Herb Hardt

Herbert Hardt (born Graf; 27 November 1905 Hardt took second place at the 1952 United States Eastern Regional Three-cushion Billiards Championship, thereby qualifying to play as one of ten contestants worldwide in the U.S.-hosted World Three-cushion Billiards Championship of the same year. Hardt came in dead last at the world championship, competing against the best players in the world.

Early career Hardt was born to German-Americans Herman Graf and Henrietta Hansen in Chicago, and adopted by German immigrants William and Friederike Hardt as an infant.

On February 18, 1932 it was reported that the prior night former national amateur champion, A. J. Harris had beaten Hardt 50 to 49 at three-cushion in Madison, Wisconsin.

In 1951 Herbt competed in the United States national billiards championship (three-cushion billiards) held in Chicago. On the first day of the tournament, February 16, 1951, Hardt beat Harold Worst 50-45 in 43 innings. The two winners of the tournament would graduate to the eastern regional championship, to be held in Buffalo, New York, in turn competing for a spot in the 1952 world tournament to be held in San Francisco, California where they would face defending champion, Willie Hoppe. and won his first three matches in the round robin tournament, with only two more players in his path, including Irving Crane, six-time world champion at straight pool. Although Hardt thereafter lost twice to Crane—first to even the standings of the men, three wins to one loss each, and a second time in 50 to 35 in 71 innings —he sewed up second place for a spot in the world tournament.

1952 World Three-cushion Billiards Championship

The championship between the invitees was to take place at Welker Cochran's 924 Club, with 45 total games to be played over the 17-day tournament ending on March 22, 1952. Hardt came in dead last, winning only one game against Art Rubin with a final score of 50 to 35 in 49 innings.