MARK
GRIFFIN
BIG MOVES COMING IN 2013 WHERE AND WHEN TAR 21 THE LION VS. SVB THE REMATCH
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About Stroke
Don “Cheese” Akerlow
Stroke is a monthly publication, dedicated to the advancement of the sport of pool and to promoting enthusiasm and encouragement among the players at all levels, regardless of their league affiliation, in addition to recognizing those businesses who support them all. Covering the Eastcoast and adjoining states. Look for Stroke by the 10th of each month. The opinions expressed are those of the author Publisher or advertiser and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rackem or its staff. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher. © 2011 Stroke
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October 2011 - Stroke Magazine 3
FEATURE LOCATION
Amy’s Billiards Expanding CELEBRATING ITS 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH ADDITIONAL SPACE AND TABLES Amy’s Billiards, celebrating its 5th year anniversary, is undergoing expansion. Amy’s currently features 5000 square feet of chilly room temperatures where patrons can choose to play on one of the 14 tables: eight 9-foot Oldhausens, a Brunswick Gold Crown, a 7 ft. Diamond Smart Table, one of the only heated Gabriel 3 cushion billiard tables in the area and three Valley 8’ tables. The expansion (due to open this month) will add an additional 2100 square feet and seven additional tables in a smoke-free room. Sixteen feet of glass between the two rooms will allow viewing between the rooms while maintaining the smoke-free atmosphere. The added space will hold five 8 foot tables, two of which are drop pocket, a nine foot table and the only 6 ft by
4 Stroke Magazine - October 2011
of tables as well as a non-smoking atmosphere for those who prefer it.”
12 ft snooker table in the area. In addition to expanding to 7100 feet, Amy’s Billiards has expanded its food menu and installed a “Touch Tunes” juke box, allowing patrons to play music traditionally or from their phones anywhere in the room or parking lot by simply downloading an “app”. “It’s always been important that Amy’s Billiards is a clean, safe place for the entire family to enjoy pool”, said Amy Poulter. “This expansion will allow the addition
Located at 1600 NW Federal Hwy in Stuart (a mile north of the Roosevelt Bridge), beginners and experts alike can enjoy Amy’s Billiards Mondays, 5:00 pm to 2:00 am, and Tuesday thru Sunday 1:00 pm to 2:00 am. Local leagues including ACS, APA, BCA, VALLEY and 14.1 “Straight Pool” participate here, and Amy’s is a familiar host site for the Flamingo Billiards Tour. This month the “Cues for the Cure” fundraiser for breast cancer research and education will be in full swing. Although reservations are never needed, the public is welcome to call 772 232-9966 with questions about billiard supplies, lessons, leagues, “pool” parties or activities. Please visit Amy’s website: www.amysbilliards.com
PARICA WINS EMPIRE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS BY JERRY TARANTOLA, NYCGRIND.COM
51 PLAYERS CAME OUT TO PLAY IN THE $2,000 ADDED EVENT AND TAKE A CHANCE AT THE COVETED NY TITLE. Fifty-one players came out to play in the 4th Annual Predator Tour Empire State Championships, which was held at Raxx Pool Room in West Hempstead, NY on September 3-4. A strong field came out to play in the $2,000 added event and take a chance at the coveted NY title.
a spot in the finals, undefeated. While there were several other players playing good enough to get to the finals, including Mhet Vergara, Jeremy Sosssei, Sean Morgan, and Tony Robles, Jose Parica was determined to earn the top spot.
In the winner’s Several top players bracket, Jose Parica participated, defeated Eric Tang including Mike 8-4, Ray Romanowski Fingers, Oscar Bonilla, 8-5, and Jeremy Sossei L-R 3rd Place: Frankie Hernandez, 1st Place: Jose Parica, 3rd Place: Jeff Beckley Jorge Rodriguez, 8-5, before losing to Frankie Hernandez, Frankie Hernandez Zion Zvi, Jeremy Sossei, Sean “Alaska” Morgan, Tony Robles, Mhet 8-2. That loss put Jose on the one-loss side, where he regained traction en Vergara, Victor Nau, Mike Wong, Joey Korsiak, and two visitors to the route to the finals. Predator Tour; Jose Parica and Jeff Beckley. Three women also came out to play against the Open field, including Diana “Snooky” Rojas and Kiss Jose then defeated top NY-based Filipino player Mhet Vergara 8-3, of Death & RackStar members Borana Andoni and Gail Glazebrook. followed by Tony Robles 8-7, then avenged his loss to Frankie Hernandez 8-6 earning the spot in the finals versus Jeff Beckley. In the final match, One of the two tour visitors, Jose Parica, is known as the leader of the both Jose and Jeff were in a battle until 6-6, when Jose took control of the Filipino invasion for being integral in bringing many of the worlds set en-route to a final 11-7 victory. best Filipino pool talent to the US. Jose will also go down as one of the winningest professional players in this sport’s rich history, and continues Jose Parica has been a longtime fan favorite in NY, and is a beloved to play the game at an extremely high level today. character and personality in the sport of pool… and it’s clear that he still has what it takes to play the game at the highest level. Congratulations to While Jose Parica represents the strong tradition that the game was built Jose for winning the 4th Annual Empire State Championships! on, there were also several up-and-coming players looking to showcase their skills in their quest to be the Empire State Champion. Many thanks to our title sponsor Predator Cues and the PlayNAPL. com as well as our official rack sponsor Delta-13, PoolOnTheNet.com, One of these players, also tour visitor, was Jeff Beckley from Indiana, who NYCGrind.com, Billiards Press, Pool.bz, Go4Pool.net, Master Chalk, made the trip to NY for this event. Jeff had an impressive tournament Billiards Digest, Inside Pool Magazine, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Maxim going with several strong wins that stirred up buzz around his play. On Billiards and ProfessorQBall.com for their continued support. his run, Jeff defeated John Ortiz 8-1, Robert Gipp 8-3, Lionel Rivera 8-7, Tony Cosenza 8-0, Tony Robles 8-5 and Frankie Hernandez 8-6, earning FINAL: 1st: $1,500 Jose Parica 2nd: $1,000 Jeff Beckley 3rd: $750 Frankie Hernandez 4th: $600 Tony Robles 5th/6th: $400 Jeremy Sossei, Mhet Vergara Pro Shop W/Cues, Cases, & Accsesories - 2 Heated Billiard Tables 5x10 7th/8th: $300 Sean Morgan, Ray Romanski 2 - 7’ Diamonds - 2 - 8’ Gold Crowns - 14 - 9’ Gold Crowns 9th-12th: $150 Mike Fingers, Oscar Bonilla, Flat Screen TVs - Video Games - Internet Juke Box - Free WiFi Holden Chin, Tony Cosenza Regular Tour Tournaments - Weekly Handicap 9Ball tourney “Tuesdays” Cable TV, & Stereo - BYBO - Fully Air Conditioned Full Lunch Counter - And much More ... Open 7 days a week from 9AM - 2AM
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RESULTS
October 2011 - Stroke Magazine 5
& FEATURE ARTICLE
Amateurs I had the opportunity to speak to Mark Griffin, owner and CEO of CSI and the BCA Pool Leagues after an announcement came across my desk that they were moving! Moving what? Moving where? Who’s moving? Why are they moving? So many questions, so I went to the source. The experience of going to a league national championship has been changed from playing in singles or teams to an experience, to a pool players bonanza if you will. Sometimes you can be playing next to a professional pool player who you may have seen on TV, to watching a U S Open Champion and even a World Champion. The cost of being a spectator at their professional venue is cheaper than having a good meal in Las Vegas. You can walk through the hallways, pool room or the vendor area at any time, and find a world-beater (champion). It doesn’t end there. You can sit back in your room or suite and watch the pro events as they unfold courtesy of CSI and TAR. Technology allows you to receive a text or email telling where you are playing your next match. You can browse through the brackets online, find your next match or a friend’s match, your team schedule as well as anybody who has ever played in a CSI event, their opponents, scores and payouts. All of this brings the pool players experience to a new level not seen before. That is BCAPL Nationals. Mark conducted an extensive survey this past May 2011 among the 7,000 attendees of BCAPL Nationals. 