Fusco's The Spot (smoking allowed - nasty)

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purpdrag said:
I do not smoke. I prefer non-smoking establishments. I don't like coming home with my hair, clothes, and body smelling like smoke.

Still, if I lived nearby I would definitely check this place out. Sounds like a great place to me. Sometimes it's worth it to take a little bit of the bad with the good. Also, although I do prefer non-smoking establishments, I don't think the government should outlaw smoking in bars or pool halls (or any privately owned establishment).

Also, I am a non-smoker who does not think all smokers are stupid.
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I, too, am a non-smoker. I don't wish to disparage smokers, or those who cater to them in recreational settings. I'm posting simply to communicate to the management of The Spot (I don't use Facebook), and to add to the understanding of the greater pool room community. I too visited The Spot once (Feb. 2014) and decided not to return, because of the smoke. I was there for about an hour or so. While there I realized that I needed to find another room, thick as the smoke was. After I arrived at home, I was convinced of my first reaction, as I could tell, in a smoke free environment, exactly how permeated with cigarette smoke were my clothes.

Consistent with the general advice of several posters in this string, I simply went elsewhere. I discovered Drexeline Billiards, which is completely non-smoking. It has serious (but friendly) players, demonstrating, empirically (pretty much apples-to-apples suburban Phila. demographics as between Trevose and Drexel Hill, PA) that it is not necessary to allow smoking in order to have a very successful "players" room.

Were The Spot a non-smoking room, I would probably be a regular customer, as it is only about 15 min. from my home. It takes me 45 min. to drive to Drexel Hill, but it is worth it for the clean air alone (Drexeline is a terrific room for other reasons as well).

I will add my speculation/opinion that The Spot may be less of a player's room through and through, rather than more of one, due to the business model of allowing smoking and BYOB. I'm sure there are very good players there (with rooms as scarce as they are today, players can be found in almost every room, I suspect), but when I was there it seemed as if there were a lot of young people there, in groups, essentially socializing. Nothing wrong with that, but I question how much of that crowd would be coming through the door but for the smoking and drinking. Also, when I arrived, I was greeted by a couple of young women behind the counter who, while very friendly, didn't strike me as being billiard room types. The first thing that one of them asked me (perhaps because I had brought my own cue) was: "So, are you a big player?" That was a little off-putting. I'm much more comfortable with an authentic, been around the block, room man.
 
Wow! What a stupid thread! If you don't like it, don't go. If you choose to go, then don't *****! What if I went in to a non smoking room (KNOWING it was non smoking), lit up a cigarette, then *****ed and moaned about it being my right to smoke? What you're (OP) saying is no different.
I go to both smoking and smoke free poolrooms. When I'm in a smoke free room, I go outside (or in the designated smoking cell) to have a cigarette. No big deal. Why is the opposite such a big deal to you? Honestly, IT'S A POOLROOM FOR GOD'S SAKE! They're supposed to be dark, dank and smoky!
I'm so sick of this BS trend of taking rights away from people for their own good! Who is ANYBODY to decide what is good for me besides ME? It's not just about smoking, it's about ALL INALIENABLE RIGHTS!
But, I follow the rules, like a good little boy, when I'm on your side of the fence, so when you're on my side of the fence leave the F'ing rules alone!!

Rant completed... good day to all...
 
Seth C. said:
I, too, am a non-smoker. I don't wish to disparage smokers, or those who cater to them in recreational settings. I'm posting simply to communicate to the management of The Spot (I don't use Facebook), and to add to the understanding of the greater pool room community. I too visited The Spot once (Feb. 2014) and decided not to return, because of the smoke. I was there for about an hour or so. While there I realized that I needed to find another room, thick as the smoke was. After I arrived at home, I was convinced of my first reaction, as I could tell, in a smoke free environment, exactly how permeated with cigarette smoke were my clothes.

