On The Road - Who/Where/When/How/Why?

[TheOne]

I hear a lot of stories about players going "on the road" and after reading "playing off the rail" it sure makes me want to try it. Can anyone offer any insight into this enticing prospect? What famous players have gone on the road (didn't Alex and Corey go on the road?). Has anyone here done it for a significant time/distance? Do players stop in every small town or do they just go for the big matchups and tournaments?

It sure sounds like an adventure but is going "On The Road" a:

i) Pool Players Mecca?
or
ii) Urban Legend?

 

[vagabond]

for the big matchups and tournaments?

It sure sounds like an adventure but is going "On The Road" a:

i) Pool Players Mecca?
or
ii) Urban Legend?

Hi,
It is a culture.Roadies ,as a general rule,do not play in the major tournaments.
Many of our top pro players were on the road in the yester years.It is very tough life.There are 5% chances that in some places one may be slapped/fisted/ Mickeyed/stabed/shot at.I am not going to tell u more than that.Cheers
Vagabond

 

[frankncali]

I hear a lot of stories about players going "on the road" and after reading "playing off the rail" it sure makes me want to try it. Can anyone offer any insight into this enticing prospect? What famous players have gone on the road (didn't Alex and Corey go on the road?). Has anyone here done it for a significant time/distance? Do players stop in every small town or do they just go for the big matchups and tournaments?

It sure sounds like an adventure but is going "On The Road" a:

i) Pool Players Mecca?
or
ii) Urban Legend?

Its not an urban legend though one day it will be a thing of the past. Expenses are killing road trips now compared to the past. The stakes have stayed the same or lowered over the years as the prices have went up.
The modern version might be events like the DCC or SBE. Even the BCA nationals in Vegas has its share of gambling.
Maybe thats the future of road trips. A few events per year that allow the players to mingle and get games going. Afterall the Hustlers Jamboree started this type event over 35 years ago. It lasted a month I believe.

I have been on several road trips albeit with me not playing very much and
think theres money to be made but its not easy. For one pool information gets spread around so fast these days that even good young players are known. Pictures are more widely and easily spread now than in the past.

I think most every top player out there has been on the road a time or two.
Maybe just road trips to and from a tournament but still on the road.

As for your question about stops I found that players vary how they approach going on the road. Some like to setup shop so to speak and
stay in an area for a while but others are just hitting as many spots as
they can. Theres money everywhere so you to go to the small places.
One of the best scores in the south used to be in a small town in a small
room. No frills there just c-notes.
I think it all might depend on where you live as well. I lived in the south and it was fairly easy to get around and get to many many towns. Now I am in
SoCal and it would be murder to go on the road here. Time and money would kill you just to get around or to somewhere.

If you go on the raod you better have accurate info and alot of it or be able to really play. Theres guys out there that many dont know that can play.
The home court advantage alot of these guys have is tough on a road guy as well.

 

[TheOne]

Thanks guys, obviously cost and violence are serious negatives. But it seems that many of the best players have been on the road at some point, didn't Danny B go on the road too? I guess there's two types of going on the road, for example I am hoping to play in BCA, VNEA, Reno, and Hard Times which are all bang after each other. This is more of a vacation but it could be classed as going on the road. However it is tempting to buy a car and truly "go on the road" travelling to small towns playing pool for a month or two. Obviously cost and getting shot are of some small concern

 

[sjm]

Most of the stars of men's pool went on the road at some point.

Much has been written of late about the road expereinces of Danny "Kid Delicious" Basavich. Life on the raod is a grind.

Some have suggested that cost is why the road life has become far less economic, but another reason is that, in the information age, it's far more difficult for a fine player to stay under the radar than it used to be. Good action gradually dries up for anybody once they become well known.

As you're gonna be in Vegas, why not make a point of talking to some of the road warriors of this decade like Basavich and Nevel.

 

[pfduser]

I just recieved my May edtion of Billiards Digest and they have a 4 or 5 page artical about going on the road.It was a very good read that told the truth about playing on the road.Frank,when are you going to come thru Alabama again?I'm sure Aaron and all the rest of the heavy hitters whould like to see you again.

 

[TheOne]

Most of the stars of men's pool went on the road at some point.

Much has been written of late about the road expereinces of Danny "Kid Delicious" Basavich. Life on the raod is a grind.

Some have suggested that cost is why the road life has become far less economic, but another reason is that, in the information age, it's far more difficult for a fine player to stay under the radar than it used to be. Good action gradually dries up for anybody once they become well known.

As you're gonna be in Vegas, why not make a point of talking to some of the road warriors of this decade like Basavich and Nevel.

