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re: Greenway Billiards Back in the Day
Posted on 5/25/25 at 7:22 am to Sayre
Posted on 5/25/25 at 7:22 am to Sayre
quote:
A well known player/gambler (Shorty) went busted. When he played everything he had in his pockets was available to win. Well, when he went broke he left without saying a word. Two or three weeks later he walks back in and Charley, who was sitting by the pinball machines said “ Once to the spot for all you got”. Of course Shorty said “you got action”. He emptied out and he had amassed 452 dollars while he was gone. They each tossed a quarter to the spot on the pool table by the pinball machine, Charley’s quarter was closer, and Shorty turned around and walked out again.
Shorty is still around on the gambling scene here and there. I didn’t know him back then but he doesn’t get in many bad games now, he must have learned his lesson.
I knew Jessie after he had sold Greenway. He would talk about it all the time. I’m pretty sure he died a few years ago.
There is currently one of the biggest pool tournaments in the world going on in New Orleans at Buffalo Billiards. The Calcutta had $380k+ in it. All the top players are there.
1
Posted on 5/25/25 at 8:03 am to TheSadvocate
A lot of Belaire guys hung out there. Some even boxed each other in the parking lot.
Posted on 5/25/25 at 8:16 am to LSU1018
I didn’t say he was a bad gambler. I just said if you were in a game with him you had a shot to win everything he had. He has no quit in him.
Yes, Jesse died a few years ago. He was just the opposite of shorty. He liked to flash the cash but I rarely saw him in a big game. Maybe every once in a while.
Yes, Jesse died a few years ago. He was just the opposite of shorty. He liked to flash the cash but I rarely saw him in a big game. Maybe every once in a while.
Posted on 5/25/25 at 8:39 am to 9rocket
quote:
He liked to flash the cash but I rarely saw him in a big game.
Saw Jesse play backgammon a lot. Cards too. Pool not so much unless he was given a really good spot. A really really good spot. He was no fool.
I know “Big” Henry. Can’t miss the guy. Not many guys his size play pool. LOL
I ran into one of the regulars a few years back. I really should go to that pool hall by the old New Generation and see who is still alive. See if anyone who still is remembers me.
This post was edited on 5/25/25 at 8:44 am
Posted on 5/25/25 at 9:40 am to UptownJoeBrown
I spent a lot of time in greenway. I used to give singh rides everywhere.
He was truly the best player i ever played with. He would give me crazy spots. last 5, break, whatever. It was really me paying for his time and him teaching me. Was a solid guy. Always told me to never do what he was doing.
Was always some good golf games on the big snooker too. Lots of strong players. Bear, and Danny Jones would be regulars if i'm remembering correct. Best action I ever saw.
Good times.
He was truly the best player i ever played with. He would give me crazy spots. last 5, break, whatever. It was really me paying for his time and him teaching me. Was a solid guy. Always told me to never do what he was doing.
Was always some good golf games on the big snooker too. Lots of strong players. Bear, and Danny Jones would be regulars if i'm remembering correct. Best action I ever saw.
Good times.
Posted on 5/25/25 at 10:59 am to Danolim
I never quite that golf on the snooker table but I did watch them play
pay-ball a lot. Danny, Magic Marvin and some other guys. Marvin was amazing in that he could shoot at about 100 mph on the snooker table just like a regular table. Surprisingly, he could play some finesse as well.
pay-ball a lot. Danny, Magic Marvin and some other guys. Marvin was amazing in that he could shoot at about 100 mph on the snooker table just like a regular table. Surprisingly, he could play some finesse as well.
Posted on 5/25/25 at 4:14 pm to 9rocket
I was in Greenway pretty much daily from 1990 to 1993. I knew Jesse quite well. He definitely didn’t mind fracturing a law or two.
Hell my older brother spent a year in lockup for stealing boat motors for Jessie.
I remember big Henry as well as thousands of hands of Tonk.
I loved the place.
Hell my older brother spent a year in lockup for stealing boat motors for Jessie.
I remember big Henry as well as thousands of hands of Tonk.
I loved the place.
This post was edited on 5/25/25 at 4:15 pm
Posted on 5/25/25 at 5:21 pm to TheGooner
This is easily my favorite thread in a while. I was a few years after this and barely dipped into this world though, nothing to contribute. Just enjoying the tales.