1,400 pool players who took the time to complete the 11 page survey and give their opinion. After countless hours of reading every survey and categorizing the results, acccording to Mark, “We were faced with a decision that if we wanted to continue to grow and change things we needed more space.” So, CSI started making plans to improve the experience that is Nationals in Las Vegas. I’ve seen a lot of changes to the BCA Pool League Nationals in Las Vegas over the years, and Mark and the CSI Staff do a magnificent job. As a pool player, looking at what is available at nationals with the different divisions as an amateur, as a pro, it’s a pool players candy store. Mark remarked, “I think it is the best event there is because of the blend of amateur and pro. We do different things, like last May (2011) we had the high run challenge, all the high tech online bracketing, charts and player information.” So what is the MOVE all about? It has two parts: the FIRST MOVE is to The Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in 2013 and the SECOND MOVE is to take the BCAPL Nationals from May to JULY 17-27, 2013. WOW! What a change. Mark said, “We are hoping to do some more events, but not until 2013 when we move to the Rio. We haven’t done our layouts yet but we will have more space. Right now at the Riviera we have about 110,000 square feet. At The Rio we will have over 160,000 square feet to work with. We have simply outgrown the available space at the Riviera.” Increasing the floor space by an additional 50%, high speed internet, flat screen TVs on the walls and 2,500 suites available to pool players, their family and friends, not to mention all the amenities that The Rio has to offer, it will be a welcome change for the players. And Mark promises the room rates are “extremely attractive.” The Rio is also home to the World Series of Poker. In fact, the poker will be ending as the BCAPL Nationals is beginning. “What I’m hoping for is a little bit of synergy here. Some of those poker players really like pool. We might get some interesting things happening. They will back the players. There are a couple of poker players that play really good pool. And they will bet”, mentioned Griffin. The BCAPL has continued to grow back to the membership numbers before the sale. Nationals has seen added divisions, a better player ranking system, and feature Challenge Events the amateur pool player can participate in. Then there are the U
BY: D O N “ C H E E S E ” A K E R L O W
S Open One Pocket and U S Open 10-Ball events, open to all, who’s fields are filled by the best players in the world. You can play in Nationals and watch the most well known players in pool just steps away. The functionality of the online bracketing and all the information that can be gathered from it has added a new dimension to all of the tournaments that are produced by CSI. The online brackets can be seen at ctsondemand.com Mark said, “Moving to The Rio is part of the evolution that we are doing. Our leagues are evolving and this is a step forward. I think it will make a brighter future and that makes a win-win for all the people that we do business with. It’s going to be really cool.” Mark remarked that he owns the registered trademark to all the U S Open Titles except the U S Open 9-Ball so there is a desire to incorporate more U S Open events in conjunction with the BCAPL Nationals. “With the Rio we could have 16 tables and you could play each event in 3 days but really it only takes 2 1/2 days because when you get down to the final four, you are only playing on 1 table and you could start another event while one is ending. So in 12 days you could have 4 or 5 events and it is cheaper for the players because you will have a lot of players that will play in the same events. The biggest hurdle is the added money.” The U S Bar Table Championship is also being MOVED to the Grand Sierra from the Sands Regency in Reno, Nevada. There is a 40,000 square foot room. Dates are Feb 12-19, 2012, and CSI is planning on having 40 - 7’ Diamond Smart Tables where they were limited to 32 tables at the Sands. Talking about the move, Mark said, “We can handle a lot more tables and run it a lot more efficiently. The exciting thing is the WorldPPA will be holding a 9’ table event in conjunction with the Bar Table. The players are really excited about it.” Mark Griffin has a lot of events under the CSI Corporation that he has revived or started new for pool players to participate in besides the BCAPL. There is the Jay Swanson Memorial Tournament, U S Bar Table Championships, BCAPL Nationals, U S Open One Pocket, U S Open 10-Ball, National Championship Series, USAPL, online bracketing at cstondemand.com and an online league management system leaguesys.net The CSI Staff consists of: Mark Griffin - Chief Executive Officer, David Vandenberghe - Chief Operating Officer, Bill Stock - Director of Referees, Glenna Stock - League Administrator, Tesse Vilahu - New Membership Administrator, Sara Bayliss - New Membership Assistant, Ron Guilmett - IT Manager, Holly Ryan - Manager PR/Marketing, Sunny Griffin - PR/Social Media, Mark Estes - Manager USA Pool League, John Casey - League Field Rep The staff is available to assist anyone who may have questions about CSI, the BCAPL and USAPL. September 23-25, 2011 TAR 21 broadcast a challenge match between Shane Van Boening and Alex Payulayan held at the TAR Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is
Professionals
6 Stroke Magazine - October 2011
BCAPL Nationals 2004 and Beyond also an affiliate of CSI and Mark says that there are plans to bring more special events that will be announced in a couple of months. More about the TAR match on page 17 The official Press Release about the move to the Rio can be read on page 13
See you at the Riv in 2012! See you at the Rio in 2013!
After the U.S Open 10
-Ball Finals May 2011
October 2011 - Stroke Magazine 7
COLUMNIST
Half Measures Avail us Nothing BY SAMM DIEP © OCTOBER 2011
Samm Diep
Samm Diep, “Cherry Bomb” (DenverCherryBomb.com) House Pro at Felt Billiards (Englewood, CO) Author of “You Might Be A D Player If… (101 Classic Moves That All Pool Players Can Appreciate)” Player Representative for Chris Byrne Custom Cues, PoolDawg, Predator, Jim Murnak Custom Cases, & Delta-13 Rack League Manager for Rocky Mountain USA Pool League (RockyMountainPool.com) SammsPocket.com | fun & unique products for pool players PoolTipJar.com | random smatterings of pool thoughts, articles, news, & reviews
“Half measures avail us nothing.” The origin of this quote is unknown to me but what I do know is that it couldn’t be truer. I can recall numerous instances in my life where my indecisiveness led to my inability to give 100%. As a result, this would always lead to failure, or at least not the successful outcome I desired. I was first introduced to this passage in 2004 by a former coach and mentor. He would repeat it over and over when he could see that I wasn’t fully committed to the shot or a decision. I never fully appreciated what he was saying to me until lately. In a recent professional turn in my life, I’ve found myself in a position where I have too many roles. Between managing, marketing, writing, teaching, reporting, and just simply trying to be a good wife, I was doing the best that I could but for the first time in years, I revisited the words of my former coach, “Half measures avail us nothing.” We all wear many hats in our lives. We may be parents, teachers, neighbors, or pool players. Whatever the role may be, it’s impossible to give any of them 100% without awareness. Awareness is what allows us to identify with the specific task at hand and to perform it to our best. Awareness affords us the opportunity to enjoy ourselves when we accept a challenge. Without awareness, we would not be able to take full measures. Examples of full measures we can practice in pool: 1. Do not look ahead on the tournament bracket. Only focus on the one match you are about to play. Too many times, I’ve seen players psych themselves out by whom their next opponent might be if they win or what time their next match is. 2. When shooting two-way shots, have a specific plan on which is more important, either the safety or the offensive shot. When we divide our efforts between both shots, often times we can miss them both and leave the table for our opponent. 3. If you show up to play in a 9-ball tournament, focus on the tournament. Try not to get caught up on any side action shenanigans. If your focus is to have a positive outcome at the tournament, gambling and playing other games will only distract you from the main event. 4. If you’re ever unsure or not fully committed to the shot, stand up and start the shot over again. Shooting while undecided will only reinforce bad habits. 5. While in a match, shut off your phone. The only way you can do your best at whatever it is you’re doing is by giving it your undivided attention. The only way to avoid regret and disappointment is to always do your best and give all of yourself to whatever it is you’re doing. If you don’t succeed then you cannot blame yourself for not giving it 100%. If half measures avail us nothing then full measure will avail us everything.
