SPM Billiard Magazine Issue 44

SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE ISSUE 44

CONTENTS

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INSTRUCTION ARTICLES

06 THE GOLDEN YEARS BY RICK PRINCE 09 RUNNING OUT OF GAS BY STEVE JENNINGS 10 7 STEPS TO COACHING TEAMS BY JACKIE KAROL 13 MIND MELTING MOMENTS BY ERIC NARETTO 30 MASTERING THE DRAW STROKE BY THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR 34 THE BREAK AND WHY SO MANY GET IT WRONG BY CHIP KLEIN 70 FIVE WAYS TO PLAY A MORE CONFIDENT GAME... BY ANTHONY BEELER

BILLIARD NEWS

16 PROFESSIONAL DAYDREAMING... BY MATT ANDREWS 21 THE LAST SWAN SONG BY ELLIOTT WEST 25 MAINTAINING A BALANCED POOL SCENE BY BRAD SWAIN 28 SOFIA MAST “THE PINK DAGGER” BY KAT DAY 38 THE RISE OF SVB BY PATRICK SAMPEY 49 WHY WOMEN’S POOL IS ON THE RISE BY STEVE RAU

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FROM OUR EDITOR Hi, Pool friends and family!

I hope you’re doing well in 2024 and enjoying the pool scene. There are a lot of exciting things happening right now! Matchroom’s Premier League Pool just finished Day 4, with Shane Van Boening leading the pack followed

by Filler and Ko Pin Yi. Day 5 will be the real test for the players.

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On the women’s side, WPBA Fairfield Invitational has begun in Iowa.

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Mark White is pursuing his passion for swimming, commentating, and staying healthy in China.

During the PLP commentary, Emily Frazer announced that the Winner of the World Pool Championship will take home $250,000! She also mentioned that she would soon be traveling to find a place to hold the Efren Reyes Cup. There are many exciting things happening with Matchroom Pool, and the qualifiers will be an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to play in the Matchroom events. Stay tuned to Matchroom for the latest information. It’s going to be a great year for pool!

Happy Shooting, Kat Brown Day Editor in Chief and Content Creator

MORE RICHARD ASHBY INTERVIEW PT. 2 BY KEITH SHANER 53 HARRAH’S RESORT ATLANTIC CITY TO HOST WORLD NINEBALL TOUR’S US OPEN BY ADAM CLAPHAM

VENOM WINS WPA WORLD ARTISTIC POOL CHAMPIONSHIP

BILLIARD NEWS

— BY BRIAN PAULEY

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ANTHONY BEELER

FIVE WAYS TO PLAY A MORE CONFIDENT GAME OF POOL

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hen asked, many pool players say that they want to play their best pool so they can feel more confident. Most players believe the cause-and-effect relationship between having more confidence starts with improved play. But this isn’t entirely true. Confidence is a skill like any other and can be worked on daily, but you must know the right techniques first. Furthermore, working on your confidence first will directly impact your ability also to play better pool. So, let’s take a more direct look at where confidence really comes from... and some methods for improving your confidence both “on” and “off” the table.

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1. SELF-TALK How you talk to yourself daily shapes you as a player. People have an emotional response to words... especially when the words come from ourselves. Uplifting and encouraging words help you feel more confident and help you to play your best.

Research reveals that the more “negative” self-talk you have is a leading cause of performance anxiety in sports.

A common misconception is that “thoughts” and “self-talk” are the same. This isn’t true. Thoughts happen to us, whereas self-talk is a choice. The

right self-talk can help get you into a positive mindset before playing, help you focus on what’s important, motivate you, and guide you through negative situations.

Some of the best players in the world rehearse a list of positive things they want to believe about themselves. They say these things to themselves until they fully believe they are true. Positive self-talk doesn’t work if you don’t believe it. When I coach a student, I help them to create self-talk scripts, so they develop a winning mindset.

2. TRAINING OPTIMISM Confidence and mental toughness are both related to your personal perspective. Is the glass “half-full” or “half-empty”? Are you seeing yourself as “succeeding” or “failing”? What is positive about your current situation and your future? The world’s best players believe that something “good” is about to happen on their very next shot... not something “bad”! A player’s negative bias will always pull them towards negativity and what could go wrong. The good news, however, is that optimism can be enhanced with the right training exercises and mental rehearsal.

3. MENTAL IMAGERY Starting each day and each match with the clear intention of being the person and player you want to be that day, and seeing the success that is possible, will increase your confidence and the chances of achieving that success. The best pool players in the world practice mental imagery before shooting. Pre-match mental imagery routines are an important factor in improving your game and achieving your goals.

Anthony Beeler is the current Billiards Instructor of the Decade and is a former BCAPL National Champion. He has numerous

4. SELF-TRUST Another source of confidence is being able to trust yourself to act in a way that is consistent with your values and goals. You’ll need to be disciplined with the things you “can” control and make sure you execute and reinforce them with fidelity. Keeping small promises to yourself each day ultimately leads to big increases in self-trust and confidence.

“Top 25” national finishes and

5. PREPARATION Preparation helps you feel like you’ve earned the right to be successful. Do you do everything you can to feel mentally and physically prepared to overcome the challenges that lie ahead? At Virtual Billiard Academy, I’ll show you how to prepare for a match so you feel like you can be victorious. This will include quieting your mind, mental rehearsal of past and future success, preparing for future challenges you might face, preparing your performance strategy, and having an attitude filled with positivity and gratitude. can set all three types of goals and share them to get personalized feedback. While simply creating a list of goals can be helpful, remember that your list should be realistic and unique to you.

the book Unstoppable! Positive

Everyone measures success differently, and a successful year of pool might be different for you when compared to someone else. Just get out your pen and paper or login to a computer, and you’ll be on your way to a better game in no time!

is the primary author of the ACS National Billiards Instructor’s Manual. He has also authored

Thinking for Pool Players.

Anthony currently has the highest established Fargo Rating of any Master Instructor. He has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competitions.

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RICK PRINCE

THE GOLDEN YEARS OF POOL

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s we reach our “golden years,” some of us have embraced the mindset that “There’s just too much luck in 9 Ball,” as it is in Rotation Games in general. Our eyes aren’t as sharp, and our strokes may have slight imperfections due to arthritis, injuries etc., etc.

Even our thought processes may not always be “Spot on.”

It seemed logical to me that it was time to transition to more strategic games, where one’s intelligence and experience are crucial. This kind of wisdom can only be developed after years and years of playing.

As an older, more seasoned player, you should have an advantage over younger, less experienced players in these “thinking games.” Even if your opponents are excellent at making shots, in games like pool, the smarter player often comes out on top.

Straight Pool sounds and may look easy, but it causes

you to use your Pool IQ more often than some games.

One Pocket: Watching is as “Boring as watching paint dry.” But to those yielding the cues, they have to try to “Outthink each other” to take the match!

Even in 8-ball, to play the Game Right, you must be able to “quickly determine a pattern that will enable you to get out.”

So, if you’re serious about your pool and know that “one day you will reach your golden years,” I’d strongly recommend you learn these Games that best utilize your Pool I.O. Until we meet again, Happy Shootin’ from “The White Wolf” Until Next time Happy Shootin’ From Ole “White Wolf” Write to Rick Prince

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STEVE JENNINGS

RUNNING OUT OF GAS

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his month, I turned to my inbox for our topic. A big issue for several readers seems to be how to battle mental and physical fatigue, especially toward the end of a long event. This is a problem we have all faced from time to time, and it can be frustrating when you lose your edge in the later rounds. Maybe it’s a case of physical fatigue, or maybe your ability to keep your focus declines.

Either way, just when you need that competitive edge, it seems to slip away. So, let’s explore some ways to prevent some of the causes of the dreaded early burnout.

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First of all, it’s going to require some physical conditioning. I’m not saying you need to start pumping iron or running marathons, but a little bit of work on building your stamina can certainly help. An hour of walking, some laps in a pool, or even a jog around the block can all help. You don’t have to become a gym rat, but regular physical activity can improve your ability to extend your competitive edge a little longer.

Start your event well-rested. As tempting as it may be to play in that mini-tournament the night before the main event, you might be better off getting a good night’s rest. Save your energy for when you will need it.

Starting out fresh will give you an advantage over the night owls.

Eat a light breakfast. Juice and a bowl of cereal might be a better choice than steak and eggs. While I love a good cheeseburger and a basket of fries, I tend to go for a BLT and a bag of chips in the middle of a competition. Eat light and snack often rather than going for a big meal.

Okay, this one might cause a negative reaction, but it has to be considered. Alcohol dulls your senses. Limit your alcohol intake during competition. You may think you shoot better after a few beers, but it’s probably not true. I’ve played in enough bar tournaments to see how players who overindulge usually fade in the later rounds. Pool requires sharp thinking and good hand-eye coordination. Save the celebration until the end.

As far as maintaining focus, train yourself to focus on the things you can control. Many a player has lost before the match even starts because they looked at the chart to see who they have to play next. You can’t control who you play, so don’t burn mental energy worrying about it. Learn to play your game regardless of who is on the other side of the table. The “oh, no!” factor can paralyze you before you even start.

Studies have shown that humans can maintain total focus for 8 to 12 seconds before outside thoughts can distract you. So, how do you stay focused for hours or days at a time? You can’t! Learn to switch your focus on and off when needed. The only time you need intense focus is when your bridge hand is on the table. In between, you can allow your mind to relax. Yes, you have to plan your next shot, but that is a more mentally relaxed kind of mental activity.

Keep your head in the game, but save the intense focus for when you’re down on the shot.

Finally, don’t waste energy thinking about the future. If you’re thinking about the outcome of the match or where you’re going to finish, you’re wasting mental energy that can be put to better use in the present.

Focus on your shot, and the game, match, and tournament will follow.

These are just a few suggestions to help fight the late tournament flameout. I hope they help.

Until next time Steve Jennings ACS/PBIA Master Instructor

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JACKIE KAROL

7 STEPS TO COACHING TEAMS A TEAM IS A REFLECTION OF THEIR LEADER. FOLLOW THESE 7 STEPS TO COACH YOUR TEAM TO SUCCESS WITH THEIR BEST CHANCES OF WINNING! 1) Credibility: Establish trust credibility & build rapport. Get to know each person individually. For example, find out their likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, and habits. Demonstrate your credibility and list your resume and background as to why you are an expert on coaching. If you don’t have a lot of experience coaching, let them know how committed you are to their success. They must also feel and know that you really do care about them. Once they see how committed you are to them and their success, their commitment rises.

2) Meeting: Call a meeting and state the general goal of the meeting. For example, to get in the money in your league, win a championship, or move up to the top 30% in a league, etc.

3) Questions: Ask the following questions. Go around the room and let each person speak. Just listen. Write down people’s responses on a whiteboard.

Question #1: What’s there for them regarding achieving the general goal? How are they feeling about it in general? For example, they are worried that they don’t have enough time to practice, they don’t know what to practice, they get too nervous during competition, their confidence is low, etc.

Question #2: How do they want to be perceived by other competitors and spectators and family and friends regarding their pool game? What do you want people to say about you? For example, they want their competition to see them as a threat or dominating, their family and friends to see them as a winner or hardcore badass.

