Did you know this about Buddy Hall, The man!!!

[JB Cases]

Winning the events on the FL tour (8 in a row) is amazing! On the pro tour during the 80's and 90's, Buddy was never the favorite to win any particular event. For a player with his fabled reputation, you'd think he was the odds on favorite to win every event--he wasn't. Backroom stories of his multiple "packs" put on great players are interesting reading; however, I've never seen anything close to that on video.

Well your recollection doesn't really jibe with those of Buddy's fellow pros. I talked with Johnny last year when he was in China and Johnny thought Buddy is one of the greatest players ever. Nothing but respect for Buddy's game came from Johnny during that conversation.

If Buddy was the guy that the bookies liked to bet against then all I have to say is that there must have been some tournaments where Buddy made some great money for the people who took those odds.

I am sure at some point someone will show up with a list of the tournaments that Buddy finished in the top four of. When you get there then it's anybody's event.

Why don't you tell us about how many people were looking for Buddy to gamble with him at these events where he was not the favorite to win it? And for that matter who would be the favorite to win an event with Earl Strickland, Mike Sigel and Nick Varner in it? But Buddy won some of the BIGGEST events. Like Efren he seemed to rise to the occasion when the purse got big.

Rarely does a legend get to be a legend without reason. You can say what you want and refuse to be impressed but the fact is that Buddy has earned the respect he has. And it's not the respect from amateurs like me that matters. It's the respect that players like Johnny Archer have for Buddy that matters. You don't get that through hype. You earn it.

 

[Yukon Ed]

Well your recollection doesn't really jibe with those of Buddy's fellow pros. I talked with Johnny last year when he was in China and Johnny thought Buddy is one of the greatest players ever. Nothing but respect for Buddy's game came from Johnny during that conversation.

If Buddy was the guy that the bookies liked to bet against then all I have to say is that there must have been some tournaments where Buddy made some great money for the people who took those odds.

I am sure at some point someone will show up with a list of the tournaments that Buddy finished in the top four of. When you get there then it's anybody's event.

Why don't you tell us about how many people were looking for Buddy to gamble with him at these events where he was not the favorite to win it? And for that matter who would be the favorite to win an event with Earl Strickland, Mike Sigel and Nick Varner in it? But Buddy won some of the BIGGEST events. Like Efren he seemed to rise to the occasion when the purse got big.

Rarely does a legend get to be a legend without reason. You can say what you want and refuse to be impressed but the fact is that Buddy has earned the respect he has. And it's not the respect from amateurs like me that matters. It's the respect that players like Johnny Archer have for Buddy that matters. You don't get that through hype. You earn it.

He might make it on the list of the top 10 of the players from the 80s to present. Probably between 10-15 on my list. Still great by any measure.

 

[Lock N Load]

Hello Mr. JB, you are correct in what you said.

Well your recollection doesn't really jibe with those of Buddy's fellow pros. I talked with Johnny last year when he was in China and Johnny thought Buddy is one of the greatest players ever. Nothing but respect for Buddy's game came from Johnny during that conversation.

If Buddy was the guy that the bookies liked to bet against then all I have to say is that there must have been some tournaments where Buddy made some great money for the people who took those odds.

I am sure at some point someone will show up with a list of the tournaments that Buddy finished in the top four of. When you get there then it's anybody's event.

Why don't you tell us about how many people were looking for Buddy to gamble with him at these events where he was not the favorite to win it? And for that matter who would be the favorite to win an event with Earl Strickland, Mike Sigel and Nick Varner in it? But Buddy won some of the BIGGEST events. Like Efren he seemed to rise to the occasion when the purse got big.

Rarely does a legend get to be a legend without reason. You can say what you want and refuse to be impressed but the fact is that Buddy has earned the respect he has. And it's not the respect from amateurs like me that matters. It's the respect that players like Johnny Archer have for Buddy that matters. You don't get that through hype. You earn it.

And I like what you said! If that guy search Buddy Hall pool player in Google.com, he will be reading about Buddy next month!!!! JB, Buddy just got out of the hospital a couple of days ago. He is weak right now. But he told me last night when he called me that he won 12 world championships!!! And the link that PT109, AKA Double HemLock posted in this thread will show him youtube videos for a long time!
Thanks again Mr. JB.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

Mr. JB, when Buddy gets well this guy can play him!!!

You are entitled to say what ever you like. The Florida Tour was always filled with top pros from around the country so winning one is always an accomplishment and winning 8 in a row is super strong no matter what. If Buddy was so overrated then he would never win 8 of them in a row.

Yeah it was an upset alright when Buddy won the US Open. Guess he upset all the players he beat to get to the finals as well.

You can call him overrated if you want to but his accomplishments speak for themselves. You won't find any professional player who will tell you they LIKED to be facing Buddy Hall in a tournament or for the money. Even now if we polled the top 100 players about how they feel about playing Buddy in a tournament match I doubt any of them feel Buddy is an easy draw.

