Ace Journalist Reporting: Rapid City Pool Scene. (Including A Bonus Travel Section!)

sunnyone

Verified Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2010
Messages
407
From
nyc
(Part One of Two Parts. No matter how much I emended this, I couldn't quite squeeze it into one section. I imagine a lot of you have similar problems?)

Okay, I know I’m not really a journalist. And ... about the only time the word ‘ace’ is appended to my name is when someone (rather churlishly, I do believe) mentions a brand of bandage he’d like to adhere to my big, yappy mouth.

To pool …

Well, one aside:

My friend Fifi and I did not, despite numerous and boisterous encouragements, participate in any Wet T-Shirt Competitions during our entire week at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. (Where we were ensconced in the charmingly named Buffalo Chip Campground. The Chip, for short.)

Rally reportage to follow.

Pool ... Rapid City, South Dakota:

For those of you unfamiliar with this surprisingly (to me) gorgeous state, it’s west of Chicago, a little south of Canada and way before you arrive in San Francisco. You are most welcome!

Fifi and I began our little pool odyssey with an admittedly lame homage-attempt to SVB. A couple of Rapid (which is what the natives call Rapid City) locals directed us to the site where Shane’s family had once owned a pool hall. And where, supposedly, Shane spent some considerable time learning, practicing, playing, practicing, winning, practicing.

(I do suspect that, perhaps, those locals may have been putting Fifi and me on. Don’t you detest it ever so much when innocents abroad are hornswoggled?)

The SVB family room, if indeed that’s where it was, was in back of, and sort of below, a liquor store in a little strip mall. The street -- Jackson if I remember the name -- was really torn up because of some sort of construction project.

(Apparently the SVB family has owned more than one pool hall in Rapid. The Jackson Street venue is the only one Fifi and I sought out.)

We then journeyed to Johnny’s Billiards located in a nondescript section of town in a nondescript pod mall. A handful of Diamonds, not very kempt, and a similar number of bar boxes. Not exactly shoddy, but not very well maintained.

It was $16 for a couple of afternoon hours. And, we were the only customers. Not the only players, the only customers.

Lackluster.

Next, and last, Break Room Billiards.

BRB is near downtown Rapid and is, I think, affiliated with a casino.

A half dozen or so Diamonds and a few bar boxes.

The Diamond that Fifi and I engaged, without triumph, was in great shape -- clean, well-maintained -- and it rolled accurately. (Unfortunately, the level at which she and I play … well, let me admit it thusly … roll-offs are as apt to help us as to hurt us.)

Not very many house cues … I guess most players take their own?

Rates? When we were there, it was $6 per player from when they opened to early evening. Per player, not per hour. Total tab: $12, plus tip. (Hmm … for some reason this reminds me of NYC car service rates to the airports. Do make sure that the quoted price includes the three T’s -- taxes, tips and tolls!)

Break Room Billiards also has a connected and self-enclosed space with 15-20 bar boxes. A friendly girl practicing on the table next to us explained that that particular room was for league play. Which, apparently in Rapid, a town of 70,000 or so, is fairly robust. There are about 90 teams in the area, maybe 30 or so of them girls, and they play three nights a week.

(Quixotic query: could a pool league form a consortium for its non-insured members to garner group rates on health insurance? Just wondering … the health insurance premiums I pay for my co-workers can fluctuate for any number of reasons.)

Back at BRB ... I asked, circumspectly, (hey, Discretion is my Middle Name!), about SVB. No, not because he’s single. And kind of cute. And I’m currently … well, never mind about all of that!

Fifi and I were told that SVB has moved to another town called Sioux Falls (also in South Dakota). Somewhere in South Dakota. Listen, Google it if you’re all that curious. Who am I, Ms. Geography?).

But, yes, Shane does visit his family back in Rapid from time to time, especially around the holidays. And occasionally comes into BRB to shoot some pool. And, the consensus seems to be, that his persona dovetails with reality ... he is, all in all, a nice guy.

