The document of our pool related road trip across the U.S. updated daily

[genomachino]

They call him Big Bird and he plays pretty sporty....

Tonight Gene won 2nd place at Breakaway and I got 4th place at Buddies, then I played the guy that got 3rd place over at Pockets in a race to 9 $100 after playing him $10 a rack for several hours today and breaking even. The final score of the race to 9 for $100 was 9-7. I lost the match and wanted to play again but Gene said I was outmatched and that I had no chance against the guy I played. So I booked my first loser in a couple weeks and now I feel bad about it I really thought I could beat this guy.

Rhea really has a hard time guaging players out here.

This guy is rated a double A+ at Q Masters tournys.

She had absolutely no chance to beat this guy.

He could have beaten her 9-7 all day long until she was broke and thought she could win?

I could see after hitting 2 balls she was way out of her league.

 

[Neil]

Tonight Gene won 2nd place at Breakaway and I got 4th place at Buddies, then I played the guy that got 3rd place over at Pockets in a race to 9 $100 after playing him $10 a rack for several hours today and breaking even. The final score of the race to 9 for $100 was 9-7. I lost the match and wanted to play again but Gene said I was outmatched and that I had no chance against the guy I played. So I booked my first loser in a couple weeks and now I feel bad about it I really thought I could beat this guy.

Learn something from this lesson Rhea. He goes even with you for cheap. Gets you to play again for a "hit" at ten times the price. You go for it. You think the game is evenly matched because the first night you broke even, and in the set you only lost by two games.

What he did to you is EXACTLY what you should be doing to others. Have the game so far in your favor that you can keep it close and still win. That is what makes people become "go-offs", thinking they can win, so they keep on losing more and more.

Listen to Gene and LEARN what to LOOK for in a player. The scores only tell a part of the story, and that is all you seem to be looking at. You are on the road, that means you ALWAYS must know that you have the best of it. Everytime you lose, the next win only gets you back to even.

You went on the road with Gene to LEARN. Not just how to pocket balls, but how to WIN. About time you give him the respect his years of learning deserve, and really listen to him. Give him enough respect that he knows things you don't know yet, and trust his judgement even when you disagree with it. When you do disagree, sit down first and learn his reasoning. Then take the time to actually think about it. This is a BUSINESS, not just "fun time". Treat it as such.

Just because sometimes Gene says "no", and you go and play anyhow and win, does not equate to you being "right". Even a blind squirrel can find an acorn at times, that doesn't mean it's a good thing to be a blind squirrel. Or, to be blunt, you can crap in your front yard and make the grass greener, doesn't mean that you should be crapping in your yard all the time for a green yard. There are better ways to do things. Sometimes the wrong way works out, but if you do the wrong things as a practice, you will get burned far more often than they work out for you. You have to learn to abide by certain principles. And only break those principles when you have other information that warrants breaking them.

I know the above seems harsh, but take it to heart if you want to succeed out there.

 

[Ky Boy]

Learn something from this lesson Rhea. He goes even with you for cheap. Gets you to play again for a "hit" at ten times the price. You go for it. You think the game is evenly matched because the first night you broke even, and in the set you only lost by two games.

What he did to you is EXACTLY what you should be doing to others. Have the game so far in your favor that you can keep it close and still win. That is what makes people become "go-offs", thinking they can win, so they keep on losing more and more.

Listen to Gene and LEARN what to LOOK for in a player. The scores only tell a part of the story, and that is all you seem to be looking at. You are on the road, that means you ALWAYS must know that you have the best of it. Everytime you lose, the next win only gets you back to even.

You went on the road with Gene to LEARN. Not just how to pocket balls, but how to WIN. About time you give him the respect his years of learning deserve, and really listen to him. Give him enough respect that he knows things you don't know yet, and trust his judgement even when you disagree with it. When you do disagree, sit down first and learn his reasoning. Then take the time to actually think about it. This is a BUSINESS, not just "fun time". Treat it as such.

Just because sometimes Gene says "no", and you go and play anyhow and win, does not equate to you being "right". Even a blind squirrel can find an acorn at times, that doesn't mean it's a good thing to be a blind squirrel. Or, to be blunt, you can crap in your front yard and make the grass greener, doesn't mean that you should be crapping in your yard all the time for a green yard. There are better ways to do things. Sometimes the wrong way works out, but if you do the wrong things as a practice, you will get burned far more often than they work out for you. You have to learn to abide by certain principles. And only break those principles when you have other information that warrants breaking them.

I know the above seems harsh, but take it to heart if you want to succeed out there.

EXCELLENT ADVICE!!!

tried to rep you Neil but have to spread it around first...

Great post!!

Gary

 

[The Renfro]

Gene said I have no shot at playing you even, he said I need at least the 5&out plus all the breaks just to make it a fair game, and then I still might not win since I am just a D player. Plus on the odd event that I do win it might kill my action with the small percentage of B & C players that I could have played.


