And Here's The Way It Was

Johnnyt said:
For those not old enough or didn’t play in the 1950’s to 1980’s, let me tell you how it was for action in bars on the bar boxes.

If you were a strong “B” player or above (and there weren’t but about 20% then that there are now) you could make a weekly blue collar union wage just hustling a list of bars in a 10 sq mile area of the East coast. Myself and many others took home on average $200-$400 a week w/o playing for more than $5 or $10 a game. $20 a game in the 1960’s was considered real good action. $5 was like $25 today and $20 was like $100 today. Most union workers were making less than $100 a week, and that was considered a good job in 1950-1960.

When I saw how easy it was to make good money in bars with a little talent, and a good act, I stopped trying to knock heads making money in a pool room. Unless you were the big fish in a pool room you wouldn’t get to keep your money long or you would run out of action fast if you didn‘t play the better players. I had a regular route of bars I hit on a schedule. I kept track in an old paperboy’s route book of dates, players, and who I won from last time I was there. Bars across from racetracks (horses), bars near big factories, and hospitals were some of my hunting grounds. Most of the time I had a regular job to go to or a business to run by day, so I averaged about 3 to 4 nights a week hustling pool. I can honestly say that I always made as much or more a week at pool than I did on a job until the mid 1980‘s. Pool, gambling, partying, what a life it was. Johnnyt
Click to expand...


from 86-89 I made $300/week on average never betting more than $50. 50% of my action was $5-$20 and it was awalys there, people wernt scared to play, I was a C player making more $$$ than the average A player can right now in Phoenix, brcause the $300 was the net I would win $400-$500 and lose a hunderd or 2 I didnt book winners all the time, I jusr managed my $$$, It did get boaring fter a while and the time between games got longer and longer, in 85-86 I played weaker but there was action 7 nights at the poolrooms or bars, by 92 I might have 2-3 customers a week, So I stopped because I didnt play strong enough to move up to anyhting where I could make $$$ consistantly. In 93 I got into telemarketing.

It was fun too playing for $20 knowing you had the best of it but still had to bear down.
 
jay helfert said:
The truth for me Johnny is I never think about it anymore, unless it comes up in a discussion. I kind of wish I had more sense at a young age and got a better education. I might have had a better life instead of being a lifetime scuffler. I did okay owning pool rooms but not like being a doctor or a lawyer.

I don't have any regrets because it's what I wanted to do at the time, and I was kind of lazy. I didn't want a real job. But in hindsight, it was not the best decision I could have made. Yes, it was always a thrill to leave with the cash, but somewhat short sighted of me in the long run.

We used to call some of our victims suckers, but who was really the sucker. These guys had good jobs and made a good living. We were struggling to keep a decent bankroll together. I was one of the more fortunate pool players of my era. I seemed to hold onto money and always had a healthy bank account. But I knew a lot of champions who stayed broke most of the time. They laid around the pool room hoping for a mark and were even lazier than me.

I will say this. I had a lot more fun in the poolrooms than in the bars. Working a bar was a job that took cunning, skill and patience. All that to make a measly forty or fifty bucks. It did seem great at the time, but I wouldn't wish that life on anyone. This is not a career goal to aspire too. I at least had the sense to realize I couldn't do this all my life and bought my first poolroom at age 27. That's when I learned about real work. Seven days a week, 12-14 hours a day. But I was making real money and not chump change.

Just a word to the wise, you young guys out there that think this is cool. It's not.
Click to expand...

having a job is stressful and dosent fit your style Jay, you aint capable of being a 9-5er(I mean that in a good way) your a free sprit and do things when you want to, and 2 weeks vacation a year wouldnt cut it either you and I are, the kind of guys who need to breath different air more often than most men do. You made the right moves in life, so have I(i'm in a trap right now but who cares-it will blow over). I know you made all the right choices in life-your a happy man, happier than 99% of the people I know, aint that what its all about???? What else is there???


PS:you looked great in the MJ white gloves!!!!!
 
Fatboy said:
having a job is stressful and dosent fit your style Jay, you aint capable of being a 9-5er(I mean that in a good way) your a free sprit and do things when you want to, and 2 weeks vacation a year wouldnt cut it either you and I are, the kind of guys who need to breath different air more often than most men do. You made the right moves in life, so have I(i'm in a trap right now but who cares-it will blow over). I know you made all the right choices in life-your a happy man, happier than 99% of the people I know, aint that what its all about???? What else is there???


PS:you looked great in the MJ white gloves!!!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks Eric. I will say this about all the years spent in the poolroom. I got a helluva street education. I learned how to "read" people, and quickly. I can still spot a con and a con man from a mile away. The moment they start talking I can smell them. I've had a few sharp guys try to work me, but I was laughing inside while I was listening to their spiel. They're amateurs compared to some of the sharpsters I met in the poolroom.

I really think this one thing has helped my poker game immensely. I can put a good "read" on most players. And I've fooled more than a few of them as well. :wink:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top