Minnesota Fats Vs Irving Crane Billiards (Part 1 of 4)

Minnesota Fats and Irving Crane in a classic vintage billiards 7 ball match

[@SuperStrik9]

I love how fats looks so nonchalent with his shots!

[@4EyedAnimation]

I think the commentator was Allan Hopkins (Young Hoppie) world billards champ at the time they did this show on espn

[@nicholasschroeder3678]

This is a bit like watching a baseball or chess old-timers game or match. They're well past their prime. Their eyesight, physiques, stamina and everything else just aren't the same. And they probably dont practice nearly as much. But still, watching this, you can just imagine how really great they were 30 or 40 years younger.

[@Endoe.McKronic]

It's like FATS doesn't even use his fingers when he hits the ball. Just using the side of the table.

[@TheRayop]

nice i been using minnesota fats cue for a year now and first time watching a video of his

[@worldalvin]

Is Allen Hopkins doing commentary?

[@RayHusted]

its nice to see these guys play but dam, they dug them out of their graves for entertainment, would be nice to have em both playing each other in their prime.

[@kevindelong7046]

Minnesota Fats was not the greatest pool player who ever lived. He was the greatest pool showman who ever lived.

[@scotty193]

Thats what its all about........................Who would you remember more Fats or Shane Van Boeing?.

[@percyweintraub]

crane looks like clint eastwood

[@lacampbellmd1]

yea but fats was one of the best one pocket players u ever wanna see

[@kellensarien9039]

Spending it wisely. When people are lying on their deathbeds, the most common regret is that they did not spend more of their lives watching pool.

[@unclewreckum4977]

Interesting to me how the older generation of billiards players stood up on the ball more. They didn't bend way over and put their chins anywhere near the cuestick.

[@hugeshows]

I wonder if that's because they're old and their backs and eyes have gone, or if they played that way even when younger.

[@BobbyDank1015]

Beats me on how they could visualize the ghost ball being that high up. I guess they just have the natural intuition and feel from constant playing.

[@grantcurless3635]

theres an interview with Fats where he says he's always shot like that

[@grantcurless3635]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gorHY5iXrbiDbsk here is Irving playing in 1966. Here you can see he is still way up in the air

[@seyumaiayami3536]

@@hugeshows If you have hit tens of thousands/more balls you don't need to get down on the cue. Like Ryan said, it's about visualizing. I stand up like that when I get bored and doesn't make much of a difference unless I need power.

[@thetomatoman9292]

I like this video

[@catweasle5737]

I wish the people who post video's on youtube would put up the date of the video. I'm guessing this is early to mid 80's?

[@thomasbrooklyn1820]

What's the date and location of this match?

[@Onslaught516]

i started playing pool from hes genesis game, been a fan ever since lol

[@gm4663]

Ahmad?

[@peetie44]

Two of the best hustlers were George Rood and Don Willis.

[@monsterbowler]

@850kell531 agree. Fats could hold his own, but he really was at his best in the gambling and self promotion.

[@miamiwax5504]

fats walks like hanks dad on king of the hill

[@dennygalehouse]

Fats was a great showman. Crane was a great player. Willie Mosconi was , far and away , the greatest pool player of all time.

[@lukewalker1051]

A little steep about Mosconi. Arguably the best straight pool player. Efron maybe the greatest overall pool player. My money would be on Van Boening or Segal in their prime in 9 ball...or Efron or Stricklen.

[@MrHighcue1]

@Beretta9tt fatts beat mosconi in the 7 ball lost the 9 ball 3-4 and tied in the 8 ball ,so don't think he cant play that's all apart of the hustle. if you beat all the pros its make it hard to get a money game .

[@MiNDx1er]

lol the soccer button is funny in this video.

[@johntaylor7123]

It said they are playing billiards,you only use 3 balls for billiards

[@MrCopenhagen113]

have you never seen the hustler

[@tooleey]

@mypalrocco What , you'll never get old? That'll be you some day. Unless you don't make it that far......

[@bradtwo]

Looks like Fats vs Death

[@DreamyBongos]

They are fucking 80 years old here,

[@benjamen19]

the shoot he was doing at 3:20 he kicked it out that was an easy shoot in the corner why he kick it out like that

[@fishman9682]

something good

[@fntime]

But isn't that how it's played. What makes Tiger Wood great, his game remains consistent no matter the money involved. My girlfriend was at best an average player. When she could beat you, was when the stakes got higher, most people chock, because of the money. Don't dismiss this. If you took gambling out of pool, who would be left?

[@Bladerunner55217]

efren would of left it inbetter shape on the last ball

[@robertmcquarrie452]

Tony Classified he’s not efren Reyes

[@Fucknuts4u]

@tooleey My motto: Die young and leave a good looking corpse!

[@ECTCowboy]

Archie Bunker lol

[@MattisSoderstorm]

Im watching old men play pool. What am I doing with my life?

[@patroberts9497]

these old men are the best

[@nicholasschroeder3678]

50 years ago too.

[@850kell531]

i agree and disagree. fats could play pool amazingly, but players like jersey red, mosconi, crane and lassiter could beat him.

Crane WAY past his prime......Fats too.

[@sirduke731]

When I was young I always heard the name Minnesota Fats and the legend of what a great pool player he was. After watching this I realize the legend is a myth. This fat guy was not great!

[@StrengthFromGiving]

So, he's 65 here. and still shoots better than most pros. Sorry man but he was a monster. any one in the game new it. He only played one pocket at that point in his life, I've seen him play, and I've seen the best today play. He can and would have hung with any of them. Don't be deceived by a 20 year old video of an Old guy playing pool. Watch Mosconi, watch Cuelemans, watch any of them when they're older. The game just loses its edge when you get old. It's just the aging process.

[@rickdees651]

Maurice Roman you also have to remember he is a money player a true hustler and he died in 96 at 82 this took place around 84 cause that was the last time he was on tv playing pool so he was at or near his 70s also in the 60s/70s he was worth close to 30mil so this is a lot older then 20 years ago this video it like 30/35 years old

[@chrispalin4043]

Maurice Roman I always wonder what type of moron goes on to a video just to post nasty messages. If you've got nothing nice to say, just keep it to yourself. You might get more popular

[@chrispalin4043]

Maurice Roman He's about 70 years of age in this video, and he is still playing at a professional standard. Most pool players lose most of their ability, aged around 50, let alone 70! He was a monster at his peak. Without a doubt one of the top 10 pool players of all time 👍

[@unclequack5445]

Maurice Roman Roman, he was in his 70s here, and I wager he could still beat you with any handicap you could place on a game.

[@RJ-ud1pr]

Why do they suck so bad?

[@850kell531]

yeah he was a hustler, not a pool player. he was lazy, and when he was on the road with wimpy lassiter, he repeatedly lost all their money playing cards.

[@halsamdu]

This is not the true Minnesota Fats !!

[@wilfredosantana1]

They not that good.