Mike Davis
- Thread starter MahnaMahna
- Start date
That stroke is an engineered stroke and it's all Mike Davis's special design. He didn't come upon that stroke by accident.
Mike is one of the nicest guys out there on the pro circuit. I had the pleasure of doing commentary with him at the Great Southern Billiard Tour Championship. At the beginning of the tournament he was sick as a dog but toward the end his cold was letting up and he did an excellent job in the commentator's booth.
FTR, I wouldn't hesitate taking a pool lesson from Mike Davis.
JoeyA
Mike is one of the nicest guys out there on the pro circuit. I had the pleasure of doing commentary with him at the Great Southern Billiard Tour Championship. At the beginning of the tournament he was sick as a dog but toward the end his cold was letting up and he did an excellent job in the commentator's booth.
FTR, I wouldn't hesitate taking a pool lesson from Mike Davis.
JoeyA
I am sorry JoeyA, could you repeat that, please?
mapman72
New member
Ok. I have to share my second favorite Mike Davis story ever. Mike and I rode up to the Turning Stone Classic in 2005 (I think) and we decided that we would split the driving and the expenses. I'm a long shot to cash up there but Mike had to be considered "in the running" for a decent cash. Anyway, about halfway up there I say "I can't wait to stay in the casino and play poker between my matches." Mike says, "we're not staying at the casino." I said, "why not?". Mike says, "it's too expensive. It's like $120 a night and we could stay at a hotel ten minutes away for $30 a night." I said, "look dude, I know this is your life but this is my vacation. I want to stay at the casino." Mike wasn't having it so we struck up this deal. We were going to stop along the way and play one race to 11, break from the box. If I won, we stayed at the casino and split everything 50/50. If Mike won, we stayed at the casino and Mike payed me half of the rate of the cheapest hotel he could find within a half hour and I would pay the rest.
We get off the highway somewhere near Scranton, PA and we start warming up. Mike normally spots me the last three so I knew I was a long shot, but I was feeling pretty good and Mike had done most of the driving so far. We start playing and I mean to tell you that I have never seen Mike dog his brains out like that. I mean, it was worse than if he had $10k on the match. He scratched on the break nearly every time he broke and he was dogging everything. I end up winning the match 11-7. Mike was so pissed, at least as pissed as Mike gets. He didn't talk to me for much of the remaining ride.
So, to wrap this up. Mike cashed in the tourney and I didn't. But as I was waiting for Mike to finish up his matches, I went on a sick run at the blackjack table. I won $2500 in a matter of a half hour or so and I was ten minutes late meeting Mike in the lobby of the hotel. Mike was again pissed because he was in a hurry to get back to Maryland for a tournament the next day. So basically, he didn't talk to me until, ironically, we passed Scranton, PA.
The moral of the story is as follows: If you go to Turning Stone with Mike Davis, prepare for a quiet ride between the cities of Scranton and Syracuse. This story is true and it's funny, but I don't want to give anyone the wrong idea. Mike is a great guy and a great friend. He's one of the few pool players I let stay at my place when he comes through town. I wish the best for him always.
Mapman your story was GREAT! I like you and quiet people. With that $2500 did you pick up the tab for the hotel? :smile:
JoeyA
No he didn't cover the hotel with his winnings but I wouldn't have wanted him to. He beat me fair and square. And he of course thinks his good run would have continued forever had I not forced him to leave so who knows how much I cost him. I hated being a not so nice guy to my friend but I hadn't really made any money and I knew we had just enough time to get back to MD, shower & change, then head to another tournament. We made it in time and I won (1000$), joey got 3rd or 4th. So the trip ended pretty well for both of us.
I've played Mike Davis twice in the Jacoby tour and as you can expect I got my ass handed to me but Mike talked to me after both matches and told me my good points and stuff I could work on. The first time he told me I had an awesome break I just needed to work on my control so I took his advice and the next Jacoby tour I played I won the break contest.....My point is Mike Davis is a good guy
I wanted to say thanks. A lot of u said some real nice things about me on here. And pretty much everyone was on with their comments. No, i/most pool players don't make a ton of money. And I average around 20,000/year in expenses but as someone else mentioned there are a lot of small events that aren't added on that list (and occasionaly a big one like the one i snapped off in Korea), as well as action and lessons so I'd say I probably made 30k/yr or so more than it lists. Enough I have managed to put a little something away but I'm sure not getting rich. I just love the game and want to compete at the highest level as long as I am able.
