pool personalities
From its earliest days, billiards has been enjoyed by a host of colorful (and controversial) figures. The game's history is replete with historic legends and characters; from monarchs and presidents, scholars and artists, to the legendary players and inventors, that forever changed the face of the game.
BILLIARD CELEBRITIES
MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS
One of the first true billiard fanatics. Executed for her part in an assassination attempt on Queen Elizabeth I, in 1588. Allowed the use of her billiard table in her prison cell, upon her incarceration. When this privilege was revoked, months before her beheading, wrote a letter of complaint to the Archbishop. Though never allowed to play again, one final wish was granted, reflecting her undying passion for the game. Upon her beheading, her body was wrapped in the cloth from her beloved table.
KING LOUIS XIV OF FRANCE
Credited with spreading the game throughout western Europe (as well as leading his nation to near bankruptcy, with his preoccupation with the game). Had magnificent tables and gaming rooms constructed. Made billiards "the rage in his courts." Visiting monarchs and national affairs were met with and discussed over a "friendly" game of billiards. Anyone seeking to gain favor with the King, was expected not only to join him at the table, but exhibit a competent level of play.
MARIE ANTOINETTE
Not only a billiard fanatic, but an accomplished strategist and player. According to her journals, played billiards with King Louis XVI, on the eve of the French Revolution. Played with a gold-tipped, intricately engraved mace, sculpted from a single elephant's tusk. This was said to be not only her secret weapon at the table, but her most prized and cherished possession.
GEORGE WASHINGTON
The Father of our Country kept detailed records of the money he won at the billiard table. Although his Mount Vernon home did not have room for a table, he frequently visited homes that did. Entries in his diaries tell of his wins and losses, and often the "pigeon" he took. The most he ever lost in one day was one pound, ten shillings. The most he ever won, about $1.75.
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
The Austrian composer was said to be as obsessed with billiards as with his most brilliant work. Often retired from composing for a long night at the table. According to legend, preferred the "unsavory" element, often taking his game to the seediest part of town.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
The only president effectively run out of office, due to his insatiable love for the game. In 1824, Adams finished second to Andrew Jackson in the general election. Because there were four candidates on the ballot, however, Jackson failed to receive a majority of the electoral votes, and the House of Representatives had to decide. When one of the other candidates threw his support to Adams, Adams was elected president. Jackson and his supporters were outraged. They immediately sought to disgrace Adams, and his love for the game (and reputation as a hustler) provided the perfect opportunity. At the time, the game was seen as a morally corrupt pastime, denounced by the Church and every "moral" American. When Adams had a billiard table installed at the White House, they attacked his character and "moral corruptness." They succeeded in turning his love for the game into a national scandal. In the following election, Jackson trounced Adams, largely as a result of the "billiard table scandal." (Jackson, of course, immediately had the table removed, upon his inauguration.)
ULYSSES S. GRANT
In the wake of the Civil War, The American public wasn't quite as judgmental about "trivial" issues. With a half million dead and the country ravaged, fretting over a game seemed pretty pathetic. When Ulysses S. Grant ascended to the White House, he immediately had another billiard table installed. This time, there was no moral outcry, and precious little public objection.
MARK TWAIN
Perhaps the most recognized billiard fanatic of his day. Spent countless hours practicing in his home; countless others attending professional matches. Often wrote on the subject of billiards, taking jabs at himself for being "taken" by hustlers, and his preference for "substandard" equipment. Thought crooked cues and slanted tables made the game more amusing, and provided a truer test of a player's ability.
ALBERT ABRAHAM MICHELSON
America's first Nobel Prize-Winning Scientist (1907). Played carom billiards every day at the exact same time—noon. Said to have been as passionate about the playing of billiards, as he was about his prize-winning studies, measuring the speed of light.
