What is Your Favorite "St. Louie" Louie Roberts Story?

[CJ Wiley]

The first time I played "St. Louie" Louie was in St. Louis, in the Sports Center. I was only 16 years old and had already made a name for myself in Missouri gambling with "mortals".

Louie was a gambling legend and known for his super high gambling gear, and his wild "behaviors'. Louie gave me the "Last 3 and the Break" and I busted him, beating him about 10 games ahead in a matter of a couple of hours.

He gave me a few chances when I needed them, but overall this was a LOT of weight to give me, even when I was 16. After we played I left with my friend and went to another pool room, 'Afton Billiards' and tried to get some more action to no avail.

We decided to go back to the Sports Center, even though it had been a long day, and who do we see outside, but "St. Louie" in RARE form.

Later I found out he had just guzzled a bottle of wine and "something else" and was "feeling no pain". He came up to me and said aggressively

"hey kid, I'm ready to play some more of that same game".....feeling some pressure I replied "no, Louie, I gotta go get some sleep, I've been up a long time".

"You think you've been up a long time, I'm on my third day, COME ON, I'll give you the "Last 4 and the Break". I looked at my partner "man, I gotta play that game, I just beat him with a ball less".

I agreed to play and we went in and got a table. That was a mistake, I learned what everyone talked about when they said Louie had an atomic gear when he got his "mixture right". He played a level I had never seen up to that point in time.

He played flawlessly in spectacular fashion - I remember when he had a cross side bank just wishing the rail was loose so he might actually miss a ball. [I knew this was wishful thinking]

No such luck, Louie put the finishing touches on me and won all his previous money back plus a few hundred. I put up the "white flag" and chalked this up to learning a lesson and experiencing what atomic pool really was......I wanted to be on the giving end of it. :groucho:

I didn't play Louie again until 3 years later, and the situation was different, the game was no longer the "Last 3 and the Break," it had been reduced to the Wild 8, and we were were playing in Texas (Rusty's on NW HWY).....down the street from my future home in Dallas.

This time "St. Louie" Louie was in for a surprise, I also was developing an "atomic gear," and he was going to get a sample example - the nuclear Battle countdown had begun!

THE GAME IS THE TEACHER

 

[pt109]

Louis was cornered at a tournament by a reporter........
...he said “Louis, I’ve heard you have made a lot of outrageous games and taken some
big losses...what’s your biggest loss?”
Louis says “Umm, would you believe a down payment on an aircraft carrier?”

 

[HawaiianEye]

The first time I played "St. Louie" Louie was in St. Louis, in the Sports Center. I was only 16 years old and had already made a name for myself in Missouri gambling with "mortals".

Louie was a gambling legend and known for his super high gambling gear, and his wild "behaviors'. Louie gave me the "Last 3 and the Break" and I busted him, beating him about 10 games ahead in a matter of a couple of hours.

He gave me a few chances when I needed them, but overall this was a LOT of weight to give me, even when I was 16. After we played I left with my friend and went to another pool room, 'Afton Billiards' and tried to get some more action to no avail.

We decided to go back to the Sports Center, even though it had been a long day, and who do we see outside, but "St. Louie" in RARE form.

Later I found out he had just guzzled a bottle of wine and "something else" and was "feeling no pain". He came up to me and said aggressively

"hey kid, I'm ready to play some more of that same game".....feeling some pressure I replied "no, Louie, I gotta go get some sleep, I've been up a long time".

"You think you've been up a long time, I'm on my third day, COME ON, I'll give you the "Last 4 and the Break". I looked at my partner "man, I gotta play that game, I just beat him with a ball less".

I agreed to play and we went in and got a table. That was a mistake, I learned what everyone talked about when they said Louie had an atomic gear when he got his "mixture right". He played a level I had never seen up to that point in time.

He played flawlessly in spectacular fashion - I remember when he had a cross side bank just wishing the rail was loose so he might actually miss a ball. [I knew this was wishful thinking]

No such luck, Louie put the finishing touches on me and won all his previous money back plus a few hundred. I put up the "white flag" and chalked this up to learning a lesson and experiencing what atomic pool really was......I wanted to be on the giving end of it. :groucho:

I didn't play Louie again until 3 years later, and the situation was different, the game was no longer the "Last 3 and the Break," it had been reduced to the Wild 8, and we were were playing in Texas (Rusty's on NW HWY).....down the street from my future home in Dallas.

