Lessons from Danny Diliberto...

chefjeff

chefjeff

If not now...
Silver Member
Thanks to Willie "Bang Bang" Betmore, I was fortunate enough to be able to meet and live with Danny Diliberto last weekend. What a treat!

Danny was doing some group lessons. Well, that's not quite right...He actually did individual lessons with a group of 5 or 6 guys. He would give each guy an hour lesson playing straight pool while the rest of us played on adjacent tables. Anyone could stop playing and just watch the lesson on Danny's table, if he wanted.

That guy knows 14.1, I tell ya! Being mostly an 8-ball player nowadays, I was fascinated (and intimidated) by the straight pool strategies and moves. He also showed us some really good moves for 1-pocket. Damn, no wonder he's one of the overall champions! What a storehouse of knowledge he holds.

Because of circumstances, I was lucky enough to get some private instruction from Danny and even had road time and meals with him. The stories he tells are just so interesting. He signed and gave me a copy of his book, written by Jerry Forsyth, Road Player. I'm about half way through it and the reading the stories is great, but listening to him tell those stories was even better. That guy can spin a yarn.

He should be the official announcer for whatever broadcast tournaments there are....nobody I've ever heard can do it better.

Thanks to Williebetmore, for sure.

Now, I'm going to spend the summer practicing and playing straight pool. I'm curious to see how it helps my 8-ball league play next winter.

Jeff Livingston

P.S. Danny dubbed Williebetmore, "bang bang" and I think it should stick.
 
Danny is a "Gift" to the entire pool world. A brilliant player and teacher, a wonderful commentator and a fabulous recanter of pool stories. I'm glad to see him getting the recognition he so richly deserves.
 
A friend down here in Miami we call Coach has known Danny for quite some time. Coach told me that one of the amazing things about Danny is his memory for stories. Danny has told him endless pool stories and more incredibly has never repeated a single one to him. His memory is so good that Coach said that on top of never repeating the same story to him, the one time he started to tell a story Coach thought he had heard before, Danny stopped and said "I've told you this one before, but I'm going to go ahead and tell it again since they havent heard it...". This is coming from a guy that has known Danny a LONG time.

I took a lesson from Diliberto myself when i first started learning 1p. Here is what I posted on RSB 11/03:

So Danny Diliberto came over to my house and gave me a lesson in one
pocket. For those who dont know, Danny Diliberto is a former world
champion and one of the best one pocket teachers on planet Earth. Very
interesting guy, someone who has definitely lived his life as a pool
player. During the two hours he gave the lesson he made quite a few
humorous remarks like "..and here is a shot that will have your backer
hating you" (he then showed a tremendously low percentage but makeable
shot) or "here is a shot you should take only when your bills are paid
or your backer is in the bathroom" (another risky shot).

During the course of the lesson Danny gave quite a few very insightful
quickies. Like for example:
a) Before you break, if you are unfamiliar with the table, make sure
you check the pocket size of both corner pockets to see if they are
the same size. Then roll a ball down the rail and make sure the
pockets roll straight or at least note the roll (in or out). Assuming
both pockets are the same size and roll straight, take the right
corner pocket (as you face the rack breaking) if you are right handed
or the left if you are a lefty. The reason for that is that a righty
shooting into the right corner pocket will rarely have to use the
bridge, whereas on the other side alot of shots will be either awkward
or have you using the bridge.
b) On the break you want to clip the head ball and the second ball
with inside english (the standard break shot). If the corner ball is
leaking out and giving your opponent a shot at his hole right after
the break then you need to adjust your break more towards the center
of the table to create less of any impact on the rack and to try to
hold that corner ball away from your opponents pocket.


The rest of the lesson focused on:
-- playing the score and adjusting shot selection based on score.
-- end game shot selection and being aggressive towards your hole from
situations that many bunt the ball uptable.
-- learning how to recognize when the kiss is on in banks
-- reading the pack and learning to always make a pack analysis the
first step in any shot routine.
-- using distance (Danny called leaving a long straight in shot a
"Blood Test Shot")


One shot in particular that I thought I knew was a cut bank where the
object ball lies about 1/2 to 1/4 of a ball away from the rail.
Cutting it puts english on the object ball, which allows you to go
into the rail and then have the ball return towards the pocket when a
no english shot would have the ball returning 1-2 diamonds away from
the pocket. Diliberto showed me that the shot has to be hit with
considerable speed, something that didnt occur to me. The reason for
the speed is that if you dont hit it hard the english will not take as
any kind of lagging will have the object ball losing all english by
the time it hits the rail.


I thought the lesson went pretty well. Diliberto charges $50 for two
hours.
 
two hrs.

uwate said:
A friend down here in Miami we call Coach has known Danny for quite some time. Coach told me that one of the amazing things about Danny is his memory for stories. Danny has told him endless pool stories and more incredibly has never repeated a single one to him. His memory is so good that Coach said that on top of never repeating the same story to him, the one time he started to tell a story Coach thought he had heard before, Danny stopped and said "I've told you this one before, but I'm going to go ahead and tell it again since they havent heard it...". This is coming from a guy that has known Danny a LONG time.

