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Introducing the New Buffalo Billiards Blog with Alison Fischer

by Alex Ragle on June 07, 2024

The game of pool can mean different things to different people. For some, having a pool table in their home gives them a platform for bonding with their family and becomes a great asset when the party arrives. For many others, going out in search of an open table at their local pool room or bar makes for a fun Friday night out with friends – or even an opportunity for singles to make that romantic connection.

It could be said that my origin story begins with pool, as my parents were one of those lucky couples to meet over a game of pool in a neighborhood bar. When I was a child, my parents both played regularly in pool leagues, and I was introduced to the game at a young age, since we had a table at home as far back as I can remember.

By the time I was twelve years old, I was hooked on learning as much as I could about the game of pool, and a large portion of my teenage years were spent sparring with different family members on our table. On my fifteenth birthday, I received my first cue – an Allison Fisher signature Cuetec. Five years prior, in 1995, Fisher had arrived in the U.S. from Great Britain and burst onto the WPBA women’s pro tour after having an illustrious snooker career. With our coincidental shared name and her fierce domination on the tour, Allison Fisher became one of my idols. Every chance I got, I watched her and other top players including Jeanette Lee “The Black Widow”, Karen Corr, and Ewa Laurance compete on ESPN.

The same year I got my Cuetec cue, I began competing in my first local tournaments. Although it was intimidating, I faced down my fears over being one of the youngest players (and among the few females), and slowly gained momentum and confidence in my game. During my college years, with the encouragement of veteran players in my community, I began traveling to statewide, regional, and national-level tournaments. In 2007, I won my first individual 8-ball title, and went on to win the Wisconsin State BCA Championships with my team in 2008.

After earning my BA in Communication at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, I got the chance to apply my media background to my passion for pool. I left small-town Wisconsin and headed to New York, where I became the editor of an online magazine for pool called NYCgrind.com. This role gave me the opportunity to cover some of the most prestigious events in professional pool, where I got to meet many of the legendary players I grew up watching on TV. In New York, I also continued to compete, and joined the league at the famous Amsterdam Billiard Club along with the area 9-ball tours.

(At the BCAPL Championships 2009)

Since then, I’ve also had my work published in top pool news sources such as AZbilliards.com, Billiards Digest, and Inside Pool Magazine. After relocating to Sonoma County in 2020, I began to compete on the West Coast Women’s Tour here in the Bay Area in 2022, and I also now serve as the tour’s press officer.

With my perspective as a lifelong pool player and fan of the sport, I am very excited to launch a new blog here at Buffalo Billiards. Covering everything from equipment tips and insight to your game, to the storied history of the game and its fascinating players, we hope you will come along the journey and see what’s next. If you have a topic you would like to see covered on our blog, send us an email and let us know.

Alison Fischer with Efren Reyes and Earl Strickland at Steinway Billiards in Queens, New York in 2014

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