Housemen - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly...

Kickin' Chicken

Kickin' Chicken

Kick Shot Aficionado
Silver Member
In my sheltered pool life I only knew a couple of housemen as I never travelled specifically for playing pool. But the two I did know were real characters.

These guys were the ones who not only steered action but knew everything about everything. They could tell you everyones speed or where to get the juiciest and most delicious hamburger at 5 am. Some were plain as vanilla and some were quite colorful.

And speaking of steering, there were also a few, I've heard, who were worth steering away from, some real SOB's.

Like pretty much everything else in pool, times have changed and, for the most part, the 'housemen' of old days are gone and were either not replaced at all or were with ones who only remotely resemble their indispensible predecessors.

So here's your chance to weigh in with any stories you might have on housemen; those who were good, bad or just plain ugly.

Best,
Brian kc
 
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KickitChickit,

here is another fine thread on the houseman. Having been one, I look back on it, as the most enjoyable time of my life up until now. That's not saying much, as my life sucks and always has, but that couple of years where I lived and breathed pool 24 hours a day and was surrounded by top players and gambling day and night, really was a very special time, and I look back at it fondly.

not taking away from your thread.. just supplementing it with some more fine reading, that i"m sure this thread will have too:grin:
 
Kickin' Chicken said:
In my sheltered pool life I only knew a couple of housemen as I never travelled specifically for playing pool. But the two I did know were real characters.

These guys were the ones who not only steered action but knew everything about everything. They could tell you everyones speed or where to get the juiciest and most delicious hamburger at 5 am. Some were plain as vanilla and some were quite colorful.

And speaking of steering, there were also a few, I've heard, who were worth steering away from, some real SOB's.

Like pretty much everything else in pool, times have changed and, for the most part, the 'housemen' of old days are gone and were either not replaced at all or were with ones who only remotely resemble their indispensible predecessors.

So here's your chance to weigh in with any stories you might have on housemen; those who were good, bad or just plain ugly.

Best,
Brian kc
Click to expand...

Then you also have the famous "Double steer"
 
Ames...1965
Old black man in the cashier's cage, hearing another hard luck story....
"Aint no pity in the city, aint no pity in the city."

Hopkinsville, Kentucky...1978.....can't remember the room name
The house-man was known as 'the Hillbilly''....good player....
..on being asked for 8-5 and the break at 1-hole...
"If a man needs 8-5 and the break, he don't need to PLAY the game."

Dayton,Ohio...1968
Pickwick Club...owned by Russ Maddox...houseman Everett
...the rails of the 3-cushion table were on the floor...billiard mechanic
had gone back home for more tools.
...a regular walked in, looked at the table, and said "What happened?"
Everett said "Don't know who the man was, but he had the strongest
stroke I ever seen."
 
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Kickin' Chicken said:
In my sheltered pool life I only knew a couple of housemen as I never travelled specifically for playing pool. But the two I did know were real characters.

These guys were the ones who not only steered action but knew everything about everything. They could tell you everyones speed or where to get the juiciest and most delicious hamburger at 5 am. Some were plain as vanilla and some were quite colorful.

And speaking of steering, there were also a few, I've heard, who were worth steering away from, some real SOB's.

Like pretty much everything else in pool, times have changed and, for the most part, the 'housemen' of old days are gone and were either not replaced at all or were with ones who only remotely resemble their indispensible predecessors.

So here's your chance to weigh in with any stories you might have on housemen; those who were good, bad or just plain ugly.

Best,
Brian kc
Click to expand...

Brain,

I've known a few housemen over the year and I think you're right, today's houseman is nothing like his predecessor. It's not their fault, it's really not anyone's fault. It's just the grim and depressing reality of our sport. Just like the pool hall it self, time has past by the need for the houseman.

Housemen didn't make their living from wages, it came from gratuity. Today's players (well first, there are fewer of them) just don't seem to be as generous as players in the past. If you see a player snap off $200 or $300 one night, will they give the houseman $70 or $80? Or, maybe players of the past were just a little wiser with the ways-of-the-world (give a little to get a little).

