Rackem Pool Magazine November Issue

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Contents LUCK

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The U.S. O20p12en pion ening ChamVan Bo e Cover Photo: Shan

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ABOUT US

Don “Cheese” Akerlow

Rackem is a monthly publication, dedicated to the advancement of the sport of pool and to promoting enthusiasm and encouragement among the players at all levels, regardless of their league affiliation, in addition Publisher to recognizing those businesses who support them all. Covering the midwest. Look for Rackem on or before the 15th of each month.

The opinions expressed are those of the author or advertiser and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rackem or its staff. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher. © 2012 Rackem

4 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

8 26 FEATURES

5 Big Dog’s Feature 7 All American Tour 10 Columnists

16 C R Billiards 18 U. S. Open 23 Iron Man

12 Days of Christmas Gift Giveaway

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22 7 3 10 35 21 21 5 12 11 20 25 36 29 11 29 17 14 2 11 4 6 25 23 17 3 24 9 35 17

POOL ON TV ESPN does not have any scheduled billiard airings for the month of November.

Iowa’s Finest Billiards & Sports Venue

FEATURE LOCATION

BY: DON “CHEESE” AKERLOW

I had been speaking to Jim Landrum, one of the owners, about promoting Big Dog Billiards and wanted to stop in while we were in the upper Midwest. He was very gracious and even said we could park our 5th wheel in the parking lot overnight!

We pulled into Des Moines around 9PM on a Friday night and with the help of our GPS had no problem finding Big Dog’s. Jim came out to the parking lot to greet us and invite us inside. We walked into a 15,000 square foot pool room with 40 pool tables, full bar and kitchen, big screen TVs, punching bag, basketball, arcade games, foosball, and darts.

Something for everyone. There was even a

2200 square foot Party Room people can rent for Bachelor parties, birthday parties, company parties etc. The room has a lot of seating tables, 1 pool table with room for another, a piano, big screen TV and a second TV. This would be an awesome place to have a private party.

We walked around to take all of it in then sat down with Jim to talk about his place. I asked him about the tournaments that were run out of Big Dog’s. He said, “We run tournaments Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturdays. We have monthly events, weekly events and occasionally we’ll have bigger events.

We have a tour coming in late October. Our facility is large enough to handle multiple tournaments.”

Besides hosting tournaments on the weekends, Big Dog’s has 8 different leagues that play there. The majority of tables have league players Monday through Thursday night, but there is still plenty of table space for the casual player to come in and play. And definitely for the more dedicated pool players. As I said we were there on a Friday night and there was a lot of pool being played. Groups

of players in different areas that seemed to move from one area to another. You never felt crowded even though the house was packed.

The pride of Big Dog’s is a one of a kind 40’ bar area that Jim described as, “One of the finest bars ever built. It is made out of Norway Pine and we also have a slate counter top dividing the bar area from the pool tables. It is made out of 1890’s slate and is sort of a curio approach. It’s really beautiful and people enjoy sitting there.”

Big Dog’s offers professional quality sales and service. A full line of pool table sales, repair, recovering, moving, and installation. They also offer cue repair, tip replacement, cue and case sales and even the opportunity to have a custom cue built to your specifications.

And the best part of our Big Dog’s experience came from Big D’s Cafe. This is the restaurant located inside of Big Dog’s, owned and operated by Derald Judson from the famous Norwood Inn of Des Moines, which had the BEST pizza I have ever had! I look forward to another trip through Des Moines for the opportunity to stop in Big Dog’s and enjoy more.

Besides having fun and entertainment for the over 21 crowd, Big Dog’s is also accessible to younger pool players until 9PM. Junior leagues are starting and Jim, Randy and the staff are looking forward to doing more with junior programs.

Their location at 4510 E 14th St in Des Moines, IA is relatively new. Big Dog Billiards opened in 2005 in a different location. The move to their current spot began in July of 2011 and it wasn’t until April of 2012 that they reopened after extensive remodeling inside and out was done. This is truly a great facility. You do not want to miss stopping in if you are in the area. Randy Hanson and Jim Landrum are very involved in every aspect of what goes on at the pool hall and have created a very friendly, inviting atmosphere at Big Dog’s. If you get, lost give them a call (515-266-6100), they’ll be happy to give you directions.

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November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 5

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10/29/12 10:20 PM

ACS Presents Pure X All American Tour Results from 2nd Avenue Corner Pocket in Cedar Rapids IA

[L-R] JIMMY NOSAVAN (2ND), DANIEL MAIZE (1ST) AND SCOTT HARGENS (3RD)

The 2012-2013 Pure X Cues All American Tour – presented by the American CueSports Alliance (ACS) – showcased its third stop of the Tour year at 2nd Avenue Corner Pocket in Cedar Rapids, IA, Saturday, October 13. The $500-added 8-ball handicapped tourney on 7-foot Valley bar boxes drew 41 players.

The finals came down to Daniel Maize [rated a “4” on a regional handicapping system used] and Jimmy Nosavan [6] – both from Des Moines, IA. Maize had remained undefeated while plowing through the latter side of the “A” bracket with wins over Greg Knight [4] (Cedar Rapids, IA) 4-2, Steve Aldrich [5] (Cedar Rapids, IA) 4-2 and Jimmy Nosavan [6] 4-2. Before being upended in the A-side finals by Maize, Nosavan turned back in the latter stages Bruce Ribble [6] (Swisher, IA) 6-4 and Scott Hargens [6] (Cedar Rapids, IA) 6-3.

In the B-side finals, Nosavan again dispatched Hargens on the hill 6-5 before losing out in one set for the title to champion Daniel Maize.

By virtue of Daniel Maize also being the highest-finishing ACS member in the event, he qualified for a free 8-Ball singles entry into the 2013 Pure X ACS Nationals at the Tropicana Las Vegas – courtesy of the ACS. The ACS wishes to thank sponsors Pure X Cues, Championship Billiard Fabric and Nick Varner Signature Cases for their support in donating “Value-In-Kind” product for this and all stops on the Pure X All American Tour. Sponsorship opportunities and tour stop openings are still available for the 2012/2013 All American Tour by contacting the ACS. The Tour moves east to Virginia Beach, VA, on Saturday, October 20, with a $500 added 9-Ball Tourney at Mike’s Break Room (contact Mike Wilson at 757-647-3421). Further information, entry details and schedules for the 2012/2013 Pure X Cues All American Tour are available at www.americancuesports.org.

Final Results: 1st Daniel Maize (Des Moines, IA) $575

+ Free Singles entry to ACS Nationals 2nd Jimmy Nosavan (Des Moines, IA) $350 3rd Scott Hargens (Cedar Rapids, IA) $200 4th Steve Strasburger (Cedar Rapids, IA) $120 5-6th Greg Knight (Cedar Rapids, IA) $80

Steve Aldrich (Cedar Rapids, IA) 7-8th Laura Hargens (Cedar Rapids, IA) $60

Dennis Cushing (Cedar Rapids, IA)

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November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 7

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: COY LEE NICHOLSON (1ST), JEREMY JONES (2ND) DANIEL HERRING (3RD)

Coy Lee Nicholson

Captures Inaugural Omega Billiards Tour Stop

The first event of the newly-formed Omega Billiards Tour was held the weekend of October 6-7 at Rusty’s Billiards in Fort Worth, Texas. Coy Lee Nicholson ended an eight-match, one-loss-side winning streak by professional player Jeremy Jones, defeating him in the second set of the true double elimination finals hill-hill.

The $1,000-added inaugural event was limited to 64 players and was full two weeks before the event! This is the first major tour in the Dallas / Fort Worth area, and it’s handicapped to accommodate all levels of players. The new Tour is the brainchild of Melinda (akaTrigger) Bailey and Michael Hoang of Omega Billiards Supply, and will have two stops this year, and is planning six stops and a season finale in 2013.

"Michael and I had been talking about it for a couple of years," said Bailey, "and we finally got things finalized this year."

With Jones already at work on the loss side, Nicholson advanced to the winners' side final four where he met up with Crispian Ng and sent him to the one loss side 8-4. Daniel Herring in the meantime, squared off against Benny Scott and won 7-5 to meet Nicholson in the hot seat. Nicholson would win 8-5 over Herring.

Ng and Scott placed a respectable 5th place. Jones won 9-4 his next two matches against Erman Bullard in the quarterfinals and then Herring in the semifinals.

Jones won the opening set of the true double elimination final 9-5. Nicholson battled better in the second set and won hill-hill to secure the event title and $750.

Jones won $450 for 3rd place and Herring won $300 for 3rd place, part of the sixteen spots paid out.

A separate ladies event was held on bar tables and the $100-added tourney drew 12 ladies. Susan Raymond won 1st place and $180 while Orietta Strickland placed 2nd and won $140. Melinda Bailey placed 3rd and won $60 with Cindy Vansickle capturing 4th and $20.

We would like to again thank Tracie Voelkering, owner of Rusty's Billiards, and her staff for their hospitality, and Michael Hoang of Omega Billiards Supply for their 8 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

support of the new tour ("we wouldn't be here without them," Melinda Bailey said.).

Rusty’s Billiards was packed all weekend with players and fans – watching all the great matchups, participating in the break contest and raffles, and having fun with friends and fellow players.

The next stop is November 24-25 at Speed's Billiards in Arlington, TX.

A BIG thank you to all the players and sponsors!

Omega Billiards Supply ACME Cases – The Pinnacle of Protection AZBilliards.com BilliardsPress.com CSI - CueSports International BCAPL OB Cues Irving Ink and Thread www.RackemMag.com

Results: 1st Coy Lee Nicholson $750 2nd Jeremy Jones $450 3rd Daniel Herring $300 4th Erman Bullard $220 5th Benny Scott, Crispian Ng $175 7th Joey Barnes, Danny Williams

$145

9th-12th Doug Winnett, Kevin Guimond, Mike Voelkering, Williams Howard $90 13th-16th Steve Game, Marc Gonzalez, Carl McClendon, Mike Filholm $50

November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 9

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

An interview with Professional Player Sylver Ochoa The Interview: Viper: Where were you born?

Sylver: I was born in McAllen, TX – about 70 miles west of the Gulf of Mexico.

Viper: Where and when did you first start playing pool?

Sylver: When I was about 11 or 12 years old, I had already become a good league bowler and competed weekly at Melissa Little the Flamingo Bowling Alley and it wasn’t until I tore my meniscus in my knee that Melissa “The Viper” Little has been a WPBA Touring ended my young bowling career so that is Professional for over 10-years, when I started playing pool. she has represented the My mom would drop me off at the bowling USA in Four WPA World alley and instead of bowling I played pool on Championships and has over 20 their 7-foot Valley bar table. I would put up top-10 WPBA career finishes. my 50-cents to pIay and all of the kids would try and beat me, Melissa is currently the housebut they couldn’t. Later we started gambling for 25 cent per game pro at the Wynkoop Brewing Company located in Downtown and by the end of the night I would walk out with $5-$6 bucks.

