Just scheduled Lessons with Mike Sigel!!!

Well, I have known Mike for many years and the man can play. I am sure that the lessons will be something to treasure forever. Imagine getting lessons from Tiger Woods. Mike was on top for many many many years and it's likely he'd still be near the top today if he didn't choose to quit.

I want to publicly thank Mike Sigel for the awesome steak that you bought me after the IPT win - Mike took a whole group of us out to an expensive steak house in Vegas - I think my steak was like $80. Anyway it was GREAT!

Mike is ok in my book. His ego is oversized but he isn't any harm to anyone.
 
I was told Mike Segal believes in running English on cut shots. Ask him about this. I was told by By an instructor named Paul that running english on cut shots is not the way to play. I believe Paul could give Mike the 8 on spending the lesson telling you how great he is so I just took the one lesson from Paul.
 
Quesports said:
I think you should ask Mike if he knows a guy named Efrem, I hear Mike got some lessons from him once.
Click to expand...

Seems like a lot of guys used to screw up Efren's name, some still do. I can only assume it was because of this guy:

Efrem.jpg

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. was a big star on TV in the 50's and 60's (77 Sunset Strip, The FBI). He's still living at 91.
 
Cmbeers said:
OK, I'm super excited. I just scheduled four pool lessons with Mike Sigel. 2 this month 2 next. I am thrilled that I can do this. I don't expect to become a pro, but I know he will help me improve my game.
I Can't wait!!!:):D
Click to expand...

I think Mike knows a thing or two about pool. :) I hope your lessons go well.

I played him once almost 20 years ago. Almost made me quit pool. :D True story.

If I had the opportunity to take a lesson, I would jump on it.
 
I have a friend of mine that plays pretty sporty. Back in the 80's, we went to a tournament in Rocky Mount, NC at Dots Cue Club. Alot of pros were there including Rempe, Strickland, Hopkins, and of course Mike.

My friend had to play Mike in the first round. He got one shot in the entire match and needly to say that was a kick. I remember that Terry Bell won that tournament.

If I had a chance to take lessons from Sigel, I'd run to the pool room as fast as Clark Kent.

Just my .02
 
atthecat said:
Has any one here ever taken lessons from Mike? Wondering what kind of teacher he is.
I'm a drummer who has studied with some of the greatest drummers on the planet. Most were horrible teachers. Wonder if it's the same way with pool.
Click to expand...

I took a lesson from Mike. He was much better than the lessons I have had with Tony Robles, Mika Immonen, Charlie Williams, and last but not least - our own Scott Lee.
 
jay helfert said:
You mean THE MIKE SIGEL!!! Hall Of Famer, Multiple U.S. Open and World Champion, "Captain Hook", Mike "The Mouth", The greatest pool player who ever lived, The best cue maker too, and defeater of Hall Of Famer Loree Jon Jones! That Mike Sigel? Wowie Kazooie!

I'm sure he'll tell you all this himself, and often! At least once per lesson, it is an absolute that he reminds you how great he was and is. How else will you know that you are in the presence of greatness.

J/K, I'm sure you'll learn something between self aggrandizing speeches.
Click to expand...

Jay, I don't know what you have against Mike, other than you are jealous. Mike can really play and has the gift of teaching, something you obviously know nothing about.

Most of the APA players in Champions didn't even know who Mike was. Trust me. So Gary Allen, the owner, has to tell everyone how great Mike was. And I don't mind Mike bragging about himself a little. It goes with the territory. I particularly enjoyed his stories about hustling and playing cards.

And I like his cues because they are front weighted. I am glad Mike told me this and you should listen up. :thumbup:
 
whitewolf said:
Jay, I don't know what you have against Mike, other than you are jealous. Mike can really play and has the gift of teaching, something you obviously know nothing about.

Most of the APA players in Champions didn't even know who Mike was. Trust me. So Gary Allen, the owner, has to tell everyone how great Mike was. And I don't mind Mike bragging about himself a little. It goes with the territory. I particularly enjoyed his stories about hustling and playing cards.

And I like his cues because they are front weighted. I am glad Mike told me this and you should listen up. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Personally, Mike talking about himself or how good he is/was isn't "arrogant" it's being TRUTHFUL. Nobody does what Mike has done and is a quiet introvert. It takes piles of confidence to achieve what he has, and that's why he's polluted with the stuff.

I'm a huge Sigel fan. When he was playing-playing, I doubt anyone was pumping their fist for drawing him the next round. In fact, I'm not sure if anyone is "winners" over him lifetime. Whoever it was, Mike likely beat them more than they beat Mike.
 
Ray...I was laughing at the "ego" comment in the post above mine. Apparently you couldn't "read" that...and BTW, less than an hour more than 10 years ago (after spending a few hours with your wife) is NOT a lesson (even though you claimed to get a LOT out of it). :rolleyes:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

whitewolf said:
I wouldn't laugh too hard Scott - Mike is 10 times the instructor that you are and will ever hope to be.

whitewolf - has taken lessons from both.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
whitewolf said:
I wouldn't laugh too hard Scott - Mike is 10 times the instructor that you are and will ever hope to be.

whitewolf - has taken lessons from both.
Click to expand...

whitewolf said:
I took a lesson from Mike. He was much better than the lessons I have had with Tony Robles, Mika Immonen, Charlie Williams, and last but not least - our own Scott Lee.
Click to expand...

whitewolf said:
Jay, I don't know what you have against Mike, other than you are jealous. Mike can really play and has the gift of teaching, something you obviously know nothing about.

Most of the APA players in Champions didn't even know who Mike was. Trust me. So Gary Allen, the owner, has to tell everyone how great Mike was. And I don't mind Mike bragging about himself a little. It goes with the territory. I particularly enjoyed his stories about hustling and playing cards.

