Who was the best hustler?

[steveinflorida]

Back in 1967 while stationed at Fort Polk, Jay Helfert and I spent week-ends traveling around Louisiana in his 427 Vette and separating the locals from their 'sportin money'.Man, we must have hit every bar box in that state. Trust me, Jay had some pretty good moves even back then.
Also, I know he blew a lot of it back on cards, but Fats was good, real good at layin it down.
Steve Price

 

[alstl]

I've heard fats mentioned several times. How did he get weight from everybody when they all knew who he was? Did people just want to play him because he was famous, or did they underestimate his game and how much his constant jabbering would throw off their game?

 

[bud green]

I'll throw the name "Country" out there just to see if anyone knows any good stories about him. More undercover than Cooney but people have posted on here (Grady maybe?) that he only played for real big $$ against people he knew he could make a big score with.

The only thing I've heard about him is he was a black guy who almost nobody knew who took down five figure scores back in the day.

How about a list of the top ten fish ("Whales"?) ever...I know stories about Detroit are legendary; Keith McCready and Freddie the Beard also have stories of six figure scores, but what other huge scores have gone down?

 

[Fatboy]

I dont know the best pool hustler I have see is, there have been alot over the years, i move good but dont play good enough to be on any list of pool hustlers,

However I'm the best con-man I ever met, but I never lie to friends or family, they are too valuable to me.

 

[Fatboy]

Back in 1967 while stationed at Fort Polk, Jay Helfert and I spent week-ends traveling around Louisiana in his 427 Vette and separating the locals from their 'sportin money'.Man, we must have hit every bar box in that state. Trust me, Jay had some pretty good moves even back then.
Also, I know he blew a lot of it back on cards, but Fats was good, real good at layin it down.
Steve Price

I was hanging with Jay today until I got sick and had to come home, he had some good moves this morning, now he is up 2-1 playing me banks-I had him on the ropes for a quick minute but couldnt close the deal.

 

[BazookaJoe]

I've heard fats mentioned several times. How did he get weight from everybody when they all knew who he was? Did people just want to play him because he was famous, or did they underestimate his game and how much his constant jabbering would throw off their game?

He was apparently JUST THAT GOOD at the hustle. Even today there are people under the misconception that he couldn't play a lick.

 

[JAM]

Usually, a hustler is one who can make things happen, as in action.

I've been on the road, met a lot of pool folk in my life, and I know my opinions on this topic are jaded.

Having said that, I have NEVER seen anyone who can create action like Keith McCready. He will make things happen, much to the delight of the spectating pool public.

If you've ever seen him in person when at a venue, then you will know why I have this opinion. Keith can make a game with anyone. Sometimes he sells himself short, and sometimes he comes out on top, but he has no fear and will create action.

JAM

 

[JAM]

Here's a cute shot of Keith McCready in progress.

We were en route back home to D.C. from Quincy, Massachusetts, where Keith defeating Ronnie Alcano in the finals, 9 to zero, at Joss event. Against my better judgment, he was invited to go play in handicapped tournament at the old Master's in Queens, NYC.

Though there was a tournament going on, Keith saw an opportunity for action when he spotted Ginky in the joint. So he began to bark, trying to match up. Ginky wanted to play a partners game against Keith and Ryan "Genie Man" McCreesh. Matching up, though, took a little persuading to get Nick (Ginky's partner) to get involved in this fiasco.

JAM

 

[JAM]

Well, Keith hooked Ginky into playing, but Nick, on the other hand, took a little more persuading.

JAM

 

[JAM]

Well, finally, after a long barkfest, Ginky and Nick agreed to play Keith.

Now Keith had to convince and persuade Genie Man to go along with the festivities as his partner.

JAM

 

[JAM]

The first set, Ginky and Nick came out on top, but that didn't stop Keith. He wanted to take another shot at the dynamic duo of Ginky and Nick.

Ginky agreed, but wouldn't budge when Keith wanted to adjust the spot!

Check out Ginky's hair!

JAM

 

[JAM]

Well, Set No. 2 transpired, and Ginky and Nick triumphed once more.

Here's a picture after the dust settled, with Keith getting consoled by Spanish Pete and another NYC buddie.

Say "cheese" Keith. Welcome to the Big Apple!

JAM

 

[tpdtom]

I'll throw the name "Country" out there just to see if anyone knows any good stories about him. More undercover than Cooney but people have posted on here (Grady maybe?) that he only played for real big $$ against people he knew he could make a big score with.

The only thing I've heard about him is he was a black guy who almost nobody knew who took down five figure scores back in the day.

How about a list of the top ten fish ("Whales"?) ever...I know stories about Detroit are legendary; Keith McCready and Freddie the Beard also have stories of six figure scores, but what other huge scores have gone down?