Good idea SJM, I will try although I generally dont like approaching pro's if I dont know them. Dont want to come across as an obesses fan or anything but Ive heard Danny is a great guy. I'm sure big action dries up if you started doing well but I quite like the idea of going through the small towns, maybe because it sounds more of an adventure to see small town America. But I gues this could add to the danger level! The appealing thing for me is to get back playing to a high level and I cant think of anything better than playing everyday for cash than acheiving this, especially if as somebody else put it so well "surf and turf" is on the line!

Have most of the pro's gone on the road with a stake horse or did any of them use their own bankroll?

 

[TheOne]

I just recieved my May edtion of Billiards Digest and they have a 4 or 5 page artical about going on the road.It was a very good read that told the truth about playing on the road.Frank,when are you going to come thru Alabama again?I'm sure Aaron and all the rest of the heavy hitters whould like to see you again.

WOuldn't mind reading that, is it online anywhere?

 

[Timberly]

Have most of the pro's gone on the road with a stake horse or did any of them use their own bankroll?

That answer varies also. You'll be hard pressed to find someone on the tour that hasn't paid their dues on the road. It's also not wise to travel alone. I know some guys that went out using their own bankroll and then would go back out with a backer. They would find the places that had the money the first time out and come back with the stake horse afterwards. I also knew a guy that was met at his hotel by a couple of guys that he beat for a couple of grand earlier in the night... pistol whipped him and his buddy then took their money back..... it's a rough life and not exactly something I would suggest to anyone doing unless they had to. Most of the guys had to do it as there was no more action where they were and they had to make money. Personally, I would say if you don't have to do it to survive, I wouldn't suggest doing it. JMO

 

[AuntyDan]

Are you sure you read the same book?

I hear a lot of stories about players going "on the road" and after reading "playing off the rail" it sure makes me want to try it.

It did? Wow, I've read that book several times and whilst I greatly enjoy it the last thing it does is make me want to go and do it. Re-read the last few pages again, David McCumber says the same thing.

If your big desire is to match up against strong opposition on a regular basis then you might want to look at joining one of the small regional Pro tours if this is physically feasable for you. You'll probably spend the same amount or less if you enter 6 or so of these a year, have about the same very low odds of making back your expenses and at least if you do manage to win you'll have have a nice tin cup to show for it rather than a pair of broken thumbs.

 

[TheOne]

It did? Wow, I've read that book several times and whilst I greatly enjoy it the last thing it does is make me want to go and do it. Re-read the last few pages again, David McCumber says the same thing.

If your big desire is to match up against strong opposition on a regular basis then you might want to look at joining one of the small regional Pro tours if this is physically feasable for you. You'll probably spend the same amount or less if you enter 6 or so of these a year, have about the same very low odds of making back your expenses and at least if you do manage to win you'll have have a nice tin cup to show for it rather than a pair of broken thumbs.

Oh I know there where a lot of very depressing things in the book, but there where parts of it that got my juices flowing. The main appeal to me is living and breathing pool for a few months and the travel/adventure side of it. The financial part (eg prob loss) I would see as an investment to get my game back to something like it used to be. Yes I could prob save a lot of money living in one pace and practising all day in a pool hall but I wouldn't have half as much fun? Maybe youre right, I'm just wondering if there's a link between going on the road and making a step up the pro ladder. Many of the top players of today have gone on the road at some point. I am from the school that playing for money makes you a better player and I'm thinking it would be more intense if I went on the road?

 

[sjm]

Maybe you should just live in LA for a while and become part of the scene at Hard Times Billiards. You'll never run out of tough opponents there and you'll really toughen up your game. Play there and the road players will come to you!

 

[TheOne]

Maybe you should just live in LA for a while and become part of the scene at Hard Times Billiards. You'll never run out of tough opponents there and you'll really toughen up your game. Play there and the road players will come to you!

It does sound like I great place, although I have to admit I'm a little confused between hard times in LA and the one in sacramento - which one is the best place? I would prefer NYC though and thats prob where I'll end up after the events dry up on the west coast. Hoping to make the summer jamboree at hard times in sacramento but thats not quite LA. Is there a big difference between the two clubs? I hope you don't mind me picking your brains if we meet up in NYC SJM, seems like your a wealth on info on pool in the US. I buy you a few beers of course and no doubt donate a few bucks at straight pool!

 

[sjm]

It does sound like I great place, although I have to admit I'm a little confused between hard times in LA and the one in sacramento - which one is the best place? I would prefer NYC though and thats prob where I'll end up after the events dry up on the west coast. Hoping to make the summer jamboree at hard times in sacramento but thats not quite LA. Is there a big difference between the two clubs? I hope you don't mind me picking your brains if we meet up in NYC SJM, seems like your a wealth on info on pool in the US. I buy you a few beers of course and no doubt donate a few bucks at straight pool!

