The spring end-of-session tournament was held on Friday, July 25th, at Delmarva Billiards. We had 65 players from 11 of the 12 teams in the league. As with the last two tournaments, we used a 5-group format based on skill level. The format was double elimination so everyone could play at least two matches.

The winners were as follows:

Group 1:

Donna Barone, Billiard Buddies Team.

Group 2:

Paul Claypoole, Mangini’s Team.

Group 3:

Jim O’Brien, New Rehoboth Team.

Group 4: Tom Killean, Mangini’s Team.

Group 5: Mike MacMillan, Billiard Buddies Team.

Congratulations to each of the winners and all of those who competed.
The group winners and the teams with the best records for the session received certificates to recognize their accomplishments.

Congratulations to:

• ChixnStix, who won the league championship for the session with the most points at 3816.
• The Good Guys had the most wins, scoring 10-1.
• Millsboro had the most balls made, or net points, at 3,700.

The league truly appreciates the hard work David and his staff at Delmarva Billiards put in to make the tournament a fun day. A big thanks to all the volunteers: Crash, ChixnStix; Mike Connelly, Good Guys; Ed Bishop, Millsboro South; Bill Cook, Millsboro; Jim O’Brien, New Rehoboth; and Steve Cirino, Mangini’s. A special thanks to Rhea McVicker and her teammates on the Ms. Cues for their exemplary work managing the 50/50.

The post 2025 Spring Tournament first appeared on Shore Senior Pool League.

Bruce’s Corner is an attempt to offer our friends and neighbors a way to improve their game with the advice of someone they know and play with regularly.

Bruce Bagley is a long-time, dedicated, and respected member of SSPL. He has offered to share his experience and knowledge of the game with our members, with the idea that sharing will benefit all of us and bring our game to the highest level possible.

Neither Bruce nor I claim to be an expert in what we do. I have been searching for someone to participate in this project for a long time. Bruce has volunteered to give his time and energy to help create a benefit for our group. We welcome your input and questions; however, be kind.

Bruce’s Corner will present a series of video tutorials about various aspects of the game. This is an ongoing project, and the videos will be released periodically in what we hope is a logical order, starting with the basics. Please comment if you want a specific subject covered, and we will attempt to fulfill your wishes.

Here is a short preview of what is to come:

Join Bruce and me in Bruce’s Corner here.

The post Bruce’s Corner first appeared on Shore Senior Pool League.

The fall end of session tournament was held on Friday January 10^th at Delmarva Billiards. We had a relatively large turnout of 80 players representing all 12 teams in the league. The players were assigned to one of 5 groups based on skill level. Each group had approximately 16 players and played on two tables. The format was double elimination, so everyone had the opportunity to play at least 2 matches.

 The winners were as follows:

Group 1, Esther Barron, who plays on the MS Cues Team.

Group 2, Vince Tamburo, who plays on the Mangini’s Team.

Group 3, Tom Barron, who plays on the Old Crabs Team.

Group 4, Joe Thomas, who plays on the Chix and Stix Team.

Group 5, Joe Ferris, who plays on the Millsboro Team.

We also recognized the teams with the best records during the session. The Dagsboro Dogs Team finished with the most points for the session at 3862. The Millsboro Team took the honors once again for the most wins with an undefeated record of 11 wins and 0 losses. Millsboro also had the record for most balls made at 3747.

The group winners and the teams with the best records received certificates to recognize their accomplishments.

The event was a success, and the league truly appreciates the hard work put in by Nancy, the bartender extraordinaire, and David, the owner of Delmarva Billiards, to make the tournament a fun day. A big thanks to all the volunteers: Crash, Chix and Stix; Mike Connelly, Good Guys; Ed Bishop, Millsboro South: Bill Cook, Millsboro: and Mark Dubowe, New Rehoboth for their contributions. A special thanks to Rhea McVicker and the MS Cues team for their work in managing the 50/50.

The post January 10, 2025, Tournament results first appeared on Shore Senior Pool League.

The Spring session tournament was held on June 28. 2024. Another great day at Delmarva Billiards.

Winners of the tournament were:

• Group 1: John Marcus – Good Guys
• Group 2: Don Whiting – Old Crabs (first winner from the team)
• Group 3: Rick Kellogg – Henlopen
• Group 4: Ken Denham – Good Guys

League Champions based on points are, yet again, the MsCues.

