Allen Hopkins vs Mika Immonen at the World 14.1 Tournament

Allen Hopkins vs Mika Immonen at the World 14.1 Tournament in New Brunswick, NJ. The $35,000 added event was hosted by the Hyatt Regency Hotel and took place August 29 through September 2, 2011. Dragon Promotions produced the World 14.1 Tournament and the Straight Pool Hall of Fame banquet which inducted Jerome Keough and Ray "Cool Cat" Martin. See more at www.InsidePOOLmag.com www.insidepool.tv and www.worldstraightpool.com

[@roncerelli6841]

Allen Hopkins is not only a fabulous pool shooter but he is also a personal friend. Thanks for all the good memories-Ron Cerelli Newtown, Pa.

[@harrymundy5393]

I booked Mr. Hopkins some yrs. ago for exhibition in York , Pa . Elks 213 Had great turn out Mr. Hopkins donated his fee to our cause helping Veterans Mr. Hopkins is a class of his own

[@robertdenson3375]

I was there. In his day alan was awesome. He had shifted to primarily doing his expo thing at this point. Still very dangerous but retired for many years. In his 20s he used most of the best players on the planet as an ATM machine.

[@edmundwong2236]

That's the kind of guy Segal is. I loved it when Efram beat him to a pulp in 8-ball for 200K and exposed him for the kind of man he is.

[@wombra8314]

🤣😂🤣

[@teddyfrisco5915]

Great commentary Max! Really learned alot, that was deep stuff!

[@gazman1001]

Alan's stroke may not be a text book stroke, however his potting was amazing. Pretty well center pocket every time. Well done Alan.

[@pbhop8479]

Allen's stroke came from learning on our small cellar bar table where there was hardly any room for a backstroke 😊

[@beyondnzt4866]

@@pbhop8479for real !?

[@Hr9C0]

Thanks for the upload!

[@M2orNot]

Closest I've seen to Allen's stroke is Alex Higgins'. If you've not watched any of his snooker breaks, I highly recommend it.

[@pabzlayon4125]

I also watch old snooker match videos in youtube. I dont really find alex higgins stroke weird but I find his stroke so unique and unorthodox. It is like he is putting his own body force into his cue stick when he strikes the cue ball.

[@pechinma]

Hopkins, Davis, Ortmann, McCready.. thats a bunch of weird strokes. I like Allens patterns though, really knowledgable

[@fredhugard7444]

I think django's stroke would be considered weird, even by Filipino standards.

[@MrKinghuman]

they all started as kids. Hopkins was a child prodigy I think. yes, he has a horrendous stroke. the other guys have the side stroke, started from being too short as a child. reyes used a box. they didn't. know what I mean

[@SulcoPete1]

Great match. After watching this, it's easy to understand why knowledge and experience mean so much in straight pool. Having Max commentate is an additional bonus. Thanks to Alvin and everyone for making this video - it's one of the best.

[@InsidePOOLmag]

Peter Thank you too very much .-Alvin-

[@MrFocusedone]

Agreed I enjoy listneing to Max. Most great players have trouble explaining what they do but Max is a student of the game and knows how to talk it...Thanks

[@mescellaneous]

i have reason to believe the balance point is what determines the stroke (more or less). allen looks like he has a forward weighted cue. the farther back you stroke from the balance point, the more mechanically straight you have to be, the more unstable it is. he pokes the ball to account for forward weight (instinctively). he bridges close because it's more comfortable extending the bridging hand when your stroking hand is more forward. if you observe allen, his gripping hand is like usually in front of the halfway point on the sleeve. a lot of other pros and snooker players often have a gripping hand further back. i believe this is because their cues are back weighted, not forward weighted. usually a forward weighted cue is a cue with light wood for the butt, with little to no weight bolts.

[@TwYx2k9]

nice match. thanks for the upload

[@idontfitin.3296]

Allen is a class player

[@greekstud21]

great match! commentators were great too

[@Craig-ib7gk]

Let me say first and foremost: Mika is an outstanding, world class, hall-of-fame player. That said, his sheer will and shot making talent are what carried him in this match. He was routinely wandering, out of line, and just making less than stellar selections. As far as performances go, this simply isn't one of his better put-outs. (which isn't to say Allen was wowing the crowd either).

[@scotthuffman5475]

Different strokes for different folks

[@cadenthehooper5983]

Dang. My aunts friend is Allans son. I was pretty surprised when I heard but did not realize he is one of the greatd

[@9Ballr]

Does anyone know what Allen said after Mika missed that last combination and conceded?

