Freddy the Beard Bentivegna

Freddy "the Beard" Bentivegna grew up in Chicago, and turned out for pool in the shark-infested environs of Bensinger's poolroom.

Freddy built his 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 a fifty year stretch as a professional pool player, I was recently inducted into the Bank Pool Legends Hall of Fame. However, I wasn't just a banker. I was also a top-notch OnePocket player. I played mostly for money, hardly any tournaments, and was well known and regarded all around the pool world.

In my day, I feared no one, and played for more money then you can believe. I played in high class joints, and I played in the scariest, most dangerous pool halls on the South and West side of Chicago. Playing in those horrible joints for big money is one of the reasons I earned the respect I have today. In those days I was a predator hunting down every champion and top player that ever lived. I didn't just stick to Chicago, I hustled all around the country and didn't bar anybody from playing.

In 1980 I opened up my own joint, the North Shore Billiard Club. The North Shore Billiard Club was a place of magic. Players came from all corners of the earth to play each other, and to play me and the other Chicago representative, One Pocket Hall of Famer, Artie Bodendorfer."