Inside POOL Magazine is pleased to announce an agreement with McDermott Cue Mfg., LLC, to sponsor the free live stream of Allen Hopkins’ Super Billiards Expo, which takes place March 18-21, 2010. Widely considered the most successful billiards event, the Super Billiards Expo will feature thousands of professional and amateur pool players, vendors, spectators, and attendees.

The free live stream will be available at the Inside POOL Magazine Ustream channels and at InsidePOOLmag.com. The stream will mainly consist of two events, the Diamond Open 10-Ball Professional Players Championship and the Artistic Pool Masters Championship. The finals of the 14.1 Straight Pool Challenge are also scheduled to be streamed, time permitting.

Throughout the stream, segments showing action from around the Super Billiards Expo will be aired to inform and give the stream viewers a feel of the action at the event.

“After 40 years in business, we remain excited to participate in opportunities to promote billiards. This groundbreaking event encompasses a truly promising vision that can revolutionize and expand billiards, and we are happy to be involved.” said, Jayme Cernicka of McDermott Cue.

Inside POOL Magazine is pleased to announce an agreement with McDermott Cue Mfg., LLC, to sponsor the free live stream of Allen Hopkins’ Super Billiards Expo, which takes place March 18-21, 2010.

The Super Billiards Expo is one of the most exciting events in the billiard industry every year. Started back in 1993, Allen Hopkins’ vision for the ultimate billiard experience has been growing year after year. Thousands of players and fans look forward to this event every year. The Super Billiards Expo has become the largest consumer-oriented show in the industry.

If you miss the stream, check out the May/June issue of Inside POOL Magazine for information on viewing the videos created during the event.

About McDermott Cue Mfg, LLC
McDermott Cue Mfg is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, WI and produces and markets under the brands of McDermott Cue, Star Cue, Lucky Cue, Intimidator Shafts, G-Core Shafts, Big Boy Shafts, Sledgehammer Cues, Stinger Jump/Break Cues and Elephant Balls. For decades, McDermott Cue has consistently raised the performance standards for what billiard players expect from a high performance cue. McDermott builds billiard equipment for people who view playing pool as an end in itself, drawing on cutting-edge technology and tasteful yet aggressive design. McDermott equipment is rooted in performance, using the latest technology in a state-of-the-art facility and utilizing the finest materials available.

About Inside POOL Magazine
Inside POOL Magazine started in 2001 and quickly became the largest print billiard magazine by circulation by portraying the action of pool and billiards like no other magazine had done before. Since the first issue, Inside POOL Magazine has published online. The online version of the magazine has evolved to include flipping pages, zooming, clickable links, email sharing, and full-screen videos that can includes hours of full unedited matches. The current online version receives 450,000 readers per month.

by InsidePOOL Staff

Two hard-working poolroom owners, each playing with only two hours of sleep, squared off in the finals of the Flamingo Billiards Tour stop March 6 at Ultimate Billiards in Fort Pierce, FL. Margie Soash of Hollywood Billiards in Hollywood, FL, outlasted Stephanie Mitchell, owner of The Corner Pocket in Largo, FL, after a long, safety-dominated slugfest.

It was the first Flamingo Billiards Tour event for Soash and five other new members, all of whom made a big impression at the tour’s 2010 kick-off event. Soash went undefeated for the day, squeaking by Mimi McAndrews 7-6 and Christie Cloke 7-5.

Mitchell started the day with a loss 7-3 to new member JoAnn Mason Parker, the 1990 WPBA U.S. Open champ who has returned in excellent form after a long hiatus. Mitchell then caught a bye before blanking Kelly Cavanaugh 7-0.

After the modified double-elimination redraw, Mitchell avenged her early loss to Parker 7-4, Jessica Barnes defeated Kim Caso 7-2, Jeannie Seaver swept Helene Caukin 7-0, and Soash went 7-5 against Melissa Durkin, another impressive new member.

In the semifinals, Seaver fought back from a 6-2 deficit but eventually lost to Soash 7-5. Meanwhile, Mitchell ran the final table on Barnes for a 7-3 victory.

