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.
Michael Phelan, father of American pool, born on April 18th, 1819 Castle Comer, County Kilkenny, Ireland.
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.
Alfredo De Oro, the Cuban billiards star, is largely forgotten these days — probably because his spectacular career occurred before living memory and because his exploits were overshadowed by the very colorful Ralph Greenleaf, who followed close on his heels. But de Oro was among the first inductees into the Billiard Congress Hall of Fame. He also mounted a championship career that would rival that of Greenleaf or any of the other lions. De Oro was born April 28, 1863 and died on April 23, 1948.
Alfredo De Oro, the Cuban billiards star, is largely forgotten these days — probably because his spectacular career occurred before living memory and because his exploits were overshadowed by the very colorful Ralph Greenleaf, who followed close on his heels. But de Oro was among the first inductees into the Billiard Congress Hall of Fame. He also mounted a championship career that would rival that of Greenleaf or any of the other lions. De Oro was born April 28, 1863 in Manzanillo, Cuba. He died on April 23, 1948.
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.
Buddy Hall, the famous Rifleman, was inducted into the Billiard Congress Hall of Fame in 2000. A two-time U.S. Open winner, Mr. Hall was a phenomenon during the 1980s and 1990s, having one scores of titles, and is considered as one of the all time great nine-ball players. He was born on May 29, 1945 and died on May 22, 2025 in Metropolis, Illinois.
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
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.
Buddy Hall, the famous Rifleman, was inducted into the Billiard Congress Hall of Fame in 2000. A two-time U.S. Open winner, Mr. Hall was a phenomenon during the 1980s and 1990s, having one scores of titles, and is considered as one of the all time great nine-ball players. He was born on May 29, 1945 and died on May 22, 2025 in Metropolis, Illinois.
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