Joe Villalapando's video-long but good post

Fatboy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
So I disappear from pool from 1994 til 6 months ago, I find this website and there is Joes name in lights, I remembered him very well, I met him in Hardtimes LA in 88 I hada months of college left in Sacramento-they threw me out for bad grades and sleeping in class-what else would you expect a pool player to do read a book?

Joe calls me a week later at home one night-before cel phones and said he was in town and asked me to steer him around, i said I was happy to, I was flat, I told him I couldnt stake him until we made some $$ then I could, he said cool, First stop the guy could play and joe was cold, were on my case $$$, I felt terrible, I needed the $$ and went to the sofest spot I knew of, the guy he was playing didnt know we were together-30 minutes we were on case $$$. Joe said go take a walk, Ok he's the player, It felt like 20 years in the joint, Here I am only taking half the action-I didnt double steer him and were in a tight spot-the guy coud play but joe won, I felt horrible, Joe comes with something and were whole. So we carried on the rest of the week, I put up the $$$ as I promised I would and appologised 250 times for the tight spot we started with, Joe was cool with that-he believed me that I wasnt trapping him and a friend ship was born, we had a good week, he asked me to carry on with him, Never before did a player like joe ask me to go on the road-I said"I dont play strong enough" he said something like "we'll make it work, you play just fine" we looked really different, he knew all the moves, and could have made it work because we didnt look like we were working together. My stupid a$$ was in denial about school-2 weeks later they were done with me, I had no way to find Joe. My shot at the road was gone.

Years later 1991 In Vegas I met a mutial friend, a great pool hustler, he looked like a college professor or something anything but a pool player, that was his angle.

so moving foward to now, I see the ads that Joe has on AZ, I felt like I was at a reunion, it was great, so I ordered one of his video's, why I didnt grab both was dumb, the second one is on the way,

I watched the first one many times and its great, 3,2,1 rail kicks broken down into easy makeable shots, I cant read a book on banks, its like reading a math book, i have awalys kicked by feel and thats not good enough. Joe did it right instead of explaining all the hows and whys a bank will work, he just points out the spot on the CB to hit and very simple diamond adjustments based on where the OB is at to make the hit. Sure there are unanswered questions/explinations but do you want to get the job done or get lost in details?, I really dont care whats in my Cheero's for breakfast-just give me the food. Sure later on when I play better then those questions are important but to 95% of players Joes videos are done right-keeping it simple and useful.

I was playing the worlds worst player last night-a friend I didnt know it was possible to play this bad, he is 61, you would think that by accident at 61 years old he could make a ball in one of 8 shots. anyways I got funny on the 8 I was locked up bad, I remembered the video because its simple to remember and shot at the 8, I made the hit(2 rail kick)-should have made the shot it was close, I'm playing like a VERY strong B player now and was a A- player years ago and would have I made that hit before-maybe, after the video i'll never miss that 2 rail kick again unless there is traffic, i dont need all the details yet, sure to be a champion or a A+ player this video would be a bit too simple but for anyone who cant run a 5 pack this video will help you with 2 maybe 5 shots, but thats more than the $$$ and you wont need to grind away with a complex rail system.

What Joe did was make a video that is useable not complicated, i hope he makes more, I'm buying everything from him moving foward, sure he is my friend, and was the only road player that believed in me, but I'm a stand-up guy and wouldnt make a long post being a schill if his videos wernt good, but I have a good friend who is making great videos, they in my opinion are for C- to A- players, the stronger you play the less you get out them, but one shot is worth the price, I have blown alot of $$$ in a game because I didnt know the shot. anyone in that speed range will learn alot to something, I promis that, and No this wasnt a paid endorsment-its my friends business and I want to sell alot of vid's but I wouldnt put my word on it if it wasnt good value. I wouldnt say anything if I didnt believe in the video 100%, i woulnt say a word if they wernt good value.
 