RUDOLPH WANDERONE
The real-life "Minnesota Fats." To the common man, perhaps, the most recognizable name in the history of pool. Known before the release of The Hustler as "New York Fats" and "Brooklyn Fats." Insisted the character portrayed by Jackie Gleason in the movie was based on his life (a claim the author refuted). Changed his moniker to "Minnesota Fats" after the release of the movie. Gained enormous popularity—due, in part, to his blustering personality; to a greater extent, the film's popularity. Became seen, in the eyes of the public, as the actual character in the movie. His skills as a comic, showman, and generator of publicity, have had an immeasurable impact on public enthusiasm for the game.
LEGENDARY PLAYERS
WILLIE HOPPE
Thought by many to be the greatest all-around billiard player of any era. Won his first world title at the age of eighteen. For over twenty years, his successes were so numerous, to many fans, "Billiards" simply meant "Willie Hoppe." Won world titles in 18.1 and 18.2 Balkine, as well as the Cushion Carom world title. When Balkine was replaced by Three-Cushion Billiards as the championship game, Hoppe merely retooled his game. Between 1936 and 1952, he won the World Three-Cushion title eleven times.
RALPH GREENLEAF
The game of pool's first true showman. Rescued the game of pool (pocket billiards) from near oblivion. (Prior to his emergence, billiards' popularity was completely dominated by the carom games.) Won his first world title in 1919, and defended it nine straight times. Toured vaudeville with his beautiful show-business wife, Princess Nai Tai Tai. Dazzled audiences with spectacular trick-shot exhibitions, with a huge mirror suspended over the table, to enhance the spectators' view. Professionally, he was virtually untouchable, winning fourteen world titles by 1937. More than anyone else, he rescued the game of pool, by casting it into the spotlight, with a natural showman's flair.
WILLIE MOSCONI
Just as "Billiards" was synonymous with "Willie Hoppe," to many fans, "Pocket Billiards" meant "Willie Mosconi." If Ralph Greenleaf had rescued pool in the 1920's, it was Willie Mosconi who kept it alive in its post-World War II decline. Mosconi was truly a wizard at the table. From 1940 to 1957, he had a near-stranglehold on the world title, winning it fifteen times. It was during the "Mosconi Era" that pool replaced billiards as America's game of choice. It was upon his retirement in 1957, that public interest in the game all but withered and died.
JAKE SCHAEFER, SR.
Dominated Balkline Billiards from the last quarter of the 19th century through the first decade of the 20th. Variations of the game were invented just to stymie his genius—all unsuccessfully. A driving force behind the popularity of the carom games. Traveled throughout the world, winning matches and gaining fans. In 1908, though desperately ill, he successfully defended his title, defeating his successor, Willie Hoppe, in what would be his final match.
JAKE SCHAEFER, JR.
Perhaps a greater talent than even his father. Regarded by many as the greatest of all American Balkline players. Won numerous world titles in 18.1, 18.2, and 28.2 Balkline. To this day, holds four Balkline world records that have never been equaled or broken.
JOHNNY LAYTON
Won the World Three-Cushion Championship twelve times, defeating such champions as Willie Hoppe and Jake Schaeffer, Jr. Perhaps the most "scientific" of all billiard world champions. Devised an intricate method, utilizing the diamond system. Mathematically determined the exact path of balls on multiple caroms off the cushions.
JIMMY CARAS
The second living person to be inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame. Became known as the "Boy Wonder of the World" after defeating Ralph Greenleaf, at the age of 17. Won the world title four times, from 1931 to 1949. Won the U.S. Open eighteen years later, besting a field of 48 players.
JEAN BALUKIS
The second woman inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame, and currently the Hall's youngest member. Competed in her first U.S. Open at the age of 9, finishing seventh. Won her first U.S. Open at the age of 12. Has collected 7 U.S. Open 14.1 titles, six World Open titles, and countless 9-Ball and straight pool crowns.
