The Industry’s New Billiard Cloud

What’s Inside? Why You Missed - Pg 20 Adapt-A-Shaft - Pg 41 Spirit of Billiards - Pg 50

Hillbilly Bryant - Pg 37

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine1 - SeptemberSneaky Pete - Mafia 2014 Magazine - - IssueSeptember 2014 4 Table of Contents The Value of a coach - Pg 4 “The Constant Provider” - Pg 8 The Whip Draw - Pg 11 The OB-2 Shaft Review - Pg 13 Baddies of Billiards - Pg 14 What Would A Sucker Do? - PG 17 Minimizing Chaos - Pg 19 Find Out Why You Missed - Pg 20 The Evolution of Pool &Billiards - Pg 22 My Life in Leather - Pg 26 JB Cases Review - Pg 28 www.jbcases.com How it’s made - Pg 29 Elevate to the Moon - Pg 34 Charlie “The Hillbilly” Bryant - Pg 33 Adapt-A-Shaft - Pg 37 McDermott G-Core Review - Pg 38 Running Out is as Easy As - Pg 42 True Spirits of Pool - Pg 46 Hurricane Hot Seat - Pg 54 Diane Hoppe - Photographer - Pg 58 Universal Clothing Company - Pg 62 Mr Roboto - Pg 64 Meet the Streamers - Volume II -Pg 68 Black Belt Billiards - Pg 71 Buffalo Unleashed - Pg 74

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 2 3 2 3 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 The Value of a Coach? Bert Kinister know how long] 8 to 12 young men acting like a drill team waiting to learn pool. I worked with When my friend Ralf Souquet says best coach them as long as I could before I had to sleep. In ever I sit up and take notice. He was talking about the morning I woke to Johan’s beautiful wife’s someone that I knew well but had not connected face getting me up for breakfast. That is when I with in several years, Johan Ruijsink, the non- began to understand how great coaches create playing captain and coach of Europe’s Mosconi themselves. Cup team. What is there about a man that can bring players from four different countries, While Johan was out getting an assortment with four different languages together to form a of cheeses for breakfast his wife [an Olympic cohesive battle unit that laid waste to the best of swimmer] explained that Johan was ex Dutch Special Forces, an expert in discipline and teamwork. This explained all of the eager teenagers waiting for us in the middle of the night and Johan’s tireless work ethic. Johan must have been born with joy that he brought to the game. After spending several days teaching with Johan and his friends I went on to fulfil teaching engagements all over Europe. Johan went on to work tirelessly and for very little financial reward If you compete in tournaments, gamble, bringing his joy, discipline, work ethic, and did I play pool regulary, or occasional 8-Ball, mention JOY to his students from the youngest 9-Ball, One-Pocket or Straight Pool, these players in the Netherlands and Europe to the tapes will cut your learning curve by years, Champions of today. For Johan It has been a 12 it may even turn you into a winner. American players? year road to success and when Ralf Souquet says I first met Johan in 2002 in Cardiff Wales at the Johan Ruijsink is the best coach in the world I Trusted by Niels Feijein, World Straight Pool Champion who owns all of World Tournament. We were introduced by Niels believe him. Bert’s Videos. For years, Neils has traveled all the way from Holland to the Feijen a student I had been working with since United States to take Private Lessons from Bert. he was a teenager and Mosconi cup MVP. We Who was the coach for the American team again? struck up an immediate friendship and I agreed As a subscriber, you can access over 100 “One-Hour” DVDs 24/7 on your to return to The Netherlands with him to teach computer, iPhone and iPod-Touch for less than 22 dollars a month with in his poolroom. I was with the great Arubian your premier subscription. If purchased separately at their retail price of champion Ditto Acosta and the three of us set $31.95 each, they would total more than $3000. This is an absolute ground- out from Cardiff to Northern England in Johan’s breaking service for present and future pool and billiard enthusiasts. old Volvo. Bert Kinister’s DVDs are on sale, you can purchase the videos at http://www.bertkinister.com/dvd.html. Or you can contact Bert. Not always driving on the correct side of the He will personally return your call. Bert is available for private street our very merry band made it to an old One-On-One private training. Please book in advance. hotel in the north of England where we spent the night in very cramped uncomfortable conditions made worse by Ditto’s [El Snorizo] unbelievable snoring. Johan and I never got any sleep, none. In the morning we drove onto the giant catamaran that would ferry us and our car [along with 500 others] to The Netherlands later that day. With over 1,000,000 horsepower the trip did not even take 3 hours, clearing customs was another story.

Finally on the road to Johans home, night club, and pool room in the Hague we coasted in under cover of darkness with no brakes, no gas, no sleep, and there they were waiting for [I do not

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 4 5

magazineAd.indd 1 10/16/11 6:41:34 PM If you compete in tournaments, gamble, play pool regulary, or occasional 8-Ball, 9-Ball, One-Pocket or Straight Pool, these tapes will cut your learning curve by years, it may even turn you into a winner.

Trusted by Niels Feijein, World Straight Pool Champion who owns all of Bert’s Videos. For years, Neils has traveled all the way from Holland to the United States to take Private Lessons from Bert. As a subscriber, you can access over 100 “One-Hour” DVDs 24/7 on your computer, iPhone and iPod-Touch for less than 22 dollars a month with your premier subscription. If purchased separately at their retail price of $31.95 each, they would total more than $3000. This is an absolute ground- breaking service for present and future pool and billiard enthusiasts. Bert Kinister’s DVDs are on sale, you can purchase the videos at http://www.bertkinister.com/dvd.html. Or you can contact Bert. He will personally return your call. Bert is available for private One-On-One private training. Please book in advance.

4 5 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014

magazineAd.indd 1 10/16/11 6:41:34 PM Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 6 7 Angel of Billiards Jacqueline “The Angel” Karol (formerly Broadhurst) is an instructor, author, inventor, and philanthropist, and has been playing pool since she was 3 years old. She earned her nickname, the “Angel of Billiards”, for organizing and participating in charity fundraising events including, trick shot exhibitions, challenge matches, and spectator contests. Jackie is also an instructional columnist for AZBilliards, Fury/Cuesight, Professor Q-Ball and Cue Times.

Jackie has developed and teaches a variety of training programs including her new Billiards Boot Camp, a challenging and intensive 2-day course designed to quickly take your game to a higher level. She also produced billiards training videos, is authoring a new instructional book, and has invented several training devices which she uses in her Billiards Boot Camp. Jackie can be reached at [email protected] Visit her on the web at www.AngelofBilliards.com & www.BilliardsBootCamp.com

www.jbcases.com

6 7 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 “The Constant Provider” by “Mighty” Joe Young, Freelance Writer

If you frequent the national and regional league scene and the annual Super Billiards Expo, there’s a cue repair vendor that is highly regarded as one of the best in the business—Joe Blackburn. At these events, Joe is never too far from his work companion, Steve Lomax of Lomax Custom Cues. The duo has garnered high respect from both players and fellow cue makers alike.

Steve’s story is not too unfamiliar but a success story none-the- less: devout player has his cue retipped at a tournament, tip pops off and a decision was made to do it better; that decision was made in 1999. Fast forward 15 years, his hobby has turned career, an accomplishment difficult to achieve in our industry. For 10 years since 1999, Steve repaired cues and worked full-time as a trim carpenter. During that time as his experiences accumulated, he built his first cue in 2002. By 2009, it was a new beginning: Steve was a full-time cue maker.

Steve was inspired by traditional cues—4 pointers with veneers. He recalls back in the 70’s when we looked at fancy cues and wished he could make those or at least, figure out how they were made. He regrets not pursuing cue making sooner instead of waiting nearly 30 years to get into the business but life was different back then. To say he enjoys what he does is an understatement; he “enjoys every minute of it and has met players from all over the world.” Traveling across the country from tournament to tournament and returning home to his shop to make cues, he is so busy these days that he has “no time to play much.” That is to say, his successes are not entirely due to the quality of his work and cues but more so as a result of his character, personality and customer service.

Over the course of the past 20 years, Steve Lomax has probably seen it all. Many of us feel the decline of interest in our sport but Steve thinks “it’s growing bigger every year.” He attributes this growth mainly from the handful of amateur leagues that promote regional and national events. He thanks these leagues, the Super Billiards Expo and the many operators and hardworking individuals that help keep pool alive and growing year after year.

Pool is such a small niche market of indoor sports that those making a living off it should be commended obviously for their commitment, dedication and passion to keeping our great sport alive. Next time you’re at a national event, be sure to stop by and say hello to Steve Lomax at Blackburn Cue Repair.

For more information on Lomax Custom Cues (706)776-1252.

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 8 9 Holiday Gift Ideas Visit forfor billiardbilliard enthusiastsenthusiasts BilliardBuddies.com

8 9 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 10 11 THE WHIP DRAW Nkyoko Eddy This is one category of shots I personally found difficult to master and mastering this one means mastering all the 2mm draws. I’m not sure whether it’s even right to say I mastered it yet I rarely make it 10 times out of 10 attempts. Imagine being faced with a challenge of drawing back the cue ball from a ball only 2 millimeters away without jacking up (no masse). Not forgetting the principles of a good draw shot which include good follow through. Yet in this case if your tip remains in contact with your cue ball past 1mm, the result is a double hit which can even result into jumping the cue ball off the table. THE SET UP The blocker ball is on the spot and the cue ball is 1 ball gap from the blocker ball towards the short rail. The 1 ball is 2mm away from the cue ball aimed towards the corner pocket. The 2 ball is hanging in the opposite corner pocket.

THE EXECUTION Aim about 1/2 diamond on the long rail away from the corner pocket and use maximum draw plus 1 tip of left English on the cue ball. Keep your wrist lose all through and apply as much follow through as possible. It needs a pretty fast stroke to get enough spin to bite around the blocker. This is not a very simple shot one could easily make in 1 or 2 attempts. It takes some practice and dedication, however if missed, the adjustments are simple. You don’t need to temper with the spin and draw, if you miss the hanger on the long rail, you adjust your aim towards the pocket and if you miss it by the short rail, you adjust otherwise. It could also be missed by over stroking but if that’s the case, the cue ball won’t draw back and may possibly jump of the table. To address this try to move your cue out of the stroking line as you contact the cue ball. This shot is easier on new felt and a tip tool is one other secret. All the best in you practice, next time.

10 11 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 12 13 The OB2 Shaft Review By Garret Troop OB-2 shaft Average OB-2 shaft weight is 3.8oz specifications: There are so many shafts on the market that Standard tip is are all amazing. I have had the pleasure of Everest. shooting with the OB-2 for the last couple of months and have to say, this is a shaft for a Tip diameter is player. The feel it gives you when shooting 11.75mm. is really one that you can trust, especially for those dead on shots that need to be made without hesitation. The technology that OB puts into their work is unmatched and ever evolving. They OB-2 ferrule is have been in the successful business of patented ½” laminated producing mass production cues. The taper maple ferrule made from on this shaft give it a unique feel and ability 25 pieces of maple (OB-1 to maximize the amount of english that can ferrule is longer and has about be placed on the cue ball with a moderate 37 pieces). stroke. Taper is a modified conical taper. On a personal note, I have to say that I can personally draw the cue ball about half a Internal technology in the shaft includes table length more with this shaft than any a combination of mass reduction foam other I have used. I like the feel of this and silicone rubber to produce an Ultra-Low and only expect better thing to come Deflection shaft. from OB cues. Shaft blank is made up of 6 crescent shaped I had the pleasure of meeting pieces and each piece is a strip of 10 pieces this staff at OB and know that of flat laminated maple so the shaft blank is they strive towards excellent made up of 60 different pieces of wood. in the work and business mindset that they have about making cues and their stand in supporting players of all skill levels in the industry.

