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7 China Open 9 Kids Camp 10 Road Trip
9 15 Winner Take All 16 Columnists 21 Lucky
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ESPN does not have any scheduled billiard airings for the month of October. These schedules have been provided by ESPN. These are tentative dates and are subject to change
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ABOUT US
Rackem is a monthly publication, dedicated to the advancement of the sport of pool and to promoting enthusiasm and encouragement among the Publisher players at all 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
October 2012 - Rackem Magazine 3
4 Rackem Magazine - April 2012
2012 BCA HAll of fAme BAnquet AT THE U.S. OPEN 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP Friday, Oct. 26, 2012 • 5:00pm – 7:00 pm Holiday Inn Virginia Beach/norfolk Hotel and Conference Center Virginia Beach, VA
KAREN CORR • 3-time WPBA national Champion • 3-time tournament of Champions • 15 WPBA Classic tour titles
BE PART OF HISTORY! The biggest night in pool, held during the game’s longest-running pro tournament! TICKETS $60 Per Person • $500 for a table of 10 (single payment only) (ticket includes sit-down dinner)
oRDeR At: www.USBMA.com/HallofFame2012 oR CAll: 312-341-1110 (ext. 229) HOSTED BY the united States Billiard media Association and the Billiard Congress of America
official Supporters of the 2012 BCA Hall of fame Ceremony
October 2012 - Rackem Magazine 5
Fe Lo at ca ur tio e n
2nd Avenue Corner Pocket
DJ
69 C TACOS
Best Philly Cheese Steak in town 9 Flat Screen TV’s 10 Pool Tables 1 Snooker Table Darts Power Putt
Golden Tee Buck Hunter Mega Touch Internet Jukebox NFL Package
Pool Leagues ACS VNEA ISPA
New Location: 609 - 2nd Ave Cedar Rapids, IA
319-366-0979
6 Rackem Magazine - October 2012
We stopped in at 2nd Avenue Corner Pocket in Cedar Rapids, IA on our trip around the Midwest. We had talked to DJ Wolrab, the owner, and I was looking forward to seeing his new location and meeting him and his staff. Tired from being on the road and trying to maneuver our 5th wheel through the city streets of Cedar Rapids. But with the parking lot across the street, it was easy to park. I was pleasantly surprised with the location filled with pool tables, a full bar. A great looking place to play pool. The only thing missing was the people and that’s because it was just three days before the grand opening. Moving down the street just 3 blocks to a bigger location. DJ was excited and I could see the pride on his face. He was worried that everything wouldn’t go right, but with all the hard work that was obvious that he and his crew put into his new place, and I have talked to his staff after the grand opening that was a complete success. With steel tip and soft tip darts, a full bar and kitchen with the best Philly cheese steak sandwiches in town, one of my favorites and the other is the 69 cent tacos. On the weeknights you can play in different leagues, VNEA, ACS and ISPA with weekly tournaments in the works, a perfect place to go. If that’s not enough internet jukebox, video games not to mention 9 flat screens and one behind the bar that is 70” that you can watch the NFL package on. I have to thank DJ and his crew when we were there. They made us feel welcomed and wanting to come back and we will! 2nd Avenue Corner Pocket is located at 609 Second Avenue in Cedar Rapids, IA 319.366.0979.
FISHER IN A ROUT!
Kelly Fisher Wins The 2012 China Open With A 9-2 Drubbing of China's Zhou Doudou
By Ted Lerner/WPA Press Officer Photos Courtesy Tai Chengzhe and Yu Yan/Top147.com (Shanghai)--Britain’s Kelly Fisher came into Sunday’s final at the China Open feeling pretty good about her game. But even she had no idea just how good things were about to get. With an eye squarely on the prize, and clearly on greatness as well, Fisher put in an electrifying performance as she completely routed an overmatched Zhou Doudou of China, 9-2, to capture the 2012 China Open. The entire match took just 45 minutes, and in that short span of time, Fisher left no doubt that she is the premier performer in the women’s game at the moment, and by the looks of it, for the foreseeable future. With two world titles and years more experience in her arsenal, Fisher was obviously favoured coming into the match with Zhou, who at 20 years old had never before played in a final of an international tournament. Still, with China’s government backed sports system churning out young world beaters, most people expected the match to be close. While Fisher completely dominated the proceedings, she did get plenty of help along the way from Zhou, who could never find a groove. After Fisher nabbed the opening rack in the alternate break match, Zhou completely missed an elementary 2 ball in rack two. Zhou got away with it as she accidentally snookered Fisher and ended up winning the rack. But it was a portent of things to come. And in a hurry. “When she missed that two ball, I figured right there that she’s not as settled as me,” Fisher said after the match. Indeed Fisher smelled blood, and Zhou sensed a hungry shark was on the prowl as she missed a makeable 9-ball in rack three to help put Fisher up 2-1.
Two racks later Zhou missed another 9-ball to put Fisher up 4-1. From there the match was for all intents and purposes over. Fisher’s confidence was sky high and palpable to the several hundred fans watching at the Shanghai Pudong Yuanshen Stadium arena. Zhou, meanwhile, played as if she had been struck by the fear of a higher power. Within minutes of being up 4-2, Fisher looked to be in a different galaxy as she went ahead 7 -2. Zhou then scratched in rack 10 and Fisher went up 8-2. Putting an exclamation point on the proceedings, the Brit then broke and ran for the final slam dunk and another big time title on her resume. Afterwards, as fans mobbed her for photos and autographs, Fisher seemed to be in awe of what she had just done, and struggled the find words to fit the moment. “I’m absolutely thrilled,” she said. “I went in confident. How can I explain it? You go out on tour. You know the odds are against you with the standard being so high now. You can get knocked out at any stage of a tournament. But I’m feeling great about my game. “I felt more prepared and I came in with confidence. Winning the World 9-ball championship in Shenyang gave me a boost. But getting knocked out in the World 10-ball in Manila this year knocked me down a bit. I just figured that I’ve won the World 9-ball, the World 10 ball, but I’ve never won the China Open, Now I have. “She made a couple of errors and I played really well so there’s not a lot she could have done. She’s a fantastic player. I have a lot more experience than her. There’s a lot of great players coming up now so I’m going to try and take it while I can. “This is my peak in pool. I played for 8 years in the States and I was always asking myself, ‘Was it going to happen? Could I win the big international events?’ I knew I could do it. But actually doing it is another thing. I’m surprised but I couldn’t ask for anything more.” Characteristic of all Chinese players, Zhou remained the model of sportsmanship in defeat. “Kelly played really well and I made a few mistakes,” Zhou said. “I’m satisfied with how I played in this tournament and I’m happy that I reached the final. I will try to learn from the experience and hopefully I can come back in the next tournament and do even better.” For winning the 2012 China Open, Fisher collected $30,000 while Zhou earned $15,000.
October May2012 2012- -Rackem RackemMagazine Magazine 77
8 Rackem Magazine - October 2012
Congratulations Ron Shepard “Kids Pool Camp” Red Shoes Billiards in Chicago
Peaks Interest
Children and parents gathered at Bogies Billiards in Houston this past Tuesday, September 25th,
Dennis Walsh Congratulation to Ron Shepard, playing out of Red Shoes Billiards in Chicago, for taking first place in the fifth annual 14and1.com National Championship. He and Ed Latimer had equal handicaps of AA 140 going into the final match. Ron had the first big run of 31 balls and had a commanding lead of 70 balls when Ed began his comeback with runs of 27 and 14, but too little too late. Ron put together a couple of double digit runs late in the game and finished with 9 and out to take the Championship’s $500 first prize. Ed took home the second place prize of $300. Cal Smith finished a respectable third place to bring home $150 in prize money, improving from last year’s fourth place finish. A special thanks to John Lavin of Red Shoes Billiards for providing a great venue for the Tournament.
all on Congratulations to a great tournament.
