For several years in the early 60's I would go to the Commodore Hotel on 42nd Street in New York City for the World 14.1 Championship. These were the years when 14.1 was THE game. The tournament ran from 12 AM to 12 PM with all of the greats. Mosconi, Caras, Lassiter, Murphy, Crane, Balsis, Cranfield, Butera, and on and on. They were all decked out in their tuxedos and played in the incredible wood paneled ball room of the Commodore in front of perhaps 500 - 1000 spectators, most smoking cigarettes and cigars. Quite a happening. To me, this is what left the biggest impression as to the greatness of pool and its participants.
