On the road from 69 -85

mr3cushion

mr3cushion

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The ‘Big Sky’ Montana gives up my second BIG score!

Part 1

I'll share a story about my second biggest score in 3C. In 1970 a friend of mine, Nicky and I decided to go West, Nicky was a VERY good "short card" player, and I handled pool in the right spots and the 3C. One of the last stops before we got to the West coast was, Denver. We stayed off of Colfax Ave., and across from the Capital building was a billiard room, with 2 3C tables and about 20 pool tables.

It was early in the morning; I always would get to a room early before any of the regulars, so I could practice without getting "eye-balled". When players started coming in a round noon, I quit, and just sat around the 3c table to clock players. A couple hours later, the room started to get a little action in it on the pool tables. By that time a guy asked me to play some $50.00 a game 15 points, so I'm involved in a game and Nicky is in the middle of some action on a table in the opposite corner of the room, but I could tell I knew it wasn't pool.

A big loud black guy, Nicky and 3 or 4 other white guys were gambling on something. After about 30 minutes, I'm almost done with the billiard bird and Nicky comes over to ask me for some cheese, "Give me two hundred Billy," I asked, "For what?" He says, "We're gambling with the black guy on the 3 cards." I yelled, "Are you f***I ng crazy," "You're done!" So, I finished the billiard game, and went to sweat the “Three Card Monty.” So, naturally the black guy tries to get me involved, along with the two young white “Cap Men” he had down with it. I said, “NO” and “He’s done too!”

Now, by this time, I’m steaming, Nicky had blown $800.00 of our $2,500.00 bankroll. This is the first, and may I add the last time I took the heat like a sucker. The guys kept asking and egging me on, finally I say, “I’ll play you some of that,” pointing to the 3C table. He shouts, “Nobody plays that but old men, and they don’t bet nothing!” I reply, “I don’t care how old or young they are I’ll play,” and I'll play for what Nicky lost to you, now go find someone!” He says, “You that good boy, maybe we can make some money with you.”

No cell phones back then, the guy goes to the payphone and comes back and says, “You got a game,” “OK,” at another poolroom, Colfax Billiards. So, we follow the “Monty” crew to the room, now, I really know what’s going on, these three are “Double steering” us in this spot. The guy their going to have me play had NEVER been beaten playing 3C before. Meanwhile, I already about knew the guy they were having me play. He was the BIGGEST “bookmaker” in the Denver area, his name was “Pic” short for an Italian name they couldn’t pronounce. The guy I had been given the 411 on before we started out on the trip. Our bankroll now was $1,700.00, We agreed to play 15 points for a $1,000.00, Nicky bet $300.00 on the side, we found out later it was the “3 Card Monty crew” that bet the 3 bills. After about 10 minutes, I can see just how the guy plays, a cake walk! I let him get close, 15-12. Next game, the guy bets $2,000.00, I wasn’t sure why, but we did, and Nicky bet $600.00 on the side this time. I beat him this time 15-11, He quit, He just quit! I said, “Make a game,” “I can’t I’m broke.” I was astonished, he said, “maybe some other time.” He said, “Thanks for the game,” You play good for a kid,” and walked out the door. Got a REAL bad break with this score, the "BM" had just lost $150.000.00 on the sports that week. After Nicky had blown that money, I could see He wasn’t sharp enough to be with me on the road, I gave him back what He’d lost and 50% of the money we had won so far. Then He drove back to Chi-Town!

When the smoke cleared a couple days later, the “Monty crew”, by the way, the black guy’s name was, Harold Densen. After that first meeting of ours, we would become very close partners and friends until his untimely death in 1991. Harold and his crew came over to ask me, “You hanging around town for a while?” “I don’t know, is the action here better than this?” “We have a spot to take you to, and you’ll win as much as you can carry, if you do it the right way.”

