Billiards Magazine | SPM Blog | Billiards Entertainment

Oct 28, 2019
2 min

Super Diamond Chalk Review~ by Garett Troop

Super Diamond Chalk from Russia I saw this advertised on facebook so I got a piece and wow. All I can A really cool feature is that is has the QR code on the bottom of the chalk giving it a super easy way to connect to the company out in Russia. On their website they show that there is a black and a white wrapper. So all in all it’s a great chalk. I would just do my homework or get a hold of the guy that knows a LOT about chalk. You all know who I mean. This is the descriptio

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Jan 21, 2019
5 min

Steven H Gifford: Billiards Readers & Fans Wanted ~ by Patrick Sampey

#1 Best selling author Steven H. Gifford afforded me the opportunity to interview him today. He has a lot to say about pool and has been a driving motivator and leader throughout his life, writer, pool player, Marine, and USA patriot. I have just downloaded Gifford’s book entitled, ‘Final Expense Boot Camp: Earn Your Stripes Today,’ and have gleaned some insight into the man behind ‘Top Shots,’ and so many other upcoming books on the game of pocket billiards & pool. The first

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Jan 21, 2019
6 min

Beeler’s Billiards Dojo ~ by Patrick “The Tallahassee Squirrel” Sampey

Billiards is a game of skill. Pocket billiards the game of choice for so many in the US and worldwide. Players invest in nice cues that sometimes cost thousands of dollars. Some types of tip chalk costs twenty-plus dollars a piece. Sure, it’s great to have nice things, but ultimately pool is about how well one plays the game. Respect is earned by a players skill, ability to run out, make shots, win — not by how much his or her pool cue cost. Some say, “the game is the teach

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Jan 16, 2019
2 min

Taom Chalk ~ by Garret Troop

In this industry we are all looking for that competitive edge. In the end your stroke and creativity on the table is the only thing that will separate you. With that being said the equipment that you choose to put in your case and on your cue really defines what you’re capable of doing on the table. The tip has the most contact with the cue ball. So tip contact is important. The brand Taom chalk has been in the industry for a while now and is always making improvements in

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Dec 13, 2018
4 min

Team USA — Redemption ~ by Patrick “The Tallahassee Squirrel” Sampey

“I’ve paid my dues Time after time. I’ve done my sentence But committed no crime. And bad mistakes‒ I’ve made a few. I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face But I’ve come through… We are the champions, my friends. And we’ll keep on fighting ’til the end. We are the champions. We are the champions. No time for losers ‘Cause we are the champions of the world.” –MERCURY, FREDERICK. The Mosconi Cup 2018 between Europe, and 13 other countries and the US just concluded

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Nov 10, 2018
1 min

Black Ice Shaft Review ~ by Garret Troop

For those of you that like the forward weighted breaking cues there are some options. The idea is that the forward weight stabilizes the stroke. The Pechauer Black Ice takes that idea and puts it into this new cue. They infused the maple shaft with four chemicals to treat the shaft which makes the cue forward weighted. They also added weight bolts behind the pin. The shaft comes with the Pechauer break tip which is a layered tip infused with resin. From the Pechauer websi

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Oct 10, 2018
3 min

Roku Chalk Review ~ by Steve Sherman

The Roku chalk is another in the line of premium chalks. These premium chalks such as Kamui Roku or Great White are quite a bit more expensive than standard chalks such as Master or Silver cup chalk. They typically purport to bring advantages such as better coating, better friction to generate more spin, less dust, and less need to chalk the cue during play. We reviewed Kamui’s prior premium chalk, Kamui 1.21, which you can access here. Overall, the Roku chalk is a very good

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Sep 6, 2018
2 min

Kamui Roku Chalk Review ~ Garret Troop

The chalk it self has a new look and feel to it. The new Hexagon shape that Kamui has chosen just feels right in your hands. The chalk feels a lot stiffer and harder to apply; it takes many swipes or brushings to apply it correctly. Once applied the chalk sticks to the tip with a different feel, as opposed to the other chalks in the Kamui line. In my opinion the chalk is harder of a consistency than anything else that is on the market. The chalk feels a lot different than any

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Jul 31, 2018
3 min

Gaijin Custom Cues ~ Patrick Sampey

Gaijin Custom Cues, and they want to make a cue to suit you. Robby, Marshall, and Josh are just typical southern guys with a love of the game of pool and non-traditional design. They have a simple philosophy, each of us has a natural stroke and the closer a cue is taylored to the player, the closer the player can stay to the stroke they were born with. Armed with this simple idea, Gaijin Customs was formed. Multiple veneers in the points in varying design styles, beautiful w

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Jul 22, 2018
2 min

Popular Billiard University Summer Boot Camps Concluded for 2018~ Dr Dave Alciatore

Contact: Dr. Dave Alciatore Email: info@BilliardUniversity.org Phone: (970) 482-8229 PRESS RELEASE The Popular Billiard University Summer Boot Camps Concluded for 2018 July 17, 2018 (Fort Collins, CO): The sixth annual Billiard University (BU) Summer Boot Camps wrapped up the weekends of July 6-8 (Overview Course) and July 13-15 (Advanced Course). This year’s camps returned to the original home of Match Up’s Bar & Grill in Fort Collins, Colorado. The 2014-2017 camps were al

