Update – July 2018

 

** **

About Me

I’m a nearly retired locksmith with a passion for straight pool, sailing, and riding motorcycles across America.

After a 20-year break from competitive pool, I was offered an alternate spot in the 2008 World Straight Pool Championship. In 2013, I won a qualifier and earned a place in the championship field alongside 47 of the world’s best players. A year or two before this I went in as an alternate and after close to a 20 year layoff my first opponent was Mike Sigel.  He thrw me a souvenirr and I told him I’m keeping it.. He replied  “Go ahead you scored more points against me than anyone else”

Major Tournament Appearances

• World Straight Pool Championship 10x
• Joss Tour Turning Stone Classic – Verona, NY
• American Straight Pool Championship
• Derby City Classic Nine Ball, Banks, and One Pocket Events
• U.S. Open Nine Ball Championship
• Predator Tour, operated by one of the finest ambassadors of the game, Tony Robles
• Two-time champion on the NYC Tri-State Tour after switching over to CTE and was awarded Most Improved Player Award that year.
• Competitor on the Mezz Tour, directed by Jose Burgos

High Run: 127 Balls

Private and group lessons are available upon request.

Email: powsmias@aol.com

About the Aiming System

Over the last four years, I have developed what I believe is a major breakthrough in pool aiming. Building upon concepts from Stan Shuffett’s Pro One Center-to-Edge (CTE) system, I’ve discovered a method that takes CTE to an entirely new level.

The system provides a precise aiming point for every level of English applied to the cue ball. It has attracted interest from several accomplished professional players and champions. Most players already are locked into their visuals and have no desire to change. A new player hasn’t developed set visuals yet and can adapt and trust it.

 

To provide some perspective, I originally learned the Center-to-Edge system from Phil Burford of England. Many instructors successfully teach CTE, but my work expands on those principles by providing exact aiming references for varying amounts of English—something I have never seen fully addressed before.

One respected professional player and good friend, after seeing the system, told me:

“You’ve found something no one has ever found before.”

The result is a system that removes much of the uncertainty associated with cue-ball deflection and inside English. Players gain confidence, consistency, and an exact geometric reference point for shot-making. If you ever see me at an event, stop by and ask about it—you may be surprised by what you see. If there is a top player that can prove me wrong let me know.

About the Motorcycle and Boat Photos

In August, I rode to Sturgis Bike Week in South Dakota, then continued to Laramie, Wyoming, to visit my grandchildren Cameron and Quinn (“Quigley”), along with my son Scott. Afterward, I rode back to New Jersey.

The trip covered approximately 4,500 miles in about eight days.

The motorcycle pictured was a 2007 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic with approximately 206,000 miles on it—and remarkably, it still had its original top end. It burned virtually no oil. I purchased the bike new while recovering on crutches from a serious motorcycle accident in 2006.

That accident left me with:

• A broken neck
• Loss of a kidney
• Seven broken ribs
• A rod in my femur
• A clamp in my knee
• A tracheotomy
• A two-month coma

(That’s why one of the hospital photos looks like I was preparing for a space shuttle launch.) Was the fastest summer of my life!! June to August.

Since then, I’ve made a full return to riding.

I sold the 2007 Ultra Classic on eBay in August 2017 and replaced it with a similar 2013 model.

When I add together:

• 206,000 miles on the 2007 Ultra Classic
• 120,000 miles on the 2002 FLH Standard I crashed
• 135,000 miles on the 2001 FLHTC that was stolen from New York City on Christmas Eve 2003
• 2002 FLHT had 135k. 91,000 miles on a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
• Several other motorcycles over the years, dating back to a Triumph I owned in 1975

I estimate that I’ve logged well over half a million miles on motorcycles during my lifetime. Now I’m well over 750k.

Recommended Viewing

For some of the finest billiards coverage and instructional videos available, visit Accu-Stats.

Favorite Quote

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten.”

— Lambros Cues