The crew takes me up to, Billings Montana. At that time there was a chain of poolrooms around called, “Corner Pocket Billiards,” owned by, “One Eye George” George Franks, pretty fair player/hustler in his day. The guy Harold was steering me to into was a guy they called, “Smitto” he was about 40 years old then. One of the cap men for Harold was a pretty good pool player, Denny Port. He had already played Smitto 6 ball, $20.00 a ball. Denny already beat him a couple of times for about $2,000.00, one of the sessions went on till the room closed, and Smitto invited them to come to his house to play, He had this huge home built into the side of a mountain. In his basement, He had a ping pong table, 4.5x9 GC and a GC 3C billiard table, plus a beautiful bar, with part of the mountain as the back wall. When they got there, Smitto says, “I’ll play you some of this,” pointing to the 3C table. Denny played 1 game, 10 points and quit.
 
Part 2

When I went to the “Corner Pocket,” I went in by myself, I knew what day, (Friday night), and time, about 10:00 pm that Smitto came in every week, also the table He liked to play on, right in front of the counter. I was on it already hitting balls in 8 ball, He came in and saw someone on his table, and asked me, “you just practicing, or would you like to play some?” “Ok, what do you want to play?” He said,”6 ball,” I told him, “I never played 6 ball, is it like 9 ball?” “Yes. But faster, since we don’t’ have much time to play.” So, we decided to play for $10.00 a ball, pay after every game, I’m the stranger! We raised the bet to, $20.00 after about an hour, about 12:30 am, they started to clean up the poolroom. When we quit, I was about $850.00 winner, and could still see he still had a knot that would choke a horse on him. So, I asked, “Is there was any bar or room that stays open to continue playing, since you’re stuck,” “I have a couple of tables at my house, we can play there.” I looked at him sort of funny, and he said, “Don’t worry everyone knows me around the state!” He looked towards George for the nod, George speaks right up and says, “Are you kidding, this guy’s as good as gold, He’s the biggest electrical contractor in the state of Montana!”

I follow him to his home, a mansion, just beautiful! WE go down to the basement, I already knew what to expect! Pool table, billiard and ping pong table. He says, “I don’t think I can beat you playing pool, I’ll play you some 3 cushion.” I reply, “Are you kidding me, I don’t know the first thing about that, “old man’s” game!” “Besides, I don’t even know all the rules! ““If you don’t want to play some more 6 ball, I’m leaving!” He says, “Hit some balls on the table, maybe I’ll make a game with you.” I stalled with the “open hand” bridge, like in the pool game. After a dozen shots, the guy was convinced I couldn’t play a lick. He says, “I’ll give you 2 points going to 10,” “no way, I need 5 and the break!” We agree on, just 5 points on 10, for $300.00 a game pay after every game. We jockey back and forth for the first few games, He’s one game winner and asked to raise the bet to, $500.00, I said, “OK, this billiards takes too long anyway!”

By 4:00 am in the morning, We’re playing for a $1,000.00 a game and I’m only getting 2 on 10, and I’m about, $9,000.00 winners, after another 5 games, he runs out of cash in his pocket, but, still wants to keep playing. He tells me, he has more money in the safe, and gets another $10.000.00 out!
Now the Sun’s coming up outside, it’s about, 7:00am,and it’s Saturday, and He’s lost the other 10 dimes, but He’s steaming now, he can’t quit, and by now , I’m only getting the break going to 10 points. I’m about, $20.000.00 winners and the guy wont’ quit, I F***en couldn’t believe it! He’s out of cash, but, still wants to play, He says, “If I lose, I’ll write a check for it, my checks are good as GOLD!” I said, “listen Smitto, we been playing for 9 straight hours, I’m not use to this, we have to set a time limit.” I’ll tell you what I’ll do, since you’re stuck, I’ll play some till 9:00 am, (when the banks open on Saturday), and We’ll play even for $3,000.00 a game, this way you may have a chance to win some money back!” He says, “OK, that’s fair enough.”

Well, 8:30 rolls along and He’s stuck another, $21,000.00! I say, “Smitto, I’m exhausted, let’s quit, you’re not going to get your money back this way, He adamantly says, “NO, give me 2 points and we’ll play till 9 am, I promise. Meanwhile, what I didn’t realize is that, Smitto, every time he went to get a drink, He was popping, “Benny’s,” and just couldn’t stop! Need I elaborate on the final outcome, Smitto lost, a check for $30.000.00 on top of the, $19,000.00 in cash!

