Strongest One Pocket Room in the Country

jrhendy

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As we age I guess we all wish for the older days. They seem simpler and more rewarding.

However I still look forward to the next pool game.

Bill S.

I will play in a local monthly one pocket tournament tomorrow. $30 entry fee, double elimination race to two. We get between 30 and 40 players and if you are in the last four players you are there til 3 or 4am. I have been 3rd the last three months. I really look forward to this each month, but it kind of ruins Sunday because I don't get home til 4 to 6am. Not much $$ involved, maybe $150 to $200 for 3rd, but great competition at a great pool room, Hard Times Billiards in Sacramento.

If we run into each other I still would like to play, but I just don't travel much anymore. Maybe Phoenix when the weather gets better and you go back. Bernie said you were playing better last time you were there and it is a tough game for me, but I never minded that, just like to play and there are not that may guys near our age to gamble with.
 

u12armresl

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JH,

If you're ever back up in Chicago, I'll take some kind of game with ya and donate to your retirement fund.


I will play in a local monthly one pocket tournament tomorrow. $30 entry fee, double elimination race to two. We get between 30 and 40 players and if you are in the last four players you are there til 3 or 4am. I have been 3rd the last three months. I really look forward to this each month, but it kind of ruins Sunday because I don't get home til 4 to 6am. Not much $$ involved, maybe $150 to $200 for 3rd, but great competition at a great pool room, Hard Times Billiards in Sacramento.

If we run into each other I still would like to play, but I just don't travel much anymore. Maybe Phoenix when the weather gets better and you go back. Bernie said you were playing better last time you were there and it is a tough game for me, but I never minded that, just like to play and there are not that may guys near our age to gamble with.
 

bstroud

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John,

I am playing better. For the last two years I have been playing with just one eye.
I got the second eye fixed this winter and am still adjusting.

I also have had to learn modern one pocket on tight tables.

It is more like hide and seek with little margin for error. A completely different game than I was used to.

Bill S.
 

jrhendy

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Placerville, CA
Chicago

Chicago

JH,

If you're ever back up in Chicago, I'll take some kind of game with ya and donate to your retirement fund.

I doubt I will make a trip this year, but who knows. As I get older the traveling becomes less appealing.

My friend Marshall moved to Chicago a few months ago and has played Ghost, Chicago Mike and probably plays in most of the tournaments. He is a good guy to play and will bet a few bucks.
 

TomRoden

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Kids today...

Kids today...

Today, parents drop off their kids at the "Family Billiard Center" and let the staff babysit.
So they grow up and big surprise, they have no social skills. Personality's as flat as piss on a platter. Sure, they can play a little, but they can't sign their names, make a hotel reservation, tell time on a clock with hands, or hold a conversation about anything except pool.
That's why guys like Puckett or Cornbread could create and get the action, they had personality. You wanted to gamble with these guys. They created action by being characters and the folks ate it up.
Road hustling still goes on, but just like hitch hiking and earth shoes, you don't see it so much anymore.
 

Artie Bodendorfer

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I doubt I will make a trip this year, but who knows. As I get older the traveling becomes less appealing.

My friend Marshall moved to Chicago a few months ago and has played Ghost, Chicago Mike and probably plays in most of the tournaments. He is a good guy to play and will bet a few bucks.
I hope Chicago Mike is still playing and learning about the game. I no he loves the game. Just the love for the game can make you a great player. good Luck.
 

tylerdurden

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The tournaments changed the game. In the olden days. You had to gamble or get a job. Because there was no other way to make money. And the tournaments they had. Were so few. Even if you would win them. You would have a hard time paying your nut. So you had to gamble to make a living and survive. That's why gambling is good in prohibition. People will gamble because they need money. And there is a money shortage. And People look at the casinos and say to them selves. I can win 50 or 100 thousand dollars if I get lucky. Why would I play pool for 5 or 10 dollars and sweat and pay time. And cant win to much. Or I can bet on a casino game or horses and if I get lucky. I can make a score. And the excitement of winning a lot of money. Is more satisfying then a 5 or 10 dollar pool game. That;s why in las vegas, The Casinos get the action not the pool rooms. Its hard to disagree. With beating someone who has 20 dollars . Or win a bunch in a Casino. And people see all that money and flash. And think they are going to win the money. And pool becomes boring and work. Compared to fun and excitement. And people love to watch and see all these other people playing. And when somebody wins they scream and holler. And they don't have to look for a game. The action is there for them night and day. You can go there any time. Even if you cant sleep. Pool cannot compete against a Casino. And all the food shows and flash they have is top of the list. You can make a 2 dollar bet and watch a ball game for 3 hours. That's pretty cheap entertainment. And if you win your 2 dollar bet you get free entertainment and you win two dollars. That's pretty hard to top. And the people are more friendly and sociable because they are mostly all tourist people. Looking to have a good time. If all those Casinos and poker sites and tournaments would be going on . That would also help pool. But we live in the times that are out there. And time will change everything. The young will be the new. And they old will only be a memory. That.s they Circle of life. That Barbra Streisand sings the best.The Circle of Life.

