Matlock vs Keith

Keith game all the Mexican Bar Table Champions in California the 7 Ball

DrawtheRock said:
Did David beat buddy with the small ball? I seem to remember Buddy saying that David would only play him with the big ball.

I didnt get to see them play in their primes but have heard many of those champions talk about Keith and they said he was Scary Good-- especially at an early age.

CJ-- you have been around a lot of those players-- what did they say about Keith for the cash on that bar box with the big ball?
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Keith game all the Mexican Bar Table Champions in California the 7 Ball and some weeks the 6 Ball - there were several { of these Mexican Champions } that could beat any current tournament player a race to 7 or 9. They also played 'Two Shot Shoot Out' in the gambling matches.

I have a lot of respect for both players and I never went looking for them to play on the bar table. On a big table it was a different story, but that was always my best game.....I even liked playing on the big table with the big ball.
 
No offense but Calvin did not win the tourney( 1987 Gumphrey memorial). Wade Crane beat Earl Strickland in the Finals twice that year. I promise I was there. I'm third from the right back row.
 
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backplaying said:
David was one of the best barbox players. In the late 80's David told Archer he had the 7 ball if he would come to Oklahoma . Johnny was already winning tournaments everywhere and beating most gambling. This happened at a tournament in Aniston,AL where CJ beat David with Billy Johnson breaking for him. I also know Keith was a top barbox player with a very big heart. There would be no stealing going on when/if they played each other in their prime. I know David had a open invitation for anyone that wanted to play a 10,000 set at one time. I had heard that Keith was one of the few to play David even on a barbox. I once watched Paul Turner play perfect pool on a barbox all night before. I had a good seat on the receiving end of him putting 5's and 6's together. Eugene Browning once ran 9 on me in Birmingham... Allen Hopkins was the first person I had ever seen beat the ghost with no ball in hand on a barbox. I have watched Brian Ashley play perfect barbox pool all night. The point is, there were many top barbox players that were unbeatable at times.
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I was a local player in Anniston until I moved to Tennessee in '86. I played mostly at a club named Dee Fords. The tourney u mentioned may have been there. I played Paul Turner there in '85. I got a decent spot and actually came out ahead. Speaking of Eugene Browning......I played a lot with Steve Downey from Gadsden who owned a place called the Players Pub. Eugene came thru and Steve played him at his place for about 10 hours. Eugene ran out the first 7 games before Steve went to the table. I had half of Steve's bet and he turned to me and said, don't worry I'll get to the table. Steve put an 8 pack on Eugene and got back to even. They traded out games and packs all night and broke about even. Steve was a world beater on the bar box during that time. Just wanted to share a few memories when u mentioned Anniston, Al.
 
We must have crossed paths back during that time.

Rjmoncrief said:
I was a local player in Anniston until I moved to Tennessee in '86. I played mostly at a club named Dee Fords. The tourney u mentioned may have been there. I played Paul Turner there in '85. I got a decent spot and actually came out ahead. Speaking of Eugene Browning......I played a lot with Steve Downey from Gadsden who owned a place called the Players Pub. Eugene came thru and Steve played him at his place for about 10 hours. Eugene ran out the first 7 games before Steve went to the table. I had half of Steve's bet and he turned to me and said, don't worry I'll get to the table. Steve put an 8 pack on Eugene and got back to even. They traded out games and packs all night and broke about even. Steve was a world beater on the bar box during that time. Just wanted to share a few memories when u mentioned Anniston, Al.
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We must have crossed paths back during that time. I played all the players you mentioned .....some of them on several occasions.

I played Matlock on the bar table in Anniston for ten dimes....that was one of the strongest bar table tournaments......that one and Clinton Iowa as well.
 
CJ Wiley said:
We must have crossed paths back during that time. I played all the players you mentioned .....some of them on several occasions.

I played Matlock on the bar table in Anniston for ten dimes....that was one of the strongest bar table tournaments......that one and Clinton Iowa as well.
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I'm sure we did CJ. I didn't play near as strong as those mentioned but I would always get a spot and some I won and some I lost. I know my buddy Steve Downey that I mentioned played as good as any of them on the BB at that time. I also spent a lot of playing time with Jerry Bento. He was also a world beater at the time. I learned a lot from both of them. Great to talk about those days........always great memories!
 
it took a champion to beat him, and a few of them didn't make it out with the cheese

Rjmoncrief said:
I'm sure we did CJ. I didn't play near as strong as those mentioned but I would always get a spot and some I won and some I lost. I know my buddy Steve Downey that I mentioned played as good as any of them on the BB at that time. I also spent a lot of playing time with Jerry Bento. He was also a world beater at the time. I learned a lot from both of them. Great to talk about those days........always great memories!
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Yes, I played Steve in his bar there, although Jerry never would play...he was in and out of "vacation" back then and his game was was unpredictable.

I believe Johnny Archer and I played in Steve's bar as well. He reminded me of this match last year in London, I had forgot about it. We just had time for one set and he beat me there in Anniston. Steve was a really solid player and it took a champion to beat him, and a few of them didn't make it out with the cheese.