open late
12009 S Pulaski Rd Alsip, IL
708-388-3700 Monthly Tournaments:
Sep 1st: One Pocket Oct 13th: 8-Ball Oct 27th: Straight Pool Nov 10th: Bank Pool Dec 8th: One Pocket $50 entry (includes green fee) - DE - $500 added with full field - Noon Sep 29th: Straight Pool Nov 24th: Straight Pool $25 entry (includes green fee) - Handicapped - SE - Noon
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2012 to enjoy a “Kids Pool Camp” hosted by WPBA Billiard Pros Melissa Little of Denver, CO and Kim White of Houston, TX. The “Kids Pool Camp” concept, designed by Little, was created to spark an interest in pool for children, ages 17 & under. The program also aids in building character, self-esteem, and confidence, in a social atmosphere, through billiards. The fee is $49 and each child receives a brand new cue and case to decorate in their own personal style, plus a group lesson from the pros. At this particular camp, stickers, gems, and paint pens were just a few tools used at the craft table where kids bedazzled and personalized to their heart’s content. “This element of the camp allows kids to show their creative side”, says Little. With cues in hand, the kids made their way to (2) 9’ Brunswick Gold Crown pool tables where they were schooled by the pros. They learned about bridges, stance, and the correct position for their stroking arm. The lesson also included pool table etiquette, equipment care, and how to rack properly. “There’s nothing like watching a child pocket a ball for the first time, ever. The look on their face is priceless; an instant feeling of accomplishment for them and us,” says White. The camp wrapped up with a group photo and each child received a camp completion certificate, a goody bag filled with gifts donated by Str8-Shots.com and the APA of North Harris County, including an online gift certificate and a signed pool ball. Little plans to host camps all over the U.S. thanks to program sponsors Marc and Kimberly Griffiths of www.Str8-Shots.com , an online pool and dart supply company, and fellow pros across state lines who have offered to pitch in and do their part. Taking a page from their own WPBA history book (the 35 year old governing body of women’s professional pool) Melissa and Kim understand all too well about cultivating at the grass roots level. “This program is important because our sport depends on the next generation of players” says Little. Based on its reception thus far, this pool camp experience is destined to reach many children, carrying with it a positive message and leaving behind a memorable impression of the billiard world. For ways YOU can get involved and keep billiards thriving through today’s youth, visit www.str8-shots.com or www.melissalittle.com. October 2012 - Rackem Magazine 9
Roadtrip through the Upper Midwest BY: DON “CHEESE” AKERLOW For those of you that have aspired to the notion that pool is dead or dying, I have to set the record straight. My wife and I set out on a three week trip across the upper midwest, starting with a live streaming at Fargo Billiards in ND, for a small time wannabe promoter who had never promoted anything other than himself. I almost wanted to never live stream again. If it wasn’t for the professionalism of the owners and staff at Fargo Billiards, it would have been a debacle. Many thanks to Fargo Billiards for all that they did. If one thing I have learned throughout my years, everything is an experience, some good, some bad. From there we went to Minneapolis, found a campsite for our 5th wheel just outside the city. We spent five days seeing some of the best pool halls and sports bars where pool is being played. The one theme that seemed to be constant was the forty plus league teams that would play three or four nights a week in the various sports bars and billiard halls. Why so many? Maybe it’s because of what the locations provide for the league players. A comfortable and inviting location that offers amenities we all enjoy. 1) Good food 2) Good drink 3) Good equipment to play on that is well maintained and cared for. Most if not all of the locations had Diamond tables and they were all covered in blue Simonis cloth, some green. Long gone are the days of the dingy, low lit, dirty and seedy locations. Believe me, I know. I grew up in those and I have an affinity to them. They feel like home. The pool hall of the 21st century and especially the economic downturn since 2008 has changed the times. It’s not all about hustling the money. The pool player wants to have a place to go that they feel safe and can get what they want, when they want it - food and drink, wi-fi, video games, internet jukebox, to sum it up a more social environment where they can play for their team league championship or go to state or even the “big kahuna” - Nationals. This doesn’t mean that there is no place for money games, hustling or to sum it up in one word, “woofin”. “I can beat you” “How much?”
10 Rackem Magazine - October 2012
“I need a spot” “How big?” If an owner is to make it in a pool hall, sports bar or whatever name you would call it, they have to subscribe to the new kind of pool player. Places like Fargo Billiards in Fargo, ND; C R Billiards in Coon Rapids, Farmington Billiards in Farmington and Biff’s Sports Bar & Billiards in Minneapolis, MN; K K Billiards in Green Bay and Varsity Club in Oshkosh, WI; Second Avenue Corner Pocket in Cedar Rapids and Big Dog Sports Bar & Billiards in Des Moines, IA. These to name a few understand the new pool players and cater to them as well as the old pool player. All these locations made us feel at home and welcomed us into their establishments. Pool is alive and doing very well. Thanks in part to the aforementioned and to the league operators and especially the staff - waitresses and bartenders that make you feel special when you are there. If there is ever any trouble or a fight is brewing, the staff will walk you out. The staff in all of these places that we went appreciate their job and do it well. The service is impeccable, the food is great. They make you feel at home. It’s the little things that people do to make you want to come back, like saying “thank you”. In the 3500 miles that we traveled, I don’t believe we found anything unusual about where or how pool is being played. If you are to survive, especially in the billiard industry, you cannot welcome change, you must embrace it. Innovation, creativity and a willingness to change with the times has allowed these businesses and many more like them to thrive even though times are challenging. Pool is not dead. It is alive and well and living in our communities all across this country. We found and discovered many places and people who are willing to make this game that we all love work and work for everyone. We would like to thank everyone for their kindness and hospitality and taking their time to talk to us. Especially Big Dog Billiards in Des Moines, IA that had the best damn pizza I ever ate! We will be traveling across the country in the next two years. Earlier this summer we went to Seattle and found again that pool is alive and well. Tournament play is a little down but this too will change. If you see us out there don’t be shy. I may be a publisher of three pool magazines but I am first and always a pool player.
Give the Gift of Giving
A HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY CONTEST
Nominate someone you think would be deserving of a Holiday Gift package and tell us why.
We will give away a gift package every day for the 12 days of Christmas. Email: 12days@onthebreaknews.com
DON’T DELAY GET YOUR NOMINATIONS IN TODAY!!!
Give the Gift of Giving
12 Days of Christmas Gift Giveaway
October and November with the winners being announced in the December issues.
Gifts donated by: CueStix International, CSI, Mueller, Championship, Tiger, CuePen, Cue and Case, Simonis The Break, Rackem & Stroke Pool Magazines
October 2012 - Rackem Magazine 11
BCAPL SOUTHW BCAPL Southwest Regional
Crowns Champions in Arizona Courtesy of: AzBilliards.com Photos: Rixx Images
CueSports International (CSI) and Bad Boys Billiards Productions brought the 2012 BCAPL Southwest Regional Championship to the Radisson Fort McDowell Casino in Scottsdale over the Labor Day weekend of August 30th - September 3rd. $6,000 in added prize money, courtesy of the Radisson and CSI, and 40 beautiful Diamond 7' tables, was more than enough to draw the top players from Arizona, as well as select players from Nevada, New Mexico, California, Colorado, and Washington. The event was divided into seven divisions and play got underway first in the single elimination scotch doubles division where 45 teams were able to get familiar with the tables and compete for $2000 in total prize money. This event was dominated by two teams, and it was only right to see them face off in the finals. The top half of the board saw the team of Bernie Store and Steve Stowers cruise to a spot in the finals. Store and gave up one game in their first four matches and never allowed an opposing team to win more than two games on their way to the finals. Matching them on the way to the finals was the team of "Big Daddy" Tres Kane and Cathy Kelley. Kane and Kelley were not as dominating on their way to the finals, but they also did not allow an opposing team to score more than two games in any given match. As evenly matched as these two teams appeared on paper, the finals came down to hill-hill before Stowers and Store won the case game for the 4-3 victory and $600 in prize money. The 6 & Under event, which was added last year, was a huge success with 89 players competing this year. The event came down to a "best two out of three" face-off as Wayne Cagle and Elgin Miguel would play
12 Rackem Magazine - October 2012
8 AND OUT
each other three times to determine a final victor. Miguel drew first blood with a hill-hill win over Cagle for the hot-seat, but after Cagle eliminated Collin Sayler on the one loss side, Cagle and Miguel faced off in the double elimination finals. Cagle forced a second set with a 5-3 win and then earned the tournament win with a 5-4 scoreline in the second set. The win was worth $600 in prize money for Cagle. The men's open division, with 77 players saw a slight increase in participants and to no one's surprise, was
won by Carlos Avalos. Avalos handled the win with his usual modesty and thought the tournament came down to a couple shots and a couple of lucky breaks here and there. Avalos made note of an early match he played against Mike Williams. Avalos commented, "I was fortunate because that match was originally scheduled for early afternoon but didn't start until close to midnight. Mike had sat for several hours and was cold, and I had just come off a win. I got away with that match 5-0." Avalos was also quick to note a shot that came up in the hot-seat match against David DelCastillo. With the score tied at hill-hill Avalos hooked himself on the ball before the 8-ball. After studying the shot, Avalos played a perfect stop shot jump shot that left him straight in on the 8-ball for the win. The finals came down to Avalos and Jason Polk - both teammates on the "No Flash Photography" team. The friendship between the two might have taken away Jason's killer instinct in this one as Carlos ran away with a 5-1 win for first place and $1,000 in prize money. The Ladies Open division saw Sonia Flores come out on top of the 32 player field and take the hot-seat with a 4-2 win over Leandrea Gaff. On the one loss side, Gaff ran into Terry Johnson-McCauley. Gaff had sent Johnson-McCauley to the left side of the board 4-3 late in the tournament, and the rematch went to Johnson-McCauley by the same 4-3 scoreline. This left Flores and Johnson-McCauley in the double elimination finals. The first set went to Johnson-McCauley in a 4-0 landslide, but Flores turned things around and scored an identical 4-0 whitewash in the second set of the finals. The final singles division saw a 20 player field in the Advanced/ Masters division (double the field size from last year). Brian Begay from Shiprock, New Mexico took the hot-seat with a 7-2 win over Vegas' Ronnie Allen. Smith only had to beat Nevada's Randy Kukla on the one loss side as Allen had already headed back home and was willing to settle for third place.
