W W W. B I L L I A R D S D I G E S T. C O M
INSTRUCTION BONUS
JUMP START GET AIRBORNE WITH OUR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO JUMP SHOTS
SEPTEMBER 2009 EXTRA:
UNTOLD STORIES: Greenleaf’s Rise to Fame WORLD GAMES: Souquet, Fisher Go for the Gold BD_SEPT09cover1.indd C1
8/10/09 11:50:47 AM
560094md011.indd C2
8/7/09 9:37:44 AM
560084md053.indd 1
8/11/09 2:55:16 PM
CONTENTS
Vol. 31, No. 10 S E P T E M B E R
2 0 0 9
28
38
Features 28 GRABBING GOLD Allison Fisher and Ralf Souquet prevailed at the World Games. by Nicholas Leider
34 KIM’S OPEN REVIVAL Winning the U.S. Open, Ga Young Kim took her first WPBA title in two years. by Nicholas Leider
Take to the air with our illustrated guide to jump shots. by BD Staf f
44 UNTOLD STORIES Days before his first national title, Greenleaf found himself involved in an investigaton into a grisly murder. by R. A . Dyer
Columns 10 FROM THE PUBLISHER A pat on the back. Mike Panozzo
64 TIPS & SHAFTS
ROBLES: JONATHAN SMITH; FISHER: TOC-KNA; GREENLEAF: THE BILLIARD ARCHIVE
44
38 GETTING AIR
On the Cover For our fall instructional special, Niels Feijen and Tony Robles share some thoughts on the jump shot. Photo by Lawrence Lustig
A birthday in good company. George Fels
2
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 TitlePage.indd 2
September 2009
8/12/09 3:03:15 PM
560094md031.indd 3
8/7/09 9:35:04 AM
CONTENTS
Vol. 31, No. 10
S E P T E M B E R
2 0 0 9
Departments
BD
The Premier Billiards Magazine since 1978
FOUNDER
PUBLISHER
MORT LUBY JR.
MIKE PANOZ ZO
MANAGING EDITOR
NICHOL AS LEIDER
6 YESTERYEAR
ART DIRECTOR
A half decade ago, it was Gabe’s day at the U.S. Open.
8 BD NEWS
JENNY BR ADLE Y PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
L AUR A VINCI
The World 10-Ball Championship is a go for late November. CONSULTING EDITOR
GEORGE F ELS
10 AD INDEX Your guide to BD’s advertisers.
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
ROBERT BYRNE MIK E SHAMOS
12 WINGSHOTS
SENIOR WRITER
Wu Chia Ching is a man without a country, at least for now. Also, Steve Mizerak plays a nifty kick shot in Stroke of Genius.
MIK E GEF F NER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
DAVID ALCIATORE M ART YNE S. BACHMEN R. A . DYER JAY HELF ERT BOB JE WE T T WILLIE JO PLING L ARRY SCHWART Z NICK VARNER MARK WILSON
16 CALENDAR Your guide to tournaments and events.
50 CHRONICLES by Mike Shamos Combinations have been frustrating players for two centuries.
N AT ION A L A DV E R T ISING RE P.
54 TOURNAMENTS
CARL A BONNER
Johnny Archer had a blast playing host and champ at the Gem City Classic. Plus, Landon Shuffett conquers the Junior Nationals.
PRESIDENT KEITH HAMILTON
58 TOUR SPOTTING With a BCAPL title in hand, Danny Barnes has big plans for the future. Plus, Deuel takes a Seminole Pro title and Hillbilly wins in Houston.
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
BUSINESS MANAGER
ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE
N AT H A N HANKINS
NANCY DUDZINSK I
QUIAN A MAYS
61 FELT FORUM Check out pool’s latest products.
62 WHERE TO FIND BD Check out our poolroom and retail partners.
63 MARKETPLACE
LUBY PUBLISHING INC.
Check out some great offers.
Practice Table Instruction 18 20 22 24 26
4
Quick Hits: Robles helps you find a way out of a slump. Plus, Drill Bits, Straight Talk and Charlie Williams is On the Spot. Nick Varner • Strategies David Alciatore • Illustrated Principles Larry Schwartz • Solids & Stripes Bob Jewett • Tech Talk BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 TitlePage.indd 4
122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1506 Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 341-1110 FA X : (312) 341-1469 w w w.billiardsdigest.com email @ billiardsdigest.com BILLIARDS DIGEST (ISSN 0164-761X) is published monthly by Luby Publishing, Inc., 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1506, Chicago, IL 60603 USA. Telephone 312-341-1110, Fax 312-341-1469. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and additional offices. SUBSCRIPTION RATES in the U.S. and possessions, one year (12 issues) for $30; two years, $43; three years, $55. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send new as well as old address. If possible, furnish label from recent issue. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Billiards Digest, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1506, Chicago, IL 60603.
September 2009
8/12/09 3:03:07 PM
560094md036.indd 5
8/7/09 9:38:35 AM
YESTERYEAR
Owen’s Open Shocker + 5 Y E ARS AGO +
+ 10 Y E ARS AGO +
For a while there in the middle of this decade, the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship turned into a showcase for young American talent. Corey Deuel (2001), Jeremy Jones (’03), John Schmidt (’06) and Shane Van Boening (’07) all solidified spots among America’s elite. And let’s not forget Gabe Owen’s unpredictable run to the title just five years ago. The 26-year-old Kansan blazed through the 191-player field, just as his good friend Jones did the year prior. He might not have been the favorite on the first day, but Owen proved a worthy champion. In the final, Owen clobbered Thorsten Hohmann from the get-go. Despite some visible nerves, Owen rolled through racks en route to an 11-3 victory over the German.
6
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 YY.indd 6
The International Challenge of Champions, featuring lightning-quick sets and alternating breaks, might not boast a format favored by professional pool players. And a winner-take-all prize purse of $50,000 can wreak havoc on the mental fortitude of the runner-up. Just ask Oliver Ortmann, who failed to capitalize on a pair of golden opportunities to close out the final of the 1999 event. Facing Francisco Bustamante, the German star jarred a 7 ball in the case game of the first set in the best of two (with a sudden-death rack if necessary). Ortmann then dropped a 2-0 lead in the second set, allowing Bustamante to take the big-time payday. On second thought, Ortmann might not want to field any questions on this topic.
GABE OWEN COMPLETED HIS RUN TO THE 2004 U.S. OPEN TITLE WITH AN 11-3 WIN OVER THORSTEN HOHMANN.
+ 15 Y E ARS AGO + Who better to become the first nonAmerican winner of the U.S. Open Championship than Efren Reyes? In the event’s 19th year, The Magician outlasted two-time champ Nick Varner in the final, 9-6. The win was the first major title in nearly six years for Reyes, who had not won since the 1988 PBA McDermott Masters. The extra pressure of team play is enough to disrupt the most steeled of players. Just imagine if your teammates were also your siblings. At the Bud Light National Team Championships, four sisters — Peggy Reumann, Suzy Glutz, Janie Draffen and Penny Leneave — took home $5,000 as winners of the Ladies’ Division. Naturally, Leneave, the eldest of the quartet, made the title-clinching 8 ball.
September 2009
8/7/09 3:44:45 PM
1935 Aurora Rd. Melbourne, FL 32935
Dealers Welcome!
1-800-940-2837 Local: 321-254-0732 Fax: 321-255-9298
AURORA ROAD BILLIARD SUPPLIES If you aren’t doing business with us now, call immediately for the most complete wholesale catalog for all of your billiard needs. We stock more models of cues than any one company in the country — for immediate delivery. So why call 200 different companies when you can call us for everything at wholesale pricing. Our catalog features many new products, such as Poison Cues, OB-1 Shafts, Wynn Cues, Bow Ties, Tour Edition and Mercury Ultra Billiard Cloth, new Helmstetter Cue line and many more exciting new products.
CUSTOM CUES BY: MEUCCI MALI CUETEC JOSS BALABUSHKA VIPER LUCASI SCHON MCDERMOTT ADAM HELMSTETTER VIKING
PREDATOR DUFFERIN
PLAYERS WYNN POISON BLAK CORVETTE OB CUES OB-1 SHAFTS PREDATOR CUES PREDATOR SHAFTS
“Call the Billiard Professionals”
CASES BY: PREDATOR PORPER SCHMELKE COMPETITION GIUSEPPE INSTROKE BENTLEY O’NEIL
CLOTH BY: SIMONIS MALI FORSTMANN CENTENNIAL CLOTH MERCURY ULTRA TOUR EDITION
ACCESSORIES: WILLARD TOOLS BRADS TUFF SCUFF RUSSO BRIDGE HEADS CUE-CUBES DVDS ULTRA GLIDE Q-CLEAN SURE SHOT GLOVES CUE SILK SIL-KLEEN TIP PIK Q-GLIDE
KARSEAL Q-SLICK Q-WIZ Q-CLAW Q-SMOOTH BOWTIES NCAA BALLS NFL BALLS MLB BALLS SARDO RACK CUE DOCTOR MICRO TOWELS MASTER CHALK AND MORE!!!
1-800-940-2837
Custom Repairs/Alterations for all new cues. Exclusive distributor of Gandy parts.
Order Online Now! • • • • • • •
Same day shipping on in-stock items for orders placed before 4pm Free shipping on purchases of $50 or more Free case when you purchase a cue worth $50 or more A larger selection and more in stock items than most online stores Largest selection of custom cues Largest selection of custom cases Customer satisfaction is a must
There is no reason to shop anywhere else!
E-mail us at sales@onestopbilliards.com visit our website www.onestopbilliards.com 1-866-945-2837
560084md087.indd 7
8/7/09 9:28:51 AM
[
[ BREAK ING NEWS
WORLD 10-BALL: IT’S A GO Raya, WPA announce dates, location; Matchroom outlines Mosconi teams.
Manila, Philippines
WITH TWO sets of dates listed on the World Pool-Billiard Association Web site while rumors circulated about the feasibility of a major tournament in the current economic climate, the World 10-Ball Championship was subject to its share of conjecture and speculation over the summer months. But following an Aug. 3 press release from both the WPA and Raya Sports, the 10-ball fete appears to be a reality. Raya, the event promotions firm who produced the inaugural event last year, announced that dates were set for Nov. 25-30 at the World Trade Center in Manila, Philippines. The WPA-sanctioned tournament will pay a total prize fund of $250,000, according to the release. Down from a purse of $400,000 in 2008, this year’s payout will still rank among the world’s most lucrative events, considering the cancellation of a number of highprofile tournaments. “Although the prize fund is smaller on account of the global recession, we expect this year’s championship to be bigger and more competitive in every other way,” said J.P. Fenix, executive director of Raya Sports. “10-Ball has taken off all over the world, and top players from every region will be eager to contest the top prize and trophy.” While the world championships in 8-ball and 9-ball are being pushed back to 2010 (at the earliest), the 10ball event will be among the most coveted titles handed out this year. Last year, in the first-ever world championship given in the discipline of 10-ball, Darren Appleton took the title by defeating Taiwan’s Wu Chia Ching in a tightly contested final. This year, the field will remain at 128 players, who will be selected based on the rankings of the WPA and continental federations. A series of 10 qualifiers will also be held in the days before the main event.
Matchroom: Mosconi Cup Selections Essex, United Kingdom
HARD TO believe it’s been nearly four years since Team USA has held the Mosconi Cup all by themselves. But with the trans-Atlantic team competition returning to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, the Americans will
8
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 BDNews.indd 8
not complain about the possibility of a home-field advantage. In an early August press release, Matchroom Sport announced how the teams will be selected for the 16th edition of the showdown between the Americans and Europeans — set for Dec. 10-13 at the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip. The five-member U.S. Team will consist of the top two players according to the Billiard Congress of America’s rankings after October’s U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship and two wild-card entries selected by Matchroom Sport, with the final spot selected by a public vote. Through the so-called “Mosconi Cup Idol” competition, the final slot on the American squad will be filled through an online poll taken on the Matchroom Sport Web site (www.matchroompool.com). A short list of names will be compiled by Matchroom officials, with the top vote-getter winning the final spot on the American team. The European squad, meanwhile, will consist of the top-ranked player on the EuroTour after September’s event in Holland, two wild-card entries, and two selections from the top 16 players on the EuroTour rankings.
Reyes Honored with Lucrative Event Manila, Philippines
JUST BEFORE press time, the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) announced plans to hold a $500,000 event in early 2010. The big-money tournament is currently named the Efren “Bata” Reyes Cup. According to an Aug. 10 story in the Manila Bulletin, the winner of the tournament will receive $150,000 and the opportunity to play Reyes in a challenge match worth another $50,000. “Besides honoring the greatest player who has played the game, we’re also living up to our tag as the best billiards-playing nation in the world and our country being the epicenter of the sport,” said Vic Rodriguez, president of the BMPAP. Despite the ongoing political struggle between the BMPAP and WPA-recognized Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP), the pool-crazed nation continues to support a relatively large number of the sport’s biggest events.
September 2009
8/12/09 3:01:02 PM
570074md063:NoDoubt
8/7/09
9:39 AM
Page 9
Master Chalk. No Doubt.
Our 88th Year
www.tweeten.us
From the Publisher
Mike Panozzo
MEDIA RIGHTS ESPITE ALL the criticism that the media withstands on a daily basis … it’s too controversial, it’s too soft, it overreacts, it misinforms, etc. … the media occasionally gets it right. (By now you’re thinking, “Okay, this is where the media pats itself on the back.” Admit it. That’s what you’re thinking, right?) I think the billiard media deserves a pat on the back. (Fine. You were right. Happy now?) I’m the first to admit that the media should report the news, not be the news. But when the media bands together to do something positive, I think it deserves to be noted. Two and a half years ago, a group of people who cover the sport through various media — magazines, Web sites, video, announcing — joined together to form the United States Billiard Media Association. Admittedly, the initial push to form the media association was directed toward a single goal — to take over stewardship of voting for the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame. (The USBMA’s greater purpose is to elevate the visibility and status of the sport, and to provide support for its members against obstruction of free speech.) The sport/industry’s media members overwhelmingly felt that the BCA’s voting procedure — in which Hall of Fame nominees were voted into the Hall by the association’s “voting members” — was outdated, and the voters largely unqualified. Where at one time the BCA’s voting membership was made up primarily of cuemakers and table manufacturers, most of whom where directly involved in pro tournaments, the association had evolved into a membership heavily skewed toward product manufacturers with little attachment to the sport side of billiards. The USBMA role as gatekeepers of the Hall of Fame resulted in a shift of voter eligibility to media members, historians, promoters and Hall of Famers. Few will argue that the most deserving players have been elected to the BCA Hall of Fame in the three years since the formation of the USBMA. But the USBMA recently took a much larger and more active role in the Hall of Fame arena, one that deserves recognition. The BCA’s announcement in August 2008 that it was suspending funding for the annual Hall of Fame banquet raised two possibilities: one, that 2009 inductees would enter the Hall un-feted, or two, that the lack of ceremony would prevent elections at all. Over the course of several months and numerous e-mail exchanges, the USBMA membership determined that electing players who have devoted their lives to the game into the BCA Hall of Fame without proper pomp was unacceptable. The membership voted to produce the Hall of Fame banquet on its own. Media members have offered their time and resources to help properly welcome 2009 inductees Johnny Archer and Allison Fisher into the BCA Hall of Fame. Barry Behrman and the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships have graciously offered to play host to the banquet, to the point of suspending matches so that as many fans and players as possible can attend. It should be a grand night. But could you imagine Archer and Fisher, the best players of their generation, being elected into the Hall of Fame and receiving their symbolic green blazers and commemorative plaques and rings in the mail? (The BCA would never have trivialized the inductions to that extent, but you get the point.) And the point here is that the sport and industry can be proud of its media members. The people who cover billiards may make stands and hoist opinions that not everyone agrees with, but they’re also willing to back up their convictions with action.
D
10
BILLIARDS DIGEST
BDcol_pan_sept09.indd 10
ADVERTISER
INDEX COMPANY
PAGE
ACCU-STATS VIDEO PRODUCTIONS WWW.ACCU-STATS.COM
6
AMERICAN POOLPLAYERS ASSN. WWW.POOLPLAYERS.COM
21
AURORA ROAD BILLIARD SUPPLY WWW.AURORABILLIARDS.COM
7
BILLIARDS DIGEST WWW.BILLIARDSDIGEST.COM
49
BRUNSWICK BILLIARD CORPORATION WWW.BRUNSWICKBILLIARDS.COM CUE & CASE SALES, INC WWW.CUEANDCASE.COM
3
32, 33
CUE CUBE CORP. WWW.CUECUBE.COM
25
CUE MAN BILLIARD PRODUCTS WWW.CUESMITH.COM
63
CUE STIX INTL. WWW.CUESTIX.COM
INSIDE BACK COVER
CUE TRACK WWW.CUETRACK.COM D & R INDUSTRIES/CHAMPIONSHIP WWW.CHAMPBILLIARDS.COM THE ILLUSTRATED PRINCIPLES OF POOL AND BILLIARDS WWW.DR-DAVE-BILLIARDS.COM IMPERIAL INTERNATIONAL WWW.IMPERIALUSA.COM
63
1
27
BACK COVER
JEANETTE LEE EXPERIENCE WWW.JEANETTELEE.COM
43
JERRY BRIESATH’S POOL SCHOOL WWW.POOLLESSONS.COM
25
LARRY SCHWARTZ LARRY8900@AOL.COM
27
NICK VARNER WWW.NICKVARNER.COM
31
OZONE BILLIARDS INSIDE FRONT COVER WWW.OZONEBILLIARDS.COM POOL DAWG WWW.POOLDAWG.COM
15
POOL SHOTS WWW.POOLSHOTS.COM
63
PREDATOR PRODUCTS WWW.PREDATORCUES.COM
11, 35
Q-MASTER/HALL OF FAME WWW.Q-MASTERS.COM
37
SEYBERT’S BILLIARD SUPPLY WWW.SEYBERTS.COM
63
TIGER PRODUCTS WWW.TIGERPRODUCTS.COM
5
TWEETEN FIBRE WWW.TWEETEN.US
9
September 2009
8/13/09 9:42:34 AM
560094md049.indd 11
8/11/09 2:56:03 PM
+ QUOTABLE+
“It’s probably the biggest achievement in my pool career.” RALF SOUQUET ON WINNING THE GOLD MEDAL AT THE 2009 WORLD GAMES (SEE PG. 28).
Dear
JeDaenaetrte
WU ON THE MOVE?
Taiwan’s double world champ eyes permanent move to Singapore. THE BLACK WIDOW ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT POOL LIFE, LOVE AND ETIQUETTE.
VER SINCE he stunned the pool world
back in 2005 by winning the World Pool (9-ball) and World 8-Ball championships at the age of 16, Taiwan’s Wu Chia Ching has become a sporting legend in his prosperous island nation. Recognized wherever he goes in Taiwan, Wu is considered one of the greatest sportsmen in the country’s history. But those heady days at the top of Taiwan’s very deep pool heap appear to have come to an abrupt and somewhat bitter end for Wu. The recently turned 20-yearold has decided, after much speculation, to immigrate to Singapore. “Wu Chia Ching is now a permanent resident of Singapore,” said Stephen Sim, the general manager of Cuesports Singapore, which oversees all pool and billiard sports in Singapore. “He is now a sports official charged with being a sparring partner to our national team.” According to Sim, Wu’s permanent resident status is the first step on the way to becoming a full-fledged citizen of Singapore. When that happens, Sim said, Wu will also play professionally under Singapore’s flag. Wu’s dramatic departure from his beloved homeland has not exactly gone down well with pool officials in Taiwan and, at the same time, has exposed some heretofore unknown riffs between players and officials there. Taiwan has often been portrayed from the outside as a pool players’ paradise, where the game is taught in schools and players are treated like royalty by a government that showers them with privilege and money. Wu’s current odyssey has damaged that belief. Wu’s path to Singapore began several years back, when the teenage phenom visited the country several times to play in events on the Asian 9-ball tour. He be-
12
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Wingshots.indd 12
LAWRENCE LUSTIG
E
(Q)
When I first look at the table, should I calculate my first and last shot, seeing the whole table? What are you thinking before your first shot? Ed; San Leandro, Calif.
(A)
Wu contemplated a switch for some time.
came friendly with local billiard officials, who began expressing an interest in having Wu come to Singapore to teach and play, mentioning such enticements as a substantial monthly salary, a significant signing bonus, paid expenses and even a job after retirement. These perks were in stark contrast to Wu’s life as a pro in Taiwan. In actuality, Taiwanese professionals only receive a monthly salary if they are one of the lucky few to be chosen to play for the country in the Asian Games. Taiwanese pros also have to pay for their own expenses, including all travel abroad. The idea of Wu actually immigrating to Singapore started to pick up pace in the second half of 2008. Wu and his father traveled to Singapore several times to meet with officials from Cuesports, who eventually asked if the Taiwanese great would like to come and play in Sin- 14
The first thing I do is look over the entire table. I want to identify any clusters or problems that I will need to deal with on my way through the rack. If there are no problems, I then decide which pocket I want to make the 8 ball and what my first shot options are. Basically, I’m looking at my start and finish lines. Then, I start to work my way backward from the 8 ball — kind of like a maze, where you work from the place you want to be, back to the spot where you are currently sitting. As you plan your route, the goal is creating a pattern that requires the as little cue-ball movement as possible, while still allowing you to go all the way from the first ball to the 8 ball. Ideally, you would like to begin with a shot you are confident you can make, but you won’t always necessarily be able to start with the simplest shot possible. Once you have found the best way to get from the first ball to the 8, you ready to start your run. Now, all you have to do is concentrate on making that first ball! Good luck.
