BentivegnaHOF

The

One Pocket

Hall of Fame

Is pleased to honor

Freddy

'the Beard'

Bentivegna

Legends of

Bank Pool

Class of 2005

Freddy 'the Beard' Bentivegna grew up in Chicago, where he first took to pool in a neighborhood bowling alley that had a few well-worn pool tables. Later, he started to make trips to the shark-infested environs of Bensinger's downtown poolroom. At first repeatedly sent home broke, Freddy learned from each foray, and eventually developed into one of the key players that ruled the roost in the ultra-tough action town of Chicago.

Chicago was a banker’s heaven – or hell -- at that time, and Freddie built a successful career putting a hurt on visiting players, and taking his game on the road; sometimes in stealth, but often in an open challenge to the best the country had to offer.

After the demise of Bensinger’s, Freddy opened and ran the North Shore Billiard Club, which may have been small in terms of the number of tables, yet it was huge in the talent and action it hosted.

A career veteran of high stakes pool action, Freddy's best major Bank Pool tournament finish was:

2nd place Chicago Billiard Cafe

As a teacher and mentor, Freddy has developed into one of Accu-stats most popular commentators. With his sharp mind and his tremendous wealth of personal experience, he has a unique ability to blend keen insight and very entertaining story telling.

Freddy was a featured guest at the first One Pocket HOF dinner in 2005

Without the beard

photo courtesy Freddy Bentivegna

Freddy in 1986 waiting to shoot at the

Clyde Childress Memorial tournament

This is a cropped version of one of Bill Porter's photos

Click here to see the full original

Click for our review of

Banking with the Beard

In 2005 Freddy published his first book, the highly aclaimed Banking with the Beard, which has established a new standard of excellence in banking instruction.

Freddy at Grady Mathews' 2004 Gulf Coast Classic

Freddy is featured in two OnePocket.org interviews:

Rack 'em up with Freddy 'the Beard' Bentivegna, Part 1

Rack 'em up with Freddy 'the Beard' Bentivegna, Part 2

If you would like to comment on this feature, or contribute any Freddy Bentivegna stories of your own, please Contact Us, or visit the OnePocket.org Message Board.

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