Who was the first great player you ever played?

Donny Lutz

Donny Lutz

Ferrule Cat
Silver Member
Back in the '50s, there was a legendary player in La Crosse, WI by the name of Jack Hoffman. I heard stories of he and Ronnie Allen matching up before I first saw Jack play. I know that nobody around really wanted to play him back in the day.
He played all games, including 3-cushion. I got to play him a few times, but he was past his prime then.
I heard that he ran 10 racks of 9-ball many times and had multiple very long runs in 14-1, possibly over 200. I played him in a 3C tourney in a match where I ran 6, and lost 25-10!

Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
 
In 9ball I played Francisco Bustamante once. He was and still is an amazing cueist. The funny thing was that I played him in a race to 5 and I couldn't pot a a ball even though I was running racks after the other at the time and in good form. I think it was a little awe inspiring and I couldn't get it together.

The best thing about him was he was down to earth. I was drinking beer whilst watching him do an exhibition later in the evening and i managed to spill some on him. He just shrugged it off and said accidents happen even though it was all over his shirt! I must say I was expecting a different reaction. Fantastic player and a true gentleman.

I think that these experiences let you know exactly were you are against the big boys in terms of your game play:smile:. I turned semi pro after that match and had some good results and played some other great players. But this match will always stay with me which is what it is all about.
 
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I was fortunate to live in Dallas for 30 years and I played in the BCA League there that had players like Bob Vanover, Dick Lane, Paul Guernsey and Jack Potter. Really quite a few very good players.

But the first truly HUGE name I ever played was Buddy Hall. And I will never forget it. I was working for Pool & Billiard Magazine and I was covering an event in Oklahoma City. I was over in the practice area reloading film (remember film?) and Buddy was knocking balls around by himself. We had known each other for a while from previous events and he asked "Can you warm me up a little?" So I said I didn't play his speed. He looked at me completely deadpan and said: "Good! Rack 'em."

He ran rack after rack and cracked jokes the whole time.
 
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