For those of you who may know, I have heard that Gleason was a world class player, then I have also heard he was only an average player at best and that in The Hustler Mosconi had to set up everything for him and all but shot every shot for him. So for anybody who does know what do you think? World class champ or world class chump?
Jackie Gleason
- Thread starter master_cueist
- Start date
High run in the 30's if I remember the conversation I had about this a couple years ago.
Willie's Game
This book by Mosconi describes Jackie Gleason as a decent player, but not as good as he thought he was. According to Willie, he could run 40 or 50 balls. That is a lot better that Rudolph Wanderone.
Definitely not a chump in my opinion, plus he was a comedic genius, a songwriter and all around talented and driven guy.
-dj
This book by Mosconi describes Jackie Gleason as a decent player, but not as good as he thought he was. According to Willie, he could run 40 or 50 balls. That is a lot better that Rudolph Wanderone.
Definitely not a chump in my opinion, plus he was a comedic genius, a songwriter and all around talented and driven guy.
-dj
Are you saying Gleason was a better pool player than Fats?
or
you Are saying Gleason was a better pool player than Fats.
Last edited:
I don`t know man, I believe Fats would have robbed Gleason.
I never saw Gleason or Fats play, so I am not assuming anything. I just have the impression that Fats was a lot more talk than action. If you have any references that point to his playing skills, let me know. He claims he could beat anyone, according to Mosconi, this was not the case at all.
Last edited:
Gleason
As DJKeys said, I've been reliably told that Gleason could occasionally run 45 or 50 balls. Re Wanderone, the later HATED straight pool and Gleason, as far as I know, played nothing else. GF
As DJKeys said, I've been reliably told that Gleason could occasionally run 45 or 50 balls. Re Wanderone, the later HATED straight pool and Gleason, as far as I know, played nothing else. GF
I met Gleason through a long time friend in NY (John Byner the comedian). I played Gleason two games to 125 each and he won both by about 20 balls if I remember correctly. I was a "B" player on the 9' tables in 14.1. He was a fun guy to be around. Drank like a fish, as did I. I never saw him play anything but 14.1. Johnnyt
I believe maybe 40-50 ball high-run...but not a 40-50 ball "runner" which implies he's able to do that on any random inning. Highly doubt he had that much natural talent.
I dont play straight much anymore, so I didnt think about the difference. But yeah that makes sense. I did mean his high runs, meaning he wasnt all that.
Fatty could play. And most of the time good enough to get the cash !
He knew all the angels and used them.
He knew all the angels and used them.
Gleason couldn't hold Orbach's shoes
I have often heard alot about Jackie Gleason and his pool abilities. Though I never hear too much about Jerry Orbach...Lenny Briscoe from Law and Order. It is my understanding the Jerry was a 100 ball runner, day in and day out! He beat alot of hustlers, and held his own against some of the best. Any one have some good stories about him???
I have often heard alot about Jackie Gleason and his pool abilities. Though I never hear too much about Jerry Orbach...Lenny Briscoe from Law and Order. It is my understanding the Jerry was a 100 ball runner, day in and day out! He beat alot of hustlers, and held his own against some of the best. Any one have some good stories about him???
I have to say I find it hard to believe Orbach was ever a 100 ball runner. I saw him play several times at Amsterdam Billiards in NYC in the 90's. Now granted, he was old and his eyesight may not have been so great (he missed a lot of long shots) but even still he looked to be at that time maybe a C+ player. His shot selection wasn't that good and he didn't have much finesse with the cueball. I never saw him run more than a rack of straight pool in the 5 or 6 times I saw him play.
I know you meant angles but this is a rather poignant freudian slip when talking about Fats.
I stand corrected, John.
And yes, I agree with your statement.
And yes, I agree with your statement.
Last edited: