Big Action Still In Progress! John Barton vs Justin Marks!

I'd like to play some with John if no one else wants to. I haven't had a pool game in a few years and I'm a little rusty (haven't hit two balls in the last three months!), but I'm up to play if he wants to.

We all like easy games sometimes...
 
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pt, sure. I could write much on being a graceful winner... to beating someone who was a graceful opponent.

When I play one of those for $10K I'll write the shee-at out of it.

Lou Figueroa

I'm guessing this won't be an autobiography.
 
I'm guessing this won't be an autobiography.


Nice try but you guess poorly.

If you took the time to look at the countless trip reports I've written over 20 years you'd see that, typically, I have been very complimentary of my opponents, win or lose.

But sometimes, not very often, but sometimes, a negative review is in order.

Lou Figueroa
 
I think JB has heart:

- He offered to pay the time (He lost the match).
- The next day, he generously took Geraldine and I out to dinner in Hollywood after an editing session at my home-studio.
- On the way to dinner, instead of taking a 'selfie' with us on the Sunset Strip, John jokingly sat on the curb and posed as a homeless person taking money from strangers while we took pictures of him. (John laughed saying, "Let this be a lesson to all pool players about betting high!").
- I posted these photos on Facebook but, his wife requested they be removed (I obliged). John too, was a little disappointed that we couldn't leave them up.
- After a short drive around Hollywood and up along Mulholland Drive, we stopped the car at a viewpoint and where John proceeded to give us about 45 minutes of his time asking about us and our goals, what we want out of life and, how we might be able to achieve this. And then, John stood there with us and, overlooking the lights of the San Fernando Valley, he selflessly imparted some of his wisdoms and shared some inspiration.

Yes, John Barton can be a multi-layered personality but, if you too, have a heart and can cut through the BS, it doesn't take long for the 'real' John Barton to appear.

I have no answer for LF's allegations of cheating in a match. I was not there and, those were different times. I just know what I know about John now and, from my experience with him since meeting in 2013. On that note, I will also state that, if you can't accept someone for who they are, flaws and all then you have way too many expectations in people. Everybody has skeletons and flaws. If it's cost you to be his friend or opponent then you should take it up with him/her privately. I'm not one to put another on public blast or to publicly humiliate in these forums. There have been those times when I feel like I should defend myself but even then, I usually end up regretting it.

Oh, and if you're merely looking to get a rematch out of it by 'poking the bear', I doubt it will ever happen. I have my reasons for knowing this...


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They opted to stream it with a phone. I helped set them up above the table. How many matches have you recorded lately?

Thank you for all you do for 1p streaming. I’m working on a small gift for you as a thanks. To be continued.
 
Only takes 8 emails, 11 Facebook messages and six months to replace a strap too!

I got that beat by a mile. Still have a broken strap.

Love the case though, I’ve never seen it’s match in the price range.
 
I think JB has heart:

- He offered to pay the time (He lost the match).
- The next day, he generously took Geraldine and I out to dinner in Hollywood after an editing session at my home-studio.
- On the way to dinner, instead of taking a 'selfie' with us on the Sunset Strip, John jokingly sat on the curb and posed as a homeless person taking money from strangers while we took pictures of him. (John laughed saying, "Let this be a lesson to all pool players about betting high!").
- I posted these photos on Facebook but, his wife requested they be removed (I obliged). John too, was a little disappointed that we couldn't leave them up.
- After a short drive around Hollywood and up along Mulholland Drive, we stopped the car at a viewpoint and where John proceeded to give us about 45 minutes of his time asking about us and our goals, what we want out of life and, how we might be able to achieve this. And then, John stood there with us and, overlooking the lights of the San Fernando Valley, he selflessly imparted some of his wisdoms and shared some inspiration.

Yes, John Barton can be a multi-layered personality but, if you too, have a heart and can cut through the BS, it doesn't take long for the 'real' John Barton to appear.

I have no answer for LF's allegations of cheating in a match. I was not there and, those were different times. I just know what I know about John now and, from my experience with him since meeting in 2013. On that note, I will also state that, if you can't accept someone for who they are, flaws and all then you have way too many expectations in people. Everybody has skeletons and flaws. If it's cost you to be his friend or opponent then you should take it up with him/her privately. I'm not one to put another on public blast or to publicly humiliate in these forums. There have been those times when I feel like I should defend myself but even then, I usually end up regretting it.

Oh, and if you're merely looking to get a rematch out of it by 'poking the bear', I doubt it will ever happen. I have my reasons for knowing this...



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I am not interested in a rematch.

