McDermott Cues to Sponsor Free Live Stream

Legendary Pool Cue Manufacturer to Sponsor Free Live Stream

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.

“This event is truly one to behold. The sheer number of people who participate in events, who vend, or who just come to browse the aisles is amazing when you experience it in person. We can’t promise that we’re going to be able to give you the feeling of being at the Super Billiards Expo, but we’re certainly going to try,” said, J.R. Calvert of Inside POOL Magazine.

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.

Women’s Professional Billiard Association Welcomes Sponsors

Women’s Professional Billiard Association Welcomes New and Returning Sponsors and Affiliates

The Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) is pleased to welcome back the longest running sponsor of the WPBA Classic Tour, Cuetec Cues. Through Imperial International, Cuetec will partner with the WPBA as the Official Cue of the 2010 Classic Tour. “We have been proud sponsors of the WPBA for the past 15 years. Part of our company’s mission is to support the industry and one of the ways we meet this goal is through our support of industry associations,” Stuart Helfgott, Imperial USA.

American Poolplayers Association, The World’s Largest Amateur Pool League, is another returning sponsor for the WPBA Classic Tour. “The APA is proud to once again support the ladies of the WPBA. This marks our 10th year sponsoring the Classic Tour, and we wish them the best of luck on another great season,” Jason Bowman, APA Marketing and PR Manager.

Iwan Simonis, The Cloth of Champions also returns to sponsor in 2010. “We look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with the WPBA” stated Ivan Lee, President of Iwan Simonis Incorporated, “Our commitment to the professional women pool players remains strong even through these challenging times that we face as an industry.”

Aramith, the Belgian Billiard Balls also continues their partnership with the WPBA Classic Tour. Yves Bilquin, COO of SALUC SA /Aramith states, “We are proud to provide the official ball sets for the WPBA. With the San Diego event and other high end tournaments to come, Aramith is happy to contribute to their quality and success.” Aramith is introducing a new line of jewelry which can be viewed at www.aramith2wear.com.

A new supporter of the Classic Tour for 2010 is Delta-13, The True Triangle, by Executive Billiards. “The WPBA played an integral role in helping us design the ball rack that has now become their official rack. Naturally, we are thrilled to be working as a partner, helping to grow the sport and fan base. It’s an honor to be associated with such an outstanding organization filled with exemplary members,” says Terry A. Taggart, Executive Billiards President. He continues, “This partnership has, as its foundation, many shared values and one of those is giving back to the communities.” Delta-13 is introducing a special “hot pink” Delta-13 Elite rack with 10% of all WPBA Official Rack sales benefiting the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Taggart notes, “When players purchase the special “hot pink” Delta-13 Elite, they’ll know they are helping to save lives.”

Diamond Billiard Products will also join the WPBA team as the Official Table of the 2010 Classic Tour. “DIAMOND is proud to have been selected as the Official Table of the WPBA. We recognize the WPBA as one of the leaders in bringing professional pool to the masses and we look forward to building the DIAMOND brand in conjunction with the WPBA,” says Chad D. Scharlow, Vice President Diamond Billiard Products, Inc. “DIAMOND recognizes the commitment and hard work that the WPBA puts into their tour and hopes that this is only the beginning of a much broader relationship.”

The WPBA would also like to thank PoolDawg and Mueller Recreational Products for their support.

The WPBA will also partner with The Action Report to provide the live internet stream for the WPBA San Diego Classic March 10-13. Justin Collett of The Action Report invites fans to tune in, “Join us for some great matches featuring the finest women players in the world. The Live Coverage will feature interactive player interviews and commentary.” Live tournament coverage begins Thursday at 11 A.M. daily and can be found at WPBA.com. A special WPBA Pro-Am featuring some of the organizations biggest stars, local VIP’s and media personalities will also be streamed on Wednesday evening and fans are invited to watch online.

