Deep in the hills of east Tennessee last night I was at my usual Wednesday night poker game. I drive almost an hour from my home to this very small town of about 15,000. Of course they do not have a poolroom or even a bar ( i am not kidding ) so I was surprised to learn of the history of this once bustling town.
Once inside the room I noticed several older men that I had never seen before. I was wearing a jacket that I bought at the US Open this year and it of course has the logo on it picturing a nine ball. The game was full and I was waiting a seat to come available when this older fellow approaches me and asks " so you are a pool player are you?" I'm guessing him to be around 90 but later find out he is 82 years old. I respond with my usual remarks of, well I'm not real good but it is my favorite hobby next to cards and golf. And he responds back to me that his name was "shot". He had been given that nickname over 60 years because he once was a pool player. Even though he hasn't hit a ball in decades ever one that spoke to him last night called him shot.
Through out life I have meet countless people that has told me that once upon a time they were real good shooting pool. I have learned to take it like a grain of salt. Even saying that myself during a 12 year layoff from pool. Even still that comment always brings a smile to my face.
Shot asked me " whats your favorite game?" And I respond that I have played a lot of 9-ball and banks quickly becoming my new favorite game. Then he asks " full rack banks or 9-ball banks? So now he's got my attention. And I say it depends on who I'm playing. I like to play lesser players short racks and better players full racks. I feel like the strategy has been working out well for me. Then he asked " Have you ever heard of a guy named Eddie Taylor?" Now he's really got my attention. I comment sure and I have even meet him a couple of times. Then he says" We sure used to have a hell of a time." So you knew him I said. Sure he replies we played 9-7 banks for two days and two nights one time. What were you playing for? 200 a game at first he replied and the last few hours they bet 350 according to him. Shot claimed to be ahead 6 or 7 hundred when they quit playing.We hit it off after then Shot said and took off on a trip all over the south. When was this I asked. His reply was that he had just bought a 1956 Ford so it had to be around that time. Claimed his memory wasn't real clear on a lot of things anymore but he was pretty sure about that.
Every small town had a good poolroom he said. And they had a houseman waiting for somebody to come in and play. If they knew you they ask for a spot. If they didn't they play some $20 9-ball and try and clock your speed. I asked if there was a poolroom here at one time. Sure he says 8 brunswick's ,big tables with the small cue ball. 9 footers I asked ? No 10 footers he said a lot of places had 10 foot tables back then. That's what I grew up on. Playing rotation on a big table. One through the fifteen? Yes that's the only way you could learn to play shape. It not like 9-ball. You got to be a real good shot to run out playing rotation he said. Anybody could run 9 balls. I smiled and right then I knew this guy was for real. His father had owned the poolroom there and he grew up playing pool.
I actually gave up my seat once it came open just to sit and talk to Shot. We must have talked for a good two or three hours at the card room last night. I asked him. What does It take to be a good player in your opinion. He said....practice,good eyes,good stroke and confidence. Confidence is whats makes a good pool player Shot said with a raised voice. I wonder why there isn't very many poolrooms around anymore I asked. Shot's answer to me was quite surprising. I tell you my dad's business started dropping once everyone got TVs. Back then the poolroom was the place all the guys went back then. There wasn't much else to do. Everybody played pool. Now you got the movie theatre , football , baseball , everybody's running here running there it wasn't like that then. Once the action dried up I had to get a job. So I started building houses and stuck with that for over 30 years he said.
Shot was a witness to pool during its glory days. I hope to see the tournament scene grow for the professionals but I realize those days are gone. Sure was fun to sit and listen to all his stories.
Once inside the room I noticed several older men that I had never seen before. I was wearing a jacket that I bought at the US Open this year and it of course has the logo on it picturing a nine ball. The game was full and I was waiting a seat to come available when this older fellow approaches me and asks " so you are a pool player are you?" I'm guessing him to be around 90 but later find out he is 82 years old. I respond with my usual remarks of, well I'm not real good but it is my favorite hobby next to cards and golf. And he responds back to me that his name was "shot". He had been given that nickname over 60 years because he once was a pool player. Even though he hasn't hit a ball in decades ever one that spoke to him last night called him shot.
Through out life I have meet countless people that has told me that once upon a time they were real good shooting pool. I have learned to take it like a grain of salt. Even saying that myself during a 12 year layoff from pool. Even still that comment always brings a smile to my face.
Shot asked me " whats your favorite game?" And I respond that I have played a lot of 9-ball and banks quickly becoming my new favorite game. Then he asks " full rack banks or 9-ball banks? So now he's got my attention. And I say it depends on who I'm playing. I like to play lesser players short racks and better players full racks. I feel like the strategy has been working out well for me. Then he asked " Have you ever heard of a guy named Eddie Taylor?" Now he's really got my attention. I comment sure and I have even meet him a couple of times. Then he says" We sure used to have a hell of a time." So you knew him I said. Sure he replies we played 9-7 banks for two days and two nights one time. What were you playing for? 200 a game at first he replied and the last few hours they bet 350 according to him. Shot claimed to be ahead 6 or 7 hundred when they quit playing.We hit it off after then Shot said and took off on a trip all over the south. When was this I asked. His reply was that he had just bought a 1956 Ford so it had to be around that time. Claimed his memory wasn't real clear on a lot of things anymore but he was pretty sure about that.
Every small town had a good poolroom he said. And they had a houseman waiting for somebody to come in and play. If they knew you they ask for a spot. If they didn't they play some $20 9-ball and try and clock your speed. I asked if there was a poolroom here at one time. Sure he says 8 brunswick's ,big tables with the small cue ball. 9 footers I asked ? No 10 footers he said a lot of places had 10 foot tables back then. That's what I grew up on. Playing rotation on a big table. One through the fifteen? Yes that's the only way you could learn to play shape. It not like 9-ball. You got to be a real good shot to run out playing rotation he said. Anybody could run 9 balls. I smiled and right then I knew this guy was for real. His father had owned the poolroom there and he grew up playing pool.
I actually gave up my seat once it came open just to sit and talk to Shot. We must have talked for a good two or three hours at the card room last night. I asked him. What does It take to be a good player in your opinion. He said....practice,good eyes,good stroke and confidence. Confidence is whats makes a good pool player Shot said with a raised voice. I wonder why there isn't very many poolrooms around anymore I asked. Shot's answer to me was quite surprising. I tell you my dad's business started dropping once everyone got TVs. Back then the poolroom was the place all the guys went back then. There wasn't much else to do. Everybody played pool. Now you got the movie theatre , football , baseball , everybody's running here running there it wasn't like that then. Once the action dried up I had to get a job. So I started building houses and stuck with that for over 30 years he said.
Shot was a witness to pool during its glory days. I hope to see the tournament scene grow for the professionals but I realize those days are gone. Sure was fun to sit and listen to all his stories.
