Pool Wars, a road trip with Jay Helfert

Pool Wars
On the road to Hell and back with the
World’s greatest money players.

Lifetime pool player/promoter/enthusiast, Jay "Toupee Jay" Helfert -- and I recite his nickname with affection -- has taken us on a fun ride through what I call the Golden Years of pool and pool hustling. Jay’s misspent youth turns out to be our good fortune, as he has chronicled many of the events that have heretofore have been known only to the participants. Pool has never received much air or tabloid space, so many of our exploits have stayed alive only through word of mouth, or the efforts of a few lonely billiard writers, myself included of course.
So climb aboard and see what it was like to navigate throughout the shady shark-infested war zones of Chicago’s Bensingers, New York’s 711, LA’s Big Mama’s, Hollywood’s Ye Billiard Den, and so on, with the best players/hustlers of that generation.

Autographed copies $19.95 plus shipping
Order at http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/books.html#jay

Or call 312 225 5514

Index and Links to all the many pages on my Website

To quickly scroll thru to examine and locate the contents of my whole website click on:
http://indexandlinkstobeardstuff.blogspot.com/

16 famous player interviews,
includes 14 on video.Complete pool movie script for "Roxanne's Game."22 Vintage pool articles from Sports Illustrated.28 miscellaneous vintage pool videos

Five Pool Blogs:
The Beard's Forum, War Stories, The Last Days of Bugs Rucker, Secrets of a Hard Core Pool Hustler, and Pool Pics and other Memorabilia

Billy Incardona's Instructional 1 pkt DVD

Accu-Stats' own Bill Incardona shares with you his common sense approach to successful One-pocket. This shows the most logical way to approach the One-pocket table. Bill discusses, and then demonstrates, each thought process that he deems important. He proves why banking, kicking, and taking intentional scratches are vital. He guides you through seven key thought processes from thinking offensively to destroying your opponent's shot, to the do-or-die scramble. Bill has always been a master of communication whether he's in the commentary booth talking to viewers, or just one on one. So spend some time with Bill Incardona and raise your One-pocket game to new levels.

Pat Fleming

I have spent much time in the Accu-Stat’s broadcast booth with my old pal Bill, and while we may, and often do, disagree on what particular shot to shoot during our analysis, I never disagree on the thought processes he used to arrive at a shot decision. He has always been one of the great thinking players in our game. His DVD will give you a valuable insight into how he was able to successfully handle the high-pressure, big money situtions that he became famous for throughout his career. This DVD is vigorously recommended.
Freddy The Beard Bentivegna

60 minutes $26 plus shipping
http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/dvds.html#billydvd1

Pool's Greatest Money Player - Cornbread Red

CORNBREAD RED:
POOL’s GREATEST MONEY PLAYER
by Bob Henning
This book takes the reader into the life of pool’s legendary money player. It’s action-packed, entertaining, and easy to read. An inside look at the Johnston City tournaments and the world famous big-money poolroom -- The Rack, in Detroit MI. It has received rave reviews from pool publications and other reviewers. $16.95

Excerpt from my book, The GosPool According To The Beard:
Cornbread Red liked to bet so high it put a "tremble" in his opponents stroke. Red was one of my heroes. Whenever I ran into him, I followed and hung onto him the whole time. He had me totally fascinated. Red was the master at shooting off the game ball. When confronted with a big-cheese-money-ball, Red would derisively snort, "Haw, haw," in his inimitable style, then he would increase his normally long back-stroke about another foot, and slip-stroke the shot in, with dust flying out of the back of the pocket.

http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/books.html#cornbread1

Road Player the Danny DiLiberto story

ROAD PLAYER: The Danny DiLiberto Story
By Jerry Forsyth
A lifetime of stories from the vibrant memory of Danny DiLiberto, one of Accu-Stats Video’s most popular commentators. DiLiberto was one of the fabled road players, beginning with the Johnston City Hustler’s Tournaments. He excelled in four sports: baseball, bowling, boxing, and pool. Boxing was his first love, but his own hands could not stand the power of his blows. He was forced to quit because he punched so hard that he kept breaking the bones in his hands. Pool gave him the greatest fame and that’s what this book is about. From Las Vegas to Hollywood to the smallest towns on the most distant highways, this is the life of the roadman. A gambler’s tale in his own words. $19.95
http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/books.html#dandbk1

