MAGAZINE ISSUE#2 - JULY/AUGUST 2021 a Conversation with Johnny

REGIONAL POOL MAGAZINE ISSUE#2 - JULY/AUGUST 2021 A Conversation with Johnny

Photographs compliments of Tony Fox Photography Archer & Johnny Archer

INSIDE • Who was • Dead Stroke • Speed Control • Jr. Pool Ralph Greenleaf University Presents... • A Product of Quality • One Shot • Queen City Decisions at a Time Classic 1 Editors Corner Content Contributors, Welcome to the second issue Writers & Pool Enthusiasts of “On the Snap” Billiards Magazine! A New, Independent Mary Kenniston - World & National Regional Billiards Magazine. Champion Pool Player, and one of the founders of the WPBA (Women’s For those of you who don’t Pro Billiard Association). Mary was know me yet, I am Rosanna Ramirez (everyone calls inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020. me Rosie) the wearer of all the hats for this new project. I have been playing pool for about 14 years now and owe Anthony Beeler is the 2011-2020 all of that to my husband. Billiards Instructor of the Decade He sent me to play in my first tournament where I and is a former BCAPL National was horribly crushed by my Champion. He has numerous top 25 opponent. It took me two national finishes and is one of only 8 years to learn enough to ACS Master Instructors in the world. come back and finally beat that person I played. Randy Dininger has been doing My husband, cue repair for twelve years, along Juan Ramirez, just passed with playing, buying and selling away this May 17th, 2021 from complications pool cues for about twenty years. to the Coronavirus vaccine. He was one of the 1/10 of 1% that had complications to the vaccine and I miss him horribly. In honor of him, I will continue to play and to Philip Capelle - A Nationally promote pool and just do the best I can. recognized expert on playing pool. He has spent the last 30 years playing, On the Snap has a regional focus on Ohio, Michigan, studying and teaching pool. He Indiana, Kentucky & West Virgina. I will always have continues to write, conduct research and some billiard and pool history and will feature some give lessons in New York City. of the players from where it all began. I am always looking for suggestions and articles to run in “Blackjack” David Sapolis is a former the magazine, so if you have any professional pool player with over 40 ideas, please let me know by years of playing experience. He has email at [email protected]. been teaching and coaching players since 1987. He is a former billiard room owner & former police officer for the Peter Burrows played with Willie city of El Paso, Texas Mosconi as a youth in Chicago & then later in a college exhibition. Julie Skripac-Cooper currently lives Following graduation from the Univ. in Cincinnati. She began playing pool of Colorado where he was 3x time with her dad and brothers as an APA winner of the CU 14.1 tournament 2-handicap in 2001 and has slowly in 1968 Peter Pool moved from Chicago to climbed the ranks, now being ranked Maryland. He was Director of the 2006 14.1 World 63rd on the WPBA tour. She has won Championship Tournament and founder and Director many titles over the years, but her of Maryland 14.1 Open which now enters its 15th year favorite was the 2011 Valley Forge as the American 14.1 Straight Pool Championship. 8-ball Championship. She takes a lot There is no other game but 14.1 . . . just ask him. of pride in promoting women’s pool & junior players. 2 Speed ControlNow, set up a thin cut shot or a shot using extreme outside English. Written by: Count the number of diamonds to Mary Kenniston the desired cue ball position and divide by four. Pretty simple, right?!!! To calibrate the table you’re going to play on, test the lag with a medium hit and a fourteen inch follow-through. Unless the table is extremely fast or slow, you should end up on or close to the end rail. Adjust accordingly.

Many of you have heard me discussing speed control during my commentary of streamed pool matches. It is especially critical when one has to land in a small area in order to get the correct position to continue the run. I was taught years ago by my late coach, Robert McCullough of Colliding Spheres, an easy way to judge your speed. The general rule for a rolling cue ball is this: one inch of follow-through equals one diamond. If you are spinning the ball, cut the diamond count in half. For extreme spin or a thin cut, divide the diamond count by four. For example, to lag for the break: Count the diamonds the cue ball has to travel: fourteen diamonds - six diamonds up plus eight back equals a fourteen inch follow-through. Then, set up a shot and pocket the ball with a medium hit using outside English. Once again, set up the same shot Another example: using the same hit except this time with extreme English. If coming two rails out of the corner using medium Note where you land and adjust accordingly. outside English, count the number of diamonds to desired ending cue ball position and divide in half. Most tables play with one inch equaling approximately one diamond of follow-through. If there is an adjustment to be made, it usually is a half diamond either added or subtracted from the general rule. For example: If you’re playing on a slow table, the diamond count for the lag is fourteen plus seven equals a seven inch follow through. For a fast table, fourteen minus seven equals a seven inch follow-through. Try it! I think you’ll find it to be very accurate! Good shooting!

33 Become a Product of Quality Decisions! Actress Keri Russell once said, “Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.” Over the years, you have probably made enough poor decisions to believe this is true. Why, then, do we associate our playing ability with our physical skill? It’s because our physical abilities are easier to see than our thought processes.

The best players in the world are often much more deliberate in the way that they think than amateur players. Professional players build their decision making process into their pre-shot routines. In fact, professionals are masters at separating their thought processes from the physical aspects of executing the shot at hand.