And yes I have an unorthodox stroke. I have several reasons why I think it is a good stroke even if it does look funny. One of them being that the muscles in your upper arm are larger and easier to control/keep in line. And when I'm on it really doesn't even feel like I have to stroke the ball. I just lift my arm up and let it fall into place. Gravity does all the work for me unless I really need to pound the ball around the table.
And as far as being in big action, it is rare. I gave up hustling many years ago. I didn't feel good about myself the short while I did try it. That leaves giving up big spots or matching up with other tough players. Most of which have stake horses. I havent had much luck getting one but it looks as though that may have changed. Honestly many are a bit shady in getting them. I've been asked by a stake horse about a potential game and I replied that I liked my end of it but it was tough. The backer says maybe we'll find something easier. Another player who isn't any better than me goes up to the backer and uses a line like "I'm stealing, I'll quit pool if I lose to that guy" and the guy puts him in and he loses. So I play on my own. I play sets with the local guys for 50 or 100 all the time giving up a little weight and I've put up as much 2 and 3 thousand on occasion. Another reason u don't hear of me gambling much is that I've become real selective about who I'll play as I've gotten older. It doesn't seem worth it to deal with so many of these guys that u know are going to shark u and bad rack u and pull whatever moves. I try to make money playing pool but i mostly play cuz i like to. Some people take all the fun out of it. OK I'll quit rambling now. Just figured since people were talking about me I'd try to clear a few things up. Sorry it turned into a book. Thanks again, it was nice to read so many good comments about me.
And yes I have an unorthodox stroke. I have several reasons why I think it is a good stroke even if it does look funny. One of them being that the muscles in your upper arm are larger and easier to control/keep in line. And when I'm on it really doesn't even feel like I have to stroke the ball. I just lift my arm up and let it fall into place. Gravity does all the work for me unless I really need to pound the ball around the table.
And as far as being in big action, it is rare. I gave up hustling many years ago. I didn't feel good about myself the short while I did try it. That leaves giving up big spots or matching up with other tough players. Most of which have stake horses. I havent had much luck getting one but it looks as though that may have changed. Honestly many are a bit shady in getting them. I've been asked by a stake horse about a potential game and I replied that I liked my end of it but it was tough. The backer says maybe we'll find something easier. Another player who isn't any better than me goes up to the backer and uses a line like "I'm stealing, I'll quit pool if I lose to that guy" and the guy puts him in and he loses. So I play on my own. I play sets with the local guys for 50 or 100 all the time giving up a little weight and I've put up as much 2 and 3 thousand on occasion. Another reason u don't hear of me gambling much is that I've become real selective about who I'll play as I've gotten older. It doesn't seem worth it to deal with so many of these guys that u know are going to shark u and bad rack u and pull whatever moves. I try to make money playing pool but i mostly play cuz i like to. Some people take all the fun out of it. OK I'll quit rambling now. Just figured since people were talking about me I'd try to clear a few things up. Sorry it turned into a book. Thanks again, it was nice to read so many good comments about me.
Well, you know what they say, you reap what you sew.
The only reason we have these things to say about you is because you made us do so through your actions and interactions. You are a quality dude, Mike.
Thank you
It's nice to see another World Class Pro posting here. That comment you made about hustling and how you feel afterward speaks volumes about your good character. It just confirms all the good things people have said here about you. Thanks again and here's hoping for much success to you.
It's nice to see another World Class Pro posting here. That comment you made about hustling and how you feel afterward speaks volumes about your good character. It just confirms all the good things people have said here about you. Thanks again and here's hoping for much success to you.
Mike Davis has got action in New Orleans.
If you're passing through New Orleans, you got action from me and I don't want any weight. Well maybe I'll accept a little something if you offer.
