Before Jorgen Sandman became one of the most influential administrators in world pool, he was first a student, teacher, pool room operator, promoter, and believer in the power of simply getting started. In this second episode of Legends of the Cue, Jorgen explains how “learning by doing” became the motto that guided his journey from young instructor to international leader in billiards sports.

The conversation begins with the games that shaped Swedish pool in its early years, especially straight pool, five-and-nine, and later eight-ball. Jorgen reflects on what coaching looked like in Sweden in the 1970s, when there were no established systems, few instructional resources, and most players learned by watching others. Drawing on lessons from ice hockey, volleyball, and his own curiosity, he built a teaching philosophy based on fundamentals: how to hold the cue, how to stand, how to observe, analyze, and communicate.

Jorgen also shares candid insights from the business side of pool, including owning and operating rooms, selling products, writing about the game, and using creativity to attract new players. One standout story centers on The Color of Money, when he persuaded the Swedish film world to help promote pool by placing offers on cinema tickets—an idea that helped fill his room and generate remarkable media attention.

From the Challenge Cup to early professional tournaments, this episode reveals how Jorgen used journalism, promotion, and sheer initiative to raise pool’s profile in Sweden and beyond.

Essential listening for fans of pool instruction, billiards coaching, pool room history, straight pool, sports promotion, and the business of cue sports.

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 Cue.”

Jorgen Sandman’s extraordinary life in cue sports begins far from the bright lights of world championships and Olympic committees. In this opening episode of Legends of the Cue, Jorgen takes us back to Sundsvall, Sweden, where a childhood shaped by ice hockey, discipline, outdoor play, and multi-sport development laid the foundation for a lifetime in pool, billiards, coaching, and sports leadership.

Jorgen recalls learning to skate before he could walk, being taught fundamentals before being allowed near a puck, and later carrying those same lessons into cue sports. Alongside Allison Fisher, Mark Wilson, and Michael Gonzalez, he explores why early sport specialization can limit young athletes and why the world’s best competitors often benefit from a broad athletic background.

The story then shifts to 1968, when a young Jorgen first encountered billiards while watching his uncle play in Stockholm. What began with laughter, missed balls, and a humbling first attempt soon became a lifelong calling. Back home, Jorgen found his way into a local billiard club, a basement room with coin-operated table lights, strong carom influences, and a mentor, Rolf Larsson, who would change the course of his life.

This episode also touches on Sweden’s pioneering role in putting pool tables into schools, Jorgen’s early exposure to players and entertainers like Paul Gerni and Jimmy Caras, and the first signs of the teacher, promoter, and organizer he would become.

A rich origin story for anyone interested in pool history, billiards culture, Swedish pool, youth sports development, or the roots of modern cue sports governance.

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 Cue.”

In the final chapter of our conversation on Legends of the Cue, Jeanette “The Black Widow” Lee reflects on legacy, recognition, and what it all means after a life spent chasing excellence in pool. This episode shifts from the climb to the view from the top, as Jeanette shares her reaction to receiving the sport’s highest honors: induction into the WPBA and the Billiard Congress of America Halls of Fame.

She talks about what that moment meant to her personally, how she viewed the road that got her there, and the people and experiences that shaped her along the way. The conversation also explores the business side of her career, including the promotional instincts, league involvement, and long-term vision that helped her think beyond tournament wins and losses. Jeanette was never just playing matches — she was helping expand the reach of the game.

What makes this episode especially powerful is its reflective quality. Jeanette looks back on the coaches, mentors, competitors, and turning points that influenced her growth, while also speaking candidly about how she hopes to be remembered. There is gratitude here, but also honesty, humor, and the unmistakable fire that made her such a singular force in pool.

This closing episode is more than a look back at trophies and titles. It is about impact. Jeanette Lee changed how pool was seen, who it reached, and what a female star in cue sports could become. For longtime fans and new listeners alike, this is a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary conversation with one of the most important figures in billiards history.

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 Cue.”

In this penultimate episode of her Legends of the Cue interview, Jeanette Lee shares the stories that transformed her from champion pool player into one of the most famous figures in cue sports history. The conversation begins with her unforgettable trip to the Philippines to play Efren Reyes, a match that became far more than a contest. Jeanette talks about meeting her idol on his home turf, seeing firsthand the conditions that shaped one of the greatest players of all time, and realizing just how deeply pool could connect people across cultures.

That experience also gave Jeanette one of her first true glimpses of her own international fame. Away from the familiar tournament trail in the United States, she encountered a level of fan passion and recognition that opened her eyes to how large her name had become. It is a fascinating look at the difference between being a successful player and becoming a global symbol for the sport.

From there, Jeanette reflects on image, branding, and the complicated perception that followed her throughout her career. She addresses the idea that she wanted fame more than greatness, and explains in her own words why being the best player she could be always mattered most. She also revisits the development of “The Black Widow” persona, how that identity took hold, and why her rise felt so meteoric at the time.

