World Series Of Tavern Pool

mongoose-

mongoose-

Banned
I was playing some 14.1 with an old timer friend of mine the other day. He was telling me about a tournament he went to at Ceasars Palace in Vegas back in the 80's called the World Series Of Tavern Pool. I've done some searches but have not found much of anything on it. Does anybody have any articles, pics, or info on it. If so I would love to grab it for him. Thanks.
 
mongoose- said:
I was playing some 14.1 with an old timer friend of mine the other day. He was telling me about a tournament he went to at Ceasars Palace in Vegas back in the 80's called the World Series Of Tavern Pool. I've done some searches but have not found much of anything on it. Does anybody have any articles, pics, or info on it. If so I would love to grab it for him. Thanks.
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I'm surprised this doesn't get mentioned more often. This was IMO, the most spectacular event I've ever seen,

The first year {I think} there were like 1600 players in the 9 ball event and over 2000 in the 8 ball.

John Shuput {Omaha John} won the 8 ball in grand fashion and seems it paid about $30,000 first place.

The 9-ball was won by Gary Pinkowski who was a pretty good player, but no champion by any means and seems it paid about the same.

There were 200 tournament tables and 50 practice tables. After 9 days, they all looked worn out and played like it.

I got back $800 in the 8 ball and like $2200 in the 9 ball. My expenses were $000. My airfare, entry fee, and room was all paid for. Plus, I won $25000 playing balckjack.

It was an amazing event and an amazing plan. Many things spoiled it which I don't think I'll get into.
 
Omaha John did win 30k and a sports car. Pops came in 2nd. He got 15k and won about 7k on the rail. We bought our first house with that money. Pops said Jerry Brunstetter and somebody else came in 3rd/4th. So that tournament is pretty special to our family.
 
mongoose- said:
I was playing some 14.1 with an old timer friend of mine the other day. He was telling me about a tournament he went to at Ceasars Palace in Vegas back in the 80's called the World Series Of Tavern Pool. I've done some searches but have not found much of anything on it. Does anybody have any articles, pics, or info on it. If so I would love to grab it for him. Thanks.
Click to expand...

The tournament was sponsored by Miller Lite. As I recall it was called The $100,000 World Series of Tavern pool. I believe it was held in 82 and 83. I won the AZ state championship in 1983. Entry, airfare, and a room at the I think Tropicana. I saved some material and I think a list of the players that year. Notables like Ronnie Allen, David Howard and others played that year. John Shuput from Nebraska as I recall won the tournament. When I have some time and find what I saved I could scan off what I have.

Rod
 
from the sound of the payouts we need to bring this one back. damn thats some pretty good money.
 
Yes, it was sponsered by Miller Lite in 1982. I wasnt born yet, but my dad got some cool shirts for my twin brothers who were 3 at the time. Still got em. :) Also got a cool mug, courtesy of CuePhoric from Sacramento that he gave me. Ill take photos of it if I can figure out my new phone.

They held qualifiers all over the country. It was a great concept. I guess Mark Griffin is trying to get the same concept going...

If you do get a chance to scan that info ROD, it would be cool to have. Thanks... Oscar
 
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It happened in '84 & '85 too, because I won my way to Vegas, from Bozeman, MT. I recall Monk (Warren Costanza) winning the dough in '85...again, about $25-$30K. Bucktooth was there, and tried to high roll Monk, with $50K in a briefcase...he didn't bite! LOL I've got the mugs, got the jacket that you won for winning regionals, and placed in the $$$ in Vegas. It was at the Tropicana then. I have a couple pictures somewhere from that tournament.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

MexPoolPlyr said:
Yes, it was sponsered by Miller Lite in 1982. I wasnt born yet, but my dad got some cool shirts for my twin brothers who were 3 at the time. Still got em. :) Also got a cool mug, courtesy of CuePhoric from Sacramento that he gave me. Ill take photos of it if I can figure out my new phone.

They held qualifiers all over the country. It was a great concept. I guess Mark Griffin is trying to get the same concept going...

If you do get a chance to scan that info ROD, it would be cool to have. Thanks... Oscar
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I remember seeing a trophy in Dallas West pool room for that series. As I recall he said that he won over Mike Massey. I'm not sure if it was 8-ball or 9-ball. He did say the payouts were very good as has been mentioned.
 
How about these.

I played in some of theses tournaments in the 80's.
 