So what is the correct decision making process? The first step is to stand far enough away from the table that you can see the entire layout of balls. If you stand too close to the table it becomes impossible to see the relationship one ball has to all of the others. Standing too close to the table often impairs your ability to make good quality decisions.

The second step is to separate the actions of your conscious mind from your subconscious mind. One way to do this is by using your chalk as a triggering mechanism. Each time you approach the table you should pick up the chalk as you begin making decisions about how you will attack the layout of balls you are facing. The best way to do this is to pretend that your chalk is your brain (you must have it to think). Make it a rule that you are not allowed to make any conscious decisions or think about anything game related unless you have chalk in your hand.

4 With chalk in hand, you will need to answer the following four questions before you get down to shoot:

1. Which shot am I going to shoot and why?

2. What are the various position routes available for position on my next shot?

3. What speed does the shot need to be struck with to get my cue ball to the desired location?

4. What spin do I need to strike the cue ball with to execute the shot properly?

5. How could I mess this shot up? In other words, if I make a position error, am I better off sending my cue ball a little too far, or am I better off coming up a little short? Or should I not worry about position and devote 100 percent of my concentration into pocketing the ball at hand?

Once all of your decisions have been made you should place the chalk back onto the table (or put in in your pocket). This will act as a trigger to your brain that you are now ready to stop thinking and physically execute the shot subconsciously.

Once you are down on the shot, you should try not to think about the decisions that you made standing with chalk in hand. Your only job is to execute your plan of action subconsciously with the proper mechanics. If at any time you start to second-guess yourself or any part of the plan you developed, you should stand up, pick up the chalk and start the entire process over again.

Being able to stay focused, composed, and maintain a high-level of self-confidence sums up to what great pool players seek to achieve every time they approach the table. When you learn to control your thought process, you can execute the mechanical aspects of the game more precisely. And when the two work together in harmony at the correct tempo, you experience a positive, pure, and effortless performance. Players often refer to this state as “Dead Stroke.”

Anthony Beeler is the 2011-2020 Billiards Instructor of the Decade and is a former BCAPL National Champion. He has numerous top 25 national finishes and is one of only 8ACS Master Instructors in the world. He is the primary author of the ACS National Billiards Instructors Manual and has also authored the book Unstoppable! Positive Thinking for Pool Players. Anthony currently has the highest established Fargo Rating of any Master Instructor. He has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competition.

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5 A Conversation with Johnny Archer

IPart have never 1done - an - interview - - before,- - so- I was- - extremely nervous to reach out and ask someone like Johnny Archer to interview with me. I did research on how to do an interview trying to prepare for this. I was expecting to be lucky enough to get a solid half hour of asking questions. We talked for over two hours. Since I started playing pool, I have heard a lot about Johnny Archer and what an amazing player he is. There was no mention in any of the research of how gracious he is. With that southern drawl, it was an amazing conversation. I called and he had to call me back a half hour later: Rosanna: Hi Johnny, Thank you so much for calling me back. Johnny: No problem, I’m sorry it took a little bit - we’re just trying to get out of town right now, heading Photograph compliments of Johnny Archer for a tournament. Rosanna: Most of my research on you focused Rosanna: We’re dealing with a bit of snow up here so on 9-ball and I read that you had won over 60 tournaments are rough to get to right now. tournaments, all in 9-ball. I had the opportunity to meet you about 6 years ago at the U.S. Open over Johnny: Where are ya’ll at? in Virginia Beach when I went there with Sandy Rosanna: I’m in a little town called Mansfield, Ohio, Schuman. In my research I had seen that you started about half-way between Columbus and Cleveland. playing pool at the age of 12, do you remember how old you were when you entered your first pool Johnny: Well, ok, I know where that is at cause I tournament? did a lot of running around there. I tell you what, my first straight pool tournament I ever played in we had Johnny: Yes I do, I was 17, it was Last Call for 9-Ball a triple crown tournament, that’s what we called it. in Atlantic City, NJ and then a few months later in A 9-Ball tournament and a straight pool tournament, Columbia, SC at the Rack-em-up Classic. (two divisions) kind of like the Derby. The winner Rosanna: So, that was your first tournaments, weren’t of the 9-Ball tournament had to play the winner of you intimidated at all? the straight pool tournament in a final match of 10- Ball to determine who the champion was. I screwed Johnny: Well sure I was, sitting up there looking at everything up cause I won the 9-Ball and the Straight all my heroes, Buddy Hall, Nick Varner, Mike Siegel, Pool - so the two second place players had to play Earl, Efren. Now the Rack-Em-Up Classic I got to each other to see who played me in the play a few of them, all my heroes, I did ok in a couple 10-Ball. I think they felt bad cause of those matches and others of course they ran me out. they let me win the 10-Ball I recall all those matches and who I played and what too. First time I ever played the scores were. it I played Nick Varner in Rosanna: I was watching some of the tournament the final 149 and out. I videos of the you playing and it looks like there was a had no clue what I was lot of camaraderie between you and all of the players. doing.