Question #3: What concerns and requests do you have? For example, they don’t feel like they are good enough, or don’t like some of their teammates, or don’t like the equipment, etc.

Question #4: How can they make their goal quantifiable as a specific, measurable result? For example, if they want to win the championship, how many balls would they be able to run in a particular drill?

Question #5: Ask everyone to do the ‘Zero Regrets’ exercise from book called ‘The Way of the Champion’ by Jerry Lynch.

Imagine it’s game day or the day when your results will be measured. Imagine you kept doing things the same way that you’ve been doing them, and you lost… Now, imagine you are on game day, and specifically, imagine looking back in time. What would you have done differently? For example, would you practice more, have a more positive attitude, invest in a better pool cue, hire a coach, or were you too hard or yourself or not allow yourself to have fun?

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JACKIE KAROL

4) Positive: Be positive. Rephrase any negatives into positives. For example, if someone says they are afraid they won’t practice enough, rephrase it and ask how many hours per week are you committed to practicing. Before this, though, you have to inspire your team and get them to want to be committed. Another example, is they say don’t feel confident. Rephrase and ask how many hours a week would make you feel confident. What if you were given specific things to practice, and you actually practiced them?

Another example is that they are afraid they or their teammates will drink too much. Ask them to agree as a team on how many drinks you will have during practice and play. Limit to 1 or 2 drinks and then agree to go out and celebrate AFTER the matches. Have a penalty if someone does not follow this or other rules, such as if they have more than one drink, they have to pay for everyone’s drinks afterward or have to do 30 pushups, etc.

5) Motto: Decide on a Motto that everyone can be inspired by. Use specific examples that are enrolling and inspire emotion.

For example, the players in the men’s team I coached to the Championships were from many different backgrounds and didn’t share much in common. Individually, they all played very well, but as a team, they argued a lot and blamed each other for the mistakes made. I had to think of a common thread that we could all share. After listening to everyone’s answers in the Questions section, I learned that something they all had in common was that they all really liked and were inspired by our sponsor and owner of the poolroom, Stacy.

Stacy had made a meaningful impact on each and every person on the team in one way or another. So, we agreed on our motto: “Play for Sta.” We had a 2nd motto, too, because there was a major rivalry going on with the other poolroom, which was “If You’re Not With Us, You’re Against Us”! These mottos united us and inspired us!

The women’s team that I coached to the Championships was up against some really rough women. By “rough,” I mean women who were more interested in fist fighting, arguing, and cheating rather than playing. We decided on a motto of “AYC” from the movie ‘Kick-Ass,’ meaning, “Alright You Cnts”! It doesn’t matter what it is as long as everyone is inspired by it, and it can even make you laugh. The creating of rapport and asking questions can help you come up with an inspiring motto and help form the list of specific rules needed to commit to be successful. “AYC” was funny and helped us keep our killer instinct, motivation, and commitment to making each shot.

In another scotch doubles match league team decided on a motto, “I made MY shot.” It was cute and fun and put focus on making just that one ball in front of you rather than winning or losing. Although winning is the goal, of course, you can’t win unless you just take it one ball at a time.

6) Agreements: Everyone must agree to be coachable and do what the team as a whole decides regarding rules, practice, and drinking limits, showing up on time. Otherwise, this team is not for you, and there is the door…

7) Rules: These rules are specific to your team. The more specific and helpful they are to your particular group, the better chances they have of succeeding. If you are limited in knowledge in this area, ask for an expert’s advice. It’s ok if you don’t have all the answers. Just be responsible about doing your best to get the answers and then have your entire team agree on them.

Here are some examples: Be there.

All players must be there at the start time even if they are not playing. Showing up to support and watch your teammates is very beneficial for your team. It not only helps your teammates but it can be intimidating for the other team. Wearing your team shirt can actually have a psychological impact on people, making them feel more connected to the team and encouraging them to work better as a team. After all, why do you think the army has a uniform?

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Help teammates and anticipate their needs. Support and believe in teammates, use positive, encouraging words, and focus on what TO DO, not what NOT TO DO. Another way to bring your team closer to one another is to plan some social events together. Plan to have lunch or dinner or drinks. This has an amazing, interesting effect on team chemistry, which is vital to a team being successful.

Stay sober.

Don’t drink too much! Wanna know who the player typically is that is ordering drinks?… The LOSER. They drink not just because they want to lose inhibition but because they don’t have the guts just to sit and observe and take responsibility for their game. Instead of being hard on yourself, have the courage to ask yourself specifically what you need to do differently in order to make the shot and commit to doing that next time. Did you jump up? Did you not plan your next shot? Were you not fully committed to your decision? Did you not take enough time to make a decision? Did you not walk around the table and see all the possibilities or plan your runout properly? Well, drinking more is not going to help you win. In fact, at best, studies have been done that say one drink can help nerves or confidence, but NOT more than that! Give yourself your BEST chance of winning! Give it your BEST effort! You’ll be happy you did.

Sit down!

Sit in the chair while not shooting. It’s actually the rule whether it’s enforced or not. Plus, it conserves energy, and it helps you mentally because you can relax and breathe and plan your next shot, keeping focus on the game. In addition, standing makes you look nervous and amateur. Have you ever seen a pro match with the other player standing there? Most likely not ever! Keep your head in the game while sitting and waiting your turn by anticipating your detailed plan of shooting.

Relaxed Focus.

No fraternizing! The other team may try to engage you in conversation. Whether they are trying to distract you consciously, or just trying to calm their own nerves, it does no good for your game. It’s a distraction.

Have the balls to watch the game and be there in the moment, feel the pressure, breathe, and support your teammates. Be polite and acknowledge the other team when they try to involve us in conversation, but stay calm and focused.

Breath.

Do breathing exercises in your chair between shots. Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 8 seconds, and out for 4 seconds.

Stay still.

The most common reason players miss is that they jump up or move too soon during a shot. Therefore, commit to exaggerating and staying still. For example, agree to all stay still until ALL the balls stop rolling.

Now you have a Game Plan and the best chance of succeeding! The key to coaching teams is loving your team and following these 7 steps.

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STEVE RAU

WHY WOMEN’S POOL IS ON THE RISE

BY STEVE RAU OF STEVE RAU PRO BILLIARDS, MANAGER OF ‘KWIKFIRE’ KELLY FISHER AND WEI WEI ‘THE WAVE’ -WEI TZU CHIEN

YOU CAN TELL WHEN A SPORT HAS GAINED POPULARITY AMONG FANS AND PROMOTERS WHEN MAJOR EVENTS START POPPING UP. THE POPULARITY IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN WOMEN’S POOL.

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he world of women’s pool is currently experiencing a surge in popularity. The sport is attracting significant attention due to the impressive skills of professional players, the growing number of people tuning in to watch tournaments online, increased media coverage, a rise in the number of tournaments held worldwide, and increased merchandise sales. All of these factors suggest that the future of women’s pool is looking bright and promising.

Styer, Allison Fisher, Kristina Zlateva, Kristina Tkach, Brittany Bryant, Kaylee MacIntosh and Savannah Easton. All great players who are serious about their careers and have committed to bettering themselves: each one of these ladies could bring home the title at any tournament. Other talented women worldwide cannot participate in every WPBA tournament for reasons such as schedules, travel expenses, visas, etc.

Players like Chou Chieh Yu, Chezka Centeno, Siming Let’s start with the talent. Look at the list of the Chen, Seo Seoa, Pia Filler, Meng-Hsia Hung, Chen top 10 in the WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Chia Hua, and many more.

Association). Currently #1 ranked Wei Tzu Chien, then Kelly Fisher, Jasmin Ouschan, Margaret Fefilova I want to highlight the truly unique time in history for 16

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the women’s game, shed some light on the incredible players, and suggest where I think it is going.

In January 2024 through the first week of March, the WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) had over 113,000 views on their YouTube streams from the tournament at Iron City Billiards in Birmingham, Alabama. The views were up 53.9% from the WPBA December 2023 tournament in Rothschild, WI, with just over 61,000 views. Even at 61,000 views, this is an impressive feat considering that the tournament had competition for online viewers because the Mosconi Cup in London was simultaneously happening.

I know the number of views can increase daily because the content is still online, but you must admit that the increased number of viewers is a great start.

Now, onto media attention. As the manager of Kelly Fisher and Wei Tzu Chien, I am experiencing an increase in the number of TV, radio, newspaper, podcast, and magazine interview requests I am receiving. The last two TV interviews of Kelly and Wei Wei reached viewership numbers in the 250,000-300,000-household range. Not counting radio, where on one station alone, we reached another 100,000 listeners and were on SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

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the air for a 20-minute-long interview. In every town we are in, newspapers, podcasts, and the like want to catch an inside glimpse into the fascinating lives of professional women billiard players like Kelly Fisher and Wei Tzu Chien.

You can tell when a sport has gained popularity among fans and promoters when major events start popping up. The popularity is currently happening in women’s pool. I am constantly updating the schedules of Kelly Fisher and Wei Wei because of the opportunities that present themselves. I tell everyone that I work with world-class athletes. Let me explain.

I am a football fan, and I watch the NFL stars who are world-class athletes, still mostly travel within the lower 48 states of the U.S.A. and for 5-6 months of the year.

In contrast, most people need help comprehending that Kelly and Wei Wei travel to different countries and continents all year with minimal downtime.

They can travel so much because of the great efforts and willingness of individuals or companies who sponsor and promoters who organize these fantastic events. The travel can be grueling, but the amount of appreciation that all the women in the sport feel is noticeable. Most are very grateful that they have an opportunity to live out their dreams and partner with great business sponsors.

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The rise in merchandise sales is encouraging, too.

Everywhere we set our booth up at tournaments, I run into fans of Kelly and Wei Wei, who are very supportive. Some look forward to purchasing t-shirts, while others collect 8x10 photos. They love to have the girls autograph them. Some purchase Kelly

and Wei Wei’s official logoed cue balls to have them autographed and then add them to their signed pool ball collection. It’s great to see the fan interaction. We work hard to make the best products, keeping quality in mind.

With that said, I have some exciting news. We are taking our booth online now, too. You can visit www. steverauprobilliards.com and view our new online store! If you are a Kelly Fisher or Wei Wei fan, visit the site to browse and shop for the latest fan gear and memorabilia. We have t-shirts, autographed items, brand-new 8x10 photos, cue ball display holders, and more. One of our new products is Kelly Fisher’s official birthday card. Kelly wishes you or your loved one a Happy Birthday in the card. We have a limited number of birthday cards personally autographed by Kelly Fisher, too. We ship internationally and process orders rapidly. You can shop safely and securely. We ship from Michigan, so that delivery times will vary.

I believe the women’s game is gaining momentum and heading in the right direction. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the fans, sponsors, and promoters who make this possible.

We are looking forward to meeting you all at the tournaments! Please stop by our booth and say hi, or shop online. I want to give a special thanks to everyone at SPM Billiards Magazine. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and we appreciate it.

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MATT ANDREWS MENTORING

PROFESSIONAL DAYDREAMING – THE ART OF VISUALISATION

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ne of the big no-no’s when competing is thinking of anything other than the shot that you are on and moving away from staying in the moment. No thinking of the past and perhaps mistakes that have been made, costing you the match, or looking into the future and about prize money, trophies, or acclaim and attention.

