'Ambassador of Pool' Paul Gerni Comes to Concord

World famous Paul Gerni “The Ambassador of Pool,” demonstrated his live trick-shot.
Photo by Caleb Zopp

World famous Paul Gerni, “The Ambassador of Pool,” performed professional pool trick shots for Concord University students on Wednesday, Nov. 1.

    Gerni performed his live trick-shot demonstration on a designated pool table in the Student Center Game Room. The schedule of events started out with a “teaser” demonstration that took place at noon, and was followed by a workshop to help players who were interested in learning at 2 p.m. During these sessions, Gerni demonstrated his trick-shots while giving explanations to student spectators. The students who were present received tips and had the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to playing pool.

    The main event took place at 8 p.m. Gerni’s trick-shots included a trick shot where he made five balls in one shot blindfolded. While he demonstrated, he would give explanations with some physics clarifications, all the while incorporating his sense of humor. Several times, Gerni called on a student to volunteer to try a trick shot. Once the student successfully completed the trick shot, Gerni would give away a free “Paul Gerni: Fun and Easy Trick Shots” DVD.

    At one point, he even demonstrated a complex trick shot that he designed for a 1978  light beer commercial. At some points in the demonstrations, a trick shot would fail on the first try due to the used condition of the game room pool table. Despite this, though, Gerni still worked with the table and still executed his trick shots.

    Several students who play pool here at Concord feel this event was a valuable experience for them. Sophomore Chase McBride says he likes playing pool, and he feels this experience helped him out with his shots, and taught him to work on his placement of balls.

    “I think it’s great that Andrew Sulgit set this up for us. It’s not every that you get to have lessons from an international pool champion” says Freshman Conner Diaz. Both McBride and Diaz feel they are inspired to play pool more now that they have witnessed the skill of Paul Gerni.

    An autograph session followed the live trick shot demonstration. Signed pictures of Gerni and pool equipment was available for purchase. Some of the items were part of a silent auction, including complete pool cues and other pool cue parts which were all made by Pechauer. The pool cues were series, which had bid prices ranging from $350-380. The actual pool cues on display for auction could be purchased on the spot, though their prices ranged from $490-500. Other items for sale included a “Paul Gerni: Fun and Easy Trick Shots” DVD and Sir Joseph cue gloves.

    According to his Gerni’s website www.paulgerni.us, he has been the World Trick Shot Champion 22 consecutive times, along with being the International Challenge Cup of Trick Shots champion 15 consecutive times. Gerni has played pool in 53 countries on five continents, and even performed at notable locations such as the White House and the Royal Caribbean

    Cruise Lines ship known as “The Radiance of the Seas.” This made him the first player to do a trick shot exhibition on a cruise ship.

    A native of Shawnee, Kansas, Gerni has been playing pool ever since he was six years old. He started playing on a table that was in a church and won was his first tournament at the age of seven. Gerni’s amazing trick shots have even been featured on various television shows and commercials, including the light beer commercial. His phenomenal achievements with trick shots in the world of pool have earned him names such as “The Ambassador of Pool,” “Pool’s Grandmaster of Trick Shots,” and even “The Godfather.”