5-Yr-Old Pool Prodigy

Meet Keith O'Dell, a bonafide pool playing prodigy. At just five years old, Keith pockets balls like a pro. The sport is in Keith's genes - his parents play pool, his grandparents play pool, the family even eats dinner on the pool table. His father says Keith was "born to play pool." The question is, how will his incredible talent effect the life ahead of him?
PRODIGIES is a bi-weekly series showcasing the youngest and brightest as they challenge themselves to reach new heights and the stories behind them.
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[@BenJamin-qx1ok]

"I saw that there was money to be made here"... "College these days is really expensive" And a fantastic recovery!

[@luigidied]

When he said: "i wanna go play", then i realized that "playing" pool wasn't something he was having fun with

[@dustinhenderson7097]

What's more remarkable than the pool ability this boy has? Answer : The family is together. The grandparents are also in very close contact. They have more kids than the average american family. The dad is spending countless hours communicating to his son. What a great a family to grow up in!!!

[@himing02]

I wouldn't say he's a prodigy. Just a child that is very interested in something that their parents do everyday. Most often these children wants to meet their expectations of their parents. I hope he further develops his talent.

[@Dro_gon]

So many people mentionining O'Sullivan but the boy is actually not playing snooker.

[@maxvain]

So many dads dont spend enough time with their kids, your doing what a dad should do, keep on molding your son's future. Best of luck to your family.

[@donlxu]

gotta love the parents recognizing his talent and making the most out of it, but at the same time not forcing it upon him

[@1966gto1000]

The great Willie Masconi started in a similar way. He was shooting pool before he could stand up and to reach table, having to stand on a stool or stack of boxes. For those of you who don't know, Masconi was the greatest pocket billiards pool player that ever lived. He held the World's championship for nearly a dozen years back in the 40's and 50's. He still holds that World's record for the number of racks(and balls) run without a miss. It was several hundred; don't have the exact numbers.

[@Sweet14Summer]

Wow these prodigies' parents are so supportive. It's absolutely amazing watching this

[@cheekyv9]

Concentration like a 30 year old, but you can still see his 5 year old traits! What an awesome little boy! Just don't grow up too fast!

[@KlaatuVeratu]

Ok. I write this as a pool table supplier for over 20 years. A full size uk pub table is 7ft by 4ft overall. Smaller tables also used and allowed in league play are 6ft by 3 ft 6 overall.

[@richyloco19]

Dad takes care of the babies playing pool and the mother works !! that's family !!

[@Arcanumxx]

4:26 Did he just say the F word?

[@matthewlennon4381]

haha, the very last shot. "and here's our other, less successful son"

[@ErrorNV]

Brought a smile to my face of how excited he got when he made the shoe shot. Kid has a talent!

[@thnkr]

We believe in you, officialODi! Maybe you can pick up a few tricks from Keith Jr.'s game!

[@cymiamarshall230]

when I saw this I could not believe my eyes!, he has a great talent bless his heart.

[@emilyawesome88]

he is sooooo good for his age, his parents must be so proud of him!!!! :D

[@nlilley30068580]

what a great dad :)

[@trasua.ngaynangam6578]

Play pool is in his blood. What his dad said ... so inspired

[@JoyceisJBT]

"I wanna go play" lol

[@LTS1287]

Its amazing. He has highly developed coordination for his age.

[@MrBluejack45]

Its amazing to see what children can do

[@brentw213]

Wow, he is awesome! Definately awesome parents for encouraging, but not forcing him to play.

[@gazelle1991]

Love the honesty! Best of luck to your family. Your son is AMAZING!

[@YoutberUser1212]

In whatever this kid does or doesn't do make sure this kid doesn't lose his gift. This gift is the most important thing he has. Pool is not going to become obsolete and this kid will be able to make a living either playing or teaching pool. He will never be out of work regardless of where he goes. This is something only he has and no one else has. Make sure he does not lose this.

[@carloscosta8359]

This kid is AMAZING!!! Continue playing and get better and better. GOOD LUCK :)

[@willtran1]

I like his dad. Not putting too much pressure on him. Honest about making money, but for a good cause.

[@alexisklaff3611]

when he said he wanted to play they let him and if you didnt see when he got a trick hard and done he was super happy

[@nofnnoln4590]

Real dad and mom. If every child will have same dad and mom then we will have the best kids.

