Recently a clueless banger told me, "Man you sure get one hell of a lot of lucky rolls." :grin:
What is the greatest compliment someone has given you?
- Thread starter Rubyron
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On that note: "Man, they shouldn't even allow you to play in tournaments".:grin:
Thanks for mentioning your story and I'm glad it had a positive impact.
That's funny, well, you must have got me in stroke, so I thank you for that. That was one heck of a tournament with over 750 players, if I remember correctly. I actually have the finals on tape and we just downloaded it on DVD to show sometime soon.
Thanks for mentioning your story and I'm glad it had a positive impact. 'The Game is the Teacher'
That's funny, well, you must have got me in stroke, so I thank you for that. That was one heck of a tournament with over 750 players, if I remember correctly. I actually have the finals on tape and we just downloaded it on DVD to show sometime soon.
Thanks for mentioning your story and I'm glad it had a positive impact. 'The Game is the Teacher'
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I made a two rail bank playing 1-pocket and ran the final 3 balls from there. My opponent, who was a pretty good player, asked me if I was from Kentucky. 
I didn't make a bank the rest of the night. (Ok, maybe I made one or two more, but he did ask that question).
Dave
I didn't make a bank the rest of the night. (Ok, maybe I made one or two more, but he did ask that question).Dave
Same here Ron, I remember being with JA and Earl at JA's home. I told them I was going to go down to the basement and hit some balls. I asked them if they wanted to play, they said no but that they would come down and watch and hang out. So there I am breaking the balls and playing 9-ball. I played a shot that I think was a good shot (for my skill level) And JA and Earl both sai "Good shot" I just about put my cue down and stopped playing as it was not going to get any better than 2 hall of famers telling ME good shot.
After being double steered into Steve "Snake" I-forget-his-last-name (Smith?) from Dallas by someone I trusted and respected till that point, we played a set to 11 for $200. He walked in with a 1-piece Dufferin and ran the 1st two racks then totally dumped the next 7-ball shot to stall around, I somehow got it to 9-9 then played two unbelievably lucky safeties to win the set.
Even though I was outclassed by far I wanted to offer him good courtesy action and asked if he wanted to play another set, he replied "no thanks!!" then gave Jim Ward the stinkeye before stalking out the door.
Even though I was outclassed by far I wanted to offer him good courtesy action and asked if he wanted to play another set, he replied "no thanks!!" then gave Jim Ward the stinkeye before stalking out the door.
I was playing in a 4 handed rotation game one night(Chicago or 1&5 what ever you know it by) and was in dead stroke probably playing a little above my normal speed which back then was short stop. It was one of those nights when I made everything I got a look at.One guy in the game named "Bucky" said "this guy ain't safe under the table!". I never forgot that because in the moment it was real funny.
Two that really mean something to me...
Johnny Archer and Earl Strickland came to Boomer's Billiards
in Racine Wisconsin several years ago to put on an exhibition
and you could also sign up to spend a few hours with each
player in a group lesson. I signed up and must say, I had a
very good time hanging out with those guys for a couple of
hours. Later that night during the exhibition, you could buy
raffle tickets and if you were lucky enough to have your
name drawn you were partnered up with one of the pros
in a game of scotch doubles 9 ball. I was partnered with
Johnny Archer and my buddy Paul Scott was partnered
with Earl. We were playing on a 9 ft Gold Crown, and I
had a shot where the cue ball was a few inches off the
end rail and my object ball was passed the side pocket.
The next ball to be shot was on the end rail where my
cue ball was closest to. I was going to shoot the ball
and follow the cue ball down to the other end rail and
come back up for position. Johnny came over and took
a look at the angle I had and said "draw the ball back."
I play pretty good, but I would have NEVER tried this
shot unless Johnny had said to. I will add, there were
probably over 100 people watching this, as they had
brought in two sets of bleachers for the exhibition. I
felt like I was alone on a deserted island. Anyway, I
hit the ball center pocket and drew the ball back for
shape. Johnny said "great shot." We went on to win
the game, never giving Earl and Paul another chance.
That meant quite a bit to me...
In 2006 I was teammates with Bob Runde, (yes...