WEST REGIONAL With Smith busy in team matches until very late, the finals didn't get underway until the late Sunday night. Fortunately for all involved (except for Smith), Begay made quick work of Smith 7-3 in the finals. Both team divisions included interesting story lines with a comeback win in one and a threepeat of sorts in the other. The ladies division the Bad AZZ Babes (Sonia Flores, Sara Miller, Sophia Morquecho and Susam Williams)return with hopes of defending the title they won last year. The Babes would quickly find out that the other teams were not intimidated by the reigning champions as Diamond Dazzle out of Phoenix (Anje Anderson, Char Alcott, Salina Holland, Virginia Jennings and Lori Kinny) scored a first round upset. "They came with their A-Games, and we played terrible," commented Williams after the match. Undeterred, The Babes won five in a row on the one loss side to get to the finals against AZ Fab 4 (Beverly Cook, Kate Franco, Tonya Kurtz and Amy WilkomKnowlton). With two Advanced and one Master player on the team, the Bad AZZ Babes were giving up four games to other team. That handicap was not a factor in the first set of the finals as the Babes scored a quick 12-3 win. The second was an entirely different situation as The Fab 4 fought the Babes for each game. Fab 4 held a 6-5 lead and needed one game to get to the hill. They would not get that game as the Babes showed how Bad AZZ they could be with seven straight wins for the 12-6 victory and their second team title. The final division to crown a winner was the Men's/Mixed Team division. The defending champs, Stinger's Venom, found themselves on the rail in 9th place early in this one, but the finals still saw a player hoping to defend the title as JR Burkhart had moved from Stinger's Venom to 8 and Out this year. Burkhart had also been a member of the Tom Ryan's team that won this division in 2010, so he was going for back to back to back wins. Burkhart and his teammates Brett Huth, Brian Reich and Jon Smith had fought back from a loss to No Flash Photography to come out of the one loss side for the finals. Their opponents, the Northern Hombres team of Oscar Avila, Tyson Cole,
Larry Eans, Jose Gonzalez and Ron Weeks had taken the hot-seat with a win over Pocket Pounders from Prescott. 8 and Out would have to win two matches against the Hombres to capture the title and give Burkhart the threepeat. That threepeat looked to be in serious jeopardy in the first set with the Hombres leading 8-7 in the 9-10 race. Before Reich and Burkhart came to the table for their matches, Burkhart took Smith - the team anchor - aside and told him that he needed to be ready to play a final game for the set as Reich and Burkhart planned on winning their games. And win them they did. Things took another bad turn for 8 and Out as Smith missed his last ball in a very difficult run and left Tyson Cole with a wide open BAD AZZ BABES rack at his mercy. Cole was finishing up the rack when he missed an 11-ball and then had to watch Smith make the last two balls for the 10-9 win in the first set. Considering the late hour, the idea of a split was brought up, but 8 and Out quickly vetoed that idea as they were playing for first place and anything less would not be satisfying. The Hombres came out with the first two games in the finals, but 8 and Out quickly took control and won 10 of the next 12 games. In a fitting conclusion to the event, it was three time champion Burkhart who pocketed the final 8-ball to give his team the win. All in all, the event was a great success with a 25% increase in participation from last year and what looks to be a very bright future as more and more players come out to compete in this event. CSI and the BCA Pool League thanks the following for their support and contributions to this year's event: Bad Boys Billiard Productions for outstanding tournament direction, Diamond Billiard Products for the great playing tables, the Radisson Fort McDowell for their sponsorship and support as host of the event, the Fort McDowell Casino, AZBilliards for the best online coverage of pool on the planet, Rick Schmitz for his great photography as usual, and the BCA Pool League Operators of Arizona and other states for making sure their players had an opportunity to attend.
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1464 Main St - Green Bay, WI 920-432-0059
October 2012 - Rackem Magazine 13
ORCOLLO ORCOLLO WINS IN A MASTER CLASS! FILIPINO CAPTURES THE 2012 CHINA OPEN WITH A BRILLIANT 11-9 WIN OVER TAIPEI'S LU
Dennis Orcollo
By Ted Lerner/WPA Press Officer Photos Courtesy Tai Chengzhe and Yu Yan/Top147.com
(Shanghai)--With a grand finale performance that spoke of true greatness, the Philippines Dennis Orcollo capped an amazing week in Shanghai, winning the 2012 China Open Sunday afternoon with a brilliant 11-9 win over never-say-day Lu Hui Chan of Chinese-Taipei in front of several hundred people at the Shanghai Pudong Yuanshen Stadium arena. Anyone who witnessed Orcollo’s efforts out on the TV table today realized soon enough that they were watching a virtuoso at work. Brilliant creative shot making, tenacious offense and defense, terrific concentration and the ability to absorb pressure were all on display from the 33 year old Filipino. The match nearly became a runaway but the fact that it wasn’t spoke more of the courage of Lu, who did himself proud by battling back when it looked like he was finished. 14 Rackem Magazine - October 2012
But the beauty of Orcollo’s massive victory in China didn’t emanate from this one match. Orcollo spent the last four days grinding out some of the most hard core wins of his career. The field that descended on Shanghai was deep and at every turn players were leaving pieces of themselves out on the tables. Orcollo actually lost his first match in the group stage 9-8 and had to win two tight matches on the losers’ side to make it to the round of 32. In the knockout stage which began Saturday, Orcullo put in yeoman’s efforts in taking down three top Chinese players, all of whom brought their A-games to the arena. Today in the semi-final, Orcollo whipped Taiwan’s red hot Chang Yu Lung. And when it came time for the final, the Filipino was primed and ready. And so was Lu. The match was high quality from the start as the pair split the first six racks, complete with two break and runs each and with both players potting extremely difficult balls. It was then that Orcollo decided to put his foot to the floor as he went on a seven rack tear, executing creative combinations, kisses, rail first kicks and pots. Up 9-3 he was clearly in the zone and putting on a master class. Chan could have easily given up hope but he stood his ground and managed to get two back to move the score to 9-5. He then cleared when Orcollo scratched off the break, and then broke and cleared to get the score to 9-7. Orcollo countered to get to the hill and then so did Lu. Lu applied serious heat when he forced Orcollo into a foul and cleared to make the score 10-9. With the pressure mounting Orcollo sucked it up and waited for his chance, which came in the 20th rack after Lu left the two ball showing. The run out wasn’t easy but since nothing this week had been it seemed only fitting. When Orcollo sank the final 9 ball, he looked skyward, then bent over with his face down on the cloth for a few seconds as the emotions--exhaustion, elation, disbelief--came pouring out. Clearly overjoyed, Orcollo afterward knew he had taken his game to another level this week in Shanghai. And he planned on making sure to remind himself and others for a long, long time. “I feel great. This tournament is definitely more difficult to win than others that I’ve played in. It’s really hard. There are so many good players here. You have to play consistently to win. I played really good all week. I was comfortable, I had good concentration, a good plan. I made sure not to show my emotions. “This is the first time I played almost perfect from beginning to the end of a tournament. I lost my first match 9 - 8, then I win my next match 9-7, then qualified by winning 9-8. So when I qualified, I have a lot of confidence after that because I played good against good opponents. “This is the first time I win a pro event in China. This is a big day for me, a wonderful day. This is the most special win of my career. It is amazing and I will never forget this. This trophy is going to go right in middle of my living room.” For winning the 2012 China Open, Orcollo pocketed $40,000. Lu took home $20,000. Final Result Dennis Orcollo(PHL) 9 – 2 Lu Hui Chan(TPE) *The World Pool and Billiard Association(WPA) is the governing body of the sport of pocket billiards. The 2012 China Open is being sponsored by Star Tables, Andy Cloth, Fury, Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong.
