CJ - Ever gamble in Memphis?

all I remember clearly is it was a highly offensive game.

JG-in-KY said:
CJ, you say they had some funny rules.....was that the one with the shot clock. Seemed to remember it gave players some trouble.
Remember seeing you coming through Florida in mid 80s. Florida was a snake pit full of champions then. You were steered very well, as I remember it. You played Tommy Brown in my homeroom (Peg's Pocket) in Miami. You two pretty much broke even. Big Arm John was with you. I do recall you made some good money on that trip!
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Yes, the incoming player could make you shoot again I think, or maybe it was even ball in hand if you missed, I can't remember right this second. There was a shot clock, and all I remember clearly is it was a highly offensive game.
 
someone said he had taken ill and may not even be around anymore.....maybe you know?

JG-in-KY said:
CJ, you say they had some funny rules.....was that the one with the shot clock. Seemed to remember it gave players some trouble.
Remember seeing you coming through Florida in mid 80s. Florida was a snake pit full of champions then. You were steered very well, as I remember it. You played Tommy Brown in my homeroom (Peg's Pocket) in Miami. You two pretty much broke even. Big Arm John was with you. I do recall you made some good money on that trip!
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Peg's Pocket, yes, that is correct, I played Tommy Brown several times and couldn't beat him. I actually was supposed to, but he played really well on that upstairs table at Pegs Pocket. I remember being frustrated because I never could hit that "high gear" against him and couldn't figure out why. His game through me off somehow and although he played extremely well, there was just something that threw me off about playing him. When you play a lot you'll find that happens sometimes, a player will throw your rhythm, speed, or shot-making off for some reason. I always wondered what happened to Tommy, someone said he had taken ill and may not even be around anymore.....maybe you know?

We did get steered well there and ended up winning 30K in the Miami area and also took some big scores off in the KEYS. We went into a bar in Key Largo where the local guy there had "never been beat" (he dodged several players we found out later) and I played him 8 Ball for 600 a game starting out with him betting $20 in the center. We won every quarter in that bar in a couple of hours... they were betting on this guy like there was no way he could lose.
 
Ken_4fun said:
LOL, now I have find out about Jerry Brock. I have never seen him play. Back to youtube and others...:mad:

I know it isnt amazing to you, but there are just a ton of great players, I mean really great players. Most of us (me included) know players in a region but guys like you know them all over the country.

Hard to believe isnt it?

Next question do you think there are more shortstop and over players now or when you was a youngster?

Second question. IMO, it seems that the old guys were master of the cueball, and current players are better shot makers. Do you agree or do I sniff too much glue?:p

Ken
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Brock was here/CO Sprgs.... at least twice in his life for quite a stay, we've played before but I played em his last few sets just before he went off to jail for his misstep/Cohan moment....those past dues are now paid in full and he's hopefully doing fine with the rest of his life. His play style was unique. I remember Jerry fiddling with the fiberglass cues that were around during the Houston/Reds 80's years. Seemed intimidating with Jerry using it, But the players Knew glass was NOT the proper tool, but Jerry was willing to experiment, I think he played Gabby with one of those black fiberglass shafts/Houston....having played both and Gabby much more, I'd prefer to play Gabby at his best than Jerry.
 
Island Drive said:
Brock was here/CO Sprgs.... at least twice in his life for quite a stay, we've played before but I played em his last few sets just before he went off to jail for his misstep/Cohan moment....those past dues are now paid in full and he's hopefully doing fine with the rest of his life. His play style was unique. I remember Jerry fiddling with the fiberglass cues that were around during the Houston/Reds 80's years. Seemed intimidating with Jerry using it, But the players Knew glass was NOT the proper tool, but Jerry was willing to experiment, I think he played Gabby with one of those black fiberglass shafts/Houston....having played both and Gabby much more, I'd prefer to play Gabby at his best than Jerry.
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i hope Brock got life straightened out.
I was playing Dallas out in Aurora, sets for $500 and noticed some guy sitting on the rail and watching intently, but quietly. I had heard some rumors about Broc, but again we always hear "rumors".
I was about to sit down when I looked and realized it was Brock. Thinking about the rumors, a chill ran through me, but he just nodded and remained quiet. he soon got up and just left.
That stuck with me for a ong time.
 
ironman said:
i hope Brock got life straightened out.
I was playing Dallas out in Aurora, sets for $500 and noticed some guy sitting on the rail and watching intently, but quietly. I had heard some rumors about Broc, but again we always hear "rumors".
I was about to sit down when I looked and realized it was Brock. Thinking about the rumors, a chill ran through me, but he just nodded and remained quiet. he soon got up and just left.
That stuck with me for a ong time.
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Yep, he's a good old school player, but your right, his demeanor demanded respect and you got it it return.
 
