3,000 Pool Players Crack the Rack in Iowa

[JAM]

For pool lovers, this is their haven. A dimly-lit room that gives no concept of time and where competition thrives.

To the Behnke family, it's not just about winning or money; it's about the experience. "If you could win an event like this, it's something to be really proud of; and if you do it with family members, it makes it that much greater," said the father of the Behnke brothers. Jerry Behnke had four boys and created his his own team. It's a family affair for the Behnkes.

The Iowa State Pool Tournament was held the weekend of April 6, 2013, at Hy-Vee Hall. It attracted more than 3,000 pool players from across the state.

Rack 'em and crack 'em at the same time in Hy-Vee Hall. Wow! Maybe Iowa is where pool shines the brightest. I think this is a cool pool story.

Source---> Billiard Bond: Keeping it in the Family [Retrieved 23 April 2013]

What a site from a bird's-eye view seeing all those tables. Please watch the video---> Billiard Bond

Team Behnke! :smile:

 

[JAM]

Dave Schmitt of Farley, Iowa, lines up a shot during the 2013 Iowa state billiards tournament at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.

Photo courtesy of Bryon Houlgrave/The Des Moines Register.

 

[Spimp13]

The Behnkes have always been class acts in my book from what I have seen and heard....It's just too bad that state tournament had some major issues in regards to handicapping/spots. Maybe they will do better next time as I would love to see it here again in Des Moines.

 

[3kushn]

"Little" Joe Villalpando played a big part helping get them where they are today.
Congrats to you too sir.

 

[jhanso18]

The Behnke's all play strong!!!! It seems they come up with the big shots when they need them, that's for sure!

 

[JAM]

Do any of the Behnkes post on AzBilliards?

I recall reading that last name a lot on the BEF list of players over the years.

 

[hang-the-9]

Those pockets are HUGE. I think you'd have to close your eyes and shoot with the bumper to miss there hehe.
The only 7 footer I have played on in years is the Diamond in my home room in the back room, those Valleys must play like kid tables in comparison.

 

[SKUNKBOY]

All of us in Iowa are proud of our tournament. It is the best in Iowa and it is ready to grow even bigger now that we have moved to the center of the (bulls eye) state. For many years we held this event in the Eastern half of the state and did not recieve much participation from the Western half of Iowa. Now that we are in the center, I look forward to more players/teams. I could see this event doubling in size in just a couple of years. If you want to see more pool tables in one room, you'll need to go to Vegas.

I have played the Behnke boys from the start, watched them boys progress to real champions. And I think that a lot of their success is in their upbringing. Both Mom and Dad have taught the boys well. Sure they get mad when they miss a duck, but we all do. But they have been taught not to dwell on that and just move on and win...and they usually do. I look forward to shooting against them for years to come...maybe we'll even beat them some day.

Thanks for posting this JAM. I never did got to see the news story when it aired...I was busy playing pool.

L8R...Ken

 

[Rico]

Huge pockets?

My team put the Beinkes in the losers side only to have them come back threw to meet up to go too the finals. Went to the last game ,the youngest (Chad) broke and ran out for the match. The thing that stands out is they are the same win or lose they are gentlemen and good sports. Marge and Jerry have done a great job with those young men.P.S. they owed that win to Levi the leastknown who played great in that match.lil joe has had a great inpact on their pool.oh yea all pockets look big to these kids.

 

[Banks]

Do any of the Behnkes post on AzBilliards?

I recall reading that last name a lot on the BEF list of players over the years.

Hi JAM. Adam has a few posts, I'm not sure about the others. Heck, I'm even surprised that I remember this much. :embarrassed2:

 

[jhanso18]

Do any of the Behnkes post on AzBilliards?

I recall reading that last name a lot on the BEF list of players over the years.

Adam post's every once in a while. His name is TheSleeve.

Adam pry plays the strongest of the bunch, when he ACTUALLY plays. I've seen him do some serious work on a pool table. The thing about that family that is really amazing is they are all VERY STRONG short stops on a bad day, and the all work full time, go to school, etc.

This might be the strongest pool family in the country.

 

[trustyrusty]

Adam's profile - http://forums.azbilliards.com/member.php?u=55047


and yep, the Behnkes are all class acts. Everyone should own Lil Joe's kicking dvds http://www.pooliq.net/aboutdvd.htm

 

[GreenFeltguy]

Little Joe videos

The Benkes shoot most if not all of the shots on Lil Joe Villapondo's videos which are really good teaching tools. Joe is one of the best teachers in the world and is such a nice person too. :grin-square:

 

[ROB.M]

Iowa players

Here in Iowa we have a lot of strong players.
I remember the behnkes boys when they was just starting to pick up the game seriously... They have come a long ways in a short time considering the age of the boys.
The pool IQ DVD has the whole family shooting in the videos.
The boys spent many years with little joe studying the shots and angles he teaches/instructs. The way little joe goes about explaining what's happining and why it's happining in a shot is the key to his teaching. Joe could teach a caveman to play and in a few days that caveman is gonna be putting racks together.
I happened to catch joe tonight teaching more of his secrets' don't tell him I was eavesdropping... But you can see he really cares about what he's teaching, if you don't understand it, he will figure a way.
Hats off to joe for all of the hard work he puts into the game.
Rob.M

 

[ROB.M]

Pool IQ

Another pic of a if joe in process.
Sorry' I'm no I.T GUY. I know no one likes huge pics but I'm using a mobile device. .
Thanks
Rob.M