[@bonhzeppelin9882]

YOUNG HOPPE!!!!

[@royplayer]

Because the cue ball is in the rack after pocketing the last ball with the exception of the break ball.

[@winterguitarkingyea]

It's a pleasure to have Alvin and Max Eberle hosting this match of great champions, thanks J.R. Calvert (insidepoolmagazine). It's cool listening to Max, teaching us about straight pool facts, that only a great player like Max is available for us, Thank You Alvin, Max Eberle (Champion) Love you guys, BigDennis D.C.Cues...

[@Anton_the_Vampire]

Can I ask a dumb question? Why is pool sometimes played on a blue cloth, sometimes green, sometimes even red? Why the different colours?

[@arnoldrantala4945]

Gary Ormond DIFFERENT CLOTH MAKERS, AND ODD COLORS LIKE RED ARE SOMETIMES USED TO MAKE TABLE STAND OUT

[@wombra8314]

this is hilarious when he razzes the mika 🤣😂🤣

[@Scorpsfan]

His stroke is really weird. HOWEVER It works for him.

[@bobdole716]

He pokes every shot. It's really irritating how good he plays with it.

[@mulu1807]

Willie Mosconi shot 500+ Balls, Thomas Engert from Germany 491. 410 is still a nice run :-)

[@silvaaa70]

I realize that this comment is very old but John Schmidt shattered Mosconi's record in 2019 I think.

[@5153flash]

Playing a 14-1 tournament is more wearing on a player than any other type of pool tourny. These long matches can take all the energy out of you quickly. Been there done it!!! Even 2 matches back to back will wear you out.

[@metairie33]

wonder if these guys could take fast eddie felson

[@GetMeThere1]

Wow. I had to replay 4-5 times to really see everything that happened, and everything that Mika had planned, at his complex billiard/combination shot at time 51:57. He got pretty damn close to what he wanted to do! The commentators really didn't pick up on what was going on...and the ball that went in the side wasn't something that "Mika didn't see" because it was a pure carom shot--not a "dead" shot waiting in the pack.

[@bobbylight111]

Why does Mika get ball in hand behind the head string at 10:36?

[@Salesman]

Because the cue ball ended up in the rack area.

[@lloydraynes4128]

vegetarian is an old indian word that means "bad hunter" LOL

[@johnalexander7437]

Then there is Mr. 600 who recently surpassed Willie Mosconi's 1954 record run of 526...he beat it by 100 balls. Well done John!

[@InsidePOOLmag]

John Schmidt is incredible for sure!

[@harrymundy5393]

Remember Mosconi’s run was unfinished( notice ) had nothing to prove If had known someone in future would try for 527 or more he most likely run 1000

[@silvaaa70]

@@harrymundy5393We'll never know. But John Schmidt owes that record now.

[@wallytverstol8627]

the wisdom showed

[@gregorylaronde7739]

Great Match. Thanks. Commentary is useless (volume down).

[@InsidePOOLmag]

We will let you commentate next time you can give it a shot and take the troll comments. Step on up to the mic

[@MrKinghuman]

@@InsidePOOLmag shots fired

[@chazdrumzalot]

God, no kidding. It's depressing that they even allow him to commentate straight pool.

[@ChrisDied]

Lol that fluke at 2:24

[@johnbellinger6524]

You can't argue with Hopkins success, however his poke and pray stroke I would think limits his game. When extreme follow or draw is needed in 14.1 or 9 ball, I think his technique limits his game.

[@thor9695]

Ughh Mika why didn't you just take on the 14 in the side man!? :(

[@SulcoPete1]

Seems like he took a step back to look at that - I'm thinking the 6 was in the way.

[@capacola262743]

he should have made the combo, it was not that tough.

[@dibber43]

The 14 in the side was ABSOLUTELY clear and Mika made the wrong decision to try a more difficult shot by attempting a low percentage combination shot that wasn't straight on. Cost him the match, though his anger got the best of him here.

[@cj-ef1rp]

Watching Alan’s stroke, he “pushes” the ball very frequently. In the modern game, he would likely be charged with a fault/penalty for illegal/double-hitting the cue.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

He drops his elbow on the stroke. There are a few other players today that do this.

[@danielkandi9023]

Debate on whether or not Hopkins has a bad stroke... I'd rather say he just has a limited stroke, but the bodymovement is the American version of Alex Higgins (snooker for those who dont know) It's just ridiculous how they make it work. Very oldschool "Murica" style. European players seem to be technically different. Stroking more smoothly. Even the older players. I think oldschool teachings need to die out and get more of the european influence into stroke. That said, i don't hate American players. Archer, Boening, Strickland, are awesome strokers. Straight through the ball. And whatever happened to Shuffett ? is he still playing ? awesome stroke on his arm too.

