At the Riviera Casino in Las Vegas, I sat down next to my friend Scott Gracio (custom cue builder, check him out) in the Arena. In front of us is Mizerak, Varner, Archer etc. Then I see him, my favorite pool player of all time Lou Butera. I was so excited, I told Scott to watch this guy, he is fast paced shooter just like me, Scott knows me very well, we have played many nights together. I hate Scotch doubles because of the interruption to my rhythm every other shot. I then began to tell Scott about Lou. Growing up his Hero was Irving Crane, and he got to play his idol. He took second in the world straight pool championships losing to Crane, then the following year he won it beating Crane. Can you imagine that thrill. Well Lou lost his match that day we were watched him. To our surprise he came into the stands and walked right into our isle. as we let him through he sat down next to the lady right next to me. He was disappointed in his play, and was grumbling about it. The lady said it's okay honey you'll get them next time. Hey Lou, this young man next to me knows all about you, I think he's a big fan. Lou lit up, Oh really, we shook hands and chatted. Well i was in Vegas for the APA team championships which were going on at the same time in the big conference room, my team captain Rick Rogers came to me and told me our next match was in a hour and a half, you better go get something to eat. So Scott and I left for the food court, finally decided to cross the street to McDonalds. This whole time Lou and his wife were kind of wandering with us. We all ended up at McD's and ate together. What a day that was.

Thanks for the match, Love to watch the all time greats play

Seems to be the general consensus that Steve Mizerak had "the best stroke" in professional pool. No doubt the Mizz was a wonderful cueist. But I always admired Dallas Wests stroke. Smoothest, most precise control of the cue ball, always used the correct speed, never seemed to "over play" a shot. Dallas West was a master in how he used the cushions - always went into them only when he had to do so. In this match his break let him down. But this is 8 ball. In a straight pool match I believe Dallas would have kept Machine Gun Lou in his chair for a very very long time.