Gene would like to offer you the wild 8 but nothing more than that hope you take him up on this offer when you come to town.

Rhea....... Gene and Lee are both friends of mine.... I highly doubt those words came out of his mouth about giving Lee the wild 8.... I understand both sides in the situation but you adding a 3rd side Gene may have to back up isn't going to do anything but cost money..........

Chris

 

[lorider]

Rhea....... Gene and Lee are both friends of mine.... I highly doubt those words came out of his mouth about giving Lee the wild 8.... I understand both sides in the situation but you adding a 3rd side Gene may have to back up isn't going to do anything but cost money..........

Chris

i said in my 1st post my money was on lee. if gene would give him the wild 8 i would have the nuts lol.

 

[emptypockets]

Tonight Gene won 2nd place at Breakaway and I got 4th place at Buddies, then I played the guy that got 3rd place over at Pockets in a race to 9 $100 after playing him $10 a rack for several hours today and breaking even. The final score of the race to 9 for $100 was 9-7. I lost the match and wanted to play again but Gene said I was outmatched and that I had no chance against the guy I played. So I booked my first loser in a couple weeks and now I feel bad about it I really thought I could beat this guy.

Rhea: You have as much chance at beating Big Bird as Gene had in playing Bartram - NONE. Your best chance at making a big score in that area was with your "fish" at Q-Masters, $600 is peanuts of what you could have won. :wink:

 

[1 Lone Wolf]

Tonight Gene won 2nd place at Breakaway and I got 4th place at Buddies, then I played the guy that got 3rd place over at Pockets in a race to 9 $100 after playing him $10 a rack for several hours today and breaking even. The final score of the race to 9 for $100 was 9-7. I lost the match and wanted to play again but Gene said I was outmatched and that I had no chance against the guy I played. So I booked my first loser in a couple weeks and now I feel bad about it I really thought I could beat this guy.

It doesn't sound like you were overmatched unless you were being hustled. That is a close set, maybe you were in a trap, maybe not. Sets that close deserve 1 more set, unless you were in a trap, I think another set should have been played, but I do have a little more gamble than most. Good Luck !

 

[emptypockets]

It doesn't sound like you were overmatched unless you were being hustled. That is a close set, maybe you were in a trap, maybe not. Sets that close deserve 1 more set, unless you were in a trap, I think another set should have been played, but I do have a little more gamble than most. Good Luck !

Gene gave her sound advice. Unless she has improved to an A player overnight she has no chance of beating Big Bird even. He was toying with her. :thumbup:

 

[genomachino]

Played a guy tonight some one pocket......

Gene gave her sound advice. Unless she has improved to an A player overnight she has no chance of beating Big Bird even. He was toying with her. :thumbup:

I went back down to the pool hall after my lesson and going to walmart for some groceries.

There was Rhea and she was trying to get a game with the guy she lost $5 to playing chess about from what i could see at least she knew what each guy could do. Rooks. bishops and king and queen. She quit after one game.

I wanted to try playing with this new brace i got for my wrist so i checked out a table and hit some balls. i was pleasantly surprised how well this worked. With the compression of the wrist I had more strength to hold the cue with my fingers. I was pretty pleased.

When I first came in she was begging me to let her play this guy. He wanted a spot. I told her no spot PLEASE. Finally after about 45 minutes she came over and told me he would play even. I knew she was in over her head as usual but told her to play.

She gave me all of her money except $100, at least that is what she told me. and started playing him.

I watched the first game and figured for sure that she couldn't win. Then I watched the second and she shot some great shots to get out on a game that houdini would have been proud of.

But I had to go. the writing was on the wall and if this guy was playing even he knew that she couldn't win.

I went back to the room to sleep and got woke up at around 7:30 AM with the news that she was busted. I hope she doesn't owe any money and just lost $100 with the table time included.

I don't know the answer here but it isn't looking very promising.

The tail is wagging the dog here with few options at hand.

Needs to be my way totally or no way. It's come to that point.................

 

[stevelomako]

Gene,

I guess you do alright giving leasons and snapping off little 5, 10 and 15 dollar local tournaments

but

you guys need to find someone to teach you how to make money on the road playing pool if that's what you want to do, because you really don't know that part of it after all these years.


You're better off on your own, scuffling around giving the lessons and stealing the local bar tournaments.


This road trip has been an absolute joke since day one...its interesting watching this train wreck of a trip though so thanks for the laughs so far.


I feel bad for you and what you got yourself into.

 

[Diamond69]

EXCELLENT ADVICE!!!

tried to rep you Neil but have to spread it around first...

Great post!!

Gary

I took care of the rep for you. It was a great post and hopefully Rhea takes it all in.

