What is the best win you ever had in a pool match up?

- Winning the 8th Army eight ball tournament in Korea a while back. You had to win a camp qualifying tournament just to get to play in the final tournament and then that took all weekend in Seoul. I actually even got to come out of the field to play in it that weekend so I had some pressure on me from my unit. What I found funny was the guy I beat in the finals out ranked me by quite a bit, bragged about how he was an officially trained pool referee, played with a high dollar cue, had a following of some folks from his unit at the tournament, and was dressed to impress in a snooty kind of way.....and I was basically by myself, in basketball shorts and a t-shirt, playing with a Guffey sneaky pete and I drilled him.
 
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In the late 90's I played in a Florida pro event and lost to David Howard 9-8 on the one loss side. I ended up beating a couple other players and had to face Steve Mizerak I remember being so focused I won 9-4.
 
lol you know it probably wasn't even a gambling match or a tournament game.

The immediate game that came to mind was at a bar when I teamed up with my dad ( might be a skill level 4 in the APA lol ) against these two other guys who were top notch players in the APA league at our area at the time.

Think we were down like 5-1 and since we weren't playing scotch doubles, rather just taking our turns once we missed instead, I finally warmed up and drilled them back watching their sticks unscrew at 7-5


:thumbup:
 
Fudsey...what an odd name. Only heard it once before. There a player in Missoula MT that goes by the nickname of Fudsy (real name Bob Gray). He owns the cab company, and plays pretty sporty.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

BarneyCalip said:
I remember Cole leaving and coming back in and yelled at Fudsey, “You Still can’t beat Me”. Cole still owes me money, but I don’t care because he had heart. Take care, Barney
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Back in the 70's and 80's the biggest regular tourney in L.A. was the monthly 9-Ball at the House of Billiards in the Valley. They would only let 32 players in and you had to be there early to get a spot. I had played a few times and never got higher than top five or six. Now I was in good stroke thanks to a recent road trip with Cecil Tugwell. I made it to the finals, beating several pretty fair players (Rich Relf, Ron Dickie and Jerry Chappel). My opponent was none other than Keith, who had won this tourney many times. I had actually beaten Keith before with the eight and the break. But this was even, a Race to Seven.

Naturally we went hill-hill and I had the break. I made a break and run out that I will never forget, struggling on every shot. Somehow I kept making balls and banked the eight to get long and straight on the nine. I must have stayed down on that shot for thirty seconds before pulling the trigger. When it went in I was more relieved than overjoyed. Keith just smiled and said, "Good shot Toupee."

I rarely played in tourneys, it just wasn't my thing. Fats once said, "The only trophies I want have pictures of Presidents on them." I felt pretty much the same way. In the mid 80's my friend Debbie Aarens put on the San Francisco Bar Table Championship at the Moscone Center and she invited me to come up and play. I took my daughter with me for a vacation in S.F. and to play a little pool. I never thought about winning, since this was all the league champions and me, the only outsider. Debbie had one "invitational" spot and she gave it to me.

Once again I made it to the finals beating some pretty fair bar table players. I had to play Delbert Wong (he owns Family Billiards in S.F.). They had bleachers set up in the playing arena and it was packed with people, many of them friends of Delbert's. I was a nervous wreck but my little daughter Breanna looked up at me and said, "Don't worry daddy, you'll win." I played nervous all the way and just kept getting down and making balls anyway. I vividly remember the final rack. I ran out to the eight ball and had to make a kick shot in the side. I had gotten hooked on the eight. I must have looked at that shot from every angle ten times. I knew if I missed it he would win the game and make it hill-hill. Well, I made that kick and must have jumped a mile in the air.

I won $500 and a brand new Heubler cue, worth another $500. Richard Flatto had put us up in his pad and when we went home that night he kept admiring the cue. The next morning my instincts kicked in and I decided to leave the cue behind for Richard. Bre and I were heading out to drive home to L.A. and Richard stopped me, holding the cue in his hand. He had a big smile on his face and said, "You almost forgot this." I told him, "No I didn't, it's yours." Now his smile got really big and he was speechless. Let me tell you that moment was worth more than winning the tournament. :smile:
 
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Another master piece, Mr Jay.

jay helfert said:
Back in the 70's and 80's the biggest regular tourney in L.A. was the monthly 9-Ball at the House of Billiards in the Valley. They would only let 32 players in and you had to be there early to get a spot. I had played a few times and never got higher than top five or six. Now I was in good stroke thanks to a recent road trip with Cecil Tugwell. I made it to the finals, beating several pretty fair players (Rich Relf, Ron Dickie and Jerry Chappel). My opponent was none other than Keith, who had won this tourney many times. I had actually beaten Keith before with the eight and the break. But this was even, a Race to Seven.

