Old School Pool Players

W

wincardona

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've read on numerous threads about how certain people judge the choice of lives pool players have chosen. Often being referred to as fools and stupid,for choosing their profession.I would like to offer my prospective on this topic,since I have traveled this exclusive road that the upper echolan players have. In retrospect as I look back through my life from the time I first picked up a cue untill now as I speak to all of you and I can honestly say this without remorse,if I could go back in time and choose another path ,chances are I might have done it,but in no way do I regret the path of life I chose as a pool player. Financially I am set,not super rich ,but content with my financial situation. No I didn't make my money playing pool but it was partially responsible for opening doors for me to exploit.And as I sit here reminiscing ,my most vivid memories wasn't about how I cleverly, and relentlessly I built my foundation for the future,no it was about all the great experiences I had on the road and sharing those experiences with people you only read about. Strawberry said it perfectly when he so eloquently stated " one pocket is an epodemic and there ain't no cure" And that also holds true to all the great players of the past ,Buddy Hall,Jersey Red, Eddie Taylor,Keith McReady,Bugs, Grady, Cornbread,FreddyThe Beard,Wade Crane,David Matlock,Ronnie Allen,Danny Diliberto,Bill I ncardona,Jack Cooney,Fats,Pucket,and I can go on and on. And all these great champions played the game we all love, pool, and it was an epodemic to all of them without a cure. But now we are a lot older and some have $$$ problems and you know what ,we don't like it,but it's kinda OK,because we played a game that we loved for just about all our lives,and that ain't so bad.

Iappologize to any person that has not implied this,but if the shoe fits wear it.
 
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Another great post. I think you would have been successful at any other field of endeavor you chose.

You certainly would have.

Chris
 
I had the oppurtunity to stay with the game and see how it works out.. I on the other hand decided to quit for 6 years and go to college and get a job that paid well so i could play and not worry about income at all.

I also have no regrets but would've been happy with either.
 
Your early days...

Billy,
How did you start playing pool? Were you a natural player or did you work hard to build your game? By that I mean, how easy did it come to you? Did you have a table in your home?

And also, in another thread I asked you if you would consider writing an autobiography like some of the other pros have and you didn't have any comment. Would that ever be an option for you? Besides your life story, replete with road tales and tournaments, you could include these juicy morsels that you post from time to time. I said it before, if you would like a barometer on how sales would go, look at the responses to your threads.

I know I speak for others here, these posts of yours are much appreciated.
 
I think in all of the "organized" professional sports, their humble beginnings and low pay for their players has always been the case. Their passion made their chosen professional sport what it is today.

Professional Pool Players (of yesterday and today) may not have the financial opportunities that todays Baseball, Basketball, Football players, and Golfers have. But, who knows what the future holds.

I hope one day, we will have Professional Pool Players earning money comparable to the skill and entertainment value that other professional sports have. When that day comes, those players (and the fans like me) will owe a debt of grattitude to you and all the players you mentioned (and more).
 
Hopefully the day of pool will arrive. Look at bowling, tennis and some other individual sports. They make millions in a tournament. Pool? They just started to hit 50 thousand. Big discrepancy.
 
42NateBaller said:
I think in all of the "organized" professional sports, their humble beginnings and low pay for their players has always been the case. Their passion made their chosen professional sport what it is today.

Professional Pool Players (of yesterday and today) may not have the financial opportunities that todays Baseball, Basketball, Football players, and Golfers have. But, who knows what the future holds.

I hope one day, we will have Professional Pool Players earning money comparable to the skill and entertainment value that other professional sports have. When that day comes, those players (and the fans like me) will owe a debt of grattitude to you and all the players you mentioned (and more).
Click to expand...
tap tap tap.I hope so too.:)
 
wincardona said:
I've read on numerous threads about how certain people judge the choice of lives pool players have chosen. Often being referred to as fools and stupid,for choosing their profession.I would like to offer my prospective on this topic,since I have traveled this exclusive road that the upper echolan players have. In retrospect as I look back through my life from the time I first picked up a cue untill now as I speak to all of you and I can honestly say this without remorse,if I could go back in time and choose another path ,chances are I might have done it,but in no way do I regret the path of life I chose as a pool player. Financially I am set,not super rich ,but content with my financial situation. No I didn't make my money playing pool but it was partially responsible for opening doors for me to exploit.And as I sit here reminiscing ,my most vivid memories wasn't about how I cleverly, and relentlessly I built my foundation for the future,no it was about all the great experiences I had on the road and sharing those experiences with people you only read about. Strawberry said it perfectly when he so eloquently stated " one pocket is an epodemic and there ain't no cure" And that also holds true to all the great players of the past ,Buddy Hall,Jersey Red, Eddie Taylor,Keith McReady,Bugs, Grady, Cornbread,FreddyThe Beard,Wade Crane,David Matlock,Ronnie Allen,Danny Diliberto,Bill I ncardona,Jack Cooney,Fats,Pucket,and I can go on and on. And all these great champions played the game we all love, pool, and it was an epodemic to all of them without a cure. But now we are a lot older and some have $$$ problems and you know what ,we don't like it,but it's kinda OK,because we played a game that we loved for just about all our lives,and that ain't so bad.

