CLOSEUP : Butera a Straight Shooter in Pool Hall

Speed has done for Lou Butera what fat did for Minnesota Fats.

Butera of Canoga Park is known for his speed with a pool cue. He racked up a world record of 150 consecutive balls in 21 minutes in 1973. He’s not nicknamed “Machine Gun” for his expertise with firearms.

Subtlety never has been a Butera mainstay. He runs pool balls like the Lakers run the fast break. After 43 years of shooting pool, Butera, 50, doesn’t need to deliberate long to find the best way to knock the ball into the pocket.

“I’ve always read the balls pretty quickly,” Butera said. “The people who study and study want to be sure they don’t make a mistake.”

Butera’s 23 years as a pool pro was punctuated with his induction into the Billiards Hall of Fame last year and his world straight pool championship in 1973.

For the past two years, he has run Butera’s Billiards in Simi Valley with his son, Sal. Both compete professionally but haven’t met yet in a tournament. Sal, 23, of Simi Valley, joined the pro tour last May after playing for eight years.

“At one time I would tear his heart out if he even thought about playing me,” Lou Butera said. “I have more heart now, but I won’t let him win; I won’t let anybody win.”

Butera’s Billiards will conduct a four-week session of group lessons starting Sept. 7.