billiardshot said:
If spelling not correct Sbarboti? It could be either Vince Sparbatti or maybe Don Sperber. But again should ask Sid Banner!
Probably Vince Sparbatti - owner of the old Spar Billiards in NYC (midtown) was a regular customer at Sang Lee Billiards in the 90's. He was an avid 3-cushion player (~.750) and a very eccentric independently wealthy man that used to drive around in a very large bright pink Rolls Royce - which he would park on the street under the 7 train. Vinny used to seek out challenge games with Sang Lee whenever he had the opportunity.
There was a time, long ago, when he used to come in to the old SL Billiards in Queens, NY every week and play Sang Lee (friendly $2-5K games). Sang would spot him 81 - 27 (those were the fair weekly handicap ratings) and Vinny kept losing in the 1 or 2 hole while Sang would make rediculous runs to come from behind to win. I watched Vinny lose almost every time, but he seemed EXTREMELY determined to just experience any win against Sang. Fortunately, for Vinny, money was not an object. Everyone else benefited by getting treated to some exciting Sang lee performances.
Funny story, I recall - one of the earlier games, Vinny raced way ahead and was up to 25 (needing 2 more to win) while Sang only was up to 57 points. He became chatty and started to get a skip in his step and when Sang told him to concentrate on the game, Vinny said, "What? I only need TWO points!". Sang replied, "Yes, and I ONLY need 24 points!". A few minutes later, Sang wins and Vinny swore that he would never pick up his cue again. Sang winked and whispered, "Don't worry, he'll come back next week." Sure enough, Vinny came back to try again. Vinny lost so many games needing only one point - and it was very exciting to watch Sang play under pressure - even though he always considered the matches with Vinny as friendly games.
I was told that Vinny's decision to open a billiard room was a "spur of the moment" thing. He was attending a 3-cushion tournament once and after the event, he loved the tables so much he decided to buy all of them and open up a pool hall smack in the middle of midtown Manhattan. He never took care of the place after that and it just went downhill.
