A new book with great pool stories

[BillPorter]

About two years ago I reconnected with a guy I’d known back in the 1960s at Cotton Bowling Palace in Dallas. We traded some emails and I discovered that he had spent almost 20 years hustling pool before becoming a very successful importer and seller of Moroccan carpets. He told me he had kept a journal during his travels and he emailed me some of the stories he had written. I encouraged him to put the stories together in a book and he has finally done just that.

During his years as a pool player, Alf Taylor partnered with such luminaries in the pool world as Buddy Hall, Eddie Taylor, Grady Mathews, and U.J. Puckett. Fats played a role in his life as well. The book is a great collection of stories, some funny, some scary, and all true.

Alf printed a small number of copies as a “pre-release” version of the book. He used this print run to “test market” the book to a few people and has about 20 copies left from this printing. I believe he also has a few posters. The cue stick which appears on the cover of the book, which appears below, is the cue that was given to Eddie Taylor when he was inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame. If you want to verify that Alf is "the real deal," you can ask Jay Helfert.

I will be at DCC Thursday and Friday with 15 or 16 copies of the book for sale at $20 each. I will not be mailing any copies. Some of the copies are signed by the author. Give me a call at the tournament if you want a copy. My cell is 859-380-9301.

 

[metallicane]

Can someone pick me up a copy at the DCC and mail it to me? Thanks.

 

[wahcheck]

me 2

Can someone pick me up a copy at the DCC and mail it to me? Thanks.

Ditto what metallicane said.....

 

[metallicane]

By the way, I am 100% iTrader if that means anything. I just love reading road stories about pool and would really enjoy this book from the sounds of it.

 

[BillPorter]

By the way, I am 100% iTrader if that means anything. I just love reading road stories about pool and would really enjoy this book from the sounds of it.

I just received the books and they are all signed. I have already taken names from 6 people, so there are only 10 available at this time.

 

[or1pkt]

I just received the books and they are all signed. I have already taken names from 6 people, so there are only 10 available at this time.

I want one I can meet you at derby and pay or whatever works for you send me a pm and let me know please

Thanks
Casey

 

[phishman]

Mr. Porter why come on a site like az and tease people? You have to know that you have a very desirable product that you are making very restricted and could have sold at the classic without the hype. Let's see $20.00 times 16 $320.00 oh well would pay for two nights at the Hotel. Just MY opinion. fyi If more are published you have my order.

 

[RRR]

Bill,

You indicated that these copies are part of a "pre-release".
Are there actually plans for a general publishing, and if so, do you have date?

Thanks.

 

[BillPorter]

Mr. Porter why come on a site like az and tease people? You have to know that you have a very desirable product that you are making very restricted and could have sold at the classic without the hype. Let's see $20.00 times 16 $320.00 oh well would pay for two nights at the Hotel. Just MY opinion. fyi If more are published you have my order.

I am not trying to tease people. Alf is simply selling the last of the "pre-release" version of his book. At some point in the future, he will be selling the "commercial" version at a price yet to be determined. He signed the remaining copies of the pre-release version and thought it would be nice to offer them to AZ people. Sorry if I offended you by the offering.

 

[BillPorter]

Bill,

You indicated that these copies are part of a "pre-release".
Are there actually plans for a general publishing, and if so, do you have date?

Thanks.

No date yet, but I believe he will eventually have a Website for sales of the book.

 

[BillPorter]

I am leaving to have dinner and will commit the remaining copies (about 5) to the people who post or PM me. I'll just use the time of the post or PM to determine who let me know first.

 

[poolandpokerman]

Bill, I will take one if you have any left. I get to the Derby around 2 on Friday, will call you and arrange a meeting if you will save one for me. Tom, 407-9631010

 

[jay helfert]

Alfie was the real deal as Bill said. He was a card carrying (Freddie's words) pool player in the old days (the 60's and 70's). Alfie laid low pretty good, ala Jack Cooney. He picked his spots well and was a very good gambler, not afraid to play for high stakes. Another one of those guys I knew and avoided!
Rumored to be related to Eddie Taylor (nephew?) but I'm not sure about that. I do know they were buddies.

 

[BillPorter]

Alfie was the real deal as Bill said. He was a card carrying (Freddie's words) pool player in the old days (the 60's and 70's). Alfie laid low pretty good, ala Jack Cooney. He picked his spots well and was a very good gambler, not afraid to play for high stakes. Another one of those guys I knew and avoided!
Rumored to be related to Eddie Taylor (nephew?) but I'm not sure about that. I do know they were buddies.

Jay, I remember Alfie telling me that you once invited him to play in a tournament you were having. He had planned to be at the Derby, but isn't going to be able to make it. I know he wanted to share a drink or a meal with you. As for his relationship to Eddie Taylor, while many thought Alf was Eddie's nephew, they simply shared a last name and were not related. They were very close and Alf was there at his bedside when Eddie died. Eddie gave him that cue that was given to him when he was inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame. Some great stories about Eddie in the book.

By the way, the books are now all spoken for, but Jay, you placed your order in time. See you at the Derby.

 

[BillPorter]

I have set aside a book for the following people

1. Joey Mentesana
2. Steve Booth
3. Tom Shaw
4. George Fels
5. Ricky Bryant
6. Jim Greene
7. Saturated Fats
8. Paul (Carl?) Davidson
9. Brandon Cook
10. Tracy Porter
11. Gary (Pushout on AZ)
12. Jay Helfert
13. Casey (or1pkt on AZ)
14. Bob Jewett (Dennis Walsh will pick it up for him)
15. Bill Hester
16. Rick Ballman
First in line if the above don't all pick up their copy is demonrho on AZ with Carla picking it up for him.

 

[BillPorter]

1. Jim Greene
2. Paul (Carl?) Davidson
3. Casey (or1pkt on AZ)
4. Rick Ballman

The above four people need to contact me tomorrow (Friday) to pick up their books. My cell is 859-380-9301.

First in line if the above don't all pick up their copy is demonrho on AZ with Carla picking it up for him.

Next in line is Tom.

 

[JB Cases]

I just received the books and they are all signed. I have already taken names from 6 people, so there are only 10 available at this time.

Bill I am in if there are any left

Can pay now!

 

[youngstownkid]

ditto, but would need it mailed.

 

[metallicane]

1. Jim Greene
2. Paul (Carl?) Davidson
3. Casey (or1pkt on AZ)
4. Rick Ballman

The above four people need to contact me tomorrow (Friday) to pick up their books. My cell is 859-380-9301.

First in line if the above don't all pick up their copy is demonrho on AZ with Carla picking it up for him.

Next in line is Tom.

I was first to reply to thread if you can mail one. I would love to have one and will be prompt with whatever payment you would like. Sorry I don't know anyone going to the DCC.

 

[decent dennis]

I am not trying to tease people. Alf is simply selling the last of the "pre-release" version of his book. At some point in the future, he will be selling the "commercial" version at a price yet to be determined. He signed the remaining copies of the pre-release version and thought it would be nice to offer them to AZ people. Sorry if I offended you by the offering.

love of pool means " never having to say your sorry" . Can't wait for this to go public.