Well, there you have it.

Road pool is my life,

Sunny

P. S. For those of you who are ‘pool-only’ readers, now might be a good time to ... well, stop reading!

P. P. S. Decency. Defended!

As I share the following mini-travelogue on Sturgis and nearby environs, I won’t -- being appropriately sensitive to the innocence and chastity of ever so many of you forum lads -- stumble into any lurid details re: the bike rally.

Example? I shall refrain from sharing the all-too-vivid depictions of the girls’ hot dog-swallowing contest at the Full Throttle Saloon, located next to the Chip. Other than to admit a certain reluctant admiration at the talent displayed therein.

P. P. P. S. Let Me Invite You Into The Sturgis Bike Rally ...

As many of you are aware, I prefer to keep my posts brief and au point. And so I shall in this instance.

However, since edification is in my plasma, I would be remiss not to share with you several of my impressions of our South Dakota adventures.

Backstory.

My friend Fifi has a rather satisfactory boyfriend, Knuckles. I’m a pretty astute observer of boyfriends (hey, I used to have one, I should know from that!) and Knuckles is a keeper. I grade boys fairly, strictly, and as accurately as I can. Knuckles is around an 8. Sometimes he rises to about an 8.5.

Knuckles has been going to Sturgis for a few years. Fifi resolutely refused to accompany him until Anno Domini 2013. The deal changer: I would agree to accompany her to the rally.

Vehicles.

Three.

One: Knuckles rented a motor home for the three of us to stay in. It’s one of those self-drive things, not the kind that you harness to some other contraption.

Inside it was v. trig. Sort of like a personal hotel. Well, without maid service. And room service. But, still quite nice. Comfortable and fun. No water rationing, so Fifi and I could shower as often as needed. And desired.

Two. The toad. (Which is shorthand, as I understand it, in Sturgis-speak, for towed vehicle. This specific toad was some kind of monster truck large enough to accommodate Knuckles’s bike in the back. (Behind where people sit.)

Three. The bike.

Sturgis.

Apparently, this bike rally has been going on for quite some time. Who knew? Into a town of 6,000 or so … well, hundreds of thousands of bikers from all over the world descend.

It is, really, quite amazing.

Buffalo Chip.

Knuckles parked his motor home in this enormous camping place, which everyone calls the Chip. Imagine thousands of bikers, in who-knows-how-many-miles-of-wilderness, camping and decamping within a week.

And ... coexisting peacefully. Mostly.

Accommodations in the Chip ranged from tent cities (outdoor loos, ew) to small, sort of trailer things, to grandish mobile rigs. There were public showers (not recommended!), laundry facilities and beer and ice and other concessions.

(Interestingly, the Chip was on a search-and-seizure mission to blockade booze from being brought into the site. We surmised this was to boost vender sales. Good luck with the blockade! They also scanned the ID bracelets to deter counterfeiters. This one I can appreciate.)

Included in the Chip, in addition to all of the residential accommodations, are

1: an arena for concerts (where some groups you may have heard of -- in this millennium -- perform),

2: venders of all ilk,

3: Bikini Beach, where Fifi and I observed a couple of au natural boyos splash into a little pond from a rope swing and …

4: well, a panoramic carnival of activity. Fun!

(Those naked lads went from brazen to bashful when one of the barmaids zipped over and purloined their trunks.)

Contract.

Between Fifi and Knuckles.

What Knuckles loved most was riding his bike off into the day with his like-minded compatriots. Fifi, a splendid negotiator, merrily waved him on to his appointed rounds.

However.

Knuckles would then acquiesce to become our designated driver come nightfall. The sweet thing? … he not only agreed, but agreed with great good cheer. Making for a compact where both parties are more or less equitably pleased. Geniality squared.

Intimidation.

Our next door Chip neighbor on the right -- how shall I phrase this? -- appeared to be rather thuggish. About 10 feet tall, I would estimate he weighed in at around 3 zillion pounds. But size wasn’t the primary put-off.

The scowl.