TEAM MONTANA (above) Jeff Boucher, Seth King, Jim Winter, Coby Jaap, T.R. Olson, Wade Thompson, B J Goodwin
$10,000 WINNER TAKE ALL
Fargo Billiards hosted Sept 7-10 the inaugural event of the Big Sky Billiards Challenge series, in which an all-star team of Montana players faced an all-start team of North Dakota players in a multi-discipline event for a $10,000 total purse. The event was streamed by OTBNTV. Besides the marquee $10,000 team challenge, the weekend saw a Thursday night 16-player, $100 entry, single elimination, race-to-10 10-ball tournament that would pay out $1600 and a Saturday-Sunday $2,000 added handicapped 8-ball tournament that between the tournament and the Calcutta would pay out $15,060. Tyler Perry of Bismarck, a member of Team North Dakota, began the Thursday 10-ball event with a tight 10-9 win over Fargo Billiards owner Mike Page and continued to the finals with wins over Montana’s T.R. Olson and Lee Heuwagen of Minneapolis. On the bottom of the bracket, Fargo Billiards House Pro Rory Hendrickson beat Josh Somers, Team-Montana member Jim Winters, and --after seeing a 9-6 deficit--teammate Marc Oelslager to face Perry in the Finals. Hendrickson prevailed over Perry 13-5 in the final match. [Hendrickson $1200, Perry $400] Friday night brought the first rounds of the Big Sky Billiards Challenge with a varied format that would lead, amazingly, to the entire competition determined by a single game of 8-ball. Montana took an early 30-10 lead in the scotch-doubles 10-ball matches (worth 10 points each), with two of the match wins having a score of 13-12. These were to be followed by four regular doubles 8-ball matches worth 15 points each, four singles 9-ball matches worth 30 points each, and four singles 8-ball matches worth 50 points each. The progressive point structure was designed, in a
successful strategy, to insure final-day drama. Team Montana consisted of Jeff Boucher, Wade Thompson, T.R. Olson, Jim Winters, Coby Japp, Seth King, and B.J. Goodwin. Team North Dakota consisted of Rory Hendrickson, Marc Oelslager, Tyler Perry, Robert Pulver, Dusty Geller, and Dean Flanders. Four players from each team stepped up for each match. Teammates could substitute in at any time. The four race-to -11 8-ball doubles matches were split 2-2, leading to a team score of 60-40 in Montana’s favor going into the singles events. Either team would secure the $10,000 purse by reaching 210 points. Team North Dakota won three of the four race-to-13 9-ball singles matches Saturday night to take the lead for the first time with a score of 110 to 90. At this point, Team Montana would have to win three of the four Sunday race-to-11 singles 8-ball matches to claim the title. The $2000-added handicapped 8-ball tournament would have to be played out on Sunday before 8-ball matches of the Team Challenge would begin. Besides the challenge team members, the 84-player tournament pulled in some great players, including Lee Heuwagen, Richie Richardson, Eric Durbin, Michael Perron Jr., and Anthony Evans. Coming down to the loser-takes 5th-6th, matches, Marc Oelslager beat Darren Moen and Rory Hendrickson beat Michael Perron Jr to set up a lopsided win with Rory beating Marc 7-0, only to see Lee do the same thing to Rory winning 7-2. Lee went on to face Dean Flanders of Fargo in the finals, the player he lost to previously. Lee proved to be strong double-dipping Dean to win the tournament. continued on page 20
VS
TEAM NORTH DAKOTA (below) Dean Flanders, Dusty Geller, Tyler Perry, Robert Pulver, Marc Oelslager, Rory Hendrickson
October 2012 - Rackem Magazine 15
“The“The Viper” Viper” More Facebook Questions to
An interview with Professional Player Rob Seaz Viper: Where were you born? RS: I was born on February 8th, 1974 in Bridgeport, Connecticut Viper: Where and when did you first start playing pool? RS: I started playing in 1989 at the age of 15 at a place called Milford Rec. Viper: How did you start playing the sport of Melissa Little billiards? RS: I was an aspiring baseball Melissa “The Viper” Little has been a WPBA Touring pitcher until I blew out my rotator Professional for over 10-years, cuff. So while recovering from my she has represented the injuries, I used to go with my dad USA in Four WPA World to the local recreation center. He Championships and has over 20 would play pool and I would play top-10 WPBA career finishes. video games. He taught me the Melissa is currently the housefundamentals and then one day pro at the Wynkoop Brewing Company located in Downtown one of his friends drew the cue ball back for position on his next ball. Next then I knew I was trying to draw backwards. Denver. She teaches monthly It drove me nuts until I finally did it a few years later. That’s clinics, gives private lessons, and has created a juniors what drove me to play everyday for the next four years program that promotes billiards straight. education to the local youth. VIPER: What is your biggest accomplishment in the sport of billiards? For more information about RS: I would say when I played my first match on ESPN – I Melissa please visit: got invited to participate in the Texas Hold’em Billiards www.melissalittle.com Championships in Springfield, Massachusetts’s at the Basketball Hall of Fame. It was a ring game – unfortunately Read more articles I did not win that time. by Melissa Little at Not to long afterwards, I earned another TV spot into www.onthebreaknews.com the Binion’s Player’s Championships with the United Pool
Players Association. I won that match beating Texas pro-player Charlie Bryant. VIPER: Did you ever play in a pool league? RS: No VIPER: Where do you draw your inspiration? RS: One of my best friends George “Ginky” SanSouci inspired me the most in my pool career. Unfortunately he passed away on March 8, 2011 and is no longer with us☹ VIPER: Are you good at any other sports? RS: I am really good at all handeye coordination sports including basketball VIPER: Describe yourself
in three words? RS: Friendly, different, and tenacious VIPER: If you had to live your life over again, what would one thing you change about your self or your career? RS: I would have listened to my mom more and paid more attention to school. VIPER: Who influenced you the most in pool? RS: Of course it was Ginky but then later in the years it would be Pro-player Rodney “The Rocket” Morris Viper on page 24
For Juniors Events, Tournament News, Sponsors, Lessons & For My Fans...
The WPBA Touring Profession
www.melissalittle.com 16 Rackem Magazine - October 2012
COLUMNIST
Mike Massey
The Double Kiss 8-Ball Shot Mike Massey
Once again it looks like you’re doomed to defeat in a game of 8-Ball unless you know the secret to this tricky little shot. Since a kick shot is out of the question, you’re going to have to shoot straight at the 8-Ball and make it into the side pocket. No problem. Hit the cue ball with maximum left english. Hold your cue as level as possible. Aim to hit the 8-Ball 90% full on the left side. Use a soft stroke. Once you find the exact speed, the 8-Ball will double kiss the cue ball and the left spin will throw the 8-Ball into the side pocket. The keys are speed and lots of spin. After you’ve made the shot from the location on the
diagram, try to make it with the cue ball closer and closer to the rail. JOHN DITORO’S LAMENT I was playing in a 9-Ball Tournament in florida in the early 1990’s. My match with John DiToro reached double hill and I was faced with the shot on the 8-Ball we’ve just discussed above. The 9-Ball was close by, so if I make the 8-Ball, I would essentially win the match. I played the Double Kiss 8-Ball Shot, made it and won the match. He was, shall we say, a bit surprised at the outcome.