This episode blends pool history, personal honesty, and behind-the-scenes storytelling in a way only Jeanette can. If you’ve ever wondered how a world-class competitor became a household name in billiards, this is the chapter that tells the story.

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 Cue.”

In this episode of Legends of the Cue, Jeanette “The Black Widow” Lee opens up about one of the defining rivalries in women’s pool history: her battle with Hall of Famer Allison Fisher. With both legends on the show together, the conversation becomes a fascinating look back at an era when the women’s game was thriving, ESPN was broadcasting pool to a national audience, and rivalries helped elevate the sport to new heights.

Jeanette and Allison reflect on their contrasting styles, competitive personalities, and how their matches became some of the most compelling television in cue sports. Jeanette shares her perspective on being seen as intimidating, why she never viewed another champion’s success as a threat, and how her mindset was always rooted in accountability: if someone raised the bar, she believed the answer was to work harder.

The episode also dives into the broader state of women’s pool in the 1990s, from televised events and growing audiences to the chemistry and tension that came with a golden era of competition. Then the story shifts to one of Jeanette’s proudest accomplishments: representing the United States and winning gold at the World Games in Japan. She recounts the pain she was battling physically, the surgeries she had undergone, the pressure of the moment, and the last-minute training breakthrough that helped her find another level.

What follows is classic Jeanette: vulnerable, driven, funny, and unforgettable. From elite rivalry to international glory, this episode captures the heart of what made that era of women’s pool so special — and why Jeanette Lee was at the center of it.

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 Cue.”

In this sixth episode of our interview, Hall of Fame pool legend Jeanette “The Black Widow” Lee takes us inside one of the most important turning points of her career: the moment she arrived on the professional scene and changed women’s pool forever. Jeanette reflects on the early years of the WPBA, the tensions she felt as a rising star, and the unforgettable “Yertle the Turtle” story that revealed just how unwelcome she sometimes felt among her peers.

But if the reception was cold, her game was anything but. Jeanette walks us through her remarkable 1994 season, when she broke through in spectacular fashion with a string of major wins that established her as one of the most dynamic and recognizable players in the sport. She shares what it felt like to go from climbing the rankings to suddenly becoming the player everyone was chasing.

The conversation also explores the inaugural Mosconi Cup, where Jeanette represented Team USA in one of pool’s most historic events. She recalls the trip to England, the unusual format, the atmosphere, the personalities involved, and the significance of women being part of that first edition. Along the way, she offers honest insight into confidence, competitiveness, and the sacrifices required to succeed at the highest level.

This is a revealing, funny, and deeply candid chapter in Jeanette Lee’s story — one that captures the grit, talent, and determination that powered her rise from breakout contender to global star. For fans of pool history, the WPBA, and the early Mosconi Cup years, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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 Cue.”

In the fifth installment of our conversation with Jeanette Lee, the legend begins to take shape. This is the chapter where the player becomes the persona, and Jeanette explains how “The Black Widow” was born — not as a carefully engineered brand at first, but as an image, an impression, and eventually an identity that captured the imagination of fans far beyond the pool world. Her reaction to the nickname is as funny as it is revealing, and the story behind it is pure Jeanette: skeptical, sharp, and unforgettable.

Jeanette also talks about trying to bring more women into the game, offering free instruction during ladies’ nights, and doing what she could to make pool more welcoming and visible. She recounts memorable moments around Gabe’s room, Willie Mosconi, promotional photos, and the strange experience of seeing herself presented to the public in a new way. Bit by bit, the image grew — and so did the opportunity.

But as this episode makes clear, the fame was built on far more than image. Underneath the nickname was enormous sacrifice, pain, determination, and work. By the end of this fifth chapter of her life story, what comes through most powerfully is not just why Jeanette Lee became famous, but why she mattered. She changed how people saw pool, she changed who they imagined could represent it, and she did it with style, grit, honesty, and heart.

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 Cue.”

Part 4 is where talent meets discipline. Jeanette takes us inside the all-consuming years when pool became her life and improvement became an obsession. She talks about the players, rooms, and routines that shaped her game, including the influence of Gene Nagy, whose relentless straight-pool sessions helped sharpen her ability, discipline, and mental toughness. Day after day, Jeanette showed up and put in the work. Open to close, then more of the same. This was not glamour. This was the grind.

What makes this chapter so compelling is the detail. Jeanette explains how she climbed from smaller tournaments into stronger fields, how missed shots stayed with her, and how she turned frustration into training. Rather than just patching weaknesses, she tried to transform them into strengths. That mindset — intense, analytical, stubborn, and deeply competitive — becomes one of the defining themes of the episode.

She also reflects on the generosity of poolroom owners and communities who saw her dedication and helped fuel her development, whether through table time, support, or opportunity. By now, Jeanette is no longer simply in love with the game. She is building herself inside it. This episode is a portrait of apprenticeship, hunger, and repetition — the unseen years that create champions long before the spotlight arrives.

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 Cue.”