Mark Tadd

beav99_4life

beav99_4life

BPT Champion
Silver Member
Well, i've seen Mark's name brought up in a few post recently and it made me think back to DCC. I was watching this guy play and thought "wow, how have I never seen this guy before?". I asked Jay Helfert who he was and Jay laughed a little and said Mark Tadd. I followed him through the tournaments and was amazed at how well he played. His stroke is very smooth and he play amazing position. (Must be his budweiser cue, lol) I was just wondering if anyone on here, like Jay, had some insight on Mark's past and why he quit pool or slowed down so much. I just think he' an amazing talent and would like to hear his story. Plus when i talked to him he was a hell of a nice guy. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
I wish I had a chance to see him play. A couple of people from Hardtimes Bellflower has told me that if he stayed in the game, he could've been right up there w/ the best in the world. Is there any video of him avaliable?
 
Safety said:
I wish I had a chance to see him play. A couple of people from Hardtimes Bellflower has told me that if he stayed in the game, he could've been right up there w/ the best in the world. Is there any video of him avaliable?
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Mark Tadd was/is one of the greatest talents I have ever seen. He had a monster break and very powerful stroke. He is probably the whole reason I play pool today.

When I was about 16-17 years old I saw Mark practicing with a young Damian Pongpanik and said to myself "One day, I want to play just like him.". I may never get to that level of play but seeing someone that smooth & talented was very inspiring to me.

There are a few reasons Mark quit playing that I do not feel like it's my place to say why. Maybe Mark Tadd or SaltLakeDamian can post why as they are both members here..

If you want to see Mark In action I highly recommend you pick up this match from Accu-Stats.
http://www.accu-stats.com/Qstore/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=000358&BACK=A0004A1


Thanks,
-Andy
 
From what I hear, he gave up pool (gambling) for religious reasons. He was the strongest talent that Los Angeles produced in decades, betting up with anyone in the world. He played all games at a champion level back in the early 1990s; be it banks, 9-ball, one-pocket. Monster player, with a monster stroke and absolutely no fear to bet high. I'm sure Jay must have a million stories about him.
 
StevenPWaldon said:
From what I hear, he gave up pool (gambling) for religious reasons. He was the strongest talent that Los Angeles produced in decades, betting up with anyone in the world. He played all games at a champion level back in the early 1990s; be it banks, 9-ball, one-pocket. Monster player, with a monster stroke and absolutely no fear to bet high. I'm sure Jay must have a million stories about him.
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Although Mark did spend much time in Los Angeles, during the early 90's, he was/is not an LA product of a pool player. Salt Lake City, UT is where he hails from.
 
Jay was with him at last years DCC.

I am sure that as soon as Jay reads this post, he will give us more insight into Mark Tadd.
 
Played Great

CrownCityCorey said:
Although Mark did spend much time in Los Angeles, during the early 90's, he was/is not an LA product of a pool player. Salt Lake City, UT is where he hails from.
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I saw him playing in Hard Times during the early 90's and he played great. The only person I saw beat him for the cheese was Antonio Lining--who was a very good player. I am curious if he matched up with any of the other top Philipino players?
 
When Mark was playing fulltime, NO ONE on the planet had to beat him at any game.....

Southpaw
 
Jay and I put him in the Reno tournmnt in Dec then parlayed that to put him in the DCC. He plays in tournments only. He dosent play for money anymore because "It makes me a person I dont like to be" was his exact words, I wont go into anymore detail as it is his personal business, Perhaps that is saying to much. But he did say that to alot of people who asked him what are you doing?


I like Mark and respect him as a man and pool player, its his personal decision. He is happy and is a private person, I/we will put him in any tournment that makes sence with the travel expenses, prize $$$, and all things considered that would be good for him. I also have offered him a free apt. at a apt. building I own here in Vegas and encouraged him to come here and stay when ever he wants-he has once. I would love to see him come here for a month play 8 hours a day and go out there and get it done, no one has to like it when Mark is in gear. He took 4th in Reno and hardly played to get ready, he has the natural talant to be a top world class player if he wanted to. I wont say he is a world class player only because he isnt out there enough to have a consistant track record, if he would just go out there he would be in the top 5 for sure-or darn close to it.

