poolplayindad
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there are alot of great players that have come from mexico, who are some of the best ever , bar table/big table & how did they fare when they played in the us, i know Jay has been around most
great players from mexico
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Ernesto Domiguez was always very underrated imo. He was a TOP player when he was playing good, just a cut below guys like archer et al. That's my opinion. Yet he had a family and a good business, in other words, he had his priorities straight. If there was money to be made in pool, believe me, we would have seen his name a lot more.
Bar tables showed up in joints around Los Angeles around 1960. The Mexican players came shortly after that.
We used to call them by where they came from in Mexico. Among the first were Jalisco, Tijuana Joe and a few others in the early 60's. Big Sergio Ganderilla came along a few years later and then in the 70's, Morro, Ernesto, Veracruz and many more that hung around the pool room at 4th and Main in Los Angeles. For many years Ernesto was known as Chihuahua, since that was where he came from. We used to joke that they could not come across the border unless they ran at least five racks.
Rafael Martinez came in the late 80's (I think) and the first time I watched him play was in Reno at the pool room. He was not in the tournament. Morro told me the first time I saw him he was the best player to come out of Mexico. Probably still is. I still see him play quite often and he is still a great player.
There was another Red Headed Mexican player that showed up in the late 70's/early 80's that was a terrific player. Called Cannela or something like that.
Most of the bar players could also play on the big tables as well. King Kong was a great bar table player with the big ball. When the bar action got a little skimpy he turned into a very good big table player.
Tracy Joe Salazar was probably the best Mexican bar table player for a time, but I believe he was born in the USA. Same with Little Al Romero, who still plays very well and might be one of the best older players in the country.
I first played Morro in 72 and Ernesto around 78. Both are still solid players and Ernesto's record in tournaments, then and now, against the big boys is pretty remarkable since he is still a working man. His son Oscar is not too shabby either.
All these guys were around Los Angeles and liable to be found anywhere looking for action.
There are many others and I hope better memories than mine show up and add more.
It has been downhill since SB1070..Mexicans frowned upon and we are left with Oscar Dominguez. You all quote old timers...Mexican pool is strong just no $$$$ and the risk of deportation/ shay whitey..not worth the haul from Mexico..cause not all of them coming over to work for $7.oo hr.
I agree though the SW should be full of mexican american hustlaz, just not the economic climate though...ask Obama
I agree though the SW should be full of mexican american hustlaz, just not the economic climate though...ask Obama
That was a good account of the happenings around LA. The only other name I would throw in there is Arturo Rivera. In the 80's he was constantly in the hunt for action.
Arturo, Francisco Galindo, Ron Rosas, Little Sergio, Ignacio Chavez, King Kong...
San Antonio, Houston and LA had its share of players from Mexico. When I was about ten years old my father would bring guys over the house for dinner. Canello or Canella was one of them. There was Flaco, Rafael, Shorty, Jose Luis. He would take them around Texas for action. Little Al Romero spent about a month at my house in the guest bedroom.
An older friend of mine was telling me about how my father would find players. He said that my father would ask, do you play six ball on bar tables? Ok, lets go make some money. They made lots of money playing in bars where the suckers would be cashing their friday night paychecks at the bar to play.
An older friend of mine was telling me about how my father would find players. He said that my father would ask, do you play six ball on bar tables? Ok, lets go make some money. They made lots of money playing in bars where the suckers would be cashing their friday night paychecks at the bar to play.
A Mexican player that hasn't gotten mentioned (unless I don't know one of his nicknames) was Little Al. On his heyday he played very well, not E. Dominguez speed, but a very good little, well-rounded player.
Purdman
Banned
Mexican Pool
I met a middle age Mexican at the farm where I lease the stable, Hector. I asked him if he played pool. The next day he brought me a cue that needed a new tip. I asked him if he would like to come over and play a little and knock down a few beers. He came over and plays a very good game. He introduced me to a game he called Mexican Pool. Have any of you played it? 13 balls, 12 on the rail at the diamonds with the 3 ball on the foot spot. The 3 counts as 6 points. Just curious if you guys have tried it or know anything about it.
Don
I met a middle age Mexican at the farm where I lease the stable, Hector. I asked him if he played pool. The next day he brought me a cue that needed a new tip. I asked him if he would like to come over and play a little and knock down a few beers. He came over and plays a very good game. He introduced me to a game he called Mexican Pool. Have any of you played it? 13 balls, 12 on the rail at the diamonds with the 3 ball on the foot spot. The 3 counts as 6 points. Just curious if you guys have tried it or know anything about it.
Don
no question
Efren Reyes is the greatest player ever from Mexico, but then again it is a small town.
Hu
Efren Reyes is the greatest player ever from Mexico, but then again it is a small town.
Hu
I forgot about Arturo. He was right there with Morro and Ernesto at one time, but a quiet low key guy who matched up a little tougher and IMO wasn't as hungry. He married a lady who was an RN.
He still plays pretty sporty and I am sure we will see all of them in Sacramento in October at the Chuck Markulis Memorial Tournament.
Mexican Phil was a great player and hustler. I first played him in around 58/59 when I was still in my teens and thought I could play 9 ball a little. Dado the Filipino brought him in to bust me.
In the 60's there was a bar called the Skip Inn on Valley Blvd in San Gabriel. There was a business called Carl's Ditch Digging Service next door and all the operators would come in Friday night and cash their paychecks and play pool. I busted the whole joint one Friday and naturally came back the next week. The owner told me I was barred and as I was having a beer and talking to him a bus stopped at the bus stop right in front of the bar. Out walks Mexican Phil wearing a Dickie work outfit and carrying a lunch pail. I finished my beer, did not say anything and left. He probably drained that place for a month or two, just making enough to stay drunk and pay for a room. Phil was also a top one pocket player and also could be found at Cochran's in San Francisco. He played very very slow and was hard to watch.
Poker Paul and I ran into him at Colfax Billiards in Denver years ago after his pool playing days where he lived with his sister.
Who is King Kong? I keep seeing references to him but I confess I don't know who it is.