The first game of the finals was a precursor of things to come, with each player notching six innings at the table. Smart play, tight pockets, and tired eyes led to a true test of focus and endurance. After Soash took the first rack, Mitchell went on a five-game streak before jawing the 9 ball in the seventh game. Soash brought it to double-hill, and the last rack saw Mitchell jaw the 9 ball again, leaving Soash the game and match.

Two hard-working poolroom owners, each playing with only two hours of sleep, squared off in the finals of the Flamingo Billiards Tour stop March 6 at Ultimate Billiards in Fort Pierce, FL.

by Lea Andrews

Though Josh Newman’s first encounter with Mark Parlier didn’t go his way, the 17-year-old made up for it in the next two sets to earn his first win as an A-player on the Great Southern Billiard Tour. Newman topped the mega-sized field of 81 that arrived for the $1,500-added A-B amateur event, held March 6-7 at Raisin’ Cain’s in Inman, SC.

Newman faced A-ranked Parlier for the first time on the winners’ side final four, and Parlier earned a spot in the hot seat match 9-7. Earning the other spot was B-ranked Dusty Gosnell, who’d sent A-ranked Paul Mullens west 7-5. Gosnell came up one game shy of his goal of seven games against Parlier, and he moved over to the semifinals for a shot at the rematch.

On the one-loss side, A-ranked Chase Smith blew through B-ranked Randy Henderson 9-1 to meet up with B-ranked Marvin Reed, who’d gone hill-hill with A-ranked Marty Free 7-8. Another hill-hill match was waiting for Reed against Smith, but he was on the wrong end of this one, and he landed in seventh 9-6. Meanwhile, AA-ranked recent winner Jared McGee took care of B-ranked Trey Melton 11-4 to face B-ranked Michael Walker, who’d ousted A-ranked Barry Medlock 7-5. Holding Walker to five games, McGee moved on to Newman, who pushed his way past 9-7 to reach the quarterfinals. There he faced Smith, who’d edged out Mullins 9-8. Another 9-7 victory for Newman put him up against Gosnell in the semifinals, where they were both fighting for another chance with Parlier. It was well into the early hours of Monday at this point, and Newman outlasted Gosnell to claim his spot in the finals 9-5.

The first set of the true double-elimination match went hill-hill, and in the final rack, it seemed like it would be the only set. An unlikely late miss by Parlier brought Newman back to the table, though, and he finished off the rack to push the second set 9-8. Though neither showed it, fatigue had to have been wearing on both players, but Newman’s stamina served him well, allowing him to finish off his win 9-7 at just after 6 a.m. Monday morning.

Though Josh Newman’s first encounter with Mark Parlier didn’t go his way, the 17-year-old made up for it in the next two sets to earn his first win as an A-player on the Great Southern Billiard Tour.

by InsidePOOL Staff

Geoffrey Bauer took down the competition at the March 6 installment of the Tri-State Tour, defeating Sam Li in the final match. The $500-added B-D event was hosted by Eastside Billiards in New York City, NY.

Bauer went undefeated through the event, besting Tony Eglesias 7-5 in the winners’ side final four to advance to the hot seat match. Meeting him there was Alan Chan, who squeaked past Li in a hill-hill match 6-5. The hot seat match also went double-hill, with Bauer moving on to the finals while Chan was sent to try his luck on the west side of the chart.

Geoffrey Bauer took down the competition at the March 6 installment of the Tri-State Tour, defeating Sam Li in the final match.

Results:
1st Geoffrey Bauer $440
2nd Sam Li $220
3rd Alan Chan $105

by Lea Andrews

Tommy Kennedy juggled both tournament director and player duties at the March 6-7 installment of the Southeast Open 9-Ball Tour, getting past last stop’s winner John “Mr. 403” Schmidt to top the open division, while Jason Moran topped Sunday’s amateur division. The $1,000-added open event drew 29 players to Skeeters Billiards in Gulfport, MS, while the $500-added amateur event drew 25.

Kennedy edged out Cliff Joyner 9-8 to meet Schmidt for the first time in the hot seat match. Schmidt, who was coming off a 9-4 win over Johnny Armstrong, notched up another one against Kennedy, who went west to fight for a rematch. On the left side of the bracket, Jay Bird took care of Jason Moran and Neil Alexander before coming up on Joyner, whom he held to seven games to reach the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Greg Hagin notched wins over Josh Charbonnet and Luc Detierne to face Armstrong. Allowing Armstrong just three games, Hagin advanced to the quarterfinals, but the four games he marked up there against Bird put him in fourth.

