Danny DiLiberto.. The Living Knowledge

[sunnyday]

Williebetmore, one of my good friend- PM'd me one day with a special invite to his Infamous basement with a special guest "Danny DiLiberto" few days prior to Derby 09! Williebetmore enticed me with the possibility of being able to pick the mind of a straight pool genius at my leisure and a cuisine meal prepared by non-other than genius himself!!!

But time was flying by me at a warp speed getting ready for DCC and there was too much I was behind on...I regretfully declined the invite.

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Few days into Derby, I ease dropped that Danny D will be giving a clinic on straight pool. I excitedly signed up and talked about it to a friend, JL who showed immense interest to attend as well... (Honestly, I didn't think she was serious - mind you, she was playing a big action match that night into just few hours before the clinic next morning...)

I was up late... well more like early into next morning -checking out all the action -big and small, instigating actions and just being a party butter fly ... And alas, I over slept... I walked in 15 minutes late into Danny's clinic and was surprised to see JL in front of the class with her eyes and ears pinned to Danny

I personally hadn't played much straight pool and Williebetmore was patient enough to educate me in the basics with couple of torturous races and now I have sparked an interest in straight pool. Because, I wanted to beat Williebetmore as soon as I can, I thought this would give me a head start.

*****

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*******

WHAT? WHAT JUST HAPPENED? HOW DID HE DO THAT? WHAT WENT WHERE?

Just few minutes into Danny's lesson about recognizing friction english from cluster of balls sent the whole class into roar!!! Even experienced players were awed and their eyes glistened from excitement.

I was speechless and yes, appeared to be reserved - because I wanted to capture everything I saw and heard. I was too busy taking mind photos to interact with the class and all the while KICKING MYSELF IN THE ASS for not taking advantage of Danny's rare appearance to my home turf when the jewel was in the grips of my fingers!!!:sorry:

Mr. DiLiberto, you are a Living Knowledge and was honored to steel a moment of the game of straight pool unfold in your mind.

** Next time when I hear you are near by, I may have to ditch work :grin-square:

S.

 

[sjm]

Danny is a super-duper-mega-guru of 14.1.

I saw him play during his prime, and even had a ringside seat when he reached the final of the PPPA World 14.1 Championships (1982, I think, but I'm not absolutely sure). Steve Mizerak got the better of Danny on that occasion, but Danny was a world beater.

 

[bud green]

I keep hearing about a ton of knowledge Danny has and he has let people videotape his lessons. He's put out a book already, has a compilation dvd available through accu-stats, so I wonder why he hasn't put out an instructional video on a level with Freddy's banking material?

He's obviously great friends with Fleming and Accu-Stats, I can see him putting out some fantastic stuff if he doesn't limit it to a one hour basics video many others have produced.

 

[jay helfert]

EVERY one of Danny's commentaries for Accu-Stats are classic's. He never fails to educate and elaborate on what, why and where something happened on the table. I learn something almost every time I sit in the booth with him. Of course, he's been mentoring me for 40 years. :grin-square:

 

[Rich93]

At the end of Danny's compilation DVD he and the interviewer were talking about another DVD idea where Danny was going to talk about all the Hall of Famers that he knew - and he knew all from the modern era. I was really looking forward to it. Whatever happened to that idea?

 

[TXsouthpaw]

EVERY one of Danny's commentaries for Accu-Stats are classic's. He never fails to educate and elaborate on what, why and where something happened on the table. I learn something almost every time I sit in the booth with him. Of course, he's been mentoring me for 40 years. :grin-square:

I just finished his book and its got some good stories from back in the day.

like him throwing a golf ball 100 yards and taking down some of Jays cheese. Do you remember that night Jay?

(and if he put out something instructional on straight pool id buy it)

 

[sunnyday]

I had mentioned on another thread, that I've been living under a rock and don't have much knowledge on early generation of legendary players... I have so much to learn

S.