There was also another strong player hanging around there by the name of Billy Ray Suddan.....we ended up playing in Chattanooga out at a little bar called "Browns"....it's where they filmed 'The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia'.
 
CJ Wiley said:
Yes, I played Steve in his bar there, although Jerry never would play...he was in and out of "vacation" back then and his game was was unpredictable.

I believe Johnny Archer and I played in Steve's bar as well. He reminded me of this match last year in London, I had forgot about it. We just had time for one set and he beat me there in Anniston. Steve was a really solid player and it took a champion to beat him, and a few of them didn't make it out with the cheese.

There was also another strong player hanging around there by the name of Billy Ray Suddan.....we ended up playing in Chattanooga out at a little bar called "Browns"....it's where they filmed 'The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia'.
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HOW IN THE HELL CAN YOU REMEMBER ALL OF THAT?

LOL

Ken
 
Would have loved to seen u play Steve!

CJ Wiley said:
Yes, I played Steve in his bar there, although Jerry never would play...he was in and out of "vacation" back then and his game was was unpredictable.

I believe Johnny Archer and I played in Steve's bar as well. He reminded me of this match last year in London, I had forgot about it. We just had time for one set and he beat me there in Anniston. Steve was a really solid player and it took a champion to beat him, and a few of them didn't make it out with the cheese.

There was also another strong player hanging around there by the name of Billy Ray Suddan.....we ended up playing in Chattanooga out at a little bar called "Browns"....it's where they filmed 'The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia'.
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I left Anniston about a year before u played Johnny and Steve. I was running with Steve at the time so probably best for me cause I'm sure I would have had my share of his action against you.....:sad: Your right though, it took a champion world beater to beat Steve, especially at his place. I saw him put an 8 pack on Eugene Browning and it was the first time at the table after Eugene put a 7 pack on him! Unbelievable match. Like u said, there wasnt many that left Steve's place with the cheese. I made a ton of money on him while playing the small $5-$10 games on another table. I don't remember Billy Ray, he may have been from Chattanooga at the time. Like I said, great memories talking about days of old.....:grin:
 
Kieth was a great player and so was Dave i was lucky to have seen them both play
 
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CJ do you remember when you shot Johnny Archer full of holes at your room in Dallas you had Doug Smith breaking for you didnt you win 20k you played so good ill never forget Johnnys face
 
Pathetic Shark said:
Not disagreeing with you, but there is a fine line between self confidence and arrogance. True champions are born, not made. True champions don't need to strut or make themselves known to their opponents, physically or verbally.

They do the business on the table. Quietly.
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If this is true...in your opinion Earl is no champion either?
 
Thanks for the vids and story's here! I grew up playing in so ca and watched Keith play a lot when he was 18 and 19 and needless to say it was ALWAYS a treat! He actually inspired my game and I learned a lot from him! I also know and have played Dave and a lot of others mentioned on this thread...every one of them a gentleman in love with the game.
I do not enjoy the baby smack talking on here...it has no value and makes reading this thread twice as long as it should have. These guys are all champions and deserve a lot more respect (and $) than they get from the pool world and the hacker smackers on here!
To make pool classy...we all have to start with ourselves.
 
BelleBelle said:
Who's Doug smith?
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VERY strong player from the early 80's on who spent a lot of time on the road with SAJ, Cj, etc.

i remember him being dogmatic aout games he made to include using his Qball, type of game, length of game among other things.

Normally booked winners with the exception of an apprx weeks stay in this area in the mid 80's.
 
They played a race to 11 and Rick shot twice in the entire set.

terryhanna said:
CJ do you remember when you shot Johnny Archer full of holes at your room in Dallas you had Doug Smith breaking for you didnt you win 20k you played so good ill never forget Johnnys face
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Johnny and I played several times, he has a winning record against me in tournaments and I have the edge playing gambling sessions.

Doug and Strong Arm John started pimping.....I mean taking me on the road when I was in high school. We made a tremendous amount of "chips" together and played in over 30 states at one time or another.

When I first saw Doug Smith was in Quincy Ill. at 'THE PLACE" bar where he played my "road partner" Rick Thompson (who was a good player). They played a race to 11 and Rick shot twice in the entire set....Doug opened with 8 racks, then two, then won.

After it was over a guy came sauntering over to Doug and said "you want to play me some?"......Doug looked at him nervously and said "I'll take the 8 and play you some!!"

I'll always remember that, I thought "I wonder how good THIS guy plays". :shrug:
 
CJ Wiley said:
Johnny and I played several times, he has a winning record against me in tournaments and I have the edge playing gambling sessions.

Doug and Strong Arm John started pimping.....I mean taking me on the road when I was in high school. We made a tremendous amount of "chips" together and played in over 30 states at one time or another.

When I first saw Doug Smith was in Quincy Ill. at 'THE PLACE" bar where he played my "road partner" Rick Thompson (who was a good player). They played a race to 11 and Rick shot twice in the entire set....Doug opened with 8 racks, then two, then won.

After it was over a guy came sauntering over to Doug and said "you want to play me some?"......Doug looked at him nervously and said "I'll take the 8 and play you some!!"

I'll always remember that, I thought "I wonder how good THIS guy plays". :shrug:
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LOL good one CJ.

Ken
 
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