Continued from a thread entitled " How to deal with a knocker"
from which I have strayed by getting into this longer story
It continues
The Kid has laid it down for almost a week or two,dropping money,sporting glamorous chicks on each elbow and losing lots of $500 bets at a time when that was some money
He first lost to Johnny Ervolino,who most of you know from Johnson City,New York ,or Vegas or at least your fathers knew him or about him.A small national champion
After the initial splash,Johnny was flown to Dallas Love field under the pretense of meeting Titanic for big action.Ty sent johnny $1000 plus air plane tickets and a limo to the Las Vegas airport just to get Johnny out of the way,to keep him from knocking the big game,or worse yet declare himself in under duress of not spilling the beans
Johnny was picked up at the air port by Billy T ,given introductions s of how to act,who to play,when to win,when to lose and told the whole game was being staked.
Johnny is out of the Kids way and in hog heaven himself.
Playing easy action and going first class,Johnny is nearly $30,000 winner
and as the song says"When the money starts rolling in,you don't ask how,you don't ask why"
Meanwhile our hero is laying down a lavish spread(read the other thread for details which you might find interesting)
People are giving the kid huge spots such as ,ball in hand, 8 to 3 . , 8 to 2,.the beak and all of the above,but the kid seldom wins
Every player in the house is betting or removed from the action area,showbiz personalities ,on contract to the casino are making regular appearance to encourage the kid to stop by the casino,he is compted for the rooms,the food,the drinks ,the what not
While this is standard operating procedure to the high roller,in the pool room this is
very unique,very unusual,very much the cause of suggestions of the possibility of weath,riches
r
Every high roller in the city is coming by to watch the action,casino owners who want the kids money and action,but also these owners like the life,they grew up on the street and they like action pool as much as the next guy
Brief aside to help you understand what is happening
For example yours truly who can not play a decent game of pool was inn Reno for the world championship 9 ball,during the finals, i got 8 to 6 and the snap from Harry Plattis,a high player of no little repute.,anyway about 600 people crowded in our room to watch us,while 6 people watched the finals of the championship
In the big ball room 6 lonely people watch the finals of the World championship while two average players match up to play some $1000 pool
Ernie the cue maker holds the stakes,Keith sits front row as Harry's horse and guest, Mottey,Terry from Schon, Nick Varner who offers to take me for a partner later,and others known to many of you
Cooney and Fly Boy await their opportunity,Buddy sits respectively nearby,even the Miz is sweating the action not the tournament
there were dozens of others and the finalist in the ball room soon joined us.It was my first tournament and I never watched a game,it became evident that tournament pool just wasn't much fun and it sure wasn't profitable for me
I figured it just gave people a reason to gather in order to lemon off money in the tournament in order to get more money games
who knows" It might just be one man's perspective"
But I digress in example,just to demonstrate the magnetic drawing power of the high stakes game,it doesn't have as much relationship to the skills of the players as it does to the general excitement of pure action, here you can play poorly and still win big money
Everything the kid has been doing is to create this intoxicating air of excitement, and mystery ,his careless handling of his money,his generous tips and gifts,his smile,his innocence...
all of these things clothe our hero with a genuineness,a lack of cunning or deceit so often
associated with pool. Gullibility is not the word,but it will do if in addition to the others if it helps you get the feeling of being there
The Kid doesn't even swear or curse and while no one mentions itbut it just serves to separate him from the regulars
Our hero is so 'clean cut' that these seasoned ,if not down right cynical sorts are
forced to unite in expression and feelings "this kid is some fish and I want some of his money"
Reasoning is, he ain't like us he must be a sucker and so one proposition after another is presented to the kid in addition to the pool games.
the kid falls for almost every one
The drug king pin, will be referred to as KP from now on (read up in the other thread,we don't have time for an elaborate summary)
KP has arrived with his huge retinue of sycophant as well as the casino owner and other big Whigs, now this guy is no stranger to pool and the nefarious sorts and tricks of the garden variety ,so he has imported Eddie Taylor from Louisiana as his personal advisor and player in case it works out for him to place a big bet and take all the cheese tax free..