This time "St. Louie" Louie was in for a surprise, I also was developing an "atomic gear," and he was going to get a sample example - the nuclear Battle countdown had begun!

THE GAME IS THE TEACHER

When I first saw Louie, he had just gotten out of the Air Force and I was just getting ready to go into the Air Force. Louie showed up at our pool hall down in SEMO and he had long hair and was wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt, and his Air Force dress blues jacket with his rank and insignia taken off.

He was getting out of the Air Force as a Sergeant and getting ready to become a 4-Star General in the Pool Force.

 

[evergruven]

The first time I played "St. Louie" Louie was in St. Louis, in the Sports Center. I was only 16 years old and had already made a name for myself in Missouri gambling with "mortals".

Louie was a gambling legend and known for his super high gambling gear, and his wild "behaviors'. Louie gave me the "Last 3 and the Break" and I busted him, beating him about 10 games ahead in a matter of a couple of hours.

He gave me a few chances when I needed them, but overall this was a LOT of weight to give me, even when I was 16. After we played I left with my friend and went to another pool room, 'Afton Billiards' and tried to get some more action to no avail.

We decided to go back to the Sports Center, even though it had been a long day, and who do we see outside, but "St. Louie" in RARE form.

Later I found out he had just guzzled a bottle of wine and "something else" and was "feeling no pain". He came up to me and said aggressively

"hey kid, I'm ready to play some more of that same game".....feeling some pressure I replied "no, Louie, I gotta go get some sleep, I've been up a long time".

"You think you've been up a long time, I'm on my third day, COME ON, I'll give you the "Last 4 and the Break". I looked at my partner "man, I gotta play that game, I just beat him with a ball less".

I agreed to play and we went in and got a table. That was a mistake, I learned what everyone talked about when they said Louie had an atomic gear when he got his "mixture right". He played a level I had never seen up to that point in time.

He played flawlessly in spectacular fashion - I remember when he had a cross side bank just wishing the rail was loose so he might actually miss a ball. [I knew this was wishful thinking]

No such luck, Louie put the finishing touches on me and won all his previous money back plus a few hundred. I put up the "white flag" and chalked this up to learning a lesson and experiencing what atomic pool really was......I wanted to be on the giving end of it. :groucho:

I didn't play Louie again until 3 years later, and the situation was different, the game was no longer the "Last 3 and the Break," it had been reduced to the Wild 8, and we were were playing in Texas (Rusty's on NW HWY).....down the street from my future home in Dallas.

This time "St. Louie" Louie was in for a surprise, I also was developing an "atomic gear," and he was going to get a sample example - the nuclear Battle countdown had begun!

THE GAME IS THE TEACHER

fun story- thanks for sharing!

I wonder what it is that made it possible for louie to find that gear
was he laying down? was it the mixture? if so, what did that do to his mind?
did it help him remove doubt/fear? did it help him become more self-confident?
did it do something to his vision, so he could see the table better?
was it a combination of these things?
just thinking out loud..and pool is another brain game

personally, I've shot great under the influence, but I'm a c player, not a cj player:thumbup:

 

[HawaiianEye]

fun story- thanks for sharing!

I wonder what it is that made it possible for louie to find that gear
was he laying down? was it the mixture? if so, what did that do to his mind?
did it help him remove doubt/fear? did it help him become more self-confident?
did it do something to his vision, so he could see the table better?
was it a combination of these things?
just thinking out loud..and pool is another brain game

personally, I've shot great under the influence, but I'm a c player, not a cj player:thumbup:

Some of these guys can make pretty much every shot on the table, but in competition or gambling they get "hesitant" for fear of missing.

When Louie got his "mixture" right, "missing" went out of his vocabulary. He used his learned abilities and didn't ever think about you possibly getting back to the table unless he played a safe to let you.

There are many, many players who "got there groove on" and played like unbeatable monsters.

 

[CJ Wiley]

Much like when you're driving for a 30 minute period and "wake up" from a trance

fun story- thanks for sharing!

