Straight Pool

[sjm]

weren't Nick Varner, and a very young Johnny Archer in it too?

Yes, Lewdo, Varner was there, but it wasn't his best week.

As for Archer, I don't remember seeing him play in the event, but he was definitely there. I know this because the night before the players meeting, I was lucky enough to attend a charity event to benefit Leukemia research. Two pool tables were set up in the basement of Rusty Staub's restaurant, not far from the Roosevelt Hotel, the site of the tournament.

The evening began with an exhibition in which Sigel and Archer played a nine-ball race to five, won comfortably by Archer. It was the first time I ever saw Johnny Archer, who was twenty-four years old if memory serves, play pool, and yes, I was impressed.

Also present at the charity event were Varner, Lorre Jon and Sammy Jones, and Billie Billing. Jerry Ohrbach, soon to become a really big TV star on Law and Order was there, too, and I remember that he played a short match against Sigel.

It was a memorable evening.

 

[TheOne]

No, there was no television coverage, but Accustats sells both the Sigel-Zuglan and the Zuglan-Martin matches.

An amusing footnote to this is that both participating players get a small royalty when an Accustats tape of a match is sold. Sigel has always joked that it seems odd that Zuglan should get anything for Accustats sales of their famous match -- after all, he only lagged and broke!

LOL that does seem a little harsh!
Interesting point though, do accustats pay royalties to all featured players?

 

[dmgwalsh]

I promoted three 14.1 events: Las Vegas, $15,000 added with 22 players, Portland, ME, $25,000 added, 43 players, Columbia, SC, $10,000 added with 28 players. That's not great support, if you ask me.
I still would like to stage Straight Pool tournaments and I will, if my Dec. event doesn't lose money. I promised my wife that if I lost money on this one, I'd quit doing tournaments.
I submitted a proposal to the UPA two months ago and asked for Bank Pool, 14.1 and One Pocket to get equal rankings points with 9 ball. They declined and gave me in writing that they have no interest in these disciplines.Last year I sent proposals to the BCA and the WPA , concerning in part their getting involved with me and Straight Pool. I was told that they have no interest in doing ever again any 14.1 tournaments.
Therefore if I do stage 14.1 events, I shall insist that players sign a contract stating that they won't ever play in a 14.1 tournament promoted by or sanctioned by one of the abovementioned three groups.This wouldn't mean that players couldn't play in 14.1 events like the one coming up in NJ, but just not anything that the groups have something to do with.
By the way, one of my lifelong strong beliefs is that 14.1 ought to be played on tough equipment. Running 100 balls or some other noteworthy thing doesn't mean much if it's done on what amounts to six inch pockets.
I also believe that with a couple of minor rules changes and great commentators I could make 14.1 more exciting than 9 Ball.Any Straight Pool lovers out in cyberspace who might know of a decent sponsor please contact me.

Grady: It's wonderful that you are championing this great game, but it's a pity that there is not more support for it. I'm sorry that I cannot help you in your search for sponsors, but I'm just scuffling along like everybody else.

I met you last year at the Midwest Open when I picked up a book from you that I had ordered. At the time, I didn't realize I was in the presence of royalty. It was not until I read your book and watched a lot of straight pool matches that I found out who you are. Are you coming to the Midwest Open this year?

As for straight pool, I have since last year joined two leagues, one at Red Shoes in Alsip Illinois, that has George Fels as a contestant as well as another good local player, Ed Latimer. This league has 17 players and the director, John Lavin said he had to turn a few people away. The other league is at the Illinois Billiards Club run by Jim Parker and has 22 players run two separate days a week.

There seems to be some renewed interest in straight pool. I've dragged a few of my buddies to each of the leagues and some 8 and 9 ball players seem to like the challenge. It would be nice if straight pool leagues and or tournaments could be promoted at the pool hall level. This would probably help to keep the game alive.

Anyway, Hope all goes well with your tournaments. Dennis

 

[Williebetmore]

Where these matches race to 150? Not to belittle these runs but people have done much higher runs than 150. Just wondered what made these runs so famous?

Just my opinion, but these runs are notable to me because they were performed in a serious competition. Exhibition runs are performed with the player often taking chances that would not be attempted during a competition with money on the line. To me they are totally separate things. I do not even keep track of my own runs in practice - to me its meaningless. I want to see what a person does in competition - that's a pretty good measure of his skill. I think competitive 14.1 and practice 14.1 are two different games and you might as well compare apples and oranges.

 

[sjm]

Where these matches race to 150? Not to belittle these runs but people have done much higher runs than 150. Just wondered what made these runs so famous?

Though I've answered your question already in this thread, I left out a significant detail. Sigel's 150 and out against Zuglan has, by some very competent authorities on straight pool, been considered the most technically perfect one inning game ever played. It has long been considered a match worth studying for any serious student of straight pool.

 

[woody_968]

Therefore if I do stage 14.1 events, I shall insist that players sign a contract stating that they won't ever play in a 14.1 tournament promoted by or sanctioned by one of the abovementioned three groups.

I sure hope you change your view on this one Grady. Not only will it limit the players that would play in your event, it would limit players in the event that any of the other groups got their heads out of their #$%$ and decided to run an event.

You have always stated that much of what you do is to promote pool. Asking players not to play in ANY event is not promoting pool.

Dont get me wrong, I think the responses you recieved from the other groups is terrible. I just dont want to see someone like you, that has always tried to put the good of the game first, stoop to their level and play the "if you dont play with me I wont play with you" game.

 

[BAZARUS]

Hi Grady

It is a great and very challanging idea. Straight pool is my favorite game along with 9ball and I'd love to play in those tournaments as regulary as in 9ball ones.
Although I do have to share feelings with other members here, that signing a contract is not a way to do it. Just as an example, last year I've sign up with UPA and right after I did, they told me, if they decide to boycot US Open I and all UPA players won't be able to play in it, which is totaly ridiculous idea. Since than I've decide not to sign anymore contracts ever. There is so many independent tournaments, that is hard to keep up with them not to mention play in all of them.

 

[cardiac kid]

Where these matches race to 150? Not to belittle these runs but people have done much higher runs than 150. Just wondered what made these runs so famous?

Hi The One,

Incidently, one of Mike's foibles was, depending on his opponent, to take an intentional scratch after the break if he had no shot. His reasoning? Most events had a prize for highest run. 151 always beats 150! If your capable of running 150 on a regular basis, it's an interesting tactic!