I met Gene when he first played pool at the Arcade Billiards in Jackson Heights queens, NY - He played trumpet at Julliard with his friend George. I played Gene when he couldn't play at all. The room was managed by then World champ Joe balsis. Joe taught us how to stand properly and ended up playing us 150 -25 every night. He never lost.
Gene first learnd all the aspects of pool from Old George "The Machine" as we knew him. He was about 70, stood straight up at the table and had shaky hands - He constantly ran 150 balls. He knew everything about the game and told us that a man named Sailor Barge was the best he had ever known - that sailor never once missed a shot - We asked George what his high run was - he said he didnt know because he never had to make it
Gene at that time stayed at the room all night practising his break shot until he knew the shot he would have after each break. He slpet there as well learning this art.
After George taught Gene - Mike Euphemia taught and played Gene nightly for many hours while we all watched, and while Euphemias wife sat there knitting. They would help each other during these games with combos and difficult positions, and ran 100;s of balls every night. Mike was the most beautiful player Id ever seen at the table but never or didn't play for money. He was scorned by other players due to this but he was a great player regardless. Mike was the best straight pool player aside from Gene that I've ever seen. He played like the surgeon as he was nicknamed.
Mike was going to write a book about pool called "The weight of balls" theory but he died before starting it.
Gene was the most preecise player I ever saw - if his position was off by 1/2' he would break his Bushka across his kness - George Balabushka who we knew well stopped making cues for Gene and Gene had to have others buy them for him. Gene was mentioned in a book with George the Machine where Mosconi said " No one pockets balls like Nagy". Trust me this was true - Every ball went straight to the middle of the pocket unless he has to cheat for position.
Gene played at te golden cue then at the rack and balls club.
He was a weird guy but it was great knowing him. Sorry to hear of his death.