Best record went to Henlopen with an 8 -3 record. The guys from Henlopen also proved to have more balls (3,585) than any other team.

The post Spring 2024 Tournament first appeared on Shore Senior Pool League.

We all know it is important to clean your balls on a regular basis. Dirty balls can lead to misplaced shots or even the occasional miscue. Manufactured ball cleaners are expensive for the average player. Hand cleaning and polishing is a time-consuming process. Discussions in online forums will sometimes have someone suggesting using your dishwashing machine as an inexpensive alternative.

Jasmin Ouschan, one of the world’s top professional players recently posted a video exploring the use of a dishwasher. Take a look and tell us your thoughts.

The post Are your balls clean? first appeared on Shore Senior Pool League.

Billiards or Pool?

The origin of billiards and pool is intertwined, but they have distinct characteristics.

Billiards:

• Origin: Billiards evolved from an outdoor game similar to croquet in the 15th century. When it moved indoors, green tables were used to simulate grass. Originally, players used a mace with a large tip to drive the balls instead of a stick. The game expanded over time to include pocketed tables and shot-calling for points, gaining popularity in America during the 1920s. 
• Etymology: The term “billiards” comes from the French words “billart” (meaning “wooden stick”) and “bille” (meaning “ball”). 
• Definition: Billiards can refer to any tabletop game played with a cue stick and cue ball. It encompasses various forms, including English Billiards (played with three balls and no pockets) in the UK. 
• Association with Betting: Billiards tables were commonly found in gambling parlors, where horse racing wagers or other bets were placed. The term “pool” became associated with pocket billiards due to the collection of wagers.

Pool:

• Origin: Pool developed from billiards and is played on a table with six pockets. 
• Characteristics: Pool tables have pockets, and players aim to sink balls into these pockets using a cue stick and cue ball. 
• Distinction: While billiards can refer to any tabletop game with a cue stick, pool specifically implies a game with pockets. 
• Variations: In the UK, “billiards” may refer to English Billiards, which uses only three balls and lacks pockets. 
• Snooker: Snooker, although technically billiards, has a specific rule set involving 22 balls and a larger table than conventional pool. 

In summary, if you’re challenged to a game of “billiards,” it’s likely to be pool, unless you’re in the UK where it could mean the pocket-less version. And if someone challenges you to a game of snooker, be prepared for a lengthy explanation of the rules!

If you would like a more in-depth explanation of the origin of our sport, check out this article at AZBilliards.com

The post Billiards or Pool first appeared on Shore Senior Pool League.

Once again, the SSPL ended a session, this time the Winter session, with its unique session ending tournament where the rewards are printed certificates and $10 food vouchers for participants. As has been the case for a few years now, the tournament was held at Delmarva Billiards and the SSPL truly appreciates the hard work put in by Nancy and Dave, the owner, to make the tournament a success.

For this tournament, we had 68 players divided into 4 groups. Group 1 had 17 players; Group 2 had 19; Group 3 had 15 and Group 4 had 17. This tournament was held under a cloud of sorrow at the death of Gus Gustafson, a league stalwart, a few days before the event. We sorely missed Gus’ laughter, joy, and 50/50 ticket selling. Everyone took part in a moment of silence for Gus and Larry Siple, another long-time player who died about a month ago.

Events like this need the efforts of many in the League to make them work. So, thanks to Ed Bishop, who produced the 4 sets of numbers for the seeding draws and kept score for Group 4. Thanks to Bill Cook, who printed out the certificates. Thanks to Tom Howard, Mangini’s, who kept score for Group 3. Thanks to Mike Moore, our Treasurer, who handled the money going to Delmarva for food and the greens fees and created the food vouchers. And huge thanks to Rhea, Pat and Ester of the Ms Cues who sold the 50/50 tickets and whose sales “skills” resulted in the highest amount of money ever raised for the 50/50.

This tournament was decided in Groups 1 and 2 by scratches on the 8 ball; the drama of but one group needing to go to the last possible game; and by the extraordinary fact that Dan Haddaway of Cape made the 8 on the break in two consecutive games. We have never had such a set of circumstances!

Before I go through the Group outcomes, congratulations are in order for the two teams that got their certificates for achievements in the session. Mangini’s won the League Title by amassing the most points in the session, a combination of balls made and bonus balls. It was their first ever title. The Good Guys won most balls made award and the best record award, a remarkable 11-0 session. Will these teams be able to duplicate their achievements next session? We’ll have to see.