 

[jay helfert]

I just finished his book and its got some good stories from back in the day.

like him throwing a golf ball 100 yards and taking down some of Jays cheese. Do you remember that night Jay?

(and if he put out something instructional on straight pool id buy it)

How can I ever forget it (as much as I'd like to). I get reminded of it at almost every tourney I attend.
He actually threw the ball over 110 yards and split the wicket. DISGUSTING!

 

[sunnyday]

How can I ever forget it (as much as I'd like to). I get reminded of it at almost every tourney I attend.
He actually threw the ball over 110 yards and split the wicket. DISGUSTING!

Oh, Jay, please, do tell us feeble minded ignorants (or at least me) the full story

S.

 

[Roy Steffensen]

Sir Williebetmore also invited me to this, and even though I really wanted to go I couldn't make it.

But thanks a lot you almighy Sir for thinking of me when inviting people! Wish I can be able to visit your basement once. Perhaps I can even be able to watch Mr. Griffin win the Betmore Cup too, or is that impossible?

I did get a 14-1 lesson during DCC though, thanks to SJM. He is just as knowledgable about 14-1 as I thought, and the reason I asked him for a quick lesson was that he practised 14-1 with Line Kjorsvik one evening a couple of years ago. After they played 2 matches, they talked about 14-1 and solutions, patterns and breakballs, and the very next day Line ran 116.

 

[Roy Steffensen]

Oh, Jay, please, do tell us feeble minded ignorants (or at least me) the full story

S.

Why bother ask...

He has a standard-reply for questions like this:

"You can read it in my book! Soon available (I promise)"



(Can't wait to read that book)

 

[jay helfert]

Oh, Jay, please, do tell us feeble minded ignorants (or at least me) the full story

S.

Ms. S,

The full story is in Danny's book, The Road Player. I'm sure your hubby has a copy. If not, it isn't hard to find. Check with Bob Henning.

It's a little longer story than I have time to tell now. I have to get up in the morning and run a little pool shindig. I'll be in Vegas next weekend, so you can ask me then if you haven't already read it.

Jay the sucker

 

[sunnyday]

Ms. S,

The full story is in Danny's book, The Road Player. I'm sure your hubby has a copy. If not, it isn't hard to find. Check with Bob Henning.

It's a little longer story than I have time to tell now. I have to get up in the morning and run a little pool shindig. I'll be in Vegas next weekend, so you can ask me then if you haven't already read it.

Jay the sucker

LOL, you should see Roy's reply just before yours:thumbup: :grin-square:

Good luck with the Swanee, I'm sure it will be a success as everything you touch

I will see you in a week.

S.

 

[jay helfert]

LOL, you should see Roy's reply just before yours:thumbup: :grin-square:

Good luck with the Swanee, I'm sure it will be a success as everything you touch

I will see you in a week.

S.

Since Danny already told this story in detail, I didn't see the need to retell it in my book. I'd like to think what's in my book is original material so to speak.

 

[TXsouthpaw]

How can I ever forget it (as much as I'd like to). I get reminded of it at almost every tourney I attend.
He actually threw the ball over 110 yards and split the wicket. DISGUSTING!

That book actually got me to see how far i could throw a golf ball (im not gonna post the results ) It aint no easy feat to throw it 110, much less through the goal posts. Great story though.


Sunny, get the book if you dont have it. Some of the stories are priceless.

 

[sunnyday]

That book actually got me to see how far i could throw a golf ball (im not gonna post the results ) It aint no easy feat to throw it 110, much less through the goal posts. Great story though.


Sunny, get the book if you dont have it. Some of the stories are priceless.

Thanks, TXsouthpaw. I will definitely take up on your advise:smile:

**Cute pup on your avatar- how many do you have them now?

S.

 

[TXsouthpaw]

Thanks, TXsouthpaw. I will definitely take up on your advise:smile:

**Cute pup on your avatar- how many do you have them now?

S.

Just the 2 (if I had a farm id have like 12:thumbup. I felt like reminiscing so I brought out some old pics. thats my boy apollo when he was small. Im trying to talk my fiance into getting a third right now.