Naturally we went hill-hill and I had the break. I made a break and run out that I will never forget, struggling on every shot. Somehow I kept making balls and banked the eight to get long and straight on the nine. I must have stayed down on that shot for thirty seconds before pulling the trigger. When it went in I was more relieved than overjoyed. Keith just smiled and said, "Good shot Toupee."

I rarely played in tourneys, it just wasn't my thing. Fats once said, "The only trophies I want have pictures of Presidents on them." I felt pretty much the same way. In the mid 80's my friend Debbie Aarens put on the San Francisco Bar Table Championship at the Moscone Center and she invited me to come up and play. I took my daughter with me for a vacation in S.F. and to play a little pool. I never thought about winning, since this was all the league champions and me, the only outsider. Debbie had one "invitational" spot and she gave it to me.

Once again I made it to the finals beating some pretty fair bar table players. I had to play Delbert Wong (he owns Family Billiards in S.F.). They had bleachers set up in the playing arena and it was packed with people, many of them friends of Delbert's. I was a nervous wreck but my little daughter Breanna looked up at me and said, "Don't worry daddy, you'll win." I played nervous all the way and just kept getting down and making balls anyway. I vividly remember the final rack. I ran out to the eight ball and had to make a kick shot in the side. I had gotten hooked on the eight. I must have looked at that shot from every angle ten times. I knew if I missed it he would win the game and make it hill-hill. Well, I made that kick and must have jumped a mile in the air.

I won $500 and a brand new Heubler cue, worth another $500. Richard Flatto had put us up in his pad and when we went home that night he kept admiring the cue. The next morning my instincts kicked in and I decided to leave the cue behind for Richard. Bre and I were heading out to drive home to L.A. and Richard stopped me, holding the cue in his hand. He had a big smile on his face and said, "You almost forgot this." I told him, "No I didn't, it's yours." Now his smile got really big and he was speechless. Let me tell you that moment was worth more than winning the tournament. :smile:
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I love your pool stories very much. It is a real pleasure to read them. Thanks again.
Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
chadsens said:
That sounds like he was ole George Tanner... He used to play here in the local pool hall and said he played a lot in California. I always remember him with his folding chair/stool.... Great guy that will be missed.
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Yes that was him. Thanks for posting this. He was a nice guy! He played pretty good for a guy his age too! I couldn't believe he could see the balls as well as he did. I hope I can do that when I get into my 90's!
 
jay helfert said:
Back in the 70's and 80's the biggest regular tourney in L.A. was the monthly 9-Ball at the House of Billiards in the Valley. They would only let 32 players in and you had to be there early to get a spot. I had played a few times and never got higher than top five or six. Now I was in good stroke thanks to a recent road trip with Cecil Tugwell. I made it to the finals, beating several pretty fair players (Rich Relf, Ron Dickie and Jerry Chappel). My opponent was none other than Keith, who had won this tourney many times. I had actually beaten Keith before with the eight and the break. But this was even, a Race to Seven.

Naturally we went hill-hill and I had the break. I made a break and run out that I will never forget, struggling on every shot. Somehow I kept making balls and banked the eight to get long and straight on the nine. I must have stayed down on that shot for thirty seconds before pulling the trigger. When it went in I was more relieved than overjoyed. Keith just smiled and said, "Good shot Toupee."

I rarely played in tourneys, it just wasn't my thing. Fats once said, "The only trophies I want have pictures of Presidents on them." I felt pretty much the same way. In the mid 80's my friend Debbie Aarens put on the San Francisco Bar Table Championship at the Moscone Center and she invited me to come up and play. I took my daughter with me for a vacation in S.F. and to play a little pool. I never thought about winning, since this was all the league champions and me, the only outsider. Debbie had one "invitational" spot and she gave it to me.

Once again I made it to the finals beating some pretty fair bar table players. I had to play Delbert Wong (he owns Family Billiards in S.F.). They had bleachers set up in the playing arena and it was packed with people, many of them friends of Delbert's. I was a nervous wreck but my little daughter Breanna looked up at me and said, "Don't worry daddy, you'll win." I played nervous all the way and just kept getting down and making balls anyway. I vividly remember the final rack. I ran out to the eight ball and had to make a kick shot in the side. I had gotten hooked on the eight. I must have looked at that shot from every angle ten times. I knew if I missed it he would win the game and make it hill-hill. Well, I made that kick and must have jumped a mile in the air.

