willie and fats????

[Nostroke]

When Willie lost to Hatch finally in the 7 ball, he cried. Fats was nice enough to make a statement and try to make Willie feel better.

 

[cuesmith]

Your impression is dead wrong - in his prime Fats was one of the top
handfull of one pocket players in the country - he also banked at a very high level.

If you do a search, both Jay and Freddy have posted about Fats'
"true speed".

Dale

Yeah, Dale has it about right. He was never quite at Mosconi's speed, but he was one of the best hustlers in the country in his prime. Of course he used any advantage he could get, like finding a top player who'd been up all night gambling, while Fats was well rested, and would woof at him until they were in action. Clem once told me that Fats was the best at getting into good action. He would run his mouth until he'd shame people into betting out of their comfort range and usually won-- unless he was playing Willie. After he was past his prime he'd often be at a tournament or a poolroom somewhere "holding court" telling his tall tales. Sometimes a player, such Squirrel or Cornbread would come in and Fats would say "Just ask Squirrel how I barbqued his ass and beat every living human". Usually the player would go along with Fat's version and later Fats would duke him some money! lol He was definately a "showman" but don't for a minute think he couldn't play in his prime. He just outlived his prime for many years!

 

[spankylee]

Your friend should join the forum.

youre correct he should. however it appears i now have yet another tool at my disposal to expand my presence in his head!!! who knows how long i can keep this up before he agrees to a game of 1 hole. if i let him get himself all worked up i might just chase the 9 ball with him. of course hes never seen or heard of me playing 9. surprise surprise

 

[pdcue]

Maybe, but I watched some of his matches (live - I think) with Mosconi when both were getting along in years. Mosconi still played some darned impressive pool while Fats couldn't break an egg with a cue.

Never had the opportunity to watch him when he was younger.

So, would you judge Michael Jordan's basketball prowess by the way
he played during his ill advised 'comeback'? Or how about his level
of play today?

You are part of a large group of people who don't realize just
how well Rudolph did play.

I am more than a little puzzled - I can understand why,
as a group, they have this misconception. I just don't quite understand
why they insist on clinging to it.

Dale

 

[jay helfert]

Fats was a REAL pool hustler! Willie was not, he was a tournament champion. When it came to making money playing pool, it wasn't even close. Fats out earned Willie ten to one, and Willie didn't like it one bit. They truly didn't like each other. As young men they played one time in Willie's dad's room in New Jersey. Fats used to tell the story, but quit after they started playing on TV. Fats wanted to play Banks and of course Willie wanted to play Straight Pool. Fats made up a game, "Bank Every Other Ball", and Willie went for it. It was a disaster for Willie and he never forgot it. He had been hustled by the Fatman, like so many others. And a rivalry was born.

They actually developed a friendship of sorts after they started playing each other on television. Willie appreciated the fact he was getting big paychecks thanks to Fats. He never made money like that before. They kind of got warm and fuzzy in their old age. It was nice to observe that relationship develop.

By the way, Fats did play top speed Banks and One Pocket, as well as a strong game of Three Cushions. Not good enough to beat the top players even, but he knew how to get the weight he needed to win the cash. Fats could play well under pressure and for high stakes. Don't make the mistake (as so many did) of underestimating the Fatman. :wink:

P.S. How great a hustler was he? Even after he's gone people think he couldn't play. Now that's a true Hustler!