12 13 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 mother…” I’ll shut my mouth.

8. Caller (Neville Stevenson). If looks could kill, then Caller, the pierced, dreadlocked, bare-chested The Baddies eight-ball opponent from the 2001 New Zealand film Stickmen, would be like walking genocide. Fortunately, his opponent Wayne is too blitzed out of his mind to notice and handily runs the table on of Billiards Caller before he can make a shot. After writing my previous post about “my friend Harvey” from The Honeymooners episode “The 7. Eddie Davies (J.W. Smith). “Pool Hall Blus Bensonhurst Bomber” I started thinking further - September 4, 1954,” from the second season of about the role intimidation plays in billiards. Quantum Leap, is an insulting chapter of billiards Certainly, a number of prominent players today television history. But, as far as reprobates go, have assumed nicknames that are intended to Eddie Davies, the local loan shark, is high on the psych out their opponent to some degree. Consider: list. His scare tactics include sleazing all over the Thorsten “The Hitman” Hohmann, Tony “Silent pool hall proprietor’s daughter, beating up an old Assassin” Robles, Evgeny “Assassin” Stalev, Allison man, and – far worse – directing his goon to snap “Duchess of Doom” Fisher, Florian “Venom” Kohler, in half the prized cue stick of Charlie “Black Magic” and of course, Jeanette “Black Widow” Lee, who Walters. would “eat people alive” when she got to the table. 6. 8-Ball (Jeff Hagees). But, in billiards movies and television, intimidation OK, I admit it, this and fearmongering extends well beyond violent villain has nothing to do monikers. On and off the table, the villains of with movies, but Marvel billiards pop culture are known to do everything Comics’ misfit is too from bullyragging and browbeating to terrorizing perfect not to include and murdering. It is in their honor then that I in this list. From his announce the TOP 10 BILLIARDS BADDIES OF profile: “8-Ball wielded ALL TIME (and sorry, but my friend Harvey did not a pool cue specially make the cut). Let the countdown begin: designed to magnify any force applied to it to more than a thousand-fold and 10. Third Eye Ryu. In the 1972 pinky violence transmit that force at anything it struck. He also film Wandering Ginza Butterfly, the recently- carried a variety of pool balls for throwing, some paroled Nami must use designed to act as grenades. He traveled aboard a her billiards skills to giant hovering pool ball.” prevent the local yakuza from taking over a bar. 5. Joe (Chazz Palminteri). Though Joe doesn’t The fate of the bar lies in actually play pool in the 2002 film Pool Hall Junkies, a game of three-cushion he is every bit hustler-gangster-thug, starting with billiards that Nami must the fact he ruins Johnny’s dream of playing pro play against the yakuza’s junkie billiards by throwing out the invitation. But, that’s henchman, Third Eye Ryu. Behind tiddlywinks compared to his later nefarious acts, mirrored glasses, the stone-faced including breaking Johnny’s finger, beating up pool shark is a formidable opponent Johnny’s brother, and trying to destroy Johnny’s who exudes cold evil. reputation. Bad-ass quote: “Take that you motherless 9. Frosty (Richard Roundtree). motherfuckers.” The song “The Baron” is not the only memorable remainder of the 1984 made-for-TV movie The 4. Natasha (Rebecca Baron and the Kid. To that list, we should also Downs). In the 1998 add the formidable, impeccably dressed in white, “Pool Sharks” episode Southern hustler Frosty, who doesn’t like to lose in of Monsters, we’re first pool. He proves particularly adept at intimidation introduced to Natasha as when he removes his jacket, showing a holstered just another buxom, black- gun, and when he corrals his opponents with his clad, pale-skinned vamp posse of rednecks. Roundtree always was a “bad with a flirtatious mien and Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 14 15 a tendency to be forward with men by sucking their you’re a born loser,”) bleeding finger wounds. (And if you’ve seen From and ultimately, causing Dusk Till Dawn, you’re correctly thinking, “This his girlfriend Sarah to can’t be good.”) Sure enough, in time, Natasha kill herself, even if it bears her fangs and the friendly game of 50-point were Eddie and Bert straight pool turns into a death match. who “really stuck the knife in her.” 3. “Cue Ball” Carl Bridges (Ving Rhames). Ving Rhames trades in the “pliers and blowtorch” that So, there’s my list. Was made him famous in Pulp Fiction for a pimped out it unfair of me to omit wardrobe, 8-ball cane, stogie and an appetite for Baisez, the macho billiards-playing vampire from chicken feet in the 2005 movie Shooting Gallery. The The Understudy: Graveyard Shift 2? Or, what about plot may be ludicrous, but local gangster Cue Ball Topdog, the goon from Hard Knuckle who runs the Carl not only manages a pool hall where game losers must chop off their own city-wide street team of fingers. These were all tough choices. Let me know pool hustlers, but also the choices you would have made and share your dabbles in guns, drug- comments. running and violence.

2. Joey (Kurt Hanover). So sinister he’s almost cartoonish, Joey is the lying, cheating, back- stabbing, thieving, scoundrel of the 2012 film 9-Ball. Responsible for the care of his niece Gail since her father died, Joey exploits her billiards talents to make money for himself. When that starts to unravel, he threatens her to stop watching instructional pool videos (!!), and in time, steals from her and brutally beats her. Oh, and if that weren’t enough he – [SPOILER ALERT!] - also killed his brother (i.e. Gail’s father) in a fit of jealousy.

1. Bert Gordon (George C. Scott). Clearly, there are rogues on this list who have personally committed more heinous acts, but I still give the Billiards Brute top spot to Bert Gordon, the unscrupulous, vicious, milk-drinking, mastermind of the 1961 movie The Hustler. Gordon never pulls the trigger, but he pulls all the strings, manipulating “Fast” Eddie, destroying his character and confidence (“Eddie,

14 15 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 16 17 What Would a Sucker Do? (Part 4) If you look around the room and don’t see any suckers….YOU are the sucker!

You have stripes here. You each only have one ball left and the 8-ball. Your opponent’s ball, the solid, is sitting in the jaws and is directly blocking your corner pocket shot. What do you do?

1) “Bank your stripe in the corner!”

2) “Slowly roll the your ball up in on front of their solid to prevent them from hitting their ball!” 3) “Replace their ball with yours by softly shooting yours directly into theirs!”

Suckers… You must assess each situation to come to the best possible answer, which is the one with the highest winning percentage.

Why are these not good ideas?: Bank shots are low percentage and if you miss, your opponent will most surely run out and win. Slow rolling your stripe in front of theirs with accurate speed control is very hard to do and the cost is high if you miss. Softly shooting your ball into theirs will leave your ball in the jaws but you probably won’t get another shot because you will leave them an easy shot on the 8-ball.

Answer: Use draw to put forward spin on your stripe and call it in the corner. This will likely result either one of two positive outcomes: A: If you pocket your stripe, you can now shoot the 8-ball to win the game. B: If your ball does not follow it in and instead, stays in the jaws, you have now blocked their pocket with your stripe because you used a draw speed to set your 8-ball shot in that same corner.

By planning more than one shot ahead and assessing the possible outcomes, you will tremendously increases your odds of winning. By Jacqueline Karol House Pro at DownLo Billiards in Chico, California League Operator & Tournament Director - www.AngelofBilliards.com - www.BilliardsBootCamp.com

16 17 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 18 19 Mini mizing Chaos A chaotic system is one that shows sensitivity to Have no fear, though, as under present conditions it is initial conditions. Any uncertainty in the initial state within the realm of possibility to predict and control of the given system, no matter how small, will lead to those little colored balls with hair-raising accuracy. rapidly growing errors in any effort to predict future This does require concentration as the outcome is behavior. still very sensitive to initial conditions. Basically, very small changes can result in greatly Cueing the cue ball and following through are like different final states in a weather system; this could addressing a letter to a friend. Where you cue the cue mean that the flapping of a butterfly’s wings in ball will take it to the right zip code, and the speed Australia may lead to the formation of a hurricane in will take it to the mail box for perfect position. the Caribbean; hence the “butterfly effect.” In a pool shot or “system,” this could mean that a slight change However, if you give an incorrect address, the cue ball in the way you address the cue ball could entirely and object ball(s) may arrive in the wrong state! change the outcome of the shot. Increasing your awareness of where you are hitting If you watch a good pool player who first started out the cue ball will definitely improve your position game. playing snooker, you may notice that he has exceptional If you have the discipline to pay attention to this, you ball pocketing skills. This is partly because snooker will also become a more consistent shot-maker by requires tremendous aiming accuracy to pocket a learning how minute differences in spin can affect ball; however, excellent cueing skills are equally deflection and your line of stroke. important. Next time you practice, try directing most of your Out of necessity, world-class snooker players are not consciousness towards cueing the cue ball. Even only excellent at keeping their body still; they have though you will be looking at the object ball on the finely honed a skill which surely comes in handy for last follow through, you can still be aware of the playing all types of pool - ACCURATELY CUEING cue ball. With practice and good form it will become THE CUE BALL! second nature. In saying “cueing the cue ball,” I am referring to the One thing to try is looking at the cue ball on your contact point between the cue’s tip and the cue ball final stroke once you are confident in your line of aim. at impact. Accurately cueing the cue ball means that This will force you to stay still and give you a new the player actually hits the cue ball on the spot that awareness of cueing the cue ball. he intended to strike. If a pool shot is the result of a Also practice your center ball hit by putting the cue chaotic system, then the behavior of the balls can be ball on the head spot (the spot on the end of the table predicted only if the initial conditions are known to where you break from), shooting it over the foot spot an infinite degree of accuracy, which is supposedly (the spot on which the front ball is racked) and having impossible. However, a pool shot does not unfold it rebound off the end rail so it comes straight back completely because the balls will eventually stop due to hit your cue tip. This improves your awareness to the friction of the cloth. of center ball and thus your ability to put small Now, imagine there was not any friction between the increments of spin on the cue ball. Anywhere on the balls and the cloth and you had to accurately predict vertical-center ball axis is still a center ball hit, and the exact route of a seven hundred and twenty five it is good to practice center ball follow (top spin) and rail bank shot! Can you see how minor discrepancies center ball draw (bottom spin) as well. in where you cue the ball and the speed with which Max Eberle you hit it can show up way down the line?

