How good did Jay play?

[Terry Ardeno]

Jay,

I can honestly say you were one of the best I never seen. I had heard of you for years but I still have never seen you stroke a ball.

Respectfully,
D

Ktown, I like that a lot. I've heard of Jay since he was pictured in the National Billiard News in the late 1970's or early 1980's. But I've never seen him hit a ball either.

And Jay, your initial post in this thread gave the exact description of your speed that I figured you are. A strong shortstop who's best game is banks. Although, you do have a losing percentage in banks against Fatboy.

But take heart, my friend. You probably play stronger than 90%-95% of the 10,000+ registered posters here at AZB. And I would venture to say that your probably in every veteran posters top 10 list of favorite posters.

 

[Russ Chewning]

Shortstop is very respectable and a very strong player, as long as you don't bark at "shortbus" Russ... Although I would pay to see a match between you and Russ...lol.

Not sure if this is the exact quote, but it was something to this effect...

"You had better pray to god that you play stronger than a shortstop if you are going to bark at me." from Russ Chewning (aka Pogue).

Yeah, that IS what I said.. And it's what I meant.. Unfortunately... A lot of people on here seem to think that a shortstop only get the 8 ball from Efren or some BS like that. Guess what? Buddy Hall thinks a shortstop gets about 2 games in a race to 11 against a champion. He said so on an Accu-Stats video. Do you want the ****ing match name and date so you can get off my back?

To me, a shortstop might be the best in a fair sized city. He isn't necessarily anywhere NEAR a champion. A lot of people have went on record agreeing with this assessment.

By Jay's definition, a shortstop is a bit stronger than that, which is understandable, as he's probably played every champion in the last 30 years...

I don't understand what the fascination with me is... It is not like I said I could beat everyone under Hillbilly's speed. I never said anything close to that. I was making a statement about one particular dude, and overexaggerated BECAUSE I KNEW HIM and who he regularly plays against, and said that statement because I knew he wasn't NEARLY good enough to assume he could beat me after I got back in stroke.

When are people like you going to give it up? Just ****ing acknowledge we have two different definitions of "shortstop" and leave it at that. Jesus ****ing Christ you are just beating a long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long dead horse.

I'm suprised you're not standing in a big pile of glue right now.

Russ

 

[curlyscues]

Jay, i have always liked your perspective.

Your summation sort of reminds me of a player a few years ago who when inducted into the hall of fame simply said "I played them all. Won some and lost some."

M.C.

 

[HighEndCues]

Hey Jay,
Maybe next time we bump into each other in Vegas we should knock em around.. I play a little bit..
Hey Fatboy... Who Ya like??
Best,
Ken
Highendcues

 

[JDB]

Yeah, that IS what I said.. And it's what I meant.. Unfortunately... A lot of people on here seem to think that a shortstop only get the 8 ball from Efren or some BS like that. Guess what? Buddy Hall thinks a shortstop gets about 2 games in a race to 11 against a champion. He said so on an Accu-Stats video. Do you want the ****ing match name and date so you can get off my back?

To me, a shortstop might be the best in a fair sized city. He isn't necessarily anywhere NEAR a champion. A lot of people have went on record agreeing with this assessment.

By Jay's definition, a shortstop is a bit stronger than that, which is understandable, as he's probably played every champion in the last 30 years...

I don't understand what the fascination with me is... It is not like I said I could beat everyone under Hillbilly's speed. I never said anything close to that. I was making a statement about one particular dude, and overexaggerated BECAUSE I KNEW HIM and who he regularly plays against, and said that statement because I knew he wasn't NEARLY good enough to assume he could beat me after I got back in stroke.

When are people like you going to give it up? Just ****ing acknowledge we have two different definitions of "shortstop" and leave it at that. Jesus ****ing Christ you are just beating a long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long dead horse.

I'm suprised you're not standing in a big pile of glue right now.

Russ

For some reason I had a feeling that my comment would be the one that set you off. People have been joking about it for months now with you saying nothing, as well as me never saying anything about you. For Christ's Sake, how many people put the exact quote in their signature...LMAO. But you feel the need to go off on me, which is fine.

Anyway, it was a joke because Jay downplayed his game and said he was a Shortstop. I think most of us believe that he probably plays a little better than a Shortstop, which is why I mentioned your quote because I thought it was funny.

To your point, everyone has a different definition of a shortstop.

I was only kidding and really didn't mean anything by it. I was hoping it would be taken in the spirit it was meant, as a joke.

Anyway, sorry if you took offense to my post. It was not meant to be malicious.