Sure JB has a multi-layered personality, though those of us who have known him for the last 20 years might term it something else. As to keeping it private, before our match JB said to me, "I want the match streamed and recorded so that your defeat at my hands will be forever burned into your memory." So you'll have to forgive me on that count.

As to the cheating allegations, here, make up you own mind.

Lou Figueroa

Somewhere in the latter part of the match I knew something was up. John seemed to be playing different safeties than he had previously and seemed more deliberate about what he was trying to do. So I began to pay more attention to his corner.

I don’t know Dennis Spears but am told that he is a local open level player that plays pros 1pocket, even. He is sitting next to John’s wife, clapping loudly every time John makes a good shot. We progress to the point in the last game of the night where two balls are on the spot and I hide the third ball on the table on my side. John looks at the shot and then goes to his corner and studies the shot from there. That made no sense to me -- studying the shot from that angle. Then, to my surprise, John comes to the table and shoots an intentional foul laying the CB up behind two balls on the spot. The owed ball is spotted and I am now sandwiched between two balls. Now in this situation, taking himself off the hill is actually the wrong shot but nonetheless it's a pretty sophisticated move and I’m wondering what’s going on.

I notice that from my player’s chair, Dennis is sitting out of my line of sight, slouching down behind one of the arena’s wooden pillars. Now, any time I’m near John’s corner, I’m trying to listen in to what Dennis is saying to John. (Gail says I have hearing like a dog.)

Some folks have wondered, “What could anyone say to John in a just couple of seconds?” But it was way more than that. While I was standing at the table figuring out my shot, Dennis was mumbling away to John with plenty of time to assess the table and brief him on options. Dennis was doing this while holding both hands up to his mouth, sort of like you see baseball players with their gloves during a pitcher/catcher mound conference, but I could still hear bits and pieces like, “You gotta protect the four ball” or “Bank the six over to your side.” And no: there was no prior discussion, much less agreement, on cornermen or coaching.

Soon that game is over, we finish the night at 8-6, and I walk over to the far side of the arena where AZers Koop and Jerry are sitting and I ask them if they could see what was going on in John’s corner and one of them says, “Oh yeah. It was totally obvious from here that he was getting coached. We had a clear view of it.”

So then I go up to Ed and we have the following conversation:

Lou: “I got a complaint.”
Ed: “What is it?”
Lou: “John was getting coached by the black guy in his corner.”
Ed: “Oh yeah. I could see it from the booth. I was waiting for you to say something.”
Lou: “It can’t happen tomorrow.”

My crew slept the coaching. To be honest we didn’t anticipate someone would try that. In any case, I know they’ve beaten themselves up enough about it. So that’s the answer to why Lou’s corner didn’t say anything. The next day before John and I start up again, I go up to Ed:

Lou “There cannot be any coaching today.”
Ed: “I talked to John about it and he admitted that Dennis was telling him stuff but claims it was generic things to pump him up and I told him that even that can’t be going on.”
Lou: “He was getting coached and all I know is that I won’t tolerate it today.”

And what Ed does is to talk to Dennis, one of his room players, and tells him he cannot sit anywhere near John, and that was the end of that.

I was there, sitting directly across from them and I would have to say he was definitely getting coached. A couple of guys I was sitting with were laughing in disbelief that they were getting away with it. I saw a couple of times towards the end of the night, John looked like he didn't have a clue what to do, the guy whispers something, and John comes with a very advanced shot that we didn't see all night.
Even though I was there I am speculating a bit too because I couldn't hear what was being said but...I'd bet a LOT of money that it wasn't just pats on the back and pep talking.

I was there right next to Koop, and while I couldnt hear what Dennis was saying I'd bet my left nut he was being coached on specific shots and moves. The holding his hands in front of his mouth and whispering to John and ducking his head behind the pillar to say something from john was actually kinda comical. it looked like he was trying to be sneaky and didn't know how.

We spoke to Lou for a few short minutes last night afterwards and Lou knows/knew he was being coached at that point. He did say he was pissed about it, but more upset about some of the rolls, and the fact that with a max of 3 games left they shoulda finished it yesterday.

To Lou's credit he was as cool as a cuke, and it didnt seem to affect his composure. I know I wouldnt have been as calm if I was shooting with 20k in the middle.

it was a streamed match at which i was only a spectator. It wasn't my job or any other spectator's to to video or police anything. Shame that there wasn't a stream camera pointed in their direction. Bottom line is it was between john, lou (+his backers), accustats, and ed liddawi to do or say something about it during the match.

