Ronnie Allen Interview

[onepocket]

A nice long interview with Ronnie Allen is now posted on the OnePocket.org Home Page (http://onepocket.org)

Enjoy...

[SactownTom]

Great Interview Steve,
Lots of good reading. That Ronnie is a character, to say the least. To say the most RA is one of the Very Best One Pocket Players EVER.

[hemicudas]

A nice long interview with Ronnie Allen is now posted on the OnePocket.org Home Page (http://onepocket.org/)

Enjoy...
Can't tell ya how much I appreciate that interview. Best interview I have ever read. Great job,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,$Bill

[r0ttie1]

A nice long interview with Ronnie Allen is now posted on the OnePocket.org Home Page (http://onepocket.org)

Enjoy...
A great interview. I need to print it now and save it to re-read from time to time.

[Richard S]

The Ronnie Allen interview is truly a great body of information and entertainment. Some of the tactics and process steps reflect some of the good information I heard many years ago from some heavily experienced old timers. This is truly a quality web site; let's keep it that way.

[Frank B]

I first saw Ronnie Allen play in Johnston City in the 1960s. First time I ever saw one pocket. He was playing Joey Spaeth, giving him 10-8 I believe, and playing for $800 a game. Hubert Cokes was backing Joey. In the first five games Ronnie ran 10 and out three times!

Frank B

[PQQLK9]

Nice interview with Ronnie,I enjoyed it.
Thanks

[Pelican]

:D Super :D

[Smorgass Bored]

I find it sad that now that 'Ring Games' and 'total ball count' one-pocket are/have/will become popular and spark a new interest in pool and will now attract sponsors and large prize pools,that the oldtimers that put in the time and paid their dues have either died or are too old to play at a competitive level... (don't shoot the messenger- I'm closing in on 60 my damnself)

[Mike]

WOW! What a great interview. Keep up the good work!

[hemicudas]

I find it sad that now that 'Ring Games' and 'total ball count' one-pocket are/have/will become popular and spark a new interest in pool and will now attract sponsors and large prize pools,that the oldtimers that put in the time and paid their dues have either died or are too old to play at a competitive level... (don't shoot the messenger- I'm closing in on 60 my damnself)
Shoot the messenger? Hell, the drinks are on me, Smorg.

[Pelican]

(don't shoot the messenger- I'm closing in on 60 my damnself)

Me too, damn fast I might add (hum only 5 mo's to go). Ain't it odd how we can think back and remember when we thought 50 was old. Jeez, somebody call the home and see if I have escaped :D

[Eight & Out]

I enjoyed the article.It was interesting getting in the mind of one of the games greatest players.

[SactownTom]

I find it sad that now that 'Ring Games' and 'total ball count' one-pocket are/have/will become popular and spark a new interest in pool and will now attract sponsors and large prize pools,that the oldtimers that put in the time and paid their dues have either died or are too old to play at a competitive level... (don't shoot the messenger- I'm closing in on 60 my damnself)

If you're not 103, your not OLD, you're just vastly experienced with time management.

:rolleyes:

[jrhendy]

I find it sad that now that 'Ring Games' and 'total ball count' one-pocket are/have/will become popular and spark a new interest in pool and will now attract sponsors and large prize pools,that the oldtimers that put in the time and paid their dues have either died or are too old to play at a competitive level... (don't shoot the messenger- I'm closing in on 60 my damnself) Ronnie is in action as we are reading this with Scott Frost in Mesa, AZ playing for a few hundred a game with some weight. For those who don't know, Scott is one of the new young guns who can run 10 balls before you get comfortable in your chair. I'm 65 myself, but can still dab it a little.

[JAM]

Great interview of Ronnie Allen! I think it really captured his personality. Bravo to Onepocket.org!

Here's a DCC moment with Keith, Ronnie, and Harry Platis at the nearby OTB. Ronnie had just won a race!

JAM

[NH Steve]

Ronnie is in action as we are reading this with Scott Frost in Mesa, AZ playing for a few hundred a game with some weight. For those who don't know, Scott is one of the new young guns who can run 10 balls before you get comfortable in your chair. I'm 65 myself, but can still dab it a little.I talked to him briefly yesterday & he said Scott started out ahead the night before when they started playing, but then Ronnie caught a hot streak and snapped off "nine games in 42 minutes" (or something like that). As great a One Pocket player as Ronnie was -- for a long, long time -- these days he needs pretty good weight to tangle with today's sharp shooting young guns of One Pocket!

