Unknown "monster" players

From about 1971 to 1984 Hawaiian Brian was right there with anybody playing Nine Ball (any sized table) and One Pocket. Traveled the road very undercover and played all the top players usually getting the cash.

I would put Brian in the top five of road men of that era. He was a money maker! I played him three or four times myself to no avail (9-7 in One Pocket and the seven ball in 9-Ball).
 
Keith Thompson was just about 16,the first time I saw him play. Two years later, won All Around Johnson City, 1970.
 
From about 1971 to 1984 Hawaiian Brian was right there with anybody playing Nine Ball (any sized table) and One Pocket. Traveled the road very undercover and played all the top players usually getting the cash.

The Miz gave him the 7 playing 9 ball and they broke even.
And that was told to me by the guy that backed him and was there.
I have seen Brian play and was in a Chicago (1 & 5) game with him in the mid 80's and Brian could play.
 
Speaking of monsters Fat Randy recently passed away. There is a new thread here about it.
Randy's specialty was on the small table and the mud-ball. He never liked the big rock like Matlock did. On a Valley with that crappy mudball Randy was a threat to beat ANY living human. If he got his break workin' you might be in you chair a WHILE.
 
you didnt need to be a great player to make big money you had to schmooze with the live ones and get to play them. those world beaters got to play others like themselves and rarely accumulated any real money.

there were more b players that were sharp that ended up with hundreds of thousands from the gambling players than the short stop and higher pros.. which few came out ahead any serious money.
 
Which video is that? I would love to see it. Thanks:)
I realize this is an old post, but I'm relatively new on here, so please bear w me.
I was there when Louie played Gary. (Yours truly in the background at Cue & Cushion, St. Louis.) Old stomping grounds. Lol.
I wasn't impressed by Gary at all. Louie had his # from the get go. Seville was intimidated and you could see he was getting frustrated by some of Louie's antics, but all in all, Louie was uncharacteristically reserved during that match. I think he was giving Gary the last 3 or something close. Not sure if it was O'Brien that shot the vid, or somebody else.
Louie won and sent Gary packing.
Good video for newbs to see classic Sharking in action.
I'll try to find and post the link, if it's even still available. It's a long match, so...
I have a copy around here someplace. Finding it, well, that's 'a whole nuthr ball game.' Lol.
 
I realize this is an old post, but I'm relatively new on here, so please bear w me.
I was there when Louie played Gary. (Yours truly in the background at Cue & Cushion, St. Louis.) Old stomping grounds. Lol.
I wasn't impressed by Gary at all. Louie had his # from the get go. Seville was intimidated and you could see he was getting frustrated by some of Louie's antics, but all in all, Louie was uncharacteristically reserved during that match. I think he was giving Gary the last 3 or something close. Not sure if it was O'Brien that shot the vid, or somebody else.
Louie won and sent Gary packing.
Good video for newbs to see classic Sharking in action.
I'll try to find and post the link, if it's even still available. It's a long match, so...
I have a copy around here someplace. Finding it, well, that's 'a whole nuthr ball game.' Lol.
Would love to see that!

There's a whole host of unknown 'monsters' here in Shanghai. I've seen top pros battered by what would be absolute nobodies in relative terms. Let me have a think about who I would consider a 'monster' here. Will see if I can find some good footage I can post up from local media sources.
 
Would love to see that!

There's a whole host of unknown 'monsters' here in Shanghai. I've seen top pros battered by what would be absolute nobodies in relative terms. Let me have a think about who I would consider a 'monster' here. Will see if I can find some good footage I can post up from local media sources.
I bet!!! Their philosophy about learning a skill then practicing at it until they have it down perfect, no matter how long that may take, is admirable to say the least.
 
Tommy Stevens in Fairfield,OH
I was in the gambling room at DCC about ???? 10 or 15 years ago, It was the first time I ever saw Evan Lunda, he looked about 12 .
He came up and asked if I wanted to play some and I said no thanks , about 3 minutes later Whiteys son, who has on eyeglasses thicker than the bottom of a pop bottle asks Evan if he wants to play some one pocket . Evan looks at him and says heck no, you look like you invented the game. After whiteys son walks away I said , stings, don't it ? we both chuckled and moved on.
The first time I saw whiteys son ,I walked in Beechmont billiards really late one night and he was perched on that throne Sherm used to have on the front table. From the chair he says "Play some? " I said , is there any princes or knights around, I don't really want to play the king first. He didn't even chuckle.
 
I bet!!! Their philosophy about learning a skill then practicing at it until they have it down perfect, no matter how long that may take, is admirable to say the least.
Watching some of these guys train is nuts. They'd be identified as having a touch of the 'tism in the context of most other countries lol
 
Pete Horne is the best to ever grace the doors of my pool room in Russellville Arkansas (to my knowledge). Pete used to drive for Tyson, and Russellville being the heart of chicken distribution and processing, gave Pete many hours and days of waiting for loads at the pool room. I have watched him run many racks of 9-ball while fully engrossed in conversation and seeming to put zero effort or concentration into pocketing balls or playing position. He told me many stories from his actual playing days, showed me things that I did not about the game, and most of all just spending time with him and watching him interact with my younger players was a joy. He had a way of stepping thru the front door with a huge smile on his face, and then glancing around to see who all was there to witness his entry, really funny but I guess you had to be there to get the full effect. I sure wish he still drove for Tyson. Pete if you read this hope to you again sometime. Mark
Beezers is a good room, always had fun there
 
Do you know how I might get in touch with Harold?? I was in Sanford for a while while he was there and he had a picture that I wanted. We were going to get it duplicated and framed like his but I lost contact.
Last I heard he had moved and lost alot of weight.

Great picture BTW --- a bunch of champions all together with all of their names. Pretty sure it was from Johnson City.
I would love to still go through with the deal that Harold and I made.
 
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