Andrew Ponzi

Andrew Ponzi was born Andrew D'Allesandro in Philadelphia. As a boy, he injured his right hand as a result of a trolley mishap. He went on to improve it by practicing pool.[2]

At 16, D'Allesandro was already a skilled player who won numerous money matches. By that time, the infamous swindler, Charles Ponzi, was in the press. Thus friends gave him the nickname Ponzi.[3]

In 1934, Ponzi won his first world pool title by defeating Erwin Rudolph.[4]

Ponzi won the world title again in 1940 by besting Jimmy Caras.[5]

In 1943, Ponzi won his third world championship, subduing Willie Mosconi.[6] He won the world title for the fourth and final time by defeating Irving Crane that same year.[7]

He suffered a heart attack while participating in a tournament in 1950. He died two weeks later at age 47.[3]

Ponzi was inducted in the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1988.[8]