend” moments
“The reason for her success is
where she didn’t play as well as she could, but it wasn’t in an effort that she travels to different tournament and challenges everyone.
to hurt someone and swindle their money away. It was more of a way This experience makes her game stronger and fear no one. That is
of inflating the ego of some jerk hanging around the bar that night. why we call her ‘The Road Warrior,’” said Carolina Fernandez of the
“I went though those years when I pretended, but it was all for Canadian Women’s Pool Tour. “She brings in confidence and class
fun for me. I wasn’t trying to hurt someone by taking their money. It in the women’s pool sport. There are many Canadian pool players,
was just fun for me back then and it was a way of keeping score, but Rachael Abbink is a very respectable player, and we are very
with cash,” she said. “It was fun to go in the bar and find the biggest proud of her.”
“
“
Pool needs some sex appeal to it,
and Rachael adds
lots of sex appeal
to the game.
9/4/07
2:59 PM
Page 34
When Abbink enters a pool hall, people usually take notice,
and this is before she ever takes out a pool cue. She turns lots of
heads with a look that is more suited for a Maxim Magazine than
a pool publication. She’s blonde (usually), spunky, and is one of
the most beautiful women on the pool tour.
“Pool needs some sex appeal to it, and Rachael adds a lot of
sex appeal to the game,” said Blair Thein, president of Team
Believe Promotions. “Away from the pool table she has a lot of
energy and is sweet and fun. She’s going to be one of the biggest
superstars that pool has seen in a long time.”
Abbink admits that her look in a tournament matters to her,
and she thinks hard about the clothes she’s going to wear. She
likes to play with her hair down and for luck, she changes socks
before each match. “You want to look professional, and I like to
have some sexiness to it,” she said. “It has to be classy, elegant,
and professional, though. Sometimes sporty as well. I’m sponsored by Double the Bet clothing line, and marketing is half the
battle when it comes to financing your career.”
She’s even designing some of her own clothes for the line. As
you can see, she has more than pool as a talent.
It’s her pool talent that Thein is staking a lot on, however. He
is planning two reality shows that will feature the pretty pool player from Kingston in the center of both shows.
“Pool is starving for a reality show, and Rachael is involved
in both of my shows. ‘Pool, Poker, and Pain’ is a reality show for
sixteen fighting pool players, and she is the spokesperson. Then I
will put six girls on a ‘Hustle Bus’ and they will be playing highstakes nine-ball, and since Rachael is the biggest woman gambler
in the world, she will be the team captain.”
The idea of living on a bus for awhile to film the reality show
is one that appeals to Abbink. So much in fact, that she is planning
on buying an RV soon so she has a place to call her own.
With her dad living in London, Ontario, and her mom in
Kingston, Abbink has a room in both houses, but because of all
her traveling form pool tournament to pool tournament, the Hotel
6 is more of a home to her.
“I plan on buying an RV to move in because it’s the only way
I could have a home and still be able to cook,” she said. “I’m get-
The combination of fearlessness, luck, and skill make
Rachael one of the rising stars in pool today.
Rachael pictured with two pool-playing friends, Emily Duddy
and Jessica Barnes.
photo courtesy of Jerry Tarantola
ting very mad that I can’t cook. I have never driven one
and I’m sure it will be an adventure trying to figure out all
the generators and how to dump sewage and all the fun
stuff. But it’s something I want to do.”
Of course, most RVs don’t really have room for a
pool table, so practicing at home may be a little tough.
“I’ve thought of that, and with the way they are made
today, you can put them on hydraulics and get a convertible top and maybe it’s possible,” she joked. “As far as
practicing, I would just go from pool hall to pool hall.”
Watching her in tournaments, you wouldn’t think she
needs much practice, but Abbink admits that she still has a
lot to learn about competitive pool, especially because of
all the differences to her days as a gambler.
“I’m having some trouble transitioning as tournaments are a much different style of play,” she said. “On the
pro tour you play on new cloth with brand new balls. I’m
used to burgers and beers all over the tables. Plus, if you
don’t win, you don’t get to play any more pool that day
and that adds pressure. When you gamble, if you lose, you
can just double the bet or find another opponent. There’s
always a way to change the match so you can keep playing. With the pool tournament, you travel so far and spend
that money and you have two chances and that’s it. If you
don’t cut it, you don’t get to play any more pool.”
Currently ranked in the top 40 in the Woman’s
Professional Billiard Association (WPBA), Abbink looks
up to many of the woman who head the list in front of her.
9/4/07
5:09 AM
Page 35
“I’m inspired by Jeanette Lee and Vivian [Villarreal] because
they try to make the game more exciting. It should be entertaining as
well as a sport. That’s how you generate fans,” she said. “Vivian
does a great job interacting with the crowd. Jeanette is a marketing
genius and is always good with fans. I look up to them. Also Allison
Fisher, her mechanics and fundamentals are perfect. They inspire
everyone and make it fun.”
Abbink thinks that her gambling days have helped her take
more chances than some of the other women on the tour, and that is
one of the keys to her success.
“You need courage and having no
fear,” she said. “That’s what makes for a I want to play pool
really good gambler. Someone who is
not thinking of the money, or the hard
hours of work. You have to not care
about the result and just go for it. Don’t
care if you lose money or are embarrassed.”
Speaking of embarrassments, like any pool player, Abbink has
had her share on the table. The most recent came this summer when
her mother came to watch her in a tournament for the first time.
“My mom had never seen me play pool until I played the
Women’s U.S. Open in Rhode Island, and I didn’t even win a
match,” she sighed. “I played Allison Fisher the first round. I couldn’t make a ball in front of my mom. She always told me to go back
to school, don’t make it a career, it’s a hobby. I wanted to prove to
her, and show her I was good at it. It was embarrassing.”
Outside of the pool world, Abbink has other interests and may
follow her mom’s advice some day. She loves playing but hasn’t
made the decision to do this for life yet.
“I want to play pool for the rest of my life. I have a passion for
the game,” she admitted. “The first five years I couldn’t be without
a pool table for twenty-four hours. Now I definitely want to play and
learn until the day I die. As far as a career, it’s difficult. I want to try
“
and be number one, but I don’t know if I want to do this competitive
thing for the rest of my life. This could just become a hobby for me.”
The constant traveling also doesn’t give much time for a relationship, and she thinks that this could be another factor in giving it
up competitively some day.
“My whole life gets wrapped up in the lifestyle of traveling so
much. Unless I can travel with someone it makes a relationship
obsolete,” she said. “It’s tough. Honestly, I feel I am damned in that
department. If I don’t date a pool player, they don’t understand my
lifestyle and what I say. I travel so much it’s really not fair to the
other person. I’m constantly around ninetypercent men. If I dated a pool player and travel with them, you are automatically living
with them so it makes it really tough.”
So if she did give it up, what would she
turn to?
“I love art,” she said. “I like to do
acrylic water colors, and I like to draw and sketch. I have been doing
a cartoon about a pool player character lately.”
According to Thein, her stuff is the real deal. “I love her cartoons,” he said. “She’s a great artist. I had her draw the logo on the
Hustle Bus.”
So with two potential TV shows on the horizon, becoming a
spokesperson for a clothing line and oh yeah, playing some great
pool in the tournaments, Abbink may be on her way to becoming one
of the biggest names in the game. She has the look and skill to bring
a new audience to pool and the energy and drive to keep them coming back.
“I’m having fun,” she said. “This is something that I really care
about, and I think more people will catch on to how great it really
is.”
And to think, if her date had taken her to a nice dinner instead
of a pool hall, the world of pool would have never heard of her.
Sometimes a bad date turns into something great.
“
for the rest of my life
I have a passion
for the game.
9/4/07
5:10 AM
Page 36
E
Z
I
R
O
S
CES
AyCour
L
O
PO
e
gam
2007
OOL’S
INSIDEP
ORIES
S
S
E
C
C
A
ISSUE
POOL TABLE
1. Virgin Pearl Balls
VIGMA incorporates the most advanced technology to create
these pearl-like billiard balls. The sparkling pearl-like particles are evenly distributed, making the Virgin Pearls look so
real. Every ball is inspected and tested under the highest standards to ensure ball balance and tournament standard compliance. The suggested retail price for these balls is $175.95. For
ordering information, please see your local billiard retailer. If
you are a dealer, e-mail [email protected].
2. SARDO M-5000 Tight Rack
The SARDO M-5000 gives the same precision racking capability as previous models, yet it weighs only 1 1/2 pounds and
stands only 4 inches off the table at its highest point. It is
made of carbonite plastic material, making it sturdy and
durable. Its crystal-looking surface allows you to look at the
balls through a maze of pressure pins, thereby eliminating any
possibility of glare. The M-5000 is available exclusively
through Creative Inventions for $69.95, plus shipping and
handling. To order, please call 800-388-5132, or log onto
www.porper.com.
3. Modern
This billiard light from Ram Gameroom Products is
“Modern” in both style and name. Interchangeable fractional
rods in matte black allow for easily adjusting height, while
stylish cloth shades provide excellent down light with a soft
touch. This light is available in black or beige. Please visit
their website at www.ramgameroom.com, or call
888-876-2931 (dealers only please).
1
2
3
9/4/07
5:11 AM
Page 37
4
5
POOL
TABLE
6
7
8
4. Pink Balls
Help fight cancer and enjoy yourself at the same time. This
gorgeous cue and 8 ball set comes in a Tiffany-style pink
box, and proceeds from each set sold will go to the American
Cancer Society. This item is available exclusively through
CueStix
International. To
order,
please
visit
www.cuestix.com, or call 800-645-9803 (dealers only
please).
5. Mali & Co.
The Henry W.T Mali & Co., Inc. represents a commitment to
excellence that continues into its 182nd year. They offer an
extensive line of worsted and woolen fabrics for all your gaming needs. Superior quality at the right price makes Mali cloth
the obvious choice no matter what the application. Their
product line boasts eleven styles of cloth along with a unique
line of two piece cues. Mali is also one of the largest distributors of Simonis cloth, the leader in worsted fabrics. Mali &
Co. is one of the most respected names in billiards since 1826.
Please call 800-223-6468 for ordering information.
6. Diamond Ball Polisher
Diamond Billiard Products, Inc.’s new Diamond Ball Polisher
is the only polisher in the world that actually spirals the balls
as they spin. The dual spinning platters are lined with carpet
and accommodate a full set of pool balls. The free-floating
sprockets keep the balls from banging together as they rotate.
Diamond Ball Polishers come with a limited one-year warranty, and there are no additional replacement parts to purchase.
To order, please call Diamond Billiard Products, Inc. at
812-288-7665, or log onto their website at
www.diamondbilliardproducts.com.
7. Simonis Cloth
Simonis cloth helps both professionals and casual players
play their best—and that means more playing enjoyment.
Now available from Iwan Simonis: the industry-first billiard
cloth swatch book. For use as an upscale marketing tool for
dealers and a convenient reference for consumers, this compact and highly functional design shows the premier cloth in
a whole new way. Enhance the accuracy of your table as well
as your enjoyment of the game with Simonis cloth, the truestplaying cloth. For more information, contact your local
Simonis dealer or visit www.simoniscloth.com.
8. Disco Balls Light-Up Ball Set
Light up your pool table with Hampton Ridge’s new “Disco
Balls” billiard ball set.
Disco Balls illuminate on impact
with an explosion of strobe flashes that matches the balls designated color and are patent-pending in multiple countries.
Disco Balls are ultra durable, carefully balanced, and sure to
have people waiting in line to get in on the next game. For
more information, please go to www.hrbilliards.com, or call
800-845-0850.
9/4/07
6:35 PM
Page 38
POOL CUE
1. The Tip Pik
From Long’s Billiards, the Tip Pik is 100% manufactured in
the U.S. and is constructed of brass and stainless steel. The
“Classic” model is produced using over 40 needle-sharp pins
that perforate hardened leather and phenolic tips. This process
converts the tips to a suppler acceptance of your favorite
chalk. The critical property of “chalk adherence” is a dominating characteristic of this little jewel. The suggested retail
price of the Classic model is $18.95. To order, please visit
www.billiardsexpress.com, or call Scott Long at 800-5401761, extension 204.
1
2. The Original Pocket Chalker
Billiards911.com’s Original Pocket Chalker keeps your chalk
close at hand while you play. The leather versions are
available in four different colors and are hand-stitched in the
USA with a buffalo horn handle, while the vinyl chalkers
come in a wide variety of colors. To order, please contact
Billiards911.com at 253-945-1888, or log onto
www.billiards911.com.
3. CHALK-O-MATIC
New from CHALK-O-MATIC, LLC, this automatic cue
chalker offers consistent coverage of the tip. It is approximately a 3-inch black sphere and is made in the U.S.A.
Change both the chalk and the 9-volt battery at will. CHALKO-MATIC has the ability to offer licensed trademarks or company logos. The suggested retail price is $27.99. To place
your order, please log onto www.chalk-o-matic.com, call
877-639-2457, or e-mail [email protected].
2
3
4. Big Bird Case
Falcon Cue’s Big Bird two-by-four leather cue case sports a
uniquely embroidered Falcon logo on the case. This one-of-akind item features solid construction with a rubber grip handle, extra padded shoulder strap for comfort, cell phone and
extension pockets, and interior shock springs to protect the
bottom of your cue. The suggested retail price for this case is
$199. To purchase, please contact J&J America at
562-229-9688 or CueStix International at 800-645-9803.
Visit Falcon Cue’s website for more dealers at
www.kpsbilliard.com.tw.
5. Instroke Southwest Custom Cue Cases
These Southwest cases have extensive hand-tooling, numerous silver studs, and authentic Southwest American Indian
Gauchos on the lid and top pocket. They also have the patented “Diamond” latch. One of Frank’s Center’s best-selling custom cue cases, it is available in brown or black and in three
sizes. Retail prices range from $459-$499, depending on the
size of the case. For ordering information, please call
888-806-0275, or visit www.frankscenterinc.com.
6. Euro Chalker
This European redesign of the infamous Pocket Chalker has
brought new meaning to the words “class act.” They’re made
from the same leather used to make fine European show saddles and will hold its shape. Exclusively on the Euro Chalker
is the snap strap cover to keep the dust out of your case and
hold the chalk in. Made from the finest imported Indian horn
and hand-painted Peruvian ceramic, the Euro Chalker is
accented in silver and connected with waxed nylon cord. To
order, please visit Seybert’s Billiard Supply at
www.Seyberts.com or call toll free 877-314-2837.
4
6
5
9/4/07
6:36 PM
Page 39
1. Precision Pool
Precision Pool offers complete coverage of fundamentals,
skills, shots, practice guides, and more. Following the success
of the first edition, Gerry Kanov and Shari Stauch provide
discussions on physical and mental preparation and new theories on grip pressure. Packed with detailed explanation on the
game’s fundamentals, Precision Pool offers 200 full-color diagrams on critical shots, common patterns, and trick shots. For
ordering information, please contact Human Kinetics at
800-747-4457,
or
visit
their
website
at
www.HumanKinetics.com.
2. The Best Damn Pool Instruction Book, Period!
Ron Schneider, a BCA- and ACS-certified instructor, has written a simple and concise teaching book on pocket billiards that
covers all aspects of the game in 14 fully illustrated chapters.
The book begins with how to build a better stroke and ends
with the more advanced techniques, such as how to jump or
massé the cue ball. Each page has a diagram at the top of the
page and the explanation text of the “how” and “why” directly
below. This is the only pool teaching book available as an ebook, CD-ROM, and in soft cover. For ordering information,
please call 714-964-1736, or log onto www.rx4pool.com.
1
3
2
4
TRAINING
5
6
3. The Monk Training Program
The Monk offers a complete training program, beginning with
a personal two-day lesson limited to a small group. He gives
his students eight full-length DVDs—“The Complete Twelve
Level Masters of Art in Pocket Billiards Program.” Students
are also given a five-year membership in www.monkmastersuniversity.com, where additional classes are available. Also,
students are given six Monk e-books. The total value of this
training package is $3,040, but your cost is $1,000. Call The
Monk
at
603-566-6229,
or
log
onto
www.monkbilliardacadem-e.com for more information.
4. AcCueShot
The most fundamental skill in pool is the ability to get the pool
cue to accurately hit what you’re aiming at, and AcCueShot
can give you the accurate and precise feedback you need to
improve that skill. AcCueShot is a patented target practice
device being used by players of all skill levels around the
world. Using AcCueShot can improve your game by allowing
you to make sure that you can actually hit what you aim at to
within +/- .020”. The suggested retail price for this item is
$69.95. AcCueShot is available at your local billiard retailer,
or you can order yours by calling 800-724-2326. For more
information, log onto www.AcCueShot.com.
5. The 99 Critical Shots in Pool
World champion pool player and Billiards Congress of
America Hall of Fame member, Ray “Cool Cat” Martin shares
the ultimate pool accessory: his secrets for playing winner’s
pool. The thirtieth anniversary edition of The 99 Critical Shots
in Pool: Everything You Need to Know to Learn and Master the
Game has been updated with a new introduction by Mr. Martin
and continues to remain one of the most authoritative guides to
the game ever written. Over 200 illustrations show the proper
forms, techniques, and approaches to essential and unique pool
shots. Visit www.Randomhouse.com for more information and
to purchase the book.
6. How to Play Pool Right
The Billiard Congress of America’s (BCA) “How to Play Pool
Right” line of instructionals will make great gifts, with both
visual and print instruction for your favorite billiard fanatic.
The DVD features BCA Master Instructor Jerry Briesath teaching the fundamentals of stance, grip, and bridge, along with the
advanced techniques of english, position play, and more. The
large, colorful poster (24” x 36”) will spruce up your gameroom while keeping tips on hand to improve your game, and a
handy booklet will help you learn on the go. To order, please
visit www.BCAstore.com, or call 866-852-0999.
9/4/07
5:14 AM
Page 40
1. Dr. Popper Jump Cue
Jump like you’ve never jumped before with the McDermott
Handcrafted Cues’ Dr. Popper jump cue. Invented by Mark
Dimick, artistic pool tour professional, this cue features a
sleek, modern design and will jump from less than one piece
of chalk away. Dr. Popper has a phenolic resin tip and ferrule
that lifts the ball and is able to jump anywhere on the table.
Jointed to easily fit in any case, each cue comes with instructional CD-ROM and three training “Slip Grips.” This cue’s
suggested retail price is $125. Available only through
McDermott Handcrafted Cues. To find an authorized
McDermott dealer or to view an online demo, please visit
www.mcdermottcue.com or call 800-666-2283.
SPECIALTY
2. In Wall Cabinets
Need more room? Look between the studs, says In Wall
Cabinets, which has a line of recessed cabinets made to fit
perfectly between the studs of a two-by-four wall. Designs
include billiard cue and gameroom cabinets, display cabinets
for collectables or sports memorabilia, coat rack, liquor bar or
wine storage cabinets. Installation is easy—just cut out an
opening in the wallboard between existing studs and fasten
the cabinet in place using the included high tack adhesive.
Create a custom built-in look for $150-$400, depending on
size
and
options.
To
order,
please
visit
www.inwallcabinets.com, or call 714-541-9200.
3. All-in-One Stinger™ Cue
The new All-in-One model Stinger does everything you’ll
ever need. It offers five functions: playing cue, break cue,
jump cue, full-cue jump, and short cue. Perfect for league
players, the All-in-One jumps and breaks nearly as well as the
Pro model (which is still available) and better than other
leather-tipped cues. It is ideal if you’d like to have a stick that
does it all, and does it all very well. This cue comes with one
shaft, one butt, and two quick-release joints. To order, please
log onto www.StingerCues.com, call 614-975-8337, or e-mail
[email protected].
4. Color Family
Now you can outfit your home gameroom with four brand
new colors to accessorize with flair. Triangles, brushes, floor
racks, wall racks, and more are now all available in matching
colors of midnight, chocolate, wine, and honey. These new
colors are exclusively available through CueStix
International. For ordering information, please visit
www.cuestix.com, or call 800-645-9803 (dealers only
please).
1
3
2
5. Deluxe Eight-Cue Wall Rack
This deluxe eight-cue wall rack from Rockwell Billiards
comes in four finishes and is crafted from high-quality
American red oak, birch, or maple wood. It includes storage
for eight cues, cone chalk, and balls. It also comes equipped
with a four-person score counter. This pool cue rack is easy to
assemble, and the suggested retail price is $199.95, but this
item is on sale for $169.95. To order, please contact Rockwell
Billiards
at
877-231-1426,
or
log
onto
www.rockwellbilliards.com.
6. The Twister
Perform amazing massé shots and incredible swerves with
ease with this essential new cue accessory for amateurs and
pros alike. The TWISTER™ slips over the tip of the cue stick
and, with a little practice, enables pool players of all abilities
to play some of the most amazing shots in pool today—the
massé and the swerve. It can also be used for all sorts of other
shots—top spin, back spin, and more. To order The
TWISTER™, please visit www.twistertip.com.
4
5
6
9/6/07
3:13 PM
Page 41
9/4/07
5:16 AM
Page 42
CORTEZA
Captivating AT THE
TurningStoneClassicIX
Bests Field of 128 for U.S. Win
byinsidepoo lSt aff
photos courtesy of Mitch heydt
p
Philippine national champion Lee Van Corteza
brought his skills to the States for the Turning
Stone Classic IX, where he dominated the 128player field to take first place. This biannual
event, boasting a $25,000-added prize purse,
was held August 16-19 at the Turning Stone
Casino in Verona, NY.
Not as well known in the U.S. as fellow
countrymen Francisco Bustamante, Efren
Reyes, and Jose Parica, Corteza has collected
his fair share of awards and titles, including
four gold medals and one silver at the Southeast
Asian Games. Corteza also won the 2004 WPA
Asian 9-Ball Tour over fellow Filipino
Francisco Bustamante 13-11. More recently, he
took first place at the Philippine National
Championship, defeating Marlon Manalo 1311. He was also runner-up to Niels Feijen at the
2007 International Challenge of Champions the
week before Turning Stone.
With 16 Diamond tables set up in the huge
arena, as well as extensive grandstand seating,
the tournament attracted quite a crowd
throughout. Accu-Stats was on hand, filming
select matches, and the event ran smoothly with
no hitches.
Though Lee Van Corteza was defeated in the hot seat match
by fellow countryman Dennis Orcollo, he got his revenge in
the semifinals.
Corr Captures
HerBracke t
The only woman to win a Joss Tour
event, Karen Corr finished this event
in a very respectable fifth-place tie.
There were several women in the field, including Austria’s
golden girl, Jasmin Ouschan, and Karen Corr. Ranked number two
on the WPBA, Corr is the only woman to ever win a stop on the
Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour. And she came pretty close to winning
this one.
She cruised through the winners’ bracket with an easy win over
Laura Lindauer 9-1 and a forfeit from Mike Carelli. A double-hill
thriller saw her advance over Christopher Biddle, and then Corr
dusted Carmen Lombardo 9-2. A 9-7 victory over relatively
unknown Jimmy Jusman delivered her into the final four
undefeated, where she was faced with Louis Ulrich, formerly of
San Diego but now residing in Atlanta, and Ulrich dealt Corr her
first loss of the event with a 9-2 victory.
Ulrich’s trip to the hot seat match was a tough one. He came
with a narrow 9-7 win in the first round over Al McGuane and then,
almost as close of a match, a 9-6 defeat over Ouschan. He then
went to the hill with Allen Hopkins but eked out the win, only to
face the u-and-coming Shane Van Boening, whom he bested quite
handily 9-4. He delivered another 9-4 win over fellow Atlanta
resident Steve Moore in order to reach Corr.
9/4/07
5:18 AM
Page 43
DefendingChamp
Archer Ousted
Two-time defending champion Johnny “The Scorpion”
Archer was deflated in the first round after a shocking 9-6
loss to Adam Stanton. Archer rebounded, delivering a 9-0
whitewashing to his next opponent, Mike Renshaw. He
then went on to play Bob Maidhof and ousted him from
the event with a 9-5 win, keeping his hopes alive for
another round. He handed Adam Behnke a donut and then
fought a tremendous match against Dennis “The
Hatchetman” Hatch that went double-hill. Archer
squeaked past Hatch but was shot down by Mike Davis in
the following round, who defeated him with a resounding
9-3 win.
