Pool Wars by Jay Helfert

Ty-Tanic

Ty-Tanic

Ty-Tanic Makes U Panic
Silver Member
I just got done reading this book and I can definitely say I would recommend it. It is full of crazy stories and some good history about billiards. Will definitely re-read it in the future. Now to read Playing Off The Rail by David McCumber. I have heard nothing but amazing things about this book and I am looking forward to reading it on vacation tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
 
Ty-Tanic said:
I just got done reading this book and I can definitely say I would recommend it. It is full of crazy stories and some good history about billiards. Will definitely re-read it in the future. Now to read Playing Off The Rail by David McCumber. I have heard nothing but amazing things about this book and I am looking forward to reading it on vacation tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
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I'm not familiar with Mr McCumbers book, but isn't that Danny B's "story from the road"?


I recently shared my copy of Pool Wars with a good friend (Gosh, I've read it over and over, and kudos to JoeyA) Anyway, my good buddy LOVED it. He wants to buy one, but only if Jay signs it.

Jay - do you have a pen? ;)
 
Ty-Tanic said:
I just got done reading this book and I can definitely say I would recommend it. It is full of crazy stories and some good history about billiards. Will definitely re-read it in the future. Now to read Playing Off The Rail by David McCumber. I have heard nothing but amazing things about this book and I am looking forward to reading it on vacation tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
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to me pool wars was more so a biography than a book about pool and i found myself very envious of jay and his experiences and that's why it's my favorite book! i read playing off the rail b4 pool wars but recently reread it and the chapters w bucktooth in them are right up there w some of jay's stories if not a lil better! never a dull moment around the tooth!
 
Reading all these amazing stories of the 60's and 70's made me starting thinking I was born in the wrong era. Pool is just worlds different for what it used to be. I particularly enjoyed the history Jay talked about regarding Pool Tournamnets and the Color Of Money. It sounds like he lived the history of Pool.
 
Ty-Tanic said:
I just got done reading this book and I can definitely say I would recommend it. It is full of crazy stories and some good history about billiards. Will definitely re-read it in the future. Now to read Playing Off The Rail [POTR] by David McCumber. I have heard nothing but amazing things about this book and I am looking forward to reading it on vacation tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
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I can appreciate a learned man through his reading.
I think I will find a copy of POTR and do the same.

I love your quote in your signature. I did notice you didn't give credit to it's author, Mr. Blaise Pascal, the French Mathmetician. ;)
 
boogeyman said:
I can appreciate a learned man through his reading.
I think I will find a copy of POTR and do the same.

I love your quote in your signature. I did notice you didn't give credit to it's author, Mr. Blaise Pascal, the French Mathmetician. ;)
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Thank you boogeyman! I really enjoy that quote too. On another note. Praise be give to Mr. Blaise Pascal!!! Adjustments have been made
 
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Thanks guys! Pool Wars was a big gamble for me. I had no idea how it would be received, gloves off and all. Some players were not happy about what I had to say about them, but my response has always been, "Did I lie or was it the truth?"

I'm close to finishing More Pool Wars and I'm hopeful you will like it as well. I will warn you now there are several non pool stories in there, but I think you'll find them interesting as well. I do still have original copies of Pool Wars available through my website, jayhelfert.com. Thanks again :thumbup:

P.S. I didn't set out to have all these types of experiences in the pool world. I just wanted to make a living playing a game I fell in love with. Along the way a lot of shit happened, most of it unplanned. I had to grow up fast and find out that parting people from their money is not always well received. To make money at pool you had to be clever, talented, diplomatic and sometimes a fast runner! lol
 
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jay helfert said:
Thanks guys! Pool Wars was a big gamble for me. I had no idea how it would be received, gloves off and all. Some players were not happy about what I had to say about them, but my response has always been, "Did I lie or was it the truth?"

I'm close to finishing More Pool Wars and I'm hopeful you will like it as well. I will warn you now there are several non pool stories in there, but I think you'll find them interesting as well. I do still have original copies of Pool Wars available through my website, jayhelfert.com. Thanks again :thumbup:

P.S. I didn't set out to have all these types of experiences in the pool world. I just wanted to make a living playing a game I fell in love with. Along the way a lot of shit happened, most of it unplanned. I had to grow up fast and find out that parting people from their money is not always well received. To make money at pool you had to be clever, talented, diplomatic and sometimes a fast runner! lol
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Jay, can you please send me my own copy? KK9 keeps taking it from me to either re-read it, or loan out. after 2 yrs, i think i'm up to page 40, cause i'll ask questions, which lead to him reminiscing, & then it goes sideways & the book disappears from my nightstand.

and, when we get More Pool Wars - please address the label in MY NAME.
 