Just showing her that picture almost convinced her. (hes to cute to say no to)

 

[sunnyday]

Danny is a super-duper-mega-guru of 14.1.

I saw him play during his prime, and even had a ringside seat when he reached the final of the PPPA World 14.1 Championships (1982, I think, but I'm not absolutely sure). Steve Mizerak got the better of Danny on that occasion, but Danny was a world beater.

sjm,

You are everywhere pool is... your nick name shall be ... The Pool Ninja! - tpn. It's amazing at every great pool events or story there you were! How do you do it? You have be one of octuplets... Pool's best hidden secrete

S.

 

[sjm]

sjm,

You are everywhere pool is... your nick name shall be ... The Pool Ninja! - tpn. It's amazing at every great pool events or story there you were! How do you do it? You have be one of octuplets... Pool's best hidden secrete

S.

Yes, Sunny, I've been fanatical about attending pro tournaments for over thirty years, often using most, or all, of my vacation time to go to pool tournaments all over America. Of course, in my youth, I didn't have to go too far for the PPPA World 14.1 Championships. From 1976-86, two of them were in New Jersey, six of them were in NYC and one was in Philadelphia. Of these nine nearby events, I attended eight. The 2000 BCA 14.1 Championships were in NYC, and, of course, from 2006-2008, all three of the World 14.1 Championships were in New Jersey, so that was easy, too.

This year, other than Derby City, I've already got the World Pool Masters and Predator 10-ball events on my travel schedule, expect to attend at least two WPBA events, the World 14.1 Championships, and maybe I'll even make it to the men's US Open, although that is iffy. And, of course, there are also the regional events.

Attending pool tournaments has been one of the joys of my life. Hope to run into you at one of these events.

Yours truly. Stu the Ninja

 

[Williebetmore]

Because, I wanted to beat Williebetmore as soon as I can, I thought this would give me a head start.

*****

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*******

WHAT? WHAT JUST HAPPENED? HOW DID HE DO THAT? WHAT WENT WHERE?

Just few minutes into Danny's lesson about recognizing friction english from cluster of balls sent the whole class into roar!!!S.

SD,
I was very interested to read your impression of Danny's session at DCC. I've had the pleasure of many one-on-one sessions with him; and I have been very impressed by his love of the game (straight pool especially), by his interest in the intricacies and finer points of the game, and by his willingness to share.

Pool has a long tradition of the masters taking their secrets to the grave, MUCH to the detriment of the game. Danny is willing to share. He is not an expert teacher; but if you play with him, and pick his brain, he will share his thought processes with you.

One of the very interesting things about straight pool, is that most players know the general rules of good play (minimize cue ball movement, remove rail balls soon, remove balls in the kitchen soon, take easy shots, clear lanes to the pockets, etc., etc.), but you MUST violate one of these rules almost every rack, in favor of following another rule.

Masters like Danny, who have made a living at the game for 50 years, will find the best (ie. "lowest risk") ways to approach each rack. These methods are a TREMENDOUS help to players AT ANY LEVEL. They are almost of more benefit to the casual player than the pro's (who can shoot themselves out of trouble easier than I can - better to not get into trouble in the first place). This type of low risk play will benefit the player in ALL games, a fact that both Danny D. and your friend JL will confirm emphatically - and a fact that enables me to compete with much better players without totally embarrassing myself (like you and Mark and JL....but don't tell Mark).

Straight pool is a tremendously entertaining pasttime (well....as long as no one is trying to steal the Betmore Cup while I'm shooting...), and I hope you are catching the bug. You are always welcome in Betmore's Basement if you ever get the time and the urge. Perhaps you should come over when sjm visits for a "mega-pool week" this summer. As you are already aware, he is a true student of the game, and has a tremendous trove of knowledge of the game (especially straight pool theory, and 9-ball kicking/safety/pushout strategy)....I might even be convinced to break out the chocolate martini's again.