Ronnie Alcano Plays the ghost on table 6 at Hard Times CA.

This is a challenge posed to a few of the great players in which they're permitted ball in hand at the onset of the rack, but then must make all the balls to win. This is commentated on by Al Romero, Tang Hoa and myself. The last portion of it, the mics ran out of battery and so I had to rerecord later on. We're all very inexperienced at video production, so please excuse the beginner attempt at 2 cameras as well as the color.

[@edwinruiz956]

Ronnie Alcano is a great player, maybe is not the best player in the planet but he have a very nice stance and he make the shots with a natural tecnique and so much confidence and certain. I like the way he play. Also is very nice to see his poker face, he doesnt show any emotions in the table, he is so relax all the time...

[@48brianm]

absolutely brilliant these matches against the ghost. Ty you are doing a great service to those of us that love pool. Thank you!

[@StonedViper]

Thank you for these. Love all the ghost matches you have up ♥

[@ryanreyes4431]

1:25:00 was definitely a pro thought out shot with position. Amazing shot!

[@toddgator2002]

This video is great guys. The video quality looks a ton better than the majority of stuff that POV has filmed off this exact table so kudos. I like the mobile camera angle especially (despite the color weirdness)...that's not something I've seen any of the other pool match groups have. Seeing how he's addressing the cue ball from behind Ronnie's right shoulder on a couple of the clips towards the end was awesome. Keep these comin'!!

[@bobbylight111]

What a treat. Thank you so much for this.

[@ryanreyes4431]

1:02 was f'n INSANE!!!

[@fjd1984]

It's so nice seeing pool in 1080p. Subbed and thanks!

[@trumanhw]

I'd appreciate any criticism that might help us create better products in the future, also. I realize the color is off and my commentary needs work.... but if there's anything else please add. I'd also prefer to have had a higher camera angle but the light from the table would have eventually obstructed the camera. :-(

[@trumanhw]

I don't follow what you're saying - BUT, I've watched the Hines vs. Strickland video you posted and I've been meaning to thank you for that. Great archive match. Thank you.

[@trumanhw]

There's also something to be said for choosing speeds and spins that mitigate the risk -- which is another attribute I'm in constant amaze of the Filipinos for. FYI, at hard times, slow follow CONSISTENTLY causes the CB to jump after 3am; The AC is off, the location often is FOGGY when I leave, and the cloth is filthy by the end of the day. THAT is the condition Alcano is playing in - and THAT is why both Tang and I are so impressed. :) You just can't believe how hard it is until you're there.

[@Simplereyes]

Thanks for all that you do Truman! What a great coverage! Can you do one with Bustamante, Corteza & Biado? Great Job! @Tang you're the coolest!

[@IRevealTheMagic]

yeah hes shooting with a borrowed meucci. ronnie really only loves playing with viking cues though. truman thanks for the upload

[@DanielKandiTV]

I will look forward to this experience of course! :) im playing my job in LA on the 13th of september. So around that date, im game.

[@pepamethodman]

now i feel bad, you are a good man and you do your best. All i can do is wish you luck and stay a good man.

[@edwinruiz956]

Filipino players like to use long nails because in some asiatic cultures like Philippines the man who have long nails and great manicure is sign of prestige because mean that your work is not heavy (like construction or some job where you have to mistreat your hands) so obviously if you have long nails its mean that you have a light work, so.. your hands represent your life style. Also long nails make that Ronnie hold the cue with care, this help to him to have that soft and confidence stroke

[@trumanhw]

Thanks Todd. Yeah - we really needed to do a white balance of both cameras before we started recording - but, it was a last minute thing that we did after work and it was all I could do to even purchase the right lens in time. Thanks again for the positive remarks.

[@DanielKandiTV]

Thanks :) and yea, one thing I do loathe about pool, is that playing on clean tables and clean balls, is so underrated. I got in trouble for cleaning the white with a marker at Amsterdam Hall in NYC. I don't really get how that is "cheating" or possibly repositioning the ball the "wrong place" ... That is an attitude that needs to change in the game, to eliminate kicks/skids. Luckily the US open seem to have stellar conditions compared so some other tourneys. Will try out for that just for fun.