Bring plenty of money and his lunch and a soft pillow to sit on while buddy shoots! Buddy played at Buffalo's Billiards the worlds pool hall, last year. I was there. Nick V. Was there with Buddy. And they put on a show!
Thanks again, Mr. JB.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[JoeyInCali]

Winning the events on the FL tour (8 in a row) is amazing! On the pro tour during the 80's and 90's, Buddy was never the favorite to win any particular event. For a player with his fabled reputation, you'd think he was the odds on favorite to win every event--he wasn't. Backroom stories of his multiple "packs" put on great players are interesting reading; however, I've never seen anything close to that on video.

In the 90's he was really past his prime. He gained a lot of weight .
Buddy also did not have the huge break Archer, Varner, Earl, Davenport, Howard and company had.

 

[pt109]

In the 90's he was really past his prime. He gained a lot of weight .
Buddy also did not have the huge break Archer, Varner, Earl, Davenport, Howard and company had.

I agree about Buddy's break....I don't think he was in the top 100 breakers.
But he broke good enough....one ball is all he needed, with a shot on the 1.
The best breaker I ever saw probably needed the 6-7-8 from Buddy.

...and usually the best draw player in the room is not the best player.

A master has a grasp of all aspects of the game...no part stands out.

regards
double hemlock

 

[JB Cases]

In the 90's he was really past his prime. He gained a lot of weight .
Buddy also did not have the huge break Archer, Varner, Earl, Davenport, Howard and company had.

And yet this "past prime" player won the US Open 9 Ball title in 1991 and 1998.

Buddy's break was plenty big enough to get the cheese. As if this means anything anyway. Ronnie Alcano won the World Championships with a soft break.

 

[lou the greek]

These tournaments he won with a different cue were on the Florida tour. I guess you could inflate their importance and call them pro events.

I watched a ton of Buddy Accu-stats tapes from the 80s and the 90s. I also firmly believe his reputation is overrated. Of the tapes I own, he was rarely the favorite to win the match, let alone the tournament. When he won the U.S. Open, it was an upset. Sorry.

Yeah big upset, I remember the headlines (( Hall upsets Tang Hoa to win his 2nd Us open!!!!!!):smile::smile::smile::smile:

 

[JB Cases]

Yeah big upset, I see the headlines (( Hall upsets Tang Hoa to win his 2nd Us open):smile::smile::smile::smile:

No doubt!

Don't know what's up with the Haterade on this forum but sometimes people are definitely drunk on it.

 

[pt109]

Yeah big upset, I remember the headlines (( Hall upsets Tang Hoa to win his 2nd Us open!!!!!!):smile::smile::smile::smile:

I think that makes Buddy the second oldest man to win the US Open.
...he would have been 53 years old.

When he was 33, he played at least the 8 better.

 

[JB Cases]

Lock N Load,

THANKS!!! After watching the AccuStats preview video with Buddy running the balls I decided to soften up my stroke and get back to basics. Ran out a few racks today and they felt pretty good. Nice to get the touch back a little.

Thanks BUDDY! Get Well Soon - you're the best and always will be!!!!

 

[Lock N Load]

You are very welcome, Mr. JB. Anything to help!

Lock N Load,

THANKS!!! After watching the AccuStats preview video with Buddy running the balls I decided to soften up my stroke and get back to basics. Ran out a few racks today and they felt pretty good. Nice to get the touch back a little.

Thanks BUDDY! Get Well Soon - you're the best and always will be!!!!

Never a hater here! Give credit where it is due, I always say! I am glad you watched Buddy play and gained something from it.... Take care!
Many Regards,
Lock n Load.

 

[satman]

John, there is always someone

No doubt!

Don't know what's up with the Haterade on this forum but sometimes people are definitely drunk on it.

I am just gonna say this about Buddy, and then tell a funny story. At least, it's funny to me, but also makes me cringe a bit. In the early 80's, I started going to all the Pro events I could drive to. Loved watching guys match up, more than watching the tournament matches. Earl was hitting his stride, Grady, Sigel, Davenport, Parica, Reyes, and a whole list of CHAMPION players at all the events I attended. I never once seen anyone ask Buddy to play. I saw everyone in action at some time, other than Mike Sigel. The only action I recall seeing Buddy play, was a ring on the snooker table, playing 6 ball. I wonder why? With all those guys around, no one wanted to match up. There are legends of our game, and each had something in particular, that made them a legend. Whether Buddy is the all time best money player, is a matter of opinion, and each of has one of those. No matter what you think, he will always be "one of best back room players that ever lived".

Now, a friend of mine used to run a tourney at Bud's Lounge in Inianapolis twice a year on bar tables. He always scheduled it the week between a tourney in Ky. and the one in Dayton. Buddy shows up, and has a brand new Balabushka. He was showing someone his new cue, and this stripper was standing there and asked if she could see it. She raised it up to look at the butt, and sticks the shaft right into the ceiling fan. Put 4 or 5 nice big dings in it.....

