Is Stright pool a Lost Art ?

[Tommyd]

When I grew up in the 1950's, Straight Pool was the game.

Now it's only 9-Ball, which is ok, but I still miss the game of straight pool.
This was a game that taught combinations, with-in the rack as well as position.

I live inn Michigan and have never seen a Stright Pool Tournament listed.

Is this something for us older guy's to look into, maybe get some tourney's listed or is this a lost cause?

I would appreciate some reponse, just for my own piece of mind.

Thanks,

Tom Richert-Michigan

 

[sjm]

When I grew up in the 1950's, Straight Pool was the game.

Now it's only 9-Ball, which is ok, but I still miss the game of straight pool.
This was a game that taught combinations, with-in the rack as well as position.

I live inn Michigan and have never seen a Stright Pool Tournament listed.

Is this something for us older guy's to look into, maybe get some tourney's listed or is this a lost cause?

I would appreciate some reponse, just for my own piece of mind.

Thanks,

Tom Richert-Michigan

Straight pool is alive and well in NYC, where there are at least three weekly straight pool leagues I know of that play year round, one at Master Billiards, one at Corner Billiards, and one at Amsterdam Billiards.

Still, I think that, considered on a professional competitive level, straight pool is dormant, if not already dead and buried, and it's a terrible shame, as it's probably the most interesting game played on a pool table. Even around NYC, there are only a few straight pool tournaments annually within driving distance, with the best of them being the New Jersey State championship event, which always draws an elite field. As you suggest, straight pool in America is becoming a bit of a lost art, as the old masters of the game pass on. In the past few years, we've lost Irving Crane, Jimmy Caras, Babe Cranfield, and John Erovlino. Of course, some of the old straight pool legends remain, most notably DiLiberto, Mizerak, Martin, Hopkins, Varner, West, Rempe and Sigel.

Here in NYC, we have some great ambassadors for straight pool, but the most notable is Dan Barouty. Nobody does more to promote straight pool locally than Dan. The 2004 BCA Open champion Tony Robles is also a great local proponent of straight pool.

If straight pool is to be revitalized in Michigan, where you live, it will need advocates and ambassadors. Perhaps you can be one of them.

 

[alinco]

We play straight pool every Wednesday night almost year round at Bill & Billie's CueSport in Arnold, MD near Baltimore/Annapolis. This is a handicapped league with about 35 players.

We are also hosting a straight pool tourney Aug 5,6,7th next month. It is a qualifier for a bigger event in New Jersey at Comet Billiards.

Andy

 

[Snapshot9]

14.1 problems, I think

I think some of the problems for 14.1 Pool evolve from:

1) A lot of smaller billiard rooms do not have sufficient 9 footers
for a 14.1 league or tournaments.
2) The 'other' rooms that may have the 9 footers are not
the 'gambling' rooms, so the 'players' do not hang out there,
or even want to play there.
3) Last generation and a half has only played 8 and 9 ball, with
a little resurgence in 1 pocket lately.
4) Takes time to learn how to play straight pool well.
5) Younger generations want more excitement and action,
which 8 and 9 ball gives the appearance of.
6) 1 game of 14.1 to 150 can take as long a set of 9 ball.


All of these may not hold true for large cities like New York or Chicago,
but I do think they are truer for small and medium sized cities.

 

[sjm]

We play straight pool every Wednesday night almost year round at Bill & Billie's CueSport in Arnold, MD near Baltimore/Annapolis. This is a handicapped league with about 35 players.

We are also hosting a straight pool tourney Aug 5,6,7th next month. It is a qualifier for a bigger event in New Jersey at Comet Billiards.

Andy

Maryland definitely has some history when it comes to straight pool. A pretty good straight pool player lived in Towson, Maryland for several years. His name ............ Mike Sigel.

 

[Ronoh]

I agree with SnapShot9's reasons. IMHO it's mainly the genre of the younger generation who have instant gratification at the click of the button. Straight pool takes more time and more thought, than the younger generation's mind will want to comprehend.

I wouldn't consider straight pool to be a lot art, it's just not for TV. Hell, 8-Ball isn't for TV, though they've tried. But, we're not talking TV, or fast paced games.

