Part 2 picks up as Ewa Mataya Laurance—“The Striking Viking”—plants her feet in America with one goal: play pool, and nothing else. From home in Michigan to road trips with her friend Vicky Frechen (Paski), Ewa relives the hustle behind the highlight reels: waitressing shifts, a brief—and doomed—stint in an insurance office (“How did you get here?”), and even landing a job at a Playboy Club, learning the bunny dip while trying to run racks on a bumper-pool table in costume.

But the real story is the turning points. Ewa opens up about becoming a young mother, the fear and responsibility that reshaped her life, and how that pressure changed her relationship with the game. Then comes the breakthrough: the gritty, smoke-thick Maverick Club scene, a title match versus Lori Shampo, and the moment 20 FBI agents storm the room mid-finals—forcing Ewa to fight not only for the trophy, but for the scoreline itself.

Along the way, Ewa, Allison Fisher, and Mark Wilson revisit the stars and influencers of the era—Belinda Bearden, LoreeJon, Gloria Walker, Vivian Villarreal, Billie Billing, Palmer Byrd, and more—painting a vivid picture of women’s pro pool before it went mainstream. Ewa also shares a surprising partnership with “Mr. Humble” Mike Sigel in a pioneering live doubles event, plus what it felt like to watch trailblazer Jean Balukas carry the weight of attention, controversy, and expectation on national TV on ESPN—right up to the $200 fine that became her exit line.

Outside the arena, a Brunswick sponsorship arrives just as Ewa’s marriage fractures—raising the stakes on every rack as she chases big wins like her U.S. Open titles of the late ’80s. And in a fascinating behind-the-scenes chapter, she details the ambitious (and messy) attempt to unite men and women under one tour umbrella—the early blueprint that foreshadowed modern professional pool.

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Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In this first chapter of our four-part life-story series, we welcome one of the most captivating figures ever to pick up a cue: Pool Hall of Famer Ewa Mataya Laurance—the iconic “Striking Viking.” From her earliest days in Sweden, Ewa takes us back to a childhood defined by energy, independence, and a love of sport. She was a goalkeeper in soccer, a force on the basketball court, and—by her own admission—a “control freak” who quickly realized team sports couldn’t match her appetite for precision, responsibility, and self-determination.

Then came the moment that changed everything: a curious teenage visit to a local pool hall. What began as tagging along because of a crush soon turned into genuine fascination—especially after someone explained why the best players chose certain shots and patterns in straight pool. That doorway into the chess-like strategy of cue sports lit a fire in Ewa that never went out.

Ewa shares vivid memories of Sweden’s vibrant club scene—Sunday tournaments that were equal parts competition and community, packed Jack-and-Jill events, and long bus trips to challenge rival clubs across the country. She reflects on the mentors who shaped her early understanding of pattern play and the hunger to “open the next door” of knowledge in a game with endless layers.

But the heart of Part 1 is the boldest decision of all: at just 17 years old, after competing in New York City at the World Championship in the storied Roosevelt Hotel, Ewa falls headlong into the electric world of American pool—legends, late nights, and possibilities she’d only seen in magazine pages. Then she makes the call that stunned her parents: she isn’t coming home… at least not yet.

This is where the legend truly begins.

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Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In the powerful final chapter of our four-part Legends of the Cue conversation with Jerry Briesath, we arrive at the heart of a life devoted not just to playing pool—but to teaching it, elevating it, and preserving its future.

Widely regarded as the most influential instructor in billiards history, Jerry reflects on how the modern game has evolved—from the decline of nine-foot tables and the rise of technology, to the dramatic sophistication of safety play and break mechanics at the professional level. With the clarity that has defined his teaching career, he explains why stroke mechanics—not aiming systems or English—remain the foundation of all great play, and why so many players are still taught the game backwards.

Jerry shares timeless teaching insights: the power of repetition, the importance of “shots you must make,” and why respecting so-called “easy shots” separates good players from great ones. These aren’t theories—they’re hard-earned lessons refined over six decades on the table, in poolrooms, academies, and classrooms around the world.

