Keith McCready - Part 4 (Playing Life on the Edge)
In the riveting conclusion of our four-part Legends of the Cue series with Keith “El Diablo” McCready, the legendary shot-maker and showman opens up about the artistry, heart, and hard lessons behind his unforgettable career. From his early days hustling in rough-and-tumble pool halls to his fearless showdowns with icons like Efren Reyes, Keith reflects on the fearless attitude and creative flair that made him both a crowd favorite and a feared opponent.
Joined by co-hosts Mike Gonzalez, Mark Wilson, and Allison Fisher, Keith takes listeners inside his singular approach to the game — the “twisting” of balls, the mastery of cue-ball speeds, and the instinctive genius that made his play “poetry in motion.” He shares candid reflections on learning through combat, staying out of his comfort zone, and how he found magic not through mechanics, but through pure feel.
Off the table, McCready speaks with honesty and humor about his journey through triumphs and turbulence — from the high-stakes gambling life to lessons learned from age, injury, and self-discovery. In his unmistakable style, Keith reveals what he would and wouldn’t change, the one “mulligan” he might take, and how he wants to be remembered: as an entertainer, a fighter, and one of the best “for the money.”
It’s Keith McCready unfiltered — colorful, insightful, and full of soul. A true original whose stories, passion, and spirit capture what makes the greats of the game timeless.
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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.”
McCready, Keith
Pool Professional
Born April 9, 1957, at a young age Keith moved to Anaheim, California with his father and brother. They all played pool and they got young Keith started when he was only about 8, which explains his sidewinder stroke. Keith is proud of that side arm stroke, and considers himself in good company, pointing to the legendary Ralph Greenleaf. The gambling started early on too, including small stakes ring games on a friend’s home table – an early preview of things to come!
Southern CA at that time had a ton of great players and high action rooms that attracted players from all over the country. As Keith’s game improved he began to spend more time in the top rooms, the money got higher, and the competition tougher. Before long, and while still in his teens, he was competing with the likes of Cole Dickson, Denny Searcy and Larry Lisciotti, and getting into the toughest ring games ever – payball on a Snooker table against the best players in the world.
He was supposed to be in school for much of that time, but in his last year he missed something like 130 days, often sleeping in the poolroom. When the State of CA made moves to take him away from his father (his mother had died from cancer when he was 10 or 11), Anaheim poolroom owner Bob Wallace took Keith in and adopted him, avoiding State custody. Making all that money gambling at such a young age created an awkward problem when Keith went to gym class one day. He decided to ask the Phys Ed coach to hold his cash because he didn’t want it stolen in the locker room. With that much cash coach thought Keith was doi… Read More