It might be proper here to add that the complexion of the pool room is or has changed here,a different class of gambler is now filling the room,as the everyday patron with 2 bucks is replaced by professions from the casino,execs,connected guys, and show biz personalities,Fact is these guys used to love a step on the wild side,they like action and action sorts
Don't get the idea that the wealthy from the underbelly are not here as well,
large as well as common crooks ,drug dealers,pimps,thieves and the usual are still present,just not the broke ones
at least not broke yet
The kid casually discovers the cue ball and object ball in a pre arranged position that he is familiar with (see the story to understand how this was implemented}
and when the money has all been bet,the kid gets 50 shots or 100 memory fails,to make an impossible shot
3 million is covered by the casino owner when,Eddie bets $25,000 of his own and in 1 shot after 10 or 20 tries,wham in goes the ball,and the kid wins $3,000,000 plus another 50 or so K in separate individual bets
What happened ?,one lucky shot,one real lucky shot,no skill just blind luck.How can anybody be mad at the kid?
The king pin smiles and slaps the kid on the back and says.i like this kid.
"lets go to the casino and have some fun,we can do this tomorrow"
The kid agrees and walks out.What can anybody say?
"you can't quit winner,HA not here ,not now,the smarts agree to return with more money the next day
We will show this kid!
The kid doesn't look for permission to leave,let alone approval,he doesn't spike the cue ball like some punk football jerk who just made a TD,the kid seems unaffected
He leaves with the retinue,a bevy of beauties and the secret admiration of every male in the house. Tomorrow night he suggest
So here we are where we left off,the kid is known to be packin at least $ 6,000.000
plus.everybody wants some! Greed and avarice multiply as the kid withdraws effectively fanning the flames of desire with the cool breeze of indifference and withdrawal.
This kid isn't chasing with some used car mantra "I want to earn your business""
or some hackneyed pool room verse,if we agree will you freeze up $100 or even you gotta post to play me,
No siree this kid is cut from a different cloth,class if you know what class is,if you know it when you see it
The kid doesn't gloat or tell the guys to get some money cause the cheap pool is over,
no siree ,this kid doesn't care if you play or not cause he has all the money he will ever need
Not to mention that KP has all that drug money.And lets face it without bookies or big drug money or black pimps, the pool room soon degenerates to funsy pool or league play ( maybe that's ok,but it is not so exciting,romantic,endearing to the participant and glamorous to the spectator.
Movies like Oceans 11,The Sting,the Flim flam Man give us a glimpse of the interest people have in a good caper.
Roy and Dale were great in their time and I still watch someon dvd but when James Garner starred as Bret Maverick
things took on a new perspective
Butt tonight our hero is living large drinking free,eating free and pissing on ice in the urinal, first class the casino guys are.They are in full stalk on the kid but they don't want to appear like they are only wanting one thing
Tonight it's shows ,personal attention from the entertainers ,and when the kid feels like singing,guess who else feels like singing? do you think the big bouncer is gonna ask old baby face for ID?
Well what a time he has,all the money is deposited in the cage so the kid can play."
"your signature is all you need if you feel like playing and heck we don't even require that,its for your protection"says they
Protection? says the dumb kid,do i need that here?
So guess what,two flashy dames on the elbows say ?"We want to go shopping.and we want the kid to come along."How do you think the house man feels about that." The broads say it's no fun without the kid" repeats the hardened house man with a strain to be in on the fun and not completely tied up with the commercial end of things
The kid comes back too tired to play,with lots of shopping bags full of stuff,it takes a small caravan of help to put the kid down for the night ,he will not be out till tomorrow so he barely will have time to stop by the poker room,the private poker room ,where only the most elite gamblers play far away from prying eyes the kid enters this private card room with his gang in tow,not normal but who is gonna complain?
the gals are wearing bikinis for crying out loud,right here in the private gambling room,but as i say ,"who is gonna complain?"
Casino whispers,"these ain't workin girls so follow the kids lead,treatem like they is customers,understand?"
The kid shakes hands,the kid looks at the lush stuff there to create a total environment so a guy forgets reality and throws money away without a thought.
They use chips so the sucker won't feel any touch with reality,seems they made a study and the average joe will bet twice as muvch,lose a total of 48,43 % more with chips
The kid ask, "can I use cash,I like real money,chips confuse me?"
