Leaping Lizards, Lou Butera

BillieBilliards · 2011-11-02T18:42:25+00:00

“Machine Gun Lou,” Butera was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania in 1938. He was raised in a small coal-mining town, and was introduced to the tables in his father’s pool room at a young age. He won his first Championship title in 1973 by defeating Irving Crane. Butera’s quick fire style of play attached many fans to his table side whenever he played. At the World Open in the Roosevelt Hotel the crowd would roar after he rocketed through each rack of fourteen balls in straight pool. His nickname, "Machine Gun Lou", derives from his stunning the crowd and fellow competitors by running 150-and-out in straight pool in 21 minutes against Allen Hopkins in 1973. Lou Butera’s famous “Under and Over” trick shot is captured on film by Billie Billing and can be seen at http://www.billiebilliards.com/pointers.html. Enjoy!