Billiards Digest July 2008

<b>FEATURES</b><br>
40 SPEED KILLS: Surprise titlist Tony Drago risked road burn at the Predator International 10-Ball Championship. by Nicholas Leider<br>
44 8-BALL NATION: The BCA Pool League's 8-Ball Nationals gave some a chance to shine, and others a shot at redemption. by Lissa Townsend Rodgers<br>
48 PLAYER FIRST: Allen Hopkins belongs in the Hall of Fame for many reasons, but he's glad to be among the Greatest Players. by Mike Panozzo<br>
52 LIGHTS, CAMERA... Pat Fleming found his calling as pool's preeminent videographer by happy accident. by Robert Byrne<br>
56 30 OVER 30: Nos. 12-11 on our monthly countdown of the greatest tournament finals, featuring Corey Deuel and Jim Rempe. by Nicholas Leider<br>

<b>COLUMNS</b><br>
16 From The Publisher: Pool players follow the money. by Mike Panozzo<br>
72 Tips & Shafts: The sad decline of the slip stroke. George Fels<br>

<b>DEPARTMENTS</b><br>
8 YESTERYEAR: Unheralded Thorsten Hohmann wins World Pool Championship.<br>
10 MAILBAG: A pocketful of praise: Readers like what they see.<br>
12 AD INDEX: Your guide to BD's advertisers.<br>
14 BD NEWS: A ballout for the spurned Desert Shootout players; IOC says "Not yet".<br>
18 WINGSHOTS: Art in the eye of the billiardist. Plus, a cue by Jerry Olivier, You Make the Call, and Pool on TV for July.<br>
26 CALENDAR: Your guide to tournaments and events.<br>
59 CHRONICLES by Mike Shamos: Making the rules: Can't they all jus get along?.<br>
63 TOURNAMENTS: Pagulayan finally snaps off World Pool Masters. Plus, WPBA rankings and the BD/PoolDawg Power Index.<br>
66 LEAGUES: APA National Singles Championship awards $350,000-plus.<br>
68 TOUR SPOTTING:Larry Nevel continues mastery of Great Southern Billiard Tour. Plus, rankings for all the major regional tours.<br>
70 MARKETPLACE: Some great offers to ponder.<br>
71 WHERE TO FIND BD: Check out our poolroom and retail partners.<br>

<b>INSTRUCTION</b><br>
28 Quick Hits: Stay down on your shot. Plus, Drill Bits, Straight Talk, and Mike Davis put On the Spot.<br>
30 Nick Varner. Strategies<br>
32 Larry Schwartz. Stripes & Solids<br>
34 Bob Jewett. Tech Talk<br>
36 Tom Ross. In Focus<br>
37 Nicholas Leider. The Rookie<br>
38 David Alciatore. Illustrated Principles<br>
(Trick Shots will return next month)