In the semifinals, Kennedy was ready for his rematch with Schmidt, and he dropped Bird into third 9-6 to earn his chance at revenge. In the single race-to 11 final match, the two veterans stayed close, trading games until Kennedy reached the hill 10-9. Schmidt was on his way to tying it up, but an unlikely miss on the 6 ball brought Kennedy back to the table, and he took care of what was left to earn his victory 11-9. Other open event winners were Neil Alexander, who earned $50 as the highest-finishing senior; Jessica Penick, who pocketed $25 as highest-placing lady; and Johnny Armstrong, who took home an extra $25 as the top junior.

On Sunday, Moran’s 5-2 win over Jim Sterling put him into the hot seat match against Tracy Guernsey, who’d shut out Luc Detierne. Against Moran, though, he managed just one game, and he moved over to the semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, Steve Kuhnau, who’d suffered an earlier loss to Sterling, was making his way through the field, getting past Steve Neil Alexander and Mike Trawick for another crack at Sterling. Meanwhile, Ken Black pushed his way past Brandon Goudreau and James Faison to reach Detierne, whom he put in fifth 4-1 to reach the quarterfinals. There he faced Kuhnau, who’d exacted his revenge on Sterling 4-3. Another 4-3 victory put Kuhnau up against Guernsey in the semifinals, and a 5-3 win put him into the single race-to-7 final match, but that was where his run ended. Moran took control early and kept it, finishing up his undefeated event 7-2.

Kennedy juggled both tournament director and player duties at the March 6-7 installment of the Southeast Open 9-Ball Tour

Open Results:
1st Tommy Kennedy $700
2nd John Schmidt $475
3rd Jay Bird $350
4th Greg Hagin $250
5th Johnny Armstrong $150
Cliff Joyner

Amateur Results:
1st Jason Moran $470
2nd Steve Kuhnau $300
3rd Tracy Guernsey $200
4th Ken Black $100
5th Luke Detierne $45
Jim Sterling

by Lea Andrews

A late loss at the March 6-7 stop of the Jacoby Custom Cues Carolina tour did nothing to slow down Larry Nevel. “The Truth” rebounded to top the tough field that gathered at Break Time Billiards in Wilmington, NC, for the $1,000-added event.

After handing Nevel his 7-4 loss, Keith Bennett moved into the hot seat match against Johnny Archer, who’d just shut out Trey Greene. Archer claimed the hot seat 7-3, while Bennett moved over to semifinals. On the west side, an early victim of Nevel’s, Michael “Bulldawg” Fuller, notched a 7-4 win over Zach Wilson and a shut-out win over Greene to reach the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, another one of Nevel’s victims, Shawn “Big Bubba” Putnam, who’d reached the finals in each of his three Jacoby appearances so far, found his streak come to an end at his fourth event as he faced Nevel once again. Nevel dropped Putnam into fifth 7-2 to meet back up with Fuller, and another 7-2 win put him into the semifinals against Bennett. Earning his revenge 7-3, Nevel advanced to the single race-to-11 final match.

Though Archer got out to a 3-0 and 5-1 lead, Nevel was able to take advantage of a scratch on the break and a dry break to gain momentum and tie it up at six games apiece, but when he made nothing on the break in the next rack, Archer regained the lead 7-6. It was his last lead, though. Another scratch on the break allowed Nevel to tie it up, and two more racks in a row put him on the hill 10-7. Archer marked up the next rack, but after pocketing three balls on the break in the final rack, he found himself without a shot on the 2 ball. Archer’s well-played safety left Nevel hooked, but Nevel’s unbelievable kick shot put the 2 ball in the pocket and left the path to the 9 ball open. Nevel pocketed the rest of the balls to earn his victory 11-8.

Nevel also took first in Friday’s 16-entrant early bird tournament, earning $150 for his 7-1 win in the finals over Zach Wilson, who took home $95. Hindu Williams earned $50 for third, while Kenny Chin earned $25 for fourth. Patty Sutherland won the ladies’ division on Saturday, while Caleb Grissom topped the juniors’. In Sunday’s second chance event, Kenny Chin earned $80 for edging out Barry Irving 7-6, while Irving earned $20. Karl Deweese took home $80 for beating out five others in the break contest, and CJ Genta became the owner of a new Jacoby Custom Cue after her name was drawn in the raffle.