I won $500 and a brand new Heubler cue, worth another $500. Richard Flatto had put us up in his pad and when we went home that night he kept admiring the cue. The next morning my instincts kicked in and I decided to leave the cue behind for Richard. Bre and I were heading out to drive home to L.A. and Richard stopped me, holding the cue in his hand. He had a big smile on his face and said, "You almost forgot this." I told him, "No I didn't, it's yours." Now his smile got really big and he was speechless. Let me tell you that moment was worth more than winning the tournament. :smile:
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wow, its not what is it? its the moment you will always cherish and remember till we all pass away, good story Jay
 
Probably nothing compared to some of the other stories that are no-doubtedly in this thread, but it was a big validation for me personally. Race to 5, 9 ball, against the strongest player in this area, and one of the stronger players in Norcal, at least in his heyday. He's older now, and almost blind in one eye, but still runs racks with relative ease. I don't usually gamble, but he barked me into a corner and wouldn't let me go. He was throwing weight at me that I couldn't refuse. He gave me the 7 out. That's pretty heavy weight, but I will definitely tell you that me losing was a very real possibility, especially rack your own winner break. I've watched him run at least a 3 pack that I can immediately recall, probably more than that.

Anyways, final score ended up 5-2 me. I rose to the occasion, and even though I wasn't dead stroke, I felt good.

On one turn to the table, he had left me locked up on the head rail with at least a tough 2 rail, probably 3 rail, kick at the 2 ball on the foot rail. I looked at it, and pretty much without thinking I hit directly into the 5 ball and tied it up with the 7. I handed him the cue ball and he had a dumbfounded look on his face. He turned to me, with his toothpick hanging out of a half-crooked smile, and all he said was "You're learning".

I knew my chance of hitting that 2 was slim, and even if I did, it was most likely a sellout. I tied up some balls, gave him ball in hand, and dared him to get out. He missed the 4 trying to break out the 5. I ran the rest out.

It was the most satisfying pool I have ever played. It just reaffirmed im my own mind, and the minds of everyone on the rail, that I was/am definitely coming into my own. When everyone heard about it, most couldn't believe the margin I won by, even with the weight. Thing is, I felt like I was playing well enough, and most definitely smart enough, that I didn't even need the weight.
 
Hey, Baxter!

Baxter said:
Probably nothing compared to some of the other stories that are no-doubtedly in this thread, but it was a big validation for me personally. Race to 5, 9 ball, against the strongest player in this area, and one of the stronger players in Norcal, at least in his heyday. He's older now, and almost blind in one eye, but still runs racks with relative ease. I don't usually gamble, but he barked me into a corner and wouldn't let me go. He was throwing weight at me that I couldn't refuse. He gave me the 7 out. That's pretty heavy weight, but I will definitely tell you that me losing was a very real possibility, especially rack your own winner break. I've watched him run at least a 3 pack that I can immediately recall, probably more than that.

Anyways, final score ended up 5-2 me. I rose to the occasion, and even though I wasn't dead stroke, I felt good.

On one turn to the table, he had left me locked up on the head rail with at least a tough 2 rail, probably 3 rail, kick at the 2 ball on the foot rail. I looked at it, and pretty much without thinking I hit directly into the 5 ball and tied it up with the 7. I handed him the cue ball and he had a dumbfounded look on his face. He turned to me, with his toothpick hanging out of a half-crooked smile, and all he said was "You're learning".

I knew my chance of hitting that 2 was slim, and even if I did, it was most likely a sellout. I tied up some balls, gave him ball in hand, and dared him to get out. He missed the 4 trying to break out the 5. I ran the rest out.

It was the most satisfying pool I have ever played. It just reaffirmed im my own mind, and the minds of everyone on the rail, that I was/am definitely coming into my own. When everyone heard about it, most couldn't believe the margin I won by, even with the weight. Thing is, I felt like I was playing well enough, and most definitely smart enough, that I didn't even need the weight.
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Great story, I like it. Thanks for your response.
Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
Mine would have to be at a Sunday Hardtimes tournament in the 90's I beat Keith McCready in the tournament and ended up 4th that week. As often as I get to play that one would have to be on my highlight reel and I beat Larry Bohn the same tournament which aint gonna happen too often either:-)..........
 
Win

Actually, one of my best wins happened to be a league match years ago. I was playing Terry Young, owner of Rumors Billiards here in Wichita, and 4 time National Champion (as of now, 2 time National Champion when I played him). I have known Terry for 28 years, and we had a little bit of history together. When I first met Terry, I was down at Burke's Steakhouse where the main action in town used to go down. He was trying to match up with Jr. Brown, and Jr. wanted to play doubles with Mike Fetters as his partner. Terry didn't have a partner, and he chose me as his partner against Jr. and Fetters for $30 a game. Now, I had recently moved up to Wichita from Houston, so I was fairly new to the area. Terry and I ended up on the better side of that game.

I have always had a great deal of respect for Terry's game. He always knows what is going on, and his shot selection and play are always top notch.

