Why I Finished at the Bottom of an ARTISTIC POOL Event and LOVED IT!! 

                                                                                                                     By Steve Lillis

            Where else on planet earth but at the Derby City Classic in Louisville, Kentucky can you go and have a choice between Banks, One Pocket, 9 Ball, Straight Pool, 3 Cushion, and now for the first time Artistic Pool.  What a decision to have to pick and choose from this delightful menu of pool at its finest.  This was my decision as this year I opted away from the more traditional games and took a shot at Artistic Pool.  This decision was difficult as I have only played in artistic pool competition twice in the last 8 years due to commitments as Chairman of the WPA Artistic Pool Division and my ministry called Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc.

            As I looked at the Derby City Classic schedule of wonderful choices I realized that in addition to playing Artistic Pool, I could also play 9 Ball, a game I’m much more familiar with in competition having been a regular on the UPA Tour the past 5 years.  So the first 4 days were set with Friday 1/4/08 as a full day of practice and preparation for artistic pool.  Wow here I am in the practice room with World Champions Mike Massey, Tom Rossman, Andy Segal, and other superstars of Artistic Pool.  For 10 hours that first day I am picking their brains on all their secrets and boning up on my rather extensive knowledge of artistic pool and trick shots.  I have already got my price of admission that first day.  And tomorrow I get to test what I have learned in competition.

            The first day of competition for artistic pool was Saturday 1/5/08 in the Executive Inn Hotel.  3 Cushion Billiards presented qualifiers, the 1st ever women’s National Championship, and the USBA National Men’s Championship promoted by Paul “Professor Q Ball” Frankel were right there next to the artistic pool arena.  Across the street in the Executive West Hotel the Bank Pool was well underway into its second day with the One Pocket to start on Monday.  In the Artistic Pool competition I was placed by the luck of the draw into the same flight of three, much like a threesome in golf,  with my good friend Steve Geller, who himself is a two time National Trick Shot Champion.  After that first day of competition in the first two disciplines of eight, with Trick and Fancy Shots and Prop Novelty shots on the menu, I found myself among the leader board.  I just missed being perfect on the Trick and Fancy Shots as I executed 4 of 5 on the first attempt.  Had I made that one shot I would have been eligible for the Trick and Fancy Shot discipline medal which would have sure looked good on my resume.  Not to worry there were 6 more opportunities to win medals in the remaining 6 disciplines. 

            Day 2 appeared to be a disaster from a competition standpoint with the Draw, Follow, Bank/Kick, and Stroke Disciplines on the slate for the day.  My artistic pool competition ring rust finally showed up as I began to drop fast in the overall standings.  Truthfully I had no idea what was happening!  I was so consumed by the sheer joy of the competition it felt like I was winning.  Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman was on the microphone informing the audience continuously of what was occurring stroke by stroke in each threesome.  The audience continued to be amazed and applauded with excitement.  Each shot in the 40 shot program became a new and exciting challenge.  And then there was that constant hope that I could get hot in one of the eight disciplines and win a coveted medal.  And then there was the thrill of competing along side true professionals.  Each garbed with dress slacks, dress shirts, dress shoes, and many wearing a vest and bow tie.  It was an honor to be out there in the arena with such class and distinction.

            On the final day 3 I entered the tournament room to check the standings and the schedule.  Someone looking over my shoulder said to me, “Steve how are you doing?”  I quickly answered fantastic!  They looked at me a little puzzled because there I was sitting in the bottom third of the overall standings.  I continued to explain that I had many exciting opportunities awaiting me on that final day.  First of all I made it to the final day because all players get to complete the 40 shot program no matter what, similar to playing 72 holes of golf in a championship tournament.  Then I still had the opportunity to win the remaining discipline medals in the coveted Jump and Masse Disciplines.  Not only that but then there was 2 Sportsmanship Medals to be awarded which came with $1000 plus cue sticks courtesy of Dennis Dieckman.  Not only that but based on how many shots you made in a row you received raffle tickets at no cost to win another $700 plus cue stick from McDermott and their signature Dr Cue line.  Not only that but if you finished dead last you still win at least $100 back in prize money with the opportunity to get hot and move up in the overall standings and get more money.   A beautiful $500 McDermott Cue…again from the Dr Cue signature line was given in a special drawing for any player finishing in positions 25 thru 36.   In addition, anyone becoming an APPA (Artistic Pool Playing Artist) sport and show supporter for $10 had a great opportunity to win one more McDermott (Dr Cue Line) specially designed cue in a high percentage audience / player raffle drawing.     

Well “hot” I did not get on that final day!  Ring rust was still there and I ended up in the bottom third.  But wait there was still the awards ceremony and more opportunities to win and be recognized.  Well my free raffle tickets did not come through for the cue sticks and I did not win one of those Sportsmanship Medals, but I received a beautiful certificate of participation along with a loaded goody bag, a cup of sweets with a hundred dollar bill tucked in it in honor of the name of the event, the Dr. Cue Classic Artistic Cup.  The top six finishers all received a beautiful medal cup trophy, but then Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman and his wonderful wife Marty “Ms. Cue” Rossman desire that everyone go away a winner.  So then there were about 25 or so small prizes like tip piks, posters, certificates, and….. given out as well.  Yes I did win one of those small prizes and promptly looked for someone in the audience that did not win one and gave it to them.  The spirit of giving was in the air!  Is this a pool room? 

By the way after “winning” at this event and getting an unbelievable bang for my bucks, I went over to the 9 Ball event to compete on Wednesday with the best 9 Ball players in the world.  With my refreshed attitude and joy in my heart I advanced to the sixth round of the 9 Ball and almost made it to the last day of the event and finished in the top quarter, which was two places deep in the money.  Not only that I had the privilege of doing three Gospel Trick Shot Shows as well and gave away brand new top of the line Stealth Cue Sticks at each GTS Show.  What a fantastic week at the Derby City Classic which now has completed its 10th successful year!

How about you?  Would you like an attitude adjustment along with improving your overall skills in your pool game?  Then enter one of the stops on either the Dr. Cue Classic Artistic Pool Tour (go to www.artisticpool.org) or the APTSA Artistic Pool Tour events (www.trickshotproductions.com) and take the challenge of learning shots from the eight different disciplines of artistic pool: Trick and Fancy, Prop/Novelty/Special Arts, Draw, Follow, Bank/Kick, Stroke, Jump, and Masse.  Have I left any possible shot out?  You can download the shots for free and begin to work on them.  I guarantee this experience will be the best bang for your buck and your overall game will reach new heights.