Stroke Pool Magazine December Issue 2015 by Stroke Magazine

Our 333rd year... and we hardly look a day over 200.

Founded upon unwavering principles of quality and value, 2013 marks our 333rd continuous year in business. We are the oldest company in the billiard industry. Being the oldest didn’t make us the best... being the best has made us the oldest. Premium products with premium value. Iwan Simonis.

KLEMATCH PERFORMANCE CUSHIONS

A u t h e n t i c.

A c c u r a t e.

A l w a y s.®

www.simoniscloth.com 800.SIMONIS

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4 Stroke Magazine - September 2013

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Photo courtesy of: Karl Kantrowitz

FEATURES

COVER ARTICLE

19 NJ State 8-Ball COLUMNISTS

12 Tom Simpson 15 Anthony Beeler 13 Michael Glass 16 Stefano Pelinga 14 Bob Jewett

6,7,8 Holiday Gift Guide 10 Buck’s Billiards 11 Florida 8-Ball Champions 17 Undefeated at Union Station 20 Gate City Results 22 Treat or Tricks 23 Roberts Wins 25 Pool Players ‘Play’ it Forward 26 VA State 8-Ball 27 Ocean State Title 28 Ignacio at Brown’s Billiards 29 4th Annual Steinway Classic 30 NYC 8-Ball Champions 32 RIP Royce Bunnell DEADLINE:

WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS 33 Eastern U.S. Weekly Tournaments 34 Eastern U.S. Tournaments OnTheBreakNews.com

25th of each Month - CALL IF LATE

billiards@onthebreaknews.com www.OnTheBreakNews.com

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PLACES PEOPLE PLAY Amy’s Billiards Stuart, FL 22

Bison Billiards Williamsville, NY 27 Brown’s Billiards Raleigh, NC 28 Buck’s Billiards Raleigh, NC 10 Chinook Winds Open Lincoln City, OR 32 Corner Pocket Billiards Martins Ferry, OH 26 Crooked Cue Clearwater, FL 10 Cue Time Sports Bar Spartanburg, SC 26 Derby City Classic Elizabeth, IN 9 Diamond 8 Latham, NY 10 Gotham City Billiards Brooklyn, NY 20 Gradys Lexington, SC 28 Holiday Gift Guide 6,7,8 Lucky 7 Billiards Hollywood, FL 26 Michael’s Billiards Fairfield, OH 10 Premium Billiards Syracuse, NY 23 Sandcastle Billiards Edison, NJ 19 Scotty B’s Rural Hall, NC 10 South Florida BCAPL Davie, FL 22 Steinway Billiards Astoria, NY 10 TNT Billiards St Paul, MN 27 Union Station Billiards Portland, ME 26 Zingale’s Talahassee, FL 28

BILLIARD SUPPLIES

Aramith Libertyville, IL 3 CueStix International Lafayette, CO 36 Dufferin St Augustine, FL 24 Lucasi St Augustine, FL 18 McDermott Menomonee Falls, WI 2 Mueller Lincoln, NE 23 Simonis Libertyville, IL 3 Tiger Products Burbank, CA 4 Viking Cue Middleton, WI 21,35

INSTRUCTION/SERVICES Anthony Beeler Bob Jewett Michael Glass National Billiard Academy Stefano Pelinga

15 14 13 12 16

Tournament Trail Weekly Tournaments

34 33

POOL TOURNAMENTS

Stroke is a monthly publication, dedicated to the advancement of the sport of pool. The opinions expressed are those of the author or advertiser and do not necessarily reflect the views of On The Break News 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 Publisher be reproduced.

Don “Cheese” Akerlow

On The Cover

Serving Pool Players in the U.S.A. all 50 States and Online Worldwide

Stroke December 2015

Holiday Pool Cue Kits McDermott Play Packages

McDermott Play Packages make a great family gift! The pack includes everything needed for your pool table, including a McDermott Traditional Series billiard ball set, pool cues, a wall-mounted cue rack, 8-ball and 9-ball racks, a table cover and much more. The best part is: YOU get to choose your own cues! Learn more at www.mcdermottcue.com/playpacks or call 1-262-251-4090.

4x7 Hard/Soft Hybrid Case

McDermott’s brand new 4x7 Hard/Soft Hybrid Case is unlike anything you’ve seen before. It features a unique 2x3 hard shell end compartment for cue and shaft storage, as well as two 1x2 removable soft felt sleeves that fit inside the zippered top section. This case is designed with an extra long 32” interior and a special storage area for your jump handle. The 4x7 Hybrid Case retails for $169 and makes a perfect gift for any pool player. If you need less storage space, McDermott also offers a 2x3 version for only $129. Learn more at www.mcdermottcue.com/cases or call 1-262-251-4090.

December 2015

Looking for the perfect gift for a beginner pool player? Look no further than McDermott’s selection of pool cue kits. These kits include everything you need to get started as a pool player. McDermott kits range in price from $52.50 to $92.50 and come with a 2-piece maple cue, a protective case and a variety of billiard accessories. Learn more about McDermott cue kits at www.mcdermottcue.com or call 1-262251-4090.

G230

The G230 is a new addition to McDermott’s G-Series cue line for 2015. Beautifully crafted with a Birdseye maple forearm/sleeve with a Pacific blue stain, this cue features a sophisticated no-wrap handle that is accented with silver, black urethane and white urethane rings. The G230 retails for $265 and comes standard with McDermott’s high-performance G-Core shaft. This cue is covered by McDermott’s Lifetime Warranty and Maintenance Plan, which includes warpage. Learn more at www.mcdermottcue.com/g230 or call 1-262-251-4090.

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Gift Guide VA501 MSRP $139.99 Designed and engineered by Viking, our Valhalla line is aggressive and pure in style. The VA501 encompasses this and plays as good as it looks. This cue features HD graphic transfers, hard rock maple forearm/ sleeve, European stain, nickel silver rings, linen wrap and more. Every Valhalla cue is checked, rolled and weighted by our Viking craftsmen before sale with the assurance of Viking’s Limited Lifetime Warranty against defects, including warpage. Valhalla, it’s more than just a pool cue, it’s a way of life. For more information contact us at www.vikingcue.com or call (800) 3970122.

A681 MSRP $775 Find perfect balance of accuracy and appearance with this stunning addition to our 50thAnniversary line of Viking Cues. We started the A681 with a deep red bordeaux stain applied by hand. Next we intricately inlaid genuine abalone shell, black and mirror inlays for added embellishment from the forearm down. Lastly, we finished it off with hand wrapped gator embossed leather wrap. For enhanced performance, we’ve paired the A681 with the the ViKORE® Performance Shaft, known for its low deflection and Softouch® dampening technology. 100% Made in the USA. For more information contact us at www. vikingcue.com or call (800) 3970122.

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VIKING PROTOTYPE CUES

For a very limited time, you can save 30% on Viking one-of-a-kind prototypes, just in time for the holidays. This unique selection includes exotic woods, metallic paints, unique stains, engravings, inlays, Skinny cues, luxurious wraps, ringwork and the ViKORE ® American Performance Shaft. All Viking cues come standard with quick release joints (up to $125 upgrade for other brands), indestructible ferrule, and your choice weight, tip size and optional engraving! To get your hands on this exclusive deal, visit www.vikingcue.com or call (800) 397-0122

SS-1015A

MSRP $795

We’ve recaptured how the west was won by encompassing the rustic history of American cowboys, longhorn cattle, barbed wire and billiards, all in one cue design. This exclusive Smart Shops cue is made in the USA and adorned with an intricate long horn skull engraving; wenge wood barbed wire inlays and finished with rosewood and tulipwood ringwork. This cue comes standard with the ViKORE® American Performance Shaft (MSRP $179). Made 100% in the USA. To get your hands on this cue for a cool $695, after an instant $100 rebate, visit your local Viking Authorized Smart Shops dealer. For more information contact us at www.vikingcue.com or call (800) 397-0122.

LTD & Retired Viking Cues

Save between 40 and 50% on Viking Limited Edition and Retired cues, right in time for the holidays. Our stock is in limited supply, so hurry before they are gone! Our selection includes a variety of exotic woods, unique stains, luxurious wraps, custom inlays, ringwork, VPRO and ViKORE American Performance shafts. All Viking cues come standard with quick release joints (up to $125 upgrade for other brands), indestructible ferrule, and your choice weight, tip size and optional engraving! To get your hands on this exclusive deal, visit www.vikingcue.com or call (800) 397-0122

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Stroke December 2015

Holiday Gift Guide BALANCE RITE

Whether you are just looking to gain a few extra inches of reach, or if you’re tall and need length this Holiday season. The Balance Rite cue extension is the perfect fit. Not only will you gain those extra inches but this little extension readjust the balance point of your cue to a more natural forward position for seamless playability. Check it out on www.cueandcase.com or order 1-800-835-7665 for a dealer near you. Retail starts at just $39.99

LUCASI LUXURY LINE

Lucasi is featuring their new Luxury line this Holiday season. This months Fire and Ice cues are simple but nicely highlighted with exotic ring work and high end wraps. The teal genuine ring tail and wine embossed lizard wrap are usually found on cues twice this price. They are the perfect Holiday gift for that special someone and come with a lifetime warrantee even against warpage. For more information visitLucasi. com or call 1-800-835-7665 for a dealer near you. retails for $425.99 Fire and $475.99 Ice

LIVE HARD

Rock the house this winter in Live Hard apparel and accessories. These not so politically correct shirts are the perfect gift for the bold pool player in your life. Up to 10 different shirt designs to choose from. Check them out at www.cueandcase.com or call 1-800-835-7665 for a dealer near you.

LIVE HARD PLAY HARD LASER LINE

Lady’s have you been naughty or nice? Player’s new Live Hard Play Hard laser line has is living up to it’s reputation! Laser etching cool designs accented with standout color. They are a must have this Holiday season. Starting at just $164.99 and come with a Lifetime guarantee even against warpage. For a dealer near you call 1-800-835-7665 or visit www.cueandcase. com

December 2015

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ALL-AROUND CHAMPION “MASTER OF THE TABLE” PRIZE FUND

18TH ANNUAL POCKET BILLIARDS ALL-AROUND CHAMPIONSHIP DCC l 9-Bal ing ualify is a q t for even 2016 oni Mosc Cup!

Open to all Men and Women

JAN. 22 - JAN. 30, 2016

$25,000!

