Category: Cue Repair and Refinishing

Mike Bender cue – One of the fanciest on the planet

Mike Bender cue

Mike Bender cue

We work on all shapes and sizes here at Proficient. This is one of the fanciest Bender’s on the planet. You can trust Proficient to make your cue look good too. Mike Bender is a cue maker out of Alaska who has been making cues since 1992. Bender cues are easy to identify with the Bender name engraved on the joint pin.

This is an example of a Mike Bender cue repair and cue refinishing work (not for sale) that has been done here at Proficient Billiards. Cue refinishing usually takes about 2 weeks depending on workload.

1999 Bill Schick cue – Legend of pool Eddie Taylor’s cue

1999 Bill Schick cue – Legend of pool Eddie Taylor’s cue. This Bill Schick cue is an example of cue repair and cue refinishing work (not for sale) that has been done here at Proficient Billiards. Cue refinishing usually takes about 2 weeks depending on workload.

Meucci Originals MO-7 cue

Bob Meucci is a cue maker who began making pool cues in 1975 out of Mississippi. Meucci cues are some of the most recognized pool cues on the planet. early models had Meucci Originals on the butt sleeve. Later models had the Meucci script writing on the butt cap. Bob now has a line of custom cues that has a BMC logo also.

This Meucci cue is an example of cue repair and cue refinishing work (not for sale) that has been done here at Proficient Billiards. Cue refinishing usually takes about 2 weeks depending on workload.

Early Tim Scruggs cue with a 3/8×10 pin and micarta joint

Tim Scruggs started making Tim Scruggs custom cues in 1978 in Baltimore Maryland. This Tim Scruggs cue is an example of cue repair and cue refinishing work (not for sale) that has been done here at Proficient Billiards. Cue refinishing usually takes about 2 weeks depending on workload. #timscruggscue

Highly inlaid Carolina Custom cue

Carolina Custom cue

This is by far the nicest Carolina Custom cue that we’ve ever had in the shop. This Carolina Custom cue is an example of cue repair and cue refinishing work (not for sale) that has been done here at Proficient Billiards. Cue refinishing usually takes about 2 weeks depending on workload.

Great Outdoors Pool Tournament Player Photos 6/14/2025

JWC Sports Photography JWC Portraits series of photos from The Great Outdoors Pool Tournament. Natural lighting was abundantly available. Player photos never looked so good. If you are looking for a great sports photographer I do recommend.

For the full size photos for framing or posters please visit https://jwcportraits.passgallery.com/-greatoutdoorpooltournament/gallery

The Great Outdoors Pool Tournament Itinerary

Friday 6pm – $20 chip tournament using BILLIARD BONES™ to determine race and game played (2 chips for $20). You could potentially show up at 7pm buy in and still be in the first round. Play / practice on tables as they become available. Kitchen open till 9pm.

Saturday 8am – Practice for the Main Event. Kitchen open breakfast available. Remember to bring lawn chairs or ez-up tents if you desire. No coolers. There will be an outside bar serving refreshments or you can buy drinks inside.

Saturday 9am – Player draw and tournament starts. All players should be there at this time to help pick names and receive table assignments. Side pot(s) will be available before the drawing.

Saturday Menu – Outside pig roast all day or kitchen is open until 5pm inside the club. Then limited bar menu after 5pm.

Saturday Day / Eve – As the tournament progresses and tables become open they will be available. Only if they are away from tournament matches and don’t disturb ongoing play.

Saturday End of Main Event – Trophy presentation, Payouts, Photos, and since we are outside popping of the cork and spraying of the champagne.

Sunday 9am – THERE ARE STILL ABOUT 10 SPOTS LEFT. Practice for the Sunday Doubles. Remember to bring lawn chairs or ez-up tents if you desire. No coolers. There will be an outside bar serving refreshments or you can buy drinks inside. SUNDAY 1150 DOUBLES you will be able to pay and enter at the event. It has come to our attention that an APA regionals event is on Saturday and some don’t know if they will still be in it on Sunday. Please try to be there before 10am for processing.

Sunday 10am – Team draw and tournament starts. All players should be there at this time to help pick names and receive table assignments. Side pot(s) will be available before the drawing.

Sunday Menu – Breakfast likely (checking on that) Outside pig roast or kitchen is open 12-5pm inside the club. Then limited bar menu after 5pm.

Sunday Day / Eve – As the tournament progresses and tables become open they will be available. Only if they are away from tournament matches and don’t disturb ongoing play.