I wonder what it is that made it possible for louie to find that gear
was he laying down? was it the mixture? if so, what did that do to his mind?
did it help him remove doubt/fear? did it help him become more self-confident?
did it do something to his vision, so he could see the table better?
was it a combination of these things?
just thinking out loud..and pool is another brain game

personally, I've shot great under the influence, but I'm a c player, not a cj player:thumbup:

I love studying and utilized what it takes to get in the zone as much as anyone because of passion - it's beyond fascinating!. There are ancient secrets, I have recommended the book 'Zen in the Art of Archery' because archery and pool are similar as far as the Mental State. That book is about a Japanese master that teaches a man archery, and shows him that "the hitter and target become one," and "the release is like snow falling off a bamboo leaf" - in one part the master takes the man to the range with no light and hits the bullseye every time.....he says "it" shoots, referring to the deepest level of the subconscious.

Louie was a Zone Player, he became part of the game, he became the cueball, the cue, the tip, the object balls......and when it all connected Louie was the game manifesto! I've described this as "when I reach the deepest zone there is a transition from me playing the game to The Game Playing Through Me."

Drugs are a way to get into the zone however the players that rely on them are usually not in it for the long run. Breathing in specific ways build a bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind, which enables the mind to transfer from Beta down to Alpha frequency.

Much like when you're driving for a 30 minute period and "wake up" from a trance, usually from deep thinking - I've jumped up some levels in pool by driving and just visualizing shots or techniques I had been struggling with.

There's a great book that Alex P read to start winning pool tournaments that he recommended to a pro friend of mine 'THE MENTAL EDGE' - I read most of it and it's certainly a great read for anyone that is serious about competing at the highest levels.

I have a video that concentrates on this subject, how champions like Bruce Lee used the elements to reach an effective competitive state of mind - "Become as Water" is a key to unlocking one of the essential aspects of the Zone and ZenLike focus.

The Game is the Teacher

 

[evergruven]

I love studying and utilized what it takes to get in the zone as much as anyone because of passion - it's beyond fascinating!. There are ancient secrets, I have recommended the book 'Zen in the Art of Archery' because archery and pool are similar as far as the Mental State. That book is about a Japanese master that teaches a man archery, and shows him that "the hitter and target become one," and "the release is like snow falling off a bamboo leaf" - in one part the master takes the man to the range with no light and hits the bullseye every time.....he says "it" shoots, referring to the deepest level of the subconscious.

Louie was a Zone Player, he became part of the game, he became the cueball, the cue, the tip, the object balls......and when it all connected Louie was the game manifesto! I've described this as "when I reach the deepest zone there is a transition from me playing the game to The Game Playing Through Me."

Drugs are a way to get into the zone however the players that rely on them are usually not in it for the long run. Breathing in specific ways build a bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind, which enables the mind to transfer from Beta down to Alpha frequency.

Much like when you're driving for a 30 minute period and "wake up" from a trance, usually from deep thinking - I've jumped up some levels in pool by driving and just visualizing shots or techniques I had been struggling with.

There's a great book that Alex P read to start winning pool tournaments that he recommended to a pro friend of mine 'THE MENTAL EDGE' - I read most of it and it's certainly a great read for anyone that is serious about competing at the highest levels.

I have a video that concentrates on this subject, how champions like Bruce Lee used the elements to reach an effective competitive state of mind - "Become as Water" is a key to unlocking one of the essential aspects of the Zone and ZenLike focus.

The Game is the Teacher

thanks for the shout back, cj
after having had so much success in pool
I admire your continued zest for the game
as well as your willingness to share it

louie was in the zone..
getting loaded could distract from distractions
but could create new ones, too
I agree it's probably not a smart long-term aid
interesting to think about tho

and I've now got *two* books you recommended on my list ^_^
on that subject, have you published anything?
you have a neat perspective, and write well
if you had your stuff collated, I'd certainly check it out
"the game is the teacher" would make a great title..

 

[Ken_4fun]

Buddy Hall told me stories about Keith and Louie. He said he would beat them until they were broke and they just kept coming back to play him, convinced they would beat Buddy. This was when Buddy was in Shreveport, and was practically unbeatable.