1ST PLACE WINNER RECEIVES $20,000 2ND PLACE WINNER RECEIVES $3,000 3RD PLACE WINNER RECEIVES $2,000 STRAIGHT POOL CHALLENGE – JANUARY 24, 2016 • $100 Entry • $1000 High Run • Guaranteed Added $7,000 (guaranteed added could increase based on sponsors) • Daily prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Dennis Walsh gwtlaw@aol.com

$16,0 Adde00 DIAM d BigfoOND ot 10 CHAL-BALL L 16 pla ENGE

9-BALL BANK – JANUARY 22, 2016 • Players Meeting, Noon; Draw immediately following • Match Play begins 1:00 pm • Total Purse, $50,000* approximate • Guaranteed Added $10,000 • Entry Fee $110** • Buy-In Option - $50 • Single Elimination w/ 1 Buyback • Race to 3 • Foul results in loss of ball *Total Purse based on field of 400 players (max 400) ** Entry fee includes a $10 registration fee.

yers

Call for Information (812) 288-7665 Horseshoe Southern Indiana Elizabeth, Indiana

ONE-POCKET – JANUARY 24, 2016 • Players Meeting, Noon; Draw immediately following • Match Play begins 1:00 pm • Total Purse, $52,500* approximate • Guaranteed Added $15,000 • Entry Fee $135** • Buy-In Option - $75 • Single Elimination w/ 1 Buyback • Race to 3 • Standard Rules *Total Purse based on field of 300 players (max 400) ** Entry fee includes a $10 registration fee.

Matches will be played on approx. (60) 9’ DIAMOND SMART TABLES Tour Blue Simonis 860 - Cyclop Traditional Pool Balls Players must enter all three divisions to be eligible for the ALL-AROUND CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS to see who is truly the 2016 Master of the Table. BUY-IN OPTION: One (1) Buy-In Option is allowed per player, per division. The Buy-In option is $50 9-Ball Bank, $75 1-pocket, $100 9-Ball. Buy-In Option must be exercised before the drawing of the next round. Buy-In Option monies go toward All-Around Championship Award and promotion of the Derby City Classic. From 5th round on, you are automatically rebuying!

9-BALL – JANUARY 27, 2016 • Players Meeting, Noon; Draw immediately following • Match Play begins 1:00 pm • Total Purse, $77,500* approximate • Guaranteed Added $25,000 • Entry Fee $160** • Buy-In Option - $100 • Single Elimination w/ 1 Buyback • Race to 9 • Pro-Express Rules • BCA Points Event *Total Purse based on field of 350 players (max 400) ** Entry fee includes a $10 registration fee.

PUMP-UP MINI’S - See Schedule Mini-tournaments will be held during the 9-day Extravaganza in 9-ball, One-Pocket and 9-Ball Bank. See schedule. Using added money from outside sponsors and small entry fees, players will have an added opportunity to win prize money and the enjoyment of practicing an old skill or a new one.

The Derby City Classic presented by Horseshoe Southern Indiana is an OPEN Tournament for all players, Male or Female, Amateur or Professional. If under 18 years of age, you must be accompanied by an adult.

INTERNET REGISTRATION AVAILABLE AT DERBYCITYCLASSIC.COM Remit check or money order no later than January 16, 2016. Late entry fees will be accepted at The Derby City Classic Tournament Office Thursday, January 21, 4-10 p.m. VIP and VIP TV seats are non-refundable and non-transferable. Go to www.derbycityclassic.com for updates!

Call Horseshoe Southern Indiana: 1-866-766-2671 (Use code # S01DRBY for open dates or # S01DPKG for 9 night package code when making reservation) or go to www.totalrewards.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL DIAMOND BILLIARD PRODUCTS, INC. @ 812-288-7665 OR www.DerbyCityClassic.com

Special Thanks to our Sponsors:

Entries received the day of draw will incur an additional $25 charge. ®

DIAMOND BILLIARD PRODUCTS, Inc., 4700 New Middle Rd., Jeffersonville, IN 47130 Diamond reserves the right to change any/all prize money payouts based on, but not limited to: inclement weather, acts of God, terrorism. Subject to change without notice.

Due to the Buy-In Option Format Prize Money pay out will be a minimum of 64 players or a maximum of 1/3 of the field. Refund requests must be in writing and received at Diamond Billiard Products, 4700 New Middle Rd., Jeffersonville, IN 47130 by Jan. 16, 2016. All refunds will be charged a $25 cancellation fee plus the registration fee. All refunds will be processed after Feb. 28, 2016. NO EXCEPTIONS!

PADRON

IS BUCK’S BILLIARDS CHAMPION

Josh Padron

This past weekend we were at Buck's Billiards in Raleigh, NC. 36 Players and a strong field. Big thanks to Shara and her staff for their hospitality. Big Thanks To Our Sponsors: Delta 13 Racks Bet Somethin Apparel Az Billiards Heidrich Custom Cues Stroke Magazine Professor Q Ball Goplaypool.com Thanks For Your Support!!!

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

919-467-5411

bucksbilliard.net

Tournaments Big Screen TV Full Bar Darts

16 Pool Tables Private Room Delicious Food

1102 Buck Jones Rd - Raleigh, NC

Results

Josh Padron Scott Crain Richard Anderson Steve Page Mike Mullins, Anthony Mabe

Mon - Thurs : 5pm - 1am Fri - Sat: Noon - 2am Sun: Noon - 1am

• Pool Tables • Great Food • • Full-Service Elevated Bar • Drink Specials • Lottery & Quickdraw • Electronic Darts • • Foosball • Video Games • Pro Shop And More! 9 Johnson Road Latham, NY • 518-786-8048 www.diamondeight.com

Steinway Cafe & Billiards 10

December 2015

Stroke

Scotty B’s

Wed. night 9-Ball FREE POOL Sat Leagues 336-377-9358

10-7’ and 3-9’ Pool Tables

6428 University Pkwy - Rural Hall, NC (727) 539-7665 11 - 9’ tables (3 - Diamonds) Darts 8 - TV’s

9-Ball Tournaments at 8pm Every Monday & Wednesday

Take Lessons with Earl Strickland and other World Champions Hours: Monday-Sunday 11am-4am 3525 Steinway St. Astoria, NY 11102 (718) 472-2124

Action Available Upon Request

www.michaelsbilliards.com

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Round Robin Tournaments 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month $5.00 8-Ball tournament every Wed. at 1:00pm

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2015 Florida Regional 8-Ball Championship Article by: Janis Sessions Photos by: Janis Sessions Tricks Shots in Orlando, Florida would host this event. Scotch Doubles would start on November 13, 2015 with 26 Teams and would finish on this day. Men’s singles with 80 players and Women’s singles 25 players would start on November 14, 2015 and finishing on November 15, 2015. All double elimination. Tour Directors: Janene Phillips is a USAPL league operator for Central Florida and Daniel Maxson (National referee) also from Florida area, kept this event running smoothly all weekend. Highlights from event: Scotch Doubles had some very exciting matches. Becky Yelvington (open) / Julio Aquino (master) would stay on the winner’s side all day. Because Aquino is a master, they would race to 5 and the other opponents would go to 4 or 3. It would come down to the final teams with Lyn Remsen (open) / Jack Cartlidge (open) defending Michelle Monk (advance) / Billy Burke (open) to come back to play Becky Yelvington (open) / Julio Aquino (master) again. The pressure would be on Yelvington / Aquino to win 5 games. They played so well as a team leaving each other great shots. Remsen / Cartlidge would only get one game. 1st Place = Yelvington / Aquino ($550) 2nd Place = Remsen / Cartlidge ($300) 3rd Place = Monk / Burke ($180) 4th Place = Fitzgerald / Schmidt ($120)

Men Singles cashed out the top 23 players. Billy Burke, Angel Martinez and Julio Aquino would play well all day on Saturday and come back on Sunday to finish up the matches. Billy Burke would be the winner of the men’s splitting the 1st and 2nd place prize funds with Angel Martinez. 1st Place = Billy Burke (split $1200) 2nd Place = Angel Martinez (split $650) 3rd Place = Julio Aquino ($375) 4th Place = Steve Harding ($200) 5th Place = Tim Daniel ($200) 6th Place = Tony Crosby ($200) Women Singles cashed out to the top 6 players. Becky Yelvington stayed on the winner side all day as well as Karolina Mazeikaite (from Illinois) on Saturday. They would both would come back on Sunday to play for the hot seat. Mazeikaite would win and this would put Yelvington on the loser side. Yelvington would play Jessica Human (advance) and win coming back to play Mazeikatie again. Yelvington would win the first round and because that would be Mazeikaite first lost, Yelvington would have to play her twice. Yelvington came up short giving the win to Mazeikaite.

MEN’S 1ST: Billy Burke Jessica Human, Katie Bowse, Margarita Makeeva and Colleen Russell also played well all weekend. 1st Place = Karolina Mazeikaite ($550) 2nd Place = Becky Yelvington ($300) 3rd Place = Jessica Human ($180) Thank you to Tricks Shots for hosting this event and to Janene Phillips and Daniel Maxson for a great job on running this event.

MEN’S 2ND: Angel Martinez 2ND SCOTCH: Lyn Remsen, Jack Cartlidge

1ST SCOTCH: Becky Yelvington, Julio Aquino

WOMEN’S 1ST & 2ND: Janene Phillips, Karolina Mazeikaite, Daniel Maxson, Becky Yelvington OnTheBreakNews.com

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Stroke December 2015

Take a Lap

Master Instructor, National Billiard Academy, “Beat People With a Stick!”

