1989 9-ball STRICKLAND-ARCHER-Davenport-Varner-Grady 

Appreciate the kind words, Lawton. Makes all of my archiving/historian efforts worthwhile. Our beloved sport has given me *many decades of pleasure* and I greatly enjoy giving something back. *

I greatly appreciate hearing that, Josh. That's the exact purpose of my channel. *

Strickland could beat them all.....

Very perceptive of you to notice that element, Christian. Thanks for that very welcome observation. No one before you has previous realized/posted that. I can tell you love the game.

The advent of televised poker and all manner of online gaming distractions *radically* bit into billiards core 21 t0 35 male demographic. And yes, Jimmy's then-wife, Ewa, (pronounced as Eva) was -- and is -- not only physically attractive but a beautiful person as well, who has contributed greatly to our beloved sport via her instructional efforts and her enthusiastic organizational abilities. She was a popular fashion model in her native Sweden before moving to the U.S.

He appreciates that respect, Storm. He open-mindedly reads all online posts and threads about himself as a gauge as to his performance in his still very active and various billiards-related roles..

Glad you're enjoying my channel, Tommy. *

You're repeating exactly what Mizerak said regarding the foolishness of Bollman playing that combination and Miz stating that the runout was the correct play. Miz in no way implied that the combo was the right play. *With ball-in-hand* any top-level pro would elect for the runout on a *problem-free* layout like the one seen here.

But a few minutes later they reversed the rule in Bollman's favor.

*Of course it's different* Adrian, and kudos to any man approaching his mid-50's and successfully recognizing and dealing with the inevitable, quite natural physiological distinctions between that age and his 21-year-old self. Most especially a man continually competing in arguably the most precise of all sports and courageously adapting to naturally-altered *visual and neuro-muscular capabilities* . He's staying in the arena, playing expertly and maintaining his confidence doing what he loves. Who doesn't admire anyone doing that?

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 many say you play your best pool in your late 40s to mid 50s. Timing and getting in gear matters. Why you dont see many great slow players.

Ralf Souquet, Nick Varner, and present-day Archer himself, are very measured "non-swift", outstanding players. Their pace represents their optimal "gear" and works perfectly for them. Minor tip -- "many say" that the phrase "many say" is best left to politicians because it never firmly establishes anything that can actually be measured by other more reliable means .

I miss them also, Billy, and plenty more. Danny Medina, Cisero Murphy, Freddy Bentivegna, Lassiter, Jack Breit ("Jersey Red"), on and on -- tough to realize how many passed too young. I knew Grady and the Miz very well.

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 I knew Grady well, I wish there was some video of Louie Roberts

Here you go, Billy -- 3 different videos store.accu-stats.com/johnny-archer-vs-louie-roberts-dvd-1990-lexington-all-star-open/ store.accu-stats.com/melvin-strawberry-brooks-vs-louie-roberts-dvd-1991-legends-of-one-pocket/ ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5G13l_W_UI4.html (This one's free and well worth watching al 18 minutes of the compilation about the man himself.)

Eight-Ball was invented shortly after 1900; Straight Pool (14.1) was invented in 1910. Nine-ball was developed regionally around 1920, then -- due to fast-action traveling road players -- spread nationwide soon thereafter. *_Each of these games situationally featured a rule (or policy) about ball in hand_* . In some cases CB placed only behind the Head String, in other situations CB strategically placed anywhere on the table.

네, 맞아요, 형제 님.

형제? 제가 특이한 이름이네요

이번에는 젊은 심판 까지 왔네요

I knew Grady for decades. He, like Lassiter and a more than a few other odds-on winning-est money players would tell you privately *what a distinct advantage a road player has when his genes have provided him with a premature "senior citizen" appearance* . Most lifelong followers of our beloved sport know about the "weight" advantage it gave them when it was time to "make a game."

And they still ruled in his favor... odd

In that time period he had a serious smoking habit -- as many pros also did -- and the gum got him thru the matches.

Meucci here. Later Cuetec; followed by custom-mades he designed.

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 thought that was a Meucci! Any idea which one?

I'm certain you'd like a very accurate answer (I always prefer those). Bob Meucci (the founder) has an astonishing memory (and good filing system). Ask him directly, citing Earl and the specific tournament; here's how to ask him: meuccicues.com/contact.html

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 awesome, I guess I could ask ole Bob

Yes, especially since he's sharp enough and friendly enough to sense that you -- as a longtime player -- likely *just had to* ;) browse some of his current offerings on the website before or after clicking on the Contact function.

Jimmy's then-wife, *Ewa* (a Swedish name, pronounced as Eva) was -- and is -- not only physically attractive but a beautiful person as well, who has contributed greatly to our beloved sport via her instructional efforts and her enthusiastic organizational abilities. She was a popular fashion model in her native Sweden before moving to the U.S.

This was 32 years ago and the cameramen were innocent union contractors, *blamelessly following the video director's exact instructions* radioed to them via their headsets -- in spite of how pool-adverse the instructions sometimes *inarguably were* . Before the advent of *computer-controlled camera positioning* (and today's remarkably sharp zoom lenses) there were *hundreds* of televised misses completely attributable to *director-mandated* having a crouching cameraman directly in players' line- of-sight, often hovering inches away from the intended pocket. *All of that said however, lifelong fans of pro pool appreciate all efforts made by promoters, video production companies, and sponsors throughout the four or five recent decades of our beloved sport, and especially the absorbing (and instructive) early-days' films, videos and pro tournaments that resulted from their efforts* . Just my helpfully intended oldtimer's insight into some of televised-pool's history.

@@raycarltonbilliards5798 You're right. Thanks for posting these matches.