A requested 9 Ball story

[wahcheck]

Your stories are appreciated too

Thanks Bill. I was Louie's stakehorse at that tournament. One night we went to a local pool hall (slightly out of town), and Louie gave up some weight (as usual) and won a bunch of money (over a grand). We were leaving and in the parking lot drives Jimmy King waving a fistful of money out the car window. Louie wants to stay and I don't. I give him half the bankroll and he rolls in about 7AM dead broke.

I staked Louie off and on for the next five years, with intermittent success. Off the bottle, he was deadly. Once drinking, he was a complete sucker. His last major tournament was at the Sands in Vegas (Parica won) in 1990 or 1991. From there he went to Phoenix and was dead a week later. I've heard varying reports of his death too.

What I do know is that Louie would get very self destructive on alcohol and could be quite combative too. I once fought with him physically (in our hotel room) off and on for about an hour at the Classic Cup in Chicago. I won't go into why right now.

Louie and Holly (his beautiful young wife) stayed with me in Los Angeles for about one month in 1986. He was a great guy when sober, but was always scheming how to get a drink. I wouldn't allow him to drink in my home, as my 14 year old daughter lived with me at this time. I had to watch him like a hawk though, because he would sneak out a window (literally) and run down to the nearest liquor store and buy a tall one.

Louie had more pure charisma than any pool player I've ever known. His personality was magnetic. He could have been a superstar if he could control his alchoholism. I believe Louie was 40 when he died.

Hello Jay,

I just wanted to express my appreciation for the stories and comments that you offer from time to time....obviously you have had many experiences and insights that we like to hear about....your posts and Grady's are some of the most interesting that I read.........Thanks ....

P.S. I remember seeing you on Dr. Phil's TV program and I respect your candidness and willingness to share your experiences on national TV...How did that come about? I mean, getting on his program?

 

[Grady]

Hey Grady,

I greatly enjoy your sharing your history with pool with us. As a hall of fame caliber player, gambler, and room owner you have one hell of a vantage point. I've never thought that you went out of your way to be vindictive or mean-spirited in giving your account of a person or situation. If you were to totally sugar-coat your stories or accounts they wouldn't be as interesting. All of us have some warts...some more than others.

When are you planning to come to SoCal again? It would be great to do your history of pool/ one-pocket seminar somewhere. Best regards,

Martin

We're going to be close to you twice in the near future but we already have
our tickets and schedule arranged. If I had known, we're in Vegas in late
July and Late Sept. But we don't have any extra days.
Does it matter what day of the of the week? Because we are also going to be
in Reno in early Sept. and we don't have our tickets or itinerary done yet.
I'd love to come to SoCal again and I appreciate your help and friendship.
Let me know.

 

[wayne]

Grady and I have been arguing and battling each other for 30 years. That's just a natural clash of our extremely competitive natures. However, if I had to go to war, I would want Grady in the foxhole with me.

the Beard

If the enemy in the war saw you and Grady in the foxhole together they would probably die from laughter.

 

[havoc]

Grady and I have been arguing and battling each other for 30 years. That's just a natural clash of our extremely competitive natures. However, if I had to go to war, I would want Grady in the foxhole with me.

the Beard

i have to say i was a little scared when i read the headline of this post.

i thought you were going to tell a detroit whitey story.