Tom Simpson

December 2015

1. The Victory Lap – Ever make an insanely great shot, only to step up and miss the no-brainer easy next shot? Of course, we’ve all done it. The best thing to do after an extraordinary shot is take a lap. Saunter around the table as if you’re studying the layout. I don’t care if there’s only one ball left. What you’re really doing is taking a moment to calm back down after the thrill of making that wonderful shot. Yeah, sure, nothing ruffles you; you don’t have to do this. Well, the rest of us tend to get a little self-conscious at these moments, and we’re either feeling proud of ourselves for making the shot or we’re feeling sheepish because we know we just got lucky. In either case, we’re distracted, and it’s vital to pull ourselves back together, so we can hit the next shot with our full focus. Take a lap, and get over yourself. Take two if necessary. In the finals of the 2001 US Open, winner Corey Deuel hit an outrageously good shot early in the first game, sinking the nine. The crowd went crazy. Corey raised his arms to acknowledge the crowd, and promptly walked right out of the arena. He took a short break and returned, re-focused and ready to shoot. Talk about taking a lap! 2. The Nervous Lap – OK, you’re playing one of your heroes in a tournament match. There’s a crowd watching. You’re feeling a little shaky. You can’t sit down and meditate or do some chi gung or get a massage. You have to step up to the table and perform. Take a lap, even if the balls haven’t been broken yet. Nobody will think anything of it. While you’re circling the table, try to focus on the layout of the balls, the feel of your cue, the sound of your chalk. Anything to get you connected to the

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game. When you fill your awareness with appropriate pool sensations, there is no room for anything else. It’s gotta be just you and the balls. Use the lap to get yourself focused and connected to what you’re doing. If the lap wasn’t enough, focus on chalking your tip and then take another lap. 3. The Layout Lap – In games where you are free to choose from many possible shots (for example, 8-Ball and Straight Pool), you’ll be amazed at what you will discover as you take a lap. When you study an 8-Ball layout from one spot, you don’t get nearly the perspective you do when you take a lap. As you walk around the table, see the paths of each ball to each possible pocket. Notice the details of a cluster, how close that ball actually is to the rail, what patterns are possible. Often, you’ll have a different, better, simpler plan by the time you finish your lap than you would if you had stood in one spot. You’ll shoot with better confidence and win more games. 4. The Nitwit Lap – This one is for your practice sessions. When you make a terrible shot, don’t just keep shooting. Like in the Victory Lap, you need to give yourself a chance to get over what just happened. Those really bad, really stupid shots will haunt you, at least for a moment. Take a lap and pull yourself together. No sense shooting if you’re in the wrong frame of mind. 5. The Serious Lap – Sometimes it’s helpful to give your opponent the impression that you are completely focused and serious (and of course, you are). Taking a lap, carefully studying the layout, checking out shots you’ll shoot much later in the rack, shows your opponent you have confidence, and you have a plan. It could intimidate ’em a little. Don’t try this tactic against strong players though; it might make them serious, and that could be costly.

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TABLE TALK

Armchair Billiards Playing the Game from Your Chair

Michael K Glass

Michael Glass has been teaching pool for close to 10 years. He is a Recognized PBIA Billiards Instructor, taught by none other than Bob Jewett of the San Francisco Billiard Academy. Michael has been playing pool almost all of his life (except when he was in the Navy — it’s hard to install a pool table on a rocking ship!). He managed to stay away from the hustler life; he doesn’t believe in being dishonest in order to win money. He will, however, occasionally play for a beer or two at the local watering hole. Michael teaches all levels of pool players, from beginner to pro, and works on all aspects of the game, from fundamentals, to pattern play, to trick shots. He can be found playing in his home town of San Ramon, CA at Crown Billiards. Visit his website at billiardsprofessor.com for pool tips or to schedule a lesson!

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We have all faced that moment, many times: The ball you shot into the corner pocket rattled, and didn’t fall. Dejected, you trudge to your seat as your opponent jumps eagerly out of his chair, ready for battle. I know how it feels. You want to keep your opponent in his chair as long as possible, while you run out rack after rack. Or, you want to play a lock-up safety on him, knowing that there is a very favorable chance you’ll be coming back to the table in a moment, hopefully with ball in hand. But, alas, that is not to be. You have left him with a duck, and you know that you’ll probably be sitting in your seat for a while. Oh, well… at least you’ll get to enjoy a few of your fries, right? Hold on a second there! Don’t be so quick to give up. Your job is far from over! Many of us pool players are known for playing poker. Maybe it’s the gambling that draws us. Whatever the reason, we love to play. And as you might know, poker is a game that takes a lot of focus and observation, even (or especially) when you are not in the current hand. You need to watch your opponents, to see how they are playing, figure out their tells, and look for weaknesses. Pool is very similar. I would go so far as to say that sitting in your chair observing your opponent is an incredibly vital part of the game. Of course, we always want to keep our opponent in his seat, and run rack after rack. But that rarely happens, even amongst the pros. You will have some time in your seat, and while you are there, you have a job to do. First, observe the table. You are not standing over it now, so your perspective is a little different. You might notice something you completely missed while you were at the table. Maybe there’s a cluster that can be broken up, or a safety you might be able to play. Perhaps you’ll see a pattern that was not clear before. Study the table carefully, and plan what you would do to run the table out, if you were in your opponent’s shoes. Second, watch your opponent. Observe the choices he is making. Is he going for that long, straight shot in the corner, or is he thinking about playing safe? That might indicate that he is not comfortable with his straight distance shots at the moment. Is he looking to bank his next ball across to the side pocket, or is he looking to cut it down to the corner? Have you ever seen him bank? Does he make most

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of them, or is he struggling? Does his cut shot go in every time? If not, does he have a tendency to overcut, or undercut? If you left him safe behind another ball, is he opting to jump, or kick out of the safety? Is he capable of jumping a full ball? Does he prefer to masse? Look at your opponent’s face, and his body language. Does he look confused, or annoyed? Have you been leaving him safe a lot, making him frustrated? Is he talking to himself, or to the balls? Or, does he look focused, and determined? And why do you care about any of this? The fact is, this game is more mental than anything else. Yes, it’s important to know how to make balls, and leave your cue-ball where you want. But if you are fairly evenly matched, then whether you win or lose is really going to come down to which one of you is more mentally prepared. If you can get your opponent to start talking to himself, you have a distinct mental advantage! Observing your opponents and discovering their weaknesses will help guide you in your decision-making. If he’s having trouble with the long straight shots, then leave him a tester if you need to play a safety, instead of locking him up behind a ball. Give your opponent a chance to make mistakes, and you might get him to unravel a bit. One last piece of advice, while you are planted in your seat: root for your opponent to do well. It’s very easy to fall into the trap of hoping on every shot of his that he’s going to miss. And when he doesn’t, you get more and more frustrated, watching him march slowly toward that final ball for the win. If you can get into the mind-space of cheering him on, then you won’t get frustrated unless he misses – and guess what? You’ll get over that frustration awfully quickly when you realize that miss means you get to eagerly jump out of your seat, ready to attack the table while he trudges to his chair in dejection. And because you’ve been studying the table, you know exactly what you are going to do, and how you’re going to do it. Keep your head in the game – especially when you are in your chair. You’ll give yourself that mental edge, and you’ll be much better prepared to win! If you would like to share some of your success stories (or even the failures), or have suggestions for future articles, please feel free to drop me a line at pool@billiardsprofessor.com. I can also be found hanging out with fellow billiards enthusiasts at reddit.com/r/billiards. Come on by and join the discussion!

Stroke December 2015

San Francisco Billiard Academy www.sfbilliards.com PBIA certified instruction is available for all levels from beginners to instructor training.

Hanger Time

Bob Jewett

December 2015

Do you have trouble getting position from a ball that’s hanging in the jaws of the pocket? Making the ball is easy but getting shape is a challenge for everyone. Here are some suggestions to 2 improve your hanger control. The shots with the one ball are the basic plays to move the cue ball towards the other end of the table. Inside english can bring the ball straight back off the cushion but be sure to have a fairly thin hit on the object ball. Using outside is the most predictable way to bring the cue ball to the other end but it uses more cushions. With A plenty of side spin you can hit a quarter of the object ball and still get a path towards spot A on the cushion. Add speed and you can continue to point B and on to C. This is a position pattern you have to master. A second way to play the shot is shown for the 2 ball -- hit the side cushion first. This is particularly useful when the 2 is up on the long rail a little and straight in. The path of the cue ball off the 2 is also quite predictable if you use running side spin, which in this case is right english. The tricky part is getting the needed hit on the 2. A simple system is to pick a spot to shoot towards that is as far from the nose of the cushion as the place where you want the center of the cue ball to be but on the other side, as shown in the diagram. This will have to be adjusted a little according to the speed of the shot and how the cushions react. Practice with it. You may have done the shot with the 3 ball unintentionally. You want to come back up the table but the follow on the cue ball takes after the cushion and forces the cue ball back to that same cushion with a nice hook. If you want to keep the cue ball on that cushion you can’t use a stop shot because the 3 is sitting against the long-rail jaw, precluding a full hit. A slow roller 3 couldwork but it’s risky on a strange table. The “banana” shot as shown can be used to keep the cue ball on the cushion if you can hit a little more than half of the 3 ball. To help the “kill”, use a little reverse side spin, which is right side in this case. If you want the cue ball to travel farther along the rail, use no side spin or maybe even a little running english. That would let you make the 4 ball as well, for example. The 4 ball is another kind of challenge. Depending on how far from the pocket along the end rail it is sitting, it might require a very thin hit if played by a normal ball-first shot. Often a better solution is to play end cushion first with side spin to kick into

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Cushion first Outside

Inside

B End cushion first

“Banana Shot”

4 REJ

the 4 ball.The natural angle is straight back up the table if you land right next to the 4 and get a pretty full hit. With all of these shots you need to practice the whole range of distances after contact from just a foot or so to getting down to the other end of the table. As you practice note where the cue ball seems to “want” to go for each kind of shot. When you can, you should use the natural path for position. On all the shots with side spin, you will need to adjust your aim a little as you increase the speed.

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Mosconi’s Practice Secret Anthony Beeler is a 2013 BCA National 9-Ball team champion. He also finished 9th out of 1086 players in the 2013 BCA National 8-Ball Championships. He is a certified Level 3 instructor for the American CueSports Alliance and is the founder of Maximize Your Potential Billiards Academy located in Bradfordsville, Kentucky. Beeler is also a fully licensed Kentucky Educator having, received his bachelor’s degree at Campbellsville University and his master’s degree in Education Leadership at Eastern Kentucky University. Throughout his poolplaying career Anthony has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competition.

