Chalk is Cheap

On a bonus episode of Chalk is Cheap, Nick is joined by fellow podcast host Neight Mindham. Nick and Neight talk about how his show Cue It Up was created, his beginnings in the game of pool, some great stories about his days playing junior national tournaments, his opinion on the state of junior pool and how he mingles (correctly and incorrectly) with today's top pool stars.

On Episode 9, Nick is joined by 2021 Wisconsin Billiards Hall of Fame nominee Rob Hovick. Rob talks about his time owning a pool hall in Marshfield, Wisconsin, his 1980 Collegiate National Championship run, the Hall of Fame, and his time playing pool in the twin ports at local pool halls: Helen's, Joe's and Ringside Billiards.

The Around the Twin Ports, and Pool History Segments make their return and Nick gives shout outs to listeners of the show to cap off the episode.

On Episode eight, Nick is joined by local legend Jeff Schelin. Jeff and Nick talk about Top Hat Tavern, Jeff's days in the cue making business, his times at National Tournaments in Las Vegas, mental struggles juggling owning a business and playing the game at a high level and Jeff and Nick share stories about Billy Johnson, Irv Arseneau, and Gary Galiford.

On the second edition of Diamond Cutters, Matthew Winfield and Joe Hernandez join the show to talk about their Pool Training Academy Short Road Billiards. They chat about their five week program and how you can enroll. They also talk about the newly founded NBL and their role as Colorado Tournament Directors.

At the end of the show Nick shares the Clip of the Show and thanks those who have left a review or have liked the facebook page.

On the seventh episode of Chalk is Cheap, Nick is joined by VNEA Hall of Fame Referee Bill Beyer. Nick and Bill take about what it takes to become an official VNEA billiard referee, including what training needs to take place before you are certified. They also chat about the night Bill was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007 and BIll shares a fun story about that night. He also shares some stories about the late Gary Galiford and Irv Arseneau.

Before Bill joins the show, Nick begins a new segment called DIamond Cutters. The first guest of the segment is Riley Schmidt of Riley's Trickshots. Riley tells us how he got into trick shooting and who his inspiration is.

Nick presents the clip of the show and gives thanks to new likers and listeners at the end of the episode.

On the sixth episode of Chalk is Cheap we are joined by Bill Goldsworthy. Nick and Bill discuss Bill’s time at The Place Pool hall, the Glenshenn 3-Cushion Billiards tournament, the mental aspect of the game of pool, how other activities and sports translate to billiards, the "competitive edge" and much more.

Nick names the winner of the Facebook T-Shirt giveaway, gives lesson three of pool history, and tells listeners this episode's clip of the show.

On the fifth episode of Chalk is Cheap we are joined by "The Man Who Saved Pool in the Twin Ports" Jerry Fredrickson. Nick and Jerry cover many topics including how he got into the pool hall business. He talks about Diamonds, Mr. Lucky's, and Horseshow Billiards, he tells stories about many pool players from the area including a great story about the late Gary Galiford. At the end of the conversation, he names his All-Time Twin Ports Top 5.

This episode features Pool History with Mr. Olson. Nick explains how Pool was brought to North America. At the end of the episode, he reveals the episode's Clip of the Show.

On the fourth episode of Chalk is Cheap Duluth Pool League President Scott Orville joins the show. Nick and Scott talk about Joe's Pool Hall and why the North End Superior kids went to Joe's. He tells some great stores about shining shoes to make enough money to play and tells us his first pool hustle story. Scott also talks about his pool photography and his passion for it.

Nick introduces a new segment on the show called "Pool History with Mr. Olson" in which he gives us the 411 on how pool was invented. To cap off the show he reveals this episode's Clip of the Show

On the third episode of Chalk is Cheap, former Minnesota State Pool Champion and local pool legend Sandy Vatalaro joins the show. Nick and Sandy talk about her beginnings in pool, including learning how to play the game from the legendary Willie Mosconi. She mentions that she has played leagues for 42 years straight and shares numerous stories about her time doing so. They also chat about her time tending bar and working for every pool hall in the Twin Ports since the mid 90's.

Nick is also joined by Superior Trailblazers President Cole Schorr to talk about the 2019 season and about some possible fixes to league concerns. Cole also tells us how he got "hooked on the game." At the end of the show, Nick reveals this episode's pool video clip in the "Clip of the Show" segment.

On the second episode of Chalk is Cheap Twin Ports pool legend Mike Miller joins the show. Nick and Mike chat about Helen's Pool Hall in the 1970s, his infamous Assigned Team Tournament, and Mike fills us in on the 1980s 3-cushion billiard tournaments that finished with the finals at Glensheen Mansion in Duluth. Mike also lets us know why he all but gave up pocket pool.

Nick gives some 411 on the status of ACS National Tournament in Las Vegas along with the current local pool news. At the end of the show, he reveals this week's pool video clip in the "Clip of the Show" segment.

On the first-ever episode of Chalk Is Cheap Host Nick Olson welcomes his good friend, teammate and 2019 Superior Trailblazers MVP Tom Wasserman. They chat about Helen's Pool Hall during the 1970s and how Tom started playing the game. Tom comments on the state of the game in the area today and makes the correlation of other sports to pocket billiards.

Nick fills you in on all the local pool news including results from both the Duluth Pool League and the Trailblazers League. At the end of the show, he shares the "clip of the show" and reveals next episodes' guest.