He writes out the check, and it dawns on me, it’s Saturday, the inside bank most likely won’t be open. Now, I’m a little worried, I ask Smitto, “Is the inside bank open today, it’s Saturday?” He says, “NO,” ONLY the drive thru.” Now, I thought to myself, “They’re NOT going to cash this BIG check at the drive-thru window, NO way!” I knew if I waited till Monday, someone would wake him up when he came off the pills. I said again, “Smitto, are you sure they’ll cash it at the drive-thru!” “I’m going to call them right now.” He did, I left and went to the bank, put my ID and check in the tube and sent it away. A few minutes later teller says, “Mr. Smith,” I said to myself, “Here we go, He stopped the check already.” “Do you have another form of ID?” I sent in my SS card, 5 minutes later here comes one tube with my ID’s and a stack of hundreds and then another tube with a stack of hundreds and a, “Thank you!” I met up with Harold at the Hotel, we cut up the money, went to sleep, woke up, got a couple of chicks and partied! Harold and I went on the road together for 25 years.

A funny ending to this story, years later, when I more or less stopped going around the country hustling, I was playing in a huge international 3C tournament in NYC. At Abel Caulderon’s room in Queens, first time I met Sang Lee, he finished second. I had just finished playing the Belgian Champion at the time, Marin Spoormans, I won the game and had the high run of the tournament 16. After the match, a tall lanky older guy with a not so good grey-haired rug, but, with a gorgeous young blonde on his arm. He says to me, “good to see you again after all these years, “can you sign my program?” I ask, “What’s your name?” He says, “make it out to Paul,” you want your last name too.” “Instead, just make it out to, “Smitto!” I take a closer look at the guy and yell out, “SMITTO!” Didn’t recognize him with the rug, we laughed together about the past. His parting words to me were, “You taught me a VERY valuable lesson, that I was only a BIG fish in a LITTLE pond!” “And I can see you certainly know this game, good luck in the FINALS!”

Remembering the good old Hustling days!
 
mr3cushion said:
Part 2

When I went to the “Corner Pocket,” I went in by myself, I knew what day, (Friday night), and time, about 10:00 pm that Smitto came in every week, also the table He liked to play on, right in front of the counter. I was on it already hitting balls in 8 ball, He came in and saw someone on his table, and asked me, “you just practicing, or would you like to play some?” “Ok, what do you want to play?” He said,”6 ball,” I told him, “I never played 6 ball, is it like 9 ball?” “Yes. But faster, since we don’t’ have much time to play.” So, we decided to play for $10.00 a ball, pay after every game, I’m the stranger! We raised the bet to, $20.00 after about an hour, about 12:30 am, they started to clean up the poolroom. When we quit, I was about $850.00 winner, and could still see he still had a knot that would choke a horse on him. So, I asked, “Is there was any bar or room that stays open to continue playing, since you’re stuck,” “I have a couple of tables at my house, we can play there.” I looked at him sort of funny, and he said, “Don’t worry everyone knows me around the state!” He looked towards George for the nod, George speaks right up and says, “Are you kidding, this guy’s as good as gold, He’s the biggest electrical contractor in the state of Montana!”

I follow him to his home, a mansion, just beautiful! WE go down to the basement, I already knew what to expect! Pool table, billiard and ping pong table. He says, “I don’t think I can beat you playing pool, I’ll play you some 3 cushion.” I reply, “Are you kidding me, I don’t know the first thing about that, “old man’s” game!” “Besides, I don’t even know all the rules! ““If you don’t want to play some more 6 ball, I’m leaving!” He says, “Hit some balls on the table, maybe I’ll make a game with you.” I stalled with the “open hand” bridge, like in the pool game. After a dozen shots, the guy was convinced I couldn’t play a lick. He says, “I’ll give you 2 points going to 10,” “no way, I need 5 and the break!” We agree on, just 5 points on 10, for $300.00 a game pay after every game. We jockey back and forth for the first few games, He’s one game winner and asked to raise the bet to, $500.00, I said, “OK, this billiards takes too long anyway!”