I find truth in all the things you guys are mentioning.

One thing I often have thought about, I wonder if credit cards also played a role in pool action going downhill. It seems to have been right around that time, in my opinion, that action went downhill. The average person for the last 20 or 30 years carries at least a few credit cards, and maybe 20 or 40 dollars in cash. Of course, pool players aren't really "average", but I still think there is something to be said there.

The sad part is of course, that the current model under which the average person spends money is so geared towards the big companies receiving money. It is almost as if we have been enslaved and manipulated into spending our own money a certain way.

People are also so brainwashed nowadays. Has anybody else noticed this?? Try for yourself, ask a few people if they would carry 2 grand in cash onto an airplane. They think you are full blown crazy if you would do this! People are afraid to carry even small amounts of cash! Yet, they aren't scared at all of buying a car that will increase their monthly nut by 500 and the car having no worth after they pay it off. Or buying a house that is 20 times their annual salary. It amazes me! People aren't scared of going into debt for the next 30 years, but they are scared to death of carrying a couple of grand in cash. It strikes me as very odd, and an almost manipulated way of thinking. It just is not logical, there is no way people would come to these conclusions on their own.

I think our entire society has been very cleverly manipulated toward only having money available to larger online corporations and purchases. It all makes sense too.... paying these credit cards online requires bank account, which are more esily monitored by the govt/IRS etc. There is also a record of everything. Everything has been purposefully geared to get money into the hands of big govt and corporations, and thusly much less cash floating around for the average person, small business, and of course pool players. Why not "fight back" and use cash more? Why not?! "Because we can't carry cash because it is scary". So strange!

It would be nice to somehow make this huge machine work FOR us. Here is a credit card reader that hustlers could have on them for their "small business transactions". Ha, I know this will never catch on, but I think it would be wise to look into it for gambling applications....
https://squareup.com/
 
Last edited:

Artie Bodendorfer

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I find truth in all the things you guys are mentioning.

One thing I often have thought about, I wonder if credit cards also played a role in pool action going downhill. It seems to have been right around that time, in my opinion, that action went downhill. The average person for the last 20 or 30 years carries at least a few credit cards, and maybe 20 or 40 dollars in cash. Of course, pool players aren't really "average", but I still think there is something to be said there.

The sad part is of course, that the current model under which the average person spends money is so geared towards the big companies receiving money. It is almost as if we have been enslaved and manipulated into spending our own money a certain way.

People are also so brainwashed nowadays. Has anybody else noticed this?? Try for yourself, ask a few people if they would carry 2 grand in cash onto an airplane. They think you are full blown crazy if you would do this! People are afraid to carry even small amounts of cash! Yet, they aren't scared at all of buying a car that will increase their monthly nut by 500 and the car having no worth after they pay it off. Or buying a house that is 20 times their annual salary. It amazes me! People aren't scared of going into debt for the next 30 years, but they are scared to death of carrying a couple of grand in cash. It strikes me as very odd, and an almost manipulated way of thinking. It just is not logical, there is no way people would come to these conclusions on their own.

I think our entire society has been very cleverly manipulated toward only having money available to larger online corporations and purchases. It all makes sense too.... paying these credit cards online requires bank account, which are more esily monitored by the govt/IRS etc. There is also a record of everything. Everything has been purposefully geared to get money into the hands of big govt and corporations, and thusly much less cash floating around for the average person, small business, and of course pool players. Why not "fight back" and use cash more? Why not?! "Because we can't carry cash because it is scary". So strange!