The episode also turns deeply personal. In a moving moment, Jerry answers the question of what he would do differently if he could start again—an honest reflection that reveals the man behind the mentor. He revisits a missed straight-pool shot against a reigning world champion that still lingers in memory, and he defines how he ultimately hopes to be remembered: as someone who loved teaching as much as his students loved learning.

Joined by Allison Fisher and longtime protégé Mark Wilson, this closing episode is both a masterclass and a farewell—an intimate portrait of a teacher whose influence will outlive generations of players. Jerry Briesath didn’t just teach pool. He taught people how to learn.

A fitting final word from one of the game’s true giants.

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Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In Part Three of our four-part conversation with Pool Hall of Famer and BCA Dean of Master Instructors Jerry Briesath, we dive deep into the heart of what made Jerry one of the most influential teachers the game has ever known: mechanics, curiosity, passion, and an unrelenting desire to help others get better.

Jerry explains timeless concepts that still confound players today—why banks on balls near the rail come up short, how sliding changes everything, and why “easy” banks must be overcut. These aren’t tricks or systems, but truths passed down from earlier generations of knowledge, including lessons Jerry absorbed and refined long before modern aiming systems existed.

The conversation expands beyond technique into teaching philosophy. Jerry draws a powerful distinction between working on something and committing to it—a mindset shift that separates incremental improvement from lasting change. Alongside Mark Wilson and Allison Fisher, he emphasizes that no aiming system matters if the stroke doesn’t repeat, and that mechanics must always come first.

We also explore Jerry’s remarkable impact on players at every level: from junior programs and BCA youth camps to elite professionals. He shares stories of helping players like Jeanette Lee rediscover winning form, guiding young talents at summer camps, and working with champions who trusted him to rebuild fundamentals at the highest level.

Equally compelling are the stories of Jerry’s legacy beyond the table—his instructional work in Europe, the creation of A Pool Lesson DVD series with Mark Wilson, and the passion that radiated from every lesson he ever taught. As Mark reflects, Jerry wasn’t just teaching shots—he was modeling enthusiasm, patience, and a love for the craft that inspired everyone around him.

This episode captures Jerry Briesath at his best: thoughtful, funny, generous, and forever curious. A master instructor reminding us that the cue ball never lies—and that learning never stops.

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Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In Part 2 of our four-part Legends of the Cue conversation with Jerry Briesath, we dive deep into the heart of his instructional philosophy—and the ideas that forever changed how generations of players approach the game.

This episode is all about process over results. Jerry explains how his teaching evolved from instinct to system, anchored by one deceptively simple concept: the cue ball on the spot. From that single reference point, he reveals how the cue tip tells the entire story of a player’s stroke, why delivery matters more than the trophy, and how consistency under pressure is built long before competition ever begins.

Jerry shares priceless insights into timing, the pendulum stop, and the transition from backswing to forward swing—drawing parallels to golf, bowling, and throwing mechanics. You’ll hear why he teaches perfection even while acknowledging unorthodox champions, and how elite players separate themselves not by aiming better, but by moving the cue stick than their opponent.

We also explore Jerry’s impact beyond the lesson table: the culture he created in his rooms, the free-lesson philosophy that turned slow nights into packed houses, and the systems-driven approach that inspired lifelong improvement in beginners, league players, and future champions alike. From kids leagues that dominated state tournaments decades later to his instrumental role in shaping the BCA instructor program, Jerry’s influence reaches far beyond Madison.

Along the way, Mark Wilson, Allison Fisher, and Mike Gonzalez reflect on how these teachings shaped their own development—and why so much of what’s missing in today’s game isn’t talent, but environment, mentorship, and systemized learning.

If you’ve ever wondered why great players stay great under pressure, this episode provides the answer: trust the delivery, trust the system, and let the results take care of themselves.

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

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Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In this opening episode of a special four-part series, Legends of the Cue begins the remarkable life story of Jerry Briesath, widely regarded as the father of modern pool instruction and the longtime Dean of the BCA’s Master Instructor program.

Born in 1937 in Winona, Minnesota, Jerry’s story starts far from championship tables and teaching platforms. He grew up working at his father’s one-man gas station, pumping fuel for 23 cents a gallon, checking oil by hand, and learning the values of discipline, service, and hard work. As a youngster, his first athletic passion was golf—good enough to play high-school varsity as the number one player—before a move to Milwaukee and a chance visit to a small billiard room forever changed his path.