Consistent with the general advice of several posters in this string, I simply went elsewhere. I discovered Drexeline Billiards, which is completely non-smoking. It has serious (but friendly) players, demonstrating, empirically (pretty much apples-to-apples suburban Phila. demographics as between Trevose and Drexel Hill, PA) that it is not necessary to allow smoking in order to have a very successful "players" room.

Were The Spot a non-smoking room, I would probably be a regular customer, as it is only about 15 min. from my home. It takes me 45 min. to drive to Drexel Hill, but it is worth it for the clean air alone (Drexeline is a terrific room for other reasons as well).

I will add my speculation/opinion that The Spot may be less of a player's room through and through, rather than more of one, due to the business model of allowing smoking and BYOB. I'm sure there are very good players there (with rooms as scarce as they are today, players can be found in almost every room, I suspect), but when I was there it seemed as if there were a lot of young people there, in groups, essentially socializing. Nothing wrong with that, but I question how much of that crowd would be coming through the door but for the smoking and drinking. Also, when I arrived, I was greeted by a couple of young women behind the counter who, while very friendly, didn't strike me as being billiard room types. The first thing that one of them asked me (perhaps because I had brought my own cue) was: "So, are you a big player?" That was a little off-putting. I'm much more comfortable with an authentic, been around the block, room man.
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I didn't realize Drexeline Billiards was that close. Why would anyone go to a sh!t hole when they can go to Drexeline Billiards?
 
The two glaring myths perpetuated by the American Cancer Society:
1.Dramatic progress has been made in the war against cancer, and
2.The rising cancer mortality statistics are primarily due to smoking and an aging population
 
xplor said:
The two glaring myths perpetuated by the American Cancer Society:
1.Dramatic progress has been made in the war against cancer, and
2.The rising cancer mortality statistics are primarily due to smoking and an aging population
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What do you base your comments on?

I interestingly, you are twice as likely to get cancer from the age of 0 to 24 that after the age of 70. It seems that the longer you live without getting cancer the better the odds you will never have cancer.

They have actually made big stride in cancer prevention with early detection. Not that long ago we didn't have things like CT scan's and that is what really saves people is early detection. This allows cutting it out, the real thing that beats cancer.

As far as treating advanced cancer, most cases you are a goner no matter what you do. Some people like Michael Douglas and the late Merv Griffin just seem to keep living long after they are given a death sentence.

Merv Griffin after doing all the treatments was basically just told to go home and get ready to die. Instead he went back to work and just forgot about it, why not there was nothing he could do anyway. He lived a productive life for years beyond what the doctors predicted.
 
miscrewed89 said:
Wow! What a stupid thread! If you don't like it, don't go. If you choose to go, then don't *****! What if I went in to a non smoking room (KNOWING it was non smoking), lit up a cigarette, then *****ed and moaned about it being my right to smoke? What you're (OP) saying is no different.
I go to both smoking and smoke free poolrooms. When I'm in a smoke free room, I go outside (or in the designated smoking cell) to have a cigarette. No big deal. Why is the opposite such a big deal to you? Honestly, IT'S A POOLROOM FOR GOD'S SAKE! They're supposed to be dark, dank and smoky!
I'm so sick of this BS trend of taking rights away from people for their own good! Who is ANYBODY to decide what is good for me besides ME? It's not just about smoking, it's about ALL INALIENABLE RIGHTS!
But, I follow the rules, like a good little boy, when I'm on your side of the fence, so when you're on my side of the fence leave the F'ing rules alone!!

Rant completed... good day to all...
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Inalienable rights? Seriously?!