It is depressing when you think about how our sport is evolving, at least to me. So many people will not get to experience this sport the way it was for many generations of pool players. Oh, there are a few old time pool halls with traditional houseman. I'm one of the lucky few who live fairly close to one of them. During the day, the old-timers are still playing dominoes, or Backgammon. But, usually they are playing pitch. There is always a golf game on the snooker table (you have to be invited to play). You can still place a wager (sweat bet) on your favorite sporting event (football, basketball, baseball, ect...). There is usually some cheap action and every once in a while a big game.

Sorry I've strayed away from your original topic.

Next time you clock out, slide another $20 to the houseman.

Steven
 
I was a houseman for 3 years. It was pretty enjoyable overall. I thought I knew a good amount about pool coming in, but in retrospect I knew barely anything. I got a good education there on betting, matching up, and clocking players' speeds. Our regular gamblers were an awesome group of guys, and fun to be around/listen to. The old guys had some great stories and info to pass on. I also worked days (which are slow as hell outside of the gamblers) so I got to sweat countless matchups over those years...and many, MANY days I made way more railbirding than I did in my tip jar, ha ha.

As for housemen 'dying out' yeah I can kind of see that. Most places don't care about work performance or knowledge, they'd rather just have a pair of tits behind the bar. But there will always be the (rare?) houseman who loves the game and likes to see action and steer matchups.

Top complaint of a houseman: deadbeats and nits. "Players" who sit and drink water and cry about table time cost and stuff like that. If you want to hang out somewhere all day and not spend anything, go to the godd*mn library or a park, this is a business!

Weird complaint: why do road players try to hide and play the 'feeling you out' game trying to find action? "I'm in town on business and...blah blah blah" It is really transparent and if you are able to fool the houseman he obviously is an idiot and won't be able to steer you/give you any info anyways. Just come out and ask!

I should write a thread, ha ha
 
I had the privilege of Spider1 being my local houseman. Brandon was always right on top of the local action and it was a pleasure having a guy like him around. He could steer a game and give you a lot of info., if you were a regular. He actually plays a pretty mean game and understood all the little things that go right over most poolroom employee's heads.

He was also real good about steering customers with cues for sale in the right direction and always knew someone who might need one in a night league.

The only thing he couldn't do was to have his buddy Nando call everyone to let them know he was having a going away party for Brandon before he left for Maine, but then again, I probably wouldn't go to a party where I was a guest...:D

Spider1 will be missed!

Steve

P.S. Tell Shannon and Max (Thor) Rose and I said "Hey"!
 
We had a house pro in the 60,s in Whiteville NC at Caswell Billiards
(Was est in 1940 and went until 1995) His name was Larry Fisher.
When your 10c game of 9b was over,he would run over and rack the balls,
or when not busy would play you for a $1 a game
 
I miss my days of being a houseman. Started at Mikey's in OKC. Tough enough place to start out considering there was more drug traffic than pool traffic. I got a quick introduction into the pool world when Chip and Joey cam walking in, good old Walden was in the room, or Donny Brown when he was still around. Too much fun was had up there with all the guys I worked with.
 
DrewWhitehead said:
I miss my days of being a houseman. Started at Mikey's in OKC. Tough enough place to start out considering there was more drug traffic than pool traffic. I got a quick introduction into the pool world when Chip and Joey cam walking in, good old Walden was in the room, or Donny Brown when he was still around. Too much fun was had up there with all the guys I worked with.
Click to expand...

Hi Drew;

Can you provide an example (or examples)?

We love a good story...

Thanks.

Best,
Brian kc
 
Kickin' Chicken said:
Hi Drew;

Can you provide an example (or examples)?

We love a good story...

Thanks.

Best,
Brian kc
Click to expand...

I could write a book about that place. Too many stories of drug deals going south in the parking lot with shots being fired, stabbings, arrests. One of the kids that was working in there with me, Long was his name, happened to be about 5'4'' and 150 pounds tops. Long had gone to a flea market and bought a set of those cheap swords that look like one sword in the sheath. He then duct taped them to then of a house cue. Nobody knew that he was a martial artist, but they kinda stayed on his good side with that being right next to the register.

