OldHasBeen
Tom Ferry
A Hustler Is the easiest to Hustle!
I have been hustled so many times there is no way I could remember them all. Between the ages of 15 & 20 hanging around the Old Time Poolrooms in St. Louis, I got taken for all my cash so many times by the older daily hustlers that I actually began to think that was what the game was really all about. I learned to appreciate a good hustle and also learned the different kinds (Red-Ass vs. Butter Con) to achieve your desired goals.
Later "On The Road", I developed my own style and approach to Hustling. I found that it was best if you could make the target hustle you instead of ever approaching him. I did this by appearing to be an Advertising Salesman (off work for the day) and doing my paperwork at the bar with a little 3-piece cue in a black cardboard suitcase style cue case. I would mention that I'm a pretty good shot and if the bartender knew of anyone who plays for money, please let them know I'll play. Now I already knew who I was there for so if some lesser player came in and asked to play for $2 or $5, it was perfect to lose a few and wait for the target.
REMEMBER THE TARGET IS A POOL HUSTLER!
This particular hustle worked so well for me and lasted for more than 12 years. I actually got a real job selling ads on the plastic phone book covers through out the mid west and that made it all that much stronger. I only sold about three covers in all those years - BUT - years later I now realize that that was the inspiration for developing and starting my current business that has been prospering since 1991 and is doing business in 24 states.
One great example - There was a good player in Greencastle, In that played nothing but aces, straights & flushes. He would bet high but only if he thought he had the nuts. I heard about him (from Gary Penkowski) and went after him. I sold a few ads that morning to local businesses and went into the bar about 4:30. Set up my brief case and started writing out contracts and clipping checks to them.
AND THAN ALONG CAME JOHN!
As he approached me, he happened to see a contract & check from his brother who owned the local junkyard/salvage parts lot. This was just pure luck, as I had no idea that was his brother.
We started off playing for $30 a game, so after losing the first game (on purpose to set the rules of paying off after every game), I lucked in the nine for the next two. I could actually play about 90% with this goofy 3-piece cue as I had a good tip and it was pretty well balanced. In about 3 hours and a couple of raises this fellow is broke. I'm up about $900 and he asks me to wait until he gets his regular backer to come over. It is about 8:30 and I tell him I have more business work to still do and have to get up early tomorrow. I tell him I can be back tomorrow about 3 and he can bet whatever he wants as long as I have enough to cover it. I bought a drink for the entire bar and left as a happy, giddy ad salesman. The next afternoon he had about 10 people in to watch and steak him (including his brother). I took my time and went back & forth a while and now the bet is up to $200 a game. I know there is rail bets to be covered but I want to take it slow. This worked so well (with rail bets and all) that the total score was about $9,500. The last thing I remember him saying was to his brother when he refused to back him anymore. He said, listen - I'm a pool hustler & this guy is a salesman. I know I will win if we keep playing. His brother says - He might be a salesman - but - today YOUR A POOLHUSTLED!
TY & GL
I have been hustled so many times there is no way I could remember them all. Between the ages of 15 & 20 hanging around the Old Time Poolrooms in St. Louis, I got taken for all my cash so many times by the older daily hustlers that I actually began to think that was what the game was really all about. I learned to appreciate a good hustle and also learned the different kinds (Red-Ass vs. Butter Con) to achieve your desired goals.
Later "On The Road", I developed my own style and approach to Hustling. I found that it was best if you could make the target hustle you instead of ever approaching him. I did this by appearing to be an Advertising Salesman (off work for the day) and doing my paperwork at the bar with a little 3-piece cue in a black cardboard suitcase style cue case. I would mention that I'm a pretty good shot and if the bartender knew of anyone who plays for money, please let them know I'll play. Now I already knew who I was there for so if some lesser player came in and asked to play for $2 or $5, it was perfect to lose a few and wait for the target.
REMEMBER THE TARGET IS A POOL HUSTLER!
This particular hustle worked so well for me and lasted for more than 12 years. I actually got a real job selling ads on the plastic phone book covers through out the mid west and that made it all that much stronger. I only sold about three covers in all those years - BUT - years later I now realize that that was the inspiration for developing and starting my current business that has been prospering since 1991 and is doing business in 24 states.
One great example - There was a good player in Greencastle, In that played nothing but aces, straights & flushes. He would bet high but only if he thought he had the nuts. I heard about him (from Gary Penkowski) and went after him. I sold a few ads that morning to local businesses and went into the bar about 4:30. Set up my brief case and started writing out contracts and clipping checks to them.
AND THAN ALONG CAME JOHN!
As he approached me, he happened to see a contract & check from his brother who owned the local junkyard/salvage parts lot. This was just pure luck, as I had no idea that was his brother.
We started off playing for $30 a game, so after losing the first game (on purpose to set the rules of paying off after every game), I lucked in the nine for the next two. I could actually play about 90% with this goofy 3-piece cue as I had a good tip and it was pretty well balanced. In about 3 hours and a couple of raises this fellow is broke. I'm up about $900 and he asks me to wait until he gets his regular backer to come over. It is about 8:30 and I tell him I have more business work to still do and have to get up early tomorrow. I tell him I can be back tomorrow about 3 and he can bet whatever he wants as long as I have enough to cover it. I bought a drink for the entire bar and left as a happy, giddy ad salesman. The next afternoon he had about 10 people in to watch and steak him (including his brother). I took my time and went back & forth a while and now the bet is up to $200 a game. I know there is rail bets to be covered but I want to take it slow. This worked so well (with rail bets and all) that the total score was about $9,500. The last thing I remember him saying was to his brother when he refused to back him anymore. He said, listen - I'm a pool hustler & this guy is a salesman. I know I will win if we keep playing. His brother says - He might be a salesman - but - today YOUR A POOLHUSTLED!
TY & GL