A late loss at the March 6-7 stop of the Jacoby Custom Cues Carolina tour did nothing to slow down Nevel.

Results:
1st Larry Nevel $1,000
2nd Johnny Archer $400
3rd Keith Bennett $100

The McDermott Gambler Pro Tour has announced its inaugural event to take place this spring. The first annual “Sharkbite Classic” will take place May 15-16, 2010 at Hammer Heads Billiards in Holiday, FL.

Nora Nelson owner of Hammer Heads said, “I am very excited and proud to be asked to hold the first McDermott GPT event. After talking with Dan Dennis, and looking at the format, it is my belief that this will be a wonderful tournament for years to come. Pasco County has recently increased the number of hotels in the area, so players will have no problem finding a room that will suit their needs. Thank you Dan, for giving us this opportunity, It is going to be a great weekend of play.”

Hammer Heads Billiards has been a prime spot for tournaments and tours in Florida for several years. A 15,000 square ft upscale billiard room with 24 Diamond pool tables and a built in arena. Hammer Heads also hosts a first Saturday of the month $500 added mixed 9-Ball/8-Ball tournament and a second Saturday of the month $500 added 10-Ball tournament. You can log onto www.hammerheadsbilliards.com for more information.

The first annual Sharkbite Classic will take place May 15-16, 2010 at Hammer Heads Billiards in Holiday, FL.

“The McDermott GPT is pleased to have the inaugural event being held at Hammer Heads. It’s definitely a great place to host a tournament. Hammer Heads was designed with tournaments in mind. It has a great drop down arena and a nice viewing area for fans to come watch top players play tableside. I’m really looking forward to a pristine event and the first annual “Sharkbite Classic” at Hammer Heads.”

The event at Hammer Heads will host an Open 9-Ball Event May 16th, Semi-Pro/Amateur 9-Ball Event May 15th and a Ladies 9-Ball Event May 15th. For a complete lists of events, formats, tour schedule, player rankings, handicaps and more log onto www.GamblerProTour.com. The McDermott GPT would also like to thank the following sponsors; McDermott Cues www.Mcdermottcue.com, Gambler Clothing, Team Gambler, BilliardScoop.com, X-treme Vision Studios, Inside Pool Magazine and AZBilliards.

by Lea Andrews

Making a rare appearance on the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour, Steve Moore went undefeated through the 25-player field, taking down reigning champ Dennis “The Hatchet Man” Hatch in the finals. The $1,500-added Mary Capotto Memorial event was held March 6-7 at Cap’s Cue Club in Syracuse, NY.

Moore blew by Chance Chin 9-3 to reach the hot seat match against Dave Grau, who’d just edged out Hatch 9-8. Grau managed just five games against Moore, though, and he moved over to the semifinals to try to fight his way back.

On the left side of the bracket, tour bigwig Bucky Souvanthong was plowing through the field, ousting Lyn Wechsler 9-4 to meet up with Dwight Dixon, who’d eased past Brian Holmes 9-8. Taking care of Dixon 9-7, Souvanthong moved on to Chin. Meanwhile, Bruce Carroll got past Geoff Montgomery 9-6 to face tour director Mike Zuglan, who’d just knocked out Mike Renshaw 9-5. Holding Zuglan to four games, Carroll moved on to Hatch, who dropped him into fifth 9-3. In the quarterfinals, Hatch went up against Souvanthong, who’d advanced over Chin 9-7. Against Hatch, though, he managed just four games, landing in fourth. Hatch moved on to a rematch with Grau, which ended in his favor 9-7, putting him into very familiar territory: the finals. The true double-elimination final match didn’t go the usual way for Hatch, though. Taking control from the beginning, Moore earned his decisive victory 9-4.

Making a rare appearance on the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour, Moore went undefeated through the 25-player field, taking down reigning champ Hatch in the finals.