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 francine.massey@gmail.com
MIKE MASSEY
Nine Time World Champion
EXHIBITIONS & CLINICS Contact Mike or Francine Massey 435.640.5787 francine.massey@gmail.com
To order Mike’s book call 888.295.7665 or 714.894.1157 Visit us on the web at www.billiardspress.com
October 2012 - Rackem Magazine 17
COLUMNIST
San Francisco Billiard Academy www.sfbilliards.com
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
18 Rackem Magazine - October 2012
Bob Jewett Long-range Last time I discussed combination shots that were relatively short. This time let’s look at longer shots and some problems they bring up. In Shot 1 the balls are close together but it is a long way to the pocket. For me the first problem is seeing exactly where the two balls are pointed. To the middle of the pocket? A little bit to the left or right? They might be pointed enough to the side that you have to correct the path from the straight line. If the shot needs adjustment, a major thing to note is how close the balls are to each other. If they are touching or nearly touching, you need to make your correction by using throw. That is, to get the 2 ball to move to the left of the “natural” (straight-on) line you have to hit the 1 ball on the right side. Beginners always get this one wrong because they don’t know about “throw” which is the motion of the 1 ball dragging the 2 ball in the same direction because the surfaces of the balls are a little sticky. They often pass up combinations that can be made to go with throw and they miss shots that look straight but are ruined by throw. How much the 2 ball can be manipulated depends on how sticky the balls are, so you will have to experiment with your own equipment to get a feel for it. Start with frozen balls about six diamonds from the pocket as shown and see how far off-line you can place the pair and still get the shot to go. Hint: softer shots usually throw more. Next try placing the two object balls a quarter-inch apart. In this situation, the cut of the 1 ball on the 2 tends to cancel the throw. Can you manipulate the angle at all? Finally, try the shot with the two balls a whole ball apart. Now the cut will dominate. I like to aim such shots by picking out a spot near the pocket to shoot the first ball towards. If the balls are lined up straight to the pocket, I just try to shoot the 1 in the pocket. If the line needs adjustment, line it up as if you are using the 1 ball as your cue ball, note where your stick is pointed and then shoot to send the 1 along that line. With more distance between the two balls, the combo gets harder fast. How far apart can they be for you to be 50% over a six-diamond distance? Shot 2 is one we have all faced. The combo is easy but we need to worry about where the 3 ball goes because we hope it will be our next shot. One approach is to shoot so softly that the 3 can hit the 4 straight in and take its place. If you shoot a little too hard the 3 can follow the 4 into the pocket. Too soft on a crooked table and you might not even contact the 4. A different way that doesn’t allow a bad table to hurt you is to play at a faster speed and play to hit about half of the 4 ball. The 3 should hit the cushion
Combos
after the 4 and move out to the middle of the table leaving a shot to pocket A. Try this series a few times to get a feel for the speed. One other technique that works well for combos with a ball in the pocket is to play them rail first. In this case, make the 3 hit the cushion near B, then the 4, then out to the middle of the table. For this shot, that will also let you hit the 3 on the left side a little which brings the cue ball away from the rail for an easier next shot. Spend a little time on your combos -- they often can get you out of jams or start a run on a crowded table.
COLUMNIST
The Monk
I WANT TO BE A CHAMPION POOL PLAYER 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
I WANT TO BE A CHAMPION POOL PLAYER Now is the time to decide how good you want to be at this game. Once you understand what you want, you need a plan to achieve that goal. You can never achieve anything if you are not clear about what it is you want. I WANT TO BE A CHAMPION POOL PLAYER There are steps one must take if we are to reach that goal. If you skip a step you will reach a plateau in your game and not be able to burst through to the next level. If you skip a step there are no books or dvd’s that will break you out. You will be stuck at the same level year after year after year. Has that happened to you? Do you play the same way each year? I have designed two training programs. One is a program to develop your skills. I give you page after page of patterns you must run. They are designed to improve your stroke and cue ball speed. At the end of the manual there is a step by step training program to master the skills that will give you a new and exciting game. Pocket billiards is fun when you can play at a high level. The training program is called The Masters of Art. If you are a beginner, or plateau player go through that training and bring your game to a higher level. First you must build your stroke and master the four strokes of pool. Then you must mater cue ball speed. You can find other ways to do that. I am not the only game in town but mastering the four strokes and cue ball speed is vital. Your training needs to be specific and deliberate. If you bang balls around you become a ball banger. If you go through the Masters of Art you will move to the next level and beyond.
After you develop your skills you need to master the games. In most sports we teach you how to score and how to play the game but not so in pool. First you need to develop the skills and then you need to learn how to play the game. Those who are taught how to play before they master the skills are almost always doomed. Take time to develop your skills. When you do you will be ready for the ROAD PLAYERS TRAINING. If you are playing someone now where the money goes back and forth you will dominate that player and win a lot of matches. Bring your skills to a new level win more games. Stop banging balls round. Develop a plan. Make your practice specific and deliberate, take action, measure your progress and make adjustments. Treat yourself to a new game. You deserve it. Check out my two training programs. They come with a personal Guarantee. You are at no risk. I’ve been teaching for thirty years now. In the game of pocket billiards you need to experience the three promises of pool. You need to learn, enjoy your friends and perform. These three promises have nothing to do with winning or losing. They are yours to claim every time you head out to compete in the league. Enjoy yourself, learn and step to the table to perform. I also have my ninth annual MAIN EVENT WORKSHOP in West Palm Beach Florida on November 3rd & 4th. This is always a great time and the price is right. Go on my web site for more details. www.monkbilliardacademy.net
Main Event Workshop Watch for Upcoming Tournaments Schedules 8525 Cottonwood St NW Coon Rapids, MN 763-780-1585
West Palm Beach, FL November 3 & 4
Pool Tournaments Every Fri 933 8th St (Hwy 3 & 50) Farmington, MN 651-463-2636 www.farmingtonbilliardsmn.com
www.monkbilliardacademy.net October 2012 - Rackem Magazine 19
Strickland makes it two in a row
September 10, bound for the China Open, was Mike Dechaine. From among the winners' side final four, Strickland and Kiamco were on a collision course to the hot seat match and finals that for Strickland, went through Adam Kielar, and for Kiamco, Yesid Garibello. Strickland prevailed 8-2 over Kielar, and met up with Kiamco, who'd been the beneficiary of a family emergency forfeit by Garibello. Strickland took the first of two against Kiamco 8-5 and waited in the hot seat for his return. On the loss side, Robles and Sossei were on their way to the quarterfinals. Robles downed Mike Wong 8-2 and Mhet Vergara 8-4 to hook up with Kielar. Sossei got by Joey Landi 8-2 and Mike Davis 8-5 to draw the absent Garibello. Robles moved into the quarterfinals against Sossei with an 8-6 win over Kielar. Sossei took the quarterfinal match 8-2. Kiamco, no doubt anxious for what amounted to a third shot at Strickland, after losing once in the Ginky Memorial Tournament and again, in the hot seat in this event, dropped Sossei into third place 8-3, and got his chance. For naught, as it turned out. Strickland downed the Filipino for the third time in a week, 9-5, to capture the Empire State Championship title.
