"It's George" the story!!!

Michael-Hoang

Omega Billiards
Silver Member
During the 1920's and 1930's, a lot of people matched up and gambled due to bad economy and a high number of unemployed folks.

When two players matched up, if the railbirds say that "It's a George game for player X", this means that it is a good game for player X. And if people say that "It's a Tom game for player Y", then it is a bad game for player Y.

One day, Mike Roberts brought his very first case that he made to his pool room. Eddie Taylor, one of the best bank player to have ever played the game, was there. So Mike showed his case to Eddie.

Eddie asked Mike if he has thought of a name for it.

"Not yet," said Mike.

Eddie liked that case so much that he offered to buy it right there, but Mike refused.

"Well, It's a George case," said Eddie (meaning it is a good case). "Anytime you want to sell it, I'll buy it."

And that is how the name "It's George" came about. Eddie Taylor actually was the person who came up with the name.

Michael.
 

elvicash

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
POCKETWOLF said:
So who made the it's george cues?


Mike Roberts made the case

Mr. Eddie Taylor stated "Its a George Case"

George = GOOD

Tom = Bad

Tom's of the world do not send me hate mail, better yet change you name. BTW - I hear George is a GOOD name. :D :D
 

Poolhalljunkie

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
POCKETWOLF said:
So who made the it's george cues?

Same guy only started making cues because at the time he was best selling case in the country then porper started making cases. Shortly after porper started cases they offer a cue and case combo. Mike not wanting to be, beaten decided to do the same thing so he went to an old friend in Shreveport, to help him make cues. Bill Schick helped him set up the It's George cue shop and trained the people in it to make cues. Shick made the first Show cue, and engraved the butt caps of the first 12 cues. "as told to me by Bill Schick"
 

freddy the beard

Freddy Bentivegna
Silver Member
The hillbilly code

"Tom" and "George" are two of the secret components of the "hillbilly hustler's code." There are many more words and hand signals that all "made" hustlers used throughout the country in the old days. You knew you were a "made" scuff when someone taught you the hand signs and code words. It was a small tight group. You all would be surpised to find out just how many old-time famous pool hustler/players were never made privy to that info.

the Beard
 

Cornerman

Cue Author...Sometimes
Gold Member
Silver Member
Michael-Hoang said:
During the 1920's and 1930's, a lot of people matched up and gambled due to bad economy and a high number of unemployed folks.

When two players matched up, if the railbirds say that "It's a George game for player X", this means that it is a good game for player X. And if people say that "It's a Tom game for player Y", then it is a bad game for player Y.

One day, Mike Roberts brought his very first case that he made to his pool room. Eddie Taylor, one of the best bank player to have ever played the game, was there. So Mike showed his case to Eddie.

Eddie asked Mike if he has thought of a name for it.

"Not yet," said Mike.

Eddie liked that case so much that he offered to buy it right there, but Mike refused.

"Well, It's a George case," said Eddie (meaning it is a good case). "Anytime you want to sell it, I'll buy it."

And that is how the name "It's George" came about. Eddie Taylor actually was the person who came up with the name.

Michael.
I already wrote on this, and my sources (the guy who actually made the cases for Mike Roberts, Wayne Anderson- Bella Sera Cues), and he said it was Bill Schick who said "It's George."

It makes sense since the term "It's George" and "It's Tom" aren't terms heard across the country.

Anyone else have a different story?


Fred
 

Cornerman

Cue Author...Sometimes
Gold Member
Silver Member
POCKETWOLF said:
So who made the it's george cues?
The It's George company made cases and cues. Wayne Anderson worked for Mike Roberts right from the beginning. He built the cases, and then he transitioned to making the cues. Bill Schick trained Wayne in making the cues.

Fred
 

ironman

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
freddy the beard said:
"Tom" and "George" are two of the secret components of the "hillbilly hustler's code." There are many more words and hand signals that all "made" hustlers used throughout the country in the old days. You knew you were a "made" scuff when someone taught you the hand signs and code words. It was a small tight group. You all would be surpised to find out just how many old-time famous pool hustler/players were never made privy to that info.

the Beard

It was funny in the old days to see two match up and when you knew the whole room thought you had the Nuts when you looked around and several had their hand on their heart, begging to be "IN".

I made this sign to a fellow a few weeksago and he asked ifI was having chest pains. LMAO.

I was in a mall with a pretty good player in Dallas when a gorgeous young thing walked by and I muttered, "dam, that's George." The player replied with, " hos would you knowher name"?

The one I never caught onto was that Harres Barres Carres, Carney talk. That stuff used to drive me nuts.
 

CrownCityCorey

Sock it to 'em!
Silver Member
freddy the beard said:
"Tom" and "George" are two of the secret components of the "hillbilly hustler's code." There are many more words and hand signals that all "made" hustlers used throughout the country in the old days. You knew you were a "made" scuff when someone taught you the hand signs and code words. It was a small tight group. You all would be surpised to find out just how many old-time famous pool hustler/players were never made privy to that info.

the Beard

I knew the words, but was taught some of the hand signals about 3+ years ago by a top player friend. I was shocked that such a code existed. LOL!

There is always something new to learn, no matter how long you have been involved with this game--I am now going on 21 years. :eek:
 

hang-the-9

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
What a misleading thread title, I thought it was about a monkey and a man in a yellow suit, and here I find someting about cases and cues. :-(
 

McKinneyMiner

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
A guy I used to run around with knew some of the hand signals...

The only ones I ever saw commonly used were the flat hand swipe arcoss the chest to indicate that "we're in half" or the hand brush down the chest to indicate "I'm out"

These were in common use among hustlers in the mid and late 80's around the Southwest.
 

Fatboy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
in a casino a guy who is "George" means he tokes or tips alot to the dealers.
 
S

Scottster

Guest
freddy the beard said:
"Tom" and "George" are two of the secret components of the "hillbilly hustler's code." There are many more words and hand signals that all "made" hustlers used throughout the country in the old days. You knew you were a "made" scuff when someone taught you the hand signs and code words. It was a small tight group. You all would be surpised to find out just how many old-time famous pool hustler/players were never made privy to that info.

the Beard

I am brushing off my shoulder to this post, since the search feature was not used.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=47015
 
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