Onetime, one of the high school kids asked me to play for $5 per Denver. She teaches monthly game and by the end of the night I had won over $50. Ironically, I clinics, gives private lessons, and has created a juniors wanted to take this particular girl out to the movies and dinner so program that promotes billiards I thought to myself what an opportunity to win some money. education to the local youth.

Viper: Well did you ask her out on that date after you won?

For more information about Sylver: Yes, and she said we would be better off as friends, so Melissa please visit: instead I took my siblings out and paid for a nice dinner. www.melissalittle.com VIPER: What is your biggest accomplishment in the sport of billiards?

Read more articles Sylver: When I was 20-years-old I played in the 2005 US Open

by Melissa Little at 9-Ball Championships in Chesapeake, VA and finished 9th – 12th www.onthebreaknews.com in the event and in the process I had beaten Fabio Petroni, Ralf

Souquet, and legendary player Keith McCready.

In 2007, I won the Texas open at the age of 22.

Then, in 2010 at the Derby City Classic in Louisville, KY I finished 2nd in the 1-pocket event and lost my final match to the great Scott Frost hill-hill.

The following week, I played in the T-Town 1-Pocket classic in Tulsa, Oklahoma and won the championships by beating Rafael Martinez in the finals. Scott Frost finished 3rd in that event. Once in a while I will reflect on that tournament by watching its TV coverage on www.youtube.com VIPER: Did you ever play in a pool league?

Sylver: No. When I was 15-years old their was a Fast Eddies that let me play underage and multiple people invited me to play on there team but they had my handicap rank so high that the interest was not there for me, plus I have always been an independent player.

VIPER: Where do you draw your inspiration?

Sylver: I grew up in McAllen, TX and have played everyone a 1,000 times and in more recently years I moved to Houston, TX. My inspiration comes from my family especially my mom and grandmother.

When I go home to McAllen to visit, the people in town always congratulate me for my winnings - like I am some sort of celebrity and it makes my mom and grandmother proud of me.

VIPER: Are you good at any other sports?

Sylver: Oh yeah!! Growing up I played basketball, ran crosscountry, played poker, I guess I am just really coordinated. You just need to show me once because I am a fast learner.

Viper continued page 32

For Juniors Events, Tournament News, Sponsors, Lessons & For My Fans...

The WPBA Touring Profession

www.melissalittle.com 10 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

COLUMNIST

The Monk

TIME TO GO FIRST CLASS Tim Miller

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

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

May all the rolls go your way, The Monk

CALL THE MONK TODAY 1-603-566-6229

During the week of the US Open we are reminded about the general lack of growth from our players. There is no class in claiming to be victimized by bad rolls. When you cry about your opponents good rolls you don’t understand the nature of competition. You don’t belong in a game like pocket billiards.

Unfortunately, the majority cry when they get bad luck. It is almost comical to see an opponent in the chair throw up his arms, shake his head and roll his eyes when a player makes a lucky shot. This does not represent the sport at all.

It is time our players grow up. Great things happen during the match when you play twenty three games. You take that away when you claim to be victimized by a bad roll. You will show more class and dignity if you say, “I played a good match today and my opponent played just a little better than me.”

We all know that a missed shot is almost always missed position. So you should expect the cue ball to be in a bad place when your opponent misses a shot. Don’t cry about being hooked. Would you rather come to the table for a kick shot or come to the table with the rack in your hand?

Now is the time for our players to man up. I coached a female player who made the finals in a big tournament. Tied hill hill her opponent missed the eight ball, it went three rails and knocked the nine ball. My student jumped up with a big smile on her face and said, “wow, how happy are you?” She ran over and hugged the girl. When an opponent gets a good break it is nothing personal. This girl is a champion. Unfortunately for pool, she became a doctor. It takes a mature player to be happy about the good fortune of an opponent.

I worked with a student in Denver and she went two and out in a tournament. After the match she was graceful and charming. She smiled, congratulated her opponent. She even talked about the good shots. I was proud of her. Then it was time for us to drive across the mountains to Aspen. This was the first time I saw her compete and I was impressed by her grace and good sportsmanship. But when we started up the mountain she began to cry and go into a tantrum. She wailed and moaned her loss. With tears in her eyes we swerved all over the road. I got a good look at the river 1000 feet below the highway a few times. Then she said, “I can’t beat anybody. The only person I can beat is you”. Between the 1000 foot visual and the lane changing I was not in a good mood so I said, “Not so my friend. When we get to Frisco over the hill, pull in and we will find out who you cannot beat”. There is a little

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pool hall in that town so, with cue in hand, we went in. She told me the match was for dinner and she would be ordering desert.

She played very well. Was extremely competitive, made great shots, kicked in a ball off my safety and was able to order desert and an appetizer on my dime.

Play this game with class. If you are a world class player you deserve respect and admiration. Stand up and take your loses with a gentleman’s spirit. Leave a lasting impression on your audience with your first class approach to this time honored game.

Some players show their classless ways by bragging. It gets a bit much when a high school dropout talks about how he annihilated, crushed, ruined, destroyed his opponent. Those verbs do not belong in this sport, a game that originated in gentlemen’s clubs. Cry babies and braggers will not build a fan base therefore they do nothing for the sport.

I played a match many years ago in PA. The matched was alternate break 8 ball championship. I ran my four racks and he ran his four racks. It was hill hill and when I broke, the cue ball went off the table. My opponent took ball and hand and set up for a shot down table. I wanted to let him shoot and call foul but I could not do that. I reminded him that he needed to start in the kitchen. He ran the table and I lost. Fifteen years later a guy told me about that game and what a fine sport I was. You make a lasting impression when you can play this game as a gentleman. No one would have remembered that game if I won.

Twenty years ago Mike Massey called a foul on himself. I never forgot that. Go to the finals in first class. Winning, real winning is for the man with class and dignity.

Darren Appleton, upon losing remarked that he played very well but his opponent played just a little better. He went on to say he wished him good luck the rest of the way. Mr Appleton did not cry about bad rolls, or lucky breaks.

When we have gentlemen playing this game we will build a large fan base and this sport will thrive. For the past twenty years we have been held back by classless players who do nothing but bully their way to wins and drive good players away. They are miserable people to play and miserable people to be around.

Time to man up boys. See if you can go through an entire tournament without making excuses.

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November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 11

COLUMNIST San Francisco Billiard Academy www.sfbilliards.com

Bob Jewett

San Francisco Billiard Academy is a BCA Certified Master Academy.

To u rn a m e n t Ready

I’m writing this column from Virginia Beach, the site of the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. I entered the event and played about as expected for a nonpro, finishing 1-2. If you start to play in tournaments, here are some suggestions on how to maximize your performance.

Plan your trip early. If you’re going to stay overnight early reservations are a must if you want to save money. Book flights at least a month in advance. This early action will also commit you to compete. For longer trips, consider arriving a day or two early to get used to the time zone and tournament situation. With a little extra time you have a chance to be a tourist and see local attractions. In the case of the Open, there are many things to visit within an hour’s drive.

Work on three problem areas prior to travel. I’m not asking you to perfect your game – just improve three aspects of your game before you leave. Maybe that’s your break or thin cuts. I worked on my pre-shot routine.

Spend at least half your table time just before the event on your weak points.

Practice under tournament conditions. If the event will have new cloth and balls try to find the same. If that’s not possible, make sure the table is clean and the balls polished during your practice. Many players new to tournaments don’t know how to cope with new-cloth conditions. You can get a little feel for it by waxing or using a little silicone spray on the cue ball.

Know the rules. The sad state of pool in the U.S. is that even in major tournaments the rules are variable.

Sometimes the main points will be covered in the tournament announcement. Can you use a jump stick or phenolic tips? What are the rules for the break shot?

At the Open, if you concede a nine ball, you lose that game (of course) but you lose one point off your score as well. What are the shot-clock rules?

Attend the players’ meeting. You may discover that the rules have changed from the tournament announcement. This is your best chance to get an explanation about any rule you are not clear on.

You will also find out about things like the late-start penalty and where/when match times will be posted.

Sometimes rules are voted on and decided at the meeting.

Get enough rest. At some tournaments there is a temptation to stay up for the after-hours action. Make sure you are ready for each of your own matches. It’s

12 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

Bob Jewett

best to stay on a schedule, and going to bed at 5AM doesn’t go well with a 10AM match.

Watch your diet. If you don’t have a Teflon-lined stomach, the $5 all-you-can-stand buffet is not your best choice. No big meals just before a match. Some players like the control of fixing meals in their rooms.

Practice on the tournament tables if you can.

Often big tournaments allow practice time before the event starts, which is another reason to arrive early. Morning and between-match practice are also common. This is especially important if you are playing on equipment strange to you.

Be a little early for your match. If you have only one break (as mentioned at the players’ meeting), visit the restroom ahead of time. Some tournaments allow no grace period so if you aren’t in your chair when your match is announced, you lose one game.

Keep your shots simple. Until you are comfortable with the equipment avoid fancy spin shots and such.

You may have to settle for longer shots on average especially until you get a feel for the speed of cloth.

Players who frequently play in tournaments have an advantage in early rounds because they are used to varying conditions.

Go with the flow. At any tournament there are lots of things you could get upset about: some special treatment for a top player, last minute changes in the payouts, horrible match delays from slow play, bad tables or balls. There is rarely anything you can do about these things, so just ignore them. Get to your match on time and ready to do your best under the conditions.

Watch and listen. One of the biggest advantages of going to a major event is the knowledge you can pick up just by standing around and watching between matches or in the vendors’ area. I’ve learned two new shots so far at the Open. If you see me at a tournament, ask me to show them to you.

Note what you learned. After the tournament, remember what you had trouble with so you will know what you need to work on before the next event. One big help for this is a shot notebook where you can draw up table situations. There are several commercial products or just use small spiral-bound notebook.

Besides the shots, note if any of the above points were problem areas.

Ga Young Kim “Champion of Champions” “I feel like I just won an Olympic Gold Medal,” said an elated Ga Young Kim moments after capturing the 2012 Mohegan Sun International Tournament of Champions title for an astounding third year in a row and was crowned the Women’s “Champion of Champions.” The two semifinals and the Championship match were taped for broadcast by ESPN beginning December 23.

“We may look cool out there, but the pressure is overwhelming,” said Kim “You have to play your heart out when every player is champions. One or two errors and you lose $20,000! Your emotions are just wild during the entire tournament.”

Nonetheless, of the four international champions in the event, Kim proved to be an irresistible force on her way to the title. She defeated Austria’s Jasmin Ouschan, the Masters 9-Ball Champion, in the semifinal round 4-1 and 4-2. The semi and final matches required a player to win two sets, race to four games each set. In the event of a tie, the pressure becomes brutal with a one game sudden death tiebreaker.