ESPN and the WPBA have joined forces for another three years and will continue to broadcast world-class events and female players all over the globe. Here’s a look at the 2010 ESPN/2 schedule:

ORIGINALS:

2010 San Diego Classic – Semis & Final – Saturday, April 10, 12-3pm on ESPN2.

2009 Pacific Coast Classic – Quarterfinals – Saturday, May 1, 12-4pm on ESPN2.

2010 US Open – Quarterfinals: Sunday, Sept. 26, 1-5pm on ESPN2, Semis and Final: Sunday, Oct 3, 2–5pm on ESPN2.

RE-AIRS:

2009 Great Lakes Classic – Semis & Final: Sunday, May 9, 1-3pm on ESPN2.

2009 WPBA Tour Championship – Semis & Final: Sunday, May 16, 3-6pm on ESPN2.

WPBA President John Rousseau expresses gratitude to all WPBA supporters, “Thank you very much for your support of the greatest female pool players in the world, the Women’s Professional Billiard Association. Personally this support provides me with some time, early in my term, to learn the past strategies and review each as candidates for improvement, redesign and prioritization. Thanks to the current members of the board, past members, players and friends of the tour, I am prepared to do what is necessary to grow our tour. That begins with working closer with our sponsors to develop strategies that enhance the fiscal benefit of sponsoring the WPBA. Thank you very much and your support will be rewarded.”

2010 will mark the 18th year of the Classic Tour and the WPBA is pleased to announce the new and returning sponsors and supporters:

APA – Official Amateur League www.poolisfun.com

SalucSA/Aramith – Official Ball Sponsor www.aramith.com

Cuetec – Official Cue Sponsor www.cuetec.com

Delta 13 – Official Rack Sponsor www.delta-13.com

Diamond – Official Table Sponsor www.DiamondBilliards.com

Simonis – Official Cloth Sponsor www.simoniscloth.com

Mueller Recreational Products – Advertiser www.muellerrecreationalproducts.com

PoolDawg – Advertiser www.PoolDawg.com

The Action Report – Live Stream Provider for San Diego Classic www.TheActionReport.com

For more information about the WPBA please visit WPBA.com.

February Billiards Magazine Available for Free

February 2010 Issue of Inside POOL Magazine Available for Free Download

Dennis Hatch Powers USA Team to Mosconi Cup Glory

The February issue of Inside POOL Magazine, which again features Dennis Hatch on the cover as Team USA wins the Mosconi Cup at the MGM Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV, has been made available for free download at InsidePOOLmag.com. This month the download features new technology in online billiards magazine viewing such as enhanced clarity, full-screen full length videos, links to favorite web sites, flipping pages, zooming, emailing, sharing, and printing.

Mosconi Cup MVP Dennis Hatch celebrates on our front cover as he and the American team dominate the Mosconi Cup. Efren Reyes and Rubilen Amit bag the Mixed Doubles Classic event in Quezon City, Manilla, Philippines. Mika Immonen and Jasmin Ouschan are named as the winners of the Inside POOL Magazine Player of the Year titles. Johnny Archer wins the Turning Stone Classic XIV. Visit custom cue maker Mike Bender and see some of his creations. Learn Some random pool shots from Grady Mathews. Get a spin lesson from Tom Simpson. Bob Henning gives pool players a lesson on muscle memory. Learn ten head and eye secrets from Matt Sherman. The Billiard Education Foundation announces scholarship opportunities for high school students. Get the latest billiard news from pool tournaments around the U.S. and internationally.

Download the February 2010 issue of Inside POOL Magazine for Free

Want the real thing? Order this issue online today!

Inside POOL Magazine publishes both print and online versions of each issue. The online version is usually made available for FREE (without a membership) viewing and downloading around the middle of each month. If you would like to receive the print version of this wonderful magazine, please visit InsidePOOLmag.com to subscribe.

About Inside POOL Magazine
Inside POOL Magazine launched in 2001 and, with pool player-based content and high impact photography, quickly became the largest magazine in the world for the sport of billiards. The official web site, InsidePOOLmag.com, followed shortly after and became one of the largest web sites in billiards. The web site features videos, image galleries, pool lessons, custom Pool Cue makers, online games, player profiles, tournament brackets, live streaming video, rules, product reviews, and the latest billiard news from around the world.

