Mike Sigel Bio: Career & Net Worth

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Mike Sigel, also known as Captain Hook, is a professional pool player from the United States. His propensity to hook his opponents with safety plays gave him the nickname.

Furthermore, American pool player Mike Sigel has returned to the International Pool Tour. He won 100 major championships in his professional 20 years career, which is an outstanding achievement.

Mike Sigel was elected into the BCA Hall of Fame (Billiard Congress of America) in 1989. Additionally, the pool player was the youngest entrant in the Hall of Fame.

Mike at the event
Mike at the Event

Later in his life, he was also inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He is “the finest living player of the twentieth century,” according to the International Pool Tour.

Personal life, career, and much more information on the youngest inductee of The Hall of Fame are included in this article. Read till the end.

Before that, here are some quick facts about Mike Sigel.

 Quick Facts

Full Name Mike Sigel
Nick Name Captain Hook
Age

70

Birthdate July 11, 1953
Birthplace Rochester, New York, USA
Mother Ruth Sigel
Father Sidney Sigel
Siblings Not Available
Nationality American
Religion Jewish
Wife Renee Sigel
Children Not Available
Height 6 feet 1 inch (165 cm)
Weight 190 lb (73 kg)
Hair Color Bald
Eye Color Black
Zodiac sign Cancer
Profession Professional Darts Player
Active year Not Available
Education West Irondequoit High School
Highest rank Not Available
Turned Pro 1973
Marital Status Married
Last Match Not Available
Net Worth $1 million – $10 million
Social Media Facebook
Merch  IPT World 8-Ball Championship- Mike Sigel vs. Loree Jon Jones
Last Update

April, 2024

Mike Sigel | Early Life, Family, and Education

Mike Sigel is a well-known pool player born in the United States on July 11, 1952. His zodiac sign is Cancer.

Sigel made his pro debut in the Johnston City All-Around Tournament in Illinois in the early 1970s. 

Sigel is a left-handed pool player who can also play right-handed pool.

However, he began playing pool at age 13 and became a professional player at 20, establishing himself as one of the world’s best players.

Mike with Shane Van Boening
Mike with young Shane Van Boening

As a child, Sigel learned to play straight pool. When he was younger, he met Shane Van Boening, a future champion.

Sigel is a devout follower of the Jewish religion and resides in Rochester, New York. He went to West Irondequoit High School for his studies.

His mother, Ruth, was easily irritated with him because he wouldn’t attend Hebrew school. After all, he was too tired from playing pool on nights.

He was also known for being one of the most aggressive road players in the United States. He also formed the United Billiard Leagues short UBLNOW.

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Mike Sigel | Age, Height, and Weight

Mike turned 70 years old. Furthermore, the American pool player is 6 feet and 1 inch tall (165 cm) and weighs approximately 73 kg (190 lbs).

Mike Sigel | Career

Sigel began his professional career in 1973 when he was 20 years old at the Johnston City, Illinois, All-Around Tournament under the instruction of pool players Steve Mizerak, Ray Martin, Joe Balsis, and Irving Crane.

On the other hand, Sigel has won over 100 professional pool events throughout his career. He has won almost 40 major titles, making him one of the most competent players in history.

In addition, he has won ten world pocket billiard championships in Nine-ball, Eight-ball, and Straight pool (14.1).

Further, he has won three U.S. Open Nine-ball Championships, the U.S. Open Straight Pool Championship, and the U.S. Open One-Pocket Championship.

Additionally, he was a four-time champion of the Sands Regency Open.

Rewards

Sigel was awarded “Player of the Year” by Billiards Digest and Pool & Billiards Magazine in 1981, 1983, and 1986.

Sigel retired from the full-time game in 1994, producing a series of instructional DVDs and setting his line of pool cues.

He made occasional appearances, followed by a play in 2005. Sigel defeated Loree Jon Jones in a challenge match and won the IPT World Eight-ball Championship. Further, he was rewarded $150,000 for his triumph.

However, he was placed in the King of the Hill Eight-ball Shootout final, the IPT’s second event, the following year. He met Efren Reyes, who had progressed far in the competition.