Sunday end of Doubles – Payouts, Photos, and since we are outside popping of the cork and spraying of the champagne.

Singles List – https://proficientbilliards.com/2024/10/20/the-great-outdoors-pool-tournament-9-ball-double-elimination/

Doubles List – https://proficientbilliards.com/the-great-outdoors-pool-tournament-1150-sunday-doubles/

1997 Ebony Southwest cue – Before and afters

Southwest cue

The company Southwest cues started making cues in 1982. Jerry Franklin began with cue repair as most do in the early 80’s. DPK Kersenbrock helped form Southwest cues. Early examples are unmarked and can be authenticated by Southwest cues. Cues after 93 are easy to identify and have a brass pin with a cactus, date, and number. Jerry passed away at the age of 42. His wife Laurie Franklin and family continue to run the business. Southwest cues are highly sought after and there is a lengthy waiting period for one. Pool Hall Junkies the movie also helped to catapult Southwest cues. Pictured are a few examples of cue refinishing and cue repair that we have performed here at Proficient Billiards.

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This Ebony Southwest cue is an example of cue repair and cue refinishing work (not for sale) that has been done here at Proficient Billiards. Cue refinishing usually takes about 2 weeks depending on workload.

Big Game Tips – Tournament Tested and Proven

Big Game Tips

This past weekend Scott Haas finished 1st Place at Nicole Nester’s Tournament Series at Blue Mountain Billiards. Congrats to Scott. He plays with a Big Game Tip. Big Game Tips are tournament tested and proven. https://biggametips.com/

1st Place- Scott Haas (Champion)
2nd- Micheal Miller
3rd- Jeffrey Richardson
4th- Gavin Umberger
5/6th- Bill Ianieri
5/6th- Richie Cardillo
7/8th- Jerry Troisi
7/8th- Mike Johnson

I don’t know if won a tournament last weekend like the previous couple… but Scott Haas was back at it again at Super Billiards Expo. Congrats Champ. Scott has been really tearing it up lately. And did I forget to mention that he plays with Big Game Tips. Dialing in the tip you play with is one of the most important things you can do. We can help you with that. www.biggametips.com

Another weekend and another 1st for Scott Haas at the 5th Annual PA Wounded Warriors Benefit. Haas also had a respectable 3rd place finish in the 9 Ball event. He made the switch to Big Game Tips a couple weeks ago and never looked back. #biggametipswww.biggametips.com

Tournament Results as follow:

9ball had 44 players

1st Place – Wade Kaufman
2nd Place – Seth Harris
3rd Place – Scott Haas

8ball singles had 60 players

1st Place – Scott Haas
2nd Place – Mike Nichols
3rd Place – Jeremy Williams

8ball Scotch Doubles had 33 teams

1st Place – Seth Harris/Tyler Henninger
2nd Place – Wayne Ripple/DJ Eaken
3rd Place – Greg Reeder/Ray Sampsell

