One Pocket spot

[cycopath]

What's the most "generous" spot you've ever seen/heard of in One Pocket, and what was the outcome?

I heard a couple years ago in Mobile, Buddy Hall was giving a nobody banger 15-2, and beat the crap outta the guy.

I wouldn't give my mom that kinda weight. Anybody can luck in a couple.

[BackPocket9Ball]

In February 2003 at Tacony Palmyra Billiards in Philadelphia, Efren Reyes was giving the manager, Jim Hill, 12-4 for $500 a game. And Jim, while not a champion, can certainly play. I don't even want to venture to guess what was being bet on the side. The two of them played several sessions over a two or three week period from what I hear, but in that particular session they broke even. I heard that Jim Hill later beat Efren at that game and that they adjusted to 13-5. Not sure how that turned out.

[SactownTom]

What's the most "generous" spot you've ever seen/heard of in One Pocket, and what was the outcome?
I wouldn't give my mom that kinda weight. Anybody can luck in a couple.

Jersey Red (Jack Breit) was reported to give a spot of '6 no-count' in a match in Texas. I had heard of him giving a '8 no-count' from some players here in Sacramento.

[Pelican]

Jersey Red (Jack Breit) was reported to give a spot of '6 no-count' in a match in Texas. I had heard of him giving a '8 no-count' from some players here in Sacramento.


Jeeeezz!!!!!! :eek:

[yobagua]

nothing is more beautiful when Efren Reyes runs 15 and out giving a guy 15 to 5. Except when he does it a second time as I saw in LA.

[YouKnow662]

Efren was giving a guy 30 to 8 playing one pocket at Hard Times in Bellflower, CA. And beating him. Of course he wasn't a player but that's still a big spot to give to anyone that can make a few balls.

[1pRoscoe]

I've been given 12-4 by CJ Wiley when I first started playing the game. I didn't make a ball at all, needless to say.

I'm not that "great" per se, but I have given 10-6 and won fairly easily...

[jrhendy]

At 6th & Western in L.A. many years ago, I watched Grady giving a guy named Mizerak (not the champion) 12 to 3 for two or three hundred a game. Mizerak broke the balls wide open on his break and made a ball in his hole and after running three, did a few somersaults around the floor. Grady ended up beating him. Maybe he can add to this story if he reads this post.

[Grady]

Not many people remember that Steve Mizerak. He was one of the greatest pool suckers who ever lived. His losses in Gardena playing poker were also the stuff of legends. What Steve would do once or twice a year for quite a while was: He'd find some out of the way pool room where two dollars a game was the normal bet and he'd FORCE some small bettor to win $50,000.
Frisco Jack knew him better than anybody and beat him out of more money than anyone.
I used to play a guy in Detroit 8 to 3 and the break and his scratches didn't count. These modern One Pocket champions can shoulder more weight than I would ever have thought possible. Cliff beat a man who is a solid little player out of $60,000, giving him 9 to 5 and the break. It aint' your Grandpa's One Pocket, baby.

[gulfportdoc]

At 6th & Western in L.A. many years ago...

John, I'm not familiar with the room at 6th & Western. Must have been before my time. ;) I played many times at Hollywood & Western, and also at Romey's on 4th & Main. Sounds like 6th & Western must have been quite an action room!

Doc

[Grady]

"Okie Sam" Crotchett, among others, frequented 6th and Western.

[jrhendy]

John, I'm not familiar with the room at 6th & Western. Must have been before my time. ;) I played many times at Hollywood & Western, and also at Romey's on 4th & Main. Sounds like 6th & Western must have been quite an action room!

Doc This was late 70's to early 80's. Hawaiian Brian & Cecil Tugwell played in there and there were quite a few other pretty good players. It was a tough neighborhood and they finally shut it down. I also played some at Hollywood & Western & 4th & Main. I started going to Hollywwod & Western in the late 50's whenever I put together a little money from a score at my local room. I played Don Willis at 4th & Main in the mid 60's. Didn't know who it was until it was too late. He was being steered around by Dean Chance the baseball player who had won the Cy Young award that year.