There’s a big difference between practicing hard and getting the most out of your time on the table. All too often, we think playing an eight-hour practice session will benefit us more than shooting just a few balls. As a kid, I desperately wanted to be a great player and heard somewhere that I needed to shoot a shot five hundred times if I really wanted to learn it. I’d set up the same shot over and over again. Sometimes on a cold snowy day I’d embark on a marathon session on the top floor of my parents’ three-car garage. Very often, my sessions would start out being very productive. I knew what I wanted to accomplish and would get into a pretty nice rhythm. The more I shot, however, the worse I’d perform. I’d quickly lose focus and begin making shots in a non-deliberate manner. The moment I would miss, I would immediately place another ball on the table in the exact same spot and attempt it again. I’d become so undisciplined in my approach that many of my practice sessions would end in a state of frustration. Back in 1999, I spoke with one-pocket hall of fame inductee Steve Cook. Cook was in the middle of one of his practice sessions at the first annual Derby City Classic. I can clearly remember Steve striking one shot after another both purely and deliberately. I asked Steve how he practiced and he then proceeded to tell me a story about Willie Mosconi and what a perfect practice session looks like. He said, “Ya know, back in the day, Mosconi would go to the table and strike just a few balls.” I learned that he’d hit no more than twenty shots at a time, directing his total focus and commitment into properly reaching a goal that he had set for himself. After twenty balls had been struck, Mosconi would take a quick coffee break and then return to the table to continue his work. The short break would allow him to mentally refresh, reflect, and consider any adjustments he might need to make when he returned to the table. From my conversation with Steve, I concluded that Mosconi would isolate one area of his game and then direct all of his concentration into that one specific area. Like Mosconi, I also believe it is important to set goals for yourself. I believe in keeping a written record of each practice session so that you can look back and see how much you have improved. After all, if you’re not improving, you need to change something about the way you practice. Did Mosconi “actually” practice this way? I am not sure, but building my practice sessions in this manner really helped me to develop a more positive approach as I worked to improve my pool game. I never did become a coffee drinker. I did, however, begin shooting only twenty shots at a time, followed by a short break. For me, this process had the same effect, and it felt great to leave a practice session feeling as though I had accomplished something. So the next time you decide to practice, think about incorporating this little secret into your game. I think you will find your practice sessions to be shorter, more positive, and more productive

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MORE USE FOR YOUR FOLLOW

STEFANO PELINGA stefanopelinga.com Stefano Pelinga (born 1964) hails from Rome, Italy, where he has served since 1985 as a police officer for the Italian government (Polizia di Stato), until his retirement in 2011. He began to play pool at the age of 12, drawing inspiration from his favorite singer and actor, Dean Martin. Stefano, currently a 5-time World Champion in Pool Trick Shots, won several titles in Italy in straight pool and nine-ball throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. In 1990, he devoted himself entirely to “Artistic Pool,” commonly referred to in its practice as “Trick Shots.” Due to his outstanding achievements, Stefano is recognized worldwide as one of the greatest Trick Shot champions in the history of the sport, and has earned a spot in ESPN’s Trick Shot Magic Hall of Fame. Most importantly, on November 17, 2012, Stefano was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. In the presence of approximately 500 VIP guests and many sports stars such as Tommy Lasorda, Mike Piazza, Tony Esposito and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Stefano was awarded this honor, becoming a member of this group of legendary Italian Americans.

This is among the very first trick shots I learned many years ago. It is pretty, not too difficult and, most importantly, it can actually happen in a game. Let’s start setting it up. Place the first Object Ball (according to my diagram the Red Ball) right by the side pocket, centered with the tip of the pocket. The distance between the edge of the ball and the tip of the pocket can vary from 1/8” to 1”. What is necessary for this shot to be doable is the position of the Cue Ball which should lie anywhere between the two dotted lines “X” and “Y”. The reason being is that we want to pocket the red ball first and when we do so, we need to make sure the OB and CB tangent line (the solid blue “A” line in the diagram) is not pointing backwards. At the most it should parallel to the long rail as shown. Then all we need to do is place an Obstacle Ball (the Green Ball in the diagram) frozen to the long rail at about 1/2 a diamond from the side pocket and our other Object Ball (the yellow one) hanging by the corner pocket. Now place the Cue Ball anywhere between the lines X and Y although the most comfortable placement is right near the spot. In shooting the Red Ball, make sure to hit it 6-7/8 to its right so that your Cue Ball will bounce off the rail after pocketing it. I’d recommend to use two tips of English and a 10:30 hit on the CB so that it’ll curve around the Obstacle Ball and travel straight towards the last OB to pocket it in the corner. Try the same shot using an 11 o’clock English on the CB and you will see that it’ll curve even more, likely hitting the long rail once more before making the Yellow Ball in the corner but the CB’s speed will noticeably decrease. You can also try a 10 o’clock hit and verify on your own that the CB will pick up more speed but after clearing the Obstacle Ball, it will curve less and proceed somewhat parallel to the long rail with chances to miss the Yellow Ball. For this shot, keep your cue leveled and use a 3-speed stroke (a little less on a new felt). May you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

December 2015

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Dechaine Undefeated at Union Station

Results

MIKE DECHAINE

AZBilliards.com Mike Dechaine turned in an undefeated run through a field of 52 players to win the Joss NE 9-Ball Tourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stop at Union Station Billiards (formerly Spot Shot Billiards) in Portland, Me on November 14th and 15th. Dechaine cruised relatively unchallenge through the winnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side, and took the hot-seat with a 9-4 win over Canadian Martin Daigle. Daigle found a red-hot Nelson Oliveira waiting for him on the one loss side. Oliveira had lost his 2nd match of the event, and put together a seven match winning streak to get to the semi-final match. That streak would come to an end though, as Daigle scored a 9-8 win to send Oliveira home in 3rd place. The final re-match between Dechaine and Daigle would go one set, as Dechaine scored another 9-4 win to capture first place. Twenty one players came back to Union Station on Sunday, to compete in the $500 added second chance tournament. This event saw Canadian Mark Desjardins score his first tour win, with an undefeated run. He defeated Bruce Nagel for the hot-seat and then defeated Ashley Nowlin in the finals. Next week, the Joss NE 9-Ball tour returns to Snookers in Providence, RI for the 28th Ocean State 9-Ball Championship. Players are also reminded that the Al Conte Memorial, at Hippos House of Billiards in Utica, NY, has been rescheduled to December 5th and 6th. Any players interested in competing in the Turning Stone Classic XXV, on January 7th - 10th, are urged to get their entries in now. There are very few spots remaining.

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COMPLETE RESULTS: Main Event Payouts 1 DECHAINE Mike 2 DAIGLE Martin 3 OLIVEIRA Nelson 4 FRANCIS Cody 5 PETROV Ivaylo 5 HENDERSON Mike 7 HALL Dave 7 PEPIN Kyle 9 LABBE Jordan 9 LEVESQUE Dennis 9 RUPARD Josh 9 SOSSEI Jeremy

$1,050 $800 $600 $450 $350 $350 $200 $200 $100 $100 $100 $100

Second Chance Payouts 1 $320 Mark Desjardins 2 $220 Ashley Nowlan 3 $160 Bruce Nagle 4 $100 Jim Hayden 5/6 $60 Jerry Okeefe & Josh Lerner

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December 2015

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Mezz Pro-Am New Jersey State 8-Ball Championships Sandcastle Billiards in Edison, New Jersey hosted the 2015 Mezz Pro-Am New Jersey State 8-Ball Championships on Saturday November 14th and Sunday November 15th. A strong field came out to play including players like; Jayson Shaw, Frankie Hernandez, Sean “Alaska” Morgan, Mike Miller, Dennis Spears, Raphael Saldana, Billy Gallagher, Joe Hong, Ramon Mendez Jr. and Michael Wong. We’d like to thank and Ed Liddawi, Pat Flaming and Sandcastle’s wonderful staff for making the event a big success. Leading the top half of the bracket was Frankie Hernandez with wins over Eduardo Ayala 7-2, Jerry Dunne 7-4, Raphael Saldana 7-4 and Ramon Mendez Jr. 7-1. Leading the bottom half of the bracket was Jayson Shaw with wins over Gary Serrano 7-1, Michele Jones 7-1, Mike Miller 7-6, George Osipovitch 7-0, and Sean “Alaska” Morgan 7-3. Playing for the hot seat was Jayson Shaw and Frankie Hernandez. This was a one sided match with Jayson Shaw winning easily 7-1 and sending Frankie Hernandez to the one loss side. Waiting for

Hernandez on the one loss side was Sean “Alaska” Morgan. This too was a one sided match that had Hernanadez winning 7-2 and getting him to the finals. In the finals it was Frankie Hernendez getting a second chance at Jayson Shaw. This was a double elimination tournament with the first set of the finals being a race to 7 and the second set if necessary, a sudden death race to 1. The first set was a great one that had Hernandez taking the lead from the start and never looking back as he won 7-4 to force the sudden death game. In the sudden death rack, it was Hernandez capitalizing on a Shaw miss as he ran out for the win and captured the 2015 Mezz Pro-Am New Jersey State 8-Ball Championship. We would like to thank all the players that came out to play as well as our sponsors: Mezz Cues, Gamblin Clothing, Kamui Chalk & Tips, JD Custom Cues, Allen Hopkins Super Billiards Expo, John Barton, JB Cases, Jab Cues and Things, Billiard Life, Howitzer Break Cues, and Steve Klapp Custom Cues, Billiard Life USA, and Mike Ricciardella.

JAYSON SHAW

FRANKIE HERNANDEZ

Results 1st $1050 2nd $650 3rd $360 4th $250` 5th $150 7th $100

Frankie Hernandez Jayson Shaw Sean “Alaska” Morgan Ramon Mendez Jr. Rapheal Saldana, Billy Gallagher Joe Hong, Dennis Spears

Pictured from left to right: Winner Frankie Hernandez, 4th Ramon Mendez Jr. 3rd Sean “Alaska” Morgan, 2nd Jayson Shaw and Sandcastle owner & live stream commentator, Ed “Sandman” Liddawi.

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Stroke December 2015

d n a e l k Tic n r u b k Blac

split top e t a G t a s e z pri s d r a i l l i B y t i C

David Tickle and James Blackburn allowed the single match that they played against each other to stand, on November 14. The two opted out of playing a final, leaving Tickle, in the hot seat, as the winner of the event that drew 38 entrants to the Gate City Billiard Club in Raleigh, NC. Tickle had sent Dylan Letchworth to the loss side 8-2 in a winners' side semifinal, while Blackburn was busy sending 13-year-old Peter Abantangelo over 8-3. Tickle claimed the hot seat 8-4 over Blackburn. On the loss side, Letchworth picked up George Crawford, who'd gotten by Colin Hall 8-3 and Bobby Clinton 8-1. Abantangelo drew Jay Calhoun (husband to Belinda Calhoun), who'd defeated Zach Leonard 6-5 and Josh Williams 6-2. Crawford and Calhoun handed Letchworth and Abatangelo their second straight loss. Letchworth forfeited his match, while Calhoun downed Abantangelo 6-3. With Crawford racing to 8, Calhoun took the quarterfinal 6-5. Blackburn ended Calhoun's run 8-4 in the semifinals. At this juncture, Tickle and Blackburn opted out of the final match and split the top two prizes.