He will pop up again, it might be here or a tournment. He is buffed now days wow he has some gun's, he likes the gym. He could be one hell of a body builder he has good genitics, damn it he has all the talent for my 2 passions and I got robbed there :(. But good for Mark!!! Overall he is doing alot better than he was 10-13 years ago, and I'm proud of him for his decisions he made in his life. He has my support and i'm not a sucker, he has the goods and is a fair/honest guy to work with. I have been around long enough to have seen the good and bad guys out there and the Mark Tadd I know is good with me. Alot of people thought the DCC waas my first rodeo-it wasnt I just was out of the scene for along time and before I just flew under the radar.

I hope he sees this thread.
 
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Mark Tadd is a greart talent, but Larry Nevel would murder him in the long end:D And I will match whatever Jay wants to put up to prove my end:)

If fatboy likes Tadd he can get action also
 
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How could pool be gambling for Mark Tadd? Not much risk for him to put up money. That's his craft. It's like putting money into a business. Oh well.

I saw him play a lot and I really thought he would dominate the pool world for 25 years.
 
Madcity said:
Mark Tadd is a greart talent, but Larry Nevel would murder him in the long end:D And I will match whatever Jay wants to put up to prove my end:)

If fatboy likes Tadd he can get action also
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read my post "HE DOSENT PLAY FOR MONEY ONLY TOURNMENTS" i'm not looking for action, someone asked about Mark I knew the answere I didnt ask anyone to bet or suggest I had any interest in action. Comming on here with things like this is why alot of "people in the know" let the clueless people stay clueless and then AZ isnt the quality site is could be, as discussed recently, I almost didnt post for that very reason -think about it for a minute.

When I want action I will ask for it and it will be big not small. if you have something in mind PM me.

have a good evening and best of luck to you.
 
Mark rarely plays pool anymore. He is into his faith and being a good man. When he did play, he was as good as ANYONE alive. He had what I call a big game, the ability to string racks at will. Only a few players were ever in his league. Earl, Dennis, Swanee and maybe Buddy were there.

And Mark was not reluctant to bet it up either. He would enter a tournament room and woof at everyone present, including Francisco and Johnny. This wasn't the internet either. He was right in their face asking them to play and bet high. There were few if any takers. I saw Rafael get down with him and he couldn't get there. Lining caught Mark when he was in the middle of a poker binge. Lucky for him.

Sigel flat refused to play Mark. Mark wasn't stupid though. He left Parica out of the conversation. When Jose entered the room at the Bicycle Club, Mark was very respectful. He also drew the line at Buddy. Everyone else was fair game for him. CJ caught Mark when he was pumped with poker money in Vegas and took him off good. Mark just wasn't ready for a red hot CJ at that moment. I confess I bet on CJ that night. I knew Mark had no chance. Now if Mark had been playing, I would have left it alone.

P.S. Mark played great at DCC this year, getting two top ten finishes. Not bad for a part time player.
 
atthecat said:
How could pool be gambling for Mark Tadd? Not much risk for him to put up money. That's his craft. It's like putting money into a business. Oh well.

I saw him play a lot and I really thought he would dominate the pool world for 25 years.
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To him unless its not a tournment its gambling, thats his choice. I respect that, please respect him. He is on a good track, pool got him off track by his own admission. Why put a guy in a spot thats bad for him?
 
Fatboy said:
read my post "HE DOSENT PLAY FOR MONEY ONLY TOURNMENTS" i'm not looking for action, someone asked about Mark I knew the answere I didnt ask anyone to bet or suggest I had any interest in action. Comming on here with things like this is why alot of "people in the know" let the clueless people stay clueless and then AZ isnt the quality site is could be, as discussed recently, I almost didnt post for that very reason -think about it for a minute.

When I want action I will ask for it and it will be big not small. if you have something in mind PM me.

have a good evening and best of luck to you.
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Hey fatboy let us just flip for cues I just might have something that you could not buy otherwise
 
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jay helfert said:
Mark rarely plays pool anymore. He is into his faith and being a good man. When he did play, he was as good as ANYONE alive. He had what I call a big game, the ability to string racks at will. Only a few players were ever in his league. Earl, Dennis, Swanee and maybe Buddy were there.

