Greatest lock up artist of all time?

Brooklyn Jimmy

(This is a clip from one of my blog pages.)http://secretsofahardcorepoolhustler.blogspot.com/2008/02/brooklyn-jimmy-cassas.html
Brooklyn Jimmy Cassas was a 100 ball runner from The 711 poolroom who lost at pool once every two millenniums.


"This is one of many wonderful stories about my pal, the great Brooklyn Jimmy. I was in Miami Beach in 1963 watching Jimmy "lemon hustle" a stone sucker in a local joint. The guy was totally helpless, and naturally didn't know Jimmy or Jimmy's real speed. Jimmy was about 20 games ahead at $3 a pop, when he suddenly quit. "What's wrong?" The sucker queried. "You think I don't know what you're doing." Jimmy replied. "You sluff a few games off to me for cheap money, and then you get me to raise it to like $15 or $20 a game, and then take me off. I'm from NY, we know about guys like you. I ain't going for it." With the guy now denying it all, and begging Jimmy to keep playing, Jimmy finishes him off with, "Ok, I'll give in and do what YOU want. I'll let you win a few back at $15 a game, but then I'm gonna quit. I'll let you get close, but you ain't gonna get all the way even." The bet is now $15 a game, and naturally Jimmy goes ahead and busts the guy. The guy couldn't make a ball in the ocean to begin with. Jimmy could've spotted him the five through the nine."

the Beard
 
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freddy the beard said:
(This is a clip from one of my blog pages.)http://secretsofahardcorepoolhustler.blogspot.com/2008/02/brooklyn-jimmy-cassas.html
Brooklyn Jimmy Cassas was a 100 ball runner from The 711 poolroom who lost at pool once every two millenniums.


"This is one of many wonderful stories about my pal, the great Brooklyn Jimmy. I was in Miami Beach in 1963 watching Jimmy "lemon hustle" a stone sucker in a local joint. The guy was totally helpless, and naturally didn't know Jimmy or Jimmy's real speed. Jimmy was about 20 games ahead at $3 a pop, when he suddenly quit. "What's wrong?" The sucker queried. "You think I don't know what you're doing." Jimmy replied. "You sluff a few games off to me for cheap money, and then you get me to raise it to like $15 or $20 a game, and then take me off. I'm from NY, we know about guys like you. I ain't going for it." With the guy now denying it all, and begging Jimmy to keep playing, Jimmy finishes him off with, "Ok, I'll give in and do what YOU want. I'll let you win a few back at $15 a game, but then I'm gonna quit. I'll let you get close, but you ain't gonna get all the way even." The bet is now $15 a game, and naturally Jimmy goes ahead and busts the guy. The guy couldn't make a ball in the ocean to begin with. Jimmy could've spotted him the five through the nine."

the Beard
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When I was in New York in the mid 60's, I ran into Jimmy at 7/11 along with Jersey Red, Shorty, Ervolino, Richie Ambrose, Blackie, Rex and others. Jimmy had me convinced he didn't play like any of those guys. Until you posted about him, I had no idea of his true speed. He was that good, he totally fooled me. I played him a few times back then. Never winning of course, but at least with Jimmy he kept it close. :)

Irish was the first guy I ever played in there, about 1963 or 64. How was I supposed to know this old man was the best player in there?
 
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"Lemon" Dave at Times Square Cue Club in Dallas

I just thought of one, a guy nicknamed Lemon Dave. He played at Times Square Cue Club back in the 1960s. Straight black hair combed straight back, New York or Jersey accent, always wore a sports coat and buttoned his shirt all the way to the collar. It might sound like he dressed pretty sporty, but the fact that the sleeves of his sport coat were about 2.5 inches too long made his appearance less than impressive. In the year I hung around this pool hall, I never had a conversation with him and now that I think back, I don't recall that anyone ever had a conversation with him.

Lemon Dave didn't match up that often, he just sort of lurked in the background keeping his eyes open for suckers. But if he DID get into action, you could safely bet several of your body parts that he was stealing. I never saw him lose a session. He was a guy would ran from any kind of tough action, so I have to nominate him for the title of "greatest lock up artist of all time.":)
 
jay helfert said:
When I was in New York in the mid 60's, I ran into Jimmy at 7/11 along with Jersey Red, Shorty, Ervolino, Richie Ambrose, Blackie, Rex and others. Jimmy had me convinced he didn't play like any of those guys. Until you posted about him, I had no idea of his true speed. He was that good, he totally fooled me. I played him a few times back then. Never winning of course, but at least with Jimmy he kept it close. :)

Irish was the first guy I ever played in there, about 1963 or 64. How was I supposed to know this old man was the best player in there?
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Jay, how good was Johnny Irish? All I know about him is a story Ervolino told me, he said Irish was sleeping in a chair at the 7/11 during the day when it was dead in there. A road player comes in and wants to play straight pool so Ervolino who was just a kid at the time goes and wakes him up "Johnny you have a game". They play a 100 point game on a tight 5 x 10, the guy breaks, Irish runs 100 and out, collects the money and goes right back to sleep in the chair!
 