18 19 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Find Out Why You Missed

It is one thing to miss a shot, will have to overcompensate to make it - and you may still be out of line on the 8 ball. If you miss the 8 ball, it is a but you need to find out why. good idea to look back and see how you got yourself into There is a big difference between a reason and an excuse that position in the first place. Reading the rack is just as for missing shots. When the balls don’t drop, you need to important as running the rack. Planning then executing. find out WHY. The “why” will usually fall into 3 different It eliminates that “I don’t know where I’m going but I’m categories: getting there fast” brand of 9 ball that you can see every day in the local pool hall. Category 1 - Physical Error Unless you figure out which of the 3 categories your misses Physical errors are caused by weaknesses and deficien- fall into, you’ll always be running east looking for a sun- cies with your fundamentals, ie -your stroke, your stance, set. Never underestimate the effectiveness of organized, your sighting, etc. Many beginners don’t realize when they goal-oriented practice. Practices should be centered around are popping up out of their stance or when they are taking accomplishing short term goals and turning any weakness their eye off of the ball. Usually, minor adjustments and into a strength. The more organized your practices are, the fine tuning with your stance, head alignment, and stroke more organized you will be when you are in competition. If could alleviate some of those problems. Never forget that you simply toss the balls on the table with little or no pur- the game of pool relies upon perfect application of the basic pose or goal in my mind, you will not improve very much. fundamentals in much the same way a chain depends upon However, if you take the time to evaluate these 3 areas of the strength of its links. Weaken one link, and the chain your game on a CONSTANT basis - you will be able to becomes useless. identify and attack the parts of your game that are holding you back by focusing your practices on specific deficien- Category 2 - Mental Error cies instead of merely putting in your time, or merely bang- Mental errors are evident when you are taken completely ing balls around. out of your normal shooting rhythm and either over-think or talk yourself out of certain shots. There is no quick fix for mental errors. Remember that CONFIDENCE is the prerequisite to CONSISTENCY. If you believe that you will make the shot, you have a better chance of having the ball drop in the pocket. If you tell yourself that it won’t go, chances are that it won’t. This goes back to self-talk - that conversation that is going on in your head while you are shooting. If you listen to the negative - your outcome will be all negative. If you decide to listen to that little voice that tells you that you can and will make the shot, good things will happen. It is like listening to the radio. It all depends what station you tune into. If you hear that negative stuff creeping in, take the time to start over - walk away from the table - CHANGE THE CHANNEL - and begin your evalu- ation of the shot, your approach, and your pre-shot routine all over again.

Category 3 - Tactical Error Many players get themselves into tough situations because of tactical errors committed earlier in the rack. Usually, a tactical error will have a snowball effect as you proceed through the rack. If you miss position on the 7 ball - you

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 20 21 Volturi Cases...

Contact: Roger Assuncao [email protected]

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… Luxury you can afford… 20 21 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Op Ed: The Evolution of Pool & Billiards by Alvin Nelson The central idea that seems to be most important is promoting others in the industry and promoting Pro and amateur billiards is on a swing in the the top pros ability’s and value while promoting right direction. That is the mindset that I want our individual cause. I believe one of the key to program into the mass collective and begin elements to unlocking this door is for us all to materialize A Golden Age for billiards right take a vow to help thy neighbor here in the pool from our own thoughts. I am responsible for the World as much as we can. The step up to positive industry as it is now. My mind is a reflection thinking is ultra important. of the outward appearance. As soon as I can change my mind the World will change around The common mind of someone in the Billiards me. This is the end result of ten years in the pro industry is that of an outside the box thinker— pool world, owning responsibility for everything intelligent, and understanding of how difficult and that is powerful. it is to make something out of yourself in the pool world. They are focused and strong minded This article will bring accounts of several top of for sure. The focus needs to move from separate the industry pro Players who have been in the interests only to unification of support. professional levels of the industry for many years as well and attempt to inspire us all to take our All companies and players in the pool World are game and sport to the next level. working for the limited amount of money and products that can be used to trade for advertising I feel that with Live Streaming, the alternative and player expenses. I believe the key is to really media, and platforms like Facebook, Youtube, pump up your advertisers who support you and Ustream, SneakyPeteMafia, NYCGrind, and others. Sell their products well and that will build InsidePool, we are beginning to build a strong a stronger ad base for the industry to give back. foundation to set our palace to pool and billiards The common wrong thought system is: “ I just among the stars. need to get my expenses paid.” From here the mindset needs to move to: “What can I do to help this advertiser make more money than what they put out of pocket to get me to this event?” From there it is very important to really represent their investment in you, and go out of your way to put that product or person on a pedestal for the people and media.

The next sensitive subject is that we need to remove the Rose colored glasses is the road player enigma we all watch, and follow.

The public view of Gambling and the hustler rubber stamp, although romantic and exciting, in its current manifestation leads this game on a downward spiral. Until the entire aura of that mindset changes the World will not view Pool properly. The way in which this activity is done is the key. Most important is professionalism and appearance when out in the field, and being low key about gambling. Throwing money around with a big smile, rolling in cash on a pool table

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 22 23 for Facebook pictures, boasting how much you’re and see the game, our collective mind playing for or how much you won. I see this needs to put its foot down and begin repeatedly make the players of this sport look with the man in the mirror. like what it really is, dark room gambling. Changing the sport is really a Pool is the Gentlemen’s game. I find the more decision to say, “I am responsible “in the background” those hustler movements for the industry being the way it move, the faster professionalism progress. I is.” I did this. I own that truly. believe that it lives within everyone to bring It is me that has to change the game up. How can we do this? It starts before the Pool World Changes with positive thinking about everything and the outside World. The pool and enforcing a dress code on yourself when World is a reflection of the state out in public participating in cue sports. The of mind I have now, a mirror way you look is the way others will perceive image. It’s what we think, say, dedicated pool players. and do that creates or destroys. All the power is within. It is up Now that more and more tournaments are being to us to enforce a dress code on live streamed to the world on major broadcasting our selves at your tournaments platforms like Youtube live, Ustream tv as well and keep those people who decided as the soon to be Yatube from Yahoo, there is a to look like they just walked out of need for everyone who cares to be trigger ready a food fight off your live stream no for people in the top levels who may be watching, matter how good they are. and it does happen. The old saying goes: You never know For instance, let’s say the most famous who is watching. The streamers out personality with the most influence who is there, including myself, all need to interested in Billiards is watching. We will call jump up the levels of the productions him Mr. X to mask his identity but we all know as well and the industry needs to him. Let’s say Mr. X for some reason is watching continue to realize the power of live a live stream sitting in an airport on his phone streaming, online magazines, and other avenues between stints as a super megastar. digitally to jump there products, our beloved pro players, and sport. Through his eyes we see Billy Joe walk up to the table with his wrinkled Giant M+M candy T-shirt The following is several quotes from pro players I with BBQ sauce on the front adjusting his crotch asked to participate in this article. I asked them every thirty seconds. Every once and awhile he about what needs to be done to help this sport. strolls over and has a big gulp of beer and chews on a chicken wing, then fills the camera lens full Max Eberle: “First what we can all do on daily of smoke from his cigarette. Also Mr. X notices basis to improve the sport is to simply be friendly that the live streamer producing the video is and respectful with each other to help create a having his dinner as well live on the microphone welcoming culture in and around the game. If and commentating at the same time about how we do choose to compete in any form, it is great good the food is. We hear his fork clink off the practice NOT to purposefully shark and pull plate and chewing sounds emitting through Mr. moves on our opponents. Personally I want to X’s headphones. I am speculating here but I win on the merits of my play, not my ability to would bet that Mr. X will change what he is doing distract. Win or lose, we can show respect for our at that moment and decide to watch something opponent and have dignity knowing we will live else. Theoretically he thinks, “ Why should I do to win again. anything to promote or help this game, look at how these people show up?” As for pool hall owners, don’t wait for the law to make you switch to non smoking, make the move Mr. X walks away shaking his head and so do the as a leader who wants the best for the sport. rest of the 200 people from across the globe who Quite frankly most people don’t want your smoke never have seen pool online before that happened filled air. What kind of other sport allows this to drop into the feed from out in the ether. In environment? It’s time for pool to grow up on so this day of constant camera, media footage and many levels, I could go on and on... maybe in a now that big names are paying more attention future interview.”

22 23 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Robb Saez feels that The sport needs Unity and new scenarios? I doubt it that people would we need to promote the next man as well as the buy it and would lose interest in it. Besides normal habit of looking out for ourselves. He that I believe that maybe only one discipline feels there is no equal treatment for players and should be pushed (whichever game it might be) favoritism runs rampant thru the industry. He and declared as the pools professional game, says instead of bickering and trying to get the otherwise it is too difficult to follow. Snooker best game and ball spot, to just throw yourself and 3-cushion for example are the other billiard out there and give it a chance. He said that games that everyone knows and pool also just was the way he reached to the top fighting the needs 1 game or discipline. For the sport to grow champions. This was the way it was done in the we need money and money comes through TV old days. Working together is the key in Robbs from sponsors and the industry. As soon as the statements. sport is actually treated like a sport from fans and players, it will grow but money comes only Stevie Moore stated that the games growth begins from TV coverage. Internet might be helpful but is with the kids and getting them into the game the not big enough. Only a few people will sit in front right away. He thinks that individually begin in of a computer watching something for hours but your own hometown to help the game grow. in front of a TV or a big screen in a bar you could watch sports for hours and hours.” Ralf Souquet says: “First of all I think it would be helpful if we would play after the same rules Charlie Williams stated that he felt that we worldwide and not have different rules everywhere. should all accept pool for what it is now and Especially in the USA a lot of promoters think to work from there. He feels the younger generation know staff better than the majority of the world. is not seeing and hearing the complaining and We do have a set of rules from the WPA which is negativity that pervades our sport from the good and should be followed by everyone. Could amateur level to the pro level. He feels that being you imagine if in tennis or golf you would have more positive about what we have is key and of course continuing to improve the sport as we go. Dennis Orcullo Feels that an organized Pro pool tour is the answer.

An Unnamed Pro Player feels that the Amateur level of the sport is where things can change for the pros. All the money that can ever fund a pro tour is within the industry every year. He feels If you look at amateur level golf as the model one can see how the pro level of the sport is funded by its industry and amateur tour.

