Danny Harriman & World Straight Pool Championships

Is Danny too good?

This might be the difference between sports and games. You can't take sides in sports but, games are always played. Is Danny too good? This is the first question that came to my mind when I saw this thread.

The only way to do a world straight pool tourney is to make everyone qualify.(SPORT) No free passes for anyone.(SPORT) I guess some of the players that are invited might not make the cut and that would be really bad for the GAME. I mean it's much better to make sure familiar faces get to go.(GAME) Rather than have everyone earn their spot.(SPORT) Not saying they didn't before but, can they today?(SPORT)

I like everyone that did get the invite most of them are good friends of mine and I hope they all win. I just like pool more and wish that it could win for once.(SPORT)

Very disrespectful of sports in general the way this one is going down.

Good news though. This isn't the only pool table tourney in which this happens...(GAME):mad:
Jamison Neu
 
If I played at Danny's level, and was not invited, and didn't feel it right to have to qualify, I'd just show up with an open invitation for anyone including the winner of the Championship to play. Right there after the finals.....If He wants to show He's the best, there's only 1 way to do it.......beat the one that THOUGHT they were the best!:D

Gerry
 
Danny

Can't help but weigh in on this one... In my opinion having watched Danny play, he is unquestionably one of the best in the game today and I mean in all games! His personality is unequivocally as good as it gets and he will go out of his way make you feel good. He always compliments his opponent when they make a good shot, he never complains about bad rolls or anything else that most players would find annoying. This year at the DCC I watched him in a bank match against one of the top rated players from Chicago, whose name escapes me at present. A guy next to me asked if I wanted to take a sweat bet and I could pick either player. Naturally I took the fifty dollar bet and chose Danny. Though it was hill hill Danny puled it out 5-4 in the fifth game. What amazed me most about Danny was, when he would get into position this guy across table (not the one I was betting with) would get on his cell phone and start moving his arms in Danny's line of fire. I thought to myself, how rude... Didn't phase Danny one bit. After the match I congratulated him and also thanked him for returning an email months earlier regarding where I could get a good video or book on banking. I then asked if he was playing in the bank ring game scheduled for that same evening. He said, "No" he was not invited... I watched that ring game and say for certain, he would have probably won it! He is a class guy and the pool world needs more like him.

Cross Side Larry

"Learn from the best, and beat the rest"
 
Zuglan, Harriman etc

To first address Mike with regards to Mike Zuglan. Zuglan, as this forum was told, was always on the invite list. In a thread some months back, I explained why some players recieved their invitations earlier than others. (Regularly touring players are more accesible.) It is important to know that Mike Zuglan was NOT invited because of any outside insitence. He was invited based on his abilities and past performances on a world stage. Furthermore, you said that you had hoped that I had something to do with him getting an invite. In that same thread months ago, I told everyone that I had nothing to do whatsoever with the selection process. I am privy to some information but I have no input, nor do I want that responsiblity. Mine begin and end with the financing of the event.

As far as Danny Harriman is concerned, I don't get involved with the politics of pool on any level. Why he was/wasn't invited is none of my business really. Personally, I like Danny. I have met him several times, although I am not sure if he put the connection together of who I was. Last summer, he had started to come around Master billiards in queens NY in an effort to prepare for the big apple tourney and world summit of pool. On this very forum, I offered to financially support him for the summit, as I was under the impression he needed a backer. My offer was politely rejected and I was satisfied that I had made an attempt to help this fine player.

I don't think Danny needs anyone though to fight his own battles. In the case of the US Open, I do agree that he should take Behrman to court and sue the pants off him. He is the kind of person we DON'T need in pool. Dirt bags like him have always kept pool down, and I wonder if the state of pool would be better off had he still been in jail.

RG
 
NYC cue dude said:
To first address Mike with regards to Mike Zuglan. Zuglan, as this forum was told, was always on the invite list. In a thread some months back, I explained why some players recieved their invitations earlier than others. (Regularly touring players are more accesible.) It is important to know that Mike Zuglan was NOT invited because of any outside insitence. He was invited based on his abilities and past performances on a world stage. Furthermore, you said that you had hoped that I had something to do with him getting an invite. In that same thread months ago, I told everyone that I had nothing to do whatsoever with the selection process. I am privy to some information but I have no input, nor do I want that responsiblity. Mine begin and end with the financing of the event.