BillPorter said:
BTW, a friend of mine who is playing on a nearby table (Billy Carrelli) just nominated Dick Winkler of Covington, KY for the title of "greatest lock up artist" even though Dick hasn't played a game of pool in over 30 years!:wink:
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I would nominate Rick Carelli..... Has Ricky ever lost a bet? One of the best handicappers I have been around (I wonder how he got so good at handicapping? LOL), triple smart. Just follow Rick around, bet whatever he bets and you're a lock to do okay.
 
The Saw said:
I would nominate Rick Carelli..... Has Ricky ever lost a bet? One of the best handicappers I have been around (I wonder how he got so good at handicapping? LOL), triple smart. Just follow Rick around, bet whatever he bets and you're a lock to do okay.
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I see Ricky every now and then and will definitely pass along your nomination as I am sure he will love hearing it! As a matter of fact, I don't recall seeing him on the bad side of many (any?) bets.
 
amen!

wood600rr said:
"Gainesville" John Furber, aka the chicken man always made good games for himself. He told me a story of him busting a poolroom for about $30k playing with a cue with the tip held on by bubblegum! Haha
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i was hoping someone mentioned him! he could talk anyone into anything!

Jeremy
 
Another NYC area locksmith of the 1970's and 1980's was Steve the Whale, who was bigger than Mizerak and had a stroke nearly as smooth.
 
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The Saw said:
I would nominate Rick Carelli..... Has Ricky ever lost a bet? One of the best handicappers I have been around (I wonder how he got so good at handicapping? LOL), triple smart. Just follow Rick around, bet whatever he bets and you're a lock to do okay.
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Even nailed the horses,, he lost a few in the latter years which semi lead to his retirement from pool. I am sure Bill knows who i speak off , but there wasa younger kid named Jake and he beat ricky playing even one day at beechmont and Ricky told me "when i lose to Jake i never play again" lol

Ricky is by far one of the funniest people ever!!!!!!!!!!

He is so dry and delivers the lines without a smile or smirk.

I have agreat storu about me and my buddy Ricky... Playing in a partners tourny witha huge calcutta race to 2 8 ball on 9ft bar tables. I draw the worst guy in the joint an apa 3 who, if allowed could be a 2. Ricky has a good player well needless to say we luck out and get to the finals.

The payout is 1000 a piece for 1st and 100 a piece for 2nd, They wanted no saver as they had the nuts. Well hill hill(call your pocket 8 ball not shot) I shot the second last ball which was really tough and miss it horribly and it goes up and back 2 times and glances off and goes in the pocket i call.

My partner has a tough bank you have to stiff and this guys plays like ray charles, well i play bank and tell him how to shoot it and he splits the jaws and leaves me tough on the 8 which i make for the money.

Ricky's partner is livid and cursing at the luck and mostly about the bank my partner made. Ricky looks at him and says "do you think GOD would let him miss that bank after Cincyman shit the 12 in" LOL Needless to say about 10 people lost it:thumbup:
 
cincyman said:
Well hill hill(call your pocket 8 ball not shot) I shot the second last ball which was really tough and miss it horribly and it goes up and back 2 times and glances off and goes in the pocket i call.

My partner has a tough bank you have to stiff and this guys plays like ray charles, well i play bank and tell him how to shoot it and he splits the jaws and leaves me tough on the 8 which i make for the money.

Ricky's partner is livid and cursing at the luck and mostly about the bank my partner made. Ricky looks at him and says "do you think GOD would let him miss that bank after Cincyman shit the 12 in" LOL Needless to say about 10 people lost it:thumbup:
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I actually chuckled out loud at that one and I RARELY chuckle out loud when reading a post. Thanks!:grin:
 
BillPorter said:
I actually chuckled out loud at that one and I RARELY chuckle out loud when reading a post. Thanks!:grin:
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Well i got a better one and it involves another Ricky line.

At Rhinos when they first opened they had a tuesday tourny that had alot of good players 9ft race 5 nine ball double elimination.

Well Ricky is playing and not hitting very good, he is shooting the ball in the side at an angle and going 3 rails and scratches int he side. He satnds there dumbfounded and just walks away. He loses and plays a match in the losers bracket and does the same thing scratching 3 rails in the side.

Well he wins a couple matches and i am in the winners brakcet final and play the winner of his next match. He is playing to get to the finals and that shot comes up again. He shoots and the cueball coming staright toward the side. The ball he shot was the eight and the 9 is on the end rail. Now this is also hill to hill(true story) ..... Well instead of scratching the cue stops and corner hooks Ricky from the case 9.
Ricky stops turns around and looks dead at me and my friend standing their and says LOL ( sorry cant help it you ready) "I got a roll,,, it didnt scratch, I got a ROll" LMAO he is corner hooked hill hill on the 9 and he says i got a roll.

