Playing Off the Rail
- Thread starter Macint0sh
- Start date
Keith McCready
Pro Player
Some of it was true, and there's a few spots where he might have taken a little creative liberty. All in all, it was a pretty good write-up! 
I can vouch for the majority of the accuracy as far as things that took place in Seattle as I know most of the people talked about. I re-read that book several times a year.
Lunchmoney
Lunchmoney
I actually watched Kamikaze Bob lose all that money that night. My friend had a bunch of free drink tickets from playing Keno, so I drank Heineken beer and watched a drunk idiot lose 23500 bucks. Twenty 100's on the light and he lost 10 out of 11 sets getting the 7 for 2k a set. Bob played like a moron, George played perfect to keep the match going ... not too strong.
When Tony beat Lemke they played on the feature table Accu-stats was using and this table really sucked. Buckets and the ball rolled off real bad. Tony drilled Louie in a ten ahead in less than two hours by getting some nine balls on the break and some truly horrific rolls for Louie- the cue ball actually curved over an inch (rolled out) and scratched in the side at a big point in the match. I think Tony said "That's the worst roll I've ever seen in my life" . Bob lost 5500 on that match.
Some things about that match that maybe weren't mentioned in the book were Bob was with a lady in her 50's who someone told me owned one of the cat houses in Nevada so maybe that's were the money came from. When George got payed off the 18K, he gave them a card with his number on it in case they wanted to play again. I thought it was hilarious considering how bad Bob played. George said "Maybe I'll see you later sometime" to Bob and his friends and one of Bob's friends said "Yeah, in the parking lot..." .
He was joking but there was a hint of menace there somewhere and this was the first time I realized how much dough these guys carry and the need to keep it safe. C.J. Wiley has some crazy stories of getting jacked, throwing money on the ground and running the other way,etc....
I think the timeline on the book is a little off sometimes but overall I think the author did a good job with the facts.
When Tony beat Lemke they played on the feature table Accu-stats was using and this table really sucked. Buckets and the ball rolled off real bad. Tony drilled Louie in a ten ahead in less than two hours by getting some nine balls on the break and some truly horrific rolls for Louie- the cue ball actually curved over an inch (rolled out) and scratched in the side at a big point in the match. I think Tony said "That's the worst roll I've ever seen in my life" . Bob lost 5500 on that match.
Some things about that match that maybe weren't mentioned in the book were Bob was with a lady in her 50's who someone told me owned one of the cat houses in Nevada so maybe that's were the money came from. When George got payed off the 18K, he gave them a card with his number on it in case they wanted to play again. I thought it was hilarious considering how bad Bob played. George said "Maybe I'll see you later sometime" to Bob and his friends and one of Bob's friends said "Yeah, in the parking lot..." .
He was joking but there was a hint of menace there somewhere and this was the first time I realized how much dough these guys carry and the need to keep it safe. C.J. Wiley has some crazy stories of getting jacked, throwing money on the ground and running the other way,etc....
I think the timeline on the book is a little off sometimes but overall I think the author did a good job with the facts.
Keith is in the book byt he did not writeit. It is by David McCumber who is a writer who likes pool. he gos on the road with Tony Annigoni who is a quality player form cali. It is a cool book like the other people say but it will first make you quit your job and second get bustedLOL!
cut shot said:Is this Keiths book? If so, where can I get it? Thanks!
I bought a copy when it first came out several years ago. If you check used book stores you can probably find it. I have seen both the hardcover and softcover versions many times. They are usually in the games or sports sections for a decent price.
Lunchmoney
After reading this thread, I placed an order for the book online. It was only $5.xx and another $5.xx for expedited shipping. I am up to page 180ish and have to say that it is excellent reading.
My only question - did "Bucktooth" really beat all of the people he has claimed to beat? He threw around pretty much any top name that was out there....
Ross
ps - if you want to pick it up at that price, check on Amazon.com, check the "best prices", then order through Amazon at bargainbookstore.com's area.
My only question - did "Bucktooth" really beat all of the people he has claimed to beat? He threw around pretty much any top name that was out there....
Ross
ps - if you want to pick it up at that price, check on Amazon.com, check the "best prices", then order through Amazon at bargainbookstore.com's area.
1pRoscoe said:
I have asked the same question to people who know and have been around Bucktooth and was told that he doesn't book too many losers. Bucktooth is also a hell of a talker and things may exaggerated from time to time.
How good was "Bucktooth"?
That was my question when I read the book as well. Bucktooth claimed to have beat everyone. It might be that when he says he "beat" someone he was talking about winning with a spot. There are players who are masters of negotiating spots to set up games so they have an edge. He is probably a better handicapper than player although he claims to have beat a lot of great players while in his "prime". I'm pretty sure that this guy wasn't beating people like Rempe, Sigel, Archer, Varner, and Hopkins (I'm surprised he didn't mention Mosconi and Greenleaf) straight up with no spot but who knows. I'm not much of a gambler and to me if you say you "beat" someone that means you played them even up and won consistently. If I win against a better player with a spot I didn't really "beat" them. I don't doubt that the guy was an excellent player but I do doubt that he was beating champions without a pretty sporty spot. Remember that Minnesota Fats claimed he beat everyone too.
lunchmoney said:
That was my question when I read the book as well. Bucktooth claimed to have beat everyone. It might be that when he says he "beat" someone he was talking about winning with a spot. There are players who are masters of negotiating spots to set up games so they have an edge. He is probably a better handicapper than player although he claims to have beat a lot of great players while in his "prime". I'm pretty sure that this guy wasn't beating people like Rempe, Sigel, Archer, Varner, and Hopkins (I'm surprised he didn't mention Mosconi and Greenleaf) straight up with no spot but who knows. I'm not much of a gambler and to me if you say you "beat" someone that means you played them even up and won consistently. If I win against a better player with a spot I didn't really "beat" them. I don't doubt that the guy was an excellent player but I do doubt that he was beating champions without a pretty sporty spot. Remember that Minnesota Fats claimed he beat everyone too.
Maybe
I see your point Mac and there is no question that you win the money in an "adjusted" match if you win. My point is that when he talks about beating everyone it would seem to imply that he was the more skilled player. I also agree that negotiating is a skill and some peole are very good at it and are great money players because of the ability to know thier own level of play, their opponent's level of play, play their game consistently, and negotiate spots that they can win with. I was just wondering how good Bucktooth really was at playing not handicapping. Of the well known, championship level players he listed who could he beat without a spot?
Macint0sh said:
I see your point Mac and there is no question that you win the money in an "adjusted" match if you win. My point is that when he talks about beating everyone it would seem to imply that he was the more skilled player. I also agree that negotiating is a skill and some peole are very good at it and are great money players because of the ability to know thier own level of play, their opponent's level of play, play their game consistently, and negotiate spots that they can win with. I was just wondering how good Bucktooth really was at playing not handicapping. Of the well known, championship level players he listed who could he beat without a spot?
Great book, fast read. Would be easy to read again.
One of my favorite parts included Bucktooth, and he said something along the lines of: "I am like Nolan Ryan with these", talking about chucking pool balls during an altercation with another player/railbirds.
One of my favorite parts included Bucktooth, and he said something along the lines of: "I am like Nolan Ryan with these", talking about chucking pool balls during an altercation with another player/railbirds.
Actually, the best quote of all might have to be (not sure of the exact wording):
"Tough luck man, you just brought a knife to a gun fight."
"Tough luck man, you just brought a knife to a gun fight."