Thank you for reading and thank you to Garret, Suzanne, and the rest of Sneaky Pete Mafia magazine for all that you give to the sport.

to play with different rules wherever you go and have to tell the spectators every weekend some

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 24 25 24 25 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 My Life in Leather - John Barton For all of human recorded history and even working consumers is saddle leather. When the well before we were able to make records of our average person thinks of saddle leather they think activity humans have used the skins of animals of cowboys and harsh conditions and something to assist them in life. Leather is simply an animal tough and durable. In reality saddles are made skin that has been processed so that it does not of many kinds of leather and the saddle maker decompose. This process is called tanning and will adjust his methods to account for the various there are several methods of tanning. For the types. But for the most part veg tan leather is the most part leather is tanned today the same way most durable of the many types. it was done hundreds of years ago. When you see a cue case that has been hand- Leather can be seen as one of the cornerstones tooled, meaning that it’s decorated with cuts and of civilization. No matter what the culture and sculpting and stamps then it’s almost certainly what period of mankind leather is used in veg tan leather. Other types of leather don’t take all aspects of life. Its use for case making is this type of manipulation well if at all. Let’s just almost incomparable when the ease of making a run down the main types of leather you might container and versatility is considered. Leather see in a typical description of a case: can be tanned using naturally found chemicals and it can be worked using rudimentary tools. Veg tan/saddle – this type is easy to carve on Once tanned it is incredibly durable and long and is preferred for hand-toolers. This leather is lasting. And as long as there are animals there is easy to dye and shape. an endless supply of raw material. Oil Tan – this type has high oil content and One of my fondest memories as a young man was is preferred for uses in moist environments. It the first time I went to a leather factory in the resists moisture and allows for scratches to be mountains of France. Walking into a cavernous rubbed out. warehouse filled to the ceilings with stacks of Nappa – this is soft leather that you will leather, mostly goat, and it was intoxicating. The typically find used in upholstery, car seats, smell, textures and colors were overwhelming. couches and the like. I spent $2000 on leather I couldn’t even really use, that’s how green I was to the business at the Prints/Embossed – Prints are typically time. Then several years later and much wiser I cowhides which have had a texture imprinted or went to a leather broker’s warehouse in Germany embossed onto the surface. The bonding process and spent all day and $10,000 climbing racks of often creates leather that is stiffer than nappa leather to find the hides which would become our but not as stiff as veg tan. Limited series of cases. To me, there is almost nothing better than being in such a place and Suede/Nubuk – Suede is simply the rough side hunting down the choiciest pieces of well-tanned of the leather. When leather is split then it’s leather. I think that most cue makers probably rough on both sides. Nubuk is very fine suede. feel the same when buying wood. The leather is shaved and sanded to the point where the feel is similar to velvet. For the purpose of this article we aren’t going to get into the very technical descriptions of each Exotics – this applies to the skin of animals tanning method. In general the main two methods such as python, alligator, crocodile, ostrich, are chrome tanning and vegetable tanning. shark, elephant and so on, basically any Chrome tanning uses the chemical Chromium uncommon animal. Each of these has varying as an additive. This produces soft and supple properties and levels of availability from leather. Vegetable tanning uses the bark of trees, relatively easy to get to difficult. So the price primarily oak and produces a stiffer leather. varies accordingly. Some exotic animals are farmed but since the luxury bag makers use so Vegetable tanned leather is known as veg tan much of it then it’s difficult to get pieces large and while it does come in several varieties the enough for cue cases. most common type is simply called veg tan. And the most commonly known term for non-leather

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 26 27 Now that you know the main types of leather let’s sheets and the surface texture is typically painted talk about quality. Leather is generally graded in on or bonded to a layer of plastic. Legally this three ways, top grain, corrected grain, and split. leather may not use the term Real Leather. Done A piece of cowhide will be split into two or more well this is actually a decent material for cases. layers. The upper layer, the one where the hair Done wrong it’s a terrible material. You will never grows is called the flesh side. It is uppermost find recycled leather used in custom cases. layer. When this layer is stripped of hair and then nothing else is done to it, leather is called top And that’s pretty much the education you need grain and natural grain. Basically this means the to figure out what kind of leather is being used leather’s texture is as it came off the cow. All the on the cases you are looking at. The important scars, scratches, bite marks and stretch marks thing to remember is that each type of leather are visible and tactile. When the leather is very requires different methods to work it and the clean with little to no marks then it is the highest experienced case maker will know those methods. grade of top grain leather. The price goes down For example a nappa leather case will need extra from there with the appearance of the leather. work to secure the stress points. As durable as leather is, it can still be weakened So the next step down is corrected grain. This by improper techniques. With care in putting the is where the top layer is sanded and buffed to parts together a leather case can last for dozens correct the marks and make the leather smooth. of years. With proper care of the leather the case, This results in a very nice even layer. The leather it can last even longer. Unfortunately most people has little to no natural character at this point. don’t realize that leather requires the same type But it’s very good to work with if the goal is to of care as a person’s skin. At least once a year, it have a product with a very consistent and even should be moisturized and it is preferably done color. Some case makers prefer this blank canvas twice a year. It should be inspected for mold and as it gives them a consistent work surface with no treated against it if found. Doing these simple need to work around any blemishes. things will keep your leather case healthy and Then the next quality level is split leather. durable. When you are considering a leather case Splits have no top grain so the texture has check the fittings, check the fit, check the edges a suede feel. Essentially the back of a piece of and check the stress points. Inspect the leather top grain is what both sides of a split feel like. and make sure that you feel comfortable with the Leather manufacturerers have a wide variety of durability. techniques to apply textures to the leather. This Leather is a skin and it reacts to the environment, ranges from sanding and rolling the leather and tightens up in cold weather and expands in hot impressing textures on it to bonding a layer of weather. So the better that leather is worked the plastic on the surface. There is typically a wide more it can withstand. Those cowboys who had range of quality in splits having to do with the look to spend most of their lives in the saddle out in and feel and durability of the surface treatment. the country knew the value of a well-built saddle Splits are commonly used on handbags, shoes, and they knew the agony of a crappy one. In my and upholstery. Unfortunately there is not a good opinion, the purest form of leatherworking uses way to test the quality of a split without doing leather to build something intended to outlast it’s a scratch test. We use a razor blade to test the owner. You don’t need to be an expert to figure surface of leathers we consider to determine if out when you have a leather case in your hands it will be durable enough for use on our cases. if it’s built to that standard or not.

In general if the piece feels very stiff and plastic If you would like to educate yourself about then it probably has a plastic top layer. This leather you can find an endless supply of great doesn’t mean it’s not good quality because the information on the web. After all this material surface treatment can be very tough and durable. has been part of our lives long before we used it Bad quality is when the surface treatment is easy to record our achievements. to remove and flakes off with light use. See you next month, And finally there is recycled leather. This is known as bonded leather in the trade and it’s leather’s John Barton - JB Cases equivalent of plywood. This is a material made of ground up leather bits which is pressed together with glue under high pressure. It is produced in

26 27 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 28 29 •How It’s Made - Episode 2• by Kim Walker In this section we are going to mount the round pieces of Curly Maple on dowels. The forearm section will be mounted on the permanent ¾ in dowel that will be the backbone of the cue. This will insure that the butt never warps and will give the cue a consistent “hit” like all the cues I build. The butt sleeve will be temporally mounted on a sacrificial dowel so we can turn it on the lathe. The forearm is glued on the 30 in long dowel using gorilla glue. It foams and expands about 4 times and fills any small voids. This does not mean that there is foam inside the cue. It only foams where it escapes the glue joint. The butt sleeve is glued on the short dowel with 3 dots of super glue (CA) on each end (Figure 3) Now that we have the forearm and butt sleeve tapered, we can cut the “V” grooves for the points. The grooves are cut using a large 90 degree “V” cutter. A special taper bar, that I designed and built, will be used to cut the proper shape and depth of the grooves.

(Figure 1)

(Figure 4)

(Figure 2)

After 24 hours, we can begin to work on the Curly Maple pieces. We will mount each one in the lathe and taper them using the butt taper bar. Each one will be turned to about 100 thousands (Figure 5) over size.

28 29 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Now that the point grooves are cut, we need to sets, about 1 hour. The oak strips are covered make something to fill them. The 1 in squares of with freezer paper to prevent sticking. Glue does Gaboon Ebony need to be squared up and sanded not stick to the paper’s waxy surface. until they are smooth and the edges are sharp. To do this, we will run them through a drum sander, sometimes referred to as a thickness sander.

(Figure 8) When the glue has set, the edges are trimmed flush using a router and flush trimming laminate (Figure 6) bit.

When the Ebony point stock is ready, it’s time to cut it to length. The forearm points are about 9 inches long so we will cut one of the ebony point stock pieces to 10 in long. The ebony square for the butt points will be cut to about 5 inches long as the points in the butt sleeve are 4 ½ in long. Starting at the Ebony, the point veneers will be yellow, orange, red, and black. The black veneer will outline the point in the Curly Maple forearm. The yellow veneer is cut into strips that are the proper length and about 1/8 in wider than the point stock. (Figure 9) After sanding the veneer edges smooth, the other 2 pieces of yellow veneer is glued on and clamped. When the glue is dry, the edges will be trimmed with the router and sanded smooth. The next color is orange.)

(Figure 7) The veneer strips are glued on the point stock 2 sides at a time. Titebond wood glue is used because it is very strong and does not leave a glue line. The veneer strips and point stock is (Figure 10) clamped between two oak strips until the glue

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 30 31 4 points are cut from each block, leaving a small piece of Ebony left over. (Figure 14)

(Figure 11) The orange veneer is followed with the red veneer. (Figure 14)

In the next section, we will glue in the points and turn them even with the surface of the forearm and the butt sleeve.

(Figure 12) The final layer is the back veneer.

(Figure 13) From each point block, we will cut 4 points. The points are held in 90 degree “V” blocks and cut free hand with the band saw. I always count my fingers when I am done. (Figure 13)

30 31 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Banking System from Billiard Buddies

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 32 33 32 33 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 ElevateElevate to to thethe Moon Moon by Tom Simpson © December 2012 – All Rights Reserved – PoolClinics.com

Most of us have pretty good bridges for getting over a blocking ball – at least when the blocker is not too close to the cueball. But what about when we have to seriously elevate our stick because the balls are close together, and maybe we need some draw? Much, much tougher. Unless you’re really tall, extreme elevation is a challenge. We’ll illustrate two different ways to accomplish extreme elevation and still keep your stick under control: the Press Stroke and the Shoulder Stroke. And yes, it’s even possible to get good draw while frozen to the rail! Part of the difficulty with elevating is keeping your stroke arm in the vertical swing plane. Most players wing their forearm out sideways to get more elevation. But then they can’t really see down their stick, and their tip is moving side to side as they stroke. Problematic. The photos below show two surprising ways to elevate to an extreme, see down your stick, and stroke straight. The Press Stroke requires flexibility and strength. Here are the steps, but once you have it, you can get there in one smooth move: Photo 1: Choke way down on the cue. Stand close to the table, pressing the table with your thigh. Form a high open bridge on the rail. Using the webbing between the thumb and index finger of your grip hand, press the front of the stick down securely into your bridge. Maintain that downward pressure as you bend forward from the waist and raise the back of the stick to get into shooting position. Tuck your bridge elbow to your body as you bend. To raise the butt of the stick, lift the point of your elbow straight up (vertically, not tilted). Unfortunately, we’re not ready to hit yet. Notice how my stroke arm is already fully folded. I have nothing to stroke with. The solution appears in Photo 2. Photo 2: The final move is pretty weird, but it works. To get stroke room for your arm, glide your head down the stick line until your forearm is perpendicular to the stick when the tip is near the cueball. This puts your arm in the proper place to perform an accurate, athletic stroke. Of course, it will seem very strange to have your eyes overtop the cueball, and you will have had to aim well prior to the head move. Don’t try to hold this position for long. You’re using lots of muscle. Finally, stroke and hit while holding the stick against your chest for greater stability. The Shoulder Stroke is remarkably easy for most players. They’ve just never seen it. Even players with physical limitations like neck pain, stiffness, and lack of flexibility can usually do well with this technique: Photo 3: The beauty of the Shoulder Stroke is that you can stand up straight and comfortably see down most of the length of the stick. The actual stroke is different from the standard, but so is this technique. So what if the method is unconventional? It works, and it’s legal. Stand facing fairly square to the shot. Find a place on your shoulder where the stick can ride pretty smoothly and you can see down it. Make a high bridge. Here’s the key – grip the shaft about halfway between the joint and tip. Hold the stick gently against your shoulder and your bridge by pulling your elbow straight back along the line of your forearm. Find the angle and pulling pressure that allows the stick to stroke smoothly and straight, without slipping around on your shoulder or being loose in your bridge. Stroke with your forearm, right through the cueball like you’re trying to hit the table. On elevated shots like this, most players prefer looking at the cueball during the hit stroke. Notice in Photo 3, I’m taking a half tip of cushion. It’s rubber, after all. I’m going through like it’s not there. Draw off the cushion? Yep, it’s beautiful and it’s easier than you’d think, but it could cost you some “customers.” Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 34 35 34 35 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 36 37 Charlie“The Hillbilly”Bryant By Heather Bryant The portrait of a professional What is the definition of a professional pool few and far between. Living with friends and never player? According to some, it is a competitor knowing where his next stop would be, Charlie’s who attends sanctioned events and maintains a world was rooted in chaos and disorder. I took it point standing. According to the dictionary, and upon myself to give him a stable life where he could anyone who runs “amateur only” tournaments, a come home and be loved by his family. I placed professional pool player is anyone who successfully myself in the position of ‘manager’ and started earns a living with their skill. There is no better turning down offers that were non-beneficial to his example of that definition than Charlie “The goals. I took over his website and re-vamped it to Hillbilly” Bryant. give him an identity. I helped him heal mentally and get focused again. A whole new ‘Hillbilly’ came to the surface.

