The Hillbilly Code

"Tom" and "George" are two of the secret components of the "Hillbilly Hustler's Code." There are many more words and hand signals that all "made" hustlers used throughout the country in the old days. Using the word or name"Tom," in any conversation denoted something "bad." Conversely, the word or name "George," meant something or whatever, was "good." You knew you were a "made" scuff when someone taught you the hand signs and code words. It was a small tight group. You all would be surprised to find out just how many old-time, famous pool hustler/players were never made privy to that info.

Sample code words for playing cards or pool balls:

One ball or Ace .............play
Two ball or deuce...........sit or sh*t
Four ball or four...............funny
Eleven ball or Jack..........break
Fourteen ball or Kind.......come

Hustler talk:
"Laying out a spread."
A ploy used to lure a victim into a bad game or trap. It's lIke laying out a banquet spread on a buffet table, seemingly with all kinds of goodies to choose from. But when you go to bite into something it bites back. 'Frisco Jack Cooney was the acknowledged master of this manuever. I also used this move to beat Archie The Greek Karas out of 200 grand.