Billiards Digest December 2008

<b>FEATURES</b><br>
40 HAPPY RETURN: Mika Immonen found his mojo at this year's U.S. Open, putting to rest bad memories of his last visit to the Chesapeake final. by Mason King<br>
44 CORR CONNECTION: Karen Corr took a flyer on a tricky bank-combo worth $25,000 in the sudden-death rack of the Tournament of Champions. by Nicholas Leider<br>
46 2008 GIFT GUIDE: Celebrating our 30th anniversary, we reminisce about our great yule covers of yore, while you peruse this year's hottest billiard gifts. by Nicholas Leider<br>
54 30 OVER 30: On our monthly countdown of the greatest tournament finals of the last 30 years, we finally reveal the top two contests. Who made the cu? by Nicholas Leider<br>

<b>COLUMNS</b><br>
14 From The Publisher: The silene is defeaning.by Mike Panozzo<br>
72 Tips & Shafts: Get a handle on "the business end".by George Fels<br>

<b>DEPARTMENTS</b><br>
6 Yesteryear: "Spanish Mike" LeBron beats Varner in two-set U.S.s Open thriller<br>
8 Mailbag: More ideas for bringing pool into the mainstream<br>
10 Ad Index:Your guide to BD's advertisers.<br>
12 BD News: Brunswick's Cummings leaves billiards; World 10-Ballers get payouts.<br>
16 Wingshots: Two Air Force buddies try to break Guiness record for playing pool. Plus, Stroke of Genius featuring Jose Parica and You Make the Call..<br>
24 Calendar: Your guide to tournaments and events<br>
25 PRACTICE TABLE: The latest and greatest advice from BD's instruction gurus.<br>
58 Chronicles by Mike Shamos Play, Lady, Play: How the image of women cueists is evolving<br>
62 Tournaments: Morris and Van Boening are unbeatable at World Cup of Pool, Plus the Carolina Classic, and the BD/PoolDawg Power Index.<br>
66 Tour Spotting: Marc Vidal breaks through in Predator 9-Ball finale. Plus, rankings for all the major regional tours<br>
70 Marketplace: Some great offers.<br>
71 WHERE TO FIND BD: Check out our poolroom and retail partners.<br<