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Category: Stories

Stories
Mark Wilson

Grand Central Station

When I first arrived in Houston, Texas, at 25 years old in 1980, I learned of several 24 hour poolrooms. I loved the idea of cramming as much pool into

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Stories
Mark Wilson

“Machine Gun” Lou Butera

Here is my favorite “Machine Gun” Lou Butera story… Held annually and sponsored by the Billiard Congress of America, the BCA US Open Straight Pool Championship had an elite 32

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Stories
Mark Wilson

California Dave Piona

Dave was a hardcore good pool player who played all games, he loved action, he was very humorous, and had a genuine smile. We got along well, as Dave knew

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Stories
Mark Wilson

Jimmy “Pretty Boy Floyd” Mataya

JIMMY “Pretty Boy Floyd” MATAYA Richie Florence was a great nine ball champion and gambler in the ’60s. Later on in his life, he produced several major tournaments. Players of

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Stories
Mark Wilson

Jersey Red

Jersey Red (Jack Breitkopf commonly Jack Breit) was a tremendous guy who kept an enthusiasm that is uncommon…he made pool fun. You know that his prime began during the midst

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Stories
Mark Wilson

Bugs Versus Efren

You are too young to know Bugs in his prime but nobody in any cue sport has ever dominated as long as Bugs did in Bank Pool. Eddie Taylor is

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Stories
Mark Wilson

Wade Crane is Billy Johnson Forver

Wade Crane traveled the U.S. gambling at high stakes pool and needed an alias. Thus, Wade Crane became Billy Johnson, and most all pro players always called him Billy. His

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