Even in NYC, I imagine some locals might cede the pedestrian right-of-way to this particular Brute.

So ... first morning, I bounced up to this behemoth and asked, pointing at his bike, ‘how fast will that thing go?’

Brute turned his visage from a teen horror movie ‘don’t open that door!’ glower into Santa Under the Christmas tree with chocolate chip cookies. He talked. And expounded! And smiled!

From then on, in our little Chip neighborhood, Fifi and I were golden. The Knuckles patio, under some sort of fold-out awning apparatus, became Cocktail Party Central around sunset. Fifi and I were pretty darned good hostesses.

(All right, in trying to learn enough from the ground up to start my little hospitality consulting business, I did stints as a janitor, busser, waitress, cocktail waitress, line cook, barmaid, hostess, manager, etc. I may not quite have figured out how to marry that one certain boy I was interested in, but I’m pretty adept at throwing parties. Sorry for the brag!)

To be recommenced in Part Two … which now that I think about it, I’ll tuck into the Member’s Cafe.
 

One Pocket Ghost

Verified Member
Joined
May 25, 2004
Messages
9,711
From
Ghosttown
(Part One of Two Parts. No matter how much I emended this, I couldn't quite squeeze it into one section. I imagine a lot of you have similar problems?)

Okay, I know I’m not really a journalist. And ... about the only time the word ‘ace’ is appended to my name is when someone (rather churlishly, I do believe) mentions a brand of bandage he’d like to adhere to my big, yappy mouth.

To pool …

Well, one aside:

My friend Fifi and I did not, despite numerous and boisterous encouragements, participate in any Wet T-Shirt Competitions during our entire week at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. (Where we were ensconced in the charmingly named Buffalo Chip Campground. The Chip, for short.)

Rally reportage to follow.

Pool ... Rapid City, South Dakota:

For those of you unfamiliar with this surprisingly (to me) gorgeous state, it’s west of Chicago, a little south of Canada and way before you arrive in San Francisco. You are most welcome!

Fifi and I began our little pool odyssey with an admittedly lame homage-attempt to SVB. A couple of Rapid (which is what the natives call Rapid City) locals directed us to the site where Shane’s family had once owned a pool hall. And where, supposedly, Shane spent some considerable time learning, practicing, playing, practicing, winning, practicing.

(I do suspect that, perhaps, those locals may have been putting Fifi and me on. Don’t you detest it ever so much when innocents abroad are hornswoggled?)

The SVB family room, if indeed that’s where it was, was in back of, and sort of below, a liquor store in a little strip mall. The street -- Jackson if I remember the name -- was really torn up because of some sort of construction project.

(Apparently the SVB family has owned more than one pool hall in Rapid. The Jackson Street venue is the only one Fifi and I sought out.)

We then journeyed to Johnny’s Billiards located in a nondescript section of town in a nondescript pod mall. A handful of Diamonds, not very kempt, and a similar number of bar boxes. Not exactly shoddy, but not very well maintained.

It was $16 for a couple of afternoon hours. And, we were the only customers. Not the only players, the only customers.

Lackluster.

Next, and last, Break Room Billiards.

BRB is near downtown Rapid and is, I think, affiliated with a casino.

A half dozen or so Diamonds and a few bar boxes.

The Diamond that Fifi and I engaged, without triumph, was in great shape -- clean, well-maintained -- and it rolled accurately. (Unfortunately, the level at which she and I play … well, let me admit it thusly … roll-offs are as apt to help us as to hurt us.)

Not very many house cues … I guess most players take their own?

Rates? When we were there, it was $6 per player from when they opened to early evening. Per player, not per hour. Total tab: $12, plus tip. (Hmm … for some reason this reminds me of NYC car service rates to the airports. Do make sure that the quoted price includes the three T’s -- taxes, tips and tolls!)

Break Room Billiards also has a connected and self-enclosed space with 15-20 bar boxes. A friendly girl practicing on the table next to us explained that that particular room was for league play. Which, apparently in Rapid, a town of 70,000 or so, is fairly robust. There are about 90 teams in the area, maybe 30 or so of them girls, and they play three nights a week.