DAVID TICKLE AND NIKKI WRIGHT

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TICKLE David BLACKBURN James CALHOUN Jay CRAWFORD George LETCHWORTH Dylan ABANTANGELO Peter

600 350 225 125 75 75

717-714-1002 93 Avenue U - Brooklyn, NY

JAMES BLACKBURN

December 2015 Stroke

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VIKING SS-1215A CUSTOM CUE • $699 MSRP

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HENNESSY Cruises With a TREAT and No TRICKS! Halloween brought more than ghosts and goblins as the first of many MONTHLY Added money events took place at the country’s largest pool hall in Statesville NC. With a strong field of 30 players and over $3700 in prize funds, the day was full of some tough matches with the likes of Mike Davis, Jeff Abernathy, Jonathon Hennessy, Chris Mitchell, and locals Clint Clark and Scott Lewis tearing through the field. Other players were Jay Davis, Shannon Fitch, Dustin Smith, Derrick (Chew) Leonard, Moe Salamah, Jerry Clayman, Randy Hatten, David Lowery, Donnie Passmore, Bobby Hibbitts, Shawn Ray, Eddie Little, Mike Bumgarner, Bill Bernard, Jamie Bowen, Rick Roper, Erin Watts, Joey Fox, Zack Leonard, Jerry Hager, Chris Welsh, Mike Chandley, Randy Canipe, and William Cloud. Hennessy only lost 3 games before — Mike Davis, owner Mike Chandley, Jonathon Hennessey facing off against Mike Davis for the King seat. He was nothing but perfect while cruising to a 7-3 win. With all the battles coming on the loser’s side, was 11-5 Hennessey. Jeff Abernathy rebounded with a first We hope to see everyone every month as we round loss to Shawn Ray to advance to hold a $500 Added event the first Sat from the 7/8th round match to fall to Scott now on- next one is Dec 5th at Noon Sign Lewis. On the other end, we had Clint ups! Clark going through the loser bracket with some tough wins over Jerry Hager, RESULTS Chew, and Chris Mitchell to battle Scott Lewis. ST 1 $1600 Jonothan Hennessey Clint came out of top to get a rematch with Mike Davis, who beat $1000 Mike Davis 2ND him on the A side but he fell short 7-4. RD $ 610 Clint Clark 3 The all Pro final saw Hennessy start where he left TH off, with perfect breaks and taking advantage of $ 350 Scott Lewis 4 Mike Davis’s open breaks, to get out to a 9-2 lead TH TH $ 85 Jeff Abernathy 5 /6 in the one race to 11 Final. The deficit was too TH TH 5 /6 $ 85 Chris Mitchell much for Davis to over come and the final score — Clint Clark

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Roberts

double dips Ailstock

SHANNON DAULTON, SCOTT ROBERTS, JOHNATHAN AILSTOCK AND ROOM OWNER SCOTT He'd gotten into the finals of a Great Southern Billiard Tour stop once, back in 2012, but until the weekend of November 21-22, Scott Roberts, who's been playing on the tour for all of its 10 years, had yet to chalk up a win. That streak ended at the conclusion of a $700-added stop that drew 30 entrants to Q Billiards in Roanoke, VA. Roberts came back from a hot seat loss to defeat Jonathan Ailstock twice and claim his first GSBT title. They met in the hot seat match after Roberts had sent Ernie Lyle to the loss side 7-2, and Ailstock had sent Bill Walker over 6-1. Ailstock won his last match 7-4 over Roberts and sat in the hot seat, waiting to play his last match. On the loss side, Lyle picked up Trevor Stanley, who, racing to 9, had just given up only three racks, total, to David Huff (2) and Starr McClure (1). Walker drew Matt Booth, who'd defeated Robert Ash 5-2, and Danny Warner 5-5 (Warner racing to 7). Lyle advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-6 win over Stanley (racing to 9). Walker was eliminated by Booth 5-3. Booth took the quarterfinal match over Lyle, double hill, but had his lossside streak ended by Roberts in the semifinals 7-4. Roberts took the opening set of the true double elimination final 7-3, and though Aisltock would battle to within a game of double hill, Roberts prevailed 7-5 to win his first GSBT title.

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ROBERTS Scott AILSTOCK Jonathan BOOTH Matt LYLE Ernie WALKER Billy STANLEY Trevor

550 350 250 125 50 50

premium-billiards.com

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Pool Players ‘Play’ it Forward

The 14th Annual Toys for Tots Billiard Tournament of the players with support from the local BCA celebrates its most successful year ever by raising over and VNEA pool leagues and local businesses. In $500 for children in need. A full field of 32 players an effort to boost participation, the tournament battled it out Saturday November 21st in the 14th was moved to the Saturday before Thanksgiving in annual Toys for Tots Billiard Tournament at Scotty 2009. The change seems to have been good for the B’s Cue and Pub in Rural Hall, North Carolina. This tournament as the entry numbers have steadily rose year the organizers memorialized a local pool player, each year. Shelby W. Hill, by renaming the tournament: The With the support of Scott Bachman, the owner Shelby W. Hill Memorial Toys for Tots Tournament. of Scotty B’s, where the tournament has been Mr. Hill, a longtime supporter of the cause passed held for the last ten years, the event has grown away earlier this year. “It is befitting that a man and is becoming more well-known outside of the as gentle and kind as Shelby was, should continue Piedmont Triad. “This year we had players from making a difference in our area, even after he is no Charlotte come out to compete and support the longer physically here. His generous spirit lives on kids.” Bachman explains “This is a great cause and through all of us. And we saw that magic happen it’s a wonderful way to start the holiday season. today with a stellar turnout of players and big-hearted Every year we fill up a pool table with toys. It’s an donations.” Says Angie Wilson as she looks away amazing sight. I look forward to this tournament when the emotion of the day threatens to overcome every year.” her. And he’s not the only one, this year 32 players To say that this tournament is near to her heart, competed in the double elimination tournament 2ND; ANDY HUTCHENS, 1ST: MOE SALAMAH would be an understatement. Wilson created the to win part of over $800 in prize money. Moe tournament 14 years ago as a way to bring the Salamah, a first time player in the tournament went extended group of local amateur pool players together for a friendly competition and benefit undefeated through the winner’s bracket to secure the coveted 1st place Toys for Tots trophy. the community in some way. The first tournament was held in December in 2001 and it Salamah beat out Andy Hutchens in an intense final match-up that placed Hutchens felt natural to pair the event with the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for runner-up in the overall standings for a second year in a row. Tots Campaign. The first tournament worked out so well the event Brandon Johnson accepted a respectable third place position after an became known in the area as the Toys for Tots tournament and unfortunate run of dry breaks in the semi-finals against Hutchens. Wilson continued to organize it each year. After such a successful event, you might think the Wilsons are In 2006, however, the tournament was almost retired, due to ready to put their feet up and celebrate their accomplishment. But Wilson’s lack of time to plan and organize the event. This is where no, Wilson assures us “Planning for next year’s tournament has her husband, Toney Wilson, picked up the reins and pulled it already started. The 2016 Shelby W. Hill Memorial Toys for Tots together, even running the tournament that weekend when Wilson Tournament will celebrate its 15th year on November 19th 2016 couldn’t be there. “If not for the insistence of the players and and I hope to make it even bigger with more players, more sponsors Toney’s willingness to do what I could not, the tournament might and more toys for the kids!” Wilson says she would love to grow the have been lost all together that year” Wilson admits. But since then, tournament big enough to turn it into a two-day weekend event. If the Wilsons have committed to the annual tournament and have this year’s turnout is any indication that might happen sooner than watched it grow and blossom in to an annual tradition for many she thinks. . . 3RD: BRANDON JOHNSON

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Mazon chalks up the VA State 8-Ball Championships AzBilliards.com against Shuff in the semifinals. Jundel Mazon of the Philippines has been Shuff took the semifinal match versus Green among the top 10 finishers in 10 events this year, 6-2 and got a second shot at Mazon in the hot including a stop on the Gotham City Classic (7th), seat. To no avail, as Mazon took the extended, the US Open 9-Ball Championships, the 4th single race 9-2 to capture the VA State 8-Ball Annual Steinway Classic, the Houston Open and Championships title. 42nd Annual Texas Open (all 9th), but he has only In a concurrently-run Women’s event, Kim won twice, both times on the Action Pool Tour. Whitman won three on the loss side to meet and On the weekend of November 14-15, he defeated defeat Barbara Yeager in the finals to become the Shuff in the finals to take the tour's ninth stop second VA State 8-Ball Women’s champion. The and become the second player to win the VA State Women’s event drew nine entrants. 8-Ball Championships, which drew 36 entrants to Kim Whitman and Barbara Yeager battled Diamond Billiards in Midlothian, VA twice for the title; once in a winners' side semifinal Mazon's path through the 36-entrant and again, in the finals, in two very different kinds JUNDEL MAZON AND BRANDON SHUFF field avoided a confrontation versus the event's of matches. The small field dictated that a single defending champion, Mike Davis, who was sent to the loss side by Danny Green in match put both of them into the winners' side semifinals. Duggan advanced to the the third round, and eliminated by Nilbert Lim in the matches that determined the hot seat match with a 6-2 tie for seventh. Following a bye and a second round shutout over Luther Pickerall, victory over Bruner, and Mazon did have to face the APT's top-ranked player, Shaun Wilkie(runner-up to was met by Yeager, who'd Davis in 2013) in a match that went double hill, before advancing Mazon to a match shut Whitman out. Yeager versus Green. He defeated Green to face Larry Kressel in a winners' side semifinal. claimed the hot seat 6-3 Shuff, in the meantime (third in 2013), faced Reymart Lim. over Duggan. 1 PHI MAZON Jundel 850 Mazon downed Kressel 7-5, as Shuff was sending Lim over 7-3. In their first of Meeting in the hot seat 2 USA SHUFF Brandon 500 two, Mazon defeated Shuff 7-2 and sat in the hot seat, waiting for him to get back. match, Yeager and Whitman 3 USA GREEN Danny 300 On the loss side, Kressel picked up Nilbert Lim, who'd just eliminated Cary fought to double hill before 4 USA KRESSEL Larry 200 Dunn and Davis, both 6-4. Reymart Lim ran into Danny Green, who'd defeated Whitman prevailed to take 5 LIM Nil 120 Brian Dietzenbach and Shannon Fitch, also both 6-4. Lim battled to double hill the Women's title. 5 LIM Reymart 120 before being ousted by Green, who, in the quarterfinals, met Kressel, who'd shut 7 USA DAVIS Mike 60 Lim out. Green and Kressel battled to double hill before Green advanced for a shot 7 USA FITCH Shannon 60

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WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS Tues: Straight 8-Ball $8 entry Fri: Hcp 8-Ball $15 entry Sat: Chip Tourney $15 entry

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SHAW WINS OCEAN STATE TITLE

Photo by: Don Akerlow

at Snookers RI

JAYSON SHAW Jayson Shaw added another title to his already impressive resume with a hard earned undefeated run at the Joss NE 9-Ball Tour’s 27th Annual Ocean State 9-Ball Championship at Snookers in Providence, RI on November 21st - 22nd. While Shaw went through the field undefeated, it was no cake-walk. In the final four on the winner’s side, Shaw had to get by three time defending champion Mike Dechaine. After that win, Shaw sent Ron Casanzio to the left side 9-5 for the hot-seat. Prior to the loss to Shaw, Casanzio had sent another former winner, Jeremy Sossei, to the one loss side. Sossei was waiting on the one loss side, and he duplicated Shaw’s 9-5 win over Casanzio to send Casanzio home in third place. The final match looked to be an easy one for Shaw, as he raced to the hill at 8-2 in the first set of the double elimination finals. Then Sossei won a game. And then another. And then another. Before Shaw knew what hit him, Sossei had won six straight games to tie the score at 8-8. Jeremy made a ball on the break in the next game, but couldn’t get out in the final rack. A short safety battle ensued, which looked to be won by Sossei, but he missed a tricky 5-ball and Shaw quickly ran out the last five balls for the 9-8 win.