Another night, I was working and my shark bait hit the door. We didn't know what his real name was, but when hit the door, all the guys that gambled would in unison, "SHARK BAIT!! WOO HAHA!!" from finding nemo. Anyway, he came and started talking crap that he found some kid on the way over to the poolroom that was gonna take all my money and blah blah blah. As the little punk is talking crap to me, Chip Compton walks up behind him and starts talking. Shark Bait says, "How much you wanna play this drunk kid for?" I replied with, "Chip, I'll take breaks, ball in hand to the one. Action?" Shark Bait walks away with his head hunk low having just learned the most important rule in a pool hall. DON'T TRY TO MOVE ONE OVER ON THE HOUSE MAN!!!

I may continue another post into this topic later, but those are the two funniest that I can think of at the moment.
 
DrewWhitehead said:
I could write a book about that place. Too many stories of drug deals going south in the parking lot with shots being fired, stabbings, arrests. One of the kids that was working in there with me, Long was his name, happened to be about 5'4'' and 150 pounds tops. Long had gone to a flea market and bought a set of those cheap swords that look like one sword in the sheath. He then duct taped them to then of a house cue. Nobody knew that he was a martial artist, but they kinda stayed on his good side with that being right next to the register.

Another night, I was working and my shark bait hit the door. We didn't know what his real name was, but when hit the door, all the guys that gambled would in unison, "SHARK BAIT!! WOO HAHA!!" from finding nemo. Anyway, he came and started talking crap that he found some kid on the way over to the poolroom that was gonna take all my money and blah blah blah. As the little punk is talking crap to me, Chip Compton walks up behind him and starts talking. Shark Bait says, "How much you wanna play this drunk kid for?" I replied with, "Chip, I'll take breaks, ball in hand to the one. Action?" Shark Bait walks away with his head hunk low having just learned the most important rule in a pool hall. DON'T TRY TO MOVE ONE OVER ON THE HOUSE MAN!!!

I may continue another post into this topic later, but those are the two funniest that I can think of at the moment.
Click to expand...


You need to tell a story about messing with some kids, then leave a buddy to take on the guy they brought back with them. Caleb is just way too strong for me to take on.

Steven
 
Gmanpoke said:
You need to tell a story about messing with some kids, then leave a buddy to take on the guy they brought back with them. Caleb is just way too strong for me to take on.

Steven
Click to expand...

Yeah, but I wasn't a house man at the time. Those kids needed a little straighten'ing out anyway. Caleb would be a tough fight for most too. I know I can't run with him.
 
"CaliRed". said:
KickitChickit,

I lived and breathed pool 24 hours a day and was surrounded by top players and gambling day and night, really was a very special time, and I look back at it fondly.
Click to expand...

Cali;

Glad for you that you had the opportunity. Plenty of life's lessons were to be had, I'm sure.

Best,
Brian kc
 
Neil said:
Sadly, I think the "houseman" is a dying breed. Too many rooms today don't even have employees that know the difference between a Gold Crown and a Diamond table if Diamond didn't have their name plastered on the side in huge letters. :( And managers that don't know the difference between a Schon cue and a nice looking WalMart cue. Let alone know anything about any action.
Click to expand...

Neil;

This is precisely what I was thinking when I started this thread. Businesses with pool tables (notice I didn't say pool halls) nowadays are placing emphasis, for the most part, on other areas like pouring drinks, Karaoke, darts, etc., rather than on attracting action matchups. Can't blame them for wanting to stay alive in a tough economy but wouldn't it be nice if all the above could co-exist? Then there would again be a need for housemen.

Best,
Brian kc
 
pt109 said:
Ames...1965
Old black man in the cashier's cage, hearing another hard luck story....
"Aint no pity in the city, aint no pity in the city."

Hopkinsville, Kentucky...1978.....can't remember the room name
The house-man was known as 'the Hillbilly''....good player....
..on being asked for 8-5 and the break at 1-hole...
"If a man needs 8-5 and the break, he don't need to PLAY the game."

Dayton,Ohio...1968
Pickwick Club...owned by Russ Maddox...houseman Everett
...the rails of the 3-cushion table were on the floor...billiard mechanic
had gone back home for more tools.
...a regular walked in, looked at the table, and said "What happened?"
Everett said "Don't know who the man was, but he had the strongest
stroke I ever seen."
Click to expand...

pt;

Thank you for sharing these.

You think the houseman in Ames might have heard any other hard luck stories in addition to the one you referenced?

"Ain't no pity in the city." ;)

Best,
Brian kc
 
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