It's hard to explain to people that have never done it, but Hustling on the Road in the 60's and 70's was a great experience. How do you describe the anticipation of going into a pool room in a new town with all new players and nobody knows you.
You might have some advanced info that you traded with other Road Players but it was usually sketchy at best. Mostly you were on your own. You learned to adjust immediately to the conditions. You always checked for another exit just in case you needed it.
Some of my experiences were Priceless.
I was visiting a girlfriend in North East MD, staying with her parents (they weren't too happy) and I left one night to go to a bar down the street.
Started playing 9 ball on the bar table with a guy that played really well. I finally got him loser and when the bar closed he said there was a pool room nearby that was open 24 hours. He wanted to meet me there. I said OK and drove to the pool room in Wilmington DE. It was a little further than he said.
We started playing on the big table and I broke him quickly. Several other players jumped up and I broke them also.
A Black player (Atlantic City Herbie) asked to play some one pocket. I charged him $1000.
Then Phil asked to match up. He apparently was a High better. I ended up giving him 5 pockets to 1 and the 8 playing 9 ball. We started out for $50 a game and ended up playing for $350 a game. I won a lot. We played for 16 hours. My hands and feet were both swelled up.
When I got back to my girls home it was late the next day. Everyone was concerned but all I wanted to do was sleep. My girl asked if it was worth it and I started emptying my pockets onto the bed. Every pocket was filled with money. Mostly $100 bills. I asked Marsha "What do You think?"
Two days latter I went back to the pool room and Miserack was there waiting. Goose, his stake horse was with him. We started playing even 9 ball for $200. a game. It was hot and after 5 or so hours he sent someone to the store to buy him some shorts. We played over 8 hours and broke even. I was ahead most of the time but just wore out.
Later that week Miz and I played some one pocket. I robbed him and he never let me forget it. Always asking for weight whenever we crossed paths. Great guy to play with. Never complained.
Bill S.
You might have some advanced info that you traded with other Road Players but it was usually sketchy at best. Mostly you were on your own. You learned to adjust immediately to the conditions. You always checked for another exit just in case you needed it.
Some of my experiences were Priceless.
I was visiting a girlfriend in North East MD, staying with her parents (they weren't too happy) and I left one night to go to a bar down the street.
Started playing 9 ball on the bar table with a guy that played really well. I finally got him loser and when the bar closed he said there was a pool room nearby that was open 24 hours. He wanted to meet me there. I said OK and drove to the pool room in Wilmington DE. It was a little further than he said.
We started playing on the big table and I broke him quickly. Several other players jumped up and I broke them also.
A Black player (Atlantic City Herbie) asked to play some one pocket. I charged him $1000.
Then Phil asked to match up. He apparently was a High better. I ended up giving him 5 pockets to 1 and the 8 playing 9 ball. We started out for $50 a game and ended up playing for $350 a game. I won a lot. We played for 16 hours. My hands and feet were both swelled up.
When I got back to my girls home it was late the next day. Everyone was concerned but all I wanted to do was sleep. My girl asked if it was worth it and I started emptying my pockets onto the bed. Every pocket was filled with money. Mostly $100 bills. I asked Marsha "What do You think?"
Two days latter I went back to the pool room and Miserack was there waiting. Goose, his stake horse was with him. We started playing even 9 ball for $200. a game. It was hot and after 5 or so hours he sent someone to the store to buy him some shorts. We played over 8 hours and broke even. I was ahead most of the time but just wore out.
Later that week Miz and I played some one pocket. I robbed him and he never let me forget it. Always asking for weight whenever we crossed paths. Great guy to play with. Never complained.
Bill S.
