Rackem Magazine April Issue 2012

http://www.mcdermottcue.com

April 2012 - Rackem Magazine 3

DEADLINE: 25th of each Month - CALL IF LATE

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POOL ON TV

These schedules have been provided by ESPN.

These are tentative dates and are subject to change

All times are Central time.

RACKEM STAFFPUBLISHER/EDITORDon “Cheese” Akerlow

MARKETING DIRECTORMary Akerlow

LAYOUTS & DESIGNWendy Swenson

Mary AkerlowDon Akerlow11

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5 Super Billiards Expo

7 Lone Star Tour

11 Rally in the Valley

19 Fast Eddie’s Tour

24 Lucky

25 Scoreboard

PL ACES PEOPLE PL AY All Access 6Atlas Billiard Supply 25BCAPL/CSI/USAPL 27BCAPL Southwest 27Billiard Education Foundation 11C R Sports Bar 21CSI Tunica Open 27California Billiard Club 10CueStix Int’l 28Farmington Billiards 11Filmless Art 12Hawley’s.com 13Krug’z Pool Hall 21McDermott Cue 2Mike Massey 9Monk, The 12Mueller 3OTBnTV Live 3,26Q-Spot 11Sharky’s 8Tiger Products 4,26Varsity Club 21Winning with Bobby Burnett 10

Contents

ABOUT USR a c k e m i s a m o n t h l y p u b l i c a t i o n , dedicated to the advancement of the sport of pool and to promoting enthusiasm and encouragement a m o n g t h e p l a y e r s a t a l l

levels, regardless of their league affiliation, in addition to recognizing those businesses who support them all. Covering the midwest. Look for Rackem by the 10th of each month.The opinions expressed are those of the author or advertiser and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rackem or its staff. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher. © 2012 Rackem

Publisher

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FEATURES4/08/2012 2:00PM 2011WorldCupofTrickShots MoheganSunCasino Uncasville,CT

Cover Photo Courtesy of: Ricky Bryant - RB Promotions

http://www.muellers.com

4 Rackem Magazine - April 2012

http://www.tigerproducts.com

BY:DON“CHEESE”AKERLOW

The20thAnnualSuperBilliardsExpo(SBE)washeldMarch8-11,2012attheGreaterPhiladelphiaExpoCenterinPhiladelphia,PA.OnceagainbroughttoyoubyAllenHopkinsProductionsandruninconjunctionwiththeTAPRallyintheValley.Thishasbecomeahugeevent!

IcalledAllentofindouthisopiniononsomeofthethingsthatwereconcerningtheplayersandofcoursethesuccessoftheevent.ThefirstSuperBilliardsExpowasheldinSecaucus,NJattheMeadowlandsConventionCenterandwhenIaskedAllenhowtheeventhasgrownheresponded,“Enormously!Whenwestartedin1993westartedwith40pooltablesandabout27booths.Someexhibitorstooktwoboothssoitwaslessthan27actualexhibitors.WehadtheopeneventandIdon’tknowifIhadthekidstherethen.IknowIdidn’thavetheSeniorsortheSuperSeniors,didn’thavethePro-Am.Ithinkitwasjusttheopenevent.”

TheSBEmovedthenextyeartotheValleyForgeConventionCenterandremainedthereforthenext18yearsexpandingandtakingupmorespaceatthecenteruntiltheyfinallyhadtomovetotheircurrentlocation,afacilityofover200,000squarefeet.Ashort6milemovedowntheroadtoafacilitythatistwicethesizeoftheValleyForgeConventionCenter-plentyofroomtogrowandplentyofparking.TheSBEwasinformedafterthe2011Expothattheconventioncenterwasbeingclosedandhasnowbeenrenovatedintoacasino.Sotherewasnopossiblewaythattheycouldstay.

Thisisashort4dayeventbutispackedwithwalltowallpool.AccordingtoAllen,“it’sactuallylikepoolheaven.Allthebestpoolplayersintheworldarehere,allthebestcuemakersintheworldarehere,allthebesttablepeoplearehere.”Allenbroughtin180Diamondtablesfortheamateureventsand13Diamondtablesfortheproeventandpracticetables.Andattendancewasastounding,Allensaidtherewere979playersintheOpenDivision,175intheWomen’sDivision,365intheSeniorDivisionand157intheSuperSeniorDivisionfortheAmateurEvents.Juniorevents17&underhad64playersandthe12&underDivisionhad50,nottomentionthe32playerPro-AmBarBoxEventand68playersintheDiamondOpen10-BallProfessionalPlayersChampionship”.BesidestheseeventsyouhavetheWPAWorldArtisticChampionship,Fury14-1ChallengeandtheChallengeofChampions3CushionTournament.ThattakesusthroughallthatAllenHopkinsoffers,youalsohavetofactorin160TAPteamsof8playerseachforatotalofalmost3200players.Youcanseewhythiscouldbeconsideredheavenforapoolplayer.

AuniqueadditionfortheplayersthatattendedtheSBEwasthephoneappcreatedbyAllenHopkinsJr.ItwasavailableforbothiPhoneandAndroidphones.Allenhadmycallonspeaker,whenAllenJr.spokeabouttheapp.Throughtheappyoulocatevendors,findtheirboothonthefloorplanandgettheircontactinformation.YoucouldalsocheckouttournamentinformationandbracketsandscanthevendorsQRCodesforspecialoffers.AllenJrsaidhealsohadatextmessagefeatureavailable.Thiswillbeabigplusgoingforward.

Eachyeartheshowchangesalittlefromtheyearbefore.Newproblemsariseandareaddressed,correctedoraccountedforinsomeway.ThisyearbeinginanewvenuewasachallengeforthestaffoftheSBEbuttheyareawareoftheproblemsandareworkingwiththeexpocentertomakethingsbetternextyear.Someoftheissueswerelighting,foodvendors,restroomsandasecureareaforthevendors.Ihavefoundinlife,whenyouthinkyouhaveeverythingplanneddowntothelastdetail,somethinghappensandyouhavetochangeandadjustandmakethebestofthesituation.Everythingisaworkinprogress.Icanattesttothatthroughthe4poolmagazinesthatwepublishandyoucanbeassuredthatbothAllenandhisstaffwillnextyearmaketheseproblemsdisappear.

Allenhadhighpraisesforhisstaff,theplayers,exhibitorsandtheattendeesattheshow.ThetownofValleyForgeprovidedshuttleservicefromtheRadisson(thehosthotel)totheconventioncenterduringtheshow.Allinalltheshowwasanothersuccessandtheproblemsthatdidarisearebeingtakencareoffornextyear.

IfyouarelookingformoreinformationabouttheSuperBilliardsExpoorphotosfromtheeventcheckouthttp://www.superbilliardsexpo.comorthephotosandcommentspostedonFacebookhttp://www.facebook.com/SuperBilliardsExpo

Hopetoseeyoualltherenextyear!

The Man Behind The Super BilliardS expo

April 2012 - Rackem Magazine 5PHO

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TheU.S.Open9-BallChampionshipsmakessomegreatchangesfor2012andbeyondHelloeveryone,wehopealliswell.Wehavesomenewsforeveryonealongwithsomeexcitingchangesthatwehavemade.WeregrettoinformourpastchampionsthattheywillnolongerbereceivingpaidentryfeesintotheU.S.Open9-BallChampionships.Wehavedeepadmirationandrespectforourchampionsandwillcontinuetoexpressourappreciationtothemwithouryearlytraditionssuchastheparadeofchampions,whichtakesplaceeveryfiveyears,aswellasduringadditionaltraditionsthatweallenjoy.Onlythedefendingchampionwillreceiveapaidentryfeeeachyear,inadditiontoafreehotelroom.Wehavemademanywonderfulchangesforthe37thAnnualU.S.Openandfeelthatthisisastepintherightdirection.Withthesechanges,thetotalpursehasbeenraisedto$200,000.00insteadof$178,000.00.Wewillbeadding$72,000.00withafullfieldof256players,whichweknowwillbefulleveryyearnowsincewehavestructuredtheprizefundbreakdownextremelywell,payingthechampion$30,000.00andnow65th-96thplacereceiving$1,000.00each.Sincewehavediscontinuedthepastchampionentries,wehavestillincludedthe$10,000-$12,000additionaltogettothe72,000added.Unfortunately,therewillalsonolongerbeanydiscountsonentryfeesthisyearsinceweareaddingmore.Theentryfeewillremainat$500.00andwillbecollectedbytheBCAjustlikelastyear.YoumaybeginsendinginentryfeesTuesday,April2nd,toTheBCA.Detailswillbeonourwebsite,www.usopen9ballchampionships.com.WewouldliketothankRobJohnson,PresidentoftheBCA.WeareveryhappytoseetheBCAbecomeevenmoreinvolvedwithAmericanProfessionalPool.Inaddition,wehavedecidedtoseedthetopplayersfromaroundtheworldandAmerica.Webelievethatitonlymakessensetoprovidetrueseedstotheplayersfromeachcontinent,astheyhavegenuinelyearnedaseed.ThiswillassurethatevenmoreforeignplayerswillbecomingandtheU.S.Openistheonlyprofessionaltournamentthathas256players.ThisisawonderfulopportunityandwiththehelpofKenShuman,JayHelfert,andBillStock,wewillworktogethertodecidetohave32,48,or64seededplayers.TheseedingwillcomefromtheWPA,BCA,ABP,aswellas4promoter’sdiscretionseedsfromBarryandShannon.Inaddition,wewill