Based on the accounts of your game, you'll wear me down in straight, but we'll have fun in the process. I only play about three hours a week these days, and it just isn't enough to play well. I'll PM you and provide my phone number, so you can call me when you get to NYC.

I'll tell you, though, your trip to the BCA event will afford you a chance to talk to serious pool players from all over the United states. Don't waste the opportunity.

Can't wait to meet you. Then again, since you played at Chelsea Billiards in the mid 90's, I can't help but wonder whether we haven't met before.

 

[pfduser]

WOuldn't mind reading that, is it online anywhere?

I don't really know if it is online anywhere yet but it is a good read.

 

[JAM]

I hear a lot of stories about players going "on the road" and, after reading "Playing Off the Rail," it sure makes me want to try it. Can anyone offer any insight into this enticing prospect?...Has anyone here done it for a significant time/distance? Do players stop in every small town or do they just go for the big matchups and tournaments?

It sure sounds like an adventure, but is going "On The Road" a...Pool Players mecca...or...Urban Legend?

I've put a lot of thought into the on-the-road experience. Having experienced it myself when I was in my twenties, with no responsibilities or financial obligations, it was a lot of fun, but the lifestyle can be kind of rough. I remember receiving funds from Western Union on several occasions when I was on the road (LOL). AND like previous posters have said, the "action" ain't what it used to be in today's tournament-inclined pool world.

In the '80s era, action was more prevalent, especially in the deep South: New Orleans, Mississippi, Tennessee, Carolinas, Georgia, and Southern Florida. There were action pockets all over the country, and by word of mouth, the players knew where to go. Before the Filippino Invasion, the Mexican champions were the ones to watch out for in California. And then there was good old Detroit, a little too shady for me at that time.

There used to be a owner of a pool room in Morristown, Tennessee, who would play ANY roadster who came to town. Win or lose, he just liked to gamble, enjoyed playing the BEST, and always asked for a whole lot of weight. Every road player in the country knew about this guy, and he welcomed them. I think he liked playing in front of a gallery of spectators, and being a wealthy man, he wasn't too worried about losing the money. Years later, I asked Earl Strickland if he remembered this fellow, and he said the guy's wife shot him dead.

I don't think action will ever be like it used to in today's pool world, and you'd be hard-pressed to make a living on the road in the year 2005. It's too costly -- gas, food, lodging, auto expense, tolls -- and living in those hotels gets real old after a while. There truly is no place like home.

Yesterday, a friend sent me a link to the BilliardsPress website. Phil Capelle interviewed Keith McCready, a road player who has traveled from coast to coast, and updated an article he had previously written. It's a quick read, and I thought it would complement this thread: http://billiardspress.com/pronews.cfm

JAM

 

[Al-fahl Amir]

Beginners or experienced road players

If you are an experienced road player or someone looking to learn, next week Corey Deuel, Gabe Owen, Shawn Putnam and Nick Varner will be at Fiddlestix's in Canton. If this will be your first road trip these guys will be happy to discuss the in's and outs of the road while playing you some thousand dollar sets to get you warmed up for your trip. If you are an experienced road warrior and are just looking for a game we will be happy to help you out too. Just let me know who's interested so we can set up a time to meet and find out which player will be best to suit your needs. amc

 

[Black-Balled]

You are so nice and helpful. Maybe you should get up to bat.

If you are an experienced road player or someone looking to learn, next week Corey Deuel, Gabe Owen, Shawn Putnam and Nick Varner will be at Fiddlestix's in Canton. If this will be your first road trip these guys will be happy to discuss the in's and outs of the road while playing you some thousand dollar sets to get you warmed up for your trip. If you are an experienced road warrior and are just looking for a game we will be happy to help you out too. Just let me know who's interested so we can set up a time to meet and find out which player will be best to suit your needs. amc

 

[JAM]

You are so nice and helpful. Maybe you should get up to bat.

LOL. Your congeniality to AMC4 kind of tickled my funny bone, Black-Balled!

Carry on...

JAM

 

[1pRoscoe]

I wish I could, that way I could get 100% or the money instead of half. But if the game is fair, the stake horse has no problem putting himself in the race. If pool isn't your game but golf is I have two cousins that love to gamble. amc4

I think every post you have made online in any forum has been trying to set up a game for Corey. Even went as far as "bidding" to play golf and a 1 hour lesson for $500+.