 

[Roy Steffensen]

Jay, I've played you some few games of 9-ball and 1 rack of One Pocket, so you could teach me and Chris some moves.

Guess I am one of the very few who has actually seen Jay with a cue trying to make a ball? (Yes, trying to... After 16 hours flights and then directly on a tight slow Metro table it wasn't easy for any of us)

 

[chilli66]

For some reason I had a feeling that my comment would be the one that set you off. People have been joking about it for months now with you saying nothing, as well as me never saying anything about you. For Christ's Sake, how many people put the exact quote in their signature...LMAO. But you feel the need to go off on me, which is fine.

Anyway, it was a joke because Jay downplayed his game and said he was a Shortstop. I think most of us believe that he probably plays a little better than a Shortstop, which is why I mentioned your quote because I thought it was funny.

To your point, everyone has a different definition of a shortstop.

I was only kidding and really didn't mean anything by it. I was hoping it would be taken in the spirit it was meant, as a joke.

Anyway, sorry if you took offense to my post. It was not meant to be malicious.

Russ has now changed his sig from shortstop to Yang. Maybe that was the problem! Either that or he had a bad day.

 

[jay helfert]

Stop it Jay! you and I both know how good you played .Did'nt you beat Gabby? I don't even play close to my late friends speed, so you know if you and I would ever match up,I would need at least 10-7.

I did play Gabby at my poolroom in Bakersfield. He was about 20 years old. I played very good on him and we played for several hours. He beat me for about 200 at 20 a game. At the time, I thought he was the best black 9-Ball player I had ever played, better then Cecil. He didn't say two words the whole time. Just stood there holding his cue and would make a small smile once in a while.

WE PLAY EVEN!!

 

[jay helfert]

Good answer, Hemi.

I've seen Jay around Southern Cal for what seems like forever and I've rarely seen him play. Instead, I'm used to seeing him run tournaments. This is all news to me that he is/was shortstop speed. I had no idea he liked banks. You can learn so much from this forum.

Once I started running tournaments, I basically gave up playing. After a few years people would come up and ask me if I play pool. I liked that.

 

[jay helfert]

Shortstop is very respectable and a very strong player, as long as you don't bark at "shortbus" Russ... Although I would pay to see a match between you and Russ...lol.

Not sure if this is the exact quote, but it was something to this effect...

"You had better pray to god that you play stronger than a shortstop if you are going to bark at me." from Russ Chewning (aka Pogue).

Russ and I will also play EVEN!

 

[jay helfert]

Jay back at Ye Billiard Den in the late 60's you were always nice to me a novice then. Marvin Henderson,Diliberto, Bernie Schwartz,Cuban Joe, Lenny Moore, Ronnie Allen, Pancho, Richie Ambrose, Cecil, etc were all there. You were no threat to them but you were always a gentleman and willing to share your knowledge of the game. I saw you eventually become a ref and a class promoter. The thing I hate to see is that some guys forget the past and start creating their own legendary myths. You know I beat this champion and this champion and then I had a bad day and broke even with Buddy, Efren, and Jersey Red. Some guys just want to rewrite history in order to sell themselves. But you never did this. You always had a lot of heart with the bet. Win or lose.

Wow, you go back a long ways. I probably got more action in that joint than any of the above. I played someone in there every day. Everyone knew I wasn't a top player, so they matched up with me. I gave up a lot of weight to non players, like 10-5 in One Pocket. Several of the young kids who hung out in there went on to become successful lawyers and doctors. And they all still like pool.

I played Jimmy Caan, John Brescia, Jack Ackerman and many more entertainers on a regular basis. Even a young Don Johnson once, until his buddy Sean came in and told him to get off the table (his exact words). Arizona Sean was a very good player and put the name Toupee Jay on me. He was a double for Warren Beatty, and a renowned cat burglar. True!

Jim Morrison from the doors used to come in once in a while in the day time and hit balls around. I watched him play a couple of times, and even tried to get him down once. He just smiled and shook his head no. He wore flowing robes and was actually quite graceful and hit the balls nice.

Also played pool in there one time each with Telly Savalas (Kojak) and Don Adams (Get Smart). Telly always remembered me and said hi when I saw him a couple of other times. A super nice guy. Don Adams wasn't so nice. I won ten bucks from him and he acted like I was a thief. Oh and Vince Edwards (the TV doctor) used to come around too. He was a well known gambler, but liked to bet sports. No pool action though. He couldn't make a ball in the ocean.