It would be nice to somehow make this huge machine work FOR us. Here is a credit card reader that hustlers could have on them for their "small business transactions". Ha, I know this will never catch on, but I think it would be wise to look into it for gambling applications....
https://squareup.com/
Credit cards brook the country. And will keep the people broke. All people do is work to pay there credit cards taxes insurance. And you pay tax for everything you buy. Credit cards will keep they people brook.There is no getting even. Its a life time paying juice. Extortion Business is what credit cards do.And they destroy peoples good name and credibility. They never say one thing good about a person. All they do is destroy bad mouth people and make a hard working family man look like a dead beat and a bum. What creepy Government gives them they wright to bad mouth and destroy peoples lives. So they can brake everybody. Collecting juice. Credit cards is nothing more than a juice racket. That what the government said Al Capone was doing Now they are doing the same thing. And they have the whole country on Juice and are looking to put the whole world on juice and bust out the world. Collections for credit cards is 50 times worse than Al Capone or any other extortion business. And they put the whole country on juice. And all the people go over board. And they destroy the young and the Economy. There is no coming back or getting even paying 15%to 35% juice. They send out cards to kids who don't have two cents no job and give them a thousand dollar credit card. Getting them hooked Its worse than Heroine. Why Because everybody gets trapped. And if your credit report shows your score being low. They will raise your interest rate to a way higher percentage. What kind of shit is that. They charge people 25% interest instead of 3% interest. And our wonderful government lets them do it. I wonder Why. And they bus out the whole country. Credit cards could destroy all of America. Its not a Joke. Greatest extortion business in the world. And the Government oks it. Legeley Juice Extortion Business. And Credit report people butting peoples business on the street. Destroys lives and people. And then Collection. Muscle treat intimidation collecting money that's not even theirs a crime.Bad mouthing parents family and children. Collecting money is a dirty low down extortion business and should be stopette immediately. If not by the Government then by the people. Collection is a dirty stinken business that should never be allowed to threaten and intimidate the people. Is way out of line. Banks don't threaten you or muscle you if you owe money. The banks dont have a extortion collections working for them in the banking business. And they were in the loan business way before these credit cards credit report and collection. The the triple alliance the credit cards credit report and collection. Will be the ruination of America They are worse than Caner. Why don.t they give babies credit card. But up a add. Get your babies credit card today.
 

Artie Bodendorfer

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Credit cards brook the country. And will keep the people broke. All people do is work to pay there credit cards taxes insurance. And you pay tax for everything you buy. Credit cards will keep they people brook.There is no getting even. Its a life time paying juice. Extortion Business is what credit cards do.And they destroy peoples good name and credibility. They never say one thing good about a person. All they do is destroy bad mouth people and make a hard working family man look like a dead beat and a bum. What creepy Government gives them they wright to bad mouth and destroy peoples lives. So they can brake everybody. Collecting juice. Credit cards is nothing more than a juice racket. That what the government said Al Capone was doing Now they are doing the same thing. And they have the whole country on Juice and are looking to put the whole world on juice and bust out the world. Collections for credit cards is 50 times worse than Al Capone or any other extortion business. And they put the whole country on juice. And all the people go over board. And they destroy the young and the Economy. There is no coming back or getting even paying 15%to 35% juice. They send out cards to kids who don't have two cents no job and give them a thousand dollar credit card. Getting them hooked Its worse than Heroine. Why Because everybody gets trapped. And if your credit report shows your score being low. They will raise your interest rate to a way higher percentage. What kind of shit is that. They charge people 25% interest instead of 3% interest. And our wonderful government lets them do it. I wonder Why. And they bus out the whole country. Credit cards could destroy all of America. Its not a Joke. Greatest extortion business in the world. And the Government oks it. Legeley Juice Extortion Business. And Credit report people butting peoples business on the street. Destroys lives and people. And then Collection. Muscle treat intimidation collecting money that's not even theirs a crime.Bad mouthing parents family and children. Collecting money is a dirty low down extortion business and should be stopette immediately. If not by the Government then by the people. Collection is a dirty stinken business that should never be allowed to threaten and intimidate the people. Is way out of line. Banks don't threaten you or muscle you if you owe money. The banks dont have a extortion collections working for them in the banking business. And they were in the loan business way before these credit cards credit report and collection. The the triple alliance the credit cards credit report and collection. Will be the ruination of America They are worse than Caner. Why don.t they give babies credit card. But up a add. Get your babies credit card today.
Pool players and hustlers use to stay around a while. Now days its play and go home. People and players were more friendlier and more sociable. Now days they don.t even look at each other. Or say high.Or get to no each other. Must be that professional attitude think it costs them something to say high. Some people wont even look at each other. And be aware of how the other person looks.
 

bstroud

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Times change but people don't seem to change so much.