If I remember correctly, I saw a young man, unknown to me at the time, win $160,000 at The Rack in Oak Park, Michigan (Detroit) in about 1980 give or take. We were all jammed in the room to witness the action which centered around a kid from California named 'Keith' playing One Pocket, with a sidearm stroke and a smart mouth. I remember the payout was wrapped in those white bank wrappers in $10,000 dollar stacks and they had it in a blue PanAm bag. Funny what you remember clearly 30 years later. I felt lucky that they let me in the joint that night. Can you imagine how Keith felt ? Biggest score I've ever witnessed, before or since...Tom

 

[JAM]

At the 2005 Super Billiards Expo, there were tournaments galore happening, and there was never a dull moment.

On the lower level, the infamous Action Table was packed. The waiting list to get to play on the Action Table exceeded 30 names, and the crowd surrounding the table consisted of a couple hundred spectators. It was standing room only. Front row seats in the pit were a rarity.

This year, Keith held the Action Table by running two 11's and one 10 playing 10-ball, meaning he won 11 games in a row twice and 10 games in a row twice. What a score. He was in his element, and I had never seen him enjoying himself so much. It was a nightmare that got worse and worse for his opponents.

Check out Ronnie Wiseman on the rail watching Keith in action!

JAM

 

[freddy the beard]

Charles "Country" Monroe

I'll throw the name "Country" out there just to see if anyone knows any good stories about him. More undercover than Cooney but people have posted on here (Grady maybe?) that he only played for real big $$ against people he knew he could make a big score with.

The only thing I've heard about him is he was a black guy who almost nobody knew who took down five figure scores back in the day.

How about a list of the top ten fish ("Whales"?) ever...I know stories about Detroit are legendary; Keith McCready and Freddie the Beard also have stories of six figure scores, but what other huge scores have gone down?

Country was a great hustler and a great 8 ball specialist. As far as I know he is still alive in his 80s, back in NY. He and I played a partner One pkt. game against his arch-enemy, Freddy Salem in Detroit. We were playing for 1k a man, and we beat Freddy 8 in a row. It was great fun having Country as a partner because he was never going to shoot up in the air or make a mistake. We suffocated Freddy Salem shot-wise. After I made the last ball to end the session, Country kissed me wetly on the cheek.

the Beard
I've got 2 new trick banks up on my blog, www.bankingwiththebeard.blogspot.com/ Do you think you can make 'em?

 

[jay helfert]

Back in 1967 while stationed at Fort Polk, Jay Helfert and I spent week-ends traveling around Louisiana in his 427 Vette and separating the locals from their 'sportin money'.Man, we must have hit every bar box in that state. Trust me, Jay had some pretty good moves even back then.
Also, I know he blew a lot of it back on cards, but Fats was good, real good at layin it down.
Steve Price

Where have you been man? Ah, Fort Polk, the "A Hole" of the modern universe. In my company of 220 men, 212 got shipped to Nam next. I got REAL lucky by scoring the highest in the company on our evaluation tests. The CO brought me in his office and offered me a chance to spend one year in Prep School and then go to West Point. No Lie! I told him thanks, but I had no desire for a military career.

What he didn't know, was that I was already hooked by the Pool bug. I did burn up the bars in Leesville, Alexandria and Lake Charles. That much is true. What Steve does not know, was that after I got out of Fort Polk, I drove North late in 1967 and headed straight for Johnston City. I thought I was hot sh-t, with a pocket full of money. Well the Goose cooked me first and then I met Jimmy Reid for the first time, and I was broke. I found out there were still many guys who could rob me.

 

[smashmouth]

Fats turned his hustle into fame and fortune the likes of which has never been seen by any pool player

nobody comes close

all the Don Willis stories are cute, his hustle couldn't touch Fats though

 

[steveinflorida]

The Best Hustler

Jay, I got to Johnston City the day after you left. Jimmy Reid took a lot of peoples money that year. I stayed 5 days, left about a yard ahead after room and eats. Went home to Columbus, but returned to J C for the final 3 or 4 days and went broke. Had to wire for gas $. Man those were the days.
Do you remember how we left the Army 2 days early because of a typo you spotted on our paper work?
Man, we had some good times.

 

[jay helfert]

Jay, I got to Johnston City the day after you left. Jimmy Reid took a lot of peoples money that year. I stayed 5 days, left about a yard ahead after room and eats. Went home to Columbus, but returned to J C for the final 3 or 4 days and went broke. Had to wire for gas $. Man those were the days.
Do you remember how we left the Army 2 days early because of a typo you spotted on our paper work?
Man, we had some good times.

I remember now. You've got a better memory then me. You used to make the coolest leather cue cases? You made one for me, that I kept for over ten years.

 

[frankwhite]

Usually, a hustler is one who can make things happen, as in action.

I've been on the road, met a lot of pool folk in my life, and I know my opinions on this topic are jaded.

Having said that, I have NEVER seen anyone who can create action like Keith McCready. He will make things happen, much to the delight of the spectating pool public.

If you've ever seen him in person when at a venue, then you will know why I have this opinion. Keith can make a game with anyone. Sometimes he sells himself short, and sometimes he comes out on top, but he has no fear and will create action.

JAM

Keith can SELL WATER to a WELL, and FIRE to HELL. How strong is that folks.