Dont assume
Dont assume
When given the opportunity to play the best player of his era this is the game he tried to make:
He wouldn't play the players in the original post even-up Freddy. He wouldn't even play the best player of his era even-up.
Dennis
Why are you assuming that it was Artie demanding 11 to 8? Race Track Phil had about 30k in his hip and he wanted Artie to play even. Ronnie just happens to love that kind of game where he takes the break and gives up a spot. Artie also happens to like the other side of that game. Believe me, them playing even wouldnt have been a problem for anybody, Ronnie, Artie or Race Track Phil. Ronnie had an open 25k invite to play Artie even at North Shore, giving him plenty of time to come up with a backer.
I am going to say this just once more for posterity, my objective mind told me that Artie should have been outgunned by all the people that have been mentioned. In court I could not present a believable case as to why he would be able to beat the aforementioned. I still cant.
As a pool scientist I studied all those players and eventually discovered all their weaknesses, as few as there were. Example, Ronnie, long off-angle banks and off-angle straight-ins at an easy speed. I have a file on all of them -- including Cardone. :heh I really dont want to disparage the other players by snitching off their short suits at this time. I'll keep the rest to myself.
But I never could point to any real weakness in AB's game. Even banking. If he really needed a bank he would somehow make it.
After years of observation I concluded that the worst thing he did was to never attempt to stretch the envelope, and try to take it to a special level.
Even when he was well ahead. He just kept the same pace.
Me, every time I play I look to see if The Final Zone is going to become available to me. That is the reason I play pool, to hopefully rise to that level. I can honestly say that I have hit it a few times -- but unfortunately, not in the last 25 yrs. Still trying tho.
Beard