8 Stroke Magazine - October 2011
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Even Against Warpage! 7/26/2011 5:54:37 PM
Noel Bensurto, Hunter Lombardo, Daniel Dagotdot, Daniel Smith, DJ the Dog Eddie Abraham and Ed Liddawi
Lombardo wins Mezz Pro Am stop AREA FLOODWATERS COULDN’T HOLD BACK “HURRICANE” LOMBARDO
Lombardo had traveled north from his normal ‘hunting’ grounds in and around Florida to participate in the World Straight Pool Championships, which had been scheduled to commence on Sunday in nearby East Brunswick, NJ. When the start of that event was postponed, due to the storm, Lombardo signed on to do battle on the Mezz Pro Am Tour. While Abraham survived their first meeting – a double hill battle among the winners’ side final eight – he was sent west himself in the battle for the hot seat by Daniel Smith, who’d most recently (July) shared 7th place with Stevie Moore in the Richard Sweet Memorial event in Atlanta. Lombardo went on to win five straight on the one-loss side, including the semifinal
10 Stroke Magazine - October 2011
rematch against Abraham, took both sets of a true double elimination final versus Smith and chalked up his first win on this northeast tour.
and joined Dagotdot with a 7-1 victory over Palone. Lombardo then downed Dagotdot 7-3 to earn his rematch against Abraham.
Immediately after Abraham had dispatched Lombardo to the loss-side, he got embroiled in another double hill battle; this one, versus Daniel Dagotdot. He survived this one, too, and then faced Smith, who’d just sent Joe Palone west 7-2. It was Smith who moved into the hot seat, with a 7-4 victory and then waited for ‘Hurricane’ Lombardo to return.
Like the floodwaters that surrounded the facility, Lombardo swept Abraham aside in their re-match 7-2, and moved on to the true double elimination finals. He took the opening set versus Smith 7-4, and then allowed him only a single rack in the second set that earned him the event title.
Lombardo, in the meantime, was embarked on a five straight, one-loss side streak that featured an aggregate score of 35-12. He opened that campaign with a 7-4 win over Gregg McAndrews, and followed it with a 7-2 victory over Raul Reyes, which set him up to face Palone, coming over from the winners’ side final four. Dagotdot drew Brett Stottlemyer, who’d defeated perennial northeast powerhouse Dan Cintron 7-1and Zack Christiansen 7-2.
I would like to thank all the sponsors Mezz Cues, Billiards Life Clothing, Black Boar Custom Cues, Kamui Tips, Hard Luck Sportswar, Run out Sportswear, Inside Pool, Poolonthenet, Allen Hopkins Super Expo, AZ Billiards and Rack Starz for all their support. I like to also thank all the players that came out to play.
RESULTS
When he stepped into Sandcastle Billiards on Sunday, August 28, Eddie Abraham was looking to chalk up his third win on the Mezz Pro Am Tour in 2011, and his sixth since March 2010. While he and the other 29 entrants, on-hand for the $1,000-added event in Edison, NJ, were mindful of area flood waters brought on by Hurricane Irene, Abraham may have overlooked another force of nature which had made its way north from southern waters; namely, Hunter Lombardo.
Dagotdot and Stottlemyer got locked up in a double hill battle that eventually sent Dagotdot to the quarterfinals. Lombardo, in the meantime, was picking up speed
1st $800 2nd $430 3rd $270 4th $150 5/6 $100
Hunter Lombardo Daniel Smith Eddie Abraham Daniel Dagotdot Joe Palone Brett Stottlemyer
7/8 $50
Raul Reyes Zack Christiansen
COLUMNIST San Francisco Billiard Academy www.sfbilliards.com Here are two draw shots suitable for propositions or demonstrations. The goal in each is to make the 9 ball with draw.
Bob Jewett
San Francisco Billiard Academy is a BCA Certified Master Academy. The academy offers: Private Instruction Basics Clinic Eight Ball Clinic Nine Ball Clinic Introduction to Billiard Instruction BCA Recognized Instructor Course BCA Certified Instructor Course
In Shot 1, the goal is to draw from the 2 to the 9 while going around the 3 ball and not touching the rail at A. It requires good power but nothing of a championship level. Like a lot of “fancy” shots, it helps to set up the shot exactly the same way each time if you want to make it in less than 100 tries. Place both the 2 ball and the cue ball exactly one ball off the cushion, using an extra ball as the gauge. Each ball is on the half-diamond as far as placement along the short rail. This placement doesn’t need to be accurate down to a millimeter, but it should be consistent. The main thing to learn from this shot is how to adjust it if the first tries do not succeed. If you run into the cushion at A, you
Fancy and Finesse
BY: BOB JEWETT
need to hit the 2 ball fuller. Since the ball is so close to the pocket, you have a fair amount of margin on aiming. If you pass to side B of the 3 ball, you need to either shoot harder or thinner on the 2. If you get past the 3 without hitting the cushion but the cue ball misses the shot along line C, you need to have more draw on the cue ball. Finally, if you get around the obstacle OK but you miss along path D, you need to take a little draw off the cue ball. Shot 1 may be nearly impossible on old, sticky cloth. If you think that could be a problem or if you just want to see some amazing cue ball action, rub the cue ball with silicone spray, such as ArmorAll. That will delay when the draw takes and you will get much more dramatic curves. In Shot 2, finesse is needed rather than power. It gives even very good players trouble unless they have tried to play it before. The mistake most players make is to hit the one ball too thinly or too hard so that the cue ball hits the cushion before it has time for the draw to take and curve back towards the 9. The technique needed is “dead draw” which is standard in carom billiards. Hit the 1 ball nearly full with just a little draw and quite firmly. Since you are taking draw off the ball, you need to compensate by hitting the cue ball harder than you normally would for that distance of draw. Once you have the technique down reasonably well, modify the position by moving the cue ball farther from the rail. How far out can you move it and still make the shot?
October 2011 - Stroke Magazine 11
COLUMNIST
How do you Stand on this matter? SEE THE SHOT - KNOW THE STROKE - SHOOT THE SHOT BY THE MONK
Tim Miller
You can go to my web site and read over seventy important instructional articles at no cost to you. www. monkbilliardacademy.net has video clips to show you how to hit the shots. My special three-day workshop is limited to four students. I do not allow my students to get lost in a large class. I am here to help you at a reasonable price. It is about skill development. May all the rolls go your way, The Monk
In my books I do not go into detail on the stance, grip and stroke. The reason for this is we are different sizes and shapes, with specific ways of seeing things therefore we showcase a wide variety of stances. So there is no one pure stance that fits all. However, I do have some guidelines that I think will help in building that solid foundation from which to perform the shots and strokes this game calls for. If you do not have a strong balanced platform you will not be able to deliver the stroke necessary for success with this game. The spot where you stand has a big influence on what you see. In other words, if you are standing one quarter inch out of line, your vision on the shot will be distorted. We are still able to make balls as the pockets are wide enough to cover some of our mistakes but we find ourselves at odds with what we see and our ability to execute a one hundred per cent stroke is diluted. Find the right place to stand. THE TRADITIONAL POOL STANCE Feet will be shoulder width apart. Do not spread your legs to the point where you are not balanced. Correct foot placement is crucial to proper execution in sports like tennis, golf or bowling and pool. No matter how good you are at hitting the ball, if you are not correctly aligned with the shot, the ball will not go where you intend. This means that your feet alignment can affect your accuracy when playing the shot! You absolutely must get the center of your back foot in line with the path you wish to send the cue ball on. That means look at the object ball and then look down and make sure that center of your right foot is in a direct line with the shot. I like to draw a line from my target to the center of my right inner thigh. When I am happy this line connects, I stamp my foot as if to lodge it into the floor, and then and
Training Materials Classes Workshops Videos Books and more ... See it all online www.monkbilliardacademy.net
12 Stroke Magazine - October 2011
then only, I fall down into my stance. This stamping of my foot is a key that tells my
brain that all is well. Some players flip their hair or touch their cap or just rub their nose. We all have these comfort keys that all is well and we should learn how to use them. Your left knee should be slightly bent, and depending on your height, you may choose to slightly bend the right leg as well. Shift the majority of your weight to the front leg. Depending on your body type, the positioning of the front foot can vary dramatically. Use this illustration to help you develop a solid stance. The platform from which we
deliver the stroke is vital to success. The quality of our performance is found in how solid our stance is. Once I land on the cue ball I then extend my buttocks away from me. With the weight on my left foot and very little pressure on my left arm, I am able to see the shot and shoot the shot as it calls for. “See the shot-know the stroke-shoot the shot.” If for some reason you line up and you are not happy with what you see, stand up and go through your Pre Shot Routine again. Do this until you are satisfied with your stance and alignment. In other words, don’t shoot until you are ready. The reason we are not ready to shoot is we are not standing in line with what we see. Some of us try to wobble a bit and get in line. We get in line, but we are not balanced and thus cannot deliver a good stroke. A poorly delivered stroke gives us negative results. Precise body and cue alignment are some of the most important parts that must be in place before shooting. Accurate foot alignment forms the basis for a pure and straight stroke and thus the fundamentals for a good game! The master is one who is in line with the shot each and every time he goes down on the cue ball. If you are in line, you will not have inner game chatter going on in your head. This is why you need to work on your fundamentals day after day until you have them mastered. Go through the Lesson book, work on each shot with great attention to your Pre Shot Routine and your timing. Do not do anything unless you are in line with the shot and ready to deliver a committed stroke. You are in control of your results. Be particular and win more games.