By Skip Maloney - AzBilliards.com
Earl "The Pearl" Strickland followed up his victory at the 2nd Annual George "Ginky" Sansouci Memorial Tournament on Labor Day weekend with a undefeated win on the Predator Tour's 5th Annual Empire State Championships, held on the weekend of September 8-9. The $3,000-added event, # 11 on the 2012 Predator Pro-Am Tour, drew 47 entrants to Raxx Billiards in West Hempstead, NY. The back-to-back events had many players in common; Strickland, only one of many. Warren Kiamco, who'd finished third in the Ginky Memorial when defeated by Strickland, was on hand, and battled Strickland twice. Jeremy Sossei, who finished fifth on Labor Day, and Tony Robles, who was initially downed by Strickland, and later finished out of the money, was on hand, as well. Robles and Sossei met in the quarterfinals of the Empire State tourney. Missing because he was scheduled to board a plane on Monday,
$10,000 WINNER TAKE ALL
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 5th 8th 7th 9th
Earl Strickland Warren Kiamco Jeremy Sossei Tony Robles Adam Kielar Yesid Garibello Mike Davis Mhet Vergara Michael Wong Sean Morgan Rob Omen Joey Landi
$2,000 $1,400 $900 $550 $400 $400 $225 $225 $125 $125 $125 $125
continued from page 15
Lee Heuwagon (left) Dean Flanders (right)
After team Montana won two of the first three 8-ball matches in the team challenge event, the whole weekend came down to the last 8-ball match between Team North Dakota’s Marc Oelslager and Team Montana’s Jeff Boucher. The near perfect match came to a score of 9-7 with Jeff in the lead. A rare mistake opened the door for Marc to take advantage and gain the lead at 10-9. A tough cueball kiss on the break then gave Jeff ball-in-hand. Jeff proceeded to run out that game to make the score 10-10. After three days, 15 matches, and well over 200 games, it came down to one game of 8-ball. With an in-person crowd and an on-line crowd on the edges of their seats, Jeff Boucher broke the last game. The cueball nearly scratched in the side pocket, hitting the inside of the horn and moving straight down the rail. Jeff proceeded methodically to run out the last rack to secure the win and the $10,000 purse for Team Montana.
20 Rackem Magazine - October 2012
Results, $2000 added Handicapped 8-ball Tournament 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5/6 7/8 9-12 13-16 17-24
Lee Heuwagon Dean Flanders Rory Hendrickson Marc Oelslager Darrin Moen,Michael Perron Jr. Richie Richardson, Jim Winters Eric Durbin, Jeff Boucher, Anthony Evans, Dan Thompson Wade Thompson, Robert Pulver, Brad Ohlhauser, Jeff Nadeau Wade Odegaard, Dusty Geller, Josh Sommers, Travis Mann, Kris Payne, Tyler Perry, Coby Japp, T.R. Olson
$1300 (+$3670) $900 (+$2700) $600 (+$1740) $400 (+$770) $300 (+$390) $200 $120
$80 $50
STORY
Lucky
The Town Fair
It’s been a while since I hung out with Lucky, A couple of months. We kept playing phone tag for that period of time, never talked just left messages. I thought I’d go surprise him at his Ranch. During the drive, I thought about all the traveling we had done. The places and action we stirred up. Its been a great couple of years knowing Lucky. I have made the drive to Lucky’s ranch a few times and seemed to get easier each time. The drive took most of a day. I saw many new Lewis and Clark trail signs this time. A lot of road signs seemed to have been up graded by the local civic groups. I travelled through this area many times. I had a favorite café with homemade food I loved to eat at. I stopped and ate some good grub. Pork chops were the special with garlic mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans with the greatest cheese toast and salad. I came out of cafe and noticed the sky was gray looked like a rain was coming in. I got in car and took off trying to make it before it stormed. The driving was very mellow. I saw an exceeding amount of animals this time. Plenty of deer, eagles and a bear and all kinds different birds, wildlife and critters were scurrying all around. It wasn’t normal.. a small herd of elk and A seven point Rocky Mt Elk ran across the road right in front of me. I had to suddenly put on the breaks to avoid hitting them. They seemed to be spooked and its wasn’t hunting season. The weather was getting worse. I was only a few miles from my destination. I was anxious to get there and see Lucky. The wind stepped up a bit and all of a sudden pine cones, leafs were airborne all over the place. A couple of tree limbs Flying around. The dusty wind pushed on the car as I was driving. I could barely keep the car on the road. I had to pull over ASAP. The car was rocking fiercely. It was getting darker and darker. I couldn’t really see anything. The sound got louder and louder. A huge tree bows were flying around and hitting the car it was eerie dangerous. All the things normally on the ground were in the air. I was in the path of a tornado. I never have seen in one before let along be in one. I wasn’t sure what to do. I ducted down on the floorboard afraid of shattering glass. I hit my head on the dashboard while the car violently rocked. I covered my head and plugged my ears trying not to listen to the wind swirling around. My car seemed to be rotating, an almost floating sensation. I couldn’t see anything and I couldn’t tell what was happening. It seemed like this whirlwind lasted for ever. I was scared. The deafening noise started to diminish. It wind seemed to calm down and got up from the floor and immediately got behind the wheel and drove the car fast towards my destination. All of a sudden I recognized I was in Lucky’s territory. I thought I was a lot further away. I was only one or two miles away. It was like component of the long trip had vanished. Not sure how the time was shortened. I had to pass through a little town near Lucky’s home before I headed up to his Ranch. The one horse town never changes. Except this time it seemed to have aged. The streets were a little more potted and cracked. 4-5 of the Buildings dusty, paint sealing. Look almost a ghost town at first. A banner was hanging over the main road into town. It said “Annual (something) Days” couldn’t read it. It was faded out like it had been hanging there for 50 years. I was driving very slowly. Once I drove around the corner the little old sleepy town was busy with activity. Tons of cars parked irregularly all over the place, people J’ walking at every corner. Many people using smart phones, holding them up in the air in different direction s searching for 3-4G service. It was just like a beehive, people all over the place, even a horses tied up
BY: ANDREW MONSTIS
at a hitching post. … You could tell most people were not locals. It was a fair like atmosphere. The sky was clear considering I just was in a storm ten minutes before. I wondered why the town was not destroyed. Maybe it was a hallucination. “I should pinch myself”. It seemed something from an old movie scene. In the middle of it all was the saloon/lounge/restaurant where I met Lucky for the first time years back. So many people were there and it wasn’t normal. I immediately said to myself oh no it’s Lucky. I walked passed one of the building that had a Rummage sale going on with tons of treasures. Thought I saw friends of mine John and Adele, but it just looked like them. A stand across the street with locally made wines, organic fruits and herbs. A group of old men were playing instruments and playing recognizable music. As I walked up to the saloon I saw a couple of guys lagging coins for twenty’s. Others were flipping for Benjamin’s and 3 card Monte game. Action was thick. I went into the saloon and there he was, doing what he does very well, playing pool. It was great seeing Lucky again going for it. People were lined up to play Lucky like a carnival line. He was playing for hundreds with some pretty good player. One of his neighbors was sitting in a chair collecting the money after each game. I sat there and watched Lucky. He was just running out rack after rack and the neighbor just keep collecting. It seemed that all the locals from all around were there helping out. There were many strangers hanging around including a few people with cues cases the action was thick. Lucky saw me “welcome my friend” welcome to the annual town fund raiser. I said, I was in a tornado minutes ago, “What! ….. We are raising money for good causes. He told me that the town needed some road repair and paved streets, sidewalks, a traffic light and more....He was excited. All the people who somehow landed in the town must have been thinking this guy is uncanny. People were there to try to win Lucky’s money and some to donate. It seemed everyone was taken a shot to beat him for a big pot. A minimum bet of 10 dollars at 5 to 1 on the money. What odds. Lucky was fanatical but he would lose a game now and then so people would keep playing… I could see a couple of unscrupulous guys over in the corner plotting to hustle Lucky and the town’s money. My mind flashed on a thought, would they play pool or try to rob the guy holding the money. But one of the guys stepped up and wanted to play for a $2000 race to 5 for the same odds 5 to 1. Lucky said tomorrow on the last day of fair is when any amount can be bet. Today the max is $50 one game per person. “They’ll be back” they said…. Lucky finished for the day. I followed Lucky in my car back to his home… He had made some changes he had more high tech gadgets around. Satellite dishes on the roof. Inside his den was full of Receivers and DVR’s. 8 different TV’s mounted on the wall with several program on including internet pool matches on one TV”. “What’s That!” He currently had on internet TV, an U-stream feed called “practicing in Oregon” which Lucky jokingly said should be called “missing balls in Oregon” You could tell Lucky hadn’t been practicing. His pool table had all kinds of books and articles on it that had to be cleared off to practice on it. Not sure he needs to practice such a natural. Woke up next day, I could hear Lucky saying “holy Cr%! P” he was late to the town fair. To be continued… October 2012 - Rackem Magazine 21
SCOREBOARD
WPPS 9 Ball Tour Results Tour Stop #2
Sunset Bowl - Waukesha, WI 35 Players with $250 added $175 added to the Tour Final
Total $ includes Players auction and tournament
1. 2. 3. 4. 5/6. 5/6. 7/8. 7/8.
