A sneak preview of the February Player of the Year issue and HUGE congratulations to the 2010 selected players, Darren Appleton and Jasmin Ouschan. You've both delighted us with your emotional triumphs over the last year! We at P&B, along with your fans worldwise, look forward to much more great pool from you both in the future. Shine on, pool stars!

For digital readers and fans, the February edition goes live on February 1st. If you're not yet a subscriber, now's the time to sign up, if only to read about these great players AND get a glimpse of the Player of the Year plaque that posts champions from 1878 all the way through 2010!

The POY plaque is suitable for framing (and if you're a print-only subscriber and want a pdf of the collector plaque to print, then email us and we'll provide a link to a printable pdf!)

Again, congrats to our Players of the Year, and to all of you, here's to a stellar 2011 in Pool Town!

Watch your blog posts for a few fun holiday offers, beginning with our own! From now until December 31st, readers can select a one or two year subscription as a gift for a friend, and get a second subscription for themselves at no charge!

A one year subscription is just $34.95, and the second subscription is free. CLICK HERE to order your gifts right away!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Pool & Billiard Magazine, and best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

Francisco Bustamante, one of the most accomplished players to come out of the Philippines, has been elected for induction into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in voting conducted by the United States Billiard Media Association.

Also, in the Meritorious Service, Terry Bell and Larry Hubbart, founders of the American Poolplayers Association league system in 1979, were elected for induction. Bustamante, 46; Bell, 66; and Hubbart, 69, will be formally inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame on Oct. 21 during ceremonies in conjunction with the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship in Chesapeake, VA.

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The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) will host the annual Challenge the Stars benefit in conjunction with the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships and the 2010 U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 18th. Diamond Billiard Products will provide the tables for the festivities which will take place in the Grande Ballroom of the Riviera Hotel & Casino at 8:00 pm. This benefit gives all players and spectators an opportunity to support youth billiard programs while mingling with and competing with top pros from all over the world. Over 100 pros are invited to participate, including, Shane Van Boening (USA), Efren Reyes (PHI), Jasmin Ouschan (AUS), Ga Young (Korea), Kelly Fisher (ENG), John Schmidt (USA), Dennis Orcullo (PHI), Ralf Souquet (GER), Johnny Archer (USA), Charlie Williams (USA), Tony Robles (USA), Francisco Bustamante (PHI), Mika Immonen (FIN), Melissa Little (USA), Sarah Rousey (USA), Thorsten Hohmann (GER), Tom Rossman (USA) and many more. Challengers can select three options of play: the BEF Challenge, $20 donation, challenger plays one game of 9-ball with designated pro, the Pro Challenge, $40 donation, shoot one game of 9-ball with one of your three top choices, based on availability, or the Ultimate Challenge, 100 donation, play three games of 9-ball with one of your three top choices, based on availability. All challengers will receive an autographed certificate and a souvenir photo taken with their pro. Spectators and amateur players can also share in the fun by bidding on an array of prizes and participating in the raffles. Whether you challenge a pro, participate in the auction or make a donation, you can make a difference in youth billiard programs. Admission is FREE. Step up to the challenge. About Billiard Education Foundation The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is a 501(c)(3 non-profit organization which is committed to promoting education and encourages the development of life skills through youth billiard programs. The BEF funds academic scholarships, produces the Junior National 9-Ball Championships, sponsors billiard athletes to attend the WPA World Junior 9-Ball Championships and promotes, Pool In School programs. For more information, please visit www.BilliardEducation.org or call 303.926.1039.

"99" was a game Pool & Billiard Magazine created in the 90s for pool players to be able to develop a score in their pool and billiard games using innings. Because of continued popular demand for the game's rules and printable score sheets, we've created a new page at our website with info about the game, plus downloadable rules and score sheets you can print and use where you play pool. To visit the page and access the downloads: CLICK HERE! Shoot straight, and let us know how you score!

The Super Billiards Expo, set to take place at the Valley Forge Convention Center, will boast amateur and pro events and a great pool & billiard shopping experience in 150,000 square feet of exhibit and arena space, including exhibits from world famous American Cuemakers Association and International Cuemakers Association members. Pro events at the Expo include the popular Diamond Open 10-Ball Players Championship and the Artistic Pool Masters Championship. Pool & Billiard Magazine will be there as always, with expert coverage and our annual show special. Stop by Booth #L6 and say hi!

