Pronounced: Bi-lee-thuh-KID- LA za-ay, and that’s Lasee not Lasso. Billythekid is quite the character with some very interesting talents not held by many. His unique abilities include “the gift of face manipulation” and “study of Jedi Mind Powers at L.O.L. Academy for the talented.”
At 33 years old, he can be considered somewhat of a “Young Gun”, and actually was as he played during his teens and 20s. Billy was born & raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Aside from Thekid’s more unique abilities, he is a talented Poker Player – of smaller venues – and a very adept, self-taught pool player- of both local & national venues.
He has won 11 State titles playing during national pool league tournaments. Actually, he can be considered a semi pro player because first, he is that good, putting together a 12pack in 9ball (ran 12 racks in a row), a 17pack in 8ball along with many 7packs & a few 10s, and second, he earns most of his living playing pool, the rest, playing Poker. He has played some great pool players including Johnny Archer, Larry Nevel, Shane Van Boening, Jeanette Lee & Kelly Fisher. Yes, that is good!
Billy said [He] “was never really a bad player” & always “very competitive, a good eye”. He was his father’s pool instructor. That he is an instructor is ironic in that Billythekid does not practice! However, he does consider himself a “constant student”.
He does own & for help has referred to “The 99 Critical Shots in Pool”, Ray Martin, & “Playing off the Rail” which is a road player’s guide. The next book he will read is “The Inner Game of Tennis”, W. Timothy Gallwey. All three books are well-known and used by folks in the industry.
Billy’s mother (RIP), has passed. “She was [as a player] OK” as is a step brother. It is Antigo, WI to where, at 17 years old, he moved from Milwaukee to care for his mother during her illness. He and girlfriend Kaylee Reimer– who does not play pool, but is a great supporter- have made it their home. Billy made it a point to say that his grandma is probably his biggest supporter!
A strongly held personal conviction, Billythekid considers as well his mission in life is to make pool better, a more respectable sport. The humble person that he is, Thekid often is seen mingling with players & nonplayers alike. He takes time to stop, shake hands and be sincere. He likes to thank others for their support & admiration all the while remaining humble & honest.
Holding himself to the same standards as others, Billy places great importance in his motto “Say what you mean & mean what you say”.
Sponsored by Jacoby Custom Cues, Billythekid has made a name for himself in the industry. In addition to his ability to run many racks in both 8 & 9ball, some very impressive accomplishments will always make him proud, but still very humble! He does not brag. He plays pool. He plays it very very well. Though not much of a typical national league player, Billy will try to get weeks in subbing so he can qualify for national tournaments, BCA, VNEA & WSPA. Instead, he is deeply into and well known in the tournament scene with quite impressive wins therein: Top Wisconsin Road Player & Top Amateur Semi Pro Player, and is one of the best one-handed players in the country, established not via tournaments but by Challenge Matches.
In terms of plans for his future, Billythekid Lasse sees a “wild open track”. If he didn’t “make enough money to keep [his] living, [he] would get a job”. He is happy to continue upholding his image as a great Midwest player in both tournaments and Challenge Matches, all the while remaining cordial & “humble”, his most important contribution in increasing respect for the game of pool & its community. Billythekid Lasse practices what he preaches. He just doesn’t practice pool! Thank you, Billy, for letting us rope you in for a fun interview & opportunity to know you as player & person & write an article.
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Sponsored by POV Pool and Jacoby Custom Cues
In her 35+ years of pool playing, Missy has been deeply involved with many aspects of the sport. She and her husband ran a BCA 8-Ball League for 15 years, as well as three person 9-Ball, Singles 8 & 9, and Scotch Doubles part of that time. She ran a Junior BCA/BEF Junior League—the largest and longest running in her area—for 13 years, with year end banquets and tournaments for all of the leagues. She has run tournaments for all ages and levels of play groups, and is a Certified BCA Instructor with concentration on children and females.Missy has played at local, regional and national venues. She even has a $6400 fundraiser tournament for Domestic Violence and Wheelchair Players under her belt. Many, many hours have been donated to the sport with 300+ in free lessons and clinics for juniors. She is happy to be writing articles for Sneaky Pete Mafia Magazine, presently.Missy has been, and will continue to be, a true ambassador of the sport.
Photo Credit: Billythekid Lassee
Editor: Shaylyn Troop