Billy Incardona - Part 1 (The Early Hustle — From Pittsburgh Streets to Poolroom Legends)
In this first installment of our six-part conversation with the great Billy Incardona — known to pool fans everywhere as “Nine-Ball Billy” and later the unmistakable voice of Accu-Stats — the Legends of the Cue team dives into the early years of one of pool’s most colorful and enduring figures.
Hosted by Mike Gonzalez, Mark Wilson, and Allison Fisher, this episode traces Billy’s roots in Pittsburgh, where a curious nine-year-old first discovered the magic of the game on a makeshift checkerboard table during recess. From that innocent fascination grew a lifelong passion — and a career defined by grit, gamble, and street-smart ingenuity.
Billy recounts his first games at the YMCA, his early taste of victory in youth competitions, and his unforgettable initiation into the gritty world of money pool when he unknowingly faced legendary hustlers Charles "Country" Martin and Cicero Murphy— the latter destined to become the first African American world champion in straight pool.
Listeners are treated to vivid snapshots of mid-century Pittsburgh poolrooms, family life shaped by a tough father and a loving mother, and the young hustler’s rise as a natural gambler with a mind made for odds, angles, and human psychology. Billy’s candor, humor, and charm shine through as he explains how “matching up” and “hiding your speed” weren’t just tactics, but a way of life.
This opening chapter sets the tone for an extraordinary life story — from humble beginnings and hard lessons to the mindset that made Billy Incardona one of the game’s most fascinating figures. Authentic, funny, and full of wisdom from a bygone era of pool, this is Legends of the Cue storytelling at its best.
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Music by Lyrium.
About
"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”
Pool Professional
Pittsburgh Billy Incardona has been a solid One Pocket player and after hours legend for many years now. In fact, he’s still mixing it up against a whole new generation of players today. Of course, as the 'voice of Accustats', he has helped educate thousands of players in our favorite game. Recently Billy has also been promoting One Pocket tournaments in his own action-friendly poolroom.
Like many of our great players, Billy was gifted with natural talent and a fiercely competitive nature, and growing up in Pittsburgh there was no shortage of competition. At that time, Pittsburgh was home to the Hawk’s Nest, owned by 9-Ball champion Bernie Schwartz, which was also the home poolroom of another young champion, Jimmy Marino. In this company both Billy’s game and his game-making flourished. In fact, one thing that stands out with Billy, besides his knack for in-game strategy, is his knack for managing the game before the game, the art of matching up.
Bill won the 9-Ball division at Johnston City in the Jansco Brother’s 1972 summer tournament. At this stage in his career he was '9-Ball Billy', but like many players, as he got a little older he began to turn his attention to One Pocket. His One Pocket game really got a boost when he lived in Las Vegas where he had regular private sessions with Hall of Fame player Ed Kelly. In the relaxed atmosphere around Billy’s personal table, Kelly revealed both the shots and the style that made him one of the best ever, and Billy’s observant mind absorbed it all.
While he never snapped off a ma…
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