The men look to big Casino"Sure ,whatever you like,we got cash too,huh huh" tryin to be one of the fun lovin gang
Boy you guys are friendly,we need to play some golf in the morning before the cards says the kid
Today I am going to eat out and stop by the pool room,those guys really know how to have fun"
The players here think "Have fun? yeah I bet they are just tons of fun,maybe we will meet you over there we hear you been showing em how
to enjoy themselves" A subtle effect takes hold of the poker players and each decides to be at the pool room playing their own money
Tomorrow ,there will be even more money at the pool room in the form of Casino execs and high rolling poker players
You guys are seeing a little of this today' where is the big money coming from? Pool players or poker players
see Archie,see Richie,see Slim play ,see the guy who gets spotted 16 to 4
Tell the truth ,"would you rather watch Dippy play for Big dough or sweat some guy from Sweeden or some such place over seas run a 100 balls of straight pool
for a trophy ?
Watch most of all your favorite players playing $5 pool when the pokerplayers are missing
So the kid vanishes into the world with his party to grab a burger,all that money and the kid wants a burger with mayonnaise
It will be a little while before the kid shows at the pool room,he is still with drawing,a man never wants to chase ,let them come to me if they want to play,eager is contrary to the image one must project if he wants to be selective,kiinda like I love to play but I have other things too,ify ou don't watch yourself I have several other offers
You get the picture of what the kid is doing
This may be tedious to some of you here,especially strangers to really high play.
the kinda play where the results are slightly tilted in your favor
Let me give you an example,years ago Rodney a high stakes player from Houston
met me to sell me a six point Gus Szamboti for $1600 but I wasn't happy with a good deal I offered him $1400
Ole Rodney packs up and out to the parking lot.So i said Ok $1600,"the price is now $1800 " says Rodney
I start counting mallards into his hands before my lesson gets any more expensive
This is the image you need to project if you want to succeed
So we will be in the pool room in a few lines where you guys feel comfortable,or at least you used to kinda think you knew it all until this strange kid tipping Benjamins walked in ,and did everything you are not supposed to do,got stuck several large before winning one huge bet,loses 50 bet wins one and walks out with all that money
It ain't supposed to happen that way,"it shoulda been me drivin that dynaflow"
is the sentiment of most if not everyone there on that night
from which I have strayed by getting into this longer story
It continues
The Kid has laid it down for almost a week or two,dropping money,sporting glamorous chicks on each elbow and losing lots of $500 bets at a time when that was some money
He first lost to Johnny Ervolino,who most of you know from Johnson City,New York ,or Vegas or at least your fathers knew him or about him.A small national champion
After the initial splash,Johnny was flown to Dallas Love field under the pretense of meeting Titanic for big action.Ty sent johnny $1000 plus air plane tickets and a limo to the Las Vegas airport just to get Johnny out of the way,to keep him from knocking the big game,or worse yet declare himself in under duress of not spilling the beans
Johnny was picked up at the air port by Billy T ,given introductions s of how to act,who to play,when to win,when to lose and told the whole game was being staked.
Johnny is out of the Kids way and in hog heaven himself.
Playing easy action and going first class,Johnny is nearly $30,000 winner
and as the song says"When the money starts rolling in,you don't ask how,you don't ask why"
Meanwhile our hero is laying down a lavish spread(read the other thread for details which you might find interesting)
People are giving the kid huge spots such as ,ball in hand, 8 to 3 . , 8 to 2,.the beak and all of the above,but the kid seldom wins
Every player in the house is betting or removed from the action area,showbiz personalities ,on contract to the casino are making regular appearance to encourage the kid to stop by the casino,he is compted for the rooms,the food,the drinks ,the what not
While this is standard operating procedure to the high roller,in the pool room this is
very unique,very unusual,very much the cause of suggestions of the possibility of weath,riches
r
Every high roller in the city is coming by to watch the action,casino owners who want the kids money and action,but also these owners like the life,they grew up on the street and they like action pool as much as the next guy
Brief aside to help you understand what is happening
For example yours truly who can not play a decent game of pool was inn Reno for the world championship 9 ball,during the finals, i got 8 to 6 and the snap from Harry Plattis,a high player of no little repute.,anyway about 600 people crowded in our room to watch us,while 6 people watched the finals of the championship
In the big ball room 6 lonely people watch the finals of the World championship while two average players match up to play some $1000 pool
Ernie the cue maker holds the stakes,Keith sits front row as Harry's horse and guest, Mottey,Terry from Schon, Nick Varner who offers to take me for a partner later,and others known to many of you
Cooney and Fly Boy await their opportunity,Buddy sits respectively nearby,even the Miz is sweating the action not the tournament
there were dozens of others and the finalist in the ball room soon joined us.It was my first tournament and I never watched a game,it became evident that tournament pool just wasn't much fun and it sure wasn't profitable for me
I figured it just gave people a reason to gather in order to lemon off money in the tournament in order to get more money games
who knows" It might just be one man's perspective"
But I digress in example,just to demonstrate the magnetic drawing power of the high stakes game,it doesn't have as much relationship to the skills of the players as it does to the general excitement of pure action, here you can play poorly and still win big money
Everything the kid has been doing is to create this intoxicating air of excitement, and mystery ,his careless handling of his money,his generous tips and gifts,his smile,his innocence...