THAT Bob Runde). We were playing in the Kenosha
Pocket Billiard League City Tournament. We won the
City Championship, never losing a single match. After
the tournament was over, Bob walked up to me and
said "I always knew you were a good player, but you
showed me something in this tournament. Not only do
you handle the pressure, you actually welcome it. You
were, without a doubt the MVP of this tournament."
Coming from Mr. Runde, that was quite a compliment.
I must admit, after that statement, my eyes started to
sweat...
Johnny Archer and Earl Strickland came to Boomer's Billiards
in Racine Wisconsin several years ago to put on an exhibition
and you could also sign up to spend a few hours with each
player in a group lesson. I signed up and must say, I had a
very good time hanging out with those guys for a couple of
hours. Later that night during the exhibition, you could buy
raffle tickets and if you were lucky enough to have your
name drawn you were partnered up with one of the pros
in a game of scotch doubles 9 ball. I was partnered with
Johnny Archer and my buddy Paul Scott was partnered
with Earl. We were playing on a 9 ft Gold Crown, and I
had a shot where the cue ball was a few inches off the
end rail and my object ball was passed the side pocket.
The next ball to be shot was on the end rail where my
cue ball was closest to. I was going to shoot the ball
and follow the cue ball down to the other end rail and
come back up for position. Johnny came over and took
a look at the angle I had and said "draw the ball back."
I play pretty good, but I would have NEVER tried this
shot unless Johnny had said to. I will add, there were
probably over 100 people watching this, as they had
brought in two sets of bleachers for the exhibition. I
felt like I was alone on a deserted island. Anyway, I
hit the ball center pocket and drew the ball back for
shape. Johnny said "great shot." We went on to win
the game, never giving Earl and Paul another chance.
That meant quite a bit to me...
In 2006 I was teammates with Bob Runde, (yes...
THAT Bob Runde). We were playing in the Kenosha
Pocket Billiard League City Tournament. We won the
City Championship, never losing a single match. After
the tournament was over, Bob walked up to me and
said "I always knew you were a good player, but you
showed me something in this tournament. Not only do
you handle the pressure, you actually welcome it. You
were, without a doubt the MVP of this tournament."
Coming from Mr. Runde, that was quite a compliment.
I must admit, after that statement, my eyes started to
sweat...
Double whammy! Johnny and Earl at the same time? :thud:
I was teary eyed
Mizerak told me my cue was beautiful.
Then he said....Rackem
Mizerak told me my cue was beautiful.
Then he said....Rackem
I was told that I have a great face for radio! lol
Actually one that I liked was when I was playing a pretty fair One Pocket player in California and none other than Efren was sweating the match (he was waiting for his match). I was in a bad spot near the end rail and my opponent had a couple of balls near his hole. I shot two rails into the back of the pack and stuck the cue ball. The corner ball rolled out and hung in my pocket. I had reversed everything on this one shot. Efren smiled and said, "Quit showing off Jay." I loved it!
Actually one that I liked was when I was playing a pretty fair One Pocket player in California and none other than Efren was sweating the match (he was waiting for his match). I was in a bad spot near the end rail and my opponent had a couple of balls near his hole. I shot two rails into the back of the pack and stuck the cue ball. The corner ball rolled out and hung in my pocket. I had reversed everything on this one shot. Efren smiled and said, "Quit showing off Jay." I loved it!
Two incidents stand out for me.
The first was when I was in attendance at the BCA show with my employer in Las Vegas. This was at a time when CJ Wiley and Jeanette Lee were both being sponsored by McDermott. I visited the McDermott booth when CJ was around and I had the opportunity to visit with him and check his series of cue models that McDermott was producing. CJ offered me the chance to play a game of 9 ball with him, and loaned me the cue model in his series that I liked best. He told me to go ahead and break. So I broke, made a ball, and then proceeded to run out the rack. Which in of itself would be nothing except that it was the first time that I completely ran out a 9 ball rack. And it wound up being done against CJ Wiley. Afterwards, CJ congratulated me, signed a pic for me, and said and wrote on the pic "great shooting!". Yeah that stands out for me.
