LOU BUTERA !

Those of you that don't know it I have a 9 Ball collection. I have around 60 balls. Each one is signed by a Pro Player. In the beginning it was easy to get Pro's to sign, but as I collected more and more it became harder to find someone that hasn't already signed one of my 9 Ball's. I decided to start a collection of Hall of Famers and one of my favorite is Lou Butera. I was able to get him to sign a ball for me last year at the Riviera.
Those of you  pool players that have lived long enough in Vegas knew Lou when he owned Pool Sharks.
 Lou was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania in 1937. His nickname " Machine Gun Lou" derived from stunning the crowd and fellow competitors by running 150 and out in straight pool in 21 minutes against Allen Hopkins in 1973. He was referred to as the man who may be the fastest pool player the game has ever known.
Lou also appeared in several movies as an actor and technical advisor. He had a cameo appearance as himself in the movie Baltimore Bullet, and as a pool player in Police Academy 6. He was also the technical advisor on the 1984 film Racing to the Moon.
 Lou has had a wonderful career, and is someone I will always look up to. If you ever get the chance to meet or talk to Lou take it. He is a down to earth guy that has influenced my life.

Player profile of Ronnie Allen

Amy, who is a good friend of mine owns and operates the Vegas Billiard Buzz, This site covers all aspects of Billiards in Vegas. She runs a great site and keeps it up to date constantly. She started having a player of the month, asking questions and letting us know about some of our players around town.  I found this to be very exciting. I don't want to try and compete with her but I took an interest in this.
Last Tuesday night I was playing at the Cue Club and began talking with Ronnie Allen. This isn't the old Ronnie Allen who is in the Hall of Fame . Most people who play pool in Vegas know the Ronnie that I'm talking about. No relation to the older Ronnie.
I started asking some questions and began thinking that this would make for a good article on my blog.

Where did you grow up and start playing pool? I grew up in Northern California in a town called Antioch Ca.
 I was 15 years old and worked in a pool hall called ARC pool hall, 2 days a week. 

How long have you been playing pool ? I have been playing around 35 years, but I took a 5 year break.

Growing up who do you look up to?  I had a lot of people that I looked up to growing up, so there isn't anyone person. I learned by watching the better players.
What is your playing cue?  I play with a Schon 19 3/4 ozs.

What is your Favorite game to play?  I really enjoy 9 Ball. I play all games but 9 Ball is my favorite.

Who would you say is your favorite Pro player?  Efren Reyes is my all time favorite, but I grew up enjoying Nick Varner, Buddy Hall, and  Kim Davenport.

What is your most memorable money match ?  I have a lot of interesting money matches but my recent was at the cue club. I was playing a guy 9 ball in a race to 9. I was down in the first set 6 to 2 and came back to win that set 9 to 6. The second set I won 9 to 2. We were playing for cash, jewelry and a pick up truck. When I went to get the truck they had already sold it and we ended up in court which I lost the case.

I remember watching you play in the Cujoroho at the Riviera . That was a great match.There was 487 entries and I never lost a match. I was playing really well and felt good all weekend. The next tournament was going to be for $1,000,000 dollars but never happened.

Advise for newbies wanting to get better?  Don't be negative about your game. Look for what your doing right. Practice new things, don't practice what you already know. Keep a positive mindset and enjoy yourself.

I really enjoyed talking with Ronnie and wish I had more time. I find him to be a down to earth guy and I want to hear more about some of the matches he has played against some of the Pro's.

MOSCONI CUP UPDATE

 The Mosconi Cup started today. Keep up with the results and go to Matchroom sports and read about some of the best pool in the world.This is my favorite tournament . USA has a tough nut to crack, the Europeans have the home crowd to cheer them on. Wish the USA the best of luck.

This years Mosconi Cup at York Hall

This years Mosconi Cup will be held at York Hall In  Bethnal Green, east London, England. I copied a couple articles from Matchroom Sports website. I enjoy this event every year and go to it whenever it comes to the MGM.

USA Mosconi Cup side announced 29 Oct 2010

THE LINE UP is now complete and Matchroom Sport can announce that Rodney Morris, Shane Van Boening and Corey Deuel will take the final three berths on the American side to contest this year's PartyCasino.com Mosconi Cup which takes place at the York Hall, London from 9-12 December.

They will be joining Johnny Archer, Dennis Hatch and non-playing captain Nick Varner in what is a very strong looking side. With no debutant's this year, it is a highly experienced outfit who have won a total of 17 Mosconi Cups between them.

Corey Deuel, who was part of the winning side at the famous East London venue in 2000 and 2001, could not contain his excitement; "It's going to be great to get back to the York Hall as I have great memories there and I was MVP for the US team twice.