all of these things clothe our hero with a genuineness,a lack of cunning or deceit so often
associated with pool. Gullibility is not the word,but it will do if in addition to the others if it helps you get the feeling of being there
The Kid doesn't even swear or curse and while no one mentions itbut it just serves to separate him from the regulars
Our hero is so 'clean cut' that these seasoned ,if not down right cynical sorts are
forced to unite in expression and feelings "this kid is some fish and I want some of his money"
Reasoning is, he ain't like us he must be a sucker and so one proposition after another is presented to the kid in addition to the pool games.
the kid falls for almost every one
The drug king pin, will be referred to as KP from now on (read up in the other thread,we don't have time for an elaborate summary)
KP has arrived with his huge retinue of sycophant as well as the casino owner and other big Whigs, now this guy is no stranger to pool and the nefarious sorts and tricks of the garden variety ,so he has imported Eddie Taylor from Louisiana as his personal advisor and player in case it works out for him to place a big bet and take all the cheese tax free..
It might be proper here to add that the complexion of the pool room is or has changed here,a different class of gambler is now filling the room,as the everyday patron with 2 bucks is replaced by professions from the casino,execs,connected guys, and show biz personalities,Fact is these guys used to love a step on the wild side,they like action and action sorts
Don't get the idea that the wealthy from the underbelly are not here as well,
large as well as common crooks ,drug dealers,pimps,thieves and the usual are still present,just not the broke ones
at least not broke yet
The kid casually discovers the cue ball and object ball in a pre arranged position that he is familiar with (see the story to understand how this was implemented}
and when the money has all been bet,the kid gets 50 shots or 100 memory fails,to make an impossible shot
3 million is covered by the casino owner when,Eddie bets $25,000 of his own and in 1 shot after 10 or 20 tries,wham in goes the ball,and the kid wins $3,000,000 plus another 50 or so K in separate individual bets
What happened ?,one lucky shot,one real lucky shot,no skill just blind luck.How can anybody be mad at the kid?
The king pin smiles and slaps the kid on the back and says.i like this kid.
"lets go to the casino and have some fun,we can do this tomorrow"
The kid agrees and walks out.What can anybody say?
"you can't quit winner,HA not here ,not now,the smarts agree to return with more money the next day
We will show this kid!
The kid doesn't look for permission to leave,let alone approval,he doesn't spike the cue ball like some punk football jerk who just made a TD,the kid seems unaffected
He leaves with the retinue,a bevy of beauties and the secret admiration of every male in the house. Tomorrow night he suggest
So here we are where we left off,the kid is known to be packin at least $ 6,000.000
plus.everybody wants some! Greed and avarice multiply as the kid withdraws effectively fanning the flames of desire with the cool breeze of indifference and withdrawal.
This kid isn't chasing with some used car mantra "I want to earn your business""
or some hackneyed pool room verse,if we agree will you freeze up $100 or even you gotta post to play me,
No siree this kid is cut from a different cloth,class if you know what class is,if you know it when you see it
The kid doesn't gloat or tell the guys to get some money cause the cheap pool is over,
no siree ,this kid doesn't care if you play or not cause he has all the money he will ever need
Not to mention that KP has all that drug money.And lets face it without bookies or big drug money or black pimps, the pool room soon degenerates to funsy pool or league play ( maybe that's ok,but it is not so exciting,romantic,endearing to the participant and glamorous to the spectator.