With no formal instruction available in those days, Jerry learned the game the old-fashioned way: watching great players, asking questions, and running balls late into the night. Under the influence of straight-pool runners like Willis Covington, Jerry fell in love with the game’s precision and patterns. Yet even then, he noticed something missing—there was no true understanding of mechanics, no structured way to teach how to control the cue stick.

That realization would ultimately reshape the sport.

In this episode, Jerry reflects on his earliest memories, the post-war years, discovering pool in Milwaukee, and the environment that shaped his thinking long before he ever taught a lesson. You’ll hear how his analytical mind, combined with a deep respect for fundamentals, laid the groundwork for an instructional philosophy that would influence generations of players—including Mosconi Cup player and Captain Mark Wilson and countless champions worldwide.

Part one sets the stage for an extraordinary journey—from small-town beginnings to the foundation of modern pool education—told in Jerry Briesath’s own thoughtful, humorous, and insightful voice.

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

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

Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In this powerful and deeply human conclusion to our multi-part conversation, Pat Fleming reflects on a life spent giving more to the game of pool than he ever took from it. Known worldwide as the founder of Accu-Stats, Fleming opens the door to the values, decisions, and moments that shaped both his career and his character.

The episode begins with gratitude—gratitude for fans across generations who discovered pool history through his lens, and for a team so committed to the mission that they’d show up even without a paycheck. Pat speaks candidly about legacy: preserving moments so future players can see greatness, not just hear about it. For him, the joy has always been in sharing history with people who weren’t yet born when legends first ran racks.

We also hear stories that reveal the competitor behind the camera. Fleming recounts his own days as a formidable straight-pool player, including memorable battles with icons like Steve Mizerak—moments that remind us he didn’t just document excellence; he lived it. From there, the conversation turns delightfully personal, touching on skydiving mishaps, lifelong athletic curiosity, and his current passion for long-distance cycling—where, at 75, he’s still chasing records with a grin.

The final moments bring three signature questions that distill Pat’s philosophy. What would he tell his 20-year-old self? Why family matters more than any missed shot. And how does he want to be remembered? Simply: as someone who contributed, who wasn’t selfish, and who built something lasting.

It’s a fitting close to a remarkable life story—one defined by service, integrity, and an unwavering belief that preserving history matters. This is Pat Fleming, forever part of the fabric of the game, and now forever part of Legends of the Cue.

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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 pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

In Part III of our in-depth conversation with Pat Fleming, the Hall of Famer and founder of Accu-Stats pulls back the curtain on the pivotal chapter that reshaped both his life and the future of recorded pool history.

Pat walks us through the emotional and practical decision to separate Accu-Stats’ legendary video library from its production arm—a move born from personal loss, hard-earned perspective, and a desire to focus on what mattered most. The result? One of the great win-win stories in cue-sports history: nearly four decades of priceless matches preserved, monetized, and shared with fans worldwide, while Pat refocused his energy on producing world-class events like the International Open.

From there, the conversation shifts into the mechanics—and madness—of tournament production. Cameras, commentary booths, lighting rigs, graphics, audio teams, and a 40-person staff all come into play as Pat explains how Accu-Stats evolved from a single stationary camera into a full-scale broadcast operation, learned in real time, one necessity at a time.

This episode is also packed with unforgettable stories from the booth and beyond: capturing Efren Reyes’ iconic Z-Shot, perfectly timing the camera on Mike Sigel’s infamous cue-snap, and witnessing moments of brilliance, frustration, humor, and humanity that only live tournament coverage can deliver. Pat reflects on the commentators who brought matches to life, the unique chemistry of legendary broadcast pairings, and why sometimes the most controversial voices are also the most insightful.

Throughout it all, Pat’s perspective is clear-eyed and generous—an archivist’s respect for history paired with a promoter’s understanding of entertainment. It’s a masterclass in legacy, storytelling, and why preserving the game’s greatest moments matters just as much as creating new ones.

This is Pat Fleming at full stride: historian, innovator, and lifelong steward of the sport.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

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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 pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”