As far as Danny Harriman is concerned, I don't get involved with the politics of pool on any level. Why he was/wasn't invited is none of my business really. Personally, I like Danny. I have met him several times, although I am not sure if he put the connection together of who I was. Last summer, he had started to come around Master billiards in queens NY in an effort to prepare for the big apple tourney and world summit of pool. On this very forum, I offered to financially support him for the summit, as I was under the impression he needed a backer. My offer was politely rejected and I was satisfied that I had made an attempt to help this fine player.

I don't think Danny needs anyone though to fight his own battles. In the case of the US Open, I do agree that he should take Behrman to court and sue the pants off him. He is the kind of person we DON'T need in pool. Dirt bags like him have always kept pool down, and I wonder if the state of pool would be better off had he still been in jail.

RG
Click to expand...

Whether you agree with RG or not you have to admire him for coming on here and telling it like it is and answering replies. Its often a hiding to nothing and is the reason why many other promotors etc dont bother.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackjack

After tomorrow I will be in El Paso for a few weeks-

lucky u.I envy u.I love El Paso.

Who is this El Paso girl, is she hot? :confused:

:D
 
JamisonNeu said:
This might be the difference between sports and games. You can't take sides in sports but, games are always played. Is Danny too good? This is the first question that came to my mind when I saw this thread.

The only way to do a world straight pool tourney is to make everyone qualify.(SPORT) No free passes for anyone.(SPORT) I guess some of the players that are invited might not make the cut and that would be really bad for the GAME. I mean it's much better to make sure familiar faces get to go.(GAME) Rather than have everyone earn their spot.(SPORT) Not saying they didn't before but, can they today?(SPORT)

I like everyone that did get the invite most of them are good friends of mine and I hope they all win. I just like pool more and wish that it could win for once.(SPORT)

Very disrespectful of sports in general the way this one is going down.

Good news though. This isn't the only pool table tourney in which this happens...(GAME):mad:
Jamison Neu
Click to expand...

Great post. Pool needs a real tour that's run like a real sport, without "invite only" favorites-playing, and without people in charge cheating the players. It also needs money and marketing like Kevin Trudeau and the IPT is providing. If only there was one tour with both qualities (not necessarily saying KT will cheat the players, but I definitely think the IPT has been playing favorites).

-Andrew
 
If Danny can make so much money by filing suit, why don't you represent him? You seemed to think it would be a piece of cake to get attorney's fees, so it is not like it will cost you money?

kollegedave

Snapshot9 said:
I agree that Danny is a great player and a very nice well mannered intelligent person, BUT, why for Pete's sake, after trying endlessly to get this situation resolved, hasn't he got himself an attorney, and sued to get his money, and all associated costs (including his attorney fees, court costs, etc). Danny could get this resolved and get compensated with NO OUT OF POCKET COST S to him after judgment is rendered. He probably could even receive punitive damages, or at the very least, interest on the money owed him from time he was supposed to be paid until the present.

Believe me, a judge would make them pay, whether wages had to be garnished, assests liquidated, or by other means.

If Muhammed will not come to the mountain, subpeona his a** to get him
there.

Scott (who has an practicing over 30 years attorney big brother that
is also a Poolplayer, widely known as the Poolplayer's attorney
here - over 100 served )
Click to expand...
 
DCC Bank Pool ring games

Any pro can play in the DCC Bank Pool or 10 Ball ring games. I hate invitationals. So whoever told the one poster that Danny wasn't "picked" or allowed to play was dead wrong!!! By the way, the Bank Pool ring games are 100 per cent my creation.
It is not, however, my responsibility to dredge up backers for the players. And I do things on a first come, first served basis.
 
Charlie Williams has graciously offered a spot to Danny to play in the World Straight Pool Championships and Danny will not have to qualify. Danny has accepted this invitation and will play in this event. Charlie should be commended for his dedication to correcting this situation. He was literally calling me in between matches yesterday. I want to personally thank Charlie Williams and everybody involved with this event for their cooperation and understanding.
 
Graciously offered?