Bar Box 8-Ball

Shaw earned $2700 for the win, while Sossei settled for $2000 in second place prize money. 1 $2,700 SHAW Jayson 2 $2,000 SOSSEI Jeremy 3 $1,600 CASANZIO Ron 4 $1,200 DECHAINE Mike 5 $900 OLIVEIRA Nelson RODRIGUEZ Jorge 7 $600 FERNANDEZ Dave ROCHA Cleiton 9 $400 DEMALIA Jared, PERRY Tim HELLMER Mike, MADENJIAN Robert 13 $250 CUTLER Reggie, BAUCCIO Kevin MACK Steve, PAYER Corey 17 $125 D’ALFONSO Tom, CLOWERY Jarrod MICHAS Jason, BERTRAND Tom LEAL Chris, TETREAULT Matt MCGONAGLE Tom, TRAYGIS Sam

Added Money

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$35 entry includes green fee - Double Elimination - Race to 3 Doors open Noon - Calcutta 2pm - Starts 2:30pm

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Stroke December 2015

Ignacio Victorious at Brown’s Billiards

Photo by: Don Akerlow

Jeffrey Ignacio

Steve Page

GRADY’S BILLIARDS

Hours: Mon-Thur: 2pm-2am / Fri-Sat: 1pm-2am / Sun: 6pm-2am

FULL BAR - FOOD WEEKLY POOL TOURNAMENTS LEAGUES - CUE REPAIR

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850C South Lake Dr - Lexington, SC 803-957-7665

28 December

2015

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THE WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 31ST WE WERE AT BROWN’S BILLIARDS IN RALEIGH. GREAT TOURNAMENT WITH A LOT OF STRONG PLAYERS. BIG THANKS TO DAVID HUFFMAN, BRAD SHEARER, JEFF K., AND THE REST OF BROWN’S STAFF FOR THEIR HOSPITALITY. HERE ARE THE RESULTS: 1ST JEFFREY IGNACIO 2ND STEVE PAGE 3RD DAVID SMITH 4TH DAVE BROWN 5/6 JOE COSKY, BUDDY FISHER GREAT FINAL MATCH 13-10 RACE WAS WON BY JEFFREY IGNACIO 13-7. BOTH PLAYERS MISSED 4 BALLS BETWEEN THE 2 OF THEM. BIG THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS: DELTA 13 RACKS BET SOMETHIN APPAREL AZBILLIARDS GOPLAYPOOL.COM HEIDRICH CUSTOM CUES STROKE POOL MAGAZINE PROFESSOR Q BALL THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!

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photo by Eli Ceballos AzBilliards.com Staff Nov. 5, 2015 AMSTERDAM, NY Drawing on a strong field of players, many of whom had recently competed in the 40th Annual US Open 9-Ball Championships in Virginia, including winner Yu-Hsuan Cheng, and world champion Pin-Yi Ko, the 4th Annual Steinway Classic in New York drew the largest field of competitors, 92, in its history. Yu-Lung Chang defeated Ko Pin Chung twice to go undefeated and claim title to the $7,000-added event, hosted by Steinway Billiards in Astoria (Queens), NY, from November 1-3. “It was our largest field, and the most competitive,” said event director Tony Robles, “because it was truly an international event.” Though Yu-Hsuan Cheng, Pin-Yi Ko and four-time US Open champion Shane Van Boening entered the tournament among the highly favored competitors, all were eliminated early. Cheng went two and out, Ko finished in the tie for 9th place and Van Boening finished out of the money. Chang and Ko Pin Chung advanced to the winners’ side semifinals; Chang, against Warren Kiamco and Ko, squaring off against Jayson Shaw. Chang and Kiamco battled to double hill before Chang advanced to the hot seat match. He was joined by Ko, who’d sent Shaw to the loss side 9-6. Chang took the first of two against Ko 9-7 and waited in the hot seat for his return. Awaiting Shaw and Kiamco on the loss side were Nick Van Den Berg and Darren Appleton. Nick Van Den Berg had eliminated world champion Pin-Yi Ko 9-6 and Rodney Morris 9-4 to draw Shaw. Appleton had won two straight double hill matches, against Alex Kazakis and Francisco Felicilda, for the right to face Kiamco. Appleton had been down 2-7 to Felicilda, before rallying to win that match. Appleton and Shaw downed Kiamco and Van Den Berg, both 9-7, and advanced to the quarterfinals. Shaw opened those quarterfinals with five straight racks, and though Appleton would split the final eight games with Shaw evenly, Shaw won it 9-4. Shaw’s loss-side run came to end in the semifinals, with Ko eliminating him 9-5 for a second shot against countryman Chang. Chang punctuated his undefeated run with a 13-11 victory over Ko in the finals. Predator Tour director Tony Robles thanked the ownership and staff at Steinway Billiards for their hospitality, as well as sponsors Predator Cues, The National Amateur Pool League (PlayNAPL.com), Ozone Billiards, Delta-13 racks, Gothamcitytechnologies.com, PoolontheNet.com, Phil Cappelle of Billiards Press, and TheDevitoTeam.com. Special thanks went out to event photographers Eli Ceballos, Karl Kantrowitz and to Robles’ tour staff - William Finnegan, Mandy Wu, Ron Mason, Rob Omen, Irene Kim, Upstate AL of AZBTV (which streamed the event throughout the weekend), Dan Faraguna, Jim Gutierrez, Joe Wilson Torres, and (his) “amazing wife, Gail Robles.”

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— Yu Lung Chang and Ping Chung Ko RESULTS 1ST

$7500

Yu Lung Chang

TPE

$4000

Ping Chung Ko

TPE

$2500

Jayson Shaw

GBR

ND RD

$1800

Darren Appleton

GBR

$1400

Nick Van Den Berg

NED

5TH/6TH

$1400

Warren Kiamco

PHI

5 /6 TH

7 /8

$1000

Francisco Felicilda

PHI

7 /8

$1000

Rodney Morris

USA

9 -12

$ 700

Pin Yi Ko

TPE

9 -12

$ 700

Jundel Mazon

PHI

9TH-12TH

$ 700

Ruben Bautisa

MEX

9TH-12TH

$ 700

Alexandros Kazakis

GRE

13 -16

$ 500

Josh Roberts

USA

13 -16

$ 500

Johnny Archer

USA

13 -16

$ 500

Raj Hundal

IND

13 -16

$ 500

Rusian Chinahov

RUS

TH TH TH

TH TH

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has six new THE 2ND ANNUAL NYC 8-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS, held on the weekend of November 7-8, under the auspices of Tony Robles’ Silent Assassin Productions, and functioning as the BCAPL’s regional tour championships, experienced a modest increase in attendance over its debut last June. With the addition of a sixth event - a Mixed Masters tournament - the championships averaged 18 entrants, an increase of just over two entrants per event. The Mixed Advanced event saw the largest increase (13 to 23), with the Mixed Open event close on its heels (23 to 32). The Women’s Leisure event saw a decrease from 16 to 10 entrants, while the Men’s Leisure event added one entrant to last year’s total of 15. The $3,500-added (total) championships 1st drew 108 entrants to 2nd Steinway Billiards in Astoria (Queens), NY. 3rd

from the 7th/8th matches over Frankie Hernandez and Hunter Lombardo. Morgan drew Ekonomopoulos, and Sossei picked up Wong. Ekonomopoulos ended Morgan’s bid to be in the title match 8-4, while Sossei eliminated Wong by the same score. Sossei dropped Ekonomopoulos into fourth place 8-5, before having his bid ended by Rodriguez in the semifinals. Shaw punctuated his title defense with a commanding 8-2 victory over Rodriguez in the finals. EMIL AND KWAK GO UNDEFEATED 2015 NYC 8-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN’S LEISURE DIVISION 1st $500 KWAK Carolina

Jayson Shaw

2nd

$350

PRITCHETT Debra

3rd

$200

TAYLOR Latonia

TO CAPTURE MEN’S/ WOMEN’S LEISURE TITLES Carolina Kwak Andrew Emil and Carolina Kwak emerged from the 16- and 10-entrant fields of the Men’s and Women’s Leisure events and went undefeated to capture their respective titles. Emil shut out Jim Gutierrez to get into the hot seat match of the Men’s Leisure tournament. He was joined by Mark Ogawa, who’d sent Rolando Rodriguez west 5-2. Emil claimed the hot seat 5-3 over Ogawa. On the loss side, Rodriguez won three straight double hill matches for a shot at Emil in the hot seat. He got by Brad McDuffie, then Gutierrez in the quarterfinals, and finally, Ogawa in the semifinals. Emil, though, punctuated his undefeated run with a shutout over Rodriguez in the finals.