PRESS RELEASE
FAREWELL RIVIERA – HELLO RIO 2013!! BCAPL Moves National Championships to the Rio Las Vegas
M
ark Griffin and CueSports International (CSI) announce two major changes for the BCAPL National Championships. In 2013, the “Greatest Pool Tournament in the World” will move from May to July … and will walk the welcome mat at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
The BCAPL National Championships have outgrown the space at the Riviera Hotel & Casino. The 2012 (36th) BCAPL National Championships, scheduled May 9-20, 2012, will be the last year the event will be held at the Riviera. CSI thanks the Riviera for hosting the championships for the past 18 years. The relocation to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino is scheduled for July 17-27, 2013. The move will allow the BCAPL to expand both the amateur nationals and the CSI professional tournaments. The date and venue changes will provide more accommodations and more pool tables, so that more players, families, and friends can enjoy an even richer experience at the new venue. CSI thanks the 1,400 BCAPL members who responded to our player survey at the 2011 nationals for their help in making decisions for the future of the championships. The July dates are generally better for all: participants, families and employers, local leagues, host locations, and League Operators. Starting in 2013, local BCA Pool Leagues can play longer spring sessions – all the way to the end of May. BCAPL players and teams will be able to play in more state and regional tournaments during the spring, and still be able to travel to nationals. A longer spring session allows more time for players to qualify for nationals. It also gives players, teams, League Operators, and BCAPL more time to enter and certify national entries. And lastly, many of our survey respondents said that July is much better than May for time away from work and home, especially for those who have school age children. This move is long overdue, and we again thank the players who participated in our survey. The Rio is part of the Caesars Entertainment Corporation – the world’s largest casino entertainment group. With its state-of-the-art conference center of over 160,000 square feet, the atmosphere is elegant, modern and hi-tech – a player’s dream! For player comfort and convenience, the Rio is a 4-star all-suite hotel
and casino offering extensive amenities and entertainment options. Providing spectacular views of Las Vegas, the hotel boasts over 2,500 suites with more than 600 square feet of spacious luxury. When it comes to dining, the Rio is unparalleled. According to USA Today Travel 2011 report, the Rio’s Carnival World Buffet and the famous 5 star Village Seafood Buffet are ranked #2 and #3 in the top 5 buffets in Las Vegas. Additionally, the Rio offers 12 more dining options from the casual to the opulent. You name it … the 24-hour $45 “Buffet of Buffets” pass to 7 of the best buffets available anywhere; a 48-hour “All-Stage Pass” to about 20 shows at Caesars properties; the industry leading “Total Rewards” player program by Caesars Entertainment; the free Rio/Paris/Harrahs shuttle service to two key spots on the strip; VooDoo Beach with real sand beaches, cascading waterfalls, four swimming pools and five Jacuzzi-style spas; VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub, an indoor/outdoor double-decker club known to have the best view of the Las Vegas strip … You name it, the Rio has it all. For complete information on the BCAPL National Championships at the Rio on July 17-27, 2013 … www.playbca.com To visit the official web site for the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino … www. riolasvegas.com Since 2004, Mark Griffin and his team at CueSports International (CSI) have diligently pursued “More Choices for All Players.” During that time, CSI has directly paid out approximately Seven Million Dollars to pool players.
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October 2011 - Stroke Magazine 13
Steve Mizerak C
Gerry Mayen, Donny Mills, Shane Van Boening, Danny Jumper, Pete Shabo, Hunter Lombardo Day 1
title.
The Steve Mizerak kicked off from Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge in Holiday, FL with a star-studded field of 58 players. The blind draw once again drew some great opening round matches for the spectators. The highlight of round 1 was "Iron" Mike Davis, Hammer Head's house pro, against "Rocket" Rodney Morris, Capone's Billiards house pro. Morris coming off a great victory at Turning Stone, seemed poised to make a run at hi second Mizerak Championship
At hill-hill, it was Davis who would pull out the victory and send Morris left. Morris would then face Paul Song on the oneloss side. Song would play "the best pool I've ever played on Tour," and eliminate Morris with a score of 9-2. Morris, clearly disappointed, recognized Song's strong play and would not be able to claim another Mizerak Championship to his list of accomplishments
14 Stroke Magazine - October 2011
Day 2 picked up the excitement right
where it was left from day 1. There was a definite sense of anticipation and focus coming from all the players that stepped into the field of play today. The stakes are high and the players didn't want to make that one mistake that could send them packing. Hunter Lombardo was one of those players who refused to let the big stakes affect his play. He faced defending Mizerak Champion Earl Strickland on the first feature table match-up. Lombardo jumped to an early lead and wouldn't
Championship look back. Strickland seemed helpless at times, while Lombardo would not give him any opportunities at a decent shot. Lombardo would move on with a 9-5 victory. Day 3 of the Steve Mizerak Championship was filled with enough excitement to last a lifetime. The enthusiasm and intensity filled the room at Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge. All eyes in the room were fixed on a table as some great matches unfolded. The talk of the room, by far was the two players that's still remain on the winner's side of the bracket. One player, Shane Van Boening, was a favorite coming into the tournament and no one was surprised to see his name in the hot seat slot. SVB defeated Richie Richeson (9-3) and Johnny Archer (9-4) in route to the hot seat. The second player left on the winner's side, Hunter Lombardo, has been impressed all who saw his play today. Lombardo seemed to only get better and better after each shot, after each rack, after each match. Lombardo took out Brandon Shuff (9-3) and Donny Mills (9-6). Lombardo has his sights completely focused on the task at hand and the way he is shooting, it is going to be a tall task to defeat him. The clash with SVB and Lombardo should be epic.
The day stared with a thrilling match between Alex Pagulayan and Donny Mills. Both players played cautious, as to not make a costly mistake that would put their opponent any advantageous position on the table. The score reached hill hill and it was Mills would send Pagulayan to a fourth place finish and a $6,000 prize. Up next was the hot seat match between Shane Van Boening and Hunter Lombardo. Both players had been playing superbly all weekend. SVB got up 2-0 early. Lombardo tied it up at 2 games a piece. After that it was all SVB, as he didn't let his foot off of the accelerator and took the rest of the racks to win the hot seat by a score of 8-2. Lombardo would go on to face Mills in the third place match. This would be yet another match for the ages. Mills would go up by 2 then Lombardo tied the score
sinking the 8ball and left himself a very difficult shot on the none ball. Mills' only option was a tough 9-10 combination in the corner pocket. The crowd held their breath as Mills lined up the shot and cheered loudly when he nailed the shot and sank the 10 ball to win and advance to the finals. Lombardo would finish in third place and claim the $9,000 prize. This would set up the final between SVB and Donny Mills. SVB would strike first and go up 2-0. Mills, not wanted to let it get too far out of reach tied it up at 2. SVB then went up 8-3. Mills stormed back to win the next two racks to make the score 8-5. SVB seemed like he was going to go up 9-5, but rattled the 7 and allowed Mills to get one step closer at 8-6. Mills then broke and ran the next rack to make it 8-7 and win the following rack too to finally make it square at 8. The finals would come down to a race to 3 for the crown and the $17,000 first place finish. SVB finally got an open shot on the next rack. He would make the most of it by sinking a sick 1-10 combo to go up 9-8. SVB would win the next rack to go on the hill and be on the brink of the championship. The next rack would seal the deal for SVB and he would win the 2011 Seminole Pro Tour Steve Mizerk Championship. Donny Mills would get second place and the $12,000 prize.
