In Part 5 of the Legends of the Cue conversation with WPBA Hall of Famer Mary Kenniston, the road stories, rivalries, and tournament triumphs keep coming.

Mary takes listeners back to the mid-1980s pool scene in Los Angeles, where action, personalities, and opportunity collided in smoky poolrooms and late-night gambling sessions. From becoming the house pro at a bustling barroom to matching up with future stars like Kelly Simpson (later Kelly Oyama), Mary recounts the hustling culture that helped sharpen her competitive edge.

The conversation moves through legendary rooms like Hollywood Billiards, where Mary found pristine tables, tough weekly tournaments, and a chance to test herself against top male players—sometimes beating them along the way. These were the years when Mary balanced road action with tournament play, building a reputation as one of the most formidable women in the game.

A highlight of the episode is Mary’s unforgettable story from the 1984 McDermott Masters, featuring a dramatic hill-hill match against Lori Shampo that ended with one of the most hilarious and memorable moments ever witnessed in a pool tournament.

Along the way, Mary reflects on the rise of the women’s professional game, the dominance of Jean Balukas, and the competitive environment that pushed everyone to improve. She also shares her perspective on the era when women’s pool was striving for mainstream recognition—and the pivotal players who helped elevate the sport.

By 1987, all of Mary’s experience—action games, road matches, and relentless competition—came together as she captured three WPBA tournament victories in a single season, firmly establishing herself among the elite players of her generation.

It’s another entertaining and revealing chapter in the remarkable life story of one of pool’s true pioneers.

In this episode, Mary Kenniston proves once again that in the golden era of pool, every match came with a story.

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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.”