Excerpt from my book, The GosPool According To The Beard:
"Most Talented Pool Player"
Probably Danny Diliberto from Buffalo, NY. Danny could run over 200 balls and was undefeated in 14 pro fights (12-0-2). Diliberto was an AA minor-league baseball player and a 200 average bowler who once bowled a perfect 300 game. Danny had a phenomenal throwing arm. He could throw a golf ball farther than anybody in the world. Danny could make a field goal on a football field with a golf ball by throwing it 100 yards through the goal-post uprights. He won the money doing that at Johnston City, IL. in the '60s. Later, he trapped the late Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle at a Fort Lauderdale bar during Yankee spring training. Danny bet Maris he could throw a golf ball farther than Roger could.
Diliberto won the bet from an amazed Maris by throwing the ball all the way across the waters of the Fort Lauderdale Causeway on Highway A1A. Roger didn't even take his turn and tried to renege and call off the bet. Danny, who had a punch that could down an elephant, stood his ground and finally got paid.
www.bankingwiththebeard.com for more outstanding pool products

Cliff Joyner's Killer One Pocket DVD set

The most explosive One Pocket player ever!
KILLER ONE POCKET
Complete set, VOLS. 1,2, & 3
by Cliff Joyner

Vol. 1 $29.95
Cliff Joyner, the number 2 One Pocket player in the world, assisted by World’s 9 Ball Champ, Wade Crane, shares many of his secrets in this series of 3 DVDs. He teaches the fundamentals of the game of One Pocket, starting with how to rack, how to break, and how to respond to the break and take that advantage away from your opponent. Plenty of moves and strategies to improve your game. About an hour long.

Vol. 2 $29.95
Cliff gets into high level play, playing with the "ghost" with Wade Crane acting the role of the opponent, but with Cliff shooting both innings. You’ll learn from two different points of view, as Cliff compares his shot selection with Wade’s. There are many different concept to consider for topflight play, and Wade’s insights are also priceless additions for your game. About 40 minutes long.

Vol. 3 $29.95
This is shorter but the entire thing is filled with pure goodness, and is devoted entirely to game winning shots, many never seen before. Each one is a bone-crushing One Pocket escape shot that can turn a losing position into a winning one. Cliff shoots, with Crane commentating, and he shows how you too can execute game breakers. A jam-up video! Use these shots on your opponents before they can use them on you. Turn the tide of the game with one stroke of the cue.

GET ALL 3 CLIFF JOYNER DVDs FOR $59.95 AND SAVE $15!
Http://bankingwiththebeard.com/dvds.html#cliff1

Grady Mathews One Pocket DVDs

Grady Mathews is a legendary gambler, professional pool player, and a four-time World One Pocket Champion. In 2004, he was the first player to be inducted into the One Pocket Hall of Fame. He has authored two books, promoted nineteen tournaments and produced eleven instructional videos. He has commentated on ESPN and The Billiard Channel, and has been a contributing writer to Billiards Digest and The National Billiard News. He is also the creator of the Legends of One Pocket tournament series.

The Finer Points Of One Pocket

This "classic" DVD, almost an hour long, is duplicated from the original 1991 master produced by Grady "The Professor" Mathews, one of the most articulate and comprehensive instructors in the game of pool and billiards. In this DVD Grady divulges years of accumulated information. The crucial opening break is discussed in great detail. Getting out of the break is then examined with approximately 15 different scenarios. The last section is devoted to end game situations, turning impossible leaves into game-winning strategies. In typical "Professor" style. Grady also examines the percentages relating to shots, gambling, handicapping and safety play. The Finer Points Of One Pocket may be the most comprehensive one pocket reference guide ever produced. $29.95 plus shipping.

Killer One Pocket

Presented by Grady "The Professor" MathewsA Strategic Instructional Video for One Pocket Pool PlayersThis DVD by, Grady "The Professor" Mathews, contains the 20 most important concepts of One Pocket strategy that all great players must master. Many things are covered in this video that you will not find anywhere else, such as when to play offense vs. defense, and the advantages of being unpredictable. You will learn how to run balls at the other end of the table, and become more adept with end game situations. Grady will teach you when to put your focus on the object ball, the cue ball or both. Killer One Pocket is a comprehensive strategy training guide, which is just what you need to master the highly strategic game of One Pocket.

The Finishing Touch

Presented by Grady "The Professor" MathewsA One Pocket Player’s Guide to Strategies for "The End Game"The Finishing Touch is one of the most valuable DVDs you could ever possess for tightening up your One Pocket end game. This premium DVD is 45 minutes long and duplicated from the original 1997 beta master tape filmed at Accu-Stats studio. Grady, one of the most articulate and comprehensive instructors of pool and billiards, offers an outstanding dissertation on this particular facet of the game. Grady uses 52 scenarios to demonstrate natural options that will get you out of tough spots, while setting you up for the kill. Learn how to get your opponent’s ball out of his pocket, kick three or four rails for the hook, and more. The two powerful drills at the end are a sure way to boost your consistency and confidence. $29.95 plus shipping. To order, click on this link:Http://www.bankingwiththebeard.com/grady.html/