Customer Reviews

Pool Wars

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a pleasure it is to be first to review this excellent story of the game of pool. It ain't pretty, but it's real. The author Jay Helfert lived through it all, in the early years as a hustler-on-the-road, later as a pool room owner, and now as a pool tournament organizer, his 40+ years with the game, and his extraordinary experiences and story-telling style make him uniquely qualified to write this book.

Here's one of my favorite lines from the book:
"I was sitting on a pile of money, a new Caddy, and a new girlfriend. So I did what came naturally, I went on the road."

Don't we all wish we were in that situation!

There was a lot more book left after that line, so you can only imagine where it goes from there.
Big money games, small money games, bloody fights, guns, knives... This book has it all.

Jay Helfert tells it like it is, and the stories name some of the biggest names in pool.
The bonus is that it's all true!

Having just finished reading "Running the Table: The Legend of Kid Delicious, the Last Great American Pool Hustler" and "McGoorty: A Pool Room Hustler", this book was a big let down. This is a decent book with a lot of history on pool. Jay tells some good stories from the past, but I didn't really care for the writing style. Both of those other books are much more enjoyable. I think I would have enjoyed hearing Jay tell his stories individually, but the entire collection at once was just too much. Personally, it just felt like there was too much bragging and look what I accomplished. Almost every single situation in the book was about how great Jay is and how it always works out for him. I know there are stories about when he lost this or that, but damn if it doesn't seem like he is the luckiest man alive after reading this. Constantly in the right place at the right time, winning every battle (even the craps table in Vegas). I'm sure the stories are true, but I personally would like to hear more of the flip side of the coin.

I would still recommend this book if you enjoy reading about the history of pool when it was at its peak in popularity, but if you want to read about people that you can actually relate to in some way then I would recommend either of the other books I mentioned earlier.

Very pleased with my purchase. Author inscribed the book, as requested. It was a gift for a friend. Quick shipment. Everything went perfectly.

Fantastic account of being a road player and all the excitement that goes with it. Great read for anyone that likes fast paced.

I wanted to read this book from cover to cover. A great read, he doesn't pretend to be a pro refers to himself as a short stop. Had some very interesting stories to tell.

Jay Helfert has writen a great book about pool and road stories that I read from cover to cover without putting the book down. Jay tells it like it is and this book is a must read. Jay should be in the "Hall of Fame" for all that he has done in all aspects of pool.
He has been a player,promoter and referee as well as a billiard room owner. Jay Helfert tells you first hand what it is like on the road and the characters you meet along the journey. He is telling you the truth and if you think the money just falls in your hands you are sadly mistaken. I have traveled those roads across the USA many times and he is telling you the real facts about all the characters you meet along the way. I hope they make a movie of this book. It would resurrect pool and generate enthusiasm for the great game of pool. I received the book in only 2 days after placing my order. Thank you Jay for sharing. You will love this book and order it from Jay and he will send you an autographed copy. If you like pool you will love the stories in this book.
Larry Shehee,(mraction) CA.