“I used Johnny’s break to beat him,” Davis explained.
“I broke really hard from the box and didn’t make
anything, and then Johnny did a soft cut-break and made
the corner ball two breaks in a row. So I stole his break
and made the corner ball every time after that.”
Davis advanced to play Jose Parica and destroyed him
9-2. “Parica missed a couple of long shots, and I
capitalized on those mistakes. I also broke really well, and
one or two rolls went my way.”
Davis’s run was ended by Tony “The Silent Assassin”
Robles, who defeated him 9-5. Before that, Davis had a
spectacular match against the explosive Van Boening. Up
8-4, Davis missed a combo, and Van Boening took
advantage to bring it to a hill-hill score. Davis, however,
recovered the table and won 9-8.
Eight months of serious practice time earned
Louis Ulrich a solid second-place finish at this
prestigious event.
Recent EnjoyPool.com 9-Ball
Championship winner Dennis Orcollo
had his hands full with Lee Van
Corteza the second time they met.
Recent International Challenge of Champions winner Niels Feijen
faced a tough line-up before going home with fifth place. He had a thirdround, double-hill loss to Steve Moore, but he wreaked havoc in the west
side of the chart. A 9-1 drubbing was delivered to Peter Bowman, but
from there, nothing was easy. Feijen faced down reigning world
champion Ronnie Alcano and escaped with a narrow 9-7 win. He ousted
Dave Grau 9-5 next, only to meet former world champion Thorsten
Hohmann, whom he defeated 9-7. Now completely in stride, he
eliminated Jusman 9-3 and then Mika Immonen 9-4 before Corteza, who
was runner-up to Feijen at the International Challenge of Champions,
shut the door on him, winning their match 9-3.
Ralf Souquet crept quietly through the one-loss side after an earlier 93 loss to Dennis Orcollo. “The Surgeon” eliminated Ronnie Wiseman 9-2
and Robles 9-5 before advancing to play Corr. Leaving nothing to
chance, Souquet sent Corr home with fifth place after his 9-1 victory.
However, in the quarterfinals, Souquet was stopped dead by Corteza, who
defeated him 9-5.
9/4/07
5:20 AM
Page 44
Filipinos
FaceOff
results
Orcollo and Corteza ended up playing each other
in an all-Filipino battle to advance to the hot seat
match, with Orcollo prevailing 9-6. From there,
Corteza went on a tear, destroying everyone in his
path to reach his fellow countryman again in the
semifinals, who had just lost to Ulrich 9-6. He
wreaked revenge to the tune of 9-2, advancing to
the finals.
After the semifinals were over, Corteza was
clearly in his element. He dominated the entire
match, exhibiting great defensive play. When the
score reached 12-2 in Corteza’s favor, Corteza
scratched on the break. Ulrich cleared the table and
then put a four-pack on his opponent. Unhappily for
Ulrich, he came up dry on his next break. Corteza
calmly ran the final rack, which included an
excellent three-rail position shot on the 6 ball, for the
13-7 win.
“About eight months ago I started giving some
serious effort to improving my game,” Ulrich said
after the event. “I’ve been practicing about as much
as I can stand and going to as many tournaments as I
can get to. The Turning Stone tournament was a
pretty good eye-opener for me as to what is
potentially
possible
with
the
proper
dedication. Hopefully with continued practice I can
make more high finishes or even win some of these
notable events.”
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
7th
9th
13th
17th
Lee Van Corteza
Louis Ulrich
Dennis Orcollo
Ralf Souquet
Karen Corr
Niels Feijen
Mika Immonen
Tony Robles
Jimmy Jusman
Steve Moore
Mike Davis
Ronnie Wiseman
Ed Abraham
Shane Van Boening
Thorsten Hohmann
Tony Chohan
Ray McNamara
Jason McCaughey
Dave Grau
Mike Zuglan
Carmen Lombardo
Ignacio Chavez
Jose Parica
John Morra
To view an extensive online photo gallery ofthe Turning
Stone Classic, please visit www.insidepoolmag.com.
Because they don’t make
Gamer-ade yet!
Until they do, you’ll have to do it old school!
InsidePOOL Magazine, the number-one billiards magazine for the
best price. Receive all the lastest pool news, professional instruction
by some of your favorite players, extraordinary writing, and
comprehensive coverage.
Take your best shot—you won’t find anything better!
InsidePool
Call (866) 961-7665 ext. 235 for your subscription,
or mail a check or money order to:
PO Box 972, Kittanning, PA 16201
M
A G A Z I N
www.InsidePoolmag.com
E
9/4/07
5:21 AM
Page 45
9/4/07
5:23 AM
Page 46
BY FRED AGNIR
CUE MAKER’S CORNER
Tascarella Cues
Managing Tradition
When pool players discuss the greatest artisans to ever turn wood into cues, two names consistently are heard: the
late George Balabushka and the late Gus Szamboti. Both set the bar for quality and imagery. With their passing, their
knowledge and experience may have been lost to the ages. Fortunately, Gus Szamboti’s son Barry Szamboti picked
up where his father left off, keeping with the tradition that is Szamboti. Today, the younger Szamboti has expanded on
his father’s legacy, earning his own place in cue history as one of the all-time greatest cue makers.
What about the Balabushka legacy? Neither of George Balabushka’s sons, Gregory or George Jr., entered into the
pool world. Fortunately, after the elder Balabushka’s death, his legacy did continue when his equipment and much of
his knowledge was passed on to Long Island’s Pete Tascarella.
photo courtesy of Manuel Berrios
Pete Tascarella was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1943. He was the son of a city cop. His mother worked, but she was also a homemaker. Pete
grew up on Rockaway Beach, spending much of his life by the water. Because his father’s family owned a furniture factory, Pete grew
up learning to work with his hands.
Pete and his wife Catherine have two children, Christina and Pete Jr. “I first laid eyes on my wife when she moved to Rockaway
Beach, New York, where I lived and grew up,” said Pete. “She was twelve; I was fifteen. I told my mother I was going to marry her, and
she laughed!” The two have been married since May 1966. They moved to Long Island in 1970. Today, Pete Jr. works side by side with
his dad in the cue shop.
P
Pete the Cop,
Meet George Balabushka
The elder Tascarella was introduced to pool at the fairly late age of 19. An avid and very accomplished pool player, Pete
had purchased his own personal cues as many serious pool players did. In 1965, after hearing that the greatest cue maker in
the world lived a few miles away in Brooklyn, he visited the Balabushka shop and purchased a cue. Pete recalled laughing
about the name because it sounded like “babushka,” the scarf headpiece worn by Russian women.
Tascarella joined the police force in 1966, ultimately retiring as a detective in the Organized Crime Control
Bureau. Early in his career in 1971, Pete had received an
Honorable Mention award for his part in stopping an
armed robbery attempt. The annual award ceremony was
televised locally. Upon Pete’s following visit to the
Balabushka shop, George voiced his recognition of Pete.
“He said to me, ‘I know you! I know you!’” recalled
Pete. “And I told him, ‘Of course you know me, George!
I buy cues from you!’”
But George recalled that he knew Pete as a police
officer after seeing him on the television. “After that,
George saw me as a cop and not just another customer,”
shared Tascarella. “He started treating me a little differently and more openly.” Every chance Pete had when he
was in the area, he would stop by and visit Balabushka to
say hello and have a coffee.
“Normally, if a customer walked in the shop, he
would shut the machines off and lean against the
machines like you see in the photos of him. It’s not easy
anyway to continue working while someone is in the
shop,” explained Tascarella. “But after awhile, he would
continue some of the work he was doing when I visited,
before he stopped the machines.” In general, Balabushka
didn’t talk about cue-making, what he was doing, or
what he had planned for the future of his cue-making.
9/4/07
5:24 AM
Page 47
Out of necessity, Pete learned to re-tip his own cues and change
ferrules and started doing some of these simpler repairs for the players in the local poolroom. He set up an electric drill to spin the shaft.
“It was kind of crude,” he remembered. “But back then, you couldn’t
get anything relative to cue repair. Today you can open up a magazine; you can get components and supplies. Back then there was nothing.”
On December 5, 1975, George Balabushka passed away. In
March 1976, Pete contacted Balabushka’s widow Josephine, looking
for a supplier for some Irish linen to rewrap his cue. “I asked
Josephine where I could get some,” said Tascarella. “And she said
that she still had some in his shop.”
Purchasing a Gold Mine
Pete and his friend Bill Larkin went to visit Josephine and saw
that the entire Balabushka cue shop was still intact, except for the
band saw, which had already been sold. The lathe Balabushka used
was still there, along with several hand tools and fixtures. “She was
looking to sell everything, but several people who had offered to buy
it were looking to steal it,” stated Pete. “We asked what she wanted
for it, and we decided to buy it for whatever she asked for.”
The decision to buy the shop was solidified when Josephine
brought out eighteen partial cues in various stages of assembly as well
as yet-to-be-used full-spliced and half-spliced blanks from Szamboti
and Burton Spain. The sale also included all of George’s notes,
sketches, and dimensions, as well as the multitude of invoices for the
components that George purchased. Pete speculated that probably no
other cue maker saw these notes and partial assemblies. “If a cue
maker who was interested in the equipment saw these, why wouldn’t
they buy the shop?” he asked rhetorically.
The two loaded up everything but left a lot of hardwood behind.
“I don’t know what we were thinking,” said Tascarella with disbelief.
“We got a good amount of wood but left shelves and shelves of it
behind.” Aside from maple and ebony, the wood left behind included
plenty of Brazilian rosewood, which has become increasingly
difficult to find.
Transition to Cues
“I used all the information, the notes, and the partials, as a guide,”
explained Pete. “I knew that the tip went on the ferrule and the ferrule went
on the shaft. But with the partials in various stages, it was fairly simple to
see what went where. It was like a jigsaw puzzle that you could see how a
cue was put together.”
Bill Larkin, who was a diesel mechanic, decided to stay with his occupation, never participating in any of the cue-building equipment fun. Pete
eventually offered to buy out his partner. The price? “Bill asked me to build
a couple of cues for him. That’s all,” said Pete.
It took Pete about two years before he really started to build any cues. “I
wasn’t really trying to make cues. I just did some repairs and shafts,” Pete
explained. “I spent more time being a cop. I also spent time converting the
garage into a shop. I didn’t have it in my mind to become a full-time cue
maker.” Pete was doing repairs for the local area, as there was nobody
around to do them anymore. There was also nobody in the area making cues,
so eventually he filled that void.
“My first cue was made with Balabushka components and Balabushka
dimensions,” said Pete. “They looked like a Balabushka!” Tascarella immediately started to use brown phenolic, where George would use black to get
away from looking like a Balabushka. He thinks that probably ten of his earliest cues could be confused with a Balabushka.
That being said, people would still sell his cues as Balabushkas. He was
surprised when he was asked about when he was going to start selling his
cues when at the time he had already sold several to the local area. “That was
my work, but they weren’t being recognized as my cues,” he expressed.
“Shortly after that, I started signing them.”
9/4/07
5:25 AM
Page 48
“I believe I was the first guy making break/jump cues,”
continued Pete. “1976, Pat Fleming came to the area with a
house cue that was cut to a forty-inch length. And he was jumping over balls like crazy. So, a friend suggested to me to joint a
cue at that point to make a break/jump cue.” From there, Pete
started making break/jump cues. A friend wanted Tascarella to
patent the idea, but it didn’t make much sense to Pete to do so
at the time.
“Back then, nobody shared anything. Gus and I would
talk, but not much about cues. Richard Black also was good
guy to talk to,” Pete recalled. “Today, I find a totally different
atmosphere. So many people are so open. A few years ago,
Keith Josey called, and since he was so far away, I had no problem sharing information. He in turn shared information with
me on the pantograph.” Tascarella has also worked with other
young production and custom cue makers, but he demands that
if his name is associated with those cues, the cue must uphold
the same standard of quality to which he adheres.