6 A Conversation with Johnny Archer

Photograph compliments of Tony Fox Photography

Johnny: Back in the 90’s everybody kind of got along I was always one that would go in and just practice really well - there was a lot of respect in the 80’s and the pressure, I might give them 5 or 6 games to make the 90’s. I miss those days. it more interesting. Leading up to it I played a lot, I was either gambling or playing, I lived in Raleigh Rosanna: Johnny, what was the first cue you ever back then, and I had a great place to go play, a really owned? good friend of mine owned the place there. I would Johnny: Oh gosh! I know what it is and you will only take about a week or two weeks before and start be surprised, the first cue that I ever owned that was playing to get ready for a big match. So I was kind of mine, I bought it for $20. It was one of them that lucky because I was lazy, I am real lazy so that was came in a violin case and was in five pieces, screwed perfect for me. together and had a screw on tip, basically a piece of When I go into a tournament, I might show up and hit junk but that was the first cue I ever owned. I bet you balls for about an hour or so and then I am ready. I still didn’t expect that one. know how to play so I don’t need that much practice. I tell you what, I was 13 and I thought I had something Rosanna: What are the main skills that you feel a really good, I was really proud of that thing, but of person must learn to do well in pool? course Chester, who my mentor was not having that and said “Johnny come here for a second” he said Johnny: Well, my thoughts on that is that they “Let’s work on getting you another cue” and I am like need to come up with their own pre-shot routine. “What are you talking about? I just got this and paid Where it helps them to get into a routine to be more $20 for it” and said “Yea, that’s the problem” I mean consistent and to play better. Really, getting better you hear about when it make this big aluminum noise is just repeating what you already do over and over. My first real cue was a Richard Black. My second real Rates & Deadlines for Advertising cue was a Josh East. A friend of mine gave me that then I went from that to Shon and played with those Size Price Issue Deadline throughout the 90’s then after that I played with the Directory Ad $55 Jan-Feb Dec 21 Scorpion brand for about 20 years. Business Card Ad $110 Mar-Apr Feb 21 1/6 Page Ad $190 May-June April 21 Rosanna: In 1992, at 24 years old you were the WPA 1/4 Page Ad $250 July-Aug June 21 World 9-Ball Champion. How much on average did you practice before that tournament? 1/3 Page Ad $300 Sept-Oct Aug 21 1/2 Page Ad $385 Nov-Dec Oct 21 Johnny: Well, that’s probably not a good question for Full Page Ad $450 me cause I never was a practicer. I never practiced a Inside Back Cover $550 whole lot. I was one that I would go into a pool room Back Cover $650 and make games with somebody whether we would play at the time or later and that was how I practiced. An Independently Owned Billiards Publication 7 Really, when you get to be a decent player, it’s just the wasn’t much to do in a little town like that) would find repetitive motion that is very important in my eyes. one thing to do for the whole summer, 3 or 4 of us. You have to be able to break the rack well. But most One summer we might choose to go play basketball, important is the thinking. Thinking around the table another summer we might decide to go play football. will win you more games. I think that the mental part of it is the most important part of the game. Very, very Well this one particular summer we went to go down important to think out what you are doing. to the Minute Mart (it is still called that 40 years later) because it was the one store that had video games in Rosanna: Johnny, what made you decide to go pro? the front of it. If I remember right the video games were Ms. Pac Man and Defender. We didn’t have Johnny: Well, thats a good question. When I was much money and we had to make these games last about 12 years old (please remember that I am from cause you know, my dad would give me 75¢ a day south Georgia in a town that is about as big as from and these games were like a 25¢ a game. So we would here to there and when I left at 16 there was only have to make them last. We played these games for about 1,750 in the whole town. That little town was about a month and a half and got really good at them really two towns put together and how it became Twin and then it got boring. We looked in the back of the Cities. I looked at the census the other day and it is store and seen that they had a room with a couple of now about 1,720 - that town and everything down pool tables back there. there hasn’t moved out of the fifties). Everything in town is still the same as it was in the sixties and I just Well, we were back there and trying to play pool, at a love it. I absolutely love it. quarter a game, but we only had one quarter left and wanted to play more. In the light sockets back then, In that town, during summer, we always had three there was inside the light sockets, there was these little months of summer off from school. June, July and slugs about the same size as a quarter, so we would August. So me and my friends (remember there use the slug to get the balls out and the slug would 8 come back out and not drop because it wasn’t rated for me (remember I was just 13 and in a place I really that - so we would play for hours (no one realized it wasn’t supposed to be in). He was actually a really cause they were in the front of the store). If we had to good player. You would have a hard time going to his pay money I probably never would have been where place and playing him on his own tables and anyone I am today because we didn’t have any money. Four coming to play Chester there would have every 12-year olds, we played all summer long, then when country hillbilly comin out of the woodwork to bet we went back to school, they never played again. I on Chester winning. You could come in there and bet had gotten pretty good at playing pool and loved it so pretty good money. much that I kept playing. After a couple of months, Chester moved the business By the time I was 13, my dad had owned an up the street to a bigger place. As I