Movies like Oceans 11,The Sting,the Flim flam Man give us a glimpse of the interest people have in a good caper.
Roy and Dale were great in their time and I still watch someon dvd but when James Garner starred as Bret Maverick
things took on a new perspective
Butt tonight our hero is living large drinking free,eating free and pissing on ice in the urinal, first class the casino guys are.They are in full stalk on the kid but they don't want to appear like they are only wanting one thing
Tonight it's shows ,personal attention from the entertainers ,and when the kid feels like singing,guess who else feels like singing? do you think the big bouncer is gonna ask old baby face for ID?
Well what a time he has,all the money is deposited in the cage so the kid can play."
"your signature is all you need if you feel like playing and heck we don't even require that,its for your protection"says they
Protection? says the dumb kid,do i need that here?
So guess what,two flashy dames on the elbows say ?"We want to go shopping.and we want the kid to come along."How do you think the house man feels about that." The broads say it's no fun without the kid" repeats the hardened house man with a strain to be in on the fun and not completely tied up with the commercial end of things
The kid comes back too tired to play,with lots of shopping bags full of stuff,it takes a small caravan of help to put the kid down for the night ,he will not be out till tomorrow so he barely will have time to stop by the poker room,the private poker room ,where only the most elite gamblers play far away from prying eyes the kid enters this private card room with his gang in tow,not normal but who is gonna complain?
the gals are wearing bikinis for crying out loud,right here in the private gambling room,but as i say ,"who is gonna complain?"
Casino whispers,"these ain't workin girls so follow the kids lead,treatem like they is customers,understand?"
The kid shakes hands,the kid looks at the lush stuff there to create a total environment so a guy forgets reality and throws money away without a thought.
They use chips so the sucker won't feel any touch with reality,seems they made a study and the average joe will bet twice as muvch,lose a total of 48,43 % more with chips
The kid ask, "can I use cash,I like real money,chips confuse me?"
The men look to big Casino"Sure ,whatever you like,we got cash too,huh huh" tryin to be one of the fun lovin gang
Boy you guys are friendly,we need to play some golf in the morning before the cards says the kid
Today I am going to eat out and stop by the pool room,those guys really know how to have fun"
The players here think "Have fun? yeah I bet they are just tons of fun,maybe we will meet you over there we hear you been showing em how
to enjoy themselves" A subtle effect takes hold of the poker players and each decides to be at the pool room playing their own money
Tomorrow ,there will be even more money at the pool room in the form of Casino execs and high rolling poker players
You guys are seeing a little of this today' where is the big money coming from? Pool players or poker players
see Archie,see Richie,see Slim play ,see the guy who gets spotted 16 to 4
Tell the truth ,"would you rather watch Dippy play for Big dough or sweat some guy from Sweeden or some such place over seas run a 100 balls of straight pool
for a trophy ?
Watch most of all your favorite players playing $5 pool when the pokerplayers are missing
So the kid vanishes into the world with his party to grab a burger,all that money and the kid wants a burger with mayonnaise
It will be a little while before the kid shows at the pool room,he is still with drawing,a man never wants to chase ,let them come to me if they want to play,eager is contrary to the image one must project if he wants to be selective,kiinda like I love to play but I have other things too,ify ou don't watch yourself I have several other offers
You get the picture of what the kid is doing
This may be tedious to some of you here,especially strangers to really high play.
the kinda play where the results are slightly tilted in your favor
Let me give you an example,years ago Rodney a high stakes player from Houston
met me to sell me a six point Gus Szamboti for $1600 but I wasn't happy with a good deal I offered him $1400
Ole Rodney packs up and out to the parking lot.So i said Ok $1600,"the price is now $1800 " says Rodney
I start counting mallards into his hands before my lesson gets any more expensive
This is the image you need to project if you want to succeed
So we will be in the pool room in a few lines where you guys feel comfortable,or at least you used to kinda think you knew it all until this strange kid tipping Benjamins walked in ,and did everything you are not supposed to do,got stuck several large before winning one huge bet,loses 50 bet wins one and walks out with all that money
It ain't supposed to happen that way,"it shoulda been me drivin that dynaflow"
is the sentiment of most if not everyone there on that night
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