Often, when talking to people who compete in cue sports, I guide them away from trying to predict the future, especially when I hear comments such as “I’m not playing well at the moment; I can’t win this.”

So, does it sound a little bizarre that we are going to take a look at a kind of fortune-telling?

Mastering the game of pool isn’t just about the physical skills but also mental strength and consistency, especially with regard to focus, resetting after setbacks, and match management.

A powerful technique that can greatly help improve a player’s performance is Visualisation, a process of vividly imagining yourself competing in various situations, potting balls and playing confidently, also such things as clearing the table, potting those key shots, and celebrating at the end of the match or tournament, lifting the trophy with friends and family.

This technique can be used while away from the table but also, even while at it, but although many may have heard of it, still very few will practice this method

of enhancing performance.

Visualisation can help us improve in several areas of our game, especially in controlling our emotions and playing consistently under perceived pressure.

The mental side of cue sports often becomes a deciding factor in many situations. However, not only can we try to replicate these in practice, but we can also visualise ourselves in these positions, performing in the way that we would like, to help ourselves when we are in the position for real.

By seeing ourselves remaining calm, confident, and composed and achieving our goals, we can manage our stress and anxiety during matches more effectively and practice where we use any plans that we have put in place while competing.

This all enables us to make clearer decisions, cue smoother, reduce anxiety, and maintain concentration and focus.

The areas that visualisation can help with are Mental Focus: Scoring heavily or big, such as clearing the table in one visit or potting that key ball, takes large amounts of concentration. Visualisation provides us with a time when we can practice focusing our minds and rehearse shots, scenarios, and situations mentally. We can train our minds to recover from setbacks quicker, prepare for SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

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possible distractions, and generally heighten our cognitive abilities. These abilities help us with things such as effectively planning shots, working out angles and the power needed to make them, solving problems, and decision-making, all of which help with match management. to recover from setbacks quicker, prepare for possible distractions, and generally heighten our cognitive abilities. These abilities help us with such things as effectively planning shots, working out angles, the power needed to make them, solving problems, and decision-making, all helping with match management.

Shot Execution: While away from the table, players can mentally practice potting balls, practicing their pre-shot routine, and aligning the shot and the path a ball is going to take. By visualising this process, they can develop muscle memory that can greatly help with the execution on the table. It is a rehearsal of what a player would like to happen each time they address a shot.

Decision Making: As we know, cue sports are not all about potting or pocketing balls but also incorporates safety and defensive play and navigating the table, planning for future shots, and possible issues or problem balls.

Visualisation helps to improve a player’s ability to read these situations and scenarios, helping us to make better-informed decisions during matches, increasing the chances of achieving our goals, making the game as simple as possible, and gaining a higher chance of winning.

How to use Visualisation: The highly beneficial attribute of visualisation is that it can be used and practiced extremely easily, wherever a competitor has free time and a relatively quiet space. It is not unusual for us to daydream about an activity or interest that we enjoy or a place that we are looking forward to visiting, but instead of daydreaming, we can visit those places in a far more constructive and purposeful way.

Our brain cannot distinguish between what is a real experience or one from our imagination, so this means that the same thought patterns develop. If you can imagine yourself doing something in your mind, you have already achieved it, so the path to your goal isn’t as new to you and doesn’t come as so much as a surprise but instead is an already trod journey.

1) To start, find a comfortable and quiet place where you are not going to be distracted; this can be, for example, at home, Hotel, on the train, or in bed before sleeping .

2) Close your eyes and relax your body. Take a few deep breaths, becoming more self-aware. Notice tense areas of your body, such as your shoulders, and relax them, centering and calming yourself.

3) With your eyes closed, picture yourself approaching the table, a challenging shot you have encountered before, a situation you would like to resolve, or a goal you’d like to achieve.

4) Imagine yourself calm, confident, and filled with self-belief while you visualise your pre-shot routine, addressing the shot and executing it flawlessly.

5) Engage all of your senses as you mentally play out the situation or scenario. Imagine how the cloth of the table feels, the feel of your cue, the sound of the tip of your cue striking the cue ball, how the cue ball will sound hitting the object ball, and the sound the object ball will make hitting the back of the pocket.

See the line of each shot.

6) Repeat this process, visualising each element of your shot, and then include different shots and situations.

7) Practice visualization regularly, and dedicate a timed part of your practice sessions or daily routine to this technique. Like any skill you have to practice them to master them and to gain the full benefit.

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Especially with visualisation, the more you do, the easier it becomes, with many people stating that it can become so natural that they actually feel that they have had a physical practice session on the table.

Final Thoughts: Visualisation is rarely used enough and often is a technique that is bypassed by competitors who have not tried it and do not understand how it can improve their situation and performance.

It can be a game changer, and many elite athletes worldwide use it. It is relatively easy to incorporate into daily life, especially with regard to match and tournament preparation.

It’s a great way to use that waiting time in hotel rooms, at the beginning of a tournament, before and between matches, and even if you’re sat in your chair, waiting for your next opportunity. Allow yourself the time to visualise yourself celebrating winning, holding up that trophy, and achieving your planned goals.

Adding visualisation to your training and practice routine can greatly help you to unlock your potential and to perform at your best.

www.mattandrewsmentoring.org

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It was still dark when Connor pulled off the highway and made his way to The Sands. He was weary from a long day of playing pool followed by a couple of hours of driving, but his nervous excitement couldn’t keep

Tommy is a master instructor with both the PBIA & AMP; ACS. When he was a younger man Tommy played on the Men’s Professional Billiards Tour and the Camel ProTour. Like many un-sponsored pro players of that era he also played on the road in order to keep the dream alive. Tommy has spent 40 plus years in the billiards industry. The adventures of Connor Benson are fictional short stories of a road player. Although fictional, some stories may derive from his own experiences, stories he had heard or things he witnessed along the way.

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ELLIOTT WEST

THE LAST SWAN SONG

ALEX HIGGINS AND SIOBHAN KIDD

Introduction

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lex Higgins was a streak of brilliance who lit up the snooker circuit for many years but by the time the calendar had flipped to 1989, the Irishman was a shadow of his former self. Ravaged by years of controversy and a life of excess, Alex came to the Benson and Hedges Irish Masters in 1989 at Goffs, limping and on crutches, having just sustained a broken ankle in an accident, sustained after falling out of a firstfloor window. Playing with a plaster cast under his trousers, it seemed that this Irish maverick had no chance against an in-form Stephen Hendry.

Unrecognisable from the man who had held his baby daughter aloft at the Crucible in 1982 after

winning the World Championship.

The Final Goffs like the Wembley Conference Centre, had an amazing atmosphere, drawing the crowd in the drama and suspense of snooker play. In the final, the home audience was largely supporting Alex, producing a deafening chant every time he played well in the match. A reverberation that was common whenever Alex Higgins or Jimmy White played.

This was a final of nip and tuck with both players sharing the spoil of frames. On paper, this should have been a Hendry victory but Higgins mustered up his many years of experience and played a game SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

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that was reminiscent of his days at the Jampot snooker club in Belfast. In the end, it came down to a deciding frame. Hendry missed the penultimate black and with Alex just needing a colour, he potted a long yellow down the cushion, slipping the ball into the pocket just past the black that Hendry had previously missed. Alex then potted the green but missed the brown. However, the green was enough to win the match, 9-8, 67 points to 21. The crowd jumped to their feet and an exhausted Alex Higgins slumped back down into his chair. No sooner had he sat down, than a crowd surrounded him and beckoned to shake his hand and pat his back.

Presented with the trophy, a jubilant Alex kissed his girlfriend, Siobhan Kidd and savoured the moment.

The Aftermath Sadly this was Alex’s last hurrah and from then on, this genius of a player became his own worst enemy. Fines and fallouts with the WPBSA ensued and a long battle with throat cancer after years of heavy smoking. By the end of his life, Higgins had ironically been given the all-clear for cancer but multiple chemotherapy sessions had destroyed his teeth and despite friends and players donating to a fund to help him, Higgins chose to take the path of starvation and ended up passing away from malnutrition in 2010. His last appearance at a Legends event, saw him playing Cliff Thorburn.

Alex, skeletal and weak, played well in patches but every member of that auditorium left the match with a tear in their eye. Alex was a genius but in the end, his demons won the day.

LEFT TO RIGHT:ALEX HIGGINS, JOHN STREET AND STEPHEN HENDRY.

ELLIOTT WEST HAS A BLOG TITLED SNOOKER LOOPY WHICH HE CREATED AND IS INSPIRED BY HIS LOVE OF THE GAME SPANNING OVER 32 YEARS. AT ALWAYSM A GREAT READ HERE, CHECK IT OUT! HTTPS://GREENBAIZE1972.COM

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BRAD SWAIN

MAINTAINING A BALANCED POOL SCENE

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The Game is on at Park Avenue Billiards. Photo by First Coast APA

ver the past several months, a growing debate within the pool community has divided players into two primary categories: casual players, who are still mastering the game and primarily play for fun or in leagues, and serious shooters, who harbor high ambitions in the sport. This division in the pool scene, while not new, has gained increased visibility recently, especially on social media.

events based on their Fargo ratings, a relatively recent issue in the pool scene.

Many believe this exclusion weakens the American pool scene. To compete at their highest levels, players need regular, challenging competition.

Exclusion from events hinders top players’ progress and, by extension, the sport’s overall growth.

Amidst this backdrop, I spoke with Michael Snyder, The discussion became particularly prominent about owner of the renowned Park Avenue Billiards in eight months ago when one pocket legend, Tony Northeast Florida. Snyder’s establishment, featuring Chohan, took to Facebook. He advocated against 16 8ft Gold Crowns, 14 9ft Diamonds, a 10ft the exclusion of upper-tier players from certain 3-cushion table, and a 10ft Snooker table spread 28

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across four rooms, caters to all players. Understanding the importance of inclusivity, Park Avenue Billiards has become a hub for both casual and serious players. Their success in drawing crowds every night of the week is a testament to their grasp of the need for balance in the pool scene.

Snyder faces the challenge of accommodating serious players, who often minimize expenses as part of treating their pool careers as businesses. This frugality can be problematic for venues that rely on patron spending. Consequently, many pool halls, including Park Avenue Billiards, rely on leagues filled with players who enjoy food and drinks while playing.

The establishment works with First Coast APA league operators Kevin & Ashley Morgan to run tournaments

Kevin and Ashley Morgan, League operators of First Coast APA at a recent Billiards Golf Tournament, a format that appeals to all levels of players at Park Avenue Billiards. Photo by First Coast APA SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

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where lower-ranked players compete alongside higher-ranked ones, fostering an environment that nobody is excluded from.

Despite these efforts, pool rooms must creatively balance events to attract serious shooters while ensuring financial stability. Hosting major events requires a delicate balance of ensuring staff are adequately compensated and bills are paid. This often involves collaboration with a skilled tournament director or league operator committed to their community.