While playing in a tournament in Louisiana, Charlie met a gentleman that would go on to sponsor his touring for the next few years. Times were good and the stress was off. After the economy fell into crisis, that generous sponsor was forced to back out. Trying to cover those expenses ourselves, we ended up in considerable debt and were unable to pay the bills. We began to consider the fact that “The Hillbilly” may have to retire from pool. Instead, we sat down and developed a method of booking lessons and clinics in advance and coordinating them with events in those areas.

Refusing to be beaten, Charlie attended what pro events he could but focused more on state and local open events and booking clinics. As with Don’t let his nickname, his southern drawl or all new ventures, there was a slow start but it the tell-tale overalls and straw hat fool you. This looked promising. It seemed as if his prayers had ‘Hillbilly’ is all business. As his wife, travel been answered when a promoter called and asked companion and business manager, I am witness to the 3am ideas that turn into a flurry of notes and diagrams in our game room. Ever evolving, ever learning, ever developing, Charlie is the epitome of pool business. He plays, practices, learns, teaches, films, writes, markets… lives and breathes pool. It didn’t start out that way through. This professional was forged by adversity and learned through trial and error over a span of 4 decades. Several magazines and websites over the years have covered the rise of Charlie’s career but I have only been witness to his transformation over the last six years, so I will begin where I came in.

When I first met Charlie Bryant, he was an established top 12 American on the Pro Tour. Still suffering from the loss of his mother a few years before, he couldn’t seem to focus his mind on the business side of his sport. He managed to get Charlie to be part of a group of professional players himself into several deals that were not properly that were going to tour around the United States handled and fell short of his expectations. The Pro appearing for exhibitions and instructional clinics. Tour was less than inviting and sponsorships were

36 37 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 the boost we needed to get back on our feet and give us time to organize the identity into an entity. On The Hill Enterprises, the official company that is the efforts and products offered by Charlie “The Hillbilly” Bryant was born. Using relationships with area league directors and venue owners to book clinics and developing ideas for products, the once pool player, turned instructor, had officially transformed into a business man. After receiving lesson inquiries from locations out of our reach and an inability to book multiple events at the same time, the next logical step was to take the lessons to the web. Filming lessons by skill or subject and then offering them online, as a rental service, allowed players to access the content instantly and on any type of device. Instead of waiting for delivery I advised against it, encouraging him to stick with of a DVD and then only being able to play it on a TV our own developments but the anticipation was at home, this method allowed students to play the more than Charlie could resist. Eager to get back video on their smart phone or tablet and take it to out there, the contracts were signed and the first the table where they train. event was booked. 2013 saw an increase in private lessons and clinics It didn’t take long for Charlie to feel out of place that keep us on the road. The “Hillbilly Smacker” with his peers. Noticing a difference in goals and Jump/Break Cue, with its Purple Heart shaft, a lack in income, he struggled with the decision. It was introduced late in the year and will go on took a call from home informing him that the lights sale to the public in February of 2014 along with were about to be shut off to seal the deal. After an official apparel line and inspirational game talking with the manager Charlie decided that he room décor. Also in early- had to call it quits. Counter-contracts were signed production stages are a line and he was released from the team. Once he got of billiard accessories such home and uttered the mandatory, “honey, you were as gloves and chalkers. The right,” we got back to work. instructional book that has been 8 years in the After a few trips, realizing that his heart was with making is being re-done as the amateurs and in instruction, Charlie “The a series. All products and Hillbilly” Bryant officially retired from the Pro services will be available Tour. Shedding his professional competitor skin through the website at www. and adjusting to his new role as an instructor was hillbillyonthehill.com. an effortless transition. It was the gratitude from his students and their excitement at improvement After a long road, Charlie that warmed Charlie’s heart. Not long after, a good has adopted and preached a friend offered him a job and the option to take time philosophy… “The Pro Tour off when he had events booked. The flexibility of should be used as a vehicle his instructional schedule in conjunction with the to establish a reputation dependability of a job when he was home was just that sells products, not as a life time occupation.” He teaches that to truly become great at the sport, you must understand the individual skills that make it up and to be inspired in a productive manner. If you treat it like a game, it will always be a game. For it to be a passion, you have to find your inspiration and honor it with every thought and action.

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 38 39 38 39 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 40 41 IntroducIng Adapt-A-Shaft

When looking for products that I can add to my billiard toolbox that will help my playing capabilities, I look for things that are unique, unusual and extremely functional. I happened to come across one of these items, right in my own area, and from a pool player a lot of people in North Central & Central Ohio are familiar with. He is a pool addict with extra skills - making stuff to enhance your game - Chris “Chilli” Dininger. The new idea that he has come up with is called “Adapt-A-Shaft” which was born from the idea of using your favorite shaft with a different cue bottom of a different thread - Mcdermott to Meucci, or Viking, - etc.... It can also be used as an extension to give you more length to a cue for those hard to reach shots. Chilli can get 30 different colors of wood to make your custom Adapt-A-Shaft - clear coated, burnished or waxed American Oak, Olympic, Crimson Ironwood, Desert Stripe Wood, Evergreen Camo, etc. and can do custom exotic hardwoods as requested including Maple, Black Ebony, Birds Eye Maple, Black or Snake Juma... and more. Turnaround time is approximately 6 days and can be made any length from 2 1/2 inches up to 10 inches - Chilli has been making Adapt-A-Shafts for about 2 1/2 years now and is fully customized for your cue - Base price is $55 - shipped add $5 for radial or uniloc. Comes with a lifetime warranty. *Joints Available * 5/16 - 18 Original Uni-Loc 5/16 - 14 Uni-Loc Radial 3/8 - 10 Schuler 3/8 - 11

For more information and sample photos go online to www.facebook.com/adaptashaft call or message for special pin and exotic hardwood pricing at 419-543-4692 40 41 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 McDermott G-Core Shaft Review By Anthony Beeler Throughout my pool-playing career I have had the opportunity to play with a variety of low deflection shafts. This month I was charged by Sneaky Pete Mafia to write a review of McDermott’s G-Core shaft. Since I play with of stiffness and stability. In fact, custom cue the G-Core on a regular basis, I found my maker Bill McDaniel, known by many experts assignment to be rather easy. to produce one of the finest hitting custom cues made, questioned many professional In my opinion, McDermott leads the way among players on the subject of shaft taper and after all cue makers in high-performance shaft many years or research found that a 12 inch technology. G-Core technology significantly pro-taper seems to provide the best playing stabilizes the shaft through the use of a three- characteristics. layer core positioned in the front impact area of the shaft. McDermott’s new technology As for feel, the G-Core has the hit of a traditional increases shaft stability by 65% promoting maple shaft and doesn’t sound hollow like increased accuracy with enhanced radial most of its competitors. Many players choose consistency. The G-Core shaft also utilizes a not to play with a low deflection shaft for this proprietary CT Tenon technology: a carbon very reason. However, McDermott’s technology fiber ferrule core, which results in greater produces a solid, crisp hit that is preferred by strength, efficiency and precision. top players. Carbon fiber extends through the shaft wood The shaft also comes standard with a Tiger, and into the ferrule with an additional red Everest tip which shapes like a hard tip, hits colored dampening device to reduce vibration. like a medium, and offers the control of soft tip. This results in a stronger ferrule assembly with It includes a red warning layer that indicates maximum impact properties and enhanced when the tip needs to be replaced. McDermott feedback. The G-Core’s triple layer design also offers Kamui tips as an optional upgrade stabilizes the front impact area of the shaft, to players who have that preference. reducing vibration and minimizing shaft distortion. Its carbon fiber layer increases radial consistency, promoting enhanced accuracy and stability. The G-Core shaft also offers a 12-inch pro- taper. Over the years, I have discovered that this taper length provides the correct amount

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 42 43 of the G-Core to be simply amazing. Very few shafts play the same day in and day out. However, I have found this Standard G-Core shafts are 13 millimeters shaft to play more in diameter. However, the shaft size can be consistently than customized to nearly any dimension that any other I have ever you want. McDermott will even customize played with. In fact, the shaft length for you. Recently, I ordered during 2013, I won a a G-Core shaft for my child’s playing cue. BCA National 9-Ball Not only was the shaft perfect in size, but Championship and it also made the cue play unbelievable! also finished 9th out of nearly 1100 players at Finally, another characteristic I find the BCA National 8-Ball desirable is the price tag. The base Championships. I did McDermott G-Core shaft retails for this all with a McDermott around $149.00 and is priced well below most G-Core shaft. of its competitors. Additionally, McDermott offers 3/8X10, 5/16X14, 5/16X18, radial, quick So the next time you are in the market for a release and uni-loc joint configurations so that high performance shaft. Think about all of nearly anyone can purchase a shaft to fit their the advantages that the McDermott G-Core cue. offers. Visit your local McDermott dealer and take it for a test drive. I promise you won’t be In my opinion, the G-Core shaft is the best disappointed. playing high-performance shaft made. I am very choosey about the products that I play with, and I have found the radial consistency

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 pool-playing career Anthony has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competition.

42 43 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 44 45 44 45 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 RUNNING OUT IS AS EASY AS 1 - 2 - 3

The Drill Instructor By Dominic Esposito

How to Become 1-Ball Better in just 30 Days – Guaranteed!

I personally promise to that this drill will make you at least one ball better within 30 days—so long as you keep one promise to me.

It’s very common for people to agree to a deal on the front end. It’s on the back end that most people break down. So, here’s what we’re promising each other, I’ll teach you a drill that will make you run out better than you currently do if you’ll promise to do this drill every day for 30 days. If you can keep your promise, I know mine is in the bag.

9 7 ① ① 8 ① C

A

1 2 3 4 5 6 ① ① ① ①

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 46 47

1. Rack the 7, 8 & 9 balls on the spot. 2. Break the balls and spot-up any ball that is pocketed. 3. Take Ball in Hand and pocket each ball in rotation order as you would in finishing a 9 Ball game.

If you miss, continue shooting until you run out, then rack the same numbered balls again and do it again.

Count and score 1-pt. for each rack you run out (from Ball in Hand). Be sure to score a total of 10 points before moving on to the next level.