When I was hustling pool I always carried one 10K bill. Try to find one today.

I remember like yesterday the day I won my first $500 and $1000 bills.

I still can not go to the pool room without at least 3k. Nobody bets more than $20.00 but I don't feel right without cash.

Bill S.
 

u12armresl

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Do you mean no one you want to play will bet $20?

There really is no shortage of players around the country who will play, heck there are a million shortstops who will play.

Times change but people don't seem to change so much.

When I was hustling pool I always carried one 10K bill. Try to find one today.

I remember like yesterday the day I won my first $500 and $1000 bills.

I still can not go to the pool room without at least 3k. Nobody bets more than $20.00 but I don't feel right without cash.

Bill S.
 

bstroud

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Things are much different now.

When I was traveling full time the Holiday Inn was $9 and people bet $100s.

Now the HI is $100 and people bet $10s.

I'am sure there some people out there that will bet but usually the expense of finding them today is not worth it.

Besides I am 73 and traveling all the time is a lot of effort for me.

It's taken me 3 years to get my eyesight back and I am just now starting to play like I once did. Not sure what I'll do with it yet.

Bill S.
 

keoneyo

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Unlike some who think this world has gone to nits I think people are getting smarter. They dont have that pie in the sky mentality where they could just luck into a barrel of money. Like the gold in them thar hills or striking oil or hitting a stock market that goes up and down in a flash.
Times have changed and if you pine for the good ole days then youre just going to be living in nostalgia. The suckers and fish are just getting wiser with their money and know to accumulate cash you just cant do it over nite.
Particularly in a game like pool where your return is 1 to 1. You bet a hundred and win or lose a hundred. At least in poker you can get 10 times that. Look at Chris Moneymaker or a Jerry Yang or a Jamie Gold. Amateurs who luck their way into a big payday. You never hear of a novice winning the US Open.
People are smart with their money. I dont care what kind of gift for gab you have. How "carny" you are. It dont work anymore. RA became a relic of a lost time. I dont like it but it is what it is.
You walk into a pool room and 7 people are on their phones texting your pic to your home town asking who is this guy? Whats wrong with that. Do you invest into a money market fund without looking up the specs? Do you buy a home without getting an appraisal. Do you get involved business wise with someone without googling their name? Hell in every other sport you have people on your team researching the enemy.
This is the new world we live in. Learn to expropriate in a new way.
 

bstroud

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I always thought pool was a parlay. You put up a little to win a lot.

That's why I don't play sets. Not only does one game often determine the outcome but you are subject to win a finite amount.

Sets are for nits.

The most I ever lost? $600.00.

The most I ever won 10K.

I like the math.

I see no reason why it is any different today.

It is about human nature.

Some chase, some don't.

Besides, It's not about the money. It's about winning or losing.

Bill S.
 

keoneyo

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The math is a bit inconclusive and needs more specific info.
If you lost $600 100 times thats $60,000.00
If you won #10K one time thats $10,000.00

If your biggest bet was $600 and someone lost $10K to you thats like 16 game loser. Anyone who loses 16 games to you is not a nit but not a smart person either.

All Im saying is when you say "the most I lost was and the most I won was" is not math. Its anecdote.

I dont agree with you that sets are for nits. Just because someone isnt willing to go off to you does not make him a nit. He might have $400 in expendable cash and have a mortgage, 2 kids, a car payment, insurance bills, etc in mind. So him saying Ill play you 2 sets for $200 allows him to control his bankroll.
I think sets for a working person who loves the game a good way to get a bang for his buck. I do think that the best players are cash game players though. But NIT is a harsh word.

So back to the theme of this thread. The Strongest One Pocket Room in the Country. Is it the one where you have people going off for big $ at the game of one pocket? Or the one where there are a lot of one pocket enthusiasts playing the game at every level. Where there are one pocket games going on on many tables at all hours of the day for any amount at various levels?

with respect
Keone
 

mr3cushion

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Cocoa Beach, FL
The math is a bit inconclusive and needs more specific info.
If you lost $600 100 times thats $60,000.00
If you won #10K one time thats $10,000.00

If your biggest bet was $600 and someone lost $10K to you thats like 16 game loser. Anyone who loses 16 games to you is not a nit but not a smart person either.

