Gamblers - What is the stickiest situation?

Snapshot9

Snapshot9

son of 3 leg 1 eye dog ..
Silver Member
For all those old time Gamblers out there, what are some of the bad situations you got into because of gambling or hustling?

when I was 24, down in Houston, Telephone Road, I was hustling Pool inside with a guy, was up $400, and his buddy outside, who had stuck a knife
in my buddy's ribs, was robbing my buddy. They took off pretty quick,
and I gave my buddy $200 of the $400 I won.

In my mid 20's here in Wichita, at a little bar south of Boeing at night, I was
playing an Air Force guy, who claimed to be a Golden Gloves champion, and had him stuck $350, when he became upset, and he and his other 3 Air Force
buddies jumped me. I am not a black belt or anything, but I had training
in 2 martial arts (in the Navy), and I was holding my own with 3 of them.
The 4th had gone to the bathroom, and he came from the side to blindeye me
across the nose. I got up and was poised to kick him in the face when a
hand went down hard on my shoulder from the back. I whirled around and it
was a cop. Seems the bartender, who I now noticed had a shotgun in his
hands had called the Police. I had to have 3 stitches to my nose, and I
did not press charges although I felt like I should have.

Also, in mid 20's, I was playing at Burke's Steakhouse in the back, a roadplayer from Oklahoma, and had him stuck. His buddy walked right
up behind me, and held a blade to my back, and said, "You better lose
the next game or else". About 3 seconds after that, Papa Burke, who
never missed anything going on in his house, stuck a gun in the buddy's
back, took the blade away from him, kicked him out and told him never to
come back. I continued to beat the roadplayer, and he quit after a few
more games and left.
 
I was on the road with a "road agent," as they were called then, and we ended up in Dalton, Georgia. He got into some action on a bar box, and as I was side-betting it with a local, my partner was in the pit, betting it high as the Georgia pine. :cool:

We were up pretty good, when the local began to take the heat and pulled a gun out on me. This particular bar had no windows, and there was only one door going in and out of the joint. The bartender assured me we were safe and that he'd escort us to our car, but I'll never forget the feeling I had in the pit of my stomach, looking at that gun with my name on it. :(

JAM
 
JAM said:
I was on the road with a "road agent," as they were called then, and we ended up in Dalton, Georgia. He got into some action on a bar box, and as I was side-betting it with a local, my partner was in the pit, betting it high as the Georgia pine. :cool:

We were up pretty good, when the local began to take the heat and pulled a gun out on me. This particular bar had no windows, and there was only one door going in and out of the joint. The bartender assured me we were safe and that he'd escort us to our car, but I'll never forget the feeling I had in the pit of my stomach, looking at that gun with my name on it. :(

JAM
Click to expand...

metal detectors would be a good idea w/ all this steel coming in and out of them places.
 
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Burke's Steakhouse - What a Spot that was!

I played many games and sessions @ Burke's Steakhouse back then and all were great. Your right, Papa Burke took no shit from no one. Did he ever take you back to the house and give you a tour. It was amazing. Do you know the story of him and the Texas Mafia? He took California Bob and I for The Tour once and I'll never forget it.
I NEVER HAD OR SAW ANY TROUBLE THERE AT ALL.
The first time there, Papa Burke assured me that If I acted like a gentleman, I would be treated like one. I beat him out of quite a lot of money over the years and he always asked me if I wanted a ride back to the motel with one of his armed friends and I could come pick up my car later. I never saw a fellow who loved pool (or appreciated good playing), as much as him.
Two of my best memories of games there are - Jimmy Mataya & myself went there to play Flyboy from KC, where we were hustling at the time. Jimmy was at the top of his game and Flyboy was also in his prime. What a set! Jimmy got the cheese but it wasn't easy at all. Jimmy had to hurry to catch a plane to KC and then on to Lansing for the Mich. straight pool tourney so I drove him to the airport a.s.a.p. They wouldn't let him on the plane with the Muscle Shirt he was wearing and he thought he would miss the tourney. I said - Hell Jimmy - I can beat that plane to KC anyway. He changed shirts in the car and I drove that brand new Buick Wildcat about 110 mph all the way to KC. He caught the plane (with time to spare) and I think he won the tourney that year also.