Keeping with Tradition
In 1991, Pete Tascarella Jr. joined his father in the shop. He
already had spent many summers in the shop helping out where he
could. He started while still going to college. Following somewhat in
his father and grandfather’s footsteps, Pete Jr. also had a stint in law
enforcement as an officer in New York State Supreme court from 2000
to 2004.
The two continue to make very traditional cues. “I grew up making traditional cues, and that’s something that I always want to do,”
said Pete Jr. “But we also can make very contemporary cues without
the use of a CNC.”
The two make traditional laminated blanks as well as full-spliced
blanks. “Originally I used what was there [from George] for blanks, as
well as buying some from Gus Szamboti and Burton Spain,” Peter Sr.
explained. “But I showed my brother-in-law, Jim Cannon, what I needed for blanks, and in two days he had made fixtures so that we could
start making our own! When we upgraded our mill, we refined the fixtures, and now Junior spends most of his time making blanks, which is
tedious work. But he enjoys it.” Pete Jr. is also experimenting with
full-spliced blanks with milled veneers because somebody told him it
couldn’t be done.
Inlays were part of the Tascarella cues immediately, as the
Balabushka lathe was outfitted with a Stanley router to drill holes in the
cues for round inlays. If a diamond was needed, Balabushka had used
a template over the hole and chipped away the rest of the wood to make
the diamond. The Tascarellas used this method until the mid ‘90s when
they introduced a manual pantograph to their shop. “So with the pantograph, it’s a lot less troublesome,” continued Pete Jr. “But I still
learned to make inlays how Balabushka did them: by hand. I’m probably the youngest cue maker who still can do inlays that way.”
9/4/07
5:26 AM
Page 49
The
Tascarella Legacy
Although they still make cues like Balabushka made cues, they have
developed alternative features and methods that they also incorporate.
Their choice of woods has expanded to include many of the more exotic
woods, while their inlay designs are truly world class. They also have
used non-traditional materials such as rose gold for a joint pin. One of the
shop’s favorite innovations is the piloted ivory joint with the stainless
steel bushing, combining the great hit of solid ivory with the concentric
fit of a shaft as seen on a properly constructed steel joint.
Now that Pete Jr. is on board full time, the two hope to increase the
number of cues they can make. The two strive for perfection when making cues but quickly point out that perfection is impossible. “We always
notice little things that nobody in a hundred years would ever notice,” said
Pete Sr. To that end, fit and finish and how a cue plays are more important than anything else to them. The Tascarellas also highlight that they hit
with each cue to make sure the cue is as perfect as they can make it.
The result is that for the past 30 years, in part because of limited production and the strive for perfection, Tascarella cues have become some
of the most sought-after cues in the growing cue market for both playing
and collection. Pennsylvania’s Marcus Solt, owner of one of the finest
collections of Tascarella cues assembled, shares his reasons for buying
from the Tascarellas. “The main reason I started collecting [Tascarella
Cues] was because of the old-school hit,” Solt explained. “I also enjoyed
all of my conversations with Pete, even before he knew me. And I respected him for that.”
The Balabushka legacy has continued through Pete Tascarella and
his son. And Pete Jr. hopes that someday, he can pass on the tradition to
his children. The pool world can now be assured that the knowledge and
experience of Balabushka are not lost to the ages, and instead have served
as the ultimate base on which the Tascarellas have expanded and defined
their own legacy as two of pool and billiards’ greatest cue makers.
9/4/07
5:27 AM
Page 50
Long’s Billiards operates on four fronts. The first is as a retailer where they operate a full showroom www.longs-billiards.com) in the Newport News, VA, area, along
with international sales and distribution through the Billiards Express website. Along
with those that serve the public, Long’s Billiards also serves other businesses through
their business-to-business and wholesale sales department. Both of these operate
through their Billiards Express system as well as their toll-free number. The third
avenue for their operations includes the manufacturing of pool tables and other products. Finally, they tie everything together with first-class service in the Virginia and
North Carolina area with a small fleet of trucks to install, repair, restore, and service a
variety of pool tables and other gaming needs.
Going back to their vast product line, Long’s Billiards is the original creator of the
Tip Pik, something that nearly every amateur and pro alike keeps handy. In addition,
they produce their own line of pool tables in a wide range of sizes and styles. Looking
at their websites, customers are surrounded with choices and options. Products from
cues and cases to pool table cloth and gameroom supplies can be easily found. Orders
that reach certain price levels are offered free shipping, while others receive the offer
of a free Tip Pik.
All of these areas that Long’s Billiards is involved in operate within five buildings,
totaling more than 30,000 square feet. This includes administration, the showroom, the
warehouse, the shop, and everything else that the company needs to operate. At the
helm of all of the action is Scott Long, the current CFO and second generation in the
9/4/07
5:28 AM
Page 51
industry, since he is the founder’s son. Tony Long keeps involved in various areas but happily keeps the title of “semi-retired.”
When asked why his company has done so well for so long in this intense and
competitive market, Scott replied, “We are vertically integrated. From the manufacturing process to new ideas and even retail. With knowledge of the products and their technical details, we fill a void where many online retailers don’t. That fact that we can offer
that information is key. Currently, as much as one-third of our calls are from other businesses that ask technical questions such as what the correct pocket size is for a specific
pool table or information on repairing a bar.”
Considering the future, Scott commented, “We are constantly looking to expand the Tip Pik
line. We recently took on the Thomas Aaron line of pool tables, and we are seriously considering a second showroom and retail location in the Virginia Beach area.”
With all of this to look forward to, the only question left to ask is how to reach Long’s
Billiards. Simply, anyone in the area is encouraged to visit in person as the Long’s Billiards
showroom and retail center is always happy to meet new people. For those customers who
are farther away, the Billiards Express portion of their operations offers a full online catalog
and can accept orders 24 hours a day through various means to provide anyone with a host
of products. Companies that wish to do business can also visit Long’s Billiards locally or
order through the Billiards Express website, as well as a condensed printed catalog.
The nearly 50-year tradition of Long’s Billiards and Billiards Express makes them a jewel
in the industry, and through their vast areas of business and way to offer products and support
anyone looking for a new product, some service or even just a little advice can find everything they
need and more from Scott Long and the entire Long’s Billiards staff.
9/4/07
5:30 AM
Page 52
On Board With the BCA
by Rob Johnson, BCA Executive Director
T
New BCA Board Year
Off to a Busy Start
The 2007-2008 Billiard Congress of
America (BCA) Board of Directors and the
various BCA committees are already off to
an exciting start in this new board year.
These individuals, as well as the BCA
staff, are actively engaged and working on
many new membership initiatives and
enhanced marketing and research projects
that will offer increased value to the BCA
membership.
The BCA board is committed to positioning the BCA as a valued resource for
the billiards industry as a whole. The BCA
committees are energized and meeting to
discuss new ideas and plan for the future.
The recent BCA board meeting, which was
held in Atlanta in July, provided a great
opportunity for many of the best minds in
the industry to gather to discuss new and
innovative ways of promoting the game.
The BCA plans to re-launch its membership program by utilizing membership
research results to strategically create a
more vibrant membership program.
Bottom line—the BCA wants to be more
accessible to its membership base while
being easier to do business with.
Some of the exciting membership
enhancements include an updated BCA
website, which will serve as the industry
standard for billiards and will be the go-to
site for billiards industry news, research,
and statistics. The new, enhanced website
will focus on user friendliness and will
include industry research; tools for business development; public searches for
poolrooms, instructors, and retailers; and
many other features that will benefit the
BCA membership.
Education is yet another key member
benefit, and the BCA plans to increase the
educational opportunities at the BCA Expo
for all membership categories, as well as
provide on-demand education and training
opportunities via the new website.
Along with the enhanced membership
program, the BCA will be rolling out a new
marketing plan to not only grow the membership but also increase awareness of the
game and the industry among consumers.
As part of the marketing initiative, the
BCA will be creating a new consumer
website, which will be an online community for those who share a love for billiards.
In tandem with the new site, the BCA is
also exploring the option of incorporating
a consumer membership program. Several
other unique and innovative marketing initiatives are also being explored.
The BCA also has exciting plans for
the 2008 BCA Expo in Charlotte, North
Carolina, June 12-14, 2008. Next year
marks the sixtieth anniversary of the BCA
and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the
BCA Expo. Charlotte will play host to a
week-long celebration of billiards, inclusive of the BCA Expo and several special
events. Mark your calendars today!
As you can see, this is going to be an
exhilarating year for the BCA. Stay tuned
for more announcements and be sure to
visit the BCA website at www.bcapool.com often for the latest and greatest
updates.
9/4/07
5:30 AM
Page 53
Hampton
Ridge
9/4/07
5:31 AM
Page 54
NEWS
INDUSTRY
Gregg Hovey
Joins Billiards International
Billiards International, Ltd. announced that Gregg Hovey has joined the company in the capacity of senior partner. Hovey will oversee various corporate functions, including sponsorship within and outside the billiards industry, be a liaison
with billiards organizations, host site relations, and work on the development of
mainstream media promotion. His principle responsibility will center on future
growth of the company.
Hovey was formerly the president and CEO of Olhausen Billiard
Manufacturing, Inc. and served as president of the BCA. “I am absolutely delighted with the venture,” he said. “Billiards International is the major producer of special events for ESPN and has set the standard for quality television over the last
eighteen years. I’m eager to be a part of taking the company to the next plateau.”
“We are very excited,” said Matt and Bettiane Braun of Billiards International.
“Gregg is committed to excellence in every endeavor, and his reputation for leadership will be a vital factor in our future growth. Time and again he has demonstrated a unique ability for innovation and business foresight. We have every confidence that Gregg will play a key role in the expansion and development of
Billiards International.”
USBA Announces Its
2008 National
Championship
The 2008 USBA National Championship
Tournament for Three-Cushion Billiards will be held
on January 9-13, 2008, at the Executive Inn in
Louisville, KY. Further details will be announced in
the future.
The number of players will be limited to 42. The
top 4 finishers from 2007 are automatically given
first priority, leaving 38 available spots. These spots
will be filled by winners of qualifying tournaments
first, and then will be made available to the membership in the following order of priority:
1.
Players who have played in a qualifier ($ 300
entry fee) on a first paid/first served basis.
2.
All others ($ 500 entry fee) on a first paid/first
served basis.
All players who qualify through their regional
qualifier will receive $ 200 in expense money when
they arrive to play at the National Championship
tournament. Entry fees are now being accepted; however, this will not guarantee you a spot in the
Nationals.
Information on the United States Billiard
Association is available at www.usba.net.
PERFECT RACK
Sponsors Viking Tour
Weese Billiards and the
PERFECT RACK are pleased
to announce their involvement and participation as a
sponsor of the 2007 Viking
Cue 9-Ball Tour. As one of the
leading North American 9ball tours, the PERFECT
RACK fits right into the
Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour’s passion, dedication, and accuracy
for all levels of players.
PERFECT RACK owner and inventor Terry Weese is
extremely proud and excited that he has the opportunity to join
the Viking Tour as a sponsor and to have the PERFECT RACK
officially set the balls for the tournaments. “The Viking Cue 9Ball Tour continues to be one of the most popular pool tours for
both amateur and open pool players. We are extremely excited
about this partnership,” stated Weese.
With 91 planned tour stops in 2007, the Viking Cue 9-Ball
Tour has planned events in such major markets as Atlanta,
Chicago, Charleston, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Cincinnati,
and Knoxville. The season is planned to wrap with the annual
$25,000 National Championship event. A variety of PERFECT
RACK sizes and colors will be at the Viking Tour events and will
be made available to try or purchase.
9/4/07
5:32 AM
Page 55
INDUSTRYNEWS
The Academy of American Cue Art
The Academy of American Cue Art, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the
promotion of billiard cues as a legitimate art form, has selected well-known cue
maker Bill Stroud as its new president.
The Academy has also appointed new board members Dick Abbott, Tony
Martino, and Will Prout. All are longtime supporters of billiard cues and cue-collecting as well as successful businessmen. Their combined experience will be invaluable
to the Academy.
Under this new leadership the Academy has started an ambitious program that
includes a certified cue appraiser, a cue museum, a cue-buying guide, and a new
website.
