One Pocket-Denver Area

[Fatboy]

If you gave Melvin the 9 back then, I should be able to figure out who you are, but it just isn't happening.

Melvin was in Vegas all last week and looked as if his game had slipped a bit. He just played nickel and dime stuff and was drunk as usual.

Wow things changed when I knew Melvin he wasnt a drinker, at all. Sure he would have the token beer to look good playing in bars but he wasnt a drinker, I knew him very good-we got along very good, awalys joking around, our relationship was just friends it had nothing to do with pool, sad to hear he is drinking,


This is a great thread, keep it going. Its people like the posters in this thread that will insure the future of pool. Hi JAM.

 

[9BallPaul]

Old Denver Days

Great thread. I've posted before, nostalgically, about Denver pool back in the day. Among those who hung at the Family Fun Center, don't forget Tony Ricotta (Tony Cheese, of course) -- the slowest damn player anyone ever saw. Andy Hudson was a very polite man, but even Andy rolled his eyes and hoped he wouldn't die before Tony got around to shooting.

Bill Stroud, of course, also deserves mention in this thread.

Anyone remember a young kid back in the '60s named Rodney Robutz or Robitz? His dad ran a used car lot on East Colfax and kept a pool table in his living room, and Rodney grew up playing on that table. Last I knew he'd been spending all his time at the dog track.

Another player I hung with was Steve Roundsville (aka Snaggletooth). Anyone remember that guy? How about Indian Karl? And I've posted before about Fat Marty trying to ride in my Volkswagen. What a hoot.

Tony Cheese had a kid, T.J., who shot lights out up in Boulder, along with Tim Cole. I've often wondered what happened to those guys.

Thanks to all who've contributed here. 9BP

 

[ironman]

Poker Paul & I hit the Family Fun Center on a road trip in 71 or 72. I got lucky the first day in there while I was sweating the ring game and asking another sweater about the rules. He asked me to play some for $50/5 and I beat him out of $7 or $800. The next time I came in Al & Sam told me not to worry about playing him (Gordon) again, because they were hammering it. I tried the ring game but of course they ganged up on me (as they should treat a stranger in a golf game) and I never had a chance. I ended up playing Cigar Sam a session, putting up $1,000 & playing $100/10. He had me stuck almost $800 & I won the last couple of games & lost four or five hundred. It was the only loser playing golf I booked on the trip (beside the dog catcher in New Mexico, but I got even with him), and when he asked me to play again I declined. He was a solid player who kicked the side pocket holes in from everywhere. We also got some action at Colfax Billiards. I think the owner (Ken?) was married to Cheyenne Pete's sister, or there was some family connection. We went up there next, but stayed in Denver for several days and did well. John Henderson

Joe Maestas wife {i think} was married to Francis the wife of Cheyenne Pete.
Real nice people, the whole lot of them.

Old Sam did kick like a mule and made a lot of money in that ring game. Particularly after Al got barre from it. Al eventaually started making the 3 hole twice and got barred and then tried it for a while jacked up, but they finally wore him out with that spot.

Al was one of the best all around players I ever met, but, just couldn't handle the heat from the big bet. He would miss balls that were hareder to miss than to make.

He played a California guy some 0-ball one time and couldn't make a 9-ball to save his life. Dogged it real bad! The next day they played and the stipulation was that I got to shoot the nine ball for AL. We won a bit of it back and it was over. It was just hilarious. I didn't play well, but shot straight and was too dumb to be scared at the time.

Tracy Joe tells me that you were one hell of a golf player.

 

[sixpack]

JAM,

Yes, Paradise is a great Denver area pool room. They are at 38th and
Sheridan in the Wheatridge area of Denver. On Thursday night the best players in the area play in the weekly tourney. If you win this tournament, you have really played your ass off.

If you get knocked out early, there will be always be someone there to give you another shot at your money.

Master cuemaker Ernie Martinez has been making a limited number of fantastic cues from the back of this pool room for several months and Terry, the owner, knows all there is to know about the pool scene in the Mile High City. Good eats too.

Try it, but be sure to bring money.

Yep, Winning that tourney is probably the one I'm most proud of. It's like a big open tournament every week.

Melvin stayed in Denver until about 92 or so. Then he went to Albuquerque, then Las Vegas.

Melody's patty melt is the best I ever had. If you haven't had one when she's cooking, you should try it.

Cheers,
RC

 

[sixpack]

Wow things changed when I knew Melvin he wasnt a drinker, at all. Sure he would have the token beer to look good playing in bars but he wasnt a drinker, I knew him very good-we got along very good, awalys joking around, our relationship was just friends it had nothing to do with pool, sad to hear he is drinking,


This is a great thread, keep it going. Its people like the posters in this thread that will insure the future of pool. Hi JAM.

He had his demons but had completely cleaned up his act when I was hanging around there from 89-92. Had a job and everything. Last time I saw him he was drinking again. First time I ever saw him that way. That was about 4 years ago.

Cheers,
RC

 

[ScottW]

Melvin was here in town as recently as last year. As far as him not drinking, that doesn't seem to be the case any longer. On top of that, he's the chattiest player I've ever seen, regardless of whether he's at the table or not. More than once I've watched his opponent stand up from a shot, look him dead in the eye, and say "Melvin... be quiet."