https://biggametips.com

Texas Express General Tournament Rules

1: Calling of Fouls
It is the player’s responsibility to call fouls when they occur. If a player allows an opponent to continue play without calling the foul at the time of the infraction, then the player relinquishes the right to call the foul (assumed concession). If a player calls the foul and the opponent acknowledges the call and continues to play without having the foul verified by the tournament director or appointed referee, the tournament director may be summoned and may use any means necessary to determine if a foul call and/or foul occurred. The decision of the tournament director is final.
2: Score Keeping
Players are responsible for registering their scores after each game and prior to the next break. If a player fails to register their score at any time during the match and attempts to register the score at a later time, the player and/or opponent reserves the right to have the tournament director resolve the score by any means necessary including, but not limited to, solicitation of others. The tournament director reserves the option of changing the score or allowing the score to stand.
3: Legal Jump Shot Definition
The cue stick must be elevated and the ball must be struck at or above the centerline (the centerline is an imaginary line drawn through the center of the cue ball exactly parallel with the playing surface) with the chalked area of the cue stick tip only.
4: Split Hits
If the cue ball strikes the object ball and a numbered ball at approximately the same instant, and it cannot be clearly determined which ball was struck first, the judgment favors the shooter. A split hit, when the numbered balls are struck at the same time is considered a good hit.
5: Two Numbered Balls Jawed in a Pocket
If two balls are jawed in the facing of a pocket as the result of a legally struck shot and no numbered ball was pocketed, the tournament director shall decide if either or both of the numbered balls will be manually pocketed, or leave lie, contingent upon the position of the numbered balls over the pocket(over edge of slate in pocket). If the tournament director manually pockets a numbered ball or balls, the player shall remain at the table for another shot. If no legally pocketed or manually pocketed numbered ball is executed, the opponent shall receive the table as-is.
6: Explanation of Rules During a Match
While observing and making a determination about a potential foul situation, the tournament director shall not assist any player with an explanation of any rule while at the table (during tournament play). The opponent may, at their option, declare to the tournament director that a rule explanation may be given to the player at the table. The tournament director shall not ask for such a declaration from the opponent. The player at the table may take a break, if available, to research the rule. The player may not take an extra break to research the rule. (Need explanation about breaks)
7: Tournament Director Observance
If, during any match, the tournament director is requested to observe any potential foul situation, the decision of the tournament director is final. If the tournament director observes a foul situation while not at a table and a foul occurs, the player and the opponent are responsible for making foul calls. If a disagreement between the players occurs, the tournament director will use any means necessary to resolve the situation. If a player at table calls a foul as a result of spontaneous actions from spectators or others, then the decision of the tournament director may be to disallow the foul call by the player. The decision of the tournament director is final.
8: Warning for Slow Play:
First Request to Implement the Shot ClockA player may request that the tournament director place an opponent on warning for slow play, and the tournament director may place a player on warning for slow play at any time deemed necessary (usually by observing excessively slow play). The player who makes the request must be in his or her inning at the table. If a second request from a player for slow play, or observance of slow play by the tournament director occurs, the director may impose the 45 second shot clock on both participants. A single verbal announcement by the tournament director when a player has fifteen seconds remaining to shoot (per shot attempt) will be issued. If the player does not shoot before the fifteen seconds have elapsed, a foul will result, giving the opponent a cue ball-in-hand.
9: Player Timeouts During a Match
Any player may take up to a single ten minute legal timeout while at the start or during their inning at the table. An illegal timeout during the opponent’s inning allows the opponent to play unobserved, and if the opponent wins a game, he or she may continue to play unobserved. A second timeout by either opponent may result in a foul or loss of the game, with or without warning from the tournament director or referee. A legal timeout may be taken for the following reasons: restroom, illness, emergency, and any other reason considered valid by the tournament director.
10: Legal Player Equipment at the Table
Players may bring up to three cues to the assigned table for the match. A player may not leave the assigned table for equipment, or have equipment brought to the assigned table during the match, unless agreed upon by the opponent. Players may acquire a house cue (from applicable wall rack and/or cue stand in the tournament area) for the purpose of breaking at any time. The cues may not be less than 40″ in overall length and the shaft size must not be exceed 16 mm at the tip. The tip must be leather or any product deemed suitable for play by the tournament director. There is no minimum or maximum weight for the cue; no maximum length; and no exclusion of material for the ferrule, shaft, or butt of the cue. Any material deemed unsuitable for play that may cause damage to the equipment may be excluded from play by the tournament director.
11: Five-Seconds Rule
If a legally struck numbered ball is shot into a pocket and hangs motionless for more than five second and then falls into the pocket, it will be placed in its original position. If no other numbered ball is legally pocketed on the same shot, the incoming player will receive the table for his or her inning.
12: Ball Rebounds from a Pocket
Numbered balls must remain in the pocket in order for the shot to be legal. If any numbered ball or the cue ball rebounds from the pocket and comes to rest on the playing surface, it is not considered pocketed.
13: Clearing Pockets to Prevent Rebounds
It is the sole responsibility of the player to clear the pockets of any numbered balls that may cause a rebound. If any ball rebounds from a pocket due to too many balls occupying the pocket, the ball is not considered pocketed.
14: Playing in Multiple Events
Any player may have the opportunity to participate in any “open” tournament, contingent upon the approval of the tournament director per event. Players may not participate in events where they do not meet the specific gender criteria of the tournament (i.e., men may not participate in a tournament designated as a women’s event; likewise, women may not participate in a tournament designated as a men’s event). In the tournament director’s judgment, if the dual participation may cause the event or events to become too lengthy, cause scheduling conflicts or unsuitable due to equipment constraints, then no allowance will be made for dual participation. In the event a player participates in more than one event at a time, the tournament director is responsible for arranging any special scheduling necessary.

Texas Express General Tournament Rules