Whitey/Ronnie Allen

[Island Drive]

When I first hear anyone talk to and about the cue ball it was Ronnie Allen in Johnston City back in the 60's, he used to say he hadn't missed a ball in over a year, Whitey either rolled off or skidded, at that time I believed him no matter what he said, and incredible interactive player, they said he was the only pool player in the world that could get a loan from a bank, I kinda thought of him like one would Jack Nicklaus, incredible presence/player.

One night for I think it was $500 a game, one-pocket he was giving this guy from TX, weight, 8-5 I think, and Ronnie was 'in the air', I saw him run 8 and out two in a row, I shook my head, walked away and said, I know I'll never get that good. It was difficult at my present skill level, seeing someone take apart a full rack and get out "in the air".

Ronnie played such an offense type of game it was "never" boring to watch him shoot and games went FAST, he was quite amazing.

As for a dream match, would of been special to see Ronnie Allen in his prime play Efren, but I heard later on, Ed Kelly played better than Ronnie, if he did, I doubt it was one handed in the 'air'.

Also, during those years Rempe was showing his face, WOW, him and Marino were quite special to watch, especially when they played 9-ball in the pit.

And for those of you that have never played on a "cracker box" the show bar had one/with the BIG cue ball.

 

[ironman]

When I first hear anyone talk to and about the cue ball it was Ronnie Allen in Johnston City back in the 60's, he used to say he hadn't missed a ball in over a year, Whitey either rolled off or skidded, at that time I believed him no matter what he said, and incredible interactive player, they said he was the only pool player in the world that could get a loan from a bank, I kinda thought of him like one would Jack Nicklaus, incredible presence/player.

One night for I think it was $500 a game, one-pocket he was giving this guy from TX, weight, 8-5 I think, and Ronnie was 'in the air', I saw him run 8 and out two in a row, I shook my head, walked away and said, I know I'll never get that good. It was difficult at my present skill level, seeing someone take apart a full rack and get out "in the air".

Ronnie played such an offense type of game it was "never" boring to watch him shoot and games went FAST, he was quite amazing.

As for a dream match, would of been special to see Ronnie Allen in his prime play Efren, but I heard later on, Ed Kelly played better than Ronnie, if he did, I doubt it was one handed in the 'air'.

Also, during those years Rempe was showing his face, WOW, him and Marino were quite special to watch, especially when they played 9-ball in the pit.

And for those of you that have never played on a "cracker box" the show bar had one/with the BIG cue ball.

Ronnie is another one of the incredible chacters of the game.
At the request of a publication, I interviewed Ronnie a couple of years ago and he said that he never played anyone even from, I think,1967-1980.
Everytime he and Ed Kelly played and EK got 8-7, they either broke even or Ed won. Every time they played 9-8, either Ronnie won, or they broke even.
He also said that for pool to become popular on TV that someone would have to start promoting 8-ball. The reason, he said, every one on the planet has played 8-ball at one time or another, and the public doesn't understand 9-ball. 8-ball is the easiest game to play of all the games and easiest for the public to comprehend.
Well, maybe he talked KT into it. I doubt that too.

 

[12squared]

As for a dream match, would of been special to see Ronnie Allen in his prime play Efren.

This reminds me of a funny incident that happened on an Accustats 1-pocket tape I watched: Ronnie visited the booth during a match and was asked who he thought would win between Efren & him when Ronnie was in his prime. Ronnie thought for a while and said "Efren might win, but he'd be too tired to spend it". . (I might not have the words exact, but you get the idea). Ronnie is too funny. Would have loved to see him & Fats in a talk off.

Thanks for reminding me of this, Dave