got older I was in automotive shop in Mentor, Georgia which is about 12 there all the time. I didn’t drink but I really loved to miles away. The next summer I decided I was going gamble and all the guys watched over me there so I to ride down to Mentor with my dad. My dad said “if never got into any trouble but I was aggravating thing, you want to go down there you got to be ready to go I aggravated everybody but they wouldn’t let anyone at about 6 in the morning” cause they had to work. At get mad at me. first I was a little ornery getting up to leave at 6 in the morning. My dad would put my bicycle in the back of Now when I am about 15, I came up with the bright the truck and as soon as we would get there I would idea that I was gonna quit school, but I had to get my take off. Mentor was a bit bigger than Twin Cities so parents permission. My mom died when I was 6 and I got to ride my bike all around town. Eventually I my dad had remarried by then and I had a stepmom. ended up in a little place where I had seen some pool On my moms deathbed, my mom made my dad tables through the window. The owner of the place promise to keep us in school. I thought I knew more ended up being a guy named Chester, who is still than anyone else. I truly believed that was what I was my best friend even to this day. He was my mentor. I supposed to do. It didn’t matter who agreed with me walked into his place (you have to remember that I am or not. I told my dad I was gonna quit school and play not old enough to go in there) but I really just wanted pool for a living. I was gonna be professional. I never to play pool. hid nothing from him, but he looked and me and said how are you gonna make money at that? He didn’t So I went up to the bar (there wasn’t hardly no one realize how serious and I was. else in there, just maybe one other person) and I said “Sir, my name is Johnny and I just want to play some In August I wasn’t legal to quit until I became 16 on pool” and he said “Son, you ain’t old enough to be in November 12th. My dad decided to take a big stand here” but then said “Well, you can play a couple of against me that I wasn’t gonna do this. They took games but you gotta pay 20 cents a game”. me in front of a Judge to make me stay in school So I gave him 20 cents and he would go and put me in a home. The Judge said “Mr. Archer, I rack the balls and I would shoot a little am only going to be able to help you for a couple of bit and he said, “you’re pretty good kid” - months until he turns 16 and he can quit without your anyway I ran permission”. So my dad said lets talk. I said “I am out of money sorry sir but I have made up my mind” ...... and I told him, Part 2 of “A Conversation with Johnny Archer” “Sir, I don’t have anymore will be in the September/October 2021 issue of money” and he On The Snap Magazine. said “well, he said OPENING SOON ANNOUNCEMENT! go ahead and play and don’t worry about it”. Johnny Archer’s Place From then on I went over there Sports Bar & Grille every day and he would sit there 138 South Tennessee Street and watch me and kinda protect Cartersville, GA 30120 9 Book Smart AND Table Smart Daniel Kahneman was at the forefront of a are different from how the shot should be played, movement that exposes our biases and erroneous and very often by a wide margin. thinking. Countless books including his best- The only logical conclusion that can be drawn selling Thinking Fast and Slow, have been written from the discussion above is that you don’t quite by leading psychologists who offer conclusive know what you think you do because you are proof that these biases exist in ALL of us - that tricked by the Reminder Bias, which says that we think things that are not true, and that we see you think you know something a lot better than things that are not really correct. you do when you are reminded of it. (Note: I When it comes to pool, none of this is true, right? searched for the Reminder Bias, so Reminder Bias I mean, once you know a pool shot, what could be is something that I just created.) simpler? This isn’t rocket science, after all. Well, Okay, I am going to assume that you don’t suffer I have got some news for you - you don’t actually from Reminder Bias. Let’s figure that you know know a ton of things that you think you do. the textbook version of the shot. Great - this is Let me digress for a moment to make a point. You a start. You’ve got Knowledge #1 - Textbook have probably seen an actor in a new role in a TV Knowledge. This is what I can give you in a book. show and said to yourself, “I know him or her. He Now you’ve got to be able to go to the table and or she was in - what was the name of that show?” see the shot when it comes up in a game, and you And you cannot remember it, so you go to Google must also be able to recognize any of the 1,001 to find the answer. When you see the name of the variations of that shot that you will also encounter. show, you go, “Of course I know that.” But you So, Knowledge #2, Recognition Knowledge, didn’t know it the first time it came up. which is seeing it and all of it’s variations while Now let’s turn to playing pool. When you face playing. a shot in a game you have to play it, right in the In sum, you’ve got to know a shot, recognize moment, and maybe you can’t. The route, the it when it comes up, and adapt to the slight speed,and the cueing required to play it escapes variations. The comes Knowledge #3 - Execution you. If however you saw the answer on a diagram Knowledge - you have to be able to play the in one of my books you might think, shot. You have to know the shot picture so you “Capelle’s not giving me anything can aim correctly, a process that has become more useful here because I already complicated when using english. And you have to know that.” Yes, you do when I feel the speed of the stroke so you can use a 5.5 remind you. But if you didn’t speed (medium to medium hard) when needed, have the answer in front of and not a 5.0 (medium). you, you may not know it. And why am I so sure of that? My anecdotal evidence from watching pool Because most amateurs players for nearly 50 years reveals that most make mistakes on most players on most shots at the B Player level shots - in fact, their results and below have little or no clue of what they