(Quixotic query: could a pool league form a consortium for its non-insured members to garner group rates on health insurance? Just wondering … the health insurance premiums I pay for my co-workers can fluctuate for any number of reasons.)

Back at BRB ... I asked, circumspectly, (hey, Discretion is my Middle Name!), about SVB. No, not because he’s single. And kind of cute. And I’m currently … well, never mind about all of that!

Fifi and I were told that SVB has moved to another town called Sioux Falls (also in South Dakota). Somewhere in South Dakota. Listen, Google it if you’re all that curious. Who am I, Ms. Geography?).

But, yes, Shane does visit his family back in Rapid from time to time, especially around the holidays. And occasionally comes into BRB to shoot some pool. And, the consensus seems to be, that his persona dovetails with reality ... he is, all in all, a nice guy.

Well, there you have it.

Road pool is my life,

Sunny

P. S. For those of you who are ‘pool-only’ readers, now might be a good time to ... well, stop reading!

P. P. S. Decency. Defended!

As I share the following mini-travelogue on Sturgis and nearby environs, I won’t -- being appropriately sensitive to the innocence and chastity of ever so many of you forum lads -- stumble into any lurid details re: the bike rally.

Example? I shall refrain from sharing the all-too-vivid depictions of the girls’ hot dog-swallowing contest at the Full Throttle Saloon, located next to the Chip. Other than to admit a certain reluctant admiration at the talent displayed therein.

P. P. P. S. Let Me Invite You Into The Sturgis Bike Rally ...

As many of you are aware, I prefer to keep my posts brief and au point. And so I shall in this instance.

However, since edification is in my plasma, I would be remiss not to share with you several of my impressions of our South Dakota adventures.

Backstory.

My friend Fifi has a rather satisfactory boyfriend, Knuckles. I’m a pretty astute observer of boyfriends (hey, I used to have one, I should know from that!) and Knuckles is a keeper. I grade boys fairly, strictly, and as accurately as I can. Knuckles is around an 8. Sometimes he rises to about an 8.5.

Knuckles has been going to Sturgis for a few years. Fifi resolutely refused to accompany him until Anno Domini 2013. The deal changer: I would agree to accompany her to the rally.

Vehicles.

Three.

One: Knuckles rented a motor home for the three of us to stay in. It’s one of those self-drive things, not the kind that you harness to some other contraption.

Inside it was v. trig. Sort of like a personal hotel. Well, without maid service. And room service. But, still quite nice. Comfortable and fun. No water rationing, so Fifi and I could shower as often as needed. And desired.

Two. The toad. (Which is shorthand, as I understand it, in Sturgis-speak, for towed vehicle. This specific toad was some kind of monster truck large enough to accommodate Knuckles’s bike in the back. (Behind where people sit.)

Three. The bike.

Sturgis.

Apparently, this bike rally has been going on for quite some time. Who knew? Into a town of 6,000 or so … well, hundreds of thousands of bikers from all over the world descend.

It is, really, quite amazing.

Buffalo Chip.

Knuckles parked his motor home in this enormous camping place, which everyone calls the Chip. Imagine thousands of bikers, in who-knows-how-many-miles-of-wilderness, camping and decamping within a week.

And ... coexisting peacefully. Mostly.

Accommodations in the Chip ranged from tent cities (outdoor loos, ew) to small, sort of trailer things, to grandish mobile rigs. There were public showers (not recommended!), laundry facilities and beer and ice and other concessions.

(Interestingly, the Chip was on a search-and-seizure mission to blockade booze from being brought into the site. We surmised this was to boost vender sales. Good luck with the blockade! They also scanned the ID bracelets to deter counterfeiters. This one I can appreciate.)