"It's such an honor to be a part of such a great event at this historic venue. I'm sure the fans will root for me to miss but it's all in good fun so I love them anyway!"

Deuel will be playing in his seventh Mosconi Cup and will be looking to improve on his 16 wins from 27 matches. Also making his seventh outing in a Team USA shirt is popular Hawaiian Rodney Morris.

"I am very excited to be playing in my seventh Mosconi Cup. Also, this is my first time playing at the York Hall so I'm interested to see if I can handle the pressure. I've heard the crowd is tough there but I love the UK so it will be a blast I'm sure," said Morris.

The final spot goes to Shane Van Boening, a man who last year joined the small but illustrious club of players who have knocked in the winning 9 ball in the competition.

"I am honored to be playing in the event this year event and I'm looking forward to see who is going to take home the famous Cup," said the South Dakota Kid

Taking place at East London's famous York Hall, following an eight year absence, the PartyCasino.com Mosconi Cup features two five man teams representing Europe and the USA competing over four days from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th December.

All tickets for the 2010 PartyCasino.com Mosconi Cup are available exclusively from www.seetickets.com/mosconicup

 Van Den Berg completes strong Europe side
 28 Oct 2010
Nick van den Berg becomes the first man through into the semi-finals

HOLLAND'S Nick Van den Berg, a recent winner of the Finnish Open on the Euro Tour, is the fifth and final member of the team to represent Europe at December's PartyCasino.com Mosconi Cup.

Taking place at the historic York Hall, East London from 9-12 December, the event will signal Van den Berg's fourth appearance in the competition following a win in 2002, a defeat in 2003 and a draw in 2006.

"I'm over the moon about this, it's so good to be back in the team," said a thrilled Van den Berg.

The 30-year-old from Amsterdam received a Mosconi baptism of fire as a 22 year-old in 2002 when he was part of that magnificent team that triumphed for the first time since 1995.

"I never thought it would be that big and me teaming up with the Nugget, Steve Davis was unbelievable. I remember the fans singing songs with my name in it during the time outs - that was crazy!

"The York Hall arena was something else. You could still smell the blood and tears that the boxers and pool players had spilled over the years and the atmosphere was just unbelievable. "

Van den Berg won three points from five matches in '02 but was part of the European side that flopped in Las Vegas the following year.

He returned in 2006 in Rotterdam when the match was tied for the first and only time; "2006 was great and horrible at the same time. 12-12 never felt like losing the Cup, but there were the Americans holding the trophy."

Van den Berg is on a good run of form currently; he has played in the last two Euro Tour finals, winning the last one in Finland and has a chance to take the No.1 spot on the rankings when the Portuguese Open concludes this weekend.

The Dutchman is confident that the York Hall crowd will be an extra weapon in the European arsenal.

"The European team has a very big and loud fan squad and I know for sure it will be even louder this year. It gives us players that little extra we need and will be like a sixth man on the team.

"The Americans are nice guys but during the Mosconi Cup we don't have much to do with them. The only thing we want is to beat them because the Mosconi Cup is coming home!" he added.

Team Europe
Ralf Souquet (Germany)
Mika Immonen (Finland)
Nick Van den Berg (Holland)
Darren Appleton (England)
Karl Boyes (England)
Captain: Johan Ruijsink (Holland)

Taking place at East London's famous York Hall, following an eight year absence, the PartyCasino.com Mosconi Cup features two five man teams representing Europe and the USA competing over four days from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th December.

  

Mickey's 6th Annual 9-Ball Tournament

One of the things I love about living in Las Vegas is it seems like every weekend there's a pool tournament going on. This past weekend Mickey's held it's 6th annual 9 ball tournament. There was 36 players, and this being an open tournament some of the best players showed up. It was a race to 8, winner breaks and we played on the 9 foot Diamonds. The owner Shawn Gresser provided food for everyone, the service was great, and Shawn ran an excellent tournament. I started off with a buy, then my opponent didn't show for my next match. I'm thinking how lucky is this. After watching other people play I couldn't wait to get started. When I did start  my match I won the first two games. I missed the 4 ball and watched my opponent run out. I was either kicking at shots or trying to play safe but never really got a good shot, and watched as my opponent win the next 8 games. As I started my next match on the loser side I found myself down 5 to 0. I remembered how much I hate 9 ball and started thinking about how much I missed bowling. I got in to a groove and won the next 4 games. Thinking I might be able to pull this off  I had a brain fart and never won another game. I got into this tournament because I wanted to play some of the best, but at this rate how much torment can one person take. Anyway I had a great weekend and enjoyed watching some good pool. I need to play in some tournament more my speed and take baby steps before entering these open tournaments.
I wanted to take more pictures but got so involved in watching I didn't do what I intended to do .
The vegasbilliardbuzz has a picture of the first and second place winners.

