Little Ko . 18 year old world beater.
The most naturally talented pool players that you have ever known?
- Thread starter justinb386
- Start date
I think that 'natural talent' is not evident, after a player reaches c to b level.
It sure does factor in regarding how quickly one get there though.
It sure does factor in regarding how quickly one get there though.
My top two picks for the player with the most natural ability that rose more quickly to the top then all other players are Shannon Daulton, and Keith McCready.
Keith McCready at the age of 13 was playing a game called "pay ball" with the best players in the world and winning consistently. Pay ball was a rotation game (short rack)played on a snooker table with very small pockets. Players the likes of Ronnie Allen, Richie Florence, Cole Dickson, Jimmy Reid, Larry Lisciotti, my self and any other player that wanted to play were welcome to compete..no body was barred. Keith was one of the consistent winners playing among the best players in the world at age 13. Keith went on to very quickly become the best 9ball player in California, at the age of 17 he was considered to be one of the best bar table players in the country, and then at the old age of 19 he was the best bar table player in the country along side of David Matlock. Well we all know what followed, Keith McCready is a legend for not only his playing ability but also for his magnetic personality that has charmed people for decades.
Shannon Daulton, was playing top pool at the age of 10. Not world class, but top pool for a short stop player, age 10..give me a break. By the time he was 12 he was beating some of the best players in Kentucky, and went on to win the state bank championship at the age of 17. He has won the banks division at Derby twice, first in the year of 2000 and again this year (15 years later) 2015. He also won the 9ball division twice, 2001 and then again in 2003.
I'l put these two guys up against the world as a team for 13 year old players if it was possible. and give them 80% of the winnings.:happydance:
Shannon Daulton..Keith McCready < Now there's a pair that can beat a full house.
Bill Incardona
Keith McCready at the age of 13 was playing a game called "pay ball" with the best players in the world and winning consistently. Pay ball was a rotation game (short rack)played on a snooker table with very small pockets. Players the likes of Ronnie Allen, Richie Florence, Cole Dickson, Jimmy Reid, Larry Lisciotti, my self and any other player that wanted to play were welcome to compete..no body was barred. Keith was one of the consistent winners playing among the best players in the world at age 13. Keith went on to very quickly become the best 9ball player in California, at the age of 17 he was considered to be one of the best bar table players in the country, and then at the old age of 19 he was the best bar table player in the country along side of David Matlock. Well we all know what followed, Keith McCready is a legend for not only his playing ability but also for his magnetic personality that has charmed people for decades.
Shannon Daulton, was playing top pool at the age of 10. Not world class, but top pool for a short stop player, age 10..give me a break. By the time he was 12 he was beating some of the best players in Kentucky, and went on to win the state bank championship at the age of 17. He has won the banks division at Derby twice, first in the year of 2000 and again this year (15 years later) 2015. He also won the 9ball division twice, 2001 and then again in 2003.
I'l put these two guys up against the world as a team for 13 year old players if it was possible. and give them 80% of the winnings.:happydance:
Shannon Daulton..Keith McCready < Now there's a pair that can beat a full house.
Bill Incardona
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My top two picks for the player with the most natural ability that rose more quickly to the top then all other players are Shannon Daulton, and Keith McCready.
Keith McCready at the age of 13 was playing a game called "pay ball" with the best players in the world and winning consistently. Pay ball was a rotation game (short rack)played on a snooker table with very small pockets. Players the likes of Ronnie Allen, Richie Florence, Cole Dickson, Jimmy Reid, Larry Lisciotti, my self and any other player that wanted to play were welcome to compete..no body was barred. Keith was one of the consistent winners playing among the best players in the world at age 13. Keith went on to very quickly become the best 9ball player in California, at the age of 17 he was considered to be one of the best bar table players in the country, and then at the old age of 19 he was the best bar table player in the country along side of David Matlock. Well we all know what followed, Keith McCready is a legend for not only his playing ability but also for his magnetic personality that has charmed people for decades.
Shannon Daulton, was playing top pool at the age of 10. Not world class, but top pool for a short stop player, age 10..give me a break. By the time he was 12 he was beating some of the best players in Kentucky, and went on to win the state bank championship at the age of 17. He has won the banks division at Derby twice, first in the year of 2000 and again this year (15 years later) 2015. He also won the 9ball division twice, 2001 and then again in 2003.
I'l put these two guys up against the world as a team for 13 year old players if it was possible. and give them 80% of the winnings.:happydance:
Shannon Daulton..Keith McCready < Now there's a pair that can beat a full house.
Bill Incardona
Billy -
Did you and Keith gamble for any LARGE amounts? I know you were considered the best in the country in the EARLY 1970's, and Keith in the LATE 1970's.
SO, in 1975-1976 how did you guys fair?
Best wishes as always,
Ken
Ken, I never played Keith when I was considered one of the best players in the country he was a little behind me in his development. Keith and I have played many times usually playing one pocket where I could harness his firing power..which I desperately needed to. I retired from playing pool four times in my life and because of that there were a lot of players that I never played, and some that I played after coming back from my retirements. My game was never the same after I initially retired around the age of 28, I retired from pool for about 5 years and tried a come back but wasn't able to reach the speed that I had before I retired.I have always played a top speed after retiring but not good enough to compete against the best players, but never the less..i'm still trying and not liking it. But enjoying it, if that makes sense.
Bill Incardona
Bill Incardona
BB, im not sure how these guys would do on this list but what are your thoughts on a few people from around our way such as : Max, Newdecker, Little Nikki, and imparticular Jason Hill? Oh how about Riggi ( before ...)