There's a game called 38, that's played at a gentleman's club called "The Fort McIntosh Club" (no... it's not a strip club). I've learned a lot from that game, and the ole' timers that play there. It has a lot of the stratagies that are implimented in straight pool, but can be fast paced and slow paced, just like straight pool.

When I talk to folks that are from out of town, or when I travel, I ask if anyone would like to shoot a game of 14.1 or 38, and I just get blank stares most of the time. But, most know what 14.1 is (probably because I'm talking to someone with some grey hair), not many (if any) know what 38 is.

Straight pool will be around a long time, as long as the pool community doesn't let it die (which I highly doubt anyone who's played the game would let it die). Grady Mathews' and your posts have probably revived the game in someway in outlining areas where it's cost prohibitive to drive to the "billiard room/bar" that may play it all the time, than to check the internet. Who knows

Stay safe, play true.

 

[bobroberts]

Grady and recently Earl are looking into a 14.1 tournament.Not together but maybe they can hook up.I for one would love to see the reemergence of the game.
I have never heard of 38 but would like to know how it is played.

 

[storke]

answer

the main problem with straight pool is that the best player will win almost all the time. theres the problem many players dont like it because of that factor. also theres alot of learning involved to play well. and like be able to run 100 to 120

 

[pete lafond]

Maryland definitely has some history when it comes to straight pool. A pretty good straight pool player lived in Towson, Maryland for several years. His name ............ Mike Sigel.

I don't know if you remember Auther "Babe" Cranfield, but when I was 19 I used to play him quite a bit. It was a pleasure just watching (I did a lot of watching and racking) him play. His patterns and mechanics were to almost perfection.

Anyway, here in Rochester we have a small 14.1 league which is pure fun.

 

[Williebetmore]

I don't know if you remember Auther "Babe" Cranfield, but when I was 19 I used to play him quite a bit. It was a pleasure just watching (I did a lot of watching and racking) him play. His patterns and mechanics were to almost perfection.

Anyway, here in Rochester we have a small 14.1 league which is pure fun.

Pete,
What the heck is in the water in Rochester?? Jerome Keogh, Irving Crane, Mike Sigel, Cardiac Kid. I'm not sure about Babe's hometown (?Syracuse). It must have been a tremendous experience playing with Babe. I've played straight pool with 6 different top professionals; a thrill for me every time - playing 9-ball with them was just a sneeze.

Here in Indy there is a straight pool league (about 6 months a year) that is over 50 years old. The game itself will never die; any serious pool player will be fascinated by its complexity. Tournament 14.1 however is just about gone.

Forget all those people suggesting new versions of 14.1. The majority of the history of the game is traditional 14.1, if modern players want to measure themselves against the historical titans of the game, if fans want a game in which luck is minimized and skill is usually rewarded, if spectators want to see a game in which great skill is displayed and pressure mounts continuously during the game - then BRING BACK STRAIGHT POOL!!!!

 

[sjm]

I don't know if you remember Auther "Babe" Cranfield, but when I was 19 I used to play him quite a bit. It was a pleasure just watching (I did a lot of watching and racking) him play. His patterns and mechanics were to almost perfection.

Anyway, here in Rochester we have a small 14.1 league which is pure fun.

I sure do, Pete. Babe was a magnificent player, and I've heard from a few that he ran over 700 balls in practice. Your fellow Rochester native Irving Crane was a good friend of mine, too. And, while we're talking about great old-time straight pool players from upstate New York, let's not forget Buffalo's own Dan DiLiberto. And, of course, Sigel hailed from Rochester.

Upstate New York has a great straight pool tradition.

 

[pete lafond]

Pete,
What the heck is in the water in Rochester?? Jerome Keogh, Irving Crane, Mike Sigel, Cardiac Kid. I'm not sure about Babe's hometown (?Syracuse). It must have been a tremendous experience playing with Babe. I've played straight pool with 6 different top professionals; a thrill for me every time - playing 9-ball with them was just a sneeze. - then BRING BACK STRAIGHT POOL!!!!

Your from Indy. I lived in Indy for about 2 years when I was a kid. My dad and a few Dr's opened one of the first medical centers there (with a lab). Anyway it was before its time and it failed, today they are the hottest things going.