He's just starting a big road trip and promises to give updates -- if I can catch up with him!

[hemicudas]

I talked to him briefly yesterday & he said Scott started out ahead the night before when they started playing, but then Ronnie caught a hot streak and snapped off "nine games in 42 minutes" (or something like that). As great a One Pocket player as Ronnie was -- for a long, long time -- these days he needs pretty good weight to tangle with today's sharp shooting young guns of One Pocket!

He's just starting a big road trip and promises to give updates -- if I can catch up with him!
Yea, Steve, Ronnie is in his 60s now and Scott is how old? Sounds like the way things have gone for ever. Think Scott would have the nuts if the played 2 and safe, even? I don't. Age gets to all of us. Of course Ronnie has allways been my hero so I might be a bit biased.

[JAM]

Yea, Steve, Ronnie is in his 60s now and Scott is how old? Sounds like the way things have gone for ever. Think Scott would have the nuts if the played 2 and safe, even? I don't. Age gets to all of us. Of course Ronnie has allways been my hero so I might be a bit biased.

Ronnie's still got a little fire left in the jug! ;) At the Derby City Classic, Ronnie, John Mataya, Jimmy Mataya, Jimmy Reid, Keith, and a few others were sitting in the bar at the Executive West Hotel. Keith and Ronnie were both eager to get in action while at the action-friendly environment of the DCC. Though Ronnie suffers from diabetes and is unable to endure long sessions of anything at the age of 65, his eyes still sparkle at the mention of action. He was actually charming and kind of cute in his own way. :o

I've got some older videos of him playing, and some of the shots he made, from what I thought was a perfect safety, were phenomenal, beyond imagination.

Scott Frost is at the top of his game. He is respected among his peers as a very strong one-pocket player, most likely one of the top one-pocket players in the world at this time (IMO), but if he were to play a younger Ronnie Allen, a similarly aged Ronnie Allen, I think we all know who would be getting the spot. ;)

JAM

[hemicudas]

Ronnie's still got a little fire left in the jug! ;) At the Derby City Classic, Ronnie, John Mataya, Jimmy Mataya, Jimmy Reid, Keith, and a few others were sitting in the bar at the Executive West Hotel. Keith and Ronnie were both eager to get in action while at the action-friendly environment of the DCC. Though Ronnie suffers from diabetes and is unable to endure long sessions of anything at the age of 65, his eyes still sparkle at the mention of action. He was actually charming and kind of cute in his own way. :o

I've got some older videos of him playing, and some of the shots he made, from what I thought was a perfect safety, were phenomenal, beyond imagination.

Scott Frost is at the top of his game. He is respected among his peers as a very strong one-pocket player, most likely one of the top one-pocket players in the world at this time (IMO), but if he were to play a younger Ronnie Allen, a similarly aged Ronnie Allen, I think we all know who would be getting the spot. ;)

JAM
Welcome to the site, Jen. Ain't it great!!!!! I too have some videos of Ronnie. One with your buddy KM and Harry playing Ronnie partners. I would love to see the one you have. Sounds awesome.

[Keith McCready]

I like this website and enjoyed reading the article about Ronnie. Looking forward to reading some more great one-pocket posts.

Ronnie and I go back a long ways, and I learned a lot from watching him as a youngster. I have never seen anybody, even today, play one-handed like him. It was great seeing him at the DCC. I'm glad to hear he's making the rounds out there in Arizona.

[gulfportdoc]

JAM, looks like a tough group to get a word in edgewise!! :)

Doc

[hemicudas]

I like this website and enjoyed reading the article about Ronnie. Looking forward to reading some more great one-pocket posts.

Ronnie and I go back a long ways, and I learned a lot from watching him as a youngster. I have never seen anybody, even today, play one-handed like him. It was great seeing him at the DCC. I'm glad to hear he's making the rounds out there in Arizona.
Interesting,,,,You look a lot like the KM I was refering to, lol. Welcome, Keith. Steve has done a great job here so far. I hope he gets a ton of support. I have been refering Knowledgeable one pocket people here. Another reason I think this site has done well is the lack of pissing wars. People here have class. I can name my top 10 one pocket players ever and the next guy can totally disagree but doesn't get personal about it. I like that. Well done Steve.