4. Next, rack the 6, 7, 8 & 9 and follow the opening steps again to break the balls and spot-up any ball that is pocketed. Take Ball in Hand and pocket each ball in rotation order as you would in finishing a 9 Ball game.

Don’t forget, if you miss, keep shooting until you finish running out that rack. Then, rack the same numbered balls again and run those out until you have run a total of 10 racks at each number count.

5. Next, rack the 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 and follow the opening steps again. 6. Next, rack the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 and complete 10 successful racks without missing. 7. Next, rack the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 and follow the same steps. 8. Next, rack the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 and finally, 9. Rack the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 and follow the same steps out.

NOTE: When you break the full rack, leave any balls made in the pocket. Then, start with ball in hand and continue to run the rack until you have finished 10 racks.

There is a more challenging level to this drill for players who feel they’re ready for some real action. If you miss a ball, re-rack the balls and start that entire rack set over again. You only need to restart at the rack level you’re on if you miss. Your goal is to run 10 racks at each ball count level without a miss.

You can find this drill and more like it on the DI’s web site or from your favorite pool supply dealer. JUST GET YOURS TODAY!

Now, don’t forget our promise.

Continue to direct your Pool Skill Building questions or requests for group exhibitions, clinics or one-on-one coaching or private instruction to Dominic at 407-927-1484 or write him at [email protected] Want more free drills to practice, how about free app drills, get them at: www.thedrillinstructor.us.

46 47 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Times are tough for all. I want to start doing a “RAK” for Sneaky Pete Mafia. This mean Random Acts of Kindness. If you are willing to help the pool community you could possibly donate a cue, a case, a few pieces a good chalk, gas cards, books, DVDs and anything that compels you to do something nice for another pool player in need. This goes both ways though. If you are in need of something please put it out there. Not promising the world but we can sometimes start with a little help. we need to change the pool community and the image of it. But this means taking the initiative. Let’s build a community.

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 48 49 48 49 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 thus it was for Jeff, who once said “I couldn’t get a date before the accident –now I find out that girls dig guys in chairs—REVELATION!” And with THAT, he was able to “marry” both POOL TRUE and LOVE! Along with new bride Kathy, and matching Muecci cues, he moved across the country in 1987 and ended up pursuing a career serving his veterans with the PVA—Paralyzed SPIRITS Veterans of America. Putting pool on hold while building his family and career, he caught the pool bug again, 7 years later. Seeing a notice in a magazine for the 1994 National OF POOL Wheelchair 9 Ball Championship in Cleveland , by Barbara Lee he was off and rolling. That trip was what gave Jeff the drive to increase his knowledge, learning No matter what circumstances lead to their about all the aids available to “chair” players. wheelchair lives, one thing is for sure—they can There are specialized handgrips, cue extensions, take you out on the table! extendable bridges, no-hands-required bridges and much more! Continuing to pursue his love Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing the of pool, he eventually studied with Fran Crimi, passionate “spirit” of Jeff Dolezal, president of BCA master pool instructor in 2003 where he the non-profit National Wheelchair Poolplayers himself became a recognized BCA instructor! Association (NWPA). Jeff knows all too well the Also during this time, he attended Predator Pool challenges of disabilities. Having started his School with Dragon Promotion’s Charlie Williams pool career at the age of 12, friendly wagers and superstar Mika Immonen. soon earned him enough “pocket change” for incidentals. Entering the Military right after In 2006, he accepted the appointment of President High School, he continued earning supplemental of the NWPA, with a mission statement of income with his fellow service members UNTIL “DEDICATED TO ENCOURAGING, DEVELOPING the fateful day his life changed forever. AND REGULATING WHEELCHAIR BILLIARDS” —the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) On April 20th, 1980, a motorcycle joyride with equivalent to disabled players. His efforts with friends culminated in a disastrous encounter this organization have inspired and helped many with a concrete mailbox which left 19 year old with disabilities to rise up, compete with anyone, Jeff, a high-level paraplegic. During his long and gain confidence and knowledge for the sport and tedious rehabilitation, he observed fellow they love. “wheelers” in his rehab unit shooting pool, and knew right then that as soon as his strength During our interview, I asked many questions returned, he would be “at the table” again! regarding the differences that are endured by those playing “from a seated position” as well as Sometimes events like this can enhance lives in Jeff’s personal preferences, habits etc. What he the wake of what may seem a lost cause. And told me was enlightening to say the least. Here are a few “tidbits” to help us get a little “reality” on the subject of “shooting from the seat”! 1. Unlike non-disabled players, wheelchair players strive to leave the cue ball somewhere closer to the rails—mid table is problematic for them. 2. Wheelchair players many times have an advantage over opponents because of a preconceived idea that they can’t play well. 3. 50-60% of the NWPA’s “members” are NOT only disabled, but ARE also Veterans.

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 50 51 4. Upper body balance is one of the largest Backed by and alongside the PVA (Paralyzed FACTORS of Wheelchair play! Veterans of America), and in coordination with the BCA, and more, this organization has created 5. There are “power chairs” available which the ways and means for those pool loving “spirits” enable some to play who without it could not. to thrive. The NWPA sanctions 8 to 12 regional events a year, which culminate in a National 6. Many wheelchair players use a “side arm” Championship and at times an International stroke. Championship, many having been aired by ESPN. 7. The “underhand” stroke is quite common— The organization is also the National Governing In fact the current WPA World Wheelchair Body for wheelchair billiards through Wheelchair 9-Ball champion, Jouni Tähti of Finland Sports U.S.A., the BCA, and is a member of the uses this type of stroke. World Pool Association (WPA). 8. Jeff personally has personalized his chair to With the goal of encouraging persons with hold ANYTHING and EVERYTHING he might disabilities to play, they hold clinics and need during a match. “This way”, he says “I fundraisers throughout the country and actively maintain my rhythm without having to go seek players, associate members and sponsors to get something—it’s ALL right here!” help their endeavors. 9. Jeff’s extension offers him a whopping 72” Those wishing to offer a helping hand via length! donations, sponsorships or the like to this wonderful organization can email Jeff Dolezal 10. Many individuals who have significant directly at [email protected]. upper limb disabilities can play the right tools and adaptive equipment.

50 51 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 52 53 52 53 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 - Wayne Jenkins Solution: When you set up to the cue ball to aim, make sure your forearm is hanging Hello and welcome back to the Hot Seat. It has straight down at a 90 degree angle. Shorten been a couple months since you started working the length of your stroke. You can shoot just on improving your ball pocketing skills. How did as hard with a short stroke, even when you you do? Post your results and chat with us at need to come around the table 3 or more rails. www.facebook.com/groups/SneakyPeteMafia/ When you draw your cue back and it comes to the end of your back stroke, look to make sure Last issue we also worked on a proper stance and that you are still aiming at the same place on not moving our head until the object ball hits the the cue ball as when you first set up to it. pocket. Now we are going to build on what we have already learned. When you are ready to make your shot, never start your shooting stroke by drawing your 1. Improper stroke while shooting: A proper cue back. Instead when you are stroking to stroke is difficult to maintain while trying aim, when you draw back, and see that your to also concentrate on aiming, English, ball aim is the same as your set up, push the cue speed, and playing 2 to 3 balls ahead. This ball from the drawn back position. is why it needs to become completely natural and that it requires no effort to perform. This gives you a more consistent stroke, better English control, and finesse with your cue A proper stroke never takes its aim away from ball speed. It will also help to eliminate miss- the shot you are making during the entire cueing, doubt when shooting, and trying to length of the stroke. Over drawing during your “steer” the cue ball (you know that… pull your stroke causes the butt of your cue to rise as elbow into your side to try to make the cue your arm straightens out. When you do this ball curve or spin more.) you are then pointing your cue down through the table instead of through the cue ball. 2. Cue Ball English: Cue ball English “throws” more or less depending on cue ball speed and amount of English applied. Throw is

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 54 55 how much it will actually cut the object ball. The 5 ball is the object ball to be pocketed but Throw will cut a ball even if you shoot it as if is blocked from a regular cut shot by the 6 ball. you were going to shoot it straight ahead. This Place the end of your cue stick in the center of the will also cause you to miss a straight in shot pocket you want to pocket the object ball into. if you hit the cue ball off center whether or not you are trying to follow, stop, or draw the cue Then place the other end of your cue stick to the call. If you shoot soft it will have more throw. inner edge of the cue ball. Your cue stick will now If you shoot hard it will have less throw. How represent the rail and the cue ball placed against far can you actually throw a ball? Let’s take a it. Now take the three measurements to see if the look… ball can be thrown into the pocket.

If you shoot the 1 through 4 balls slow, with left First: The 5 ball is 1 ¾ ball diameters from the - (9 o’clock) English…..you will have maximum cue stick. This is the base measurement for the throw towards the pocket. entire shot.

The 1 ball is approximately one ball diameter Second: This means the cue ball must be at least distance from the rail, one diamond distance 1 ¾ diamonds distance from the 5 ball. In this from the cue ball, and one diamond distance case it is 2 ½ diamonds. from the pocket. The black circle is for measuring purposes. This is the maximum throw you can Third: The 5 ball must be at least 1 ¾ diamonds cut a ball, and the minimum distances, when distance from the pocket you are shooting the 5 shooting it straight ahead as if another ball were ball into. In this case it is 1 ¾ diamonds. blocking you from a regular cut shot. If the object ball were closer to the rail with the same cue ball This shot meets all 3 required measurements. A and pocket distances, it would take less throw to throw shot must meet all 3 measurement rules to pocket the object ball. be a pocketable throw shot.

The 2 ball is two balls from rail and 2 diamonds Next issue we will be working on eliminating an from pocket and cue ball. improper bridge and a ball pocketing skills game with short distance cue ball control. The 3 ball is three balls from rail and 3 diamonds from pocket and cue ball. Check out my youtube.com channel………….... The 4 ball is four balls from rail and 4 diamonds Hurricane Wayne Jenkins…. for the video lesson from pocket and cue ball. on this article. http://www.youtube.com/channel/ These throw shots were all measured with the UCJxGgvL9WKcdvWeZ1fg9SGA cue ball against the rail, giving us an easy way to measure the distances and angles. Now let’s look and see how to measure a throw shot that is in the middle of the table.

54 55 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 56 57 56 57 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 In 2000, Diana went to her first pool tournament and she described “the lighting was like a bat cave”, she knew if she could work through this, Photographer she would learn a lot. That she did and the pool world drew her in. She has managed multimedia projects and is great friends with Earl “the Pearl” Feature Spread Strickland. She has been published by all the Diana was born in Queens NY and eventually billiards magazines and did a lot of coverage for ended up in Winthrop NY, near the Canadian AZB, she produced 3 dvds: the Road Scholars, border on a 500 acre farm. Her dad traveled the Earl the Pearl’s Road Stories, and the Wonder world on a ship and took pictures, naturally Wop with Danny Diliberto. They all have stories Diana started taking pics at 3, and she even has and trick shots and pictures, Danny D even sings a photo of that. She uses a D3 Nikon, loves it on his. Diana covered the US Open and Derby for and uses many different lenses; she has her own years. “There is so much action, a lot of ups and lighting studio for indoors but prefers shooting downs in pool, but I love getting those shots.” pics outdoors, in Mother Nature. She has a web site dianahoppe.com. Her feature is Earl’s wisdom tooth signed. In addition to the billiard memorabilia and collectibles available for sale on her website, there is also some of her art and nature photography listed that is also available for sale.

