This was followed up with, “Do you ever get a back ache from playing pool?”

“Sure,” I replied.

“I have the perfect thing for you!” he said.

What could this grand surprise be that could cure my pool-related back ache? I couldn’t wait to see it. I followed him over and to my utter surprise (yes, it was a good surprise), he pulled out a triangular shaped piece of chalk.

“Have you seen this before?” he asked.

“I think so. My friend used to own this company,” I said. Confused that this was my gift, he then handed me the print out from the website where he ordered it from that read (verbatim):

Ever get a back ache from playing pool? Have you considered that it could be your chalk? Until recently, pool chalk came in one perplexing design with four sides, which some believe creates undue stress on the lower back. Well, Elephant Balls, Ltd. now offers you an ergonomically correct, three-sided chalk that is sure to eliminate the potentially harmful effects associated with trying to use 3-fingers on a four-sided piece of chalk. Pyramid Chalk is made from the highest quality materials you’re accustomed to and offers superior performance–it’s just ERGONOMICALLY CORRECT! Try it… it just feels right!

So, I guess I’ll give it a try. I subbed for a team tonight and then hit a few balls afterward. I wanted to have a “before” feel of any back ache I might be experiencing before I can truly review this product.

My favorite part is they describe it as “pyramid” chalk. Last I checked, a pyramid looked like this:

Share on Facebook

Billiard Mobile

Ever wondered what you should do with those old, chipped pool balls? Well, here’s a solution!

Why not string all the balls from the rack and make a giant mobile?!?? Why didn’t I think of that?

Okay, not to be picky, but I think I would’ve chosen a more subtle string. Interesting idea nonetheless. This person is selling theirs for only $39.95.

Share on Facebook

FM sent me an email a while back, subject line: something for you to blog about. So, you’ll have to thank him for finding this interesting piece to complete your game room.

Kudu Corn Cue Stick Holder

For the low, low price of only $1,799 this little gem is all yours. Knock a couple bucks off if you’d prefer the wall mount version. I don’t know. I guess it’s a pretty clever idea but is it really practical to have a cue holder that’s worth at least 20 times the value of your house cues? Maybe it depends on what you have for house cues. I could see something like this at Fatboy’s old place in Vegas. Or, maybe FM himself should just get one for his newly remodeled Fun House.

I do like how they threw the cow hide stool and straw hat in the background to really give us that country feel. I wonder how many of these have been sold….

Share on Facebook

“How would you like to get your own IB2 (custom RED) cue? I’ll even engrave your nick name on it. It’ll be my present to you for all the work you have done for us.

I just wanted to give you a whole Icebreaker2 custom made cue in red as a present, since I know you love red. It’ll just be something from me to you that’s all.”

Truthfully, I wasn’t really sure what to think of it at first but how could I refuse my favorite break/jump cue, in red, custom made just for me, one of a kind. I suppose you could call it a ‘parting gift’ though it’s been nearly a year that I have not been a part of Team Tiger. Nonetheless, two weeks later, I was breaking like a champ again.

THANK YOU, TIGER!!!

Tiger IceBreaker v2.0

It’s so pretty! And it breaks and jumps just like I remember, and better. The new IB2 has all the improvements (including aesthetically) that players asked for. Oh! I was also told that this is the only custom color they’ve ever done so don’t go asking them for one in your favorite color. If you want your own IB2, you’ll just have to ORDER IT HERE.

Oh, IceBreaker, how I’ve missed thee?…

* Thanks to Brad & Aimee Peterson for letting me model your IBs!

Share on Facebook

A monthly collection of the best writing in pool

I’m so honored and excited to be this month’s hostess with the mostest. I’ve chosen a theme for this edition that is near and dear to my heart: “GEAR: What’s in your case & why?”

As we enter the new pool season, I wanted to have a light topic and also treat all the faithful readers with an opportunity to get to know our bloggers a little better.

We have a full house this month with record-breaking 20 contributors! Without further adieu, I’ll just let each of their posts speak for themselves. Be sure to check out all the great photos, videos, and fun stories inside each unique case.

Melinda | Pool is a Journey

LINK: What’s in Melinda’s case?