We love pool & billiard fans, especially fans who show the world they love pool with a cool pool avatar! We really appreciate you and think you ought to be rewarded for reminding people of pool each day on your Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages. So here's the deal. We're going to pick our favorite 100 cool pool avatars and give you each a FREE one year subscription to Pool & Billiard Magazine. No catch, no purchase necessary - and if you're already a subscriber, play along and we'll add a free year to your subscription if you're one of the lucky 100. Winners will be selected by our staff and the only rule is your avatar must be based on a pool theme, pool message, cool pool pic or graphic - sky's the limit so long as it promotes our sport. If your Facebook or Twitter profile pic is about pool, then you qualify to enter! It's easy to enter, too. Throughout this month (March) you can show us your avatar by commenting on this post at our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE or our FACEBOOK GROUP or replying to our TWEET. Our favorite 100 Pool Avatars will be showcased in the May issue of P&B and those lucky 100 will win a free one year subscription to Pool & Billiard Magazine that begins with that issue. Ready to play? Connect with us today! Just tell us you want in when you become a fan at our Pool & Billiard Magazine Fan Page or join our Group Page, o Farmers, No Mafia, No Fish, Just Pool Players. This is POOLMAG Mister! or tweet us at @PoolandBilliard Shoot straight! P.S. Here's a few pool avatars from some of our social media savvy staff (No, we're not eligible to win)

Kevin Trudeau, infomercial pitchman and author, better known to pool fans in his role with the International Pool Tour, was ordered by a federal judge to serve 30 days in prison and must turn himself in tomorrow, according to Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times reports. According to the Sun Times report: "'This was an attempt by Mr. Trudeau to harass, intimidate and influence the court,' said U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman, who was flooded with hundreds of 'harassing, threatening and interfering' emails, locking up the judge's email system and shutting down his Blackberry for part of the day." For the full story, CLICK HERE

Each year the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) recognizes an outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to the billiard industry with the presentation of the BCA President's Award.  This year the BCA has chosen to recognize Frederick Mali.  Mali, who passed away at the age of 76 in 2007, was the president and CEO of The Henry W.T. Mali & Co., Inc. (Mali Cloth), the oldest continuously family-run company in New York City, founded in 1826.  

"Fred Mali was a great ambassador for the game of billiards, as well as the most gentlemanly individual with whom I have ever done business," said BCA President Ivan Lee. "I feel it is important to recognize a man who never had an enemy, made an indelible mark on his company and this industry and always found time for anyone needing his assistance or support. Fred provided direction and assistance to many people in the billiard industry selflessly and willingly. The loss of Fred Mali to the billiard industry is difficult to accurately determine, but his eternal optimism and civilized manner would have been a guiding light in the troubled economic times that our industry faces today. I only regret that this recognition comes to him posthumously."

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The American Cuemaker's Association is proud to present its 2010 recipient of the prestigious Cuemaker of the Year Award.  The American Cuemaker's Association (ACA) was established in 1992 to promote the American-made cue and cuemaker.  Beginning in 2008, the ACA initiated the Cuemaker of the Year Award to recognize an ACA member who has provided a top quality product in an ethical, honorable, and professional manner through the years.  The award will be presented at the annual ACA banquet at the Super Billiards Expo at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA, on March 18-21, 2010.

The 2010 winner is Prather Cue from Mooreland, OK.  Founded in 1978, the Prather family initially provided quality cuemaking components to cuemakers at a reasonable price.  Dan Prather  was joined by his two sons, Daniel Jr. and Jeff, in the mid-eighties and cue making became an important part of the business.  By 1990 the Prathers had become renown for their cues as well as their cuemaking components.  With Dan Jr.'s computer skills, Jeff's woodworking abilities, and Dan Sr.'s inspiration, Prather Cues really took off.  Dan's daughter, Jennifer, has also been involved in the business since its inception.  Today Prather Cue makes a complete line of cues including many custom "one of a kind" beauties.  They also continue to be a leading supplier of cue components to many of the world's cuemakers.  

Also to be recognized at this year's ACA banquet will be the recipient of the People's Choice Award.  This award acknowledges the cue buying public's choice of the their favorite cue on display at the ACA booth at the Super Billiards Expo.  Every ACA member can display one cue of which they are especially proud.  Attendees at the expo then have the opportunity to vote on their favorite cue.  The cuemaker whose cue receives the most votes will be recognized at the banquet with the People's Choice Award.  

Stay tuned for coverage of this event! 'Til then, learn more about Prather Cues at www.prathercue.com