And Mark was not reluctant to bet it up either. He would enter a tournament room and woof at everyone present, including Francisco and Johnny. This wasn't the internet either. He was right in their face asking them to play and bet high. There were few if any takers. I saw Rafael get down with him and he couldn't get there. Lining caught Mark when he was in the middle of a poker binge. Lucky for him.

Sigel flat refused to play Mark. Mark wasn't stupid though. He left Parica out of the conversation. When Jose entered the room at the Bicycle Club, Mark was very respectful. He also drew the line at Buddy. Everyone else was fair game for him. CJ caught Mark when he was pumped with poker money in Vegas and took him off good. Mark just wasn't ready for a red hot CJ at that moment. I confess I bet on CJ that night. I knew Mark had no chance. Now if Mark had been playing, I would have left it alone.
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I was there the night CJ beat him for $20,000 in 2 10 ahead sets in May 93 or 92 at Cue Club in Vegas, CJ played 9B as good as it could be played, Mark won 6 games in 2 sets, CJ made 4/4 jump shots 2 were hard shots and he fot shape after all 4 shots. No one could have beat CJ that night, for lack of a better word he ran out the 2 sets, Mark might have had 3 or 4 open shots in the 2 sets, CJ locked him up or ran out EVERY time he was at the table. Archer was there as well it was at Cue Club right after that is when I went into retirement for a year then played at home until I popped up here. That was one of the most memriable action I have ever seen. CJ was unbeatable that night. Man I wish we had video of that- I dont remember anyone ever seeing someone dominate a champion like Mark like that. I mentioned Archer being there only because he told me what I just said here which was my opinion too.

Glad we hae TAR nowdays because someday they will catch a match like that. When SVB beat Cory it was one sided but that night CJ played Mark it was just amazing to see someone play like CJ did that night, I cant remember seeing someone play like that-I missed it when Archer ran 13 on Busta but it was like that.
 
Good thread. I really hope Mark would be play more tournaments. Have seen some video footage of him playing but I felt like that showed only a glimpse of his talent. Too bad he doesn't play for cash anymore, would make a TAR success to match up Mark against some well-known player (like Larry Nevel for instance). But my hat off to him for making a choice like that. Must be tempting at times...
 
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Fatboy said:
I was there the night CJ beat him for $20,000 in 2 10 ahead sets in May 93 or 92 at Cue Club in Vegas, CJ played 9B as good as it could be played, Mark won 6 games in 2 sets, CJ made 4/4 jump shots 2 were hard shots and he fot shape after all 4 shots. No one could have beat CJ that night, for lack of a better word he ran out the 2 sets, Mark might have had 3 or 4 open shots in the 2 sets, CJ locked him up or ran out EVERY time he was at the table. Archer was there as well it was at Cue Club right after that is when I went into retirement for a year then played at home until I popped up here. That was one of the most memriable action I have ever seen. CJ was unbeatable that night. Man I wish we had video of that- I dont remember anyone ever seeing someone dominate a champion like Mark like that. I mentioned Archer being there only because he told me what I just said here which was my opinion too.

Glad we hae TAR nowdays because someday they will catch a match like that. When SVB beat Cory it was one sided but that night CJ played Mark it was just amazing to see someone play like CJ did that night, I cant remember seeing someone play like that-I missed it when Archer ran 13 on Busta but it was like that.
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Maybe I was betting with you. :D Not! I was betting with Rex and a guy named Nick, 500 a set. CJ played that way for over a year. He chased Efren
all over the country and caught up with him a few times for even more memorable games. They played in Seattle for 40K and in Texas for 50K, and at least one other time as well. CJ won overall.
 
Madcity said:
Hey fatboy let us just flip for cues I just might have something that you could not buy otherwise you fat ****
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i'm not looking for any action, I stopped flipping coins a while back so lets just be friends and let it be. I couldnt imagine what you have that I couldnt buy or even want to buy, I'm pretty happy with everything I have-but thanks for the oppertunity-I appericate it. Its not everyday someone goes out of their way like you did to bring something to me that I couldnt buy.

thanks again

Fatboy
 
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