A couple of people and myself are telling you what we saw. you take it for whatever you think its worth. If we told you we saw so and so take money outa someone else's wallet would you feel safe leaving anything around the guy just because we didn't film it?

also for your pics or it didnt happen line your linked definition:
About
Pics or It Didn’t Happen (sometimes spelled Pix or It Didn’t Happen) is a phrase often used on message boards or in comments to challenge an unbelievable or outlandish claim by inquiring photographic evidence.


anyone here really think what we said is unbelievable or outlandish?

the buzz in the spectator seating area was "I cant believe lou or his guys aren't saying anything... do you think somebody will?"

oh well karma wins. Im not a JBnutCase fan by any means, wouldn't know lou from a hole in the wall, and i had no $$ on the match, but I'm glad the cheating didn't pay off and I had a great time hangin with Koop n Fred.

Hey Cory,

I'm not from the area and had no clue who the guy was. Just seemed weird, if you were there, to see someone other than John's wife allowed to go and sit where he did. Some guy we were sitting with was the one who told me who it was, how good he plays, and to watch him cupping his hand over his mouth and telling John what to do.
In all fairness, none of could hear what was being said but it was very suspicious to say the least.

In the end I guess it didn't really matter. The better player won, IMO, and I got to hang out with a few friends I don't get to see all that often. It was a win for Koop and that's all that matters to me :grin:

So, you chose to have a noted 1p player as the person to give you non-1p related encouragement, and to keep you centred? Wasn't your wife in the room? I'm just wondering why you'd choose a known 1p player to give you words of encouragement, and not use him for his knowledge. This is the story you expect us to believe? Oh yeah....it fits in with the other truckloads of bullshit you've spread.
 
I am not interested in a rematch.

Sure JB has a multi-layered personality, though those of us who have known him for the last 20 years might term it something else. As to keeping it private, before our match JB said to me, "I want the match streamed and recorded so that your defeat at my hands will be forever burned into your memory." So you'll have to forgive me on that count.

As to the cheating allegations, here, make up you own mind.

Lou Figueroa

First I'll offer some clarification on an earlier comment I made where I stated that Lou was flown in to NJ and staked in his match with JB. Lou responded that he paid his own airfare and even put up some of his own cash so if that was the case, I apologize, sir. Minor details, I know, but I'm a big fan of accuracy.

And speaking of accuracy, and while not trying to come off like an internet lawyer; the 3 guys you just quoted regarding alleged cheating would likely help JB get a not-guilty verdict if it were a court case. imo, of course.

The first guy you quoted, Koop, said "I am speculating a bit too because I couldn't hear what was being said"

This, imo, is just what he said it was, speculation. He didn't hear what was being said.

The second guy you are quoting, jersey jer, said "while I couldnt hear what Dennis was saying I'd bet my left nut he was being coached on specific shots and moves."

Here is a second guy saying he couldn't hear what was being said and so you can't rule out that it could have been just as JB said, that Dennis Spears was being his cheerleader. I wasn't there for day one but nothing I've read thus far causes me to think JB was actually cheating. I will say that while having a cornerman for encouragement is acceptable, any conversations going on between a cornerman and player to do with game strategy; no way should any of that be allowed so it was good that since there was an appearance of *possible* impropriety that Ed removed Dennis. Still, no hard evidence of any cheating that I've read.

The third guy you quoted, Shawn Armstrong, questioned why JB "chose to have a noted 1p player as the person to give you non-1p related encouragement, and to keep you centred"

I think the answer would be that JB worked with Dennis on his (JB's) 1p game in the days proceeding the match. They developed a teacher/student type relationship and so Dennis was there for support. That would be my guess and yes, it's speculative. :wink:

I remember all those old westerns where when guys were being accused of cheating there needed to be some hard evidence before putting a bullet in them.

In the absence of hard evidence, don't you think JB should be afforded the same benefit of doubt?

again, all imo, of course.

best,
brian kc
 
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First I'll offer some clarification on an earlier comment I made where I stated that Lou was flown in to NJ and staked in his match with JB. Lou responded that he paid his own airfare and even put up some of his own cash so if that was the case, I apologize, sir. Minor details, I know, but I'm a big fan of accuracy.

And speaking of accuracy, and while not trying to come off like an internet lawyer; the 3 guys you just quoted regarding alleged cheating would likely help JB get a not-guilty verdict if it were a court case. imo, of course.

The first guy you quoted, Koop, said "I am speculating a bit too because I couldn't hear what was being said"

This, imo, is just what he said it was, speculation. He didn't hear what was being said.

