Who Really is the BEST Pool Hustler in the Country?

the best I ever saw at picking up beautiful women

You're right about John, he does need his sleep, food and gym. I traveled with him through Florida in my early 20s. We had a studio apartment above a gym on Ft. Lauderdale beach. That was the life, we hung out on the beach, worked out and played pool every night......the girls were pretty sporty too.

John was the best I ever saw at picking up beautiful women. He could go into any bar around closing time and sweet talk one, two or sometimes three girls to leave with him. I never was impressed with his pool game, however, his gift of gab is phenomenal.


All things are relative but there are different types of hustlers, its way too subjective to say who's the best. Big Arm is probably the best, or at least was until Korn took John's chops to a whole new level. Scooter is good with guys his age, his speed and a little lower. Scooter hustles fast, hard and just never stops. Big Arm has to go to the gym, get some rest, go eat dinner, then go to work. John bets more and works less, Scooter makes it up by time on the job.

Don't worry about it though..... If everyone could go into the same spot with the same people at different times, Bartram would rob all you fools. And Big Arm and Scooter know that.
 
One thing for sure, it is absurd to think you can determine "the best hustler" via a head to head matchup.
 
there could be a plethora of match ups before it's over.

Who said anything about a head to head matchup? Unless you're talking about John and Scooter's head....that's not how these sessions work, there could be a plethora of match ups before it's over.

One thing for sure, it is absurd to think you can determine "the best hustler" via a head to head matchup.
 
I have to chime in on this thread because it's a great subject. I believe "old timers" would say Minnesota Fats and Don Willis were the best pool hustlers of all time. If you took todays dollars and compared it to the money they won then, it's no contest. Now here are the current hustlers who don't play too much and are worth millions from "hustling pool."

Terry Bell from the APA hands down has hustled pool better than anyone over the last twenty years or so. He's worth a gazillion. And, along the same lines, Allen Hopkins ain't doing too shabby.
 
Wade used to tell me that Luther could give me the "8", but not on that night.

Allen Hopkins in many ways was the best Road Player, considering his skill level and proposition bets. He could do some unbelievable things, and knew nearly every angle to matching up. He also is genius in calculating odds and risk management.

I gave Johnny Morrow the "last two, break and first shot" at my pool room and Allen Hopkins ask if he could be in with me. I still remember his confidence as being a compliment, Johnny was a top notch player. Allen's inclusion must have been positive, I played some of the best 9 Ball of my life for the next 8 hours.

Wade Crane was also in with me and commented that's the first time I played "Lassiter's speed".....Wade used to tell me that Luther could give me the "8", but not on that night. ;)
 
Strong Arm John and Houston Whitey came through Waco in the mid 90's. SAJ was wide open. Whitey gave Leroy and 8 ball 7 ahead for 1500. Leroy won 3k. SAJ had never seen me hit a ball and offered the wild 6 race to 7 for 500. We played and I didn't like it lost 7-3. Before he would break he would stroke at least 40 times before letting it go. and always parked the cue ball in middle of table. He basically controlled the whole race. He walked over to 2 guys racing to 7 and bet 500 with the score 5-5 and didn't know either one of them. He won that bet. Because there was such action that night the owner stayed open after hours for the regular players and them. We started playing dice and SAJ went off for about 2500. He started betting the 6 and 8 when he realized we didn't care and wasn't charging odds on the 6 and 8. Before he packed up and they left he pulled out about 5k and counted it to see exactly where he stood after the night. I forgot they wanted to play with a certain type cue ball they had for the 1500 sets with Leroy.
 
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Olathe Kansas was one of those places that has a LOT of action

Everywhere SAJ goes it ends up like that. He goes to towns for a day and stays a week......or two, with action every day. Locals will be betting $500 that usually bet $20 a game, SAJ even gets the bartenders and waitresses involved.

Olathe Kansas (Shooters/Dan Tull's place) is one of those spots that has a LOT of action when SA is around.....otherwise it's mediocre.


Strong Arm John and Houston Whitey came through Waco in the mid 90's. SAJ was wide open. Whitey gave Leroy and 8 ball 7 ahead for 1500. Leroy won 3k. SAJ had never seen me hit a ball and offered the wild 6 race to 7 for 500. We played and I didn't like it lost 7-3. Before he would break he would stroke at least 40 times before letting it go. and always parked the cue ball in middle of table. He basically controlled the whole race. He walked over to 2 guys racing to 7 and bet 500 with the score 5-5 and didn't know either one of them. He won that bet. Because there was such action that night the owner stayed open after hours for the regular players and them. We started playing dice and SAJ went off for about 2500. He started betting the 6 and 8 when he realized we didn't care and wasn't charging odds on the 6 and 8. Before he packed up and they left he pulled out about 5k and counted it to see exactly where he stood after the night. I forgot they wanted to play with a certain type cue ball they had for the 1500 sets with Leroy.
 
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