The other semifinal also brought cheers from the crowd. Allison Fisher and Karen Corr, both BCA Hall of Fame members, battled back and forth in a match that ultimately went into sudden death. Corr took the first set by a score of 4-2 and Fisher rallied back to capture the second set 4-3. In sudden death, Fisher was on her way to victory when she failed to pocket the five ball and Corr then quickly cleaned the table for the win.

Kim’s final match against Corr was neck-and-neck, featuring precise run outs and fierce safety play. Kim looked unbeatable as she easily claimed the first set by 4-2.

But Corr then rocketed back in the second set with a drubbing score of 4-0. Known

for her uncanny shotmaking, Kim won the lag for the one game sudden death, and following an exchange of safeties, she ran the table.

The crowd gave Kim a standing ovation when he won the final match.

She raised her cue in victory and then accepted the highest single purse in Women’s international winner-takeall tournaments. The trophy and the check were presented by Mohegan Sun and Diamond Billiard Tables.

The 2012 event was the 15th annual International Tournament of Champions. Tom Cantone, Vice President Sports & Entertainment for Mohegan Sun, was delighted with the brilliant play and packed house of pool fans. “The crowds appreciate watching champions go head-tohead,” he said, “and the players were a credit to the sport.”

Appleton Wins 2012 Champion of Champions “This is the toughest tournament in the world,” said an elated Darren Appleton moments after capturing the 2012 International Challenge of Champions title. The pressure packed $25,000 winner-take-all event was held at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, October 23. Appleton, from England, defeated Shane Van Boening of the USA by a thumping score of 5-1 and 5-1 in the final match, and was crowned “Champion of Champions” for an incredible second year in a row. The two semifinals and the Championship match were taped by ESPN for telecast beginning December 9.

“You have to be on your game the entire tournament,” said Appleton.

“There’s no margin for error when every player is a champion. One shot missed and you can lose $25,000! The pressure is just incredible.”

Indeed, of the four international champions in the event, Appleton had to fight to defend his title as the reigning “Champion of Champions.” The Semifinal and Final matches require the winner to win two sets, race to 5 games each set. In the event of a tie, the pressure becomes intense with a one game sudden death shootout.

Appleton’s final match against Van Boening, featured flawless run outs and exquisite safety play on Appleton’s part. Van Boening was unable to get out on his break four times in the two sets, which left him trailing far behind in a lopsided contest.

Known for his pinpoint accuracy, Appleton handily won the Championship match in unstoppable form with scores of 5-1 and 5-1.

The crowd gave Appleton a standing ovation when he won the final match. He raised his arms in victory and then accepted the highest single purse in international winner-take-all tournaments. The trophy and the check were presented by Mohegan Sun and Diamond Billiard Tables. The presentation brought another round of cheers from the audience.

The 2012 event was the 22nd annual International Challenge of Champions and the sixteenth to be held at Mohegan Sun. Tom Cantone, Vice President Sports & Entertainment for Mohegan Sun, was delighted with the support displayed by the turnout of pool fans. “The crowds were even more than we anticipated, and the players were amazing,” he said. “We are extremely pleased.”

WORLD CUP OF TRICK SHOTS The WORLD CUP OF TRICK SHOTS was held October 25 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Team Europe claimed the title over Team USA in the only international team competition in the sport of Trick Shots. The prize purse was $30,000 for the event and Gold Medals to the winning team. The two semifinals and the Championship match will be broadcast by ESPN on January 6.

Captain Nick Nikolaidis led Team Europe to victory and the Gold Medal.

Other Team Europe members who were awarded the Gold Medal were Luke Szywala,Gabriel Visiou, and Florian Kohler. Silver Medalists from Team USA included Captain Andy Segal, Bruce Barthelette, Jamey Gray, and Mike Dechaine.

The format for World Cup consisted of two skill shots and eight artistic show shots by both teams in a match. Team members executed a challenge shot of their choice, and their opponents were required to duplicate the shot or lose a point.

The Championship Finals match pitted all eight members of Team USA and Team Europe in the wildest shootout of the year.

The players on Team Europe displayed their brilliance to emerge as the top trick shot artists in the world. The Championship match was poetry on green felt, with Team Europe defeating Team USA by a hairline score of 21-20 to take the Gold Medals.

The standing-room-only crowd gave Team Europe a rousing ovation at the conclusion

of the Championship match. The victory was particularly rewarding for Team Europe as the teams were tied 3-3 in the history of the event, Gabriel Visiou, Florian Kohler, Michael Libera - Event Production and Team Mohegan Sun, Luke Szywala & Nick Nikolaidis Europe has now won Gold Medals four times in seven years. The Gold Medals and the team checks were presented by Mohegan Sun and Diamond Billiard Tables. The presentations brought another round of cheers from the audience.

November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 13

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10/29/12 9:46 PM

JESSICA FRIDERES

Behind the Rock Tour

Big Dog

BTRT

Billiards

The Rhea Williams Memorial tournament results are in! Congratulations to the top finishers and everyone who participated in these two events!

WOMEN'S 1ST THROUGH 8TH PLACE FINISHERS: 1st: Jessica Frideres • 2nd: Dawn Spencer 3rd: Shari Rice • 4th: Kelly Spangenburg 5th: Sandy Neal • 6th: Billie Kephart 7th: Julie Guzman • 8th: Cindy Norman Jack & Jill results: 1st: Kelly Spangenburg & Jason Richardson 2nd: Jessica Frideres & Jon Brown 3rd: Julie Guzman & Jimmy Nosavan 4th: Angelique Damstrom & Somphet Thongsouk 5th/6th: Ron Kiner & Amy Havenridge, Karla & Tom Chorney 7th/8th: Amanda & Dan Kuhl, Linda Brown & John Brown 9th/12th:Sharon Rinkert & Troy Sowers, Sabrina McCormick & Brian Thompson, Amy Hughes & Brian Hearl, Brandy & Todd.

Announcement

198 Division Opening Nov. 10th

has been running the 220 division (10ball on the 9 foot tables) for the past 3 years and is now opening the 198 division with the youth division and other special events like scotch doubles and banks. The 198 division means players will play on 7 foot or 8 foot tables. It’s your choice of which size table you’d like to play on and you’ll be playing 9 ball vs. the Ghost. No worries about table being different sizes or harder than another room because the handicapping system will absorb this difference. The 220 division will remain on the 9 foot tables playing 220 (10 ball vs. the ghost).

The 198 division will be playing a modified version of 9-ball verses the Ghost. We will have three divisions for three different skill levels as well as using a true 90% handicapping system like what is used in golf or bowling. This means the player that brings their “A” any given week has the chance to win any weekly event.

Players play from their favorite local certified location, but compete with all the other locations weekly. BTRT plays 1/3 of the field in each division EACH WEEK. The 198 division is a $6/ match entry fee and the 220 division entry is $10/match. Players can play one match a week or 10 matches a week just as long as you pay an entry fee with each match.

These divisions run independently from one another which means you can play in two different type of events in the same week with two different purses.

Understand this is not a champion’s tour. If you’re a less skilled player and you don’t run tables that’s okay. We have the intermediate division just for you.

If you can pocket 0-4 balls per game then you qualify for this division. If you’re a little more skilled then we have the Open division and then the Advanced division. If you love to play pool and want to explore your game this is the format to do just that and earn some money along the way.

The tri-annual event is just around the corner for 220. The date is Dec. 8-9. Players you need 11 matches anytime between Aug. 4 through Dec. 7. If you don’t know how many matches you have played go to the website and look on the Players Rankings page. The second to the last column that is titled #Mtch will tell you how many matches you have for this trimester. You still have time and remember you can double up matches if you need to.

This is a player’s tour. Players play and run many of the events. To find out more about how the tour works visit www.behindtherocktour.com and click on the tour or the info button. To find out how to get your local establishment playing contact us and we’ll get something going for you. If you’re interested in helping on the tour or you want to run your own local event, contact us. Just go to www.behindtherocktour.com and go to the contact page or call 253-2263594.

Watch for the scotch doubles virtual and local events and the 220 banks division to open soon.

November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 15

CR Starts It OFF The 2012-13 Pool Tournaments season kicked off Oct 6th & 7th with a $1,000 Added Singles 8-Ball at CR's Billiards Sports Bar in Coon Rapids, MN. Four Divisions: Master/AA, A, B, and C. Doors opened at 10 a.m. and the calcutta started at Noon.

CR’s had 122 players at this first event! Unbelievable! Thanks to everyone who came and made this first event a HUGE success! This is going to be a record-breaking season for sure!

Open - 8 Ball - Singles

PHOTO FROM WWW.MPAPOOL.COM

Place 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5-6th 5-6th

PHOTO FROM WWW.MPAPOOL.COM

DEMETRIUS “DEMI” JELATIS

JOSH SCHMIDT

16 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

MPA 503 269 493 3503 2007 506

MASTER/AA DIVISION - 25 ENTRIES Player Payout Demetrius "Demi" Jelatis $500.00 Jason Kubiszewski $360.00 Chad Nelson $250.00 Lance Schofield $150.00 Brad Krystofiak $100.00 Johnny Meyer $100.00

Picture $600.00 $430.00 $300.00

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

MPA 1922 533 2983 1677 1317 1534 1112 1316

A DIVISION - 29 ENTRIES Player Josh Schmidt Kregg Hurlbert Jim Whittle Roger Johnson Mark Brandt Tim Stadther Dan c. Clock Lyle Pohlen

Place 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5-6 5-6 7-8 7-8 9-12 9-12 9-12 9-12

MPA 264 297 2778 3706 3268 346 1205 2447 1985 2422 3222 1335

B DIVISION - 41 ENTRIES Player Ted Beery Ken Sylvester Dan March Brandon E. Larson Gus Steenson Todd Tokheim Gordy McNamara Joe Thompson Scott Barrett Richard Harden Bob Hutchins Dan Witzman

Payout $250.00 $160.00 $120.00 $100.00 $80.00 $80.00 $50.00 $50.00 $30.00 $30.00 $30.00 $30.00

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

MPA 2454 1370 2918 3221 112 3527 3201 4332

C DIVISION - 27 ENTRIES Player Rick Fosler Adam Leckey Mike Kamel Dave Dehn Mr. Richard "Rich" Dreyling Jr Ben Ramirez Josh Fritz Steve Sauro

Payout $220.00 $150.00 $110.00 $80.00 $50.00 $50.00 $30.00 $30.00

Payout $320.00 $200.00 $140.00 $80.00 $60.00 $60.00 $40.00 $40.00

Traveling Tournament 21st Annual

Following is the information on our recent Pool Tourney.

