'Champagne' Edwin Kelly is one of the few players in the game who can claim titles in four different games. And he won them over four different decades. Kelly has won titles in 9-ball, One Pocket, Straight Pool and 3-Cushion over the length of his career. Edwin was a top player in the sixties, during the days of the Johnston City 'Hustlers' tournaments. He will be inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame this year. We had the honor of conducting this interview with Mr Kelly in early May, 2 weeks after the announcement of his induction.

AZB: Congratulations Eddie. Can you tell us how old you were when you first started playing pool, and how you got started?

Edwin: I was 12 years old and a friend, Chris Walsh, challenged me to a game in the local Boy's Club. I lost $1.50 to him that day. It took me a year to win it back.

Most kids know what they want to do when they grow up at a young age. I never did. I knew I could play pool and beat someone out of a couple bucks for pocket money. But, I never had aspirations to be a world Champion.

AZB: Who was the toughest player you ever played against?

Edwin: That depends on the game. If you are asking about 14.1, then it was Mosconi. No one was even close to him. In 9-ball, it would have to be Luther Lassiter.

AZB: Can you tell us about the nickname 'Champage'?

Edwin: I always liked champage. It was my preferred drink. I would always buy champage for everyone after I would win a tournament. I always liked Piper-Heidsieck champage.

I was the worst drinker on earth though. It has been 17 years since I took a drink. One day I just decided that I couldn't drink anymore and quit. A year later, I quit smoking too.

AZB: You are known for winning four titles in four different games.

Edwin: Actually it was three different games. The 3 cushion title was a local event. I couldn't play with a real billiard player. I don't even remember winning the event.

AZB: What would you consider your best game?

Edwin: All 3 were my best game at different times of my life. Most of the tournaments I won were in 9-ball, but straight Pool was my best game when I young back in Waterbury. That is all they played when I was growing up.

I had been a player for 2 years before I ever heard of "pocket apiece" (one pocket).

Later in my career, one-pocket was my game. I learned a lot from Eddie Taylor and Ronnie Allen. One pocket is the best game anyway.

AZB: Why is that?

Edwin: One pocket is much more cerebral. It takes a little of all the other games. 14.1 experience allows you run out, banks experience is obvious, 9-ball experience makes you a shot maker. When you get a chance in one-pocket, you have to come with a shot and experince as a shot-maker helps. Even 3 cushion expereince helps.

One pocket also has it's own moves and shots that are unique to that game. The balls tell you how to play in 9-ball, they don't in one pocket.

AZB: Who was the best one-pocket player you ever competed against?

Edwin: Ronnie Allen was the best one pocket player I ever played, but I don't think he could beat Eddie Taylor. I once lost $2800 to Taylor. He would bank balls in from everywhere and you would just get dizzy watching. He would have beat me out of more, but $2800 was all I had that day.

Eddie Taylor was also a great 9-ball player. Wimpy (Luther Lassiter) was the best though. He was the best shot-maker that I ever saw.

AZB: Did you ever play Lassiter?

Edwin: I had no action playing 9-ball after a while. No one wants action that tough. There is really no sense when there is easier action. Wimpy wouldn't play. I always asked Wimpy when I was hot and Wimpy didn't want to play.

AZB: What was the high-point of your career?

Edwin: That would have to be when I won the 9-ball in 66 at Johnson City. I lost to Jersey Red 11-10 in first match and won 11 straight. I beat Jersey Red 11-10 on losers side. Walked outside and looked up in sky and thought I was the best player in the world. Then, I was undefeated in the one-pocket next. But, I lost the all around to Joe Balsis. I was pretty hot about losing in 9-ball and one-pocket.

I won the straight pool, which was Balsis' game. After that, Balsis didn't think he could win the 9-ball and he said "Lets get it over with and play one-pocket." Jansco stepped in and he changed the next match to 9-ball. Balsis beat me 11-10 in the 9-ball and then 4-3 in the one-pocket. Balsis couldn't spell one pocket but he shot at everything and never missed.

AZB: What was the biggest score in your career?

Edwin: I don't really know. There was always a lot of money being bet on the side back then. I have played for $5,000 a game in 9-ball in the 60s. It is really hard to put a figure on that sort of thing though.

AZB: Didn't you travel on the road with Danny Diliberto for a while?

Edwin: Danny and I have been friends for a thousand years. But I went on the road with a lot of players. Eddie Taylor, Weenie Beanie, Handsome Danny Jones.

I went on 4 trips with Ronnie Allen when Allen was the best one pocket player in the world. I learned a lot of one pocket from Ronnie. He played a different style of game than anyone else.

AZB: What did you do away from the table? Were you ever married?

Edwin: I had 3 wives. 3 strikes and you are out in any ballgame.

AZB: What are you doing now?

Edwin: I am dealing 21 at the Hilton in Vegas.

AZB: Are you still playing?

Edwin: I started playing a little last week. After a couple days of playing, I felt like someone had given me a beating. I am just out of shape.

I am thinking about playing in Grady's event in Naples.

AZB: What kind of cue do you use?

Edwin: I used a Frank Paradise early on, then a Ginacue. That was a fantastic cue. I quit for a while, and then played with a McDermott for a while. I have a Schon now.

AZB: I don't want to steal any thunder from your acceptance speech, but is there anyone that you would especially like to thank?

Edwin: I wants to thank Tom Shaw for all of his support. There are a lot of people who have been in my corner, but they don't have much pull out there with the BCA.

AZB: How does it feel to be going into the Hall of Fame alongside Efren Reyes?

Edwin: Efren is the best player in the world today. He might be the best of all time. Efren has more knowledge of all games than anyone I have ever seen. All those kids from the philippines can play, I don't know where they learned it though.

AZB: Thank you for your time today, and congratulations again for being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Edwin: You are very welcome.

Color photo courtesy of Pool Pics by Hoppe, black & white head shot courtesy of Billiards Digest, black & white action shot courtesy of Pool & Billiard Magazine.