Howard Vickery

[uwate]

There is a really excellent accustats of him beating Buddy Hall at an early Sands (1989 I think). In that match Grady discusses how Vickery, despite not being blessed with the greatest natural talent in the game, has overcome this through hard work and discipline. Grady quotes an interesting statistic that on the pro tour at that time, incoming players had the lowest make percentage on the object ball following a Vickery safety than any other player.

In that match, which goes double hill, it gets down to the end and Vickery plays a fantastic safety. From About 6 ft away he shoots a ball, driving it off the end rail and back up table and floats gently off the side rail and underneath a ball. A really great shot, especially considering the circumstances.

Grady also discusses how on many occasions, road players coming through the area Vickery lived in (Ohio?) would often be asked..."Do you want to play Ponytail?" Ponytail being Vickery. More often than not, Vickery would bust them.

 

[Tommy-D]

> The titanium shafted break cue was a Benson,and he also played with another Benson at the time. Both were available thru CueStix,when they still allowed individuals to buy from them instead of dealers. I only saw him using it one time,in the televised Brunswick World Open in 1989. Since then,I've seen him 20 different times,and he was ALWAYS playing with something else. Schicks,Meuccis,a Searing,Joss West and several others,the only constant was one particular Schick he always had with him,but didn't play with it all the time. He is also much more likely to match up cheaply with a lesser player than most,I've been in a 10-ball ring game with him for 10 a man,and seen him in heads-up action with others for 10-20 a game. Try getting Earl or Alex to do that. He never had the break-and-run-out gear that other players display,but would just grind your nuts out if he got the chance,and always played smart. I've also partaken in his knowledge on where to eat in several places. Just an all-around good guy Howard is. Tommy D.

 

[jay helfert]

Jay...IMO, a huge part of the reason for Howard's longevity is due to the fact that he always has had a REAL JOB...aka a life! LOL Probably also responsible for him not always finishing at the top...but a great player nonetheless, and all-around nice guy!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

A JOB! A poolplayer with a job? How unique.

Thanks Scott for pointing that out. And he has a lovely wife and family too.

 

[jay helfert]

At one of the Akron Opens, Howard got beat by Tony Ellin. When the TD was announcing the next matches the guy who was to play Tony next asked Howard if had any advice for his match against Ellin, Howard said you really don't want to miss anything and make sure you make a ball on the break.

After typing that it doesn't sound funny, it was though. It must of been in the delivery . Tony was blanking everyone 11-0 that year.

I can just see Howard's straight faced, dead pan delivery of that line. And that's what made it funny. Right?