Hijacked

The Northern Nevada American Poolplayers Association is bringing trick-shot champion Michael Massey to town for shows and clinics. On June 11 at 7 p.m., he’ll be at the Twisted Spoke, 3198 N. Deer Run Road, Carson City; June 12, 7 p.m. at JD’s, 1375 Newlands Drive, Fernley; and June 13 at noon, he’ll be at Sparky’s, 1450 E. Prater Way, Sparks. For more information, check out http://northernnevada.apaleagues.com.

So you’re a trick shot pool player.

Yeah, I’ve got 16 world championships. I’ve traveled all over the world, been to like 42 countries, all the states many times. I’m on ESPN on a pretty regular basis. I’ve won five of the ESPN trick shot events. So that’s what I do. I’m coming in to do three shows, exhibition, and also I’m going to do some clinics. I’ll be doing shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and Thursday and Friday, I’ll be giving lessons.

What will you be teaching?

It depends on what level player they are. [Voice in background: Tell him you’re a national nine-ball player]. Yeah, I’m a national nine-ball champion, too. I’ve won tournaments in other disciplines. I’ll be teaching all parts of the game. The APA has leagues all across the United States, and they have different level players. They’re amateurs, but they go from like a 2 to a 7 in eight-ball, 2 being basically a beginner, 7’s are good players. I’ll be teaching different levels. [Indiscernible voice in background.]

I’m sorry, there’s someone talking in the background.

[That’s me. I told him to tell you that Michael will set up a shot for you when you come to see the exhibition.]

I’m sorry, I …

Francine said that when you come to see the exhibition, I can set up a shot for you.

Oh, OK. I don’t know if I’ll be there.

So this is APA, American Poolplayers Association. And they have like 160,000 members across the United States. They’ve been the largest league for quite a few years now. [Francine: Tell him about your Trick Shot Magic show.]

What did she say?

[Francine: Well, I tell good things, Mike.] Trick Shot Magic is a show on TV. It’s a competition, and they have it every year since 2000. The ratings are really good. They keep showing reruns, and it’s shown the whole year. People watch that who don’t even play pool. They like to watch it.

What’s the craziest place you ever played pool?

I was in Khazachstan, I’ve been to Africa a couple of times, Saudi Arabia. We were hired last year for the Prince of Brunei. I’ve done shows for presidents of Olympic Committees and Russia. It’s hard to say as far as the craziest. I’ve done shows in palaces and a week later been in a motorcycle bar.

Any motorcycle bars in Africa or Brunei?

[Francine laughs] The Prince of Brunei loves pool. The one who’s the heir to the throne is a decent player, too. [Francine: He’s not the prince who gave the necklace to Mariah Carey, it’s the other brother.]

What’s your name, ma’am?

Francine. I’m Michael’s wife.

And do you go to these places?

I used to go to all these places, but now I try to travel not quite as much. As long as there’s someone to show him around and take care of the business end.

Are you a big pool player, too?

No, but I do go out and get the check when he wins tournaments.

Have you been to Reno before?

Reno’s wonderful. We also hear that Heather’s husband is a dynamite cook. Our hobby is food.

I think I’m getting my interview hijacked here.