Balukas or A. Fisher??

[vagabond]

Crazy Mary is what Mizerak called her on TV when she won the 1989 Brunswick World Open 9-ball. She married Fred Guarino.

Fred <~~~ yet another Fred

Fred and Mary were divorced approximately 3 years ago and mary is now married to an Attorney from south Dakota but lives in Las Vegas.I met him once but do not remember the name.
Before I get out of this gossip I will say that to my mind both my dream girl ( Jean Balukas ) and my DIVA ( Alison fisher) are equal in their skills on a pool table.Cheers

 

[freddy the beard]

Jay, youre having a brain fart

Sorry to disagree here. I could be wrong, but my clear recollection is that Richie Florence introduced BIH at the Caesars Tahoe tournaments in the early 80's. It was quite controversial at the time. Leaving balls down when made on a foul shot, and giving the incoming player BIH anywhere on the table. He did it to speed up the game.

I'd just like to see him get credit for this innovation. Prior to these events, we were still playing "push out" on all shots (why we never learned to jump balls or kick), and all balls respotted on a foul, and incoming player had BIH behind the line.

I welcome any old timers to discuss this. My memory is pretty clear. I know that when I played in Dayton in the 70's, we were still shooting from behind the line and all balls were being spotted.

Jay, old pal, Ball in Hand was invented in Johnston City to speed up the game and entice the TV people in the '60s! It's burned into my mind, as I keep thinking of how many times Irving Crane froze me up to a ball and forced me to give him BIH. The Jansco's did experiment with different versions; spot all balls, everything stays down, ball in hand behind the string off a scratch on the break, etc. I believe BIH was also in effect at Forest Park Billiards in Dayton. I think you may have "jellied-up" too many times in the '70s hanging with Jimmy Reid.

the Beard


For accurate depictions of Johnston City in the '60s -'70s, buy my book, The GosPool. Everything is true, I would never tell a lie.

 

[Jimmy M.]

From what I have seen I would pick Jean in her prime without hesitation. However, I was fairly young when Jean was playing and only got to see her play a few times. I've only seen Alison play a few times as well so I'm basing my opinion on somewhat limited exposure to either of them. Still, if they played (and Jean played like she used to) and I were forced to bet, I'd be betting on Jean.

Just out of curiosity....who does everyone think is/was the best between Jean Balukas and Allison Fisher? I know that Balukas has a record 16 straight wins on the WPBA and it hasnt been broken yet. She also played and cashed in some of the mens events as well. Allison...well.....Allison is Allison. Enough said. Whose your choice?

Southpaw

 

[rackmsuckr]

Mary Kenniston is using her maiden name and is/was on the IPT.

Here she is singing "Proud Mary" karaoke at Dan Louie's restaurant. Also in the picture is Joanne Ashton, Bonnie Arnold, Shoji, Allison Fisher (hidden), Barry Emerson, and Helena Thornfeldt.

IMHO, I think Jean would win especially IF:

1. It was a long race
2. It was played on slow cloth
3. It was 9 ball, 10 ball, or straight pool
4. Winner break. Jean had a big power break.

Otherwise, I would think everything would even out. In snooker, I would give the nod to Allison.

Jean stroked balls like a man, and without the help of fast cloth and a light cue ball like in today's WPBA events, could draw whitey full table length. Her patterns were more like a man's, using more rails, but I think Allison and Karen have an edge in potting consistency. It sure would be interesting!

I have a couple events with Jean playing in them. One is a Wide World of Sports event, and the other is the match with Ewa mentioned previously.

 

[jay helfert]

Jay, old pal, Ball in Hand was invented in Johnston City to speed up the game and entice the TV people in the '60s! It's burned into my mind, as I keep thinking of how many times Irving Crane froze me up to a ball and forced me to give him BIH. The Jansco's did experiment with different versions; spot all balls, everything stays down, ball in hand behind the string off a scratch on the break, etc. I believe BIH was also in effect at Forest Park Billiards in Dayton. I think you may have "jellied-up" too many times in the '70s hanging with Jimmy Reid.

the Beard


For accurate depictions of Johnston City in the '60s -'70s, buy my book, The GosPool. Everything is true, I would never tell a lie.