gladlyseedplayersfromtheWPBAwhichwillbedeterminedbythenumberofparticipants.Alongwiththeaddedpurseandseeding,theU.S.Openwillbeheldatanewlocation.Ournewvenue,theHolidayInn,islocatedjustthreeblocksawayfromQ-MasterBilliards.TheHolidayInnhada$14,000.000.00remodelandeverythingisbeautiful.Visitwww.hivabeachnorfolk.comtocheckitout.TheU.S.Openratesforsingleordoubleroomsareonly$79.99,usethecodeUSO.Webelievestrongly

thateveryoneisgoingtolovethenewlocationandlayoutsforthetournament.ShannonandIwillhavetheexactballroomlayoutsverysoon.OurticketpricesandVIPticketpriceswillremainthesameastheyhavebeenforthepast20yearsandwillstaythatwayforquitesometime.Wefeelsoblessedtohavewonderfulsponsorsthataresogivingeachyearandwehopeinthenearfuturetoraisetheaddedmoneymore

andmore.Thesedaysprofessionalpoolplayersneedallthehelptheycangetandwewanttohelpmoreandhopefullyotherswillaswell.ProfessionalpoolinAmericaisnotinverygoodshapeandwecannotfixitalone.Ouradviceisforpromoterstoreachoutmoretotheindustryleaders.Afterall,weareallworkinghardtoputonwonderfuleventsandindustryleadersshouldtakeadvantageoftheopportunityandtheexposuretheywouldreceiveduetoourefforts.Weareallinthistogether.Wethankyouallfortakingthetimetoreadourletterandwehopetohaveyoursupportatthe37thAnnualU.S.Open9-BallChampionships!Wethankyouall,withloveandrespect,BarryBehrman&ShannonBehrmanPaschallByBarryBehrman-2012-03-29

October 20-27, 2012Here is the full breakdown:1st $30,000.002nd $15,000.003rd $8,000.004th $6,000.005-6 $4,500.00 each7-8 $3,500.00 each9-12 $2,500.00 each13-16 $2,250.00 each17-24 $2,000.00 each25-32 $1,750.00 each33-48 $1,500.00 each49-64 $1,250.00 each65-96 $1,000.00 each

U.S. Open 9-Ball

Henderson,NV.-March30,2012-TheCueSportsInternational(CSI)motto,“MoreChoicesforAllPlayers,”isembodiedinthediversityofitsmanyproducts.CSIsanctionsabout500independentleaguesthroughBCAPoolLeague,offersauniformnationwidehandicapleaguesystemthroughUSAPoolLeague,producesmajorprofessionaleventssuchastheUSOpen10-BallChampionships,offersproandsemi-proeventson7’and9’tablessuchastheSwaneeMemorialandUSBarTableChampionships,supportsnationalandworldjuniorcompetition,promoteshighlevelactionandpoolmediathroughTheActionReport,andleadstheindustryinthedevelopmentofsoftwareandtechnologyforthefuturegoodofthesport.Inshort,everypoolplayerontheplanetcantoparticipatein,andbenefitfrom,aleagueoreventproducedbyCSI.TheleadingCSIpromotion,theBCAPoolLeague(BCAPL),hassanctionedmorelocalleaguesineachoftheeightyearsthatCSIhasbeeninvolved.Goingintothe36thBCAPLNationalChampionships(May9-20,2012),theBCAPoolLeaguehasgrownto500activeleaguesacrosstheUnitedStates,plusCanada,TaiwanandtheBahamas.PlayersrangingfrombeginnertograndmasterlevelarewelcomeandenjoytheorganizationandlevelofcompetitionthatCSIandtheBCAPLprovides.

InadditiontotheheraldedannualBCAPLNationalChampionships,BCAPL

affiliatedstateandregionalorganizationsproduceagrowingnumberofeventsacrossNorthAmerica.CSIaddsmoneytonumerousregionalandstateBCAPL

sanctionedeventsincluding:theBCAPLTexasStateChampionships,theBCAPLSouthwestRegionalChampionships,WesternBCAchampionship

events,theWisconsinStateBCAPLChampionships,andtheBCAPLCanadianOpenSeriestonameafew.

TheBCAPLembracesallmannerofpoolcompetition,withmany

differentsanctionedleagueformatsin8-Balland9-Ball,andin14.1Continuous(straightpool)andOnePocket.TheBCAPLdoesnotlimitorrestrictthetypeofgameplayed,norstipulateaparticularhandicapsystem.Over6,000playersofallabilitiestraveleach

yeartoLasVegasfortheBCAPLchampionships,whichhasbeentagged“TheGreatestPoolTournamentintheWorld!”Withoutquestion,CSIoffers“MoreChoicesforAllPlayers”!

Visitwww.playcsipool.com,www.playbca.comandwww.playusapool.

com formoreinformationaboutCSIanditsdivisions.

BCAPL Grows To Record Numbers

San Francisco Billiard Academywww.sfbilliards.com

Bob Jewett

San Francisco Billiard Academy is a BCA Certified Master Academy.The academy offers:Private InstructionBasics ClinicEight Ball ClinicNine Ball ClinicIntroduction to Billiard InstructionBCA Recognized Instructor CourseBCA Certified Instructor Course

C O L U M N I S T Bob Jewett


Soft and SofterManybeginningplayershavetwospeedsofshotshardandtoohard.Theyhavehardtimewithanythingbelow“firm.”Thislackofrangeoftencausesproblemsonsoftsafetiesandrollingshotswheretheleastamountofroll-throughisneeded.Herearetwodrillstoimproveaccuracyatthelowendofyourspeedometer.TheyarefromtheVideoEncyclopediaofPoolPractice(VEPP),aseriesofDVDsthatIrecentlyworkedonwith“Dr.Dave”Alciatore.

ThebottomdrillisoneIoriginallylearnedfromTomRiccobene,aninstructorinAlbuquerque,andcoveredina2006column.Thegoalsistostartwith8ballsonthelineandhiteachoneaslightlylongerdistancewithoutanyballhittingtheendrail.(Takecueballinhandforeachshot.)Ifyoudo8,moveontoonemoreball.Ifaballdoesn’tpassthepreviousball,startoverwithonefewerballs.15isreallytough.

Theseconddrillissimplertosetupandscore.Youstartwiththecueballinthejawsofthesidepocketandtheobjectball(15)ashortdistanceawayandstraighttowardstheothersidepocket.Thegoalistomaketheballinthesidepocketbutyourscoreishowmanyshotsittakestogetthere.(Nocushioncontactisrequired.)

Yougetnoscoreifyoufailtohitthe15onanyshotalongthewaysoyouhavetohittheballoneveryshot.Agoodbeginningscoreis4shotstogettotheotherside.Aprocanstretchthedrilloutforafewdozenshots.

Toplayshotslikethese,thereareseveraltechniquesthatmayhelp.Ifyounormallyhaveaverylowstance,trystandingupalittlehigher.Thiswillhelpyourdepthperceptiontobetterseethedistancebetweentheballs.

Tryforaspecificgoalfortheendingspotfortheobjectball.Ofcourseyoushouldhaveaspecificgoalinmindonallshots,butontheseveryshortshotstryforquarter-inchaccuracy.Youmightnotgetitrightaway,butifyounevertryforit,youwillnevergetit.

Useashorterbridgethannormal.Ifyourusualbridgeis15incheslong,it’shardtodrivetheballlessthanatablelength.Ashortball-to-bridge-handdistancewillmakesureyourbackstrokeisshortandthat’stheeasiectwaytoturndownthespeed.

Youcanalsoelevatealittleorusesomedrawtoslowthecueballdown.Experimentwithbothoftheseanddoacompletecrossingwitheachofthesetechniques.

Ifyougetclosetomasteryofthesingleballdrill,youcangetawidervarietyofshotsbyalternatingverysoftandmediumpaceshots.Thatis,trytobarelymovetheobjectballontheoddshotsandmoveiteightorteninchesontheevenshots.Or,youcanturntheshotthelongwayonthetable--tryformorethan30shots.


