WORLD PYRAMID CHAMPIONSHIP - 2001
"Dr. Cue"® Journeys to the Pyramid!!!

On July 23 Tom “Dr. Cue”® Rossman embarked on a billiard journey to Vilnius, Lithuania. The 2nd annual WPA World Pyramid Championship took place July 27 – 29, 2001…at the Draugyste Hotel…in this beautiful and fascinating city/country, which was part of the former Soviet Union, until its restructuring in the early 1990’s.
Fifty players from 17 countries participated in this uni-cue form of cuesport activity. This included 1 player from Finland (Kari Immonen), the twin brother of 2001 World 9-Ball Champion Mika Immonen; 1 player from Germany (Uwe Sander); 47 from former Soviet Union regions…including Russia proper; and “Dr. Cue”® from the United States – by special invitation. Eight custom pyramid tables were perfectly installed in the hotel’s 2nd floor venue. This was quite an engineering marvel…considering the weight and time setup allowances appropriate to each one.
For those not familiar with Pyramid Billiards, it is a “pocket” game with some unusual characteristics…if compared to our pool table standards. The table is 6 feet by 12 feet; the phenolic balls are “croquet” size (slightly bigger than carom balls); the pockets offer an approximate 1/8 inch clearance on each side of an approaching ball; and cue sticks are 60 – 64 inches in length and weigh between 22 – 25 ounces, which are necessary to withstand the massive impact of the cue stick to the cue ball chosen.
The pocket openings are “reverse cut” – so that shots greater than 30 degrees of cut are nearly impossible to make. For these shots and many others, a player must drive object balls with extreme force through the pocket cushion points (physical compression)…in hope of a score. The overall playing environment becomes a true test of “burning focus”, high speed accuracy, and the patience of “Job”.
There are fifteen white balls and one red ball. After the break, every ball on the table is a cue ball and every ball on the table is an object ball, so that shot selection is immense and sometimes confusing. Defensive strategy reigns supreme in the competitive battle…with an occasional ball being made…as a reward for your mind boggling efforts. One Pocket lovers would enjoy this game of infinite options, assuming they would be willing to adapt to the heavier balls, different cue sticks, and table dimensions.
The basic objective of the game is very simple! A player must make 8 balls before their opponent. There are several types of Pyramid play, with the most common being where “scratches” are allowed. In other words, kissing or caroming one ball off another…with special “spin” applications…and making this ball in any pocket scores a point. For the 2001 event this feature of play was committee eliminated…making it more of a shot-making challenge…with standard defensive maneuvers used to accent the action of play.
Format was 4 flights (16 players each, less byes) in a Phase 1 “double elimination” process. This would narrow the field to 32 players that would play in a Phase 2 “single elimination” bracket.
This would determine an eventual World Champion. Races were as follows: 1) 3 games in Phase 1, 2) 4 games in Phase 2 – up to the semi-final matches, 3) 5 games in Phase 2 – in the semi-final matches, and 4) 7 games in Phase 2 – in the final match. Some games lasted an hour, but most ended in 30 – 45 minutes.
After a day of practice on July 26th, the tournament play began on the 27th…with “Dr. Cue”® playing his 1st match against the Lithuanian Champion – Sergey Ermakov. “Dr. Cue”® surged ahead by a score of 2 to 1. Then a few well-calculated moves by Sergey tied the score. The final game saw Sergey defeating “Dr. Cue”® and moving on to the next bracket. A “run” of 6 by the doctor in game 3 was the highlight of this match…attracting audience and media attention to the unknown abilities of U.S. players in this predominately European cuesport artform.
A second defeat to Konstantin Pchelin from Lithuania by a score of 3 to 1 ended “Dr. Cue’s”® tournament play, but the thrill, joy, and challenge of the Pyramid event sealed the feeling of “victory” inside…for just being there…playing, and enjoying the moment. Finishing 35th of 50 players…due to games won…added to the personal fulfillment of participation. All but 3 players in the tournament had grown up with, and experienced Pyramid technique/training for years and years. In addition, access to the table required for this type of discipline is a staple of most billiard centers in Eastern Europe.
In 1999 “Dr. Cue”® traveled to Moscow, Russia and experienced the Pyramid discipline and corresponding table for the first time. The “master” instructor/teacher of billiard knowledge at the Russian State Academy of Physical Culture…and Pyramid guru on strategy and skill techniques – Mr. Arkadiy Loshakov – is a good friend of “Dr. Cue”® and his personal representative in that country. Arkadiy was the “key” and instrumental person in getting “Dr. Cue”® to Russia initially, and developed a bond of spirit and understanding with him. He made the trip to Lithuania to coach/train “Dr. Cue”® and share some friendship moments together once again. Arkadiy has also translated 3 of Robert Byrne’s billiard books into Russian, and they are currently being sold to thousands of players in markets prior to which were never reached. An additional highlight of Arkadiy’s work is to crusade with “Dr. Cue”® – for “artistic pool” worldwide…as an official table judge, translator for “Dr. Cue”® and others, plus…ideas creation and organizational concepts for this movement…to harmonize player and continental relations.
Several days were spent sightseeing with Arkadiy…visiting beautiful cathedrals, castles, and fortresses in Vilnius and surrounding villages and smaller towns. In addition, a promo show was done at an upscale billiard room called Pulo Klubas, which means “pool club”. The owner/manager, Geistys, put out the red carpet for “Dr. Cue”®, and a “great” time was had by all.
Stops at McDonalds and a 1950’s style ice cream parlor during the week envisioned standards of Americana in this otherwise solid traditional and nostalgic culture. Anyone wanting a special vacation should consider Vilnius, Lithuania. This city of nearly 500,000 people offers the sights and sounds of a friendly people…entrenched in a clean, progressive, and appealing setting.
The 2002 World Pyramid Championship will be in Germany next February.
“Dr. Cue”® has been invited once again to represent the United States as a Billiard Congress of America and North American continental player.

SPECIAL NOTE: For promotional article on tournament, results, interviews with “Dr. Cue”® and others, brackets, and photos of players, etc. – Go to www.biliardas.lt This is a great website and will give you a presentation in English, Russian, and Lithuanian.

FINAL NOTE: Congratulations to the 2001 WPA World Pyramid Champion -- Kanibek Saghyndykov from Kazahstan and Runner Up -- Yaroslav Vinokur from Ukraine.


Article submitted by: Tom “Dr. Cue”® Rossman