Pretty interesting thread here. Lots of opinions coming from all directions. Typical AZ, some pretty knowledgeable and some from out of left field.
A little background on Bobby aka Jean Robaire Bellande or JRB. He is an old school GAMBLER with a capital G! He was making waves around SoCal over twenty years ago, both at pool and at poker. He did more losing than winning, but when he won it was a real score. He best some Russian high roller for over 200K back in the 90's and used that money to partner up in a sushi bar/poolroom in the heart o Hollywood. He was doing well there but couldn't resist the lure to gamble and was soon back at it playing in the biggest games at Larry Flynt's Hustler Casino.
I got to know Bobby pretty well back then and we played One Pocket a few times with me giving him 9-8, 8-7 for 50 to 200 a game. I won and lost at that game, and I was playing pretty good back then. Now I wouldn't play him even. His game has gone up and my game is non existent. :wink:
I consider Bobby a friend. He was a good guy to gamble with and we never had a beef about money or anything else. In the gambling world, he's considered a "straight up" guy, which is a high compliment. He has the respect of almost all the high line gamblers, from the poker, pool and sports betting world. He's damn sure got my respect to. If he loses he pays off with a smile and if he wins, he compliments his opponent. Like someone else said on here, the pool world would be great if we had a hundred more like him.
All the keyboard cowboys who call people out on here and make claims about their past games or action can't hold a candle to a guy like this. He does it in person and to your face, calling you out to bet what you want. This is no easy game for him playing against one of the best pool players on the planet. I'm not sure there are many on here who would want to try matching up with Dennis for serious money.
Big Bobby (the name I always call him) is the real deal. He puts his money where his mouth is and if he runs out he looks for more. Bobby has a stable of high rollers ready to bail him out if need be because they like him and know he's good action. In the big time gambling world, being "good action" is something to be respected. As for me, the biggest games I ever played were $1,000 a game One Pocket a few times and I didn't do that on a regular basis. In the gambling world, I'm just "the pool guy" and somewhat of a nit.