Iappologize to any person that has not implied this,but if the shoe fits wear it.
Click to expand...

Just to spur on some conversation, I guess the question I would ask is: Would you recommend this life to a young man?

I remember a time in my college days when Ronnie Allen was paying me on a bet he lost, he said "son, I hope you take this money and buy some books with it, so you don't have to live the life I have."

Chris
 
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wincardona said:
I've read on numerous threads about how certain people judge the choice of lives pool players have chosen. Often being referred to as fools and stupid,for choosing their profession.I would like to offer my prospective on this topic,since I have traveled this exclusive road that the upper echolan players have. In retrospect as I look back through my life from the time I first picked up a cue untill now as I speak to all of you and I can honestly say this without remorse,if I could go back in time and choose another path ,chances are I might have done it,but in no way do I regret the path of life I chose as a pool player. Financially I am set,not super rich ,but content with my financial situation. No I didn't make my money playing pool but it was partially responsible for opening doors for me to exploit.And as I sit here reminiscing ,my most vivid memories wasn't about how I cleverly, and relentlessly I built my foundation for the future,no it was about all the great experiences I had on the road and sharing those experiences with people you only read about. Strawberry said it perfectly when he so eloquently stated " one pocket is an epodemic and there ain't no cure" And that also holds true to all the great players of the past ,Buddy Hall,Jersey Red, Eddie Taylor,Keith McReady,Bugs, Grady, Cornbread,FreddyThe Beard,Wade Crane,David Matlock,Ronnie Allen,Danny Diliberto,Bill I ncardona,Jack Cooney,Fats,Pucket,and I can go on and on. And all these great champions played the game we all love, pool, and it was an epodemic to all of them without a cure. But now we are a lot older and some have $$$ problems and you know what ,we don't like it,but it's kinda OK,because we played a game that we loved for just about all our lives,and that ain't so bad.

Iappologize to any person that has not implied this,but if the shoe fits wear it.
Click to expand...

Like you Billy, I may not have made the best choices in my life as a youngster. I had every opportunity to be a docter or a lawyer. I just fell in love with Pool and that was it. Owning a poolroom doesn't compare with being a professional man, but like Billy I made a decent living and have no complaints.

What I wouldn't trade for anything is all the great times I had in poolrooms across America. I personally knew all the above players Billy mentions and tons more. The funniest lines I ever heard in my life were in poolrooms and the biggest laughs came in there too. Funnier than any comedian or anybody you ever saw on TV.

For some unique characters, try Omaha Fats, Minnesota, Cosmo, The Goose, Ronnie, Keith, both Red's, Puckett, Jack Perkins, Puggy, Slim, Detroit Whitey, Kelly, Wimpy, Popcorn, Buddy, Jimmy Reid, Bob Osborne, Massey, Hubbart, Danny, Billy Johnson, Lisciotti, Hoppy, Rempe, Little Nicky, Nicky Vach, Grady, Parica, Blackie, Pancho, Shorty and Cuban Joe. Now these were characters with funny outlooks on life and an interesting way of expressing themself. Like Freddie, I loved them all, rogues that they were.

The poolroom could be a wondeful place and it could be a treacherous place. You got a good education if you hung around long enough. I'm glad I made the choices I made. It's been a trip!
 
TATE said:
Just to spur on some conversation, I guess the question I would ask is: Would you recommend this life to a young man?

I remember a time in my college days when Ronnie Allen was paying me on a bet he lost, he said "son, I hope you take this money and buy some books with it, so you don't have to live the life I have."

Chris
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Thanks for the laugh. Please tell another story.
 
if I had my life to live again

Looking back over more hours spent playing pool than working for many years I have to say that if I had my life to live again I wouldn't have wasted all of those hours working.

Hu


TATE said:
Just to spur on some conversation, I guess the question I would ask is: Would you recommend this life to a young man?

I remember a time in my college days when Ronnie Allen was paying me on a bet he lost, he said "son, I hope you take this money and buy some books with it, so you don't have to live the life I have."

Chris
Click to expand...
 
ShootingArts said:
Looking back over more hours spent playing pool than working for many years I have to say that if I had my life to live again I wouldn't have wasted all of those hours working.

Hu
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I have a sign next to my pool table...

"I've spent most of my life playing pool. The rest of it I've just wasted."

People who don't shoot pool think it's funny, I guess.

Chris
 
TATE said:
I have a sign next to my pool table...

"I've spent most of my life playing pool. The rest of it I've just wasted."

People who don't shoot pool think it's funny, I guess.

Chris
Click to expand...


This is kind of a new twist on the "mispent youth" theme. I like it! Can I use it?
 
jay helfert said:
This is kind of a new twist on the "mispent youth" theme. I like it! Can I use it?
Click to expand...