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Yea,,,, 83 and 84 were the years I played

jgpool said:
I played in some of theses tournaments in the 80's.
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This was billed as an AMATUER tourney. $10 entry for the local level. I believe the top 2 in the local, got to play in a regional for a $25 entry. Regional event could have up to 64 players in it, but was usually 16 to 20 players around here. If you placed 1st or 2nd in a regional, you got Entry, airfare, and hotel in Vegas. I got 3rd in 9 ball in our regional in 83. I got free entry in Vegas, and $100 air voucher. My Nephew was stationed in Vegas at the Air Force Base. He took a week vacation, and I stayed at his house. First round I got a bye, then had to play Frank McGowan.
By the way, 4 out of the last 8 players in the 8 ball in Vegas, were all pro players and played all the pro events. But it was a great tourney.
 
mongoose- said:
I was playing some 14.1 with an old timer friend of mine the other day. He was telling me about a tournament he went to at Ceasars Palace in Vegas back in the 80's called the World Series Of Tavern Pool. I've done some searches but have not found much of anything on it. Does anybody have any articles, pics, or info on it. If so I would love to grab it for him. Thanks.
Click to expand...

The tournament had some flaws. One was the local tournaments. I know at least two guys who never had the tournaments and just sent in fake sheets with made up names and the entry fees with themselves as the winners. Of course they still had to do well in the regional. It also was something like a race to two if I remember right but got longer as you advanced. I think what ended it was it turned out the tournaments were illegal in I believe 19 states and Miller ended it. I also believe the final year they separated the amateurs and the pros. The whole thing I suspect it was the doing of S. Mizerak who was working for Miller at the time. I still have the mugs and all the stuff they gave you as well.
 
Me too!

dirtybobjr said:
Yes........ I ran some Qualifiers our of my tavern in KS... still have a Jacket and some Mugs.
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I ran them out of the Galaxy Lounge in Colo Sprg, CO. I did that for a couple of years. It was great for business and the players loved it. Miller Lite did a fine job with this, wish they would have continued.
 
Miller Lite World Series of Tavern Pool

satman said:
This was billed as an AMATUER tourney. $10 entry for the local level. I believe the top 2 in the local, got to play in a regional for a $25 entry. Regional event could have up to 64 players in it, but was usually 16 to 20 players around here. If you placed 1st or 2nd in a regional, you got Entry, airfare, and hotel in Vegas. I got 3rd in 9 ball in our regional in 83. I got free entry in Vegas, and $100 air voucher. My Nephew was stationed in Vegas at the Air Force Base. He took a week vacation, and I stayed at his house. First round I got a bye, then had to play Frank McGowan.
By the way, 4 out of the last 8 players in the 8 ball in Vegas, were all pro players and played all the pro events. But it was a great tourney.
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Yep I remember that, the first year it was held my brother and I played in it, Calvin got 1st in 8-ball & 9-ball, I got 3rd in 8-ball & 9-ball on the regional level for Arkansas.( but I think there was a northern divison and southern divison for the state which allowed 8 players to attend in Vegas)

Each state got a different amount of enrty's to Vegas according to their population.

Our 8-ball regional final was held at "White Oak Lake Tavern" in Chidester,Arkansas.....and the 9-ball regional final was held at the "Retreat Club" in Camden,Arkansas

Calvin went on to Vegas and placed in the Top 10 for 8-ball, and in the Top 16 for 9-ball. He made about $3,000

1st and 2nd place finishers for their region got free entry,airfare, & room, 3rd and 4th got free entry , but had to pay airfare and room, so me being a "Donkey" I didn't go because of that!

It was the best 3 out of 5 in each division, me and Calvin got lucky, being brothers we never drew each other, he was always in the other of two bracketts when we played.

We both got the mugs and a certificate, still got-um, wish something like that would go down now!:smile:


David Harcrow
 
Scotty Townsend talked about this tournament in his TAR interview.

If I remember correctly, he came in second one year and won it the following year.

Sounded like a great tournament to play in.

Too bad it's gone.
 
Rod said:
The tournament was sponsored by Miller Lite. As I recall it was called The $100,000 World Series of Tavern pool. I believe it was held in 82 and 83. I won the AZ state championship in 1983. Entry, airfare, and a room at the I think Tropicana. I saved some material and I think a list of the players that year. Notables like Ronnie Allen, David Howard and others played that year. John Shuput from Nebraska as I recall won the tournament. When I have some time and find what I saved I could scan off what I have.

Rod
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Rod if you could find that stuff and scan it in it would be much appreciated. My friend is in his late 50's now and unfortunatly has early early stages on Alzheimers. He has always held a special place in my heart as he was one the good players who took an interest in me when I was 13 and started playing. We have become great friends over the years and I wanted to get some memorabilia for him on this event. Thank you.
 
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