RONNIE ALLEN vs. DANNY DILIBERTO - 1988 CHALLENGE MATCH

jay helfert

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
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This was the $20,000 Challenge Match played at the Golden Eight Ball in Phoenix in 1988. It was three out of five sets, each set a race to five. So it was a long match, played over three days. This was the last time I saw Ronnie play top speed One Pocket. For that alone, it has great value. Danny was the house pro there, and very familiar with the Centennial table they played on. He played great as well.

Trust me when I tell you this match was for real. I was a witness to the counting out of all $20,000 and watched it being put into the house safe. This match had everything; great shooting, great safeties and some great conversation! And it went down to the fifth set, and was in doubt till the very end. I'm so glad that there is a least one tape of Ronnie still in his prime. You can be the judge if he was a match for Efren. He definitely had some weapons, and knew how to use them.

I produced this match and the video and sold all my copies years ago. I made a few DVD copies because so many people have asked about it. There is also a hi-lite DVD available that is nearly three hours long. This has all the best shots and moves, but leaves out a lot of stuff between shots and between racks, etc.

The full length match consists of a five DVD set, and I'm selling it for $100. That includes shipping (USA only). For the edited version, it is only $30.

You can Paypal me at jayhelfert@yahoo.com or e-mail me at the same address for an address to send a check.
 
I rack balls said:
Not to be a **** but how is the video quality?
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The quality is very good. You can see EVERYTHING clearly. I just watched the last few games tonight. It's amazing what could be done with three cameras back then, by a director (Todd Evans) who knew what he was doing. And some good lighting! I gave him and his cameramen a coaching lesson the day before we started. I explained to him that once in a while he should "close" on the balls to see them more clearly, particularly the clusters. To bad the ESPN crews of 2008 have still not learned how to do this today. BAD directing is all I have to say. By the way, this was a professional crew, with state of the art equipment. Not a couple of amateurs holding cameras.

More importantly, there is so much to be learned from these DVD's, if you are serious about One Pocket. Frequently Ronnie out moves and out maneuvers another excellent player. You will see why he was the best player of his era. Early in the racks, he continually escapes Danny's traps with good moves of his own. And just watch how Ronnie handles the balls when they are all down table. He will shoot some shots that you don't even see, and you will have to rewind to watch them again. And his kicking ability is par excellence!

The Centennial is a fabulous table with snug pockets. In the crowd I spotted Harry Platis, Keith, U.J. Puckett, Ginacue Ernie, Weenie Beenie, Redbird and a few more luminaries of the pool world. The running commentary by Danny is funny and educational, and Ronnie has many choice quips of his own, even though he kept taking his mic off. Like I said, I'm so glad that we decided to record this epic match for posterity.
 
All orders will go out next week via Priority Mail. Enjoy!

By the way, it's lonnng! Did I tell you it is TEN hours of One Pocket? You'll want to take the day off when you get it. For whatever reason it is even more intriguing to watch on video then it was was in person. You get restless watching a long pool match in a poolroom, but at home you can get comfortable in your favorite chair, make a sandwich and drink, and relax and enjoy some great pool. The new big screens don't hurt the experience either. Pool is a great sport to watch on television if it's done right!

I really enjoyed watching the final DVD last night, and it was nearly two hours long. Even though I produced this match and the video production, I had forgotten how interesting it was. And seeing Ronnie and Danny when they could still play great pool, brought back good memories for me. Yeah, there's a lot of nostalgia associated with this one. I should have done more of these matches with the great players of yesteryear. Shame on me and my lazy ass. In truth, it's not easy to put together a match up like this. Just ask the TAR guys. Some day their videos will be classics too.
 
Jay - money sent. I can't wait to see Ronnie in full flow! Not that Danny's any slouch.
 
All orders will be filled next week via Priority mail. Please be patient. Thank you.
Yes, Ronnie is in full flow here, walking, talking, strutting and shooting. When Ronnie was on he was in control of the match. In fact, he controlled the whole pool room. :)
 
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I have had many requests over the last three years for the full length version of this classic match. Well, there are twenty copies sitting on my desk right now. Just got them back from the duplicating lab. Five have been sold, so there are fifteen left. I don't know when I'll make any more. So if you want one, now's your chance.
 
Dcc

Could you bring some to the Derby to sell.It would pay for your trip.Plus I might have the money then.
G from Dayton.
( just tryin to learn one-p )
 
Diliberto/Allen Review

I have a huge Accu-stats collection and many hard to find non-accu-stats matches....this battle ranks at the top of my favorites. Anyone who knows one-pocket will be impressed. Both players dazzle and it goes down to the wire. Danny wrote about it in his book...he makes a 4 rail shot that brings the house down. Anybody thinking of spending the c-note should definitely do so...this match is well worth the coin and you will enjoy it over and over.

Thank you Jay for bringing it to us...in the beginning and again now.
 
oldroller said:
Could you bring some to the Derby to sell.It would pay for your trip.Plus I might have the money then.
G from Dayton.
( just tryin to learn one-p )
Click to expand...

I'll bring what I have left.
 
Is this the match where the table is wet, there aren't enough bar towels for Ronnie to wipe down a herd of rode hard horses and Puckett wakes people up at all hours ????

It was great... imo

Doug
(if you don't have it..... GET IT)
 
And They're Funny As Well

metallicane said:
Paypal being sent for whole match. Is there commentary?
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The players are miked in my set.

Doug
(the FBI should have taped Ronnie's pack to his chest) :)
 
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