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Really enjoyed The Tale of Texas Pool! It was well done and very informative. Talking about the history of the Texas State Open tournament over the past 50 years and many of the players who competed in and/ or won the event. The movie focuses on the great career of Bob Vanover, who won the tournament more than any other player. The movie also focuses on the Davis family and their touching and inspirational story. From James Ray Davis Sr. Who was a great Texas player in raised his son, Junior to play the game. The story of James Ray Davis Jr. Showcases the highes and lows of not only a career, but in life. Seeing Junior's journey to overcome all bed been through is truly inspirational.

This is a must see for any pool player!

What a fantastic job putting this movie together. Enjoyed watching the show about Texas pool and pool in general. It was good from beginning to end. Enjoyed all the stories. And the story about James Davis Jr was incredible. I couldn't stop watching. Enjoyed Input from James Davis Sr. Bob Vanover was a longtime friend. Played a lot of pool with Bob and celebrated my 30th birthday with Bob in Dallas. The cake said I scratched 30 in Texas. I played with him in the first pro tournament he played in Toledo, Ohio. It was a World Straight Pool Tournament. His second match he ran over a 100 balls. I knew then he was the real deal.

Wow. Incredible movie from start to finish. It made the whole family feel every emotion possible in a movie. We laughed, we cried, we were overjoyed with the sports comeback story. We laughed some more.

I loved the way the movie tells the story by just using the interviews to craft the plot and transition from topic to topic. There is no narrator. Just pool hustlers being interviewed. The editing is first notch.

The characters in this movie are legendary and authentic. The probelm with most sports movies, especially about pool, is they are contrived. All the stories in this are real and authentic and just pop off the screen. Can't wait to watch again. Bravo !!!!

I play pool with my son and father, we have 3 generations playing league together, I enjoy the time I spend with my son going to tournaments, we both enjoyed watching this together. We enjoyed hearing the stories of each player past and present. My son is 16 now and has been playing for about 3 years and we have been to many tournaments and states for him to play in and have gotten to see and meet many of the players, he loves the game and would love to take his game to the next level, after the movie was over he instantly went and started playing pool on his table just so he can stay in practice and learn new shots. He taught himself how to jump and draw from watching videos. He enjoys going to tournaments and playing with new people and if he can learn something new then he is happy. He has never had any training from a professional player and would love to hook up with some to help take his game to the next level. We don't live too far from Jeremy jones and we go to Sherman and Denton to play often. Sometimes we go to Lewisville and Fort Worth when he sees a tournament he wants to play in.

Such a great dive into the history and current state of pool in Texas and the entire country. I sure hope we get more installments like this, including road stories of more great players like scott frost and c.j. Wiley.

It was great hearing from the old timers and new ones alike. If you want to see the best of the best, you need to go out to Texas and watch a weekend of pool at the Texas open.

I've been playing pool for 40+ years and I have no illusions of getting anywhere near the level of most of the people in this documentary. I have may most of them and they are all more than willing to talk with you. That's the one thing pool had that no other sport in the world does. Approachable pros.

Keep making great movies like, please.

~Nomad.

If this documentary isn't a 9 ball on the snap, it certainly is a great break and run of a movie! It covers the past history of the Texas Open and some of its current Texas pool players. Tons for great stories told by some of the older and current pool players. Absolutely worth a watch for hardcore pool players, new players and everything in between. Some of the stories had me tearing from laughter, and some of the one-liners after a story really delivered the punchline home. Love what Kevin has put together with this movie and the new Texas Billiards Hall of Fame, can't wait for any future follow up shots that he has planned on his future endeavors.

I grew up playing pool in my cousin's pool hall in Amarillo which was on Highway 66! What an education and believe me it helped me learn and improve my Geometry Skills! It's such a social game and you meet some interesting characters! I totally enjoyed this documentary. I was very impressed with everyone interviewed and the stories that were told. Every great player was there and the stories they told were so entertaining and real to life. Thank you Kevin for all the hard work and dedication in completing this great story that had to be told. You went totally above and beyond to make this enlightening and enjoyable! Gail and Bob Stephens.

Great job on this movie...been waiting a Long time for a new pool movie. Set an alarm for the midnight release christmas morning. Wrapped presents until the very end of it. Coming from Nick Varners hometown of Owensboro, KY I already knew this was going to be a hit. All of the crazy gambling stories about throwing golf balls to flipping quarters embodies the need for a player to create their own stamp in pool lore. We need more characters like these in pool. I'd hate the thought of losing some of the most interesting stories without everyone being able to put themselves in that exact situation.