I took a lesson from Diliberto myself when i first started learning 1p. Here is what I posted on RSB 11/03:

So Danny Diliberto came over to my house and gave me a lesson in one
pocket. For those who dont know, Danny Diliberto is a former world
champion and one of the best one pocket teachers on planet Earth. Very
interesting guy, someone who has definitely lived his life as a pool
player. During the two hours he gave the lesson he made quite a few
humorous remarks like "..and here is a shot that will have your backer
hating you" (he then showed a tremendously low percentage but makeable
shot) or "here is a shot you should take only when your bills are paid
or your backer is in the bathroom" (another risky shot).

During the course of the lesson Danny gave quite a few very insightful
quickies. Like for example:
a) Before you break, if you are unfamiliar with the table, make sure
you check the pocket size of both corner pockets to see if they are
the same size. Then roll a ball down the rail and make sure the
pockets roll straight or at least note the roll (in or out). Assuming
both pockets are the same size and roll straight, take the right
corner pocket (as you face the rack breaking) if you are right handed
or the left if you are a lefty. The reason for that is that a righty
shooting into the right corner pocket will rarely have to use the
bridge, whereas on the other side alot of shots will be either awkward
or have you using the bridge.
b) On the break you want to clip the head ball and the second ball
with inside english (the standard break shot). If the corner ball is
leaking out and giving your opponent a shot at his hole right after
the break then you need to adjust your break more towards the center
of the table to create less of any impact on the rack and to try to
hold that corner ball away from your opponents pocket.


The rest of the lesson focused on:
-- playing the score and adjusting shot selection based on score.
-- end game shot selection and being aggressive towards your hole from
situations that many bunt the ball uptable.
-- learning how to recognize when the kiss is on in banks
-- reading the pack and learning to always make a pack analysis the
first step in any shot routine.
-- using distance (Danny called leaving a long straight in shot a
"Blood Test Shot")


One shot in particular that I thought I knew was a cut bank where the
object ball lies about 1/2 to 1/4 of a ball away from the rail.
Cutting it puts english on the object ball, which allows you to go
into the rail and then have the ball return towards the pocket when a
no english shot would have the ball returning 1-2 diamonds away from
the pocket. Diliberto showed me that the shot has to be hit with
considerable speed, something that didnt occur to me. The reason for
the speed is that if you dont hit it hard the english will not take as
any kind of lagging will have the object ball losing all english by
the time it hits the rail.


I thought the lesson went pretty well. Diliberto charges $50 for two
hours.
Click to expand...

If I had to spend two hrs. with Danny he would have to give ME $50.LOL Of coarse that was a joke,get it? Danny D. is one of the most knowledgeable and colorful players on planet Earth,period.If I was his manager.(and lord knows he needs one) I would recommend he charge at least $200 an hr.And that people is no joke. When I bring my car in to get fixed my mechanic charges $80 an hr. and I dont learn shit.Plus 25% of the time my car's not fixed,and I don't even get a story,let alone a colorful one. If anyone out there reads this please tell Danny if he charges $50 for a two hr lesson i'll ------------------!!!!! You fill in the blanks.
 
well it was 2003 and I was living very close to Danny at the time. That might explain the rate a bit.
 
With all respect to Jerry Forsyth, I have been trying to get Danny to get another book written about his life and travels. Road Player for me was unsatisfying knowing the life that Danny has led. If they really knew what this great man has accomplished in his life they would be in awe. Many of these young players today havent reached what Diliberto has done. Besides being a Champion boxer, bowler, and cueist he has been up and down the road playing anybody anywhere for top cash. He was playing for 5 and 10K a game 30 years ago.

I would say there are at least 2 more good books in him. One about his professional accomplishments and one of his road travels playing the best. If given a more experienced sports writer it would make a fitting tribute to one of the brightest lights this sport has ever had. It would also give us a record of what this sport was like during its most exciting times. Johnson City, Stardust, the effect of the movie "The Hustler", the transition from Greenleaf, Hoppe, Mosconi, to the modern innovators like Ronnie Allen, Allen Hopkins, Earl Strickland, Steve Mizerak, Jersey Red, etc.
 
Danny bowled a 300 game and ran 308 balls in 14.1 on the SAME DAY. How strong is that?
 
His book was a decent read.....but I know there have to be SO MANY MORE STORIES. I would love to read and purchase part 2.
 
If anyone sees Danny regularly, or has his phone number, I have been trying to get ahold of him to schedule some lessons after I get back from Iraq. I emailed the address on his website, but I do not know if he monitors that any more.

Russ
 
You can tell from listening to Danny's commentary that he knows the game as good as anyone. And no question he's interesting and fun to listen to, too.
 
