i first ran into him in a bar that was part of my regular rotation and known for gambling back in the early 70s.
back then i didn't know hardly any names and mostly didn't really care. i went into the galewood bar put up my quarter and was told it was a $50 table that night. there was quite a few quarters up, so i went outside for my usual "breath of fresh air" came back had a drink and it was my turn.
back then around here the bars played money breaks. i broke ran out, racked next player broke dry i ran out 2x more then a friend came up and told me who i had just played, 3 champs the first being "his words ambush ambrose". well now i know i am surrounded with champs, i can't make a ball and lose the next game. i'm up 100 so i don't tempt fate and quit while i'm ahead.
i find out later they are all in town for a high dollar tourney at the crystal cue the next day. so i go and watch the tourney and with a lot of heavey hitters, richie snaps it off.
after the tourney about 8 of them ring it up for 100 on the 9. now my memory kinda sucks (and is worse with names) but i do remember joe gold and willie munson were in it. richie drew first shot and ran 5 or 6 racks. poor willie drew last and was down around 1,000 before he got his first shot.
needless to say richie got everybodys money that week. (except mine
). i also found out later on why my friend called him ambush ambrose as he had hit all the rooms aroud town ( there were 4 back then) and took everybody off.
M.C.