[gulfportdoc]

This was late 70's to early 80's. Hawaiian Brian & Cecil Tugwell played in there and there were quite a few other pretty good players. It was a tough neighborhood and they finally shut it down. I also played some at Hollywood & Western & 4th & Main. I started going to Hollywwod & Western in the late 50's whenever I put together a little money from a score at my local room. .
I didn't get to Hyd & Western until the late 60's. I mostly played out of a room in North Hollywood called Chopsticks. Hollywood Jack, Harry the Horse, Louie "The Magic Man" St. Pierre, and other thieves were usually in attendance. I always thought H & W had inferior equipment, but there was a lot of action. They used to have 3C tourneys there as well. I loved the entrance on Western going downstairs past the barbershop. When I got back in the late 70's, Arnie had moved the entrance to the Hollywood Blvd. side. I used to get a kick out of Arn Satin and his grossly obese sidekick (Tiny?). Later I heard that Arnie had become something of a predator on the young runaway chicks seeking their fame in Tinseltown. The little devil... :cool: Do you recall who owned the joint in the 50's? Who were some of the players there then?

Doc

[OldHasBeen]

Just 2 nights ago, I gave a fellow (a local whale) 12 to 3, the break and a break scratch didn't count. I also had to play "3 or No Count". We broke even but we are supposed to play again for $500 a game as soon as we can get together and get an open table. With this tourney going on and all the action, we probably won't get to play until Monday or Tuesday. Will let you know, Doc.
TY & GL

[yobagua]

Doc...Saw Hollywood Jack recently. He's not doing to well but shows some of his old irrascible self at times. You must remember Ye Olde Billiard Den on Santa Monica Blvd. I saw great 14.1 matches there with Danny Diliberto. Met Marvin Henderson there too. And remembered when Ronnie Allen took off Phil Spector. I myself played Richard Pryor there. All the road players came through. Bernie Schwartz, Hawaiian Brian, Davenport, Richie Florence, Richie Ambrose, Jimmy Reid, etc.

[hemicudas]

Doc...Saw Hollywood Jack recently. He's not doing to well but shows some of his old irrascible self at times. You must remember Ye Olde Billiard Den on Santa Monica Blvd. I saw great 14.1 matches there with Danny Diliberto. Met Marvin Henderson there too. And remembered when Ronnie Allen took off Phil Spector. I myself played Richard Pryor there. All the road players came through. Bernie Schwartz, Hawaiian Brian, Davenport, Richie Florence, Richie Ambrose, Jimmy Reid, etc. I gotta know, Yo, what did, Pryor and Spector, go off for back then if you don't mind? It is great to see the names you posted. Great memories of great times. I made a lot of money betting on, Bernie Schwartz, when he was in Chicago. The guy played much better than the locals around there thought.

[jrhendy]

I didn't get to Hyd & Western until the late 60's. I mostly played out of a room in North Hollywood called Chopsticks. Hollywood Jack, Harry the Horse, Louie "The Magic Man" St. Pierre, and other thieves were usually in attendance. I always thought H & W had inferior equipment, but there was a lot of action. They used to have 3C tourneys there as well. I loved the entrance on Western going downstairs past the barbershop. When I got back in the late 70's, Arnie had moved the entrance to the Hollywood Blvd. side. I used to get a kick out of Arn Satin and his grossly obese sidekick (Tiny?). Later I heard that Arnie had become something of a predator on the young runaway chicks seeking their fame in Tinseltown. The little devil... :cool: Do you recall who owned the joint in the 50's? Who were some of the players there then?