By 4:00 am in the morning, We’re playing for a $1,000.00 a game and I’m only getting 2 on 10, and I’m about, $9,000.00 winners, after another 5 games, he runs out of cash in his pocket, but, still wants to keep playing. He tells me, he has more money in the safe, and gets another $10.000.00 out!
Now the Sun’s coming up outside, it’s about, 7:00am,and it’s Saturday, and He’s lost the other 10 dimes, but He’s steaming now, he can’t quit, and by now , I’m only getting the break going to 10 points. I’m about, $20.000.00 winners and the guy wont’ quit, I F***en couldn’t believe it! He’s out of cash, but, still wants to play, He says, “If I lose, I’ll write a check for it, my checks are good as GOLD!” I said, “listen Smitto, we been playing for 9 straight hours, I’m not use to this, we have to set a time limit.” I’ll tell you what I’ll do, since you’re stuck, I’ll play some till 9:00 am, (when the banks open on Saturday), and We’ll play even for $3,000.00 a game, this way you may have a chance to win some money back!” He says, “OK, that’s fair enough.”

Well, 8:30 rolls along and He’s stuck another, $21,000.00! I say, “Smitto, I’m exhausted, let’s quit, you’re not going to get your money back this way, He adamantly says, “NO, give me 2 points and we’ll play till 9 am, I promise. Meanwhile, what I didn’t realize is that, Smitto, every time he went to get a drink, He was popping, “Benny’s,” and just couldn’t stop! Need I elaborate on the final outcome, Smitto lost, a check for $30.000.00 on top of the, $19,000.00 in cash!

He writes out the check, and it dawns on me, it’s Saturday, the inside bank most likely won’t be open. Now, I’m a little worried, I ask Smitto, “Is the inside bank open today, it’s Saturday?” He says, “NO,” ONLY the drive thru.” Now, I thought to myself, “They’re NOT going to cash this BIG check at the drive-thru window, NO way!” I knew if I waited till Monday, someone would wake him up when he came off the pills. I said again, “Smitto, are you sure they’ll cash it at the drive-thru!” “I’m going to call them right now.” He did, I left and went to the bank, put my ID and check in the tube and sent it away. A few minutes later teller says, “Mr. Smith,” I said to myself, “Here we go, He stopped the check already.” “Do you have another form of ID?” I sent in my SS card, 5 minutes later here comes one tube with my ID’s and a stack of hundreds and then another tube with a stack of hundreds and a, “Thank you!” I met up with Harold at the Hotel, we cut up the money, went to sleep, woke up, got a couple of chicks and partied! Harold and I went on the road together for 25 years.

A funny ending to this story, years later, when I more or less stopped going around the country hustling, I was playing in a huge international 3C tournament in NYC. At Abel Caulderon’s room in Queens, first time I met Sang Lee, he finished second. I had just finished playing the Belgian Champion at the time, Marin Spoormans, I won the game and had the high run of the tournament 16. After the match, a tall lanky older guy with a not so good grey-haired rug, but, with a gorgeous young blonde on his arm. He says to me, “good to see you again after all these years, “can you sign my program?” I ask, “What’s your name?” He says, “make it out to Paul,” you want your last name too.” “Instead, just make it out to, “Smitto!” I take a closer look at the guy and yell out, “SMITTO!” Didn’t recognize him with the rug, we laughed together about the past. His parting words to me were, “You taught me a VERY valuable lesson, that I was only a BIG fish in a LITTLE pond!” “And I can see you certainly know this game, good luck in the FINALS!”

Remembering the good old Hustling days!
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Great stories! I never minded the other guy hitting the bathroom regularly and coming out rubbing their nose. They might play great for a little while but mostly they thought they were playing great when they couldn't hit a bull in the ass with a bass fiddle. Funny thing, many took me for a doper as often as I hit the bathroom. Lifelong BB bladder and a taste for beer. I also washed my hands and face every few hours in long sessions.

We aren't likely to meet on a table. I really never have hit a ball on a table without pockets and I hate six ball! I do much enjoy your stories though. Keep them coming please!

