Ruth McGinnis – America’s First Queen of Pocket Billiards

Ruth McGinnis – America’s First Queen of Pocket Billiards

Ruth McGinnis was America’s first great female pool professional. Rebecca Batley/Guest Contributor In her skirt, blouse and smart midi heels, Ruth McGinnis did not look like your typical pool shark. Playing pool in a skirt is not the easiest of things to do — it does not allow the player to ‘sprawl’ over the table, nor to lean too far over.  Neither was the early twentieth...
Marshall “Tuscaloosa Squirrel” Carpenter dead at 92

Marshall “Tuscaloosa Squirrel” Carpenter dead at 92

Legendary OnePocket player Helped Organize First Johnston City Tournament. Legendary one-pocket player Marshall Carpenter, better known to the pool world as The Tuscaloosa Squirrel, passed away April 5 in his namesake hometown. He was 92. Marshall “The Tuscaloosa Squirrel” Carpenter, right, with Wimpy Lassiter in Johnston City, Illinois, 1963. Born Feb. 9, 1928, Carpenter was the...

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Hustler & the Champ on Kindle

R.A. Dyer's critically acclaimed biography of Willie Mosconi and Minnesota Fats available in hardback or Kindle.

Expanded edition of Hustler Days

Biography of Lassiter, Fats and Jersey Red, released originally in 2003, now updated with expanded content.

Pool History in Billiards Digest

R.A. Dyer writes about a startling new Minnesota Fats discovery in the November edition of Billiards Digest.

Dyer featured in documentary

R.A. Dyer appears in Swimming with Sharks documentary, included in the 50th anniversary edition of The Hustler.

Janscos Inducted into Hall of Fame

Pool promoters George and Paulie Jansco receive posthumous induction. Read R.A. Dyer's story.