Cowboy Dennis said:
Here's a short story about how good John Henry played.
At the Cozy Cue poolroom back in 86-87 the big game where the most money was bet was one-pocket on a snooker table. It was a tight table and didn't give up anything. You earned every ball you made. I played Red, Miami, Watson, Horseface and quite a few others on that table. I saw Grady, Jimmy Reid I believe, Pat White(Canadian snooker player) and other very good players play on that table.
One day (night) I was watching a game with John Henry, I think he was partnered with Fat Don. They may have been playing Teddy "The Greek", I'm not certain. John Henry got a shot and ran 7 balls. That was the only time I ever saw anybody run 7 balls on that tough table. He had to shoot balls in the center of the table too, they weren't just sitting by his pocket. He impressed the hell out of me when he did that on that table.
Dennis
I didnt no you new Joh henry. He new all the players and seen a lot off great players and his opinion is great.
And as far as talking he can give me a big spot. Him and Chicago Paul Would lalk forever.
Who the best player was and he new one pocket the best. But I give him a high rating in making games and noweing the best players.
He came from the south side off Chicago. And I think he owned the pool room were they played in Chicago. The color off Money.
I think akines ended up with it. And when I talket too him. He new more about me then I did . All the people I playedand were what year I couldnt belive every thing he new about me like he had my diary.
He would tell me the mnames off the people I played on the south side off Chicago and in his pool room.
And he was the guy that I was the kid that always beat Bugs.And he even said I played better then Bugs.
And that was not easy for him too say. Because he came from the south side off Chicago.
And Bugs was the best player and the whole south side thought that Bugs wad the besy player in the world.
And he said Bugs and I were the best players in the world. And that didnt help me getting games.
And John Henery too this day belives that Bugs was the better player. And we played about 25 tims. More than any other great players I can think off.
And I beat bugs almost all the time. Because my game was perfect for his. And John Henry thinks and still belives that all those times we played it was Buisness.
And especialy because off how good Friends Bugs and I were. And the respect Bugs showed me. And John Henry new Bugs had a over opowering personality. And everyone was scared too play him.
I loved playing him. But If you ever talk too John Henry. Ask him do you think when Artie and Bugs played that it was on the square?
And you can get two too 1 that he will say He thinks it was Buisnes. And a lot off people thought that.
Even when Gorge fells wrote a artical on me and Bugs he made it asume like it was buisness.. All I can say I no the truth and whatever someone says is meaningless. And I fee sorry for thier weak thinking.
But every player Feared Bugs way more then me. And the only reason I only played Bugs even one time.
Because it was the only way I could have stoped something from happining. And people would have gotten killed.
But I played even and I one ever game. And I told Bugs next time we play its 9 to 8 and he said ok.
And now it does not matter. But I didnt want to give out the same games and spot that Bugs gave out. Because I am betting my own money. And Bugs was always getting backt.
And Bugs new why I askt for the spot. And Bugs new if I gave out the same spot that he did. I would be finisht and nobody would have played me.
And Bugs would give out the nuts. Because if he lost he would always snap back for something. And if he won he could make a big score because people would keep playing because the have wat the best off the game.
But if a great player is playing his best game he can still win no matter what the spot id. Bit John Henry thought because Bugs and me were so close that something was going on.
And Bugs would always stick up for me. If thier was a problem. And Bugs new the right people and he was thier Mohamod Alie in pool. They idolized him. Because they way he banket and played one pocket.
Bugs was one great player and more than that we were real close friends. And he told me I love you like my brother.
And too me that said it all. And when people played him you could see they were intimadated by his attitude and the shots he would shoot nothing scared him.
Bugs and Taylor are the two greatest bankers off all times. And one pocket It would have been a thing off beauty too watch. They only played banks 2 and each player won once.
His Friend Jerry Hubbart asket Bugs How would Artie and this guy play. And Bugs told him that player couldnt cary my shoes.
But those are great memories. But John Henry is a good man and he Knowesa lot off the old time players.
I have too rell you this one Dennis only because you mentioned his name. I was in the rack with Harold DEnson.
I dont no if you no him or not. BUt any way Harold said go up too thay guy and ask him too play for 3 or 5 hundred a game he will play you and he doesnt no you.
I go up too Donne Williams I didnt no him from adam. So I said. Would you like to play a sociable game for a few dollaers.
And as soon as I said it the red light went on. And Donne williams started looking around the room looking too see hwo sent me too ask him too play.
Donnie williams never said a word too me. He took outb a long big knife And yelled out too harold Im going to cut you when I catch you I am going too cut you.
And Donnie williams was chasing Harold around the pool table.
And Donnie williams keepte yelling at Harold when I catch you Im going too cut you.
And Harold keepte saying Oh My God OH my God. And he keepte chasing Harold around the pool tablte.
But the people in the rack broke it up. And Donnie cooled down. And U told Harold nice guy you sent me too play.
But since you no Donnie williams you can realy appriciate the story. Because off what kind off person Donnie was and what he played. But I never had a duel momonte no matter were I was.
Did you no Istell and Smooth. Joe Swartch Little Jimmy Mike Mashall. Charly Basset Chicago Himie Micky Seleck I could give you 40 more names easy but that was then and this is now.
If you sver see paul Brusloff ask him why he wouldnt male any kind off game with me Im courius. I no it wasant because he thought I had the nuts. Because he can ask for a game werethier id no way I could win.
And He told he after I asket him to play or make a game he said. I wont play you no matter what game you give me. And he would make a game with anyone.
And he said If you need money for a room or food Ill give you what you want but I wont play you no matter waht. And her is the funniest thing about Paul and me.
Iwent to eat with Wolfe and Joe and a few more friends off Wolfies. To a steack House I dont remember the name off the place. Im sure you no. It was a real classy restaurant. I think it was Italian. Im not sure.
But thier was thisbeaitifull girl working in the chech room were you check you coat and hat. And I new by the way we talket that she would go out with me.
I didnt want to rush it. So I waited the next night I herd the story what happened. Paul Brussloff. Went in the same steack house and he askt the same girl for a date.
And she told him maybe some other time. And the next nibht Paul walket in again and told her I ghave a present for you out side. And she said what is it.
And Paul Boght her a brane new car and told her hir are the keys its youres. And he laid it down too strong for me and lockt her up. And Adfter I herd what Happened I just let it go. And for the finaly. He ended up marying her.
You can ask paul if that realy happened. And he will tell you the truth .He married the check room girl. But he never new I was looking to take her out.
Its amazing what can happeb in life. And she had everything a man could want. But paul won that game. If you ever tell him the story he would probably enjoy it.
In all fairness the 35 that are on my beat list, well i'm on all 35 of their beat list as well.