Hu
 
I played Pic in the early ‘90’s in a little weekly tournament at what had been Colfax Billiards. It was called the Billiard Institute and they put in a couple Soren Sogaards. By that time Pic was old. He was wearing a raincoat, smoked a lot and shook like a leaf. He was way out of my league. I made a couple points and then he seemed to stop shaking and ran 8. He left me safe with my ball frozen on a rail in another area code it seemed.

I heard a few things about Pic but not much. I was a kid and he was old by the time I could hit the pool halls. I saw he was seemingly able to set an accurate line on the games at Colfax Billiards. 😏

Any info on Pic you could share is appreciated.
 
ShootingArts said:
Great stories! I never minded the other guy hitting the bathroom regularly and coming out rubbing their nose. They might play great for a little while but mostly they thought they were playing great when they couldn't hit a bull in the ass with a bass fiddle. Funny thing, many took me for a doper as often as I hit the bathroom. Lifelong BB bladder and a taste for beer. I also washed my hands and face every few hours in long sessions.

We aren't likely to meet on a table. I really never have hit a ball on a table without pockets and I hate six ball! I do much enjoy your stories though. Keep them coming please!

Hu
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Thanks!
 
JPB2 said:
I played Pic in the early ‘90’s in a little weekly tournament at what had been Colfax Billiards. It was called the Billiard Institute and they put in a couple Soren Sogaards. By that time Pic was old. He was wearing a raincoat, smoked a lot and shook like a leaf. He was way out of my league. I made a couple points and then he seemed to stop shaking and ran 8. He left me safe with my ball frozen on a rail in another area code it seemed.

I heard a few things about Pic but not much. I was a kid and he was old by the time I could hit the pool halls. I saw he was seemingly able to set an accurate line on the games at Colfax Billiards. 😏

Any info on Pic you could share is appreciated.
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That's my only experience with him.
 
Great stories from mr3cushion and all the others. I've been kicking around the pool world since the early '60s and I never ran across any big gambling at 3 cushion. mr3cushion did you ever play at Grand-Olive Billiards in St. Louis? Freddie B told me he played in his only three cushion tournament there. He said he loved the place and also the restaurant downstairs -- Garavelli's.
 
Logandgriff said:
Great stories from mr3cushion and all the others. I've been kicking around the pool world since the early '60s and I never ran across any big gambling at 3 cushion. mr3cushion did you ever play at Grand-Olive Billiards in St. Louis? Freddie B told me he played in his only three cushion tournament there. He said he loved the place and also the restaurant downstairs -- Garavelli's.
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I did on the 2nd floor; I loved that Cafeteria downstairs! The Chefs in the tall Chef hats slicing, roast beef, ham and turkey, it was all Great!

I believe I've won more money playing 3C than anyone in the USA!

An excerpt from my Book/DVD's, "The Concise Book of Position Play."

Secrets of a 3 Cushion Billiard Hustler​

I have to confess I’ve probably won more money from 1968-2000 than anyone in the US playing 3 cushion billiards. One of my first victims was a celebrity, Milton Berle, $30.00 which he promptly stiffed me, his excuse, “hey kid, you think I would have taken your money”, I was 19.

Though out my career I’ve played for $2.00 a game up to $90,000.00 a game and I’m here to tell you there’s no difference. It all depends on your lifestyle and circumstances. If you’re broke, the $2.00 game looks like a million. If you’re flush, the $90,000.00 feels like a deuce. It’s all relative.

Playing in tournaments and playing billiards for money (gambling) are two different unique experiences. In a tournament you usually get to play the same opponent once maybe twice and there is usually a time span between those games, so you don’t get a real feel for your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Playing for money you’re playing the same opponent game after game so the player can calculate what kind of game their involved in. You don’t have to worry about average, how safe you play, or how long you take on every shot. The main objective is to WIN THE GAME, especially when you’re playing for money out of your pocket.

When a better player gives a handicap to a weaker player in terms of points on the wire, the first objective for the giving player is to, make up those points and get control of the game. I’ve seen many players’ do just the opposite, they start out by playing safe to catch up, and you need points to catch up. Once the better player has caught up, then they can try to control the rest of the game by playing position and by using shot-safeties.

