Brooklyn Johnny Ervolino

[Fast Lenny]

Bump for some more stories! :grin:

 

[Robertduke]

Even if you're not a one pocket fan, everyone should get a copy of the Mike Sigel vs Johnny Ervolino one pocket match from the early 90's that Accu-Stats just put back out on dvd.

Great match, commentary includes Cornbread, Buddy Hall, Incardona, and is one of the funniest commentaries ever.

MUST HAVE!

Yes it is a hell of a match.. and the commentaries is off the wall.. Thinkin I will go watch this match..

 

[Fast Lenny]

Yes it is a hell of a match.. and the commentaries is off the wall.. Thinkin I will go watch this match..

Me too, I have it right here on my coffee table. :smile:

 

[Robertduke]

Me too, I have it right here on my coffee table. :smile:

Its a nice one.. =) One of my favs..

 

[Robertduke]

The first time I met Johnny was at Grady's One Pocket event held in Reno (January of 1993). This is the one where the airport closed from the snow. A little over 100 players. $1,100 entry and last place got $1,000 back. I had also watched him play a few matches at the old Cuetopia in Vegas. He played and lost $500 in a straight pool match to Ortmann.

I had known Bill Amadeo from his 15+ years in Alaska. He had moved to Florida. He made the deal on the lease for his new room at this tournament. He was around mid 70 at this time.

He had backed Johnny many times back in New York and surrounding areas. All the old timers knew them both. Amadeo introduced me to Ervolino. What a character - but I enjoyed him a lot.

In the late 1990's and into the new millenium, I started spending time in Las Vegas. Ervolino would be at the cue club almost every day just playing pool. We talked and I started taking 'lessons' from him. One Pocket - I got the break. $10 game. First day I lost 18 games in a row. The guy was like a magician.

It was later that year when he ran the 366 balls on the East coast. Shortly after that, I flew him to Alaska to play in several of our events. He had a blast. Stayed there about a week and he would play 10 hours a day. He gave lessons and was a great pool friend to everyone.

In 2004 I moved to Vegas, and would see him every so often. I got VERY busy with the BCAPL and all - and was not even aware he was sick. I missed the opportunity to spend more time with him. I enjoyed him a lot.

I remember seeing him at the US OPEN 14.1 in New York (2000) - Weenie was in the booth and they were talking patterns. Johnny nailed it with like 8-10 balls on the table. Weenie could not believe it!

Several more stories - but gotta go.

Mark Griffin
BCAPL
Anchorage Billiard Palace (former)

MOre more more.. come on.. I feel so unsatisfied..

 

[freddy the beard]

#3 in the Top Ten

This is an excerpt from my book, The GosPool of Bank Pool. The category was the "Top Ten in the Rogues Gallery."

"#3 "Brooklyn Johnny" Ervolino (now departed; a great player and an old friend). I once tried to bite him in Los Angeles. Johnny turned me down, citing that he was broke. I ran into him next in Las Vegas, where on a roll I won about $15,000 on the dice tables. He bit me for $900!

Johnny's compelling justification for the bite was this original line: "When you were broke and desperate in LA and you came to me asking for money, what did I say to you?" My reply was a blank, inquisitive stare. Johnny continued, "I told you if I had it, you could get anything you want, right? Now, how are you going to treat me?" Behind that seemingly, flawless logic, I eagerly un-assed* the $900.

It wasn't until later, when I finally came to my senses, that I realized that Ervolino had never actually given me anything but a promise. In reality, he turned me down! I did learn something, though. What a wonderful way to duck the incoming bite and also pave the way for a future bite for yourself."

Beard