A healthy pool scene, as Mr. Snyder and I agreed, depends on mutual understanding and cooperation among pool room owners, tournament directors, league operators, and players of all skill levels. Casual players need exposure to more skilled opponents to improve, and serious players rely on a broader base for more consistent open event participation. The challenge lies in encouraging these groups to intermingle and participate in shared events. Elite players didn’t reach their level by only competing in local leagues but imagine the potential growth in the national pool scene if more venues encouraged this mixing of player levels.

In conclusion, fostering a balanced pool scene requires understanding that hard losses are part of the game, and embracing them is essential. Winning, after all, is just one aspect of the process. A player often finds more fulfillment in challenging and potentially beating a more skilled opponent than in easily defeating peers of similar or lower skill levels. As a regular at Park Avenue Billiards, it’s been rewarding to see the staff’s dedication to providing events for all players, a sign of their commitment to a thriving, inclusive pool community. It’s a collective effort: pool room owners, tournament directors, league operators, and players of all ranks must consider each other’s needs for the betterment of the entire pool scene.

One Big Family at Park Avenue Billiards. Photo by First Coast APA 30

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ERIC NARETTO

Mind Melting Moments

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laying Pool can be a struggle. The game we love can work in our favor one minute, and the next minute, we are frustrated and ready to throw our cue.

Playing competitively always has its ups and downs. I have experienced many over the years.

However, how you handle these “mind-melting moments” will help you become the player you want to be and avoid falling into the pit of despair when things happen.

Know that all players experience and succumb to these moments. Even though having a mindmelting experience isn’t fun, it is nonavoidable, and the only thing a player can do about it is learn to use and grow from it.

My first mind-melting moment that I remember was the Illinois State Tournament in 2017. I was fortunate enough to win that event, but as a side effect of winning, I also found out for the first time who supported me and who didn’t.

As I walked through the room, I heard people that I thought were my friends saying things like, “I can’t believe he won.” “The tournament was soft.”, and “It was obviously easy if he won.

Standing there alone and reflecting on what was happening, I started to lose interest in the game.

As a result of that day, I took the majority of 2017 off from the game. I had no interest in ever playing anymore because I had no idea who was actually a friend of mine anymore.

Fast-forward to 2024. This past weekend, I participated in my first APA 9-Ball regional. Being a much stronger player than I was in 2017, I found it crazy when I was sitting in the chair, realizing that I was having another mind-melting moment.

I found myself on the one-loss side of the bracket, playing a player who was very quick and shot very hard the majority of the time. As talented as this player was as I knew him, I found myself on complete tilt because I felt he was swinging for the fences at everything and he was pocketing every ball on the table. I quickly found myself down 27 to 2, racing to 75 points. I was sweaty and irritated, thinking to myself how this could possibly be happening. The player wasn’t taking his time, two stroking everything, completely demoralizing me, and all I could do was sit there and watch.

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So, how does a player deal with these mindmelting moments of despair? I can’t tell anyone how to deal with what they deal with, but I can tell you how I have dealt with these moments. When I am running into a mindmelting moment, I R.A.T.E. myself.

R.A.T.E.

through the motions of the pre-shot routine and execution while focusing on only my time at the table

During the year I took off in 2017, I had to reconsider my goals as they pertain to pool. I decided during that time that I was going to return to competition 1) Recognize- Like an anxiety or panic attack, I must in 2018, but I was going to really focus on helping know the signs that are present that are telling me and guiding other players who go through situations that I am having a meltdown. I must realize that I am I have gone through. My focus at that point now in an uncomfortable situation. turned to becoming a leader and promoting the game how it should be. Today, I am still a strong 2) Admit- I have put myself in a bad competitor, but I am also a proud instructor and situation mentally. coach to players who deal with mental scenarios, among other pool situations.

3) Take a step back and breathe- Now that I know I am having this moment. Reflecting on it and taking Oh, and I won that APA match at my regional by some deep breaths helps me return back to the 18 balls. present. Obviously, what I am struggling with can’t be helped because I am not the cause of the issue.

R.A.T.E. yourself and train your mind how to create All I can do is control my emotions and wait patiently a successful outcome. for a mistake (if that mistake happens).

4) Engage—Now that I understand the issue I am facing, it is time to face it head-on. When it is my turn at the table, I will take it upon myself to go

G1 BILLIARD ACADEMY 32

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DOMINIC ESPOSITO, A.K.A., THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR

MASTERING THE DRAW STROKE

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t never fails. Every time I teach a BOOT CAMP Pool School, someone will say that they have Do this 15 times, the same as if you shot a full rack of trouble with their draw stroke and don’t know how balls. Do the routine exactly the same every time. to fix it. I often have a player ask if getting their tip changed would help. I’ll tell you, almost always, This 2nd Drill is called: Splitting the Rail Cloth changing the tip is not the problem. It’s usually their pool stroke.

Have you ever seen how well your pool cue can perform a draw stroke? If your draw stroke is not all you need it to be, this is the lesson for you.

Let’s get started.

The first two drills you must perfect are mechanical movements that ensure your body is functioning correctly. These drills will ensure you can Master The Draw Stroke.

This 1st Practice Drill exercise is called: On The Wall.

Equipment Needed: Your playing cue and an open wall space.

Drill Exercise 1: 1. Chalk the tip of your cue.

2. Step against the wall, placing your back foot against the baseboard.

3. Bend forward into your shooting stance as if to shoot a pool shot.

4. Use a CLOSED hand bridge with your cue shaft and hold it against the wall.

5. Be sure your shoulder, elbow, forearm, and knuckles are against the wall.

6. Begin pre-stroking Three to Four Times, then shoot with your normal Follow-through.

7. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR ELBOW TO DROP – NOT EVEN 1 INCH. 8 Step back, re-chalk, step in, and repeat steps 1-7 again.

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Equipment Needed: 1. Your playing cue.

2. A piece of chalk 3. A Pool Table or place a 12” strip of 1/8” thick tape 5” parallel to the edge of a dining table.

Drill Exercise 2:

1. Stand with the table to your back stroking hand side.

2. Away from the table, chalk the tip of your cue as you would before a shot.

3. With a CLOSED bridge, place your palm on the diamond at the side pocket, aiming toward the corner pocket, 3 diamonds away.

3. The 2nd diamond will act as the cue ball for the tip of your cue.

4. The shaft and the butt of the cue split the cloth line of the cushion and the rail.

5. Begin pre-stroking Three or Four Times, then shoot with your follow-through past the 2nd diamond.

6. When you stroke and follow through, DO NOT ALLOW YOUR ELBOW TO DROP—NOT EVEN 1 INCH. Turn your head back to ensure that you don’t drop your elbow.

7 Step back, re-chalk, step in, and repeat steps 1-7 again.

Do this 15 times, the same as if you shot a full rack of balls. Do the routine exactly the same every time.

Be sure the tip of your cue starts 1” above the split line. When you follow through without dropping your elbow, the tip of the cue will dive downward toward the cloth. At the end of the follow-through, you must notice that the shaft has split the rail and the cushion’s cloth. This indicates a straight stroke.

Finally, take this stroking technique to the table. Set an object ball and a cue ball one diamond apart directly into a pocket. Place the tip of the cue 1” below the center of the cue ball. Repeat the same pre-stroke sequence and follow through without dropping the elbow, allowing the tip of the cue to dive into the cloth as you stroke smoothly through the cue ball.

One last piece of advice: when you shoot the draw shot from a diamond apart, get ready to move your cue because the cue ball is coming back at you fast!

To find more drills from The Drill Instructor, go to www.thedrillinstructor.us and check them out today.

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Sofia Mast “The Pink Dagger”

S

More Than a Teenage Girl

ofia Mast is not your typical teenage girl. At the age of 15, she is already a Junior shooting star and goes by the nickname “The Pink Dagger” due to her incredible shooting skills on the pool table.

Despite being in her early teens, Sofia has managed to achieve remarkable success in her pool career, thanks to her perseverance, determination, conviction, love, and passion for the sport.

Sofia’s passion for pool started at the young age of 10 when she used to accompany her dad to his APA league matches on Monday nights. She enjoyed hitting the balls and playing on the practice table with her dad’s partners and soon fell in love with playing pool. Her dad then enrolled her in an APA Jr. league where she had the opportunity to learn from and play with legendary player Jeanette Lee’s Jr. league. It was there that Sofia’s talent truly took off, and she began to make a name for herself as one of the rising stars in the world of pool.

JUNIOR APA 9-BALL 2019 SEASON FIRST PLACE MAINSTREET JUNIORS DIVISION 23, IT WAS A JUNIOR LEAGUE AND I WAS THE MVP PHOTO PROVIDED BY SOFIA MAST

Sofia won the Junior APA 9-Ball 2019 Season First Place Mainstreet Juniors Division 23, a junior league, and she was the MVP! “I ended up being the only girl. One of the other girls dropped out. I got first place (beating all the boys) for that 2019 season so I could compete in my first APA Junior Championships in St. 38

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KAT DAY

SOFIA MAST AT PREDOTOR PRO BILLIARD SERIES 2024 PHOTO BY CORBY DAYHOFF OF SERVITUDE PHOTOGRAHY SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

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SOFIA MAST AT HER FIRST OUT OF STATE TOURNAMENT IN ST.LOUIS, MO PHOTO PROVIDED BY SOFIA MAST

Louis in 2020.

After beating all the boys, Mast went on to play at her first out-of-state tournament in St. Louis, MO. Mast states: “I didn’t do good in the St. Louis Championships. I lost, won, and then lost. That was my first experience playing in a tournament with a bigger field, out of state, and against juniors. I got my feet wet competing in tournaments in 2019 by playing small Friday tournaments with about ten players in a small local pool hall called Mainstreet Billiards with adults, and I played my first Ladies Tiger tour (2019, that’s where I met my best friend, Gia Fiore). Other than that, in 2019, all my practice came from playing league every Monday in my dad’s APA team, “Designated Players,” and every Sunday in the APA Junior’s league.”

Stated Sofia Mast.

In 2020, it was mainly league playing, and then after the COVID shutdown, Sofia Mast ended up getting a pool table put in their garage. Sofia Mast states. “I would spend many hours practicing and my dad teaching me. That year, I also focused on my weight (health). I ended up losing around 80lbs in 2020 (35lbs of it in about three months). I didn’t do it the healthy way, but I had told myself I was going to lose the weight no matter what. And that’s why I am so determined to get better in pool. When I tell myself I’m going to do something, I will not quit until I do it.”

Sofia battled with her weight at a very young age. Sofia stated, “I battled with anorexia without knowing that I was doing that or that that’s what it was until my mom warned me that that’s what I was doing.” Sofia was only 11 years old when she decided that she needed to lose weight and was in 6th grade. Sofia states. “I ended up losing the weight by doing walks, runs and bike rides with my dad at least five times a week. Also, I was doing online school at the time because of Covid. School would start at 8 am, so every morning, I would wake up at 5 am and walk around my living room and kitchen for three hrs. before school started. Also, I would starve myself. When my parents tried to give me food, I would throw it in the trash without them knowing. I was walking constantly, and I would do home workouts I found on YouTube every day.” It became 40

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an addiction. I don’t mind telling this part of my story if it helps anyone out there. The main reason I did it was because I was getting bullied at school and didn’t feel part of anything. That’s when I fell in love with pool and felt part of something. So, pool became my therapy.” Sofia Mast explained.