Anyway, Terry and I had to play each other in a match-up BCA league.
Terry won the flip and broke and ran the balls, and I knew I was in for it.
I broke, and ended up running the balls to even the score. Terry once again broke and ran the balls. And I, once again, got lucky and broke and ran the balls to even the score once again. The fifth game Terry broke the balls down to the 8, but had ended up a little short on shape for the 8 because of my ball or two blocking the path, and had to shoot a rail first shot for the 8. He just barely missed it, and I ended up running the rest of my balls and the 8 for the win. I ended up winning the match 38-37,
and I admit to feeling a certain sense of pride because that was the toughest league match I had ever played in many years of playing league.
 
I have never had a big win in a pool match. I always lose the big ones. If I ever win I'll make sure everybody knows about it.
 
Wow! What a nice story....

Snapshot9 said:
Actually, one of my best wins happened to be a league match years ago. I was playing Terry Young, owner of Rumors Billiards here in Wichita, and 4 time National Champion (as of now, 2 time National Champion when I played him). I have known Terry for 28 years, and we had a little bit of history together. When I first met Terry, I was down at Burke's Steakhouse where the main action in town used to go down. He was trying to match up with Jr. Brown, and Jr. wanted to play doubles with Mike Fetters as his partner. Terry didn't have a partner, and he chose me as his partner against Jr. and Fetters for $30 a game. Now, I had recently moved up to Wichita from Houston, so I was fairly new to the area. Terry and I ended up on the better side of that game.

I have always had a great deal of respect for Terry's game. He always knows what is going on, and his shot selection and play are always top notch.

Anyway, Terry and I had to play each other in a match-up BCA league.
Terry won the flip and broke and ran the balls, and I knew I was in for it.
I broke, and ended up running the balls to even the score. Terry once again broke and ran the balls. And I, once again, got lucky and broke and ran the balls to even the score once again. The fifth game Terry broke the balls down to the 8, but had ended up a little short on shape for the 8 because of my ball or two blocking the path, and had to shoot a rail first shot for the 8. He just barely missed it, and I ended up running the rest of my balls and the 8 for the win. I ended up winning the match 38-37,
and I admit to feeling a certain sense of pride because that was the toughest league match I had ever played in many years of playing league.
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Very good story. I like it. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
There was this guy that I didn't really care for, he was a know-it-all, loud mouth jerk. You know the type. Well despite that he was still about my speed but we had never matched up until one night in a league match. (in house league not APA)

We both knew it was gonna end up being me against him in the final match. Our teams were so close in the points that our match determined which of us got 1st place.

He started mouthing off even before we started playing and when we did start playing he employed every sharking technique known to man. I knew this was gonna happen so I was ready for it and was determined not to let anything he did get to me. It was the most focused i have ever been at the table. I would not let myself lose. When I got down to my final 8-ball I called it in the corner pocket. He got his face right in front of the pocket and started yelling at me. (remember, this is not APA). I fired in that eight ball and beat him 6 games to zip!

That match did more for my game than I realized at the time. Being mentally tough can open allot of doors for you and your pool game.

BTW, There was a added benefit to winning that match. His confidence is now shattered when he plays against me.:thumbup: And that's a wonderful feeling!
 
Wonderful story.

Cdryden said:
There was this guy that I didn't really care for, he was a know-it-all, loud mouth jerk. You know the type. Well despite that he was still about my speed but we had never matched up until one night in a league match. (in house league not APA)

We both knew it was gonna end up being me against him in the final match. Our teams were so close in the points that our match determined which of us got 1st place.

He started mouthing off even before we started playing and when we did start playing he employed every sharking technique known to man. I knew this was gonna happen so I was ready for it and was determined not to let anything he did get to me. It was the most focused i have ever been at the table. I would not let myself lose. When I got down to my final 8-ball I called it in the corner pocket. He got his face right in front of the pocket and started yelling at me. (remember, this is not APA). I fired in that eight ball and beat him 6 games to zip!

That match did more for my game than I realized at the time. Being mentally tough can open allot of doors for you and your pool game.

BTW, There was a added benefit to winning that match. His confidence is now shattered when he plays against me.:thumbup: And that's a wonderful feeling!
Click to expand...

Always glad to see a big mouth, know it all get what they deserve! You did a great deed and enjoyed yourself doing it.
Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
You drilled him good, UGotda7!

UGOTDA7 said:
- Winning the 8th Army eight ball tournament in Korea a while back. You had to win a camp qualifying tournament just to get to play in the final tournament and then that took all weekend in Seoul. I actually even got to come out of the field to play in it that weekend so I had some pressure on me from my unit. What I found funny was the guy I beat in the finals out ranked me by quite a bit, bragged about how he was an officially trained pool referee, played with a high dollar cue, had a following of some folks from his unit at the tournament, and was dressed to impress in a snooty kind of way.....and I was basically by myself, in basketball shorts and a t-shirt, playing with a Guffey sneaky pete and I drilled him.
Click to expand...

Now can I get the 7, please? Thanks.
Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
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