Included in the Chip, in addition to all of the residential accommodations, are

1: an arena for concerts (where some groups you may have heard of -- in this millennium -- perform),

2: venders of all ilk,

3: Bikini Beach, where Fifi and I observed a couple of au natural boyos splash into a little pond from a rope swing and …

4: well, a panoramic carnival of activity. Fun!

(Those naked lads went from brazen to bashful when one of the barmaids zipped over and purloined their trunks.)

Contract.

Between Fifi and Knuckles.

What Knuckles loved most was riding his bike off into the day with his like-minded compatriots. Fifi, a splendid negotiator, merrily waved him on to his appointed rounds.

However.

Knuckles would then acquiesce to become our designated driver come nightfall. The sweet thing? … he not only agreed, but agreed with great good cheer. Making for a compact where both parties are more or less equitably pleased. Geniality squared.

Intimidation.

Our next door Chip neighbor on the right -- how shall I phrase this? -- appeared to be rather thuggish. About 10 feet tall, I would estimate he weighed in at around 3 zillion pounds. But size wasn’t the primary put-off.

The scowl.

Even in NYC, I imagine some locals might cede the pedestrian right-of-way to this particular Brute.

So ... first morning, I bounced up to this behemoth and asked, pointing at his bike, ‘how fast will that thing go?’

Brute turned his visage from a teen horror movie ‘don’t open that door!’ glower into Santa Under the Christmas tree with chocolate chip cookies. He talked. And expounded! And smiled!

From then on, in our little Chip neighborhood, Fifi and I were golden. The Knuckles patio, under some sort of fold-out awning apparatus, became Cocktail Party Central around sunset. Fifi and I were pretty darned good hostesses.

(All right, in trying to learn enough from the ground up to start my little hospitality consulting business, I did stints as a janitor, busser, waitress, cocktail waitress, line cook, barmaid, hostess, manager, etc. I may not quite have figured out how to marry that one certain boy I was interested in, but I’m pretty adept at throwing parties. Sorry for the brag!)

To be recommenced in Part Two … which now that I think about it, I’ll tuck into the Member’s Cafe.