Eating disorders in teens are not uncommon and affect around 2.7% of our youth, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Sofia was one of the teens affected by Anorexia. I went on to ask Sofia how she overcame the Anorexia, and she explained, “Yeah. I connected with people in pool. That’s why it wasn’t hard to go to an online school. I didn’t feel like I was making friends who had the same

SOFIA’S BATTLE WITH WIIEGHT LOSS AND LEARNING THE HARD WAY ‘I ended up losing around 80lbs in 2020 (35lbs of it in

about three months). I didn’t do it the healthy way” Photos provided by Sofia Mast. interests while I was in in-person school. I was able to meet new friends like Noelle Tate at the JIC. Also, my bff Gia Fiore and Kaylee McIntosh.” Sofia continues, “I started to look at myself, and I knew it was too much. Also, my energy level was down because I wasn’t getting any nutrients. So, I decided to take it easy and start eating healthy things like fruits and vegetables and low-calorie snacks.

Sofia, what would you like people to know?

I want people to know not to starve themselves and that there are healthier ways to lose weight. I also found something else that I can control and be proud of if I achieve it. For me, that was pool. Don’t worry about what people think as long as you are proud of yourself.”

When did the real competition begin for you?

“The real competition and where I got more experience didn’t start until 2021 when my dad searched for ways to compete with other juniors and not just the same juniors I was playing with all the time locally.

That’s when we found out about the Junior International Championships Tour with Ra Hanna. That was their first season doing this tour. My dad signed me up, and we flew to my first JIC at the Wolfs Den in Roanoke, VA. I played with juniors that I didn’t know at the time had been playing since they were like 7.

Most of them knew each other because they had been playing at BEF (Billiards Education Foundation) tournaments for years. Familiar names were Joey Tate, Bethany Tate, Skylar Hess, Hayleigh Marion, Tatum Cutting, Kennedy Meyman, Payne McBride, Kodi Allen, and Trenton White. Anyway, I played in that first tournament they had, and I won the 13u division and was able to win and stay close in matches in the 18u division. So that year, I think I went to every tour stop and came home with a 1st and 2nd place finish at every stop in the 13u and 18u divisions. In 2021, I also attended my first BEF Junior National Championships qualifier to go to Worlds. I got 2nd in the 18u division to qualify for the event in Austria (unfortunately, I SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

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In 2020 it was mainly league playing and then after the COVID shut down, Sofia ended up getting a pool table in ;there garage where she would spend many hours and her dad teac hing her.

Photo provided by Sofia. didn’t go because there were still a lot of COVID restrictions that we didn’t want to risk going overseas).

Here is a photo of Sofia at the end of 2022. This is when Sofia won the JIC 18u division Finals in 2022. Sofia explained, “I was showing off all my awards and trophies from 2021 and 2022 from the JIC Tour. I didn’t

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Accomplishments in 2021 5 X Gold 13&under Junior Intrnational Championship 3 X Silver 13&under Junior International Championship 3 X Gold 18&under Junior International Championship 2nd place in the big BEF Nationals 18&under 3 X APA Skill Level MVP 2021 Top 4 finish in Ladies Tiger Tour

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2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2024- BRONZE- CAPONE’S 660 AND UNDER 9 BALL SILVER - SKINNY BOBS CLASSIC LADIES EVENT GOLD-2024 BCA LADIES PLATINUM DIVISION GOLD SILVER- SPLIT : LIVINGSTONS GIRL’S DAY OUT 9-BALL TOURNAMENT COLORADO JUNIOR STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 22 & UNDER CO-ED 8 BALL WINNER 18 & UNDERGIRLS 10 BALL WINNER STRAIGHT POOL GIRLS WINNER

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compete much in the JIC 2023 because I had aged out of the 13u division, so it wasn’t worth it for me to travel. But I did play in the finals to win back-to-back years 18u JIC Finals (2022/2023).”

Since then, her career in pool has soared!

Who has been your biggest challenge?

Kristina Tkach because she breaks really well and runs out all the time. You can’t leave her a shot, or you won’t get back to the table. I played her for the first time in 2022 at the Big Tyme Classic. The first time we played, she knocked me to the B side,

where she has enjoyed learning about their rich history.

Sofia’s older sister is the complete opposite of her when it comes to pool, but her sister will play a game with her if she asks. Her sister prefers hanging out with friends and is already driving. Sofia looks forward to getting her driver’s license soon. She enjoys running and biking for fun but also looks forward to going to the gym once she has her car!

A typical day for Sofia involves working out or doing some fitness activities, followed by homework, lunch, and practicing for 3-4 hours daily. She attends Florida Virtual School, which allows her to choose her hours, making it perfect for when she’s on the road. Sofia is currently in 10th grade. She owns a Havanese poodle and enjoys football and watching the Kansas City Chiefs!

Sofia is a Predator Girl and plays with a Predator Black with a 12.4 Revo shaft, a BK Rush Break Cue, and an Air Rush Jump Cue! Her other sponsors are: *Predator Cues *Jam Up Apparel *Jamison Daniels *Artie Demurias *Mike Mike Mike (Mercedes Supply) *HOW I asked Sofia how she came up with the name ‘Pink Dagger,’ I knew that her favorite color was Pink from a prior interview that she did with Dominic Esposito and myself when she was 13 years old; her reply was: “We just wanted to think of fierce names. We had many different names, but it didn’t go with pink, and I think my dad said the word dagger and we all liked it.” You can watch that interview here if you would like or go to the link https://youtu.be/EUsv6WysW4?si=0rPm7Y7b1X_bC38o!

SOFIA MAST AND KRISTINA TKACH 2022

beating me 7-0. I met her at the finals. Luckily, I got four games out of her. She won 7-4. I took second, and she took first. Then I played her at the ICB WPBA, and she beat me 8-2. Those are the only times I’ve played her. She’s just so composed, stated Sofia Mast Sofia loves sharing her pool life on social media, but there are still some things about her that you may not know! She dreams of visiting Australia or Hawaii to experience different cultures and ways of life. Sofia has already been to Austria and London,

When asked who her favorite players are, she replied: I like to support Americans… I like Sky Woodward and Shane Van Boening, and I like Fedor Gorst’s fundamentals. I also like Allison Fisher and how positive and happy she is! I have taken a lesson from Allison and really look up to her!

When first beginning in pool, Sofia and her dad used to video her games and then review them to see where she needed improvement! Then she attended an online camp with Roy Pastor, and he helped her with her stance, stroke, and drills that she could do! Sofia’s prominent coaches have been her dad, Jeanette Lee, Roy Pastor, and Samm Vidal, and she SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

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has taken a lesson with Allison Fisher, MBE. Sofia loves math, so it is no wonder she does so well at the table!

Sofia, how long have you been with Samm Diep-Vidal?

So I didn’t meet Samm Diep until the Illinois BEF Junior Nationals qualifier to go to worlds in 2023. I didn’t know anything about her or who she was. I only hung out with her because Noelle Tate was hanging out with her at the Tournament desk… so fast forward to many months after that event, Samm (she works with the BEF) surprised me with a video announcement that I had received the Wild Card spot for the USA to go to Worlds that year in Austria. She had contacted my dad and said that she would like to get me ready to compete in Worlds because she saw something in me. So, before going to compete in Austria, I traveled to her home in Colorado and stayed with her for about five days. We did some training with my stance and cue ball control, but mainly working on my diet and my daily routine because a huge part of competing in tournaments is maintaining stamina and having energy. It would’ve been hard to change my stroke and speed in a short period of time, so that wasn’t her focus. I went back home following her routine and changed my diet and sleeping habits to prepare for Worlds. While in Austria, she was our mentor for Team USA. She made sure I stayed positive, ate, and slept right. She cheered me on as I made my way to the finals of the Worlds event, where I ended up taking the Silver medal. She was very proud of me! After that, we didn’t reconnect until January 1st, 2024 (a few months later). I posted about the most influential person who made an impact on me in 2023, Samm Diep-Vidal, and shared a video of her hugging me after winning one of my matches in Worlds. And said: she was SO PROUD OF ME, and it felt like WE DID IT! … fast forward.

I am not sure who contacted whom, but my dad knew Samm had an impact on me and that I would listen to her coaching. (She is a PBIA pool instructor) So, after talking about it and her plans of what her goals and our goals were with Pool, she has become my coach. I will be doing in-person coaching by traveling to her home in Colorado, and we will communicate via Zoom, video, and phone calls.

Recently, Sofia Mast took first in the Ladies Platinum Division, and her team, Out of Shape, battled it out for four days, getting 5th-8th out of 229 teams in Vegas. After that, she went to Colorado, where she participated and won in the 18 & Under Girls 10 Ball and the 14.1 Girls at the 6th Annual Colorado Junior State Championships, which took place at Felt Billiards in Englewood, Colorado.

If she is not under a shot clock, listening to music like inspirational songs helps Sofia mentally prepare for the stressful moments when playing a match. Sofia said that her hands would get sweaty and start shaking, and another way that she deals with the mental stress is to take deep breaths and walk around the table, composing her next shot.

What are some things you wish you had known when you started playing pool?

I wish I knew that I wasn’t going to win every time. I started when I was almost 11, so I wasn’t mentally ready to accept losing. With this game, there are many ups and downs, not just whether you make a ball or not.

I wish I understood the importance of having a strong mental game. Now that I am older and have been playing for about four years, I am working on that part of the game: the mental part. I am learning that I am not going to make every shot, the importance of having a daily routine, and good eating habits. If I go to play a tournament, I now know that the long hours, constant playing, or the long waits for my next match are going to affect how I play. So, I wish I knew then that I am not alone, and many people are there to help.

That I will learn from my mistakes and the significance of having the right fundamentals.

What do you like doing when you’re not playing pool?

I like to cook and bake. I love following recipes, so when I cook, I want to see if I got it right and if people like what I made. I like trying new foods that I’ve never had before. I am always open to trying food from different cultures, like Indian or Asian food. I also love to play games. I enjoy laughing and being silly with my friends. Card games, board games, karaoke, or a fun challenging game of pool, you name it, I’ll be in the mix. I just like having a good time.

What kind of food do you like?

I enjoy all types of food from different countries. In general, I like fruits, vegetables, all types of burgers, and steaks. I have a sweet tooth, so I love cookies and cake.

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What is your favorite music?

I like to listen to new country music. My favorite singer is Luke Combs, and my favorite song is ‘Fast Car.’ My parents surprised me with tickets to his concert last year, and I loved it. I like that he is so humble even though he is very famous. But the most inspiring song for me is “Champion” by Carrie Underwood. I like to listen to it to get motivated before playing my pool matches.

If you were not playing pool, what would you be doing?

If I were not playing pool, I would probably play some other sport, like soccer. I used to play soccer before I was 10, just like a kids’ league over the weekend. It was nothing professional, but it was fun, and every time, I wanted to get better and be the one to score the goals. I would also go more in-depth into baking and try to learn more things about it.

What are your plans for college?