Reyes Captures Fifth Derby City Classic All Around Title

Reyes Captures Fifth Derby City Classic All Around Title
Claims 9-Ball Title For Icing

Efren Reyes has been considered the best pool players alive for the last decade or so, give or take a few. As the 12th Annual Derby City Classic kicked off, many top handicappers asked if Reyes had what it took to take down yet another All-Around title. There question was answered Saturday evening as Reyes n ot only won the 9-ball division but sealed the All-Around title several rounds before the end of the event. The All-Around

The $25,000 added 9-ball division kicked off on Wednesday, January 27 with 257 of the world’s finest professionals vying for the $16,000 first place prize.

The semifinals witnessed a great match between Shannon Murphy and Efren Reyes. At one point, Reyes was trailing in the match, 4-1. Reyes would parlay a few good rolls in to a lead and victory to earn his shot at the 9-ball title against “Rocket” Rodney Morris.

As the finals kicked off, the scuttlebutt around the arena was split between to the two players. The stands filled to see who would win the rematch of the 1996 U.S. Open finals that saw Morris emerge as the victor.

The match went back and forth for a few games until Reyes gradually eraned a lead. The turning point came when Morris won a game only to be a victim of a freakish scratch on the break. Though the b attle dragged on for a few more shots, Reyes came through in the end and sealed the victory, 7-4.

For Reyes , this is his fifth trip to the winners’ circle as the All-Around champion in twelve years. His name litters the roster of past champions in all three divisions. His sucess this year is not limited to the 9-ball and All Around though. Reyes snapped off Fatboy 20-Ball event and added $8,500 to his total winnings of $44,500 for the span of the 9 day event, excluding the proceeds picked up during his one-on-one matchups.

Results of the 9-Ball division
1st Eferen Reyes $16,000
2nd Rodney Morris $8,000
3rd-4th Shannon Murphy, Jeremy Sossei $4,000
5-6th Bill Bailey, Justin Hall $2,250
7th-12th Mike Dechaine, Robert Frost, Rudolfo Luat, Alex Pagulayan, Jamie Baraks $1,300

Ladies Join Music City Open

Ladies Join Music City Open
Music City 9-Ball Open / JOB Billiards, Madison, TN

by InsidePOOL Staff

The Music City 9-Ball Open is in full swing at JOB Billiards in Madison, TN, with the beginning field of 109 players narrowed to 16 on the one-loss side and 16 undefeated players in the open division. Also, the ladies’ division kicked off January 16 with 29 contestants.

Defending champion Johnathan “Hennessee From Tennessee” Pinegar is still alive in the open division, although he will have to fight his way through the west side of the chart if he is going to repeat. He suffered a second-round loss to Matt Beckwith 11-4, but since then has been going strong. He notched victories over Jason Christopher 11-1, Mark McClellan 11-6, and Eddie Adams 11-6. His next match will be facing Cliff Joyner. Joyner won his first two matches but was sent to the left side after his third-round match against Jerry Clayman 11-9.

View the Music City Open Tournament Brackets (opens in a new window)

View the Women’s Music City Tournament Brackets (opens in a new window)

Watch the free live stream

Beckwith’s next winners’ side match will be against Gabe Owen, a former champion of this event. Other winners’ side matches include Nick Hickerson versus Manny Chau, Mike Bennett versus Tommy D’Alfonse, Shane McMinn versus Jesse Bowman, and Keith Bennett versus Dallas Bilbrey.

In the women’s division, the lady to best seems to be top WPBA pro Karen Corr. She won her first-round match against Paulette Spaulding 7-2 and is now poised to play Sonya Chbeeb, who just defeated Jennifer Livingston 7-5.

Visit InsidePOOL for the latest news in the sport of billiards and pool.