Jay....I am the "borrower" of the book from KK9, (Wendy will get it back today when Matt and I meet to play) and it was great! Loved all the history. It is written very well and is easy to read. I will be ordering my own copy for my growing pool related collection from your website. Any way I can get a signed copy? Thanks again for a great read!!
 
Doodysquat said:
Jay....I am the "borrower" of the book from KK9, (Wendy will get it back today when Matt and I meet to play) and it was great! Loved all the history. It is written very well and is easy to read. I will be ordering my own copy for my growing pool related collection from your website. Any way I can get a signed copy? Thanks again for a great read!!
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So you took it from the nightstand. LOL

Sent from my YP-G70 using Tapatalk 2
 
Where can I get a copy of this? Or if anyone has a copy, and doesnt have playing off the rail, interested in a swap for a a few weeks?

Would rather own a copy though. :) Jay where is it available for sale?
 
Doodysquat said:
Jay....I am the "borrower" of the book from KK9, (Wendy will get it back today when Matt and I meet to play) and it was great! Loved all the history. It is written very well and is easy to read. I will be ordering my own copy for my growing pool related collection from your website. Any way I can get a signed copy? Thanks again for a great read!!
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OrigZaphod said:
Where can I get a copy of this? Or if anyone has a copy, and doesnt have playing off the rail, interested in a swap for a a few weeks?

Would rather own a copy though. :) Jay where is it available for sale?
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You can go to www.jayhelfert.com to order.

It's a series of short stories that uniquely ink some serious pieces of pool history along with humor, danger, insight and bravado. It might be the only book I've read 3 times. :embarrassed2:

The story @ an unsuspecting teenage Jay hiding under a pool table as a fixed "robbery" went down was one of many priceless stories.

DoodySquat, gimmie my book back today on table 4 at 3 pm :p. You get the seven and we'll call Jay with an enscription request. :thumbup:
 
KoolKat9Lives said:
I'm not familiar with Mr McCumbers book, but isn't that Danny B's "story from the road"?


I recently shared my copy of Pool Wars with a good friend (Gosh, I've read it over and over, and kudos to JoeyA) Anyway, my good buddy LOVED it. He wants to buy one, but only if Jay signs it.

Jay - do you have a pen? ;)
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I have to confess that I grow horns when I see 'Playing Off the Rail' mentioned.
There was a scene when Tony Annigoni lost in Toronto to a man they
disparaged with the moniker 'The Fly'.....it was Mario Morra, Johnny's father
when he wore glasses. Tony lost badly and the loss was alibied as
hard luck.....and they left town. I saw McCumber a couple years later
and I asked him "If Mario got so lucky, why did you leave town?"
Mario was a better player than Annigoni, especially for the dough.

I loved Jay's book, been to most of the same places......
...and I WILL buy the sequel.

Danny Diliberto's book, BTW, is The Road Player, co-authored by our
own Jerry Forsyth. Buy this book, KK9, if you don't like it, I will ship you
the cost of the book, shipping, and time spent reading it.
The story about his first boxing match is worth the price of 10 books.
 
jay helfert said:
I'm close to finishing More Pool Wars and I'm hopeful you will like it as well. I will warn you now there are several non pool stories in there, but I think you'll find them interesting as well. I do still have original copies of Pool Wars available through my website, jayhelfert.com. Thanks again :thumbup:
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Jay ... I too was a big fan of Pool Wars.

What's your best guess of when More Pool Wars will be available? I'm looking forward to it. :thumbup:
 
Jay's book is a good one. I just reread it a few weeks ago along with the book about Kid Delicious - Running the Table - which is a fantastic read. Both are available as E-books if you like that format as I do.
 
pt109 said:
I have to confess that I grow horns when I see 'Playing Off the Rail' mentioned.
There was a scene when Tony Annigoni lost in Toronto to a man they
disparaged with the moniker 'The Fly'.....it was Mario Morra, Johnny's father
when he wore glasses. Tony lost badly and the loss was alibied as
hard luck.....and they left town. I saw McCumber a couple years later
and I asked him "If Mario got so lucky, why did you leave town?"
Mario was a better player than Annigoni, especially for the dough.

I loved Jay's book, been to most of the same places......
...and I WILL buy the sequel.

Danny Diliberto's book, BTW, is The Road Player, co-authored by our
own Jerry Forsyth. Buy this book, KK9, if you don't like it, I will ship you
the cost of the book, shipping, and time spent reading it.
The story about his first boxing match is worth the price of 10 books.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up PT!
 
I thought Playing off the Rail was pretty good. I've read most pool books by or about players. Now, if only there was a re-release of Hall's Rags to Rifleman. This is one I've never read and the prices on Amazon are astronomical.
 
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