The cue museum will debut with a traveling exhibit at the Billiard Congress of
America (BCA) Expo in Charlotte, NC, in June 2008. Display space is being
provided for the exhibition by the BCA. Included in this exhibit will be some of the
most expensive and interesting billiard cues ever made.
The Academy of American Cue Art is also taking over the planning for the
International Cue Collectors Show. This show has been the premier showcase for
high-end billiard cues for the last six years. The Academy is now studying various
locations, including Denver and Kansas City, as possible venues for next year’s
show.
For more information about the Academy of American Cue Art, please contact
Bill Stroud at (505) 378-5677, [email protected], or visit www.cueacademy.org.
Clarion Hotel
Co-Sponsors Qlympics
Now under new ownership and management, the
Clarion Hotel and Conference Center has committed to cosponsor the first annual Qlympics, November 1-18, 2007, in
Louisville, Kentucky.
“We are proud to host and co-sponsor the first annual
Qlympics event and anticipate future years of participation,”
said the Clarion's Adam McDonald. “This is a truly unique
opportunity for us. Pool is now an international sport and it's
an honor to contribute to its growth. We look forward to
being of service to players, fans, exhibitors, press, and all
who attend. We intend to make their stay as comfortable as
possible during the ‘round the clock’ activity.”
Make your reservations at the Clarion by calling 502491-4830 and mentioning “Qlympics.” Sorry, reservations
made through 3rd party web sites, like hotels.com, etc. will
not entitle you to share in the $20,000--guaranteed--added
money. With full fields, the added money will increase to
$64,000, pushing the pro events prize fund to $176,000.
For entry forms and more, visit www.playbca.com.
InsidePool
&
InsidePoolmag.com
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E
9/4/07
3:03 PM
Page 55
INDUSTRYNEWS
The Academy of American Cue Art
The Academy of American Cue Art, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the
promotion of billiard cues as a legitimate art form, has selected well-known cue
maker Bill Stroud as its new president.
The Academy has also appointed new board members Dick Abbott, Tony
Martino, and Will Prout. All are longtime supporters of billiard cues and cue-collecting as well as successful businessmen. Their combined experience will be invaluable
to the Academy.
Under this new leadership the Academy has started an ambitious program that
includes a certified cue appraiser, a cue museum, a cue-buying guide, and a new
website.
The cue museum will debut with a traveling exhibit at the Billiard Congress of
America (BCA) Expo in Charlotte, NC, in June 2008. Display space is being
provided for the exhibition by the BCA. Included in this exhibit will be some of the
most expensive and interesting billiard cues ever made.
The Academy of American Cue Art is also taking over the planning for the
International Cue Collectors Show. This show has been the premier showcase for
high-end billiard cues for the last six years. The Academy is now studying various
locations, including Denver and Kansas City, as possible venues for next year’s
show.
For more information about the Academy of American Cue Art, please contact
Bill Stroud at (505) 378-5677, [email protected], or visit www.cueacademy.org.
Clarion Hotel
Co-Sponsors Qlympics
Now under new ownership and management, the
Clarion Hotel and Conference Center has committed to cosponsor the first annual Qlympics, November 1-18, 2007, in
Louisville, Kentucky.
“We are proud to host and co-sponsor the first annual
Qlympics event and anticipate future years of participation,”
said the Clarion's Adam McDonald. “This is a truly unique
opportunity for us. Pool is now an international sport and it's
an honor to contribute to its growth. We look forward to
being of service to players, fans, exhibitors, press, and all
who attend. We intend to make their stay as comfortable as
possible during the ‘round the clock’ activity.”
Make your reservations at the Clarion by calling 502491-4830 and mentioning “Qlympics.” Sorry, reservations
made through 3rd party web sites, like hotels.com, etc. will
not entitle you to share in the $20,000--guaranteed--added
money. With full fields, the added money will increase to
$64,000, pushing the pro events prize fund to $176,000.
For entry forms and more, visit www.playbca.com.
InsidePool
&
InsidePoolmag.com
M
A
G
A
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I
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get inside!
Subscribe today
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E
9/4/07
5:33 AM
Page 56
Heartless
W
When I first began to play pool, I
applied a mentality that I carried over
from my days in competitive sports:
play your best and show no mercy,
because you shall receive none. If I
was playing a race to 7, I was gunning
to defeat my opponent 7-0. If my
opponent won a game, then my new
goal was to win 7-1, and so on.
A few years ago, I joined a pool
league. Because I did not know anyone in the league, the league operator
randomly placed me on a team. I
treated this pool league as a job, even
though I knew the pool league was
supposed to be more of a social experience. I would arrive at my league
match, play, and leave immediately
afterward.
One night, my team lost its first
two matches. We needed to win the
next match. No one called for me to
play, so I went back to reading in my
corner. I soon noticed an extended
silence in the bar. I looked up. My
teammates were huddled together a little ways from me, discussing
something. From time to time, they would look over in my direction.
This behavior was a little curious, but not alarming. I turned back to my
book.
A shadow fell over the pages and I looked up to see my team captain, with the rest of my teammates peeking over his shoulder. The
whole lot of them looked a tad nervous. “So,” my team captain cleared
his throat. “We’re going to have you play next.”
“Okay.”
“By the way,” said my captain, “Your opponent’s running late.
He’ll be here in a little bit, so you should warm up. You’ll be spotting
him three games to five—he has to win two.” My teammates looked at
each other with shifty eyes.
“Okay.”
I hit a rack or two, and a tap on my shoulder turned me around. It
was my captain. He pointed to the doorway. My opponent had arrived.
He was a midget in a wheelchair.
I played the match very conservatively and did not allow him to
pocket a single ball. I wanted to play perfect. In the last game, I ran all
my balls but inadvertently soft-stroked the last ball before the 8. As a
result, instead of having a decent cut for the 8 into either upper corner
pocket, I now faced a long bank to either of the lower corner pockets.
However, my opponent’s object balls blocked both lower corner
pockets.
As I pondered the situation, my opponent looked at the layout and
noted, “You don’t have a shot.”
I said, “But I do.” I marked the left side pocket with a pack of cigarettes. It was a highly, highly improbable shot, but I was hell-bent on
running out. I hit the 8 and it went cleanly into the pocket. It was a total
miracle.
Afterward, my opponent said,
“You don’t give anyone a chance,
do you?” I thought a moment, and
instead of answering with my
trademark acidity, I thought I
would give a straight answer for a
change.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I was
trained to win.”
That answer unleashed all
hell within him and his teammates.
I received the usual lecture about
Winning Isn’t Everything from six
different people. I listened impassively for a while. I left before they
were done talking.
I looked for my teammates,
but they were not in the bar. I went
outside and came upon them
laughing in the parking lot.
“I TOLD you that was the
BEST move!” This was one of my
teammates. “There’s no way any
one of us could have won that
match. I would have felt sorry for
the little guy and dogged it.”
“I am SO glad she’s heartless.” This was my captain. “She got us
on the board.”
I said, “Heartless, eh?” They turned around with a squeak. I eyed
each of them. I don’t think anyone was breathing.
“Please, please don’t kill us,” blurted another teammate.
This caught me completely off guard. I was speechless for a second, and then I laughed. I realized I must project an interesting image
(something along the lines of a psychotic killer), with my silent, nononsense, hyper-competitive approach to pool.
“It’s all right,” I said. “I know I’m heartless. I always have that
attitude during competition. It’s the way I am. I believe you’re supposed to play your best against everyone, whether they’re your friend,
your enemy, whatever. If you want to play your absolute best, you can’t
feel sorry for anyone, know what I mean?”
It was my teammates’ turn to be speechless. This was most likely
the longest conversation I had ever had with them. They didn’t seem
too inclined to discuss my billiards philosophy further, so I said, “Good
night, I’ll see you next week. Bring a three-legged puppy and I’ll beat
him at pool, too.”
As I walked away, I heard, “Wow. I didn’t know she spoke that
much English.”
The next week, I spoke a little more at league. The week after that,
I actually initiated conversation. And now you can see I’ve learned to
have a measure of fun while playing pool (although I still believe one
should always play their best against everyone), and you’ll never get
me to shut up.t
The floggings will continue until morale improves at the
OMGWTF blog: http://massiveunderstatement.blogspot.com.
9/4/07
5:34 AM
Page 57
9/4/07
5:34 AM
Places to Play
Page 58
Places to Buy
TheWinningStroke.com - Val-D’or, Quebec
TheWinningStroke.com is a billiard supply website that first came to
life in 1993 in the town of Val-D’or, Quebec, Canada. The website’s founder,
Steve Gélinas, developed the site because of his passion for billiard sports.
He wanted to give people a different way to look at the game and a way to
transfer his passion to others. After 12 years of intense thinking and planning,
it was in the summer of 2005 that the wait was over and
TheWinningStroke.com was ready to face the billiard world.
TheWinningStroke.com wanted to give something back to the players
who put in so many hours on the pool table, and what better way to do that
than to sponsor them? Their first sponsored player was Christine Gauthier
from Buckingham, Quebec, and then in early 2006 came the promising
Marina Linguerri, who defeated Jeanette Lee in her first pro tournament.
Recently a new member has joined TheWinningStroke.com family—young
gun John Morra from Toronto, Canada. Naturally, the next step for
TheWinningStroke.com is to have a pool tour, which is in the works and may
be ready by fall.
TheWinningStroke.com has made it their personal mission to serve pool
players for all of their billiard supply needs. Visit their site and find everything under the sun: cues, cases, shafts, accessories, practice products, pool
books and DVDs, and apparel. The next time you need to go shopping, visit
TheWinningStroke.com.
Magoo’s Restaurant and Billiards - Tulsa, OK
Twenty years of custom-made billiards entertainment is a huge success. Tulsan Jim McDermott turned his fascinations with billiards into a
thriving entertainment business, and it started at a little place at 13th and
Harvard called the Billiard Palace. But it wasn’t long before McDermott
found another location to expand his opportunity, turning a dream into reality. McDermott shut down the original Billiard Palace and The Tulsa
Billiard Palace was born at 21st and Memorial.
The Tulsa Billiard Palace dominated the Midwest region in serious
tournament competitions and was a hot spot for the toughest action, with
plenty of competition for world-renowned players for nearly 20 years. It
also provided a relaxing, fun environment to meet up with friends for a
great time. In December 1994 another of McDermott’s dreams became reality, and it was named after his brother, Pat, whose nickname happened to be
Magoo. Magoo’s has been Tulsa’s favorite EATertainment destination for
over a decade, and it’s located in the heart of Tulsa at 51st and Memorial.
Now with one state-of-the-art billiard location thriving, McDermott has
definitely given the game of billiards a more upscale image.
Magoo’s welcomes thousands of customers and players every week to
eat, drink, and play. They offer darts and over 56 tables, including threecushion, snooker, Diamond bar tables, and 9-foot Gold Crowns.
Additionally, Magoo’s provides its patrons with a full lunch/dinner menu, a
full-service bar with over 75 import and domestic beers, and a fully stocked
cigar bar. Their facility has hosted events from corporate functions to weekly pool parties to national billiards tournaments.
Magoo’s is the place to be. Call them at 918-663-3364 the next time
you’re in the Tulsa area.
9/4/07
9:39 AM
Page 59
9/4/07
5:37 AM
Places to Play
Page 60
Places to Buy
The Cue Ball - Salem, OR
Jim Lebold opened The Cue Ball in 1963 and has owned and operated it to
this day. The Cue Ball was the first pool hall in Salem, OR. Before it, there were
no venues available for families to enjoy pool, snooker, or billiards. To this day
The Cue Ball remains a family-oriented establishment giving those under 21 an
affordable place to gather with friends.
Over the years The Cue Ball has grown to include 23 Brunswick
Centennial and Anniversary pool tables, two matching snooker tables, and a
Chevilotte Europa Master billiard table, divided between two large rooms. All
of the tables are covered in worsted wool cloths from companies such as Gorina,
Hainsworth, and Simonis.
For those looking to improve their game, Robin Dreyer, a professional pool
instructor out of Portland, gives structured lessons. The Cue Ball also holds
monthly handicapped 9-ball tournaments limited to local area players. The tournament results, along with pictures of the players and the full bracket sheet, are
posted online. A seasonal junior league encourages youngsters to play. The Cue
Ball is a tour stop for the Northwest Women’s Pool Association (NWPA) and a
host for the preliminary round of the U.S. Amateur Championship.