The finals would come down to a race to 3 for the crown and the $17,000 first place finish.
Final day of the Steve Mizerak Championship and after all the chalk dust settled, it was who was crowned the new champion.
and went up by 1 himself. Mills would then tied it back up and go up again. Mills would reach the hill first to Lombardo's 6. Of course, Lombardo would tie it up hill hill and set up one final rack to advance to the finals. Mills got a bad roll after
The Seminole Pro Tour would like to thank everyone for their support throughout the season. Until next season Rack On
October 2011 - Stroke Magazine 15
MORRIS STEAMROLLS PAGULAYAN IN TURNING STONE FINAL RODNEY MORRIS HAS WON THE JOSS TOUR TURNING STONE CLASSIC XVII AND WON IT IN STYLE. BY AZB STAFF, AZBILLIARDS.COM, PHOTO BY BRUCE CLAYTON Rodney Morris has won the Joss Tour Turning Stone Classic XVII and won it in style. The tournament featured Rodney Morris and Alex Pagulayan in the finals after Alex Pagulayan defeated Shawn Putnam 9-8 in the semis. That match was one of the strangest we have ever seen. Putnam went out to a 6-2 lead and then the wheels just fell off for him. He continued to play well but lady luck just spit on him at every turn. Twice Pagulayan should have scratched in the corner only to have the cue ball defy gravity and stay in the jaws, leaving Putnam nothing to do.
In rack ten, Morris missed a bank shot on the two ball to bring Pagulayan to the table with an opportunity. He made the most of it to bring the score to 7-3. But Pagulayan badly missed a four ball in the next rack to put Morris back in and soon the score, with less than 30 minutes of playing time, stood at 8-3 in favor of Morris. He broke and ran the next to go to 9-3 and Morris was clearly on a mission to win and win quickly.
Morris missed the two ball in the next rack and L-R Mike Zuglan, Winner Rodney Morris, and runner-up Alex Pagulayan Pagulayan needed to start making things happen if he was to have a prayer. But Alex could not stay at the table. Trading Pagulayan took advantage of every twist of fate, came back and racks would do him no good and that was what was happening. won the match on the hill, 9-8. Soon the score was at 10-4. And Morris just kept making 9 balls. He made five balls on one break and soon the score, only one hour In the finals Morris jumped out to a 4-1 lead over Pagulayan. Both into the match, stood at 12-4 for Morris. Pagulayan clawed out three racks to come to 12-7 but then scratched on the one ball. Morris men were playing at a very rapid pace and appeared comfortable at controlled the table and won the match 13-7 to take the title. the table with no tension in view. Morris extended that margin as the score evolved to 7-2 in his favor. Both men were breaking well and clearing up racks easily.
POOL ON YOUR COMPUTER
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Last Saturday of every month: Floating Saturday One Pocket: TBA as it floats around each month Stream starts at 12pm (3pm est)
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Oct 11th-16th Western BCA 9-Ball Regionals, Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, OR Nov 10th-12th Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, OR Nov 19th-20th NWPA Tour Stop #7 Nov 25th-27th Malarkey’s Holiday Tournament, Malarkey’s Pool and Brew, Tacoma, WA
http://www.actionpooltour.com/live-streaming.html http://poolactiontv.com/ October 7-9: Pay For View October 14-16: Pay for View November 4-6: Pay for View December 9-11:
16 Stroke Magazine - October 2011
presents
Shane Van Boening Tames The Lion TAR 21
BY: JUSTIN COLLETT PHOTO COURTESY OF: MASSIVEUNDERSTATEMENT.COM
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA Shane Van Boening and Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan faced off in a unique match produced by The Action Report. The match took place September 23rd through the 25th at the TAR Studio in Las Vegas,NV. The Action Report (TAR) has created a unique niche in the pool world with its productions of head to head challenge matches with high entry fees and winner take all format that are live streamed on the internet for the world to see. For TAR 21 Shane and Alex played a race to one hundred games of ten ball over a three day period. Each player posted up a $10,000 entry fee in this two man tournament with the winner to take it all. The match was played on a nine foot Diamond Pro-Am with 4 1/8” pockets and Simonis 860 cloth. The table played a factor in the match as it forced both players to play precise position and maintain laser like focus over the course of three days. The match format called for the players to race to thirty five games on day one. Day two would see them play until one reached seventy total victories and the final days’ play would finish out the long race to one hundred. There were no jump cues allowed, racking was done with the Magic Ball Rack and the winner had the right to break after each victory. Early in day one saw Alex and Shane sparring back and forth as they got used to the challenging Diamond table. Late in the day Alex was leading thirty one to twenty eight needing only four games to close out the day with a lead. He broke the balls in the sixtieth game but came up dry. It would be his last chance at the table on day one. Shane ran out the rack Alex left open then proceeded to break and run six racks to finish out the day leading thirty five to thirty one. Many people who saw this awesome display of skill by Shane called it one of the most impressive things they had ever witnessed in pool.
Day two showed why Alex is nicknamed “The Lion”. After having the momentum on day one swing completely the other way for him Alex came back on day two and ground out a long grueling day. After eight hours of beautiful safety exchanges and offensive spurts by both players the score stood Shane seventy games and Alex sixty seven. This set up a dramatic opportunity for two of the worlds best to fight it out on the final day. The final day featured a look at what makes Shane Van Boening one of the most feared ten ball players in the world. His break. Alex came out early fighting hard but could not get the break to work consistently for him. After the first hour Shane found the zone and put on an epic display of power ten ball. When the dust settled Shane steamrolled Alex on day three by a score of thirty to seventeen for a final cumulative match score of one hundred to eighty four. Alex fought like the champion he is but in the opinion of many who witnessed it no one could of weathered the storm Shane unleashed on him. The TAR 21 broadcast was sponsored by Kamui Tips and CueSports International. The live stream featured commentary by international pool commentator and author Jay Helfert as well as pool legend Billy Incardona. The Action Report has been a leader and innovator in the pool world in live streaming and event production. TAR 21 was the first match to be broadcast live from the new TAR Studio in Las Vegas. The TAR Studio is a fully equipped production and live streaming studio that will be home to many more TAR events as well as be available to industry members to produce their own content and promotional material. For more information on The Action Report you can visit theactionreport.com
October 2011 - Stroke Magazine 17
18 Stroke Magazine - October 2011
CROWNED 2011 World Junior Billiard Champions
CHAMPIONS TRAVELED TO POLAND FROM 21 COUNTRIES TO COMPETE FOR THE WORLD TITLES
2011 CHAMPIONS
NORTH AMERICAN PLAYERS
The 2011 World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World Junior 9-Ball Championship was held in Kielce, Poland on August 31 – September 4, 2011. Junior billiard champions 18 years old and younger traveled to Poland from 21 countries to compete for the world titles in both boys’ and girls’ divisions. Europe reigned, with Oliwia Czupryńska and Marek Kudlik of Poland winning the gold.
Among the players that represented North America in the boys’ division were: Danny Olson, finishing tied for thirteenth place; Brendan Crockett, finishing tied for thirteenth; Tyler Styer, finishing tied for seventeenth; Shawn Begay, finishing tied for twenty-fifth; and from Ontario Canada were Jeff Robson, finishing tied for seventeenth and Cheng Peng, finishing tied for twenty-fifth place .