2015 NYC 8-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP MEN’S GRANDMASTERS

Kwak got into the Women’s Leisure hot seat with, first, a double hill win over Bianca Martinez in a winners’ side semifinal. Latonia Taylor, in the meantime, sent May Ng $1000 SHAW Jayson to the loss side 5-2. By that same score, Kwak sent Taylor to the semifinals to claim $700 RODRIGUEZ Jorge the hot seat. On the loss side, Martinez got into the quarterfinals, following a double hill win over $500 SOSSEI Jeremy USA Erika Zan. She 4th $300 EKONOMOPOULOS Nick GRE was met by the SHAW GOES woman she’d UNDEFEATED A sent to the loss SECOND TIME side, Deborah The fixed-entrant, signature event - The Men’s Grandmasters 2015 NYC 8-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP Pritchett, who’d - with its full field of 16 saw Jayson Shaw successfully defend eliminated Ng the title he’d won last year, going undefeated for a second time. MEN’S LEISURE DIVISION 5-2. Pritchett Though Sean Morgan, last year’s runner-up, was among the 1st $750 EMIL Andrew gave Martinez event’s final eight, he ended up in the tie for 5th/6th, which left 2nd $450 RODRIGUEZ Rolando her comethe door open for Jorge Rodriguez to battle Shaw twice; in the 3rd $300 OGAWA Mark uppance in hot seat match and finals. Shaw defeated Nick Ekonomopoulos 4th $200 GUTIERREZ Jim a double hill 8-7 to get into the hot seat match, while Rodriguez sent Mike quarterfinal Wong to the loss side 8-5. Shaw claimed the hot seat 8-5 and and got a shot Andrew Emil waited for Rodriguez to get back from the semifinals. at Kwak with a Andrew Emil Those semifinals were set up when Morgan and Jeremy Sossei emerged

December 2015

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8-BALL CHAMPIONS for

5-3 win over Taylor in the semifinals. Kwak claimed the Women’s Leisure title with a 5-2 victory over Pritchett in the finals. SCHREIBER, DAVLADZE, AND ‘THE WARRIOR’ CLAIM MIXED TITLES Tommy Schreiber, competing in the largestfield (32) Mixed Open event, was the only other competitor to go undefeated in the six-event championships. He got into the hot seat match, following a 6-4 victory over Ambi Estevez, and was met by Cristobal Tiru, who’d defeated Joe Wilson Torres 6-4. Schreiber claimed the hot seat 6-3 over Tiru.

2015 NYC 8-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP MIXED OPEN DIVISION

Thomas Schreiber 1st

$1000 SCHREIBER Thomas

2nd $725

TIRU Chris

3rd

$525

ESTEVEZ Ambi

4th

$350

ROSARIO Abel

5/6

$225

MORRISON John

5/6

$225

TORRES Joe

7/8

$175

PHISITKRAIYAKORN Marvin

7/8

$175

CHAVEZ Omar

It was Estevez and Abel Rosario who emerged from the loss-side scuffles to meet in the quarterfinals. Rosario survived a double hill match versus Omar Chavez to face Torres, whom he then defeated 6-2. Estevez defeated John Morrison 6-3 to join him. Estevez won the quarterfinal match, double hill, over Rosario, before Tiru eliminated him 6-2 in the semifinals. Schreiber then defeated Tiru a second time to claim the title, though not before Tiru battled him to to double hill, forcing a case game. Shawn “The Warrior” Sookhai and Koka Davladze came back from losses in the winners’ side semifinals of the Mixed Advanced and Mixed Masters fields to win those events. Sookhai, sent west by Max Watanabe 7-5 in the Mixed Advanced tourney, came back through Noah Vogelman (7-4), Ehmunrao Toocaram (7-5) and successfully wreaked vengeance on Watanabe 7-5, before downing hot seat occupant Matthew Harricharam 9-6 to claim the Mixed Advanced title. Koka Davladze

Davladze was sent to the loss side by Raphael Dabreo, 7-4, in a winners’ side semifinal of the Mixed Masters event. DaBreo went on to defeat Juan Guzman 7-5 in the hot seat match. Elvis Rodriguez, who’d been sent west in the other winners’ side semifinal, 7-4, by Guzman, ran into Davladze in the quarterfinals and was eliminated 7-3. Davladze finished Guzman in the semifinals 7-5 and went on to defeat DaBreo 9-7 in the Mixed Masters finals.

2015 NYC 8-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP MIXED ADVANCED DIVISION 1st

Tour organizer Tony Robles thanked added-money contributors Manny Stamatakis (owner of Steinway Billiards), and Michael Fedak, as well as tour director John Leyman. He also thanked Stamatakis’ staff for their hospitality, and sponsors Marc Griffin and the BCA Pool League, Cue Sports International, Predator Cues, GothamCityTechnologies.com, PoolOnTheNet.com, NAPL. com, Delta 13, Ozone Billiards, Irene Kin, Ron Mason, Mandy Wu, Dan Faraguna, Allison Fisher, and (his) “amazing wife, Gail.”

SOOKHAI Shawn HARRICHARAN Matthew

3rd

$450

WATANABE Max

4th

$300

TOOCARAM Ehmunrao

5/6

$135

VOGELMAN Noah

5/6

$135

ROMERO Chickie

MIXED MASTERS DIVISION 1st

Shawn Sookhai

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$800

2nd $600

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$600

DAVLADZE Koka

2nd $350

DABREO Raphael

3rd

$225

GUZMAN Juan

Stroke December 2015

In Memory Of: Royce Bunnell

Our sincere condolences to the family of Royce Bunnell who passed away suddenly on Monday November 23, 2015 after suffering a heart attack. We were shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. He was an industry leader and innovator. His OB Shafts are amazing to play with and he will be missed by the entire pool world. It was an honor and a priviledge to work with Royce. Our prayers are with his wife Mary and children Kelsey and Chris. Their loss cannot be measured in mere words. Life is short and we should never take it for granted. We are here one day and gone the next. What we leave behind for our family and friends are the memories we have shared and the lives we have touched. ---- Rest in Peace Royce. From “on the break family”

C W O 3

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December 2015

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March 11-13, 2016

$12*K/Men’s Division

$17K* added $5*K/Women’s Division

1st place guaranteed $10*K/Men and $4*K/Women *based on full fields (96 men/48 women) Mosconi Cup Affiliate

Entry Fee: $175 (included $25 Green Fee) Entry Deadline: March 1, 2016 Entry Forms available at westernbca.org no later than 1/1/2016 Race to 7 (Men)/Race to 5 (Women) Alternate Breaks ~ CSI/BCAPL Rules Bud Light WarmUp Tournament: Thursday, March 10 Calcutta: Friday, Marh 11, 3p Play to begin immediately following Calcutta Questions: Mike Jensen (360-703-4081) or Andrew Monstis (503-422-0623) 7’ Diamond Tables Provided by:

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WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS

If you have any changes to your weekly pool tournaments EMAIL: billiards@OnTheBreakNews.com DATE CITY Mondays Astoria, NY Statesville, NC Warren, MI Warren, MI Dayton, OH Hilliard, OH Akron, OH Tuesdays Edison, NJ Bowling Green, KY Martins Ferry, OH Wednesdays Tallahassee, FL Clearwater, FL Astoria, NY Lexington, SC Martins Ferry, OH Statesville, NC Rural Hall, NC Dayton, OH Raleigh, NC Thursdays Edison, NJ Williamsville, NY Lexington, SC Statesville, NC Bowling Green, KY Lansing, MI Warren, MI Vernon, IN

LOCATION Steinway Billiards Chandley’s Chalk & Cue Ultimate Sports Bar Hall of Fame Airway Bankshots Crown Billiards Sandcastle Billiards Cue Time Corner Pocket Zingales Crooked Cue Billiards Steinway Billiards Grady’s Pool Room Corner Pocket Chandley’s Chalk & Cue Scotty B’s Airway Buck’s Billiards Sandcastle Billiards Bison Billiards Grady’s Pool Room Chandley’s Chalk & Cue Cue Time Coaches Ultimate Sports Bar Phat Guy Birds

PHONE (718) 472-2124 (980) 635-1109 (586) 751-2222 (586) 939-8880 (937) 274-1230 (614) 777-0022 (330) 644-3985 (732) 632-9277 (270) 782-2740 (740) 738-0357 (850) 224-8644 (727) 539-7665 (718) 472-2124 (803) 957-7665 (740) 738-0357 (980) 635-1109 (336) 377-9358 (937) 274-1230 (919) 467-5411 (732) 632-9277 (716) 632-0281 (803) 957-7665 (980) 635-1109 (270) 782-2740 (517) 882-2013 (586) 751-2222 (812) 346-0870

EVENT / RULES 9-Ball - Handicapped 9 Ball on 9’ Diamonds-Hdcp 9 Ball Open 9 Ball Open 9 Ball 9 Ball Open 9 Ball 9-Ball Hdcp/DE/Race to 5/4 8 Ball Straight 8-Ball 9-Ball Handicap 8-Ball Open 9 Ball Am/Pro 8-Ball 7’ Tables race to 5 9-Ball 9 Ball on Diamond bar box 3-4-5 9-Ball 8 Ball 8 Ball-Sc Doubles-Max skill 12 9-Ball - Handicapped 10-Ball Handicap-SE 9-Ball 7’ Tables 1 Pocket on 9’ Diamonds-Hdcp 9 Ball 8 Ball 9 Ball Open 9 Ball

ENTRY ADDED $25 $20 Break & run $20 $100 w/32 $10/$20 Call $5 Call $10 Call $8 Call $25 Call $5 Call $8 Call $10 $5 Call $20/$40 $15 $100 w/16 $10 Call $15 Break & run $10 50% Match $10 Call $20 Call $15 Call $15 $100 w/16 $20 Break & run $5 Call $5 Call $20 $100 w/32 $5 Call

Fridays Decatur, AL Hollywood, FL Greensboro, NC Syracuse, NY Lexington, SC Martins Ferry, OH Portland, ME Fairfield, OH Statesville, NC Saturdays Decatur, AL Hollywood, FL Greensboro, NC Lexington, SC Statesville, NC Rural Hall, NC Leitchfield, KY Martins Ferry, OH Grand Rapids, MI Grand Rapids, MI Battle Creek, MI Battle Creek, MI Reynoldburg, OH Sundays Clearwater, FL Clearwater, FL Edison, NJ Edison, NJ Statesville, NC Raleigh, NC Jackson, MS Orlando, FL Syracuse, NY Portage, MI Livonia, MI Vernon, IN Dayton, OH Columbus, OH Fairfield, OH Mansfield, OH

