Keith McCready: Toughest Gamblers Ever
- Thread starter SpiderWebComm
- Start date
Russ Chewning said:
As far as back in the 70's we figured we had to make at least $100 a day in order to maintain a profit and that wasn't really that tough as long as you stayed aggressive and really worked at it. People gambled then and money was just looser in those days.
Most was by the game or ahead sets. These $20 and $30 sets were almost unheard of. If I had a quarter for every game of $5.00 9 ball I've played I would be pretty well off right now.
Also, back then if a fellow walked din wanting to play some $20 9 ball, you took a shot at it even if yo needed apartner to go in with you. You just never knew when you would catch a score. Now it's 1, $20 set and adjust or 2 games of $30 1-pocket and adjust or quit. The youn players of today seemingly don't challenge themselves or have no desire to fight. As Kieth says pool in those days could give today 4 out and the break.
JAM said:When I first met Keith, he was staying at some dump named the Regal Inn, next door to a pool room in Baltimore. It was right after the Capital City Classic tournament concluded. A few players remained in Maryland and hung out at the pool room, hoping to get in action, which included Mark Gregory, Marcus Chamat, Helena Thornsfeldt, and Monica Webb. All the local shortstops, lobsters, and champions came to Baltimore to gamble. It was an action player's dream at that time.
One afternoon, a kid from the pool room came to Keith's hotel room and knocked on the door. He said, "Keith, Keith, come quick to the pool room. There's a road agent in there looking for some action, and he's got a backer with him. They said they'd play for big bucks, anybody. Come quick before they leave."
Keith decided to go take a peek and see what was up. Of course, he didn't have any friends in this pool room. He was kind of a stranger in town, though everybody knew who Keith was. Upon entering the joint, he looks over and sees Larry Price. They made eye contact briefly, and then Keith walked back outside. I ran after him and said, "What are you doing? Didn't you see the guy? Find out how much he wants to play for."
He kept walking and went back to his hotel room and then told me that he saw a road player he was good friends with and couldn't blow his cover. It just wouldn't be right. That's why he exited almost as quickly as he entered, to avoid any problems for Larry Price. That's what road players do sometimes when they run into each other on foreign turf.
I learned that the hard way one time, which is a story for another thread, but to make a long story short, when I was on the road with a player during an era when action was prevalent, I recognized a player from back home in Boone, North Carolina, of all places. As soon as we walked in the joint and I saw him, I go, "Hey, Bobby. Good to see you. What brings you all the way down here?" Oh, yeah. I was pretty green at one time.
JAM
I was at Rusty's in Dallas with Chris MacDonald over 20 years ago. He was playing some rich pimp $100 One Pocket, and I got into a Tonk game with some guy who owned the local bingo parlors. I played him all night and emptied him out for BIG BUCKS!!! Hawaiian Brian, Frisco Jack and Swanee were all in the place but not one of them said Hi to us or approached us in any way. They acted like Chris and I were total strangers.
That was pretty cool of them. Otherwise it may not have come down the way it did.
ironman said:
I have heard by several road agents that $200 a day is mandatory at this time in life......
JAM said:
lol, unbelievable. Without steak horses there wouldn't be any heavy action PERIOD. How in the world would players that have no money ever gamble? If you really believe what you just wrote then its no wonder pool players have the stigma of being low down dirt bags. I have no respect for any player that would ever dump, especially the hand that feed's them. WTF?
JAM said:
lol, sorry, you are correct. Even I make misteaks. Even so, if you really believe that pool players should dump their stakehorses, the ones that are providing them a means to make money, then you deserve to be broke and frowned upon just like all the notorious dumpers.
corvette1340 said:
The way I hear it, you're one of the biggest fish in the South. Pool players do love hanging out with fish, those who fund the whole outing. Some people have to buy friendships because they're so undesirable otherwise, nobody would want to hang with them.
There is a difference between fish and stakehorses.
But there is one thing you and I can agree on, believe it or not, and that is that you do make m-i-s-t-a-k-e-s. I've never heard of "misteaks."
Did you mention on this forum that you were a college graduate?