In the 32 player boys division, Kudlik advanced to the final 8 single elimination bracket by winning a couple of hill-hill matches and continued the narrow victories with wins over David Maslov of Russia, 11-9 and Marc Bijsterbosch of Netherlands, 11-10 before facing fellow teammate Konrad Piekarski in the finals. Both players proved that they could handle the pressure of close matches, both winning most of their matches by no more than 2 games, the same excitement carried through the finals. Kudlik bested Piekarski in a thrilling 11-9 match to win the world title.
Players that represented North America in the girls’ division were: Briana Miller, finishing tied for fifth; Taylor Reynolds, finishing tied for thirteenth; and Kayla Roloson, finishing tied for ninth place.
In the 16 player girls’ division, Czupryńska began her trek with a 9-6 win over the United States champion, Briana Miller. Czupryńska lost her next match to Darya Sirotina of Russia 7-9, then steadily won her next four matches before battling with Anastacia Nechaeva of Russia for the crown. Czupryńska claimed the world title by winning the final set 9-7.
The fans, families and players enjoyed a first class event produced by Marcin Krzeminski, honorary president of the Polish Billiard Association and president of Mak Marketing, along with the European Pocket Billiard Association (EPBF). It is apparent that junior billiards is taken seriously in Poland. Since 1997, junior billiard programs have been incorporated in 150 schools. Over 250 teachers have been trained in the sport, with nearly 10,000 students participating in the program. For more information about this event, visit: http://wpa-pool.com/web/home and http://www.makmarketing.pl/ worldchampionships2011/ 2011 WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships Medalists
2011 WORLD JUNIOR BILLIARD CHAMPIONS BOYS’ DIVISION: Ist Gold Medalist Marek Kudlik (POL) 2nd - Silver Medalist - Konrad Piekarski (POL) 3rd/4th-Bronze Medalists- Marc Bijsterbosch (NED) Bence Varga (HUN)
GIRLS’ DIVISION: 1st Gold Medalist - Oliwia Czupryńska (POL) 2nd - Silver Medalist - Anastacia Nechaeva (RUS) 3rd/4th -Bronze Medalists-Kamila Kodjeva (BEL) Darya Sirotina (RUS)
October 2011 - Stroke Magazine 19
RECORD TURNOUT AT APA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS More than $1 Million in Prize Money Awarded at 31st Annual Team Championships
Charlie Hans
Robert Prince Jr.
Vegas Bound
Take Care Brush Ya Hair
LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO (September 7, 2011) — Last year, Guinness World Records recognized the American Poolplayers Association (APA)’s National Team Championship as the “world’s largest pool tournament.” Not to be outdone, this year’s event featured more teams and more prize money than ever before! More than 2,000 8-Ball, 9-Ball, Doubles and Masters teams made the trek to Sin City to compete, Aug. 18 – 27, for more than $1 Million in prize money.
Queen Bee’s of Newport News, Va., 3-1 to win $10,000 in 1st Place prize money. As Runners-Up, Queen Bee’s received $5,000 in cash.
least $1,000. The Open Division began play on Aug. 21 and concluded on Aug. 27. The Ladies Division of the tournament started on Aug. 18 and concluded on Aug. 21.
In the semifinal round, Snook Hers defeated Simply Stuhned of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 3-2. Queen Bee’s advanced to the finals with a 3-2 win over Just Chickens of Moore, Okla. Simply Stuhned and Just Chickens tied for 3rd Place and each received $2,500 in prize money.
In Open 9-Ball National Championship action, it was Now What of Dayton, Ohio, beating N.J.’s Breakers of Metuchen, N.J., 50-30 in the finals. Now What took home $15,000 of the more than $200,000 guaranteed purse. As Runners-Up, N.J.’s Breakers received $7,000 in cash.
In the 8-Ball Open Division, English Crooks of Bridgeport, Conn., defeated Murder by Numbers of Paola, Kan., 3-2 in the finals to take home $25,000 in cash and the championship title. As Runners-Up, Murder by Numbers received $15,000 in prize money.
All teams in the 8-Ball Championships squared-off in a modified singleelimination format that ensured each team played at least twice before elimination. All 8-Ball Open Division teams automatically received $350 in national qualifier money, and the top 8 teams won at least $5,000. In the 8-Ball Ladies Division, all teams automatically earned $350 national qualifier money, with the top 8 teams winning at
The Mickey Mouse Club of El Monte, Calif., finished in 3rd Place and took home $3,500 in prize money.
In the finals of the Ladies 8-Ball Division, it was Snook Hers of Arlington, Va., defeating
U Just Got Hoffd
20 Stroke Magazine - October 2011
Still Dont Know
The Open 9-Ball National Championship was held Aug. 18 - 22, with each team competing in a modified single-elimination format that ensured each team played at least twice before elimination. All national qualifiers received a minimum of $350, with
Snook Hers
NJs Breakers
Queen Bs
the top 6 teams winning at least $2,000.
APA Wheelchair Challenge. Hans took home $800 as Runner-Up.
After winning their divisions in weekly APA 8-Ball and 9-Ball League play and then placing in Local Team Championships throughout the United States, Canada and Japan, 721 Open 8-Ball, 422 Open 9-Ball, and 58 Ladies 8-Ball teams, all consisting of five to eight players, qualified to compete in the 2011 National Team Championships.
In addition, the APA conducted nearly round-the-clock MiniMania tournaments, which took place daily and were open to all APA members. The MiniMania tournaments offered multiple formats with 100% prize money payback that awarded nearly $250,000.
In the Open 8-Ball Doubles Championship, it was U Just got Hoff’d of Windsor, Ohio, winning $6,500 in the finals with a victory over Tejas Winners of Houston, Texas. Tejas Winners received $4,000 as Runner-Up in the 384-team event. The finals of the Masters Championship event featured Still Don’t Know of Richmond, Va., defeating Bubba N Da Boyz of Coushatta, La. Still Don’t Know took home $10,000 in 1st Place prize money, while Bubba N Da Boyz received $5,000 as Runner-Up in the 256team event. In the Open 9-Ball Doubles Championship, Take Care Brush Ya Hair of Cheshire, Conn., defeated Vegas Bound of Vinton, Va. Take Care Brush Ya Hair took home a 1st Place prize of $5,000 and the championship trophy, while Vegas Bound walked away with $3,000 in prize money. Robert Prince Jr. of Beltsville, Md., defeated former champion Charlie Hans of Middletown, Ohio, for $1,700 in the finals of the
English Crook
The APA, based in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., sanctions the world’s largest amateur pool league, known as the APA Pool League throughout the United States, and as the Canadian Pool League in Canada. Nearly 270,000 members compete in weekly 8-Ball and 9?Ball League play. The APA is generally recognized as the Governing Body of Amateur Pool, having established the official rules, championships, formats and handicap systems for the sport of amateur billiards. The APA produces three major tournaments each year—the APA National Team Championships, the APA National Singles Championships and the U.S. Amateur Championship—that, together, pay out more than $1.5 Million in cash and prizes annually! The APA and its championships are sponsored by Aramith, Action Cues and PoolDawg. For more information on the National Team Championships, visit the official APA website at www.poolplayers.com.
