Andrew Ponzi

Andrew Ponzi (January 20, 1903–April 11, 1950) was an American pool player and world champion.

Andrew Ponzi
Born(1903-01-20)20 January 1903
Philadelphia, United States
Died11 April 1950(1950-04-11) (aged 47)
Philadelphia, United States[1]
Sport country United States
Professional1919
Pool gamesStraight Pool
Tournament wins
World ChampionFour-time straight pool world champion

Biography

Andrew Ponzi was born Andrew D'Allesandro in Philadelphia. As a boy, he injured his right hand as a result of a trolley mishap. He went on to improve it by practicing pool.[2]

At 16, D'Allesandro was already a skilled player who won numerous money matches. By that time, the infamous swindler, Charles Ponzi, was in the press. Thus friends gave him the nickname Ponzi.[3]

In 1934, Ponzi won his first world pool title by defeating Erwin Rudolph.[2]

Ponzi won the world title again in 1940 by besting Jimmy Caras.[4]

In 1943, Ponzi won his third world championship, subduing Willie Mosconi.[5] He won the world title for the fourth and final time by defeating Irving Crane that same year.[6]

He suffered a heart attack while participating in a tournament in 1950. He died two weeks later at age 47.[3]

Ponzi was inducted in the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1988.[7]

References
  1. "Chicago Tribune". 1950. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
  2. "Ponzi Defeats Erwin Rudolph for Cue Crown". Chicago Tribune. March 1, 1934. pp. 1, 25.
  3. "Ponzi Dies at 47; Former Cue Titlist". The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 12, 1950. p. 37.
  4. "Andrew Ponzi Displaces Caras as Cue Champion". The Morning News. April 29, 1940. p. 16.
  5. "Ponzi Regains World Pocket Billiards Title". San Bernardino Sun. April 19, 1943. p. 7.
  6. "Crane Cinch to Annex Cue Crown, Ponzi Says a Big Time". Democrat and Chronicle. December 13, 1943. p. 21.
  7. Dyer, R. A. (2005). Billiards: The Official Rules and Records Book. Billiard Congress of America. p. 156. ISBN 1-59228-744-1.


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