David Howard

[sjm]

If my memory serves, David was the first to hit 30 mph on the radar gun with his break. Lest we forget, some of the top guys didn't even carry a break cue in the earliest days of nine ball. It was only when everybody came to realize that their tip's shape was being compromised when they broke with their player that everyone started carrying a break cue on the tournament scene.

 

[jay helfert]

If my memory serves, David was the first to hit 30 mph on the radar gun with his break. Lest we forget, some of the top guys didn't even carry a break cue in the earliest days of nine ball. It was only when everybody came to realize that their tip's shape was being compromised when they broke with their player that everyone started carrying a break cue on the tournament scene.

David was a Karate expert and used that knowledge to get more power into his 9-Ball break. He was the first guy I ever saw throw his whole body into it. Fyi, he gave Jean Balukas one lesson and her break improved about 100%!

 

[Cornerman]

He was not at all an all around player. 9 ball was his strong game. He also played good on the bar table.

He also played American Snooker and came in 2nd in the only major 10-ball tournament in that era that I can remember.

 

[sjm]

David was a Karate expert and used that knowledge to get more power into his 9-Ball break. He was the first guy I ever saw throw his whole body into it. Fyi, he gave Jean Balukas one lesson and her break improved about 100%!

Thanks, Jay. I never knew that.

 

[pt109]

David was a Karate expert and used that knowledge to get more power into his 9-Ball break. He was the first guy I ever saw throw his whole body into it. Fyi, he gave Jean Balukas one lesson and her break improved about 100%!

Thanks, Jay. I never knew that.

I knew David since he was 15 years old….he was good for his age but had a terrible temper.
We met years later, 1991, had a good talk….told him him I was glad he was making a name for himself.
He reminded me of his temper…said a man talked him into talking martial to cure his attitude….…
……he said it not only worked, he got a break out of it also.
We were at the Dufferin Open…the field was loaded, David beat Nick Varner in the finals….played terrific.

 

[cueman]

Agreed, but he was very, very close. In the mid 80s, he would probably win 40% of his matches against these three. He was a threat to win any tournament he entered.

Yep. I saw him beat Mike Lebron in the finals of a big pro event at the Wagon Wheel late 80s. He had ball in hand on the 9 Ball and he shook Mike's hand and Mike seemed puzzled. The tournament director then instructed David to shoot the 9 Ball.

 

[CanadianGuy]

ridiculous that he could be considered less than world class elite after winning multiple US Opens

 

[batmmann5]

I would suggest you look for these on the second-hand market. Unfortunately they're all out of print so you may have a bit of a search ahead of you.

Howard v. Varner - Cleveland Classic 10-ball
Howard v. Hopkins - Cleveland Classic 10-ball (finals)
Howard v. Hatch - 1991 U.S. Open
Howard v. Hall - 1992 Rak 'm Up Classic

I actually own the match, but I would have to put it in a vcr. One of these days I will convert the vhs tapes. Anyway, there was a controversy in the Hopkins vs Howard match finals, do you remember what it was? Maybe it was all ball fouls, which Howard wasn't used to. I can't remember, but Allen calls a foul and Howard and Howard disputes it for a minute. Oh, this is the old 10 ball rules, where it was just the same rules as 9 ball. It just added a ball.

 

[Black-Balled]

ridiculous that he could be considered less than world class elite after winning multiple US Opens

Not really, by the day's standards though.

The event is a largely domestic one and was even moreso decades ago.

 

[mr3cushion]

David was a Karate expert and used that knowledge to get more power into his 9-Ball break. He was the first guy I ever saw throw his whole body into it. Fyi, he gave Jean Balukas one lesson and her break improved about 100%!

Jay, Little David came to Freddy and Racetrack Phil's 'Northshore Club' around 75.

He made the unfortunate statement, "Anyone here play One handed"?

Lucky or unlucky, Reno wasn't there. But, needless to say Artie was forced to play him some 8-ball with the wing.

After about 4 hours of Artie beating on poor David like a Dinner Cook with a tough steak, he got so frustrated he speared the drop ceiling with his cue!

More bad luck for David, Phil was there that night. Phil immediately got in David's face and told him, "You're going to pay for that, right now!"

A 'Karate' stance or kick never came into the conversation.

Shortly after that he went broke and never to return!

 

[maha]

for will prout.

i knew emil very well. but not in akron. he was a good gambler and player about a full short stop speed. but he didnt play much anymore even when i tried to get him into a lock. crazy.

 

[maha]

when david was in top shape no one was much above him in nine ball.

thats why they called him the giant killer.

 

[pt109]

when david was in top shape no one was much above him in nine ball.

thats why they called him the giant killer.

David played in an action room in Jacksonville FL when he was a kid…a bookie named Horace was the attraction.
In the room was a cartoon of a vulture sitting on a cactus….it said PATIENCE HELL, I’M GONNA KILL SOMETHING!
An aging Sam Bleumenthal ran the room.

 

[pt109]

David was a Karate expert and used that knowledge to get more power into his 9-Ball break. He was the first guy I ever saw throw his whole body into it. Fyi, he gave Jean Balukas one lesson and her break improved about 100%!

David broke flat-hand and his followthrough would finish in the light shades…he said you have to give the cue some place to go.

 

[maha]

yea that horace guy would literally have a bag of money and backed bleumenthal. for any amount.

and rightly so he could beat most anyone he didnt know on his home court.

 

[pt109]

yea that horace guy would literally have a bag of money and backed bleumenthal. for any amount.

and rightly so he could beat most anyone he didnt know on his home court.

In the old room downtown, Sam beat everyone he played at snooker except for George Chenier, the North American champion.

 

[mr3cushion]

In the old room downtown, Sam beat everyone he played at snooker except for George Chenier, the North American champion.

Didn't Sam turn down Harold Worst to play some on Sam's hometown table?

Since Harold had robbed Sam in Johnston City.

 

[pt109]

Didn't Sam turn down Harold Worst to play some on Sam's hometown table?

Since Harold had robbed Sam in Johnston City.

Not surprised if Harold Worst was involved

 

[mr3cushion]

Not surprised if Harold Worst was involved

The next year at JC, No 5'x10' Snooker table!

Sammy never went back!

 

[maha]

sam was a world quality snooker player before he moved to florida.

there were just so many players of pro speed, seemed like every pool room had one back then. now if they arent playing in tournaments then they dont cut the mustard.