CJ Wiley said:
Peg's Pocket, yes, that is correct, I played Tommy Brown several times and couldn't beat him. I actually was supposed to, but he played really well on that upstairs table at Pegs Pocket. I remember being frustrated because I never could hit that "high gear" against him and couldn't figure out why. His game through me off somehow and although he played extremely well, there was just something that threw me off about playing him. When you play a lot you'll find that happens sometimes, a player will throw your rhythm, speed, or shot-making off for some reason. I always wondered what happened to Tommy, someone said he had taken ill and may not even be around anymore.....maybe you know?

We did get steered well there and ended up winning 30K in the Miami area and also took some big scores off in the KEYS. We went into a bar in Key Largo where the local guy there had "never been beat" (he dodged several players we found out later) and I played him 8 Ball for 600 a game starting out with him betting $20 in the center. We won every quarter in that bar in a couple of hours... they were betting on this guy like there was no way he could lose.
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The time I watched you two play, you won the first night playing by the game and Tommy won the next night playing a set. Pretty even on the money. Of course you went on from here and hit another gear soon after! I do remember one shot in particular.... cue ball on one end of the table almost against the rail, seven ball in the middle of the table at the other end about six inches from the end rail and you speared it in like a hanger!

Tommy ended up meeting a girl in my home state of Kentucky and marrying her, had two sons and opened a poolroom in Daytona Beach. He had the poolroom up until he passed away after a long illness, January 2nd, 2009. Tommy was on the cover of Billiards Digest May 1988. He was a great player and friend.

Before I got to Miami, a good friend said you could win thousands in the Keys from guys who couldn't make a bridge. They just had a lot of "disposable" income and needed things to do. LOL
 
Ken_4fun said:
Did you ever see Louie Roberts in action there?

Before my time and I regret it.

Ken
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The first time I saw Jerry Brock and Louie Roberts, Louie was in Funland killing everyone. From what I understand he was passing through on the road and winning all across the country. Jerry Brock walks in and goes over the Jack Hunter and buys a Joss cue. I remember it well because it was my dream cue that I had been saving every nickel I could scratch together to buy. Jerry bought the cue hit a couple of racks of balls with it and jumped into a heads up game with Louie. They played for 22 1/2 hours and broke even. The best playing I had ever seen. Jerry kicked in a ball off the spot from the kitchen AND got shape. WOW.

I wound up making friends with Jerry and later on Louie as well. I offered to pay them to play with me so I could learn something. They both said forget about it, I'll play with ya. They were both big hearted guys and I will never forget their generosity in taking their time to help be get started on the path.

I wound up buying another cheaper Joss cue from Jack. Jerry was working in a bar in Southaven. I took it down there to show Jerry. He took it over to the bar table and hit a few balls with it. He came back and said wanna trade. I said sure and he reached behind the bar and put the original cue I wanted on the bar and put the other one back in the case and put it under the bar. Just like that and I had the cue I dreamed about for months. I wish I still had it today but like all pool players, you get broke and you sell your stick. That's what kept Jack Hunter in business. :D

I almost forgot. A few days after the Louie/Jerry match Jerry and Jack Hunter matched up on the bumper pool table for $20 a game. In bumper pool you both shoot the first ball at the same time. If you both make it, you continue to shoot at the same time until someone misses. They both cleared all the balls off the table three times in a row until Jack missed the last ball. Jerry won $20 and Jack quit.

Funland was my first pool room experience and was a wild place. I guess they all were back then. I saw Buddy Hall, Sunny Springer, Youngblood, Cannonball, Louie Roberts, Jerry Brock and a bunch of other road players in there on a fairly regular basis. Kinard and Richard Austin were the best local players back then. They used to give action to the road players that came through. I was an ant in a room of giants.
 
The story here at the poolhall is Kinard beat CJ out of all of his money, then both cues. :eek:

That must have been one hell of a night....:rolleyes:

Ken
 
if we're not willing to lose we'll never truly win. 'The Game taught me that"

Ken_4fun said:
The story here at the poolhall is Kinard beat CJ out of all of his money, then both cues. :eek:

That must have been one hell of a night....:rolleyes:

Ken
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Yes, he played really well and my game at 18 wasn't quite "mature" enough to beat him. I made a big transition between 18 and 19 with the discovery of TOI.

I hocked a Zamboti AND a Balabushka for $800. and went back up to St. Louis after playing in the "wrong bar" and getting something put in my drink. This was a very educational, but not profitable trip. I remember I was supposed to go back and get those cues and it started snowing heavily in St. Louis and I just said f*#* those cues and went to Columbia Mo. to play instead. Those cues are worth well over 10k now (from what I've heard). :thumbup: Live and learn, it's the not the first and won't be the last "loser" I book, of course if we're not willing to lose we'll never truly win. 'The Game taught me that" ;)
 
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