I haven’t really thought a lot about college, but as of right now, I will probably do something that has to do with baking. I will probably go to culinary school after I graduate from high school. I would love to open my own bakery like Cake Boss or maybe become a chef. I will definitely continue to play pool. That’s for sure, and hopefully, I can be really good by that time, and the sport grows to where you can make money.

What is one challenge you overcame, and what have you done to overcome it?

The fear of people watching when I play. I really haven’t overcome it, but it has gotten easier since I have been streaming a lot of my matches. I still get nervous because I feel like everyone is judging every shot, and if I miss anything, I have been put on many TV tables, so I know what to expect, but it hasn’t gotten easier. I still get really sweaty and start shaking. It’s a lot of pressure. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it, but it is not as bad anymore.

I have gotten better with my mental game. I’ve been kinder to myself. I used to be so hard on myself when I lost, but now, I can move on and look forward to my next tournament instead of dwelling on why I lost a match. Understanding the highs and lows of this game and what things can affect how you play has helped me with that. It will never be perfect, and I will never be perfect. I can’t always be on my A game, so accepting it and learning has helped me go further. When I see that the same pros aren’t the ones constantly winning, then I understand that anyone can be beaten, and you aren’t going to shoot well every time you play.

What advice do you have for new players?

Be Positive. There is always someone who will help you.

Sometimes, you feel that no one will help you or be there, but there will be people there for you!

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PATRICK SAMPEY

The Rise Of SVB (Shane Van Boening) – The ‘South Dakota Kid’

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hen the dust settles on the worldwide stage of billiards and pool, one player stands above the din, SVB: Shane Van Boening.

This, being an OP-ED article (Opinion Piece) – I assert here and now, SVB, the acronym to define a player that has dominated the world pool scene for nearly the last 20 years – consistently winning the lion’s share of the money to be made as a professional pool player – his accomplishments in the game speak for themselves. Sure, this may be one writer’s “opinion,” however, it is a fact: SVB is the all-time leader when you count the cash, as it relates to the pool scene.

While professionals in the billiards gambit don’t make nearly the money as professional players in Football, Basketball, Baseball, Golf, and Tennis – the major syndicated sports leaders here in the USA – SVB has cashed in to the tune SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

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of 2,398,332.00 whopping dollar bills, according to the data from AZbilliards.com, which has been tracking, and compiling the stats and status of players for many years now, providing insightful pool articles, player rankings, and/or any plethora of other information concerning the worldwide pool progression.

In light of all SVB has achieved and still may have yet to achieve, I believe SVB will far surpass anything any other players have or ever will ultimately achieve.

Again, who else besides perhaps Earl Strickland and/ or Efren Reyes is even in the same ballpark? Anyone?

SVB has leveled Earl Strickland’s US-Open, world Currently, in fact, worldwide, SVB ranks 3rd in the bragging rights – each viewing one another in that monetary winners this year alone, garnering $32.7K, mirror image, at 5 total US Open titles each – and let’s this being just February at the writing of this testimony! face the facts, the US Open is, and has been, a world 9 ball title since the early 1990’s. World contenders While many other pool players so often reach a have vied for the honor of hoisting that trophy above plateau, then rapidly drop off the top 5 rankings, SVB their heads, reaching for pool immortality for quite has steadily maintained a level of play that commands a while at this point – so for anyone to discount the worldwide notoriety, and in a game that celebrates validity of how SVB has matched Strickland’s worlda type of 1-on-1 prowess, technical perfection, and record, 5 US Open wins – that alone is amazing in this mental acuity; quite frankly what any and all amateur day and age where the level of competition in world players look to as the golden standard of excellence 9-ball events has arguably far surpassed the level of they would like to emulate is what SVB exudes; when competition in prior ages of pool. that individual journey concludes, it’s not nearly any kind of close contest for who would match what SVB Pool players, assessed by their “Fargo Rate,” help has done – setting an eternal, unbreakable standard determine their rankings on the world scale, from this world may never again bare witness to. professional, down to amateur players; currently, SVB, age 41, is rated a 837, still maintaining within While some fans of other players may balk and/or the top 5 rankings worldwide, behind Joshua Filler dissent against this assessment, claiming some other (849) of Germany (#1), Fedor Gorst (844) of USA current, top world professional pool player is “better” (#2), Francisco Sanchez Ruiz (842) of ESP (#3), and and/or holds more world titles and/or accolades Anton Raga (838) of the Philippines (#4) – which in pool prowess than that of SVB, I would ask the shows that upon the worldwide stage of pocket question: who among them has maintained that level billiards, SVB is still killing it, and that’s to show of game for the majority of their respective careers? that even though the level of play has exponentially Who among them has consistently placed in the top improved, the equipment changing through the 5 world players year after year for a span of nearly years, SVB still stands tall as one of the best – which is 20 solid years? Who among them has won so many all to say, it’s not about just being the best at any given major world events in pocket billiards? Who among point in time; it’s about longevity as tantamount to them has played side-by-side with the world’s best what defines any kind of would-be GOAT distinction.

– and in a day and age where 9-ball, once a game Between SVB at #5, and Filler at #1, a paltry 12 points played primarily in the USA, with European players on the Fargo Rate divide them, which means they are primarily focusing on billiard games like snooker and virtually evenly ranked, as are all the other players 3 cushion in prior eras – with 9-ball pool now as the within that range, listed here. leading worldwide pool game? Who? Can anyone think of any other players? I certainly can’t.

From my perspective, a 700+ on the Fargo Rate is considered low-level professional level; 800+ is beast Back in 2014, it was this writer’s opinion – and many mode, balling-upper-echelon-superstar status. I would other fans of pool and/or pool-playing professionals’ imagine the pool world agrees with me to that end. opinions – that Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes was the all-time greatest player this Earth has ever witnessed. And SVB has maintained an 800+ Fargo Rate since 2007, it’s still certainly debatable, which is why this is an when he began his worldwide billiards dominance, opinion piece. However, SVB isn’t done yet. Reyes vanquishing every top world player in his ascent to is in the twilight of his pool career, with nothing left the top-spot-GOAT designation. to achieve. Van Boening maintains to this day and hasn’t stopped grinding all these years, as consistent Anyone that disagrees with this assessment, all that’s as the light from Polaris, the “North Star.” Amazing required, is to highlight any other player in the history tenacity and true grit! of the game that has such accomplishments and/or 50

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accolades. The fact is, they don’t exist, other than perhaps Reyes or Strickland. So Reyes and/or Strickland could still be argued to be the best to ever do it, however, SVB may still be going 5 to 10 years after the time of this article, which is nearly unbelievable. Outstanding; Incredible.

SVB has also tested his merit in 1v1, heads-up, money matches, and bested the best of the best. Just recently, he went to the Philippines and beat several of their premier players, sending a ripple throughout eternal pool glory, showing his gamesmanship and Moxy.

As of 2024, SVB’s estimated net worth is approximately 5 million dollars, which he has amassed through billiards alone, primarily. No other pool players can attest to this standard; it isn’t even close in most cases, no contest.

Furthermore, Fedor Gorst, Joshua Filler, and/or Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, or perhaps other younger players, could possibly overtake the accomplishments of SVB. However, that is just speculation at this juncture in time, nothing more. They represent a younger generation of cue artisans, but again, SVB is still level with each and every one of them presently.

Perhaps one may argue that SVB has struggled in the Mosconi Cup through the years. However, that’s a team exhibition match and not really worthy of consideration from an individual player’s perspective. Why? Because pool isn’t really a team sport other than that kind of promotional event. Additionally, SVB hasn’t had the level of any kind of “supporting cast,” such as the caliber of players team Europe has produced in recent years.

In the USA, professional pool isn’t really any kind of draw for so many youths, who are far more interested in pursuing football, basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, and/or any other number of games and/or sports. That’s why I would argue that the European counterparts have risen above their USA competitors in recent times. In other countries, lacking in the diverse plethora of options and opportunities afforded in this country, it makes perfect sense that professional pool players in other areas have risen above US players in recent times; the USA has any number of alternatives in that regard, which are not afforded to people living elsewhere.

Meanwhile, arguably and demonstrably, the greatest pool player of all time – namely SVB – was born, bred, and raised right here in the USA. From Rapid City, South Dakota – SVB, in this writer’s opinion, when he retires, will stand alone – beyond Reyes, Strickland, Archer, Filler, Gorst, Ruiz, and/or any other players that have, or will ever have, played pocket billiards.

And still going, SVB continues to dominate the field of players in New York and worldwide!

Respect!

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KEITH SHANER

RICHBARD ASHBY INTERVIEW ­— THE DERBY CITY CLASSIC – PART TWO

I got to watch Shane Wolford play his set with Chris Reinhold (the first one they played), which was awesome. The Bigfoot 10-ball matches were some of my favorites!

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his is part two of our story on Richard Ashby and his first trip to The Derby City Classic.

It has been a dream of his to participate in the Derby City Classic event, and in 2024, it finally happened. Richard did have to leave a couple of days early because his road partner had a personal emergency. Now he is back from DCC, and he has been sharing his experiences and stories with friends in the poolroom, and now he is sharing them with us.

*Correction from Part One – Richard was there with his cousin Bill Collins, not Andrew.

KS: So, for the first time at the Derby City Classic, what was your immediate impression when you entered the main venue?

RA: When I first got to Caesars, I met up with my cousin Bill in the parking garage. We went into the casino, and the first thing we did was check out the main room. They had all the banners up, and they SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

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were setting up the TV table. I could tell right away that it was going to be a great week.

KS: You entered the Banks division, and you drew two 700+ players right out of the gate. How do you feel about your play, and what was the battle experience like for you with the two gentlemen you played?

RA: My first match, I played Kenny Loftus when we first got to the table. He threw some balls out to practice, and I watched him bank six in a row. It was a little intimidating. He won the lag and made three balls on the break, but then he scratched on his first shot; I ended up being up on him four to one in the first game but could not make the last ball, and he came back and got me, which knocked the wind out of me a little. I hung in there the next two games he won 5 to 3. My next game was against Mohammad Ali Berjaoui. He missed his first three shots, but after that, it seemed like he never missed one. He won the first two games 5/0 5/0 and the last game 5/3. Even though I lost, it was a great experience and made me feel like if I had gotten a little luckier on my draws, I could have won a round or two.

KS: Did you follow any of the players closely?

RA: I Definitely tried to watch Fedor play whenever he had a match.

KS: What were some of the more interesting matches that you watched

KS: Did you get to view many of the TV Table matches, and if so, what was that like compared to the outer tables?

RA: I watched as many as I could. They were definitely some of my favorite matches played on the 10-foot table. I wish Alex had gone a little farther. It’s always fun watching him play. The Fedor vs. Wiktor match was one of my favorite matches I have ever seen in person. They both played amazingly.

KS: Did you get a chance to watch any of the challenge matches that were going on?

RA: I watched the first match between Shane Wolford and Chris Reinhold. They played 10 ball.

Race to 30 with 80k in the middle. Shane played some great pool and won 30-20. The action around the room was crazy.

KS: I know that you have attended the US Open.

What did you think of the grind at this type of event, especially with all the various disciplines going on throughout the week? How much tougher do you think it compares with other major events?

RA: It’s a completely different feeling than the U.S. Open; at the U.S. Open, you pretty much only see the players when they’re playing pool. At the Derby, you are basically hanging out with them the whole time you’re there. I would get breakfast in the casino and be surrounded by some of the best players in the world—Guys like Tony Chohan, Jason Shaw, Alex Pagulayan, Fedor Gorst, Josh Filler…etc. I was sitting at a slot machine, and Cory Deuel sat down at the one next to me. The whole time I was there that’s how it was. It really was an amazing experience.

RA: I got to watch Shane Wolford play his set with Chris Reinhold (the first one they played), which was awesome. The Bigfoot 10-ball matches were some of my favorites, like Fedor versus Victor and Fedor vs. Filler, which ended up going to the hill after Fedor KS: What was the general vibe that you felt from the was down big and fought back. It was very exciting. other players, especially some of the bigger names, with some of the scheduling issues that happened?

KS: What kinds of insights did you pick up either through conversion or observation with the players? RA: Honestly, I was kind of surprised by some of the guys complaining. It is the derby. You know it’s RA: I really tried to pay close attention to how they going to be a grind with a field that big, and the were hitting the ball and what spin and speed they guys complaining about the money really bothered were using. You can see it so much better in person me. Now, you have a nine-ball tournament with a compared to watching it on YouTube. million-dollar prize pool. The game is growing. The money is there, and you get to make a living doing KS: Do you think the experience here will help you what you love. Hell, it’s a month later, and I’m still raise your game, and if so, in what ways? playing catch-up for the week of work I missed.

RA: I definitely feel like it brought my game up a little. Since I’ve gotten back, I feel my position play and my confidence have improved.

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KS: As a new participant, do you have any thoughts on how they can make adjustments to help with the scheduling?

RA: It seems easy. Just do a race to 7 in the nine-ball until the money rounds, then bump it up to a race to 9 and add an extra day. I don’t think making the field smaller and playing less places to cater to a few of the pros who complained is a good idea. The derby is supposed to be a place where anybody can go play the best in the world, and I really hope it stays that way.

KS: Overall, what was your experience like, and would you like to attend this event in the future?

RA: I had the time of my life. I’m definitely planning on going back next year, and a lot of my friends want to go now, which would be great. I just hope I’ll be able to get my ticket in time. Since they capped all of the events at 400 players, I’m worried that it will sell out quickly.

RA: I have definitely been using more inside and outside spin on my banks to shorten and lengthen the angle, whereas before, I was mostly using top to shorten and less speed to lengthen it. I’m getting used to aiming with lots of spin, and it has also helped me in other games with safety play and position.

KS: Thank you, Richard, for sharing your experience with us, and I hope more people get a chance either as a player or as a spectator to enjoy the Derby City Classic. It has always been my favorite event to attend in person in the past and I feel like it is one of the most unique events in the world.

KS: Do you feel that, as a player, the experience has helped your game?

RA: I definitely feel it helped my game. All the hours of practice getting ready, and just playing with and paying attention to all the high-level players, it would be hard not to pick something up.

KS: What did you learn that you will try to incorporate into your own play?

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HARRAH’S RESORT, ATLANTIC CITY TO HOST WORLD NINEBALL TOUR’S US OPEN

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ADAM CLAPHAM

The 47th US Open Pool Championship will be held at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City between Monday, 19 August and Saturday, 24 August, live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, in partnership with Caesars Entertainment and the Atlantic City Sports Commission. Spectator tickets are on sale on now, with fans able to purchase hospitality tickets for the first time in the event’s history.

Book your ticket to the US Open Pool Championship at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City!

Held for the fourth time at the New Jersey casino, the US Open is the sport’s most historic tournament and will see defending champion Ko Ping Chung lead the World Nineball Tour’s 128 professional players seeded among a 256-player field aiming to claim the prestigious title.

First staged in 1976, the US Open Pool Championship has crowned illustrious champions over the years, including five-time winners Earl Strickland and Shane Van Boening, Filipino great Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes and WNT #1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz. $300,000 worth of WNT ranking points are on offer across the field, with the winner set to receive $50,000.

The US Open is one of the hottest tickets on the World Nineball Tour, with last year’s final at Harrah’s Resort a complete sell out.

“We are thrilled to be hosting the US Open Pool Tournament for the fourth consecutive year in Atlantic City, NJ. Our seaside destination could not be better positioned to host this unique event in our world-class venues along with ample experiences for athletes and spectators,” said Daniel Gallagher, Director of Sports Sales for the Atlantic City Sports Commission.

Spectator Ticket Details Spectator tickets are available on general sale with prices starting from $35 per day here. Nineball fans can also purchase a Season Pass for the first four days to take in all the multi-table action for $100.

For the first time at the US Open, fans can take in the event in VIP Hospitality for the final day, with packages available for $250.

VIP Hospitality packages will include: * Access to a private hospitality lounge throughout the final day of play. * Get closer to the action with the seating in the front two rows. * Mimosa on arrival * Enjoy a Caesars Breakfast Buffet before play and a Lunch Buffet in between sessions. * Private Cash Bar * Exclusive VIP Lanyard * Photo Opportunity with the US Open Pool Championship Trophy Make sure you secure your ticket to the US Open Pool Championship here.

Ticket Prices General – From $35 per day Season Pass (First four days) - $100 Premium Seating (Saturday, 24 August) - $75 Hospitality (Saturday, 24 August) - $250 All tickets are subject to booking and local tax fees.

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Spectator Hotel Details Nineball fans will once again be able to secure a discounted hotel rate at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City.

Book your exclusive room rate here.

Player Qualification Players outside of the top-128 professional players will be able to qualify for their place among the 256-player field in Atlantic City through a number of official US Open Pool Championship Qualifiers.

Players will be able to compete in as many qualifier events as they choose up until qualification for an event, giving them the maximum amount of opportunities to enter. Once qualified for an Open event, players will be unable to enter any additional qualifiers for the same Open event.

An official list of qualifiers for the US Open will be released soon, with organisers encouraged to register their interest to host an official Qualifier via pool@matchroom.com.

Broadcast Details Through a range of global broadcaster partners, the US Open Pool Championship will be broadcast in every country around the globe. Nineball fans in the United Kingdom & Ireland will be able to enjoy via Sky Sports, with those in the United States able to watch through DAZN. Viaplay will broadcast the event in the Netherlands, Poland, Scandinavia and the Baltics.

Further broadcast details will be released in due course with fans outside the listed countries able to watch the US Open via Matchroom.live.

KO PING CHUNG 2023 US OPEN WINNER PHOTO BY TAKA WU FOR MATCHROOM MULTISPORT

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BRIAN PAULEY

Venom Wins WPA World Artistic Pool Championship

SCREENSHOT OF FLORIAN KOHLER IN THE FINALS FROM RAILBIRDS

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n February 7-10, 2024, The Boys and Girls Club of the Great Lakes Region in Bay City, Michigan, was host to the 2023 WPA World Artistic Pool Championships. For the first time in a long time, an Artistic Pool event was held in a venue and not a pool room. This event was the brainchild of hometown Artistic Pool Player Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch. Without him and his team working tirelessly to find sponsors, the venue, the hotel, and other aspects of the tournament, this would not have been as successful as it was. 21 players representing the United States, Canada,

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South Africa, Argentina, France, and Taiwan set their sights on becoming the next WPA World Artistic Pool Champion and taking their place among a lineage of the best Artistic Pool Players in history.

This field included three former WPA World Artistic Pool Champions: William “Billie Joe” DeYonker, the two-time defending champion from Taiwan, “The Master” Chi-Ming Lin, and four-time champion and BCA Hall of Famer Mike “Tennessee Tarzan” Massy. Another great aspect of this event was it was a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of the Great Lakes Region. 100% of the ticket sales went to the

TOP FOUR FINISHERS — FLORIAN KOHLER - FIRST, WILLIAM DEYONKER - SECOND, STEVE MARKLE - THIRD, WAYNE PARKER - FOURTH PHOTO BY BRENDA LEE GLANVILLE

Boys and Girls Club, as well as other fundraising items. The WPA-Artistic Pool Division presented the Boys and Club of the Great Lakes Region with a check for $1,420 at the end of the event.

Artistic Pool is broken down into eight disciplines: Trick & Fancy (set up shots), Special Arts (speed and timing shots), Draw, Follow, Bank/Kick, Stroke, Jump, and Masse. Players attempt five shots in each discipline, ranging from a six-point shot to a ten-point shot. There is a one-point deduction for every missed attempt.

Players get three attempts at each shot. Aside from the overall champion, there are eight World discipline titles up for grabs as well. The player that scores the highest in each discipline wins the title—forty points for a perfect score. If more than one player scores a perfect score, they both win the title. If there is a tie and not a perfect score, there is a playoff format. The top 16 players, after the preliminary rounds, advanced to a single elimination head-to-head playoff format.

Round one features the Trick & Fancy and Special Arts disciplines together. The World Trick & Fancy title went to Chi-Ming Lin after he scored a perfect forty out of forty. Special Arts saw some history made. For just the second time in Artistic Pool history, two players shot a perfect forty out of forty. The interesting part was these two players, Abram “Too Tall” Diaz and Argentina’s Gaston “The Prince” Tomadoni, were playing at the same table. If round one was any key to how this tournament was to play out, it was sure to be a barn burner.

Day two saw the field finish up with round 2, which is the Draw and Follow disciplines. The draw discipline was won by current number one ranked player Tim “The Dragon” Chin with a score of thirty-nine out of forty.

The follow discipline had a tie for first at thirty-nine out of forty between Jimmy “The General” Glanville and returning player Dan “The Spearthrower” Hosier. The tiebreaker for follow is the classic “window shot,” where a player makes a three-ball cluster and arching the cue ball through a wall of balls with a two-ball cap, and spinning forward to make an object ball. In a thrilling playoff, Jimmy Glanville won the title. The most impressive part of this title was that Jimmy did this cold. Due to the number of players for this event and the amount of tables available, only half of the players could play at a time. Jimmy was in group one, while Dan was in group two. The playoff took place after group two completed round two, and Dan was warm from just finishing his round. Jimmy came in and hit the window shot with no warmups in a clutch performance.

Day two also saw the field finish up round three, which is the Bank/Kick and Stroke discipline. The Bank/Kick SPM BILLIARDS MAGAZINE

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discipline saw another tiebreaker. This particular tiebreaker has an international feel to it. Two players representing the French federation both shot thirtynine out of forty points, Florian “Venom” Kohler and first-time player and internet sensation Jordan “Pool Striker” Moreira. Florian and Jordan were friends back when Florian first started shooting Trickshots in France, so this came full circle. The tiebreaker for Bank/Kick is the “Dollar Bill shot.” An eight or ninerail kick onto a dollar bill. If either player did not land on the dollar bill, the ten-point shots would then be drawn. Florian went first but was unsuccessful in landing on the dollar bill. Jordan came to the table, and on his second attempt, he landed the cue ball on the dollar bill and won the title from his friend and mentor. Florian Kohler won the World Stroke title by scoring thirty-three out of forty. The players were through six of eight disciplines with Florian and Gaston leading the entire tournament.

was tightening up, with only one round left before the playoffs. Players that were close to the “cut line” needed to play well in round four, which is the everpopular Jump and Masse round. These two disciplines are what all the fans want to see. For the third time in Artistic pool history and the second time in this event, two players shot a perfect forty in a discipline.

