The Principles of Defense
By Robert Byrene
Good defensive strategy, absolutely essential to winning in three-cushion billiards, is hardly ever mentioned in the scanty literature in a game. Defense in billiards consists of far more than simply playing “œeasy to the red” and its corollary, “œhard away to the white.”
Masse shots come in all shapes and sizes. Once your discover that you can elevate the cue, strike down on the cue ball, and create such a massive amount of spin, your creative mind will begin to wonder what exactly you are capable of doing with such a stroke.
Break Time Billiards in Wilmington, North Carolina hosted the eleventh stop on the 2008-2009 Jacoby Custom Cues Carolina Tour July 11-12. Fifteen players competed in the $1000 guaranteed added Main Event. Jeff Abernathy defeated Sidney Champion in the final match, earning $1000 for first place.
The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) crowned four winners in the 2009 BEF Junior National 9-Ball Championships. A total of 92 junior pocket billiard players gathered in the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University on July 23-26 to compete for the title in 4 divisions. In the 19-and-under boys’ division, Landon Shuffett of Greensburg, KY, sailed through the winners’ bracket, while Liz Lovely of Centerville, OH, went undefeated in the 19-and-under girls’ division.
LONE STAR BILLIARDS TOUR
Charlie “œHillbilly” Bryant again on top of the hill
On the weekend of June 6 and 7, Casper’s Billiards in San Leon, Texas celebrated its first anniversary by hosting the fourth stop on the 2009 Lone Star Billiards Tour. This event drew a strong field of 51 players, including touring professionals Charlie Bryant, Jeremy Jones, and Cliff Joyner, and an international champion from Jordan, Zaid Thweib. Other pre-tournament favorites included regional standouts: Sylver Ochoa, Raul Escobedo, Lanny Herrin, Dennis Strickland, Manuel Ayala, and Ernesto Bayaua.
Mike Gasper Wins
12th Annual “œTri-State Tour” Invitational
The twelveth annual Tri-State Tour Invitational took place July 11 – 12, 2009, at Comet Billiards in Parsippany, NJ bringing together highly skilled amateurs hoping to sharpen their game en route to the pro circuit and ambitious upstarts looking to advance in class. The weekend was a huge success with 14 A & A+ Players, 32 B & B+ Players, 32 C & C+ Players and 14 D & D+ Players showing up to play in their respective classes. Comet Billiards owners Bill Haley along with the staff were gracious hosts and provided a professional and engaging atmosphere for the event. Their generosity and support is without equal.
In all, there were 21 players competing for a first place prize of $ 2,000.00 with a total prize fund of $ 7,000.00. The players were divided into 3 flights with 7 players each. The top 2 finishers of each flight along with the two best 3rd place finishers would play an 8-player round robin in the finals. The prelims were to 20 points and the finals were to 25 points. Final placement was determined by wins/losses, total points scored, head-to-head and points-against. Averages were kept throughout the tournament by the players but it was not a determining factor in the placement.
Expect the unexpected as BCA Hall of Fame nominee Danny DiLiberto, one of pool’s great “Rackontuers,” is likely to pull no punches  Thursday & Friday night, 8pm EST. during the FREE internet broadcast of the Accu-Stats Game Show LIVE from the Accu-Stats Arena at Comet Billiards, New Jersey,
WPBA Star Takes Over APA League in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO (July 16, 2009) “” As a major sponsor of the WPBA Classic Tour, Ewa “œThe Striking Viking” Laurance has associated for years with the American Poolplayers Association (APA). Ewa has traveled to various APA Leagues around the country conducting exhibitions, and Mitch, her husband and ESPN billiard commentator, is well versed on promoting APA during the ESPN event airings. Now both, along with daughter Nikki Graham, will own and operate the Coastal Carolina APA League.
This is a nice force follow shot that requires a smooth follow stroke straight through the ball. Could be a 3 or 4 rail shot. Set up as Diagram. Go right through the yellow...
