Road Trip

[Woof]

Hello pool world.

June 9th 2008, I decided to try to take up pool as more than just a hobby.
It has now become my obsession. I read about the game, practice daily, get into as much action as I can afford as often as possible, enroll in tournaments everytime I can afford the entry fees.

The majority of the time I play like a C player though. And only when I get into stroke which comes and goes I play like a B player.

I have no vices other than gambling, and I have restricted my gambling to pool and powerball.

I know with my current skill level I couldn't survive travelling the U.S. playing pool for a living. However I still feel compelled to try, and since I have no family, occupation, obligations, or responsibilities, I thought just maybe there might be someone else out there with the same desire.

I would like to find someone who already plays for a living or would like to give it a try that could be my mentor.

My car has 41 thousand miles on it and has excellent gas mileage 34mph.

I just feel that if a high C borderline B player can barely survive for 7 months on gambling winnings alone from pool and minor travelling between Missouri & Tennessee, then why couldn't a shortstop or an A player do much better than barely survive?

 

[SpiderWebComm]

I know with my current skill level I couldn't survive travelling the U.S. playing pool for a living. However I still feel compelled to try, and since I have no family, occupation, obligations, or responsibilities, I thought just maybe there might be someone else out there with the same desire.

You can def make bank on the road as a C player. Just stick to the rec-rooms at geriatric facilities, coin-op tables at arcades, bar tables where the names on the chalkboard are falling off to a side because everyone is sh-faced (but quit if someone beats ya more than twice), or bowling alleys during "glow bowl" or "rock & bowl" times.

 

[Fast Lenny]

God bless ya brother and whomever you partner up with.I do think if you find a good player and you play the hot shot and people smell your weak or see you beating on your friend who is an A player they will pounce on him thinking he stinks and get robbed,probably a good angle to work.

 

[bfdlad]

Hello pool world.

June 9th 2008, I decided to try to take up pool as more than just a hobby.
It has now become my obsession. I read about the game, practice daily, get into as much action as I can afford as often as possible, enroll in tournaments everytime I can afford the entry fees.

The majority of the time I play like a C player though. And only when I get into stroke which comes and goes I play like a B player.

I have no vices other than gambling, and I have restricted my gambling to pool and powerball.

I know with my current skill level I couldn't survive travelling the U.S. playing pool for a living. However I still feel compelled to try, and since I have no family, occupation, obligations, or responsibilities, I thought just maybe there might be someone else out there with the same desire.

I would like to find someone who already plays for a living or would like to give it a try that could be my mentor.

My car has 41 thousand miles on it and has excellent gas mileage 34mph.

I just feel that if a high C borderline B player can barely survive for 7 months on gambling winnings alone from pool and minor travelling between Missouri & Tennessee, then why couldn't a shortstop or an A player do much better than barely survive?

I have an idea, how old are you and since you don't work etc how do you get your $$. Let me know I think I have a pretty good idea for you.

 

[ShootingArts]

I think it can be done

I think it can still be done with a partner especially if you both will drink at least a few swallows of beer while you play. I made a very good living for a few months at a time now and then in the old days. I could do it by myself but much easier with a partner. We usually went in separately and if there wasn't anyone else in the mood to gamble we would hook up with each other. With the money flying one way or the other, others soon wanted into the action. We rarely showed better than "C" speed, most of the time we were just a couple of lucky blue collar roughnecks.

You have made it work for awhile so you aren't any dummy. Lay low early on and play the middle tier gamblers. If you are going to be around awhile losing some while betting small isn't a bad idea. You can win some too but players tend to rank the pecking order as to who they can beat almost certainly, who they are taking a chance with, and who they have no chance with. Let someone 1/2 to 2/3 of the way up the local "ranking" beat you and everyone a solid notch above that figures they can take you.

It isn't the popular thing among today's "sportsman" players but if you are going to try to make a living gambling never play a ball better than you need to in able to win about 3/4 of the time at most.

Good luck and let us hear how it is working out now and then. I turned down doing some traveling with a top road player. Always regretted that a little bit.

Hu

Hello pool world.

June 9th 2008, I decided to try to take up pool as more than just a hobby.
It has now become my obsession. I read about the game, practice daily, get into as much action as I can afford as often as possible, enroll in tournaments everytime I can afford the entry fees.

The majority of the time I play like a C player though. And only when I get into stroke which comes and goes I play like a B player.

