The FAQs on the site mentions that in "How To Dial a Murder" Columbo says his dad taught him to play pool. But in that scene, in the murderer's pool-room, the murderer had asked Columbo if he liked "games." Columbo replied he never had time for them, and as he strikes the cue ball he says, as best I remember, that his dad taught him to play. I have always thought that it is possible that statement was a veiled reference to Columbo getting his persistence and doggedness in pursuing criminals from his dad. If you watch the scene in context to their conversation it makes sense (to me). Am I a loon?

Yeah, I'd say so, but it's open to interpretation.