Mike Massey

Nine time World Champion, Mike Massey is considered pool’s best trick shot artist. He was voted the “Best in History” and is a member of the BCA Hall of Fame. Mike’s most amazing accomplishments were in two 24 hour poolathons. In one he pocketed 8,090 balls playing with one arm. In the other poolathon he ran 330 racks of 9-ball in Austria on live TV. Mike has consulted or appeared in the movies, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”, “The Baron and the Kid”, “Justice”, “Chalk”, and “Pool Hall Junkies” Mike is available for exhibitions and clinics. Please contact Mike or Francine Massey at 435.640.5787 or [email protected]

MIKEMASSEYNineTimeWorldChampion

EXHIBITIONS & CLINICSContactMikeorFrancineMassey

[email protected]

To order Mike’s book call 888.295.7665 or 714.894.1157

Visit us on the web at www.billiardspress.com

Mike MasseyC O L U M N I S T

Mike’sMassiveDrawShotPeoplehaveaskedmeforevertoexplainmytechniquefordrawingthecueballlongdistances.Mike’sMassiveDrawShotwillrevealmysecretsandgiveyouanobjectivetestfrodeterminingthepowerofyourdrawstroke.

Thefirststepistohaveexcellentequipment.Thatmeansacueyouarecompletelyconfidentinandatipthatisinperfectcondition.Irecommendadimeradiusbecauseitallowsalittlemoreofthetip’ssurfacetocontactthecueball.Thisiscriticalbecauseyouwillneedtostrikethecueballasclosetothemiscuezoneaspossibleformaximumdraw.

PlaceanobjectballadiamondfromPocketE.(Note:someofyou,includingleft-handers,maybemorecomfortableshootingtheshotontheoppositesideofthetable.)PositionthecueballabouttwoinchesfromtheedgeofPocketC.Ifyoufindthisistoomuchofastretch,movethecueballclosertoPocketAuntilyoufeelcomfortable.

Iusea12-inchbridge,whichisalmostexactlythedistancebetweenthediamonds.Positionyourtipaslowaspossiblewithoutenteringthemiscuezone.Useafirmclosedbridge.Makesureyourshootingarmisveryrelaxed.Youwillneedtouseanextremelyhardstroke.Takeseveralsmoothwarmupstrokestoestablishyourrhythm.Onyourfinalstroke,besuretoletyourelbowdropasyouacceleratethroughtheshot.Thiswillkeepyourcuelevelandpreventitfromdippingintothecloth.Makesuretoavoidputtinganyrightenglishonthecueballasthiscangreatlyalterthecueball’sdirection.Letyourfollowthroughextendunrestricted.

Thediagramshowseveralpossibleresults.Mypersonalbestis23/8tablelengths.Thecueballwillstopatorneartheendrail(17/8tablelengths)whenIhittheshotreallypure.Agoodprowilldrawabout13/8tablelengthswhileagoodamateurwilldrawaboutonetablelength.(Note:allmeasurementsarefromtheobjetball’slocation.)YoushouldseeLarryNevelplaythisshot.HemightevendrawitfurtherthanIdo.

Theidealconditionsformaximumdrawarealmostnewclothandhighhumidity.Thealmostnewclothworksbetterthannewclothbecauseonnewcloththecueballspinstoomuchinplaceandlosesmuchofitsenergy.Thehumiditygivethecueballaboingingactionwhenitbouncedofftherails.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS:SUR:SetupRatingsEXR:ExecutionRatingsMSR:Mike’sSuccessRatio

SUR:1.0EXR:5.0MSR:70%

Product Review


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JUNIORPLAYERPROFILE:HOME TOWN: Waterville, ME (Maine)BIRTH DATE: May 25, 1997NICKNAME: TaySCHOOL YOU CURRENTLY ATTEND: Winslow High SchoolGRADE: 9FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: MathAT WHAT AGE DID YOU START PLAYING POOL? 6TITLES/HIGH FINISHES: 2011 BEF Junior National 9-Ball Champion, 14-and-under girls’ division2011 Maine State 8-Ball Women’s Champion2010 NE Seacoast Women’s 9-Ball Champion OTHER NOTABLE AWARDS: Represented USA in the 2011 WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships in Kielce, PolandFeatured on the Cover of Inside Pool Magazine July/August 2010WHAT KIND OF CUE(S) DO YOU USE? PechauerLEFT OR RIGHT HANDED: RightSPONSORS: Pechauer Custom Cues, Total Amusements & Tj’s Classic BilliardsFAVORITE BAND/MUSIC: ColdplayHOBBIES: Basketball and CrossCountryMemorable pool moment: When I was 9 my parents had just bought our pool hall and were having their first pro event (Joss Tour). My mom put me in it and no one thought I had a chance and I ended up winning my first match hill-hill with everyone at Tj’s watching and cheering me on.FAVORITE FOOD: LobsterFICTIONAL HERO: Spongebob SquarepantsREAL-WORLD HERO: Johnny ArcherFONDEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY: The year I was in third grade my parents took my sister and I from Maine to California and back by van and we stopped at all the National Parks we could fit in. My favorites were Niagara Falls, Yellowstone and seeing the redwood trees in California.GOALS (PERSONAL AND/OR CAREER): Stay on the honor roll, and get setup for college while I work on my pool and basketball games. I’d like to see how far I can get in each sport.

Ta y l o r re y n o l d s

Tim Miller

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

May all the rolls go your way,

The Monk

CALL THE MONK TODAY

1-603-566-6229

C O L U M N I S T The Monk


KEYSTOSUCCESS!CONFIDENCE,LUCKANDCONCENTATTION

Muchhasbeenwrittenaboutconfidence.Infact,IwroteaboutthistimehonoredskillinmybookICAMETOWIN.Somesayyouneedconfidencetowinandotherssayyouneedtowintogainconfidence.Inthiscase,twodifferentopinionsandbothareright.

Mychapteronconfidencesuggestsyoulearntoplaywithoutconfidence.Whoreallycontrolsconfidenceanyways?Andwhoreallycontrolsconcentration.Howmanytimesdowedecidetoloseourconcentration?Wesuddenlyloseourconfidencejustwhenweneeditthemost.Wecanagreethatconfidenceandconcentrationaresubjecttotheirownwhim.Let’slearntoplaywithoutthem.

Luckisalwaysonthesideofthewinner.Confidencefollowsthewinnerandconcentrationismoreeasilyacquiredbythewinner.Withoutthethreehowever,youcannotwin.Sotheysay.

ForovertwentyyearsIhavesignedmybooks“Mayalltherollsgoyourownway”.Luckissomethingthatcomestoyouwhenyouexpectit.

Concentration-Luck-Confidence,areliketheloverwhodecidestoshowupornot.Youneverknowwhentheywillarriveinafavorablesituation.

Let’slearntoplaywithoutthem.

Ifacednineputtsofmorethanfourfeetforagoodscore.Maketheputtandtheholewasagoodone.Missitanditwasadisaster.Imadeallnineputts.Aguyinthefoursometoldmehehasneverseenaguyputtthisgood.HedidnotknowthatwhenIstoodovertheputt

IthoughtIwouldmisseverysingleoneofthem!Ihadnoconfidence,noconcentration,anddidnotthinkIwasgoingtobelucky.Ihadsomethingbetter.Ihadsomethingweallneedinpocketbilliards.

Ihadtheabilitytostandoverashotandlettheresultsbewhatevertheywanttobe.SinceIdidnotknowifIwasgoingtomaketheshotandIdidnotknowifIwasgoingtomisstheshot,ImightaswelldowhatIcandoandthatistolookgoodshootingtheshot.ThisiswhytheguyinourfoursomethoughtIhadconfidenceandgreatconcentrationskills.IactedlikeImaketheseputtsallthetime.Idothatinpool.Iactasifitisaneasyshot.

YOUCANONLYDOTHISIFYOUTRULYDON’TCAREABOUTRESULTS.

Thereasonyoudeveloptheabilitytobefreefromresultsisbecauseyouknowtheresultsarenotinyourcontrol.Iftheywereyouwouldrunathousandracksandwineverytournament.THERESULTSARENOTINYOURCONTROL.

Let’snotchasethosethreeloversofmischief.CLCcanspendtimewithusorgoouttopasture.Weseetheshotknowthestrokeandweshoottheshot.

Ihopeyouwilljoinmeinspecialnineballtraining.Goonmysitewww.monkbilliardacademy.netandclickonROADPLAYERSNINEBALL.

http://www.monkbilliardacademy.net/9-balltrainongprogram.html

ThispastweekendtheLoneStarEventhosteditssecond9-ballstopoftheyearatBogiesBilliardsandSportsBarinHouston,Texaswith73Amateurplayersand52Openplayersinattendance.ParticipantscamefromalloverincludingTyler,Temple,SanAntonio,andAustintotaketheLoneStarplunge.OpensidenotablesincludedJoeyBarnes,JamesBaraks,MannyChau,andSylverOchoa.AmateursincludedCalvinTrimont,RobertHitchcock,RockyEsquivel,RobertOdom,SteveEspinosaandmanymore.

