Varner on Fats You will love this.

Like many in this thread, I never saw Minnesota Fats play live, although I did see the Fats/Mosconi Challenge on TV in the 1970s.

I think we need to take Willie's comments in stride. Just because Fats was not a great player by Mosconi standards does not mean he wasn't great.

Suffice it to say, Willie's standards were pretty high and he wasn't always quick to give other players credit. Although he greatly respected Irving Crane's game, Willie once said of Crane, known as a great but very conservative player [he wouldn't shoot a shot unless his grandmother could make it]. I recall that this quote was included in Irving's obituary, and I remember thinking that its inclusion was in poor taste.

If Bobby Fischer didn't think much of your chess game, so what? I think it's the same with Willie and pool.
 
certainly was at his older age. no one really left around that was a top player who knew him well 80 years ago.

older top players can catch a so called gear. that gear is near your top speed. you cant catch a gear above your ability.
 
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sjm,,,, fats was long gone from nyc when i was there. but the old timers from the depression years, that sat in the chairs would say no one in the city would play him for money even. and the city was full of better than shortstop players and many super stars.
ive only seen him play when betting big and it seemed he made the shots he needed to to get the cash. and know of some of the scores and how little the spot was from players he took off.
 
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I have no real info on how well Fats played. If he were, in fact, "triple smart", he would have everyone believing that he needed the five and the break and/or 10-6 at one pocket. Even if he played even with Mosconi.

But if he was triple smart, I wonder where his money went at the end.

As for what I did see of him, which was at a few exhibitions at tournaments in the 70s and 80s, I didn't like his patter. Too far from any reality. Very repetitive, like he had a bunch of flash cards and the one with the Raja of Ranchipur story had landed on top.
 
lfigueroa said:
My recollection is that Fats had numerous scores against top flight players like Lassiter, Shorty, and the memorable slow hustle of Richie Florence, albeit with a spot, who at the time was one of the best players in the country.

I also recall Freddy or Billy saying that Fats was an inconsistent player but capable of capable of catching a gear that would scare even the big dogs.

Lou Figueroa
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I keep hearing this.
 
I saw Fats put on some exhibitions at the BCA trade show and he played pretty good and put on a decent show. He stamped his signature on pictures. I wish I still had mine. I guess he was pushing 80 then. Most of us never saw him, even on TV, until he was in his 60s. I am in my 60s now and my game is no where near my 30's game or even my 50's game. He was mid 50s when he became famous in the 1960's. That is the Fats everyone thinks of. The 20 years or more beyond his prime Fats is the one they say all the real pros could beat. That is the way past his prime player who beat the top players only getting 9 to 8 in one pocket according to what Nick shared. I have read many articles from the 80s saying very few wanted to play Fats Banks or One Pocket even when he was in his prime. Fats had a beautiful young lady with him in Nashville at the BCA Trade Show. I can't remember her name now or if he married her or not, but they were the talk of the show. He went to that high dollar Steak House in the warehouse district every night and just sat around entertaining people with his stories. He was loved by everyone there that I heard talk about him. They picked him up in a Limo every night and took him over there. He was still a star in his 80s and still making money with his gift of gab. I once sat across from him at a Pig Roast at a Pool Table manufacturer. He loved to talk and be the center of attention, but made everyone at the table feel like they were his friend. I have nothing, but fond memories of him.
 
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