The 2010 Dr. Cue Classic “Artistic” Cup IV has etched its signature mark in billiard history once again.  16 of the world’s greatest Artistic Pool Playing Artists participated in this unique “Artistic Pool” Pro-Am Challenge at the beautiful Side Pockets in St. Charles, MO on December 3, 4, and 5.  Florian “Venom” Kohler from France raced to the “artistic” victory circle – taking home the first place guaranteed prize money, beautiful “Victory” Cup trophy, and title honors!

Several months ago Steve Lillis, founder of Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, referred me to Maged Fawzy, leader of KDEC Sports Ministry, which has a very special outreach around Egypt and the Middle East.  Maged asked me if I could attend a family / youth sports festival at a retreat center in Beit el Wadi, Egypt (about 1.5 hours north of Cairo).  He wanted me to perform several shows and share my billiard journey / personal testimony with the attendees.  The “Wadi Experience”, as I now call it, had an amazing impact on my understanding of open eyes, open ears, open minds, and open hearts and the special needs that take residence in them.  What happened in Wadi is hard to explain in words!  Following is my account of this special journey!

Everyone likes an easy trick shot to keep in their pocket to whip out just to show off from time to time. Sometimes the shots I feature here are quite difficult, but I like to put in some easy ones on occasion. This is a shot that is pretty easy, so long as you set it up right and use a good jump cue. Start by placing the three balls at the side pocket, as diagrammed. The two balls closest to the side pocket are in line, directly across table. Set the third ball up, accounting for a bit of throw, aimed about a diamond short of the corner pocket. With this set-up, you should be able to strike the middle ball and pocket all three with one stroke. The way it is diagrammed, I have you jumping the cue ball over a wall of balls to pocket the easy three. The only trick to this one is planning where the cue ball will land before striking the middle ball. If you hit it too hard or too soft, it changes the throw of the third ball, so practice with a consistent hit and consistent elevation. If you jump too hard and land on the middle ball, it will throw the middle ball too much.

Spinners

By Eric J. Yow

WPA Masse World Champion

This shot is an old favorite of mine.  The first time I saw it was on a video where Mike Massey performed the shot effortlessly with his massive stroke.  When I first saw it, due to the quality of the video, I was so perplexed as to what was actually happening.  As in the diagram, you use a striped ball to shoot a cue ball into the far corner.  Then, you use a second cue ball to shoot the striped ball straight up the table.  When the striped ball hits the short rail, it shoots over to the left to pocket a ball in the side pocket.  What the video didn’t reflect, due to the pixilation, is that the striped ball was spinning madly.  So, when it strikes the far rail, it jerks over to the left.

An Interesting Rail Jump
By Eric “The Preacher” Yow!
WPA Masse World Champion

In this issue I want to describe for you an interesting jump shot that I discovered recently while playing around with my Eric Yow Jump Cue (now available online at www.JOERACKEM.com).  One thing I love about the game of pool is that it is always

CUE-DEAN-“E”TM TALENT SEARCH STAR PERFORMERS CROWNED!!

JASON “THE MICHIGAN KID” LYNCH BECOMES NEXT “TABLE TROTTER” OF POOL!!

One of the most unique events ever to take place in the billiard industry occurred November 21, 2009 at The Bank Shot Bar & Grill in Laurel, MD. In Search of Cue-Dean-“E”TM was done in association with the Dr. Cue Classic Artistic Cup III, APPA (Artistic Pool Playing Artists), and The Foundation of R.A.C.K. This was the 1st time an “artistic pool” event has ever been streamed – Cue & A Promotions Ray Hansen, aka, “Big Truck” traveled from Texas to film each act of this amazing “show” entertainment concept, as well as each Artistic Pool “sport” round from the Dr. Cue Classic Artistic Cup III from 11/20 to 11/22.

Nick “Quick Nick” Nikolaidis raced to the “artistic” victory circle on November 20, 21, and 22, 2009 at The Bank Shot Bar & Grill in Laurel, MD. Nick displayed burning focus, poise, and brilliant skill shot execution in the process. Ray Hansen of Cue and A Promotions did a live stream at the event, which was the 1st time an “artistic pool” event has ever been covered online. You may view all round play, the awards ceremony, and Cue-Dean-“E” at: www.ustream.tv/channel/drcue2009.

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.