Now What
October 2011 - Stroke Magazine 21
Shih Wei Chiang WINS First Tri-State GRADUATE STUDENT FINDS HIS GAME AFTER HOURS OF STUDY
TONY IGNOMIRELLO, SHIN WEI CHIANG, DAN CINTRON
Shih Wei, currently a graduate student at Queens College, managed to find his game after hours of study. His tournament trail included wins over; Ed Hugh 7 - 5 and Carl Yusuf Khan 7 - 5, before suffering a defeat to Dan Cintron 8 - 6. Shih Wei proceeded on the loss side with wins over Ed Culhane 7 - 6; Rick Shellhouse 7 - 3; and Tony Ignomirello 7 - 4, to get another shot at Dan Cintron in the Finals. Shih Wei lead the entire Finals, increasing his lead thoughout match, ending with a 10 - 3 victory! Both Dan Cintron and Tony Ignomirello are to be congratulated finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. Both the Owner and staff deserve praise for their efforts to provide excellent playing conditions, delicious food and, an extemely friendly atmosphere. Please provide a thank you to Sterling-Gaming, Ozone Billiards, Ron Tarr Cues, Kamui Tips, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, and Human Kinetics for their sponsorship leading to this event. 1st $580.00 Shih Wei Chiang 2nd $290.00 Dan Cintron 3rd $170.00 Tony Ignomirello 4th $110.00 Rick Shellhouse
RESULTS
DAGOTDOT GETS HIS SECOND VICTORY DANIEL WINS CLIFFHANGERS TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED Daniel Dagotdot wins his second victory in the 2011-2012 TriState season at Gotham City Billiards' A/D 9 Ball event. Daniel remained undefeated throuhout the day, although he won a couple of cliffhangers. His tournament trail included wins over Bogie Uzdejczyk 7 - 5; Harry Lau 7 - 4, new comer Bill Suden 7 - 6; Carl Yusuf Khan 7 - 2; Gary Murgia 7 - 6; and Alan Chan 8 - 5 for the Hot Seat. Alan who after winning five tough matches before suffering a loss for the Hot Seat, sat eagerly awaiting another shot at the Finals. In the meantime Tony Ignomirello, who suffered a first round loss, was fighting his way back with nine straight wins to face-off with Alan Chan. Alan came out on top and earned a rematch with Daniel Dagotdot; however, both players weary from battle called it a day with Daniel securing the win. Congratulations also belong to Tony for his great performance as well as to Alex Gilvarg for a strong 7/2 win - loss record. Many thanks belong to Kevin and Isabel Buckley, owners of Gotham City Billiards, who always go out of their way to generously support the players with ever increasing Addeds, excellent equipment, good food and, a warm friendly environment. Please provide a thank you to Sterling-Gaming, Ozone Billiards, Ron Tarr Cues, Kamui Tips, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, Human Kinetics for their sponsorship leading to this event. 1st $920 Daniel Dagotdot 2nd $650 Alan Chan 3rd $400 Tony Ignomirello 4th $260 Alex Gilvarg Owner/Operator Kevin Buckley; 3rd place - Tony Ignomirello; 1st place - Daniel 5th/6th $160 Gary Murgia, Michael Aro Dagotdot; right 2nd place - Alan Chan 7th/8th $120 Pat DiBuono, Chris Peralta 9th/12th $90 Joe Landi, Carl Yusuf Khan, Ron Mason, Sam Smuke
RESULTS 22 Stroke Magazine - October 2011
SCHWAGER PUNCTUATES MEZZ PRO AM VICTORY
WITH FINALS SHUTOUT
As if going undefeated wasn’t enough, Derek Schwager finished a September 11th stop on the Mezz Pro-Am Tour by shutting out his finals opponent, Michael Wong, who’d moved into the west bracket at the end of the first round. Wong had just wrapped up his seventh straight on the loss side, and had no idea that he’d already won his last game of pool. The $1,000-added event drew 28 entrants to Mainline Billiards in Frazer, PA.
Smith moves to the loss-side and runs right into him; Wong, who’s already knocked down four, including Mike Donato 7-4, and one of the event ‘headliners’- Matt Krah 7-5. Shearer’s on the loss-side, facing Josh Brothers, another ‘headliner,’ who shut Wong out in the opening round. Wong then
Wong exacts his revenge against Brothers with a 7-5 victory, and ends his seven-game, loss-side streak with a 7-3 win over Patrikios in the semifinals. Wong joins an elite club of pool players by beginning and ending a tournament run on the wrong end of a shutout and chalking up a shutout of his own along the way. Schwager took him down in the finals to claim the event title. I would like to thank all the sponsors Mezz Cues, Billiards Life Clothing, Black Boar Custom Cues, Kamui Tips, Carolina Cues, Hard Luck Sportswar, Run out Sportswear, Inside Pool, Poolonthenet, Allen Hopkins Super Expo, AZ Billiards and Rack Starz for all their support. I like to also thank all the players that came out to play. 2nd Michael Wong
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th/6th
$670 $400 $200 $150 $100
Derek Schwager Michael Wong Lou Patrikios Josh Brothers Brad Shearer/ Megan Smith
RESULTS
Meanwhile, Megan Smith, who’s won three Planet Pool Tour stops this year, is oneand-one on the JPNEWT and finished 25th Winner Derek Schwager at the WPBA US Open in Tulsa this June, is getting into the act with the . . .gentlemen. She’s cruising along fine until she runs into Schwager among the winners’ side final four. Lou Petrikios and Brad Shearer square off nearby. Schwager gets into the hot seat match, and allows Smith only a single rack doing it. Patrikios gets by Shearer 7-5, but can only chalk up three racks against Schwager, who then sits in the hot seat, waiting for Wong.
shuts out Smith, who leaves in a tie for fifth place, having won just a single game of her final 15. Brothers downs Shearer 7-5 and the quarterfinal rematch is on.
October 2011 - Stroke Magazine 23
S TORY
Lucky
#8 “The Road Dogs”
Well, somewhere along the long road of life, I’ve finally found time to do more follow-up on the U.S. Bar Table Championships. But first, I have to say, Lucky and I had been crossing our fingers, hoping to find a smoke-free environment, for apparent reasons – Lucky has a nonchalant attitude about life, but me, I’d like him to be around for a while longer and his health is an everyday concern. But Reno…wow. The smoke at the Sands was atrocious. It sucked into the playing room like a fast-flowing creek. If the smokers were fortunate enough to draw a front table, they really didn’t need to worry about nicotine withdrawal. The majority of us, however, were just unable to breathe at all. And worse, the event officials just looked the other way, not enforcing any real non-smoking restrictions for the betterment of such a great event. The lowly signs were supposed to be enough. Anyway, Lucky started hacking every time he went into the tournament room, and of course that had me completely freaked out and I just had to urge him to get out. I tried to get him to pop in when the smoke was low, but it was nearly impossible, so he just stayed away, which really sucked – yeah, that was a pun. He was completely bummed out. His old beat up face looked like he’d lost his best friend. He commented to me how sad it was to see so many young kids addicted to tobacco. He mentioned a conversation with Stevie Moore where he found out that Stevie quit several months ago and said it was one of the best decisions of his life. Ok, I’ll get off this, but I have to say, my sense of right and wrong is that there should be no smoking on the floor. We’re talking about the reason Lucky quit playing after all those years! It was the smoke and it affected his health! I know, I know, those of you who smoke are heaving big sighs of smoke and disgust reading this, but thankfully, more and more of you have been able to actually quit and know the joy of breathing again. But outside of that, the tournament seemed like it was run well. Bad Boys Productions has a pretty good crew and they got on it. So, while the smoke kept Lucky away from one of his favorite pool events in the country and sulking in his room most of the time, flipping channels and trying to find old westerns to watch, it didn’t keep us from going down to the Pneumatic Diner. This is a very cool out-of-the-way vegetarian eatery he turned me on to. Who would have thought that old cowboy could rub shoulders with the long hairs? Oh, wait, he likes me. Well, it was real food and it tasted great -- and only blocks from the Sands. Best damn food on the whole trip. So I was left to my own devices at the event. I got to see the young crop of good new players showing some metal… like John Morra, Mitch Ellerman, and Adam Smith… and I wasn’t disappointed watching established players like Steve Moore, Stan Tourangeau and Glenn Atwell, though Glenn’s
24 Stroke Magazine - October 2011
