Women's 14.1 High Run Competition for Cancer Awareness

You can tell she was nervous throughout the entire thing. When those cameras are on you and even if it's only 20-30 people watching live, your nerves start kicking in. I remember being such a nervous wreck when I was put on the main streaming setup at a tournament a few years ago and I sweated more than anytime I ever have in my life to that point.
 
Kia will be starting up her attempts again tomorrow around 1PM EST and then again Sat. the 5th about 1PM.

Lou Figueroa
 
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sjm said:
I saw Jean playing straight pool in her prime up close on many occasions from 1976-88. Jean retired about 35 years ago. Kevin Trudeau's IPT offered her a guaranteed $30,000 to come out of retirement in 2006 for one event, and it wasn't enough. As many know, Jean hasn't even been around pool for years, as her family's room, Hall of Fame Billiards in Brooklyn, New York closed years ago. Why would she consider a return now?

By the way, anyone who thinks Jean played head and shoulders above Jeanette Lee and Jasmin Ouschan in their respective primes in straight pool is mistaken. In 1999, Jeanette played in a straight pool event and beat each of Johnny Ervolino and Dallas West, making a big run in each game. Jasmin won a bronze medal in a Men's sanctioned WPA World Straight Pool Championship (?2008?) and, similarly, beat a who's who of straight pool talent along the way. Jean's speed in straight pool was similar to that of Jeanette and Jasmin. Jean played better 9ball than both, however. There's simply no denying that Jean, a world class athlete, had the stroke of a man.
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I would tend to agree with your evaluation here. Jean was head and shoulders above the competition she competed against, but it was a different era. She won the last sixteen women's tourney she played in! She posed a threat to any man she played in 9-Ball, and won matches against a virtual who's who of top players.

Many may have forgotten but in the early years of the Sands Regency events they also had a women's division, which Jean won every year she played in it. One year she decided to play in both divisions, the Women's and the Open division. Several men were offended by this (maybe scared too) and threatened to withdraw if she was allowed to play. They came to me with their complaints since I was the TD. I told them she would play and they could withdraw if they objected. Only one player ended up withdrawing. Jean won several matches (always packed crowds watching) and ended up finishing in the top sixteen. I told people then that she could win a major tournament if she kept playing in them and gaining more experience. Let's just say she made many men uncomfortable.
 
jay helfert said:
I would tend to agree with your evaluation here. Jean was head and shoulders above the competition she competed against, but it was a different era. She won the last sixteen women's tourney she played in! She posed a threat to any man she played in 9-Ball, and won matches against a virtual who's who of top players.

Many may have forgotten but in the early years of the Sands Regency events they also had a women's division, which Jean won every year she played in it. One year she decided to play in both divisions, the Women's and the Open division. Several men were offended by this (maybe scared too) and threatened to withdraw if she was allowed to play. They came to me with their complaints since I was the TD. I told them she would play and they could withdraw if they objected. Only one player ended up withdrawing. Jean won several matches (always packed crowds watching) and ended up finishing in the top sixteen. I told people then that she could win a major tournament if she kept playing in them and gaining more experience. Let's just say she made many men uncomfortable.
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I watched Jean beat Keith Mcready in the BC Open back in the late 80s (big tournament). Jean, playing in the men's division, won her first three or so matches and then had to play Keith in the winner's bracket. The place was packed for that match.

Jean looked nervous and Keith was talking, laughing and joking whenever he was at the table (even though he was behind the entire match). Regardless of the score, Keith appeared sure he was going to win; right up till Jean sank the last 9 ball to beat him 11-5 (I think that was the score...something like that).

At the time, there were no women who could even give her a good game. She steamrolled through every woman's tournament. Times are different now and today's top women can really play. Still, I believe a prime Jean Balukas would still be in the top couple of today's crop of women.
 
fjk said:
I watched Jean beat Keith Mcready in the BC Open back in the late 80s (big tournament). Jean, playing in the men's division, won her first three or so matches and then had to play Keith in the winner's bracket. The place was packed for that match.

Jean looked nervous and Keith was talking, laughing and joking whenever he was at the table (even though he was behind the entire match). Regardless of the score, Keith appeared sure he was going to win; right up till Jean sank the last 9 ball to beat him 11-5 (I think that was the score...something like that).

At the time, there were no women who could even give her a good game. She steamrolled through every woman's tournament. Times are different now and today's top women can really play. Still, I believe a prime Jean Balukas would still be in the top couple of today's crop of women.
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The euro ladies at the V.B. tournament this year were ‘eagle eyed’ on the pro-cut Diamonds. Likely couldn’t beat them on my best day. Even learned a few things watching them play (especially how the winner took extra time lining up on the CB….made me realize how important).
 
I’m just seeing this thread! I just wanted to thank @wrldpro for putting this on and for expanding my knowledge of the game. While traveling to the room the first day I suddenly got nervous, but as soon as I started to play, I just focused on that, playing. I also had to get accustomed to the great equipment. I’m used to slower speed cloth and unpolished balls 🤷🏽‍♀️. Again, thank you @wrldpro for your advice, tips, and critiques!!! My awareness of how the balls spread after breaks has elevated too!

Thank you for the donations @alphadog and others!! Thanks you @azhousepro for rooting me on to break my high! I have one more day left to attempt to break my personal high. Until then, I’m gonna keep working at this beautiful game!

I ran 29 and 44 yesterday. Here’s the 44 run snagged from the live stream -
 
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poolplayher said:
I’m just seeing this thread! I just wanted to thank @wrldpro for putting this on and for expanding my knowledge of the game. While traveling to the room the first day I suddenly got nervous, but as soon as I started to play, I just focused on that, playing. I also had to get accustomed to the great equipment. I’m used to slower speed cloth and unpolished balls 🤷🏽‍♀️. Again, thank you @wrldpro for your advice, tips, and critiques!!! My awareness of how the balls spread after breaks has elevated too!

Thank you for the donations @alphadog and others!! Thanks you @azhousepro for rooting me on to break my high! I have one more day left to attempt to break my personal high. Until then, I’m gonna keep working at this beautiful game!

I ran 29 and 44 yesterday. Here’s the 44 run snagged from the live stream -
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Kia, Howdy;

Great runs all of them as you were 'learning' a thing or 2 along the way.
Hope ya'll are doin' well otherwise.

hank
 
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