The Barber Speaks: How do you look at the table

This is one truely an amazing interview of one of the greatest Pool Entertainers of all time.

He rubs shoulders with the likes of Charlie Sheen, Richard Prior and has even Hustled the one and only Minnesota Fats.

It is a long interview - but believe me you will learn all about what I personally believe Pool should be like, and when you have the attention of such a Fantastic Pool Mind - you just want to keep asking them questions.

How did you get the name Chef Anton?
"Chef Anton" is dedicated to this kind old chef I knew as a child. I used to hustle pool in a small town called Froglick, Tennesse. This chef worked at a restaurant around the corner. Every morning he would bet me $50 he could beat me at a game of pool. Every morning he would lose. Over the years, people said I had enough of his money I could have bought his restaurant; thus I was forever deemed Chef Anton. I am just glad the guy was not a priest, otherwise I would have been Father Anton.

Why do you dress how you do?
Pool is a business just like any other. For those people who want to be professional pool players (ie: Make their living playing pool) you need to be identifiable. The most successful business people are the ones who stick out in a crowd. They are known for something. Madonna constantly changes her identity to keep herself fresh and in the spotlight. She is a brilliant marketer. So is Jeanette Lee. She developed the "Black Widow" concept. Everyone knows who she is because she always dresses in black.
So for me, dressing like a river boat gambler accomplishes a number of things to help my career. First, I am easy to identify. There are not too many pool players wearing a bowler, arm garters, and a string bow tie. Second, when I am entertaining a crowd with my trick shot and magic, I am playing a character. Since "my character" is that of a pool hustler/con man, the outfit helps to complement that idea. As soon as I walk out on stage, they know what to expect. The entire show, from the way I walk to the words I use to express myself are all consistent with this character. In fact, even the shots I choose are based on my character.
People make assumptions about you as a person based on how you look. It is important to relay the correct image. To me, there is not a right or wrong image. It should just be consistent and identifiable

How do corporate clients benefit from hiring you?
Clients can benefit on a number of levels. If they are my sponsor, perhaps I will shoot with their equipment. People always ask what type of stick I shoot with and which tables I prefer, so there are natural benefits.
But, don't stop there. If Perrier was my sponsor, you would believe I would always have one in my he a sales message or product benefit into the show.
There are many ways clients can benefit from your services, you just have to think of all of the ways company's can benefit, and then make THEM aware of this unique marketing opportunity.

How do you advertise and self-promote?
As you know, I am a firm believer in niche marketing. Be very good at something specific, and then find someone who will pay you for those skills. I always said if I were going to open a restaurant, I would serve one entree. Maybe hot dogs or spaghetti. That is it. But, it would be the best hot dog or spaghetti you have ever had.
This is really the key to being a professional pool player. If you are going to expect so company to find you and then pay you millions to represent them, you are either crazy or really optimistic. Unfortunately, neither attribute will pay the mortgage.
You must self-promote. Once you have established your character and identified the way you can help a company, then you must start selling yourself. If you do not believe in your own abilities, then nobody else will either. Put together a portfolio of accomplishments. Either tournaments you have won or endorsements from satisfied customers. Then, hit the pavement and start telling every company you feel you can help benefit. You will get a lot of rejection. Sales men are lucky to get 1 sale for every 45 calls. That is not an inspiring average.
Also, read books on self-promotion and cold calling techniques. Study sales manuals and how-to books. This is your business and you should know every aspect of it. Many people have gone on to fulfilling their dreams, without necessarily being the best at their sport or individual skills. Those who have succeeded. all have one thing in common, a good business sense.

What are billiard brainteasers?
Billiard brain teasers are bar bets that you do on a pool table. They are puzzles which are normally simple, once you know the secret. But impossible to figure out, if you do not.
Once you learn some, you will receive a number of benefits. First, you can drink for free! As long as you are near a pool table, someone will bet you a drink you cannot do what you claim. Second, you can improve your social skills and be the hit of the party. People will admire your skills and knowledge. Third, you can protect yourself from people such as myself.
My new book entitled "The Pool Hustler's Handbook" has the 50 best billiard brain teasers ever developed. The book is set up in a fashion so you can try to figure out the solution, before it is exposed to you. It retails for $14.95 and is available on-line at

What other products do you sell?
Besides The Pool Hustler's Handbook, our on-line store features books, videos, and props which specialise in hustling and con games. Most of the products were developed by myself and my business partner Whit Haydn. Whit is one of the most respected magicians in the world and much like myself, he is an authority on hustling and cons. Together we developed The School for Scoundrels.

What is the School for Scoundrels?
The School for Scoundrels is a movement. At its most basic level, it is a class which teaches magicians how a con man thinks. We feel, the con man is the perfect model for the magician. A true con man is friendly and seems trustworthy. You want to be near him because he makes you feel good. More importantly, he has a great analytical mind. He knows what you are thinking and therefore can influence your behaviour without your realising it.
This theory can be applied to sales as well. We are also Corporate Motivational Speakers who can teach sales men actual techniques used by con men to help the sales men in their work as well. Don't get us wrong, we are not being unscrupulous. We are just using techniques which have been proven over the years to our advantage.
Successful business men use every bit of knowledge to their advantage. So if you want to make a living in the "pool" business, you should too.

