Mary Kenniston - Part 3 (Grady, the Road, and the Spot Book)
In Part 3 of our conversation with WPBA Hall of Famer Mary Kenniston, the stories get even richer as she takes us deeper into pool’s road era—when instinct, nerve, and a well-kept spot book could mean the difference between surviving and going broke.
Mary shares her unforgettable friendship with the late Grady Mathews, from first meeting him in New Jersey to their daily phone calls during his final illness. Along the way, she paints a vivid portrait of Grady’s charm, intelligence, and larger-than-life presence, while Allison Fisher adds her own memories of traveling with “The Professor” on a whirlwind exhibition tour.
From there, Mary takes us on the road to Alabama, where backroom action, firehouse games, and a fired-up competitive streak produced some of her most memorable gambling stories. She recalls beating seasoned players, handling herself in a man’s world, and using anger as fuel to bring out her best game. She also reflects on a pivotal turning point in her life—how a failed job opportunity sent her back toward Norfolk, the U.S. Open, and ultimately a life built around pool.
This episode also opens a fascinating window into the hidden mechanics of road play: the handful of women out there matching up, the coded knowledge players carried from town to town, and the legendary “little black books” that tracked rooms, players, stakes, and weaknesses across the country. Mary even shares how that knowledge later helped top pros find action of their own.
And just when you think the episode couldn’t deliver one more great tale, Mary introduces us to Bucktooth—a millionaire jeweler, poolroom owner, and action-maker who could create a gambling scene out of thin air.
It’s a funny, revealing, and deeply authentic chapter in the life of one of pool’s great storytellers and archivists.
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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 WPBA 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.”