An authorized dealer for top brands, The Cue Ball stocks hundreds of twopiece cues from Benson, McDermott, Imperial, Joss, Viper, Robin Dodson, and
Viking. Customers are encouraged to try cues before buying to find just the right
cue. The pro shop provides in-house repairs on cues and works with Sheldon
Lebow, a custom cue maker in Springfield, for outside repairs.
For new pool table sales, The Cue Ball has had a long relationship with
Olhausen Billiard Manufacturing, Inc. and was the third dealer in the Olhausen
network. Several tables are on display, along with accessories such as wall racks
and lighting. Many used tables are available as well. A full-time professional
service crew provides a variety of pool table services, including moving and
recovering. Lebold is dedicated to keeping The Cue Ball the finest family pool
hall in the area and to providing the best equipment for the discriminating buyer.
Dot’s Cue Club - Rocky Mount, NC
Dot’s Cue Club is a billiards hall and bar serving Rocky Mount, Tarboro,
and surrounding areas of North Carolina and Virginia. Over the past quartercentury, Dot’s Cue Club has established a successful presence in the billiard
industry not only in Rocky Mount but throughout a multi-state region.
Dot’s Cue Club offers comprehensive service to all local billiards enthusiasts and fans. It also draws some of the top players and customers from
throughout the Eastern and Southeastern region of the United States because
of its reputation in the billiards community. Dot’s Cue Club provides more
pool tables, with a more diverse competition base, than anywhere else in the
area. Whatever your skill level, you can find action at Dot's Cue Club.
Dot’s Cue Club is furnished with twelve Brunswick billiard tables,
eleven 9-foot tables, and the area’s only American snooker table, presenting
ambitious challenges for players of every skill level. Dot’s offers guests fullservice cue sales and repair services. The club opens at noon, seven days a
week, and is committed to bringing everyone an enjoyable billiard experience in a family oriented environment.
Dot’s offers its customers daily lunch specials, as well as pool and drink
specials. Come play in their weekly Wednesday night 9-ball tournament or
their Sunday afternoon Scotch doubles 9-ball tournament. On Mondays,
Dot’s offers half-price pool from 5 p.m. on, and on Tuesdays they feature
$1.50 beers. Ladies’ night is on Thursdays.
The highlight of the year will be Dot’s hosting of the Rocky Mount
Classic, U.S. Open qualifier October 11-13, 2007. For more information, log
onto www.dotscueclub.com.
9/4/07
5:38 AM
Page 61
9/4/07
5:39 AM
Page 62
PlayeroftheMonth
Anita Cravens
T
The APA Player of the Month for
October is Anita Cravens of the
Atlanta-area APA. Anita is a division manager in Atlanta and has
worked for the league for more than
13 years. She unselfishly dedicates
her time to answering questions
from both members and non-members alike and is held in the highest
regard by her league operator, her
home poolroom—Mr. Cues II—and
her fellow members. “The only
problem with Anita is that we can’t
clone her. Unfortunately there is
only one, and we are so grateful to
have her as part of the Atlanta
APA,” said league operator
Woody McClure. Anita plays on
seven APA teams and has over
1,500 lifetime matches since
joining the league in 1994. She
also helps conduct larger APA
tournaments in the Atlanta area,
including a holiday tournament
that raises money and toys for
local children. Thanks in large
part to her efforts, the holiday
tournament sets a new record
each year for money raised and
toys donated. Way to go, Anita!
®
RUN THE TABLE… AND LOOK GOOD DOING IT.
",
• OVER 40 DESIGNS
• U.S. MADE, 100% COTTON
• AVAILABLE IN 7 SIZES
• CALL FOR DEALER PRICING
4825 S 16th St Lincoln, NE 68512
call 800.627.8888 for a catalog
www.poolndarts.com
9/4/07
5:40 AM
Page 63
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9/4/07
5:41 AM
Page 64
RegionalRoundup
norTHEAST
C
FISHER TAKES FIFTIETH
CLASSIC TOUR WIN
WPBA U.S. OPEN 9-BALL TOURNAMENT / LINCOLN CITY, RI
by InsidePOOL Staff
“The Duchess of Doom” destroyed another field to take her second win of
the 2007 season so far. She went through seven matches undefeated to take top
honors at the Women’s Professional Billiards Association’s (WPBA) U.S. Open
9-Ball tournament. This was her fiftieth Classic Tour win to her credit.
Hosted by Twin River Casino in Lincoln City, RI, from August 1-5, this
event started out with few surprises. Top seed Fisher, who recently won the
Florida Classic 9-Ball Championships over Ga-Young Kim, won her first-round
match over Canada’s Rachael Abbink 9-3 and then squeaked by Tracie Hines in
a double-hill match. She then sent Vivian “The Texas Tornado” Villareal whirling
to the west with a 9-6 score, only to have to face her down again 9-4 in the
single-elimination final 16 bracket.
Kelly “Kwik Fire” Fisher had an equally untroubled path, first besting
Debbie Schjodt 9-4 and then dealing a 9-3 loss to Janet Atwell. She smashed
Tiffany “The Rock” Nelson 9-5 to reach the final 16, where she then eliminated
Laura Smith 9-5.
Finalist in the last event, Ga-Young Kim was looking to pave her way to the
finals, notching strong wins over Vicki Paski 9-1 and Gail Grecar 9-3. She also
defeated Laura Smith to reach the single-elimination bracket, where she fought
and won a tough hill-hill battle with Gerda “G-Force” Hofstatter.
England’s Kim Shaw carved a path through the field, sending first Kim
Jones 9-6 and then Sueyen Rhee 9-3 to the one-loss side. She went on to go
double-hill with Hofstatter and won, then eliminating fellow countrywoman
Sarah Ellerby 9-7.
A. Fisher eliminated Jennifer “9 Millimeter” Barretta 7-3 to reach the
semifinals, where she faced Kim, who had just faced down Atlanta’s Monica
Webb 7-3.
In the lower bracket, Pan eliminated Jeanette “The Black Widow” Lee with
a resounding 9-3 win, and then matched up with K. Fisher. She went on to play
a close match, but Fisher survived to advance 7-5.
Shaw also did not have an easy run of things. After besting Ellerby, she went
on to face the WPBA’s number-two player, Karen Corr. Corr, just off a win
against the tough-playing Nelson 9-4, was forced to go up against the determined
Shaw, who ultimately won the double-hill match 7-6.
Shaw experienced some bad rolls and worse luck in her semifinal match
against K. Fisher. Empty breaks and scratches seemed to plague her throughout,
while Fisher was able to sail to the hill 6-2. Since the alternating-break format
was in use, it was Shaw’s turn to break. She pocketed the 1, 2, and 3 balls but
scratched into the corner. Unable to believe her luck, Fisher cleared the remaining six balls to advance to the final match.
In the second of both lopsided semifinal matches, A. Fisher met the aggressive Kim. Fisher took an early lead, taking advantage of a scratch by Kim and a
neat run-out of her own. Some excellent defensive play added two more racks to
Fisher’s score, making it now 6-2 in her favor. A hung 1 ball in the following
game narrowed the gap slightly to 6-3, but in the last rack, Fisher countered a
safety by pocketing the 1 and getting into position to run out, which she did to
win 7-3.
A long and tension-fraught finale unfolded as the players tried every trick
they knew to trip the other up. In the 13-rack match, there was only one break
and run-out, and that was by K. Fisher in the fourth game. And two games was
the biggest lead anyone had throughout, when A. Fisher reached 5-3.
K. Fisher tied the match at 5 apiece when A. Fisher came up empty on her
break and then scratched off the 4 ball in the following rack. Reaching the hill
after a hung-up 2 by A. Fisher, K. Fisher was so close she could taste the victory. Especially when she broke and ran out the next rack—almost. But coming off
the 8 ball, the cue ball kissed off the 9 and scratched. An unsuccessful safety by
K. Fisher in the final game handed the table to A. Fisher, who hooked herself on
the 4 ball but kicked it in anyway. A tough leave on the 6 gave her pause, but only
for a moment, and then A. Fisher dished up for the 7-6 win.
Allison Fisher
Kelly Fisher
RESULTS
1st Allison Fisher
2nd Kelly Fisher
3rd Kim Shaw
Ga-Young Kim
5th Jennifer Barretta
Monica Webb
Karen Corr
Xiaoting Pan
9th Tiffany Nelson
Sarah Ellerby
Laura Smith
Jeanette Lee
Anna Kostanian
Gerda Hofstatter
Vivian Villareal
Helena Thornfeldt
9/4/07
5:42 AM
Page 65
C T. D E . M A . M D . M E . N H . N J . N Y. O H . PA . R I . V T.
BLAZE FINALS FACE-OFF
GOES TO FEIJEN
BLAZE 9-BALL TOUR / BROOKLYN, NY
Niels Feijen
by Jose Burgos
Niels Feijen followed up on his
tremendous $50,000 win the previous
week by traveling to Brooklyn to visit
Skyline Billiards and the Blaze 9-Ball
Tour August 12. A strong field came out
to try their luck, including Dennis
Orcollo, Ronnie Alcano, Mika Immonen,
and Lee Van Corteza, but none overcame
“The Terminator.”
Some of the big names were
knocked into to the one-loss side by upand-coming players. Duc Lam bested
Mika Immonen 7-4, Mike Miller defeated
Fejien on the hill 7-6, and Brandon Shuff
sent Jose Parica packing 5-4.
Leading the top half of the bracket
was Chavez with wins over Ahmed Aly
7-1, Shin Park 7-2, Rob Pole 7-6, Matt
Krah 7-3, and Alcano 7-3. Shaun “Get
Some” Wilkie led the bottom half with
wins over Carl Khan 7-0, Billy G 7-2,
Duc Lam 7-0, Mike Miller 7-3, and
Orcollo 7-5.
There was a one-sided match for the
hot seat between Wilkie and Chavez, who
easily ran away with the match 7-3, dealing Wilkie his first loss. But Feijen was
making his move through the west side,
defeating Oscar Bonilla, Park, Thomas
Wan, Krah, Orcollo, Immonen, and then
Wilkie 5-1. Geared up and ready to go,
Feijen then faced Chavez in the true double-elimination finals, besting him 7-1, 51 to win the tournament.
RESULTS
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Niels Feijen
7th Matt Krah
Chavez
Chuck Altomare
Shaun Wilkie 9th Brandon Shuff
Mika Immonen
Thomas Wan
Dennis Orcollo
Mike Miller
Ronnie Alcano
Lee Van Corteza
DAVIS A DOMINATING FORCE
BLAZE 9-BALL TOUR / EGG HARBOR, NJ
by Jose Burgos
After earning a hard-won ninth-place
finish at the Turning Stone Classic IX, Mike
Davis traveled to Atlantic City Billiards Club
to take first place on the Blaze 9-Ball Tour.
This August 19 event was held in Egg
Harbor, NJ, and boasted a tough 33-player
field, including world champion Ronnie
Alcano, Shaun “Get Some” Wilkie, and Matt
Krah.
Alcano took charge of the top half of the
bracket, notching wins over Jay Jones 7-4,
Adam Kielar 7-2, Gary Barnish 7-1, and
Bob Maidhof 7-2. On the bottom half, Davis
scorched through all opponents in his path,
defeating Barry Bowman 7-1, Joey Testa 7-5,
Liz Ford 7-0, and Mike Miller 7-3.
Davis met Alcano in the hot seat match
and dominated the world champ, sending
him to the one-loss side with a 7-5 victory.
Miller was waiting for Alcano in the semifinals, and Alcano managed a comeback win
to take the match 6-4. In the doubleelimination finals, Alcano won the first set
double-hill, but Davis took control of the last
set and won 6-4 to claim the event.
Mike Davis
RESULTS
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Mike Davis
Ronnie Alcano
Mike Miller
Bob Maidhof
5th Matt Krah
Shaun Wilkie
7th Adam Kielar
Carl Morgan
LANUTO IS TOPS ON TRI-STATE TOUR
TRI-STATE TOUR / EDISON, NJ
by Rick Davis
eliminated Medina 7-4 in the quarterfinals
then knocked out Murgia 7-5 in the
semifinals.
