America’s Billiard League
Mike Sigel – World Champion | Hall of Famer
After my father bought our family a pool table for the house, one day I picked up a cue and started shooting pool. Instantly my game improved and new I had a gift.
Once I turned 15 the local poolroom was the place for me and I practiced day and night. At 17 years old my game was pro level and I traveled around the country gambling with a friend.
After some years of this I realized tournaments would be better for me to compete in and I wanted to win all of them. I didn’t do that but accomplished many things.
After playing in tournaments for 20 years I went into cue making something I enjoyed and also had a gift for.
The 20 years of competing had me traveling around the world and it was very exciting seeing different places and cultures especially at a young age.
These are some of my greatest accomplishments:
- The only player to win over 100 professional tournaments.
- Voted the *Greatest Living Player Of the 20th Century* by Billiard Digest.
- Voted the youngest male member of the *Billiards Hall Of Fame* at age 35.
- Technical advisor to the academy award winning movie “The Color Of Money” starring Paul Newman and Tom Cruise. This was the only academy award for Paul Newman after being nominated seven times before. It was an honor and privilege to work on that movie. I coached Paul Newman and taught Tom Cruise to look and play like a pro.
- The only professional player to win world championships in 9 Ball, Straight Pool, 8 Ball, Scotch Doubles 9 Ball and major One Pocket titles.