What an awesome documentary of Texas pool. A San Antonio native who loves pool and this took a deeper dive into the game of billiards. From Texas Football you can't forget about pool. Big stakes, Tournament history and the legends all in one video. The game unites family making new friends and building lifetime memories. I hope this video reaches the world's eyes to come visit Texas and see the rich culture of this game. This game is growing more each day and proud of the pool community on doing its best to help businesses grow also. My son has been playing since he was 12 and I'm sure he's ready to witness this great documentary.

As a truck driver, pool enthusiast, and advocate for inspiring the next generation of players, The Tale of Texas Pool resonated deeply with me. It's not an action-packed blockbuster, but rather a heartfelt documentary that captures the essence of what makes pool such a beautiful and enduring game.

The film highlights the rich history and culture of billiards in Texas, centering around the legendary Nineball Texas Open at Skinny Bob's. It's more than a tournament-it's a tradition, a celebration of talent and passion, and a beacon for the pool community. Watching it, you can't help but feel inspired to pick up a cue and aim for greatness, no matter where you are in your pool journey.

This isn't just a film; it's a reminder of the importance of preserving and growing our sport for future generations. If you're looking for inspiration, make sure to check out the Nineball Texas Open and discover why Skinny Bob's is a sacred ground for pool lovers everywhere.

As a new pool player, it's cool to see these stories I hear from some of the guys at the pool hall compiled into something that will last forever. So much time, effort, dedication and energy goes into this sport, yet so many incredible players tend to be forgotten. Pool just doesn't get the recognition it deserves. It's hard to understand why, especially when you see something like this. These people led the way for some of the best players in the world right now, yet the only people that still talk about them are the guys that were there to see them play. I didn't know anything about Bob Vanover before I watched this movie other than the fact that he was the guy with his name on the Texas Open trophy the most. Now, I look up to him. This documentary gives great insight into those people, the tournaments and the stories that have made not only texas pool great, but pool in general a sport worth knowing about.

I've been around pool most of my life. I've recently jumped into the deep chasm that is competitive pool in Texas and have had a love/hate relationship for the game. It is a far cry difference from playing casually and playing in leagues and tournaments. I very much enjoyed watching a brief history of why pool is such a mountain to climb in TX and the pride we hold for it. I enjoyed learning about those who helped shape the prestigious games we play now and feel those who are no longer here were done justice by the creation of the Texas Billiards Hall of Fame! Well done to all involved and I highly recommend to watch from casual players to the veterans!

This documentary provides a very inciteful perspective into the history of the Texas Open and pool in Texas. The characters interviewed (self included) help to archive information about pool in Texas that might otherwise have been lost to myths & legends. The Director/Producer Kevin Welling did an amazing job connecting with the appropriate individuals, who really paint a vivid picture about the events and occurrences that have shaped the sport of billiards in Texas. I truly hope to see many more of these documentaries in the future, covering other states and long-running tournaments around the US and abroad.

Really loved this movie, even more than I expected. I don't know anything about professional pool, but the crazy characters and hilarious stories make it really accessible and fun. So many quirky players and moments: if you like classics like King of Kong, Air Guitar Nation, or League of Ordinary Gentlemen, you should definitely check this out.

The tie-ins to Texas history were great too. It really gives you a feel for the deep history of the game, and how ingrained it is into our state's roots.

Great first outing for this director and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. Music was great too!

Pool players explaining their lives and how their career impacted both them professionally and personally was touching. Watching the details brought back many memories of the players I knew and the locations. For those that don't understand the game or what players find interesting was answered in the movie. Pictures and live action from tournaments was exciting to watch and relive. The different pool halls in Austin were like a blast from the past watching them being showcases.

If you have ever been interested in learning more about the game and the legends that made this game what it is in Texas, this is a must watch. Thank you to everyone that was part of the movie and the heartfelt stories they shared.

I'm only a casual pool fan, but I love a good documentary.

The Tale of Texas Pool has the qualities of all good documentaries. It was both informative and entertaining. The colorful personalities and the connections to the history of Texas, kept me engaged not only through my first viewing, but also through a second. The film tells interesting stories, it is beautifully shot to catch the eye, it is well edited to maintain pace and engagement and it features a musical sound track the fits perfectly.

If you like documentaries, I believe you will love The Tale of Texas Pool.

A documentary well done. Bravo!

The Tale of Texas Pool was incredible and groundbreaking. It was a documentary in the sense that it was a collection of interviews, while at the same time feeling like a full-length feature movie. The editing was top notch in that regard. There was no narrator to guide the watcher through the film. The clips from the interviews were woven together to tell the story. Each topic the film covers transitions to the next seemlessly and with great pace. The story of Junior is the central thread running through all the history, gambling, player biographies and tales to tie everything together. This movie made the whole family laugh out loud with belly laughs all the way through. It made the family well-up with emotion over the tragedy and triumph. It gave us all the emotions you would want in a movie and took us on a journey. That is what makes a great movie. This one is top notch and will be watched over and again the rest of my life. It is just that good.