Finally, Blanchard had his chance at a
rematch after fighting his way to face
Lanuto in the finals. Lanuto, however, had a
different plan and continued his strong play,
defeating Blanchard 6-4 to claim the event.
The Tri-State Tour had their latest
offering at Edison Billiards 153 in Edison,
NJ, where Sal Lanuo chopped a path
through the chart to claim the title. Taking
place August 25, a 25-player field threw
their hat into the ring, although all would be
lambs to the slaughter as Lanuto chalked up
another win.
Late on the winners’ side Lanuto faced
Gary Murgia in the hot seat match, where
Lanuto slipped by 8-7. Then, on the one-loss
side, Ed Medina ousted Lenny Knapp 7-4,
while Jason Blanchard did the same to Dave
Fitzpatrick double-hill. Blanchard, who had
taken his loss from Lanuto in the second
round, was quickly finding his gear and
attempting to avenge that loss. Blanchard
RESULTS
1st Sal Lanuto
4th Ed Medina
2nd Jason Blanchard 5th Dave Fitzpatrick
3rd Gary Murgia
Lenny Knapp
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9/4/07
5:43 AM
Page 66
C T. D E . M A . M D . M E . N H . N J . N Y. O H . PA . R I . V T.
norTHEAST
UPCOMINGTOURNAMENTSNORTHEAST
Date
Tournament
Venue
City, ST
Contact
$ Added
Eligibility
10/7
Blaze 9-Ball Tour
Rockaway Billiards
Rockaway, NJ
973-625-5777
$1,000
Open
10/13-14 NY State 9-Ball Championships
House of Billiards
Staten Island, NY
718-273-8800
TBA
Open ladies
10/13-14 CNY 9-Ball Tour
10/27-28 Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour
Cap’s Cue Club
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315-454-8643
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McDermott New England Women’s Tour Silver Cue Billiard Club
Woburn, MA
781-933-9771
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315-768-0218
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Drexeline Billiards
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610-259-9144
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Gold Crown Billiards
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11/11
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Snookers Café and Billiards
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401-351-7665
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Hippos House of Billiards
Yorkville, NY
315-768-0218
$300+
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11/18
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Skyline Billiards
Brooklyn, NY
718-627-3407
$1,000
Open
11/25
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Ivory Billiards
York, PA
717-843-1992
$1,500
Open
11/25
McDermott New England Women’s Tour Silver Cue Billiard Club
Woburn, MA
781-933-9771
Qualifier
Amateur ladies
Blaze 9-Ball Tour
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9/4/07
5:44 AM
Page 67
9/4/07
5:44 AM
Page 68
RegionalRoundup
SOUTHEAST
SONG DOUBLE-DIPS WHITE FOR WIN
VIKING CUE 9-BALL OPEN TOUR / ATHENS, GA
by InsidePOOL Staff
Paul Song pulled off a hometown victory when he bested Brian
White twice in the finals of the Viking Cue 9-Ball Open Tour. Hosted by
Brass Rail Billiards in Athens, GA, this stop attracted 61 of the area’s
finest players to compete the weekend of August 4-5.
Song started out strong but stumbled in his third-round match
against Floyd Reasons 7-5. Once on the west side of the chart, he recovered and was able to win the next five matches in a row, including one
over Steve Moore 5-3, to reach the quarterfinals against Shane Wade.
A double-hill win went to Song there, and then he proceeded to the
semifinals. White had delivered a 7-0 whitewashing to Louis McDaniel
in the hot seat match, and McDaniels must’ve tapped out for the night,
because Song overcame him 5-1 to reach the finals. In the true doubleelimination finals, Song eked out a hill-hill 7-6 victory in the first set
and a 5-3 win in the second.
RESULTS
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Paul Song
Brian White
Louis McDaniel
Shane Wade
5th Steve Moore
David Shadden
7th Floyd Reason
Bruce Berrong
9th Mark Rochester
Matt Bulfin
Mike Janis
Shawn Davis
KENNEDY TAKES THE MISSISSIPPI OPEN
DAVIS MAKES A COMEBACK
TAR-HEEL OPEN / ROCKY MOUNT, NC
by InsidePOOL Staff
The Tar-Heel Open
offered action and excitement over the August 11-12
weekend where a mixed field
of pros and locals matched
up at Dot’s Cue Club in
Rocky Mount, NC. Once the
dust cleared Sunday evening
Mike Davis was crowned
champion after a great comeback to steal the title from
Mike Davis
the talented locals.
Late on the winners’ side Philip Richardson dropped the axe on
Davis, defeating him 9-6 in the hot seat match, stunning the crowd
by sending Davis west. On the one-loss side Scott Lewis eliminated
Cande Lopez 9-6 in the quarterfinals to bring the event down to the
final pair of matches. Davis clashed with Lewis in the semifinals and
pulled out a 9-7 victory, just shy of going double-hill. Finally in gear,
Davis set out to avenge his earlier defeat and set upon the path of the
double-set finals. Davis opened with a quick 9-2 thrashing in the
opening set before Richardson realized what was going on. Then,
with both players giving their all, Davis swept up a final set to take
the title and cap off a great weekend.
J. PECHAUER SOUTHEAST OPEN 9-BALL TOUR / GULFPORT, MS
by InsidePOOL staff
The fifth stop of the J. Pechauer Custom Cues Southeast Open
9-Ball Tour saw the tour roll into Skeeters Billiards in Gulfport, MS.
Held August 18-19, the $1,000-added stop attracted a strong playing
field of 51 competitors, with tournament director Tommy Kennedy
coming out on top.
Coming through the one-loss side of the chart, Kennedy easily
handled Dale Sellers in the quarterfinals, winning their match 9-2. He
moved on to the semifinals, where he faced Jay Bird, who had just
been defeated in the hot seat match by Davis Walters 9-6. Kennedy
dealt Bird another 9-6 defeat, sending him home in third place. In the
true double-elimination finals, Kennedy took the first set 9-5 and the
second by a decisive 9-4 to win the event.
RESULTS
1st Mike Davis
2nd Philip Richardson
3rd Scott Lewis
4th Cande Lopez
RESULTS
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Tommy Kennedy
David Walters
Jay Bird
Dale Sellers
Jim Pace
Jason Evans
7th Jim Sterling
Morty Davis
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Page 69
A L . F L . G A . K Y. M S . N C . S C . T N . VA . W V
SOUTHEAST
WEBB TAKES TWO
LADIES SPIRIT TOUR / JACKSONVILLE, FL
by Rick Davis
The Ladies Spirit Tour drew in a stacked field as usual at their sixth tour stop, held
over the August 18-19 weekend at Bankshot Billiards in Jacksonville, FL. The 41-player
field included past winners and WPBA pros all looking for the title, and in the end it was
Monica Webb who went undefeated to claim her second straight tour win.
On the winners’ side Webb had made her mark throughout the event. Starting as one
of a few without a first-round bye, Webb defeated five opponents to reach the hot seat
match including a 7-3 win over Helena Thornfeldt and a 7-2 scorcher over Tiffany Nelson.
On the lower half of the chart Debbie Schjodt, winner of the tour’s second stop, was in
control. Schjodt enjoyed a first-round bye and then drilled four opponents, including a 71 thrashing of Jessica Barnes, to face Webb in the hot seat match. That match was over
before it began it seemed, as Webb jolted the match to a 7-1 conclusion, leaving Schjodt
shell-shocked.
On the one-loss side Thornfeldt worked up a comeback, eliminating Stephanie
Mitchell 7-1 and Barnes 7-4 to reach the quarterfinals. Nearby, Nelson ousted Seaver
7-4 then sent Thornfeldt home 7-3 from the quarterfinal match. Catching a gear, Nelson
kept alive by knocking out Schjodt in the semifinals to earn a chance against Webb. The
finals were close, but Webb was playing strong and in great position from the hot seat to
defeat Nelson, which she did 7-5 to claim another Spirit Tour title.
Monica Webb
RESULTS
1st Monica Webb
2nd Tiffany Nelson
3rd Debbie Schjodt
4th Helena Thornfeldt
5th Jessica Barnes
Jeannie Seaver
DAULTON A DOMINANT FORCE
WICKED WIN FOR WATSON
GREAT SOUTHERN BILLIARD TOUR / MACON, GA
GREAT SOUTHERN BILLIARD TOUR / GREENVILLE, SC
Shannon Daulton
by InsidePOOL Staff
Tournament director Shannon “The Cannon” Daulton
took out a top field of 42 other players to take first place on
the August 18-19 stop of the Great Southern Billiard Tour.
Hosted by The Hole Thang in Macon, GA, this was a $1,500added event.
With players such as Larry Nevel, Scotty Townsend, and
Cliff Joyner, anything was possible. The field whittled down
to 16 returning Sunday, which saw a hill-hill nail-biter
between Townsend and Nevel, which saw Townsend advance
after dropping the 9 ball on the break.
Daulton moved steadily through the winners’ side of the
chart, defeating four strong players in Horace Godwin,
Sammy Odom, Paul Turner, and finally George Rothrock to
earn the hot seat. Now on the west side, Rothrock tried to fight
his way back to the finals but was ousted by Towery, who
went on to meet Daulton. On fire, Daulton gave Towery no
shot, and he ran seven racks in a row to win the match 9-1.
RESULTS
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Shannon Daulton
Adam Towery
George Rothrock
Scotty Townsend
5th Cliff Joyner
Paul Turner
7th Horace Godwin
JR Rossman
by InsidePOOL Staff
Coming through the one-loss
side, Tony Watson kept his eyes on
the prize throughout and didn’t stop
until he had won the August 25-26
stop of the Great Southern Billiard
Tour. Hosted by Palace Billiards in
Greenville, SC, this stop attracted a
total of 61 players, including five
ladies and one junior.
Well-known players at this stellar event included tournament direcTony Watson
tor Shannon “The Cannon” Daulton,
Larry Nevel, Johnathan Pinegar, Eric
Durbin, and Louis Ulrich. All remained by the time Sunday rolled
around, but some just barely.
Runner-up at the Turning Stone Classic IX, Ulrich faced down
Brian Capps 9-4 in the final four in the winners’ side to advance to the
hot seat match against Daulton, who delivered Jeff Abernathy his first
loss 9-4. This was a close match, but the determined Ulrich made it
through to the hot seat with a 9-6 victory.
Watson, who suffered his first loss at the hand of Capps in a doublehill match at the beginning of Sunday’s play, steadily worked his way
through the west side of the chart. He picked off Pinegar 7-2 and then
Scott Rabon by the same score in the next round. In the quarterfinals, he
wreaked revenge over Capps, sending him early with a fourth-place finish by winning their match, fittingly, hill-hill.
In full stride now, Watson then met Daulton in the semifinal match,
where he and “The Cannon” fought ferociously to the hill, with Watson
advancing 7-6 to meet Ulrich in the true double-elimination finals. The
first set Watson won 9-5, and though the second set was closer, it was
still all Watson as he took a 9-7 victory.
RESULTS
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Tony Watson
Louis Ulrich
Shannon Daulton
Brian Capps
Larry Nevel
Jeff Abernathy
7th Scott Rabon
Danny Turner
9th Johnathan Pinegar
Doug Young
Boyd Bauknight
Mike Baumgarner
9/5/07
3:15 PM
Page 70
A L . F L . G A . K Y. M S . N C . S C . T N . VA . W V
SOUTHEAST
UPCOMINGTOURNAMENTSSOUTHEAST
Date
10/6
10/6-7
10/7
10/11-13
10/13
10/13-14
10/14
10/14-20
10/20-28
10/27-28
10/28
11/1-18
11/3-4
Tournament
KBP Lucasi Amateur 8-Ball Tour
Florida Pro Tour
Rocky Mount Classic 9-Ball
Ladies Spirit Tour
U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships
Southern Classic Open 2
Florida Pro Tour
Qlympics
J. Pechauer Southeast Open Tour
Venue
City, ST
Stix’s Billiards
Palm Harbor, FL
Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge Holiday, FL
Browns’ Billiards
Holly Hill, FL
Dot’s Cue Club
Rocky Mount, NC
Strokers Billiards
Palm Harbor, FL
Hollywood Billiards
Hollywood, FL
Planet 9 Ball
Tampa, FL
Chesapeake Conference Center Chesapeake, VA
Mr. Cues 2
Atlanta, GA
Bird Bowl Billiards
Miami, FL
Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge Holiday, FL
Clarion Hotel
Louisville, KY
Play-Boy Billiards
Lake Worth, FL
Contact
727-937-9225
727-934-9494
386-254-4163
252-972-9220
727-786-6683
954-981-4066
813-818-7665
757-499-8900
800-200-7665
305-221-1221
727-934-9494
www.playbca.com
561-357-5522
$ Added
$300
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$500
$1,500 + qual.