Believe me, it wasn't gracious for Charlie to offer Danny a spot. He called at least two other guys before Danny and offered them spots. I don't think I was ever considered, although I have a good record and have always loved 14.1.
I decided not to go anyway because I'd have to finish second to make any money. The IPT is a lot better opportunity for me. When I calculated the expenses vs prize money for the Straight Pool tournament and saw that it just wasn't workable for me, I asked for my three entry fees back from the qualifiers. The UPA reluctantly gave them back but scolded me.
A player like a Danny Harriman also deserves a shot at an 8 man or a 4 four man invitational, too but don't bet the ranch on that happening.
There is nothing gracious about Charlie Williams. He has steadfastly abused his position and will continue to do so.
 
Blackjack said:
Charlie Williams has graciously offered a spot to Danny to play in the World Straight Pool Championships and Danny will not have to qualify. Danny has accepted this invitation and will play in this event. Charlie should be commended for his dedication to correcting this situation. He was literally calling me in between matches yesterday. I want to personally thank Charlie Williams and everybody involved with this event for their cooperation and understanding.
Click to expand...

That is great news, Dave. Thanks for sharing. Danny, whose strong pedigree is common knowledge, arrives as an instant contender to win this. I'll make sure to catch some of his matches.
 
Blackjack said:
Charlie Williams has graciously offered a spot to Danny to play in the World Straight Pool Championships and Danny will not have to qualify. Danny has accepted this invitation and will play in this event. Charlie should be commended for his dedication to correcting this situation. He was literally calling me in between matches yesterday. I want to personally thank Charlie Williams and everybody involved with this event for their cooperation and understanding.
Click to expand...

That is good news, cant wait for this event

EDIT...

Does anyone know what the table specs are for this event, I'm assuming fat table with reasonably tight pockets???

SJM, Randy?
 
Last edited:
Danny H at Red Shoes

CrossSideLarry said:
Can't help but weigh in on this one... In my opinion having watched Danny play, he is unquestionably one of the best in the game today and I mean in all games! His personality is unequivocally as good as it gets and he will go out of his way make you feel good. He always compliments his opponent when they make a good shot, he never complains about bad rolls or anything else that most players would find annoying. This year at the DCC I watched him in a bank match against one of the top rated players from Chicago, whose name escapes me at present. A guy next to me asked if I wanted to take a sweat bet and I could pick either player. Naturally I took the fifty dollar bet and chose Danny. Though it was hill hill Danny puled it out 5-4 in the fifth game. What amazed me most about Danny was, when he would get into position this guy across table (not the one I was betting with) would get on his cell phone and start moving his arms in Danny's line of fire. I thought to myself, how rude... Didn't phase Danny one bit. After the match I congratulated him and also thanked him for returning an email months earlier regarding where I could get a good video or book on banking. I then asked if he was playing in the bank ring game scheduled for that same evening. He said, "No" he was not invited... I watched that ring game and say for certain, he would have probably won it! He is a class guy and the pool world needs more like him.

Cross Side Larry

"Learn from the best, and beat the rest"
Click to expand...

i saw some of the banks there, too. I noticed him between matches and for a while couldn't figure out where I'd seen him before. I asked some of the guys watching who he was and they said Harriman and it clicked. I think I had seen him playing nine ball on tv with Strickland in Grand Central Station. Strickland might have lucked in the game ball from what I remember.

Anyway, I watched him play a match with Ed Latimer. Ed is a pretty good player, in his 60s now, and very opinionated. I watched as Ed talked with Danny and gave him some instruction on good hits and the like. Danny was a little bemused but very polite to Ed.

I had to leave after that match. I wonder who Danny was playing when you saw him. Marco Marquez? Ike Runnels? Glen Rogers? Jet?

I'm glad to hear he's in the 14.1 tournament. More chances of excellent 14.1 being filmed.
 
If there is ANYONE that should not have to QUALIFY it's Grady Matthews. Grady hasd been a tireless advocate of 14.1 and One Pocket throughout the entire time I have been involved with billiards - 25 years+.

Pool politics are amazing - truly amazing.