SEE THE BLACK WIDOW AT JEANETTELEE.COM
September 2009
8/12/09 3:03:51 PM
numbers
BD IN BRIEF THE U.S. LOOKS TO DEFEND WORLD CUP This month, the Matchroom Sport-produced World Cup of Pool will kick off in Manila, Philippines, for the first time in the event’s four-year history. Held Sept. 1-6 at the SM City North Mall, where the Women’s World 10-Ball Championship was held in June, the event will feature 32 two-player teams from 31 countries. After two years in Rotterdam, Holland, the World Cup should be well received among the poolcrazed Filipino crowds. “This is a fantastic move for the event and everyone, staff, players and crew, are delighted to be returning to the hotbed of world pool,” said Barry Hearn, chairman of the U.K.-based Matchroom Sport. The American duo of Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening will land in Manila as the reigning champions. At the 2008 event, the pair edged the power-
# G A M E #
house Philippines squad (Dennis Orcollo and Francisco Bustamante) in the semifinal and the English team (Daryl Peach and Mark Gray) in the championship.
REMEMBERING “BOSTON JOEY” Joseph “Boston Joe” Kiley passed away on July 18. The 62-year-old, who relocated from Boston to Waukegan, Ill., years before his death, was considered one of the best barbox players in the 1960s and ’70s.
SCRATCH: WEB AWARDS While we stand behind our claim in August’s BD Web Awards that Sterling Gaming has a fine home on the Internet, we just misplaced the Carolinians, giving them the award for “Best Online Retail Site.” The Sterling site is dedicated to wholesale billiard supply. We regret the error.
11-6-1919
Date Ralph Greenleaf was taken into police custody concerning a grisly murder. R.A. Dyer examines the incident in Untold Stories (pg. 44).
$24,900
Amount won by Ga Young Kim in three WPBA events this year, including the U.S. Open (pg. 34).
3
Consecutive victories by Landon Shuffett at the BEF Junior Nationals (pg. 55).
YOU MAKE THE CALL: FROZEN ASSET
With Mike Shamos
QUESTION: You’re the referee in a tournament game of 9-ball under World Standardized Rules. [Reader: note that the 9 is touching the cushion.] Player A tries a safety in the given position by just grazing the cue ball off the right side of the 3. It travels a few inches, leaving the 3 completely snookered from the cue ball by the 6. Player B, the opponent, calls, “Foul. Nothing hit a rail. I get ball in hand.” Player A responds: “The 9 hit the rail. It wasn’t called frozen before my shot, so it’s assumed not to be.” You now realize that maybe you should have announced that the 9 was frozen, but you had no idea that Player A was going to try such a shot. What do you do now? ANSWER: Apologize and hope your career as a referee will survive this incident. Regulation 27 states, “The referee should be careful to inspect and announce the status of any object ball that might be frozen to a cushion and the cue ball when it might be frozen to a ball.” This applies to ALL frozen balls, not just the ones the referee might guess will be involved in the shot. Player A is correct. Rule 8.4 provides that, “A ball is assumed not to be frozen to any rail unless it is declared frozen by the referee, the shooter, or the opponent.” Player B does not get ball in hand. September 2009
Sept09 Wingshots.indd 13
BILLIARDS DIGEST
13
8/12/09 3:04:11 PM
WU TO SINGAPORE - continued from pg. 12 -
gapore. Cuesports was actively trying to bring the sport of pool to a higher level, and they believed that Wu could be just the man to do it. They reportedly offered Wu a pay package worth over $100,000 a year, including the benefits previously mentioned. With Singapore’s offer in hand, Wu returned to Taiwan and approached the Chinese Taipei Billiard Association (CTBA) in February asking officials to match it. When they declined, Wu put the wheels in motion to begin a new career in Singapore. The move, however, has not come without a price. “He’s one of our national treasures, and we want to do everything we can to keep him,” Tu Yung-hui, the head of the CTBA, told the Singapore Straits Times in an interview earlier this year. “He has to realize that there will be serious consequences if he leaves, and that includes financial ones.” Taiwan thus barred Wu from participating in any national events and from representing his native land in any international competitions. They have also asked him to return nearly $40,000 in prize money he received from the government for winning his two world titles back in 2005.
In addition, the Asian Pocket Billiard Union (APBU), the Taiwan-based regional federation of the WPA, has declared that Wu cannot compete for Singapore internationally until he secures full citizenship. According to Sim, that process can sometimes take up to four years, although Sim said several government ministries are working to make an exception for Wu. “Hopefully he can become a Singapore citizen in less than a year,” Sim said. “We are getting a lot of help from the Singapore Sports Council and the Ministry of Community Youth and Sports.” In the meantime, unable to compete, Wu is dividing his time between his second year of college in Taiwan and his new role as coach of Singapore’s national team. Sim is highly confident that the effort to court Wu, and even the controversy and delays that have followed, will be well worth it for Singapore’s bid to become a pool powerhouse. “When he becomes a citizen he will fight for us and for national glory,” Sim said. “But what we’re really excited about is what Wu can do for promoting the game in general in Singapore. Most parents here prefer that their kids play soccer, or golf, or tennis. Wu will be able to put a face on pool. Not only is he a fantastic player, but he’s humble and respectful. He can be a role model. He’s going to be inspirational.” — Ted Lerner
POOL ON TV
FOR COMPLETE LISTINGS, SEE THE TV SCHEDULE AT WWW.BILLIARDSDIGEST.COM
2000 WPBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Sept. 1: 10 a.m. ........................ ESPN Classic
2001 MIDWEST CLASSIC Sept. 16, 17, 18: 10 a.m. ........ ESPN Classic
2001 WPBA PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP Sept. 2, 3, 4: 10 a.m. ............... ESPN Classic
2001 WPBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Sept. 19: 11 a.m....................... ESPN Classic Sept. 21, 22: 10 a.m. ............... ESPN Classic
S E P TE M B E R
All times EST; check local listings
2001 WPBA SPRING CLASSIC Sept. 9: 11 a.m. ........................ ESPN Classic 2001 WPBA FALL CLASSIC Sept. 12: 11 a.m....................... ESPN Classic Sept. 14, 15: 10 a.m. ............... ESPN Classic 2009 WPBA U.S. OPEN Sept. 13: 3-5 p.m....................................ESPN Sept. 27: 5 p.m. ......................................ESPN
14
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Wingshots.indd 14
2002 WPBA PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP Sept. 23, 24, 25: 10 a.m. ........ ESPN Classic 2007 TEXAS HOLD ‘EM CHAMPIONSHIP Sept. 26: 10 a.m....................... ESPN Classic 2002 WPBA SPRING CLASSIC Sept. 30: 10 a.m....................... ESPN Classic
CUE & EH?
TONY CROSBY FLORIDA-BASED PROFESSIONAL CROSBY HAS A DIVERSE SET OF BUSINESS VENTURES, INCLUDING A NEW LINE OF CUES AND A REGIONAL AMATEUR TOUR. What’s been the biggest surprise running your own tour? How much work is involved. Before the tournament, after the tournament, getting press releases done, the rankings, event schedule changes, it’s just kinda crazy. It’s been more work than we anticipiated. Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying it. I really enjoy working with the amateur players. It jogged a lot of memories of when I was an amateur player, just out there having fun and playing the game. Have these endeavors cut into your practice time? It’s not that I can’t find time, it’s just the focus and really trying to turn up for practice for a few hours. I’ve usually got five other things that are on my mind that need to get done — have I done this and have I done that. Luckily, my wife, Natalie, has been a huge help. We couldn’t do this without each other. Are you acclimating yourself to an increasingly hectic schedule? This last few months have been very tough. I haven’t done too well. The cue line is taking that extra bit away from my practice time. I think once the cues start selling themselves, I’ll be able to get into a good routine. [Ed. note: Just after this interview, Crosby won a Seminole Pro Tour event, his first title on the highly regarded regional circuit.]
September 2009
8/12/09 3:04:18 PM
STROKE OF GENIUS RECOUNTING THE GREATEST SHOTS IN POOL HISTORY C O U R T E S Y
O F
A C C U - S T A T S
PLAYER: Steve Mizerak EVENT: Rak’m Up Classic V DATE: January 18, 1992
A
T THIS point in the losers-brack-
et match at the 1992 Rak’m Up Classic, Steve Mizerak wasn’t exactly in prime shape. For starters, he came to the table with the cue ball nearly frozen to the 9 ball, just inches off the short rail. He’d also quickly lost control of his match against Kim Davenport. After jumping out to a 7-2 lead in the race to 13, Mizerak watched Davenport collect seven racks in a row to grab a 9-7 lead. Finally out of his chair, the Miz desperately needed to catch a break — or create one of his own.
Watch Mizerak’s miracle hit at BILLIARDSDIGEST.COM a
Thanks to the cue ball being tucked behind the 9, Mizerak had no real option other than sending the cue ball to the bottom rail first. With a firm stroke, he bounced the cue ball off the short rail, just a few inches away. Catching a little air on its way around the 3 ball, the cue ball then rattled around two rails near the top, right corner pocket before hitting the 2 ball as full as possible. As the 2 ball headed back down-table, the cue ball stopped dead on the head rail. The 2 barely missed the 4, then gently came to a stop on the end rail. While the crowd applauded Mizerak’s miraculous escape, Davenport was faced with a table-length attempt on a 2 ball that was frozen to the bottom rail. He tried to play safe, but left an open shot on the 2 in the middle of the table. Mizerak easily cleared the table to inch within a game of Davenport. With that miraculous escape, Mizerak had no problem reversing the momentum of the match. From that point on, the Miz took back control of the match, closing it out by a score of 13-11. Video clip provided by Accu-Stats Video Productions. September 2009
Sept09 Stroke.indd 15
BILLIARDS DIGEST
15
8/11/09 2:46:07 PM
Calendar AMERICAN POOLPLAYERS ASSOC.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
U.S. Amateur Championship
World Cup of Pool
Nov. 6-8
OB CUES LADIES 9-BALL TOUR Sept. 1-6
Rusty’s Billiards
Strokers Tampa, Fla. • www.poolplayers.com
Sports Plus Cafe Eastwood, Philippines. • www.matchroomsport.com
Arlington, Texas • (817) 468-9191
ARIZONA WOMEN’S BILLIARD TOUR
International Speed Pool Challenge
League City, Texas • (281) 332-7716
Bullshooters
Oct. 3-4
Phoenix, Ariz. • (602) 441-2447
Strokers Billiards
Sept. 19
Tampa, Fla. • (813) 814-2277
T.J.’s Billiards
Oct. 10
New Port Richey, Fla. • (727) 849-0088
Beijing, China • www.wpa-pool.com
BLAZE 9-BALL TOUR
U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships
Castle Billiards
Sept. 6
East Rutherford, N.J. • (201) 933-6007
Skyline Billiards
Sept. 27 Oct. 4
World Cup of Trick Shots
Oct. 25
Mohegan Sun Hotel Casino Uncasville, Conn. • (888) 226-7711
Nov. 25-30 World Trade Center Manila, Philippines • www.wpa-pool.com
CUESPORTS INTERNATIONAL National Championship Series Qualifiers Visit www.playcsipool.com for dates/locations Sept. 19-20
Tuscon, Ariz. • (520) 571-9421
Bullshooters
Oct. 17-18
Phoenix, Ariz. • (602) 441-2447
DOMINIAK NORTHEAST 10-BALL Diamond Eight Billiards
Sept. 26 Latham, N.Y. • www.dominiakcuestour.com London Billiards Oct. 11 Worchester, Mass. • www.dominiakcuestour.com Pool Table Magic Oct. 24 Windsor Locks, Conn. • www.dominiakcuestour.com
Sept. 26-27
West Haven, Conn. • (203) 848-1212 Groton, Conn. • (860) 446-1561
Sept. 16-19 Weert, Netherlands • www.eurotouronline.eu Dynamic Costa del Sol Open Dec. 2-5 Malaga, Spain • www.eurotouronline.eu
Sept. 12
Centralia, Ill. • (618) 532-9931
Sept. 19
Alton, Ill. • (618) 462-4435
Oct. 3-4
Clifton Park, N.Y. • (518) 383-8771
Oct. 17-18
Comet Billiards
USBA Sept. 18-20 Minneapolis, Minn. • (763) 300-6370 Tacoma Elks Lodge Dec. 4-6 Tacoma, Wash. • (425) 458-1091
VIKING CUE 9-BALL TOUR Sept. 5-6
Monroe, N.C. • (704) 226-9650
Oct. 3-4 Oct. 17-18
Winchester, Va. • (540) 665-2114
Diamond BIlliards
Oct. 24-25
WEST COAST WOMEN’S TOUR Sept. 5-6
California Billiard Club
Sept. 26-27
Emeryville, Calif. • (650) 965-3100
Family BIlliards
Oct. 24-25 San Francisco, Calif. • (415) 931-1115 Sept. 26-27
WPBA CLASSIC TOUR Colorado Classic
Nov. 7-8 Dec. 12-13
NORTHWEST WOMEN’S POOL ASSOC. Kenmore, Wash. • (425) 908-7332
Oct. 3
Edison, N.J. • (732) 632-9277
Midlothian, Va. • (804) 794-8787
Houston, Texas • (281) 590-1954
Golden Fleece Billiard Club
Sandcastle Billiards
Blue Fox Billiards
LONE STAR TOUR
Rose Country
Sept. 26
Charlotte, N.C. • (704) 900-7525
KF CUES 9-BALL TOUR
Bradley’s Billiards
Sept. 19
Paradise Billiards Club
JPNEWT
Florida State 9-Ball Championships
Sept. 12
Burrkats Oct. 3-4
San Leon, Texas • (281) 559-1400
Oct. 5-11
Dec. 7-13 Sands Regency Casino Hotel Las Vegas, Nev. • www.sandsregency.com
Sept09 Calendar.indd 16
Trick Shot Billiards
Casper’s Billiards
Fast Eddie’s Goldsboro, N.C. • (919) 759-0071
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Waterville, Maine • (207) 877-7665
San Antonio, Texas • (210) 520-5295
INDEPENDENT EVENTS
16
Minneapolis Billiard Club Sept. 26-27
Strokers II Tampa, Fla. • (772) 464-7665
GATEWAY AMATEUR TOUR
Reno Open
JOSS N.E. 9-BALL TOUR
Sept. 26-27 East Rutherfod, N.J. • (201) 933-6007
Dynamic Netherlands Open
Carolina Open
Sunnyside, N.Y. • (718) 706-6789
T.J.’s Classic Billiards
Sept. 5-6
Parsippany, N.J. • (973) 334-7429
Sept. 12-13 Rocky Mount, N.C. • www.rockcitypromotions.com Fast Eddie’s Oct. 3-4 Goldsboro, N.C. • www.rockcitypromotions.com
Castle Billiards
EUROTOUR
TRI-STATE TOUR Amsterdam Billiards
Master Billiards
Sharks-N-Shooters
Parsippany, N.J. • (973) 334-7429
Oct. 24-25
Sept. 12-13 West Hempstead, N.Y. • (516) 538-9896 Strokers Billiards Oct. 9-11 Palm Harbor, Fla. • (727) 786-6683 Steve Mizerak Championship Nov. 11-15 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Fla. • (954) 327-7501
Edison, N.J. • (732) 632-9277
Williamsville, N.Y. • (716) 632-0281
U.S. 1 Billiards
SEMINOLE PRO TOUR
Sandcastle Billiards
JACOBY CAROLINA TOUR
Bison Billiards
EAST COAST TOUR
Sept. 12-13 Raxx Pool Room West Hempstead, N.Y. • (516) 538-9896 Comet Billiards Sept. 19-20 Parsippany, N.J. • (973) 334-7429 BQE Billiards Oct. 10-11 Jackson Heights, N.Y. • (718) 779-4348 Cue Bar Oct. 24-25 Bayside, N.Y. • (718) 631-2646
Comet Billiards Oct. 3-4
Columbus, Ga. • (706) 653-0106
Pockets Billiards
Sept. 5-6
Bayside, N.Y. • (718) 631-2646
New York, N.Y. • (212) 995-0333
J. PECHAUER SE OPEN Players Billiards
DESERT CLASSIC TOUR
Riverbend Billiards
Oct. 29
World 10-Ball Championship
Lindenhurst, N.Y. • (631) 226-9486
PREDATOR 9-BALL TOUR
Raxx Pool Room
Mohegan Sun Hotel Casino Uncasville, Conn. • (888) 226-7711
Oct. 11
Vineland, N.J. • (609) 267-2300
Shooter’s Sports Bar
Oct. 27
Women’s Tournament of Champions Oct. 28
Boothwyn, Pa. • (610) 859-8058
Mr. Cue Billiards
Oct. 18-24
Chesapeake Conference Center Chesapeake, Va. • (757) 499-8900 Mohegan Sun Hotel Casino Uncasville, Conn. • (888) 226-7711
Riley’s Corcord Billiards Q-Ball Billiards
Sept. 28-Oct. 4
Challenge of Champions
West Hempstead, N.Y. • (516) 538-9896
Nov. 21-22
Empire State Championship
Sept. 20
Brooklyn, N.Y. • (718) 627-3407
Raxx Pool Room
Sept. 17
ESPN Zone Las Vegas, Nev. • (860) 379-8414
Women’s World 9-Ball Championship
Legend’s Billiards
Cue Bar
Trick Shot Magic
BAY AREA AMATEUR TOUR
American Billiards
Sept. 16
ESPN Zone Las Vegas, Nev. • (860) 379-8414
Oct. 24-25
Sept. 26-27
-Sept. 16-20 Sky Ute Casino & Resort Ignacio, Colo. • www.skyutecasino.com Pacific Coast Classic -Oct 14-18 Chinook Winds Casino Lincoln City, Ore. • (888) 244-6665 WPBA Tour Championship -Nov. 11-15 Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood, Fla. • (866) 502-7529
September 2009
8/11/09 2:36:34 PM
INSTRUCTIONALS
Practice Table
KEEP IT SIMPLE WITH YOUR BREAK STROKE (PG. 19)
24 SOLIDS & STRIPES +
INSIDE
20 STRATEGIES + The tangent line is a great reference for playing position. By NICK VARNER
It’s time to go back to school on a few rail-first shots. By LARRY SCHWARTZ
18 QUICK HITS +
22 ILLUSTRATED PRINCIPLES +
26 TECH TALK +
Tips and drills to upgrade your game. By BD STAFF
Ruling frozen-ball hits. By DAVID ALCIATORE
More tricks to help you aim many of your kicks. By BOB JEWETT
September 2009
Sept09 Practice.indd 17
BILLIARDS DIGEST
17
8/12/09 3:04:45 PM
INSTRUCTIONALS
Bite-sized bits of top-notch instruction
BD HOUSE PRO: TONY ROBLES
OpeningShot
BUST OUT OF A SLUMP
with Wilson
Q)
I know players incorporate shoulder movements, but can I keep things simple by limiting my movements to the elbow down? R. Perez Phoenix, Ariz.
LAWRENCE LUSTIG
Mark
Stay confident. Stay focused.
A)
The concept of a proper stroke delivery without any movement in your upper arm has merit — and is the way I was taught. Many players, however, obtain great results by incorporating other movements, meaning there are multiple ways to deliver a pool cue to an intended target. Ultimately, the goal is to have a repeatable stroke. This produces consistency, which is the essence of accuracy and speed control. When we eliminate upper-arm movement, we simplify the process of delivering the cue’s tip to the cue ball. If we use an unorthodox delivery, one where the upper arm collapses, the tip is raised during the foreswing, requiring a slight compensation in aiming. This can and does work, but it also offers more opportunity for tiny variations. Collapsing the upper arm can minimize power and accuracy, while allowing for more variation on a shot-to-shot basis. In the end, we all want a swing that can be repeated. Moving just your lower arm is a simple movement containing less extraneous motion.
18
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 QuickHits.indd 18
E
VENTUALLY, YOU are going to go into
a slump. With a game as dependent on mental precision as pool, you will hit a rut. You can, however, prepare yourself for the inevitable rough patch, so your slump will be as short as possible. Here are three tips to get you back to your best: 1. Make a Fundamentals Checklist: I’ve said it before, but it is so important to have a strong grasp on the fundamentals of the game. By working on the basics of a proper stroke, you are limiting the possibility of incorrectly executing any particular shot. So, if find yourself in a bit of a slump, I suggest creating a fundamentals checklist — staying down on a shot, keeping a firm bridge, always following through, etc. This list will give you a frame of reference, a way to figure out what is amiss
with your game. Often times, a player will go into a slump as the result of the slightest tweak. Running down a checklist will help you identify anything that might be throwing your whole game out of whack. Even if you are playing well, this checklist will help you keep yourself in line as a reminder of all the little things it takes to play your best. 2. Keep a Journal: When I joined the pro tour in 1996, I started keeping a little journal. I would keep notes from one match to the next, jotting down what I did well and where I struggled. When I would look back at my notes, I would discover things I called “little gems.” When I reviewed my notes from particular matches, I reminded myself what specific areas needed special attention. This journal also gave me a history of my successes and failures, so I knew what was happening with my game over a period of time. 3. Remember Your Goals: Finally, you cannot sabotage yourself. You set yourself up for failure by approaching a shot saying you are going to miss or going into a match thinking you’re going to lose. As a mental exercise, I ask myself two questions. First, do I want to win? If the answer is yes — which it always is — I then ask myself, do I want to win badly enough that I will make this shot? I scream the answer in my head. I tell myself, “I am going to make this shot!” This is an amazing boost. Try to tell yourself that you are going to hit every shot with confidence, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
September 2009
8/11/09 2:45:49 PM
Drill Bits-
GET IN LINE + WHY DO IT + If it’s been awhile since you’ve picked up a cue, this drill is a great refresher course for cue-ball control.