10 Book Smart AND Table Smart

are doing. I know this because most shots are Try the two position routes in the diagram, which misplayed just a little, or by a lot. Sorry my shots are taken from my book, Play Your Best 9 & friends, but this bit of tough love is issued with the 10 Ball. best of intentions. This is the honor system - so how did you do? Did So, you do need the knowledge in books (like the cue ball stop at or close to Positions A & B? mine) because you don’t know quite as much as you think you do, and you can’t execute (yet) nearly as well as you think you can. You don’t agree? Well then, let me challenge you to a little pop quiz.

Philip Capelle - A Nationally recognized expert on playing pool. He has spent the last 30 years playing, studying and teaching pool. He continues to write, conduct research and give lessons in New York City.

For more information go online to Philip Capelles website at https://www.billiardspress.com/ 11 A Brief Recollection of Straight Pool Mike Shamos wrote so eloquently about the life became the heroes and times of Erwin Rudolph, noting “one of the of my boyhood, challenges of billiards history is to make sure that Mosconi, Ponzi, people remember who came before us and what Crane and Caras. they did to advance the game.” I first met Willie I believe for anyone who has interest in the game Mosconi not long after should learn of the greats and characters who I began to play pool proceeded us, so many whose primary game of I recall around 1948. yesterday was Straight Pool. He was again playing in a tournament Mosconi & Greenleaf 14.1 ‘Continuous’ Straight Pool seems to have at “Besingers” in gotten its start prior to WW1 around 1912, and downtown Chicago. Mosconi ran over one by the 1920’s was undeniably the most popular hundred balls in what seemed like no time at all, game and virtually the only pocket game played played some safeties, and then ran out, winning at the top level. It provided innovative safety play the 125 point match by an ample margin. and the chance to make long runs by effectively breaking the balls to begin each new rack. Truly amazing. Father took me over after the match and I was introduced, nothing shy about Dr. Along with boxing, enhanced by the charismatic Sam ... “Here, Mr. Mosconi (my father called him Jack Dempsey, the Roaring Twenties brought Willie, I’m sure), I’d like you to shake hands with increased popularity to the new game of 14.1. my boy … he can run a whole rack of balls and he’s only twelve …” (I think Willie had run one hundred balls when he was nine!). Just like that, only a dad, right! But aren’t they the best kind. Willie and his family came to my parents Chicago home a couple of times for dinner in the 1950’s and 60’s. We would play on our well worn 4x9 ft Brunswick table. Above the fireplace was a funky little sign, written in crayon: “High run by Peter, 38”. So Willie would run 37 balls, and then he would miss; I would Ralph Greenleaf play; he would run 37 more, and miss! Ever At the top levels Straight Pool was soon the gentleman, and that dominated by a handful of greats, names today he surely was. For me, more known to us, Johnny Layton, Frank those brief games with Taberski, Erwin Rudolph, and the games giant, one of the true great Ralph Greenleaf. players were indeed a By the close of the decade Ralph Greenleaf had highlight of my young reluctantly relinquished the spotlight to the young days, so filled with guns of the time, still few in number, players who Willie Mosconi playing pool. 12 No doubt the evolution of better equipment, the popularity of 8 Ball, and the TV friendly 9 Ball A Brief Recollection of Straight Pool has lead to a vast increase at the top level of our sport. There is a very high level of ability today among literally thousands of top players. All of these players are excellent, yet most seldom play Straight Pool, some never. Ladies as well have made huge inroad, though the top female players of today also have forsaken 14.1 and I would venture to say that most of the better lady nine ball players have not really played 14.1 at all. Let’s change that! I am personally excited of the entries of some top female talent in this year’s 2006 World 14.1 Championship. We must continue to encourage ladies to play Straight Pool. This year’s 2006 World Straight Pool Championship ushers us into a new era, with A young Steve Mizerak many terrific young players. Hohmann, Archer, Like everything else, our game has evolved so Immonen, Robles, Davis, Souquet, Jeanette Lee much. As Mosconi faded away from pool in the and more. It is great to see the young breed of fifties and early sixties, Straight Pool began its players, along with some familiar legends such slow demise. In 1970 the new breed took over as as Sigel, Varner, Hopkins (so many great players 27 year old Steve Mizerak won the first of his four today!) taking over and making the effort to revive consecutive U.S. Open titles. The era of the great this really special game of 14.1 Straight Pool. former Straight Pool legends was near an end. It is my own hope personally that we encourage The new young guns included Allen Hopkins, all the rooms where we play to organize Straight Dallas West, Jim Rempe, Richard Riggi, Ray Pool leagues, tournaments and events to bring Martin and Jimmy Mataya. Soon upon the stage our game back so that generations after us will would come an incredible young player, Mike continue the legacy started long ago. Sigel and other greats Nick Varner, Dick Lane and Danny Dilberto. All players with solid Straight Victor H. “Peter” Burrows Pool backgrounds. But 14.1 would cease to Article graciously reprinted courtesy of Peter Burrows continue thriving in this next era.

Peter Burrows played with Willie Mosconi as a youth in Chicago and then later in a college exhibition. Following graduation from the Univ. of Colorado where he was 3x time winner of the CU 14.1 tournament in 1968 Peter Pool moved from Chicago to Maryland. He was Director of the 2006 14.1 World Championship Tournament and founder and Director of Maryland 14.1 Open which now enters its 15th year as the American 14.1 Straight Pool Championship. There is no other game but Allen Hopkins 14.1 . . . just ask him. 1313 Dead Stroke University presents Getting Shape Some of us never stop to ask for directions Position. Shape. When we can, it’s our ticket to paradise. When we cannot, it’s our ticket to hell. In pool, nothing is more important than having control of the cue ball. Most of the shots that we miss are due to “letting go” of the cue ball. Most times when we miss shape, it is also due to “letting go” of the cue ball. What is “letting go” of the cue ball? Letting go of the cue ball means that you are surrendering control of the cue ball to the elements and conditions of the table. “I” should control the cue ball, not the table. The table will provide me with “potluck” position.