The 2nd time occured one night while I was waiting to compete for my APA team. I was visiting with a pool buddy of mine who is a BCA Senior Ref. While we were talking pool, he made the comment to me that his playing against me was like playing Nick Varner. Personally I thought that was kinda funny, but I appreciated that he thought so much of the quality of my pool game. So I have always thought that was nice of him to say that, even though I myself would worry a little about playing Nick Varner.
The first was when I was in attendance at the BCA show with my employer in Las Vegas. This was at a time when CJ Wiley and Jeanette Lee were both being sponsored by McDermott. I visited the McDermott booth when CJ was around and I had the opportunity to visit with him and check his series of cue models that McDermott was producing. CJ offered me the chance to play a game of 9 ball with him, and loaned me the cue model in his series that I liked best. He told me to go ahead and break. So I broke, made a ball, and then proceeded to run out the rack. Which in of itself would be nothing except that it was the first time that I completely ran out a 9 ball rack. And it wound up being done against CJ Wiley. Afterwards, CJ congratulated me, signed a pic for me, and said and wrote on the pic "great shooting!". Yeah that stands out for me.
The 2nd time occured one night while I was waiting to compete for my APA team. I was visiting with a pool buddy of mine who is a BCA Senior Ref. While we were talking pool, he made the comment to me that his playing against me was like playing Nick Varner. Personally I thought that was kinda funny, but I appreciated that he thought so much of the quality of my pool game. So I have always thought that was nice of him to say that, even though I myself would worry a little about playing Nick Varner.
9ft Diamond Run
Playing a cheap ring game w two friends on a 9ft Diamond. I break make a ball, hook myself and miss my target ball on a jump shot, Friend gives up the option and I say "Im playing so badly I'll stick with my jumper". Proceed to run out the rack, banking the 8 to get straight in on the 9 all with my jump cue! "You're sick" was ones reply. I then lost the ring game, I think my stupid grin threw my balance off. Go figure ! And Robin Dodson told me I had no stroke! Well I was just using my jump cue wrong I say!
Playing a cheap ring game w two friends on a 9ft Diamond. I break make a ball, hook myself and miss my target ball on a jump shot, Friend gives up the option and I say "Im playing so badly I'll stick with my jumper". Proceed to run out the rack, banking the 8 to get straight in on the 9 all with my jump cue! "You're sick" was ones reply. I then lost the ring game, I think my stupid grin threw my balance off. Go figure ! And Robin Dodson told me I had no stroke! Well I was just using my jump cue wrong I say!
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Attended an event in the mid 90's when Allison Fischer and Grady were touring the country doing their Billie Jean King/Bobby Rigs version in pool.
After the set you sign up to play one of them. I drew Allison.
During the match I had one of those shots where you have to let your stroke out, a draw-running English on whitey to slide it across the table to the long rail, and spin back to position for a ball down-table near the short rail. Hit the shot perfect, she said "That was a pure stroke right there, a pure stroke.
A handful of years back the TAP team I played on got a chance at the National Team Competition. Those familiar with TAP know about the sudden death feature of that league. So as it happened we get down to a one day sudden death, and I was always held back for the final match (be it a regular race or sudden death) it was on me to perform for my team, if win we stay to fight another day.
I break, and we trade safes back and forth until I get an opening, I run to the last ball before the 8 an wanted to play it in the side so I an stop and play the 8 in the bottom corner, but I over ran position and ended up hooked on my last ball. I can see the players on the other team licking their chops like a pack of hungry wolves because every one knew I was in a big jam, and was not the sure winner in this position. They call a referee over to watch the shot, so there will be no disputes.
I call my ball in the top near corner pocket, and kick it in, and spun the cue 3 rails around to lay straight up the corner to finish the match. Thank's to Diamonds barbox tables they played so fast that if you had any kind of a stroke you had to rein it in and play bunt ball mostly In this case it was the perfect table type to execute that shot.
We pack up to leave and the referee is hanging around talk to me, he says, that shot before the 8 was the best shot I have seen in this tournament. What could I say other than thanking him and saying "well I got a little lucky there too"
After the set you sign up to play one of them. I drew Allison.