Another game I saw was Louie playing Greg Stevens. That was brutal. Neither one even knew they were playing until the 3rd day and I think it went on for over 6 days. I know I went to the motel 3 times and slept 8 hours while the set was being played. Louie got the cheese but I think age played a big part. They were sharing pharmaceuticals like people share cigarettes.
Did you know that there were ALWAYS 2 CARS parked one mile (each way) down the road from the steak house that had 2-armed men? As I last remember, Papa Burke had told me that they had "Seen Big Action" at least two times as of then.
Ahh, Those were the days - My Friend!

TY & GL
 
BigLip said:
metal dectors would be a good idea w/ all this steel coming in and out of them places.
Click to expand...

Back then, the State allowed Georgians to carry guns. :eek:

Here in D.C., they've got those metal detectors all over the place, but to be honest, I don't think I'd want to frequent a pool room where one is required to walk through a metal detector. :p

I dread having to work on the Hill since the 9/11 tragedy. In some Federal Government buildings, if you don't have a badge to get in, you're just about strip-searched upon entering. :o

JAM
 
JAM said:
Back then, the State allowed Georgians to carry guns. :eek:

Here in D.C., they've got those metal detectors all over the place, but to be honest, I don't think I'd want to frequent a pool room where one is required to walk through a metal detector. :p

I dread having to work on the Hill since the 9/11 tragedy. In some Federal Government buildings, if you don't have a badge to get in, you're just about strip-searched upon entering. :o

JAM
Click to expand...

they dont never ask to strip search me...i think they just wanna see you NAKED :p
 
BigLip said:
they dont never ask to strip search me...i think they just wanna see you NAKED :p
Click to expand...

LOL. Fortunately for me, I got the badge. Never leave home without it! ;)

JAM
 
I forgot what this thread was about!

As far as trouble hustling, one I'll never forget is the time I was traveling with another player and we were coming up on Tucumcari, NM. It was about 65 degrees and beautiful as we went into Denny's to eat. By the time we came out there was 1 foot of snow and they had the interstate closed both ways. We got one of the last rooms available and went to the local bar to see of action. I got into a 3-Ball game with about 6 or 7 local players. Everyone put $5 into a hat on the bar and the winner (least of shots to make all three balls) got the pot. I HAD THE NUTS. I got about $250 or $300 winners when all of a sudden I heard the word "Gringo" from the other players involved. I wasn't very experienced at this time but I was smart enough to know this wasn't good at all. I went to the table with my buddy and told him to go to the car when I went to the bathroom. He didn't want to leave such sweet action and said WHY? Thank God, I was playing "Off The Wall' and when it was my shot, I just laid the stick down on the table and said I had to piss. I went to the bathroom and Again - Thank God there was a window.
The other close call happened with Buddy and I in OK, but I'm tired of typing.

TY & GL
 
Man, I know some of these memories might haunt the people that went through them, but for some of us wannabes, this stuff is priceless. :D You have GOT to respect these folks man...you got to.

Do you all think that it's any safer now adays for those who want to be a traveling player? Just curious is all.
 
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Back in the late 80's there was a high level dope dealer in Columbus Ohio who everyone knew as "Stutterman". He was the best sucker to ever walk in to the poolroom. Hustlers would drive from a couple of hundred miles away in hopes of getting down with Stutterman! He would show up at Players, then a 24 hr poolroom, late at night, after the bars closed. He was a great sucker, but not necessarily stupid. He liked to play much better players (which was almost everyone) and he liked to get real big spots playing one-pocket. Some were tricky spots, like "3 hit and a pick", which to him meant.... He broke every rack, was playing _initially_ , 8-5, but after he broke, he could "pick" up any ball on the table and put it in his pocket. This was a really strong spot because it also meant he hardly ever sold out on the break!

One night a close buddy of mine, Ricky, who was one of the best short stops in the area, made the trek to Columbus, in hopes of making a game with "Stutterman". When he got to the poolroom, hustlers were all over, making little "corporations" in hopes that if they weren't lucky enough to get "in the box" maybe one of their "corporation" was the lucky one to get action with "Stutterman". It was common for him to drop $25K in an evening sometimes much, much more! When "Stutterman" walked in the the poolroom, the whole place came alive. People would shout "game offers" across the room trying to lure him in. Someone offered him a game, he laughed out loud and said, "how about if I stake Ricky playing you that game?" Funny thing was, Ricky and the guy were in cahoots. They'd formed a little "corporation" before their prey had arrived. They decide to let "SM" win a couple of games at 5K per before they "took him off" so he'd be more likely to lose a tidy sum. Ricky was handling the money exchange while "SM" was negotiating more action. When Ricky and "SM" were up 2 barrels at 5K each, "SM" decides to play someone else and tells Ricky to pull up! Ricky was kinda frantic, because instead of being winners, he was actually losers, being in on both sides. His next move was to get "SM" to side bet with him on the game he was playing with someone else. "SM" was betting against his own money and didn't know it! Ricky ended up making a pretty nice score, but he was lucky "SM" hadn't caught him in the ruse. He was known to be a little on the violent side!

