San Antonio, TX
Cue : Schick
My name is June Walter. I was born in Mexia, TX on the 24th of Feb.1951.
I started
learning about the game, pool, when I was 17. I thought drawing your ball was
the most incredible thing I had ever seen.
I started dating a man
that could play the game very well. I felt I was lucky to have a boyfriend and a
teacher all in one. 29 years later I still have the joy of pool.
I've played with the very best in the world as well as with some of the worst. I've seen the best in the world play the game and I've played for the highest steaks I've ever seen.
I played for $40,000.00 a game on a 3 X 6 bar table and we played 6 ball. Yes, it was pretty fast money. I won a quarter of a million. No we didn't get paid all of it but we got some of it. But some of a quarter of a million was still a lot.
I've played in places where women were not allowed. Only the top gamblers were permitted. When I started playing pool, women definitely took a back seat to men. They kept their mouths shut and they didn't ask questions. The most of the pool I learned was through watching the very best in the world gamble.
I saw the very
best. Jack Cooney, Buddy Hall, Jersey Red, Ed Kelly, Eddie Taylor, Bugs-Leonard
Rucker, Weenie Beanie, Grady Mathews, John Hager, Bananas, Ronnie Allen, Danny
Jones, Jimmy Reed, Sammy Jones, Puchett, Earl Strickland, Fly Boy, Cornbread
Red, Mike Massy,St Louis Louie, Larry Hubbard, Mike Seagal, Cowboy, Allen
Hopkins, Kieth McCredy, Jim Rempe, Nick Varner, Billy Incardona, Steve Cook,
Dick Lane, Billy Johnson, Cecil to name just a few and many, many more. The list
could go on and on.
I knew them all. At
one time or another, they all were in action somewhere and I had a front row
seat every time I got a chance. I lived in poolrooms all over the country for 20
years. And no I wouldn't change a thing if I could.
When I first decided I wanted to play the game, I would practice for hours, in front of a mirror, my stroke the way I thought I saw people play. I practiced for hours, days, weeks, and months until my arm swung like a pendulum. Then I picked up a cue and started all over again, in front of a mirror until it was natural to swing with a smooth stroke. Then I took it to the table. It was so easy to make the balls. I had the stroke and the eye for the ball now all I needed was knowledge as to how to play the game right.
John, my husband, was very knowledgeable and I wanted to do it my way. We butted heads for 20 years. I quite playing pool for 2 years and John and I separated. I spent the next 5 years trying to get my life back together.
That's when I met Gerald. I had wanted to start playing pool again, and a friend introduced me to Gerald. The start of a new life. No more hustling. I was going to get to enjoy the joy of playing pool, and not for the rent. He has also spent many hours trying to teach me the "WHY" things happen.
I started out with a bang. Everyone knew me. Somewhere, sometime, people had heard about me or of me. My reputation was not the greatest. People didn't understand when you spent years being around people that would put everything on the line, you had to be tough. You couldn't afford to let anyone get the best of you. If you gave any slack the world would eat you alive. Now I was here to enjoy the game. But you will always take the reputation with you. It's hard to let go. If you feel you're not being treated fairly or see someone not being treated right, it's very easy for me to jump in with both feet. Yes, I can be a Bitch at times. But I feel I'm pulling for the right side.
This time I've been playing for about 5 years. I've won several titles and I'm a National Champion several times over. But the one I am most proud of is the last one I won. My son and I won the "Masters Scotch Doubles" in the National BCA 8 Ball in 1997. That meant more to me than any title I have ever won and all of them put together. Not only did I do it with my son but we were the first in History to do it.
The Hunter Tour maybe the best thing that has ever come along for the new girls on the block. I love to met them and do what I can to help them become the best that they can. The doors are open for the women today.
When I started playing, women weren't even allowed in the poolrooms. You get out there and show them how it is done. Soon we'll have a women that can compete with the men. Watch out men, the women are on your tails.
A major change for women's games to improve is to think like a
man.........
In
other words, don't think, empty all thoughts from your head, forget everything
you've ever been told. Take all emotions out of the game. Play each ball like
it's the last thing on earth. Focus!!!!!!!!!!!!
- June