$300
$1,000 + qual.
$500
$50,000
$22,500
$9,000
$500
TBA
$1,000
Eligibility
Amateurs
Open
Amateurs
Open
Amateurs
Open ladies
Amateurs
Open
Open
Open
Amateurs
Open
Open
Pool
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5:48 AM
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5:49 AM
Page 72
RegionalRoundup
central
LAMPERT PLAYS UP A STORM OF HER OWN IN PARADISE
HUNTER CLASSICS AMATEUR WOMEN’S TOUR / CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
by InsidePOOL Staff
Tropical Storm Erin moved away from the Texas coastline just in time for the Hunter
Classics Amateur Women’s Tour to descend at Paradise Billiards in Corpus Christi, TX,
August 18-19. The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining, and there was no bad water to
be found, despite media reports earlier in the week.
Climbing through the brackets to meet in the hot seat match were Amanda Lampert and
Heather Lloyd, with Lampert advancing with a 7-4 win. On the one-loss side, an over-twohour match with numerous safeties ended with Leslie Anne Rogers over Terry Petrosino 7-4.
Rogers went on to play Lloyd for third place, and it came down to one game. At 6-6, Lloyd
was down to the 9 ball and was ready to bank it in the corner when someone got in her line
of sight. She stood back up, readdressed the shot, and decided to shoot a thin cut instead of
the bank, which she made.
This led to a rematch between Lloyd and Lampert in the double-elimination finals.
Lloyd started off strong, sailing through the first set 7-3. The opposite result happened in the
next set, though, as Lampert prevailed with some strong shooting to win 7-2 to capture her
first Hunter Tour win of the year and the WPBA qualifier as well.
Heather Lloyd, Terry Petrosino, Leslie
Anne Rogers, Amanda Lampert
RESULTS
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Amanda Lampert 7th
Heather Lloyd
Leslie Anne Rogers 9th
Terry Petrosino
Melinda Hinojosa
Jennifer Kraber
Michelle Yim
Shayla Neris
Maria Rodriguez
Kyu Yi
Samm Diep
Monica Anderson
TEXAS OPEN PLAYERS TOUR
HITS GRAPEVINE
TEXAS OPEN PLAYERS TOUR / GRAPEVINE, TX
by Rick Davis
One hundred and fifty-plus, pumped-up
BCAPL, VNEA, and APA members arrived at
the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference
Center August 3-5 for the Texas Open Players
Tour. Tour Blue Simonis 860 covered the 7foot Diamonds and their tournament standard,
4 1/2-inch Pro cut pockets. Red Circle cue
balls and Super Aramith Pro balls round out
the best equipment known to tournament play
today. The new BCAPL tournament lights,
complete with built in scoring beads, made it
easy for competitors and their fans to keep
track of the action.
This is the first year of the Texas Open
Players Tour. The first event was in Houston
last June. Grapevine is the second stop of three
scheduled for 2007. Undoubtedly destined for
success, the tour saw 110 men signed on in the
Open Singles, 63 Mixed Scotch Doubles teams
that accounted for more than half the field
being women, and 44 ladies who decided to go
it alone and vie for the women’s title.
Miguel Jackson
Ashley Nandrasy
RESULTS
Women’s
1st Ashley Nandrasy
2nd R L Casper
3rd Annie Doyle
Mixed Scotch Doubles
1st Richard Wenninger 2nd Jeff Georges
Patricia Wenninger
Christine Powell
Men’s
1st Miguel Jackson
2nd Tony Ewart
3rd Curtis Gage
UPCOMINGTOURNAMENTSCENTRAL
Date
10/3-7
10/13-14
10/13-14
10/13-14
10/20-21
11/17-18
12/15-16
Tournament
WPBA Midwest Classic
Hunter Classic Women’s Tour
Fast Eddie’s 9-Ball Tour
Jacoby Cues Great Lakes Tour
Fast Eddie’s 9-Ball Tour
Hunter Classic Women’s Tour
Jacoby Cues Great Lakes Tour
Venue
Riverwind Casino
Bogie’s Billiards
Fast Eddie’s Billiards
Golden Eight Ball
Fast Eddie’s Billiards
Legend’s Billiards
Cuephoria
City, ST
Norman, OK
Houston, TX
Lafayette, LA
Holland, MI
Waco, TX
League City, TX
River Grove, IL
Contact
405-322-6000
281-821-4544
210-367-4761
616-394-5830
210-367-4761
281-332-7716
708-452-9105
Richard and Patricia Wenninger
$ Added
TBA
$2,000 + qual.
TBA
$500
TBA
$2,000 + qual.
$500
Eligibility
Pros
Amateurs
Open
Open ladies
Open
Amateurs
Open ladies
9/4/07
5:50 AM
Page 73
ce
9/4/07
5:51 AM
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RegionalRoundup
western
SHOLES SUPERIOR ON AWBT
ARIZONA WOMEN’S BILLIARD TOUR / TUCSON, AZ
by InsidePOOL Staff
Holly Sholes took off the August 18-19 stop of the Arizona Women’s Billiard Tour,
winning in a double-elimination finals over Susan Mello. The event attracted 22 women to
come out to Pockets in Tucson, AZ, for the $500-added event that included a WPBA qualifier.
Kristin Haney and Mello went head to head for the hot seat match. Mello got to the hill
first and won the match 7-4. Haney went on to play Sholes in the semifinal match. Sholes
had just pulled off an incredible comeback match that put Michelle Trevino out of the tourney in fourth place. Still on a roll, Sholes defeated beat Haney 7-3.
Sholes advanced to play Mello in the final match. Sholes took the lead from the get-go,
going up 6-2 lead, but Mello didn’t seem to let it phase her and won the next three games
to make it 6-5. But to everyone’s surprise, Sholes snapped in the 9 and won the first set.
Mello won the lag and broke to start the second set. She missed the 8 ball and then
stood up and announced that she would need to forfeit the match in order to make her plane
back to Canada on time. Mello placed second in the event, with Sholes winning top honors.
Arizona Women’s Billiard Tour finalists
RESULTS
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
UPCOMINGTOURNAMENTSWESTERN
Date
10/3
10/4
10/13-14
10/20-21
10/23-28
11/7-11
11/17-18
Tournament
International Speed Pool Challenge
Trick Shot Magic
Arizona Women’s Billiard Tour
Olhausen Billiards Desert All-Around Tour
10th Annual Western BCA 9-Ball Tournament
Cuetec Cues WPBA Nat’l Champs
Arizona Women’s Billiard Tour
Venue
ESPN Zone
ESPN Zone
Alexander’s Bar and Grill
Metro Sportz Bar
Chinook Winds Casino
Chinook Winds Casino
Metro Sportz Bar
City, ST
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Lincoln City, OR
Lincoln City, OR
Phoenix, AZ
Holly Sholes
Susan Mello
Kristin Haney
Michelle Trevino
Contact
860-379-8414
860-379-8414
480-272-2016
602-997-5717
[email protected]
888-244-6665
480-272-2016
5th Susan Lance
Susan Williams
7th Anne Gray
Marissa Hallett
$ Added
$50,000
$50,000
$500 + qual.
$1,000
N/A
TBA
$500 + qual.
Eligibility
Invitational
Invitational
Open ladies
Open
Members
Pros
Open ladies
9/4/07
5:59 AM
Page 75
9/4/07
6:01 AM
Page 76
RegionalRoundup
world
MCMAHON EARNS A BIG WIN
KLATT CINCHES 30K QUALIFIER
TIGER CANADIAN WOMEN’S POOL TOUR / MISSISSAUGA, ONT
CANADIAN 30K TOUR / NEWMARKET, ONT
Rachael Abbink, Anita McMahon
by Carolina Fernandez
Anita McMahon turned the tables on Rachael Abbink to win
the Tiger Canadian Women's Pool Tour’s August 11-12 event.
Hosted by The Wooden Rack, in Mississauga, Ontario, this stop
had 28 women vying for first-place honors.
Sunday came down to eight strong players remaining.
McMahon was on fire, taking out both Susan Wipper 7-5 and
Naomi Williams 7-4, sending them to the west side of the chart.
The field was growing smaller there, though, as a determined
Abbink bested Denise Belanger 7-2, Marina Linguerri 7-6, and
Wipper 7-4.
In the semifinals, Abbink took on the tour’s top point player, Williams. Abbink held a 5-2 lead, and with the alternate-break
format, it didn’t look as if Williams would get many more
chances. But Williams staged a comeback to make it a hill-hill
thriller. Abbink broke and played safe, and when Williams missed
her jump shot attempt, Abbink took ball in hand to run out the
rack.
In the double-elimination finals, Abbink was in her groove,
taking full control to win the first match by a strong 7-1 score.
The second set was a whole other story, though—with a couple
of early combos on the 9 ball and a run-out, McMahon reached
the hill 6-3. Abbink was only able to take one more rack before
McMahon won the match 7-4.
RESULTS
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Anita McMahon
Rachael Abbink
Naomi Williams
Susan Wipper
5th Marina Linguerri
Corrine Johnson
7th Denise Belanger
Janet Ritcey
InsidePool get inside!
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by Willy Hermoza
The second qualifier held at
Bigwigs in Newmarket, ONT, the
weekend of August 11-12 brought
players out of the sun to take
advantage of this two-for-one
stop. This qualifier counted as two
stops, helping players lower their
penalties. The gathering was midrange in handicaps with Jason
Klatt, Erik Hjorleifson being the
top guns.
The match for the hot seat had
Klatt versus Ryan James. Klatt put
Ryan James, Jason Klatt
it away quickly, sending James to
grind it out on the one-loss side.
On the top of the west side, Brad Lucas defeated Hal Borchardt,
while Hjorleifson defeated Randy Fawcett on the bottom bracket.
In the next match, Lucas was triumphant over Hjorleifson, defeating him 5-6 and sending “Big Red” home with fourth place. James
made quick work of Lucas, earning his passage back to the
Promised Land. But the finals can only go to one player, and Klatt
had his name written all over it. He
RESULTS
steamrolled over 1st Jason Klatt
4th Erik Hjorliefson
James, winning the 2nd Ryan James
5th Hal Borchardt
second qualifier.
3rd Brad Lucas
Randy Fawcett
9/4/07
6:01 AM
Page 77
9/4/07
6:03 AM
Page 78
9/4/07
6:04 AM
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DIECKMAN, CUE BUILDER
720.206.4034
CB CUSTOM CUES
www.crowncues.biz
CROWN CUES
www.nitticues.com
S&S CUES
YOUR CLASSIFIED HERE
1.866.961.7665 ext. 226
Think that was funny? How about the rest of the book. Find it at:
Samm’s Side Pocket
FUN AND UNIQUE PRODUCTS FOR POOL PLAYERS
Check it out! www.SammsPocket.com
Entries can be submitted in two ways. By mail, entries must be postmarked by October 24. E-mails through
www.insidepoolmag.com must be submitted no later than midnight October 31. We will contact the winner by phone and
announce it on our website. The winner receives a Viking cue with a retail value of $300-$400 and a one-year subscription
to InsidePOOL Magazine.
WIN A VIKING CUE!
9/4/07
6:04 AM
Page 80
LAST MONTH’S
WINNER
“Little did Jeanette know, her
arch-nemesis 'Mini Lee' would show
up at the BEF Challenge the Stars ..."
Brian Cole of Bristol, IN
To enter the contest,
log onto www.insidepoolmag.com.
>>
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