--- title: "What Do BU’s 2026 Draw and Follow Results Reveal?" url: https://billiardnews.net/what-do-bu-s-2026-draw-and-follow-results-reveal published: 2026-10-12T07:22:06Z updated: 2026-10-12T07:22:06Z summary: "BU’s 2026 challenge shows why repeatable cue-ball distance control matters more than producing maximum draw or follow." author: "chudat" categories: ["Learn"] tags: ["Billiard University", "Cue Ball Control", "Draw Shot", "Follow Shot"] lang: en --- # What Do BU’s 2026 Draw and Follow Results Reveal? *The $3,000 Billiard University challenge turned draw and follow into measurable tests of accuracy, speed control, and repeatability.* Billiard University’s 2026 Draw/Follow Challenge delivered a clear lesson: great cue-ball control is not about producing the most spin or the longest movement. It is about sending the cue ball to a planned stopping zone repeatedly. The $3,000 challenge closed on September 30, 2026. Bob Keller received first prize in the Draw Matrix with 85 points, while kanzzo won the Follow Matrix with 96. The published results also show an 88-point draw entry by kanzzo, but the rules allowed each player to receive only one cash prize. That rule explains why the draw prize list begins with Keller, although the organizer does not explicitly state the allocation decision. ## What did the final results show? The two winning prize entries were strong, but the full results add useful context. | Test | First-prize recipient | Prize score | Other notable score | |---|---:|---:|---:| | Draw Matrix | Bob Keller | 85 | kanzzo: 88 | | Follow Matrix | kanzzo | 96 | kanzzo: 93 | Kanzzo’s 96 in the Follow Matrix was the highest published score in either prize table. The result demonstrates exceptional distance control across a large set of shots, but it does not prove that follow is universally easier than draw. The drills use different layouts and different numbers of attempts. ![Bob Keller performing the 2026 Billiard University Draw Matrix challenge](https://img.youtube.com/vi/MN7G3gH8XOw/maxresdefault.jpg) *Bob Keller’s first-prize Draw Matrix entry scored 85. Image: video thumbnail linked from the official results page.* ## How do the Draw and Follow Matrix drills work? Both drills test whether a player can pocket an object ball and make the cue ball finish near a defined target. They are structured exercises rather than demonstrations of maximum spin. | Feature | Draw Matrix | Follow Matrix | |---|---:|---:| | Cue-ball-to-object-ball distances | 4 | 5 | | Target travel distances | 4 | 5 | | Attempts per combination | 3 | 3 | | Total shots | 48 | 75 | | Allowed stopping-zone error | Half a diamond | Half a diamond | | Maximum converted score | 100 | 100 | The Draw Matrix raw score is multiplied by 25/12 to produce a 100-point result. The Follow Matrix raw score is multiplied by 4/3. Because the formats are not identical, the final numbers should be used to track performance within each discipline rather than to declare one discipline easier. ## Why is controlled draw harder than simply drawing the cue ball? A draw shot requires the cue ball to retain backspin when it reaches the object ball. Cloth friction begins reducing that backspin immediately after impact with the tip. As the distance between the balls increases, speed, tip position, elevation, cloth condition, and ball cleanliness become increasingly important. That is why a long draw shot can look impressive without being useful. In position play, a controlled 12-inch draw that finishes on the correct side of the next shot can be more valuable than a five-foot draw with an uncertain stopping point. Players working on draw control should focus on five priorities: - Keep the cue as level as the table and shot allow. - Deliver the cue on a straight line through the cue ball. - Strike below center without approaching the miscue limit. - Adjust speed and spin for the distance between the balls. - Remove sidespin while measuring draw distance. ## Why can natural follow feel more predictable? A cue ball in natural roll often responds more predictably because its forward rotation and travel direction agree. On many straight follow shots, the player can control distance mainly by changing speed while maintaining a consistent hit above center. Draw is different: the cue ball must arrive at the object ball with enough backspin remaining to reverse direction. Small changes in speed, tip height, elevation, or playing conditions can produce a larger change in the result. The 96-point follow performance is evidence of outstanding execution by one player, not proof that every player should score higher on follow. Personal technique and table conditions still matter. ## Which technical factors affect both tests? The same fundamentals influence draw and follow distance control: 1. **Tip contact:** A repeatable contact point makes speed adjustments easier to evaluate. 2. **Cue delivery:** Steering, jabbing, or stopping the cue abruptly can change both aim and spin. 3. **Speed:** The cue ball must arrive with the correct combination of linear speed and rotation. 