Calendar

Apr
6
Sun
1892: Birth of Emmett Blankenship
Apr 6 all-day
1892: Birth of Emmett Blankenship

William Emmett Blankenship was born in Olden, Missouri, an unincorporated area north of West Plains, on April 6th, 1892. He won the world pool title on his first attempt in 1916. Blankenship was the first person to run over a hundred balls at Straight Pool and had a personal best high run of 287 balls during an exhibition in Jackson, Michigan.

Apr
7
Mon
1911: The Birth of UJ Puckett
Apr 7 all-day
1911: The Birth of UJ Puckett

Utley Puckett, better known to the pool world as hustler U.J. Puckett, was born in 1911 and died 81 years later, on June 22, 1992. In life he knew fame and fortune as a professional nine-ball and one-pocket champion alongside fellow sharks Jersey Red and Ronnie Allen. He was famous for his large brimmed white Stetson and his larger-than-life persona. In death U.J. Puckett is known to some as the ghost who haunts a Texas poolroom.

Apr
11
Fri
1996: Strickland Runs 11 Racks for Million-Dollar Prize
Apr 11 all-day
1996: Strickland Runs 11 Racks for Million-Dollar Prize

On April 11, 1996, Earl Strickland ran 11 consecutive racks to win the “Dallas Million-Dollar Challenge.”  Conducted during the first Professional CueSports Association tournament in 1996, in Dallas Texas, the challenged include rules stipulating that anyone who could break and run 10 racks would win a million dollars. Because of a reported racking “glitch” Strickland needed to run 11.

However, the promotional company immediately balked at paying the prize, which, according to reports, could be accepted as a lump sum of $630,000 or as a 20-year annuity with payments of $50,000. After some legal wrangling with the insurance company, Stickland reportedly ended up with more than the $630,000 than he would’ve taken as a lump sum — even after paying $200,000 in legal fees.

Apr
18
Fri
1819: Birth of Michael Phelan, Father of American Pool
Apr 18 all-day
1819: Birth of Michael Phelan, Father of American Pool

Michael Phelan, father of American pool, born on April 18th, 1819 Castle Comer, County Kilkenny, Ireland.

1918: Death of Hugo Kerkau
Apr 18 all-day
1918: Death of Hugo Kerkau

Hugo Kerkau, a German carom billiards player and world champion, was founder of “Café Kerkau” (1901) and the Kerkau Palace (1910), both located in Berlin. The Kerkau Palace had 48 tables and was famous for chess playing as well as pool. Kerkau was born on December 13, 1874 and died, at age 43, on April 15, 1918.

Apr
28
Mon
1863: Birth of Alfredo De Oro
Apr 28 all-day

Alfredo de Oro born on April 28, 1863 in Manzanillo, Cuba.

May
1
Thu
1909: Birth of Don Willis
May 1 all-day
1909: Birth of Don Willis

Don Willis (May 1, 1909 – March 2, 1984) was the long-time road partner of the great Wimpy Lassiter. Willis participated in few tournaments, but rather earned his reputation as a gambling road player. You can read more about his partnership with Lassiter and their “Big Hoorah” hustle at the #poolhistory website, here. 

May
26
Mon
1872: Birth of Jerome Keogh
May 26 all-day
1872: Birth of Jerome Keogh

Jerome Keogh, the man generally credited with inventing 14.1 Continuous, also known as straight pool, was born to Irish immigrants in Friendsville, Pa., on May 26,1872. Mr. Keogh eventually moved to Scranton where he established a billiard academy. He not only won five world titles during his lifetime, but also saw two of his pupils, Thomas Hueston and Irving Crane of Livonia, become world champions. He died on Jan. 12, 1953.  #POOLhistory #straightpool #jeromekeogh

May
27
Tue
2019: John Schmidt Runs 626 in Straight Pool
May 27 all-day
2019: John Schmidt Runs 626 in Straight Pool

On May 27, 2019 John Schmidt runs 626 balls at straight pool, officially breaking Willie Mosconi’s 1954 record. Schmidt played successive games over weeks in the attempt.

Jun
4
Wed
1969: Death of George Jansco
Jun 4 all-day
1969: Death of George Jansco

Johnston City tournament promoters George Jansco dies on June 4, 1969 of a massive cerebral hemorrhage.