Joe Balsis

Joe grew up playing in the billiard room of his father, John, whose business was in the sale of meat. At an early, Balsis was deemed skilled enough by age 11 to play exhibition matches against professional players including Andrew Ponzi and Erwin Rudolph.[3][4] When in his teens, he won four consecutive annual junior titles, then left the game and joined the Coast Guard as a boat machinist for several years during pool's temporary decline. In 1944, he took up competition again, winning the Armed Services Champion title.[2]

Balsis rejoined the game in 1964 Balsis, where he began to compete professionally. The following year, he won the World Straight Pool Championship twice and once in 1966. He won the Johnston City All-Around Championship, in 1966. Balsis would then win back-to-back titles at both the 1968 and 1969 Stardust Open All-Around Championship as well as the All Japan Championship in 1969.[2] Between 1966 and 1975 Balsis reached the final of the BCA U.S. Open Straight Pool Championship on five occasions, where he would win twice (1968 & 1974).[4]