Best Money/Road player
- Thread starter AceHigh
- Start date
Not sure where he's originally from, but has been known to be in the St. Louis area and is currently living somewhere in Florida...Sammy Soto! I'm sure there's a few people here that have heard of him, OHB you may know him. He's been to the Break and Side Pocket a few times, to my knowledge. He's about 6'-2", caucasion, really skinny, jet black hair, usually has 2-3 backers with him and plays knockout pool. Has beaten Buddy Hall numerous times as well as a few other top Pros.
Zim
Zim
hemicudas said:
I asked Keith about Larry Hubbert and Mike Sigel playing him when they were on the road, and he said it happened at a place called "Nero's" in California. He had been playing poker for about 30 hours or more, and in the bar walks in Mike and Larry, looking to Earthquake for a little action. At that time, many road players and champions came to California gunning for Keith because he was instant action, had no fear, and would play for high stakes.
A friend in the bar went to the card room and told Keith that they were there looking for him. So he packed up his poker chips and went on over to see what was happening. Mike Sigel was in the peak of his career, and Keith said he wasn't afraid of ANYBODY at that time. So him and Mike matched up on the bar table there at Nero's, 7-ahead sets playing 9-ball, even. Keith won two sets for 3 dimes each, and then Larry Hubbert stepped up to the plate and wanted a chance to get their money back, but he wanted a spot. Keith gave Larry the wild 8 on the bar table and went through him like water going through a sift. After Keith beat Larry Hubbert, Larry and Mike went to Oklahoma City, and Larry beat David Matlock, even, for the money.
And IMHO, it's kind of difficult to compare players like Buddy Hall with pool players in today's world. For one thing, the action is nowhere near as good as it was in Buddy's heyday. I will guarantee you that any of today's players wouldn't fare too well playing the Buddy Hall that I know from the '70s. Even today, Buddy Hall still packs a mean punch on a field of green, and none of these young up-and-coming stars would have had a chance playing even with Buddy Hall when he was at the height of his career.
At a couple of U.S. Opens ago, Cliff Joyner had a backer with him and wanted to play Keith some one-hole, 4-ahead for a couple of dimes, spotting him 10 to 7. I didn't like the game at all and didn't want to move forward with it for my dough. I mean, surely there was softer action in the joint than Cliff Joyner. However, at Keith's insistance, he prevailed and off they went. The crowd at Q-Master's surrounded their table, and it truly was standing room only. After a couple of games that went back and forth, it was even, and Cliff's backers pulled up, not liking what they saw on the table.
Moral of the story, it's not how well you play being on the road, but how well you match up, and it is essential to have knowledge of all games as well as an awareness of your opponent's capabilities. The rest is pure guts.
Keith beat a guy out of 360,000 nuggets in Las Vegas one time, which is the biggest money game I've ever heard of. I don't think there will ever be that kind of action again in today's tournament-inclined pool world.
JAM
Last edited:
Blackjack said:
UJ Puckett was the second best hustler I ever met, Blackjack. He might have been the best but he was never able to trap me and the legend, among players of the day, Bill Lawson, did.
I know, Bill who. All the older players know who he was and how well he laid it down.
Scotty Townsend is one of my best friends and you are right, he has busted many who took a shot at him in Monroe but without a doubt, the greatest defender of the home turf had to be, Buddy Hall, in the Tournament Room when he lived in Shreveport, LA. They all took shots at him and no one, I mean, no one liked it. Hell, Louie Roberts went busted every day for a month, get this, getting the 7 ball, before he finally won at the game.
AceHigh said:
Does Mike Sigel ever get involved in money games anymore?
In the COM they stated that Mike went on the road for 4 years hustling from bar to bar. Anyone who can hide their skill for that long, and still win,
has to be the best in my mind.
I hear that Bob Ogburn plays a pretty good game.
Jake
piglit said:
That's it. Not impressed, why? I've only been playing for a little over a year, and I know that I haven't even begun to see the great caliber of money players that are out there. But I think Josh shoots pretty damn good. By the way, where have you seen him shoot?
I guess any player that can spot me more than 4 balls is a pool god in my mind.
AceHigh said:
AceHigh, whenever these "Who is the Best?" threads appear, there's always a little debate back and forth, due to the age differences of many of the forum readers. As an example, it's kind of difficult to say this guy beat Buddy Hall last month, when "this guy" never played and may not have been born yet when Buddy Hall was in his peak.
I saw Josh shoot down at the Carolinas Open last year, and he matches up well. I think his best game may be one-pocket, or at least that's what I saw him playing on the offs most times. He's a straight-shooting young gun, but he's a little green behind the ears when it comes to being on the road. Word of advice to Josh, don't drink and get in action at the same time. Some folks can handle their alcohol, and with others, it brings out the worst.
I was impressed with his shooting capabilities, and I am sure we will be hearing more about young Josh in the future. He's definitely got game!
JAM
AceHigh said:
Josh Degler played on the Florida Pro Tour a couple times last year.
Finished 13-16 both times. Finishing above Rob Saez both times.
Must be about 22 now.
I think the real money players keep it quiet. When they win they don't brag. And of course if they lose they don't talk about that either. The games are usually private, with a small audiance.
Jake
AceHigh said:
Ace,
Josh is an excellent pool player, no boutadoubtit. Like JAM says, still a little green though, in the ways of the world.
There was a discussion about him recently:
http://www.azbilliards.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=8795
-piga