Doc I was right out of high school & played pretty good snooker on the 5 x 10. They had a tight 5 x 10 & a 6 x 12. Holywood Jack was the desk man. They had a tournament board with all the regular players names on it. There were maybe three guys I could beat - Feathers, Fitz & George the Drummer. The other guys I remember were Legs, Sleepy Bob, Fat Bill, Okie Sam, Jack Perkins, Dick Henry and Junior (Ronnie Allen). Dick Henry lived almost across the street from me in Monterey Park and was one of the better players before he went back to Colorado. I used to go in with Sleepy Bob playing Perkins one pocket in the back room and never won (hmmm). I used to get weight from Jack, Bob & Bill playing snooker. I shot straighter than Tom Mix but didn't know what a safety was before I started playing these guys. Jack played a terrific safety game of snooker, and I almost always got beat, even with the weight, except when I played the other guys even. I never won betting on the side or going in with anyone. Just bad luck, LOL. I got an education and when I went back to the rooms in Monterey Park & Alhambra I robbed everyone. Some of these guys would go back and forth from LA to San Francisco and Play at Cochran's up there. There were some movie stars that used to come around and they got fleeced pretty good too. Pete Falk was a pool nut and there was a guy named Eddie who was a backup star on a TV show with Richard Chamberlain called Dr. Kildare. This may have been in the early 60's. Eddie had a table at his house & used to take players over & stake and bet on them. He got turned every way but loose and gave up on betting on pool. Of course the good players hit the other rooms too, Romy's, 5th & Spring(The Hole) & other joints all the way to Santa Monica. When Arnie got the place later on, it was more of a three cushion place & I was staying close to home, raising a family and playing at the San Gabriel Bowl or the Golden Cue in Rosemead. Brings back memories.

[yobagua]

Pryor started talking to himself and then to the tv and wondered off into the night before finishing the game. It wasnt for much so it was just a pleasure to play him and talk to him. I knew it was a great oppurtunity to meet an original.
I hear Ronnie took Spector for 25K. To Spector it was peanuts. I dont know the particulars. Jimmy Caan used to come in too but he was Brooklyn street smarts. Saw him get the 7 & 8 from Diliberto cheap. Course he had no chance. But Jimmy could swing some.
Hey John do you remember a straight pool player they called Engineer Bob? I saw him play some tremendous games with Diliberto for $600 a game. Big money in the 60's. Played a lot at Ye Billiard Den on Santa Monica

[hemicudas]

Pryor started talking to himself and then to the tv and wondered off into the night before finishing the game. It wasnt for much so it was just a pleasure to play him and talk to him. I knew it was a great oppurtunity to meet an original.
I hear Ronnie took Spector for 25K. To Spector it was peanuts. I dont know the particulars. Jimmy Caan used to come in too but he was Brooklyn street smarts. Saw him get the 7 & 8 from Diliberto cheap. Course he had no chance. But Jimmy could swing some.
Hey John do you remember a straight pool player they called Engineer Bob? I saw him play some tremendous games with Diliberto for $600 a game. Big money in the 60's. Played a lot at Ye Billiard Den on Santa Monica
Thanks, Yo. I had heard tales of, Spector, going off. Only question I have is, did, Pryor, leave it on the light when he wandered off in the night, LOL?

[jrhendy]

Pryor started talking to himself and then to the tv and wondered off into the night before finishing the game. It wasnt for much so it was just a pleasure to play him and talk to him. I knew it was a great oppurtunity to meet an original.
I hear Ronnie took Spector for 25K. To Spector it was peanuts. I dont know the particulars. Jimmy Caan used to come in too but he was Brooklyn street smarts. Saw him get the 7 & 8 from Diliberto cheap. Course he had no chance. But Jimmy could swing some.
Hey John do you remember a straight pool player they called Engineer Bob? I saw him play some tremendous games with Diliberto for $600 a game. Big money in the 60's. Played a lot at Ye Billiard Den on Santa Monica
I heard about him but never got down that way too much. I lived the other side of LA(San Gabriel Valley) & there were so many places to play you couldn't get to them all. They also had a Billiard Den in El Monte that had a little action. I was still playing mostly golf & snooker. It was either Ye Billiard Den or House of Billiards where I met Brooklyn Butch, if you remember him.

