In this sixth and final chapter of our deep dive into the remarkable life of Billy Incardona, we bring to a close the journey of one of pool’s most colorful and respected figures—a man whose sharp mind, storytelling charm, and love for the game have made him a true legend of the cue.

Billy reflects on his lifelong relationship with the sport, from creating his instructional video Common Sense One Pocket to helping shape the design of Diamond Billiard tables. He shares vivid memories of epic road matches, including the now-legendary “Chasing Incardona” story with Ronnie Wiseman, a tale of rivalry, endurance, and the chess-like strategy of nine-ball at its highest level.

As the conversation turns personal, Billy opens his heart about family—his late son, his accomplished daughter, and the grandson who now carries the family name forward. His words reveal a man who has known triumph and heartbreak, fame and humility, and who finds deep meaning in love, legacy, and the memories that endure.

Looking back, Billy admits that if he knew at twenty what he knows now, he might have chosen a quieter life—but his passion for the game, the people, and the journey itself shines through. He shares what he’d do differently, the one moment he’d relive, and how he hopes to be remembered: as someone who loved the game and the players who brought it to life.

Filled with laughter, candor, and nostalgia, this heartfelt finale reminds us why legends like Billy Incardona never truly fade—they live on through the stories, the friendships, and the timeless beauty of the game.

“Legends never die,” Billy says—and after hearing his, you’ll believe it.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

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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.”

In this fifth installment of our six-part series with legendary cue artist and road warrior Billy Incardona, listeners are treated to a vivid journey through the smoky, cash-fueled pool halls of America’s golden era. With trademark candor and humor, Billy recalls epic encounters with some of the game’s most colorful—and notorious—characters, bringing to life the grit and glory of a bygone hustler’s world.

From a wild high-stakes showdown with Weenie Beanie in Detroit to his induction into the One Pocket Hall of Fame, Billy’s storytelling captures both the thrill of victory and the sting of loss. He paints unforgettable portraits of poolroom legends like Artie Bodendorfer, the quiet Chicago genius who outsmarted opponents and bookmakers alike, and Cuban Joe Valdez, the proud Miami jeweler whose temper and toughness were matched only by his love for the game.

Billy also remembers Bunny Rogoff, the Pittsburgh hustler who could sell any act—from truck driver to Charlie Chaplin—and who once turned a near-shootout into a tale for the ages. Alongside co-hosts Mike Gonzalez, Allison Fisher and Mark Wilson, Billy reflects on the vanished romance of the road, when every poolroom was alive with characters, wagers, and whispers of easy money.

Today’s players may have lost that mystery, he says, but the stories remain—and in Billy’s hands, they shine as brightly as ever.

Join us for a captivating trip down memory lane with one of pool’s great storytellers, as he celebrates the brilliance, bravery, and beautiful madness of those who lived and played for the love of the game.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

Support the show

Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

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.”

In this fourth installment of our six-part deep dive into the extraordinary life of pool legend Billy Incardona, we step inside the smoky rooms, backroom barns, and broadcast booths that shaped one of the game’s sharpest minds and most colorful storytellers.

Joined by hosts Mike Gonzalez, Mark Wilson, and Allison Fisher, Billy brings to life the unforgettable characters and moments that defined his years as both player and commentator. He recalls the brilliance and blunt honesty of fellow legends like Grady Mathews and Danny DiLiberto, whose quick wit and unfiltered banter made the commentary booth as entertaining as the matches themselves.

The stories then move to the felt — and to a hidden marijuana farm in South Carolina — where a young Earl “the Pearl” Strickland faced off against world champion Mike Sigel in a grueling, three-day money match for large stakes. With a front-row seat to one of the sport’s most legendary encounters, Billy paints a vivid picture of raw talent, nerves, and competitive fire, explaining how this match foreshadowed Strickland’s rise to greatness.

And just when you think the tales can’t get wilder, Billy shifts to Las Vegas, where the legendary gambler and card savant Stu Ungar takes the stage — a genius of gin rummy and 3-time WSOP winner whose brilliance was matched only by his self-destruction. Through Billy’s eyes, we see the razor-thin line between genius and ruin that runs through so many icons of the cue and card rooms alike.

A master storyteller at the height of his recall, Billy Incardona once again proves why his voice — and his stories — are an irreplaceable part of pool’s rich and unruly history.

Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text.

Support the show

Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on:

Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1

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.”