To avoid potluck position, I should always be aware of four factors that affect position: a) The shot I am facing b) The distance to the next shot c) The route or path to the next shot d) Any and all obstacles in between

Along with these factors come the following questions: Where am I going? How am I going to get there? Should I use any English? Should I use a soft, medium or hard stroke? Am I following or drawing back? Am I utilizing left- or right-hand English? Am I using running or reverse English? Do I need to use a rail? If I do need to use the rails, how many? Is there anything in my way? If there is something in my way … how can I get around it? Do I need to take an alternate position route? The list can go on and on, but these 12 questions cover just about everything.

Now think back to the last time you were faced with a tough shot and near impossible position. Chances are that you did not ask yourself half of these questions. You probably stabbed wildly at a shot and either got lousy shape or hooked yourself. I did it yesterday. I do not do it all the time, but I am not immune to it, and neither are you. These questions are extremely important because they guide you through all of the factors, therefore guiding you through all of the conditions that you are facing. When looking at the questions, we can break them down into different categories so that we understand exactly what it is that we are asking ourselves. Should I? Am I? Do I? If I? If there is? Where am I going? How am I going to get there?

14 Let us start with: “Should I.” “Am I” “Do I” It is a determining question Is a self-examining question we Is another determining question that we ask ourselves when we ask as if we are performing a we ask ourselves when we are faced with more than one checklist. are looking to choose the best Getting Shape option. option out of many. “If I” Is a cautionary question. We ask this when “If there is” Is the solving question we ask we are searching for any bumps in the road along ourselves when we have identified the hazard, the path we are examining. We ask this when and we take the appropriate measures to avoid it. looking for any hazards along the path the cue ball will be traveling.

This leads us to the two most important questions:

“Where am I going, and How am I going to get there?”

Where are you going? Are you going the length of the table? Are you stopping the cue ball? Are you taking three of four rails? Next time you are shooting with a buddy, ask him “Where are you going with the cue ball?” Chances are he will tell you how he is going to get there. Why do I know this? Because most players skip through the PLANNING STAGE. He can tell you how he is going to get there, but he has not got a clue as to where he is going. One of the keys to playing pinpoint position is: IDENTIFY YOUR PREDETERMINED DESTINATION

It is extremely important to know exactly where you want the cue ball to go. Every top-level player will tell you that being a hair or two off target can mean the difference between running the rack or racking the balls.

15 HOW AM I GOING TO GET THERE?

Once you have identified where you are going, then we will look for a way to get there. Remember, we plan, then execute. We never do this in reverse, and we never do both at the same time. We need to plan the exact route that our cue ball needs to travel, and we must avoid any and obstacles that might be in our way. We also need to ensure that the object ball will hit the target in accordance with what we are trying to accomplish with the cue ball.

Always remember … These are different and separate tasks. How do the questions relate to the 4 factors? Factor #1: The shot Where am I going? How am I going to get there? Should I use any English? Should I use a soft medium or hard stroke? Am I following or drawing back? Am I utilizing right or left-hand English? Am I using running or reverse English? Factor #2: Distance to the next shot Where am I going? How am I going to get there? Should I use a soft, medium, or hard stroke? Do I need to use a rail? If I do need to use the rails, how many? Factor #3: The route or path to the next shot Where am I going? How am I going to get there? Should I use any English? Should I use a soft, medium, or hard stroke? Am I following or drawing back? Am I using right or left English? Am I using running or reverse English? Do I need to use a rail? If I do need to use the rails, how many? Is there anything in my way? If there is something in my way, how am I going to get around it? Do I need to take an alternate position route? Factor #4: Any and all obstacles Is there anything in my way? If there is something in my way, how am I going to get around it? Do I need to take an alternate position route?

By running through the factors, and the questions, you will learn that getting shape is a process of careful forethought combined with flawless execution. It’s no longer potluck. The factors and questions relate not only to pool, but also in everyday life. Take any goal that you have set for yourself and run it through these questions:

• Where am I going? • How am I going to get there? • Is there anything in my way? • If so, how am I going to get around it? • Do I need to find at an alternate route? 16 Buckeye Billiards 8-7’ Diamond Tables 5 Electronic Dart 2-9’ Diamond Tables Boards 2-7’ Valley Smart Great Food & Drink Tables Plenty of Seating! 950 Ashland Rd. • Mansfield, OH 419-709-9416 17 Jr. Pool For as long as I can remember I have been They played 8-Ball race to mesmerized by pocket billiards. When I 2 in a double elimination was a child I was told I was to little or to tournament. The tournament young to play pool or I didnt know what I was put on and directed by was doing and I could damage the table or a Chris Garey and Victory cue. Many years later I’m happy to announce Billiards. There were kids and young adults playing pool is widely players from all over encouraged and that makes me proud. the state of Ohio. Townz Family Billiards had a huge showing. Half On February 27th, 2021 55 Jr. players of the 55 players were from Townz and were descended on the VFW in Lancaster to sporting their Townz shirts. Dee Adkins US Jr. participate in the Fairfield counties best Training Center was well represented as all of Jr. Tournament. The Jr’s were split into 4 his students went deep in their brackets or won divisions by age as shown below: their divisions. 9-11 • 12-14 • 15-17 • 18-20