The 21st Annual Traveling Three Lakes Three Woman Singles Tournament was held October 20 and 21 with a field of 23 teams participating. Jake's Bar & Grill of Three Lakes took first place over Alpine Resort of Harshaw.

1st Place Winners, from left to right are Carol Estreen, Misty Moede, and Kelly Koeppel. The gals hale from the Antigo and Merrill areas. Prize money was $800.

Taking Second Place playing for Alpine Lodge were (from left to right) Tammy Radtke, Tiny Augustine, and Donna Aniol. Prize money was $400.00 The annual event brings pool sharks from the surrounding states of Minnesota, and Michigan.

g t n n i l e e m v a a r n T ur o T JAKE’S BAR & GRILL

ALPINE LODGE

Hours: Noon-2am Everyday

heck Come c us out Under New Ownership Fall Leagues Forming: A/B - Women’s - Youth - Couples Tournaments Sat 2pm-Mon 7pm-Wed 7pm Pool - Darts - Games - Music Great Food & Great Atmoshpere

BILLIARDS

KK Billiards reserves the right to change any scheduled event

1464 Main St - Green Bay, WI 920-432-0059

November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 17

Dennis Orcollo

Shane Van Boening

2012 U.S. Open STATEMENT ABOUT U.S. OPEN PRIZE FUND

By Barry Behrman - 2012-10-31

Promoters: Shannon & Barry Behrman 18 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

It is with regret that I have to announce that due to a lack of seating (that I admit I did not properly envision) that I am having to delay the prize payments to my top 6 finishers at the U.S. Open. Shannon and I had many extra expenses this year such as building the wooden risers for the seats, and that along with the large storm that forced many to leave the event early and many more not to come at all for the final three days caused a major problem with our receivables. We were unable to provide proper seating for many fans and this caused us to come up between $20-30,000 short of our projections in the $10 all day and $10 all night ticket category alone. This was a major source of the shortfall. Another source is my insistence on adding the full $60,000 that I promised to add prior to having the difficulties explained above.

We expect all debts to be covered within the next two weeks. We still have sufficient revenues coming in from the event and will pay the money out as quickly as it comes in.

Finally, we hear you and agree with you. Next year we will be in one big room for the whole tournament again.

It just works better for everyone and we have learned from our mistakes.

-from: AZBilliards.com

Open

notebook 2012 U.S. Open

Article and photos by Bob Jewett

The U.S. Open Nine Ball Championship is one of the must-see pool events. The first one was in 1976 and it has been held in the fall each year since. This year’s event was the 37th edition. It was seven days of great matches.

Festivities started on Friday night before the tournament with an exhibition match of 10 ball between Efren Reyes and Darren Appleton.

The question was whether Efren could still play with champions. In the first part of the match there was some doubt as Reyes made several mistakes and Appleton took full advantage going out to an 8-3 lead. But Efren found his footing and charged during the middle of the match to close within two games at 9-7. The rest of the match went Appleton’s way with a final result of 15-11.

The tournament began with the players’ meeting on Saturday evening, held in the newly-constructed Accu-Stats TV arena. A major point was the requirement for the break shot. At least 3 balls had to be either pocketed or driven above the side pockets. This was intended to avoid soft breaks. Also, the break had to be done “from the box” which means that the cue ball must be within about a foot from the head spot – no breaking from the side rail.

Play started on Sunday on 16 Diamond tables with Simonis 860 cloth and Aramith Pro balls. It was rack-your-own with Delta-13 racks.

The races to 11 were scheduled to start every two hours and few matches went over. To keep on schedule, any match that had scored a total of fewer than 10 games at the one-hour point were put on the 30-second shot clock.

A team from AZ Billiards provided live scoring. Jerry Forsyth and Mike Howerton circulated among the four tournament rooms entering the scores into notebook computers to update the on-line scores.

Vendors offered all your pool-related needs from tables to shirts to cues to instructional books and DVDs. One of the best matches was a Thursday rematch of Reyes-Appleton but this time at nine ball on the TV table. The first rack started slow until Efren made a mistake on the 4 ball and Darren ran out. Efren came back and when ahead by 4-2 he played a delicate position shot with the 7 and 9 near the spot. The cue ball looked like to was going to freeze to the 9 and leave no shot but just as it was coming to a stop it hit the edge of the spot and took a left turn to leave a shot on the 7. Efren likes to say, “I got lucky” and that time he did as he made a tough cut on the 7 and got out.

Darren came back to even the match at 6-6 and again at 9-9. Efren took the next but Darren again evened the score at 10-10 – everyone on the hill. The final rack started slowly with Appleton missing the 1 ball on a complicated position shot. Efren hooked himself on the 2 and had to play safe and nearly scratched. Appleton safed and Efren had the first shot on the 2 but ran into a ball and safed himself again on the 4 and had to play a safe leaving the ball visible but not makeable. Darren played to leave the cue ball and 4 on opposite sides of the 9 and did that but not quite as he wanted and left both balls close to the 9 and near

the foot spot. Efren kicked off the side cushion to hit the four and take the cue ball up-table for the safe, and he did that perfectly. To almost everyone’s amazement, the four ball went three cushions by the foot rail and came back to hit the nine, which went slowly, slowly towards the side pocket and just barely made it over the brink! Efren wins hill-hill.

In the meantime Shane Van Boening continued his march to the finals. Over the past few years he has been by far the best U.S. player and arguable the best player in the world. In the finals on the winner’s side of the double-elimination bracket, he dominated Alex Pagulayan 11-5. Alex is a very talented and exciting player to watch and among other titles is the present snooker champion of Canada.

A major factor in the match was the strength of Shane’s break shot. In recent years the break at nine ball has become controversial if not problematic. With a tight rack and a break from the side rail, the wing ball (next to the nine on the side of the break) has become nearly automatic with a fairly soft stroke. The added rules – breaking from the box and the requirement of three balls required to go up-table – are intended to remove that automatic ball. Shane seems to have solved the break for the new conditions. In the match against Alex, breaking from the box and breaking hard, he made the wing ball every time. Couple that with the fact that he rarely misses and he is very hard to beat.

No other player had the break under control to the same extent as Van Boening, although Warren Kiamco had fairly good results but with a much softer “cut break”. In that shot, the cue ball strikes the one ball in the same place as for a side-rail break. The softer speed runs the risk of violating the 3-ball rule, but Kiamco was getting a good spread with softish speed.

The finals of the one-loss side was between Alex Pagulayan and Dennis Orcollo. The match was tied at 6 all, but Alex scratched in game 13 and Dennis took control with 3 break-and-runs for an 11-7 win.

The finals between Orcollo and Van Boening were a single match to 13 with a small wrinkle – “win by 2 with a max of 15” was in effect.

The wrinkle turned out to be irrelevant. The match started out with some back-and-forth play and was tied at 2-2. At that point Shane hit a gear few can match and won 7 straight to go to 9-2. On the next break, Shane scratched and Dennis made a nice run-out, but broke dry. Shane hooked himself and got a hit, but Dennis ran out followed by three break-and-runs, to take the score to 9-7 in favor of Van Boening.

In rack 17, Orcollo made two on the break and ended up with a jump shot that he missed. That was pretty much the end of the match as Shane ran to 12-7 then gave up one shot in the final rack that Dennis could not turn into a win.

Once again Shane’s amazing break was a large factor. He broke 13 times and made the wing ball 13 times. He also scratched one time and made additional balls on at least 7 breaks. He was clearly the dominant player in this year’s Open.

If you can attend next year’s Open I hope to see you there. It will be a week of the greatest players playing great pool.

(Results on page 31) November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 19

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20 Rackem Magazine - November 2012 Nov2012Access_ad(9.375x11.25)TBreak.indd 1

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JUNIOR PLAYER PROFILE

ARYANNA NICOLE DAVIS

NAME: Aryanna Nicole Davis DATE: Oct. 23, 2012 HOME TOWN: Aurora, CO BIRTH DATE: 4/17/01 NICKNAME: Hemi SCHOOL YOU CURRENTLY ATTEND: Vista Peak Exploratory GRADE: 6th FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Math AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START PLAYING POOL? 9 TITLES/HIGH FINISHES: 17th Place in 2012 BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships, 2nd in BEF 11&Under Juniors Fundraiser Tournament WHAT KIND OF CUE(S) DO YOU USE? 5280 LEFT OR RIGHT HANDED: right FAVORITE BAND/MUSIC: Carrie Underwood/country HOBBIES: art, playing pool, spending time with family and friends, volleyball, loves office supplies MEMORABLE POOL MOMENT: Winning 2nd place at the BEF tourney at Felt and winning the raffle for the new cue FAVORITE FOOD: Spaghetti REAL-WORLD HERO: Mom and Dad FONDEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY: Trip to Wisconsin for the Junior National 9-Ball Championships GOALS (PERSONAL AND/OR CAREER): To be the best pool player ever, go to college and get good grades

JUNIOR BILLIARDS...

PLAY. SPONSOR. GET INVOLVED WWW.BILLIARDEDUCATION.ORG

November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 21

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Email: 12days@onthebreaknews.com The contest will run from September through November with the winners being announced in the December JUMP& issues. www.onthebreaknews.com Gifts donated by:BREAK LIKE A PRO! CSI, Mueller, Championship , Tiger , CuePen, Kamui, Simonis, Sir Joseph, McDermott Cue, The Break, Rackem & Stroke Pool Magazines.STINGER’S PATENTED Show your support and TIP/FERRULE TECHNOLOGY The tip features a “stinger” stem that projects downward through a hole Click on Sponsor Logos 01

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22 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

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Orcollo - Fisher Win China Open Trick Shots Mike Massey

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Lucky’s Back Poison Results Tri State Results Orcollo - Fisher Win China Open

The Pearl Conquers Empire State

November 2012 - Stroke Magazine 33 Team Montana to Victory

9-Ball Sizzler Ultimate Billiards

"Iron Man"

Red Shoes Billiards of Alsip (Chicago) Illinois hosted an "8 Ball Tournament" on Saturday October 13th, 2012. The format was BCA 8 Ball, double elimination (race to 7 on winners & 5 on the losers), The "Iron man" (one day) tournament was played on 9' foot Brunswick Gold Crowns with Simonis #860 HR cloth. The FULL FIELD ($500 added) "players meeting" started at 12:30 PM with a recap of BCA 8 Ball rules and concluded with an "open blind draw".

Unlike 8 Ball on a "bar table" (7' foot), 8 ball on a 9' foot table requires the players to bring their defensive and strategy aspects of their games into play. Every "missed shot" does not result in a loss of game and a "ball in hand" is worth it's weight in GOLD. Before the final match there was a brief discussion of a possible "chop". You could tell both IKE RUNNELS players (who play each other 3 or 4 times a week in One Pocket @ Red Shoes) had respect for each others ability. It was probably knowing they would "face each other again" within a few days that ended the "chop" conversation (nobody wanted to show weakness).