Last edited:
Fatboy said:
I have blown alot of $$$ in a game because I didnt know the shot.
That statement alone summarizes how I feel about these DVD's. Joe is making it possible for people to bypass the normal learning curve...that assumes you WOULD figure these things out at all. Joe gives you decades of experience in less than an hour. I can't estimate how many matches I could have won yesterday if only I knew what I know today. :)
 
mosconiac said:
That statement alone summarizes how I feel about these DVD's. Joe is making it possible for people to bypass the normal learning curve...that assumes you WOULD figure these things out at all. Joe gives you decades of experience in less than an hour. I can't estimate how many matches I could have won yesterday if only I knew what I know today. :)


i agree, i just wanted to make a nice post about Joe and I from way back in the day, things have been a bit slow here so I hoped people would enjoy the story.
 
I would agree as I have posted several times in the past. Joe's videos are the bomb!
 
I just spoke with Joe last night at the pool hall. It's awesome to just sit around and hear him talk about his days on the road. Talk about stories...Joe has forgotten more about pool than I will ever know. I still like to claim that I can beat him in 10-ball now. All he has to do is give me 8 on the wire, race to 10, and leave me a 3 rail kick a few times!!! ;)

Everyone that's posted so far has hit the nail on the head. Joe is a stand-up guy and gives you the tools to improve your game. Kicks aside, his 2nd DVD is invaluable as a pool player. Learning to manipulate tangents will keep you at the table longer, helping with breakouts, and much better position play.

Until playing with/learning from Joe, I was a fairly adept shot-maker. Now I'm an up-and-coming position player. I wouldn't trade it back any time. Who cares if you miss a double-bank or razor thin cut now and then...his DVDs will have you shooting much shorter shots and managing the table much better. Like others, I'm not getting anything out of this, just passing along the opportunity Joe gave me. Any pool player should jump at the chance to improve their game for this little amount of money.

Just my honest opinion, which I'm willing to put on the line for these DVDs.

Dave
 
I received Joe's volume 1 and 1 dvd's today and reviewed them and I saw a lot of information on them that will step my game up. I am probably a low B player. Kicking and cue ball control is not my strong suite, so I think I have a lot to gain with these programs.
 
iasaxman said:
I just spoke with Joe last night at the pool hall. It's awesome to just sit around and hear him talk about his days on the road. Talk about stories...Joe has forgotten more about pool than I will ever know. I still like to claim that I can beat him in 10-ball now. All he has to do is give me 8 on the wire, race to 10, and leave me a 3 rail kick a few times!!! ;)

Everyone that's posted so far has hit the nail on the head. Joe is a stand-up guy and gives you the tools to improve your game. Kicks aside, his 2nd DVD is invaluable as a pool player. Learning to manipulate tangents will keep you at the table longer, helping with breakouts, and much better position play.

Until playing with/learning from Joe, I was a fairly adept shot-maker. Now I'm an up-and-coming position player. I wouldn't trade it back any time. Who cares if you miss a double-bank or razor thin cut now and then...his DVDs will have you shooting much shorter shots and managing the table much better. Like others, I'm not getting anything out of this, just passing along the opportunity Joe gave me. Any pool player should jump at the chance to improve their game for this little amount of money.

Just my honest opinion, which I'm willing to put on the line for these DVDs.

Dave

Dave, ask Little Joe to tell you the story about him beating the U.S. Open 9 Ball Champion Reed Pierce, in New Orleans. It was quite impressive.
JoeyA
 
I wish he would have given more examples of cue ball control, he shows particular positions such as if you're one diamond away from the OB, hit the CB there to go one diamond across the width of the table. It's not clear how to apply it more generally.

For 3-rail kicks, he can keep it simple without using a formula because he only shows the CB in one starting position and making small adjustments

That being said, I think they're still pretty good videos.
 
JoeyA said:
Dave, ask Little Joe to tell you the story about him beating the U.S. Open 9 Ball Champion Reed Pierce, in New Orleans. It was quite impressive.
JoeyA

It's funny, I never heard this story, Joey so I just called Joe. He said the bottom line was you yelling at Reed, "How do ya like New Orleans now"? Joe said you know the story better than anyone so why don't you give it up?
 
PKM said:
I wish he would have given more examples of cue ball control, he shows particular positions such as if you're one diamond away from the OB, hit the CB there to go one diamond across the width of the table. It's not clear how to apply it more generally.

