Rise of Rotation Games

[Mr. Bond]

Article is from 1921, written in reference to Bridgeport, CT

Rotation game popularity is on the rise, 9ball in particular.
But what is this " 5-10-15" game?

 

[ceebee]

Maybe the 5-10-15 is similar to the 5 & 9 in a ring game. The 5-10-15 would be great fun as a ring game. That would get some hoot n hollers outa the sideliners

 

[Cameron Smith]

I found this tournament flyer referencing 5-10-15, which seems to be the money balls as ceebee suggests.

http://5-10-15moneyball.com/EZT-Pool_v12-1_Letter.pdf

Great find, I've always thought that 9 ball originated in the early 20's/late teens. But my only source was a story from Minnesota Fats unfortunately, which of course cast some doubt on the idea. Nice to see solid proof.

 

[macguy]

Maybe the 5-10-15 is similar to the 5 & 9 in a ring game. The 5-10-15 would be great fun as a ring game. That would get some hoot n hollers outa the sideliners

We used to play a game called "Odd ball". Every odd numbered ball was a money ball and the high score also got paid by everybody. We would play like 25 cents and 50 cents. The game would go all day and night.

 

[Johnnyt]

There are many ways to play 15 Ball Money rotation games.

Money 5 ways was the the way we played it in my room in NY in the 1960's to 1980's. The WAYS were 1, 5, 10, and 15 balls + high points=5 WAYS. Johnnyt

 

[Mr. Bond]

Great find, I've always thought that 9 ball originated in the early 20's/late teens. But my only source was a story from Minnesota Fats unfortunately, which of course cast some doubt on the idea. Nice to see solid proof.

I'm like 90% sure that I saw a 9ball reference as early as 1910 but I just can't find it right now.....

"Rotation" spawned many a gambling game, much earlier than many people, myself included, expected. See additional clips below...

 

[Mr. Bond]

From 1888
Part 1.




Notice that he says rotation has been " revived"
As in " brought back"
Which means rotation games were popular long before 1888

 

[Mr. Bond]

Part deux

 

[Mr. Bond]

March 1915



It appears that 9ball was originally a true "pool" game, where "everyone" was in on it (pooled their money) betting on the same game, (not unlike a " money ball " game) ...as opposed to man vs man like it is now...

Hmmm very interesting