Matchplaycommencedatapproximately3pmonSaturdayafter125playerswereauctionedoff.TheAmateurdivisionwinners’sidefinal8sawJasonPearcedefeatSteveLindgren7-1,RaulEscobedooustCalvinTrimont7-4,VictorRojasbestSonnyBosshamer7-1,andKarlMcClendondefeatRockyEsquivel7-2.Ontheone-losssideitwasBobbyPerezmakingagreatcomebackwith6straightwinsafterasecondroundlosstoSteveLindgren.HisendcameatthehandsofWillFelder5-3.ItwasMikeyFrostoverCharlieBuckner5-3andDavidMassieoverEricOlivowhichmovedtheminto9th-12thpositionontheone-losssidealongwithFelderandPerez.ItwasFelderandRojaswhodueledfor3rdafterRojas

wasdealtablowbyMCclendon7-5onthewinners’side.PearcesentEscobedowest7-4andearnedhimselfafirst-timehotseatmatchupwithMcClendon.Pearcesecuredhisplace7-3whileRojasdefeatedFelder5-3.McClendonovercameRojasbutfelltoPearceinthefinal.

TheOpendivisionwinners’sidefinal8sawAndyJethwaskimbyMannyChau9-8,RaulEscobedobestBillFuller9-3,SylverOchoadefeatBrentThomas,andJamesBaraksglidebyBrianRosenbaum.Onthewestside,DannyLeedefeatedThomas,JoeyBarnesbestedBrianRosenbaum,ChausenthomeMcClendon,andMikeAlonzoeliminatedFuller.UpsetsincludedBarnesandChauwhosufferedwinners’sideblowsfromJethwabythesamescoreof9-8,butwhenthesmokecleareditwasOchoaoverEscobedoforthehotseat9-6.Ontheone-lossside,BarnesandEscobedowerestoppedshortbyChau7-4,7-2,respectively.OchoamadequickworkofChauandfinishedtheeventundefeatedbyafinalscoreof9-2.

OtherwinnersincludedCourtneyPetersandLorettaLindgrenwhosplitthe$100TopLadyprizeawardedintheAmateurdivision.NickCalderaro,Houston’shottest

youngup-and-comertookhomefirstforhiseffortsintheJuniordivisionheldonSunday.RockyEsquivel,SteveEspinosa,andBrittanyMcCombsalltookhomeaPoisonCuefromthePoisonCueRaffles.Congratulations!

TheLoneStarTourwouldliketothankitssponsors,www.PoisonBilliards.com,www.PredatorCues.com,www.Delta-13.com,www.PoolWebsites.com,theAPAofNorthHarrisCounty,RogerAllenCueRepair,GulfCoastBilliards,www.Pool-Trax.net,andJamesWalkerwhodonatedtwoT-ShirtstoourJunioreventwinners.Ourtourreferee,DerrellMontgomery,didanoutstandingjobofkeepingtheeventrunningsmoothlyaswellasJohnNewsomewhotookoverthetournamentcommandpostonSunday.

ThenextLoneStarEventisApril14th-15thatBogiesBilliardsandSportsBar.Wewouldloveforyoutojoinus!HereisanotherchancetoqualifyforthePoisonbyPredatorTour!

ForinformationonhowtobecomeaLoneStarTourSponsor,hostanevent,orgeneralinformation,pleasecallKimWhite-Newsomeat713.825-1411.

Ochoa Breaks the Ice

OPEN1st $600/$1000 Sylver Ochoa2nd $420/$700 Manny Chau3rd $280/$500 Raul Escobedo4th $120/$200 Joey Barnes5th/6th $70 Andy Jethwa James Baraks7th-8th $50 Danny Lee Mike Alonzo9th-12th $35 Brent Thomas Brian Rosenbaum, Karl McClendon Bill FullerTOP LADIESCourtney Peters $50Loretta Lindgren $50

AMATEUR 1st $570/$750 Jason Pearce 2nd $400/$500 Karl McClendon 3rd $250/$300 Victor Rojas 4th $100/$115 Will Felder 5th-6th $70/$50 Mikey Frost, Raul Escobedo 7th-8th $50/$30 Calvin Trimont, Bobby Perez 9th-12th $35 Steve Lindgren, David Massie, Sonny Bosshamer, Rocky Esquivel 13th-16th $25 Charlie Buckner, Eric Olivo, Dee Davis, Brent Thomas 17th-24th $10 John Doty, Pedro Medina, Joe Rodriguez, Jay Russell, Danny Lee, Robert Bell, Grady Cooper, Jason Watson

JUNIORS1st Nick Calderaro $50 + Shirt2nd Ron Esman $25 + ShirtRESULTS


Toll Free800-938-3000

www.hawleys.comask for the Facebook Fan discount

Custom Pool Cues, Cue

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Gameroom Furnishings


STEVIEMOOREvsShaneVanBoeninghaswonthePlayersChampionshipattheSuperBilliardsExpoandhassentyetanotherstrongmessagethatheisthecreamoftheAmericancropofpropoolplayers.WhenShanegetsclosetothefinalsthereisjustnostoppinghim.Evenalongtripthroughouttheone-lossside(ShanelostearlytoBrianBrekke)cannotcausehisgametoweakenorhishearttolosespirit.

OnSundayVanBoeningsweptasidetherestofthebestasiftheyweremeremortalstryingtoexistintherealmofthegods.RajHundalgotthemessagefirstwhenhejustsatandwatchedasVanBoeningpickedthemeatoffofhisbonesandtossedhimtothescrapheap10-1.Hundalwasnomoreaparticipantinthatmatchthanwasthekidinthethirdrowofthestands.DarrenAppletonwouldfarelittlebetter.Thetwo-timeUSOpenchampionwasdismantledanddestroyedbytherack-runningabilityoftheSouthDakotaKid.ObviouslydismayedbyVanBoening'sabilitytocontrolthetableanddenyanopponentanyopportunitytorally,Appletonfoundhimselfa10-2loseragainstVanBoeningwhoonlyappearedtogetstrongerwitheachstroke.

VanBoeninghadonemorehilltoclimb.AnundefeatedandconfidentStevieMoorewaswaitingforhim.Thatconfidencewouldtakeanearlybeat-downasVanBoeingwastednotimeinestablishinga7-0leadinthefinalraceto13games.Moorestayedcoolandfoughtwellenoughtobringthescoreto12-6,butVanBoeningonthehillisatoughtaskandwhenMoorefouledearlyinthefinalracktogiveballinhandtoVanBoeningitwastheend.ShaneVanBoeningwonhisthirdPlayersChampionshipwitha13-6victoryagainstMoore.

Shaneisnowontrackforwhatcouldbecomearecordyear.PriortothisvictoryhenabbedboththeDerbyCity9-BallandOne-Pocketevents,takingMasteroftheTablehonorswiththosewins.TheKidalsocommandstheshorttrackstuff.HewontheUSBarBoxChampionshipOpen10-BalldivisionheldbyCSIinReno.Allofthiscomesontheheelsofafinalquarterof2011thatpresentedVanBoeningwithvictoriesattheSteveMizerakChampionship,TurningStoneXVIIIandattheOchoOpen.

--BYAZBILLIARDS.COM

THEPLAYERS

CHAMPIONSHIPPHOTO BY: RICKY BRYANT-RB PROMOTIONS


SHANEVANBOENING

RESULTS1st $20,000 ShaneVanBoening2nd $7,000 StevieMoore3rd $4,000 DarrenAppleton4th $3,000 RajHundal5th $2,500 MikaImmonen,RyanMcCreesh7th $2,000 MikeDavis,DennisHatch9th $1,500 JohnSchmidt,BrandonShuff LouisUlrich,CraigMcPartlin13th $1,000 JaysonShaw,MikeDechaine RalfSouquet,CoreyDeuel17th $750 JaysonShaw,KlausZobrekis OscarDominguez,ShaunWilkie BrianBrekke,CharlieWilliams JeremySossei,RobbSaez

PHOTO BY: RICKY BRYANT-RB PROMOTIONS

ThefirstdayoftheTAPagendawasaNationalMeetingwithanimpressiveattendanceoflicensees,asitwasstandingroomonly.ThismeetingwasconductedbyFounder,PresidentandCEOLoydSchonter,coveringalldetailsofthepresentandthefuturedriveforTAP.ItisveryunderstandablethatmostdiscussionsinthisroomwereconfidentialandforonlytheTAPfamilyhoweverIamsuretheBilliardIndustrywillbemorethanimpressedwithwhereheisleadingtheTAPOrganization.TAPproudlyannouncedanewrelationshipatthismeetingwithMcDermottCueswhichwasattendedbytheirRepresentativesLarryLieblExecutiveVicePresidentandJaymeCernikaCustomerServiceandSpecialEventsManager.TheyintroducedtheirimpressivelinetotheTAPfamily.McDermottalsocontributed$10,000.00incuesandotherMcDermottproductstotheRallyintheValleyeventsinadditiontothistheyhadtheirInstructornearbydemonstratingtheabilitiesoftheircueline.WhiletheNationalmeetingwascomingtoanendtheTAPSingleseventwaskickingoffwithrecordbreakingregistrationsinallbrackets.7handicapsingleshad36players,6singleswith64players,5singleswith80players,4singleswith77playersandthe2and3singleshad42players.At8amonFridayMarch9th,

the8-ballandforthefirsttimethe9-Ball“DreamTeamEvents”kickedofftotaling176eightpersonteams.Thiswasanotherrecordbreakingeventforteamcounts.AsalwaysatTAPeventskeepingyouwarmedupisamust,sotheminisranintheeveningofeachdaytomakesureyourgamestayedintune.ThenSundayMarch11thbroughtthefinalroundsonlytocloseupanotherhistoricaleventleavingtheTAPplayerwithmemoriesandconversationthatwillbewiththemforyearstocome.AroomoncefilledwithplayersfromacrosstheUnitedStatesandCanadaisleftwithonlythefootprintsoftheTAPPoolPlayer.Andaseachyeargoesbythatfootprintisgettingbiggerandbigger.Forthefirsttimeinmanyyears,TAPalsohadanotherpresenceattheexpowithaTAPsalesandinformationbooth.Thisalsosawheavyactivitythroughouttheentireweekend.PeopleinterestedinTAPgottoseefirsthandthenewinnovationsthatTAPhasdonetotheirhandicappingsystemknownasPool-Netandallofthefeaturesthatnootherleaguecanprovidetotheirmembers.ProspectiveTAPlicenseeswereamazedatwhattheysawandhowuserfriendlythesystemis.Manytimesduringtheweekendpeoplewereoftenheardsaying,"That'scoolorTalkaboutTechSavvy".OnbehalfofallofushereatTAP,wewouldliketocongratulateAllenHopkinson