When playing a player of equal strength, try to be somewhat intimidating in the early stages. I’ve beaten many better players on paper because they couldn’t repel my constant aggressive play and timely safety play. You must have a persona of total confidence in your game. If your opponent senses any weakness and if their smart, they will use it to their advantage. This is very important, “You don’t always have to play your best to win, but you do have to play your smartest!"
 
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Thank you for sharing the stories I enjoyed them greatly .

I've watched Paul " Smitto " play 3C and a lot of 9 ball at the Broadwater Corner Pockets back in those days , he and I believe his name was Johnny played a lot of 3C against one another for what amount I can't say but it was interesting to watch .

I never seen George Frank play but he talked a great game Frank McGown and I were friends he opened my eyes to 14.1 I still haven't even come close to mastering that game like he had .

While in Billings did you ever run into Lance Saunders he and Paul would play for money on a regular basis , Margaret or Maggie was a tough competitor in many ways she and Paul had the " Wheel Inn " down across from the sugar beet factory a rough and tumble bar to say the least .

Sadly Paul has passed away but I understand that Maggie is back in Billings now I'm not sure where their daughter is as I never met her .
 
Rusty in Montana said:
Thank you for sharing the stories I enjoyed them greatly .

I've watched Paul " Smitto " play 3C and a lot of 9 ball at the Broadwater Corner Pockets back in those days , he and I believe his name was Johnny played a lot of 3C against one another for what amount I can't say but it was interesting to watch .

I never seen George Frank play but he talked a great game Frank McGown and I were friends he opened my eyes to 14.1 I still haven't even come close to mastering that game like he had .

While in Billings did you ever run into Lance Saunders he and Paul would play for money on a regular basis , Margaret or Maggie was a tough competitor in many ways she and Paul had the " Wheel Inn " down across from the sugar beet factory a rough and tumble bar to say the least .

Sadly Paul has passed away but I understand that Maggie is back in Billings now I'm not sure where their daughter is as I never met her .
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Smitto was a good guy! He could surely afford to gamble at pool/3C.
 
Yes he could , Maggie was on a woman's pool team that won a national championship if I remember correctly .
Paul , Lance , Jerry and a few others played a ring game so to speak at the Empire Cafe most mornings also from what I've been told .

I did play Paul in the semi finals of the Miller Lite world championship of 8 ball at Drifters Bar and Night Club in Billings we were hill to hill Paul played a safety and it worked ha ha

I agree his hair piece needed help but he was a fun guy he and Maggie made quite a couple .
 
mr3cushion said:
After about 10 minutes, I can see just how the guy plays, a cake walk! I let him get close, 15-12. Next game, the guy bets $2,000.00, I wasn’t sure why, but we did, and Nicky bet $600.00 on the side this time. I beat him this time 15-11,
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A question for Bill I have been pondering after reading the post a couple days ago relating to matching up and controlling games. I only observed Pic that one time I played him when he was old and frail and one time saw him explaining the effect of speed on a certain shot to a player. He was obviously good and knowledgeable, and must have been pretty good in his prime. So how did you determine his speed so quickly in the first game? How much better did you have to be to control the game against him? I am not surprised at all that you were substantially better, but rather am trying to get at what you looked at and how you could control the game in 15 point games. Maybe that's a vague or dumb question, but Pic was no rookie.
 
JPB2 said:
A question for Bill I have been pondering after reading the post a couple days ago relating to matching up and controlling games. I only observed Pic that one time I played him when he was old and frail and one time saw him explaining the effect of speed on a certain shot to a player. He was obviously good and knowledgeable, and must have been pretty good in his prime. So how did you determine his speed so quickly in the first game? How much better did you have to be to control the game against him? I am not surprised at all that you were substantially better, but rather am trying to get at what you looked at and how you could control the game in 15 point games. Maybe that's a vague or dumb question, but Pic was no rookie.
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To put it simply, "He played 3C like a 'Pool Player." Just trying to score 1 point at a time, with elementary safety knowledge and not much regard for proper speed on certain shots. Three cushion is the Best game to stall/lemon, but Only if you're a Very good player to begin with.

If he would have had a bigger BR, the final games would have been giving him12 on 25.
 
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