Posted on 5/25/25 at 5:47 pm to calcotron
I only went in there a few times but I played at the Rack on Dallas and Tony and Lela’s next to Foxys or Jobsite Supplies off Airline and Cedarcrest. I didn’t gamble. I knew where I stood in pool and it was an exercise in futility for me to pull out money. But I did enjoy watching some money switching hands. Those old places were a huge portion of my late teen and early twenties years and I’ll never forget them.
Posted on 5/25/25 at 6:00 pm to calcotron
quote:
Just enjoying the tales.
Just a small tale I remember. A regular was sharking a non regular. The non regular guy was getting pretty angry. The regular guy’s buddy was laughing when the non regular realized what was going on. However he had a huge blade opened up behind his back ready to stab the non regular if need be. Some crazy frickers hung out there.
Another time an asian was backing player A against player B who was backed by backer C. Unknown to the asian, all 3 were in on the scam against him. Player A dumped to player B. Asian lost thousands and he never knew. Player A said he was just having a bad night. A, B, and C split the money later.
Also I think the State Police busted the place regarding the illegal video poker machines. Jessie made a killing on those.
Again, without the casinos, I would bet Greenway would still be open. It was fun just to hang out in there talking and listening to all the drama, arguing, drinking, and gambling.
This post was edited on 5/25/25 at 6:04 pm
Posted on 5/25/25 at 6:03 pm to Martini
I spent some time in Greenway back in the early 90’s. Mainly With my boyfriend now husband. I played a little - but mainly watched him and his friends play.
I knew Jessie - he sent me flowers one day at work. Card read something along the lines of “cal me anytime”. The women at work panicked and hid them because I was out to lunch with my boyfriend. LOL
Never went in there alone after that.
I knew Jessie - he sent me flowers one day at work. Card read something along the lines of “cal me anytime”. The women at work panicked and hid them because I was out to lunch with my boyfriend. LOL
Never went in there alone after that.
Posted on 5/25/25 at 6:07 pm to KK 271795
That’s it….
No more posting on the OT for my wife.
No more posting on the OT for my wife.
Posted on 5/25/25 at 6:30 pm to Dataman88
Very familiar with Greenway. The Air Hockey machine was close to the front door and I absolutely dominated. Quarters were lined up on the machine to play me and no one could beat me, seriously.
Too bad the only thing that I was great at didn’t mean anything.
Too bad the only thing that I was great at didn’t mean anything.
Posted on 5/25/25 at 7:08 pm to Skillet
How long did Greenway last after Jesse sold it?
Anyone know?
Anyone know?
Posted on 5/25/25 at 9:59 pm to UptownJoeBrown
quote:
without the casinos, I would bet Greenway would still be open
I’m gonna disagree with you on that. You could be right, but I think it’s something else. Lamberts place at flannery and south Choctaw stayed open well into the casino times. The suckers leaving to dump their money at the casino may well have been a cause for greenway to shut down. It’s a shame, though. Players from all over the country came through there.
That dumping happened all too frequently. But if you knew it was happening you could make some money.
This post was edited on 5/25/25 at 10:14 pm
Posted on 5/25/25 at 10:08 pm to TheGooner
Mr Gooner, if you were there almost daily 90-93 then we most certainly would know who each other is. I was there then, too. I was usually in that 3-6 game back by the bathroom. Occasionally played some pool or keeno if I could get a game. Or pinball, but that was rare.
This post was edited on 5/25/25 at 10:11 pm
Posted on 5/25/25 at 10:14 pm to Dataman88
Spent some time there after work Won some cash a few times.
Passed by the location not too long ago.
Passed by the location not too long ago.
This post was edited on 5/25/25 at 10:23 pm
Posted on 5/25/25 at 10:50 pm to 9rocket
Is your first name Jared? Last name is initial K?
Did you also bowl in leagues?
Did you also bowl in leagues?
Posted on 5/26/25 at 1:51 am to TheGooner
No, but you got the right crowd. Played a lot of poker with him. He bowled some, but he was usually with Juneau. He was the real bowler.
Posted on 5/26/25 at 2:14 am to fallguy_1978
quote:
think that Daiquiri Cafe is still open on the left
My friend Joel owned the 4 Daiquiri Cafe’s, the one by LSU, the one across the river and the one by I-12 and Sherwood. Joel told me that one on Greenwell Springs Rd, made the most money.
I grew up about a mile from there, I can remember going around there in the 60’s.
The old guy that use to wave at folks, Furniture by Heck, Thunderbird beach, and a few more things.
Great times.
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