There is a great black pool player in my area named Dave Carver and I was wondering if anyone had any stories to share about the guy. I've been playing him a lot of 1 hole with him lately and I'm learning a lot. A lot of people said that he could have been on of the best in the world, but like a lot of pool players, drugs were his downfall. He's still a pleasure to play against and has some great stories, especially about his time in New York.
He is probably in his mid 50's I am guessing. Still plays a very strong game but nothing like the stories that I've heard from him and many other players in my area. Last night, after I finished playing Nick Varner(Woot!), he was telling me stories about the first time he went up to New York. He had a well known backer from New York pay his way up there and gave him $200 a day regardless if he played or not and apparently took a very small cut of all the winnings the guy made.
The first guy he ended up playing was Allen Hopkins, when Allen was considered one of the best in the world, and got the 8 on his break and the 7 on Allens. He said that he tortured Allen with that spot and the next night the Miz came through wanting to play. He got the 7 from Miz and tortured him. He said they all thought he was Cecil Tugwell out of California, they couldn't believe he was a no named player from North Carolina. Then Jimmy Fusco came in and they locked up playing even and posted for two sets. He said that Jimmy ran the first 3 racks and puffed out his chest a little bit proud of himself. Dave said that by the time he got back to the table the score was 9-3 Dave. He ended up winning that set and that Jimmy tried adjusting the game to get weight but Dave wasn't have that considering they locked up for two sets. After he won the 2nd, Jimmy started barking about he play him for 5K in his home poolroom and Dave simply asked, "How do you get there?". He made his way over to Jimmys room and he said that when he got there that Jimmy only wanted to bet 1K after barking about playing for 5K. He ended up saying he'd play him for 2K and they finally got the money together and he beat Jimmy 11-2.
He also mentioned that Dennis Orcullo was up in New York and that Dennis came up to him and said that he had heard that Dave plays pretty good. Dave told him he used too and Dennis asked if he wanted to play. Dave said, "You know what you gotta do", and Dennis asked how much weight he wanted. Dave said that he didn't even want any weight, just when he wanted, he could have an extra shot. Dennis agreed and asked how much he wanted to play for and Dave said $500 a game which kind of shocked Dennis. So they start the first game and Dennis was running out and was straight in on the 8 and the 9 a hanger after that, so Dave says "Okay, I'll take my shot now!". Dennis said "You can't be serious?!?" and looked around and the rail mentioned that that was the bet he accepted. So yeah, Dave is a hustler. Needless to say Dennis didn't want to play another game after that.
So if anyone has any stories or can verify any of these stories... I'd love to hear them.
He is probably in his mid 50's I am guessing. Still plays a very strong game but nothing like the stories that I've heard from him and many other players in my area. Last night, after I finished playing Nick Varner(Woot!), he was telling me stories about the first time he went up to New York. He had a well known backer from New York pay his way up there and gave him $200 a day regardless if he played or not and apparently took a very small cut of all the winnings the guy made.
The first guy he ended up playing was Allen Hopkins, when Allen was considered one of the best in the world, and got the 8 on his break and the 7 on Allens. He said that he tortured Allen with that spot and the next night the Miz came through wanting to play. He got the 7 from Miz and tortured him. He said they all thought he was Cecil Tugwell out of California, they couldn't believe he was a no named player from North Carolina. Then Jimmy Fusco came in and they locked up playing even and posted for two sets. He said that Jimmy ran the first 3 racks and puffed out his chest a little bit proud of himself. Dave said that by the time he got back to the table the score was 9-3 Dave. He ended up winning that set and that Jimmy tried adjusting the game to get weight but Dave wasn't have that considering they locked up for two sets. After he won the 2nd, Jimmy started barking about he play him for 5K in his home poolroom and Dave simply asked, "How do you get there?". He made his way over to Jimmys room and he said that when he got there that Jimmy only wanted to bet 1K after barking about playing for 5K. He ended up saying he'd play him for 2K and they finally got the money together and he beat Jimmy 11-2.
He also mentioned that Dennis Orcullo was up in New York and that Dennis came up to him and said that he had heard that Dave plays pretty good. Dave told him he used too and Dennis asked if he wanted to play. Dave said, "You know what you gotta do", and Dennis asked how much weight he wanted. Dave said that he didn't even want any weight, just when he wanted, he could have an extra shot. Dennis agreed and asked how much he wanted to play for and Dave said $500 a game which kind of shocked Dennis. So they start the first game and Dennis was running out and was straight in on the 8 and the 9 a hanger after that, so Dave says "Okay, I'll take my shot now!". Dennis said "You can't be serious?!?" and looked around and the rail mentioned that that was the bet he accepted. So yeah, Dave is a hustler. Needless to say Dennis didn't want to play another game after that.
So if anyone has any stories or can verify any of these stories... I'd love to hear them.
