Pool's Biggest Showoff

Mizerak earned a spot at the center of the Lite Beer All-Stars ad campaign.

When 9-ball took over from straight pool as the premiere tournament game, Mizerak wasn't quite as dominant. However, he still was able to snap off the 1978 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. His career quieted a bit as the 1970s gave way to the 1980s. Miz was busy hawking beer, and didn't have as much time to devote to the game. But he wasn't washed up yet. He made the effort in 1982 to lose 20 pounds before the 7th annual PPPA World Open, and he ended up winning the title over Danny DiLiberto. He said at the time: "This isn't the biggest title of my career. That would have been my first U.S. Open win. But this is the sweetest." He repeated the feat a year later, winning the 1983 PPPA World Open, beating Jimmy Fusco.

In the 1980s, his practice hours declined, and he was distracted by his life away from the table. In the 1990s, his girth made it hard to reach some shots and bend over as low as he did as a youngster; his weight also cut into his stamina. Still, he won his fair share of 9-ball tournaments and was a feared opponent until a stroke in 2001 effectively ended his ability to compete at the top level.

In 1996, he started a senior tour with eight tournaments the first season, each with prize funds of at least $25,000, one of which, the Biloxi Classic, he won himself. Even after his stroke, he kept active, assisted to the end by his wife, Karen, his business partner and biggest booster. He had a poolroom in Lake Park, Fla., and began importing mass-produced cues from Asia. The senior tour, unfortunately, began to languish when he was no longer able to manage and promote it effectively. Only one tournament, won by Buddy Hall, was staged in 2005. DiLiberto said the older players loved the tournaments because they liked each other and had a lot of fun competing; they were grateful to Mizerak for organizing and promoting them.

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Since 1978, Billiards Digest magazine has been the pool world’s best source for news, tournament coverage, player profiles, bold editorials, and advice on how to play pool. Our instructors include superstars Nick Varner and Jeanette Lee. Every issue features the pool accessories and equipment you love — pool cues, pool tables, instruction aids and more. Columnists Mike Shamos and R.A. Dyer examine legends like Willie Mosconi and Minnesota Fats, and dig deep into the histories of pool games like 8-ball, 9-ball and straight pool.

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