The second guy you are quoting, jersey jer, said "while I couldnt hear what Dennis was saying I'd bet my left nut he was being coached on specific shots and moves."

Here is a second guy saying he couldn't hear what was being said and so you can't rule out that it could have been just as JB said, that Dennis Spears was being his cheerleader. I wasn't there for day one but nothing I've read thus far causes me to think JB was actually cheating. I will say that while having a cornerman for encouragement is acceptable, any conversations going on between a cornerman and player to do with game strategy; no way should any of that be allowed so it was good that since there was an appearance of *possible* impropriety that Ed removed Dennis. Still, no hard evidence of any cheating that I've read.

The third guy you quoted, Shawn Armstrong, questioned why JB "chose to have a noted 1p player as the person to give you non-1p related encouragement, and to keep you centred"

I think the answer would be that JB worked with Dennis on his (JB's) 1p game in the days proceeding the match. They developed a teacher/student type relationship and so Dennis was there for support. That would be my guess and yes, it's speculative. :wink:

I remember all those old westerns where when guys were being accused of cheating there needed to be some hard evidence before putting a bullet in them.

In the absence of hard evidence, don't you think JB should be afforded the same benefit of doubt?

again, all imo, of course.

best,
brian kc


I'll just point out that you conveniently ignored the first quote in my post that you've commented on -- my direct eye witness statement. Here, again, is just a portion of it:

"I notice that from my player’s chair, Dennis is sitting out of my line of sight, slouching down behind one of the arena’s wooden pillars. Now, any time I’m near John’s corner, I’m trying to listen in to what Dennis is saying to John. (Gail says I have hearing like a dog.)

Some folks have wondered, “What could anyone say to John in a just couple of seconds?” But it was way more than that. While I was standing at the table figuring out my shot, Dennis was mumbling away to John with plenty of time to assess the table and brief him on options. Dennis was doing this while holding both hands up to his mouth, sort of like you see baseball players with their gloves during a pitcher/catcher mound conference, but I could still hear bits and pieces like, “You gotta protect the four ball” or “Bank the six over to your side.

The other eye witness statements, though not definitive, support what I saw.

In all my years of playing 1pocket, coaching has always been verboten. Even in a partners game, it is a point of negotiation: coaching allowed between partners, or no coaching. 1pocket is a game that has often been likened to chess because so much of the game is the knowledge you have accumulated over the years and bring to a game and knowing when to make the right move. Whether 1pocket or chess, IMO it cannot possibly be considered anything but cheating to have a superior player whispering in your ear while playing a match. Thankfully, from my perspective, it did not change the final outcome. But it could have if the coaching had gone on into day two.

So sure, we're not in a court of law. Heck, you can't even get guys here to abide to the basic rules of a high school level debate. So like I said, guys can make up their own minds.

Lou Figueroa
 



I'll just point out that you conveniently ignored the first quote in my post that you've commented on -- my direct eye witness statement. Here, again, is just a portion of it:

"I notice that from my player’s chair, Dennis is sitting out of my line of sight, slouching down behind one of the arena’s wooden pillars. Now, any time I’m near John’s corner, I’m trying to listen in to what Dennis is saying to John. (Gail says I have hearing like a dog.)

Some folks have wondered, “What could anyone say to John in a just couple of seconds?” But it was way more than that. While I was standing at the table figuring out my shot, Dennis was mumbling away to John with plenty of time to assess the table and brief him on options. Dennis was doing this while holding both hands up to his mouth, sort of like you see baseball players with their gloves during a pitcher/catcher mound conference, but I could still hear bits and pieces like, “You gotta protect the four ball” or “Bank the six over to your side.

The other eye witness statements, though not definitive, support what I saw.

In all my years of playing 1pocket, coaching has always been verboten. Even in a partners game, it is a point of negotiation: coaching allowed between partners, or no coaching. 1pocket is a game that has often been likened to chess because so much of the game is the knowledge you have accumulated over the years and bring to a game and knowing when to make the right move. Whether 1pocket or chess, IMO it cannot possibly be considered anything but cheating to have a superior player whispering in your ear while playing a match. Thankfully, from my perspective, it did not change the final outcome. But it could have if the coaching had gone on into day two.

So sure, we're not in a court of law. Heck, you can't even get guys here to abide to the basic rules of a high school level debate. So like I said, guys can make up their own minds.

Lou Figueroa
The sum of the evidence indicates clear coaching. Anyone who thinks otherwise is not thinking clearly and i am no Lou fan!.
 
I sure hope we get to the bottom of this soon... people's memories are starting to get a little foggy.
 
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