just more hot air!

Sherm
 
Yes, they were ...

OldHasBeen said:
I played many games and sessions @ Burke's Steakhouse back then and all were great. Your right, Papa Burke took no shit from no one. Did he ever take you back to the house and give you a tour. It was amazing. Do you know the story of him and the Texas Mafia? He took California Bob and I for The Tour once and I'll never forget it.
I NEVER HAD OR SAW ANY TROUBLE THERE AT ALL.
The first time there, Papa Burke assured me that If I acted like a gentleman, I would be treated like one. I beat him out of quite a lot of money over the years and he always asked me if I wanted a ride back to the motel with one of his armed friends and I could come pick up my car later. I never saw a fellow who loved pool (or appreciated good playing), as much as him.
Two of my best memories of games there are - Jimmy Mataya & myself went there to play Flyboy from KC, where we were hustling at the time. Jimmy was at the top of his game and Flyboy was also in his prime. What a set! Jimmy got the cheese but it wasn't easy at all. Jimmy had to hurry to catch a plane to KC and then on to Lansing for the Mich. straight pool tourney so I drove him to the airport a.s.a.p. They wouldn't let him on the plane with the Muscle Shirt he was wearing and he thought he would miss the tourney. I said - Hell Jimmy - I can beat that plane to KC anyway. He changed shirts in the car and I drove that brand new Buick Wildcat about 110 mph all the way to KC. He caught the plane (with time to spare) and I think he won the tourney that year also.

Another game I saw was Louie playing Greg Stevens. That was brutal. Neither one even knew they were playing until the 3rd day and I think it went on for over 6 days. I know I went to the motel 3 times and slept 8 hours while the set was being played. Louie got the cheese but I think age played a big part. They were sharing pharmaceuticals like people share cigarettes.
Did you know that there were ALWAYS 2 CARS parked one mile (each way) down the road from the steak house that had 2-armed men? As I last remember, Papa Burke had told me that they had "Seen Big Action" at least two times as of then.
Ahh, Those were the days - My Friend!

TY & GL
Click to expand...


Burke's was pretty famous back in those days. Although, originally from
Dodge City, I moved to Houston after the Navy (my folks moved there),
and went to college down there and worked in a billiard room. I moved
up to Wichita after Xmas in '73 after graduating. Although I normally
like to quietly come in to a new place, and study it for awhile, and the
players, I got matched up with Junior Brown (the best shooter in town
at the time) for $1,000 sets, and Papa Burke was my backer. Well, needless
to say, I was known all over town after that, and any hopes for short
action were gone ... My brother was Papa Burke's lawyer, of which Papa
Burke needed from time to time .... lol

I also got to shoot Buddy Hall there when he was the top roadplayer in
the country with his long curly red hair and that Kentucky leather coat
he always wore (right before he turned Pro). He was on the table for
$20 a pop, giving anyone the 7 ball. Funny thing though, I was getting
the best of him with the 7, and he asked me, "Don't you have something
else you need to do". He ended up giving me the 8, and I broke even with
him...
 
Snapshot9 said:
Burke's was pretty famous back in those days. Although, originally from
Dodge City, I moved to Houston after the Navy (my folks moved there),
and went to college down there and worked in a billiard room. I moved
up to Wichita after Xmas in '73 after graduating. Although I normally
like to quietly come in to a new place, and study it for awhile, and the
players, I got matched up with Junior Brown (the best shooter in town
at the time) for $1,000 sets, and Papa Burke was my backer. Well, needless
to say, I was known all over town after that, and any hopes for short
action were gone ... My brother was Papa Burke's lawyer, of which Papa
Burke needed from time to time .... lol

