How We Got Here!

“It’s All Passion for the Game”

1981

John started his Pool Recovering Career when assisting a friend Jim Reihle (A Legend)  Bar tables in Central WI needed to be recovered every year for league play.  Being a Player as well, he vested in the sport as a whole.

1985

John & His Wife Julie Opened “Sondo’s” (His Nickname) a small Bar / Restaurant with 3 Pool Tables for League and Tournament play.  It was on Lake Wausau and the name was changed to Marina Del Sondo’s with Pontoon Rentals & Hawaiian Drink Specials. The small place averaged 200+ Fish Fry’s Every Friday.  It was not until the Property was sold that John Ventured into his first Recreation Store called TJ’s Playmasters With Todd Folz handling the Olhausen and AMF Brands, Installing & Recovering Pool Tables in the Central Wisconsin Area. 

1994 to 1997

John was also very competitive in both 8-Ball and 9-Ball disciplines through the 80’s and 90’s with local league play & tournaments.  It was not until John’s first Billiard Congress of America Las Vegas National 8-Ball Event that he was finding out how well he compared.  Placing 9^th out of 735 players in 1994 in the Open Class and then Placing 5^th in the same tournament out of 1365 players in 1997.

  Currently John Enjoys Pool in All Disciplines. 

John was asked to Referee a Pro Event “The World 9-Ball Championships” in Aurora IL.  Pro Players from Around the World Were Invited to Compete.

Refereed the Likes of Jeanette Lee, Allison Fisher, Eva Mataya Lawrence, Allen Hopkins, Ralph Souquet, Mike Segal to name a few.  John also Refereed a Semi Final Match on ESPN. (His Claim to Fame) Recognize The Guy on The Right?

In 1994, John Created A Local Billiard Congress of America League System at a Bowling Alley With 8 Pool Tables and was Able to Amass over a 200 Player League in Central Wisconsin. Many of the League Players had the Opportunity to Compete at the National Level as Well with Success.  This Venue Also Allowed John to Create and Promote His Favorite Event “Rack’em Up For the Children’s Miracle Network” 

2004

It Wasn’t Until the State of Wisconsin Bought Out the Bowling Alley Property for Interstate Growth That Sparked John to Waste No Time Working on His Very Own Billiard Room with an Applebee’s Flair. 

In July of 2005 Mickey’s Billiards & Pizzeria a 10,000 sq. ft. Facility Opened with Full Bar, Kitchen, Pro Shop and 14 Diamond Pool Tables.

The Gangster Themed Billiard Club Was a Hit With the Locals and was Recognized by the Billiards Digest Magazine as a Top New Room in The Nation for Design. Nov. ’05 Issue

At Mickeys Billiards, Attention to Detail Was The Success of The Design. From A Retails Store, Cue Repair Shop & Special Lighting on Tables.

Since, John Was Bought Out And it is Still Open Today as Sconnies Ale House.

In 2009, John Recognized the Potential to Assist Pool Table Buyers and Sellers Across the Midwest with a Web-Based Program to Assist with Their Home Pool Table Needs so MrSlates.com was Born.  Officially, Over 1 Million Pounds of Slate/Pool Tables Have Been Bought & Sold Through-out The Midwest with John’s 100% Money Back Guarantee or We Buy It Back Program.  John & Julie Enjoy Meeting New Clients and Enjoy the Travel Involved. 

The "Pool Passion" Continues

& We Appreciate Everyone's Business & Experiences!!