The winner and still champion ------>


I will give you most of the pool rooms that I hung out and played. I am only going to give you the pool rooms in Chicago because I dont want to take up all your time. I probable played in more pool rooms and hung oput in different pool rooms then any pool player in Chicago. Her we go North Center Rosco and Damen. Howard and Paulina Howard Bowling Alley Clark street ner Howard and Paulina. A greek owned the pool room. THe Campus Room. Allstar in Scokie Bob Cordums Liland and Kiedze Marys Golden Cue on Montrose. Frank Olivers on Manhiem. 20th Century Sherden and Willson. A little pool room on Shiefied and Irving. Belmont Bowling alley Pool room on Ashland near belmont. Little English House of Lords. Olimpic on Clark street. Pool room on wells street 4 by 8 tables. Pionner pool room. Bell Clark China Town 43 street 63 street Akins pool room that John Henry owned when I was young He wiil varivie I played their all the time and beat everyone. St pauls billiards Gary Indiana were Billy Williams Played. Hammond indiana Golden Eight ball Four Bees Town and Country Bowlling alley. Rose Mont and Melrose park. I dont remember if I played in this pool room or not were Bruno and race track Phil hung out. I played Wade Crain playing nine ball in his pool room out west the had 4 by 8 tables. Johnny Morese steered me thier to trap Wade Crain playing one pocket and he wouldnt play so I played him 9 ball. I didnt no who he was. But I won the money and Johnny Moriss couldnt belive that I beat him playing nineball.I played were Jesse and Pink pong hung out the had 4 by 8 tables it was a good action spot. And thier were many more pool room in Chicago I played and hung out. And hundreds of Bars. But I only played ON ONE TABLE. And at Freddys and Phils and Bobbys Club North Shore I never hardly played on my favorite Table. THatb was the 5 by ten table that nobody would play on. So as far as favorite tables go. I played all over on all tables. If I had a important game. I would find the toughest table in thier pool room and I would practice on the toughest table tell I got it down. And then I would play. THats how you take care of Buissness. BUt I played in all the pool rooms in CHicago and hug out for a while in most of them. And what I would do I would start out on Diversy and go west to all the bars with a pool table in it and look for ation. I would go west all the way to Cicero and ten come back on Belmont or another street. And look for suckers. And I did this for months taking different streets. BUt after a while I would go to all the action bars. And thier was lots of bar action in Chicago. It might have been the best bar action spot in the country. And when I went to California I would have BUTTER MILK take me to all the bar spots. I would allways look for a good steer man that new all the spots. Today its all about tournaments. And everyone knowes everyone and if the dont no you the waite tell the find out who you atre and when the get a line on you the might play. I hustled through all of Chicago. And I played all over the country too. I am glad I didnt play in tournaments because I wouldnt have made the money I made. And thats how most of those players all got thier reputation. IN Tournaments. Thier were very few good Hustlers.I no you could not have won millions. It would have been hard to win 30 thousand any were in the country.Even though at North shore you could have won a couple off hundred thousand. Maybe in a week witch was a good action spot. But like DEtroite too win that kind off money you have too have those kind off money people around.And Detroite had plenty off big money people. And North shore had about 25 good money people not like Rosy or some off the big money people in Detroite.But Rosy was a exception too the rule. And it was hard too get him too play. It was like gitting into fort knox.But Thier was some real serious money up at North Shore.Bensingers had great players But I won my biggest money in cards and Spoorts. And thier were a few real good backers and gambler that would come down too Bensingers.And I was living in the best pent house on Broad Way. It cost like 35 hunderd dollars a month.So Hustling wasant all bad. And the nabor hood had a bunch off bars with nothing bur fine girls. And thier was lots off bar action.And you had rush street and old town. And Lincon park is beautifull. And lake Michigan.And walking around the rocks and lincon park zoo. It was all wright around Benzingers. And Wrigly Field and The bears played thier.And The biggest amusement park in the country Riverview park. Everything was just a little was away.And thier were lots off restaurants. And Bensingers was the only pool room in the city were you could get Alchohole And a lunch counter and a card room.Thier was everything you wanted just a few door steps away. And Even Renoildies had great Pizzas and Italian food. And they had gogo bars everything you could think off.ut if you liket action thier was plunty thier. Even in snooker and 3 coushion billiards.And thier were 10 or 15 people who would play. Not for no millions but ehier were layers and judges that played pool too even use too beat this FBI agent all the time playing Three Coushion and Pool. He was a real nice guy. Not too many people new who or what he was.But I made it my buissnes to no who was who. THey has all kinds off people come down thier.Even Undercover police men would come and play and gamble. And we had 3 or 4 regular police men that would gamble too. Not for real big money.But I was always in action. And backing 3 or 4 games. And