BCA Hall of Fame: Janscos Inducted Posthumously

BCA Hall of Fame: Janscos Inducted Posthumously

by | Nov 8, 2019 | Billiards Video, Hall of Fame, Hustler Stories, Industry History, Jansco Brothers, Pool Videos, Tournaments

The legendary promoters were posthumously honored with 2019 BCA Hall of Fame induction. By R.A. Dyer It was in a nothing poolroom 300 miles from nowhere, a nothing poolroom with concrete walls, bleachers and overshot with the mingled odors of beer, cigarettes and desperation. For respectable pool players, the 1961 tournament at Johnston City’s too-hopefully named “Show Bar”...
Guest Post: The Hustler’s Newman vs Gleason Match Up

Guest Post: The Hustler’s Newman vs Gleason Match Up

by | Nov 6, 2019 | Hustler Stories, Minnesota Fats, Willie Mosconi

The catch, however, is that the match was never really played. By Bryan Johnston Ask any pool player what they consider the greatest pool match ever played and you’ll most likely hear Efren Reyes vs. Earl Strickland, June, 1995. Or perhaps Willie Mosconi vs. Rudolph “Minnesota Fats” Wanderone, Valentine’s Day, 1978. The Reyes/Strickland match is an obvious contender from a pure skill...
Guest Post: Puckett Still Haunting Texas Pool Hall?

Guest Post: Puckett Still Haunting Texas Pool Hall?

by | Oct 10, 2019 | Historic Rooms, Hustler Stories, U.J. Puckett

Poolroom regulars say the old pool hustler, dead now for more than 20 years, still causes mischief. By Jennifer Gardner Utley Puckett, better known to the pool world as hustler U.J. Puckett, was born in 1911 and died 81 years later, in 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...
Memories of the Johnston City Hustler Jamborees

Memories of the Johnston City Hustler Jamborees

by | Aug 2, 2019 | Billiards Video, Historic Players, Historic Rooms, Hustler Stories, Jansco Brothers, Minnesota Fats

Pool history includes plenty of examples of grander tournaments but few were as colorful as those in Johnston City. I have been thinking a lot lately about the famous 1960s Johnston City tournaments, especially given the recent selection of tournament founders George and Paulie Jansco for posthumous induction into the Billiard Congress Hall of Fame.  The colorful tournaments in Southern...
Write for us! Guest Post Guidelines for PoolHistory.Com

Write for us! Guest Post Guidelines for PoolHistory.Com

by | Jul 15, 2019 | Historic Players, Historic Rooms, Historical Notes, Hustler Stories, Industry History

The Pool History Website accepts guest posts. W e accept guest posts. Interested in a historical pool match? A famous player from yesteryear? We pay a standard fee of $50 for accepted submissions upon publication. From left, Georgie Jansco, Eddie Taylor and Paulie Jansco We consider completed posts, as well as original pitches. Send queries to R.A. Dyer at poolhistory@gmail.com. Writers should...

Memories of Bill “Weenie Beenie” Bill Staton

by | Jun 23, 2019 | Historic Players, Hustler Stories, Weenie Beenie

Johnny Carson, Mamie Van Doren and Bill “Weenie Beenie” Staton on the Tonight Show. I have collected here a few stories about Bill “Weenie Beenie” Staton, who was one of our sport’s more colorful promoters and players during the 1960s. The owner of Jack & Jill’s Cue Clubs, Staton died on Feb. 18, 2006 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, his hometown. He...