[thecardman]

First of all, a great article - fantastic reading!

Just a quick question leading from the interview. Mr Allen mentions about all-around tournaments possibly being set up for the likes of Las Vegas and Biloxi. I would like to ask if anyone out there has any further details on any of this yet.

Thanks

thecardman
:)

[titanic jerry]

Dear JAM.....any chance of getting copys of those Ronnie Allen tapes? I have those of when he played Keith and Platis but nothing else.My address isJMAHAN3714@HOTMAIL.COM. Please let me know I will pay you to have the copies made.

I am 64 years young and can still play a little bit. I have never understood two things: Old timers baseball and the Golf tournaments that feature old golfers way past their prime.

Let's be serious. Throw a banquet in their honor and show videos of them in their prime. Who the hell wants to watch some old guys that would have to hit the ball off the wall in centerfield to enable them to get to first base or5 an old golfer who off the tee can only hit the ball 125 yards and probably not in the fairway.

Then there is always the comparisons and the records. I submit to you that in my humble opinion if the players on tour today played on and with the same equipment in the past they would not play as well as they do now.
In my twentys I would play some 3 cushion with some of the older players in the bay area. After a couple of hours pushing those ivory balls around on that wool cloth your shoulder hurt like hell.
Technology is going to change the playing field of all sports and it is just not fair to try and compare then and now.
Used to be if you wanted to get some controversy going on a slow night you would ask someone who they thought was better Mosconi or Greenleaf. Everyone agreed to one point they played at different times.

In closing all records are made to be broken. Oddly enough in Pocket Billiatrds there is no attempt to glamorize or build interest in breaking some of those past accomplishments. Instead various people lay claim to records being broken by some obscure player in an equally obscure place.

Don't ya just luv one hole?????

[JAM]

Dear JAM.....any chance of getting copys of those Ronnie Allen tapes? I have never understood two things: Old timers baseball and the Golf tournaments that feature old golfers way past their prime.

Titanic Jerry, some of my best friends are in the videography industry, and it would be no problem getting a copy made. The video equipment of years gone by ain't as good as the Accu-Stats videos and DVD's, as we all know, but it's still kind of fun watching them. I only wish they had microphones near the players, so that you could hear every single word. Sometimes they're chuckling and snickering, but you can't hear what was said.

Your post about the golfer triggered up an experience I'd like to share about "old-timers." A couple of years ago, Keith and I were in Ohio at the Viking Tour Finale, and I bought a book called "Tin Cup Dreams." I couldn't set it down and finished it in about a day. It's about a Mexican golfer named Esteban Toledo. I liked the book so much that I gave it to Johnny's wife, Melanie, knowing how much Johnny loves golf. Esteban is now 42 years old, I think, and ranked 162 on the PGA Tour.

This past Sunday, Keith wanted to go to the Booz-Allen Classic golf tournament, the final day, and so off we went. We decided to follow Rory Sabbatini, the first-place winner of the previous year, from Hole 1. Never having attended one of these events, I had no idea the amount of walking and was amazed to see folks older than myself making the trek up and down hills and valleys just to get a chance to see these golfers strut their stuff.

Seeing a tournament of this magnitude was truly enlightening, the sponsors, the vendors, and the whole 9 yards. I got a chance to chat with Rory's wife, reminding me of me watching Keith when he's in tournament play. She was chatting about getting a two-for-one special on an airline and already making plans for the next tournament, worried about cost. Rory came in third place this year, winning more in one swoop than the annual earnings of top pool players here in the States.

A golf enthusiast spectator commented that since the U.S. Open had just occurred, not very many name-brand golfers showed up for this event because of timing. After getting sun burn and blistering feet from walking up hills like a mountain goat, I decided to plant myself on the 18th hole and wait for the finals. It was quite comical to see Railbird Keith over on the sidelines trying to get autographs of some golfers with the rest of the fans.