4. **Table conditions:** Cloth speed, humidity, ball cleanliness, and cushion response affect results. 5. **Measurement:** A visible target zone gives the player objective feedback instead of relying on feel alone. The most productive practice changes only one variable at a time. If the cue ball repeatedly finishes short, first add a small amount of speed without changing the contact point. If it repeatedly travels too far, reduce speed and test again. ## How can you practice the same skill in 15 minutes? The following compact routine is inspired by the measurement principles behind the BU drills. It is not a copy of the official exam layout. Place an object ball on a straight line to a corner pocket and position the cue ball one diamond behind it. Mark three cue-ball target distances: half a diamond, one diamond, and one-and-a-half diamonds. ### Draw set | Target distance | Attempts | Success condition | |---|---:|---| | 0.5 diamond | 3 | Object ball pocketed; cue ball stops within half a diamond of target | | 1 diamond | 3 | Same | | 1.5 diamonds | 3 | Same | ### Follow set Reset the straight shot with enough open table beyond the object ball. Use the same three distances and three attempts per distance. | Target distance | Attempts | Success condition | |---|---:|---| | 0.5 diamond | 3 | Object ball pocketed; cue ball stops within half a diamond of target | | 1 diamond | 3 | Same | | 1.5 diamonds | 3 | Same | Record draw and follow separately after all 18 shots. Repeat the routine weekly on the same table when possible. A simple score history will reveal whether misses are random or consistently short, long, left, or right. ## What mistakes make cue-ball control inconsistent? Six problems appear frequently in distance-control practice: - Judging success by maximum spin instead of the stopping point. - Raising the back of the cue more than the shot requires. - Changing bridge length or hand position between attempts. - Adding sidespin when the drill is intended to measure speed. - Practicing without recording scores. - Comparing results from tables with very different cloth and ball conditions. Consistency begins with a repeatable setup. Once the setup is stable, the player can identify which adjustment actually improves the result. ## Who should use matrix-style practice? Beginners can start with the shortened 18-shot routine and learn how speed changes cue-ball travel. Intermediate players can use the official BU Draw and Follow Matrix drills to test a wider range of distances. Advanced players can record each attempt, group misses by distance, and review video for delivery errors. Coaches can also use the scores diagnostically. A player who loses accuracy only on longer draw shots may struggle to preserve backspin. A player who misses both directions at short range may need a more stable stroke and contact point before increasing difficulty. ## What is the main lesson from the 2026 challenge? The challenge rewards controlled outcomes, not spectacular motion. Pocketing the object ball is only part of a successful position shot; the cue ball must also finish where the next shot remains manageable. Train draw and follow as separate skills, choose a target before every attempt, and measure the result. Increase difficulty only after the current distance becomes repeatable. That is the difference between creating spin and controlling the cue ball.
Why did Bob Keller receive the draw first prize if kanzzo scored 88?

The published rules say a participant may enter both challenges but may receive only one cash prize. Kanzzo received the larger first prize in the Follow Matrix with 96, while Keller led the draw prize list with 85. The exact allocation is inferred from the rules and results.

Are the Draw and Follow Matrix scores directly comparable?

No. The draw test contains 48 shots and the follow test contains 75, with different distance combinations and conversion factors. Use each score to measure performance within that drill.

How often should I repeat the short practice routine?

Once or twice a week is enough to create a useful progress record. Keep the table conditions and target zones as consistent as possible.

## Sources - [Billiard University Draw/Follow Challenge results and rules](https://drdavepoolinfo.com/challenge/bu-draw-follow-challenge/) - [BU Exam VII: Draw Matrix Drill](https://billiarduniversity.org/documents/BU_Exam-VII_Draw_Matrix_Drill.pdf) - [BU Exam VIII: Follow Matrix Drill](https://billiarduniversity.org/documents/BU_Exam-VIII_Follow_Matrix_Drill.pdf) - [Billiard University testing and exams](https://billiarduniversity.org/testing/exams/) *Editorial note: The results page contains two references to 2016, but its closure statement, entry deadline, publication metadata, and surrounding challenge information identify 2026. The challenge closing date is not treated as the results publication date.*