Just one more thing,,,, If anyone figures out how to duplicate Buddy's stroke, you will make a lot of money. It don't get any better than that.

 

[Maxx]

Lock N Load,

THANKS!!! After watching the AccuStats preview video with Buddy running the balls I decided to soften up my stroke and get back to basics. Ran out a few racks today and they felt pretty good. Nice to get the touch back a little.

Thanks BUDDY! Get Well Soon - you're the best and always will be!!!!

I watched the video too, thanks L & L!
It is amazing, that soft stroke and the cue ball is on a string.
Best wishes to Buddy.

 

[acousticsguru]

Hi David !That was a few years ago and yes i watched you play Buddy and also went and ate with you and girlfriend , Buddy and Lenard Bloodworth, the cue maker. Small world huh ...I could resist writing after reading your post ....Nelson

Amazing! Hi there, Nelson!! A "few" years ago indeed, LOL! Ashamed to admit I do not remember (am unable to put a face to your name - would love to) neither you nor Leonard Bloodworth. I do remember one person (a local joining a party?) who claimed that "favourite catfish place" was "nearby"/"just down the road", and that we sat in that van for what seemed like an eternity until we got there (by Swiss standards: think about what "nearby" means to us). Was that you? No offense, I do not even remember any of what I did during those three days, least of all how I managed to stay at roughly 90% when Buddy missed (he made chalk marks on the board next to our table) one ball on day one, none on day two, and two on day three for a total of three in close to seventeen hours of continual play (at the moment, I felt sooo beaten and worn out…). I do however remember Buddy's cue, as he let me shoot a few balls with it in exchange for trying my all-new Jerry Franklin SW, and how happy he was with his then probably still recent connection/collaboration with Leonard (wasn't he sponsored by him at the time?). Buddy's one of the most straightforward (no-fuss) and down-to-earth pool players I've ever met, and at the same time, I'll never forget that boyish charm of his, bantering and giggling away ceaselessly…

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
_________________

„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti

 

[acousticsguru]

green with envy here, i'd love to have had an experience like yours. thanks for sharing.

You're welcome! The story has a funny ending that chimes in with the primary topic in this thread: I'd obviously taken a beating, and yet, the fact alone that I'd played Buddy (dared to play him even) lead to José Parica, whom I played next (although for no longer than about half an hour), asking me (!) for a handicap! ROTFL!! I remember replying "Is that so? Well, I know you're José Parica, now, pray tell me, who am I?"

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
_________________

„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti

 

[Lock N Load]

Buddy Hall, missed 3 balls in 3 days of playing pool!!!!

Amazing! Hi there, Nelson!! A "few" years ago indeed, LOL! Ashamed to admit I do not remember (am unable to put a face to your name - would love to) neither you nor Leonard Bloodworth. I do remember one person (a local joining a party?) who claimed that "favourite catfish place" was "nearby"/"just down the road", and that we sat in that van for what seemed like an eternity until we got there (by Swiss standards: think about what "nearby" means to us). Was that you? No offense, I do not even remember any of what I did during those three days, least of all how I managed to stay at roughly 90% when Buddy missed (he made chalk marks on the board next to our table) one ball on day one, none on day two, and two on day three for a total of three in close to seventeen hours of continual play (at the moment, I felt sooo beaten and worn out…). I do however remember Buddy's cue, as he let me shoot a few balls with it in exchange for trying my all-new Jerry Franklin SW, and how happy he was with his then probably still recent connection/collaboration with Leonard (wasn't he sponsored by him at the time?). Buddy's one of the most straightforward (no-fuss) and down-to-earth pool players I've ever met, and at the same time, I'll never forget that boyish charm of his, bantering and giggling away ceaselessly…

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
_________________

„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti

Wow! That is Great! But, that is Buddy!! Thanks for that info on the 3 days of playing Buddy!
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[victhestick]

Golden Stroke

Such power with so litle effort. Can only be obtained with a perfect stroke. Does anyone else have a stroke like Buddy? I cannot think of anyone.

 

[Lock N Load]

I cannot think of anyone else either!

Such power with so litle effort. Can only be obtained with a perfect stroke. Does anyone else have a stroke like Buddy? I cannot think of anyone.

Good post. Thanks.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

Hello From New Orleans, Louisiana.

You're welcome! The story has a funny ending that chimes in with the primary topic in this thread: I'd obviously taken a beating, and yet, the fact alone that I'd played Buddy (dared to play him even) lead to José Parica, whom I played next (although for no longer than about half an hour), asking me (!) for a handicap! ROTFL!! I remember replying "Is that so? Well, I know you're José Parica, now, pray tell me, who am I?"

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
_________________

„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti

I I see you played some of the best pool players, even if only for a short time!!! Thanks for your post.
Many Regards,
Lock n load.