Pool Action in LA Sucks, here is one day last week...

Fatboy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I worked for 3 days to get a friend of mine in action here in LA, one guy called me at 11:30 and said he saw him play on Youtube and he pulled up on a game we had made to be played the next day. He was cool enough to call me at 11:30 to break off the game we had made for the next day. That was cool, he is a cool guy. I wish he would have played, it would have been a good session. It was a even game; no way were we stealing.


The next day(Sunday) I did finally get a game made(thanks to another friend we got a good steer-he made the game 100%) for Monday at 330pm. two long days in the pool room to finally get a game for the 3rd day. considering the time it took to make the game it was like minimum wage if we win. There is just no action here anymore, it never was great like the South, but it really sucks now.


Here is how it went down:

It went like this we post 2 sets old school 9ball 2 races to 11 for $1000/race. one race on one table we liked and one race on a table the other player liked. I didnt stake him, I dont stake ppl, we both bet our $$$. I know both players and I knew it was gonna be close-real close. I have lots of respect for who we played-I'm not naming names. He is a old school player who I have always respected and still do.

First set were behind the whole set by 1-3 games, we dont have home court advantage, speed control was off and he was on the wrong side of the ball way too often. Missed a easy 9, jitters is what that was. He finally got it tied at 8-8.


Right then my fat ass springs up like a kangaroo out of the rail, I jump in between both players and suggest we play a longer set to 17 or 21 for the $4,000 in the middle. (the $4,000 is the stake for both sets $2,000 a side-in case ya dont know how this works). I wanted to win or lose $$$, I didnt want to break even. I wanted something definitive to happen, period.

I think its dumb to play a race to 3 for $1000(because it was 8-8 therefore its a race to 3). I said "Great you guys win the race to 3, and we'll win the race to 11-so were playing for hours for nothing" I said "Lets put $5,000 in the middle and got to 17". Nope they wouldnt. They wanted to play a race to 3 for $1000-Brilliant. And this guy has $$$ and been in big action, this aint big for him and his corporation.


We lost the race to 3, 3-1 so we lost the set 11-9. It was a close match as I expected. We dont have home court, the pockets at this room are cut different than the player is used to. So we were giving up a lot right there.


We switch tables(that was the deal made one set on our table and one on his table) he already has home court so at least we should get to pick the box. they wouldnt go for that so we agreed to play one set on each box.

We go to their box tee off second set-BAM!!! its 5-0 them, then 6-1 them. Sure now they are all fired up. For these guys historically this is not big action, this is put your toe in the water and see. I felt the same way, I told the rail its a coin toss when we tee'ed off. I could have bet a bit more on the rail but I didnt-it wasnt much anyways.

So at 6-1 I lean over to a guy I know for 20 years and havent talked to in probably 17 years, he said you got to win now or its over. we said that at the same time, it was kinda funny. Then I just walked away for 15-20-30 minutes and I come back and its something like 8-6 them leading.

I saw he got a handle on the speed a little better. Still we are not stealing under any circumstances. On a diamond table in a neutral spot they we got the best of it by a hair. But in this room, on that equipment-its a gamble last week or next week if they play.

So we win the so 11-9. Now the game is even we played 40 racks and the score is 20-20. Just like I told them, "you win the race to 3, we win the 2nd set and all this for nothing". And thats exactly how it went down. Aint my first rodeo. I was so pissed off I didnt come here for this past week, I didnt even play pool-why bother to be instroke when there is no action?? I didnt want to look at a cue. Play hard for what $40/gm one hole getting the worst of it? thats about whats here in LA.


So I got to thinking about it, the rail told me the action has been real dry, worst its ever been. LA was good action long before I was around in the 60's-70's I heard it was ok. Back to my point, I got to thinking about what the rail said-there is zero action. Now I remember the days when I knew if I lost, I could get into another game the same day and win my $$ back, or I remember days when I beat 4 people, or got beat 2 or 3 times.

My point is this. Action feeds on itself, and because there has been so little $1000 action here in LA these guys are scared to lose because they dont know when they are going to have a shot at winning it back somewhere else. Thats why the $20-$40 one hole is alive and well-its always there. But long gone are the days of action big enough to mean anything. I see these guys playing so seriously for $20/rack its a joke, then they drive home in a $40,000 car.


no disresprct to who we played, thanks for the action amigo. I just wish we would have played one long set for more. They pulled up on us when it was even, I asked to play another set for $1000 up to every penny in my pocket, my nose was open abd we didnt have to win if they played they had a good shot to win it was 20-20 and they pulled up, it was not a long session 9 ball goes fast. I didnt know it was that bad here in LA, the only thing I can figure is if he llost sho could he win it back from? and thats why he didnt play. He has tons of heart-I was shocked when they pulled up.