All 55 entries were donated, the Jr’s didn’t pay a dime out of pocket. The Ohio Billiards Community always shows up and delivers, they are one big family and have huge hearts. Stella Pegan and the Townz Family Billiards Jr. Program donated $1000 from their Jr. Fund towards entries. The list of donors goes on and on and there are so many people to thank. You are all appreciated and I am glad to have been there to witness this phenomenal event.

18 9-11 Year olds 18-20 Year olds 1st - Landen Dunlap 1st - Cole Bryson 2nd - Trey Vogelmeier 2nd - Tatum Cutting 3rd - Lathan Elliott 3rd - Clayton Townsend 12-14 Year olds Overall champion 1st - Chase Dininger 1st - Cole Bryson 2nd - Payne Mcbride 2nd - Chase Dininger 3rd - Bobby Richmond III 3rd - AJ Weaver 4th - Lathan Elliott 15-17 Year olds 1st - AJ Weaver 2nd - Riley Adkins 3rd - Quintin Scott

When it comes to young adults and children in billiards there is something bigger than winning. All of these Jr’s showed the utmost respect to their opponents all day long, showing that you can be a fierce competitor and still show etiquette. All of these players showed total class all day long and for that I would like to congratulate the coaches and parents that have been so influential in these players lives, keep it up everyone. You can be the best and still be humble. Until next time, Randy dininger

19 ONE SHOT AT A TIME The sum of your shots equals your results. You cannot repeat shots you’ve already played more than you can sink the tounament winning 9-ball before you’ve even broken the rack. You can only play the shot you are faced with. In sum, you’ll get your best result by learning to focus fully on each shot, one at a time. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the first game or in the double-hill game – every shot is important. Yes, the shots seem a lot more important at the end of a match. But how many times have you replayed a losing match and said to yourself that if you hadn’t missed the 7-ball in the fourth game, the match may have turned out differently. The score would have been tied 2-2. Instead, you lost momentum and now trailed 1-3. You don’t want to feel double-hill pressure on every shot, but you do need to treat each shot with the proper attention and respect. A rock solid shooting routine you can repeat endlessly is the ticket to playing everyshot to the best of your ability. You will have to think about your routine until it becomes a habit. Each segment of it must be followed without fail. Practice your routine until it becomes second nature. The following elements go into making up a complete routine. With enough practice and experience you will move smoothly from one segment to the next.

Shooting Routine 1) Evaluate the table 5) Take the time to aim and feel your speed & stroke 2) Determine your most viable options 6) Stroke the shot 3) Select the best shot 7) Observe, enjoy and evaluate the shot 4) Enter into your stance 8) Return to step 1

20 Your routine should flow at your most natural To play one shot at a time, you must immerse pace. Not too fast or slow, but with enough time yourself in the moment. No thoughts of shots to complete each element before moving onto the made or missed are welcome. The past is history. next. Just remember that any ommission will very Daydreaming about trophy presentations and likely result in a poor shot. Take enough time, but applause from your teammates does you no good. not too much time. Avoid changing your mind The future will be upon you soon enough. All of when you are down in your stance. When you are your energy needs to be focused where it will uncertain about a shot, get up from your stance do you the most good, which is on the shot you and reconsider your options. Make a firm decision are about to play. and then pick up again at Step 4. LAW: You get your best results by concentrating Playing 100% on the shot you are playing, so it makes no sense to think about anything else but that shot. pool well LAW: You have no control over the past or requires the future so it’s best to remain in the balancing present moment when playing each and every shot. your mind and your body. During your routine you must take time for a bit of problem solving. You must then shift gears quickly into a pure physical mode like a well oiled machine.

For more information go online to Philip Capelles website at https://www.billiardspress.com/ 21 Queen City Classic Twice a year, Legendary Billiards (Justin Wethington) puts on a fun-filled team event in Cincinnati, OH. In February, 56 teams battled it out in a modified triple elimination format, with team “This is the Way” taking home the cash! “This is the Way” was comprised of Jordan Congeni, Tony Wisniewski, Brandon Stubblefield, John Kitzler, and Zach Leary. They went into Sunday already having two losses and knowing that they would be going home if they didn’t bare down. Team “This is the Way” lived up to their Champions Team name: This is the Way name and defeated their opponents on that final Bottom left to right: Tony Wisniewski, day 8-6, 11-6, 11-9, and 13-12! Brandon Stubblefield, Jordan Congeni, Back left to right: John Kitzler, Zach Leary If you are interested in playing in this event, here is some background information. Each team is comprised of five to seven players, with five players playing at one time. The five players must have a combined skill level of no more than 24. Handicaps are assigned by Legendary Billiards and are based on a combination of various league handicaps, FARGO ratings, and known ability. Teams play three rounds from the lowest to the highest skill level until a team reaches eight wins.