Billy The Kid Lasse.................................................................. $947 plus a $150 voucher for a Viking Exact shot shaft John Fields............................................................................... $676 Dave Coles.............................................................................. $407 Pete Heard............................................................................... $270 Matt Daiber........................................................................ $174.50 Dan Sarian.......................................................................... $174.50 Jon Giles.................................................................................... $28 Ward Stephenson....................................................................... $28 Total paid out $2,705
Left -Troy Hielsberg, assistant tour director. Right - Billy “The Kid” Lasee
Thank you to all the players who played and came to support the WPPS 9 Ball Tour. John Fields
Tour Stop # 3
KK Billiards, Green Bay, WI 20 Players, $250 added
The players opted for a side pot instead of a players auction.
Tournament Side Pot 1st. John Fields ............................. $300......................................$100 plus a $150 voucher for a Viking Exact shot shaft. 2nd. Tim Volkman........................ $225........................................$50 3rd. Corey Peterson....................... $150........................................$30 4th. Mat Strong............................. $75 Thank you to all of the players that came to support the WPPS 9 Ball Tour!
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PRESS RELEASES
CSI Introduces the “Leisure Division”
CueSports International
The BCA Pool League will introduce a new division at the 2013 BCAPL National Championships, called the “Leisure Division.” It is designed to fill the gap between average league players and the better players in the Open Division. The “Leisure Division” will offer a lower entry fee ($80.00) and a deep payout. Here are the basic criteria for this division: • Players who have played for 2 years in Open, Senior, or Super Senior (since 2005), and have never cashed in any Singles Division are eligible. • Players may also be eligible if they have finished a full league session in the bottom half of their local league, and their league is enrolled on LeagueSys. We need LeagueSys to help research player history. • Every player will be researched for player history. The eligibility criteria above do NOT insure playing in the new division. Known ability will be a big factor in establishing eligibility for this new division. • Players entering the Leisure Division may also enter the 2nd Chance Singles events (if eligibility criteria are met), all mini tournaments, and much more. The purpose of this division is to give lesser skilled players (called “B” players in some states) a level playing field against players of equal ability. For years, hundreds
of players have participated in the Open division with no results. We greatly appreciate their support of the BCAPL and the BCAPL National Championships and wish to give them a fair chance to truly compete and cash among similarly skilled players. If a player is unsure of his/her eligibility, he/she may send an email to Bill Stock, CSI Rules and Referee Director, requesting approval to enter the new Leisure Division- bill@playcsipool.com Relocating the BCAPL National Championships to the larger Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, July 1727,2013, allows us to add this new division. We look at this as an opportunity to introduce more entry level pool players to “The Greatest Pool Tournament in the World!” This welcome addition demonstrates CSI’s ongoing commitment to provide … More Choices for All Players. CueSports International is dedicated to creating more choices for all players. In the past 8 years CSI has directly paid out $8,000,000 to players. CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League and the USA Pool League. CSI also produces independent events such as the US Bar Table Championships, the Jay Swanson Memorial, the US Open One Pocket Championship and the US Open 10-Ball Championship. Visit www.playcsipool.com, www.playbca. com, andwww.playusapool.com for more information about CSI and its divisions.
WELCOME TO TAP!
TAP LLC would like to officially welcome in to our family of leagues, John Devore and the Philadelphia and Delaware county areas. He is now under contract as a licensee with TAP. We here at TAP are very excited to have back into the fold many of our past players in this area as well as the many new expected members. I have been working very closely with John the past few weeks in helping him get the word out about TAP and I feel we have finally, after 10+ years, got the right person for the job in your area. For all of you old members that played in TAP in the past there, you will see many changes from when you played TAP. Our Pool-Net handicapping system is 2nd to none in the league business. This was built approximately 4 years ago. With this comes our player scouting module where you the player, can check for free on line your own personal stats on a weekly basis as John enters them into Pool-Net. I could go on and on but I will let John have some of the fun showing you what TAP can offer our members. There will be some very exciting news to be announced shortly in which TAP will be using more cutting technology that no other league will have available to them. Stay tuned for this announcement.
In closing, welcome Philly and the Delaware Valley area. TAP corporate and myself look forward to working with John and the Philly area. I hope to see you at the Super Billiard Expo next April. Stop by the sales booth and say hello. Also, these other recently added licensees to the TAP family. Charlie Buckner....Houston TAP Martin Hinojosa....FBC TAP (Houston area) Stefano Minervini...Jefferson and Shelby counties, Alabama Jen and Don Frye...Chester county, Pa. 6149 E 31st St Tulsa, OK
918-779-6204
Hours: Sun 2-10 pm Mon-Thurs 12-2am Fri-Sat 12-1am
FAMILY BILLIARDS ROOM PRO SHOP - CUE REPAIR CUES - CASES - SUPPLIES October 2012 - Rackem Magazine 23
“The Viper”
continued from page 16
RS: Efren Reyes because he is extremely humble and is hands down one of the greatest players ever, and I love that he gives back to his community like the kids and people in need and I hope in the near future I can also in someway give back to the community. The second player I would choose is Ralf Souquet, because in my eyes he is a class act. VIPER: How do you prepare for events? RS: Practice, practice, practice. To stay on top of your game you really need to put a lot of time in on the table. VIPER: What was the best advice you were ever given? RS: Ginky once told me to believe in myself VIPER: What is one thing that you enjoy most while playing pool? RS: I love the attention – when your playing perfect pool its almost like art. It’s an awesome feeling like a natural high. VIPER: If you could say one thing to a young upcoming player what would it be? RS: I would say family and school first and if its pool you want play then go for it. What did your parents say about you playing pool for a living? RS: My mom didn’t care for it until I made it to ESPN. My dad was really cool with it from the beginning and as I got older he was very proud of me and he never imagined that I would make it this far in my career. Ok, thanks for answering all of my questions, now lets have you answer some of my Facebook friends’ questions. Bill Butler from Hailey, ID Asks: “What does he do to keep his concentration in a long game?” RS: Bill, you must really get into it and enjoy every moment- when you’re having fun its easier then not. JP Gillespie from Columbia, SC asks: “What are all the items he carries in his cue case?” RS: JP, I carry an Ultimate tip tool, hand powder, hand towel, a custom cue extension, Master’s chalk and 1-piece of Kamui chalk, a sand paper tip shaper, and two pieces of my jump cue.
24 Rackem Magazine - October 2012
Bill Butler from Hailey, ID asks another question: “What His favorite game on the pool table?” RS: Bill, My favorite game is 10-ball Geoffrey Quezada from Arvada, CO asks: “How do you overcome and fight through a bad slump during a match?” RS: Geoffrey, when things are not rolling your way- you have to try and think positive. For the past few years I have been really practicing self-talk by say things to myself like - this is not the end, and it’s going to be okay. If you believe positive thoughts then good things with happen. Believing in god also helps. Try and take a break and go to the bathroom and wash your face, place a towel on the back your neck and most importantly is to remember to take deep breaths. Bobby Martinez from Mesquite, TX asks: “How does he like his new Lambros cue?” RS: Bobby, I love my new cue, thanks for asking. I know it’s unbelievable to say, but I am truly doing things that I could never do before. Jackie R Claxton from Springfield, MO asks: What does he do to prepare himself mentally before a match? RS: Jackie, a few hours before my match I like to be in my room and relax and stay off my feet and while I’m in the room I like to chat with friends on the phone. And then on my way to my match I like be alone and I like to basically zone myself out almost like a trance state of mind. And just think about what I need to do to stay focused to win. Brian Andrews from North Richland Hills, TX asks: “How does he ship his cues?” RS: Brian, I have my cloths luggage bag and then I have a special cue travel bag for my cue case that I check as well. A special “Thank-you” to Rob Saez for sharing his thoughts on his personal life and pool career. Till next month you can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ wpbaviper.
Till next month, Viper
WPBA Tour Championship The top female billiards players in the world are returning to Chinook Winds Casino Resort!
