billiards Tour Gives Free Tour Cards for all Active Duty U.S. Military Personnel The Viking Cue 9-ball Tour, the largest of the regional billiard tours in the U.S., with over $90,000 in added prize money each year, announced that they have made the following changes to the acceptance all Active Duty U.S. Military Personnel in their open 9-ball tournament events. The changes will take effect immediately. To encourage participation in our sport by U.S. Military Personnel, the Viking Cue 9-ball Tour will now be offering them free tour card fees (a $30 savings) to all of our $1,000- or $2,000-added open 9-ball tournament events.

billiards Tour Announces Goose Creek, SC Event The Viking Cue 9-ball Tour, the largest and longest running open billiards tour in the United States with over 90 events per year announced the beginning of it’s 2007 schedule. One of the first events will be held in Goose Creek, SC on December 9Th and 10Th at Weekend Pub at 428 Redbank Road where they will host an Amateur event along with an Open event. All local amateur pool players are encouraged to participate in the events.

Brothers, Lac Post Comeback Billiard WinsTiger 9-ball Tour / Hagerstown, MDby Andy LincolnRight after the Thanksgiving holiday, the Tiger 9-ball Tour returned to Hagerstown, MD, November 25-26 at Hagerstown billiards Café. A strong field of 47 players, including most of the top 20 on the year-long points list, showed up to take a shot at the $1,500-added money.

Third Time’s a Charm for HjorliefsonCanadian 30K Tour / Scarborough, ONTby Willy HermozaCanada’s top shots came out to Shooters billiards the weekend of November 25-26 for the Canadian 30K Tour’s stop. With a field of 45 fine billiard players, it was impossible to predict a winner, but frequent champion Erik Hjorliefson was the one to come through at the end.

billiards Tour Gives Free Entry Fees for Women and Junior PlayersThe Viking Cue 9-ball Tour, the largest of the regional billiard tours in the U.S., with over $90,000 in added prize money each year announced that they have made the following changes to the acceptance of women and junior players in our open events. The changes will take effect immediately. To encourage participation in our sport by non-professional women and junior players (Jr = age 17 under), the Viking Cue 9-ball Tour will now be offering them Free entry to all of our local $1,000- or $2,000-added events.

Billiard Player Chen Holds Press ConferenceWith all of the rumors swirling around regarding her alleged gambling debts and kidnapping, Women’s Professional billiards Association pro Jennifer Chen held a press conference in Japan during the All-Japan Championship to clear up some of the misconceptions.

Hatch Scores Viking National Championship Titleby Inside pool StaffViking Tour Championship photo gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/index.php?cat=19)

Moore Earns Hot Seat, Stone Advances at Viking Billiard Tournamentby Inside pool StaffViking Tour Championship photo gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/index.php?cat=19)

Moore and Hatch Set for Hot Seat Matchby InsidePOOL StaffViking Tour Championship photo gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/index.php?cat=19)

Several billiards Champions Eliminated at Viking Billiard Eventby InsidePOOL StaffViking Tour Championship photo gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/index.php?cat=19)

Strickland Schmidt Upset at Viking billiards Eventby InsidePOOL StaffViking Tour Championship photo gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/index.php?cat=19)There were a number of close calls in the afternoon round. Dennis The Hatchetman Hatch had a close call against Justin Pope 11-10, while Stoney Stone continued to dominate, besting Tony Watson 11-9. Shannon Daulton won 11-8 over Tom D’Alfonso, Sparky Ferrell defeated Anthony Morgan 11-5, and Chris Bartram upset reigning U.S. Open champion John Schmidt 11-7.

Hill-Hill Thrillers Punctuate Viking National Championshipsby InsidePOOL StaffViking Tour Championship photo gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/index.php?cat=19)Last night’s ring game crowned Shane Van Boening the winner over John Schmidt, Corey Deuel, Larry Nevel, and Tony Crosby. The entry fee was $500 per man, with each player receiving 10 chips. Every 10 minutes saw the bet increase until players began slowly dropping out. Down to three players after a couple of hours, twice Deuel rattled the 9 ball and left the next player, Schmidt, hooked behind the 10 ball. Unable to pocket the 9, Schmidt ended up helplessly handing two racks to Van Boening, which caused a major turnaround in the game’s finances.

No Upsets at Viking Championships … Yetby InsidePOOL StaffSo far Day 2 of the Viking Cue 9-ball Tour’s National Championship event has escaped without any upsets. The top players have all progressed, and with elimination rounds looming, players on the west side of the bracket had better beware.Steve Moore, a major contender in this event, debilitated opponent Richard Andrews in his match this evening. After Andrews took the first rack, Moore handily took possession of the next eight in a row to Andrews’ dismay. Another couple of racks exchanged hands, and then Moore coolly pocketed the 9 ball on the break an astonishing two times in a row to win the match 11-2.

Viking Cue 9-ball Tour National Championship Event Beginsby InsidePOOL StaffA full field of 128 billiard players came out for the Viking Cue 9-ball Tour’s National Championship event, being hosted by The pool Room in Duluth, GA, this week. Featuring a $25,000 prize fund, this event is one of the biggest tournaments of the year and has attracted some of the top players in the country.Some of the top picks for this event include Player of the Decade for the 1990s, Johnny Archer; recent BCA Hall of Fame addition Earl Strickland; reigning U.S. Open champion John “Mr. 400” Schmidt (pictured); Southern slayer Steve Moore; Troy Frank; former U.S. Open champ Corey Deuel; local talent Paul Song; Dennis Hatch; and several-time Legends of One-Pocket Champion Shannon “The Cannon” Daulton.” Additionally, seven ladies have entered the event, including pros such as the WPBA’s number-three-ranked Monica Webb, Helena Thornfelt, and Sarah Rousey.

Newcomers Crash U.S. Amateur billiards ChampionshipWinner of Men’s and Women’s Divisions Advance to ‘07 Pro EventTwo rookies to the U.S. Amateur Championship came to Mr. Cues II in Atlanta, Nov. 3-5, and shocked a field of the nation’s top amateur billiard players to advance to a pro event in 2007.The finals in the Women’s Division pitted Michell Monk of Palm Bay, Fla., against Melinda Huang of Los Angeles. The two were both undefeated when they went head-to-head on the final day of the tournament. It was Huang who would advance to the finals with a 5-2 win. But with only one-loss, Monk still had a good shot at earning redemption. After she defeated Betty Sessions of Atlanta, Ga in the semifinals, the stage was set for the rematch.From the opening game of the 9-ball set, Monk showed she would not be denied the second time around. She opened up a 4-0 lead before Huang was able to capitalize on a mistake to slow her momentum. Huang managed to win two of the next three games to get back in the match, but with the way Monk was playing, it was simply too late. Monk extended her lead to 7-4 with two more wins in the 9-ball set.