Best Action City of All Time

[vagabond]

The Rack dwarfed all others. Rosie lost close to a hundred million dollars.

Professor,
In your Book -bet high and kiss low- u mentioned that rosie lost 50 millions.Now u are saying 100 millions. This has a very wide margin.Please don`t tell me that this is a inflation adjusted amount?

 

[OldHasBeen]

I agree - North Shore was one of the Best.

It was as close as you could come to the old downtown poolrooms across the nation that existed in the '50's & '60's.
It had plenty of action and it was consistent.
I don't think there was a top-notch player that didn't make there.
When you walked up those stairs - You knew it was the Big Time. I also loved the entire neighborhood. Action, Action, Action everywhere. Plus Wrigley Field just down the street.
The main difference from back then is you could actually go into North Shore and Hustle - Naturally you would have to know how and who - but it could be done. Now - If you walk into a strange room - They got a line on you before you get your coat off.
Ahh - Those were the day’s my friends!

TY& GL, OHB

 

[vagabond]

Now - If you walk into a strange room - They got a line on you before you get your coat off.


TY& GL, OHB

Do u know the line on me? I will tell u the line on me. ``Give the guy whatever he wants.He can`t play a lick``.
wanna play? what are u giving up?

 

[bud green]

Here's some info on Don Willis. Robert Byrne also has a bit about him in his Wonderful World of Billiards book.

http://www.8ball.org/moecia_don_willis.htm

 

[Grady]

Was it 50 or 100 million?

Nobody knows, Vagabond, how much Rosie lost. I'd seriously estimate that it was between 30 and 120 million dollars. A small loss for him was a half million dollars. He lived in Detroit probably 20 years and played most weekends. He didn't start playing pool there when he first moved to Detroit but he did play for 7 or eight years.
One guy, his initials are JT, made about 10 million booking Rosie's bets at the track.

 

[vagabond]

Nobody knows, Vagabond, how much Rosie lost. I'd seriously estimate that it was between 30 and 120 million dollars. A small loss for him was a half million dollars. He lived in Detroit probably 20 years and played most weekends. He didn't start playing pool there when he first moved to Detroit but he did play for 7 or eight years.
One guy, his initials are JT, made about 10 million booking Rosie's bets at the track.

Hi Grady,
Thanks for the response with clarification.

 

[frankncali]

Nobody knows, Vagabond, how much Rosie lost. I'd seriously estimate that it was between 30 and 120 million dollars. A small loss for him was a half million dollars. He lived in Detroit probably 20 years and played most weekends. He didn't start playing pool there when he first moved to Detroit but he did play for 7 or eight years.
One guy, his initials are JT, made about 10 million booking Rosie's bets at the track.

Grady
Just curious as to how Rosie had his money. Was he a successful legal businessman or was it inherited wealth.
The most money I have ever watched being bet was 20k and the total loss for the night was 30k.
A players nerves would have to be rock steady playing knowing that they
could win 500k. That was a fortune back then.

Are there people like this today. I know on some TV shows I have seen these "whales" in casinos but do they exist on any scale in the pool world.


I grew up around Dothan AL and while there was not millions be won or lost at one time I have always thought of it as a great action town. There were players of all skill levels that would throw in the dough. A local never had to look for a game. Road guys came in and out and many said they loved it because they knew they would get some kind of game.

Most of the time I read about "best action rooms or cities" and its always
the big $$$ that people talk about. I would rather be around a place with
constant action of some kind and for all levels.
BTW-- I would love to see Junior Goff at one of your events. I am not sure if he is One Pocket HOF material but for those guys that are close it would be nice to get them a little recognition and perhaps hear a story
or ten thousand

 

[PoolSleuth]

I love reading all these tails of big money Pool. But it tell me I have lead a Boring Life.

 

[huckster]

I played your grandfather (didn't know who he was) in the mid 60's in downtown LA. He was with Dean Chance and Dean told me they were there for the World Series (LA Dodgers) and Don was a rich old farmer that could afford to lose a few bucks if I wanted to play. I told them I was a college student (true) and I was hanging around the pool room studying the diamond system in three cushion billiards (not true). I thought I was hustling them. We played $10 a game & I lost around $100, but he never ran out much and didn't look flashy at all. I followed them over to Hollywood Billiards where some top players hung out & nobody wanted any. After they left I asked why nobody would play him and they told me " He's the best player the other side of the Mississipi and the only reason he is not the best here is he never comes out here". I never heard of him coming out here again. John Henderson

John,
Thanks for the story about my grandfather. I have heard many good good things about you from Cali players. Not only are you a great player, but also a gentleman. that is something pool needs more of. I love the nostalgia from guys like you, Freddy, OHB, Grady etc. I may be in my 30's but I am old school.

 

[jnav447]

Here's some good info about Don Willis: http://www.gcaba.com/willis.htm . He was without question one of the greatest pool players ever, but stayed out of the limelight so as not to kill his action. As a result, he is one of the (mostly) forgotten legends of pool, who should not be forgotten. Huckster, my grandfather was a horseshoes legend in Texas, almost unbeatable but never entered the tournements, just beat the winners out of their prize money. I am officially giving him the nickname "The Petersburg Kid". Just flipped through "Cornbread Red" and am changing my vote to Detroit. Wishy Washy on, brother!