[gulfportdoc]

Just 2 nights ago, I gave a fellow (a local whale) 12 to 3, the break and a break scratch didn't count. I also had to play "3 or No Count". We broke even but we are supposed to play again for $500 a game as soon as we can get together and get an open table. With this tourney going on and all the action, we probably won't get to play until Monday or Tuesday. Will let you know, Doc.
TY & GL

Man, you got some stones betting a nickel with that kind of spot! Does this guy have a pulse? :) Hope you take down the cheese. BTW, what tournament is going on in your room?

Doc

[gulfportdoc]

Doc...Saw Hollywood Jack recently. He's not doing to well but shows some of his old irrascible self at times. You must remember Ye Olde Billiard Den on Santa Monica Blvd. I saw great 14.1 matches there with Danny Diliberto. Met Marvin Henderson there too. And remembered when Ronnie Allen took off Phil Spector. I myself played Richard Pryor there. All the road players came through. Bernie Schwartz, Hawaiian Brian, Davenport, Richie Florence, Richie Ambrose, Jimmy Reid, etc.

Yo, I forgot all about Ye Billiard Den on Sta Monica!! I played in there a couple of times in the late 60's, but I never realized it was such an action joint. It was a little upscale for me then (translation: pricey), although I realized that some celebrities played there occasionally.

When I wasn't on the road (music, not pool) my days consisted mostly of playing golf all day on the snooker table at the Hollywood Musicians' Union on Vine, then grabbing an Arby's and driving out to Chopsticks Billiards in North Hyd for the evening. That's where I got to know Hollywood Jack pretty well. I'm delighted to hear that he is still among us! He must now be in his 70's, which is remarkable, since Jack was not among the avant garde of the "healthy lifestyle" movement... :rolleyes: I never met a guy who had more gamble and tried harder. Does he still play? If so, he's probably in action. If you see him again, ask him whatever happened to Ruth. She was the wife of the owner of Chopsticks. She and Jack were, ah, real friendly... When the owner died, Jack stepped in.

Doc

[yobagua]

You know Doc I got to thinking about the celebrities you mentioned and I remembered a young Neil Young used to come in with some guys from the Buffallo Sprinfield. One of the members Dewey used to go off. Jack usually just takes the occassional side bet just to keep in the game. But since he hasnt been taking his meds he hasnt been around.
About Butch, John. You know I got to know him and went out to dinner with him a couple of times. He was always nice to me. Funny because he was such a terror with everyone else. I think deep down inside he had a nice guy down there. You just had to allow him to come out.

[gulfportdoc]

I hear Ronnie took Spector for 25K. To Spector it was peanuts. I dont know the particulars.

I never met Phil Specter. Everyone knew he had a good table at his mansion in Beverly Hills, and that he was crazy on drugs. I guess guys like Ronnie would go up and get wasted and beat him for the big cheese.

He had a bodyguard and driver named George who used to come into Mr. Pockets on 6th Street. He was one of the most fearsome guys I ever saw. Sort of looked like Randall "Tex" Cobb-- only uglier. Get this: He used a 36 ounce cue! He played all games with it, including snooker! He had a real light touch, which was incongruous for a guy who looked like he. He never started any trouble though. On the occasion he lost, he paid up like a gentleman. We used to sweat his matches, just to see if he'd ever pull out a gat and shoot somebody! :p

Doc

[Mr.OnePocket]

A pro gave a guy 70-3 and won 70-0 The guy cant play that great he made 2 balls but scratched 2 times also! I was amazing!! Pro just kept making and making balls Unreal!!

[luckybreaky]

Two years ago My first game of one pocket, a past derby city banl champion gave me 20 to 5. I won the first game and asked him if he wanted to raise the bet which he said yeah he won the next 6 and i said I hate this game..
Look at me now Its only thing i like playing..

