bankbusiness
Registered
I've been digging into these forums looking to find who were straight pool specialists and not all round players. I know Masconi was one such player. But who else was or is?
Straight pool specialists
- Thread starter bankbusiness
- Start date
Most of the pro players mentioned in this forum that retired by 1985 were straight pool specialists. Among the straight pool specialists that come up the most on this forum would be Willie Mosconi, Ralph Greenleaf, Irving Crane, Joe Balsis, Jimmy Caras, Pat McGown, Dan DiLiberto, Dallas West, Pete Margo and Ray Martin. Of the straight pool legends, quite a few of them went on to be stars of the nine-ball era, too, such as Steve Mizerak, Mike Sigel, Nick Varner, Jim Rempe, Allen Hopkins, and Larry Lisciotti, so I don't view them as specialists.
Last edited:
Wayne Crimi
Member
Ray Martin was one hell of a 9-ball player also
The only 14.1 specialist today has to be Steve Lipsky. There is video of him playing in a ten ball event years ago against Jorge Rodriguez and I believe that has been the only time he has ever dabbled in anything that was not straight pool.
Steve Kurtz is a 14.1 only player but I don't believe he's ever played in any pro events.
Tom Walter is a 14.1 only player. At least I've never heard of him playing in anything but 14.1 events.
Would Don Polo and Kevin Clark be considered 14.1 specialists?
As for old time players, sjm pretty much answered it.
Steve Kurtz is a 14.1 only player but I don't believe he's ever played in any pro events.
Tom Walter is a 14.1 only player. At least I've never heard of him playing in anything but 14.1 events.
Would Don Polo and Kevin Clark be considered 14.1 specialists?
As for old time players, sjm pretty much answered it.
Mike Eufemia?
Yes, but I could name another 100 from the golden age so, in my post, I chose to make the blanket statement "Most of the pro players mentioned in this forum that retired by 1985 were straight pool specialists." In truth, Mike is rarely mentioned in the straight pool forum. He was a good friend of my late father.
I went back and reread the original post, I did not catch the part where you were talking about this forum specifically, now it makes more sense.
I just thought I remembered his name as one of the best of the best , except in a tournament, where he never seemed to be able to perform well.
I apologise if you thought I was questioning you personally in some way, I just didn't understand why he would not be mentioned as a specialist at 14.1 . That was why I put His name and a question mark. He seemed like the poster child to me.
No apology is in order here. You didn't question me personally and I certainly didn't take it that way. Actually, I agree with you on Mike Eufemia, who was a 14.1 specialist for sure. I saw him play live but I suspect the list of those on AZB who got to see him play is a short one. He played his best pool in the 1960's and died far too young.
I Have played in quite a few Pro Events....How ya doin buddy ?
Not bad. Awaiting the arrival of baby #3 and trying to figure out the date of the next 14.1 tournament I want to hold. Also trying to figure out the format because double Elimination 14.1 amateur events take forever even if non-handicapped. I'm considering a single elimination non-handicapped bracket as my next brainstorming idea.
Not a well known player outside of the N.J./Philly/N.Y. was Neptune Joe Frady that played Mizerak even 14.1.
When he was right 100 ball runs were not uncommon.
Dont forget Joe Russo from Trenton.
Ervilino could play a little 14.1
When he was right 100 ball runs were not uncommon.
Dont forget Joe Russo from Trenton.
Ervilino could play a little 14.1
Borderline, as Jack, with whom I played back in the day, also played on the Eastern States 9-ball tour, with some success.
Actually, his name was Jack Colavita, not Jack Colavito.
The Eastern State 9 Ball Tour? That's one I've never heard of. I know of the now defunct Eastern States 9 Ball Championship Tournament that was last played a few years ago.
Back in the 60's I played out of room in Neptune N.J.
Once in a while local player Ernie Lager would go north to play Jack.
Two other players Butch Wright and Youngblood would also go.
I was like 15 at the time and they would take me mainly to carry the three pool cue cases and be the go for.
Hey Bruce go get coffee and hamburgers.
But as a 15 year old I loved it.
One time we went north and there was no food with in walking distance.
Ernie had a couple year old Cadillac and said you know how to drive? Yup. Go get food and don't bring the Caddy back with one scratch.
Of course I had no drivers licence and he knew that,but it was the early '60's and things were different then.
I used to play in a room where Jack hung out but I was too timid to approach him for anything other than idle conversation. I know he would watch me play (probably shaking his head, lol). I know his daughter Cindy a little bit. She has an old scrapbook with all the news clippings, awards, etc. and keeps saying she's going to stop by with it.
Not so show why u'r interested anyhue, u stated (in two other threads) the game of 14.1 u thought was boring?
Whatyou talkin bout Willis?
I'd say the Eastern States tour has been gone for over thirty years.
I'm wondering if anyone knew that Robin Dreyer, pool instructor for over 30 years living in Portland, Oregon, teaches every pool game but his love is 14.1? I've never taken a lesson from him on that pool game, only 8 and 9 ball. I still do not play 14.1 or one pocket as I know of no one that wants to play those games. I'm just writing this in case anyone who lives close to him for a 14.1 lesson. He told me he's planning on writing a book on the 14.1 game.