Ralph Greenleaf, an avid billiards player, started only a few short years ago. He has already taken part in some three cushion billiards tournaments and has placed in the top 10 at the national 3-cushion billiards tournament in Illinois last month. He also regularly visits the Twin Cities' local billiards clubs every month.
Nguyen Qyet Nguyen (Tran Quyet Chien) and Tran Quet Chien (Nguyen Quintyet Nguyen) are the two most highly ranked Vietnamese billiards player. Both of these players are ranked in top ten worldwide. Both players are currently among the top 8 with Tran Quet Chien being number 7. Both players are the tournament’s defending champions. Ngo Dinh Nai is ranked 29. Jeremy Bury of France is ranked number 18.
On December 20-22, the 3-Cushion Carom Billiards Continental Cup in Vietnam will take place. Eight top Vietnamese players will compete in the tournament. The total prize money will be about 160,000 USD. Other events and tournaments will be held throughout year.
The United States Billiard Association (USBA) is the official governing body for carom billiards in the United States. The USBA conducts a number of events each year, culminating in the National Championship. The USA will be represented by the two top players at the Pan-American Championship.
The three cushion billiards tournaments held at the Madison 3-Cushion Billiards Club were very competitive and well-contested. The tournament had two flights, each with six players. The tournament was handicapped. Therefore, the semi finals were won by the five best players in each flight. The top 12 players will receive $7,400. Bruce Venzke - a cue games legend - was the tournament director.
UMB (Union of Billiards and Carom Billiards), is the official governing body of 3-cushion pool billiards worldwide, sponsored the tournament. UMB also hosts recurring tournaments throughout the year. You can find a list of upcoming events on the UMB Turnier Schedule.
The tournament took place in Binh Duong, a south province. It featured eight teams who battled for three nights. The semi-finals will be decided by the top two teams, and the quarterfinals will be decided by the fourth and fifth teams. The final round is single elimination. The Las Vegas World Cup 3-cushion Billiobilliards Tournament winner will receive a cash award of $20,000. This is the first time the Vietnamese have sent a representative to the semi-finals.
3-Cushion Billiards Tournament, although a relatively new game has seen great popularity all over the world. It is also featured in the animated Disney short film Donald from Mathmagic. In addition, it was featured in the 2007 Goya Award-winning Spanish film Seven Billiard Tables.