Must read book : Playing Off the Rail

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vyperman7

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First of all, I would just like to say that I am new to these forums and it is great to be here. To start out with, I thought that I would make a recommendation on a pool book. This is definately the best book on pool that I have ever read. It is called "Playing Off the Rail" by David McCumber. It is a non-fiction story that is based on McCumber's real life experience where he went on the road for 4 months and was a backer for Tony Annigoni.

McCumber's eye for detail and technical knowledge of the game as well as "the hustle" was amazing, and the book takes you from San Francisco to New York. You get to read about everything from all night poolhalls (which I wish there was more of) to big tournaments. All of the bigtime pool greats are in this book, and I especially loved the parts with Bucktooth.

This book is seriously amazing, and I recommend that anyone who really loves pool to read it. I was reading through the "Poolhall Junkies" thread and someone said that a nonfiction account of going on the road and showing us the life of a pool hustler would be interesting. That is exactly what this book is.
 
PLAYING OFF THE RAIL was a very good book Tony Friend Bucktooth was in about 1/3 of the book. That is the same Bucktooth there talking about on this site. In person it sounds like he is no different than in the book. In the book he said to Harry Bet Thousands.
 
I was *just* looking all over town for this book today.. after having read some reviews on Amazon (it was referenced from the page for a Phil Cappelle book I recently purchased) which said it was great. Everyone in town has to special order it, so I'm ordering it used from Powell's in Oregon for only $8.

Can't wait to get it...
 
It is a very good book, although not all of it is true. Some players that the author claimed Annigoni beat he actually never has beaten.

Tony is a very nice guy and a great player, but the book pissed off quite a few players whos names were used in a few fairy tales told in the book, mine included.
 
pro-player said:
It is a very good book, although not all of it is true. Some players that the author claimed Annigoni beat he actually never has beaten.

Tony is a very nice guy and a great player, but the book pissed off quite a few players whos names were used in a few fairy tales told in the book, mine included.
Click to expand...
...and some people cannot believe they weren't in the book!!!
 
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If you can't find it for sale on Amazon or half.com try the library.

And then get McGoorty, Bet High and Kiss Low and the Green Felt Jungle. All deal with the fine points of the hustle.

And never forget that an author has political license - that means he can puff the story; exagerate it; twist it and flat out make it up.

That's what makes for a good read. LOL

Jake
 
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