November 7-11
Ticket $10-$30 or $75 for a four-day pass.
Available at Chinook Winds Casino Box Office, 1-888-MAIN-ACT or online at chinookwindscasino.com.
Portland 99W
5
18
18 22
Lincoln City
Salem
101
Newport
20
34
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5
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“It’s Better at the Beach!” • Lincoln City • 1-888-CHINOOK October 2012 - Rackem Magazine CWCR_On_The_Break_News_October-2011_9.375x11.25_WPBA.indd 1
25
9/26/12 2:50 PM
Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice
Click on the MAP link online to get directions to each location DATE
CITY
LOCATION
PHONE
Oct 5 Pocatello, ID Pocket (208) 233-1841 Oct 6-7 Pocatello, ID Pocket (208) 233-1841 Oct 5 Coon Rapids, MN C R Billiards (763) 780-1585 Oct 6 Coon Rapids, MN C R Billiards (763) 780-1585 Oct 6 Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Oct 6-7 Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards (515) 727-0015 Oct 6-7 Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards (515) 727-0015 Oct 6-7 Lynnwood, WA Uncle Jacks (425) 640-5474 Oct 12-14 Phoenix, AZ Bullshooters (602) 441-2447 Oct 13 Oct 14 Oct 13 Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Oct 13 Alsip, IL Red Shoes Billiards (708) 388-3700 Oct 13 Waukesha, WI Master Z’s (920) 344-3379 Oct 13 Sturtevant, WI Boomers Billiards (262) 884-7721 Oct 14 Sturtevant, WI Boomers Billiards (262) 884-7721 Oct 20 Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Oct 20-21 Three Lakes, WI Oneida Village Inn (800) 374-7443 Oct 20-21 Deadwood, SD Deadwood Shoot-out (605) 578-2000 Oct 21-27 Virginia Beach, VA Convention Center Oct 26 Virginia Beach, BA Convention Center (312) 341-1110 Oct 25-28 Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards (818) 262-2092 Oct 26-28 Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards (818) 262-2092 Oct 27 Alsip, IL Red Shoes Billiards (708) 388-3700 Oct 27 Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Oct 27 Oshkosh, WI Varsity Club (920) 344-3379 Nov 3 Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Nov 3-4 Lafayette, LA White Diamond (337) 989-9889 Nov 9 Coon Rapids, MN C R Billiards (763) 780-1585 Nov 10 Coon Rapids, MN C R Billiards (763) 780-1585 Nov 10 Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Nov 10 Alsip, IL Red Shoes Billiards (708) 388-3700 Nov 10 Schofield, WI Mickey’s Billiards (920) 344-3379 Nov 10-11 Midwest City, OK Jamaica Joe’s (405) 736-0590 Nov 17 Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Nov 24 Des Moines, IA Big Dog Billiards (515) 266-6100 Nov 24 Alsip, IL Red Shoes Billiards (708) 388-3700 Dec 8 Alsip, IL Red Shoes Billiards (708) 388-3700 Dec 29 Spring Lake Park, MN Biff’s Sport Bar & Grill (763) 784-9446 Jan 24-25 Coon Rapids, MN C R Billiards (763) 780-1585 Jan 25-27 Coon Rapids, MN C R Billiards (763) 780-1585
EVENT / RULES
ENTRY
9-Ball A / Open 8-Ball A / Open / Ladies 9-Ball 8-Ball on 7’ bar box 9-9-9 9-Ball - Race to 9 on 9’ Rhea Williams Memorial-Women Rhea Williams Memorial-Jack & Jill Seattle Open 9-Ball S.W. One Pocket Fest 9-Ball Mini 10-Ball Mini One Pocket Hndcp A-B-C-D 8-Ball - DE WPPS 9-Ball Tour 8-Ball SEWPB Tour - Amateur 8-Ball SEWPB Tour - Open Scotch Doubles-Draw Partner Women’s 3 Person Singles 9-Ball U S Open 9-Ball BCA Hall of Fame Banquet One Pocket - Limit 64 9-Ball - Limit 128 Straight Pool - DE 10-Ball-Race 5/4 WPPS 9-Ball Tour 9-9-9 9-Ball - Race to 9 on 9’ Super 9-Ball 9-Ball 8-Ball on 7’ bar box One Pocket Hndcp A-B-C-D Bank Pool - DE WPPS 9-Ball Tour OK Bar Table 9-Ball Scotch Doubles-Draw Partner 10-Ball-Race 5/4 Straight Pool - SE One Pocket - DE 8-Ball on 7’ bar box Bar Table Shootout 5- Div. Singles Bar Table Shootout Teams
$60/$35 Call 5:30PM $120/$45/$20 $1,000 9:30AM Call Call 7PM $30-$50 $1,000 10AM $50+$10 g.f. Call 11AM $10 Call 9:45AM $25/team Call 4:45PM $45 $1,000 w/64 9AM $200 $4,000 6PM Call $$$ Call Call $$$ Call $20+$5 g.f. Call 11AM $50 (incl. g.f.) $500 w/full field Noon $40 $250 w/20 Call $30-$20 Call 9AM $30-$20 Call 9AM $20+$5 g.f. Call 11AM $75 Call Call $40 $1,000 8PM $500 $72,000 w/256 Call Tickets $60 5:00PM $65+$15 g.f. $500 7PM $65+$20 g.f. $2,500 7PM $50 (incl. g.f.) $500 w/full field Noon $20+$5 g.f. Call 2PM $40 $500 w/32 Call $50+$10 g.f. Call 11AM $40 $1,000 w/128 9AM Call Call 7PM $30-$50 $1,000 10AM $20+$5 g.f. Call 11AM $50 (incl. g.f.) $500 w/full field Noon $40 $250 w/25 Call $50 $2,500 Guar 11AM $20+$5 g.f. Call 11AM $20+$5 g.f. Call 2PM $25 (incl. g.f.) Call Noon $50 (incl. g.f.) $500 w/full field Noon $30-$50 $1,000 10AM $50-$90 $5,000 7PM $250 7PM
ADDED
TIME
WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice
DATE Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Saturdays Sundays
CITY Green Bay, WI Cedar Rapids, IA Des Moines, IA Green Bay, WI Oshkosh, WI Oshkosh, WI Cedar Rapids, IA Coon Rapids, MN Des Moines, IA Farmington, MN Tulsa, OK Oshkosh, WI Green Bay, WI Tulsa, OK Cedar Rapids, IA Cedar Rapids, IA Des Moines, IA
26 Rackem Magazine - October 2012
LOCATION K K Billiards 2nd Ave Corner Pocket Big Dog Billiards K K Billiards Varsity Club Varsity Club 2nd Ave Corner Pocket CR’s Sports Bar Big Dog Billiards Farmington Billiards Q-Spot Billiards Varsity Club K K Billiards Q-Spot Billiards 2nd Ave Corner Pocket 2nd Ave Corner Pocket Big Dog Billiards
PHONE EVENT / RULES (920) 737-2904 8-Ball A/B Semi-slop (319) 366-0979 8-Ball-Race to 2 (515) 266-6100 8-Ball B/C Race to Hdcp (920) 606-2639 9-Ball (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Beginners (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Intermediate (319) 366-0979 8-Ball-Masters Race to 3 (763) 780-1585 8-Ball on 7’ Diamonds (515) 266-6100 10-Ball (651) 463-2636 8 or 9-ball rotation (918) 779-6204 8-Ball 7 & under (920) 651-0806 9-Ball Open - Break Pot (920) 737-2904 Pool (918) 779-6204 9-Ball 7 & under (319) 366-0979 9-Ball-Race to 5 (319) 366-0979 8-Ball-NO MASTERS (515) 266-6100 9-Ball - Race 6/5 - Alt Break
ENTRY ADDED $15 (incl. g.f.) $5 $10 Break & Run Pot $15 (incl. g.f.) $8 $10 $5 $16 $75 $10 $15+$5 g.f. $50 w/16 $5 $15 $5/player Guar. $15 (incl. g.f.) $10 (incl. g.f.) $5 $5 $15
TIME 7PM 7PM 5:30PM 7PM Call Call 7PM 7PM 5:30PM 6:30PM 9 PM Call 2PM 9 PM 2PM 7PM 5PM
LINK MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP
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