I got Pool Wars, which I'm looking forward to reading.
@jay helfert: You do autographs?

decent dennis said:

If you’re put in the pool than you have no option to buy any percentage back. And you can’t buy the pool. At least that’s how it’s done around here.

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Can't buy the pool? That would defeat the entire purpose of having a Calcutta

Billy is America's best ever commentator, but more to the point, he is a valued friend. How we became friends is strange in and of itself.

By chance, Billy and I sat side by side at Derby City in about 2012 and got around to chatting. We'd met once or twice over the years and had seen each other many times before, but we barely knew each other. Then, however, we got around to talking about the players of the 1970s and 1980s, and it turned out that we had countless friends in common, and that we had traveled in some of the same circles. This revelation proved a springboard for our friendship, which has grown and grown over the years.

It's always great to see Billy, and I was lucky enough to spend quite a bit of time with him in November at the International in Florida. He is still as congenial and entertaining as ever.

Our links to the golden days of pool are growing fewer. Ray Martin and Dallas West are, perhaps, our primary links to pro pool in the 1960s, but when it comes to the 1970s, we've still got quite a few legendary pro players to tell the stories, including Billy Incardona, Mike Sigel, Nick Varner, Allen Hopkins, Jim Rempe, and Pat Fleming. We must treasure every single one of them.

fjk said:

Generally, they won't put you in the pool at your own request. Otherwise, everyone would request it.

I had another bad experience in a Calcutta. I initially went into the pool and was undefeated the first day of a two-day regional tournament. Well they had a second Calcutta at the start of the second day for the players remaining and I went for the highest bid (I know I was not the favorite...I might have been in the middle of the pack for the players remaining). Anyway, I went for several hundred dollars. After the auction, the guy that bid on / won me must have heard he paid too much so he asked me to buy half of myself. I declined and he threw a little mini fit about it. I play pool for the enjoyment and if I win anything (in a tournament or gambling) it's just a byproduct of me playing the game I enjoy. In this instance, the Calcutta distracted from and ruined my enjoyment.

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If im buying somebody in a Calcutta, I know exactly what Im getting and I always hope they DON'T buy half.

Ya gotta be tough if you're gonna be dumb

garczar said:

Been using Ultraskins for over 10yrs. NEVER had one de-laminate/glaze over. Much more consistent tip-to-tip than any Tweeten tip. For 4bux(20ish installed) they're a steal.

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Wholeheartedly agree. Best tip for the buck by far.

pj
chgo

jasonlaus said:

Im not sure you've ever played poker in your life at a poker room

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I would reply with something snarky or offensive, but you sir/ma’am only get this 12 seconds of my time for your pudding brain assumption.

So glad these threads pop up. Some of these stories are as old as my parents lol.

I've got 1 from a bar in northern MN (2010ish):

I was 19, I think. Up in Pine City with my old man for fishing opener, which naturally involved more drinking than fishing. We'd troll the bars for pool and pull tabs. Guys were elated they had a DD so I didn't need to pay for anything. At one point we were at this dive in the middle of nowhere with 2-3 Valleys, a DJ, and no bouncer. It was busy.
This dude is walking around with his buddies and 2/3 of a beer for like half an hour trying to get some action. I was...not comfortable with the whole thing, was just really sketchy. One of dad's buds finally talked me into playing $20 games with this loser. We alternated the first 4 games (I was nervous as shit), then I finally relaxed and beat the brakes off the guy. The more I won the more mad he got. I was trying to get out of it, but Vern kept throwing cash on the table. I think I was up $220-240 at the end. Total banger that thought he was good because he could make 3 balls in a row.
Fortunately, a brawl broke out on the dance floor (over a lady, I'm sure) and we bailed before anyone in our group got involved. Still one of the funniest things I've ever seen at a bar: one of the bartenders grabbed a mic and said she was calling the cops and this scrawny kid in a white tank-top HAULED ASS out the back door, climbing over other people and everything. Could barely breathe walking out the door I was laughing so hard.

CocoboloCowboy said:

You missed my point, people think they can buy skill with equipment, that is BULL. Skill is leaned by practicing, and building mussel memory.

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My "mussel" memory is with a little white wine and garlic. Might have to have that on NYE.

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I was at the super billiards getting ready to pull the trigger on my first predator when my friend said why don’t you try ob . It was the first year it was there. I hit one ball and knew it was the one for me lol wish I still had it