The lovely, tenacious Texan, aka “Trigger” has been sharing her journey with us since 2006. Most recently, she’s enhanced her blog with some video entries. In this edition, she’ll be showing off her custom designed cues and essential gear for Texas conditions in her video diary. Don’t miss the outtakes!

John Biddle | Pool Student

LINK: What’s in John Biddle’s case?

When it comes to his gear, our modest PoolSynergy leader likes to keep it simple. He has all the basic essentials that any pool student could need. He also shares with us a handy discovery he uses to keep his shafts clean. See what other personal toiletries John likes to carry in his case.

Dan Whitten | Guest on Pool Student

LINK: What’s in Dan Whitten’s cases?

Also hosted on the PoolStudent.com blog is a special guest interview with Dan Whitten of Whitten Cases. For years, these cases have been synonymous with a well-built case and high quality leather. John gets a peek at Dan’s personal playing gear.

PCN Dude | PoolCueNews.com

LINK: What’s in PCN’s drawers?

Instead of “What’s in your case?” the Notorious P.C.N. exposes his drawers to us. Since he’s typically on fire on the cherry red cloth of his home table, his necessities are kept in his drawers. Check out all his schwaggy goodies. It appears he has all the latest and greatest in everything.

Ace Toscano | Ace’s Pool Blog

LINK: What’s in Ace’s case?

We have several new bloggers joining us this month. The first is not new to the blogosphere, Ace Toscano. We’re so pleased to have him on board. He’s been blogging since 2005 and also manages AcesWebWorld.com. Ace explores the nooks and crannies of his pool cue case and tries to figure out what exactly he’s been carrying around.

p00lriah | p00lriah.

LINK: What’s in p00lriah’s case?

p00lriah gives us a gives us a visual walkthrough of his case and even includes a special surprise. The only hint we’re given is that it’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. What could it be? You’ll just have to find out for yourself.

Markus Hofstaetter | A Pool Players Blog

LINK: What’s in Markus’s case?

Austrian pool player and photographer extraordinaire called in the camera crew to film an exclusive video just for us. He unveils not only the gear in his pool case but we also get to check out his ‘other’ gear. You don’t want to miss Markus’s case interview! In fact, pay close attention.

Jake Dyer | Untold Stories: Billiards History

LINK: What’s in Willie Mosconi’s case?

It’s always such an absolute honor to have Jake Dyer’s flavor each month. Keeping with his theme of untold stories, he gives us an inside look at the legendary Willie Mosconi’s case. Only Jake could bring us photographic record of artifacts that Mr. Mosconi carried with him. What did a man with his talent keep in his pool case?

Josh Johnson | It Is What It Is…and That Is All

LINK: What’s in Josh’s case?

Josh is another new blogger this month. Although a career Soldier in the Army, Josh found his love for the game of pool and billiards prior to joining the service.  Since enlisting, he has taken advantage of being moved all over the country by the military by playing every where he can, making new friends and picking up new stories.  He has started up a blog this year about his life in the military, and how he fits his pool, golf other hobbies into his life.  He’s currently deployed to Afghanistan, but when he’s back in the states, he follows the Great Southern Billiard Tour around providing live streaming support, photography, and tournament summary write ups. Find out what a deployed soldier keep in his currently unused cue case.

Jim Taylor | Billiard Nut

LINK: What’s in Jim’s case?

Another new addition this month is newbie blogger, Jim Taylor of Las Vegas, Nevada. “You can find Jim at almost every exciting event in town. He has an amazing passion for pool and has decided to start his own blog to share all the fun things involved with this game we love,” said the VegasBilliardBuzz.com. Jim shares photos of his one of a kind cue built in 1982.

Gary Frerking | Kicks, Banks, Caroms, and Combos

LINK: What’s in Gary’s case?

Also coming to us for the first time this month is the savvy stylings of Gary Frerking: mastermind by day, pool player by night. Gary started his adult life as a Reactor Operator on nuclear submarines. He insists his background in nuclear physics helps him understand various interactions on the pool table – who am I to argue? More recently, he’s been a senior software engineer and intellectual property manager. He’s also a published author and named inventor on several patents. Relatively new to the sport of pool, he’s very much on the learning curve and hopes that readers of his blog will learn along with him through his experiences and insights. Gary even shares an emergency secret weapon with us.