The documentary is clearly made with such high regard to pool, especially its rich history in Texas.

The film delves into the development of the sport, from a favorite pastime of the locals to full-fledged pro tournaments with big stake. But what's more engrossing is the figures they spotlight throughout the film, the people who over the years became respected pool legends. Featuring multiple interviews, we get an in depth look into their tight knit community. So many harrowing stories from people who undergo the ups and downs of life with pool as their huge anchor. These stories carry the film for me.

The film's ability to extract these authentic stories truly made the doc more than just a record of Texas' vibrant pool scene, but also a relatable human stories, regardless if you're into pool or not.

Going into 'The Tale of Texas Pool', I had nothing but a vague idea that it was going to be about the famed billiards tournament Texas Open. However, consider me surprised as I had no idea how great this tale of billiards would turn out to be.

A sports documentary directed by debutant filmmaker Kevin Welling, 'The Tale of Texas Pool' is a story of the longest running 9 ball tournament in the world, the Texas Open, and the quirky characters that make up this world of billiards. With stories of grit, determination, victory and bets, Welling dives into this fascinating tale with the precision of a marksman, baring all about the world very few know about.

Director Kevin Welling assembles a multitude of legends who share everything from how the tense games played out to the betting that takes place behind the scenes. One can see the sheer passion that each interviewee brings to the table and it is fascinating that these pros took out time to share these valuable nuggets of information with us all.

I will admit, I have never been a big fan of billiards before. I mean I know what it is and I have indeed dabbled in it in my youth but I wasn't a fan, at least not in the literal terms, until today. The Tale of Texas Pool is so good that it ignited something in me; not only was I immediately hooked but by the end of it, I was driven to go shoot some balls myself. This is a testament to Kevin Welling's work that not only succinctly summarizes everything awesome about the game but has enough cool information to inspire even a skeptic like me to turn into a believer.

With a little bit of exposition at the start, Welling makes sure that we hit the ground running. The direction is precise as Welling knows how to introduce his audience to the subject. The stunning stories by the legends aside, Welling keeps the audiences hooked through narrative cohesion. We start off with stunning shots from the 50th Texas Open as a variety of players try to beat the odds in the hopes of getting the coveted trophy. Welling then shifts gears, focusing on former champions and pros as they get down to the nitty gritty of the game.

On the technical side, the film manages to burst out of its shell and soars into the sky. The cinematography manages to impress and the precise color grading works wonders in dressing up the visuals. The film manages to capture both the cramped indoors of a billiards hall and its dim lighting really well which makes all the difference. Equally impressive is how Welling and his team manage to structure the interviews together seamlessly. Not only does it feel highly organic but also narratively cohesive as well. For a documentary that runs almost two hours, the editing is brisk and moments where the pacing begins to grind to a halt are rare.

The film's sound design also works well in tandem with its cinematography. The sound mixing is impressive here as monologues by the interviewees take precedence over any sort of background score. Welling manages to accurately recreate the noisy and chaotic interiors of a billiards hall precisely, transporting audiences directly to the site where some of the greatest battles in the game took place. The background score is almost nonexistent and this is a good thing as each word of the interviewees hits that much harder.

If I were to summarise my experience watching this film, I would say that I found 'The Tale of Texas Pool' to be a more than adequate documentary about the world of billiards. There have been a few docs about this game but Kevin Welling's film might just be the best of them all. What makes it all the more stunning is that this is Welling's first film and not only does he manage to provide an accurate feel for the game but the story here is so interesting that one cannot help but be enveloped in this whole heartedly.

I left the film highly impressed and I think it is a must watch for both fans of the game and movie fans in general.

"The Tale of Texas Pool" is an outstanding and highly recommended documentary about pool billiards in Texas and the history of billiards overall. More than just a film about the game, it captures the emotions, passion, and legacy of a sport deeply rooted in American culture.

One of the highlights of this documentary is the story of James Davis Jr., a local player which is incredibly moving. His personal journey, struggles, and dedication bring a deeply human touch to the film. The people of the Texas pool scene are portrayed as they truly are-real, authentic, and passionate about the game. The film is also featuring absolute legends like Buddy Hall, Nick Varner and Ralph Eckert alongside current pros and Texas billiards greats.

The director Kevin Welling masterfully weaves together interviews capturing the history and fascination of the game of pool and a compelling personal narrative centered around James Davis Jr., making this documentary a well-structured and emotional experience.

If you have any connection to billiards-whether as a player or a fan-this film will certainly captivate you. It's great entertainment and a must-watch for anyone who loves the game. Highly recommended!