THE FINAL MATCH would be played. After the flip, one player got off to a 3-0 lead. It looked as if it might be a "whitewash". WRONG!!

The final rack (that's right HILL/HILL) saw the player who was down 3 games to zero breaking for FIRST PLACE MONEY. A "dry" break with both players getting multiple innings at the table finally saw Ike Runnels (who was up 3-0 early in the match) pocketing the 8 ball on Sergio Perez. A good match by anybody's standards.

Red Shoes Billiards will be hosting additional ($50 entry-$500 open 12009 S Pulaski Rd added) Tournaments in the following order through 2012. October Alsip, IL late 27th (Straight Pool), November 10th (Bank Pool) and Finally December 8th (One Pocket).

708-388-3700

The complete "cash" RESULTS were as follows: 1st Ike Runnels 2nd Sergio Perez 3rd Tony Gong 4th Jeff Jones 5th-6th Jack Wu & Mark Pratico 7th-8th Ed Latimer & Eric Wermes

Monthly Tournaments:

Nov 10th: Bank Pool Dec 8th: One Pocket $50 entry (includes green fee) - DE - $500 added with full field - Noon Nov 24th: Straight Pool $25 entry (includes green fee) - Handicapped - SE - Noon

FULL BAR & GRILL November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 23

24 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

WPPS W S #4 & #5

Tuula

ins

tops

6149 E 31st St Tulsa, OK

918-779-6204

Hours: Sun 2-10 pm Mon-Thurs 12-2am Fri-Sat 12-1am

DUANE TUULA Duane Tuula went undefeated on the winners side after defeating Tom McCluskey for the hot seat. Meanwhile in the 1 loss side, Dave Coles was on mission after getting sent to the one loss side by Tuula earlier in the tournament.

With Tuula sitting and waiting for an opponent. It was Dave Coles vs Tom McCluskey playing for the right to face Tuula. After being down 5-2, McCluskey consided to Coles.

In the final, Coles went on a hot streak beating Tuula in the first set. In the second set. Coles scratched on the nine ball on a difficult shot. That led to a 3-3 tie. The racks went back and forth. In the end. It was hill-hill with Tuula breaking. Tuula broke and ran to win the tour stop.

Congrats to Duane, and thank you to the players and to The Carom Room for hosting the Tour stop.

1.

Duane Tuula $1408 2.

Dave Coles $878 3.

Tom McCluskey $531 4.

Chris Patterson $346

5.

Greg Pitts $68 6.

Tom Karabotsas $68 7.

Jeff Sergent $46 8.

Lee Thomas $46 Total paid out $3,391-includes player auction TOUR STOP #5 from Master Z’s 27 players. $250 Added.

1.

Duane Tuula $702

*Duane won 2 WPPS stops in a row!* 2.

Gregg Andler $435 3.

Matt Daiber $267 4.

Chris Bonde $168 5.

Dan Sarian $56 6.

Jack McKenna $56 Total paid out $1,684-includes player auction Thank you to all of the players that came to support the tour.

Again, thanks to the sponsors of the tour.

Andy Kunz-Tour Director & Promoter

BIG DOG BILLIARDS HOSTS OCTOBER 25-28, 2012

BATTLE ON THE BAR TABLE 1-POCKET RESULTS: 13 players 1st: Taylor Anderson 2nd: Mike Henderson 3rd: Justin Richardson 4th: Somphet Thongsouk

DES MOINES, IA

BATTLE ON THE BAR TABLE 9-BALL RESULTS: 29 players 1st: Taylor Anderson 2nd: Drew Pettinger 3rd: Jody McLaughlin 4th: Mr. Dan Kuhl 5/6: Daniel Maize, Somphet Thongsouk 7/8: Wes Nemmers, Jeremy White

FOR THE POOL PLAYER WHO HAS EVERYTHING

FAMILY BILLIARDS ROOM PRO SHOP - CUE REPAIR CUES - CASES - SUPPLIES

Approx 6” long

November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 25

2012 USSHANE MosconiLEADING Cup TeamTHE Announced CHARGE FOR LONDON GLORY FOLLOWING on from his undefeated run through the recent US Open 9 Ball Championship, SHANE VAN BOENING cemented his place at the head of the American 2012 PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup rankings to secure his spot on the team as one of the top two automatic spots.

“I'm so happy to be on my 6th appearance as Mosconi USA team member. As I just won the US Open, I know I’m playing well this year and will try my best to help the team take home the title!”

Such was Van Boening’s dominance of the five event series that he beat the second placed player MIKE DECHAINE by an incredible 218 points. In his previous five Mosconi Cup appearances, the South Dakota Kid sports a record of 12 wins from 26 matches.

For second placed Dechaine it will be a return to the team following on from his debut in Las Vegas last year and he will be relishing the chance to show what he can do in front of a partisan, sold-out crowd at the York Hall, London from 10th – 13th December.

“I am very excited to compete in my second consecutive Mosconi Cup, especially with this one being in London. With the crowds being heavily in Europe's favour, this is without a doubt the team I'd want going against it and I’m very confident that we will bring home the gold,” said Dechaine.

The first of the remaining three wildcard picks is Virginia’s BRANDON SHUFF who caps off a fine season to make his Mosconi Cup debut at the age of 29.

"When I was growing up, it was an American pool player’s dream to play on the Mosconi Cup. This is definitely a blessing and hard work is paying off and I'm excited for this accomplishment and I’ll be training hard to help our team bring that Cup back where it belongs," said a delighted Shuff.

Back for his third Mosconi Cup is DENNIS HATCH. An MVP on his debut in 2009 when his gung-ho team spirit and never-saydie attitude helped propel the team to victory, Hatch will be hoping for a successful return to the York Hall where he made his last Mosconi Cup appearance in 2010.

Hatch is up for it as ever; “It’s always an honour and privilege to represent the USA and with that said, I am so fired up and hungry that the only thing I plan on tasting while in Europe is VICTORY, because I believe this is one of the best teams yet!”

The final spot in the team is filled by Georgia’s JOHNNY ARCHER who will be making a record-breaking 16th consecutive Mosconi Cup appearance. Sporting a 53% win

26 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

record, The Scorpion made his debut at the event in 1996 and has been an ever-present since.

"It is an honour to represent the USA team for my 16th straight year and I will do whatever it takes to help the boys take that cup from York Hall and bring it back to America where it belongs" he said.

SHANE VAN BOENING

The Final Ranking 1. Shane Van Boening................................................................546 2. Mike Dechaine.......................................................................328 3. Brandon Shuff.......................................................................244 4. Dennis Hatch.........................................................................230 5. Oscar Dominguez..............................................................214.5 6. Stevie Moore..........................................................................208 7. Shawn Putnam...................................................................203.5 8. Rodney Morris.......................................................................198 9. Corey Deuel...........................................................................196 10. Johnny Archer......................................................................187 11. Mike Davis...........................................................................171 12. Earl Strickland......................................................................134 13. Tom D$B!G(JAlfonso..........................................................130 14. Louis Ulrich.........................................................................124 15. Jeremy Sossei.......................................................................92.5

Lucky The Town Fair continued

….we were late or Lucky was late getting to the fair. We

got in the car raced on down to the town. We talked a lot that night about players Lucky had played and who was the best in his opinion.

“I know you told me that Jimmy Caras was the best pool player you ever played, who are others who you thought were really good” Lucky said “ I have played most all of them except Harold Worst”. He was good!

I saw Harold Worst play at Johnston City. He was a Billiard player trying to convert to pocket billiard player. I wanted to play him in his prime. He was beating every living human at that time. Rumor had it at the time he was dying of cancer with only months to live. He won the all around at Johnston City when just learning to play pocket billiards. A lot of top players of the era like Luther Lassiter wouldn’t play him he was that good.

In fact that tournament was called the World Hustler’s Tournament. The people in Johnston City would bet on themselves, that was the big thing.

There was so much knowledge -- the gambling, the making of games, I was there because I could make a few bucks . I didn’t play the tournament and did make a few bucks off of a couple of backers, and Richard Cook who brought a bunch of cues to sell.

I stayed low key.

They played in some tournament and Wimpy beat Worst. He got real lucky to beat him. So after the match was over Worst says, ‘I’ll see you in the back room, Mr. Lassiter for $200 a game, nine-ball.’ Anyway, everybody flocked to the back room because they wanted to see that game -- Worst against Wimpy, $200– Worst heard Wippy wouldn’t show up so no match happened. He

might have been the best player I played ever even over Caras if I had a chance to play him. if he had lived longer.

You may never have heard of these players Don Watson At one time he was considered by many as the best 9 ball player. Many people said Watching him play position was a clinic, smoothly artistic.. Larry Johnson (Boston Shorty) another great player who beat most of the players he played too.

People were waiting to play Lucky at a chance play him. Lucky went over to the mayor of the town they had a private conversation, then he came back said all set ready to go…not sure what he really meant.

Over on the side were the two hustlers who wanted to bet high, but they had to wait.

Lucky continued to play people at 5 to 1 odd. Yesterday people would bet up to $50. Today it was supposed to be a no ceiling on a bet. He was entertaining the crowd with each game played. Each game played was a performance not so much on the pool table. He grabbed a harmonica out of his shirt pocket and played ol’ Susanna. Next game he danced an Irish jig. He was juggling pool balls.

Sang and told jokes. He even did a magic trick where he pulled a dove from his baseball cap. He was truly a Vaudeville type act amusing the assembly.

He won some games and lost some games. Still the town was making money. He would look at the Mayor once in a while. The eye contact seemed like he was checking in to see if the town was making money or not.

The fair was winding down on this the last day. Many had handfuls of stuff from the booths. It was a bunch of fun. A few Fair goers got

BY: ANDREW MONSTIS

their chance to win some money playing Lucky. Some were leaving for home. Lucky started to look at the two guys, here to take all the towns money by playing those huge odds. I felt Lucky had these two eating out of the palm of his hand.

They waited for a long time… They walked up….

Howdy you guys still want to play. What your names? ‘I am Vincent Lauria my friend is Grady Seasons”. Lucky said I think I heard of you guys before. are you guys some type of famous pool players or are you just shufflers? .. “what your name old man “? Lucky said “Scarecrow”, then started signing, while walking to his pool cue.

“I could while away the hours, Conferrin’ with the flowers, Consultin’ with the rain. And my head I’d be scratchin’ While my thoughts were busy hatchin’ If I only had a brain. I’d unravel every riddle For any individ’le In trouble or in pain. With the thoughts you’ll be thinkin’ You could be another Lincoln. If you only had a brain.”

Where did that come from? I thought…. Sounded like Lucky was being ingeniously sarcastic. Easy to figured it out, Lucky was being friendly to these two guys and who came up with fictitious names, kind of an affront, So Lucky said what he did. The fictitious names? what could they be hiding. They were no-buddies. I didn’t recognize them at all. There are a lot of new players out there these day it is easy to miss a good player or two.