JAM
crawfish said:
As far as I know Dean is still in Atlanta hanging around Mr. Cues. Dean is a well known stakehorse and tush hog. He has intimidated a lot of pros and chopped the money in his favor more times than not. I would have to say that he would be the last person I would want staking me in anything. However, Dean has always been nice to me and has even bet on me. The players that have Dean staking them know about his practices and they choose to allow him to stake. In the end, even though Dean is not the fairest of Stakehorses he still provides his players with a chance to make money that they wouldn't have otherwise. He doesn't deserved to get dumped just because he chops the money to his side.
JAM said:
lol, theaks for pointing out my spelling errors captain obvious. As for me being a fish, I don't know of anyone that has beaten me gambling in the long run and you can't name any because it doesn't happen. I've won pool players almost as much money on the golf course from them betting on me as I have from betting on them in pool. I don't lose very often in pool either because I match up well. I often throw the party when everyone is going out and buy the most rounds because I do have money and I want my friends to have a good time. What about me sharing makes me a fish?
Its in the works
A DVD of that sort is being edited for publication as we speak. Diana Hoppe put together a multi-hour, round table interview consisting of myself, DiLiberto, W. Crane, Vernon, Jimmy Reid, Eddie Kelly, Jimmy Fusco, Incardona, Truman, Grady and Ronnie Allen, at the end of the DCC tourn. It should be released soon. To view a group photo of that motley crew: http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/pictures.html
the Beard
frankncali said:
A DVD of that sort is being edited for publication as we speak. Diana Hoppe put together a multi-hour, round table interview consisting of myself, DiLiberto, W. Crane, Vernon, Jimmy Reid, Eddie Kelly, Jimmy Fusco, Incardona, Truman, Grady and Ronnie Allen, at the end of the DCC tourn. It should be released soon. To view a group photo of that motley crew: http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/pictures.html
the Beard
JAM I like your writing alot and you add to this board's value for sure. This thread is a good one, but I have to say that your post about it being ok to dump greedy backers should be expected to get some criticism.
The fact of the matter is dumping is an ethical lapse which is a very slippery slope. Once you rationalize reasons to dump that settle the ethical conflict within yourself, isn't it foreseeable that you will find it easier and easier to rationalize a dump in the future? Thats what I read into what you wrote at least.
Reading this mindset is troubling for pool's gambling future because it perpetuates the belief that business is going on when two players match up high stakes. If the general population believes pool players think its ok to dump under certain circumstances, it dramatically alters their perception of the game. Every miss gets amplified as...I wonder if he is dumping? This is a real killjoy for not only people who like to gamble at the game but regular enthusiasts who just like sweating the competition.
The fact of the matter is dumping is an ethical lapse which is a very slippery slope. Once you rationalize reasons to dump that settle the ethical conflict within yourself, isn't it foreseeable that you will find it easier and easier to rationalize a dump in the future? Thats what I read into what you wrote at least.
Reading this mindset is troubling for pool's gambling future because it perpetuates the belief that business is going on when two players match up high stakes. If the general population believes pool players think its ok to dump under certain circumstances, it dramatically alters their perception of the game. Every miss gets amplified as...I wonder if he is dumping? This is a real killjoy for not only people who like to gamble at the game but regular enthusiasts who just like sweating the competition.
uwate said:
Oh, Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood. Hey, that sounds like a good name for a song! Huh?
I'll try to spell it out for you, just in case you misunderstand what I write. I am subject to have every single word I write dissected. If I post a picture of my boyfriend laying on the sofa with our dog Sammy, he is thereafter referred to as a "bum on a sofa." This is the mind-set I'm dealing with as it pertains to some forum members.
You know, on second thought, I'm not going to fully explain my post in elaborate detail. If you do not understand the reasoning for it, then maybe it's better left unsaid.
In short, though, some stakehorses get funny when it comes to cutting up that money. I'll just leave it at that. Some pool players consider that stealing when they've given it their all in a match and were expecting the beforehand agreed-upon amount that they are to receive if they win.
Thank you again for your civilized response. I hope I have helped to clarify a wee bit what the intention was of my words. If I may provide further clarification, please do not hesitate to provide another opinion about what I write.
JAM