RALLY IN THE VALLEY

2/3 HANDICAPAMANDA KARRIP

4 HANDICAPJAMIE SPIKER

5 HANDICAPKEVIN KARAS

6 HANDICAPELIAS NASSIF


ajobwelldoneandasiscustomaryhereatTAPwhenalicenseedoeswell....Allen,youandyourstaffgetahuge"AttaBoy"fromTAP!!WewouldalsoliketoThankAllofourStaffandVolunteersforonceagainmakingthisTAPEventahugesuccess.Thusshowing“OneTeam,OneGoal”trulyisourFamilymotto.LetusnotforgetMcDermottCues,wearelookingforwardtoournewrelationshipandhappytohavethemasapartoftheTAPFamily.Over$107,000waspaidoutwiththesingleseventspaidbackat100%.

RESULTSDREAM TEAM EVENT (8 BALL)ELITEBOARD1ST POLISHFALCONSLAURELHIGHLANDSPA2ND BELLYHOOKEDMISSOURI3RD GEO'SFINESTLAURELHIGHLANDSPA4TH NORTHCOASTROCKSNORTHCOASTTAPOH5TH HAMMERTIMEBEAVERVALLEYPA6TH ROCKSOLIDTAPNH7TH DREAMKILLAZNORTHCOASTTAPOH8TH WHISKEYALPHAWACHAMPIONSHIPBOARD1ST STROKIN&SMOKINJERSEYBOYSNJ2ND COLOROFMONEYCANADA3RD JULIE'SCAFÉKEYSTONETAPPA4TH SHARKIEZ2OHALDRICHBESTOFTHEREST1ST BAZINGAMIDATLANTICMD2ND 16BALLSKEYSTONETAPPA3RD OURCOACHWENTSHOPPINGKEYTAPPA4TH PORTAGEMOOSELAURELHIGHLANDPA9 BALL DREAM TEAM EVENT RALLY 2012CHAMPIONSHIPBOARD1ST SMOKIN9'S-KEYSTONETAPPA2ND DEEZNUTS-JERSEYTAPNJ3RD INTHESPOTLIGHT-KEYSTONETAPPA4TH T.D.A.-BEAVERVALLEYTAPPABESTOFREST1ST COLOROFMONEY-CANADA2ND KEYSTONEKUEBALLERSKEYSTONETAPPASINGLES8BALLCHAMPIONS2/3HANDICAP AmandaKarrip-Saginaw,MI4HANDICAP JamieSpiker-FrostburgMD.5HANDICAP KevinKaras-PittsburghPA6HANDICAP EliasNassif–PlantationFL7HANDICAP TommyNajar–KennesawGA

1ST PLACE BEST OF THE REST BAZINGA FROM MID ATLANTIC VA

1ST PLACE 8BALL ELITE BOARD

POLISH FALCON LAURAL

HIGHLAND TAP PA

1ST PLACE CHAMPIONSHIP BOARD STROKIN

9 BALL FIRST PLACE CHAMPIONS

SMOKIN 9’S FROM KEYSTONE TAP PA7 HANDICAPTOMMY NAJAR


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ALLEN HOPKINS, 1ST PLACE OPEN DIVISION LEE HOLT

1ST PLACE PRO-AMBUCKY SOUVANTHONG

1ST PLACE WOMEN’SLIZ TAYLOR

1ST PLACE 12 & UNDER RICKY EVANS

1ST PLACE 17 & UNDERNICK EVANS

1ST PLACE SENIORSTONY RODRIGUEZ

1ST PLACE SUPER SENIORSEVERT SNOWWITH CECILIA STRAIN

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Shuff wins inaugural event on the return of Fast Eddie’s 9-Ball Tour Brandon Shuff and Manny Chau met three times in the first Fast Eddie’s 9-Ball Tour stop in 15 months. Once in the hot seat, and twice in the finals, they played a total of 42 games. Shuff won two more than half of them, and two of the three matches to claim the event title. The $1,000-added event drew 68 entrants to Fast Eddie’s in Round Rock, TX.

From among the winners’ side final four, just after sending Sylver Ochoa to the loss side, Manny Chau faced and defeated Junior Jueco 9-6. Shuff, in the meantime, having sent Bernard Walker over, met and defeated David (LD; Little Dave) Henson 9-3 to square off against Chau in the hot seat match.

The two battled back and forth to a 6-6 tie, before Chau won two in a row to reach the hill first. Shuff came back to win the next rack, but Chau finished it one rack later and sat in the hot seat.

Over on the loss-side, Henson drew Ochoa, who’d gotten by J.P. Lopez and Tokoph. Jueco picked up Eric Aicenena, who’d defeated Charlie Mora and Walker. Jueco downed Aicenena 7-3, while Henson locked up in a double hill battle that he eventually won against Ochoa. Henson was on a roll, and shut Jueco out in the quarterfinals, before battling and eventually, giving way to Shuff in a double hill semifinal.

In the opening set of the true double elimination final, shortly after he had informed stream commentator Ray Hansen that he was going to see some “free-wheeling,” Shuff jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Chau finally got on the board, and then, almost made it two in a row, when an 8-ball rattled in the hole and instead, gave Shuff his fifth. Chau was shooting at the 8-ball in the seventh rack, too, and scratched to give Shuff his sixth. Chau then chalked up two in a row, Shuff chalked up one and Chau got his last. Chau scratched early in the 12th rack and

conceded the game, putting Shuff on the hill. Shooting at the 8-ball, tight on the long rail, in the 13th rack, Chau drew the cue ball back, all the way into the opposite corner, and Shuff finished up to win the opening set.

In the second set, reduced to a race to seven, it was Chau opening up an early lead to 3-0, before Shuff came back to win three of the next four. Chau wasn’t able to get out in front further than two after that. He reached the hill first, but Shuff came back to bring about their second 6-6 tie. This one, though, was double hill. In the final rack, Shuff broke and then, shooting at the 1-ball, rattled it in the hole, leaving a fairly open table for Chau. Chau, though, returned the favor and rattled the 4-ball in a hole. Shuff completed the rack and went home with the event title.

In addition to a big ‘welcome back’ to one and all, tour director Lewis Jones thanked Fast Eddie’s owner, Mark Lewis and his staff for their hospitality and sponsorship, as well as Ron Geyer of the Custom Cue Connection, and Paul Sumrall.

1st $850 Brandon Shuff2nd $570 Manual Chau3rd $390 David Henson4th $280 Junior Jueco5th $180 Sylver Ochoa, Eric Aicinena7th $140 Bernard Walker, Tommy Tokoph9th $110 James Davis Sr., Charles Mora, JP Lopez, Terry Keith13th $90 Jimmy Ramirez, Jeremiah Hoffman, Chris Hausman, Brent Thomas

Shuff WinsStory courtesy of AZBilliards.com


16th Annual 8-Ball State Championships ACS - Illinois

1ST MEN’S OPEN SINGLES

MARLON ANGELES

1ST MEN’S MASTER SINGLESJEFF SERGENT

1ST MASTER SCOTCH DOUBLESIKE RUNNELS AND MILICA KOZOMARA

1ST MEN’S SENIOR SINGLESMILTON STRACK

1ST MEN’S STANDARD SINGLES

MARK JUDGE

1ST OPEN SCOTCH DOUBLES

JIM KRUEGER AND HEATHER LAVIN

1ST WOMEN’S SENIOR SINGLESSUE KOSHINSKI


218 Walnut St - Muscatine, IA563-263-7665

www.krugzpoolhall.com

*Tournaments*Cue stick tip and shaft repair*Cue sticks & supplies*Lessons*In house & travelingleaguesISPA, ACS, VNEA

8525 cottonwood St nwcoon rapidS, mn 763-780-1585

Watch forUpcoming

TournamentsSchedules

State Association

1ST MEN’S TEAM FROM DEMMA’S BAR & GRILL

1ST OPEN 9-BALL

RICH MIKES

1ST WOMEN’S 9-BALL

1ST WOMEN’S MASTER SINGLES

AMY LATZKO

1ST WOMEN’S STANDARD SINGLESJOYEL RENO MEADOWS

1ST WOMEN’S TEAM: SHUT THE FRONT DOORSUSAN ULATOWSKI WIECHEC, KATHY KOON,

HEATHER LAVIN, JAYMI LEVENHAGEN

Open 9-Ball Tournament March 21-25, 2012

TheChampionofChampionseventopenedThursdaymorningwith11ofthebestplayersinAmerica,eachaformernationalchampionorsecondplacewinner,anxioustoprovewhowouldlayclaimtothisyear'stitle.FollowingashortpracticescheduleonthethreeGabrielsKronostables,thefirstroundbegan.Lastyear'strophyholder,PedroPiedrabuenabeatBillSmith35-18in30innungsontable1.MiguelTorres,afterdriving3hoursfromNewYorkandtestingthetableforafewminutes,wonthelagandsoonwasinthemidstofarunof10.A35to20victoryoverFrankTorresin19inningsquicklyfollowed.Nottobeoutdone,HughPatinohadarunof13inhisopeningroundvictoryoverGeorgeAshby(35-20in28innings).