You may be right, but as I recall you were pulverized back then too, more often than not. Your memory may be as bad as mine on this topic. Who is left from the 60's and 70's with a clear head? I plan to ask Buddy, Nick, and whoever else I see at Derby City this question.

I was SURE we played "push out" until the 80's.

 

[vagabond]

Mary Kenniston is using her maiden name and is/was on the IPT.

Here she is singing "Proud Mary" karaoke at Dan Louie's restaurant. Also in the picture is Joanne Ashton, Bonnie Arnold, Shoji, Allison Fisher (hidden), Barry Emerson, and Helena Thornfeldt.

Hi Queen,
Inspite I know Barry and Bonnie very well I am unable to recognize them in that picture.may be because I am old and feeble and legally blind.But I recognized Joanne.thanks for that picture.

 

[ironman]

You may be right, but as I recall you were pulverized back then too, more often than not. Your memory may be as bad as mine on this topic. Who is left from the 60's and 70's with a clear head? I plan to ask Buddy, Nick, and whoever else I see at Derby City this question.

I was SURE we played "push out" until the 80's.

Fwiw. The 1st time I remember playing b-i-h, was about the time of the Miller Lite World Series of Pool Thing at Ceasers. The only reason I remember is becaused of all the arguments at the qualifiers.

I think, I think, that was about 1981. Could be very wrong. I could have played it before then.

 

[Gramps]

Playing For Second Place.

When Jean Balukas was playing in tournaments, I often heard the other women say that "when Jean was playing, the rest of them were all playing for second place". Jean Balukas is without a doubt the greatest woman player to ever pick up a cue stick ! Most Allison Fisher fans have never had the pleasure of accually seeing Jean Balukas play. If I was going to make a comparison, I would compare Allison more to the likes of Lorie Jon Jones. And Lorie Jon was always comming in second to Jean in those days too. Lorie Jon Jones didn't become number 1 until Jean quit playing (or should I say run out by the WPBA).

I'm not saying any of this because I don't like Allison Fisher, Karen Corr or any of those women players. I think they are all very good. Just not anywhere close to the caliber of Jean Balukas.

If anyone wants to get up a match between Jean and any of the WPBA gals, I'll be glad to back Jean Balukas any day !

 

[rackmsuckr]

Hi Queen,
Inspite I know Barry and Bonnie very well I am unable to recognize them in that picture.may be because I am old and feeble and legally blind.But I recognized Joanne.thanks for that picture.

Here's another one where you can see Barry, Bonnie and Allison better. Also Jennifer Chen. I posted it in the Dan Louie thread not too long ago. (Please ignore the camera hog in front, lol.)

 

[jay helfert]

Fwiw. The 1st time I remember playing b-i-h, was about the time of the Miller Lite World Series of Pool Thing at Ceasers. The only reason I remember is becaused of all the arguments at the qualifiers.

I think, I think, that was about 1981. Could be very wrong. I could have played it before then.

The WSOTP was in the early 80's, and Richie won the 9-Ball Division for 25K. He beat Willie Munson in the Finals. It was about the same time frame as Richies Tahoe tourneys, where we definitely played the new rules.

I think these rules became known as the Texas Express rules. John McChesney had a lot to do with getting these rules into popular usage as well.
Randy G. knows all about this I'm sure.

 

[Luv2RunOut1]

I watched a match on espn not too long ago with Allison VS. Jasmin. Jasmin won. But it wasn't just that Jasmin won the match. It seemed like Jasmins style threw Allison off her game. Like someone who is used to fighting a certain way is thrown off by a different fighting style. The expression on Allison's face said this isn't how a lady should play pool. All the top women are import snooker players. Or atleast a lot of them are. And they have an extremely mechanical style. Jasmins shoots like a man aggressive and impressive. So I think that may be a glimpse into what a match between Balukas and Allison would be like.

 

[ironman]

The WSOTP was in the early 80's, and Richie won the 9-Ball Division for 25K. He beat Willie Munson in the Finals. It was about the same time frame as Richies Tahoe tourneys, where we definitely played the new rules.

I think these rules became known as the Texas Express rules. John McChesney had a lot to do with getting these rules into popular usage as well.
Randy G. knows all about this I'm sure.

Yep, good point.

Matter of fact, Johnny Archer and I were talking with Robin Adair {partners with Randy and John} and he claimed that he was is Texas Express.

I remember Richie winning that event too and it being a great final between he and Willie.

Funny thing happened. Richie had just won a game and was wearing a white pull-over shirt. A young lady from the crowd yelled out," hey Richie, nice shirt!"

Richie responded with, " I've never lost when i'm wearing it, thanks."

The girl came back with," Well, donn't take the price tag off the back, your luck may change".

Richie said, " okay sweetheart, you got me."

It was pretty funny, but he was a good sport about it.

I remember John Shuput won the 8-ball beating Ernesto in the finals. Omaha John played one heck of a tournament.

The WSOTP was one heck of a tournament.

 

[vagabond]

Here's another one where you can see Barry, Bonnie and Allison better. Also Jennifer Chen. I posted it in the Dan Louie thread not too long ago. (Please ignore the camera hog in front, lol.)

This is better and I had seen this when u posted it in the past.Bonnie`s smile is infective.Thanks Queen.

 

[pdcue]

Typical...

In 1992 at the 14.1 US Open, Roosevelt Hotel, LJJ broke Jean's high run record for the US Open. So, in all the times Jean had previously played in the US Open, her best run was 56. So where are all the 100's you think she ran? Count that.

Yes, your statement was ridiculous and obviously uninformed.

Your obvious inability to grasp the meaning of even the most simple
of written communication explains why you are so confused.

Dale

 

[poolhall maven]

I'm going to have to agree with Jay, I started playing 9-ball in 1977 and I learned the two foul push out. Since I learned how to play in a poolroom, we played the game they way everyone else was playing at that time. I'm pretty sure we didn't play ball in hand until a few years later.

 

[poolhall maven]

You may be right, but as I recall you were pulverized back then too, more often than not. Your memory may be as bad as mine on this topic. Who is left from the 60's and 70's with a clear head? I plan to ask Buddy, Nick, and whoever else I see at Derby City this question.

I was SURE we played "push out" until the 80's.

Forgot to add the quote.
And gentlemen my head was clear since I mess with that wacky stuff!

 

[poolhall maven]

Oh Jeeze I need to go to bed, I forgot the quote because I have short term memory loss (long term is fine!) LOL
and in the next post I meant to say "I DIDN'T use that wacky stuff!
DIDN'T DIDN'T DIDN'T.....

 

[jay helfert]

Oh Jeeze I need to go to bed, I forgot the quote because I have short term memory loss (long term is fine!) LOL
and in the next post I meant to say "I DIDN'T use that wacky stuff!
DIDN'T DIDN'T DIDN'T.....

Yeah sure. We "believe" you.

 

[ribdoner]

Oh Jeeze I need to go to bed, I forgot the quote because I have short term memory loss (long term is fine!) LOL
and in the next post I meant to say "I DIDN'T use that wacky stuff!
DIDN'T DIDN'T DIDN'T.....

Too much wacky stuff made me lose my short, intermediate and long term memory

I still like J.B. playing 9 ball on slow cloth.

 

[cueman]

Allison seems to have developed a little tighter game than Jean, but did not have Jean's break. I would think maybe Allison's stats would be a little better in 9-Ball than Jean's, but if Allison had been around when Jean was playing I think Jean would have stepped her game up a little and beaten Allison most of the time, but I don't think she would have won 16 in a row with Allison and Karen in the field.