I still go to Indy once and a while. I play at Chalky's or Airport Billiards. My son, 9 years old, and I did a road trip during this past xmas break and stopped at Airport Billiards. I'm a single dad and I am lucky because he loves pool which means I can play more often.

Anyway from Indy, my parents moved not to far from Syracuse, later I moved there which is were I met Babe. I now live in Rochester.

About 14.1. That is great that there is a league that hung on for 50 years. As you know, nine ball has a little luck factor and allows players a chance to get a mental break (especially with alternating breaks) after each game because it starts over gain with a break. 14.1 is a game you have to be into mentally for a long time when running balls. many new players do not have the staying power and as a result stay away from 14.1. And you mentioned Cardiac Kid, a friend of mine. He used to play more 14.1, though not as much anymore. He plays some very nice patterns in 14.1 and can run over 100 often.

 

[Jakal]

When I grew up in the 1950's, Straight Pool was the game.

Now it's only 9-Ball, which is ok, but I still miss the game of straight pool.
This was a game that taught combinations, with-in the rack as well as position.

I live inn Michigan and have never seen a Stright Pool Tournament listed.

Is this something for us older guy's to look into, maybe get some tourney's listed or is this a lost cause?

I would appreciate some reponse, just for my own piece of mind.

Thanks,

Tom Richert-Michigan

Where in Michigan do you live? Anazeh Sands Championship Billiards in Wyoming, (Grand Rapids) Michigan used to have an annual straight pool tournament. I'm not sure if they still do or not, but it was held in October or November.

 

[alinco]

I sure do, Pete. Babe was a magnificent player, and I've heard from a few that he ran over 700 balls in practice. Your fellow Rochester native Irving Crane was a good friend of mine, too. And, while we're talking about great old-time straight pool players from upstate New York, let's not forget Buffalo's own Dan DiLiberto. And, of course, Sigel hailed from Rochester.

Upstate New York has a great straight pool tradition.

Upstate New York sure does!
I'm originally from Syracuse and my straight pool high run is ummm...
.
.
.
.
41 !!!

Andy

 

[dmgwalsh]

When I grew up in the 1950's, Straight Pool was the game.

Now it's only 9-Ball, which is ok, but I still miss the game of straight pool.
This was a game that taught combinations, with-in the rack as well as position.

I live inn Michigan and have never seen a Stright Pool Tournament listed.

Is this something for us older guy's to look into, maybe get some tourney's listed or is this a lost cause?

I would appreciate some reponse, just for my own piece of mind.

Thanks,

Tom Richert-Michigan

Straight Pool is hanging on in the Chicago area.

We have a straight pool league on Mondays at Red Shoes in Alsip, Illinois. It's a handicapped league of about 17 players that has 3 players who have run 100 including George Fels.

We also have a straight pool league at the Illinois Billiard Club in Willow Springs, IL, handicappped also. I think we had 23 players in the last full session.

It's nice to see that we have people joining both leagues that don't yet know the game. Several eight ball league players have joined the IBC and at Red Shoes four young guys have joined. They don't all know the game yet, but they seem eager to learn. I know at least one of them has been looking for 14.1 games and finding them at other poolhalls.

They've had two 14.1 tournaments at Cue n you in Grayslake Illinois recently.
Willie Munson won one and Tom Karabotsos won the other with a lot of pretty fair players. Red Shoes had 14.1 tournament that had Jeff Carter beating Dallas West in the final match. Finally, Pockets in Crestwood, Illinois is going to have a straight pool tournament the third sunday of every month.

There seems to be a bit of a resurgence of 14.1 in our area. I hope it happens all over .

 

[bruin70]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Still, I think that, considered on a professional competitive level, straight pool is dormant, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,.

imo, sjm,,if the pros don't play it, then 14.1 IS, like you say, dormant or maybe dead. and though the possibility of this new "offensive" 14.1 is a possibiliy, it won't really be the same. jeanette and robles are the only ones i know OF THEIR CALIBER who love the game,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,maybe the germans too.

 

[bruin70]

Grady and recently Earl are looking into a 14.1 tournament.Not together but maybe they can hook up.I for one would love to see the reemergence of the game.
I have never heard of 38 but would like to know how it is played.

grady says he's tried to get together with others, but for some reason he's always left alone and bitter.