 

[genomachino]

I resemble that remark. " rodney Dangerfield"

Gene,

I guess you do alright giving leasons and snapping off little 5, 10 and 15 dollar local tournaments

but

you guys need to find someone to teach you how to make money on the road playing pool if that's what you want to do, because you really don't know that part of it after all these years.


You're better off on your own, scuffling around giving the lessons and stealing the local bar tournaments.


This road trip has been an absolute joke since day one...its interesting watching this train wreck of a trip though so thanks for the laughs so far.


I feel bad for you and what you got yourself into.

Hi there Steve,

I play in these local tournys to get to know the local players. It's nice to know that a teacher can play at a higher level.

The nice thing is I can usually play at a higher level for the whole tourny with these small ones. I have trouble physically playing the second day after playing allot that day.

Plus the small tournys are great practice for a bigger tourny. The only time you can practice playing in a final of a tourny is when your there no matter how big it is.

If a road player counted on winning these small tournys to survive he'd be in big trouble.

I've been on the road about 15 years of my life if you put the road time in one solid stretch. I'm pretty sure i know what is going on.

The hard part is trying to teach another person that is hard headed and thinks they know what's going on but they don't.

Like with a football team it's hard to make any right moves if the players don't want to or don't even try to follow the plays. I know what the right play is and the student won't listen so up until now it has been a train wreck as far as learning and doing things right.

After last night rhea told me she doesn't want any money on her and will only play people I tell her she can play.

But it goes deeper than that. She needs to start eating real food and quit trying to take diet pills and energy drinks to find something that isn't really there. Magic energy is a joke at best.

By trying to match up all the time she's not learning anything either, forgetting what needs to be done to improve her game and just chasing money. And chasing is mostly what she has been doing because she loses to most of the players that she thinks she can beat. Just doesn't know enough to even gauge another player accurately.

I play most of the players that will play on the local level $100 or $200 sets. Most of them don't want to bet thousands or don't have it. i'm not out here to try and break the bank, just trying to keep going and help players everywhere play better and that I am doing.

it's nice to have some fun along the way. And fun i do have.

Rhea has been a real challenge but I think she is finally ready to say UNCLE and admit that she just isn't our best bet at making money or matching up.

Many people don't do anything about something until it is urgent. Whether it be their health or financial situation. Successful people make changes before it becomes urgent.

Our road trip here would have been over very shortly if Rhea wouldn't have had this talk today. I had enough.

She came to me and said she is ready to listen and learn about everything.

That's the only way this will work.

I could just sneak around and play people and make a living on the road if that was the avenue I chose to take but I chose to help people play.

I go to a town and show the players that don't know me my game.

I enjoy all the league players everywhere. they are the best. I get invited to homes for supper and even get offers to stay there sometimes.

We have the best network of people anywhere in our pool world that we live in.

I'm not there to beat these people but try to help them.

I feel good about what i do every single day and can't wait to get to the next pool hall or lesson or match or tournament.

WOW. Sounds like fun !

I got to get a quick shower and go do about 20 mini lessons down to Break Away.

One man a van and the road.........

 

[NYC cue dude]

Hi there Steve,

I play in these local tournys to get to know the local players. It's nice to know that a teacher can play at a higher level.

The nice thing is I can usually play at a higher level for the whole tourny with these small ones. I have trouble physically playing the second day after playing allot that day.

Plus the small tournys are great practice for a bigger tourny. The only time you can practice playing in a final of a tourny is when your there no matter how big it is.

If a road player counted on winning these small tournys to survive he'd be in big trouble.

I've been on the road about 15 years of my life if you put the road time in one solid stretch. I'm pretty sure i know what is going on.

The hard part is trying to teach another person that is hard headed and thinks they know what's going on but they don't.

Like with a football team it's hard to make any right moves if the players don't want to or don't even try to follow the plays. I know what the right play is and the student won't listen so up until now it has been a train wreck as far as learning and doing things right.

After last night rhea told me she doesn't want any money on her and will only play people I tell her she can play.

But it goes deeper than that. She needs to start eating real food and quit trying to take diet pills and energy drinks to find something that isn't really there. Magic energy is a joke at best.

By trying to match up all the time she's not learning anything either, forgetting what needs to be done to improve her game and just chasing money. And chasing is mostly what she has been doing because she loses to most of the players that she thinks she can beat. Just doesn't know enough to even gauge another player accurately.

I play most of the players that will play on the local level $100 or $200 sets. Most of them don't want to bet thousands or don't have it. i'm not out here to try and break the bank, just trying to keep going and help players everywhere play better and that I am doing.

it's nice to have some fun along the way. And fun i do have.

Rhea has been a real challenge but I think she is finally ready to say UNCLE and admit that she just isn't our best bet at making money or matching up.

Many people don't do anything about something until it is urgent. Whether it be their health or financial situation. Successful people make changes before it becomes urgent.