One Diamond of Draw Stop Shot
+ HOW TO DO IT + With a ball on the spot,
place the cue ball a few inches off the side rail, so it’s in perfect line with the corner pocket. Once you can consistently pocket the ball with a stop shot, try to leave the cue ball one diamond from the point of impact using draw and follow.
One Diamond of Follow
Stop Whining! WE ALL know that guy or girl — the one that has an excuse for absolutely everything that goes wrong. But no matter how much we’d wish otherwise, we’ve all thrown out a feeble excuse after an unforced error. But letting the pessimist inside of you take over can have physical repercussions. When you approach a shot with frustration, the quality of your stroke immediately diminishes. You lose focus and you lose form. When you practice difficult shots, don’t just work on the physical act of shooting the cue ball into the object ball. Incorporate a positive attitude into your approach. You need to build this way of thinking into your game, because you’re definitely going to need it at some point.
Breaking It Down JUST AS many players will be returning to their leagues, here’s a quick review of some tips for upping the power of your break: Don’t be afraid to tinker with your stance. Try bending your knees a bit more than you normally do, which will lower your center of gravity. Also, bring your feet a little closer together. This should get more of your body behind your stroke. See what happens when you shorten your bridge. For some players — not all — this will result in more accuracy, which means more power. Don’t get fancy. Never deviate from striking the cue ball on its vertical axis. Because you’re using such a powerful stroke, keep it simple.
“
Women’s pool is like my baby, and I’m very proud of how far it has come.
”
— Ewa Laurance
STRAIGHT
TALK
GURU GEORGE FELS HELPS YOU RUN 100 TAKE AS many loose balls as feasible off the table before attempting your secondary break shots. This gives you more space for newly-broken balls, as well as more space in which to maneuver the cue ball. Secondly, don’t be afraid to add an extra rail to your cueball route when there’s an advantage to do so. And, of course, always look beyond the obvious. The easiest shot is by no means always the right one. Any time you break the balls, take that valuable hike around the table before planning your next shots.
On the Spot CHARLIE WILLIAMS ON HOW HE’S REMAINED AMONG AMERICA’S ELITE + How do you prepare when you haven’t had much time to practice? It seems like my secret about preparation is not preparing. + So you can keep your game sharp without hitting balls all day long? It’s kind of like lifting weights. You work your way up to your best, then you can maintain. I don’t practice and play as much as I used to, but I have a simple technique, so I have a low-maintenance game. I know my technique so well by now, I know how to keep things in order. + You’ve been working with Yu Ram Cha. What has this done for you? I’m coaching her full-time, and that’s made me really concentrate on the mental game. I have to formulate exactly what I want to say her. It kind of reinforces all of this back at me. Having her as a student forces me to hit balls and work on drills
September 2009
Sept09 QuickHits.indd 19
BILLIARDS DIGEST
19
8/7/09 4:16:24 PM
+ S TR ATEG IE S + BY Nick Varner
ON A TANGENT
Spin and contact points change the cue ball’s angle after impact.
NE KEY factor in learning to play pois to contact the cue ball lower, which ous contact points on the 1 is another sition is the concept of the “tangent will increase initial draw that will be way of getting a little flexibility while line.” To start, I want to first answer offset by the cue ball-cloth friction. playing position. the question: What is the tangent line? Missing the tangent line really frusA good practice drill is to try and make When you cut an object ball, the cue trates a player when he scratches or the cue ball follow all three of those tanball comes off that ball at a 90° angle, if runs into a ball he was trying to avoid. gent lines. Also, notice the three cue-ball you have no spin (stun) on the cue ball In both situations, missing the tangent positions C-1, C-2 and C-3. The farther at the moment of impact. The cue ball line is to blame for the problems with away the cue ball, the harder it is to folwill then continue on this tangent line. position. low each line. With more distance, you Again, the key factor here is that there’s Now look at Diagram 2, the 1 ball is need to adjust the speed and contact no spin on the cue ball at point on the cue ball. impact. Richard Cyr came up Players often overlook with a product called C (follow) Diagram 1 this crucial aspect of keepthe Total Shot Trainer. ing the cue ball on the 90° It helps to teach aimB (stun) tangent line. I have often ing and understandheard players say that you ing the cue ball’s path C-1 A (draw) need to hit the cue ball at and speed. Diagram its exact center to go down 3 shows the circular the tangent line. However, trainer, which you can C-2 you must combine speed place and stick on the with the proper contact table anywhere. The C-3 point on the cue ball. For object ball is the solid instance, if the cue ball circle (with the hole for has forward spin (follow) object ball placement) when it contacts the object and the dashed circle ball, the cue ball will roll represents the “ghost forward of the tangent line by a ball” (where you need the cue significant angle (shown in purple ball to be at impact so you B in Diagram 1). If the cue ball has make the shot). The thin black backspin (draw) when it contacts line Richard calls the “90° refA C the object ball, the cue ball will erence line” is another name come back off the tangent line for what I’ve called the tangent (blue in Diagram 1). line. Often, players forget the speed When teaching, I use this litfactor. Many times the cue ball tle tool with almost every stuwill pick up topspin on its way to dent, because it is hard to give Diagram 3 the object ball, resulting in a dif- Diagram 2 a lesson without talking about ferent path for the cue ball, one aiming or the path of the cue that’s less than 90° from the direction of sitting in front of the side pocket. Hitball after impact. the object ball. ting the 1 ball in each of the three direcNot only is the tangent line helpful, but It is easy to shoot too slow and let the tions (also called “cheating the pocket”) this circular aide has four different cut cue ball pick up the topspin on the way can change the tangent line as much as angles to show where contacting the cue to the object ball. If the cue ball has folin Diagram 1. It is interesting how you ball with one tip of follow sends the cue low on it when it contacts the cue ball pocket the 1 ball in the side by contactball after contact. Plus, the cut angles but you want it to have no spin, what ing the it thicker (path A) or thinner and paths off the object ball are color cocorrection or corrections do you need (path C). The colored arrows in Diaordinated for easy understanding. to make? One option is to shoot harder. gram 2 correspond to the paths A, B and Keep working with the tangent lines, This will get the cue ball to the object C off the 1 ball in Diagram 1. You can and you’ll know how spin and contact ball faster, limiting the friction between see how the tangent line moves dependpoints change the cue ball’s angle after the cue ball and cloth. Another solution ing on how thick you hit the 1. The variimpact. See you in the winner’s circle.
O
20
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Varner.indd 20
September 2009
8/12/09 3:04:58 PM
560064md046.indd 21
8/7/09 9:26:17 AM
+ I L L U S T R AT E D P R I N C I P L E S + BY David Alciatore Ph.D.
FREEZING IT Look closely at a few frozen and near-frozen shots. [Note: Supporting narrated video (NV) demonstrations, high-speed video (HSV) clips, and technical proofs (TP) can be accessed and viewed online at billiards.colostate.edu. The reference numbers used in the article help you locate the resources on the Web site. You might want to view the resources on a CD-ROM or DVD. Details can be found at dr-dave-billiards.com.] HIS IS the second article in a series on pool rules. The series features shots from a pool rules quiz I recently created with fellow BD columnist Bob Jewett. The quiz can be viewed online in NV B.61. (NV B.62 provides answers and brief explanations for each shot. NV B.63 provides thorough instruction in each foul category.) All calls in the quiz and this series of articles are based on the internationally recognized World Standardized Rules published by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA). (The complete rules can be viewed online at www.wpa-pool.com.) Last month, I introduced the quiz and looked at examples of kiss-back and rail-frozen shots. This month, we will look at shots where there is a small gap between the cue ball (CB) and object ball (OB). We’ll also consider a few examples where the CB is frozen to the OB. Before investigating the intricacies of these situations, here are the pertinent WPA rules concerning small-gap and frozen-ball shots: 6.7 Double Hit/Frozen Balls: If the cue stick contacts the cue ball more than once on a shot, the shot is a foul. If the cue ball is close to but not touching an object ball and the cue tip is still on the cue ball when the cue ball contacts that object ball, the shot is a foul. If the cue ball is very close to an object ball, and the shooter barely grazes that object ball on the shot, the shot is assumed not to violate the first paragraph of this rule, even though the tip is argu-
T
22
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Alciatore.indd 22
ably still on the cue ball when ball-ball contact is made. However, if the cue ball is touching an object ball at the start of the shot, it is legal to shoot toward or partly into that ball (provided it is a legal target within the rules of the game) and if the object ball is moved by such a shot, it is considered to have been contacted by the cue ball. (Even though it may be legal to shoot towards such a touching or “frozen” ball, care must be taken not to violate the rules in the first paragraph if there are additional balls close by.) The cue ball is assumed not to be touching any ball unless it is declared touching by the referee or opponent. It is the shooter’s responsibility to get the declaration before the shot. Playing away from a frozen ball does not constitute having hit that ball unless specified in the rules of the game. 6.8 Push Shot: It is a foul to prolong tip-to-cue-ball contact beyond that seen in normal shots. Diagram 1 has some still images from NV B.63 (part 1) showing a cut shot where the CB is frozen to the OB (before the shot). The still images don’t do the video justice, so try to view the video online when you get
a chance. You can clearly see in the video and diagram that the CB cleanly and quickly separates from the cue tip, as with a normal shot. There is no double hit or push. Therefore, it makes sense to allow this type of shot, as is the case with the WPA rules (although, as a personal opinion, I never liked that this type of shot is allowed in pool, because the shot still feels and looks like a push, even if it isn’t). Diagram 1a illustrates some important terminology. The line of centers (shown in red) passes through, as one would guess, the centers of the CB and OB at impact. The tangent line (shown in yellow) is perpendicular to the line of centers. With a typical cut shot, where the CB is not frozen to the OB initially, the CB immediately heads in the direction of the tangent line after impact with the OB. This is called the 90° rule. When the CB is frozen to the OB, however, the CB does not immediately head in the direction of the tangent line (see the black line relative to the yellow line in Diagram 1e). In fact, there is a useful CB aiming system for frozen-CB cut shots (see NV B.55). There are also interesting ways to control CB travel
Diagram 1
September 2009
8/11/09 2:45:29 PM
distance with straight-on frozen-CB shots (see NV B.48). Diagram 2 shows examples of shots with a small gap between the CB and OB. The quiz shot numbers appear in the diagram. When trying to judge whether or not a small-gap shot is a double hit or not, it is important to understand the tangent line and the expected motion of the CB. With a single-hit cut shot, the CB should head in the direction of the tangent line immediately after impact with the OB (see shots 16, 30, 36, 74 and 93 in part 2 of NV B.63). If the CB heads in a direction deviating from the tangent line almost immediately after hitting the OB, then there must have been a double hit and the shot is a foul (see shots 17, 72, 90 and 100 in part 2 of NV B.63). In Diagram 2, shot “16” (the 1-ball shot) is clearly fair because the CB heads exactly along the tangent line, which is perpendicular to the OB’s motion. Shot “100” (the 2-ball shot in Diagram 2) is a foul because the CB moves forward in relation to the tangent line, indicating a double hit. Shot “69” (the 3-ball shot) is also a foul because the CB follows forward immediately off the tip, showing no hesitation. With a single hit of the tip, the CB would lose all of its forward speed after striking the 3 ball (as with a stop shot with a greater distance between the CB and OB), and only then gradually accelerate forward as a result of the topspin. Shot “45” (the 4-ball shot) is also a double-hit foul. With a single hit below center, the CB would stop in place or draw back. Instead, the CB is driven forward before stopping. This can happen only with a second strike of the tip. As with many of the shots in this series, you can’t usually see the actual foul directly (e.g., a smallgap double-hit is usually too fast to see or hear), but the foul is indirectly obvious by observing the motion of the CB. Diagram 3 shows two examples where the CB and OB are frozen. Both shots are fair, because the CB is hit with a normal stroke and there is no double hit. The CB does head forward of the tangent line in both cases, but this is to be expected with a frozenCB shot. Compare shot “1” in Diagram 3 with shot “100” in Diagram 2.
Diagram 2
Diagram 3
The shots are nearly identical, yet one is a foul and one isn’t, based solely on whether or not the balls are frozen before the shot. If there is a fraction of a millimeter gap between the balls, the shot is a foul. If there is no gap, the shot is fair. I personally don’t like this distinction, but the rules are the rules, and we must comply. You can view demonstrations of all of the shots in Diagrams 1 and 2 (and many other related shots) in parts 1 and 2 of NV B.63. The video includes the appropriate ruling (fair or foul) and the reason behind each ruling. For more advice and instruction on how to detect double hits with various types of shots, see HSV B.6 and NV B.2. My “High-speed Video Magic” DVD also covers this topic in detail. For some interesting techniques to prevent double hits, where cue elevation and/or large cut angle are not desirable or possible, see NV B.49, NV
B.50, NV B.51, and NV B.52. Well, I hope you are enjoying and benefiting from my series of articles dealing with pool rules. Please encourage all of your pool-playing friends, teammates and league members to take the quiz and view the instructional videos online. If people had a better understanding of all of the rules and how they are applied, maybe there would be fewer “differences of opinion” during league night. Next month, we will continue to examine some interesting situations, this time looking at several examples of cut shots along a rail, where the OB is close or frozen to a rail. David Alciatore is a mechanical engineering professor at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. He is also author of the book, DVD and CD-ROM, “The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards,” and the DVD, “High-speed Video Magic.”
September 2009
Sept09 Alciatore.indd 23
BILLIARDS DIGEST
23
8/11/09 2:45:21 PM
+ SOLIDS
&
STRIPES
+ BY Larry Schwartz
BACK TO CLASS Be a good student by asking questions.
N HONOR of all of the students returning to school around this time of year, I say let’s take a refresher course on playing a solid game of 8-ball. The first — and very important — step that I constantly teach and preach is to familiarize yourself with the rules of whatever tournament or league organization in which you are playing. I constantly get complaints from players who have had fouls called on them for actions that were not considered fouls in their local room. These people have nobody to blame but the history of 8-ball, because it’s constantly changing. New rules are popping up all of the time — some of which improve the game, while there are those that are detrimental. Often, the slightest change in rules can determine the strategy chosen by a player, which then influences the outcome of a game. If you are already familiar with your league organization’s rules, I still recommend you show up for any players meetings where rules are usually covered. And make sure you ask any questions if you are unclear on anything. Here are a few issues I like to settle before play beings: 1. The first question I have comes up when a player scratches on the break. Is it cue ball in hand anywhere on the table or is it restricted to behind the headstring? 2. What about balls made on the break? If one player pockets a stripe, is it still an open table or is that player obligated to take stripes? 3. I always ask if three consecutive fouls by one player results in loss of game. 4. Finally, I want to know if the 8 ball is considered neutral when the table’s open. These are a few of the rules that often vary from time to time in different tournaments and leagues, but there are many more that I didn’t list. Acually, I just received a letter from a
I
24
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Schwartz.indd 24
player asking about the proper way to rack. Again! I’ve seen many variations of this rule. Lately, I’ve been sticking to the rack that I used on the International Pool Tour, which had the 1 ball in front, the 8 in the middle and a stripe and solid on the back corners. That’s all the IPT said on the rack. In addition to knowing the rules, I highly recommend that you arrive a little early whenever you are playing to get some practice and loosen up. While you are there, you can also familiarize yourself with the equipment on which you are going to play. Make sure to look for any unusual rolls on the table so you can adjust your aim to use this to your advantage. Always be aware of whether the cloth is new or old and how much forgiveness the pockets have. Many times you can hit an object ball on fairly new cloth and you can cheat the pocket a little — sometimes, a lot. Also, always pay attention when
others are playing or practicing on other tables because this could be a table you have a match on with no time for preparation. I would like to leave you with a couple of shots that are very much alike, and ones that will win you a lot of games as long as you recognize them when they arise. In Diagram 1, I’ve shown a situation where you have stripes and are without a clear shot. Your 9 ball is frozen to the 8 ball, and your 10 ball is hanging in the corner but you can’t see it. You also have the 14 hanging in the side pocket, but you are unable to see it because of your opponent’s balls blocking it. Your best shot here is shown in the diagram; you need to go rail first, come off the rail behind the 9 ball, and then the cue ball will kiss off the 9 at the perfect angle to go toward the corner pocket to sink the 10 ball. With this shot, you are accomplishing three things: You have
X Diagram 1
September 2009
8/11/09 2:48:35 PM
freed up your 9 ball from the 8 ball, you have pocketed the 10, and subsequently, you have left yourself an easy shot. The easiest way to estimate the position of the point on the rail to aim this is to stand in a spot that is even with the cue ball and an equal distance from the rail (see “X” in Diagram 1). Next, imagine that there was a line joining you and the 9. You want to aim the cue ball so that its center will be on this line when it makes contact with the rail. The speed with which you will hit the shot will change the angle a little bit; practice hitting the cue ball with different speeds to perfect the shot. Also, remember that the condition of the rails can have a major effect. In Diagram 2, I’ve shown a similar shot, where you are going to use the same aiming technique to pocket your object ball that’s in trouble. Here you want to pocket the 3 ball. Use the same aiming system from Diagram 1, but on the 3 ball instead of the cue ball. In this situation, you want the 3 ball to hit the rail, then kiss off your opponent’s ball and go to the pocket. You will send the 3 ball along the same path as the cue ball went in Diagram 1 — straight toward the corner pocket. Here, where you are aiming, you stand at a distance from the rail that’s equal to the distance between the 3 ball and the rail. Both of these shots come up a lot more than you might think. Now that you can recognize them, and you have the knowledge to make them, you will be on your way to winning many more 8-ball games. Good luck.
X
Diagram 2
September 2009
Sept09 Schwartz.indd 25
BILLIARDS DIGEST
25
8/11/09 2:48:41 PM
+ TECH TALK + BY Bob Jewett
EYING THE ANGLE
There are a few ways to find where you need to aim a kick.
N MY last column, I went over two systems to use for one-cushion kick shots that have the object ball positioned out in the table away from the cushion you are shooting from, such as the shot in Diagram 1. In the first system, with tip of your stick placed even with the object ball, you point your stick at roughly the correct spot to hit on the cushion, and then notice whether your tip, the object ball and the target on the cushion form an isosceles triangle. (An isosceles triangle has two equal angles and two equal sides, like the top of a capital letter A.) On the Internet, Neil from Grand Rapids, Mich., pointed out a better way to form the triangle for a lot of shots. He stands by the cushion to be struck and points his stick back at the farther ball with the butt crossing the cushion at a first approximation of the contact point. With the tip advanced out as far as the nearer ball, he then checks to see if the midway point is even with the target spot on the cushion. Neil’s method is also shown in Diagram 1. (Both cue sticks have been moved off the line a little to show the cue ball and the line.) I think I prefer his method to mine for most shots. From that end of the table, it is easier to see both angles going out, whether they are equal and whether the spot on the cushion is half way between the closer ball and the tip. His system is more natural for shots in which the cue ball is closer to the cushion than the object ball, although my system can also work for that. The main problem I see with Neil’s way is that you need to remember the point to hit while you walk back to the other end of the table. While the diamonds can help some with this, it’s not always easy to keep your spot focused down to a half inch or less, and on some shots a half inch is important. In any case, you have another arrow for your quiver, thanks to Neil. Last time I also explained “System
I
26
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Jewett.indd 26
Sid,” which is a more formal one-cushion diamond system in which the diamonds are numbered. If you know the numbers that correlate to the locations of the cue ball and object ball, simple arithmetic tells you where to shoot. I showed the arrangement of numbers for playing off the short cushion. Diagram 2 shows the numbers for playing the cue ball off the long cushion. This system is most directly used when the object ball is near the second cushion. The location of the object ball is given by the numbers on the short rail. Notice that the numbering is uniform, except that the 1 is half way between the 2 and the corner pocket. The cueball location is given by the numbers along the long rail that your stick will be passing over. Note that they are uniform in steps of one per diamond. The numbers on the other long cushion are your target numbers, and they go in even steps of 10. That’s a lot of numbers to remember, but if you work with the system for a little while, they’ll seem natural — well, maybe except for that misplaced “1.” In this example, the object ball is at 3.5 — that is, it’s half way between diamond 3 and diamond 4. The cue ball is near x3. The “x” means to multiply, so all you have to do is multiply the objectball number by the cue-ball number to find the target number. Math whizzes will immediately see that the answer is 10.5, which is half an inch from the diamond numbered 10. If you have trouble doing multiplication with decimals in your head, you can work with approximations. For example, suppose the object ball was at 3 instead of 3.5. I hope you can multiply 3 by 3 and get 9. With a known, easy path
Diagram 1
Neil’s Method
H
Bob’s Method
to 3 on the short rail, you can simply adjust to a point a little farther along the long rail to make the cue ball hit toward 4 from 3. Going from 3 to 3.3 would be a 10% increase, and if you increase 9 by 10% you get pretty close to 10. That will definitely be close enough to get the hit. Neil also pointed out a different way to arrive at the same number that may work better for you. If the object ball is at 3.5, number the first diamond on the short rail 3.5, and the next diamond will be twice that (7) and the next diamond three times that (10.5). This lets you get to the number you need by just adding, and adding two digit numbers in your head is easy with just a little practice.