[@trumanhw]

Hadn't watched it myself in quite a while and wanted to see where my "wows" were... I now see what I was talking about -- which wasn't actually the pocketing of balls per se, but rather, the choice for cue ball route, or that he almost missed the ball, etc. Again, you have to play here at hard times to see what I mean. They just recovered the tables, and prior to that they were ultra grippy... so cue ball curve was massive when you spun the ball. By September they'll play tough again. :-)

[@kimzafra]

In the Philippines Alcano was known as "Ronnie Calamba" . Big difference between small and big pockets, no wonder my Mosconi hold the record in Straight Pool

[@driver9g]

I think your commentary is better than 90% of the commentators I've heard. One thing, though- if Ronnie was nice enough to let you do this video it would have been a good idea to get someone to rack for him unless he wanted to do it himself.

[@50emag]

1:02:00 jacked up 3 ball draw 1:25:00 caromed to create an angle to get to the 5 and 1:28:45 where he developed the 2 ball hitting between the 4 and 2. so precise. that was no accident. he wasn't just shooting for a breakout with random results. i have no doubt that he was aiming to hit in between the 4 and 2 to give him the best possible chance of developing a shot on the 2 with and angle for the next shot. that's that rotation background at work.

[@trumanhw]

That's a good observation. Thanks. And as far as "nice enough" ... there's obviously $ involved. :)

[@chankom]

Thank you!

[@trumanhw]

You know, in his defense, I've made the mistake of not recognizing when someone had no funding for what they did which modified my opinion of the quality. The difficult part is that we have a really busy business, so getting my employee to not work on our regular projects to work on editing is difficult to justify. You wouldn't believe how long it takes to combine two video sources and sync audio after the fact when you're not like, a production group. TAR is amazing. Thanks for your comment

[@trumanhw]

Going to TRY to make some progress on it today bud. Thanks!

[@darioriccionisns2711]

great video...video quality is superb as much as ronnie game....when will you post pagulayan and orcollo playin vs the ghost?

[@kabayanhustler]

thanks

[@anthonymattia2955]

I was at the Joss Northeast nine ball tour about 12 years ago when Pat "the mailman" McNally tortures Ronnie 9-1 & 9-0 in about and hour....Alcano was so shook he went to push out and double hit the cue ball...them Pa boys can shoot some pool.

[@50emag]

correct. manila billiards sir. that table has the bounciest rails ever lol. I agree with Tang. i feel like 9 ball is getting a little outdated. it's been how many years and we're still just cleaning up between 6 to 9 balls after the break depending on how many u make. why not just throw all 15 out on the table already and play rotation! you'd see a lot more magic tricks like the carom shot at 1:25:00 and precision straight pool type breakouts at 1:28:45.

[@fishblade2]

I have to say when you commented on the 15 ball rotation game by Efren you posted, all I have to say is amazing!!!!! Just amazing!!! I wanted to ask you though Truman what is average size of the pool tables here at hard times? what is the best size pocket that you have seen pros successfully run on without the equipment being too tough?

[@trumanhw]

My pleasure.

[@TommyDavidsonTD2014]

Any idea what cue Ronnie was playing with here? It looks like a Meucci with the long ferrule. Tommy D.

[@nibols23]

this is just awesome! thank you so much for the video.ring side seat to alcano! question, Why do filipino players grow out their nails when they play? i noticed back in the days when i watched efren reyes first time at hardtimes about 14 yrs ago he had long nails also..

[@trumanhw]

You're in LA yeah? Where's that GC 4 your buddy is playing on in the video of yours? Is that at Manila Billiards? I'm thinking "no" but that's the only place I can think of that matches that appearance.... ?

[@FloridaRaider]

nice quality video

[@trumanhw]

Bustamante, maybe -- He comes through LA sometimes. Corteza and Biado are going to be more difficult because they're rarely in the US (to my knowledge). I've heard Biado plays great... but of the youtube videos of his I've seen its very difficult to really see just how well he does play. I have no idea how difficult the tables I've seen him play on, but I know they're on outdoor Philippine tables, so I can only imagine, 'brutal.'

[@ruskyhrahsel7723]

Now you know how good Biado plays!