Goodplaycontinuedduringthesecondround.Inamildupset,MichaelKangbestedJaeCho35to19in21innings.HugoPatinowonhissecondofthedaybyascoreof35to14overFrankTorresinjust24innings.SonnyChotoppedMercedesGonzalesin25innings,holdinghisopponentto17innings.Mercedesplayedwellbutmissedseveralclosebilliardsandcouldnotkeeppace.

Thestrugglesbeganinthethirdround.MazinShooniaveraged1.000inbeatingMercedes,whoscoredbut20.Again,Mercedesmissedhalfadozencloseones,anditwasclearthatbothsheandMazinhadtroubleadjustingtotheslipperyandlongtables.Pedrowonhissecondofthedaybutalsohadtrouble,needing31inningstodefeatGeorgeAshby,whomanaged29inthesamenumberofframes.Buttherealstory—andthefirstsurpriseoftheevent—happenedontable3inround3.BillSmithandJaeChotradedbilliardsforthefirstdozeninnings,butMr.ThreeCushionstartedtopullawayafterthescorewasknottedat10.Byplayingcarefuldefense,Smithlefthisopponentwithoutanygoodleavesinningafterinning.Gradually,Smithpulledaway,finallysecuringa35to24victoryin31innings.

Attheendoftworounds,PedroPiedrabuenahadtwovictoriesandwasaveraging1.148.HugoPatinoalsohadtwovictoriesbutabettergrandaverage,at1.346.MercedesGonzales,FrankTorres,JaeChoandGeorgeAshbywerewinless,each0-2.BillSmithwas1and1,andMichaelKang,MiguelTorresandMazinShooniwereeach1-0.Thetournamentaveragewasat1.064.

DAY 2: TheseconddayoftheChampionofChampionsextravaganzastartedFridaymorningwiththecrowdstillbuzzingaboutthenightbefore,whenMazinShooniandSonnyChoaddedanotherclassicmatchtotheirstoriedrivalry.Thetwooldfoestradedbilliardsfortwentyinnings,eachaveragingover1.000.Mazinslowlypulledahead,32to28.Hemadeareversespinshotfor33,anda7railback-upfor34.Theballsrolledfavorably,andhewasleftwithashort-angleshot,whichheplayedwithconfidenceandalittlespin.AsMazin'scueballcameoffthesecondrail,Sonnygotoutofhischairtoofferhishandincongratulations,buttohisandMazin'ssurprise,thecueballflattenedoutoffthethirdrail.ItmissedbylessthannothingMazinwouldlatersay.Mazinsatdown,andSonnyusedthereprievebyrunning7andoutforthevictory.

InotheractionThursdayevening,GeorgeAshbyjumpedtoa10to0leadin3inningsbutMiguelTorresstormedbackwithrunsof10and11,notchinga35to20winin19innings.PedroPiedrabuenapostedthebestgame,closingoutMercedesGonzalesin18innings.AsplayendedThursday,Piedrabuena,HugoPatino,SonnyChoandMiguelTorresremainedundefeated.

InfirstroundactionFridaymorning,HugoPatinoputhisundefeatedrecordonthelineashelaggedforthebreakagainstMercedesGonzales.Shewontherighttoopenthegame,andshestartedwitha3,thenfolloweditupwithanother3,thena4.Sheracedtoa20to4lead,andthenbuiltitto25to8.AlongtimeoutcalledbyHugocooledMercedesoff,andhestartedmakingbilliardsintwosandthrees.Theaudiencewonderedwhethershecouldfinishwithoutbeingcaught.Shecouldn't.Hugocaughtherat31,notchedanotherinthenextinningandclosedwitharunof3fora35to31victory.

Mercedeshadplayedwell,averaging.796,buthadnothingtoshowforitexceptfivelosses.Afterabadfirstday,JaeChostagedacomebackwithamorningvictoryoverGeorgeAshby.Inthenextsession,heran4andouttobestMazinShooni35to30.Heclosedthedaywitha35to20victoryoverMercedes,sealingtheWwitharunof7andout.

AfterafinevictoryoverJaeChoduringthefirstday,BillSmithwasnotabletocontinuethesuccess,withlossestoHugoandMazin.HereboundedwithavictoryoverFrankTorres,whohadshowngreatskillsattimesbuthadbeeninconsistent.Ashbyfinallyfoundhisaiminhislastgameoftheday,defeatingSonnyChoin20innings.

AsFridayended,Pedro,HugoandMiguelhadstillnottasteddefeat.TheywouldclashonSaturday.SonnyChohadjustoneloss.MazinShooniandMichaelKanghadthreelosseseach.Alltheotherplayershadatleastfourlosses.TheoverallgrandaverageatthecloseofthelastsessiononFridaywas1.096,withPedro's1.423andHugo's1.411settingthestandardforallothers.

DAY 3:AtthestartofthethirddayofplayattheChampionofChampions,tournamentdirectorCharlesBrownawardedPedroPiedrabuenaavictorybyforfeitwhenMazinShoonididnotarriveontimefortheir11:00a.m.match.Afterwaiting40minutes,Browndeclaredtheforfeit.Mazinarrivedafewminuteslater,butBrown'sdecisionstooddespiteMazin'sprotest.Withtheforfeitinhand,Pedroremainedundefeated,butnotforlong.

AlsovictoriousinthefirstroundwasHugoPatino.SonnyChoreboundedafterhisFridaynightlosswitha35to24victoryoverJaeCho,whosestrugglescontinued.WithMazinstillfumingoverhisforfeit,hefoundithardtoconcentrate,andMiguelTorresrolledoverhimtoa35to21victory.MercedesGonzalesedgedFrankTorresby1,andinoneofthehighlightmatchesbetweentwoveterans,GeorgeAshbybestedBillSmith35to23.AccordingtoSmith,thatwasthe39thtimethetwohadplayedinatournament.Theirrivalryactuallygoesbacktowhentheywereyoungsters.

PIEDRABUENARetains His Crown


Amutualfriend,BillJohnsonfromMichigan,clappedhishandsasAshbymadethefinalbilliard.“Theystartedplayingwhentheywere12yearsold,”Johnsonexplained.“They'vemadealotofbilliardsagainsteachotherintheircareers.”

MiguelTorrescouldnotkeeppacewithPedroorHugo,losingtoSonnyCho35to24in18innings.Withthescore28to25infavorofTorres,Chobrokeopenthegamewitharunof7,thencloseditouttwoinningslater.Ontheadjacenttable,Pedroputonadisplayofcontrolandposition,crushingJaeChoin18innings.

Andthen,theplotthickened.JaeChodispensedPatinowithamarvelousdisplayofcuewizardry.Twentyminuteslater,Pedrosteppedtothetableforhislastmatchoftheday.AwinoverMiguelTorreswouldallbutsealthetournamenttrophy,butTorresprovedawilyfoe,squeakingouta35to34victoryandtossingthetournamentintochaos.

AfterSaturday'slastsession,theoverallgrandaveragewas1.070.PedroandHugohavepostedthehighestgrandaverages,bothover1.400.WithPedro,HugoandMiguelsittingwithonelosseach,thegrandaverageswerecritical,asthehighestaveragewouldbethetie-breakerforanyonewithidenticalwin-lossrecords.

DAY 4:ThefinalmatchofthedaycamedowntoPedroPiedrabuenaandHugoPatino.WithHugocomfortablyintheleadearlyon,Pedrodecidedtoruna16,thetournamenthighrun,takingoverthelead.Talkabouttiming.Hugotookatimeoutandrightfullyso.Asitnearedtheendofthe35pointmatch,Pedrowaswinning34-31,butHugowasatthetable.Hequicklyrana2andthenhadwhatseemedtobeafairlyeasyshotbutmisseditahairlong.Pedrowasleftwithaverydifficultpositionwhereitseemedlikehemighthavea5or7railaroundthetableshot,butpotentialkisseswereeverywhere.Insteadheplayedaverydifficult,precisionupanddownshotwhichlookedasifhemayhavehadalittlereverseenglishonit.Thelastballwasrightinthemiddleofthetablesoitwasaverysmalltarget.Pedromadethefantasticoutshotandsealedhis2ndconsecutivevictoryastheChampionofChampions!