I have no vices other than gambling, and I have restricted my gambling to pool and powerball.

I know with my current skill level I couldn't survive travelling the U.S. playing pool for a living. However I still feel compelled to try, and since I have no family, occupation, obligations, or responsibilities, I thought just maybe there might be someone else out there with the same desire.

I would like to find someone who already plays for a living or would like to give it a try that could be my mentor.

My car has 41 thousand miles on it and has excellent gas mileage 34mph.

I just feel that if a high C borderline B player can barely survive for 7 months on gambling winnings alone from pool and minor travelling between Missouri & Tennessee, then why couldn't a shortstop or an A player do much better than barely survive?

 

[ironman]

Hello pool world.

June 9th 2008, I decided to try to take up pool as more than just a hobby.
It has now become my obsession. I read about the game, practice daily, get into as much action as I can afford as often as possible, enroll in tournaments everytime I can afford the entry fees.

The majority of the time I play like a C player though. And only when I get into stroke which comes and goes I play like a B player.

I have no vices other than gambling, and I have restricted my gambling to pool and powerball.

I know with my current skill level I couldn't survive travelling the U.S. playing pool for a living. However I still feel compelled to try, and since I have no family, occupation, obligations, or responsibilities, I thought just maybe there might be someone else out there with the same desire.

I would like to find someone who already plays for a living or would like to give it a try that could be my mentor.

My car has 41 thousand miles on it and has excellent gas mileage 34mph.

I just feel that if a high C borderline B player can barely survive for 7 months on gambling winnings alone from pool and minor travelling between Missouri & Tennessee, then why couldn't a shortstop or an A player do much better than barely survive?

The first trip I took was years ago and with a guy who at the time played about the same speed as myself.

We left town with about $400 and this was back in the 70"s and obviously $400 was worth a lot more back then. We went through Oklahoma and spent lots of time in West Texas and didn't incur any serious losses and had a ball.

I learned quickly though that it takes a tough attitude on the road and that you had better be thinking at all times. You have to be a bit cautious, but, you never know when a score is looking you right in the eye and better not be afraid to pull the trigger.

You are young and seem like a bright guy, go for it. Maybe it's for you, maybe not. You will know pretty quickly.

Park as close to the front door as you can. Always have a story why you are in the area. Never let anyone, ANYONE know where you are staying and never announce you are about to leave town. And if you end up with a partner you aren't sure about, always hide your money under his matress. They never look there. Trust everyone, but, always cut the cards.

 

[billiardshot]

Too Bad you don't know Dieckman or Jamison, they was looking for a third person for their road trip. But then if you do give them a callzzzzz!!

 

[SJDinPHX]

The first trip I took was years ago and with a guy who at the time played about the same speed as myself.

We left town with about $400 and this was back in the 70"s and obviously $400 was worth a lot more back then. We went through Oklahoma and spent lots of time in West Texas and didn't incur any serious losses and had a ball.

I learned quickly though that it takes a tough attitude on the road and that you had better be thinking at all times. You have to be a bit cautious, but, you never know when a score is looking you right in the eye and better not be afraid to pull the trigger.

You are young and seem like a bright guy, go for it. Maybe it's for you, maybe not. You will know pretty quickly.

Park as close to the front door as you can. Always have a story why you are in the area. Never let anyone, ANYONE know where you are staying and never announce you are about to leave town. And if you end up with a partner you aren't sure about, always hide your money under his matress. They never look there. Trust everyone, but, always cut the cards.

Lewis,

You forgot to tell the young man to make sure his car sleeps two comfortably.
(sounds like a hi-milage compact to me)

Dick (Former Buick Roadmaster owner)

 

[DeadPoked]

Too Bad you don't know Dieckman or Jamison, they was looking for a third person for their road trip. But then if you do give them a callzzzzz!!

What did this man ever do to you to deserve such advice?

 

[henho]

The road is dead. Maybe you guys could make a buck in the 70s, but I find it impossible now, even as a fairly strong player. If you play decent enough to have style at the table (a bridge, stance and stroke that makes you look like you know what you are doing), no one will gamble for any reasonable amount. If you hide your stroke then bring it out, they will pull up. It seems like half the time, people will try to short you on money if you are playing for a serious amount. I've had people post and grab the money mid-set, then never acknowledge we were playing for money at all.