patina seemed a little worn this time around. Maybe it was the altitude and snow. Reno is up there in elevation about 4400 ft. And, it was cold and never over 33 degrees. Vivian Villarreal played great. Lucky has been keeping one eye on the women... playing, that is. He says some of them are getting consistently closer to the men’s skill levels these days. Pretty amazing to hear that old backroads gentleman say with confidence that someday soon the gender barrier could just disappear into the sunset. Lucky said he snuck in and watched Washington’s Ivan Doty play some. I had to chew him out, but I understood. Ivan, it turned out, did not have any expectation, just came to play vacation-style pool. He said he surprised himself in the 8-ball event, ending up beating several top players. Even with his nerves over the top, he crushed Stevie Moore, one of the favorites to win the event. Lucky shared with me how impressed he was with this future grand master. “You’re never too old to play good pool,” Lucky said he told Ivan. Oh, and he said they drink the same beer, too. Great minds, great taste. Pat Schumacher played well, considering his lack of swing time after coming back from a bad motorcycle accident a couple years ago that had him in the hospital for two months, wondering if he’d ever play pool again, His ‘second coming’ was a bright light for him, All he needed to complete his long-mustached Yosemite Sam look was a Hoss Cartwright Hat. Lucky may have felt some kinship with Pat, because once again, he’d slipped in unbeknownst to me and had been watching him play. He’d even offered him some breaking tips -- lucky for Pat, who immediately put them into practice and got some instant gratification. He was breaking great and making a ball every time. Back in Lucky’s room after the event, we were sitting around eating Diner leftovers, and he told me if Pat could have matched that with some run outs a few more times at the end like he did in the beginning, he would have won the whole thing. In between slices of pesto spinach and feta pizza and cranberry-pistachio yogurt salad (unbelievably delicious), Lucky revealed more about who else he saw when he snuck in behind my back. He mentioned Barbara McDonald -- said in his opinion she was one of the best tournament direction helpers Jay Helfert or Reno’s events had ever seen – said he would be hard pressed to remember anyone over the years so pleasant and professional. He said he saw Henry Dorsey, who was a great pool hustler in the 80’s. He’d played “Walt” -- as he was called in those days -- and said Walt was always good for a few dollars every time. Every time. He was trying to be known as one-pocket Dorsey and lost a few bucks to the Monk down at the pool room. I told him “The Lion Slayer” Kings Santy beat Alex Pagulayan and had progressed into a pretty good player. I think I’ll
BY: ANDREW MONSTIS
have to drive Lucky to Boise sometime so he can play him some. I mentioned Phil Boucher from Montana as the gentleman of the tournament. Sure enough, Lucky said he knew Phil’s brother and played him at Four Bears in North Dakota. Speaking of action – outside of Lucky beating that kid from the east coast (last issue), during the week-long event, there usually is a ton of action in the practice room, but for some reason, not this year. Lucky was “flabbergasted,” as he called it, by the lack of action and lack of stake horses. He said he saw only a few 5/20 dollar games, “Hardly enough to spit at,” he said. But, he said, the local pool room had drawn most of the action – how he knew that I didn’t even ask. Said Boy George was stiffing everyone who didn’t know better and rumor had it that after a visit from a couple of guys to give him a “tune up,” Boy George paid off. So anyway, Lucky had marked Warren Kiamco, the all-around winner, to play him after the tournament. I was with him when he corralled him and his road buddy during 9-ball and asked him if he wanted to play. Warren and his Filipino buddy had a short discussion in Tagalog and then Warren said, “Ok! Play for $500 a set.” Lucky later told me they were saying they should be able to get about five or six sets out of him before he gave up. (He never fails to surprise me.) Lucky, of course, shoving his old hands into his worn pants pockets, said, “Well, I reckon that’ll be ok, but I just want to play you. You’re a mighty fine player.” Warren looked at his road partner and laughed. “Ok, we will play,” he said. So Lucky thought he had a second bit of action to look forward to at the end of the tournament. It turned out he hunted for Warren after 8-ball finals, but came up empty. Kiamco had disappeared without a word. Maybe he thought the old man Lucky couldn’t possibly be serious. Or, maybe Warren didn’t have the money to play. Lucky said, whatever, it happens… but he just might show up one day where Warren plays to see if he’d still like to knock balls around. We threw all our junk in the trunk and left Reno the next morning. It was 9 degrees. That would be c-c-cold. Next month: I brought Lucky back to Oregon, since I was headed over to the biggest amateur regional event in the country right after the Reno event. Lucky thought he’d like to take a look at some of the Northwest players and see who was coming out of that bunch. On the drive up, we munched on chili relleno casserole we got to go from the Pneumatic Diner. Good stuff. I got him an adjoining room at Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City where the Western BCA event is held twice a year, and we turned in for a good night’s sleep before the action began the next day.
COLUMNIST
Trick Shots by Sarge
BY KEN “SARGE” AYLESWORTH
This month’s Artistic Pool Shot is from the Prop/Novelty/Special Arts Discipline
THREE BALL TIMING SHOT
Ken “Sarge” Aylesworth
One of the top trick shot artists in the world, Sarge now calls Las Vegas his home. He is looking to resume his trick shot exhibitions which made him famous throughout the Northwest. ... look for him in a pool room near you.
This shot has a special scoring. This dynamic shot can be seen in the legendary trick shot tape by world-renowned trick shot artist Yoshikazu Kimura. Let’s look at the set-up. You can start by placing the 11 ball by pocket D, the 12 ball by pocket C, and the 13 ball by pocket F. Place the 5 ball where the diagram shows 1st shot makes C.
Place the 4 ball at 2nd shot makes F. Place the 3 ball at 3rd shot makes D. The 3, 4 and 5 balls are considered the cue balls. They may be adjusted anywhere on the headstring line with the exception of the 4 ball. It must be placed on the head spot. The objective of this shot is to shoot the cue balls quickly per diagram designated order, without collisions, making as many object balls as possible at approximately the same time. All three cue balls must be struck within 4 seconds. Three attempts are granted and taken until best score is determined. The best attempt score is recorded based on 5 points for the 5 cushion shot make, 4 points for the 4 cushion shot make, and 3 points for the 3 cushion shot make. Total, if all three shots are made on one attempt would be 12 points maximum. Attempt scores are not cumulative with other attempts. A special note: extra cushions by object balls are allowed as are scratches. I use the red 3 ball, purple 4 ball and orange 5 ball. Those “cue balls” make the same colored stripe ball. The 3 ball makes the 3 cushion shot, the 4 ball makes the 4 cushion shot, and the 5 ball makes the 5 cushion shot. The only helpful hint I can give you is to shoot each cue ball to test the cushions till you make each object ball. When you can make each shot you then can start by practicing the timing of each ball. Remember you only have 4 seconds to hit all 3 “cue balls”. If you want to save yourself some stress and time buy Mr. Kimura’s Trick Shot tape to see how a Master shoots this great shot. Good Luck!
PRESS RELEASE
Trick Shot Video Contest
DENVER, CO Executive Billiards, manufacturer of the Delta-13 billiard ball rack, announced today that they are hosting a pool trick shots contest for novice and amateur players on “YouTube.” “The Delta-13 International Amateur Trick Shot Contest” will give away over $20,000 in quality billiard accessories, including a 7’ Diamond Sport pool table. Four winners will also receive airfare plus three nights stay in Las Vegas from May 11-12, 2012. “We are promoting artistic pool and trick shots during the four month contest to expose the home recreation market to this exciting sport. Young and old alike, who have access to a pool table, will find trick shots are a terrific activity to entertain family and friends,” says Terry Taggart, President of Executive Billiards. Trick videos will be judged and graded with a maximum point potential of 10 for each of five categories; Degree of difficulty, creativity and originality, execution,
presentation, and video quality. World renowned professional trick shot artists will perform the judging. Florian “Venom” Kohler – France, Stefano “ Mr. Trick Shots” Pelinga – Italy, Paul “Professor-Q-Ball” Frankel – USA, and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman – USA, will be using their many talents to grade the registered videos. According to ESPN & World Masters Trick Shot Champion Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman, “The Delta-13 International Amateur Trick Shot Contest should become a landmark competition for the sport of artistic pool. Players from around the world may showcase their artistic skills in 2 presentation categories, which will surely take trick shots to a new level in billiard excellence and magnetic fan appeal.” All qualifying trick shot videos must include a Delta-13 regular or elite ball rack. The entire “Rules of Eligibility” can be found at www.delta-13.com. Please Visit www.delta-13.com/video_contest.htm for more details
October 2011 - Stroke Magazine 25
Read Online www.strokemagazine.net
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