were they all afraid of Mosconi?

[Eddie4269]

I was at Johnston City every year but the first one (1961). I usually stayed there day and night for the whole 3 weeks. I never heard anything about what you are talking about, with the votes in a hat. But as I said, I did know many of the players, and I never heard them ever say that they didnt want the blacks to play in the tournament. Since they had been gambling with those same blacks all their lives, it would have been counter-productive to the action to not want them to be there. What was probably the determining factor in them being unable to play for the first few years was the area the tounament was held in, Little Egypt in southern Illinois. Now that was a very prejudiced area. It was probably worse than the deep South. Paulie and George Jansco certainly didnt care whose money they collected, but local politics probably dictated the exclusion. That was probably the deal they had to cut to get the police and troopers to ignore all the gambling. And when the ban was lifted the Janscos put their arm around Cisero Murphy and even inteceded decisively one time when some cracker tried to give Cisero a hard time.

the Beard

FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH BUGS FROM ONEPOCKET.ORG

1P: So that was the first year that a black guy could play?
JH: I think it was ’67. We used to go there in like ’61 or ’62. We could play for money but we couldn’t play in the tournament.

One year, maybe ’65 or ’66, they had a vote for the black players; they took a hat around and when they counted the hat it was even. Then another player walks up to the door and they said, ‘This guy is the deciding vote.’ He’s going to write his yes or no and put it in the hat. He wrote no, so we didn’t get to play that year. Finally the next year they were able to play and that’s why Cicero went in the [BCA] Hall of Fame, because he was the first black guy to win. But definitely ‘Blood was there.

 

[jay helfert]

FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH BUGS FROM ONEPOCKET.ORG

1P: So that was the first year that a black guy could play?
JH: I think it was ’67. We used to go there in like ’61 or ’62. We could play for money but we couldn’t play in the tournament.

One year, maybe ’65 or ’66, they had a vote for the black players; they took a hat around and when they counted the hat it was even. Then another player walks up to the door and they said, ‘This guy is the deciding vote.’ He’s going to write his yes or no and put it in the hat. He wrote no, so we didn’t get to play that year. Finally the next year they were able to play and that’s why Cicero went in the [BCA] Hall of Fame, because he was the first black guy to win. But definitely ‘Blood was there.

This is news to me also. I was there every year in the mid 60's, maybe five years straight. I don't remember any vote or hearing about a vote. I do remember seeing black players in the back room gambling.

I just don't think George Jansco would put "anything" to a vote of the players. He ran things "HIS WAY"! If you didn't like it, you could leave.

 

[catscradle]

I agree: roll out, and call the 9; but make the 9 the last ball made, as in 8-ball...

Doc

I agree that is the way it should be played, but it won't be. Simply because without the aspect of luck, there is no way the really good players (I'm not one) can convince the "suckers" they have a chance so they can take their money.

 

[Gerry]

I agree that is the way it should be played, but it won't be. Simply because without the aspect of luck, there is no way the really good players (I'm not one) can convince the "suckers" they have a chance so they can take their money.

HAHA!......I agree! I had the chance to play some roll out 9ball years ago with a monster player! He would push to a seriously tough shot, I would back off, and he would fire it in and run out. There was just NOWHERE to run and hide. Talk about pressure. My only saving grace was his break was weak (14.1 player) so I could win a few games, but he wanted me to play to see how great a game roll out was compared to Texas Express.

Gerry

 

[rbgarmon]

i have to disagree with the comments about 9 ball.although there is a luck factor involved,there is also safety play. the 9 on the break is usually the result of a solid break where the balls are hit properly.although rolls are a factor,most pool players will tell you"you make your own rolls."and, on normal occasions,the best player after a long session will be the winner.

 

[jay helfert]

i have to disagree with the comments about 9 ball.although there is a luck factor involved,there is also safety play. the 9 on the break is usually the result of a solid break where the balls are hit properly.although rolls are a factor,most pool players will tell you"you make your own rolls."and, on normal occasions,the best player after a long session will be the winner.

I don't know why it is, but the best player always seems to get the rolls???