CJ did you ever gamble with : (1) Nick Varner (2) Mike Sigel (3) Jose Parica. (4) Buddy Hall (5) Kim Davenport (6) Rafael Martinez or any other 80s and 90s top player. I know you beat Keith and Danny M. on your home court during the twilight of your gambling career and I don't think Archer ever beat you in 3 or 4 tries. Pool was a different game then with a lot of gun slingers that run 3 rack in 5 mins. Was there anyone that had your number that you found hard to beat although they have even gotten weight. How bout some stories ?
CJ Wiley Gambling
- Thread starter Dave714
- Start date
You'd need a Brink's truck to haul away the money CJ has taken from top performers in pool. Living in Albany, NY during the early 70s, I can give you a long list of top "pros" that came to town to play Mike Zuglan....and they all lost their money. They were barking up the wrong tree. Some thought they'd get even with Mike by playing 3 cushion for cash. Again, they were very wrong.
Mike was a great player. I used to watch him and Grady do exhibitions when I went to college in the late 1980's in Western Massachusetts. I once saw a straight pool match between Zuglan and Sigel where neither player missed a ball!
I believe Grady and Mike used to play in Holyoke , MA.- in an old room in the downtown area.Mike was a great player. I used to watch him and Grady do exhibitions when I went to college in the late 1980's in Western Massachusetts. I once saw a straight pool match between Zuglan and Sigel where neither player missed a ball!
I saw them a few times at Brown's Billiards, which I believe was on Route 9 in Hadley, MA.
I hadn't ever heard of him and JA had just won one of his World Championships probably 92 or 93 and Dallas was having some kind of Big Tourn. probably Champs across from CJ's old place. About a day before leaving Waco for the tournament we got wind of some guy name CJ beat Archer 4 straight sets for 4k each. Knowing this guy from Texas beat the World Champ. I had a new favorite and hadn't seen him hit a ball. When I saw his fast paced no hesitation style and his fearlessness to gamble I had a favorite . Must of been 91'-94'. In Big tournament around Texas he was wearing "Red" on Sundays before Tiger.
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CJ played Mark Tadd in Cue Club 2 sets I think they were 9 ahead (I could be wrong on the length) $10k a set.
CJ made 4/4 jump shots, back before that was normal. Huge rail, there was 150 people there that night.
CJ could have beat any player in the world that particular night. Nobody could win. He played as close to perfect pool as I’d ever seen.
I spoke to him about it almost 20 years later-maybe 17-18 years. It was a clinic. Not knocking Mark, lots of heart. He didn’t have a chance, not because he didn’t play well. CJ played about perfect. Was something. Lots of champions were there.
Lots of people were at the tourney at the Riv when the word came out they were playing and everyone bounced over to Cue Club. What a rail. Was in 92 or 93 I’d guess. It’s well known by lots of people. I’ve posted this story before.
One night at the pool room I’ll never forget.
Best
Fatboy
CJ made 4/4 jump shots, back before that was normal. Huge rail, there was 150 people there that night.
CJ could have beat any player in the world that particular night. Nobody could win. He played as close to perfect pool as I’d ever seen.
I spoke to him about it almost 20 years later-maybe 17-18 years. It was a clinic. Not knocking Mark, lots of heart. He didn’t have a chance, not because he didn’t play well. CJ played about perfect. Was something. Lots of champions were there.
Lots of people were at the tourney at the Riv when the word came out they were playing and everyone bounced over to Cue Club. What a rail. Was in 92 or 93 I’d guess. It’s well known by lots of people. I’ve posted this story before.
One night at the pool room I’ll never forget.
Best
Fatboy
I also saw him and Efren at Champs I guess it was CJ getting 3 on the wire for 38k reported to the crowd around 92'. CJ lost 21-19. Also saw him give Jimmy Welch the wild 8, 10 ahead 14 or 15k. Other than that I've only heard stories. He mentioned he got flew in to beat Sigel. I know he didn't back down to Kim or Varner gambling. Earl may have quit by then 87-92. Cj said he ambushed a lot of them In the Canadian open because they never seen him before. Did that mean your Head to Head vs. the Big names didn't happen on the road often ? CJ it's been 30 plus years since you played these guys win/lose. We know you're a humble player, so let us know your record against these guys !!
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I don't know CJ nor much about his exploits but he did mention he studied classical piano. In that genre you get the technical requirements down - but nothing. And that's before anything else. Then you work the material till you know it backwards and forwards in your sleep. When it's showtime, it's straight through, no retries. I'm guessing there's an "on the gas" element that can help the competitive psyche - even provide an edge over other sports types. (whatever those might be) When in doubt, attack the scoreboard.
L.S. Dennis
Well-known member
It would be great to hear some stories, that’s what the pool community thrives on. Some spice, not the the pablum of today’s players