Jean Balukas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jean Balukas (June 28, 1959 – ?), an American billiards player from Brooklyn, New York, ranks among the stellar females players in the history of the sport. Many aficionados place her as the greatest female player ever.

Balukas' rise through the ranks from a young age is legendary. She began playing at four years of age and competed in her first Billiard Congress of America U.S. Open at a precocious nine, taking seventh place. At twelve she won her first BCA title and at fourteen her first national women's championship. Her subsequent titles include seven BCA U.S. Open straight pool titles, six World Open titles and numerous 9-ball and straight pool first place finishes. She was inducted into the BCA's hall of fame in 1985 with the added honor of being its youngest inductee.

[edit] Dissension among the ranks

In the mid to late 1980s, a rancorous dispute occurred in the Women's Professional Billiard Association in which Balukas was accused of unprofessional conduct. Balukas vehemently denied the charges. There were countercharges of professional jealousy based on Balukas' then virtual domination of women's professional pool. The result was that Balukas reportedly quit the sport in disgust rather than accept professional sanction. Although she no longer competes professionally, Balukas helps run her family's billiard parlor, Hall of Fame Billiards, located in Brooklyn, New York.

[edit] Selected career titles

1983

• McDermott Masters 9-Ball
• PPPA World Open 14.1
• WPBA National 9-Ball
• BCA US Open 14.1

1984

• River City Open
• Eastern States Open
• US Open
• WPBA National 9-Ball
• Classic Cup

1985

• Sands Regent 9-Ball
• Busch 9-Ball Open

1986

• Cleveland Open II 9-Ball
• California Mixed 9-Ball
• US Open 9-Ball
• Fall Classic 9-Ball
• WPBA National 9-Ball
• Resorts Last Call 9-Ball

1987

• WPBA Cleveland Open
• WPBA Rakm Up Classic
• WPBA Grove Open
• WPBA Classic Cup VI
• WPBA McDermott Masters
• WPBA Glass City Open
• WPBA U.S. Open
• WPBA Fall Classic

1988

• WPBA Brunswick World Open

[edit] References

• Billiards Congress of America (2006) Jean Balukas' entry in the BCA's Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 10, 2006.
• Azbilliards (2006) List of Jean Balukas' championship titles. Retrieved January 10, 2006.

v • d • e Cue sports
Pocket billiards (pool)	Nine-ball • Eight-ball • One-pocket • Straight pool • Bank pool • Rotation • Chicago • Cowboy pool • Golf pool • Kelly pool • Bottle pool • Baseball pocket billiards • Three-ball • Cribbage pool • more
Carom billiards	Three-cushion • Artistic billiards • Five-pins • Balkline & straight rail • Cushion caroms • Four-ball • more
Other games	Snooker • English billiards • Russian pyramid • Bumper pool • Bagatelle • Novuss • more
Resources	Glossary • Techniques • Billiards table • Billiard balls • Cue stick • Rack • Players • Organizations • Events • Categories