The Greater Midwest Poolplayers Association

The Greater Midwest Pool players Association held it's second annual Tournament at Bullshooters in Phoenix on Nov.4,5,6 and 7. Cecil Messer who owns and operates the GMPA ran an excellent event. The tournament started on Thursday and ended on Sunday evening. Non stop pool for four day's. This was my first time at Bull shooters and they made me feel at home.What a great pool hall.
Six of us left Las Vegas on Thursday  and arrived at Bull shooters around 1:pm, as soon as we walked through the doors they were calling Jimmy Moore to play his match on the losers side. No one realized that Jimmy was suppose to play earlier. Anyway Jimmy started his match and was doing very well until after several hour he got tired and wore out. He was the one that drove us there and he was tired, hungry, and never had time to catch his breath. All of us eat and checked into are rooms to get ready for our 10:am matches the next day.
The match that Jimmy played in the day before was won by Freddie Boggs from Las Vegas. The guys that I went with were Jimmy Moore, Greg Kuhls, Ronnie Allen, Chris Akey, Dick Pickle and myself.
The GMPA had a lot of tournaments and Vegas won most of them. Freddie, Jimmy, Greg, Chris and Ronnie all placed in the money and took top honors in several brackets. The tournament was set up in two brackets the Gold, and Platinum. Chris started in the Gold and was playing so good that Cecil moved him up to the Platinum bracket the next day.
My favorite match was on the last day with the Lucasi 8 ball open division. Greg Kuhls took first place and Chris took 3rd and Ronnie 4th.  Greg was in the hot seat and played the best I have ever seen him play. The match went hill hill and Greg broke. He ran down to the 8 and had a tough cut on the 8. The way he was playing this should not have been a problem, but his opponent  came over to look at the shot just as he was about to shoot ( I think this is called sharking) and Greg missed the shot. His opponent was left with nothing to shoot at even with all 7 balls on the table. He decided to play safe. The 8 ball was on the rail by the first diamond from the pocket and the cue ball was behind several balls at the other end of the table. Greg called the corner pocket kicked at the eight and hit it prefect to win the match. I had the best time of my life hanging out with these guys and was so proud to be with a bunch of winners.
The vegas billiard buzz is sponsoring the LV OPEN at the Rum Runner  on Nov. 13 and 14th and I think I'll go watch and enjoy myself. A lot of my friends are playing in this and I will enjoy watching them even though I wasn't able to get in.

Chris kicking butt

Greg winning again

Dick getting pointers

Dick warming up

GMPA

Jimmy warming up

Ronnie warming up

Cecil Messer

Bull shooters

Bull Shooters

Daily Buzz from the final day of the 2010 US Open 9-Ball Championship

England's Darren "Dynamite" Appleton became the newest U.S. Open 9-Ball champion. Check out the video.

marktwain.jpg (JPEG Image, 300x291 pixels)

Mark Twain was a pool fanatic. Billiards was his obsession. When he would hire a butler he asked only one question, do you shoot pool.They would play 6 to 8 hours at a time. They played the American version of English billiards and 3- cushion. Mark Twain once told a story how the game of billiards has destroyed my naturally sweet disposition. Once, when I was an underpaid reporter in Virginia City, whenever I wished to play billiards I went out to look for an easy mark. One day a stranger came to town and opened a billiard parlor. I looked him over casually. When he proposed a game, I answered, “All right.”
“Just knock the balls around a little so that I can get your gait,” he said; and when I had done so, he remarked: “I will be perfectly fair with you. I'll play you left-handed.” I felt hurt, for he was cross-eyed, freckled, and had red hair, and I determined to teach him a lesson. He won first shot, ran out, took my half-dollar, and all I got was the opportunity to chalk my cue.
“If you can play like that with your left hand,” I said, “I’d like to see you play with your right.”
“I can’t,” he said. “I’m left-handed.”

What's in Mosconi's case

When we were doing what's in my case I came across a site that talks about pool history. This site is fantastic.
It is called Untold Stories: Billiards history, Go ahead and click on the link and see for yourself. Since I have been getting more interested in billiards, the history has become a passion. I wish I could have watched guys like Mosconi, Greenleaf, Lassiter and many more. If you guys have any good stories to share let me know, I would love to hear them.

