1940 World 3 Cushion
Championship
Bensinger's S. Wabash Ave,
Chicago IL. April, 1940
Final Standings:
Player
Name |
Won |
Lost |
High
Run |
Best
Game |
Total
Pts. |
Total
Inn. |
Willie
Hoppe |
20 |
0 |
12 |
25 |
1000 |
861 |
Jake
Schaefer Jr. |
13 |
7 |
15 |
35 |
916 |
1001 |
Jay
Bozeman |
12 |
8 |
14 |
23 |
938 |
915 |
Johnny
Layton |
11 |
9 |
9 |
39 |
886 |
1057 |
Welker
Cochran |
11 |
9 |
8 |
38 |
879 |
1005 |
Arthur
Thurnblad |
8 |
12 |
10 |
37 |
876 |
1049 |
Joe
Chamaco |
8 |
12 |
11 |
37 |
839 |
958 |
Allen
Hall |
8 |
12 |
10 |
34 |
815 |
905 |
Tiff
Denton |
7 |
13 |
17 |
41 |
856 |
1003 |
Otto
Reiselt |
7 |
13 |
8 |
32 |
812 |
935 |
Arthur
Rubin |
5 |
15 |
7 |
39 |
764 |
958 |
Below are a few collectible
items from the 1940 World Championship.
Tournament Program- Tear damage
to front cover from removal from a scrap book in the 1960s. The
image to the right is the inside cover and face page.
|
Rare
collection of autographs from the golden era of billiards. Each
player has signed this program, making it one of the only examples
of such a thing from this period of time in billiard history.
|
The following quote is
from the Chicago Tribune, April 7, 1940, full article under picture:
"Willie
Hoppe, the 52 year old billiard wizard from New York, yesterday accomplished
what heretofor was believed impossible- go thru a world's 3-cushion billiards
tournament undefeated...Hoppe conquered Schaefer, 50 to 40, in 51 innings
and by doing so set a world record grand average mark of 1.161 points per
inning, which displaces the former mark of Welker Cochran at 1.123, established
in the 1935 title event..."
Willie
Hoppe, the 52 year old billiard wizard from New York, yesterday accomplished
what heretofore was believed impossible- go thru a world's 3-cushion billiards
tournament undefeated. Hoppe completed the cycle against Jake Schaefer of
Cleveland, scoring his 20th consecutive victory and bettering the old record
unbeaten string in title competition previously held by Johnny Layton at 10
straight.
Hoppe conquered
Schaefer, 50 to 40, in 51 innings and by so doing set a world record grand
average of 1.161 points per inning, which displaces the former mark of Welker
Cochran at 1.123, established in the 1935 title event. Making Hoppe's record
all the more remarkable is the fact he competed in 11 more games than the
dethroned titleholder.
It's
an Unheard of Feat- Moreover, never before in cue history has a champion
gone thru undefeated, even in 10 handed, once around meets. The tournament
just completed was over a double round robin schedule- 20 games being played
by each of the 11 experts.
The championship
trophy presentation was made by C.P. Binner of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender
company, donor of the trophy, and Bob Elson, radio sports announcer.
After receiving
the award, Hoppe announced he would put his title on the line this fall in
a challenge match with Schaefer. Schaefer finished second to Hoppe in the
tournament.
Hoppe said
the match probably would be held in New York in late October. The new champion
has the right to determine the length of the contest so long as it is for
no less than 300 points and no more than 650 points.