Along with the main event, there are a variety of other events over the four-day span. A handicapped singles event kicks off the tournament on Thursday afternoon, with a 12-handicap, handicapped scotch doubles 2nd place Team name: Josie’s Outlaws tournament following in the evening. Front left to right: Michael Windham, Joe McIntosh Nixon Seipelt, Back left to right: Roger Campbell Both events continue into Friday. Jesse Evans

www.facebook.com/legendarybilliardsproduction/

22 This is one of my favorite events, because I get to hang out with friends and do what I love. You definitely need to have a lot of grind and/or a lot of coffee in you because you will get very little sleep; four days of nonstop pool, what more can you ask for? If you’d like more information about this event, contact Justin Wethington. The next event will take place in the fall.

Julie Skripac-Cooper is originally from Youngstown, OH, but currently 3rd Place Team name: Dead Rabbits lives in Cincinnati. She began playing Left to right: David Kennedy, Dylan Kennedy pool with her dad and brothers as Zack Withrow, George Stevens, Amy Kirkpatrick an APA 2-handicap in 2001 and has slowly climbed the ranks, now being On Friday evening, as the team event is put to rest ranked 63rd on the WPBA tour. She for the night, two single elimination scotch doubles has numerous titles over the years, tournaments begin. On Saturday evening, a double but her favorite was winning the 2011 elimination scotch doubles event takes place. Valley Forge 8-ball Championship. She takes a lot of pride in promoting women’s pool and junior players.

Pool & Billiard Terms Who was Ralph Greenleaf? C A R O M C C D L K C A R N N Nov. 3, 1899-March 15, 1950 M A S S E O U H I U J U T E E Ralph Greenleaf, (Nov. 3, J A W N X M T K A A O N R Z H 1899 - March 15, 1950) on 21 world championships W O U U K B N J F L M F I O C between 1921 and 1937 K R I I O O I I C K K O A R T playing 14.1 continuous O N C N I S E R P A S J N F I games. His great skill and B K A H T G U A O E U U G D K colourful personality made him a leading American J W S B D T C K D R L M L S S sports figure of the 1920s. E U B I C I T G U B L P E N E C U R H D L L A B V A L P N M In a match, Greenleaf was a fierce competitor, winning T B C N D S S I K P B A G S I his first world title in 1919. In 1942, he came W V A D R B M G U A N L C L S in third place, behind Willie Hoppe and Welker S H C T A R C S T G I G U I C Cochran in a World Championship Three-cushion E U C S W G H U L S A M T A U billiards match. His last championship title was in 1937 when he defeated Irving Crane by a score of E L U R R E F E H L C U T R E 125 to minus one. ANGLE CUE HANDICAP MISCUE BALL CUSHION JAW OBJECT He died suddenly at the BANK CUT JOINT PUSH age of 50. Greenleaf BREAK DIAMONDS JUMP RACK was in the inaugural BRIDGE DRAW KICK RAILS CAROM ENGLISH KISS RUN class of inductees into CHALK FERRULE KITCHEN SCRATCH the BCA Hall of Fame. COMBO FOUL LAG TABLE He was both a pool and CRUTCH FROZEN MASSE TRIANGLE carom billiards player. 23 $300 High Runs ents of complim Bob & Vicki Paski

6 Y m ENTR $ FEE $ RAFFLE 5 (804) 794-8787 $ 22 13184 Midlothianwww.diamondbilliardsva.co Turnpike • Midlothian, VA 2311slacks & shoes $ 325 / Women:

Entry fee: Men ress Code: Strictly enforced, dress shirt, Darren Appleton D Bob Hunter Fedor Gorst Thorsten Hohmann Konrad Juszczyszyn $30 High Runs0 $ 0 complim 10 B$ ents of ob & Vicki Paski Top Seed

onFree Sunday Live Stream Accommodations: Ralf Souquet Johnny Archer Y ENTR 6

FEE RAFFLEQ Master Billiards m 5612 Princess Anne Rd. 13184 MidlothianVirginia Turnpike Beach, VA. • 23464Midlothian, VA 23113 (757)(804) 499-8900 794-8787 Jani Siekkinen www.q-masters.com www.diamondbilliardsva.com Mika Immonen www.americanstraightpool.co OctOct 31-31- NovNov 4,4, 20212021 Entry fee: Men $325 / Women: $225 Dress Code: Strictly enforced, dress shirt, slacks & shoes TotalW.P.A. Sanctioned Purse - B.C.A. $42,000 Ranking Event

John Schmidt Entry Fee - Men $300 Ladies $250 Dress Code Strictly Enforced: Dress Shirt, slacks and shoes

Top 24 Cash & Advance to Elimination Niels Feijen

Sunday 11:00 a.m. - Players Meeting & Round Robin Mon-Tues - 10:00 a.m. Round Robin Wed-Thurs 10:00 a.m. Elimination

Accommodations:Accommodations: LaQuinta, 192 Newtown Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (757) 497-6620 #5

Fran Sanchez-Ruiz Pool Tournament rate $65. incl. tax. per night 2 queens; $10. for extra cot $100 Top Seed Shane Von Boening on Sunday

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Albin Ouschan Ruslan Chinahov Petri Makkonen Shaun Wilkie Eklent Kaci