[fred bentivegna]

Gulfportdoc,
I hope everything works out for you down there. Any more word on my friend Jamie Farrell's room, Corner Pocket? Doc, I didnt know you did time at the Ye Billiard Den in Hollywood. I did a coupla tours there in the "Woodstock Years". What a joint! Filled with action and gorgeous hippie women who loved pool. Played Jimmy Caan a lot, 7,8,9 for two or three a game. Many more celebrity's played in there. My road pal, Pancho from Brooklyn dumped Phil Specter to Marvin Henderson for about 10k. What players were there when I was there? Jimmy Reid, Jimmy Marino, Little Hand, Crying Sam, Cecil Tugwell, Ronnie Allen, Richie Florence, Lou Butera, Popcorn, Geese, Waterdog, Jerry the Greek and his wonderdog King, Black Nate, The Baltimore Beatle, Charlie the Ape, Mike Massey, Ronnie Sypher, the great bar players, Mario, Nicaragua, Sergio, etc., etc., I was banking very good then and I beat all of the above.
Good luck,
the Beard

[hemicudas]

Gulfportdoc,
I hope everything works out for you down there. Any more word on my friend Jamie Farrell's room, Corner Pocket? Doc, I didnt know you did time at the Ye Billiard Den in Hollywood. I did a coupla tours there in the "Woodstock Years". What a joint! Filled with action and gorgeous hippie women who loved pool. Played Jimmy Caan a lot, 7,8,9 for two or three a game. Many more celebrity's played in there. My road pal, Pancho from Brooklyn dumped Phil Specter to Marvin Henderson for about 10k. What players were there when I was there? Jimmy Reid, Jimmy Marino, Little Hand, Crying Sam, Cecil Tugwell, Ronnie Allen, Richie Florence, Lou Butera, Popcorn, Geese, Waterdog, Jerry the Greek and his wonderdog King, Black Nate, The Baltimore Beatle, Charlie the Ape, Mike Massey, Ronnie Sypher, the great bar players, Mario, Nicaragua, Sergio, etc., etc., I was banking very good then and I beat all of the above.
Good luck,
the Beard
Cooldudela, just posted on Southern Billiards that the Corner Pocket sustained very minor damage, Beard. Cooldudela, is Harry Farrell, Jamie's dad. He said none of the tables were damaged and only a small roof leak was present. He said, Jamie and Glenn were both well.

[demonrho]

... That's where I got to know Hollywood Jack pretty well. I'm delighted to hear that he is still among us! He must now be in his 70's, which is remarkable, since Jack was not among the avant garde of the "healthy lifestyle" movement... :rolleyes: I never met a guy who had more gamble and tried harder. Does he still play? If so, he's probably in action. ...
Doc

Jack is battling cancer but seems to have it in check right now. In between hospital stays, he shows up at the pool room in Santa Monica. He always stirs up some action (they say he could make the Pope gamble) and even played some partners one hole for some respectable cabbage. He's still got a great sense of humor and loves pool with a passion.

[yobagua]

Hey Beard I got my high school diploma from Ye Billiard Den. Remember Cuban Joe and John the Dancer. What ever happen to Pancho? He was a great guy. Lenny Moore and Cripple Shorty. I played Richard Pryor a game of 14.1. He just drove me crazy. Were you known as the Beard then. I ran into crazy bruce not long ago. He was wearing an expensive Rolex and trying to make proposition bets. Remember Diliberto and his Mullet? What a great time.

[The Poor Old Goose]

Fred I received your book. Enjoyed the stories. You said that you knew a player called Little Hand. What was his real Name and how good did he play.? I want to see if it is the same player I know.

[fred bentivegna]

Hey Beard I got my high school diploma from Ye Billiard Den. Remember Cuban Joe and John the Dancer. What ever happen to Pancho? He was a great guy. Lenny Moore and Cripple Shorty. I played Richard Pryor a game of 14.1. He just drove me crazy. Were you known as the Beard then. I ran into crazy bruce not long ago. He was wearing an expensive Rolex and trying to make proposition bets. Remember Diliberto and his Mullet? What a great time.