[@levith1992]

4ever alone

[@trumanhw]

You do look like a pretty solid potter (is that how you'd say that?). Do you use side spin in that game? I can say with certitude that 4" pockets, humidity and dirty balls that isn't easy. You should try playing the ghost... and if you beat it I'll post that on my channel also. Take care and see you in LA bud.

[@icudnotask4m0re]

A good posture of the hand bridge, i guess

[@DanielKandiTV]

At least it will play better than the old cloth displayed on this video :) !

[@GT55101]

Anyone know what kind of cue that is?????

[@germainmanuel9501]

what pocket size this table?? it looks tight i can see ronnie arcane being nervous on every shots hahaha

[@darioriccionisns2711]

hi truman!what about the other ghost videos?

[@DanielKandiTV]

btw, would you know of any good rooms in San Francisco ? im there this weekend.

[@enriqueguzman7497]

DanielKandiTV SAN FRANCISSCO, CA. DOES NOT HAVE ANY GOOD POOL ROOM ANYMORE BECAUSE THE BILLIARDS GAME IS DYING. BUT IF YOU WANT TO PLAY IN A DARK POOL HALL, VISIT FAMILY BILLIARD. IT IS JUST LIKE THIS POOL HALL WITHOUT ENOUGH LIGHT.NO WONDER YOU DO NOT SEE OLD PLAYERS PLAYING POLL ANYMORE. BECAUSE ONE IDIOT CAME OUT WITH THIS STUPID IDEA AND AND ALL THE POOL HALLS FALLOW HIM.

[@jazonc73]

You guys don't understand how hard that table is.... Tang was right it makes you feel like you cant play at all.. Until you have gambled on it and been put in a coma you do not realize how awesome table 6 is..

[@saraviana2785]

the smoothest!!

[@trumanhw]

Sara Viana Thanks sara. Are you a pool player? Did you know who Alcano was before watching this?

[@ryanreyes4431]

trumanhw What happened to Alcano. I've followed him for years on youtube but haven't seen any recent matches from him. Help me out, plz.

[@trumanhw]

No info really. He's back in the Philippines to my knowledge.

[@ryanreyes4431]

I wish he came back to play the USBTC. Would have loved to see him shoot. I've seen that rack with SVB and Ignacio. Ignacio DESTROYED SVB haha but I do think that Ronnie Alcano would have been much closer if not won. THese philipino's are use to playing outside in loud, humid, hot environments on 9 footers. They come here and the conditions are just no match. Would you agree?

[@edwinruiz956]

+Andrew Ryan I'm a big fan of alcano too.. batting tirador channel have recent videos from him. Apparently he is practicing to play in the middle of this year in USA

[@toddgator2002]

What an entitled and ungrateful point of view for something you'll have little to no opportunity to see anywhere else. Truman, I really hope you don't let people like Bill affect your willingness to provide the fruits of your labor for those of us that actually appreciate it. Kudos to you for doing this at all bro.

[@DanielKandiTV]

Nice video quality, but don't agree with the commentators on tournaments having to be on worn cloth. Plus their disgust in the Diamond table.

[@trumanhw]

Sure thing Bill. If I sent you my paypal and you pay me 1/10th of what this cost I'll get right on it and knock that out for you. I apologize that my FREE SERVICE to you in which I pay all the costs wasn't up to your standards.

[@kgstar726]

probably a predator, not sure about which one he used exactly , No matter which cue he uses, he is capable of crushing people on the table since he's a world champ

[@hujklnm23]

what cue does ronnie use?

[@B0SSJM]

What's the final score?

[@trumanhw]

The first set Alcano was down 14 - 12 and had to win three in a row. I promise I'll get more videos uploaded soon, I just haven't had an employee available to dedicate to the editing. I know it doesn't look like there's much editing to do but there really is. Thanks everyone who's enjoyed and shared the video.

[@DanielKandiTV]

plus, some of the shots that baffles these 2 guys along the cushion (despite it being 4inch pockets) are a bit too much "wow" all the time. Some of the shots really arent that hard.

[@pepamethodman]

do you feel lonely most of the time? :/

[@billspicer7243]

Commentator's, if your going to do this could you at least tell the score! Very poor commentator's.

[@pilotanimal192]

aarrr so slow