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.[2][3] 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.[1]

Balsis rejoined the game in 1964 Balsis, where he began to compete professionally. The following year, he won the 1965 Billiard Room Proprietors Association Tournament. In 1966 he won the 1966 World All-Around Championship held in Johnston City, Illinois. Balsis would then win back-to-back titles at both the 1968 and 1969 Jansco Brothers' Stardust Open "All-Around" championship.[1] Between 1965 and 1975 Balsis reached the final of the U.S. Open Straight Pool Championship on five occasions, where he would win twice (1968 & 1974).[3]