[@bakersfieldmusicnow]

amazing...they start so young sometimes.!....

[@TheNimasan]

wowwwww!!!! this kid is just unbelievable... he is gonna be a champion one day... mark my words!!!!

[@TheParapala23]

don't be so judgmental people... like what his father said... he will wait until his son will be 8 years old and let him to decide if he wants to compete in pool and as of now he wants the kid to enjoy the game... and that's what being kid is all about., play and enjoy.

[@nerdsta23]

awww look at that lil dude play pool...that has to be one of the cutest things ever.

[@kaptainzak]

2:55 AMEN!! Good on ya dad. Keep it fun and interesting. Beside college you may just give this kid a professional career when he's done with college. That is awesome, he is soooo good

[@sanchezfelix96]

If that kid decided to keep playing pool he's going to be famous. And that got cool & awesome skills of playing pool at age of 5.

[@WickedDragon86]

Good for him. Keep it up, Keith!

[@Derxe123]

18? I'd say by the time he's 14 or 15. The kid has wicked talent.

[@umswagger]

Take the kid around the country and into pool halls right now, and he'll have his college money by the time he's six years old! P.S. Can I borrow him for a few weeks while I go to Vegas?? ; )

[@CropDustings]

I Think its cool that I see these people almost every weekend

[@martha2ism]

love the + father/son relationship! The non-fearfullness is palpable! He learns that it's ok to make mistakes, b/c he leanrns how to improve his game! : )

[@HeWhoPlaysMinecraft]

Please raise this kid right... let him use this talent for good, 1 wrong turn and he will be hustling pool bars in 20 years.

[@KDD8]

everyday hes hustling

[@TheDRUMstar36]

WOW he started at 2 years old. Well good luck kid follow your dreams and I hope your little guy makes it.

[@TylerMoffatt]

I like these parents

[@Rasterbayne]

just let the kid do what he wants, encourage his skills and he will continue.

[@TheParapala23]

that's a five year old kid... remember dude 5??? still a lot of time like what his father said., I want him to slow down, concentrate and enjoy it... ENJOY... that's what being kid is all about

[@NoorKhanNY]

Both kids are so cute... but that baby! I just want to hug him!!

[@gordonpatterson8697]

Yeah people are saying that they can beat him etc but hes a little kid when he becomes your age he will be 100× better than you are sorry to burst your bubble but thats the truth

[@compaqyousucklive5]

At 23 months old he was doing that?! He's a natural no other way to put it

[@MichaelShellGLPA]

Awesome video! What an amazing kid and an amazing family! Good luck you guys!

[@Southclarky]

It's not just pool this child understands, it's the physics of it also.. He understands if he use's the right amount of force, at the right angle, he gets the reaction he wants.

[@harhainen]

"theres money to made here" first time that comes to the fathers mind :D omg this world

[@VANdaRAVENSfan]

What a great story.....Kid has skills....Parents have morals.

[@ricepiratemick]

Trick shot at 2:00 ... holy shit.

[@pokinsmot]

30 years old and I still cant break worth poop. Raised my arms in a V when he made the shoe shot. Skilled kid with parents who seem to be level headed.

[@NekroTown]

John Morphy, you got a new enemy ;D

[@LuisLopez-yf5lx]

Even though I play pool and I'm 12, I gotta admit he's way better then. Keep it going:)

[@djordjevicmaka]

That is just wrong! If you had kid, and your kid had talent that you saw and helped develop and someone tells you that you want that kid only for gain, you would punch him in the face.

[@SugarMapleForge]

Holy crap...I live like 35 minutes from gloversville! Never new we had a prodigy so close by haha. Keep it up kid!

[@danjones2599]

amazing :)

[@inuysha360]

dont forget to give love and attention to his siblings as well. yes you parents.

[@jayhawk184]

4:25 i think he learned some other things from his Dad to

[@d0devig530]

This little dude is the coolest.