John
 
Who Danny Played with!

dmgwalsh said:
i saw some of the banks there, too. I noticed him between matches and for a while couldn't figure out where I'd seen him before. I asked some of the guys watching who he was and they said Harriman and it clicked. I think I had seen him playing nine ball on tv with Strickland in Grand Central Station. Strickland might have lucked in the game ball from what I remember.

Anyway, I watched him play a match with Ed Latimer. Ed is a pretty good player, in his 60s now, and very opinionated. I watched as Ed talked with Danny and gave him some instruction on good hits and the like. Danny was a little bemused but very polite to Ed.

I had to leave after that match. I wonder who Danny was playing when you saw him. Marco Marquez? Ike Runnels? Glen Rogers? Jet?

I'm glad to hear he's in the 14.1 tournament. More chances of excellent 14.1 being filmed.
Click to expand...

It was Marco Marquez. I matched up with Marco the night before for just $5.00 a game. I won two games and Marco won four. He too is a class guy and a great banker! Cross Side Larry
 
When I spoke with Randy, who put up $20,000 out of his own pocket for this tournament, I was assured that I would at least be put up high on the alternate list. I knew this would never happen, although it wouldn't be Randy's fault.
What I expect, though, is to be told where I'm at on an alternate list, whether it be second, fourth, eighteenth, or the truth which is I wouldn't get an invite from Charlie Williams if I were the last pool player on earth.
This wouldn't be so bad if the IPT and Charlie at least had the balls and decency to say this publicly.
I had intended to be through with this miserable affair but when one of two guys who got a call and an invite from Charlie called me I just got madder and madder.
My hope is that in coming years young players won't have to sit at home and wonder why.
 
Grady

As far as I know, Grady, you up VERY high on the list of alternates, which incidentally is 70 deep. To date, I believe they have went to this list only twice. Danny Harriman received an invite after "Ginky" dropped out of the tournament. Within a couple of days, they will be announcing the full roster. It is at that time when a few spots could come up, as people traveling run into troublesome circumstances. Apparently there are 15 to 20 players coming from out of the country. I wouldn't be surprised if they went to this list only days before the tournament started.

Furthermore, Grady, I have told Charlie how I feel, and now the forum knows it as well, I believe you should be extended an invitation. There are many different reasons, but mainly your long history of tireless promotion of a game we all love, makes you deserving of one. Perhaps this will happen, as I hope it sincerely does.

As far as the equipment, the games will be played on Gabriel tables with 41/2 inch pockets. Myself, I am not too thrilled about this, as the pockets are a little "tight" for a straight pool tournament. perhaps 4 7/8 would have been better. This will be the same equipment that was used in Valley Forge. Any one have any comments from experience at VF?

BTW, Aramith balls, simonis cloth and all players must wear dress clothes (Buttin down collared shirts and VESTS!.

RG
 
Grady said:
When I spoke with Randy, who put up $20,000 out of his own pocket for this tournament, I was assured that I would at least be put up high on the alternate list. I knew this would never happen, although it wouldn't be Randy's fault.
What I expect, though, is to be told where I'm at on an alternate list, whether it be second, fourth, eighteenth, or the truth which is I wouldn't get an invite from Charlie Williams if I were the last pool player on earth.
This wouldn't be so bad if the IPT and Charlie at least had the balls and decency to say this publicly.
I had intended to be through with this miserable affair but when one of two guys who got a call and an invite from Charlie called me I just got madder and madder.
My hope is that in coming years young players won't have to sit at home and wonder why.
Click to expand...


Grady, why are you so concerned about your position on the alternate list after stating you wouldn't attend the tourney anyways because of the high cost of expenses?
 
NYC cue dude said:
As far as the equipment, the games will be played on Gabriel tables with 41/2 inch pockets. Myself, I am not too thrilled about this, as the pockets are a little "tight" for a straight pool tournament. perhaps 4 7/8 would have been better.
RG
Click to expand...

I personally think that the tighter the better (within reason of course). The top players are able to put huge runs together on loose pockets. I suppose that spectators love to see the high runs, but I prefer to see some creative safety play. The cream will rise to the top with the smaller pockets. I also wish that the race was a little longer, maybe to 200 or more. This also favors the better player.

Just my 2 cents.

Regards,

Doug
 
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