Early nineties. Raleigh, NC. Scene: Weekly tournament on a Monday night.
Well, I finally had gotten to a 7 rank in a 2-9 system. Pretty strong around here, considering at that time, Coltrain, Cliff and Harold Dollar were all nines. There were a crazy number of players around Raleigh and surrounding areas. I can't list them all. Well, this Hawaiian dude signed up for the Monday night tournament. A guy that runs the tournament (which will remain unknown due to personal feelings) made the foreign fella a "6." This means I'd have to spot him the eight going to seven.
Long story short, he was smooth. Too smooth. He beat me 7-5. I actually played a great short race, but his break and kicking were better than what I was used to seeing except for the "Trains" and "Johnnies". I was pissed and if you know me, I can get out of line. No, really, I can. Well, I start jacking at him. "Get up and play without a spot. $50, 100 a set?" The large guy with him just laughed and told me he was waiting to play someone else and didn't want to play even. After a few beers, I offer a game going to seven. No action.
Following night, flash forward to Rackm Up West. Same scenario. He beats me 7-6, breaking and running out on the hill. I again start my shi#. I get the same answer. Well, he wins that tournament, ALSO. I'm mad on many levels. First, he gets in as a six. Second, this is his second tournament in as many days he's won. Now, he won't match up. So, I left to go to a bar and play a ring game. Still wondering.....
Next day, I hear he beat a local player outta about $1200 getting the last two. Then, I hear he ended up giving the eight to the same guy and beating him outta another $1000. He then gave Doug the eight and won another $400 (at that time Doug played better than me). Whew! I had a feeling.
Week later, the news comes in how Rodney Morris had won the US Open. I say "so what, who's that?" Week later, I see the picture on the I believe "The Snap" magazine, or "Billiards Digest." It was my man, Rodney. And to think, I had two friends gonna go up with me giving him a game to seven. I am pretty sure we'd mustered up around $500.
Glad he was working on something bigger than me. I was fresh outta college and now in "pool school."
How to fu#@ up and play the wrong guy 101, I failed.
Well, I finally had gotten to a 7 rank in a 2-9 system. Pretty strong around here, considering at that time, Coltrain, Cliff and Harold Dollar were all nines. There were a crazy number of players around Raleigh and surrounding areas. I can't list them all. Well, this Hawaiian dude signed up for the Monday night tournament. A guy that runs the tournament (which will remain unknown due to personal feelings) made the foreign fella a "6." This means I'd have to spot him the eight going to seven.
Long story short, he was smooth. Too smooth. He beat me 7-5. I actually played a great short race, but his break and kicking were better than what I was used to seeing except for the "Trains" and "Johnnies". I was pissed and if you know me, I can get out of line. No, really, I can. Well, I start jacking at him. "Get up and play without a spot. $50, 100 a set?" The large guy with him just laughed and told me he was waiting to play someone else and didn't want to play even. After a few beers, I offer a game going to seven. No action.
Following night, flash forward to Rackm Up West. Same scenario. He beats me 7-6, breaking and running out on the hill. I again start my shi#. I get the same answer. Well, he wins that tournament, ALSO. I'm mad on many levels. First, he gets in as a six. Second, this is his second tournament in as many days he's won. Now, he won't match up. So, I left to go to a bar and play a ring game. Still wondering.....
Next day, I hear he beat a local player outta about $1200 getting the last two. Then, I hear he ended up giving the eight to the same guy and beating him outta another $1000. He then gave Doug the eight and won another $400 (at that time Doug played better than me). Whew! I had a feeling.
Week later, the news comes in how Rodney Morris had won the US Open. I say "so what, who's that?" Week later, I see the picture on the I believe "The Snap" magazine, or "Billiards Digest." It was my man, Rodney. And to think, I had two friends gonna go up with me giving him a game to seven. I am pretty sure we'd mustered up around $500.
Glad he was working on something bigger than me. I was fresh outta college and now in "pool school."
How to fu#@ up and play the wrong guy 101, I failed.
Last edited:
