Willie Mosconi 526: The Straight Pool Run That Lasted 65 Years
Quick answer: Willie Mosconi ran 526 balls in a row in straight pool on March 19, 1954, in Springfield, Ohio. It stood as the high run record for 65 years, until John Schmidt ran 626 in 2019.
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Watch the video
Watch the straight pool record video on YouTube
What You Will Learn
- Where and when Mosconi ran 526
- How long the run took
- How the run ended, in his own words
- Who broke the record
The Night in Springfield
Mosconi was playing a straight pool exhibition at the East High Billiard Club in Springfield, Ohio. His opponent was Earl “Jake” Bruney. Mosconi won the match and kept on shooting. When he stopped, he had made 526 balls in a row.
The run took about four and a half hours. It was played on an oversized 4 by 8 foot Brunswick table. Billiards Digest says sworn papers (affidavits) about the run are kept at the Smithsonian.
How Did the Run End?
In a 1980 video, Mosconi was asked if he missed. He said no. He said he quit because he got tired. Mosconi won 15 world titles, so he knew a thing or two about long runs.
A Number Every Player Knew
For 65 years, 526 was the number in every pool room. When John Schmidt asked a room of players about the high run record, he said about nine people answered at once: “Willie Mosconi, 526 balls, Springfield, Ohio, 1954.”
Schmidt broke it with 626 on May 27, 2019. Later, Jayson Shaw ran 669 and then 832. See every step in the complete 14.1 high run record story.
What You Can Learn From Mosconi
Big runs are made of simple shots and good planning. Each rack, you must save a ball for the next break shot. If you want help with that kind of thinking, try pool lessons built for players at your level.
The Bottom Line
Mosconi set the bar at 526, and it stood longer than most players were alive. Schmidt raised it to 626 in 2019. Shaw pushed it to 669 and then 832. But for 65 years, the name every player knew was Mosconi. That is a big part of why his run still matters today.
FAQ
How many balls did Mosconi run?
526 in a row, on March 19, 1954.
How long did Mosconi’s record last?
65 years, from 1954 to 2019.
Who broke Mosconi’s record?
John Schmidt, with 626 in 2019.
Where did Mosconi set the record?
At the East High Billiard Club in Springfield, Ohio.
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Sources
- PoolHistory.com: BCA makes it official, Schmidt breaks historic record
- Professor Q-Ball: John Schmidt breaks Willie Mosconi’s 65 year old 14.1 high run record
- Springfield News-Sun: Pool pro chases record set in Springfield 65 years ago
- Billiards Digest via Poolroom.com: For the Record
- Willie Mosconi 1980 video (YouTube)