that adds up faster then playing yourself.And thier were allkinds off boosters and thieves everything you could think off came down too Bensingers.Thier was lots off excitment and a lot off pool games. And sports and cards.ut millions I dont think thier was such a place.Unless you were in with rosy. Or Al Sherman. Then you had a shot at Millions.I did forget too mention My friend Jack Parks. He Had Millions off dollaers worth off jewlary in wis apartment.And Jack would go some were for houers and leave me in his house playing Gin Rummy all night.But the reason he had all that jewery gold and dimonds. Was because he had all the cosessions in all the Goldblatz stores in the city.And thier were lots of stores. And he was one off the first too but gold and dimonds.And the biggest money was made with Jewels because people had no clue what the had or what the were worth.He told me about one Jewel that was worth 25 Thousand dollars that he payed 5 hundred dollard for.And he had a Friend off his going arould and buying Anticks and ART and he realy new what he was doing.And he made millions in what he did. And He loved pool And would loose 3 or 5 hundred dollaers just too throuw away a few dollaers.And he would play cards for real big money. and he had one off the best card suckers in town.But Jack realy new what he was doing. In buisness. He was on great man. And I never forgot him. And he was always good too people who didnt have anything.But like everything in life people get old and whatever we have one day comes when nothing is ours no more.But Thier was bigger money at North Shore then at Bensingers because off the people who hug out thier had bigger money.Those days are all gone and will never come back. Its always something new that comes up.And I learned that the ridh families control all the wealth in the country. And they will dictate to what happines.No matter what we say or do. They control the wealth and the power. I never realized how powerfull and rich they realy are. And most people are living from day to day.BUt I hope one day it will all change in the world. I no I wont get too see it. But it has too happen.hey cannot just keep taken from the poor. And making the rich richer. Its just not wright. And the control everything the stock market.The Banks the Federal resirve and the balace the budget so they dont have too pay interest on the peoples money.And they even control the goverment. Its unblievable. I would have never thought that thats the way it is. Sad put true.They old pool rooms are gone and one day nobody will even talk about them no more. Time changes many things. Including us.So I look at things and nothing seems that important too me as things once were. But some people keep the fire burnning tell one day the fire burins out. I will give you most of the pool rooms that I hung out and played. I am only going to give you the pool rooms in Chicago because I dont want to take up all your time. I probable played in more pool rooms and hung oput in different pool rooms then any pool player in Chicago. Her we go North Center Rosco and Damen. Howard and Paulina Howard Bowling Alley Clark street ner Howard and Paulina. A greek owned the pool room. THe Campus Room. Allstar in Scokie Bob Cordums Liland and Kiedze Marys Golden Cue on Montrose. Frank Olivers on Manhiem. 20th Century Sherden and Willson. A little pool room on Shiefied and Irving. Belmont Bowling alley Pool room on Ashland near belmont. Little English House of Lords. Olimpic on Clark street. Pool room on wells street 4 by 8 tables. Pionner pool room. Bell Clark China Town 43 street 63 street Akins pool room that John Henry owned when I was young He wiil varivie I played their all the time and beat everyone. St pauls billiards Gary Indiana were Billy Williams Played. Hammond indiana Golden Eight ball Four Bees Town and Country Bowlling alley. Rose Mont and Melrose park. I dont remember if I played in this pool room or not were Bruno and race track Phil hung out. I played Wade Crain playing nine ball in his pool room out west the had 4 by 8 tables. Johnny Morese steered me thier to trap Wade Crain playing one pocket and he wouldnt play so I played him 9 ball. I didnt no who he was. But I won the money and Johnny Moriss couldnt belive that I beat him playing nineball.I played were Jesse and Pink pong hung out the had 4 by 8 tables it was a good action spot. And thier were many more pool room in Chicago I played and hung out. And hundreds of Bars. But I only played ON ONE TABLE. And at Freddys and Phils and Bobbys Club North Shore I never hardly played on my favorite Table. THatb was the 5 by ten table that nobody would play on. So as far as favorite tables go. I played all over on all tables. If I had a important game. I would find the toughest table in thier pool room and I would practice on the toughest table tell I got it down. And then I would play. THats how you take care of Buissness. BUt I played in all the pool rooms in CHicago and hug out for a while in most of them. And what I would do I would start out on Diversy and go west to all the bars with a pool table in it and look for ation. I would go west all the way to Cicero and ten come back on Belmont or another street. And look for suckers. And I did this for months taking different streets. BUt after a while I would go to all the action bars. And thier was lots of bar action in Chicago. It might have been the best bar action spot in the country. And when I went to California I would have BUTTER MILK take me to all the bar spots. I would allways look for a good steer man that new all the spots. Today