Thats how it went down on Monday. I'm not naming names. the internet has done enough damage(destroy) to action. I'm not playing guessing games with names, pool room etc. So pls dont ask me. Its not important, what is important is how it went, and why it died.


Pool leagues, $20 one hole, drunks in bars might all be fine but action is history like 8 track tapes, it was cool when it lasted.

Fatboy:frown:
 
Last edited:

pwd72s

recreational banger
Silver Member
Be careful Eric. You don't want to become an old curmudgeon...a crusty old bastard like me, wishing for the "good old days". ;)
 

King T

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
actions dead everywhere!!

It aint just LA the action is dead in Houston too!! Its always the same guys playing the same guys..., the guys that should play each other wont because no one wonts to lose face..., just wanta steal.

You can get cheap action, but if you win your done! Its sad!
 

westcoast

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
There always seem to be guys gambling on the front tables at House of Billiards in Santa Monica- mostly 1 pocket matches though
 

Fatboy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
It aint just LA the action is dead in Houston too!! Its always the same guys playing the same guys..., the guys that should play each other wont because no one wonts to lose face..., just wanta steal.

You can get cheap action, but if you win your done! Its sad!


or they play once and never again. they want a 3 ball spot if you win.


I will flip a coin anytime with anyone for $100, it all averages out. With that in mind I get these guys wanting to play $20 or $40 one hole. Ok no problem its cheap practice, but to see if they have 1% gamble in them I say lets flip it up for $20 and they are scared. Now if they are scared of that-they got NO gamble and then I know the one hole game is so one sided why play them??? I'm not going to play anyone who is scared to gamble.


Thats my gut check move, and it reveals the nits from the gamblers on the spot. Scooter Goodman and I always flip it up for a $100, he has gamble in him. Me and Kim Davenport used to pull the plunger on the pinball machine-not use the flippers and who scores the most wins, we used to do that for $20 a pull. Thats gamble.


Never play with someone who is scared of a 50/50 bet because you got the worst of it. I used to take the worst of it every day to learn to play, but it was for small $$$ I won from someone else-then I'd step up. But now nobody will take a chance-thanks to Clinton the "Pussifaction of America" is right on track. Weak scared sheep is what we got now.

Like Gotti said "I'd rather live a day as a lion, than a lifetime as a sheep"
 

King T

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Action..., what action?

I dont have a problem with $40-$50 One Pocket or $20-$30 a game 9ball, that int bad for the B/C player..., but there is no action amongst the big guns! You walk in a pool hall in Houston and the big hitters are waiting on the small fry, rather than getting up with each other????

I mean if they where getting it on, it stirs the pot and everybody wants to do something, but when you never see guys put'n racks together, the motivation aint there for the rail...., and if the rail is dead the action is dead!

Got to get the big boys back in the ring or Pool will be as dead as heavy weight boxing!
 

Put_upor_shutup

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Amen...bring the action back..U are correct though...Players dont know when they will get another set so they dont play..But seems when they beat me im itchin to play some more..No gamble and quiting winner are the ways of today and tomorrow...sick
 

Gsitz89

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
It aint just LA the action is dead in Houston too!! Its always the same guys playing the same guys..., the guys that should play each other wont because no one wonts to lose face..., just wanta steal.

You can get cheap action, but if you win your done! Its sad!

Granted im just a noob to the pool action world but thats how it seems everywhere. I live in college station and the same 7 guys are always playing each other. Same goes for the few other places ive been as well.
 

poolhallringer

Registered
You got action here- there- or- anywhere...

Hey Fatboy,
You want action I'll give you some action. I aint afraid to bet some, You
can come over here to the east coast or I'll catch up with you over there on the west coast don't make no difference to me. You can bet what you
want Fatboy but I aint playin none for less than 1000 a game. You talk big
about LA action but I'd like to see just how big you run Fatboy. I dont need no stable to prop my action it is what it is. So YOU want to play some YOU just stay out in the open and I'll catch up with YOU real soon:grin:
 

JCIN

TheActionReport.com
Gold Member
It doesnt surprise me that most of the people who have the means to bet anything serious in pool don't. It's simply not worth the hassle when you can cross the street to any casino, be treated well and guaranteed a fair game. At least in a casino you know exactly where you stand.

