"3-Cushion Billiards Challenge Shot Contest a "HIT with Pocket Pool Players"

By Joe Savarin

Paul Frankel (Professor-Q-Ball), a dedicated and tireless promoter of the game conceived and promoted a billiard program designed to attract Pocket Billiard Players to the game of 3-Cushion Billiards several years ago in his hometown of Memphis, TN. It is called the "3-Cushion Billiards Challenge Shot Contest" and it is unique in its own way that for the first time room owners that have only one or two billiard tables will be part of a bigger picture. The format is simple, easy and fun to play.

A room owner that has only one table now can have competition and give their customers a chance to learn the game. All paperwork and diagrammed shots are sent to the room owners in a small packet ahead of time to be displayed on a bulletin board giving their players a chance to learn their shots, and giving room owners some additional time and revenue on their tables while the players practice the shots several weeks ahead of time. The quickest way to get new players to play the game of 3-Cushion is to reach out to pool players.

Paul took his idea to USBA Secretary, Jim Shovak. Jim liked the idea and thought it would be good to start the program again. A few months ago, the owner of Amy's Billiards bought a brand new top of the line Gabriels Billiard Table. With the cooperation and help of Jim and Paul, Amy Poulter of Amy's Billiards was willing to hold a "3-Cushion Billiards Challenge Shot Contest" in her room in May of 2008.

To stimulate interest Paul and Jim guaranteed a $ 200.00 payout. As the event date was set for Friday at 7:30pm, May 2, 2008, players had a full month to practice the shots. Eleven Pocket Billiard Players paid the $ 10.00 entry fee and signed up. At the players' meeting, Amy (owner and Tournament Director) thanked all contestants for accepting the CHALLENGE and then went on to explain the format to the players.

A small recap of how the 3-Cushion Billiards Shot Contest works:

FORMAT: Players will shoot 8 different diagrammed shots. Each player will shoot each of the 8 shots, three times (24 shots total). Each shot is worth 1 point (24 pts max) and the total number of points wins. Three small stick-ons (paper reinforcements) are placed on the table, which will represent the exact placement of the balls. All players then shoot the same shot with the same placement of the 3 balls. Then the stick-ons will be removed and replaced for the next shot selection.

Special Note: After each shot a player will have a straight rail carom shot as the balls come to rest. If they make it, it will be worth 1/4 point. This means that the maximum possible score will be 30 points if they made every shot.

From the reaction of the players it appears that the "3-Cushion Billiards Challenge Shot Contest" may be on to something good for the future well being of the game. Time will tell. This type of program could benefit the USBA in its efforts to attract more members by introducing this program to billiard room owners who sponsor 3-cushion billiard events. Jim and Paul are working on the program and hope to have something released soon.