Of course, Jay! It's just a sign someone bought for me at a gift store.

Chris
 
wincardona said:
I've read on numerous threads about how certain people judge the choice of lives pool players have chosen. Often being referred to as fools and stupid,for choosing their profession.I would like to offer my prospective on this topic,since I have traveled this exclusive road that the upper echolan players have. In retrospect as I look back through my life from the time I first picked up a cue untill now as I speak to all of you and I can honestly say this without remorse,if I could go back in time and choose another path ,chances are I might have done it,but in no way do I regret the path of life I chose as a pool player. Financially I am set,not super rich ,but content with my financial situation. No I didn't make my money playing pool but it was partially responsible for opening doors for me to exploit.And as I sit here reminiscing ,my most vivid memories wasn't about how I cleverly, and relentlessly I built my foundation for the future,no it was about all the great experiences I had on the road and sharing those experiences with people you only read about. Strawberry said it perfectly when he so eloquently stated " one pocket is an epodemic and there ain't no cure" And that also holds true to all the great players of the past ,Buddy Hall,Jersey Red, Eddie Taylor,Keith McReady,Bugs, Grady, Cornbread,FreddyThe Beard,Wade Crane,David Matlock,Ronnie Allen,Danny Diliberto,Bill I ncardona,Jack Cooney,Fats,Pucket,and I can go on and on. And all these great champions played the game we all love, pool, and it was an epodemic to all of them without a cure. But now we are a lot older and some have $$$ problems and you know what ,we don't like it,but it's kinda OK,because we played a game that we loved for just about all our lives,and that ain't so bad.

Iappologize to any person that has not implied this,but if the shoe fits wear it.
Click to expand...


Billy,
My comments were misconstrued and twisted by someone that believes I hate and/or don't respect pool players. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

The comments you refer to were written in 1995 and had to do with the direction that Don Mackey was leading the PBT players. The parable was in no way insulting to pool players, nor did it insinuate that pool players were fools. It is an excerpt of a larger text that clearly explained the peril of the Pro Tour and the mismanagement that would eventually lead to its downfall. The parable is an adaptation of an Aesop fable, so I can't even take credit for inventing the story. If anybody was offended by it, take it up with Aesop, he's been dead a couple of thousand years, so he may be a little slow responding to your calls.

For unknown reasons, some have found it necessary to turn this around and say that I am calling pool players fools. This is ludicrous because I earn my income from being a pool player, and nothing else. 100% of my income is earned from ... pool. I coach players. I sponsor players. I support all of the regional and professional tours as best I can. Most of the services I provide for players is done free of charge. I guess some would say that I'm a "nice person". Well, at least I know that I try to be.

I believe your post was in good faith and I agree with all of your points, but I was not insulting anybody, whether you or anybody else wants to see it that way or not.

Prior to the advent of the IPT, I had absolutely no problem interacting with anybody within the pool world - for over 20 years. In the past year and a half I pretty much kept to myself while certain people have assassinated my character and twisted my words at every given opportunity. Every insult and stab in the back that I have received can be traced back to the same origin, which does not surprise me.

I have the utmost respect for all of the people that you mentioned in your post. Some of them I had the opportunity to meet, some I haven't, but nonetheless, they all have my respect, and so do you.

David
 
Recently at a local room a guy I was playing started denigrating a local cue maker and long, long time player. He was saying that the player was a sad example of a person with no 401K and limited means. I replied that $ could be wiped out by one catastrophic illness or any one of many ways but to be able to do what you loved your entire life was the highest accomplishment.
 
bill,,,i think it's more than just "love" for the game.

"love" is a part of the equation.

it is more like eating and breathing...you HAVE TO do it. that is what drives any talent to fulfill his "destiny". it is as if you have no choice,,,you are captive to your talent.
 
There are no gaurantees in any profession

Life is for living! Follow your passions and you will figure out a way to make money at it! I took a break from pool for twelve years due to marriage and family. 2005 it all went down the tubes. I pretty much lost all the material things that many value so much. I fought for custody of my daughter and won. I lost my job soon after and had to start from scratch there as well. You can plan everything out in your head and life can turn on a dime! Pool is a great passion.Esp. for those of us that have it in our blood. As long as I can provide for myself and my daughter I would do it for less money doing something I love. Money doesn't matter if your not happy. Eventually you will be looking for a way out if you are not happy! I think you Mr. Incardona you have lived a wonder life. One of which many of us can only dream of!
 
I'm in the opposite boat. I had kids, didn't play good enough to support them on pool, nor was I a good enough hustler to make money in spite of my less-than-world-beater abilities, so I went to work. However, your statement here is right on. I miss the life of a pool player. Some the best times of my life came when I was spending all my time playing the game I love.

jay helfert said:
What I wouldn't trade for anything is all the great times I had in poolrooms across America. I personally knew all the above players Billy mentions and tons more. The funniest lines I ever heard in my life were in poolrooms and the biggest laughs came in there too. Funnier than any comedian or anybody you ever saw on TV.
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