One pocket match Allen vs Diliberto
- Thread starter middleofnowhere
- Start date
Thanks, this is great stuff. 
Brings back lots of memories of Ronnie back in the day.
And one pocket matches at Harry's place just north of Seattle.
Brings back lots of memories of Ronnie back in the day.
And one pocket matches at Harry's place just north of Seattle.
That was an AWSOME TWO HOUR OF POOL
middleofnowhere
Registered
Yeah you really have to watch it on the YouTube on a TV set. But this was great it reminds me of years ago sitting sweating matches with players that kick and shoot and duck and woof at each other for big money.That was an AWSOME TWO HOUR OF POOL
Ronnie Allen was incredible a guy plays a perfect safety on him walks away only for Ronnie to kick something and run out. I remember one player telling me the worst thing you could do to Ronnie was put him in a desperate spot because when he shoots out of desperation you're going to lose.
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Rusty in Montana
Well-known member
Then to have UJ Puckett on the show as well was a treat for me .
the old matches had players with personality instead of boring no expression shooters.
ronnie was a funny guy and interacted with the sidelines. made lots of comments and kept his opponents mesmerized and entertained.
you just couldnt do any business with him as he could not be trusted in any way.
he tried to trap me in some scams a few times.
finally got me on the putting green at the sahara golf course in vegas.
that didnt work out so well for him for all his cash. and the funny thing was he didnt even recognize me.
ronnie was a funny guy and interacted with the sidelines. made lots of comments and kept his opponents mesmerized and entertained.
you just couldnt do any business with him as he could not be trusted in any way.
he tried to trap me in some scams a few times.
finally got me on the putting green at the sahara golf course in vegas.
that didnt work out so well for him for all his cash. and the funny thing was he didnt even recognize me.
That was the 411 on Ronnie! I was told by Racetrack Rick, "if your not in on it, Don't bet.." I giggled when told the story of the owner of The Down Under in Chico backing Ronnie against The Monk playing one handed. They put on a great show . The owner financed the show.
I explained to the youngster telling the story why I laughed, so when the owner approached our table the college student chirped, "Greg says "YOU GOT DUMPED."
His presence did get the locals in a gambling mood. He watched me harvest 320 from a gambler and immediately put the bite on me for a loan..
Ronnie's One Pocket game had fallen a speed by the time this match was played, but he still knew all the moves. In his prime he would have had to spot Danny a ball, maybe 10-8. This match was an intense grudge match for real. It was on Danny's home court and he had all his friends there watching. To his credit he never gave up. When it was over Danny went to the poolroom office (he was the house pro) and sulked for over an hour before he could be convinced to come out. I saw the stack of money, 20K real dollars, a huge bet back then.
I played Harry Platis $1,000 a game One Pocket on the last night. It was the first time I ever bet that much money. The next night Ronnie and I partnered against Harry and Keith for 1K a game. Won on the first night, lost on the second. Ronnie was tough to partner with. He criticized every shot I took. Never again after that.
I played Harry Platis $1,000 a game One Pocket on the last night. It was the first time I ever bet that much money. The next night Ronnie and I partnered against Harry and Keith for 1K a game. Won on the first night, lost on the second. Ronnie was tough to partner with. He criticized every shot I took. Never again after that.
When Ronnie played it was a "show." He was probably the most popular pool player of that era with Keith being second.
I roomed with UJ at a local motel. Weenie Beenie was there too and so were Keith and Harry Platis. Several other well known hustlers (Pete Glenn, Weldon Rogers etc.) showed up too. Everybody was betting on the match, with money passing hands after every game. I loved that atmosphere.
I still have a few copies of the full length match (ten hours on five DVD's) for sale on my website. Nothing left out or censored there.
That was the standard bet with Harry. He got a different spot from different pro players. He kept a stable of players in Seattle. He kept them in shape by making them empty their pockets and that was the bet.
Cole was the player that Harry under rated and only got a one ball spot.
I sweated the all night marathon with Cole. Harry expected the Stolies vodka to slow down Cole but drunk was a natural Condition for Cole and he earned 25 grand working until noon the next day.. Rumor had it that Allen Hopkins was the set man for Cole as he was down a few grand spotting Harry huge. When he went to western union for more amo Cole slid in and put on the show. Coles method was to take a 90 degree cut that splattered the rack and then run out. The next rack do the same splatter shot but miss. If Harry got out fine, if not he stole. All night long. Harry getting a chance every 2nd or 3rd game served to set the hook.
The way Racetrack told me was that in an Arizona match Ronnie had an agent booking side bets and giving signals for who should win each game.
He was seated next to the deep pockets owner as I was working. The owner thought of my opponent as a house man and favored him against me. Ronnie could have made a sweat bet. He obviously followed the "not in on it don't bet", method.He watched me harvest 320 from a gambler and immediately put the bite on me for a loan..
At the loan request I told him, "I neither borrow or loan". But would gift 40 in appreciation for his catalyst effect......The next day he requested another Loan.
That was towards the end and he was staying with his sister in Her home. There was an occasion when we were seated at the bar and he asked me, "what can We do?" My reply of "$10 barbox 8 ball" ended that discussion.
Well this match happened in 1988 in a different World, different place, and Pool Rooms were still many. Saw Ronnie one at Baker's in Burbank, CA on Hollyweird Way he was a character. Read where he own a Room in North HollyWeird wonder if that could have been North Hollywood Billiards, sure Jay would know. There were two short segment inbedded in this U-Tube with instructional material, IMHO PUREGOLD.
Ronnie's room was called Big Mommas. He was partners with Lenny Moore (aka Marmor), a noted gangster who was the basis for a character in the movie Casino.
That runs parallel to Coles business associate that resided at the Vegas MGM. As his driver I got the story of how and why he could get released with a phone call.
Well for a while.