Lessons from Danny Di

I am having dinner tonite with Dan and Geo Fels at Jim Parker's Ill. Billiard Club. Danny is going back home tomorrow. I feel so bad that he's unable to spend more time here. Parker locked him up for a few days with lessons and exhibitions, which was good because he could use the income. I was hoping to take a lesson myself. Nobody runs the balls like DiLiberto. Anyone considering lessons from DD, dont hesitate. Aside from his voluminous knowledge, his personality and stories alone make whatever he might charge an underpayment.
I did have him alone and all to myself once in Chicago when he stayed with me for about a month. It was great times, and he's also a terrific cook. As Billy Johnson (Wade Crane) said once to me about Cornbread Red, "Make sure you enjoy him while he's still here, because they aint making another one like him."

the Beard
 
yobagua said:
With all respect to Jerry Forsyth, I have been trying to get Danny to get another book written about his life and travels. Road Player for me was unsatisfying knowing the life that Danny has led. If they really knew what this great man has accomplished in his life they would be in awe. Many of these young players today havent reached what Diliberto has done. Besides being a Champion boxer, bowler, and cueist he has been up and down the road playing anybody anywhere for top cash. He was playing for 5 and 10K a game 30 years ago.

I would say there are at least 2 more good books in him. One about his professional accomplishments and one of his road travels playing the best. If given a more experienced sports writer it would make a fitting tribute to one of the brightest lights this sport has ever had. It would also give us a record of what this sport was like during its most exciting times. Johnson City, Stardust, the effect of the movie "The Hustler", the transition from Greenleaf, Hoppe, Mosconi, to the modern innovators like Ronnie Allen, Allen Hopkins, Earl Strickland, Steve Mizerak, Jersey Red, etc.
Click to expand...

Danny said he's working on another book or two so stay tuned.

Jeff Livingston
 
I would consider Danny to be one of the best all around athletes of all time. Name me another guy who has bowled a 300 and ran over 300 balls in straight pool in the same day. Doing either one of those things in a lifetime is a major accomplishment let alone both in a day.

MD
 
My grandfather also told me he was champion caliber talent in boxing but he broke a metacarpal in his hand. I believe he was once trained by Angelo Dundee. He is a champion if not for failing eyesight he might still be a threat to snap off champions. He lived the life one of a kind
 
About a year ago Danny use to call me when he heard I was down because I lost some people very close to me. He would try to cheer me up. He would always instill in me the love for life and to have no fear. He told me at the age of 60 he was still running 20 miles a day. He got me out of my house to start walking and running. He would make me laugh by telling me stories. One day he called and said he knocked out some "young punk" when he gave Danny some lip while at a 7/11. This was when he was 70 years old. This guy is amazing. Today he is on the road driving by himself all the way from Chicago back to his home in FLorida. I thank all you people that took care of him on his trip. I hope you appreciated his teaching and story telling. He is the last of the Original Road Warriors.
 
I think whatever he charges anybody for a lesson should be that persons secret... unless they are acting as his manager. It's confidential information. If somebody else wants to know what he charges they should ask him.

I would love to have him be the commentater for every pool event that is recorded on any venue by everybody. He is incomparable. DD is the man.
 
Last edited:
you are right and it was my mistake. I saw the OP post and reposted what I wrote 5 years ago. I should have cut off the last part. I would now except I got quoted already. My intentions were good, I think Danny is a great instructor and anyone would do well to take lessons from him.

Danny was at Hollywood billiards in South Florida last year. He always draws a crowd around him when he tells war stories. Danny starts to talk about something to do with fighting and to demonstrate he puts up his hands, clenches them into fists and then fires a few lefts and rights in the direction of a nearby railbird. Fairly close I might add, but it was pretty clear Danny had control over what he was doing. It was almost like those chinese kung fu movies where the guys throw a punch and the air around goes thooooom whoooosh. Danny still has some quick hands, thats for sure.
 
yobagua said:
About a year ago Danny use to call me when he heard I was down because I lost some people very close to me. He would try to cheer me up. He would always instill in me the love for life and to have no fear. He told me at the age of 60 he was still running 20 miles a day. He got me out of my house to start walking and running. He would make me laugh by telling me stories. One day he called and said he knocked out some "young punk" when he gave Danny some lip while at a 7/11. This was when he was 70 years old. This guy is amazing. Today he is on the road driving by himself all the way from Chicago back to his home in FLorida. I thank all you people that took care of him on his trip. I hope you appreciated his teaching and story telling. He is the last of the Original Road Warriors.
Click to expand...

Of all the things that I liked about him, one of the most convincing was late Saturday evening when we were driving to someone's house to give her a lesson and he said, "Look at that sky, isn't it beautiful? Those aren't clouds, they're gas." And then he chuckled to himself at what he said. My Mom used to comment on the beauty of a sunset and his comment reminded me of her. That sealed the deal for me.

Jeff Livingston
 
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