[@InsidePOOLmag]

Daniel Kandi Good Points.

[@royplayer]

+Daniel Kandi You can add Keith McCready to that list. He has a lot of body movement when he executes a shot.

[@jamesroboyle]

Shuffet is concentrating more on college right now I’ve heard. Forgot where he’s going but he plays on their college billiard team.

[@elec174]

everybody has there own style play, what looks ridiculous to you has been a successful career for Hopkins.

[@wombra8314]

20:20 lolz 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@donsmith3857]

i hate hopkins stroke, but--hes one hell of a player

[@truthwarrior122]

10:10 - sly dog!

[@loganharrington6017]

Is it me or should Allen Hopkins be in The Lord of the Rings?

[@Onesimus747]

allens great, watch your wallet!

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

I thought it was a bit unprofessional for Mika to poke at the balls and concede. He's usually above that sort of brat behavior.

[@debtbully3]

What's with that crap on the rails?!! That would bug me!

[@johnbellinger6524]

It is the Chinese manufacturer of the cloth.

[@wombra8314]

42:39 it's the spit and dirt mika is rubbing into it cleaning the balls. disgusting. he does this all the time like he owns the tables.

[@Northof49th1]

Hopkin's stroke isn't smooth, but it's straight, which what matters. He "punches" at the ball, but so what? Fact is, the cue ball leave the tip instantaneously; whether he follows through or not is irrelevant....

[@danielpincus221]

Allen shoots like Lou Butera -- 90% of his shots are stun or stop shots.

[@IsCumaFut2]

they're not snooker players . best game on earth

[@Reggiela-zc3cc]

No, the game that gives us straight pool, 8-ball, 9-ball, banks, and one-pocket is. In any case, who gives a shit if they are snooker players or not?

[@IsCumaFut2]

Reggie1971la well to play snooker you need to be little more accurate with the cue as to why they make the cues heavier and the tips narrower. wheras pool you don;t have to be as accurate with the positional aspect of the game. snooker players would be much better at break building (runs) and i notice pool players are better at those trick shots. the table in snooker is 12foot and the pool tables are 9 ft ..

[@Reggiela-zc3cc]

"well to play snooker you need to be little more accurate with the cue " That depends upon the situation. In nine-ball you are frequently required to hit long shots and utilize a more powerful stroke than in snooker, as the cue ball in pool is a lot heavier. In one-pocket you have to frequently hit bank shots. In straight pool you are often required to shoot carom shots and combination shots. "wheras pool you don;t have to be as accurate with the positional aspect of the game." A larger table means larger zones within which to get position in. On a smaller table you have to be more precise in how you position the cue ball.

[@IsCumaFut2]

actually reason why the table is so big in snooker is the black ball , playing snooker on a smaller table ties up the black and pink so it gets tied up.. but yeah you;re correct i suppose.. the cues are more technical and narrower for accuracy than a 9x5 standard american pool table.

[@IsCumaFut2]

a decent snooker player would beat any 9 ball player in my opinion .. or 8 ball. that 14:1 is a complicated game must say ..

[@Zmann86]

Ugh, not used to watching a pro play with such unorthodox form! Watching Allen punch all of his shots in with no stroke, it's painful... it's like losing to a person who cues 2 inches from the ball, I see it all the time...

[@edbaranek4243]

Hopkins stroke doesnt matter. He has one of the best pool minds in the game

[@royplayer]

Mika's mind must have been somewhere else. He played poorly this match. Hopkins gave him many chances to win.

[@Carlosgtrsnk]

allen is a good player but his stroke is so stupid, that litlle punch stroke is ridiculous lol

[@paloco70]

Mika is not a great sportsman... see it at the end...

[@MrKinghuman]

worst stroke ive ever seen

[@jadezee6316]

this IS NOT good shot making...sure they are better than the average guy...but they are low rung pros

[@fredhugard7444]

As they said, Allen doesn't compete a lot anymore, he puts on tournaments, does business things, whatever... But, are you saying Mika is a "low rung pro"? Mika hasn't been a low rung pro since he was very small child.

[@dangerwillrobinson23]

Mika was runner-up to the 14.1 world champion in the two years prior to this video.

[@keithkruger7270]

They're both in the Billiards Hall of Fame..are you delusional? Mika's personal high run is over 300 balls

[@harrymundy5393]

you not a pro