I also got to shoot Buddy Hall there when he was the top roadplayer in
the country with his long curly red hair and that Kentucky leather coat
he always wore (right before he turned Pro). He was on the table for
$20 a pop, giving anyone the 7 ball. Funny thing though, I was getting
the best of him with the 7, and he asked me, "Don't you have something
else you need to do". He ended up giving me the 8, and I broke even with
him...
Click to expand...
Damn snapshot...you must shoot pretty damn strong.
 
one time in the old Seymour in Vancouver I was playing a pimp and was up about $2000, but I noticed that after every game another one of his friends came up and stood around the table. It started to feel very bad (this was about the worst place in the world at the time and the guy was a notorious character) so I laid my cue on the table, went to the bathroom, ducked out the back door and took a cab to the airport and flew home. Left the cue, my coat and my luggage in the hotel. I still giggle when I think about them trying to find me.

Another time in another place that wasn't so nice, we were threatened by some guys because we were winning so my buddy went to the bathroom and called the cops from a phone back there. "there's a gang fight going on!!" he told them. So now the SWAT team shows up and came storming in. Naturally nobody confessed to calling them but we elected to leave at the same time they did. Having ten cops with shotguns as an escort is a very secure feeling.

The best one of all was when another guy i know was playing a sucker for $30 a game outside of Seattle. My pal was winning and winning for hours. So now he's up about $1300 and he wins the next game. The guy proceeds to pay him and then pulls out a gun. Everyone froze and my buddy was certain he was done for. But the guy walks right around my friend and when he turns around here's the guy selling the gun for another $30!
 
This is part of a true short stroy I wrote. It is true
One weekday I had just opened and was practicing on the billiard table when this guy walks in. He was about 6 feet tall with painter’s cloths on and walked with a limp. He smelled of cheap wine. He watched me play for a few minutes before he asked if I wanted to play for $2 a game and loser pays the time. I told him it was slow now and could play but if I got busy I would have to quit. He said he


understood and we played. Now in billiards (table with no pockets and 3 balls) you score a point when you hit both other balls and your q ball strikes three rails before it hits the last ball or balls. I played him two games of a race to fifteen point’s wins. I beat him both games easy. The score was 4-15 and 6-15. He paid me and paid for our time on the table and thanked me for the games and left.
The next day this same guy came in at about the same time dressed the same and smelling the same asking if I had time to play a few. I said yes. We played two games and again I beat him 3-15 and 6-15. He came in everyday for the rest of the week and we played with the same result. I didn’t see him on the weekend and had forgotten about him by Monday. Sure enough at a little after one 1PM on Monday in he comes. He said he had hit the daily double at Belmont Saturday for $460. He said he always played the 1-2 combo in the double and it came in. I followed the horses in the paper so I knew that the 1-2 had come in like he said for $460.
He said he was on a lucky streak and would I play him for $20 a game instead of the $2 we had been playing for. I felt a bit guilty. But said I would. I figured I would beat him for $20 or $40 and he would quit and that would end it.
The first game I beat him 11-15. Before the next game he asked if I would raise the bet to$40 a game. I said yes and beat him 10-15. The next 2 games he won 13-15 and 12-15 and said he was getting use to the table now. He then asked if I wanted to up the bet to $80. I said why not make it $100 a game?
He agreed and we played five more games with him winning three of them. Then we played another five games and he won three of them. By now I am a little rattled that I am letting this chump beat me for some decent money. At this point he says today is his last day painting in this area and would not see me for awhile. So thinking I will not get a chance to get even after today I say how about making it $200 a game. I figured he would say no but he said sure.
We played five more games at $200 each and he won them all. I said I was broke then.
He then says to me. I will play you for your stick to my$300. Well my cue was a nice one but not worth $300 to me. In fact I won it in a pool game for payment of $55. I said yes and we played. He won 9-15. I gave him the cue and we said our goodbyes and he left.
About two minutes after he left one of my regular customers came in. I was sitting at the counter licking my wounds. The customer says to me “I hope you didn’t play that guy that just left here for any money”.
I said why?
“Because he’s the New England Three-Cushion Billiard Champ”.
To this day only a handful of people know the hustler got hustled for $1300 and my cue stick.
 
Johnnyt said:
To this day only a handful of people know the hustler got hustled for $1300 and my cue stick.
Click to expand...


But not after this day.

Nice story, I enjoyed it. And I love billiards.

~DC
 
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