You won't want to make a special trip to gamble with me but I will play you for $30-$50 a game one pocket just because I like your style. (Just don't tell any of the other players how easy action is here at Buffalo Billiards in Metairie, LA)
Either that, or I'll just pay for pool lessons. You take your pick.
Good luck and thanks for sharing some of your thoughts about your stroke.
JoeyA
If you're passing through New Orleans, you got action from me and I don't want any weight. Well maybe I'll accept a little something if you offer.
You won't want to make a special trip to gamble with me but I will play you for $30-$50 a game one pocket just because I like your style. (Just don't tell any of the other players how easy action is here at Buffalo Billiards in Metairie, LA)
Either that, or I'll just pay for pool lessons. You take your pick. Good luck and thanks for sharing some of your thoughts about your stroke.
JoeyA
Do we hear SPONSORS?
Are there any sponsors looking for a quality guy who also has great pool talent and a strong work ethic? Mike Davis is your man!
I could easily imagine Mike Davis, traveling around the country representing a top notch company like Brunswick, Olhausen, Diamond, Gabriel, Simonis, Milliken Super Pro Billiard Cloth, Cue & Case, Sterling, JB Cases, or any one of the great cue manufacturers.
Mike is the kind of guy who would be promoting your product while he's winning tournaments. I can imagine, the sponsor setting up exhibitions before or after tournaments with them covering Mike's expenses to some of the tournaments. I would bet a dollar to a door nail that Mike would generate additional profits for any sponsor.
From witnesses and his own posts, Mike Davis knows how to manage a dollar! :winknudge:
That's it, I'm all done. (And for all the potential sponsors out there, JoeyA is not paid for any of his endorsements, nor are my recommendations requested by any of the players that I highlight. The players whom I put in the spotlight on occasion are deserving of any sponsorship that they might receive. When I recommend a player for sponsorship, the sponsor is getting the best of the deal).
JoeyA
Are there any sponsors looking for a quality guy who also has great pool talent and a strong work ethic? Mike Davis is your man!
I could easily imagine Mike Davis, traveling around the country representing a top notch company like Brunswick, Olhausen, Diamond, Gabriel, Simonis, Milliken Super Pro Billiard Cloth, Cue & Case, Sterling, JB Cases, or any one of the great cue manufacturers.
Mike is the kind of guy who would be promoting your product while he's winning tournaments. I can imagine, the sponsor setting up exhibitions before or after tournaments with them covering Mike's expenses to some of the tournaments. I would bet a dollar to a door nail that Mike would generate additional profits for any sponsor.
From witnesses and his own posts, Mike Davis knows how to manage a dollar! :winknudge:
That's it, I'm all done. (And for all the potential sponsors out there, JoeyA is not paid for any of his endorsements, nor are my recommendations requested by any of the players that I highlight. The players whom I put in the spotlight on occasion are deserving of any sponsorship that they might receive. When I recommend a player for sponsorship, the sponsor is getting the best of the deal).
JoeyA
Mike need not apologize for writing a long post. Any pearls of wisdom he can offer should be greatly appreciated on this forum. Thanks for sharing your opinions, Mike.
JoeyA is correct, Mike is the perfect spokesman for a pool-related company or campaign. He travels a lot (which gives the sponsor a lot of exposure for their dollar), he's gentlemanly (which is the image pool desperately needs), and he a fierce competitor (which means he will always give 100%).
JoeyA is correct, Mike is the perfect spokesman for a pool-related company or campaign. He travels a lot (which gives the sponsor a lot of exposure for their dollar), he's gentlemanly (which is the image pool desperately needs), and he a fierce competitor (which means he will always give 100%).
mapman72
New member
You write well for a pool player. Well said. See you soon.
This is a great example of something I have been thinking while reading posts previous pros have put up. Mike completely answered everything I asked, went into good detail, used good grammar and spelling, and his posting portrays himself as a true professional representing his sport. I really was curious about his gambling habits, and he was one of the few that picked-up on that and said what the deal was.
Thanks for the answers Mike, and good luck in all of your future endeavors! You have just earned a new fan.
Thanks for the answers Mike, and good luck in all of your future endeavors! You have just earned a new fan.