I am looking forward to playing in the finial vegas billiard tour at the end of the month, It is going to be tough but I have been working on my game every chance I get. Hope to see you their.

Unbelievable!!

Those of you that haven't had a chance to check out OMGWTF blog, you need to do this. I also came across a great site by Michael Reddick. He has some great practice routines which I have been trying and enjoy doing. Most routines I get bored with but these I really enjoy. Go to Mick's site and click on drills, have fun.
Leave your comments so I know if you want me to continue with presenting other peoples blog's. Shoot straight, and always enjoy playing.. Check out the video, has this ever happened to you?                  

You have got to read this!

Every since I posted  what's in my case with Samm Diep, I have had other blogs contact me, or I have found other blogs of interest. One blog that really stands out is OMGWTF. this is so funny and covers all aspects of pool. Melinda has a way with words and will keep you laughing. Check out the article about Scott Medeiros.The article is titled  APA  National Team Championships.

SATURDAY AT POOL SHARKS.

The vegas billiard tour had it's finial 9 ball tournament on Saturday at Pool Sharks. Although I went 2 and out I had a good time. My first match was with a guy I play all the time and I have a  fairly good chance of beating him. He had me down 3 to nothing in a race to 4.  I came back and tied it 3 all. In the 4th game I played a safe on the 5 ball and he had to kick from the end rail to hit it. He shot the cue ball at medium speed hit the end rail and the cue ball jumped over the 5,6 and 8 that were around the spot. He was amazed , shouted out loud and could not believe what just happened. All I could say was tough break and started to run out. I ran down to the 8 and made a shot putting the 8 in the corner hoping to come off the same end rail that he had problems with and the cue ball jumped on me and scratched in the side. I wanted to shout and scream but I already looked like an idiot knowing that rail was bad and did the shot anyway.
I was hoping to do better on the losers side and I played someone I didn't know. Usually I play better when I don't know the person I am playing, so I really looked forward to this next match. We started our match on the same table that I just played in a race to 3. We were hill hill and my opponent hit that same lousy rail and the ball jumped causing him to miss and leaving me a tough shot. I made the shot making the 4 and had the 7 ball tied up . I played the 5 for position on the 6 to break up the 7. Great plan, great shot except the 8 ball hit that same f @#*+*# rail jumped a little and hit the cue ball causing it to scratch. The vegas billiard tour has a tournament in Oct. for the top 48 players with a $1000 added. I happen to be in that top 48 and  know I need to bring my best game. Wish me luck because this finial tournament will be tough.

Bruce!

Bruce has passed away. Some people would say he is in a better place, I know that with Bruce here with us we were in a better place. Bruce had an affect on many peoples lives and was a great person to be around. He was my friend and he will be dearly missed.

What's in my case!

The other day I received an e-mail from Samm Diep in regards to her coming across my blog. Those of you who aren't familiar with Samm, she is an excellent pool player, and if you have gone to the Riviera I know you have seen her running around. She has so much energy that she doesn't stay in one spot for long. She is known as the Cherry Bomb and is involved in many aspects of what we love and that's billiards. Samm wanted me to take some pictures of what's in my case and she wants to post it on her site PoolSynergy. Check out her web site  and when you see her picture I know you will recognize her.

In the first picture below these are my cues. I break with a JOSS which is the cue on the bottom, then the cue in the middle is my pride and joy.This is a one of a kind Schon made in 1982, for a Pro Player named George Brunt. My jump cue is a bungee.The next picture is all my supplies, everything from a shaft cleaner, tip pick, glasses for my old eyes, eye drops, and powder, my chalk holder is a horn from a deer and has a stingray cover to hold the chalk.  My case is an Instroke 2x4.This is a great case but weighs a ton.

Misc. Stuff

My Cues

Custom Cue

Instroke Case

Bruce !!!

Alot of followers have been coming to my blog to see if I have an update on Bruce. I received a message from his wife on Saturday and the news is not good. Bruce has taken a turn for the worse and is now in Hospice care.Continue to pray for Bruce ,every prayer counts.

The Opportunity Of Meeting Max Eberle.

For those of you who don't know Max Eberle, he lived in Vegas for awhile.  He has moved since then but I had the opportunity to talk with him while he lived here and found out he is not only a professional pool player but also an accomplished  artist. Check out some of his paintings. You can also go to   Max Eberle and view more of his work. He also has several books called Zen pool and a training video which I hear is excellent.

I always take every opportunity to talk with the pro's when they come to town and Max is a down to earth guy that is willing to elaborate on all aspects of his life.
Check out the video of Max playing Mars from pool hall junkies. Talk to you soon and please feel free to leave your comments.