Lucky… excuse me, I mean “Scarecrow” was in a jovial mood.

The two guys started to open up their pool cases getting ready to play.

“Old man 5 to 1 on the money still the odds” Y-up! Now how much do

you boys want to play for?

Hold your horses old man don’t worry we have money. I wasn’t pressing you just asking!!

The lights flickered the wind was howling outside.

Lucky didn’t beat around the bush, what do you mystery guys want to play for give me a clue. $200 a game. Lucky choked on his Fuji mineral water, what! $200 a game!, what did you guys say, you had money!….. “Don’t insult me Please!” Lucky was getting testy. The guys were apologetic> they both new if they gave lucky a bad time he wouldn’t play, and Lucky new it, that’s why I said he had them eating out of his hand.

The lights flickered again and the jute box music skipped.

Lucky said Ok $200 a game 8 ball, They flipped the coin, The guy called Grady Seasons (ha ha) won the break. He made a few striped balls and didn’t get out. Lucky finished solids first rack done, $200 bucks given to the town Treasurer sitting quietly off to the side of the pool table. Lucky won the next 4 games $1000 ahead. Lucky broke made nothing then the guy called Grady Season ran out. The treasurer paid off the $1000. 5 to1 odds was going to be tougher then I would have thought for Lucky. The start all over Lucky wins 5 games up again $1000 and made nothing on the break and Grady ran out.

The lights flickered again. People turning heads up to the ceiling in wonder.

You know these guys had a plan to win all the money the town collected during the fair. Grady said “is it time to raise the bet”. $500 a game, Lucky said I’ll tell you what I am going to do. Race to 3 for a Lucky continued page 30

November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 27

Corner Café pool table to

MARK “DR. POPPER” DIMICK

ESPN & 5th world ranking I have been playing pool since I was 15. I first played pool at a nearby café that had two pool tables in the back. I am now retired from General Motors. My wife and I have two children and three grandchildren. We live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Pool has always been a great part of my life. My first trick shot competition was in 1980 at the BCA Nationals where Mike Massey directed the tricks shot competition. I finishing third behind Tom Rossman It wasn’t until 1993 at the BCA Nationals that Tom (Dr. Cue) Rossman introduced me to Artistic Pool by holding the BCA Artistic Pool National Amateur Championships. From 1993 to 2003, I competed in Dr. Cue’s championships and finished 4 times Champion and 2 times runner up. In 2000, I decided to move up to the professional Artistic Pool level. I have been able to travel all over the world competing in the Artistic Pool arena. I have been privileged to be involved in the continuing development of Artistic Pool. Tom and Marty Rossman have been a major influence in my artistic pool career, as they have been to thousands of other artistic pool players.

Tom has been recognized as the father of Artistic Pool. Ask anyone who has been to the National league championships over the years and they will all know who Dr. Cue is and the great shows he has done.

In 2004, I had been experimenting with different materials and tips looking for the right combination for a jump cue that would jump closer to the object ball. That is when I invented the Dr Popper Jump Q. We now sell all over the world. You can see the jump cue in action on ESPN’s Trick Shot Magic and World Cup of Trick Shots or go to our web site, drpopperjumpq.com.

I am currently ranked 5th in the WPA World Artistic Pool rankings, been on ESPN and just last July traveled to Shenyang, China for the World Artistic Pool Masters Invitational Championship.

If you have ever made that one miracle shot, then you already know the thrill of Artistic Pool.

May you all enjoy Artistic Pool at some point in your game! - See ad page 29

PartyPoker.com - Mosconi Cup latest news Wiley gets the nod as USA captain

MARK “DR. POPPER” DIMICK

FOLLOWING A 16 year absence from the event, winning 1996 Mosconi Cup player/captain CJ Wiley returns to London this December as skipper of the American team at PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup. The 47 year-old Wiley from Texas was in charge of the side in London in 1996 and had the honour of potting the winning 9 ball in a 15-13 victory.

After a highly decorated spell at the top, including winning the ESPN World Championship, Wiley wound down his career in the 2000’s, choosing to focus on a successful business career. He’s now back and will be facing one of the toughest challenges of his career as he attempts to rally his side and try and turn their recent Mosconi Cup fortunes around.

“It's an honor to be chosen to represent the USA Team as Captain in 2012,” said Wiley.

“I have been honored with the ‘Player of the Year’ award and won major championships; however being chosen to represent my country and its best players in the Mosconi Cup is something I value as an even greater personal accomplishment.

“I know that the European Team has dominated us over the past 6 years and I know it's going to be especially challenging to go into York Hall in front of a highly enthusiastic home crowd and win the Mosconi Cup. “This year however, is going to be different. The USA team will be young, ambitious and hungry for this victory. I, as captain will make sure they are all on top of their games both mentally and physically.

“This is more than just a pocket billiards match, this is for patriotic pride. This is for the right to say WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS and take the Mosconi Cup back to America, where it belongs,” added an ebullient Wiley.

The PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup takes place from Monday 10th to Thursday 13th December at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London. Tickets are available exclusively from www.seetickets.com

28 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

CJ WILEY

TAP NATIONALS The TAP league, one of the largest and fastest growing amateur billiard leagues in the United States, will be making a encore appearance for their national championships from November 3rd thru the 6th at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in North Charleston, S.C. TAP last held their nationals there in 2009 and the players loved the area so much that TAP has decided to make a return trip back.

Billiard teams from all over the United States and Canada will converge to battle it out for the national championship in their respective formats, either 8 or 9 ball team and singles competitions as well as TAP's popular Blue-Gray Dream team event. The dream team event is a special event that only the TAP league offers to their members.

Teams are built with any players within TAP either locally or nationally. They are then paired with teams according to their home state locations, north or south, hence the name Blue/Gray dream team event.

Also for the first time, these events will be broadcast live via Lavalinked. The web site link to view these matches is http://www.tapleaguestream.com/ Matches will be broadcast in high definition and commercial free.

The events are open to the public. Matches will be played on 7 foot Diamond tables.

There will also be many vendors on site for any local billiard players looking to upgrade their equipment or just to browse around. For more information on the event or becoming a TAP licensee, you can visit the league web site at www.tapleague.com.

McDermott Cues is the official cue sponsor of this event.

TAP's nationals for 2013 will be held at the Pheasant Run Resorts near Chicago, Ill. and in 2014 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas.

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As seen on ESPN World Cup of Trick Shots and YouTube MARK “DR POPPER” DIMICK November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 29

PRESS RELEASE

CSI Responds

CueSports International, Henderson, Nevada (September 28, 2012) – CueSports International (CSI), the organization which owns and produces the US Open 10-Ball Championship, wishes to correct erroneous information that was presented in a recent press release. On September 19, 2012, the Association of Billiard Professionals (ABP) distributed a press release that proclaimed their ranking list. There was an attachment to this release that listed the 3 events that were used for these calculations; Hopkins Player’s Championship, the US Open 10-Ball, and Turning Stone.

By sending out this information, the ABP suggested that all 3 events have sanctioned or recognized the ABP. That is NOT TRUE. The only event that actually recognized the ABP was the first event. This type of release misleads and confuses the players and the fans.

In a statement distributed to the mainstream billiard media on January 17, 2012 entitled “CSI Supports BCA as Governing Body for Cue Sports in North America” CSI clearly recognized and continues to support the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) as the Governing Body of Billiards in North America. The BCA point system is the only recognized system in North America used for inviting players to compete in WPA sanctioned World Championship events.

One of the responsibilities of a governing body is to insure that events do not conflict with previously scheduled events – particularly world events. The ABP has shown that they will schedule events that conflict with previously scheduled WPA world events. That is unacceptable, when the goal is to get North American players to participate in world events.

The US Open 10-Ball Championship will be held at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino (July 19-23, 2013) in Las Vegas. It will be a Billiard

Lucky

Congress of America (BCA) Point Event. It has been scheduled and will be played using the BCA guidelines. There is a very high probability that the US Open 8-Ball (held immediately after the US Open 10-Ball) will also be a BCA Point event. The 14th US Open One Pocket is also scheduled; that will make 3 US Open events with $60,000 in added money. All these events are played alongside the 37th Annual BCAPL National Championships – “The Greatest Pool Tournament in the World”.

It is unfortunate that we have to take this action, but CSI must clarify that neither the tournament nor CSI are affiliated with the ABP. CSI does not recognize, endorse or sanction with the ABP as an official player ranking organization in the United States. CSI has never agreed to promote an ABP sanctioned event. CSI has requested that ABP send out a corrective press release, however with the way that several websites have reported the ABP press release as accurate, we felt compelled to set the record straight.

CueSports International is dedicated to creating more choices for all players. In the past 8 years CSI has directly paid out $8,000,000 to players. CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League and the USA Pool League. CSI also produces independent events such as the US Bar Table Championships, the Jay Swanson Memorial, the US Open One Pocket Championship, the US Open 8-Ball Championship and the US Open 10-Ball Championship. Visit www.playcsipool.com, www.playbca. com, and www.playusapool.com for more information about CSI and its divisions.

(continued from page 27)

thousand at 10 to 1 odds, They said sure but Vincent is going to play.

Lucky kind of shook his head and said well OK. They were putting their ace in to win the money. That was their plan.

The County Sherriff came in and said that the news report say there is a big storm was coming our way……

Lucky won the 1st set 3 to 1.

This player had a big back roll in his pocket you could see as he peeled off a grand to give to the guy sitting in the chair. The wind was howling more and more just like when I was in that tornado on my way to see Lucky.

Lucky broke and ran 3 games

to win another set. Another $1000 peeled off the wad. Next set Lucky broke made like 5 stripes all easy remaining balls. He ran out the set $1000 to the treasurer. His bank roll still was huge. Lucky won his 5th set Vincent only having one inning. $5000 ahead with ten to one odds they could get their money back and some with winning one set so far Lucky was basically controlling things. Lucky was working to win 10 sets the point where they could break even with a winning set.

Lucky was winning 3-0 every on remaining sets, now at 10 It looked like he was killing them. I thought Lucky was going to get over the

30 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

hump.

The wind was getting loud.

The building was rattling and many spectators were leaving for cover. The smart thing to do, I was wondering when we were going to leave it was getting eerie, I’ll quit when they do.

They the guys kept playing. On the 11th set Lucky broke made nothing and Vincent ran 2 racks, broke the 3rd game and was running out, I thought then Lucky was not getting over the hump again. The lights went out things were hitting the building, what the F@*k.. Lights came back on. Vincent on the 8 ball missed a fairly easy shot jawed the 8 ball. The 8 ball laying right in the

hole! Lucky had a hard, I mean hard out. Lucky having to shoot one ball at a time, during all the distraction, having to concentrate. Lucky banked one shot kicked in the next ball jumped the next, caromed the next and found himself on the 8ball.