Well if it is Eberle, that Max put in a lot of time. He also had a grandfather that was a solid pool player who helped him learn.
The other Max (Schlottenhehslkfhfdaodhomerhaisejf;...whatever!) also put in a lot of time. I remember when he was a little kid and Danny and I had to take him back home (Reisterstown?) from Glen Burnie.
the rest, I dont really know enough to (cough...chemicals) comment on.
Yeah I was talking bout 2nd Max lol. I just remember him playing REAL strong as a teenager. And were u referencing Danny Green? If so I def should've included him in that list too.
Yeah, that danny. He put in some time too!
And for the rest of you:
The fishtank theory trumps natural ability all friggin day. If you are raised around good pool, you will play better than you would if you were raised around mediocre pool.
It is rumored and somewhat proven that a Goldfish will grow to suit the size of its tank. That if you increase the size of the tank, the Goldfish will continue to grow. Some Goldfish reportedly weighing up to 90 lbs and as much as 36” long. Conversely, if you keep a Goldfish in a small tank it will stop growing or die. I would like for you to consider that this is a great analogyfor pool playerss.
Newdecker
I really liked Newdecker's game. I was lucky enough to beat him, Doug Sharp, Freddy Boggs and Danny Green in consecutive matches in a tournament once, only to have Larry come back and beat me in the finals.
Back on topic..
I was considered a "natural" as a 12-year-old. I watched a good player play and immediately assumed a nice stance and closed bridge the first time I held a cue. Took me about two weeks to run my first rack.
But there were no instructors where I lived then, and I wasn't smart enough to seek one out anyway. I think that's a main reason that I never got farther than a "master" VNEA and BCA league player. I didn't really even begin to learn the game till I was in my thirties, - pool was never my favorite sport.
I really liked Newdecker's game. I was lucky enough to beat him, Doug Sharp, Freddy Boggs and Danny Green in consecutive matches in a tournament once, only to have Larry come back and beat me in the finals.
Back on topic..
I was considered a "natural" as a 12-year-old. I watched a good player play and immediately assumed a nice stance and closed bridge the first time I held a cue. Took me about two weeks to run my first rack.
But there were no instructors where I lived then, and I wasn't smart enough to seek one out anyway. I think that's a main reason that I never got farther than a "master" VNEA and BCA league player. I didn't really even begin to learn the game till I was in my thirties, - pool was never my favorite sport.
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Donny, I've been meaning to say hi to you for a few years now since I noticed you on azb. I didn't cause I thought there was no way ud remember me. Just in case I was the kid about 12 or 13 that used to come down to Champions Laurel occasionally with my old man backing me ( he was the guy usually in a suit that every time he took a shot his shoulder houlder piece cannon would show and everyone would be talking about lol
im sure ya dont but any recollection?
Yes and no. Good point though.. This comes down to a discussion that applies to countless things. While maybe not able to explain, you can tell when someone just " gets" it. Anyone can read or study and become an expert - but those true folks know it when they see it.
Local 8 year old
There is an 8 year old boy that lives locally that is absolutely amazing. I've seen him run a rack of nine ball on a 9' Diamond, but the most amazing thing is he understands safety play and knows how to execute them. And get this he has only been playing a year. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this young man as long as he stays focused and doesn't burn out.
There is an 8 year old boy that lives locally that is absolutely amazing. I've seen him run a rack of nine ball on a 9' Diamond, but the most amazing thing is he understands safety play and knows how to execute them. And get this he has only been playing a year. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this young man as long as he stays focused and doesn't burn out.
Natural talent must be nurtured and developed much like a seed that's been planted.
I started playing at age 7 and beat the kid that took to the pool room for the first time. He was a better basketball player than I was (although I spent thousands of hours to try to change this), however, when it came to pool there was a noticeable difference.
Natural talent must be nurtured and developed much like a seed that's been planted. We can plant a seed, in this scenario the seed was planted in us, and must have Light to grow.
I started playing at age 7 and beat the kid that took to the pool room for the first time. He was a better basketball player than I was (although I spent thousands of hours to try to change this), however, when it came to pool there was a noticeable difference.
Natural talent must be nurtured and developed much like a seed that's been planted. We can plant a seed, in this scenario the seed was planted in us, and must have Light to grow.
Earl was a monster when he was 19-22...nobody in East Texas wanted any part of him. The Earl most folks know is the post gambling Earl that wanted to win tournaments and be famous. He used to be a skinny mullet wearing kid that would play for hours without missing and never met a safe he couldn't jump out of.
champion billiards
Sorry, but as I approach 73 my memory is a bit sketchy.
I have some good memories of Champion Billiards. And a few not so good, like being replaced there by a guy who I was told owed the owner some money and worked for free to pay off his debt. I did enjoy being Resident Instructor and BCA league director there for a year...
Donny, I've been meaning to say hi to you for a few years now since I noticed you on azb. I didn't cause I thought there was no way ud remember me. Just in case I was the kid about 12 or 13 that used to come down to Champions Laurel occasionally with my old man backing me ( he was the guy usually in a suit that every time he took a shot his shoulder houlder piece cannon would show and everyone would be talking about lol
Sorry, but as I approach 73 my memory is a bit sketchy.
I have some good memories of Champion Billiards. And a few not so good, like being replaced there by a guy who I was told owed the owner some money and worked for free to pay off his debt. I did enjoy being Resident Instructor and BCA league director there for a year...