Andy Segal Trick Shot Interview

Posted by Eric on December 02, 2006 at 14:42

Andy "The Magic Man" Segal is a great trick shot pro and we are thrilled that he agreed to do an interview with us!

Check out some of Andy's titles from http://andysegal.com

Quote:

Major Titles 2005 Comet Classic Champion 2005 Artistic Pool Masters Champion 2004 Las Vegas Artistic Pool Open Champion 2004 Northeastern Artistic Pool Open Champion Discipline Titles 2005 Comet Classic Prop / Novelty / Special Arts Champion 2005 Artistic Pool Masters Trick & Fancy Champion 2005 Artistic Pool Masters Jump Champion 2004 Las Vegas Artistic Pool Open Prop / Novelty / Special Arts Champion 2004 Las Vegas Artistic Pool Open Draw Champion 2004 Las Vegas Artistic Pool Open Masse Champion 2004 Northeastern Artistic Pool Open Trick & Fancy Champion 2004 Northeastern Artistic Pool Open Prop / Novelty / Special Arts Champion 2004 Northeastern Artistic Pool Open Draw Champion 2004 Northeastern Artistic Pool Open Jump Champion 2004 Northeastern Artistic Pool Open Masse Champion 2003 World Artistic Pool Championship Bank / Kick Champion 2003 World Artistic Pool Championship Jump Champion 2003 North American Artistic Pool Championship Draw Champion 2003 North American Artistic Pool Championship Masse Champion

Andy Segal wrote:

There are two answers. The title that I am most proud of is the 2006 World Cup of Trick Shots, where Team USA defeated Team Europe at Mohegan Sun Casino. This will start showing on January 7, 2006 on ESPN. The achievement that I am most proud of is the following: I received an email from one of the troops stationed in Iraq. He said that there were a bunch of guys that played pool in the rec center and they loved to mess around with trick shots. He asked me to send an autographed photo to give some moral support to the troops out there. That request meant more to me than perhaps any other achievement regarding pool / trick shots. In fact, I asked them to take a photo of some of the troops in front of my photo and I placed it on my website (www.andysegal.com).

	Andy Segal wrote:
	I like watching Tom Rossman perform a trick shot show. He is very energetic and I always come away learning something.

	Andy Segal wrote:
	Mike Massey is still the man to beat in the world of Trick Shots.

Andy Segal wrote:

I do this shot where I shoot a beer glass and curve it around some balls, making a 1-9 combo. The video is on my website. I think I like that one the best because the presentation is funny and people seem to enjoy that one a lot. I do like another shot almost as much, but it only appeals to the advanced pool playing crowd (because it is more difficult than flashy). I take the 8 and 9 balls and I jump both of them over a stick simultaneously into the opposite side pocket. However, I jump both of them one handed at the same time, one with my right hand and one with my left.

Andy Segal wrote:

Do you mean inspiration like the desire to win, or how do I come up with the shots? I'll answer both. My inspiration comes from my family because they are always supportive of the time I spend alone practicing and they encourage me to do that even though it means time away from them. Coming up with shots is difficult. I usually carry around a notebook and I jot down ideas I have whenever I get them. Sometimes I find a prop that I like and I take it down into my basement and just work with it for a few hours until I come up with something.

	Andy Segal wrote:
	I do a lot of close-up card magic, and some coin magic. I used to work as a magician at parties, but I don't do that anymore. There are a few tricks that I enjoy, but I think the best one is where a spectator picks a card and instead of finding it, it winds up under their drink glass.

	Andy Segal wrote:
	I think I like watching Daniel Negraneau the best. Partly because they said he was a pool player, but mainly because it seems like he is the best one out there (in my opinion). From what I see on TV, he seems to have the best attitude towards the game, which is important when you are competing at that level.

	Andy Segal wrote:
	I used to play chess in High School, and a friend of mine and I just decided that we wanted to try it. There is a group of guys that get together at a book store once a week and I usually join them.

Andy Segal wrote:

We have Artistic Pool competitions, which are like a golf course of 40 trick shots that all players perform. The players with the highest scores at the end of the 'course' advance into the playoff rounds. The 8-rail shot on the bill is one of those shots, so yes, I practice that shot. However, when I am warming up for a match, I probably would not practice that shot because as you said, ties are not that common. Maybe, if at all, I will shoot it once.

Andy Segal wrote:

Here is exactly what happened during the match. Before Mike shot it, he called the referee over and said that he was planning on throwing the ball up 1mm and that he wanted the referee or camera to stand right next to him so they could see it. Prior to the shot, I told the referee that it was his call and that I said the cue ball must 'clearly' leave his hand. I told him that I am staying out of it and he makes the decision. Everyone knew that Mike didn't throw it up, but the referee gave him the point anyway (we don't use this referee anymore by the way). I figured that if I argued about it, it would distract me so I just let it go. I don't feel like it bothered me during the rest of the match, but it definitely changed the momentum. Stuff like this is hard to let go quickly, but you just have to train yourself to do it. Just as a side note, I want to mention that Mike is a good friend of mine and I do not have any bad feelings towards him.

Andy Segal wrote:

Favorite Pool Hall: Shooters Billiards in Southington, CT Favorite Restaurant: Red Lobster Favorite Song: You Gotta Have Heart (from the musical Damn Yankees) I do have something else to share with you. Most people don't realize this about trick shot competitions. Before a major tournament, I usually get together with Bruce Barthelette and Mike Massey, and a few other up-and-coming players, and we practice together. We even help each other on shots that we will be competing with the following week. This is what I like so much about Trick Shot competitions versus the 9-ball tournaments I used to play in. It is a much friendlier atmosphere.