It would have been probably the best matchup that could have happened if Vernon Elliott and Jack Cooney had ever matched up. Both were deep undercover and no known professional would ever play either of them with their own money. No one ever played for higher stakes than Vernon and most likely no one has ever won as much money in a single year as he did.
Jack Cooney
- Thread starter J. Learned Hand
- Start date
JAM said:
Hi Jam,
I was talking to Buck about this yesterday, and I've heard this from him and Left-handed Kevin who was there at the time.
Jack was betting it up with Strawberry. Every game or so Jack was wanting to jack up the bet. There were lots of people watching (both savory and unsavory you might say) but Jack was relatively safe as he was friendly with Strawberry. The locals loved to bet on Strawberry but Strawberry told them he was "gambling" and this was no gimme. Well....to get the juices flowing Jack decided he would grab Barbara's purse and flash the 50K or so he was holding to let people know what he had and maybe get people wanting to bet more. That was a bad mistake.
The wrong person saw it. A phone call was made...and before you know a guy had a gun in Barbara's face trying to get the money. But she wasn't about to give it up. They struggled...she was shot through the spleen and the wannabe thief ran away...WITHOUT the money.
The wannabe thief was found dead around 3 days later. (No, I'm not saying Jack Cooney did that by any means - but the locals don't like that kind of thing going on).
Matt_24 said:
Left-handed Kevin, wow, I haven't seen him in a while. He's a sweetie pie. Tell him "Jennie" said hi!
Bladensburg was not in a safe part of town, even in this era, but maybe Jack did not know how dangerous it was to flash the cash. I never liked the Golden Cue because of its location, one door in and one door out too.
BTW, Michael "Geese" Gerace grew up in this pool room, and this is where he learned how to play pool as a kid, by the late George Papalopoulos (can't remember how to spell his Greek last name). I guess the two of them are playing one-pocket up in heaven somewhere, betting it up!
Come to the One Pocket HOF Dinner
And for all of you Jack Cooney fans, and for that matter, any of you that enjoy following the 'action side' of pool, if you can swing it, you should come to the One Pocket Hall of Fame dinner. Jack will indeed be there, as well as a boatload of other action notables.
This annual event is the only experience of its kind -- a large room full of legendary action guys, backers and the rest of us. The story telling does not get any better. There is generally some very rare old pool memorabilia -- like photos, tournament posters, programs, etc.
Click here for One Pocket HOF Dinner reservations and more information
This is our fifth year, and we have sold out every year, so help yourself (and help us prepare for the dinner) by making your reservation early if you can.
Thanks!!
And for all of you Jack Cooney fans, and for that matter, any of you that enjoy following the 'action side' of pool, if you can swing it, you should come to the One Pocket Hall of Fame dinner. Jack will indeed be there, as well as a boatload of other action notables.
This annual event is the only experience of its kind -- a large room full of legendary action guys, backers and the rest of us. The story telling does not get any better. There is generally some very rare old pool memorabilia -- like photos, tournament posters, programs, etc.
Click here for One Pocket HOF Dinner reservations and more information
This is our fifth year, and we have sold out every year, so help yourself (and help us prepare for the dinner) by making your reservation early if you can.
Thanks!!
It was Searcy
Mac, I was there. It was Denny Searcy. Jack Cooney did play in the game but he blew about 17 thousand dollars.
the Beard
macguy said:
Mac, I was there. It was Denny Searcy. Jack Cooney did play in the game but he blew about 17 thousand dollars.
the Beard
'Talkin to me?
Since nobody in Chicago even knows him except me and Artie B., and Artie doesnt think much of him, you must be talkin' to me. What is it you are trying to say?
the Beard
JAM said:
Since nobody in Chicago even knows him except me and Artie B., and Artie doesnt think much of him, you must be talkin' to me. What is it you are trying to say?
the Beard
freddy the beard said:
I'm not sure that is 100-percent accurate, Freddy. I think Jack Cooney has been to Chicago in his travels, gambling with the Chicago players when he was on the road. There used to be quite a bit of action in Chicago, at least that is what I heard from a few players years ago.
Who is "Artie B.," and what is it that you think I am trying to say?
