Questions for Jay Helfert

[Terry Ardeno]

Jay,

I'm curious about several things that perhaps you can answer.

1. Without mentioning any names, do you think that the members of team USA at this past Mosconi Cup got along real well together? Even today, I keep hearing scuttlebutt that there was extra tension among team USA members. IF that is true, do you think that played any role in their loss this year?
2..If you had to lay odds on Efren winning another 1P title at DCC, what would you say those odds would be?
3. Of all the Accu-Stats matches you've commentated on, which one was your favorite & why?
4. Who are your all time top three FAVORITE pool players?
Thanks Jay!

 

[jay helfert]

Jay,

I'm curious about several things that perhaps you can answer.

1. Without mentioning any names, do you think that the members of team USA at this past Mosconi Cup got along real well together? Even today, I keep hearing scuttlebutt that there was extra tension among team USA members. IF that is true, do you think that played any role in their loss this year?
2..If you had to lay odds on Efren winning another 1P title at DCC, what would you say those odds would be?
3. Of all the Accu-Stats matches you've commentated on, which one was your favorite & why?
4. Who are your all time top three FAVORITE pool players?
Thanks Jay!

1. They all did get along together with one glaring exception. Enough said about that. And yes, it had an effect on them.

2. His chances are pretty good considering he is still the best One Pocket player alive. I hesitate to make odds on something like this because the fields are so large. But I would take even money he wins again within four years.

3. Wow, good question. If I had to pick one that stands out, it was Shane's match with Ronnie Alcano in the semis of the U.S. Open. What a performance! As good as I've ever seen one match played. It was not just good pool, it was inspirational.

4. I just loved Jersey Red. He was a great guy, funny and friendly to everyone, even his opponents. I wish I could have spent more time around him. I also loved being around Fats and would follow him anywhere, just to hear him talk. Being his buddy was a bonus. Third is probably Danny. He has been my friend since day one in Johnston City a million years ago. Cornbread has to get an honorable mention here. He was way over the top, and full steam ahead at every moment. One helluva man in my book.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

1. They all did get along together with one glaring exception. Enough said about that. And yes, it had an effect on them.

2. His chances are pretty good considering he is still the best One Pocket player alive. I hesitate to make odds on something like this because the fields are so large. But I would take even money he wins again within four years.

3. Wow, good question. If I had to pick one that stands out, it was Shane's match with Ronnie Alcano in the semis of the U.S. Open. What a performance! As good as I've ever seen one match played. It was not just good pool, it was inspirational.

4. I just loved Jersey Red. He was a great guy, funny and friendly to everyone, even his opponents. I wish I could have spent more time around him. I also loved being around Fats and would follow him anywhere, just to hear him talk. Being his buddy was a bonus. Third is probably Danny. He has been my friend since day one in Johnston City a million years ago. Cornbread has to get an honorable mention here. He was way over the top, and full steam ahead at every moment. One helluva man in my book.

1. Thank you.

2. I also HOPE he will. The thing about this though is every world champion in every sport always has a "last title" that they've won. I really hope Efren has several more championships in him, as I don't think there's ever been a more gracious & humble winner in pooldom.

3.That match is on my list of DVDs to purchase. Thanks!

4. "Hustler Days" by R.A. Dyer devoted approximately 1/3 of the book to Jack, 1/3 to Fats and 1/3 to Lassiter. Very revealing & an exceptionally good book in my view.

Thanks buddy!

 

[alstl]

1. They all did get along together with one glaring exception. Enough said about that. And yes, it had an effect on them.

2. His chances are pretty good considering he is still the best One Pocket player alive. I hesitate to make odds on something like this because the fields are so large. But I would take even money he wins again within four years.

3. Wow, good question. If I had to pick one that stands out, it was Shane's match with Ronnie Alcano in the semis of the U.S. Open. What a performance! As good as I've ever seen one match played. It was not just good pool, it was inspirational.

4. I just loved Jersey Red. He was a great guy, funny and friendly to everyone, even his opponents. I wish I could have spent more time around him. I also loved being around Fats and would follow him anywhere, just to hear him talk. Being his buddy was a bonus. Third is probably Danny. He has been my friend since day one in Johnston City a million years ago. Cornbread has to get an honorable mention here. He was way over the top, and full steam ahead at every moment. One helluva man in my book.

I posted this story a few months ago about Jersey Red. In case you didn't see it I'll post it again. It was told to me by Jim Buss.

He said he was at a tournament somewhere with some of his cues and Jersey Red asked if he could try out a particular cue. Jim said sure, but he would have to chalk it because it was new and unchalked. Without chalking the cue Jersey Red set up a breakout ball, broke open the rack, ran out, left a breakout ball, ran another rack, handed the cue back to Jim still unchalked and said "You don't need chalk if you hit center ball".

 

[gulfportdoc]

2. His chances are pretty good considering he is still the best One Pocket player alive. I hesitate to make odds on something like this because the fields are so large. But I would take even money he wins again within four years.

Jay, I'd take that bet. However I don't know how we'd ever remember over a period of almost 5 years...

Doc

 

[ShootingArts]

I think you may be right

Jay, I'd take that bet. However I don't know how we'd ever remember over a period of almost 5 years...

Doc

Doc,

I have a feeling that you may be right. Not that Efren doesn't still have all the skills needed but I have noticed a shift of gears in some interviews I have seen or read about with him lately. He is starting to reflect much more on his career and accept his body of accomplishments. He also sees his skills as vastly less than they once were. All of these things may keep him from playing quite up to his potential. Of course if someone puts up another huge purse or two my money is on Efren. He does seem to wake up when major dollars are in reach. I just read that he supports forty-some-odd people in his family and the number is still growing.

Hu

 

[jay helfert]

Jay, I'd take that bet. However I don't know how we'd ever remember over a period of almost 5 years...

Doc

Ok, you have a bet. Dinner at the restaurant of your choice. That is if we remember.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

Ok, you have a bet. Dinner at the restaurant of your choice. That is if we remember.

And do remember you have a "double rib lamb chops or a rock cornish hen"
dinner with assorted chesseburgers, fries & milkshakes waiting for you here in Washington!

 

[av84fun]

1. They all did get along together with one glaring exception. Enough said about that. And yes, it had an effect on them.

2. His chances are pretty good considering he is still the best One Pocket player alive. I hesitate to make odds on something like this because the fields are so large. But I would take even money he wins again within four years.

3. Wow, good question. If I had to pick one that stands out, it was Shane's match with Ronnie Alcano in the semis of the U.S. Open. What a performance! As good as I've ever seen one match played. It was not just good pool, it was inspirational.

4. I just loved Jersey Red. He was a great guy, funny and friendly to everyone, even his opponents. I wish I could have spent more time around him. I also loved being around Fats and would follow him anywhere, just to hear him talk. Being his buddy was a bonus. Third is probably Danny. He has been my friend since day one in Johnston City a million years ago. Cornbread has to get an honorable mention here. He was way over the top, and full steam ahead at every moment. One helluva man in my book.

Gotta love Cornbread in spite of his legendary battle with the booze. I saw him play in Detroit a coupe of times. Just SCARY SICK!

Bob Henning wrote an outstanding book entitled Cornbread Red...The World's Greatest Money Player.

I'm sort of a literary snob and can highly recommend the book as being exceptionally well written.

http://www.bebobpublishing.com/mainindex.htm