Group 1: JoAnn MacMillan, Underdogs, won in the end but John Marcus and Joe Joblonski both scratched in the 8 to allow JoAnn to emerge as the only player without a loss going into the finals. John’s scratch was remarkable. He made a cut on the 8 from one end of the table and the cue ball rushed down to the end he shot from but did not scratch in the pocket from whence he shot but instead continued its “journey” and scratched in the pocket where he had made the 8. Unreal. Joe and JoAnn met in the finals and Joe won the penultimate game, but his penchant for giving JoAnn “balls in hand” gave JoAnn the edge she needed to win the Group. Special props to Pat Cardillo of the Ms. Cues who played 6 games going 4-2 before she lost to Joe Joblonski, New Rehoboth, in the finals of the Non-Winners bracket.

Group 2: Vince Tamburo, Mangini’s, won this Group going through undefeated but he got to do this because of another weird scratch on the 8. In the finals of the Winner’s bracket Paul Claypoole, his teammate, had an easy 8 ball shot from about one foot from the pocket but he whacked the 8 ball so hard that the cue ball shot like a rocket straight into the corner pocket at the opposite end of the table giving Vince the win. Vince took advantage of this gift and beat his next opponent to wrap up the Group.

Group 3:  Won ultimately by Ty Remp of the Good Guys but not without considerable drama throughout the group play. Cal Schutz of Cape lost his first game to Tracy of Underdogs but then proceeded to win his next 3 games. Meanwhile Dan Haddaway also of Cape won his 1^st game but dropped his 2^nd to teammate, Scott Carstairs. Facing elimination, Dan made the 8 on the break in his next 2 games eliminating Maurice Sanger of Mangini’s and Bob Lesh of the Old Crabs.  Meanwhile, in the Winner’s bracket, Ty beat Bill Cook to sit and wait for the winner to come out of the Loser’s bracket. Dan H could not make his 3^rd straight 8 on the break and lost to Tracy S. Cal then got his revenge beating Tracy for his 4^th straight win. Facing Bill Cook Cal won his 5^th straight game and advanced to the Championship Round. He beat Ty for his 6^th win in a row and in the last game possible and with one ball left before the 8 Cal could not make a clean hit 3 times in a row and Ty closed it out. The playing was great!

Group 4: In our semi-pro Group of 6’s and 7’s, Mike MacMillan lost his 2^nd game and dropped into the Loser’s bracket. Joe Thomas of Cape and Ken Denham of Good Guys advanced to the Winner bracket final and Ken won and waited for his last foe. Meanwhile, Mike Mac won 4 successive games to advance to come out of the Loser’s Bracket to face Joe Thomas for the right to play Ken Denham. Mike Mac won and he and Ken squared off in a contest of heavyweights. Mike Mac won the first game in the Championship Round forcing one last game, but Mike Mac could not duplicate the effort of JoAnn and fell to Ken Denham, who won another award for his Wall of Fame.

In the end, my conclusion from the days’ events was that it was the best tournament ever!

The post The Session Ending Tournament, March 22, 2024 first appeared on Shore Senior Pool League.

I have played many games with Gus over the past several years. I learned his story one day while shooting at Indian River Senior Center. In October 1962, the world was on the brink of nuclear war. The Soviet Union was transporting missiles to be installed in Cuba, just 90 miles from the white beaches of Florida. U. S. Navy ships were ordered to stop those Soviet ships by any means necessary. President John F. Kennedy spoke directly to those young sailors, stressing the urgency of preventing the ships from reaching Cuba. Several of President Kennedy’s cabinet members later admitted they never expected to see another sunrise. One of those young sailors was Gus Gustafson.

During the last week of February 2024, I sat with Gus and asked him to recount his experience in one of the most frightening and important confrontations of the 20th century. Gus was a kind, gentle man and a warrior. Listen to his story.

The post Heros walk among us. first appeared on Shore Senior Pool League.

The blog is short for weblog. This website section is for the league members to discuss pool-related topics. Maybe you want to write about a new trend, product, or match. Anything related to the Shore Senior Pool League or the game will be published without editing.

The only rule is no profanity or bullying. Soon, there will be a specific link to submit your writing. In the meantime, contact me here: Contribute

Please include the topic you wish to write about and your contact information.

The post What do you think? first appeared on Shore Senior Pool League.