The guy on trial for murder, Phil Spector, came in more than once. He liked pool and was friends with Eddie Kelly. He once dumped $25,000 on a pool table to prove a point. They finally took him off for fifteen thousand. I think Pancho engineered it. Phil's bodyguard/driver was George Travell from New York. No one to mess with, carried a gun at all times. George loved to play Straight Pool, his only game. He came in often, parking Phil's limo outside along the wall. George and I were friendly because I knew all his New York 14.1 heroes. He loved to talk about Ervolino and Jersey Red. This gangster looked up to them. Life is funny huh.

Okay, enough reminiscing.

 

[jay helfert]

Nope, no good. You're going to have to do a lot better than that if you want me to come play you

Seriously Jay, you play better than me and that doesn't suck. (well maybe it does... I got the skinny on you from Poker Paul and others, you play good. Hope I'm not knocking you here

Before you get mad at them for talking me out of a road trip, they know I'm not a fish or they would have sent me down there looking for water scooters.

Truth is, since I've lived here I haven't been able to scrape two fives together anyway. I would've been busted at the gas pump.

Cheers,
RC

I know you don't I RC?

 

[jay helfert]

They played for hair and, well ... they both lost!

Ha Ha, very funny. I'll tell your Dad on you. And by the way, he played better than you. Ha Ha.

 

[jay helfert]

Jay, i don't you need to put up a post. I think your reputation and name (the billiard community in general) is already at legendary status. Even if you can't play a lick.
Jordan

That's what I like to hear, I can't play a lick.

 

[jay helfert]

Ktown, I like that a lot. I've heard of Jay since he was pictured in the National Billiard News in the late 1970's or early 1980's. But I've never seen him hit a ball either.

And Jay, your initial post in this thread gave the exact description of your speed that I figured you are. A strong shortstop who's best game is banks. Although, you do have a losing percentage in banks against Fatboy.

But take heart, my friend. You probably play stronger than 90%-95% of the 10,000+ registered posters here at AZB. And I would venture to say that your probably in every veteran posters top 10 list of favorite posters.

That compliment will get you the 8 Ball if we play.

 

[jay helfert]

Yeah, that IS what I said.. And it's what I meant.. Unfortunately... A lot of people on here seem to think that a shortstop only get the 8 ball from Efren or some BS like that. Guess what? Buddy Hall thinks a shortstop gets about 2 games in a race to 11 against a champion. He said so on an Accu-Stats video. Do you want the ****ing match name and date so you can get off my back?

To me, a shortstop might be the best in a fair sized city. He isn't necessarily anywhere NEAR a champion. A lot of people have went on record agreeing with this assessment.

By Jay's definition, a shortstop is a bit stronger than that, which is understandable, as he's probably played every champion in the last 30 years...

I don't understand what the fascination with me is... It is not like I said I could beat everyone under Hillbilly's speed. I never said anything close to that. I was making a statement about one particular dude, and overexaggerated BECAUSE I KNEW HIM and who he regularly plays against, and said that statement because I knew he wasn't NEARLY good enough to assume he could beat me after I got back in stroke.

When are people like you going to give it up? Just ****ing acknowledge we have two different definitions of "shortstop" and leave it at that. Jesus ****ing Christ you are just beating a long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long long dead horse.

I'm suprised you're not standing in a big pile of glue right now.

Russ

I need more than 2 games going to 11 against a champion. Three sounds okay and I'll bet if I can get four.

 

[jay helfert]

Jay, i have always liked your perspective.

Your summation sort of reminds me of a player a few years ago who when inducted into the hall of fame simply said "I played them all. Won some and lost some."

M.C.

I would add to that one line. "Ducked some too."

 

[jay helfert]

Hey Jay,
Maybe next time we bump into each other in Vegas we should knock em around.. I play a little bit..
Hey Fatboy... Who Ya like??
Best,
Ken
Highendcues

Anybody that carries around a half mil in cues ain't all bad in my book. We can play for pink slips.

 

[jay helfert]

Jay, I've played you some few games of 9-ball and 1 rack of One Pocket, so you could teach me and Chris some moves.

Guess I am one of the very few who has actually seen Jay with a cue trying to make a ball? (Yes, trying to... After 16 hours flights and then directly on a tight slow Metro table it wasn't easy for any of us)

I plan to be in better stroke when I come back to Manila this year. There are so many players there. I can't stand it. I HAVE to play someone.

 

[yobagua]

hEY jAY GREAT MEMORIES. I beat Richard Pryor in a game of 14.1 once at the Den. Those were the best pool years of my life. Dont forget Neil Young used to come in once in a while too with the drummer of Buffalo Springfield. Dewey was his first name.