-BYPAULFRANKEL

PRIZE FUND1st Place $5,000.00 Pedro Piedrabuena2nd Place $2,000.00 Hugo Patino3rd Place $1,500.00 Miguel Torres4th Place $1,200.00 Sonny Cho5th Place $1,100.00 Jae Hyung Cho6th Place $1,000.00 Mazin Shooni7th Place $900.00 Michael Kang8th Place $800.00 George Ashby9th Place $700.00 Bill Smith10th Place $600.00 Frank Torres11th Place $500.00 Mercedes Gonzales April 2012 - Rackem Magazine 23


STORY

BY: ANDREW MONSTISLucky #15

Detroit JohnWeheadedupnorthfromourCaliforniatrip.Luckywasabletomakeenoughmoneytowardshismedicalexpenses.HewasdoingOKinthisstretch,healthwise.GoodenoughthathewantedtomakeastoportwobeforebacktotheLuckyQRanch.WetalkedabouttheUSBarTableChampionshipsinRenobutfirsthittheNorthwestforadayortwo.WepulledintomyoldhauntClassicBilliards.Luckysaiditusedtobeafairamountofactionintherebutdroppedoff.WewalkedinandMannyChauandMarkVidalweretakenoffthelocals.“Themostactionthereinawhile”Isaid.Theyhungaroundacoupleofdaysgotafewgrandoutoftheplace.Everyoneseemedtogetupandplaynotknowingtheyhadnochance.LittleChrisandAlbertodidslowthemdownsomeonthewinning.ThepoolroomjunkiestriedtogetBradtotheBonetoplaythesetworoadies,butBradpolitelytoldthemallthathismoneywasforthemnottheroadplayers…

Luckywashangingaroundwaitingfortherighttimetoplay.OnthethirddayLuckycameintoplayonlytofindouttheydidn’tshowupandlefttown.Luckymissedtheopportunitytomakeafewfromtheroadteam.

LuckysawDetroitJohnandheacknowledgehimwithaheadnodandasurprisedlook.ItoldLuckythatDetroitJohn,(JewelryJohnassomecallhim)alwayswantedtoplayLuckyagain.TheyplayedyearsbackwhenJohnwasontopofhisgame.JohnplayedwellthatstormyfalldayandatonepointinthematchagainstLuckyJohnran7twice,Arealshowofhistopgear.ButLuckyprevailed.

DetroitalittleembarrassedaboutthatencounterwithLuckyhasalwaysdeniedit,eversince.Evenhisfriendswhowatchedthatdayhavethoughtthathe’stryingtoohardtorepudiatethestory.Hehasalwaysrationalizingthewholething.Johnhasbeenheardsaying“he’saplayerthatdoesn'tplayasgoodasisthoughttobe,anyway”.

JohnhadprivatelysaidhecouldbeatLuckynow!Johndidn’tcarehowgoodhereallywas.“Bringhimon”washismotto.ThetruthofitwasthatJohnhadnotplayedmuchthepastfewyears.Detroithashadahighgearbutisgamewasnotthererightnow.StilljohnwantedtoplayLucky,wellitwasNoble!!Luckystandingnearthetable,Johnsaid“Wanttoplaysome!!”

Well,Luckydidn’treallywanttoplayJohn,hewasworriedthathewouldbeexposedastoogoodaplayerandalltheactionwouldstop.Hedidn’twantJohn’smoney.Johnwasveryhelpingandgeneroustoallhisfriendsandfolksinthepoolroom.WentitwasinevitabletheyweregoingtoplayatDetroit’s

insistence,LuckyhadaplananditwasnottoletDetroitJohnbeathim.LuckywasanxiousaboutDetroit’sgroupies,BradtotheBone,Alberto,Sunami,DamascusShortyandAngietheStriper,thattheyallmightspreadthewordonLucky.Hedidn’twantacrowd.Iarrangedthematchatnightwhenfewpeoplewouldbethere.JohnwastherewarmingupwithGaryCrane.Hebroughthissternperipheraldemeanorwithhim.Eventhoughhehadarealteddybearpersonality.Luckythoughthewasaniceguytryingtoactshatterproof.YoucouldseeJohnwantedtoplayLuckybad.LuckywasgoingtomakeDetroitplayhardforit.Playbythesetandnotlessthan$1000.JohnwantedtoplaybythegameandLuckywantedtoplaybytheset.Johnwantedtoplaythismansobadhegaveintothesetraceto9fora$1,000.

DetroitJohngotthefirstbreak.Youcouldseethedeterminationinhiseyes.Hisexcitementwasevident.Hebrokeandranout;brokeagainandranout.Johntrulywasonfireandinstroke.Hewasassoaringasyoucangetplayinggoodpool.Hebrokeandranoutthreemoretimesandthescorewas5-0.Everyonewaswonderingwherethisgamecamefromithadbeenyears,yearsthathewasabletodothis.Detroitwasshowingeveryonehowpoolwastobeplayed.Johnhadn’teventakenoffhisjacket,andhisshirtwashangingoutfromunderneath,andhiseyeswereglazed.Johnwaspumped.HelookedatLuckyandsaid,half-jokingandhalf-serious,“Iamgoingtothrashyouandsendyoubacktowhereveryoucamefrom.”Luckyjustcalmlyreachedforacinnamonsticktoreplacetheonehewaschewingonandthensmiled.HesaidlaterhewasalittleperplexedatJohn’spatternsbutwasimpressedwithhowhesplitthecuponeveryoneofhisshots.Johnfeelingit!madesomecommentlike,“Mightaswellpaymenow,”andthenbrokehis6thrack.Hedidnotmakeaball,actedlikeitwasnothingandhisleadwassafe.HewentoverandsatinthechairlookingatLuckylikePopeyewithoneeyesquintandrepeatingbitinghislip.

Luckygotup,stretched,backalittlestiff,hobbledtothetable,studiedthetable.Johnsaidbeforehewasgoingtoshoot“heyIdon’trememberthatyouwerelefthanded”.Luckywhoneversaysanythingtoopayerssaid“didyoueatyourspinachtoday”Luckylineduptheballoffhanded.IknewluckyplayedrighthandedandwonderedwhattheheckLuckywasdoing.Luckycalmlyproceededtorunoutthatgameandthenextoneandthenext.AsLuckyranouteachgameoffhanded,youcouldseeJohn’ssmugnessslowlyfadeaway.

LuckyslowlyranoutthesetyoumightofthoughthewasplayingGlennAtwell.Johnsaid,“Youcan’tmakemequit.Rack‘em”.Thistimewe’llplayto11.Luckycameoverandaskedmeifheshouldrunoutanothersetonmyfriend.Isaid“Ithoughtyourplan

tomakehimworkforit”He’snotworkingjustsittinginthechair.Luckysaidhechangedhismind.IguessDetroit’sdemeanordidthat.Luckysaid“Iwanttomakeabelieveroutofhim,Iguess”SoLuckyranoutgameaftergameaftergamebeforeyouknewitLuckywasshootingonthehillatthelast9ballandmissedit.Therewasalittlesparkinjohn’seyelikehehadhope.Itdidn’tlastlong.InsteadofreachingforhiscueJohnpulleduphispants,tuckedintheoneflapofhisshirttail,reachedinhispocketandhandedLuckysomemoney,allthetimegivingmethefisheye.IshruggedmyshoulderssaidPisano….

Sincewewerefriends,allIcouldsaytoJohnwas,“Hey,Itoldyou,hewastoughandhewas“thatgood.”Luckysaid,“Donefornow?”Johnwasalittlehotbutnotmad,wantedtogiveitanothertrybut?“NoLucky”.Johndidstartoutplayinglikeachampionagain.Itwasgreattosee.Johnsaidafterthatfirstset,nowIdon’thavetolistentoBradwantingtogivemelessons.LuckyandJohnsatdownandstartedtalkingaboutplayingpoolinDetroitandplayingatPlushpockets.LuckytoldastoryaboutbeatingsomeguynamedRonniefromCanada.Iwasn’tlistingtowhattheyweresaying.Itallseemedtomellooutandtheywerelaughingandsmiling.SomeofthoseDetroitstoriesmusthavebeengood.

LaterthatnightLuckygaveme$2,000dollarstogivebacktoJohn.“Johnwasarealniceguyandastraightupshooter”.WhenIsawJohnlaterandtriedtogivehimhismoneyback.ADejaVuhedidn’twantthemoneybackjustlikeyearswhentheyplayed.Isaid“ifyoudon’ttakethismoneyIwouldgotothecasinoandbetitallonthecrapstables,oneroll”.Hesaid,“Well,OK.I’lltakethemoney.”