For 3-rail kicks, he can keep it simple without using a formula because he only shows the CB in one starting position and making small adjustments

That being said, I think they're still pretty good videos.

here is how I see it these are the first 2 videos and they are good, Joe is brilliant and I'm sure each succesive video wil be better than the last one. Joe is a pro and just like pool takes time to learn so does producing,editing videos, he is capable of making 1000 hours of videoswith his knowlege of the game, but that isnt realistick so he has to narrow it down and fine tune it, so every video will be better, he is taking this seriuosly. i'll buy anything he sells but I still need the 7:) .
 
hemicudas said:
It's funny, I never heard this story, Joey so I just called Joe. He said the bottom line was you yelling at Reed, "How do ya like New Orleans now"? Joe said you know the story better than anyone so why don't you give it up?

Well it was kind of close to that...
Reed had just beaten Eddie Brown (I think) or at least a very good player in a come from behind victory in sporting style. I think Reed was down like 8-5 and plays extremely well and wins 9-8. As soon as he sunk the 9 ball he bellowed to anyone and everyone, "HOW YA LIKE IT NEW ORLEANS?" "THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL SEASONING!". Well that chapped about everybodies ass that could breath even though no one disliked Reed including me.

Joe V has to play Reed the next match or maybe the match after that and he has Joe V stuck 8-5. Joe V who is a friend of mine and traveling partner in crime and a mentor to me walks up to me and with all the sincerity anyone could ever offer, says, "You know Joey, I remember one time when I was playing a really good player just like Reed and I was down just like this and I wound up winning the match". By this time, I had taken a couple of years of college psychology and had spent many more years honing my skills of psychology at the hands of gamblers and pool players at the Sport Palace in New Orleans. I looked deep into Joe V's eyes and said "Joe, I KNOW THAT YOU CAN WIN THIS MATCH. I KNOW THAT IT WILL BE DIFFICULT -but I BELIEVE YOU CAN WIN THIS MATCH TOO. NOW YOU HAVE TO GO OUT AND DO IT.
The next game Joe makes a combo on the 3-9 to make it 8-6. The next game he snaps the nine ball in on the break. to make it 8-7. The next game he runs a rack to make it 8-8.
CONTINUED ON PART 2
 
JOE V vs. REED PIERCE--------pART 2

hemicudas said:
It's funny, I never heard this story, Joey so I just called Joe. He said the bottom line was you yelling at Reed, "How do ya like New Orleans now"? Joe said you know the story better than anyone so why don't you give it up?

By now, you could feel the electricity in the air, literally. Everyone was amped up and you could feel it. The anticipation was palpable and everyone was zoned in on the match. The last game was mediocre at best with Reed missing a key ball and Joe V winning the set. Joe V had become a good friend of mine since I had moved back to New Orleans. I also had spent many years living in Jackson, MS and saw Reed becoming a champion and respected that but I didn't like him thumbing his nose at New Orleans and so as Joe V sank the winning 9 ball, I BELLOWED with at least the same amount of volume as Reed, "HOW YA LIKE IT MISSISSIPPI?" and never got a chance to say "'THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL SEASONING" before Reed came over to me screaming I'll play you a two thousand dollar set of 9 ball, YOU GOT THE 7, PUT UP, LET'S PLAY " along with several other choice words :D :D . The veins were popping out on Reed's neck and he was ready to kill me or beat me to death on the pool table and I just laughed and said Reed, you need to play people your own speed. :D :D Reed then went on to anyone else trying to get a high stakes game to gamble at but was unable to get anyone to play.

I don't even remember who won that tournament (it was many years ago) but I do remember when Joe V came from way behind to beat Reed in a VERY BIG tournament here in New Orleans at Racketeers. :)
JoeyA (Hope $Bill enjoyed it - now I have to fade Reed and company :D )
 
To correct my last post about Joe's video, I forgot to mention that he covers an extended diamond system for 3-rail kicks for when the CB starts in a different position.

Joe gave me his phone # and offered to answer any questions, so you can't beat that customer service.
 
JoeyA said:
Dave, ask Little Joe to tell you the story about him beating the U.S. Open 9 Ball Champion Reed Pierce, in New Orleans. It was quite impressive.
JoeyA

I'll have to do that...I won't see him til this weekend, but I always enjoy talking with him. He's been around it all, so it's great to hear how he kicked it on the road.
 
Back
Top