September 2009
8/11/09 2:49:08 PM
Diagram 2
x4
Let’s take a slightly more complicated example and see how to do it with Neil’s renumbering method. Suppose the cue ball is at A in Dia- x3 gram 2. That’s roughly half way between x2 and x3. Remember that those have been renumbered to 7 x2 and 10.5. You could take the average of those two numbers by arithmetic (and get 8.75), but there is an easier way. Note the two points 7 x1 and 10.5 on the target long rail that correspond to the two values surrounding the cue ball’s position. In practice, you could put coins at those locations. Pick a spot directly between these coins, because the cue ball location is between the diamonds. In this example, you would take a spot half way between 7 and 10.5 on the long cushion, and you don’t have to do any math harder than addition. You do have to be able to match proportions, though. Just as with the “long way” System Sid, this cross-table version is not perfectly geometrically accurate because
A
B
5
4
3
2
1
the true numbers for each diamond don’t happen to be the whole numbers shown. Also, there are minor corrections to make because the center of the cue ball never gets to the ideal reflection point at the nose of the cushion. I urge you not to worry about these details too much. Try the system and see how well it works for you. After you have calculated the target for each shot,
allow yourself to make minor adjustments if the angle doesn’t feel right. Besides the rounding errors, 30 there are lots of other factors — cushion slide, speed effects, slight side spin — that can change the cue ball’s path by more than half a 20 ball by the time it arrives at the object ball. You can’t calculate all of those, so trust your experience and 10 feel. These systems, like most systems, are a framework to organize your approach to the shot and the resulting outcomes. If you allow the framework to force the angle, and don’t allow your experience to help, I think it will be very difficult for you to use this or any system. While you are practicing, try to build out the framework. That is, try a variety of situations. Change the speed. Take the cue ball to extremes. Extend the simple system to hits after the second cushion. For example, move the 1 ball to B and estimate where on the short cushion you have to hit to get to the 1. (It looks to be about 2.8 to me.)
September 2009
Sept09 Jewett.indd 27
BILLIARDS DIGEST
27
8/11/09 2:49:29 PM
2009 WORLD GAMES
ON TOP
OF THE
WORLD Souquet, Fisher capture gold medals in 9-ball as cue sports take the stage at 2009 World Games. Story by Nicholas Leider HE OLYMPICS, it is not. But as far as the 64 cueists in three disciplines that traveled to the 2009 World Games are concerned, it’s the next best thing. The quadrennial event features 31 non-Olympic sports — including the pool, snooker and caroms. And, with some cue sports struggling to gain international recognition as true athletic endeavors, the World Games offer a venue to show officials with various international sports federations and a swarm of media outlets that these sports are deserving of credibility, and — eventually, at least — are worthy of inclusion in the Summer Olympics. So for the players, this event is less about prize money (there’s none) and more
T
28
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 WorldGames.indd 28
about the prestige and honor of winning a once-in-four-years gold medal. And at this year’s Games — held July 16-26 at the Chung Cheng Martial Arts Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan — Ralf Souquet and Allison Fisher conquered the men’s and women’s 9-ball events, receiving gold medals atop a podium with their respective national anthems serving as a soundtrack. Again, it may not be the Olympics, but it isn’t all that different if you listen to how the players speak about the event. Not one prone to hyperbole, Souquet found yet another way to surprise himself, with a list of victories that continues to grow more and more impressive with each passing year. “This title means a lot to me,” he said. “It is
Souquet took home gold in his second World Games final. PHOTOS COURTESY KOC-CNA
probably the biggest achievement in my pool career.” That career includes a slew of massive victories, including world titles in 8-ball and 9-ball, a U.S. Open title and five wins at the prestigious World Pool Masters. But the 2009 World Games are a series of events unlike any runof-the-mill tournament. Making its third appearance at the World Games, the cue sports collected 64 players in the disciplines of pool, snooker and caroms. With nearly 4,800 participants from 105 countries appearing in Kaohsiung, cueists were athletes, just like the power lifters and softball players. “There was such a big hype in Kaohsiung,” Souquet said. “Everybody was crazy to meet us as athletes and not just pool players.” In the men’s 9-ball competition, what used to be a 16-player single-elimination field split evenly between worldbeaters and international unknowns in past World Games was a field of nearly
September 2009
8/11/09 2:42:49 PM
Fisher (left) edged Ouschan for the women’s title, while Yang (right) couldn’t reproduce his 2001 gold-medal performance.
all top-echelon players in Taiwan. Souquet began his march to the final with an 11-6 win over Radiv Reljic of New Zealand, before surviving a dicey match against Leonardo Didal, the lone Filipino in the field. Struggling throughout the match, Souquet pushed through to the semifinal, edging the internationally untested Didal, 11-10. “If you survive a double hill match without playing your best game, it seems to be destiny to win the whole event,” Souquet said. He next matched up with Stephen Cohen of France in one semifinal, while countryman Thorsten Hohmann took on 31-year-old Yang Ching-Shun of Taiwan. Souquet eased into the final thanks to a rather routine 11-6 win over the Frenchman. Yang, meanwhile, was looking up at an 8-5 deficit against 2005 silver medalist Thorsten Hohmann. Yang battled back, winning five of the next seven racks, despite the alternate-break format, to knot the match at 10 games apiece. In the case game, both players bobbled balls early in the rack, before trading safes on the 5 ball. Yang had the first open look at the orange ball and speared a difficult cut shot. From there, the runout was elementary. Yang buried the 9 ball, sending the hometown crowd into an eruption of applause.
The Souquet-Yang final, as luck would have it, was a rematch from the 2001 gold medal contest. Eight years ago in Akini, Japan, Souquet held an 8-5 lead, just three racks from victory, only to see the then 23-year-old collect the next six games for an astonishing 11-8 comeback victory. Entering the 2009 final, though, Souquet was confident that history would not repeat itself, partly because of Yang’s popular support in the packed arena. “That was my biggest advantage because I realized that Yang was very nervous in his semifinal with Thorsten,” he said. “[I knew] that the pressure was definitely on him.” With a 3-2 lead, Yang looked to be getting comfortable with his surroundings. But on his way out in the next rack, he fumbled an opportunity to extend his lead and allowed Souquet to gain momentum. The German took the next seven racks, turning a potential two-rack deficit into a 9-3 advantage. At that point, Yang was all but done, while Souquet kept rolling to an 11-4 victory, clinching the gold medal and atoning for his own missed opportunity in the 2001 final. “The key was the sixth game,” Yang said. “If I had sunk the 1 and cleared the table, I might have had a chance to widen the lead.” Instead, he had to settle for silver,
while Souquet was left to reflect on yet another international title. “It was just awesome,” he said. “It’s too bad it’s over already.” In the women’s 9-ball division, Allison Fisher was nearly on the outside looking in. The slots allotted for European players in the 16-player field were decided by the European Champion-
2009 WORLD GAMES:
FINAL RESULTS 9-Ball, Mens: GOLD: Ralf Souquet (Germany); SILVER: Yang Ching-Shun (Taiwan); BRONZE: Stephan Cohen (France)
9-Ball, Womens: GOLD: Allison Fisher (U.K.); SILVER: Jasmin Ouschan (Austria); BRONZE: Lin Yuan-Chun (Taiwan)
Caroms: GOLD: Dick Jaspers (Holland); SILVER: Torbjorn Blomdahl (Sweden); BRONZE: Marco Zanetti (Italy)
Snooker: GOLD: Nigel Bond (U.K.); SILVER: David Grace (U.K.); BRONZE: Mohammed Shehab (U.A.E.)
September 2009
Sept09 WorldGames.indd 29
BILLIARDS DIGEST
29
8/11/09 2:42:33 PM
2009 WORLD GAMES ships, an event Fisher did not attend. So the recent inductee into the BCA Hall of Fame was left as the first alternate. And in what must have been a cancellation none of the other 15 players wanted to see, a player had to withdraw, allowing Fisher into the event. With enough time to scramble halfway across the globe, she had her chance to chase one world title that she had yet to collect. “I paid my own way,” she said. “And that’s what made it even sweeter for me, I purely went for pride and to represent my country.” When play got underway, she went to work, dispatching South African Apsra Panchoo, 9-3, in the opening round. She then faced a pair of Taiwanese champions in Liu Shin-Mei and Lin Yuan-Chun. While Liu is arguably Taiwan’s greatest player of all time and Lin is a world champion herself, the pair might not be as widely recognized as the players who tour the WPBA. Still, the two are lethal, and this fact was not lost on Fisher. “For a start we are talking about world champions,” Fisher said of the Liu and Lin. “Both players were very capable of winning the event.” Capable, but not able, after Fisher sent them both packing. In the quarterfinal, she bested Liu, 9-3, then coasted past Lin, 9-5, for a spot in the final. Keeping pace, Jasmin Ouschan was having an equally easy stroll through the other side of the bracket. The 23year-old Austrian, fresh off a victory at the WPBA’s Great Lakes Classic, dominated Spain’s Amalia Matas, 9-2, and outlasted Jeanette Lee, the 2001 gold medalist, 9-5, to move into the semifinal. With a 9-2 win over Taiwan’s Chang Shu-Han, Ouschan, the defending gold medalist, was in her second consecutive World Games final. Jumping out to a 3-1 lead, Ouschan took early control of the match. But Fisher responded, taking the next five racks for a 6-3 advantage. On the hill, 8-6, Fisher was unable to close out Ouschan the easy way, as she lost the next two games, forcing a case game for the title.
30
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 WorldGames.indd 30
Jaspers (above) easily beat Blomdahl in the final after running 20 in the semi.
With the break, Ouschan scratched, giving Fisher first shot at the table. The Duchess of Doom, though, was forced to play safe. Ouschan faltered on the ensuing attempt, leaving Fisher a route to victory. Her first major victory of the year, the World Games represents a new accomplishment for the most decorated player of this generation. And as Fisher prepares for her induction into the Hall of Fame in October, she’s not ready to sit back and live off the memories of past glories. “While it’s an honor and a pinnacle moment [to be inducted into the Hall of Fame], I still want to win tournaments,” she said. “I like the challenges and the tests that the game puts me through.” The caroms event posed a unique challenge to the 16 players thanks to an unusually unforgiving format. While most tournaments consist of various round-robin draws, the World Games was a single-elimination bracket, with matches set for the first to 40 points. Regardless, the favorites still managed to advance, with semifinal matches pitting Torbjorn Blomdahl against Marco Zanetti and Dick Jas-
pers against Daniel Sanchez. Blomdahl earned the first spot in the final with a thrilling 40-39 win over Zanetti. Jaspers, meanwhile, pulled off the incredible in his match with Sanchez, which was a rematch of the 2005 gold-medal match won by the Spaniard. Looking for revenge, Jaspers fell behind, 26-16. It was then he uncorked an amazing run of 20 to assume control of the match. Four points later and Jaspers was in the final with a 40-26 win. In an otherwise anticlimactic final, Jaspers added a gold to go with his 2005 silver by soundly beating Blomdahl, 40-18. In the bronze medal match, Zanetti avoided dropping a second straight nail-biter, edging Sanchez for third place, 40-38. The snooker event came down to a pair of Brits battling for the gold, as Nigel Bond and David Grace met in the final. Grace, who just recently became a full-fledged professional, couldn’t keep up with Bond, who closed out the gold, 3-0. The bronze medal went to Mohammed Shehab of the United Arab Emirates, when he dispatched Iran’s Soheil Vahedi, 3-2.
September 2009
8/11/09 2:42:22 PM
560094md048.indd 31
8/7/09 9:49:01 AM
560094sd052.indd 32
8/17/09 10:28:32 AM
560094sd052.indd 33
8/17/09 10:28:50 AM
2009 WPBA U.S. OPEN 9-BALL
CHAMPIONSHIP
BEST TWO OUT OF THREE Winning her second U.S. Open title, Ga Young Kim came up clutch against familiar foe Karen Corr. Story by Nicholas Leider TRANGE THINGS happen at the WPBA U.S. Open. Stuff like Allison Fisher getting bounced out without winning a match for the first time in her career or tour rookie Iris Ranola making an incredible Cinderella run to the final match. And that was just last year. At this year’s event — held July 29Aug. 2 at the Riverwind Casino in Norman, Okla. — it was not so much that the unbelievable happened. It was that the final of the 2009 U.S. Open was a conclusion six years in the making. Back in 2003, Ga Young Kim was just three events into her WPBA career. She was in the midst of an unbelievable run to what appeared to be her first Classic Tour title. In the case game of the final against Karen Corr, Kim had a clear look at the 9 ball — and she missed it.
S
34
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 WPBA.indd 34
In absolute shock, she sat in her chair, with her head turned from the table and tucked in her hands. Corr buried the gift and took the title. But the very next year, the pool gods smiled upon Kim. At the 2004 U.S. Open, she again faced Karen Corr in the final — one that again went to a case game. This time around, Kim was not going to let something like nervous energy keep her from her first WPBA victory. With the cue ball creeping into position for another chance at a title-clinching 9-ball, she shushed the crowd, got down on the shot and buried it. With that, the Kim-Corr U.S. Open series was left tied at one victory apiece — until this year, that is. The rubber match to what were two of the most memorable WPBA finals in
PHOTOS BY ANNE CRAIG-WPBA
recent years took place at the 2009 Open, where both Corr and Kim ran undefeated to the final. Kim’s trek to the showdown was relatively smooth, save for a speed bump in the second round. Kim survived an upset bid from Jennifer Barretta and escaped with a hill-hill victory. From there, she worked her way into the semifinals by downing Kim Shaw, 93; Jasmin Ouschan, 9-6; and Helena Thornfeldt, 7-3. Corr, meanwhile, easily advanced to the single-elimination round of 16, where she ended the inspired run of Angel Paglia, 9-3. After a tight 7-5 match over Vivian Villarreal, Corr faced Allison Fisher in the semifinal. Fisher, who arrived at the U.S. Open just days after winning the gold medal at the World Games (see story pg. 28), finally ran out of gas against Corr, who cruised to a 7-3 win. In the other semifinal, Gerda Hofstatter couldn’t keep pace with Kim. The first to the hill at 6-3, Kim closed out the set two games later for her third U.S. Open final in the last six years.
September 2009
8/13/09 3:16:00 PM
560094md050.indd 35
8/11/09 2:56:39 PM
2009 WPBA U.S. OPEN 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Searching for her first title in more than two seasons, Kim had appeared in a trio of finals since her win at the 2007 Carolina Classic — her most recent trip ending in a loss to Monica Webb at April’s San Diego Classic. Corr, meanwhile, was making her first appearance in a final since winning 2007’s Midwest Classic. Kim held an early 2-1 lead in the race to 7, when she broke and put four balls down. After a 1-8 combination, she easily cleared the table for a two-game advantage. After trading the next four racks, Corr inched back into the match. She cleaned up after a Kim miss, then Kim
snookered herself and gave Corr ball in hand. With that, she knotted it up at five games each. But that’s when the wheels fell off for Corr. A miscue on the 5 ball in the next game put Kim on the hill. Corr then missed a jump shot on the 2, leaving Kim a road map to her fourth career Classic Tour title — and a 2-1 advantage over Corr at Hofstatter advanced to her second semifinal of the year. the U.S. Open.
MORE EVENTS, VIA SATELLITE
Karen Corr cashed in on the WPBA’s inaugural Satellite Tour event. WITH WOMEN’S Professional Billiard Association Classic Tour events shrinking in number and purse size, the lady pros have been putting their heads together to generate more opportunities to play and more paydays. Enter the WPBA Satellite Tour. According to WPBA president Dawn Hopkins, the idea for a series of $10,000-added tournaments was spawned with a simple purpose in mind. “The women pros wanted more events to compete in,” said Hopkins. “In the past, the WPBA had produced a few nontelevised events, but we can’t afford to do that right now. It’s very difficult getting sponsorship without TV, and I don’t think [table sponsor] Brunswick would want to
36
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 WPBA.indd 36
ship and set up tables for non-TV tournaments.” As an alternative, the WPBA board OK’d putting the association’s imprimatur on poolroom events that added at least $10,000 to the prize fund and followed certain format guidelines. The membership, however, voted against awarding Classic Tour points in WPBA Satellite Tour events. “Some players didn’t want to feel obligated to travel to satellite tournaments,” said Hopkins. “So we don’t guarantee the top players will show up, but we do help the event promoter by contacting all the players, collecting entry fees and paying out the prize fund.” Guarantee or not, the top players
turned out for the inaugural WPBA Satellite Tour event, held July 10-12. Top-ranked Monica Webb, fourth-ranked Gerda Hofstatter, Karen Corr, and both Kelly and Allison Fisher were among the full field of 64 players at Borderline Billiards in Bristol, Tenn. Borderline is owned by WPBA-exempt pro Janet Atwell. Because the satellite events are open to all players, the WPBA’s top stars battled a handful of amateurs, including 16-year-old Chelsea Hardwick, who lost early to Hofstatter before posting wins over Sarah Rousey, Mai Schiek and Tiffany Nelson-Crain. Hardwick was eventually ousted by Allison Fisher. Even more impressive was 13-year-old Briana Miller, who knocked off Melissa Herndon and Brittany Bryant en route to a ninthplace finish. As expected, though, the WPBA’s best negotiated the tricky field of proven pros and sneaky upstarts, with Corr, Webb and Hofstatter reaching the final matches. The rejuvenated Hofstatter swept through the winners bracket, besting Corr, 9-7, in the hot-seat match. Corr rebounded with a 7-3 win over Webb (winners-bracket matches were race to 9, while losers-bracket matches were race to 7) to earn a rematch against Hofstatter. The title contest proved to be no contest at all, with Corr smothering Hofstatter, 11-1. According to Hopkins, no other WPBA Satellite Tour events had been scheduled — M.P. at press time.
September 2009
8/13/09 3:15:45 PM
560094md051.indd 37
8/14/09 11:03:38 AM
instructional bonus
Deconstructing the Jump Shot Edited by Nicholas Leider
Photos by Jonathan Smith
ove it or hate it, the jump shot is a critical part of the contemporary game. For our instructional special on getting your cue ball into the air, BD House Pro TONY ROBLES steps in front of the camera to provide some visual aid in the basics of going vertical.
38
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Instructional.indd 38
September 2009
8/12/09 3:01:45 PM
Stance The first time you try to get into a proper stance for a jump shot, it might not feel like second nature. Finding a comfortable stance, however, is easier than you might think. You want to maintain the basic foundation of a normal stroke, with your head directly over the cue, your back arm forming a right angle, and a sturdy bridge allowing you to accurately deliver the cue to the contact point on the cue ball. In the far right photo, you can see how some beginners might try to jump a ball. The bridge arm is straight, which keeps you at a distance from the cue ball, and the back arm has totally fallen apart. Ditch this awkward pose for a stance more like the one Tony’s got in the main photo. He’s comfortable, with his weight shifted onto his front foot, allowing his upper body to remain squared up with his cue. Also, his back arm is in a more natural position, which is critical in delivering a powerful stroke.
Elbow: With your elbow at a 90 degree angle, you’ll be able to mimic the motion of your back arm in a normal shot.
Bridge Arm: It will be impossible to keep your head on the shot without bending your bridge arm.
DON’T
Weight Distribution: Lean forward, putting more weight on your front foot.
Back Arm
Grip It: Control the cue without tensing up.
With your bridge arm at an angle, you will be able jack up the back of the cue while still keeping your back arm in an ideal position. Notice how everything concerning your back arm is almost identical to a normal shot. With your elbow directly above the cue, you should have your shoulder, upper arm, forearm and wrist in line with the cue. The natural tendency during a jump shot is to clench your back hand on the cue. You want to have a quick, powerful stroke, so you might think that tightening up will give your cue more of a punch, but it will just cause problems. Keep a slightly firm grip, but don’t tense up at the moment of impact.
September 2009
Sept09 Instructional.indd 39
BILLIARDS DIGEST
39
8/12/09 3:01:56 PM
instructional bonus Stay Focused: When you’re aiming a jump shot, find the exact spot on the object ball you want to hit.
Aiming Don’t overcomplicate the process of aiming a jump shot. Figure out where the cue ball needs to hit the object ball, then decide where you need to hit the cue ball to make that happen. Ideally, you should be planning for the cue ball to make contact with the object ball and the table at the same time. This gives you optimal control of the cue ball for playing position for the next shot. Bouncing the ball off the table or hitting the top of the object ball often results in an unpredictable reaction from the cue ball.
On the Level: While you line up the shot, keep your cue level so you can point directly at the intended contact spot on the object ball.
With Wiith W th your your our palm ou pallm pa m on on the the rail th raiill or ra or table, tta tab abl ble, e, find ffiind ind the in the aiming th aiimi a miing ng line ng lin ine and ine an nd contact co c on nttac act point po p oin int on on the th he e cue cue ue ball. bal all. l.
Bridge First and foremost, you’re going to be using an open bridge on most jump shots, because you are approaching the cue ball at such an extreme angle. As you can see in the photos at the top, find the contact point on the cue ball with a relaxed bridge — one with your palm on the rail or table so you’re not at such a steep angle coming into the cue ball. With your cue grooved between your thumb and the first knuckle on your pointer finger, align the cue with the shot line. When confident you are locked in on the object ball, lift the palm of your hand off the table, so you can get the proper angle on the cue ball. Make sure to keep a little pressure on your fingers that are still in contact with the table, so you’ll have a strong bridge before, during and after the actual stroke.
Raise Ra R ais ise up ise up so so you you are yo are at ar at the th he e correct corrrrec co ect angle, ect an a ngl gle, e, still sstttiilillll keeping k ke ee e epi ping ng a sturdy sttu stu urrrdy dy bridge. dy brriidg ge. e.
FIVE POINTS FROM 1 NIELS FEIJEN One of the most complete all-around players in the world, Niels Feijen knows a thing or two about jump shots. Here are a few tips from the Netherlander:
40
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Instructional.indd 40
Jump or Kick? For me personally, jumping is easier than kicking. With a kick, you’re a little dependent on the rails and choosing between different routes. With jumping, it’s more straight forward — get over the blocking ball, then either try to make the object ball or play safe.
2
Aiming Line: Get in line normally, without any of that additional pre-aiming
September 2009
8/12/09 3:02:09 PM
1
2
3
Stroke What’s worth noting in this freeze-frame progression of a jump stroke is how everything stays relatively still. From the final practice stroke (Photo 1) on through the delivery of the cue into the cue ball (Photo 3), Tony has kept his entire upper body in almost the exact same position throughout the execution of the shot. Also, note the consistency in where his head and bridge remain from start to finish.
The cue’s angle can as much as double the angle required to get the cue ball over an impeding ball. 30o
60o
Diagram 1 Diagram 2
Contact Point 45o
45o
stuff you sometimes see players do. Feel the speed, and focus on it like you’re trying to make any other shot. Don’t treat it like it’s too difficult.
3
Speed Limits: You have to hit the cue ball at a certain minimum speed to get it over the object ball, so the speed is more or less in the same area for most jump shots. I feel a lot of amateur players
Equator
The key to a successful jump shot is accelerating the cue into the cue ball. The natural tendency, since you are stroking toward the bed of the table, is to clench up right before impact. This will doom any chance of getting the cue ball over a blocker. When you are about to pull the trigger, tell yourself to “pop” or “punch” the cue ball with a firm stroke. Don’t be afraid to hit the cue ball firmly to get it in the air.
Angle of Impact Approaching a shot, you want to make sure you’re hitting the cue ball at an angle that allows for it to clear any blockers. Because gravity is immediately working against you and the cue ball doesn’t jump at an angle equal to that of your cue, you’ll have to hit down at a relatively steep angle. In Diagram 1, you need to clear the 3 ball. If the angle from the center of the cue ball to an area safely above the obstruction is 30 degrees, you’ll want strike the cue ball at an angle of up to 60 degrees. As for a contact point, imagine the cue ball’s equator being in line with your cue (Diagram 2). If you’re approaching the cue ball at 45 degrees, the equator shifts 45 degrees. Hitting the cue ball at a point on this line effectively translates to a center-ball hit.
are too focused on technique when jumping a ball. I find that I have to feel the shot and have confidence that my technique will always get me over the ball, so I treat it just like any other shot.
nicely but at the moment they stroke, they hit the ball at half of the elevation point from where they were lining up. Try to really punch into the cue ball, while still keeping the same elevation the entire time.
4
5
Visualizing the Shot: The biggest tip
I can give about the technique of jumping is to “punch” into the cue ball. This is not what you see players do — they line up
Get Pumped Up: Enjoy it when you make one! Jump shots are a huge weapon that can turn a match around or break one wide open.
September 2009
Sept09 Instructional.indd 41
BILLIARDS DIGEST
41
8/12/09 3:02:20 PM
instructional bonus
The Big Finish The jump stroke requires you to accelerate the cue through the cue ball. At the same time, you’re a little limited on space, since your cue is angled down toward the table. When you pop the cue ball in the air, your cue is going to take a similar path upward. After striking down on the cue ball, you should feel the cue bounce back up. As you can see in this photo, Tony’s cue is on its way up while the cue ball is leaping over the blocker. Just as with a normal stroke, you need to keep your body still while your cue slows to a stop. Until you are pretty confident in and comfortable with your jump stroke, exaggerate this “finishing pose” by holding it for a few extra seconds. Tell yourself to hold the final position until the cue and object balls come to a stop.
Rest Your Head: It’s easy to incorporate extraneous movement into the jump stroke because it’s a rather violent exercise. But keep your head directly above your cue.
Cue Control: You should finish with your cue up off your bridge. After all, you’re not going to have much room to follow straight through the cue ball, so allow the cue to rise after impact.
Firm Foundation: The cue may come up, but Tony’s bridge hand remains steady.
Diagram 1
Degrees of Difficulty So it’s time to take it to the table. For a beginner-friendly exercise, replicate the layout shown in Diagram 1. The cue ball is a few inches off the rail, and the blocking balls (2 and 3) are a foot away. Start with the blockers a ball’s width apart, so you won’t be jumping over an entire ball. Also, with the cue ball close to the rail, you will be at an advantage, since your bridge will be on the rail (thus, a little higher than if it were directly on the table).
Put blocker directly in shot line.
Diagram 2
Move cue ball off the rail and closer to blocker.
42
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Instructional.indd 42
If you’re feeling comfortable with the shot in Diagram 1, there are a few ways to increase the difficulty. Take a look at Diagram 2. First, notice how the 2 ball is now directly in line with the cue ball and 1. This forces you to jump the entire ball, instead of just the edges of the 2 and 3 like you did in the first shot. Also, move the cue ball off the rail, while still keeping it on the same shot line. This will increase the difficulty in two ways. First, you won’t be able to use the rail for your bridge, which allows you to get higher on the cue ball. Also, the cue ball will be closer to the blocker, meaning you’ll have to get higher faster.
September 2009
8/12/09 3:02:31 PM
560094md047.indd 43
8/11/09 3:00:37 PM
U N T O L D S T O R I E S: R A L P H G R E E N L E A F N NOVEMBER 1919 — just a few weeks before he began a tournament that would make him the youngest national straight-pool champion in American history — the high-living Illinois native then known as the Boy Wonder of Pool would get implicated in a grisly, high-profile murder. Many call Ralph Greenleaf America’s greatest-ever pool player. Before it was all said and done, he would win the title 20 times — and often do so in grand style. In 1929, for instance, Greenleaf left Frank Taberski scoreless while simultaneously running 126 in a row. But shortly before sealing one of his most important victories ever, Greenleaf was detained by Connecticut police in connection with the dismemberment and murder of a New York City messenger. The man’s headless body had been found dumped along the Milford Turnpike, not far from where police caught up with the young player as he was entertaining a poolroom crowd. Welcome back to Untold Stories. In this month’s installment we’ll continue to examine the life of Ralph Greenleaf, the nearly peerless world champion whose legacy of excellence was rivaled only by his reputation for wantonness. For my last column I interviewed a man who claimed to have crossed paths with Greenleaf shortly before his death. Consider this, then, as a sort of bookend to that earlier piece. Instead of examining the champion’s twilight years, we’ll consider here three years at the beginning of his career — just as Greenleaf first rocketed to fame. I’ve turned this month to the journalistic record — particularly the archives of The New York Times, the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. I’ve also reviewed the “Official Rules and Record Book” from the BCA, and the “New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Billiards” by Mike Shamos. I’ve likewise reviewed a 1946 lawsuit filed by Greenleaf as well as some of my previous research for my book, “The Hustler & The Champ.” Pool historian Charles Ursitti was also a valuable resource to verify many of the facts surrounding Greenleaf’s rise to fame.
I
THE BOY WONDER Story by R.A. Dyer
GREENLEAF NEVER STRAYED FAR FROM CONTROVERSY, EVEN IN THE DAYS BEFORE HIS FIRST NATIONAL TITLE. 44
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 UntoldStories.indd 44
OT MUCH is known about Greenleaf’s very early life. Like Willie Mosconi, we know he picked up the game early. Like Mosconi, we know he was the son of a poolroom owner — in this case, the owner of an upstairs room lo-
N
September 2009
8/11/09 2:41:49 PM
IMAGES COURTESY THE BILLIARD ARCHIVE
The youngest national champion in American history, Greenleaf was a legitimate contender for the title by the age of 16.
cated in Monmouth, Ill. Greenleaf also apparently had two sisters. The early pictures of Greenleaf reveal a striking young man: slim and handsome with slick-backed hair, a thin nose and a slightly cleft chin. With eyes more doe-like than piercing, Greenleaf might outwardly seem unfit for the hurly burly chaos of the early 20th century public poolroom. But he was certainly a product of the Jazz Age, having been there from the beginning. He competed in his first national championship tournament in 1916, won his first national title three years later, and then embarked on a long and colorful career that included drunkenness, mysterious disappearances — and yes, even a run-in with the cops in a hardboiled murder case. He was just 16 when he appeared in that first championship, the one in 1916. The venue was Chicago’s InterOcean Building. The gathered field included all the warriors of the day, a real wrecking crew of past and present champions. Among them: Jesse L. Chapman, Bennie Allen, John Layton,
James Maturo, Emmet Blankenship, Edward Ralph and the dominating Frank Taberski. The tournament ran for a month, beginning Feb. 29. Although Greenleaf wouldn’t win during his first outing in 1916, he nonetheless acquitted himself very well. The gathered talent appeared to flummox the young Greenleaf almost not at all. During a match on March 3, for instance, Greenleaf nervelessly dispatched former champion Maturo — even after having allowed Maturo to creep within four points. “Maturo missed a long try for the eight ball in the right top corner and a favorable kiss left Greenleaf an open ball, from which he picked off the ten (balls) he needed to win,” reported the Chicago Tribune’s J.G. Davis. A week later Greenleaf similarly demolished Chicago’s Chapman. That match included a lighting-fast 40ball run by the young player, brilliant breaks and terrific long shots. Greenleaf remained close to the firstplace leader throughout the tournament and at one point was even tied for the lead. But he eventually fell to
fourth, with Blankenship ending up with the victory. Following in second was Johnny Layton and Frank Taberski in third. But the story wasn’t over yet. As a consequence of a series of challenge matches, Greenleaf got another shot at the title in 1916 — this time against Taberski in a three-day challenge match in New York City. “For once at least a ‘boy wonder’ has equaled, even surpassed, expectation,” gushed The New York Times in reporting Greenleaf’s 150-88 victory against the older player on the first night. The two stayed neck and neck on the second night, although Greenleaf remained ahead. It was only on the third night that Taberski overtook him, ultimately beating the young upstart by a combined score of 450 to 407. The Times reported that Greenleaf’s “determination and pluck were much in evidence” during the entire competition, and that the youngster “fought to overcome his rival until the very last frame had been played.” It also reported that Greenleaf fell victim to his share of unlucky rolls. “This was particularly true in the latter
September 2009
Sept09 UntoldStories.indd 45
BILLIARDS DIGEST
45
8/11/09 2:41:35 PM
U N T O L D S T O R I E S: R A L P H G R E E N L E A F part of the game when he found himself in difficulties on several occasions after having made shots that were startling.” LTHOUGH GREENLEAF failed to make it to the top during the following two years, he nonetheless continued wowing the press and the fans. In October 1918, for instance, the 18year-old ended a game in a single inning with an unfinished run of 100. It was often Taberski, his conquerer from 1916, who continued to block the way. At the time many believed Taberski unstoppable. Two more different players could hardly be imagined. Greenleaf was lighting fast, aggressive — even capricious. Veteran Taberski had earned the nickname “The Inexorable Snail” because he was so slow. Greenleaf was
A
young and dynamic. Taberski could be boring. But the Schenectady, N.Y. native was also very, very dangerous. In 1918 Greenleaf fell victim once again to this plodding and methodical ball-running machine. It marked Taberski’s 10th straight victory in headto-head competitions against worldclass players — an unheard-of feat. But Taberski’s style was also driving fans crazy. So the powers that be suggested a one-minute shot clock as a way to speed things up. According to Mike Shamos, writing in his excellent “New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Billiards,” Taberski disagreed with this new rule and as a consequence no tournament was held that year. “However, the time limit was instituted in the 1919 championship, and Taberski refused to compete, thus starting the reign of Ralph Greenleaf,” writes Shamos.
N AUGUST 1919 police reported the disappearance of $178,000 in Wall Street securities — along with the messenger who was carrying them. According to The New York Times the satchel of courier Benjamin H. Binkowitz was found on the sidewalk — sans money and sans Binkowitz. Police suspected an inside job, although they were unsure how Binkowitz figured into it. Not long afterward it was determined that he apparently didn’t figure into it very well. Binkowitz’s mutilated corpse was found dumped in the bushes alongside the turnpike in Milford, Conn. There was a piece of knife blade, broken at the handle, buried deep into Binkowitz’s neck. His head had been lopped off. His face had been slashed beyond recognition. “The theory the police who have been assigned to the case is that the murderers planned
I
By the time this photo was taken in 1928, Greenleaf had won more than a dozen titles.
46
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 UntoldStories.indd 46
September 2009
8/10/09 10:44:17 AM
to cut off the youth’s head and carry it away to prevent identification,” reported The Times. The cause of death was given as a stab wound to the heart, although the coroner counted 45 knife wounds in all. Twenty officers were assigned to investigate. Additional details emerged during the next few weeks. A piece of wire fencing was found in the messenger’s hand, indicating he had been killed in the spot where his body was found. Police also found evidence that Binkowitz himself had stolen the bonds, but they concluded that he couldn’t find a way to dispose of them. Police believed he was murdered by gangsters. Binkowtiz’s final hours involved a long, dreadful car trip along a dark highway with several unsavory and threatening characters. They took from him what bonds they could find on his person before stabbing him dead and dumping the body. He was also probably tortured or threatened because the gangsters also uncovered a separate stash of bonds that Binkowitz had hidden away inside a parked truck. It was some months later that Greenleaf came to nearby Bridgeport, Conn., for an exhibition match. It was about 11 p.m. on the night of Nov. 6. The street lights would already have been lit as Greenleaf and his manager, George Worden, stepped out of the poolroom. Although it was cold, pool fans crowded around Greenleaf on the sidewalk. Many, presumably, would have been eager to buy Greenleaf a drink. Greenleaf, presumably, would have been eager to take them up on the offer. And it was exactly then that the police swooped down and took Greenleaf away. “Greenleaf, Pocket Billiard Expert, Arrested … in Binkowitz Murder” was the headline that appeared in newspapers all across the country. Also detained was Greenleaf’s manager, Worden. The police had rounded up 11 people already in connection with the sordid case but the arrests of Greenleaf and Worden became the first in some time. “Both Greenleaf and Worden have been in the city the last 24 hours, Greenleaf appearing at a local billiard academy in a match game with another well-known cue expert,” The Times reported. I haven’t come across the identity of that other “well-known cue expert,”
Greenleaf’s arrest appeared in the next morning’s edition of The New York Times.
IT SEEMS AT LEAST POSSIBLE THAT SOMEONE ALREADY IN CUSTODY HAD NAMED GREENLEAF. AT THE VERY LEAST, HIS ARREST FURTHER HINTS OF THE CHAMPION’S FAST-LIVING WAYS — AND PERHAPS HIS ASSOCIATION WITH A CRIMINAL ELEMENT. nor have I been able to determine more details about Greenleaf’s and Worden’s mysterious detention. What’s certain, however, is that both spent only one night in jail. Authorities gave contradictory accounts as to why they apprehended the pair, and why they then so quickly set them both free. One state official suggested that Greenleaf and Worden had not been arrested at all — as had been initially reported by The Times — but rather involuntarily detained as “witnesses.” But without a copy of the now nearly 100-year-old police record, it’s impossible to know what exactly Greenleaf and Worden might have witnessed. It’s also hard to know what exactly to make of this incident. Greenleaf
and Worden told the press later that their arrest was a blunder, and that they would have appeared voluntarily had they known that it was necessary. But it also seems at least possible that someone already in custody had named Greenleaf. At the very least, his arrest further hints of the champion’s fast-living ways — and perhaps his association with a criminal element. As for the Binkowitz case itself — the young man’s murder was later determined to have been part of a far-ranging organized-crime conspiracy. There were more arrests in Connecticut, Chicago and even Montana. “Hartford Jimmy,” also known as Jimmy Ricco, an East Coast underworld figure, was identified as the brains of the operation. Police caught up with him leaning against a building at the corner of 22nd and State in Chicago, then in the heart of the city’s red-light district. OON AFTERWARDS Greenleaf appeared at a two-game exhibition in New York City. The venue was Maurice Daly’s Academy. His opponent was George Clark, a well-respected player of the time. Greenleaf dispatched Clark with ease, even going so far as to administer a humiliating
S
September 2009
Sept09 UntoldStories.indd 47
BILLIARDS DIGEST
47
8/11/09 2:41:24 PM
UNTOLD STORIES :TOPIC
U N T O L D S T O R I E S: R A L P H G R E E N L E A F “He had perfect control of the cue ball, and invariably was in good position to make succeeding shots,” reported The Times. According to the eyewitness account Greenleaf left himself almost no difficult shots and no combinations. “Another feature was the perfection with which he played for his break shots when the 14 balls were racked up each time. He not only left the 15th ball so it could easily be pocketed, but so that he could break up the bunch as
“IT WAS EXCELLENT GENERALMANSHIP, AND FREQUENTLY CAUSED SPECTATORS TO APPLAUSE. GREENLEAF STANDS AN EXCELLENT CHANCE OF EMERGING WITH CONSIDERABLE PRESTIGE DRAPED AROUND HIS SHOULDERS” — THE NE W YORK TIMES well. It was excellent generalmanship, and frequently caused spectators to applause.” No longer erratic, Greenleaf now appeared to be mature and rock solid. He shot quick and he shot smart. He seemed to have put it all together. “Ralph Greenleaf stands an excellent chance of emerging with considerable prestige draped around his shoulders,” The Times predicted. It would have been exciting to have been there, sitting in the tall chairs, watching it all unfold first hand. The national title event got under way a couple of weeks later. Recall that Taberski, the most recent national champion, boycotted the competition because of the one-minute time limit. But all the rest were there, incluing Bennie Allen, Jimmy Maturo, Jerome Keogh, Edward Ralph, Johnny Layton and Charles Seeback. “It is quite an array of talent — in fact it compares favorably with any collection of cueists that has ever tried to scale the Pike’s Peak of Pocket Billiards,” wrote The Times. The round-robin event was held in Philadelphia on Dec. 1. There would be 45 matches in all. Greenleaf won his first match in grand style, scoring nearly two points for every one for his opponent. Greenleaf’s high run was 69. A week later Greenleaf plowed through Keogh, taking the match 125 to 54. “While many in the
48
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 UntoldStories.indd 48
Greenleaf won his first national title in dominant fashion, posting a record of 9-0.
big crowd that witnessed the match expected Greenleaf to win, there were few who expected the margin of victory to be so decisive,” The Times reported. Greenleaf won in 13 innings without a single scratch. Keogh scratched twice. Greenleaf won his sixth straight on Dec. 11. At this point he seemed unstoppable. “He out-classed Maturo from the fourth frame to the finish,” reported The Times. “The fact that Maturo is a former title holder made no more impression on Greenleaf than it did when he was pitted against Jerome Keogh.” The final tally in that game was 123-63. On Dec. 12 he decisively thrashed Edward I. Ralph. The score was 12553. Greenleaf executed a run of 70 dur-
ing that match — a run that The Times said “took all the heart out of Ralph and he missed shots after that which a tyro could have made with ease.” The next day Greenleaf won again, but at this point it hardly mattered. With his victory the day before, Greenleaf had been proclaimed the youngest national champion in American history. His final record in the 1919 event was 9-0. Ralph Greenleaf’s stunning career was under way. R.A. Dyer is the author of “The Hustler & The Champ,” a biography of Minnesota Fats and Willie Mosconi. Find more pocket billiards history at Dyer’s Untold Stories blog at www.poolhistory.com, or follow along on Twitter, @PoolHistoryBlog.
September 2009
8/10/09 10:44:37 AM
I just love curling up with a good book.
Whether I’m picking up playing tips, checking out tournament action, or reading the latest on yours truly, Billiards Digest has me covered. No one brings you pool like Billiards Digest. Since 1978, Billiards Digest has been pool’s No.1 magazine. Every issue is packed with tournament coverage, profiles of the top players and tips from the pros. Subscribe to Billiards Digest today for 30% off the newsstand price!