All of the amateur gambling money is in poker. The only people who gamble at pool are players, and they all want weight, or are good enough to at least not guarantee your winnings. The only way to find action consistently is to hang out after tourneys, and then you are likely to run into more action than you can handle. I've been on the road around Ohio and New England extensively, and although I could make enough for gas and sh!t food, it was by no means a profitable endeavor, and I wouldn't do it again.

 

[SJDinPHX]

The road is dead. Maybe you guys could make a buck in the 70s, but I find it impossible now, even as a fairly strong player. If you play decent enough to have style at the table (a bridge, stance and stroke that makes you look like you know what you are doing), no one will gamble for any reasonable amount. If you hide your stroke then bring it out, they will pull up. It seems like half the time, people will try to short you on money if you are playing for a serious amount. I've had people post and grab the money mid-set, then never acknowledge we were playing for money at all.

All of the amateur gambling money is in poker. The only people who gamble at pool are players, and they all want weight, or are good enough to at least not guarantee your winnings. The only way to find action consistently is to hang out after tourneys, and then you are likely to run into more action than you can handle. I've been on the road around Ohio and New England extensively, and although I could make enough for gas and sh!t food, it was by no means a profitable endeavor, and I wouldn't do it again.

Henho, Where did you aquire such a pesimistic attitude ?
Wheres your spirit of adventure? You can still make a small fortune hustling pool on the road. (but you do need to start out with a big one)

Dick (60's road man)

 

[1 Pocket Ghost]

You can def make bank on the road as a C player. Just stick to the rec-rooms at geriatric facilities, coin-op tables at arcades, bar tables where the names on the chalkboard are falling off to a side because everyone is sh-faced (but quit if someone beats ya more than twice), or bowling alleys during "glow bowl" or "rock & bowl" times.

Hey SWC.......Don't encourage him with all of this misplaced optimism - I think he'd get busted with the game-plan you outlined for him......

 

[punter]

You can def make bank on the road as a C player. Just stick to the rec-rooms at geriatric facilities, coin-op tables at arcades, bar tables where the names on the chalkboard are falling off to a side because everyone is sh-faced (but quit if someone beats ya more than twice), or bowling alleys during "glow bowl" or "rock & bowl" times.

Why are you 'giving' all of these secrets away? These should be in your new book: The Modern Pool Player's Road Guide.:grin:

 

[ShootingArts]

just me or?

Henho, Where did you aquire such a pesimistic attitude ?
Wheres your spirit of adventure? You can still make a small fortune hustling pool on the road. (but you do need to start out with a big one)

Dick (60's road man)

Dick,

Is it just me or do you and the other old scuffers think it is as easy or easier to make money on the road now if you are willing to play the same games and live the same lifestyle the road guys did forty years ago? It may be a tough row to hoe for a gunfighter now but I think the field is wide open for people like the old time hustlers that knew how to move. It seems the pigeons are more willing to be plucked than ever if you don't chase big scores.

Hu

 

[henho]

I spent 2 years off and on the road. Its hard to find a game, harder to find one that pays enough to be worth playing, and harder still to make sure you get paid. The gambling scene among the pros is one thing. If you are trying to make a killing hustling, good luck, it won't happen. My advice is always act either insane, very scared, or drunk. If you seem sensible and willing to gamble, 9/10 people will run.

 

[Johnnyt]

You can still make money shooting pool in bars with in 10 sq. miles of your bed. Not big money, but if your smart about it you can make a blue-collar paycheck a week. Most of the road men now are lucky if they pull that down after splits with stake horse and other expenses. Johnnyt

 

[swrooster]

Ahhh, The Wild Days

Go for it!!! If you don't you'll always wonder. You'll have a blast. Be non assuming or arrogant. If you seem meek you don't have to fight your way out as often. Lewis said park close to the door, back in. Make notes, a mark will always be a mark.

 

[getsome01]

o no

Hey Lil John, Get On Here And Tell This Kid About The Road. Where's Lil John When You Need Him.

 

[Bigtruck]

Road

Hey Lil John, Get On Here And Tell This Kid About The Road. Where's Lil John When You Need Him.

No way I would go ANYWHERE without a pocket full of confidence!

Ray

 

[Woof]

I have an idea, how old are you and since you don't work etc how do you get your $$. Let me know I think I have a pretty good idea for you.

99% of my money comes from matching up right now. I'm not afraid to do some cleaning up for a bar or a pool hall to make 5-10 bucks here and there whenever my bankroll gets short.

I am 32, but I appear to be in my mid 20s which also helps me get easier action occasionally.