Johnny101 | A Journey Into Billiards

LINK: What’s in Johnny101’s case?

Johnny101 has been documenting his passion for the game for over a year now. It’s been a pleasure sharing the joys of his first break-n-run and watching his development. His love for the game is apparent and this month as he lets us in his case, we learn about “power pellets,” cleaning supplies, and a buffet of tip tools.

Mike Fieldhammer | Billiard Coach

LINK: What’s in Mike’s case?

The competitive player, instructor, referee, photographer, and writer from the Twin Cities has been involved with various aspects of the game. In this edition, he brings us a video overview of the equipment he uses, endorses, and sells on his online store, BilliardCoachStore.com. To stay grounded, Mike keeps a little piece of his Corporate America days with him.

Michael Reddick | Angle of Reflection

LINK: What’s in Michael’s case?

The dedicated Michael Reddick is, as he states, “on a mission to transform myself.” The Medical Device industry professional has created a strict training program for himself which he follows religiously. The rewards are apparent as he wrote about his recent seven consecutive break-n-runs in 8-ball. His enthusiasm for the sport shines through in his words. Michael reveals a sentimental keepsake that he’s kept in his case for over 20 years.

Charlie Eames | Forumghost516′s Blog

LINK: What’s in Charlie’s case?

“This month is very big for me in pool synergy as the topic this month is very important to me now more than ever. I am no longer representing myself on this journey of billiards excellence. I am now representing J. Pechauer Custom Cues and I am proud to do so. Although I have cues in my collection that hold very special places in my heart and will never leave the collection these new Pechauer Cues mark a new beginning in pool for me. It is a very exciting time to be using these new cues and I look forward to the upcoming season of events that I will be playing in with them,” Charlie Eames

Gail Glazebrook | … Confessions of G Squared …

LINK: What’s in Kiss of Death’s Jim Murnak Custom Cue Cases?

The lovely Gail Glazebrook is not only talented but also creative. In this edition, she joins three of her Kiss of Death teammates to bring us a video blog showcasing their masterpieces, courtesy of Jim Murnak and Go4Pool.net. Their individual custom designed cases will surely give any pool player case-evny.

Alison Fischer | NYCGrind.com

LINK: What’s in Alison’s case?

For “Kiss of Death” team member and NYCgrind.com editor, Alison Fischer, what’s in her case is part equipment and part memorabilia. She’s not big on pool gadgets, but the things she does use hold meaning. Keeping things to remember important moments is part of her experience as a player, so she carries them in her case.

Samm Diep | PoolTipJar.com

LINK: What’s in Samm Diep’s case?

In this special edition, Samm turns the camera around and empties out her own case for a unique video documentary. Luckily, she also has a custom Jim Murnak case that comfortable holds all her towels, accessories, and toiletries. She also gives us a peek into her teaching bag.

Michael McCafferty | FastMikie.com

LINK: What’s in Fast Mikie’s case?

Veteran pool blogger “Fast Mikie” was gracious enough to update his equipment profile post, originally published in May of 2005. Most of his gear is unchanged but he does have a few little unique items in there. Fast Mikie also totes a sporty Murnak, but in his post we get to see the ‘hard’er side of the collection. When he does leave the house with his case, you can also find him with his Tournament Support Bag.

Justin Collett | You got to be tough if you’re gonna be stupid…

LINK: What’s in Justin’s TAR case?

As a last minute addition, we are thrilled to include the one, the only, Justin Collett, the man behind TheActionReport.com. I have absolutely no idea what he’s going to unveil in his post so we can all be surprised together. I do know that The Action Report brings live streaming and DVD’s of high profile matches to fans all over the world. Don’t miss TAR19 featuring “The South Dakota Kid” Shane Van Boening versus “The Iceman” Mika Immonen in a race to 100, 10-ball match. In the meantime, make sure you check out Justin’s equipment.

Share on Facebook