12 Issues: $30. Subscribe today: Online at www.billiardsdigest.com, or call 312-341-1110
560064md088.indd 49
8/13/09 8:46:57 AM
CHRONICLES
THESE FAMILIAR SHOTS HAVE BEEN BAFFLING PLAYERS FOR 200 YEARS.
OMBINATION SHOTS are over two centuries old, but there’s still a lot we don’t know about them. For example, no one has ever demonstrated exactly how to aim them, though instruction books contain some helpful guidelines. There’s even a dispute over the exact definition of a combination. In short, there’s plenty of material to devote a whole column to the subject. Combinations were played and taught long before there was any special name for them. E. White’s 1807 book had a very long title that is usually abbreviated to “A Practical Treatise on the Game of Billiards.” He describes and illustrates a few such shots without suggesting that they were anything special or surprising, which leads to the conclusion that they were already in common use. At White’s time, the dominant game was something that later came to be called “English billiards.” It was played on a large six-pocket table with only three balls. Points could be scored by pocketing a ball with the cue ball (a “winning hazard”), scratching the cue ball into a pocket off another ball (a “losing hazard”), or making the cue ball contact the other two balls (a “carambole,” later shortened to “carom”). Hazards were worth more than caroms. Anytime you have at least two object balls and can score points by sinking them, a combination is a possibility. They were apparently so ordinary in English billiards that White didn’t even feel the need to comment on them, except for some unusual cases. Unfortunately, he often illustrated many different shots on top of each other in the same diagram. The result was often a rat’s nest of intersecting dotted lines, which made it very difficult to pick out individual shots. Fig. 1 is a cleaned-up version of one of White’s illustrations, showing just two shots. At the top right, you can see that balls b and c are frozen. With the cue ball at position a-3, White recommends scratching the cue ball into pocket d, but
C
50
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Chronicles.indd 50
Fig. 1: At the top right, a bankkiss-combination in 1807!
Fig. 2 : Broadfoot showed how to aim frozen combinations.
then advises the player to “make the losing hazard strong enough to carry the ball c to the pocket f and b into the pocket e.” That is, he suggests playing a combination kiss-bank scratch, a tall order at a time when cues didn’t have tips and most players still used a mace. Ball c hits the top cushion and banks back into the lower right corner, getting its angle from the kiss off ball b. The b-c combination goes in the upper left pocket, and the cue ball caroms into pocket d. The reason to
By Mike Shamos
go for it was that, while scratching off a ball was worth three points, sinking both object balls in addition made the shot worth eight points. Note that in White’s diagram, there is no suggestion that ball c would travel along any line other than the one connecting the centers of b and c. For the other shot in Fig. 1, it would be easy to carom into both object balls near the left side pocket with the cue ball at a-4. However, White says, “It is a mistaken opinion with young players, that they ought to carambole in every case in which they can do so without difficulty. Thus in Case 4, the striker will get most points from making the winning hazard upon c, in the pocket g, by playing very softly on the right side of the ball b.” In other words, play the combo. At this early time there was no discussion of throw or how to aim combinations, and it’s not even clear that anyone recognized that an off-the-line-of-centers hit on the first ball of a combination would cause the second ball to deviate from the line of centers. Combinations never became very important in English billiards because with only three balls they didn’t come up very often, and even when they did, there were usually other scoring opportunities that were better and easier to make. Things changed after pool became popular. Play at 15-ball pool, as opposed to carom billiards and the American version of English billiards, increased during the decades after 1850. By 1878 it was important enough to merit its own national championship, played at New York’s Union Square Billiard Rooms in April. The first reference in any book or newspaper to a “combination” by that name that I can find was in a New York Times description of the final championship game in the April 21, 1878 issue. Cyrille Dion was tied in won-lost record with Gotthard (“the Swede”) Wahstrom as they lagged for break in their match. The referee was Dudley Kavanagh, the
IMAGES COURTESY OF THE BILLIARD ARCHIVE.
EYING COMBINATIONS
September 2009
8/7/09 4:34:12 PM
first U.S. champion at any form To learn about combinations of billiards. The Times described before then, you would have the start: “At 10:30 p.m. Wahlto look to the U.K. In 1896, strom won the choice for lead, Major Broadfoot came out and scattered the pyramid. Cywith “Billiards,” a handsome rille’s first play was for safety on and well-illustrated book of the five ball. ‘The Swede’ then almost 500 pages. He showed missed a combination for the combinations, which were ace ball.” Wahlstrom won the by then known as “plants” to first rack in their race to 11. the British. (They were also In the third game, Wahlstrom sometimes called “sets,” which “made one of his characteris- Fig. 3: Hood needed a precise setup to sink 14 balls in one shot. was confusing because “set” tic combination shots on the also used to mean a kiss shot group, bagging the 7 called ball, smashthe line. This time they played a chalin which the object ball rebounds off ing the bunch, and scoring 27 points on lenge match, race to 21, and The Times another on its way to the pocket.) The the shot from three balls.” At that time, described several of Wahlstrom’s “magBritish called their 15-ball game “pyraeach ball was worth points according to nificent” combinations. He eventually mids,” and Broadfoot correctly observed its number, so it was possible to score 15 won, 21-14, and the use of “combination” that plants “are infinitely more common points by sinking the 15 ball. in news articles was well-established. with the fifteen-pyramid balls than at Eventually Dion won the title, 11-7, at With combinations being so common, billiards.” Broadfoot was one of the first 1:25 a.m., taking the last four racks afyou would expect instruction books to writers to illustrate throw in combinater a 7-7 tie. It is clear from the descripexplain or at least describe them. That tions. In Fig. 2, balls 2 and 3 are lined tion of combination shots that they were would take a long time to happen. Miup to hit point H, and will miss the side well-known by that name at the time, chael Phelan’s books from 1859 through pocket if struck on that line. Broadfoot and Wahlstrom was famous for them. the 1870s don’t illustrate them, and wrote: “A glance at the diagram will Combinations were (and still are) crowd“Modern Billiards,” an excellent book show that in this case G, H, the alignpleasers and were regularly reported in that went through many editions from ment through the centres of balls 2 and newspapers. Some commentators even 1881 until 1912, was focused on carom 3, does not terminate in the pocket, but made it seem as though a combination billiards, not pool. There actually weren’t falls slightly without; hence, if the plant was the turning point in a match. any pool instruction books with illustrawere played in the ordinary way, ball 3 Wahlstrom and Dion met a second time tions published in the United States until would impinge near the shoulder at H. In in August 1878, with the title again on the 1940s. the first place, let ball 1 be removed from
Fig. 4: In his 1948 instructional book, Mosconi used the word “throw” and had diagrams showing how to aim such combinations. September 2009
Sept09 Chronicles.indd 51
BILLIARDS DIGEST
51
8/7/09 4:34:21 PM
CHRONICLES the table, and let the problem be to play ball 2 with the cue so as to put ball 3 into the pocket. If this stroke be presented without explanation, nine men out of 10 or more will attack ball 2 from the baulk side, playing toward the top of the table. The more they do this the further up the table will ball 3 strike the cushion; but let the player go round and place his cue on the alignment shown so as to strike ball 2 on its side towards the top of the table — that is with right side — a medium No. 1 stroke, when, wonderful to relate, ball 3 will travel to the pocket in the most docile manner.” The use of the words “wonderful to relate” seems to indicate that throw was not well-known at the time. The first U.S. book I can find that illustrates throw in any way is Joe Hood’s 1908 collection of trick shots — the mother lode from which all later fancy shot books were derived. Hood doesn’t talk about hitting the combination offcenter to make it, but several of his diagrams, if you look at them carefully, demonstrate the effect. Consider the 14-ball shot in Fig. 3. It may look as though the balls aimed at the corner pockets from the central butterfly pattern are pointed at the middle of each pocket, but they’re not. They are aimed to hit at points on the long rail. When the cue ball hits the two central balls, the four balls aimed at the corners will be thrown onto the correct lines. There’s nothing in Hood’s text that explains this, and how and why frozen balls are thrown was not understood until almost a century later. Several books in the 1940s and ’50s showed and discussed throw without explaining it. Willie Mosconi’s 1948 book, “Mosconi on Pocket Billiards,” actually
Fig. 5: Davis explained combinations to snooker players in 1949.
uses the word “throw” and has several photographs indicating how to aim such shots (Fig. 4). The next year, snooker champion Joe Davis published “How I Play Snooker” in England. His pictures show how to make combinations that are not dead on (Fig. 5). After talking about throw (without using that word), he wrote: “To many players, what I have just said about plants will be incredible and quite inexplicable. Most snooker players have always taken it for granted that nothing on earth can shake the second object ball off its line to the pocket if the first ball is struck anywhere. According to theory they are right. In practice they are very wrong.” Davis’ comment about theory wasn’t correct, but he was right in saying that “how much the second object ball departs from the line of the pocket depends on the speed at which it is played.” Throw is now understood to result from friction between the two object balls. Jack Koehler in “The Science of Pocket Billiards” (1991) included a diagram showing the amount of throw that can be induced, depending on the angle at which the cue ball approaches the line of centers of the object balls (Fig. 6). He even treats the effect that sidespin on the cue ball has on the throw angle. No one has ever produced any simple formulas for these phenomena because they’re quite complicated and depend on quantities that are very difficult to measure, such as sliding friction between the balls and the cloth and the friction between the balls, which in turn depends on how clean they are. For more informaFig. 6: Koehler experimented with throw in combinations in 1991. tion, and slow-mo-
52
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Chronicles.indd 52
tion videos of combination throw, you can consult Dave Alciatore’s “The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards” and his Web site (www. engr.colostate.edu/pool). Whether or not people understood them, combinations always seemed to interest audiences and writers. For example, in a 1902 world pool tournament game between Grant Eby and William McCune in Brooklyn, Eby made one, and The New York Times reported the next day that “a beautifully executed combination shot in the third frame, on which he pocketed two balls, won for him the greatest applause given to any one player during the evening.” Never heard of Eby? He held the world title in 1902 and kept it for an entire year, which gave him permanent ownership of the championship trophy. A combination was the pivotal shot in the 1928 U.S. national straight-pool tournament in Chicago. There were only four players: Ralph Greenleaf, Frank Taberski, Erwin Rudolph and Pasquale (“Patsy”) Natalie. In the round-robin match between Greenleaf and Taberski, Greenleaf was on a run of 51 and leading when both he and the referee called an obvious combination shot incorrectly. The rule in tournaments was that the player indicated the shot to the referee and the referee announced it out loud. If the referee made a mistake, the player could correct him. Otherwise, the called shot must be made. Taberski complained to the referee that Greenleaf’s shot should not be counted, but the referee did not agree, saying that the shot was obvious. Taberski then refused to continue play and took his appeal to the National Billiard Association. It allowed his protest and ordered the match to be replayed. Taberski won, beating Greenleaf in a playoff to take the title (Fig. 7). (Note that today refusing to continue play when ordered to by the referee would result in disqualification.) The official rules never made any reference to combinations, since there’s nothing special about them from a rules viewpoint. (In the Greenleaf-Taberski case, the fact that the shot was a combination did not matter — the result would have been the same on an ordinary shot.) The first rule on calling shots (1881) required only the ball to be designated. This was soon modified to require calling both
September 2009
8/7/09 4:34:30 PM
ball and pocket (1884). Since then, it has never been necessary to specify any other details of a shot in any of the standard pocket games. Many a road player has been bitten by a supposed local rule in certain rooms that requires kisses and combinations to be called separately. My only advice if you want to avoid being fleeced is to agree in advance on the set of rules that will govern your gamble, and make it clear that no local rules apply unless you’re told about them before the game. Even if you obey your opponent to the letter, there is still a significant chance you won’t make it out of the room with your winnings. For a booklength explanation, I recommend curling up with David McCumber’s “Playing Off the Rail,” which details his often hilarious and sometimes harrowing road experiences criss-crossing the U.S. with Tony Annigoni. Well, enough could have been left alone concerning combinations and the rules. But suddenly, in 1980, the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) decided to add a definition of “combination” to its rule book for the first time: a “shot in which the cue ball first strikes a ball other than the one pocketed, with the ball initially struck in turn striking one or more other balls in an effort to score.” This isn’t even correct (there’s no prohibition against pocketing the first ball in a combination along with the called ball), but I also claim it’s completely unnecessary. There’s no reason to give a definition of a term that’s never used in the rules. But the BCA wanted to be so definitive about what you don’t have to call that it inserted the following clarification in the straight-pool rules: “A player may shoot at any ball he chooses, but before he shoots, must designate the called ball and called pocket. He need not indicate any detail such as kisses, caroms, combinations or cushions (all of which are legal).” Well, if you’re going to say that kisses, caroms and combinations don’t have to be called, then I suppose you had better add definitions for those terms. My preference would be to avoid mentioning combinations at all, since there’s no need to do so. Now, almost 30 years later, I still don’t see what’s wrong with just saying you only have to call ball and pocket. The World Standardized Rules take a different approach. They refer to combinations but never define what they are, an oversight that should be corrected. Rule 1.6, “Standard Call Shot,” includes the statement, “For a called shot to
Fig. 7: Taberski won a world title after a miscalled combo.
count, the referee must be satisfied that the intended shot was made, so if there is any chance of confusion, e.g. with bank, combination and similar shots, the shooter should indicate the ball and pocket.” Lacking a definition, the rules just assume we Fig. 8: When the 6 knocks the 3 in the side, is it a combo? know what a combination is, which may or may not be true, kiss off anything. It also doesn’t fit the and it’s not clear what the word “similar” standard definition of a combination, means in the rule, something that ought which requires that the first ball hit not to be tidied up in the next revision. be the called ball. To me this is clearly a To show that there is as yet no comcombination, so something needs to be pletely correct definition of a combinatweaked in the definition. But I revert to tion, consider the shot in Fig. 8. In a my original opinion that there’s no real game of 8-ball, the shooter calls the 3 need to define combinations if the rules and hits it dead on. It stops in place, then don’t have to refer to them. the 6 banks off the opposite side cushMike Shamos is curator of The Billiard ion and knocks the 3 into the pocket. It’s Archive, a non-profit foundation set up to not really a kiss shot, since the 3 didn’t preserve billiard history. September 2009
Sept09 Chronicles.indd 53
BILLIARDS DIGEST
53
8/7/09 4:34:41 PM
TOURNAMENTS
THE COMFORTS OF HOME
Archer plays host, champ at Gem City; Shuffett goes for junior title No. 3.
GEM CITY CLASSIC Marietta Billiard Club July 10-12; Marietta, Ga.
WHEN KIM Davenport and Johnny Archer assumed dual ownership of the Marietta (Ga.) Billiard Club two years ago, they brought with them a combined 40-plus years of player-side experience with pool tournaments, large and small. After playing host by arranging to have Shannon Daulton’s Great Southern Billiard Tour make a couple of stops at the Club, they decided it was time to be the host and started making plans for what they hoped would become a yearly major tournament event — the Gem City 10-Ball Classic. “We’d only had a couple of small tournaments there,” said Davenport. “And we just decided to make it happen ourselves.” The first Gem City Classic took place July 10-12 and not only did it exceed their expectations, but it produced Archer as the winner, with Davenport in a tie for fifth place with Shawn Putnam. “We were very happy with the turnout,” said Archer. “Great field. Tough field.” The $5,400-added event drew 82 players to the Marietta Billiard Club, 18 of whom joined a waiting list. In addition to Archer and Davenport, the 64 final entrants included Stevie Moore, John Schmidt, Ronnie Wiseman and Mike Davis, to name just a few. “Kim (Davenport) and (local players) Cliff McCullough and Rickie Graham were a big part of what made the tournament a success,” said Archer. “I got the players. That was more or less my job.” And then he beat them, one by one, through five rounds of play on the winners side of the bracket, ending in an 117 final win over Moore, who had fought his way back from the one-loss side through Davis, Putnam, Larry Nevel and Schmidt (among others) to get into the final. From among the winners-side
54
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Tourneys.indd 54
Archer (top) and Davenport took care of business on and off the table.
final four, Archer advanced with a 9-4 win over Putnam, as Schmidt topped Nevel, 9-2. Archer then moved into the hot-seat with a 9-3 win over Schmidt. “I played pretty well, and I played well early in every match,” said Archer. “That’s really what made the difference.” Moore, in the meantime, was busy, as was Davenport, both emerging from the matches that decided seventh place and picking up Putnam and Nevel from the winners side. Nevel finished Davenport’s day (at least at the table), 9-4, while Moore downed Putnam, 9-2.
Moore then dropped Nevel into fourth place, 9-7, and got by John Schmidt in the semifinal, 9-6. In the race-to-11 final that followed,
September 2009
8/10/09 12:14:39 PM
WPBA
— Skip Maloney
RANKINGS
WPBA U.S. OPEN
GREAT LAKES CLASSIC
SAN DIEGO CLASSIC
NORMAN, OKLA. August 2009 $98,000
MICHIGAN CITY, IND. June 2009 $89,100
ALPINE, CALIF. April 2009 $89,100
1 (7500)
5 (3250)
2 (4000)
1
Ga Young Kim
2
Karen Corr
12375
2 (6375)
3 (3500)
9 (2500)
$15,650
3
Monica Webb
11875
5 (4875)
17 (2000)
1 (5000)
$17,300
4
Allison Fisher
11625
3 (5625)
5 (3250)
9(2750)
$10,650
Gerda Hofstatter
11625
3 (5625)
9 (2500)
3 (3500)
$12,750
6
Xiaoting Pan
11500
5 (4500)
3 (3750)
5 (3250)
$11,200
7
Kelly Fisher
11000
9 (3750)
2 (4250)
5 (3000)
$13,150
8
Jasmin Ouschan
10750
9 (3750)
1 (5000)
17 (2000)
$16,550
9
Jeanette Lee
10375
9 (4125)
9 (2500)
3 (3750)
$9,500
10
Vivian Villarreal
10125
5 (4875)
5 (3250)
17 (2000)
$7,600
14750
$24,900
11
Yu Ram Cha
9500
17 (3000)
5 (3250)
5 (3250)
$7,700
12
Helena Thornfeldt
9375
5 (4875)
17 (2000)
9 (2500)
$6,650
13
Kim Shaw
8000
17 (3000)
9 (2500)
9 (2500)
$5,800
14
Tracie Hines
7750
9 (3750)
9 (2500)
25 (1500)
$5,450
15
Line Kjorsvik
7750
9 (3750)
17 (2000)
17 (2000)
$5,350
16
Sarah Rousey
7000
25 (2250)
25 (1500)
5 (3250)
$5,175
17
Iris Ranola
6500
17 (3000)
33 (750)
9 (2750)
$4,350
18
Kim White
6500
9 (3750)
33 (750)
17 (2000)
$4,450
19
Miyuki Sakai
5750
25 (2250)
9 (2750)
33 (750)
$3,775
20
Kyoko Sone
5350
9 (3750)
25 (1500)
49 (100)
$3,400
WPBA Ranking Points reflect a season-long cycle. The Classic Tour is three events into 2009.
SHUFFETT, LOVELY TAKE NATIONAL TITLES BEF JUNIOR NATIONALS Bone Student Center — Ill. State University July 23-26; Normal, Ill.
division in 2007 and 2008, and Shuffett was not some little kid trying to play with the big boys. “It stayed in my mind that I was the youngest,” he said. “I knew I could’ve gone two-and-out. I knew there were a lot of other good players that had been in that division for a few years.” But Shuffett was rarely challenged during his undefeated run to his third consecutive title at the Junior Nationals. He throttled his first four opponents, winning by a combined score of 36-7. With
PLAYING IN the 19-and-under boys division at the 2009 BEF Junior Nationals for the first time, Landon Shuffett was a bit of a walking contradiction. At 15, he was the youngest player in the field. But, known as a sharp-shooting pool virtuoso since his debut on national TV seven years ago, Shuffett was also one of the most accomplished players in the 46-player bracket. Under the tutelage of his father, Stan, a top-level instructor and coach, he’s played in a fair share of professional tournaments, including stops on the Great Southern Billiard and Seminole Pro tours. Add his back-to-back titles in the 14-and-under Shuffett took aim at his third junior national title. September 2009
Sept09 Tourneys.indd 55
TOTAL MONEY 2009
BILLIARDS DIGEST
RIXX IMAGES
Archer got out to his last “good early start” of the tournament. He jumped out in front of Moore and stayed there for the 11-7 title-clinching victory that completed his undefeated weekend at the very event that he’d been instrumental in creating. “Moore’s a very tough player to beat late in a tournament,” he said a few days later. “He practices hard. He’s very dedicated and takes it very seriously.” In conjunction with the tournament, and planned right from the start, Davenport and Archer ran the Southern Cue and Case Show that brought top-name cuemakers to the Marietta Billiard Club. For Davenport, juggling multiple roles, while also trying to play top-notch professional pool, proved a bit tricky. “I learned that it’s not easy,” said Davenport of his first experience as host of a major tournament. “I have a lot of respect now for the people I’ve seen do this through the years.” The devil, he also learned, is in the details, like making sure that tournament sponsors (Fasten-All, Paul Bunyan Tree Service and Ozone Billiards) got mentioned alongside the event as much as possible. “It was a 15-hour day, every day of the tournament,” he said, “and it was just a combination of every itty-bitty detail. One little detail’d turn into 15 other little details, and then there’d be 15 more. And the place was bumper-to-bumper, wall-to-wall, all three days of the tournament. We had 300 to 350 people in here for the semifinals and finals.” Archer, in the meantime, pocketed the $3,500 first-place check and talked about his win while playing Mr. Mom to 5-year-old Johnny Jr. and 2-year-old Leanne. “Hopefully, being a little patient,” he said of pool skills that he’s brought to bear in his role as a father. As for the parenting skills that he’s been able to bring with him to the pool table, he said, “Same thing. The last few years I’ve been playing, I’ve been able to bring some patience to the table. I’m a little more at ease.” Plans for another major event are in the works for the Marietta Billiard Club — and come July of next year, Archer and Davenport fully intend to host a second Gem City 10-Ball Classic.