Our road trip here would have been over very shortly if Rhea wouldn't have had this talk today. I had enough.

She came to me and said she is ready to listen and learn about everything.

That's the only way this will work.

I could just sneak around and play people and make a living on the road if that was the avenue I chose to take but I chose to help people play.

I go to a town and show the players that don't know me my game.

I enjoy all the league players everywhere. they are the best. I get invited to homes for supper and even get offers to stay there sometimes.

We have the best network of people anywhere in our pool world that we live in.

I'm not there to beat these people but try to help them.

I feel good about what i do every single day and can't wait to get to the next pool hall or lesson or match or tournament.

WOW. Sounds like fun !

I got to get a quick shower and go do about 20 mini lessons down to Break Away.

One man a van and the road.........

What a truly elegant response to a truly nasty, mean spirited comment.

 

[justadub]

What a truly elegant response to a truly nasty, mean spirited comment.

Agreed.....

 

[RiCHiE$RiCH]

What a truly elegant response to a truly nasty, mean spirited comment.

That's a salesman's best attribute. You can curse him like a dog and he'll smile in your face. Reminds me of a politician.

 

[stevelomako]

What a truly elegant response to a truly nasty, mean spirited comment.

Agreed.....

You're both taking it in the manner it WASN'T meant. Gene understands it.

I could have been more blunt instead of sarcastic...and trust me...in person I'm both AND one of the best friends you could have on your side.



I've never met Gene but I'll tell you right now...if he had a problem and he was up against it and needed some help, all he needs to do is PM me and I'll help him out any way I could.

Chris Bartram would do the same.

So would Bobby in Indy.

So would all the other "low life gamblers and hustlers" on here that every one thinks are pieces of shit.



We talk alot of trash and try and get in each others pocket...but we'll take care of our own.

 

[JB Cases]

Gene,

I guess you do alright giving leasons and snapping off little 5, 10 and 15 dollar local tournaments

but

you guys need to find someone to teach you how to make money on the road playing pool if that's what you want to do, because you really don't know that part of it after all these years.


You're better off on your own, scuffling around giving the lessons and stealing the local bar tournaments.


This road trip has been an absolute joke since day one...its interesting watching this train wreck of a trip though so thanks for the laughs so far.


I feel bad for you and what you got yourself into.

Seems to me like they are up on the money, Gene is giving lots of lessons and is welcomed wherever he goes.

When you're out in the open like he is players want to test you. If they lose they don't feel like they got robbed or hustled.

Wherever I went I was always welcomed to play in all local tournaments. If it was a handicapped event then I was usually put in at a high handicap to insure I wasn't robbing the event and if I won nobody complained.

I think that it's interesting to read this ongoing diary. It's been interesting for me to see the contrast between Rhea and the other player Gene had out with him. It seems like the younger players are way more interested in gambling ALL THE TIME rather than working on their game and their matching-up skills.

I know what that's like. I can't be in a pool room for five minutes without wanting to play so badly that I will take the worst of it. Took me a long time to break that habit and stretch it out to ten minutes.

Anyway, I kind of admire Gene for being able to do what he wants to do at this stage in life. Single and on the road playing pool for a living. Town to town meeting lots of great people and welcomed everywhere he goes. When lessons are given it ignites the desire to play more in the student and that is good for room owners.

 

[justadub]

You're both taking it in the manner it WASN'T meant. Gene understands it.

I could have been more blunt instead of sarcastic...and trust me...in person I'm both AND one of the best friends you could have on your side.



I've never met Gene but I'll tell you right now...if he had a problem and he was up against it and needed some help, all he needs to do is PM me and I'll help him out any way I could.

Chris Bartram would do the same.

So would Bobby in Indy.

So would all the other "low life gamblers and hustlers" on here that every one thinks are pieces of shit.



We talk alot of trash and try and get in each others pocket...but we'll take care of our own.

You projected a lot in that response.

I simply felt the post in question was indeed mean-spirited, and agreed when someone pointed that out.

I didn't make any aspersions on you, or you character, much less Bartram or the others you lumped in there.

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

I used to despise Gene's CJ posts @ a year ago. Then I met the man. Not that I'm a great judge of character, but there wasn't an iota of jackass in him. Just passion for pool and life. :thumbup:

 

[stevelomako]

You projected a lot in that response.

I simply felt the post in question was indeed mean-spirited, and agreed when someone pointed that out.

I didn't make any aspersions on you, or you character, much less Bartram or the others you lumped in there.

I don't take a whole lot about myself personally and I learned you have to be able to take it if you're going to dish it out.


One of my sayings that most people that know me have heard around the poolroom alot is "We aint much...but we're all we've got".



Like I said, I'll say alot of shit to alot of people...but if the chips are down...I'll be there.

That includes Gene and Rhea.


Hell, if we ever play...they can probably get half their money back.