its all about tournaments. And everyone knowes everyone and if the dont no you the waite tell the find out who you atre and when the get a line on you the might play. I hustled through all of Chicago. And I played all over the country too. I am glad I didnt play in tournaments because I wouldnt have made the money I made. And thats how most of those players all got thier reputation. IN Tournaments. Thier were very few good Hustlers.I no you could not have won millions. It would have been hard to win 30 thousand any were in the country.Even though at North shore you could have won a couple off hundred thousand. Maybe in a week witch was a good action spot. But like DEtroite too win that kind off money you have too have those kind off money people around.And Detroite had plenty off big money people. And North shore had about 25 good money people not like Rosy or some off the big money people in Detroite.But Rosy was a exception too the rule. And it was hard too get him too play. It was like gitting into fort knox.But Thier was some real serious money up at North Shore.Bensingers had great players But I won my biggest money in cards and Spoorts. And thier were a few real good backers and gambler that would come down too Bensingers.And I was living in the best pent house on Broad Way. It cost like 35 hunderd dollars a month.So Hustling wasant all bad. And the nabor hood had a bunch off bars with nothing bur fine girls. And thier was lots off bar action.And you had rush street and old town. And Lincon park is beautifull. And lake Michigan.And walking around the rocks and lincon park zoo. It was all wright around Benzingers. And Wrigly Field and The bears played thier.And The biggest amusement park in the country Riverview park. Everything was just a little was away.And thier were lots off restaurants. And Bensingers was the only pool room in the city were you could get Alchohole And a lunch counter and a card room.Thier was everything you wanted just a few door steps away. And Even Renoildies had great Pizzas and Italian food. And they had gogo bars everything you could think off.ut if you liket action thier was plunty thier. Even in snooker and 3 coushion billiards.And thier were 10 or 15 people who would play. Not for no millions but ehier were layers and judges that played pool too even use too beat this FBI agent all the time playing Three Coushion and Pool. He was a real nice guy. Not too many people new who or what he was.But I made it my buissnes to no who was who. THey has all kinds off people come down thier.Even Undercover police men would come and play and gamble. And we had 3 or 4 regular police men that would gamble too. Not for real big money.But I was always in action. And backing 3 or 4 games. And that adds up faster then playing yourself.And thier were allkinds off boosters and thieves everything you could think off came down too Bensingers.Thier was lots off excitment and a lot off pool games. And sports and cards.ut millions I dont think thier was such a place.Unless you were in with rosy. Or Al Sherman. Then you had a shot at Millions.I did forget too mention My friend Jack Parks. He Had Millions off dollaers worth off jewlary in wis apartment.And Jack would go some were for houers and leave me in his house playing Gin Rummy all night.But the reason he had all that jewery gold and dimonds. Was because he had all the cosessions in all the Goldblatz stores in the city.And thier were lots of stores. And he was one off the first too but gold and dimonds.And the biggest money was made with Jewels because people had no clue what the had or what the were worth.He told me about one Jewel that was worth 25 Thousand dollars that he payed 5 hundred dollard for.And he had a Friend off his going arould and buying Anticks and ART and he realy new what he was doing.And he made millions in what he did. And He loved pool And would loose 3 or 5 hundred dollaers just too throuw away a few dollaers.And he would play cards for real big money. and he had one off the best card suckers in town.But Jack realy new what he was doing. In buisness. He was on great man. And I never forgot him. And he was always good too people who didnt have anything.But like everything in life people get old and whatever we have one day comes when nothing is ours no more.But Thier was bigger money at North Shore then at Bensingers because off the people who hug out thier had bigger money.Those days are all gone and will never come back. Its always something new that comes up.And I learned that the ridh families control all the wealth in the country. And they will dictate to what happines.No matter what we say or do. They control the wealth and the power. I never realized how powerfull and rich they realy are. And most people are living from day to day.BUt I hope one day it will all change in the world. I no I wont get too see it. But it has too happen.hey cannot just keep taken from the poor. And making the rich richer. Its just not wright. And the control everything the stock market.The Banks the Federal resirve and the balace the budget so they dont have too pay interest on the peoples money.And they even control the goverment. Its unblievable. I would have never thought that thats the way it is. Sad put true.They old pool rooms are gone and one day nobody will even talk about them no more. Time changes many things. Including us.So I look at things and nothing seems that important too me as things once were. But some people keep the fire burnning tell one day the fire burins out.
Artie Bodendorfer
 
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