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 58 59 In this issue of Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine, A few words from Diana… I wanted to feature one of the top pool action My name is Diana Hoppe. I have been a practicing photographers in the country. Her experience photographer since the age of 3. I have covered the speaks for herself, however, when I approached pool world for 15+ years. I do freelance work and her about contributing I got a taste of the passion have been hired by almost all the major billiard that Diana holds for life and the pool world. She publications. I’ve covered such high profile events was thrilled to contribute and immediately started as the US Open and the Derby City Classic. I’ve reminisicing about her multitude of memories in worked with ESPN2, Sports Illustrated and many the New York pool scene and beyond. For this international publications. Additionally, I’m on the feature I asked One Pocket Hall of Fame board and do whatever I Diana to submit a can to help put the sport of billiards on the map. collection of some of her favorite photos. I recently produced the Road Scholars DVD in Enjoy. If you have order to educate the up and coming generations any questions of to the history of our sport and to help the guys the photos that are involved make some money for financial support. included, please The ‘Scholars’ members are also available for don’t hesitate to lessons, exhibitions, dinner or most any type of contact Diana at appearance. Please contact me if you’re interested her website listed in booking any of these amazing characters from above. our great sport.

58 59 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 60 61 60 61 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Universe Clothing Mission Statement I apologize in advance for the length of this message. I am going to try to make it as short as possible, but there is a lot to say and this message cannot be compressed any further. I started UNIVERSE CLOTHING with one goal in mind: to change the general’s public perception of pool. If people could see what pool really is all about, if they could see past the bad image that it has, they would fall in love with it, like we did. It’s a game of strategy, finesse, patience, discipline, perseverance and skills. It’s a game that does not discriminate in any way: tall or short, rich or poor, big or slim, no matter the skin color, no matter where people are from, everyone can play pool, and everyone has a chance to become a good player if they work hard at it. How many other sports can claim that? And Yes, pool IS a sport, just as much as Golf is. If the general public could see all that, pool would have a lot more respect and our pros wouldn’t be struggling to make a living. Unfortunately that is not the case. I ran a test with a number of non- pool players just to see what the results would be. The test was very simple: I wrote down 4 Words on a piece of paper: Chess, Tennis, Golf and Pool (with the understanding that I meant Billiards). Each word had its own column. I then asked each person to write as many words as possible in each column based on what each word meant to them in terms of associated values or perception. This was just a test to satisfy my own curiosity so I did not record the results in an organized fashion. However, here is the gist of what people wrote:

CHESS TENNIS GOLF POOL (BILLIARDS) Smart Difficult Expensive Smoking Strategy Pricey Elitist Drinking Intelligent Good for your health Outdoorsy Gambling Difficult Requires to be in good shape Classy Hustling Lots of money in it for the Good business networking tool Fun Bar Game players Fun Entertaining Again, these are people who are not pool players. They might have picked up a cue every now and then, but they don’t play on a regular basis at all. This illustrates what the problem is pretty well: People associate great values to those other activities: Smart, Good for your Health, Classy. But when it comes to pool there is overwhelming sense of negativity. Most of those people wouldn’t want their kids to pick up pool as their hobby because of that. That’s not something that would be considered “good news”. Here is a post I found on Facebook the other day that I think sums it up pretty well: It is my firm belief that unless we “clean up our act”, we won’t be able to attract companies outside of pool to invest in the game and help us grow so we can have bigger, better tournaments, which in turn will help the Pros make a better living and help the sport get more exposure and respect. I believe that this is what this sport needs. We cannot keep on glorifying the hustling aspect of pool. Even though it is an integral part of pool, it

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 62 63 is not going to help us achieve the goal of attracting new people to the sport. People gamble in Golf, they gamble in Tennis, but that is not what those sports focus on. They focus on the positive values. And unless we start doing the same, we won’t get rid of the bad image we currently have. I am only talking about the US of course, because that is all I know. The pool industry might be better off in other parts of the world, but the US is my focus. So when people ask me if I do Clothing, I say “Yes and No”. Clothing is a means to an end. But the project is much broader than that. I didn’t start UNIVERSE Clothing so we could sell clothes and make money. I had a great paying, stable job as CEO of an electronics company. I was doing well and if money was my motivation I would have simply stayed right where I was and continue my career. I started UNIVERSE Clothing to try and make a small difference for a Sport that I absolutely love. That’s why from the get go I included the players. I wanted to compose with them, to better understand what they had to go through, what they thoughts the problems were and what ideas they had to try and change it. I chose clothing because I think perception of paramount. And if we truly want to change the general public perception of pool, it starts with what they see. We have guys working hard to stream and document pool events. But if the players do not look professional, regardless of how great they play, the event won’t look “important” or “respectable” to those non-pool players who might come across it. The same reason why you don’t show up to work in your pajamas is why we shouldn’t dress up in jeans and a T-shirt for competitions. It simply doesn’t look professional. And for better or worse, image is paramount. That’s why I thought starting with clothing would be a good way to get the ball rolling. But eventually we want to do a whole lot more. We want to have our own tournaments, sponsor more players, help up and coming players, even put together scholarships, whatever can help promote and grow the sport. It’s a long term plan and a very ambitious one. I started this, but there is no way that this plan is going to come to fruition with just me working on it. I need the support of this industry, from the players to the companies that are involved. This message is my way to ask your opinion, so I can know whether or not you agree with what I said and support what I am doing. Because if people within the industry don’t think any of what I said here is true, then this is never going to work. I have received a lot of support from a lot of people so far, but I feel that it is now time to reach out to everyone and get real feedback from the industry, directly from the source. Great players like Johnny Archer, Dennis Hatch, Shannon Daulton, Rodney Morris, Shawn Putnam and Jennifer Barretta have shown me great support and have been invaluable in getting this started. Companies like AZ Billiards, Big Truck, TV Mike, Sneaky Pete Mafia and many others have gone out of their way to help me get the word out. I feel very fortunate that I have been able to get all that support. MATCHROOM sports also showed their vote of confidence by letting UNIVERSE Clothing manufacture and make available to the public all the uniforms for this year’s upcoming MOSCONI Cup, which is a great honor for me. Now is time for you to voice your opinion and let me know what your thoughts are. Please post a comment and start by typing one of the following:

I AGREE AND I SUPPORT THIS - I PARTIALLY AGREE - I DON’T AGREE.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and let’s see what the pool community has to say. As always: please get involved, spread the word and keep on playing! 62 63 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 “Mr. Roboto” Anthony Beeler I noticed as David approached each ball he A cold breeze and the drizzle of rain would always aim from a marked a cold November afternoon back standing position then settle into his stance. in 1997. Shadowman’s Billiard Parlor in Aiming while standing seemed to be the first Campbellsville, Kentucky, was the setting for checkpoint before each shot. the area’s monthly 9-ball tournament. Next, he would take several slow warm-up The field was star studded. Players like David strokes to ensure aim (second checkpoint), and Rice, Mike Blevins, and John Brumback, were then move into what many refer to as, “The all regulars in quest for the monthly title. Firing Order.”

As the tournament progressed, David Rice The first part of “The Firing Order” is called and I were pitted against one another in the “Set” (third aiming checkpoint). This is where finals. David was an incredibly difficult player you stop your cue tip 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch to beat and always demonstrated sound pool away from the cue ball and take one final mechanics. Local player, Eddie Adams once look. You should note that it takes the human said, “Look at David, he is just like a robot. He eye 3 seconds to focus on a target from a does everything over and over perfectly!” In fact, still position. Therefore, it is imperative that it was Eddie that coined David the nickname you come to a complete stop to zero in on the “Mr. Roboto.” intended target. You will want to note that your During my match with David, I paid close eyes should be focusing on the cue ball at the attention to his stroke in an attempt to learn end of the “Set” position. something that might help my game.

The next thing David would do is move into what many instructors refer to as “Pause.” This is where he would slowly pull back the cue and stop at the end of his backswing. When making the transition from “Set” to “Pause” always remember that your eyes should move from the cue ball to the target. A good pause helps remove a jerky forward swing and should help www.jbcases.com you maintain accuracy. The third part of David’s stoke is commonly

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 64 65 referred to as “Finish.” During “Finish” he would smoothly accelerate his cue to strike and follow through the cue ball. Always remember to keep your eyes on the intended target during this phase.

Always remember never to count during a match. You should practice the parts of your stroke so that they become a natural part of your game. They should become something that you don’t have to think about. I am happy to say that I was lucky enough to win the pool tournament against David that The final part of David’s stroke was another day, but the real victory wasn’t the 9-ball stop known as “Freeze.” During “Freeze” it’s championship. I learned something much more important to keep your body, head, and cue valuable. I witnessed the parts of a good pool still. This is the evaluative part of the stroke. stroke in action, and I had the opportunity to dissect them in a real game situation. Always It is here that if the shot is missed, you should remember, if you want to play like a robot try to diagnose what went wrong. incorporate “Set, Pause, Finish, Freeze” and you will play less like a human and more like a While practicing the elements of a good pool machine. stroke many instructors will teach you to say “Set, Pause, Finish, Freeze” out loud to internalize each part. However, it is now my belief that each part of the stroke should be substituted with counting.

In other words, instead of saying, “Set” you should say “1… 2… 3…” (first stop). Then pull back to “Pause” and say “1… 2...” (second stop) and then “Finish” with “1… 2… 3… 4…” (third stop).

64 65 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Mitchell Thomas Custom Cues

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Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 66 67 The Pool Players Best Friend Loyally Serving Since 2003 866.843.3294 | www.pooldawg.com

66 67 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Meet the Streamers, Volume II By Suzanne Smith 2. What are the key elements to a good In our last issue we interviewed Inside Pool’s stream? Alvin Nelson, this issue we are featuring another I think that’s a matter of personal opinion. well-known live streamer, Mr. Ray Hansen, aka My definition of a good stream is one Big Truck, who runs Pool Action TV. I first met that you can see the players, the ball are Ray when I ventured down to Louisiana for my clear, scoreboard on screen, updates from around the room, relative commentary and first Dragon Promotions event, the US Amateur interaction with the viewers. A good stream Open, in 2009. At Emerald Billiards, Ray was can really benefit the industry as a whole if streaming the professional 9 and 10 Ball events, done properly. ran concurrently with the amateur and pro- am events. Ray exudes southern charm and 3. How do think players can benefit from I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying his running watching streaming? commentary of pool in general. Ray and I have Players can really learn a lot from the stayed in contact via Facebook, and he has been streams, especially if the commentary/ very busy promoting events all over the Midwest analysis is from a knowledgeable player. It’s and Southeast regions. Some of his upcoming really great listening to a top player explain their thought process during a live game. events include Fight Night 07 Bar Table 9 Ball My most recent production series, Fight and Big Dog Billiards One Pocket and Hunter Nights, featured Scott Rabon and guest Cole Benefit Tournaments. You can check out his commentary from top players such as Nick live streaming website at www.poolactiontv.com Varner, Shawn Putnam and even James and give their group page a like on Facebook. Davis Jr. This type commentary makes it Without further ado, please enjoy our interview: like a class on pool rather than simply a past time. 1. Why did you get involved with Live Streaming? 4. How do think streaming has changed the I originally got involved in live streaming for pool world? fun with my friend My Nguyen pronounced Streaming has changed the pool world in (Me Win). I saw the media as something that we get to see inside the events that that could really promote the regional we have previously only heard about. It tournaments in my area. My Nguyen played has allowed players to become celebrities, a big role in helping me get started. I guess pool rooms to be shown and products to be you could say he pointed the way and marketed like never before. provided a means. 5. What types of events do you stream? I stream all kinds of events throughout the U.S. 8 Ball, 9 Ball, One Pocket, 10 Ball. Mostly regional events but I have also streamed some Pro events like the Seminole Pro Tour, The Ultimate 10 ball Championships, The Gem City Classic (now the Johnny Archer Classic) and a few Dragon Promotion events in Louisiana.

