Two-Year-Old Billiards Prodigy Keith O’Dell Jr.

August 22, 2010
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Call him Mini-sota Fats. An upstate New York two-year-old is being dubbed a billiards prodigy by dazzling crowds across the country with his pool playing prowess. Keith O’Dell Jr. of Johnstown was invited to perform at the American Pool Association’s championship competition in Las Vegas last month, and he’s booked to show his skills on the Rachael Ray show in July. The wiz kid learned the game on a child size table, but recently switched to regulation size. He reaches the balls by standing on a chair. It all started a few weeks before Christmas when the boy’s parents, Keith Sr. and Courtney O’Dell, were in a discount store and saw a miniature pool table. Keith Sr., an avid player, thought his son was too young to enjoy it, but bought the table anyway. Keith Jr. opened it Christmas morning and surprised his parents when he started shooting on his own. The O’Dells have no explanation for their son’s success, but say he learned by watching his dad shoot 200 racks every night. His parents say the boy’s learning hasn’t been limited to billiard games – pool is also teaching their son colors and how to count. Outside the cue sports industry, pocket billiards is almost exclusively referred to as “pool”, due to a perhaps unfortunate association with the “poolrooms” where gamblers “pooled” their money to bet remotely (“off-track”) on horse races. Because these venues often provided billiard tables, the term “pool” became synonymous with billiards. Though the original “pool” game …

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22 Responses to “ Two-Year-Old Billiards Prodigy Keith O’Dell Jr. ”

  1. ATsax501 on August 22, 2010 at 8:49 am

    Bahaha snack of the day. Eat some more I dare ya.

  2. greenday1347 on August 22, 2010 at 9:30 am

    Like father like son..aint that somthin?!

  3. kevycanavan on August 22, 2010 at 9:58 am

    “you wanna chalk daddy’s stick?”

  4. souljasai on August 22, 2010 at 10:09 am

    snack of the day xD

  5. twoface005 on August 22, 2010 at 10:36 am

    There is nothing special about this kid. Actually, the kid looks a little slow if you know what I mean. The shots were so easy, any 2 year old could make them. Dad is just a loser who wants attention. Rachel must have had a cancellation to have this little twirp and his loser dad to be on the show.

  6. twoface005 on August 22, 2010 at 10:51 am

    There is nothing special about this kid. Actually, the kid looks a little slow if you know what I mean. The shots were so easy, any 2 year old could make them. Dad is just a loser who wants attention. Rachel must have had a cancellation to have this little twirp and his loser dad to be on the show.

  7. legokid2324 on August 22, 2010 at 11:04 am

    jerry!!jerry!!jerry!!!!!

  8. SweetShyx3 on August 22, 2010 at 11:21 am

    @littlesniper07 Shilo 🙂 I just had to brag I knew him! I dance.

  9. littlesniper07 on August 22, 2010 at 11:36 am

    @SweetShyx3 Hey who is this? You def do know jr and our fam.

  10. littlesniper07 on August 22, 2010 at 11:43 am

    Hey who is this you def do know my family…

  11. littlesniper07 on August 22, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    @SweetShyx3 Hey who is this… You def do know our family..

  12. SweetShyx3 on August 22, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    Yo! I know that kid, no joke. I hung out with him today and his mom while dancing 🙂 They’re both sweet. I’m not lying.

  13. MrCheeseTube on August 22, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    dam i cant even do that DX

  14. bignuts4555 on August 22, 2010 at 1:29 pm

    I bet he’s gonna beat some ass when he’s older. That’s just awesome.

  15. archerman11 on August 22, 2010 at 2:14 pm

    now playing teams i want him on my team hahahaha we win

  16. SlickRick4EVER on August 22, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    @littlesniper07: If you are the father of this kid, I just want to say this: After watching this clip about what your wife was saying on how she researched about there was no other young child to ever touch a cue…. I really would kind of do more thorough research on one particular person… his name is Shane Van Boening. 🙂 He touched a cue when he was aprox. 1 1/2 yrs old. I could be wrong, but I would definately take the risk to ask him. Nevertheless, you got yourself a little shark there.

  17. lipsofaprincess on August 22, 2010 at 3:07 pm

    i was just having a rachel ray marathon to clear up my pvr and i saw this little guy and hes just an amzing little thing, ive shown everybody i possibly can, its not off of my pvr yet! i will check out the website too.

  18. blueiseverything on August 22, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    talented left-handed player, like most lefties

  19. littlesniper07 on August 22, 2010 at 4:00 pm

    Who is your father?

  20. littlesniper07 on August 22, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    Thank you! You have to check out his website poolprodigycom

  21. voc370 on August 22, 2010 at 4:50 pm

    Yes, Your Boy…

    Is Totally Amazing, My Father Is a Career Pool Shooter From Albany…

    Managed Several Pool Halls In The Area !

    Clifton Park, Troy NY

    Wow, Very Special, Special Indeed…

  22. littlesniper07 on August 22, 2010 at 4:56 pm

    Thats out baby boy!!!!