He kicked and missed the whole ball, but this is by far the funniest thing i ever heard.:thumbup:
 
BillPorter said:
As a matter of fact, I don't recall seeing him on the bad side of many (any?) bets.
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There were quite a few times that I was betting pretty heavy on Chris in what I thought was a tough game (maybe even the worst of it) and Ricky would ask if I wantedto give up a piece of it. Hearing that was like having the world lifted off my shoulders!!! LOL It went from thinking it was dead gambling to dead stealing...... I would always watch Ricky at Michaels and tournaments to see who he was betting on and then do the same. I don't think I ever lost a bet! No exageration.....
 
Bobby said:
Jay, how good was Johnny Irish? All I know about him is a story Ervolino told me, he said Irish was sleeping in a chair at the 7/11 during the day when it was dead in there. A road player comes in and wants to play straight pool so Ervolino who was just a kid at the time goes and wakes him up "Johnny you have a game". They play a 100 point game on a tight 5 x 10, the guy breaks, Irish runs 100 and out, collects the money and goes right back to sleep in the chair!
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Hands down the best player in 7/11. And that's in a poolroom of champions. Maybe one of the all time best. Rarely mentioned because he was not into tournament play. I never heard any stories about people who beat him. Probably the only guys rated over him back then (the 50's) were Lassiter at 9-Ball and White Rags at One Pocket. And in all likelihood these three left each other alone.

Only guys still living who can tell you about Irish are Danny D., George Rood and Bunny Rogoff. At least that I know. He was an old man when I ran into him in the mid 60's (maybe in his mid or late sixties himself).
 
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Hmmm, I learned something new.

Ok, Jay and everyone, dont laugh at me, but I have never heard the term
"Lock up Artist" til I read this thread.:o
Been around pool for about 13 yrs. Hang out with the nations Bar Table Champ., and STILL never heard it.
Proves one thing I think. I need to gamble more.:D
Or hang around the gamblers, Hmmmm, not sure if I want to though.:D(JK)

I know someone that I think fits the bill where I play. When he does gamble with the big boys,(he is a C player) he puts alot of dough on the table and usually gets the nuts. At least what I have seen in the past. I guess he is smarter than I thought.:wink:
 
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sjm said:
Another NYC area locksmith of the 1970's and 1980's was Steve the Whale, who was bigger than Mzierak and had a stroke nearly as smooth.
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There is a story about Steve in Pool Wars. A very fine fella' indeed!
 
Milo said:
Ok, Jay and everyone, dont laugh at me, but I have never heard the term
"Lock up Artist" til I read this thread.:o
Been around pool for about 13 yrs. Hang out with the nations Bar Table Champ., and STILL never heard it.
Proves one thing I think. I need to gamble more.:D
Or hang around the gamblers, Hmmmm, not sure if I want to though.:D(JK)

I know someone that I think fits the bill where I play. When he does gamble with the big boys,(he is a C player) he puts alot of dough on the table and usually gets the nuts. At least what I have seen in the past. I guess he is smarter than I thought.:wink:
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We usually just called them "lock artists."
 
jay helfert said:
Hands down the best player in 7/11. And that's in a poolroom of champions. Maybe one of the all time best. Rarely mentioned because he was not into tournament play. I never heard any stories about people who beat him. Probably the only guys rated over him back then (the 50's) were Lassiter at 9-Ball and White Rags at One Pocket. And in all likelihood these three left each other alone.

Only guys still living who can tell you about Irish are Danny D., George Rood and Bunny Rogoff. At least that I know. He was an old man when I ran into him in the mid 60's (maybe in his mid or late sixties himself).
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Ray Martin is another possible source.
 
In my neck o the woods....Dave Marks...aka "Pineapple" was the be all end all lock smith!

He was always up for action, BUT!....it had to be his way. AND less then $30 a rack, or he would fold like origami!

NOW... Apple could play....really play good 9ball, maybe 2 balls below the pros IMO. The down side was....it took FOREVER to get him in the box. He had to chnge his sox, clean his cue, the room was too hot, too cold, he was hungry and had to eat.....someone is whistling....NO WHISTLING while were gambling! :)

Dave taught me how to gamble and WIN! He used to stress that losers gambled til they were broke. Learn to realize if you were in a bad game! Make a GOOD game upfront, and bury them!

I used to close the pool room around midnight....a few nights a month Apple would show up and ask me to drive him a couple hours to Atlantic City for some Craps action wile he slept in the car. Me?..I'm a "don't pass" $5 guy....very conservative at best, but watching Pineapple work his theory on the craps table was breathtaking. Seeing $2000....$3000 out on the board without a hesitation made my knees knock!....he just worked his magic.

I remember one night we got to AC around 2am and Apple was down 2g's in about 15 minutes.....he looked at me and asked If I had any money? I said win or lose I get 10%?....he smiled like a good teacher and said sure, you got it. I hit the cage for $1500, and we were u 8k in about an hour!.....I don't have the nads for that kind of action.....but booking it was a lock for me..

G.
 
PIRANHA said:
I guess no one has ever read the book "The Unsinkable Titanic Thompson"

If you had, he is the #1 con of all times. Check it out
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Yes, but Titanic Thomspon is not a living source on the playing speed of Johnny Irish, which was the subject of the Jay Helfert post to which I was responding.
 
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