All Im saying is when you say "the most I lost was and the most I won was" is not math. Its anecdote.

I dont agree with you that sets are for nits. Just because someone isnt willing to go off to you does not make him a nit. He might have $400 in expendable cash and have a mortgage, 2 kids, a car payment, insurance bills, etc in mind. So him saying Ill play you 2 sets for $200 allows him to control his bankroll.
I think sets for a working person who loves the game a good way to get a bang for his buck. I do think that the best players are cash game players though. But NIT is a harsh word.

So back to the theme of this thread. The Strongest One Pocket Room in the Country. Is it the one where you have people going off for big $ at the game of one pocket? Or the one where there are a lot of one pocket enthusiasts playing the game at every level. Where there are one pocket games going on on many tables at all hours of the day for any amount at various levels?

with respect
Keone

Keone; Very astute account of what the world of the cue games have evolved into. BTW, did you have a cameo role in the movie, "Stand Up Guys." Very entertaining story line.
 

keoneyo

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Keone; Very astute account of what the world of the cue games have evolved into. BTW, did you have a cameo role in the movie, "Stand Up Guys." Very entertaining story line.

Yep that was me getting knocked out by Pacino! Great guy and gentleman.
 

bstroud

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I guess you are right that things have changed.

I don't think it is a change in attitude but rather the fact that many people going to the pool room these days simply have no money. The casinos, credit cards and the politicians keep them broke.

To get back on topic:

The best rooms are the ones that people seem to hang in. The rooms I see in PHX are empty most of the time. Players come out sometimes for a tournament but are off doing things the rest of the time. There's just no time to mach up and play.

Artie is right.

Bill S.
 

Artie Bodendorfer

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Times change but people don't seem to change so much.

When I was hustling pool I always carried one 10K bill. Try to find one today.

I remember like yesterday the day I won my first $500 and $1000 bills.

I still can not go to the pool room without at least 3k. Nobody bets more than $20.00 but I don't feel right without cash.

Bill S.
Why would you go around with a 10k bill. Nobody can cash it. The worst that can happen is you get robed for it. Witch wouldn't be too hard. There are lots of ways people hustled and it just wasant with a cue stick. I beat a bar owner for 3500 hundred dollars. Three one thousand dollar bills and one 5 hundred dollar bill. Next day I went to Bensingers with one of the thousand dollar bills. And I gave it to one of the sweaters Carly. Who I new very well. And I told him to get me a cup of coffee from the holly wood restaurant up stairs. And Carly told all the sweaters look Artie gave me a Thousand dollar bill to get him a cup of coffee. But I was only playing with him. But all the sweaters loved it for weeks. And I sold the first thousand dollar bill. To this Jews guy because he was rich and his girl friend liked it. She never seen one. So he bought it for her. For 15000 dollars. And whenever I went to a spot to hustle And they new or herd that I went some where. When I came back and they would ask me how did I do. I always said I broke even. And I never gave up a good spot or a good sucker. But a lot of people brag. And they give up good spots and suckers. With a 10k you would have a lot of questions to answer to cash it. And you would be on record. Where you got it. And did you pay tax on the bill.
 

Fast Lenny

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I guess you are right that things have changed.

I don't think it is a change in attitude but rather the fact that many people going to the pool room these days simply have no money. The casinos, credit cards and the politicians keep them broke.

To get back on topic:

The best rooms are the ones that people seem to hang in. The rooms I see in PHX are empty most of the time. Players come out sometimes for a tournament but are off doing things the rest of the time. There's just no time to mach up and play.

Artie is right.

Bill S.
Bill, you can get played by many people in Phoenix and for decent amounts of money. I can think of 6 off the top of my head such as Frost, Ellerman, Briseno, Emmons, Pettipiece, or the owner of Kolbys. As for myself I would take 10/6 which is what you give to Mike aka Kiwi. Me and Mike play fairly close but I am willing to bet more then $5-$10 a game, probably ten times that. I don't take forever to shoot and there is no bullshit involved if we play, I just try and shoot pool. Let me know if you want to play or maybe match up for some good cash with the better players I listed above.
 
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