In Part 2 of our Legends of the Cue interview with Henrik Larsson, the aspiring Swedish pool player arrives in Stockholm at age 19 with no elaborate career plan. As Henrik puts it, he was simply addicted to shooting pool—playing until the last poolroom closed at five in the morning, sleeping late and starting all over again the next day.

But Henrik quickly realized that becoming a great player also required finding a way to finance the journey.

What follows is a fascinating story of entrepreneurship in professional pool. Henrik teaches juniors and beginners in exchange for free table time, develops corporate pool programs, forms an entertainment business and eventually performs more than 2,000 trick-shot exhibitions. He and his partners go on to own two major Stockholm poolrooms—one built around rock-and-roll and live music, another designed as an upscale, multi-level billiards and corporate-entertainment venue.

Then we turn to the competitive career.

Henrik recalls being at the forefront of wheelchair pool in Europe, competing successfully against Sweden’s standing players and winning an early championship in Berlin in 1993. A year later, he travels to America and takes on formidable American wheelchair star Aaron Aragon, scoring a breakthrough victory that Henrik still considers one of the most important of his career. He explains the physical realities of elite wheelchair pool—the reach, table height, bridge shots and pattern choices—and why straight pool became his favorite discipline.

By 1999, wheelchair competition is being staged alongside the European Championships. Henrik begins an extraordinary run of European titles.

And in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2003, everything changes: Henrik captures both the WPA 8-Ball and 9-Ball World Championships.

From Stockholm poolroom obsessive to double world champion, Part 2 traces the years when Henrik Larsson turned opportunity, creativity and relentless practice into international greatness.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

Support the show

Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a cue sports history podcast featuring interviews with Hall of Fame members, world champions, and influential figures from across the world of cue sports—including pocket billiards, snooker, and carom disciplines such as three-cushion billiards. We highlight the people, places, and moments that have shaped the game—celebrating iconic players, memorable events, historic venues, and the brands that helped define generations of play. With a focus on the positive spirit of the sport, our goal is to create a rich, engaging, and timeless archive of stories that fans can enjoy now and for years to come.

Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher and Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, Legends of the Cue brings these stories to life—told in the voices of the game’s greatest figures.

Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cu...