Reyes was rewarded $200,000 for finishing first, while Sigel was awarded $100,000. He now resides in Orlando, Florida, and his main interests are pool and instructing.

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Launching his Website

In December 2015, Sigel created his official website, www.mikesigel.com, including private lessons.

In addition, Mike Sigel’s branded cues and new instructional films are available on his website to the general public.

Mike Sigel | Achievement and Records

From mid-1986 to mid-1987, Sigel made a record as the first player on the pro tour to earn $100,000 in a single season. Nick Varner would accomplish this in the years 1989 to 1990.

Moreover, he set a record by winning eleven final matches in a row, reaching the finals eleven times a row and winning each time.

Sigel also set a record for ESPN broadcast success, finishing first 12 times and second three times in 15 appearances on the network.

Furthermore, Sigel (57) achieved a record in 2010 by winning 30 games (racks) in a row without losing a game in a ten-ball event over several matches. 

Mike Sigel | Movies

Mike, an American pool player, excelled at both 8-ball and straight pool, but his favorite game was 9-ball. In addition, Mike Sigel’s match was included in the 1986 film “The Color of Money.”

However, Sigel worked as a special advisor and a pool teacher for the film. Sigel also worked with actors Paul Newman and Tom Cruise, teaching them some shots and doing the rest himself.

Other films in which Sigel has appeared include The Baltimore Bullet and his instructional Video How to Make Trick Shots.

Mike Sigel | Girlfriend, Wife, and Kids

Sigel’s early relationships are primarily private and personal since he prefers not to discuss them publically. However, we discover that Sigel is married and has a gorgeous wife named Renee.

While working at an Orlando pool tournament in 1995, Renee Sigel met Mike Sigel. Mike and Rennee are now the parents of a child. They share a tranquil and happy life.

Mike Sigel in the early stages of his career
Mike Sigel in the Early Stages of his Career

Even though her pool-savvy Father was blown away by the champion, she said she had no idea who Sigel was at the time. Even Sigel’s neighbors were generally unaware of his professional accomplishments.

His neighbors also know him as a family man, a Father who does motocross with his 6-year-old son and takes care of his two children while Renee goes on a trip with her friends.

When Sigel stepped out of retirement for the Las Vegas match, his Winter Garden buddies flew out to cheer him up.

Mike Sigel | Net Worth

Sigel has competed in several competitions and earned large sums of money.

His participation in pool competitions indicates Mike’s primary source of income.

According to certain websites, his net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $10 million.

On the other hand, others believe that his net worth is $10 million. According to azbilliards.com, his network was worth $3,17,577 from 1976 to 2011.

Furthermore, throughout the 1980s, Sigel was a dominant figure. As a result, he was featured on the covers of various magazines.

Billiards Digest, Pool and Billiards, InsidePOOL, Billiard News, and Bike Week have highlighted him. 

Social Media Presence

Most players appear to be active on social media sites, with many accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

However, the famous pool player isn’t on social networking platforms.

He may be found on Facebook, although he isn’t active there. Despite this, he has over 2.9K followers on there. 

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FAQs

Does Mike Siegel still play pool?

He now resides in Orlando, Florida, and his main interests are pool and instructing. As a result, he continues to coach and play pool.

Moreover, Sigel was a major figure in the 1980s, appearing on the covers of various publications.

Which pool cue does Sigel use?

Sigel plays with a Joss Cues Professional Billiards Cue from the 1980s.

What happened to Mike Sigel in Paris?

The director contacted Mike Sigel during the competition and initiated a conversation with him even though Sigel had a match in Paris against Asked Hansen.

Consequently, according to reports, they got into a “disagreement” in front of a crowd. Mike walked out of the arena, visibly agitated.

Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah is an engineer and content writer passionate about sports and athletics. With a background in engineering and a love for all things active, Sanjib brings a unique perspective to the world of sports writing. Whether he is covering the latest trends in sports technology or sharing tips on improving your game, Sanjib's words are always rooted in a deep appreciation for players' hard work and dedication everywhere. In his free time, you can find him hitting the courts or hitting the trails, always looking for new ways to challenge himself and improve his skills.

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