6. What is the average cost of your stream? The average cost of my stream is mostly free now but I do broadcast the end of the tournaments pay-per-view. That currently is only about $13. That fee along with the help of the venues and the industry often time are what makes it possible to even be there .

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 68 69 public speech from The Derby City Classic just a few months before he passed. Grady and I started putting a tournament together at his pool room but Grady, R.I.P., left 7. What events do you stream? this earth before we could follow through Some of my favorites have with it and it became the Grady Mathews been the Ultimate 10 Ball Memorial tournament. Another fond Championships, Seminole Pro memory was organizing the Country Calvin Tour, White Diamond Super Classic old school 9 ball tournament and 9 ball, 4 Bears 8 Ball Classic, having Country Calvin finish 9th!! He was the Pro events from Emerald Billiards, The so excited to feel the excitement of doing Texas Open, Houston Open and I really well in a big event. It had been several years love doing the 2 man tournaments like the since he had that kind of fun. Fight Nights series. I also cover annual and semiannual events. All in all I do 25-30 We would like to thank Ray for taking the time events a year. to complete this interview with us and we hope that our readers are able to enjoy his streams 8. What are some of your fondest memories for many years to come. There have been from events you have streamed? several streaming companies that have agreed Some of my fondest memories from to do an interview with us for this series, if you streaming include streaming some of have a streamer in your area that you would George SanSouci aka Ginky’s last matches like featured, please send me a message at from Long Island pool room Cue Nine and [email protected]. Our next issue Brooklyn’s Skyline Billiards. Another great will feature Daniel Busch from POV Pool. memory is filming Grady Mathews final

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68 69 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Black Belt Billiards

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 70 71 Black Belt Billiards

Wayne Jenkins

In the last edition of Black Belt Billiards, we started working to increase our ball pocketing skills with a game called Strieght Pool. How did you score? Post your scores at www.facebook.com/ groups/SneakyPeteMafia/ You should continually see your scores increase week after week as you make this game part of your daily practice session.

This issue we are going to start working on our cue ball control. We will take the focus off of ball pocketing by placing the object ball near the pocket and focus on cue ball angles off of the rail and cue ball speed to a targeted location.

For this game you will need: 1. The cue ball

2. The 1, 2, 3, and 4 balls

3. Three sheets of 8.5 x 11 notebook or printer paper.

4. Scotch tape (will keep target from moving )

1. 1-1

2. 2-2

3. 2-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-2

4. 1-2, 2-3, 3-2, 2-1

5. 1-3, 3-1, 1-3, 3-1

Set up the table as shown above with the 1-4 balls in each corner. Do not place them far into the corner, but out far enough so the cue ball will not hit the points of the pocket when pocketing the object ball.

Mark your 3 sheets of paper 1-3 and place them on the marked locations on the table. Scotch tape on the corners will keep it from sliding when you shoot. Below the table you will see 5 sets of numbers. They are the starting and finishing locations on the table you will shoot from and back to. You will always shoot the balls in order 1 through 4.

The first set is as shown: 1. 1-1 The first number 1 is the starting location of the cue ball. Then a dash and the second number 1. This is the finishing location (target) where the cue ball is to stop upon. Shoot the balls in order 1-4.

The second is as shown: 2. 2-2 This set uses the number 2 target as the start and finishing location.

70 71 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 The third set is as shown: 3. 2-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-2 This set shows the 4 shots using a different starting and finishing location. The first numbers, 2-1 is for pocketing the 1 ball and uses the number 2 target as the starting location and the number 1 target and the finishing location. The second numbers, 1-2 are for the 2 balls starting and finishing location. The third numbers, 2-3 are for the 3 balls starting and finishing location. The fourth numbers, 3-2 are for the 4 balls starting and finishing location.

Sets 4 and 5 are played the same as set 3. Remember to always shoot the balls in order 1 through 4. You will always finish on the target you started on at the end of the set.

For all 5 sets with 4 shots on the table you will have made a total of 20 shots. Scoring as follows with a pocketed object ball:

5 points for stopping the cue ball on correct target. 3 points for cue ball edge over the edge of the target but not on target. 1 point for cue ball rolling onto and off of target, but not stopping on or over the edge of the target. 20 shots x 5 points maximum per shot = 100 points per table.

If you miss a target, leave the cue ball where it stops. Do not move it to the next target. This will give you a different angle and English control shot each time you practice these target tables. Here are the target table scores needed to achieve each level. Keep an average each time you play this challenge.

Post your scores and chat with us at www. facebook.com/groups/SneakyPeteMafia/ Next issue we will continue to work on our cue ball control and a ball pocketing skills game that utilizes one half of the table.

Check out my youtube.com channel………….... Hurricane Wayne Jenkins…. for the video lesson on this article. http://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCJxGgvL9WKcdvWeZ1fg9SGA

Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 72 73 72 73 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 by Jason Christopher Hunt The Universal Law of Heart

Well sports fans, it’s the fourth installment of Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine and what a ride it’s been! Since the last issue, my brother Steve and I have moved to Reno, Nevada and with the help of my family we have purchased Diamond Billiards, which is the oldest and largest most respectful pool hall in all of Reno. I have since built it into a five star pool room with an adjoining Ultra Lounge and a high-end club atmosphere. We have actually lowered the prices since the previous owners and refinished the four tables to make them look brand new! With daily action and four tournaments a week it is a true players room with living legends sleeping in their assigned chairs! (Yes I am talking about Monk!) acquire Heart as their journey continues over time. It can also be deliberately grown from the I’m not trying to plug my poolroom (Buffalo’s will to become a warrior. Those people just may Silver Cue Billiards and Ultra Lounge), it’s just have more credit coming to them. a perfect lead into what I am writing this piece about in my fourth submission for “Buffalo Winning doesn’t come so easy for some people. Unleashed.” Which is? DUH DUNNAANAAA! Many have to work a lot harder to get where they Heart! Heart! are than others that are naturally gifted or have the perfect conditions that some players seem to Heart is a word that is thrown around to describe have. many things from the will to win to the amount of gamble a player has. For a player to “Have Heart” In my humble uneducated opinion we are all is a compliment. You don’t have to be a “World born with some degree of Heart, whether it’s just Beater” to have Heart. It transcends all levels a little or immense. But one thing is for sure, of players and brings us all together through a Heart can be grown. That which doesn’t kill us, bond of warrior-ship (if that’s even a word). makes us stronger and that is where we acquire our most Heart from--just being in the heart of I have not ever been the best of players, but I battle all of the time! had a ton of heart in my life in pool. I have made comebacks against some very good players being Getting into strange tournaments, gambling with down 9-0 in a race to 10 and coming back to friends and strangers for amounts that won’t win--from nowhere. Now that is Heart. Do you hurt your life and responsibilities, watching have the will to win? Is it something we can other players who are killers on the table and practice or are some people just born with it and mimicking them and being around other warriors others not? This is an age old debate. I tend to in battle. Immerse yourself in anything. If we believe it’s both. Some people are born with a ton want something bad enough and it is hard to of it naturally. Some may have very little in the attain, if we struggle day after day to achieve our beginning of their journey in this game but can goals and never give up we can finally achieve Heart.

And it’s a hell of a drug! Heart comes from the confidence that is obtained by being in battle, whether you win or lose.

~continued top of next page Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 74 75 players who thought they were stealing just to create an opportunity for me to win money--even if the odds were against me. I’d have to find a way to win. Now that’s where you need your Heart.

Tenacity--the killer instinct, the CHI that shines outward and allows you to perform better that you ever have before. It allows you to overcome all obstacles no matter how immense, to gain victory. No matter what happens, you are going to win. And that’s how I got my poolroom--with my Heart. And this translates to all of life--not just Gain heart every time you match up with an pool. From each step out of bed each morning to opponent for whatever reason, as long as we play each task you do at work to each kiss you lay on with the intention of winning. Playfully hitting your spouse, children, and pets--you should do balls with someone but not caring about the it with Heart. outcome will not develop your Heart. Generating Heart cannot be done by practicing alone. It may There is a magical energy in actions that generate confidence, but not the confidence to are performed with Heart. I can’t explain it, win. That only comes from having an opponent but maybe the best way to encompass it would and trying to crush him! This mentality is the be to call them miracle opportunities. When you mentality of a winner! do things with Heart, miracles may happen. This is when great insurmountable comebacks are The “I will do anything to win” mentality is pulled off. This is where the buzzer beating goal the cheater mentality. To get Heart, we need to is made. This is when lives are saved in extreme be the honorable warrior in battle with another circumstances.This is when a guy kicks in a ball honorable warrior who understands that one from Alcatraz and runs the set out on your ass to of them has to win and the other has to admit win the Finals of the tournament, or a gambling defeat. Respect should always given and upheld. match when his goose was cooked. Those actions This is the mentality we need to grow Heart. For take Heart. Performing those actions is how you you may learn just as much if not more from build it. your losses than you do from your wins. Losing teaches us what we did wrong and what we need It’s that stuff that is so deep in your bones, that to improve. you have to will it to seep out. It just doesn’t I got my poolroom from my Heart. I had a happen on its own. dream, and nothing was going to stop me from achieving it. I didn’t know how I would get it, I could talk about how having Heart can be but the Universe works in mysterious ways. If a detrimental thing in this weird, amazing, you have enough Heart in everything you do, magical sport of Pocket Billiards we have here in you will be successful. I believe it is an unwritten the United States. Just ask Earl Strickland and Universal Law the older I get. his 11 rack run for one million dollars. I can’t speak for other countries because I’ve never been I have been through a lot in this game--more there, but in the United States it’s a trip. Being than some could ever imagine and more than a winner isn’t always going to give you the best some like to admit, even though they witnessed it results through the hatred, jealousy and plain old firsthand. But I never gave up. I found new ways to lies that are so rampant in this game. But when succeed. I found new ways to win. I just couldn’t the balls are rolling right and you have those let those people beat me. Somehow my success Heart moments, you feel on top of the world. In equaled their failure. For that’s how they made it life if you have Heart you have no choice to end for me--a war. If I would win tournaments, they’d up a winner at the end of the day. This I believe, jack up my spot and I still found ways to win. is the Universal Law of Heart. Then to stop me from winning they had to ban me and then tell lies as to why I was banned. Then I would have to work to find new tournaments in bars, clubhouses or wherever. I had to find undiscovered little action spots. I’d have to gamble and get into bad games with stronger ~continued top of next page 74 75 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 76 77 76 77 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine - September 2014 78