TothisdayJohnstillavoidssayingheeverplayedandlosstoLucky.Everyonewhowaspresentwhentheyplayedthinkitsuspicioushisalwaystalkingaboutasitneverhappened.He’sstillsaysLuckyisamyth,fantasyandaghost.RecentlyJohnsaid“Thereisnoonethat’sthatgood,”meaningrunningouttwosetswithoutmissingonhim.ItwasLucky’sadvantagetohaveJohnspreadtheword“Hedoesn’texist”.Actually,didhelpkeepLuckyfrombeingtoovisibleatthelocaltournamentsorpoolrooms.ThankstoJohnifhehadtoldaboutplayingLuckymightnothavegottenanothergame.

WehadplantogotoSeattlearea.AfriendAskarwasgoingtosteerusintoactionbutweturnedaroundwentsouth.LuckyhadabigurgetogototheBarTablechampionshipsattheGrandSierra.TheNorthDakotaKidwassmashingthecompetition.LuckyPlayedhimsome10yearsago.He’srealgoodactionnow……Luckywasn’treadytogobacktotheranch.


ScoreboardFARGOMIDWINTERSHOOTOUTMARCH2-42012

8-BALLRESULTS--82PLAYERS1 $2000 ShaneVanBoening2 $1200 DemetriusJelatis3 $750 FelixBeardy4 $400 MarcOelslager5-6 $300 DeanFlanders,JamiePluta7-8 $200 RoryHendrickson,JoshShones9-12 $120 LeeHeuwagen,JoshBurbul GaryJohnson,BrentFletcher13-16 $80 MichaelPerronJr.,RockyMueller MikeOsatuik,ChadSchlumburg17-24 $50 MohammedBashir,RyanJohnson RobertPulver,JerrodBernath MarkKuklok,GeorgeGoodburn LeeFrench,ShaneJackson9-BALLRESULTS–66PLAYERS1 $600 ShaneVanBoening2 $450 MichaelPerronJr.3 $300 DemetriusJelatis4 $200 JamiePluta5-6 $150 DeanFlanders,JoshBurbul7-8 $100 AustinSissel,JoshShones9-12 $60 FelixBeardy,RobertPulver MarcOelslager,WadeOdegaard13-16 $40 NateLeslie,JoshShones LeeHeuwagen,TravisMann

WHITEDIAMONDSUPER9-BALLLAFAYETTE,LA-MARCH10-11128Playerswith51onthealternatelist9-BallBarTable-Raceto7TournamentPurse$6,120FirstCalcutta$44,965---SecondCalcutta$12,4801st $2143 JamesBaraks2nd $1040 JoeyGray3rd $796 MikeBlack4th $551 CliffJoyner5/6 $367 DarrellBiggart, JamesWalden7/8 $214 DerrickCantu, JoeyBarnes,9-12 $107 KennyLoftis, KevinGuimond, MarkCavalier, JohnHennessy JAMES BARAKS

SHANE VAN BOENING

http://www.cuestik.com

DATE CITY LOCATION PHONE EVENT/RULES ENTRY ADDED TIME LINKApr 7 Tulsa, OK Magoo’s (918) 663-3364 1st Annual Vegas Warm-up $65 $2,500 11AMApr 7 Muscatine, IA Krug’z Pool Hall (563) 263-7665 Muscatine City Team Champ $50/team Call 1PM MAPApr 7-8 Waukesha, WI Master Z’s (262) 522-3615 10-Ball WI State Open $65 $2,500 1PMApr 10-15 Harker Hgts, TX Harker Heights Event Cntr (702) 738-4950 Texas State BCAPL Varies $5,000 Call MAPApr 11-15 Davenport, IA Iowa State Poolplayers www.ispa.in2pool.com 8-Ball Singles/Teams & 9-Ball Varies Call CallApr 14-15 Waukesha, WI Master Z’s (262) 522-3615 9-Ball State Amateur $55 $1,500 1PMApr 14-15 Houston, TX Bogies Billiards (281) 821-4544 Lone Star Tour $35-$15 $1,000 CallApr 14-15 Three Lakes, WI Oneida Village Inn (715) 546-3373 Women’s Inv. Traveling Tourney $100/team Call 10:30AMApr 19-22 New Town, ND Four Bears Casino (701) 421-0604 8-Ball Classic Men division $60 $10,000 w/128 5PM MAP Apr 19-22 New Town, ND Four Bears Casino (701) 421-0604 8-Ball Classic Women division $40 $3,000 w/64 5PMApr 19 Billings, MT MCMOA (406) 208-3506 State 8-Ball 4-person Team $200/team Call 6:00PM MAPApr 20-22 Billings, MT MCMOA (406) 208-3506 State 8-Ball Singles M/W Qual. at bars Call 7:00PM Apr 21 Muscatine, IA Krug’z Pool Hall (563) 263-7665 Skippy Cup Call Call Call MAPApr 21 Sedalia, MO Sharky’s Billiards (660) 826-5855 9-Ball $25+$10 g.f. Call Noon MAPApr 21 Oshkosh, WI Varsity Club (920) 651-0806 8-Ball - Lucasi Tour $40 $1,000 Call MAPApr 21 Green Bay, WI The Bar on Lime Kiln (920) 609-2611 WI handicapped 8-Ball $20 $400 w/32 NoonApr 21 West Salem, WI Breakers (608) 786-9999 Open 8-Ball $25 Call 9AMApr 21-22 Three Lakes, WI Oneida Village Inn (715) 546-3373 Women’s Inv. Traveling Tourney $100/team Call 10:30AMApr 25-27 Mtn View, CA CA Billiard Club (650) 965-3100 One Pocket $125 $4,000 Call MAPApr 27-29 Mtn View, CA CA Billiard Club (650) 965-3100 10-Ball $125 $10,000 CallApr 28 Muscatine, IA Krug’z Pool Hall (563) 263-7665 Skippy Cup Call Call Call MAPMay 9-20 Las Vegas, NV BCAPL (702) 719-7665 BCAPL Nationals Varies $800,000 payout Call MAPMay 10-13 Las Vegas, NV CSI (702) 719-7665 U S Open One Pocket Call $10,000 Guar CallMay 14-19 Las Vegas, NV BCAPL (702) 719-7665 U S Open 10-Ball Call $25,000 Guar CallJul 20-22 Tunica, MS CSI (702) 719-7665 8-Ball - Men’s Open Division $50+$25 fees $3,000-1st w/64 NoonJul 20-22 Tunica, MS CSI (702) 719-7665 8-Ball - Women’s Division $50+$25 fees $500-1st w/16 NoonJul 20-22 Tunica, MS CSI (702) 719-7665 8-Ball - Men’s Sr (55+) Division $50+$25 fees $1,000-1st w/32 Noon MAPJul 20-22 Tunica, MS CSI (702) 719-7665 8-Ball - Juniors Division FREE (w/8) Prizes-Entry Noon Jul 23-25 Tunica, MS CSI (702) 719-7665 9-Ball - Men’s Open Division $50+$25 fees $3,000-1st w/64 Noon Jul 23-25 Tunica, MS CSI (702) 719-7665 9-Ball - Women’s Division $50+$25 fees $500-1st w/16 Noon Jul 23-25 Tunica, MS CSI (702) 719-7665 9-Ball - Men’s Sr (55+) Division $50+$25 fees $1,000-1st w/32 Noon MAPJul 23-25 Tunica, MS CSI (702) 719-7665 9-Ball - Juniors Division FREE (w/8) Prizes-Entry Noon Aug 30-Sep 3 Scottsdale, AZ BCAPL playbca.com Southwest Regionals Varies $6,000 Online MAP

Wednesdays Oshkosh, WI Varsity Club (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Beginners $8 CallThursdays Muscatine, IA Krug’z Pool Hall (563) 263-7665 Pool/Darts (2nd Shift) SE $5 1AM Oshkosh, WI Varsity Club (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Intermediate $10 CallFridays Coon Rapids, MN CR’s Sports Bar (763) 780-1585 8-Ball on 7’ Diamonds $16 $75 7PM Farmington, MN Farmington Billiards (651) 463-2636 8 or 9-ball rotation $10 $50 w/16 6:30PM Muscatine, IA Krug’z Pool Hall (563) 263-7665 9-Ball Race to 4 or 5 $5 8PM Tulsa, OK Q-Spot Billiards (918) 779-6204 8-Ball 7 & under $5 9 PM Oshkosh, WI Varsity Club (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Open - Break Pot $15 $5/player Guar. CallSaturdays Farmington, MN Farmington Billiards (651) 463-2636 8-Ball Bar Box Hdcp $20 entry $25 every 8 2PM Tulsa, OK Q-Spot Billiards (918) 779-6204 9-Ball 7 & under $10 (incl. g.f.) 9 PM

Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without noticeDATE CITY LOCATION PHONE EVENT/RULES ENTRY ADDED TIME

WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS


Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice

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Rackem Magazine April Issue 2012

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Transcript of Rackem Magazine April Issue 2012