In pool you have spend a week talking about the game, call each other names for two days, make 100 changes to the rules and equipment and then if if you lose one set you may not get the same bet again. Who doesnt want to deal with those wonderful conditions?

There are a very few people in this country who do it right IMO. They make a game, set the rules, show up and do their thing. Pay when they lose and shake the guys hand. Its called being a professional and those people are the only reason I am still somewhat sane. They are a very small minority though.

I dont see why anyone would waste the time of trying to make serious games with strangers anymore. Its not worth the time, hassle or stress.
 

poolhustler

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Isn't this like the third or fourth thread you have started about pool suckin' in L.A.???

I think we get your point by now.

It sucks everywhere from what i hear and read.
 

watchez

What time is it?
Silver Member
Fatboy - you were suppose to call me. :mad: I had a friend in the room that I steered into getting some side action on your man. That's what I find the oddest about the LA pool scene. Seems that there is more action on the side than is on the table.

p.s. Don't squeal the tires on the Phantom.
 

Put_upor_shutup

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
It doesnt surprise me that most of the people who have the means to bet anything serious in pool don't. It's simply not worth the hassle when you can cross the street to any casino, be treated well and guaranteed a fair game. At least in a casino you know exactly where you stand.

In pool you have spend a week talking about the game, call each other names for two days, make 100 changes to the rules and equipment and then if if you lose one set you may not get the same bet again. Who doesnt want to deal with those wonderful conditions?

There are a very few people in this country who do it right IMO. They make a game, set the rules, show up and do their thing. Pay when they lose and shake the guys hand. Its called being a professional and those people are the only reason I am still somewhat sane. They are a very small minority though.

I dont see why anyone would waste the time of trying to make serious games with strangers anymore. Its not worth the time, hassle or stress.

Ding ding ding!!We have a winner...Far and few between that do this...Make a game and play and win or lose accept what comes..Its way easier then ppl make it out to be..Most ppl these days just act like they want to be in the limelight..I dont think they all actually want to be called on it...With that being said..Lets get some new TAR matches rolling..I know we still got a couple out there that are willing to let the grease sizzle with class no matter how big the burn is...
 

kvinbrwr

Skee Ball Monster Playa
Gold Member
I'm with FatBoy2. The porn star action in LA sucks too.

Its used to be, back in the 70s and 80s, I could walk into any bar in North Hollywood or Chatsworth with some blow and have some porn star chick back at my pad with a straw in her nose and something else in her mouth in under 30 minutes.

Now they just look at me like I'm some old perv.

Sucks, it used to be better.

Kevin
 

mnb

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Pool leagues, $20 one hole, drunks in bars might all be fine but action is history like 8 track tapes, it was cool when it lasted.

Fatboy:frown:
What would you like to see happen, realistically, as far as action?
 

u12armresl

One Pocket back cutter
Silver Member
Well said. What do you want to see happen.

Do you want to play some 500k sets with someone or some 20k a point snooker?

Impress us...


What would you like to see happen, realistically, as far as action?
 

the1ST

Registered
The economy is terrible, and the average American is struggling just to tread water and break even.
Excuse us if we aren't feeling froggy at the moment, most of us are just trying to get by and pay our rents. I can't speak for any pool players who have lots of extra cash to gamble with, but seeing as how the disparity in income is widening nationwide, I would imagine that more and more of them are finding themselves on the poorer end of the income spectrum.

I'm not trying to be one of them whiny liberals who has it out for all rich people, but sometimes you successful guys really have to think about your position in relation to the positions of those that you're addressing-- you oftentimes come off as the whiny ones without having good reason to be so.

Also, i'm not saying that action doesn't suck, because it does... but I think there are some pretty legitimate causes for pool action's current state... hopefully when the economy picks up then you will get the action that you so desire. :)
 

Fatboy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey Fatboy,
You want action I'll give you some action. I aint afraid to bet some, You
can come over here to the east coast or I'll catch up with you over there on the west coast don't make no difference to me. You can bet what you
want Fatboy but I aint playin none for less than 1000 a game. You talk big
about LA action but I'd like to see just how big you run Fatboy. I dont need no stable to prop my action it is what it is. So YOU want to play some YOU just stay out in the open and I'll catch up with YOU real soon:grin:


lots of people will play me, i'm not a good player, make a game thats not a stick up and u will get played. I dont play stick up games. Here or anywhere else.
 

Fatboy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Well said. What do you want to see happen.

Do you want to play some 500k sets with someone or some 20k a point snooker?

Impress us...


nah, its not about me, its about the sad state of pool. thats what sucks.


why do you constantly start shit? are you that mad at the world?
 
Top