Wow! The treasurer said he needed to get out of here and leaving $10,000 with Lucky and left. These guys had their noses open they were not going anywhere until they won some money. Vincent racked the balls, The wind was raucous. The building was trembling apart, the light still on but flickering now most the time.

These crazy folks were risking their lives……… To be continued

PRESS RELEASES

WPBA Tour Championships Coming to Lincoln City

World’s Best Women LINCOLN CITY, OR – The Women's Pro Billiard Tour will stage its season-culminating event, the WPBA Tour Championships, in Lincoln City, Oregon November 7-11, 2012. Forty-eight of the best women pool players in the world will head to Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City to compete for the tour's most prestigious title.

The event kicks off with a charity pro-am tournament November 7th, featuring the top 16 ranked professionals.

Open to the general public, fans have a chance to compete against top players while raising money for the Taft High School Booster Club.

The main event begins on November 8th; all 48 competitors will complete double elimination rounds, playing down to semi and final matches on Sunday, November 11th. The semi and final matches will be taped

by ESPN for three one-hour national broadcasts. The WPBA Tour Championship is a major stop on the Women's Pro Billiard Tour, the culminating event of each tour season.

Said WPBA president Tamre’ Rogers, "The players are eager to return to Chinook Winds on the beautiful Oregon coast for this season's tour finale!"

Slated to compete are the best known names in the world of women's pro billiards, including European and world champion Jasmin Ouschan; famed "Black Widow" Jeanette Lee; Chinese sensation Xiaoting Pan, reigning world 9-Ball champion "Kwikfire" Kelly Fisher; reigning world 10Ball champion Ga Young Kim

aka "Little Devil Girl"; BCA Hall of Famer and reigning U.S. Open champion Allison Fisher; and newly inducted BCA Hall of Famer, the “Irish Invader” Karen Corr!; as well as local favorite Liz Cole of Portland, Oregon.

It all takes place at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in the Convention Center in Lincoln City, OR. For more information, or to obtain tickets (day passes are just $20), call 1-888-MAINACT (624-6228) or 541996-5775. Chinook Winds Casino Resort, located on the beach in Lincoln City, is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

About the Women's Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) The WPBA was established in 1976 as the Women's Professional Billiard Alliance, and celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2011 as the oldest pro player organization in the sport. The WPBA sanctions and produces the Women's Pro Billiard Tour, which features ESPN-televised events between the world's greatest women players. Visit www.wpba.com for more information. The WPBA Classic Tour is official partners with the American Poolplayers Association (the world’s largest pool league), Diamond Billiards (tables), Iwan Simonis (cloth), Delta 13 (racks), Aramith (balls) and sponsored

by Pooldawg (online supplies).

FINAL RESULTS

U.S. OPEN 9 BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

October 21-27,, 2012 1st $25,000 Shane Van Boening 2nd $15,000 Dennis Orcollo 3rd $10,000 Alex Pagulayan 4th $6,000 Efren Reyes 5/6 $4,000 Ronnie Alcano

Jose Parica 7/8 $3,000 Darren Appleton

Jung Lin Chang 9-12 $2,000 Niels Feijen

Jayson Shaw

Johnny Archer

He Wen Li 13-16 $1,800 Wang Can

Tom D’Alfonso

Corey Deuel

Yukio Akagariyama 17-24 $1,600 Shawn Putnam

Raj Hundal

Nick Van Den Berg

Albin Ouschan

Earl Strickland

Jin Hu Dang

Chris Melling

Huidji See 25-32 $1,400 Jason Klatt

Ko-Pin Ye

Louis Ulrich

Haitao Liu,

Darren Appleton

David Alcaide

Darryl Peach

Brandon Shuff 33-48 $1,200 Chris Futrell

Shaun Wilke

Demetrius Jelatis

Hanni Al-Howri

Mika Immonen

Mario He

Hunter Lombardo

Thorsten Hohmann

Hao Xiang Han

Jani Siekkinen

John Foster

Mike Davis

Tommy Kennedy,

Phil Burford

Ralf Souquet

John Morra

November 2012 - Rackem Magazine 31

“The Viper”

(continued from page 10)

VIPER: Describe yourself in three words?

Sylver: Tenacious, confident, and outgoing.

VIPER: If you had to live your life over again, what would one thing you change about your self or your career?

Sylver: I wouldn’t change a thing because of all of the good and bad experiences combined have made who I am today.

VIPER: Who influenced you the most in pool?

Sylver: When I was 15-years-old I played in a $350 entry fee tournament in South Padre Island and just made it into the money round. That is the first time I saw Cory Deuel in person – he had just won the US Open and it seamed like he was winning everything that year! Just recently, I told him about me looking up to him as a kid and he giggled at me.

VIPER: Who are your favorite professionals?

Sylver: I would have to say my favorite pro would be Dennis Orcullo. I once saw him gamble with Chris Bartram giving him the wild 6, 7, 8, and 9 playing 10-ball.

I thought to myself, this Dennis is going to lose, and then he beat Chris handily.

Dennis makes pool look so easy to play.

My other favorites would be Pilipino players Warren Kiamko and Francisco Bustamante – they’re so easy going and they never let the pressure affect them.

I’ve had offers to go the Philippines and can’t wait to go there, the players say it’s amazing and I know I will learn a lot by going.

Shane VanBoening, is also my favorite American player because he has improved so fast and is playing so well these days. Not only does Shane play exceptional rotation pool but also ALL games! He recently won back-to-back Derby City Classic’s 1-Pocket titles and a just a few years ago he didn’t even know how to play the game.

VIPER: How do you prepare for events?

Sylver: Before major events I like to play a few times a week in the daytime of the pool hall. I won’t come in at night because ALL the people will ask me a million questions so in the daytime I feel like it’s only the table and me so I can get a good workout. I won’t play too much because then I’ll get burned out. I want to be able to feel like I’m missing pool. Then lastly, I will compete in a few local tournaments.

VIPER: What was the best advice you were ever given?

Sylver: To never give up! Even if you’re down in a match, you will never see me give up…. I will fight till the bitter end. That has really has stuck in my mind over the years.

VIPER: What is one thing that you enjoy most while playing pool?

Sylver: I love the travelling part of pool and meeting all the different people. When your here at home you see the same people all the time and when you’re on the road you get to challenge yourself against others with your abilities. When I finish well at an event, it makes me feel good about myself.

VIPER: If you could say one thing to a young up-coming player what would it be?

Sylver: Believe in yourself – if you lose you have a choice you can either quit or you can use that loss to your advantage and it can make you stronger – you have to learn to deal with losing before you can win.

VIPER: What did your parents say about you playing pool for a living?

Sylver: My dad brags about me all of the time and my mom is my biggest fan. She always watches my pool matches and pulls for me whether it’s live in person or on the Internet. She bought me my first pool table.

VIPER: What’s your Favorite game?

Sylver: Of course its One-Pocket, and its because you have to earn each game, their is not much luck in that game. My friend Joseph would come to my house and 32 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

we would watch Accu-stats videos all night and that’s when I took a liking to the game.

Those videos were a huge help in my improvement. Listening to the commentary really helped with the bad mistakes and/or the correct choices players were making.

Facebook questions: Johnny Haven from Cleveland, TN asks: Differences in pool in different countries, which is your favorite to play in?

Sylver: Johnny, I’ve only travelled to Mexico a few times and I have never been over seas. But I love to go to the Philippines sometime soon.

Carl Stewart from Tucson, AZ asks: Ask about him how he thinks pool can get into mainstream sports?

Sylver: Carl, They have new game called “Bonus Ball” that is debuting in the next few weeks that I will be participating in and I think it could bring new opportunities to the sport and bring new fans because of the buzz it will create.

Brian Quintanilla from Lavaca, TX asks: What can we expect from you in 2013? Is there a specific event that you would like to win?

Sylver: Brian, I am going to the Derby City Classic in January of next year and I hope to win additional titles particularly in 1-pocket.

Amanda Lampert from Frisco, TX asks: What does he think he has

to do in order to have, and maintain, a successful professional career and image.

Sylver: Amanda, I want to win more championships and I truly am a believer in conducting yourself in a professional manner, which means being classy and respectful.

Jeannie Marie Seaver from Cocoa, FL asks: What are some pointers

he can give to someone trying to improve their game? Does he think the type of cue matters or a pool tip?

Sylver: Jeannie, I think players should find a cue that there comfortable with. I have only played with a few cues in my life so I can’t really give much advise about that.

If you’re just getting started, don’t give up and don’t be discouraged when you lose– just get right back on that horse keep trying.

John Ferguson from Riverside, CA asks: You don't hear too much

on the mental side of billiards maybe you can ask him his thoughts.

Sylver: John, I suggest watching on-line matches of the better pros. Recently, I watched the US Open and I like to watched to see how players react to certain scenarios under extreme pressure. Then I will incorporate some of the positives into my own game.

Bryan Bell from Colorado Springs, CO asks: Has he ever taken lessons? Was it beneficial? If so, from whom?

Sylver: Bryan, I have never gotten lessons but actually giving lessons has helped me to remember the thought process of playing the game.

Janet Neitzel from Pocatello, ID asks: What would be his advice for

someone just starting the game that has “natural talent"?

Sylver: Janet, I would give them encouragement to continue to play the game but to be careful to not get big headed.

A special “Thank-you” to Sylver Ochoa for sharing his thoughts on his personal life and pool career.

Till next month you can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wpbaviper.

WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice

DATE Mondays Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Thursdays Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

CITY Green Bay, WI Cedar Rapids, IA Des Moines, IA Green Bay, WI Oshkosh, WI Oshkosh, WI Cedar Rapids, IA Coon Rapids, MN Des Moines, IA Farmington, MN Tulsa, OK Oshkosh, WI Green Bay, WI Tulsa, OK Cedar Rapids, IA Cedar Rapids, IA Des Moines, IA

LOCATION K K Billiards 2nd Ave Corner Pocket Big Dog Billiards K K Billiards Varsity Club Varsity Club 2nd Ave Corner Pocket CR’s Sports Bar Big Dog Billiards Farmington Billiards Q-Spot Billiards Varsity Club K K Billiards Q-Spot Billiards 2nd Ave Corner Pocket 2nd Ave Corner Pocket Big Dog Billiards

PHONE EVENT / RULES (920) 737-2904 8-Ball A/B Semi-slop (319) 366-0979 8-Ball-Race to 2 (515) 266-6100 8-Ball B/C Race to Hdcp (920) 606-2639 9-Ball (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Beginners (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Intermediate (319) 366-0979 8-Ball-Masters Race to 3 (763) 780-1585 8-Ball on 7’ Diamonds (515) 266-6100 10-Ball (651) 463-2636 8 or 9-ball rotation (918) 779-6204 8-Ball 7 & under (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Open - Break Pot (920) 737-2904 Pool (918) 779-6204 9-Ball 7 & under (319) 366-0979 9-Ball-Race to 5 (319) 366-0979 8-Ball-NO MASTERS (515) 266-6100 9-Ball - Race 6/5 - Alt Break

ENTRY ADDED $15 (incl. g.f.) $5 $10 Break & Run Pot $15 (incl. g.f.) $8 $10 $5 $16 $75 $10

$15+$5 g.f. $50 w/16 $5 $15 $5/player Guar. $15 (incl. g.f.) $10 (incl. g.f.) $5 $5 $15

TIME 7PM 7PM 5:30PM 7PM Call Call 7PM 7PM 5:30PM 6:30PM 9 PM Call 2PM 9 PM 2PM 7PM 5PM

WatChing The Live Streaming of the U.S. Open

Story & photo by: Don Akerlow My plan for this year’s U.S. I have talked to businesses Open was to be there as I about advertising on the live have planned for the last streaming, they don’t get it. three years. Unfortunately, It just doesn’t make sense. circumstances made it It does to me but I’m in the impossible. I relied on the live advertising business so it could streaming. I am trying to look be quality or availability or at what I see being done in most importantly what is the live streaming and how that event. Some businesses have effects the audience. Live come around to advertise streaming is a funny animal, to get their name out there. sometimes it works great and When you get a chance in this sometimes not so. Then there digital world we live in, visit is always the possibility of websites of those advertisers it crashing, either from the who sponsor the live stream. streamer or a poor connection The other concerns advertisers at home and of course, there have are the numbers. They is always the possibility of the range anywhere from 10 to server being overloaded.

20, to a few hundred, upwards The up side is you can watch of a thousand and probably photo taken from my TV during the live streaming it from your home, from your the most that I have seen are computer or hook it up to your television. The difference between a 19” 1200 to 1300. Those have become on an average what the viewership of live monitor on your computer and a 55” flat screen TV is amazing. Almost three streaming is. When you compare this to when just a couple of years ago, the times the size and with a good sound system, amazing quality. It does become WPBA on ESPN being on late night, received somewhere around 100,000 at times pixelated especially when the players move quickly around the table. viewers. From an industry point of view on cable TV, CNN cancelled one of All in all though it is an amazing transformation. It makes you feel as though their shows because the viewership was only 150,000! Can you imagine a you are in the audience or you are watching them from the next room. And live streaming having those numbers? A live streaming with 150,000 viewers you get to see the shots they are shooting an no one is in your way. One of the would be celebrated, maybe even a parade. But in all seriousness, the question most unique features about live streaming is the chat. You get your occasional should never be in the negative, always the positive - How do we get there?

SOBs but for all intents and purposes it is almost like having a group of I have pondered this idea and tried to make some work unsuccessfully. So friends over to watch the weekly game. I try to watch as many as I can and in now I turn to you the reader. I need your help. Let me know what you think locations I may never get to. But don’t hold me to that because I may show up would work. You don’t have to be a creative genuis or an advertising executive one day. to answer this question. I’m trying to get different opinions and then share it Live streaming has been around in the billiard community since 2007. I was with everyone so we all benefit. I appreciate your thougts and suggestions so totally fascinated when I found this pool tournament being live streamed in please send it to: pool@onthebreaknews.com or around Kansas City. What I find most troubling on the business side of live Subject line: Live streaming streaming is the lack of advertisers showing their commercials. I don’t believe Let’s make live streaming have the hundreds of thousands of viewers!!! that it is the advertisers fault for not advertising in the live stream. When

October 2012 - Rackem Magazine 33

Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice

DATE

Click on the MAP link online to get directions to each location

Nov 3 Nov 3 Nov 3-4 Nov 3-6 Nov 7-11 Nov 9 Nov 10 Nov 10 Nov 10 Nov 10 Nov 10-11 Nov 16-18 Nov 17 Nov 17 Nov 24 Dec 1 Dec 1 Dec 8 Dec 8 Dec 8 Dec 8 Dec 15 Dec 15 Dec 22 Dec 29 Jan 5 Jan 5 Jan 12 Jan 19 Jan 19 Jan 19 Jan 24-25 Jan 25-27 Jan 26 Feb 2 Feb 16 Feb 23 Feb 23-24 Feb 25-Mar 3 Feb 25-Mar 3 Feb 25-Mar 3 Feb 25-Mar 3 Feb 25-Mar 3 Feb 25-Mar 3

CITY

LOCATION

PHONE

EVENT / RULES

ENTRY

TIME

LINK

Des Moines, IA Rochester, MN Lafayette, LA N Charleston, SC Lincoln City, OR Coon Rapids, MN Coon Rapids, MN Alsip, IL Boscobel, WI Schofield, WI Midwest City, OK Indianapolis, IN Centerville, WI Des Moines, IA Alsip, IL LaCrosse, WI Des Moines, IA Farmington, MN Alsip, IL Fond DuLac, WI WI Rapids, WI Bangor, WI Des Moines, IA Sparta, WI LaCrosse, WI Waukon, IA Des Moines, IA Dodgeville, WI Tomah, WI Des Moines, IA Monroe, WI Coon Rapids, MN Coon Rapids, MN Colby, WI LaCrosse, WI Oshkosh, WI Centerville, WI Bellflower, CA Reno, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV Reno, NV

Big Dog Billiards Top Shots White Diamond TAP Nationals Chinook Winds C R Billiards C R Billiards Red Shoes Billiards Double K Mickey’s Billiards Jamaica Joe’s BCAPL/USAPL Jailhouse Saloon Big Dog Billiards Red Shoes Billiards Top Shots Big Dog Billiards Farmington Billiards Red Shoes Billiards Press Box Good Time Charlie’s Augie’s Bar Big Dog Billiards Bobby V’s Moose Lodge VFW Big Dog Billiards Hills Pub Kelsey’s Class Act Big Dog Billiards Friendly Inn C R Billiards C R Billiards VFW Chapter II Varsity Club Jailhouse Saloon CSI CSI CSI CSI CSI CSI CSI

(515) 266-6100 (507) 252-6915 (337) 989-9889 (800) 984-7665 (888) CHINOOK (763) 780-1585 (763) 780-1585 (708) 388-3700 (608) 375-5404 (920) 344-3379 (405) 736-0590 (702) 719-7665 (608) 539-5245 (515) 266-6100 (708) 388-3700 (608) 782-6622 (515) 266-6100 (612) 226-7665 (708) 388-3700 (920) 921-9677 (715) 424-1995 (608) 486-1162 (515) 266-6100 (608) 269-2526 (608) 788-2998 (563) 568-2530 (515) 266-6100 (608) 319-2345 (608) 372-3220 (515) 266-6100 (608) 325-9983 (763) 780-1585 (763) 780-1585 (715) 507-0042 (608) 782-3038 (920) 651-0806 (608) 539-5245 (702) 719-7665 (702) 719-7665 (702) 719-7665 (702) 719-7665 (702) 719-7665 (702) 719-7665 (702) 719-7665

Rated 9-Ball - on 7’ Diamonds 8-Ball Women’s - Open Super 9-Ball Singles & Team Nationals WPBA Tour Championship 9-Ball 8-Ball on 7’ bar box Bank Pool - DE 8-Ball Open WPPS 9-Ball Tour OK Bar Table 9-Ball IN Fall Classic 8-Ball Mens A/B + Women Rated 8-Ball - on 7’ Diamonds Straight Pool - SE 8-Ball Open Rated 9-Ball - on 7’ Diamonds 8-Ball Ladies Only One Pocket - DE WPPS 9-Ball Limit 32 8-Ball Closed Div 8-Ball Closed Di Rated 8-Ball - on 7’ Diamonds 8-Ball Open Div 8-Ball Open Div 8-Ball Closed Div+Men’s Open Rated 9-Ball - on 7’ Diamonds 8-Ball Open+Women 8-Ball Open Rated 8-Ball - on 7’ Diamonds WPPS 9-Ball Bar Table Shootout Singles Bar Table Shootout Teams 8-Ball Open 8-Ball Closed Div 8-Ball Open 8-Ball Open Jay Swanson 9-Ball (Max 192) 10-Ball Bar Table-Open Div 10-Ball Bar Table-Wmns Div 9-Ball Bar Table-Open Div 9-Ball Bar Table-Wmns Div 8-Ball Bar Table-Open Div 8-Ball Bar Table-Wmns Div

$25+$10 g.f. Call Noon $30 Call 9AM $40 $1,000 w/128 9AM Varies Call Call $10-$30 Tickets Call Call 7PM $30-$50 $1,000 10AM $50 (incl g.f.) $500 w/full field Noon $30 Call 9AM $40 $250 w/25 Call $50 $2,500 Guar 11AM Call $2,000 Call $30 up to $500 9AM $25+$10 g.f. Call Noon $25 (incl g.f.) Call Noon $30 Call 9AM $25+$10 g.f. Call Noon $40 $200 w/32 11AM $50 (incl g.f.) $500 w/full field Noon Call $250 w/20 Call $30 Call 9AM $30 Call 9AM $25+$10 g.f. Call Noon $30 Call 9AM $30 Call 9AM $30 Call 9AM $25+$10 g.f. Call Noon $30 Call 9AM $30 Call 9AM $25+$10 g.f. Call Noon Call $500 w/32 Call $50-$90 $5,000 7PM $250 7PM $30 Call 9AM $30 Call 9AM $30 Call 9AM $30 Call 9AM $80/$85 $3,000 Min Call Call $5,500 Call Call $1,000 w/16+ Call Call $5,500 Call Call $1,000 w/16+ Call Call $5,500 Call Call $1,000 w/16+ Call

ADDED

MAP

ATTENTION ALL OWNERS

Reasons to Advertise Successful Pool Locations Increase Advertising During Slow Economic Times

1. Your Competition Is Likely To Cut Back On Advertising.

2. The Frequent Ads of Successful Locations Become More

Visible to the Pool Player.

3. Studies Prove That Locations Advertising during slow times Increase Market Share.

4. Locations That Cut Advertising Will Lose Market Share.

Some Will Even Go Bust.

5. Advertising works over time because it builds name AWARENESS. 6. It works because without it the pool players believes all products, 34 Rackem Magazine - November 2012

services and locations are the same.

7. When you don’t advertise a pool player quickly forgets your

location. And, they don’t know why you are better than your competition.

8. Research has shown that the best-performing companies in the long term are those that continue advertising during an economic slowdown.

9. Your budget may seem tight right now, but the current slowdown may be an ideal opportunity to bring in new pool players and their friends to your location.

MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP

MAP

MAP MAP MAP MAP

MAP MAP

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