TOTAL POINTS
55
8/11/09 2:41:00 PM
POWER INDEX BD
U.S. OPEN 9-BALL
TOTAL POINTS
WORLD POOL CHMPS.
ENJOYPOOL. COM OPEN
NOVEMBER 2006 TOURNAMENT FACTOR: 1.27 PLACE (POINTS)
MAY 2007 TOURNAMENT FACTOR: 1.02 PLACE (POINTS)
PREDATOR 10-BALL MAY 2007 FACTOR: 1.01 PLACE (POINTS)
U.S. OPEN 9-BALL OCTOBER 2007 TOURNAMENT FACTOR: 1.20 PLACE (POINTS)
WORLD POOL CHMPS. NOVEMBER 2007 TOURNAMENT FACTOR: 1.27 PLACE (POINTS)
1
Shane Van Boening
694
33 (28)
-
2 (122)
1 (141)
1 (168)
2
Mika Immonen
635
7 (66)
65 (19)
5 (71)
17 (35)
13 (48)
5 (83)
3
Ralf Souquet
614
-
2 (152)
33 (26)
9 (45)
4 (96)
17 (41)
4
Ronnie Alcano
543
9 (55)
1 (178)
-
-
2 (144)
33 (29)
5
Dennis Orcollo
518
-
33 (29)
1 (143)
3 (91)
7 (72)
33 (29)
6
Darren Appleton
470
5 (77)
65 (19)
13 (41)
9 (45)
-
-
7
Franc. Bustamante
464
-
33 (29)
7 (61)
5 (66)
25 (36)
5 (83)
8
Niels Feijen
426
-
65 (19)
17 (36)
9 (45)
9 (60)
9 (57)
9
Corey Deuel
407
13 (44)
33 (29)
33 (26)
-
7 (72)
9 (57)
10
Johnny Archer
391
25 (33)
33 (29)
9 (51)
-
13 (48)
65 (19)
11
Daryl Peach
384
-
-
-
-
49 (24)
1 (178)
12
Warren Kiamco
380
-
-
17 (36)
5 (66)
13 (48)
-
13
John Schmidt
375
1 (154)
-
4 (82)
-
49 (24)
-
14
Charlie Williams
364
65 (17)
33 (29)
17 (36)
25 (30)
97 (0)
33 (29)
15
Alex Pagulayan
362
-
65 (19)
-
3 (91)
49 (24)
9 (57)
16
Marcus Chamat
351
17 (39)
33 (29)
25 (31)
49 (20)
25 (36)
33 (29)
17
Lee Vann Corteza
347
13 (44)
17 (41)
-
17 (35)
33 (30)
33 (29)
18
Raj Hundal
320
33 (28)
65 (19)
17 (36)
9 (45)
25 (36)
33 (29)
19
Rodolfo Luat
312
2 (132)
5 (83)
-
-
33 (30)
97 (0)
20
Tyler Edey
303
-
9 (57)
-
-
17 (42)
65 (19)
21
Mike Davis
299
33 (28)
97 (0)
3 (102)
17 (35)
17 (42)
65 (19)
22
Rodney Morris
280
65 (17)
65 (19)
25 (31)
-
25 (36)
65 (19)
23
Tony Drago
277
-
65 (19)
-
-
-
17 (41)
24
Stevie Moore
274
17 (39)
-
17 (36)
5 (66)
49 (24)
-
a 9-5 victory over Nick Tafoya, Shuffett was in the hot-seat match against Jesse Engel. And that’s where his big-match experience paid off. “When it was 8-6, I started to feel the heat a little bit,” he said. “Some of the other juniors hadn’t been in that situation before. I knew how to handle it, and that really helped me out a lot.” Shuffett closed out the set for a spot in the final, sending Engel to face Tafoya in the third-place match. With a 9-7 win, Engel earned a second shot at Shuffett, but it was not to be. Increasing his margin of victory to 11-6, Shuffett snapped off yet another title. “If I’d have won this division in my third or fourth year, it would have been great,” he said. “But doing it my first year, this was the best.” Organized by the Billiard Education Fund, the Junior Nationals collects the country’s best young shooters in four division — 19-and-under and 14-and-under for both boys and girls. This year’s event took place July 23-26 on the campus of Illinois State University at the Bone Student Center. In the 19-and-under girls division,
56
SEPTEMBER 2006 TOURNAMENT FACTOR: 1.10 PLACE (POINTS)
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 Tourneys.indd 56
another former titlist from the 14-andunder ranks would run unbeaten to the title. Ohio’s Liz Lovely, who took her first title in 2006, had her way with the 12-player bracket in the 19-and-under division. Facing Chelsea Hardwick, who finished second to her sister Allison at last year’s event, in the hot-seat match, 16-year-old Lovely squeezed by with a 7-6 win. In the left-side final, Hardwick again found herself on the wrong end of a hill-hill result, this time losing to Jauslinn Arnold. In the race-to-9 final, Lovely was in complete control. The WPBA part-timer extended her lead throughout the match, eventually closing out the championship by a count of 9-3. In the 14-and-under boys division, Brendan Crockett made the most of Shuffett’s graduation to the senior ranks. The Bell Canyon, Calif. native won his first five sets to earn a spot in the final. Facing Billy Thorpe, last year’s runnerup, Crockett coasted to a 9-5 win, earning his first junior national title. The 14-and-under girls division only had two competitors, though Briana Miller could be considered the favorite
17 (41)
in any junior event she plays in. Just 13 years old, Miller won her third straight crown in the division, beating Taylor Reynolds in a best-of-three format, 7-5 and 7-1. With a hat trick in the 14-andunder ranks, Miller is the first threetime champion in the girls division since Kara Wroldson won her third consecutive title in 1995.
IMMONEN ICES MAJOR TITLE IN THE DESERT QATAR INTERNAT’L OPEN Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation June 30-July 6; Doha, Qatar
CONSIDERING HOW Mika Immonen closed out last year — winning the U.S. Open, All-Japan Championship and MVP award as a part of the dominant European squad in the Mosconi Cup — he must’ve been restless, going all of a few months without a major title. But last year’s Player of the Year showed no nervous energy at the lucrative Qatar International 9-Ball Championship — held June 30-July 6 in Doha, Qatar. Immonen easily survived the early double-elimination rounds to make the
September 2009
8/10/09 12:14:54 PM
PREDATOR INT’L 10-BALL
WORLD 10-BALL CHAMPS.
MAY 2008 TOURNAMENT FACTOR: 1.10 PLACE (POINTS)
OCTOBER 2008 TOURNAMENT FACTOR: 1.20 PLACE (POINTS)
U.S. OPEN 9-BALL OCTOBER 2008 TOURNAMENT FACTOR: 1.14 PLACE (POINTS)
PREDATOR INT’L 10-BALL
TOP FINISHERS
MAY 2009 TOURNAMENT FACTOR: 1.10 PLACE (POINTS)
5 (72)
9 (54)
17 (40)
33 (28)
17 (39)
5 (78)
1 (160)
17 (36)
33 (28)
9 (54)
17 (40)
2 (132
-
-
2 (137)
-
-
-
-
1 (154) 17 (36)
9 (50)
1 (168)
25 (34)
2 (132)
-
9 (51)
-
9 (50)
3 (120)
65 (17)
49 (22)
49 (22)
33 (27)
5 (74)
9 (50)
WPBA U.S. OPEN
25 (33)
65 (15)
4 (91)
5 (72)
9 (50)
17 (42)
9 (51)
17 (36)
65 (17)
-
3 (103)
3 (99)
9 (50)
-
33 (29)
17 (36)
17 (39)
5 (78)
25 (34)
5 (72)
5 (72)
-
-
3 (99)
3 (99)
17 (42)
33 (29)
-
Norman, Okla. + July 30-Aug. 2 1. Ga Young Kim $14,100; 2. Karen Corr $8,500; 3. (tie) Gerda Hofstatter, Allison Fisher $5,600; 5. (tie) Xiaoting Pan, Vivian Villarreal, Helena Thornfeldt, Monica Webb $3,100; 9. (tie) Line Kjorsvik, Tracie Hines, Jasmin Ouschan, Kyoko Sone, Kim White, Angel Paglia, Jeanette Lee, Kelly Fisher $2,350.
5 (72)
-
7 (68)
33 (28)
9 (50)
65 (15)
17 (40)
49 (22)
-
-
65 (17)
9 (50)
5 (72)
17 (39)
13 (46)
33 (28) 33 (28)
33 (28)
-
65 (17)
33 (28)
-
5 (74)
9 (50)
1 (154)
33 (27)
-
17 (36)
65 (17)
33 (27)
33 (29)
17 (36)
QATAR INTERNAT’L OPEN Doha, QATAR. + June 30-July 6 1. Mika Immonen $40,000; 2. Ko Pin Yi $20,000; 3. (tie) Darren Appleton, Antonio Gabica $10,000; 5. (tie) Daryl Peach, Niels Feijen, Shane Van Boening, Jalal Al Saresi $5,000.
GEM CITY CLASSIC JP PARMENTIER-MATCHROOM SPORT
Doha Delight: Immonen conquered Ko.
single-elimination bracket of 32. But that is when things got a bit tricky. In his first match, he squared of with Mariusz Skoneczny, a fairly unheralded player from Poland. Immonen, though, not only struggled to put his opponent away, he watched as Skoneczny climbed on the hill with a 10-8 lead.
With the break, Immonen cleared the rack to get within a game, then tied the match at 10-10 when Skoneczny came up dry on the break. With the first shot in the case game, Immonen kept the Polish upstart in his chair. The Iceman broke and ran for the match, escaping an early upset bid to punch his ticket into the final 16. Immonen returned to world-class form in the subsequent rounds, rattling off three straight victories — over Israel Rota, 11-4; Mosconi Cup teammate Niels Feijen, 11-5; and Antonio Gabica of the Philippines, 11-3 — for a spot in the final. Opposite Immonen, Ko Pin Yi braved his difficult matches in the opening stage, edging Farhad Shahverdi and Ricky Yang in a pair of hill-hill matches. On his way to the final, Ko edged Jonni Fulcher, 11-9; Karl Boyes, 11-7; surprise quarterfinalist Jalal Al Saresi of Jordan, 11-4; and Darren Appleton, 11-8. The single-set final was another tight match, though Immonen pulled away for a 13-9 win. The Finn pocketed $40,000 with the win, while Ko collected $20,000.
Marietta, Ga. + July 10-12 1. Johnny Archer $3,500; 2. Stevie Moore $2,200; 3. John Schmidt $1,500; 4. Larry Nevel $1,000; 5. (tie) Kim Davenport, Shawn Putnam $800; 7. (tie) Mike Davis, Clint McCollough $600.
WPBA SATELLITE TOUR Bristol, Tenn. + July 10-12 1. Karen Corr $3,000; 2. Gerda Hofstatter $2,050; 3. Monica Webb $1,500; 4. Julie Kelly $1,250; 5. (tie) Kim Shaw, Ewa Laurance $1,000; 7. (tie) Allison Fisher, Iris Ranola $800.
BEF JUNIOR NATIONALS Bloomington, Ill. + July 21-26 19-and-Under Boys: 1. Landon Shuffett; 2. Jesse Engel; 3. Nick Tafoya; 4. Skyler Woodward; 5. (tie) Ryan Behnke, Joshua Newman. 19-and-Under Girls: 1. Liz Lovely; 2. Jauslinn Arnold; 3. Chelsea Hardwick; 4. Nicole Jaynes; 5. (tie) Stephanie Stone, Laura Benck. 14-and-Under Boys: 1. Brendan Crockett; 2. Billy Thorpe; 3. Bryce Lepak; 4. Chad Benke; 5. (tie) Buster Loving, Logan Loving. 14-and-Under Girls: 1. Briana Miller; 2. Taylor Reynolds.
September 2009
Sept09 Tourneys.indd 57
BILLIARDS DIGEST
57
8/11/09 2:40:53 PM
BD’S MONTHLY WRAP OF REGIONAL TOUR ACTION
Deuel Edges Carolinian for Seminole Title to the hot-seat match, Fuller handled Stevie Moore, 8-4, and Corey Deuel, 8-7. Moore and Deuel, who finished 1-2 on tour last year, both have multiple Seminole titles and are again back on top of the rankings in 2009. But Fuller prevailed, meeting Manny Chau in the winners-side final. In another tight match, Fuller took advantage of an unforced error from Chau. Looking set to tie the match at 7-7, Chau lost shape on the 7 ball, missing an attempt in the side. Fuller cleared the rack for a hard-fought Deuel picked up some POY points in Goldsboro. 8-6 victory. IN HIS first appearance on the SemiOn the left side, though, Deuel was nole Pro Tour, Michael Fuller worked his making his move. He trounced Keith way into the hot-seat by unseating a few Bennett, 8-1, and Ronnie Wiseman, 8of the tour’s more established players at 3, to match up with Chau. The left-side July’s stop in Goldsboro, N.C. On his way final went to double-hill. Pocketing the 1,
Seminole Pro Tour Fast Eddie’s Billiards July 18-19 + Goldsboro, N.C. 1st: Corey Deuel $3,000 2nd: Michael Fuller $2,000 3rd: Manuel Chau $1,400 4th: Ronnie Wiseman $1,000
Deuel was forced to play a tricky safety on the 2 ball. Chau fouled, leaving Deuel to nail a 2-10 combo for the win. In the final, Deuel seemed to get locked in with his break. With the match tied at four games apiece, Fuller gifted a rack to Deuel. The mistake was one too many for Fuller, as Deuel took the next four for a 9-4 title-clinching win. With the win, Deuel edged to within five points of Mike Davis for the overall lead in the points standings.
It’s All Roses for Bryant on Houston’s Bar Tables TEXAS IS a big state, but if there’s a pool tournament in the neighborhood of $2,000 in added money, you can be fairly sure that Charlie Bryant is going to know about it. So when the Country Rose 9Ball Bar Table Open kicked off in Bryant’s backyard of Houston, it was no surprise when the Hillbilly was among the field of 89 players. After dropping Sparky Ferrell and Denis Strickland to the left side of the bracket, Bryant matched up with Bobby Pacheco
in the hot-seat match. A part-time player in the past few years, Pacheco showed he was capable of keeping up with Bryant. After two hours at the table, the pair met at hill-hill. Bryant, though, took the case game, and a spot in the final. Ferrell was racing through the left side, after his loss to Bryant. He scored a pair of 7-3 wins against Strickland and Pacheco to move into the final. Farrell’s momentum, however, quickly abated in the final. Bryant was on fire early, working his
Independent Event Rose Country Club July 18-19 + Houston, Texas 1st: Charlie Bryant $1,280 2nd: Sparky Ferrell $750 3rd: Bobby Pacheco $550 4th: Denis Strickland $400
way to a seven-game lead, before closing out the set, 9-4.
PHOTO: TIGER TOUR
Shuff Continues to Thrive in the Mid-Atlantic
Shuff kept an eye on the ’09 U.S. Open. SINCE AN impressive 17th-place finish at the 2008 U.S. Open, Brandon Shuff has been gaining momentum for a return trip to the late rounds of the coun-
58
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 T-Spotting.indd 58
try’s most prestigious 9-ball event. Early this year, he survived the brutal Derby City Classic 9-ball event to place 10th. A month later, he snapped off the NCS 8-Ball National Championship for his biggest payday ($5,700) as a developing professional player, With his latest conquest at the Virginia State Championship — held July 18-19 at Diamond Billiards in Midlothian, Va. — Shuff has a return ticket to the U.S. Open, winning one of the three available paid entries. Shuff went unbeaten through the 64player bracket, posting wins over Eric Charlton, 9-6, and 17-year-old Chris Bruner, 9-2, to take the hot-seat. Bruner
Virginia State Champ. Diamond Billiards July 18-19 + Midlothian, Va. 1st: Brandon Shuff $1,200 2nd: John Newton $600 3rd: Chris Bruner $400 4th: Matt Clatterbuck $300
then dropped the left-side final to John Newton, 9-3. In the single-set final, Shuff faced a challenge from Newton, as the two split the first 14 games. Shuff took the next three to climb on the hill, 10-7, and closed out the match three racks later.
September 2009
8/11/09 2:39:41 PM
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Barnes Preps for Bigger Things to Come ASHI FACHLER
Barnes hopes his BCAPL National title was the first of many.
THEY’RE OUT there. By the hundreds. They’re pool players who’ve decided that it’s time to get serious, to move beyond weekly tournaments in small-town bars and poolhalls, where side bets bring in more money than the prize pool. They add a whole new dimension to the definition of “preppy,” which could easily stand for “Pre-Professional Poolplayer, Young.” Danny Barnes is one of them. While at the age of 25, he’s at the outer edge of the age bracket that loosely defines these “preppies” (generally between about 16 and 21, although there are no actual figures), he’s moved beyond the point of just thinking about a career as a professional and has taken some major steps toward that long-term goal. He’s won a major amateur event — the 2008 BCA Pool League’s Open Singles National 8-Ball title. He has himself a sponsor (Drew Custom Cues) and is making plans to attend next month’s U.S. Open in Virginia. If there were a set of criteria separating the professional player from the amateur, it would likely contain some variation of those three components, which translate into credibility (BCAPL victory), finances (sponsorship) and a serious commitment to face top-notch talent (the U.S. Open). “That BCA win is significant in terms of development,” said Bill Stock, rules administrator and director of referees for the BCAPL. “Our nationals are considered to be the toughest amateur event in the country, so it’s a step in the professional direction. “That field had 1,480 players, and two or three hundred of those were outstanding players. You have to have some stamina. A win like that does wonders for your confidence. It gives you the feeling
that you have the ability to do something like that.” There are some common threads that seem to run through the material of an emerging professional — early exposure to the game, a nearby poolhall and a fierce commitment to improvement. “My dad introduced me to pool when I was about 11 years old,” said Barnes. “It started getting serious when I was about 15 or 16, when I started playing every day.” “I actually had a goal of getting good,” he recalled, noting that he lived about 10 minutes away from a poolhall, called Cones and Cues, thereby meeting the three criteria that have come to define his burgeoning career. His commitment to the game increased after he’d graduated from high school, leading to more and more time at Cones and Cues. While his dad “got it,” so to speak, his mom worried a bit. “I was sometimes playing all night, and it didn’t thrill the family at first,” he said. “Dad kind of understood and mom sort of accepted it. She grew to actually support me.” As often happens in the life of a billiard “preppy,” increased presence at a local poolhall led to a job in that spot — meaning for the next few years, he was now getting paid for hanging out in the room and working on his all-around game. “I worked in that poolroom for three years and practiced a lot,” he said. He won his first money-added tournament in Port Clinton, Ohio, about an hour and 15 minutes from home. But it was the hour-long trek to Hall of Fame Billiards in Warren, Mich., that introduced him to the players he’d be up against if he were ever to advance as a professional. It was
literally, a stroke of luck. “The owner of the room had won the lottery,” Barnes explained, “and he was paying players like Alex Pagulayan and John DiToro and Larry Nevel to be the room’s house pros. “They had a Thursday night weekly tournament there, and all of those players’d be there. They always got 64 players and the first ‘name’ I remember playing was Ronnie Wiseman. Hall of Fame Billiards was his home room.” The first battle with a big-time player, though, didn’t go as planned. “Got beat,” he said. “5-2, I think it was. I remember it was like a step into the big world. I’d always read about him in magazines.” Did it affect his game that day? “Oh, yeah,” he said. “Definitely.” Then came his longest journey to date, last year’s 2,000-mile trek to Las Vegas. In addition to capturing the BCAPL singles title, he was a member of the winning team in the 8-Ball Open division. A few months later, at the Super Billiards Expo in Valley Forge, he finished second in the 864-player Open division, falling to two-time Derby City Classic banks champion Larry Price in the final. For Barnes, this path of development has a signpost, dead ahead: Barry Behrman’s U.S. Open in October. A strong performance would be another major confidence boost and could draw further sponsorship opportunities. “I’ve got a good chance to get out there and get a good look at it,” he said of his first trip to a major professional event. “That’s what I’m doing right now.” It remains to be seen whether he or the hundreds of other players who’ll be in attendance at the U.S. Open for the same reason will be successful against the best. What is clear is that for right now at least — win, lose or draw at the Open — Barnes, with a sponsor and a few amateur wins in his rearview mirror, has committed to the path that will change him from a “Preppy” to a “Propma” — Professional Player, Middle-Aged. — Skip Maloney
Get to Know Danny Barnes Age: 25 Hometown: Newport, Mich. Home Room: Cones & Cues Playing Cue: Drew Custom Cue Favorite Player: Alex Pagulayan
September 2009
Sept09 T-Spotting.indd 59
BILLIARDS DIGEST
59
8/11/09 2:39:31 PM
TOUR RANKINGS (AS OF 7/25/09) Bay Area Amateur Tour
EuroTour
Jacoby Carolina Tour
AREA: Tampa Bay, Fla. TOUR DIRECTOR:
AREA: N.C. TOUR DIRECTOR: Doug Ennis CONTACT:
WEB: www.baattour.com
AREA: Europe TOUR DIRECTOR: Gre Leenders CONTACT: info@eurotour.nu WEB: www.eurotour.nu
1. Michell Monk 835 2. Melissa Morlan 595 3. Sabra MacArthur Beahn 530 4. Stephanie Mitchell 490 5. Connie Mago 335 6. Leslee Davis-Blaikie 330 7. Stephanie McFarlin 315 8. Bettina Chase 265 8. Nicole Winters 265 10. Jamie Toennies 260
1. Ralf Souquet 3,170 2. Niels Feijen 2,620 3. Nick van den Berg 2,200 4. Imran Majid 2,195 5. Marcus Chamat 2,135 5. David Alcaide 2,055 7. Mark Gray 1,975 8. Sandor Tot 1,875 9. Craig Osbourne 1,855 10. Tony Drago 1,845
Stephanie Mitchell
admin@rockcitypromotions.com 1. Chris Vollmar 13,290 2. Keith Bennett 10,170 3. Sidney Champion 9,930 3. Sam Monday 8,490 5. Mike Davis 8,340 6. Michael Fuller 8,010 7. Arnold Hamlett 7,260 8. Willie Simpson 6,720 9. Tony Morrison 6,420 10. Cary Dunn 6,180
Joss Northeast 9-Ball AREA: N.Y., N.J., R.I. TOUR DIRECTOR: Mike Zuglan CONTACT: mzjosstour@aol.com WEB: www.joss9balltour.com
1. Dennis Hatch 1,920 2. Dave Grau 1,315 3. Mike Zuglan 845 4. Jason Michas 595 5. Bucky Souvanthong 530 6. Tom McGonagle 520 6. Matt Tetreault 520 8. Greg Antonakos 495 9. Marc Vidal 435 10. Bruce Carroll 425
JPNEWT AREA: N.Y., N.J. TOUR DIRECTOR: Linda Shea WEB: www.jpnewt.com
Imran Majid stands well above the rest on the GB 9-Ball Tour.