STEVE MIZERAK
The youngest male inductee to the BCA Hall of Fame. Won U.S. Open four consecutive years, from 1970-73. Better known by his moniker, the "Miz." Won World Open titles in 1983 and 1984. Perhaps best known for his appearance and miraculous trick-shot in a 1976 Miller Lite Beer commercial.
VISIONARIES AND INNOVATORS OF THE GAME
MICHAEL PHELAN
The Father of American Billiards. An expert player, author, manufacturer, inventor, and tireless promoter of the game. Worked endlessly to improve the game's image, and spread its popularity to all levels of society. Authored the first American books devoted exclusively to billiards. Founded The Billiard Cue, billiards' first periodical. His Arcadia Billiard Parlor, in New York City, set the trend for the lavish rooms to follow. Holds numerous patents for table design and cushions. Was the first to put ivory "diamonds" on the rails. His "angular" pockets—perhaps his greatest invention—led to incredible shotmaking streaks. Won the first major stakes match in American history, winning $15,000, in 1859.
JOHN WESLEY HYATT
The inventor of the world's first plastic. His discovery of celluloid, in 1869, revolutionized not only the billiard ball, but countless industries worldwide. Strangely, his discovery had more to do with billiards than any plastic-related vision or enterprise. His search began as a result of a $10,000 prize, being offered for a substitute for ivory, in the composition of billiard balls. Though his discovery was not deemed worthy of the prize, later advances in plastics led to the balls of today, and forever changed the face of the world. It can thusly be stated that the world's first plastic was actually the result of a billiard-related quest: the search for a new material, for the perfect billiard ball.
CAPTAIN MINGAUD
Invented the leather cue tip in the early 1800's. Imprisoned in France for political reasons. Was allowed the use of a billiard table inside his prison cell, and became obsessed with the game. Became a student of the physics of shotmaking, and truly transformed the cue into a scientific instrument. Revolutionized the "magic" one could impart on the cue ball, through the use of "spin" and "english." No other invention so dramatically affected "touch," control, positioning, and overall strategic play.
JOHN THURSTON
English inventor and table maker. Among the first to mass-produce tables, with the onset of industrialization. Inventor of the slate table bed. Unsatisfied with the playability and warping tendency of wood, he set out in search of a new material. His discovery came in the form of slate, in 1826. Slate was cheap, readily available, and offered a far smoother surface. Its immense weight led to the construction of far sturdier tables. His innovation has truly withstood the test of time. Slate continues to be the material of choice in quality tables today.
CHARLES GOODYEAR
Discovered the process for the vulcanization of rubber. Applications of his discovery revolutionized the billiard cushion (as well as a hundred other industries). Vulcanized rubber was stable and consistent. Unlike previous rubbers, it retained its resiliency in the most searing heat and the bitterest cold. John Thurston was the first to use Goodyear's discovery in the construction of billiard cushions. The result was a consistent, reliable cushion. Bank shots, once unpredictable, became integral parts of the game. Vulcanized rubber has proven so unsurpassed, it is still used in cushions today. Charles Goodyear, sadly, profited little from his discovery. He was imprisoned for debt, his company folded, and he died a veritable pauper.
JOHN M. BRUNSWICK
Swiss immigrant and woodworker. Emigrated to America in 1819. Built a billiard table factory in 1845. For nearly 150 years, Brunswick has been the most visible name in American billiards. Merged with his two largest competitors—Julius Balke, in 1873; and Phelan and Collender, in 1884. Officially became "Goliath," the largest billiard company in the world. Passed control to his family, upon his death, in 1886. For over forty years (until the Depression), the company enjoyed an incredible upward spiral of profits, growth and success. Entered (and soon monopolized) the bowling industry. Worked hard to improve billiards reputation, by teaching and donating tables to charitable groups. Drastically cut product lines during the Depression. Survived and grew again as economy improved. Sponsored thousands of tournaments over the course of the centuries. In the world of billiards, Brunswick remains the dominant name in American pool rooms and homes.