6 Pockets Billiards Lucky 7 Billiards Gate City Billiards Club Premium Billiards Grady’s Pool Room Corner Pocket Union Station Billiards Michael’s Chandley’s Chalk & Cue 6 Pockets Billiards Lucky 7 Billiards Gate City Billiards Club Grady’s Pool Room Chandley’s Chalk & Cue Scotty B’s Scooters on Main St Corner Pocket The Break Room The Break Room Brickyard Brickyard Scotty’s Crooked Cue (1st Sun) Crooked Cue (3rd Sun) Sandcastle Billiards Sandcastle Billiards Chandley’s Chalk & Cue Buck’s Billiards Rack Clicks Billiards Premium Billiards Play Time Snookers Phat Guy Birds Airway Cushions Michael’s (every other Sun) Sundown

256-686-3171 (954) 239-8254 (336) 856-8800 (315) 488-4888 (803) 957-7665 (740) 738-0357 (207) 899-3693 (513) 860-0044 (980) 635-1109 256-686-3171 (954) 239-8254 (336) 856-8800 (803) 957-7665 (980) 635-1109 (336) 377-9358 (270) 230-1879 (740) 738-0357 (616) 454-0899 (616) 454-0899 (269) 968-0692 (269) 968-0692 (614) 755-9407 (727) 539-7665 (727) 539-7665 (732) 632-9277 (732) 632-9277 (980) 635-1109 (919) 467-5411 (601) 372-6576 (407) 275-6064 (315) 488-4888 (269) 323-2295 (734) 422-9510 (812) 346-0870 (937) 274-1230 (614) 882-5986 (513) 860-0044 (419) 564-4538

9-Ball $13 9-Ball $5 Matching w/20+ Scotch Doubles 8 Ball/9 Ball Call Open Bar Box 8 Ball-SE $20 9-Ball Handicap $20 $200 w/16 8-Ball $15 Call 8 Ball - Race to 2 $8 Call 8-Ball $1 $5/player 8 Ball on Diamond bar box-Hdcp $20 Break & run 9-Ball $13 8-Ball-Race to 2-DE $5 Match w/20+ 8 Ball/9 Ball (1st Sat) Round robin Call 9-Ball Handicap $20 $300 w/24 9 Ball on Diamond bar box-Hdcp $20 Break & run FREE POOL 8 Ball Chip Pool $15 Call 9 Ball $5 Call 8 Ball $5 Call 8 Ball $20 Call 9 Ball $20 Call 8 Ball Call 200% payout 8-Ball ‘B’ Only Mod. Rnd Robin $10 $200 1st 8-Ball Open Mod. Rnd Robin $10 $200 1st 9-Ball - Ladies (1st Sun) Call 10-Ball (3rd Sun) Call 10 Ball on 9’ Diamonds-Hdcp $25 Break & run 9 Ball-6 & Under Masters Style $15 70% payout 9 Ball $10 Mixed 8 Ball & 9 Ball $7 9 Ball - 10-Ball Break Pot $20 9 Ball $15 Call 8 Ball - bank the 8 $10 Call 8 Ball Call Call Alt 8 & 9 Ball Call Call 9 Ball $10 Call 8 Ball - Race to 3 $10 Call 8 Ball $7 1/3 pot

TIME 7PM 7PM 7PM 8PM 7PM 8PM 7:30PM 7PM 8PM Call 8PM 1PM 7PM 6:30PM 7:30PM 7PM 8PM 7PM 7:30PM 7PM 7PM 8PM 7PM 8PM 7:30PM 7PM 7:30PM 8PM 8PM 8PM 7PM 8PM 7:30PM 8PM 7:30PM 7:30PM 8PM 8PM 7PM 7PM 7:30PM 7PM Call 6PM 6PM 1PM 7PM 3PM 6PM 1PM Noon Noon 3PM 6PM 8:30PM 2PM 7PM 4PM 2PM 7:30PM 7PM 8PM Call 5:30PM

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Stroke December 2015

Call First - All Tournaments are subject to change without notice DATE CITY LOCATION PHONE Dec 5 Decatur, AL 6 Pockets 256-686-3171 Dec 5 Williamsville, NY Bison Billiards 716-632-0281 Dec 5 Rockaway, NJ Rockaway Billiards 973-625-5777 Dec 5 Lexington, SC Gradys Billiards 803-957-7665 Dec 6 Somersworth, NH Busters Billiards 603-692-7926 Dec 5-6 Lindenhurst, NY Mr Cue Billiards 631-226-9486 Dec 5-6 Fairfield, OH Michael’s Billiards 513-860-0044 Dec 5-6 Tallahassee, FL Zingales 850-224-8644 Dec 5-6 Spartanburg, SC Cue Time 864-310-4088 Dec 11 Raleigh, NC Buck’s Billiards 919-467-5411 Dec 12-13 W Hempstead, NY Raxx Bar & Grill 516-538-9896 Dec 13 Cockeysville, MD Magic 8 Cue Club 410-628-2965 Dec 13 Abington, MA Stix and Stones 339-788-9381 Dec 17-20 Edison, NJ Sandcastle Billiards 732-632-9277 Dec 19 Lexington, SC Gradys Billiards 803-957-7665 Dec 20 Portland, ME Union Station 207-899-3693 Dec 20 Hamden, CT Towne Billiards 203-281-7665 Dec 27 Astoria, NY Steinway Billiards 718-472-2124 Dec 27 Plaistow, NH Crow’s Nest 603-974-1686 Jan 2-3 Greenville, SC World Cup Billiards 864-477-8369 Jan 2 Williamsville, NY Bison Billiards 716-632-0281 Jan 7-9 Mt Sterling, KY Billy Macks Billiards 606-495-3674 Jan 7-10 Verona, NY Turning Stone 518-356-7163 Jan 7-10 Tallahassee, FL Zingales 850-224-8644 Jan 10 Edison, NJ Sandcastle Billiards 732-632-9277 Jan 16 Syracuse, NY Salt City Billiards 315-454-8643 Jan 16-17 Tallahassee, FL Zingales 850-224-8644 Jan 17 Tallahassee, FL Zingales 850-224-8644 Jan 22 Elizabeth, IN Derby City Classic 812-288-POOL Jan 22-30 Elizabeth, IN Derby City Classic 812-288-POOL Jan 22-25 Elizabeth, IN Derby City Classic 812-288-POOL Jan 24 Elizabeth, IN Derby City Classic 812-288-POOL Jan 24 Elizabeth, IN Derby City Classic 812-288-POOL Jan 27 Elizabeth, IN Derby City Classic 812-288-POOL Jan 29 Elizabeth, IN Derby City Classic 502-345-7775 Jan 31 Portland, ME Union Station 207-899-3693 Feb 6 Williamsville, NY Bison Billiards 716-632-0281 Feb 5-7 Raleigh, NC Buck’s Billiards 919-467-5411 Feb 28 Edison, NJ Sandcastle Billiards 732-632-9277 Feb 28 Portland, ME Union Station 207-899-3693 Mar 5 Williamsville, NY Bison Billiards 716-632-0281 Mar 10 Lincoln City, OR Chinook Winds Open 360-703-4081 Mar 11-13 Lincoln City, OR Chinook Winds Open 360-703-4081 Mar 11-13 Lincoln City, OR Chinook Winds Open 360-703-4081 Mar 20 Edison, NJ Sandcastle Billiards 732-632-9277 Mar 27 Portland, ME Union Station 207-899-3693 Apr 2 Williamsville, NY Bison Billiards 716-632-0281 Apr 17 Portland, ME Union Station 207-899-3693 Apr 24 Edison, NJ Sandcastle Billiards 732-632-9277

EVENT / RULES ENTRY ADDED TIME 9-Ball $35 $500 7PM Bar Box 8-Ball $35 incl g.f. $$$ Noon 9-Ball A-B/C-D Call $1,000 Call 9-Ball $50 M/$35 W Call Noon 9-Ball $25 to $45 Call 1PM Open/Pro/ABCD 9-Ball Varies $1,500 Noon 9-Ball WPBA Masters Qualifier $75 $1,000 w/32 10:30AM 9-Ball $50m/$30W $1,500 w/50 Noon Sparkle City Shootout-Limit 128 $100 $2,500 Call Toys 4 Tots Call Call Call Open/Pro/ABCD 9-Ball Varies $5,000 + Noon Christmas Classic Pro/Am Varies $1,000 10AM 9-Ball $25 to $45 Call 1PM Make it Happen 10-Ball Invitational Call 9-Ball $50 incl g.f. $3,000 w/64 Noon USB 9-Ball Series $35 $250 11AM 9-Ball $24 to $45 $500 1PM 9-Ball A-B/C-D Call $1,000 Call 9-Ball Partners $25 to $45 Call 1PM 9-Ball $60+$10 g.f. $1,000 11AM Bar Box 8-Ball $35 incl g.f. $$$ Noon 9-Ball-Limit 64 $40 $2,500 7PM Turning Stone XV 9-Ball $200/$150 $25,000 Call RTC - Limit 64 Ladies Call Call Call Deul of Dames $120Pro/$60Am $500 Call 9-Ball $120/$70 $1,500/$500 Call Amateur 9-Ball-64 Max $50+$20 t.c. $1,000 Noon 10-Ball $200-Max 16 $500 Guar Noon 9-Ball Banks-Single Elim w/1 buy back $110-$50w/bb $10,000 Guar Noon Mini Tournaments throughout DCC Call Call Call Diamond Bigfoot 10-Ball Challenge Call $16,000 Call 1 Pocket-Single Elim w/1 buy back $135-$75w/bb $15,000 Guar Noon Straight Pool $1,000 High Run $100 $7,000 Guar Call 9-Ball-Single Elim w/1 buy back $160-$100w/bb $25,000 Guar Noon Mosconi Cup Points for 2016 Bank Ring Game Call $3,000 Call USB 9-Ball Series $35 $250 11AM Bar Box 8-Ball $35 incl g.f. $$$ Noon 8-Ball Team-Limit 32 teams $300 $9,000 payout Call Deul of Dames $120Pro/$60Am $500 Call USB 9-Ball Series $35 $250 11AM Bar Box 8-Ball $35 incl g.f. $$$ Noon Chinook Winds Open Warm up Call Call Call Chinook Winds Open Men’s 8-Ball $175 incl g.f. $12,000 3PM Mosconi Cup Points for 2016 Chinook Winds Open Women’s 8-Ball $175 incl g.f. $5,000 3PM Deul of Dames $120Pro/$60Am $500 Call USB 9-Ball Series $35 $250 11AM Bar Box 8-Ball $35 incl g.f. $$$ Noon USB 9-Ball Series $35 $250 11AM Deul of Dames $120Pro/$60Am $500 Call

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December 2015 Stroke

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