60
CWPT
GB 9-Ball Tour
AREA: Canada TOUR DIRECTOR: Carolina Fernandez WEB: www.cwpt.ca
AREA: Great Britain DIRECTOR: Shirley Ang WEB: www.gb9balltour.com
1. Brittany Bryant 560 2. Denise Belanger 275 3. Janet Ritcey 270 4. Naomi Williams 260 5. Veronique Menard 250 5. Darlene Gardiner 245 7. Leanne Amable 190 8. Corrine Johnson 165 8. Rachel Abbink 160 10. Brandy Johnson 130
1. Imran Majid 109 2. Darren Appleton 77 3. Raj Hundal 68 4. Mark Gray 63 5. Michael Valentine 59 6. Daryl Peach 53 7. Kames Kay 44 8. Scott Higgins 41 9. Craig Osbourne 40 10. Karl Boyes 40
Desert Classic Tour
J. Pechauer SE Open
AREA: Ariz. TOUR DIRECTOR: Dennis Orender WEB: www.desertclassictour.com
AREA: Ga., Miss., Ala., Fla. TOUR DIRECTOR: Tommy Kennedy CONTACT: info@southeastopen.com
1. Gus Briseno 725 2. Scott Frost 390 3. Pete Lhotka 350 4. Brett Huth 310 5. Dennis Orender 300 6. Mitch Ellerman 285 7. Mike Pankof 265 8. George Teyechea 255 9. Leil Gay 240 10. Bernie Pettipiece 225
1. T.F. Whittington 34 2. Neil Fujiwara 28 2. Ron Park 28 4. Butch Croft 26 5. Cliff Joyner 22 5. Stevie Moore 22 7. Walter Blacker 20 8. Bill Dunsmoore 18 8. Jessie Middlebrooks 18 10. Arlo Walsman 16
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 TSRanks.indd 60
1. My-Hanh Lac 375 2. Pamela Cimarelli 360 3. Megan Smith 320 4. Briana Miller 240 5. Rhio Anne Flores 230 6. Karen Corr 200 7. Linda Shea 195 8. Emily Duddy 170 9. Supadra Boonpasook 160 10. Erin McManus 150
KF Cues 9-Ball Tour AREA: Fla. TOUR DIRECTOR: Natalie Crosby CONTACT: natalie@strokeitwear.com WEB: www.kfcuetour.com
1. Mark Wathen 700 2. Albert Howe 660 3. Michael Delawder 643 4. Bobby Moore 575 5. Tony Pete 500 6. Ted Lepak 480 7. Adam Wheeler 390 8. Trey Jankowski 340 9. George Saunders 320 10. Louie Smith 315
OB Cues Ladies 9-Ball AREA: Texas, Okla. TOUR DIRECTOR: Melinda Bailey CONTACT: mellbers@gmail.com WEB: www.obcuestour.com
1. Lisa Marr 510 2. Tara Williams 370 2. Amanda Lampert 370
3. Lisa Henderson-Major 365 5. Kyu Yi 350 6. Bonnie Plowman 300 7. Ashley Nandrasy 240 7. Melinda Bailey 235 9. Terry Petrosino 2115 10. Heather Pulford 210
Predator 9-Ball Tour AREA: N.Y., N.J., Conn. TOUR DIRECTOR: Tony Robles WEB: www.predator9balltour.com
1. Tony Robles 430 2. Lionel Rivera 400 3. Oscar Bonilla 370 4. John Alicea 360 5. George SanSouci 310 6. Sean Morgan 290 6. William Finnegan 290 8. Jerry Tarantola 260 8. Gail Glazebrook 260 10. Jeremy Sossei 250
Seminole Pro Tour AREA: Fla., N.C., Ga., N.Y. TOUR DIRECTOR: Kevin Pickard WEB: www.seminolesports
management.com 1. Mike Davis 335 2. Tony Crosby 300 3. Stevie Moore 290 4. John DiToro 255 5. Corey Deuel 240 6. Ronnie Wiseman 210 7. Richie Richeson 180 8. Justin Hall 175 9. Raymond Linares 170 10. Jason Roberts 170
Tri-State Tour AREA: N.Y., N.J., Conn. TOUR DIRECTOR: John Leyman CONTACT: jleyman@
thetristatetour.com WEB: www.thetristatetour.com
1. Daniel Cintron 860 2. John Alicea 570 3. Scott Simonetti 485 4. Mark Pantovick 425 5. Stewart Warnock 375 6. Beau Baer 360 7. Michael Wong 195 8. Corey Eulas 150 9. Adam Kosmin 135 9. Jerry Tarantola 135
USBA AREA: United States TOUR DIRECTOR: Jim Shovak CONTACT: jimshovak@usba.net WEB: www.usba.net
1. Hugo Patino 426 2. Pedro Piedrabuena 345 3. Miguel Torres 264 4. Sonny Cho 242 5. Michael Kang 236 6. Javier Teran 209 7. Mazin Shooni 189 8. Felipe Razon 171 9. George Ashby 136 10. Young Gull Lee 130
September 2009
8/7/09 4:43:42 PM
[ Felt Forum ]
ROAD WARRIORS
The newest cues from Predator are designed with the hustler in mind. Quiet Roller cues, the newest addition to Predator’s Roadline, offer players a combination of subtle beauty and top-of-the-line engineering. Designed for the true hustlers at heart, the Quiet Rollers feature exotic Cocobolo and birds-eye woods, sleek black accent rings, and cream bumpers. Both models are traditional, with complementary solid wood joint collars, forearms, handles and butt sleeves. For purchase information: (888) 314-4111 www.predatorcues.com
1 2
1
ONE SHINING LIGHT
From Bourbon Street Light Works, the Classic Blue features a hardwood frame and four-bulb lighting fixture.
3
www.bourbonstreetlightworks.com
2
GOING NATIONAL
Seybert’s Billiard Supply has made the Smoky Mountain line of pool tables available across the United States. www.seyberts.com
3
TIPS ARE THE TOPS
Tiger’s new Emerald Laminated Cue Tips are made with recycled pig leather splits and laminated with water-based custom adhesives to produce a maximum strength tip. www.tigerproducts.com September 2009
Sept09 FF.indd 61
BILLIARDS DIGEST
61
8/12/09 1:09:50 PM
WHEREVER YOU GO, YOU'LL FIND BILLIARDS DIGEST...
Next to the finest in billiards play & products.
ALASKA
DELAWARE
MICHIGAN
SHOOTERS BILLIARD PARLOR 749 W. PARKS HWY. WASILLA, AK
FIRST STATE BILLIARDS 10 MAGGIE’S WAY DOVER, DE
ALL STATE DARTS & BILLIARDS 14349 TELEGRAPH RD. REDFORD, MI
MINNESOTA BILLIARDS 3020 MINNESOTA DRIVE #3 ANCHORAGE, AK
FLORIDA
SHARPS BILLIARDS 11888-2 KENAI SPUR HWY. KENAI, AK
ARIZONA VALENTINE SPAS 4490 N. STOCKTON HILL RD. KINGMAN, AZ
ARKANSAS
STARCADE BILLIARDS, INC. 34 EGLIN PARKWAY FORT WALTON BEACH, FL
CALIFORNIA
DOC’S BOHEMIAN CUE, INC. 8465 PLAZA BLVD. SPRING LAKE PARK, MN
NEVADA
KUE & KAROM BILLIARD SALES 1860 NORTHGATE BLVD. SARASOTA, FL
BILLIARD FACTORY OF NEVADA 7250 W. WASHINGTON #180 LAS VEGAS, NV
ILLINOIS
NEW JERSEY
CHRIS’S BILLIARDS 4637 N. MILWAUKEE AVE. CHICAGO, IL
SHORELINE BILLIARDS 1400 N. SHORELINE BLVD. STE# C-1 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
CITY POOL HALL 640 W. HUBBARD ST. CHICAGO, IL
OLHAUSEN GAME ROOMS INC. 5620-B KEARNY MESA. SAN DIEGO, CA
DIXIE BILLIARD EQUIPMENT 15407 S. CICERO AVE. OAK FOREST, IL
THE BROKEN RACK 6005 SHELLMOUND ST. EMERYVILLE, CA
INDIANA
DANNY K’S BILLIARDS 1096 MAIN ST. ORANGE, CA
MINNESOTA
CUE & BILLIARD SHOWCASE 3439 N. SHADELAND AVE. INDIANAPOLIS, IN
KENTUCKY
PHILA-AMERICAN SHUFFLEBOARD CO. 200 W. CLINTON AVE. OAKLYN, NJ ONE SHOT BILLIARDS 1713 ROUTE 27 SOUTH SOMERSET, NJ COMET BILLIARDS 233 LITTLETON RD. PARSIPPANY, NJ
TACONY PRO SHOP 6201 KEYSTONE ST. PHILADELPHIA, PA ROYAL BILLIARDS 2622 BETHLEHEM PIKE HATFIELD, PA
CHARLESTON BILLIARDS AND CUE CO. 7685 NORTHWOODS BLVD. CHARLESTON, SC
TEXAS A-TEX FAMILY FUN CENTER 8700 BURNET ROAD AUSTIN, TX
VIRGINIA
GOTHAM CITY BILLIARD CLUB 93 AVENUE U BROOKLYN, NY
THE PLAYING FIELD 7801 W. BROAD ST. RICHMOND, VA
AMSTERDAM BILLIARD CLUB 110 E. 11TH ST. NEW YORK, NY
OBELISK BILLIARD CLUB, INC. 14346 WARWICK BLVD. NEWPORT NEWS, VA
BAY RIDGE BILLIARDS 505 COVINGTON AVE. BROOKLYN, NY
NATIONAL BILLIARD ACADEMY 271 OLD MABRY PL. HILLSVILLE, VA
WASHINGTON
HARD TIMES BILLIARDS 17450 BELLFLOWER BLVD. BELLFLOWER, CA
CUE TIME 532 THREE SPRINGS RD. BOWLING GREEN, KY
COLORADO
LOUISIANA
BACKYARD OUTFITTERS 3098 I-70 BUSINESS LOOP GRAND JUNCTION, CO
STICKS BILLIARDS 3220 JOHNSTON ST. LAFAYETTE, LA
HIPPOS 5160 COMMERCIAL DRIVE EAST YORKVILLE, NY
CONNECTICUT
MAINE
BLUE CUBE BILLIARDS & LOUNGE 150 BOSTON POST RD. ORANGE, CT
SCHEMENGEE’S BILLIARDS 15 LINCOLN ST. LOEWISTON, ME
NORTH CAROLINA
Sept09 Resellers.indd 62
PENNSYLVANIA
NEW YORK
PLAZA ARCADE 5511 E SHELBIANA RD. PIKEVILLE, KY
BILLIARDS DIGEST
RACK ’EM BILLIARDS 40 N. RIVERSIDE AVE. MEDFORD, OR
DIAMOND’S BILLIARD 13184 MIDLOTHIAN TRPK. MIDLOTHIAN, VA
FAMILY BILLIARD 2807 GEARY BLVD. SAN FRANCISCO, CA
BOSTON BILLIARD CLUB 20 BACKUS AVE. DANBURY, CT
OREGON
SOUTH CAROLINA
JONES BROS. POOL TABLES 309 W. BROADWAY ST. NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR
62
DORAL BILLIARDS 7800 NW 25TH ST. MIAMI, FL
Q-SPOT BILLIARDS 6149 E. 31ST ST. TULSA, OK
DOT’S CUE CLUB 2460 N. RALEIGH ST. ROCKY MOUNT, NC
MARYLAND
OKLAHOMA
CHARLIE’S PRO SHOP 2401-G NORTH POINT BLVD. BALTIMORE, MD
ONE BILLIARDS 1022 E. LANSING AVE. BROKEN ARROW, OK
SURE SHOT BILLIARDS & DARTS 5510 W. CLEARWATER AVE. KENNEWICK, WA
CANADA DOUBLE D COMPANY 4 MCGIVERN ST. WEST WALKERTON, ON
September 2009
8/12/09 12:08:01 PM
MARKETPL ACE
Cue Smith Lathes & INLAY MACHINES. Starting at $850. Also sold separately: 2 HR. Cue Repair and Building Video – $50, Point & Inlay Video – $50, Cue Building Book – $69.95, lathe pins, concaved live centers, chucks, wrap motors and other parts to convert your lathe for cue building or repair. Custom cues by CHRIS HIGHTOWER. Tapered Shaft and Butt Blanks for sale.
Website: WWW.CUESMITH.COM Call (770) 684-7004. Ask for Chris or write: “Cue Man Billiards” 444 Flint Hill Road • Aragon, GA 30104
September 2009
market_place.indd 63
BILLIARDS DIGEST
63
8/13/09 8:35:47 AM
Tips & Shafts
George Fels
Birthdays DECIDED to spend a lot of my birthday, last July, perusing
I
a first-rate 9-ball tournament at my home room, Chris’s Billiards. It wasn’t that I was harboring any morbid thoughts about last chances or anything like that; for better or worse, I enjoy outlandishly robust health from the neck down. And since I can already boast of a pulse, brain activity and dry pants, I really can’t ask for much more at this advanced age. It was more a matter of seeing some competitors I rarely if ever see, getting it on in a game that’s rarely played seriously (outside tournaments) in my hometown. Chicago is a one-pocket town and has been for decades, with banks a strong second, and at that you’ll see far more of either game played for real at Red Shoes, roughly 20 miles south. If you enjoy watching good players, and few enjoy that more than I do, chances are you’ll be watching a caroms match at Chris’s, and one between guys who play each other all the time. This event, nicely run by the aptly named Mike Brunswick and Illinois’ two-time national amateur champion Tina Larsen, had a quirk or two. Acknowledged “pros” (e.g. Filipino Santos Sambajon Jr., Canada’s John Morra, local powerhouse Ike Runnels, and a few others) raced to 9. The other men went to 7 (6 on the losers’ side), and all women got a game on the wire from all the men. For a one-day meet that paid its winner $800 including the Calcutta, its 38-player field produced some pool of astonishing quality. Morra was particularly scary. He’s 21, but appears to be approaching his first shave; unlike many young guns, he plays to a deliberate yet still rhythmic pace, rarely hits anything other than the break very hard, and displays all the emotion of a desert tortoise. At those rare junctures where he did leave himself on the wrong side of a ball, he invariably improvised the simplest possible solution. His victory here surprised no one who watched the first few racks of his first match; he is in that rarified strata of 9-ballers whose position play is so tight that they appear to be lucking into one road-map layout after another. The top Filipinos, of course, have achieved this too, as have a handful of Europeans; among Americans, Earl Strickland and Johnny Archer were at that level when younger, and Shane Van Boening appears to be closest to it now. But the first 9-baller I ever heard draw that kind of lofty praise was far lower-profile, and by design. That would be New York’s late Mike Carpinello, better known to insiders as Mickey from Port Chester. Part of the reason Mickey had no reputation much beyond the East Coast is that, like any number of top guns of his era, he had virtually no regard for pool except to enable another, far more clandestine lifestyle. But he booked no losers, playing the most beautiful 9-ball anyone could remember. Even if it took a reasonably hard shot to get himself in line, he had
64
BILLIARDS DIGEST
Sept09 T&S.indd 64
nothing more challenging than two feet away thereafter. “Mickey,” asked his pal Freddy “The Beard” Bentivegna years ago, whilst stuffing his pockets with his share of yet another successful road trip, “Can you even play? I never see ya doin’ anything I couldn’t do in my first two weeks at pool. No bleep, now: are you any good?” Mickey’s era was shortly after the Johnston City (Illinois) tournaments began. Among those far better-known players, the acknowledged top of the 9-ball food chain was Luther “Wimpy” Lassiter; from the early through mid-’60s, he won virtually every significant crown in sight. And what made his 9-ball dominance even more remarkable was that players of his and Mickey’s day played a far more complex, difficult version of the game, with pushouts available at any time in the rack. But Lassiter never played that kind of tight-line position; instead, he was constantly bailing himself out with his otherworldly shotmaking and banking. (He was hardly into bank pool at all, odd for a Southerner. But 9-ball only requires three basic categories of banks, and nobody was deadlier at those.) Yet he was all but unbeatable, both in tournaments and what meager action he could scrape together. No wonder nobody could tell how good Mickey from Port Chester really was. No one had ever seen anything like him. It was enjoyable watching Chicago’s players do well here too. Gil Hernandez, who owns a tournament win over John Schmidt and was fresh from a national team championship with Runnels’ Chicago Hustlin’ bunch in Vegas, finished a strong runner-up. Sambajon, who looks like he belongs on somebody’s charm bracelet, was upset by local Eddie Banderas, a doppelganger for baseball colossus Albert Pujols. And Runnels, a consistent sort with a particular gift for finessing the speed of multiple object balls, lost by an eyelash to Hernandez. But everybody here was clearly secondary to Morra. I couldn’t tell you where he stands in the Canadian hierarchy, but I can certainly tell you he’s one to watch. I got home with a few minutes of my birthday left, and discovered that I had more greetings — all online — than I had ever had in my life, total. I’m a technological Neanderthal who didn’t even become computer-literate until the mid-’90s, but I enjoy the Internet’s best billiards chat rooms now and then. Between those and all the new pool buddies I have from Facebook, there were probably close to 50 people who remembered. Now I share that birthday with some interesting celebs; the list includes our own Jay Helfert, Nelson Mandela, and my personal favorite, Dion (DiMucci), one-time ruler of The Belmonts. But this year, I shared it with some world-class play of the game I love, and some four dozen friends. No doubt there are loads less joyous ways to launch one’s eighth decade.
September 2009
8/7/09 3:57:29 PM
560074md046.indd C3
8/7/09 9:50:09 AM
Introducing the most advanced cue stick technology! • Air cushioned ferrule (ACF) provides reduced vibration with maximum cue ball control and accuracy. This minimizes cue ball deflection without sacrificing energy.
Modular Core Design A patented 15 1/2" pro-taper shaft with computer-cut, 4-section tubular composite core. This modular core design ensures the most consistent cue ball response regardless of how you grip the cue.
• Multi-layered pig skin tip holds chalk better providing superb ball control. • Exotic hardwood butt with premium linen thread grip for optimum grasp and moisture absorption. Congratulations to ALLISON FISHER
threaded weight bolt threaded weight bolt
"Accuweight" adjustable, custom cue weight system Removable threaded weights encased in the cue butt, allow user to quickly make precise weight and balance adjustments to cue.
Gold Medal Champion World Games 2009
Tournament won with a Cutec R360
threaded weight bolt
INTERNATIONAL a division of H. BETTI INDUSTRIES
560094md046.indd C4
East Coast: 1-800-526-6261 West Coast: 1-800-423-2753 e-mail: imperial@imperialusa.com www.imperialusa.com
8/10/09 1:52:54 PM