Florian Kohler and first-time player Keegan “Magic” Bodour both shot a perfect score in Jump. This was Florian’s fourth World Jump title, which is the most in Artistic Pool history. The masse discipline title saw another tiebreaker and another playoff among close friends. Both Florian Kohler and reigning US National Artistic Pool Champion Steve “Blue Shark” Markle shot thirty-eight out of forty in masse. The initial tiebreaker shot is the famous “Jump Masse shot” which features players jumping the cue ball out of a rack that is frozen on the head rail, traveling past the second diamond, and masse back to make a ball in the corner pocket. Florian won the lag and decided Day three would see the end of the preliminary rounds to shoot first. As expected, Florian made this shot on and the start of the playoff rounds. The leaderboard the first attempt, as this is one of his show shots. Steve

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stepped up and uncorked a Jump Masse shot that went 8 diamonds up the table before it rocketed back.

Since both players made the initial tiebreaker shot, the discipline playoff continued with the ten-point shots being drawn at random. Both players made the first ten-point shot on their second attempt. Both players wanted this title. Florian made the second ten-point shot on the first attempt, leaving Steve needing to make it on the first attempt to keep this playoff alive.

Steve unfortunately miscued on his attempt, giving Florian the World Masse title. There was one less player for round 4 than expected. After two full days of competition, Mike Massey was not feeling the best and noticed that he wasn’t in contention for one of the playoff spots, so he graciously bowed out of the tournament. This may well have been Mike’s final Artistic Pool tournament. If it was, then we were all grateful to have shared the felt with the Hall of Famer.

Even more history was made on this day. Florian Kohler broke the preliminary scoring record for a 9-foot table. The previous score was set at the 2019 master’s by Romania’s Gabi “Mr. Perfect” Visoiu at 282 points out of a possible 320 points. Florian scored a 294, beating the record by 12 points.

This tournament was the tournament for firsts. The playoff bracket is determined by a player’s finish in the prelims. If there is a tie after the prelims, a shootout is implemented. This has never happened since the shootout was put in. At the end of the prelims for this event, there were three players tied with a score of 203 points: Brian “Superman” Pauley, Keegan Bodour, and Dan Hosier. Players drew balls for order, and each player picked any shot from the book that the other players had to attempt. After each player had chosen a shot, the playoff would be determined by the total score of all three players. Brian drew number one and got to pick the first shot. The tiebreaker was done after round 2 ended, but Brian shot in round 1, so Brian came into this playoff not playing for almost 3 hours. Brian picked an 8-point Bank/Kick shot and made it on his first attempt. Dan followed and missed all three attempts at this shot. Keegan was next and made the shot on his third attempt. Dan was next to choose a shot, which was a ten-point Trick & Fancy shot. Unfortunately, Dan missed all three attempts.

Keegan was next and also missed all three attempts.

Brian came up after Keegan and made the shot on his third attempt. After two shots, Brian had 16 points, Keegan had 6 points, and Dan had 0 points. Keegan was next to pick a shot, which was a ten-point special arts shot. After missing the first attempt, this ensured Brian won the playoff and solidified the #12 seed.

Keegan did make his shot on the third attempt, which led Keegan to secure the #13 seed and Dan the #14

seed. The bracket was set, and players and fans alike were ready for the final stages of the tournament.

Like the preliminary rounds, the first round of the playoffs was broken down into two waves due to player number and table number. The bracket is a standard person single elimination bracket. Florian Kohler (1) defeated internet sensation.

Anthony “The Specialist” Merced (16) in his first tournament. Anthony put up a fight early, but Florian closed the gap and won 83-57. Gaston Tomadoni (2) took down Jimmy Glanville (15) 66-36, while William DeYonker (3) bested Dan Hosier (14) 92-70 in one of the highest-scoring matches of the first round of the playoffs. Abram Diaz (4) defeated Keegan Bodour (13) 91-45. Keegan made a good showing in his first tournament, and he has a bright future in Artistic Pool. Brian Pauley (12) could not capitalize on the momentum from winning the prelim shootout and fell to Steve Markle (5) 77-33. The first round of the playoffs featured a rematch from last year’s finals in Tim Chin (6) against Chi-Ming Lin (11). Chi-Ming Lin defeated Tim in the finals of the last World Championship and in the semi-finals the year prior. The match went back and forth and was close the entire time, as everyone expected it would be. In the end, Tim snuck by Chi-Ming Lin 8278 and got redemption from the two prior matches against Lin. South Africa’s Wayne “The Cue Coach” Parker (10) narrowly defeated the hometown player Jason Lynch (7) 67-66 in a thrilling match. Jason had the last shot of the match and was leading 66 to 62. All Jason needed to do was pick an easy shot and make it on any attempt. Jason chose a 6 pointtiming shot that he makes routinely. Even the easy shots can be missed and uncharacteristically, Jason missed all three attempts. Wayne would win the match if he made the same shot in either of his two attempts. Wayne missed the first attempt but made his adjustments to make the second attempt and scoring the upset win. The last match of the round was the match of the tournament, pitting Jamie “The Bayou Bullet” Moody (8) against France’s Maxence “JMASEM” Delattre (9). Both players made shot after shot, neither wanting to give in. The back-andforth match came down to the last shot, with Max having the final shot. Being down 84-78, Max had to come up with something big. He chose a ten-point draw shot and missed the first two attempts. If Max did not make the final attempt, the match would be over. Max proceeded to make this third attempt and kept his tournament hopes alive. Jamie came to the table with the last swing on the match, now down 86-84, and in a similar situation, Max had needed to

make the shot on any attempt to win. Just like Max, Jamie missed the first two attempts. Jamie had to make his next attempt, or his tournament would stop here. Jamie stepped to the table and made one of the most clutch shots of his career, and made the final attempt. Jamie let out a yell of excitement that was followed by an eruption from the crowd. Jamie and Max embraced after the match in a great showing of sportsmanship.

The first round of playoffs and Day 3 had come to a close in the most exciting of ways and really set the tone for the final day of the tournament.

After the first round of the playoffs, players, sponsors, and fans were invited to a special awards banquet at the host hotel. Sponsors were thanked for their contribution to the event and local dignitaries also spoke on the impact of having the WPA World Artistic Pool event in Bay City. Players finishing 9-21 received their plaques at this event. There was a special moment when Mike Massey received his 20th-place plaque. Master of Ceremonies Tom “Dr Cue” Rossman walked over to where Mike was sitting to present him the award. Mike stood up to receive his award and was followed by a standing ovation from everyone in the room. Everyone wanted to pay their respect to the man who inspired so many players. The ovation went on with many players having tears in their eyes. The remaining awards were handed out, as well as the Rising Star Award. The Rising Star Award was started by Tim Chin years ago, and it was for players who had played in three or fewer events. Whichever player scored highest in the prelims won the award. Keegan Bodour scored a 203 and won over Anthony Merced, Jordan Moreira, Canada’s Tim “The Quiet Man” Gallagher, and Gospel Trick Shot Ministries member Mike “The Pastor of Pool” Hewitt. It was a great way to end day three and get everyone ready for the final day.

Day 4 was the final day of the tournament. Many players call the final day “Championship Saturday.” The day started with the quarter-finals with some rematches and first-time matchups. Florian Kohler (1) defeated Jamie Moody (8) 103-66 with the highest playoff score of the tournament. Jamie was able to defeat one player from France but was not able to defeat another. Steve Markle (5) defeated Abram Diaz (4) 79-69 in a rematch of the US National Artistic Pool Championships. This match was as close as their last encounter was with Steve getting the upper hand as was the same in their previous match. Wayne Parker (10) continued his upsetting ways and scored the upset win over Gaston Tomadoni (2) 66-51. Wayne Parker was the lowest seed ever to make a semifinal. The final quarterfinal match saw William DeYonker (3) bettering Tim Chin (6) 79-54. The semifinals were now set.

Florian Kohler (1) kept his winning ways and defeated Steve Markle (5) 81-31 in a rematch of the semi-finals of the US Nationals, where Steve was the victor. Florian bested his longtime friend Steve in this match and was

2024 WORLD ARTISTIC POOL CHAMPIONSHIP IN BAY CITY, MICHIGAN PHOTO BY BRENDA LEE GLANVILLE

JASON FREDDIE LYNCH PRESENTING CHECK TO LYNN PAVLACK, CEO GREAT LAKES BAY REGION BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB — BAY CITY LOCATION

the first to secure a spot in the finals. The second match saw William DeYonker (3) against the Cinderella story of the event Wayne Parker (10). Just like Cinderella, the magic had a curfew, and Wayne fell to William 69-49. This set up a rematch of a semi-final match from the 2019 WPA World Artistic Pool Championships.

Florian started the match with a similar shot selection and did not miss any of the shots he picked. William stuttered a little out of the gate, not only missing some of Florian’s shots but even the shots he picked. Florian pounced on William’s mistakes and got out to a lead that William could not come back from and took the match and the title 87-39.

Florian completed a historical event, finally winning the one tournament that had eluded him for years. After several second—and third-place finishes, Florian finally won the title of WPA World Artistic Pool Champion.

Alongside that, Florian set the preliminary scoring record and tied Andy Segal for the second most World Discipline medals with 13. Florian needs one more World Discipline title to match Mike Massey for the most all-time. Florian is continuing to cement his legacy as one of the greatest artistic pool players in history.

A number of the matches and prelim rounds can be viewed on www.railbirdstv.com.

Photo credit: Brenda Lee Glanville

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CHIP KLEIN

THE BREAK AND WHY SO MANY GET IT SO WRONG.

R

ecently, I was watching a match and a great player scratched in the side and the commentator immediately says his timing was off, he had body movement etc. This may not be accurate and may be unverified speculation.

I continue to watch both players go on and break the balls very well and guess what? They both had tons of body movement.

What many people that try to make sense of the break forget is that the balls are never in the exact same position. There’s always small gaps between the balls and never identical, even with the magic rack. Many times the human eye can’t even see these gaps.

This means that you’re going to have collapse of the front of the rack, and the Qball is not going to react the same as it would, if the balls were very tight. Quite often the player is not at fault even if it appears they hit a bad break. Unfortunately commentators like to blame the player immediately even without knowing if the rack was set properly.

Do you know how many times I’ve had world-class players tell me they have the break figured out and the very next set on the very same table they couldn’t make a ball to save their lives?

I guess it to be hundreds. This is because of changing conditions on the table.  If you’ve ever heard somebody say, don’t tap the one ball, actually kind of funny because every time the Qball hits the one ball it’s driving it into the table much harder than if you were to tap the one ball to keep it in place.

it’s

(YES, THE QBALL IS ACTUALLY HAMMERING THE ONE INTO THE SPOT) So the next time the commentator criticizes you for a break just tell him the rack wasn’t properly set!!!

Prove it was.

Below: “Boy… he’s breaking bad today” “Yeah, his coin tosses were off too”

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