How long have you been a professional pool player?
I have been playing pool since I was 5. By the time I was 9, I could not get an honest game and that is what got me into trick shots and billiard brain teasers (bar bets you do on a pool table). I found I could make more money, and have more fun, entertaining people for money rather than just beating them or playing tournaments.

Do you enjoy being a professional and making your living from pool?
I absolutely love it. I feel truly blessed because I can do what I love to do and still make a living. So many people hate waking up in the morning because they do not love their jobs. I cannot wait to wake up and start another day. I get to make a living playing this silly game (and I mean that in a good way)

Financially is it worth being a professional?
I have always been told to do what you love and the money will follow. Don't get me wrong, if you have a spouse, mortgage, and kids you should not quit your salaried jobs to follow your dreams. Sometimes we all have to sacrifice. But, if you are in a place in your life to take a chance, sometimes the risks pay off. Quite honestly, it is hard to make money just being a professional tournament player. There is not that much prize money and there are a lot of great pool players out there. However, there are plenty of opportunities for exhibitions, lessons, television and movie consulting, writing books etc which will still allow you to do what you want to do.

Do you think the prize money pool will ever reach the 1,000,000 mark?
I That is hard to say. I honestly doubt it will ever be as lucrative as golf, but with the proper marketing and sponsorship anything is possible. Players have to remember that in the corporate world, they are on the clock 24 hours a day. Pool still has negative stigmas and until that is gone, I doubt the sport will reach the levels it should.

Do you get nervous before an event? If so, how do you get rid of them?
I still get nervous before tournaments or exhibitions. Normally, the secret for me is to take deep breaths and focus on the present. Too many times, people think negatively about the consequences of the tournament, the match, or even the shot they are on. This negative thinking causes them to fail. In fact, I do not even think you should think positively about the consequences. Once the tournament or exhibition starts, you should keep your mind in the "present" and stay focused. One of the best books I have ever read on pool is called "The Inner Game of Tennis." It is fabulous and a must read for any pool enthusiast.

How do you prepare for tournament?
To prepare for a tournament, I would like to play for an hour or two each day. Playing serious sessions with a friend or by myself. The week before the tournament, I would try to get very focused and keep my mind sharp. I would only play for an hour at a time because I did not want my mind to get tired. The night before the tournament I would eat plenty of carbs and get a lot of rest so I would be fresh for the days to come. I also like to dress nicely and wash up before each match. I am reminded of the scene from The Hustler where Jackie Gleason, after losing all night long, primps himself in the bathroom and then destroys Fast Eddie. You truly will play as good as you feel.

How would you like to see the game change?
I would like to see more fun at the tournaments and more appeal for non-players. Most tournaments whether live or on tv are primarily for pool players. They are intriguing to me, but I think a lay person would find them kind of boring. I think trick shots should be on every show, but then again, I am biased. I wrote a book called The Pool Hustler's Handbook which has 50 bar bets you can do on a pool table. It features ways to hustle a friend out of a drink, even if you are not a good player. To me, resources like this will help make the game appealing to non-players. Until that happens, the sport will struggle.

Do you think English 8 Ball Players are any good at 9 Ball and could they compete in the American Open events?
I think 9-ball is much easier than 8-ball. If they can develop a good stroke and learn the safety play they would be deadly. Players like Cory Deuhl have proved you do not need the monstrous breaks to win. I think a good 8-ball/Straight Pool Player can beat a good 9-ball player but a 9-ball player would struggle to consistently beat a 8-ball/Straight Pool Player.

From my experience in pool I have noticed that it is an emotional rollercoaster. What is your biggest gripe about the game and the people involved in it?
I do not like sharks in competitions or the mind games they play. I think people should let their cues do the talking and have more respect for other players. This goes for the audience as well. Golf is a great model for success. The players dress nicely, they are polite, and the audience is knowledgeable and respectful. In pool, people are constantly arguing and griping about the bad racks etc. This needs to stop for us to move forward as a sport.

What would you say to any young player whose dream it is to become a professional?
Professional Pool is a business like any other. Take business courses in school or read up on tele-marketing, negotiations, and sales. Then, practice pool like you play and always enjoy what you are doing. Once the game stops becoming fun, it is time to move on. Also, learn some trick shots so you can do exhibitions to help finance the times when you run into some tight times. Without a sponsor, pool can be a tough living. You will offer more to your sponsors if you learn how to present yourself in a positive light. Jeanette Lee should be the model for any up and coming professional. She is well-spoken, presents herself in a positive light, and is a smart business woman. You can make a living playing pool if you are a great business man, and a decent player. It is much harder to make a living if you are a great player and a decent business man.