During the match I had one of those shots where you have to let your stroke out, a draw-running English on whitey to slide it across the table to the long rail, and spin back to position for a ball down-table near the short rail. Hit the shot perfect, she said "That was a pure stroke right there, a pure stroke.
A handful of years back the TAP team I played on got a chance at the National Team Competition. Those familiar with TAP know about the sudden death feature of that league. So as it happened we get down to a one day sudden death, and I was always held back for the final match (be it a regular race or sudden death) it was on me to perform for my team, if win we stay to fight another day.
I break, and we trade safes back and forth until I get an opening, I run to the last ball before the 8 an wanted to play it in the side so I an stop and play the 8 in the bottom corner, but I over ran position and ended up hooked on my last ball. I can see the players on the other team licking their chops like a pack of hungry wolves because every one knew I was in a big jam, and was not the sure winner in this position. They call a referee over to watch the shot, so there will be no disputes.
I call my ball in the top near corner pocket, and kick it in, and spun the cue 3 rails around to lay straight up the corner to finish the match. Thank's to Diamonds barbox tables they played so fast that if you had any kind of a stroke you had to rein it in and play bunt ball mostly In this case it was the perfect table type to execute that shot.
We pack up to leave and the referee is hanging around talk to me, he says, that shot before the 8 was the best shot I have seen in this tournament. What could I say other than thanking him and saying "well I got a little lucky there too"
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Cliff Joyner told me "very nice shot" once while playing 1P and was left in a tough spot. I got out of the trouble spot with that shot and played a nice safe on the other guy.--Smitty
Like Mr. Ingo, I have gotten ovations for my play.
But probably the best compliments to me have come from several people when they have said to me, 'you're a good man' & from a few who have said to me, 'you're a good friend', & from some who have said to me, 'you're an honest man'.
Those are the best because they are regarding life & not just pool.
Many have said to me, 'you're good, you're good', but probably the best pool compliment I've received came from a couple of old gentlemen in their late 70's or early 80's after I had just run out & had made some difficult shots with some very difficult position play & one of them looked at me until he caught my eye & when I looked at him, he looked me right in the eye as I looked back into his shining light blue eyes, & he just said, 'you're a stroker', as he held his hand to shake my hand & the gentleman with him said, 'yeah, he's right, you're a stroker alright, you can play', as he shook my hand.
Those are probably the best compliments I have received regarding pool because I knew that they knew pool & had seen quite a bit in their time.
Sometimes it's not what is said, but who says it.:wink:
Regards & best wishes to ALL,
Rick
But probably the best compliments to me have come from several people when they have said to me, 'you're a good man' & from a few who have said to me, 'you're a good friend', & from some who have said to me, 'you're an honest man'.
Those are the best because they are regarding life & not just pool.
Many have said to me, 'you're good, you're good', but probably the best pool compliment I've received came from a couple of old gentlemen in their late 70's or early 80's after I had just run out & had made some difficult shots with some very difficult position play & one of them looked at me until he caught my eye & when I looked at him, he looked me right in the eye as I looked back into his shining light blue eyes, & he just said, 'you're a stroker', as he held his hand to shake my hand & the gentleman with him said, 'yeah, he's right, you're a stroker alright, you can play', as he shook my hand.
Those are probably the best compliments I have received regarding pool because I knew that they knew pool & had seen quite a bit in their time.
Sometimes it's not what is said, but who says it.:wink:
Regards & best wishes to ALL,
Rick
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Back when I was a gambler, a women pro was coming into town to play some money games. Billy Gaines tells me to play her. I said I wasn't good enough to play a pro. He told me there's not a women in the nation that could beat me. I was only 19 or 20 and Billy was a regional legend. I took his word for it and did end up playing and beating her.
Back to the present time. A teammate of mine in the Wisc championships mentioned while we were dining that he loves playing with me because no matter the pressure, it looks like I'm just banging balls in the basement without a pressure in the world.
Many league players with random comments of how I'm good for the league because of how I help lesser players.
Back to the present time. A teammate of mine in the Wisc championships mentioned while we were dining that he loves playing with me because no matter the pressure, it looks like I'm just banging balls in the basement without a pressure in the world.
Many league players with random comments of how I'm good for the league because of how I help lesser players.