The best Jack Cooney story I have heard is when he walked into a room with a "pool for dummies" book day after day and would open the book on the table and set the shots up as described in the book and make like he was attempting to learn the shots. After a while the locals started to help him make the shots, draw, englishes etc etc..but he missed a lot
He made friends with everyone, joined the leagues and all. 3 months goes by and he busted everyone in town.
He made friends with everyone, joined the leagues and all. 3 months goes by and he busted everyone in town.
Since Jack Cooney is going to be inducted into the One-Pocket Hall of Fame, it would be cool to hear some Jack Cooney stories on this thread. Maybe they could be read at the banquet honoring him, if they're good stories.
Surely somebody must know about the DCC room that was named after Jack Cooney and James Walden in a high-stakes match. Let's hear it!
Surely somebody must know about the DCC room that was named after Jack Cooney and James Walden in a high-stakes match. Let's hear it!
I'm very sensitive
I'm very sensitive about Chicago. Whenever someone mentions it on these forums I think they are talking about me. I thought maybe it was about my support for Jack for the 1pkt HOF. Jack hasnt been to Chicago in 25 years, so your comment didnt make any sense and still doesnt. Artie B is Artie Bodendorfer.
the Beard
Merry xmas
JAM said:
I'm very sensitive about Chicago. Whenever someone mentions it on these forums I think they are talking about me. I thought maybe it was about my support for Jack for the 1pkt HOF. Jack hasnt been to Chicago in 25 years, so your comment didnt make any sense and still doesnt. Artie B is Artie Bodendorfer.
the Beard
Merry xmas
I've run into him in several action spots in the south. He was never undercover about his name. He was very good making people think they had the best of the game and getting them to play high.( scratches don't count) He lived in houston over a year in the 70's stayed broke mostly, this was before he married Barbara. He played nowhere near the speed he later aquired. Someone also attemped to rob them in San Antonio at their motel, this time Jack fought the guy with the gun and saved the bankroll. I don't remember but he may have been shot or grazed in the hand. I was in town the next week and Bananas told me about it. Some of the undercover stories may be true, but I,ve never heard of them.JB Cases said:
Plenty of Cooney stories
I have a plethora of Jack Cooney stories, unfortunately I have been advised to save them all for Jack's HOF induction dinner at Derby City. As a tease...all of the wild stories you heard about Jack's "lemon" scores are probably true.
the Beard
See you there.
I have a plethora of Jack Cooney stories, unfortunately I have been advised to save them all for Jack's HOF induction dinner at Derby City. As a tease...all of the wild stories you heard about Jack's "lemon" scores are probably true.
the Beard
See you there.
selftaut said:
in early 90s I once tried a some what similar trick to get into the pockets of 'Neptune Joe' a strong east coast player but he did not fall for my trick. I followed him for a week or two pulling the things I know but he did not fall for it. I then moved on.
More than 9 years ago I ran into Jack at shooters in Olathe,KS .Jack Cooney is the best ' Hustler ' in modern era and no one can come close to it.Others are only Wannabe hustlers.
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Jack and Barbara, along with his backer Mark and Marcus Chamat spent some time in Olathe at Shooters several years ago. Jack played Dan Tull for several days giving a pretty wild spot, and came up winner. I came to the poolroom for several days, and bet $500 per set on the side with Barbara. Because the sets were usually already in motion, I ended up winning money while Dan Tull lost overall. All because of when I started betting.
Jack started into action with David Matlock one night on a Gold Crown getting weight from David ( I think Dave was giving the 8 or the 7 depending on who just won), and very quickly Jack pulled up because he didn`t like it.
A fond memory, because I know how hard it is to end the action with some of Jack`s money. My bets were with Barbara, not Mark.
Heh, heh,......
Will
Jack started into action with David Matlock one night on a Gold Crown getting weight from David ( I think Dave was giving the 8 or the 7 depending on who just won), and very quickly Jack pulled up because he didn`t like it.
A fond memory, because I know how hard it is to end the action with some of Jack`s money. My bets were with Barbara, not Mark.
Heh, heh,......
Will
macguy said:
That is correct, it was Denny Searcy. I didn't want to say anything but Jack actually lost money in that game. But he robbed Richie for a big number playing Knock Rummy at a small table next to the snooker table.
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grandpapkusky said:
Once again, Jack was far and away the best hustler of his era, from the late 60's through the early 90's. He came out from undercover in the late 90's, about ten years ago.
JB Cases said:
Right on the mark here John.