Category: 3Cushion

Hugo Patino Wins at Cue and Cushion

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The first stop of the 2009 USBA Tour was held at Cue and Cushion Billiard Lounge in Hooksett, NH on April 17-19, 2009. Four of the country’s top players participated and were the clear favorites in this 11 player round robin to 25 points. Room owner Mazin Shooni, 2006 US Champion, had his 2 beautiful Chevillotte tables recently recovered with Simonis 300 rapide cloth. The tables were long and very slippery. Competing along with Mazin was Hugo Patino (2003, 2009 US Champion), Sonny Cho (2005 US Champion), Michael Kang (Carom Café owner and top US player), Jim Shovak (USBA Secretary/Treasurer), Bob Page from Massachusetts, Juan Elizalde from Dallas, Texas, Leonard Collibee from Massachusetts, Rick Kirk from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Andrew Janquitto from Maryland and Steve Brodie from Connecticut.

More Kiss-back Shots

More Kiss-back Shots

Another standard application is given in Diagram 98. Again, remember to use low English. If the first ball were at a, it would be better to try a thin hit off the right side of the ball instead of a kiss-back. Not only is the thin hit (provided it isn’t too thin ) easier to judge, but the first ball is likely to end up in the vicinity of b, providing a good second shot.

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2009 USBA National Semi-Final Results

2009 USBA National Semi-Final Results

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The semi final matches started right on schedule with the 20 players remaining after the qualification rounds. Each match presented the finest in 3- cushion poise and skill being demonstrated.

2009 USBA National Qualification Results

2009 USBA National Qualification Results

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After 2 days of sterling play, 20 players from the original field of 42 made it to 4 flights of 5 players each for the semi final rounds. Event highlights from the qualification rounds revealed 6 players with perfect 6-0 records ““ Pedro Piedrabuena, Mazin Shooni, Michael Kang, Felipe Razon, Sonny Cho, and defending champion, Miguel Torres. The balance of the semi-final field demonstrated great resolve on the road to the championship finals.

The USBA 2009 National 3-Cushion Championships is now underway

The USBA 2009 National 3-Cushion Championships is now underway

The USBA 2009 National 3-Cushion Championships is now underway with a field of 42 players from all over the country at Carom Café Billiards in Flushing, NY.
Defending National Champion ““ Miguel Torres”¨2008 Runner-up ““ Pedro Piedrabuena along with Mazin Shooni, Sonny Cho, Hugo Patino and Michael Kang are the six seeded players.

Format in the Prielims will be six flights of 7 players. Race to 25, with 3 top players of each flight advancing along with the 2 top 4th place winners making it 20 players in the semi-finals.

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Often Over Looked

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This type of shot does not have a diamond system to help the player. So it is a challenge to find the right cue ball speed and angles to get the correct trajectory to score the point. Although there are 2 or 3 other ways to attempt the shot let’s stick with this one for now.

Robert Byrne – Kiss Back Shot

Kissing the cueball back off a ball frozen to a rail is another idea that seldom occurs to beginning three-cushion players. Kiss-back opportunities may not arise for hundreds of points: then several may crop up in a single game. The pattern is common enough that every student should devote some time to learning the angles, English, and speed required.

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3-Cushion Regional Qualifier

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Left to right, Felipe & Hugo

Patino, Kolacz, Razon, and Ashby all earned their National entry at no charge, but had to play 2 final matches to determine the overall positions of finish in the Qualifier event and ranking points assigned by the USBA. Razon performed brilliantly as he defeated Patino by a score of 20 ““ 17 for 1st place honors. Meanwhile, Ashby sailed to victory over Kolacz 20 ““ 12 to win 3rd place positioning.

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