As a youngster, living in Terre Haute, Indiana, I got to see Larry Bird play all of his home games at ISU. Larry is a once in a life time player, but like all players he had some off nights, or at least an off half. I have seen he come down and shoot, and miss shot after shot with the same confidence that he was going to make it all night. And usually, after a cold streak, he would come back to pour in 30 points a night. My father told me that was difference between good and great players. Great players had confidence that they were going to make the next shot.

I kinda think part of Keith and Louie's greatness was they always had confidence, even if they had just lost.

Ken

 

[nick serdula]

Dick Hunzicker busted Louie

Louie took him to meet Bob Mooch and told Bob back when Bob was building in his gaurage Bob you got to make a cue for this man. He is the best player on earth. Bob made Dick a cue the way Dick instructed with a steel joint and set up 21 1/2 ozs balanced in front of the wrap 13.2 mm shafts. Butt heavy fine.
Dick was his probably first retail seller. Dick sold them at his house and his poolroom. Dick busted everyone from Rempe to Buddy Hall to Steve Mezzerack.
Busted them from sucking eggs.
Louie saw the light so to speak before all of them.
Nick

 

[Rico]

Louie Louie!

Back in the 80,s Louie came to the Bar Rag Shootout in Clinton Ia. We always got a good turnout from the Mizz. players.Larry Hubbard,Terry Bell ,Benny Conway,Rick Thompson (brought a kid name C J ) wasnt old enough to play.But back to Louie. Louie got in more action that week than anyone .A ring game that lasted almost 2 days was 5&6 handed started at$300 and eventually $500. Louie and Rich Gieler were 2 of the big winners. But for Louie the winnings were fleeting.Icant remember the actual spot but Danny (High Pockets ) emptied him. Being busted i offered Louie a free ride in all the mini tourn. he could keep all money if he would do a short show. He said i dont do trick shots .I told him just talk and shoot pool shots. Anyone that was there remembers the stories but the cuts Louie made were unforgettable. But the best was i ask Louie were is my Reds jacket i gave you $ to get ( him wearing a nice black one) .He replied he had forgot and would get it when he returned to Houston. I said no give me back my $75 or give the one your wearing .Being broke he gave me his jacket with his initials inside. After the week was over i told him i was B.S. him and hadnt given him any money. He told me keep it.Years later i traded it to Deanoc for a cue.Wish i would of keep it.

 

[CJ Wiley]

What a bar table tournament, it had everyone that was anyone!

Back in the 80,s Louie came to the Bar Rag Shootout in Clinton Ia. We always got a good turnout from the Mizz. players.Larry Hubbard,Terry Bell ,Benny Conway,Rick Thompson (brought a kid name C J ) wasnt old enough to play.But back to Louie. Louie got in more action that week than anyone .A ring game that lasted almost 2 days was 5&6 handed started at$300 and eventually $500. Louie and Rich Gieler were 2 of the big winners. But for Louie the winnings were fleeting.Icant remember the actual spot but Danny (High Pockets ) emptied him. Being busted i offered Louie a free ride in all the mini tourn. he could keep all money if he would do a short show. He said i dont do trick shots .I told him just talk and shoot pool shots. Anyone that was there remembers the stories but the cuts Louie made were unforgettable. But the best was i ask Louie were is my Reds jacket i gave you $ to get ( him wearing a nice black one) .He replied he had forgot and would get it when he returned to Houston. I said no give me back my $75 or give the one your wearing .Being broke he gave me his jacket with his initials inside. After the week was over i told him i was B.S. him and hadnt given him any money. He told me keep it.Years later i traded it to Deanoc for a cue.Wish i would of keep it.

I remember that tournament in Clinton. What a bar table tournament, it had everyone that was a big name and most wearing suit and ties......classy days! Louie was always a center of attention but there was Jimmy Rempe, Jimmy Mataya, Kim Davenport, Allen Hopkins, Jimmy Reid, Mike Massey,(etc) and Dave Yeager, who was a powerful Iowa player.

Dallas West ran 10 racks in a row in the semi finals if I remember correctly and then Buddy Hall beat him in the finals......Buddy made them switch tables.

That's where I saw Keith McCready for the first time, he had a shirt on that said "The World's Got the Last 2" :thumbup:

I was just 16 years old so it was amazing to see so many champion players in one room.... that's where I first saw Omaha John gamble - Earl Strickland was just 20 years old. wow!