Episode77--Confessions of a Pool Hustler

As a youngster, Robert “Cotton” LeBlanc was introduced to the sport of billiards at a local bowling alley that owned one pool table in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. He was just 12 years old. A quick learner, he became skilled at the game and mastered it under the guidance of top billiards professionals in the state. After finishing school, he began traveling the billiards circuit across the country. During that time he learned new strategies and techniques from accomplished players like Buddy “The Rifleman” Hall, Wade “Boom-Boom” Crane, and Ronnie Allen. He soon earned the recognition and respect of the top pool players in the country by winning local, regional and statewide competitions. Some of Robert’s professional recognition includes: AWARDS  1st Place Awards Billiard Congress of America, National 8-Ball Championship Open Men’s Mixed Team.  Undefeated against 4,000 teams  One Pocket Tournament, South Bay Billiards, South Bay, CA  National Team Champions, McDermott US Team Open Championship, Las Vegas  US Scotch Doubles Hueber Cup VIII (partnered with top-ranked Women’s Professional Play, Robin Bell), Laughlin, Nevada  Miller Lite Regionals, 8-Ball Division, Chicago  Miller Lite Regionals, 9-Ball Division, Chicago  Miller Lite World Series of Tavern Pool Regionals, 8-Ball, Chicago  Miller Lite World Series of Tavern Pool Regionals, 9-Ball, Chicago  2st Place Awards Western Division, McDermott US Team Open, Las Vegas  Andy Mercer Memorial 9-Ball Classic, Las Vegas  International Award World One-Pocket Tournament, 5th Place, Reno, Nevada  FILM AND TV Lucky Strike Cigarette TV commercial, technical advisor and trick shots for Michael Stone (Actress Sharon Stone’s brother)  Trick shot exhibition segment for MTV with host Carrie Wuher  Body double and trick shots in movie, “Hot Shots” for Carey Elwes  Technical Consultant for the movie, “Pool Hall Junkies” script; movie loosely based on Robert’s life  TV sitcom, “Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” trick shots  PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL  Technical consulting for TV commercials and feature films. Working on sets with directors and actors.  Technical consulting for pool room start-ups. Clients and career positions with the Hollywood Athletic Club (CA), Events Sports Bar (CA), Rack ‘Em Up (CA), National Sports Grill (American Restaurant Group, CA)  House Pro, National Sports Grill (6 locations)  House Pro, Hollywood Athletic Club  House Pro, Jersey’s Sports Grill  House Pro, Kelly McCue’s  As the House Pro, responsibilities included running tournaments, technical consulting, private and group lessons, billiard sales, billiard maintenance, increasing sales. League Director, National Sports Grill (6 locations)  League Director, Jersey’s Sports Grill  League Director, Kelly McCue’s  League Director, Plush Pocket  League Director, Yankee Doodles  As the League Director, responsibilities included organizing leagues, weekly stat reports, organizing banquets, organizing All Star Tournaments and Team Championships, training assistant directors, providing league manuals. SPECIAL SKILLS AND INSTRUCTION Billiards instruction for private and group lessons  Billiard league organization and supervision of more than 50 competitive leagues with more than 500 teams of 2,000 players  Trick shot exhibition; Challenge matches  Equipment evaluation/selection for billiards rooms, pros and students  Private party consultant at large and small venues