Frank Tabereski and Son

L.S. Dennis

L.S. Dennis

Well-known member
Here’s a story I came across recently that I thought was worth passing on the readers. It goes like this:

’It is well known in the sport that Frank Sr. (AKA the inexorable snail because of his slow play in tournament matches ) In nine attempts won the world’s title crown seven times finishing second and third in his other two attempts. During Junior‘s teenage years, he repeatedly pleaded with his Dad to teach him the rudiments of the game, but to no avail. In refusing, Senior would say: “Son, I don’t want you to become too interested in this game. You have your college years ahead of you.”

Eventually, Junior grew of age and left home to begin his college studies. It so happened that the school he attended had a course in pocket billiards. Junior not only entered the class but won the championship at the end of the year. Now Junior was all gung-ho for a career in pocket billiards. At home, he told his Dad that he had won the college championship and then challenged Senior to a game of 14,1. Frank Sr. gazed at his son, with affection and said, “I’m going to play you 100 to 25”. So saying, Senior opened the game by striking the racked balls similar to a 9 ball hit.

With the 14 balls scattered, Junior began poppin’ them in until he had run 25 balls and out. Senior smiled at him and said softly, “All right, son I’ll play one more game but this time I’ll play you 100 to 0. Okay?” Junior smiled back at his Dad and shook his head as if to say Gosh Dad’s been in the sun too long.

This time they lagged to see who would open the game, Senior won and Junior played the usual two ball safety. In doing so a few balls were playable and of course Frank Sr. Went on to run 100 and out. He turned to his son and said I’ll play you one more game at 100 to 0. Okay?”

Once again Junior lost the lag and Frank Sr. Proceeded to run 100 again. When finished he didn’t crow about it to his son and he didn’t make Junior feel badly.

He put his hand on his son’s shoulder and said warmly, “Son, that is why I don’t want you to seriously consider the game of pock-billiards for a living”
 
Last edited:
Frank Sr. did own a pool hall / hotel, where the younger Frank learned to play at an early age. Here's a 1917 article on the Snail's background as a milkman:

1624365570763.png
 
L.S. Dennis said:
Forgot to mention this story came from an old Johny Holiday book.
Click to expand...
When I was a kid in the pool room in Jersey Johnny Holiday hung out there for awhile.
I don't remember much about him.
I was a kid and he was an adult so we didn't interact much if at all.
He did mention some of the characters from that room in his book.
I should buy that book and read it.
 
measureman said:
When I was a kid in the pool room in Jersey Johnny Holiday hung out there for awhile.
I don't remember much about him.
I was a kid and he was an adult so we didn't interact much if at all.
He did mention some of the characters from that room in his book.
I should buy that book and read it.
Click to expand...
As you probably already know his real name was John D’Amato.
He wrote 3 books on pool that I am aware of, I have the first and third of them.

These books are somewhat rare and expensive (especially the first one which is virtually non existent.)
His books mainly deal with position play and practice patterns in straight pool, and are very good in that regard.
 
I'm probably wrong, but didn't Taberski actually invent the game of 14.1 continuous? I thought I read somewhere that he came up with it, adapting it from a few other games, and it caught on...
 
West Point 1987 said:
I'm probably wrong, but didn't Taberski actually invent the game of 14.1 continuous? I thought I read somewhere that he came up with it, adapting it from a few other games, and it caught on...
Click to expand...

Jerome Keough came up with 14.1. He was looking for a solution to the safety problem of continuous pool where players refused to pot the last ball of the rack.
 
L.S. Dennis said:
As you probably already know his real name was John D’Amato.
He wrote 3 books on pool that I am aware of, I have the first and third of them.

These books are somewhat rare and expensive (especially the first one which is virtually non existent.)
His books mainly deal with position play and practice patterns in straight pool, and are very good in that regard.
Click to expand...
No I didn't know his real name,as I said I didn't inter act with him much.
I do remember something about him beating his wife or girl friend while drunk and seeing Jesus on his cars dash board,but that's real fuzzy 60 years later.
 
measureman said:
No I didn't know his real name,as I said I didn't inter act with him much.
I do remember something about him beating his wife or girl friend while drunk and seeing Jesus on his cars dash board,but that's real fuzzy 60 years later.
Click to expand...
Wow, I never knew any of that stuff, interesting.
 
kling&allen said:
Jerome Keough came up with 14.1. He was looking for a solution to the safety problem of continuous pool where players refused to pot the last ball of the rack.
Click to expand...
If Guinness had continue their series of origins of pool commercials, this would be good material. And for once, they wouldn't have to make it up. :-)


 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top