Results:
1st Steve Moore $1,000
2nd Dennis Hatch $800
3rd Dave Grau $600
4th Bucky Souvanthong $400
5th Chance Chin $250
Bruce Carroll
7th Dwight Dixon
Mike Zuglan

by Brian Keller

As a lifetime student of the game, tournament director Joshua Dickerson has always had an interest in straight pool. After successfully running the Virginia State 9-Ball Championships for the past six years, he decided it was time to add something new. Thus, the Virginia State 14.1 Championships were born.

The inaugural event took place February 27-28 in Newport News at the Obelisk Billiards Club, a room with a rich straight pool culture that includes a 20-year-old league and annual room championship. When Dickerson looked for a venue, he didn’t have to go far to find it.

The event began Saturday morning with 25 players vying for a first-place prize of $1,280, part of which was paid entry into the Predator World Straight Pool Championship. Obelisk also supplied a gorgeous, solid crystal trophy for the winner. The high run during the event would net the winner a Nick Varner Signature cue and case.

Play began shortly after 10 a.m. and the players immediately could see that the room’s nine tables with tight pockets were going to play tough. By the end of the first day, six players remained with a high run of only 40 in the races to 100.

The six finalists included John Elvidge, Greg Ferguson, Ozzy Reynolds, Dave Perry, Eric Moore, and Bobby Chamberlain.

In the hot seat match against Dave Perry, Chamberlain laid down the one of the tournament’s long run of 40 to help move him towards the finals. He also had the longest run of 72 in the prior match. While he waited, Eric Moore defeated Ozzy Reynolds and then moved on to play Perry in the semifinals, where he won 100-48, setting up the final race to 150 for the title.

The inaugural event took place February 27-28 in Newport News at the Obelisk Billiards Club, a room with a rich straight pool culture that includes a 20-year-old league and annual room championship.

After the event Dickerson noted that the field had been 80% full, an excellent showing for a first time. He feels confident that this event is in for a long run. Every participant was very excited to be there and play the grand old game; as players were knocked out of the tournament, to a man, they were already looking forward to next year’s version. Straight pool is alive and well in the Old Dominion.

By Charles Eames

In a time when the discipline of 14.1 continuous straight pool seems to be on the back burner of professional pool there are those that remain loyal. What started out as a simple idea thrown around by two friends over a friendly game has quickly grown to become one of the most talked about and highly anticipated events of this year’s Super Billiards Expo. Originally the brain child of Steve Kurtz this year’s Straight Pool Challenge is the first of its kind at the expo, and one we hope to continue as the years go on. Steve Kurtz is quickly becoming a name synonymous with Straight Pool and is an accomplished player in his own right playing in events like the North Jersey Straight Pool Pro Am and plans to play in qualifiers for the World Straight Pool Championships for 2010. This challenge is starting to get the attention of some very big names like John Schmidt, Thorsten Hohmann, and newly crowned Virginia State 14.1 Champion Bobby Chamberlain as well as top amateur players in and around the area.

First and foremost we would like to thank our incredible sponsors. Bob Jewett, Diamond Billiard Products, Pete Tonkin Custom Cues, and Milliken Cloth in association with Sterling Fury. Without them this event would not be the reality that it is today. They have shown us unconditional support in the planning and execution of this event and we can’t thank them enough. Also to the members of the 14.1 community whose donations have poured in from across the country we say a heartfelt thank you. They have been with us from the early stages and we look forward to seeing them at the expo during the challenge. A huge thank you also goes to InsidePOOL Magazine for maintaining a standard of excellence in the billiard and cue sports world. A wealth of knowledge can be found within its pages and it has proven to be an incredible resource both on the internet and in print.

In a time when the discipline of 14.1 continuous straight pool seems to be on the back burner of professional pool there are those that remain loyal.

The challenge will run all four days of the expo. For a twenty five dollar entry fee a player will get five attempts at the table with ball in hand and a break shot of their choosing. That player will then shoot until he or she misses or fouls thereby ending their run. The five runs will be added up to create a final total. The players with the top eight totals will be invited into an eight man single elimination tournament which will take place on Sunday. Races during this tournament will be to 100 with the final match being a race to 150 points.

We encourage everyone to play in this awesome event as we will have many raffle items up for grabs as well as other great things going on throughout the expo. Again to Steve Kurtz and his incredible idea we cannot thank you enough for breathing new life into a game that while seemed to be fading is now making a massive recovery. Events like this and many more are what are needed for a true resurgence of this discipline of champions.