[@matthume27]

i love how he has to stretch to chalk up

[@laxgalforever20]

Wowwwwww. What a talented kid. For real. You guys really are great parents for supporting him with whatever he clooses to do in life

[@kevinwithell8445]

Nope. America pool tables have bigger pockets that UK ones

[@tcon9]

Why are people saying bad comments? Could say the same about Tiger woods. Some kids are born to play and he is lucky he has supportive parents. He is a natural and his dad does a good job

[@SpecificLove7]

very cool

[@ClaytonJonesImages]

These are actual good parents who legitimately want the best for their child. They realize that children's interests change over time, but they also want to see to it that the kid reaches his full potential using the talent he's been given. I wish there were more parents like these.

[@Trottorion]

I am that good at video games... What am I doing with my life :(

[@pigstar1111]

I think your son has a real talent, I think that one day your son will be a great pool player and maybe he will go in to competing. If he does then best luck to him. By the way i think that was a really awesome shot that he did with the pool ball and the shoe. ~C.J.~

[@2011manbeast]

That's special, being able to beat a 5 year old. Are you proud?

[@pinkpig145]

Best thing about this video is that His parents are still giving him the decision when hes older to continue playing

[@shirosuzuki2889]

damn that kid is better than me!

[@MrElPoderozo1]

This is great! I just got my 4 year old granddaughter her first pool stick (cue) I AM NOT ALONE!!! LOL. We played on the pool table but now I realize that I need to get her a small pool table her size so that she can do better and get encourage,thanks and good luck to you guys,got to go shopping now! lol.

[@MrSaemichlaus]

4:15 The father talks about giving him time to enjoy playing until he can decide about beeing competitive or not.

[@duasuabci]

Love this keith. He is born to play pool hope one day he'll be a star

[@XCEfiles]

"I wanna go play" #1 parenting.

[@a4senal101]

'Weather keith wants to play pool for the rest of his life or not, we will support him in anything he wants to do, just as long as its pool.'

[@alejandrababyprinses]

Cool kid

[@thegiantpaperpanda]

True love, Immortality, or Wisdom just to name a few...

[@darryIl]

BIIIIIIG POCKETS, PLAY RONNIE WHEN HE'S 60YO

[@cmok5472]

I'm 22 years old and I think that kid can be my pool teacher!!! XD

[@Richie26warren]

I can't imagine a 5 year old beating me in pool

[@LittleBitOfEverything105]

I watched this video and this showed me that a little work can get you so ahead

[@carlkiessig]

Its disgusting that you just assume that and that so many people agree with you. When great things happen to other people we always try to assume the worst. The fact is that this kid was exposed to pool from his most critical learning years and its become imbedded in his brain. His dad might be pushing him but thats alright, as long as he isn't forcing him. You don't see the kid saying I don't want to play pool. To assume that the parents just want him for the money is despicably shallow.

[@SuperMoneymaker27]

i started when i was 7 i was pretty good at 8 but no where near this kid he has a gift

[@klakiti02]

i agree with you. if my kid gets to be a prodigy in something i'm going to force him to NOT pursue it, because that automatically will mean that i'm taking advantage of my kid...

[@joshmichaels430]

from a parent's point of view: my child is good at something,I want him/her to be the best at it so I push her every day to improve although sometimes unaware of what I am doing... Understand from a parent's point of view!

[@xxtaylorcheerjbhsxx]

want him for money? excuse me but uhhh... isn't this their child?! and money? am i not mistaking that the father said he wants to put money away for his SON'S college? also, the father said specifically that he doesn't not want to force him to play professionally until he can make that decision. and uhhhh... the father enjoys just hanging out with his son and playing pool. but nahhhh, the parents want him for money.

[@kboo1198]

Aw he's so cute! And I love how chill the parents are, they don't force him because they understand he's five. Awesome! :)

[@ragasdapper]

hahah na ronnies boy would plays on a proper size table with small pockets

[@jreals91]

its called practice and dedication it wont just be handed to you

[@casualamer8543]

Why would you call your child keith!? Poor boy

[@SonnyDarvishzadeh]

I really liked when parent are letting him to choose if he wants to be a competitor or not

[@ImAnthonyLC]

LMFAO! XD

[@ChildRebelSold1er]

his life growing up hustling ppl would make a great movie

[@WillemRahbari1976]

like most prodigys i guess

[@ricetarian4508]

Its great to see that the parents aren't pushing him to the limit where its not enjoyable to him. :)