Pancho is one of my oldest friends but he is definitely not a great guy. Very charming but he would steal your eyeballs. He is in Chicago now, he lost his rt leg to diabetes and is recovering. Cuban Joe is still in LA, but he is almost a cripple with a bad back. Lenny is around there somewhere and he would steal the eyeballs Pancho stole off you. I had forgotten about Cripple Shorty. I was at that time, known as the Beard only in Miami. I used to hang with Little Frankie and Augie, who were both from Jersey City.
the Beard

All our prayers for our pals down South

[fred bentivegna]

Fred I received your book. Enjoyed the stories. You said that you knew a player called Little Hand. What was his real Name and how good did he play.? I want to see if it is the same player I know.

I forgot Little Hand's real name, but I'm talking about the original. He was a top player from the South, Ky or Tenn I think, and he had a deformed arm and hand. He was a good banker. He would be about 80 or 85 years old now if he is still alive. If I heard his name I would remember it. He spent time at the Le Cue in Houston. I think he used to run with Eddie Taylor.
the Beard

God bless all our friends in the Gulf.

[NH Steve]

I forgot Little Hand's real name, but I'm talking about the original. He was a top player from the South, Ky or Tenn I think, and he had a deformed arm and hand. He was a good banker. He would be about 80 or 85 years old now if he is still alive. If I heard his name I would remember it. He spent time at the Le Cue in Houston. I think he used to run with Eddie Taylor.
the Beard

God bless all our friends in the Gulf.Would it be Louis Bramlett?
At least that's the name in the
Nickname Page (http://onepocket.org/Nicknames.htm) here on OnePocket.org. That list, by the way, I am always adding names to and making little corrections, so it's great when you guys mention a new name if you can include the real name whenever you know it.

[Voodoo Daddy]

Gulfportdoc,
I hope everything works out for you down there. Any more word on my friend Jamie Farrell's room, Corner Pocket? Doc, I didnt know you did time at the Ye Billiard Den in Hollywood. I did a coupla tours there in the "Woodstock Years". What a joint! Filled with action and gorgeous hippie women who loved pool. Played Jimmy Caan a lot, 7,8,9 for two or three a game. Many more celebrity's played in there. My road pal, Pancho from Brooklyn dumped Phil Specter to Marvin Henderson for about 10k. What players were there when I was there? Jimmy Reid, Jimmy Marino, Little Hand, Crying Sam, Cecil Tugwell, Ronnie Allen, Richie Florence, Lou Butera, Popcorn, Geese, Waterdog, Jerry the Greek and his wonderdog King, Black Nate, The Baltimore Beatle, Charlie the Ape, Mike Massey, Ronnie Sypher, the great bar players, Mario, Nicaragua, Sergio, etc., etc., I was banking very good then and I beat all of the above.
Good luck,
the Beard

"3 Fingered" Ronnie...wow, havent heard that name in awhile. I hear he plays Mizerak gin on the weekends now down here in South Floriduh. Man, I remember him taking me apart inna Florida Tour 9-Ball event years back...he won that tournament! Freddy. please tell a Pancho story or 5, he hung down here for years...colorful character and maybe the best one handed player I ever seen!

[fred bentivegna]

Would it be Louis Bramlett?
At least that's the name in the
Nickname Page (http://onepocket.org/Nicknames.htm) here on OnePocket.org. That list, by the way, I am always adding names to and making little corrections, so it's great when you guys mention a new name if you can include the real name whenever you know it.

Louis Bramlett was Little Hand. Beating him playing banks was one of my most memorable victories.
the Beard

[The Poor Old Goose]

Louis was little Hands name and he played a lot here at Bananas Pool Room in the eightys. A friend of mine went to see him not to long ago in a nursing home in Texas.

[yobagua]

If you hung around with Little Frankie then I know I run into you. Frankie was always undercover and you thought he couldnt play but I never saw him book a loser.