Island Drive
Verified Member
Did Bugs and Artie ever ''go at it''?
There again, Ghost can elucidate. But Bugs and Artie played often over the years. Artie usually won, but I believe Bugs gave him a little weight, certainly on banks. But I'm not sure about 1P weight. They may have played even on the 5x10? Knowing Bugs and his crew protected Artie in prison when he was there for the booking rap. The word was given to leave him alone.Did Bugs and Artie ever ''go at it''?
Some people like to test themselves, no need to bet your life on every roll of the dice , but some people want to hunt something besides 3 day old chicks in a nest. It's the sport , dont'cha know. Hey Wut.we will never know for sure as he only played on his pet table for the most part. and there few wanted any part of him.
he went on the road once or twice i know of and didnt like it too much. for my money he plays too slow and makes the game agonizing, but that also enables him the time to find the perfect shot.
but only a fool plays someone that plays every single shot like their life depended on it. too tough to beat. plus artie is an extremely sharp gambler.
I think Artie goes into some detail about that in my interview here:I believe bugs played Artie 9-8
artie felt if he beat bugs even it would kill his action or he would have to give up bigger spots
i don’t think I am misremembering
"Some of you?" ...uuh...no one on here except me could have a valid opinion re. that - I'm the only one left here who saw him play in his prime, other than the banned Mr. 3cushion.
Ghost, I have a question. When was Artie's prime? I watched Artie play Boston Shorty and Jersey Red a couple times at Bensinger's on Broadway in the tournament room circa 1969 or 1970. Afterwards, I played Artie for the paltry sum of $10 a game, getting 9 to 2 and all the breaks, but he got 10 to 1 on the money. I won ten straight and he quit. Artie's style of play was defense. I wouldn't give any of the champions of today 10 to 1 on the money, even with the ridiculous spot that Artie had given me 50 years ago, because of their run out abilities.
Nope....but I'll teach his defensive game to anybody who takes some lessons from me
One other aspect to consider re. Artie vs. Dennis and Alex: the slow play of Dennis and Alex wouldn't bother Artie at all, cuz that's just what Artie liked best matter of fact, he'd probably out-slow them and make them not like getting a taste of their own medicine
John...read post #11.
p.s. My bad John...since you're younger than me, I guess I slept you re. peeps that saw Artie play back in the day.
Their mindset is probably....if you loose you don't eat.Ghost, I firmly agree with nearly everything you stated in post #11. I also gauge that Artie, in his prime, would be a decided underdog if he matched up with not only Efren, in his prime, but you can add the likes of Alex, Busty, and Dennis to that list. There is something mystical about the Filipinos one pocket game which is evident by winning 14 of 21 Derby City Classic one pocket tournaments.
At some point Artie told me the only tournament he ever played in was one of the Stardust events, and he was undefeated and his father died and he abruptly went home. That might be in my interview.i heard "thru the grapevine" that artie played in 1969 in johnston city
and was undefeated in all 3 disciplines (early rounds) when he was told his father died and left
anybody that was there remember that??