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Jul 7, 2018
2 min

Freezer’s Ice House Review ~ Steve Sherman

Freezer’s is a stunning modern establishment with state of the art lighting, an open flowing layout, TVs everywhere, and over 30 gorgeous pool tables. As you enter, you are not sure if you just entered a pool hall, nightclub, martini bar or local hotspot. The reality is you just entered all the above. The lighting over the pool tables is state of the art and the illumination over each table is perfect. No glare, no shadows. In my experience, it is rare that casual players ge

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May 30, 2018
4 min

Mafia Mike’s Review- Florida Pool Players Oasis ~ Patrick Sampey

Mafia Mike’s pool hall is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google — but I rate it a 5. It’s a small place, but has a big feel at 2700 square feet, with six 7 ft Valley tables — which are open and rented at $6 an hour, rather than coin operated, dollar a game. They have 5 smoke filters spinning above — charcoal filtered — mounted in the ceiling that look like space age ceiling fans. They are very effective it appears; “You can sit here in the back of the bar and look up to the

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May 28, 2018
4 min

Travel Mate Cue Holder ~ Steve Sherman

The Travel Mate is one of the most innovative billiards accessories to hit the market in recent memory. I first saw the concept of the Travel Mate at Super Billiards Expo in 2016. I waited on line for ten minutes just to sign up to be on the mailer. Ever since then I have been looking forward to getting my hands on the Travel Mate and a year later, I finally did, and it was worth the wait. In reviewing the Travel Mate, I set it up in the rec room in my home and also travel

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Dec 31, 2016
2 min

The Balabushka “DIRECT HIT” Jump Cue Review ~ Jason McKee

First off I would like to say that the Balabushka “DIRECT HIT” Jump Cue would not have been my first “go to” Jump Cue if the need had arose. After using it many times, I have to say it rivals its competitors and functions above and beyond what’s to be expected. I am not an artistic pool player by any means, but I have close friends who are. With that said, let me stick to my Valley league and I’m all good! Sometimes the need arises to pull out the specialty tools, especially

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Dec 27, 2016
2 min

James Hanshew Jump Cue, a Review ~ Garret Troop

NO BULL! James Hanshew Jump cue First, of I have to say that is was a pleasure working with James. As far as a cue maker goes he is on my top 10 list for quality. I had the pleasure of doing this product review on his jump cue. I honestly have started to classify jump cues in two different areas. There are normal cues which are for an array of shots but generally not for the super close up shots. Then there is the specialty cue like the Marty Carry, Dr. Popper, Black Magic, G

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Nov 11, 2016
3 min

Dr. Popper Jump Cue Review ~ Garret Troop

Years ago you kicked, banked or found your way around problem balls on the table. In today’s pool playing society, there are so many options and everyone has their own spin on things. I recently had the wonderful opportunity to test the Dr. Popper Jump Cue. I have tested many cues and jump cues alike. I have honestly found there to be a few different categories; some cue’s crossover and some don’t. With that being said, there are what I would call specialty jump cues like thi

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Jun 5, 2016
2 min

Ultraskin “Pro” Tip – Review ~ Jaared “The Jazz Man” Arsoemena

I was given the opportunity to review a tip that had caught my interest simply because of the buzz I was hearing about it. I had (over the years) heard of Ultraskin Laminated Tips, and I had even tried a few (Very Soft, and Soft), and to be honest, I wasn’t too impressed (at that time). Fast forward to only a few months ago. Garret Troop reached out to me to do a “Tip Review” for him. I told him I’d been hearing a lot of good things (recently) about the Ultraskin “Pro” Tip. S

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May 7, 2016
2 min

OB Chalk Review ~ Jaared Arosemena {Review}

When I found out that OB had finally come out with their new brand of chalk, I jumped at the chance to try it and review it. In order to do my review objectively (as people who know me know that I love and prefer Kamui .98 and 1.21 chalk), I compared it to a series of other chalks excluding Kamui. The other chalks I performed my tests with were… Blue Diamond Chalk Balabushka Chalk Magic Chalk Predator 1080 Chalk Outsville “Blue Mako” Chalk Master Chalk Also, other equipment

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SPM Writers Area

SPM iCue Review ~ by Garret Troop

Super Diamond Chalk Review~ by Garett Troop

Universe Glove Review ~ by Garett Troop

Steven H Gifford: Billiards Readers & Fans Wanted ~ by Patrick Sampey

Beeler’s Billiards Dojo ~ by Patrick “The Tallahassee Squirrel” Sampey

Taom Chalk ~ by Garret Troop

Team USA — Redemption ~ by Patrick “The Tallahassee Squirrel” Sampey

Black Ice Shaft Review ~ by Garret Troop

Roku Chalk Review ~ by Steve Sherman

Kamui Roku Chalk Review ~ Garret Troop

Gaijin Custom Cues ~ Patrick Sampey

Popular Billiard University Summer Boot Camps Concluded for 2018~ Dr Dave Alciatore

Freezer’s Ice House Review ~ Steve Sherman

Mafia Mike’s Review- Florida Pool Players Oasis ~ Patrick Sampey

Travel Mate Cue Holder ~ Steve Sherman

The Balabushka “DIRECT HIT” Jump Cue Review ~ Jason McKee

James Hanshew Jump Cue, a Review ~ Garret Troop

Dr. Popper Jump Cue Review ~ Garret Troop

Ultraskin “Pro” Tip – Review ~ Jaared “The Jazz Man” Arsoemena

OB Chalk Review ~ Jaared Arosemena {Review}