And I like his cues because they are front weighted. I am glad Mike told me this and you should listen up. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

After three consecutive posts badgering people and defending Mike to all ends of the earth, the question now becomes ... Is whitewolf actually Mike Sigel in disguise?
 
Ray...You left out what you used to call your GREATEST lesson...the one you got from Fast Larry! LOL

Scott Lee
whitewolf said:
I took a lesson from Mike. He was much better than the lessons I have had with Tony Robles, Mika Immonen, Charlie Williams, and last but not least - our own Scott Lee.
Click to expand...
 
Cmbeers said:
OK, I'm super excited. I just scheduled four pool lessons with Mike Sigel. 2 this month 2 next. I am thrilled that I can do this. I don't expect to become a pro, but I know he will help me improve my game.
I Can't wait!!!:):D
Click to expand...

Where are the lessons going to be at? I see that you are from PA. Does Mike live in PA now?

If you could share by pm how to contact him I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Ron
 
ronshirley said:
Where are the lessons going to be at? I see that you are from PA. Does Mike live in PA now?

If you could share by pm how to contact him I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Ron
Click to expand...

Mike Sigel gives lessons and is the house pro and Champions in Frederick, Maryland. I'd guess he lives close by so could be MD, VA or PA.

Andy
 
jay helfert said:
You mean THE MIKE SIGEL!!! Hall Of Famer, Multiple U.S. Open and World Champion, "Captain Hook", Mike "The Mouth", The greatest pool player who ever lived, The best cue maker too, and defeater of Hall Of Famer Loree Jon Jones! That Mike Sigel? Wowie Kazooie!

I'm sure he'll tell you all this himself, and often! At least once per lesson, it is an absolute that he reminds you how great he was and is. How else will you know that you are in the presence of greatness.

J/K, I'm sure you'll learn something between self aggrandizing speeches.
Click to expand...

Jay,

It will be interesting to see how Mike plays in our upcoming Maryland Straight pool event at Big Daddy's June 19/20. There are some good players coming!

I was part of a group lesson with Mike at Big Daddy's a couple months ago. It was interesting but not really a lesson at all. More of a seminar or show and tell approach.

Andy
 
Scott Lee said:
Ray...I was laughing at the "ego" comment in the post above mine. Apparently you couldn't "read" that...and BTW, less than an hour more than 10 years ago (after spending a few hours with your wife) is NOT a lesson (even though you claimed to get a LOT out of it). :rolleyes:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

I have criticized you in the past for knocking FELLOW PROFESSIONALS, and that was really the intent of my post. Yes I understood where you were coming from - tyring to knock down someone again.

Yes Scott, I enjoyed the lesson I got from you - you were very entertaining. But over the years and after other instructors, your lesson was the least valuable. Again, you may like to laugh at FL, but he is a good instructor - better than you.

You should hear what Mike Sigel has to say about shooting the draw shot with the 'LOW AND LEVEL' method that the BCA instructors like you favor. After Mike's lesson, I can draw the shit out of ball. With your method, and as FL says, you are looking at many miscues. Maybe you should take a lesson from Mike to learn how to draw the ball.:D

Scott, please get a life and quit being the unfunny clown. It is unbecoming of you.
 
I would like to see this get back on topic. Please keep us posted about the lesson.
I did a group clinic with Mike at Comet Billiards last year. And, I have taken lessons from Scott Lee. Both do an excellent job. They taught different topics.

There is no doubt about Mike's playing credentials. He also is a good teacher. I would have no trouble recommending either one. It was fun spending some time with Mike and very nice group of men. There were about 6 of us in the group. Pat Flemming taped the whole thing. We each received copy of the tape. Very nice of Pat.
Scott tapes every lesson and gives a copy to the student. Different teachers have different philosphies about the game. I feel comfortable with what Scott taught me. I believe he greatly improved my game.
By the way, what Mike told us about the english was just a slight touch to reduce cling, not to try and throw the ball. This makes sense to me.
 
I learn from Mike Sigel almost every day. That is because I watch his 150 and out against Zuglan regularly - as I consider the most incredible display of pool mastery that I have ever seen.

I have had the honor of playing Mike Sigel. He is a class act, a total gentleman, and simply the best there is. He will push you to play your very best - you either keep up or get run over by the steam train.

He is the same way off of the table when it comes to business.

Personally, he is one of the nicest people you would ever want to talk to - he talks a lot - and he talks to everybody.

I was bummed when Mike moved away from Orlando a few years ago. He had to return to Rochester to take care of his ailing mother. I loved watching Mike every other Wednesday afternoon - running rack after rack of 8 ball, 9 ball, and 14.1. It was an honor to sit there and give him the thumbs up when he made a great shot and looked around the room to see if anybody else saw it. He'd then smile and say, "That was a great shot... most players would think I $hit that in, but we know better!"

I was never charged a dime to watch.

Mike has had a few personal struggles the past couple of years, and it is just like him to respond to all of that by returning to where he lived when he ruled the pool world - Maryland. He has obviously landed with some good people that respect his status as a legend in our game. Good for Mike.

Enjoy your lesson, and while you are there - be sure to ask Mike who his favorite opponent was - and yes... he'll say Earl.
 
Cmbeers said:
OK, I'm super excited. I just scheduled four pool lessons with Mike Sigel. 2 this month 2 next. I am thrilled that I can do this. I don't expect to become a pro, but I know he will help me improve my game.
I Can't wait!!!:):D
Click to expand...

Would you mind sharing what Mike charges for lessons?

Thanks,

Ron
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top