And then I saw him, Esteban, walking in the final stretch on the 18th hole. I hadn't known he was even in the tournament until then. He didn't fare so well that day, but still greeted the fans with a smile at the conclusion. I ran over to the rail where he was signing autographs. I reached out my hand with my pass, hoping he'd find time to give me an autograph, and much to my delight, he did. I said to him, "Esteban, I read a book about you, and it was truly inspiring." He then paused, looked up at me, and said, "Thank you so very much. You know, my friend who stuck by me all these years just passed away last year." Thrilled that he even spoke to me, I replied, "It's really great seeing you here in person, and I will always treasure this autograph." He signed a few more for the fans and then returned to me, seeming to want to continue our conversation. What a thrill!

He reminded me of the older pool players who still continue on the tournament trail because of their passion for the game. Seeing a tournament of this magntitude and comparing it to pool as it exists today really gave me food for thought. Here's a guy who wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth, was banned from golf organizations initially, but he still strived to be the best that he could be and he got there. He may never be an Arnold Palmer, but he's a hero in my mind and a role model and still plays in every single event he is capable of because of his passion for the sport.

Ronnie Allen is a champion, a living legend, and even though the BCA today still does not include his name on their players lists, masters or professionals, those in the know will ALWAYS appreciate his contributions to the sport. Reading his interview on this website was GREATand is a tribute to this pool phenom! Pool needs more folks like OnePocket.Org to elevate the sport. The current state of affairs, when compared to golf as some are wont to do, is dismal.

[NH Steve]

First of all, a great article - fantastic reading!

Just a quick question leading from the interview. Mr Allen mentions about all-around tournaments possibly being set up for the likes of Las Vegas and Biloxi. I would like to ask if anyone out there has any further details on any of this yet.

Thanks

thecardman
:) Here you go:
U.S.Open One Pocket
$5,000.00 Added $175 entry incudes greens fee
Plaza Hotel & Casino Downtown Las Vegas
Nov 16-21, 2004
64 Player limit Played on Diamond Smart 9-Foot Tables
Race to 4; finals race to 5 games
http://playbca.com/vegas/index.php
Please Contact Eydie Romano at 630-244-2900

The GULF COAST CLASSIC
Legends of One Pocket - $10,000 added!
December 8th - 12th, 2004
Gulfport, Mississippi
www.gradymathews.com

You can check all the One Pocket tournament listings right here on OnePocket.org at the Events (http://onepocket.org/one_pocket_pool_events.htm) Calender (under the Playing the Game drop-down menu at the top of your screen :) )

BTW, 2004 is looking like a great year for One Pocket tournaments -- with Grady's big Legends event and the resurrection of the US One Pocket Open -- on top of the hugely successful DCC!!

[NH Steve]

Titanic Jerry, some of my best friends are in the videography industry, and it would be no problem getting a copy made. <snip>
Does the line form here :) :) ?

I have the Platis/Keith/Ronnie one handed one too, as well as his five tape match with Danny D -- do you have something else? Incidently they did try to wear mics for the Ronnie/Danny match, with mixed success -- and I noticed for the final day Ronnie didn't wear his...

[yobagua]

Great inspiring post JAM! Thank you. You're right Hemi. Ive stopped going to other sites since one pocket. Hey Steve dont forget about the Midwest Expo with their one pocket event.

[jrhendy]

I talked to him briefly yesterday & he said Scott started out ahead the night before when they started playing, but then Ronnie caught a hot streak and snapped off "nine games in 42 minutes" (or something like that). As great a One Pocket player as Ronnie was -- for a long, long time -- these days he needs pretty good weight to tangle with today's sharp shooting young guns of One Pocket!

He's just starting a big road trip and promises to give updates -- if I can catch up with him! I believe he left Arizona after beating San Jose Dick out of a little & is in New Mexico now.

[NH Steve]

I believe he left Arizona after beating San Jose Dick out of a little & is in New Mexico now.He's on to Texas now -- Lubbock yesterday, but I think just passing through. He's apparently traveling by himself -- which I assume means no backer. He commented that the daily "nut" on the road is pretty high these days, one or two hundred dollars just to cover expenses, and no guarantee that he'll even find a game (to his liking :) ). Not sure where he was headed in Texas and that's a pretty big state, but check your neighborhood pool room if you're in Texas!