And the people who do not want to breathe smoke? It is ok to impose that on them?
 
macguy said:
Didn't I read on here recently that he just had a heart attack? Isn't it well known that smoking and second smoke is a major contributor to heart disease. Do you think he will have any kind of change of mind as to how to run his business now that he himself may be a victim?

http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/quit-smoking-heart
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Seems like The Spot is catering to a dying customer base. Old railbirds who'd rather sit around smoking and watching, than actually spend a buck playing pool. Younger folks come in to play, not to lounge around driving away healthy customers. Maybe Pete feels a sense of benevolence for his retiree friends? Its only a matter of time before they all die off, one at a time. Its ironic how friendship and bad habits can cloud sound business judgement.

http://www.onepocket.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9226
 
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Quesports said:
Many of the members have lost loved ones to the diseases caused by smoking. Instead of sharing my own loss and my personal feelings about cigarettes I decided to try to help and provide this link from the American Cancer Society. I hope that one smoking member will take the time to read it and reconsider their choice to smoke.
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer...oking-tobacco-and-health-is-tobacco-addictive
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How incredibly thoughtful, I really hope the folks reading this thread, those who aren't hopelessly addicted, take this to heart.
 
Generally speaking if you smoke a pack a day or more and you dont try to quit at least once a year, i consider you a dumbass.
 
Seth C. said:
Were The Spot a non-smoking room, I would probably be a regular customer, as it is only about 15 min. from my home. It takes me 45 min. to drive to Drexel Hill, but it is worth it for the clean air alone (Drexeline is a terrific room for other reasons as well).
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The owner of Drexeline Billiards, Bob Maidhof is smart, healthy and an awesome 14.1 player.

https://www.facebook.com/bob.maidhof.3

Lots of great players, including smokers who don't have a problem stepping out to smoke.

If your health matters, avoid The Spot. Sorry Pete, but I'm not going to not speak up about this.
 
macguy said:
I didn't realize Drexeline Billiards was that close. Why would anyone go to a sh!t hole when they can go to Drexeline Billiards?
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I wouldn't call The Spot a sh!t hole. They just allow smoking inside.

Nasty, yea. Disgusting, for sure. Off-putting, absolutely.

Avoidable, yup. Deserving to fly under the radar, hardly.
 
Nostroke said:
Generally speaking if you smoke a pack a day or more and you dont try to quit at least once a year, i consider you a dumbass.
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In fairness to all the smokers on this forum, I smoked several times in my life. First time was in the late 70's. I smoked my last cigarette on 9/11. I suppose second hand cigarette smoke can be even nastier to those who had the strength and wherewithal to quit. To those who can't, I feel for you.
 
I don't like the smoke myself, but ,I like the room and the players there ,and I will continue to play there .
I hope it never closes its one the best pool rooms in this area.
I find that its not the second hand smoke, but the ones they leave in the ash tray burning that bother me the most.
 
Black-Balled said:
Inalienable rights? Seriously?!

And the people who do not want to breathe smoke? It is ok to impose that on them?
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If they had NO OTHER PLACES TO PLAY, you would have an argument. What's next? You guys going to go into a cigar store and complain about the smoking?

He has made a choice, its his choice to serve the smoking clientele. In fact, I wish a cigar/pool hall would give it a whirl just like the 20's and 30's.. put a wooden indian outside and let's do the Charelston... :)

Seriously, there are choices you make the one that is right for YOU, and stay out of everyone elses business. If PA doesn't have a total ban, and he is within the law, then don't go or open a non smoking room next door.

Think of it this way.. two roads in town, both go to the same place, one goes through the country and is 25 minutes, the other through a city slum and it takes 10 minutes... which road you driving? (non gun owning(unless you're the bad guy) north east town)

Now the government shuts down the country rd and says the other road will leave a smaller carbon foot print... betcha don't think carbon dioxide looks so bad now....:smile:

JV
 
classiccues said:
Think of it this way.. two roads in town, both go to the same place, one goes through the country and is 25 minutes, the other through a city slum and it takes 10 minutes... which road you driving? (non gun owning(unless you're the bad guy) north east town)

Now the government shuts down the country rd and says the other road will leave a smaller carbon foot print... betcha don't think carbon dioxide looks so bad now....:smile:

JV
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What a ridiculous argument. :D
 
I'm coming up on my 7th anniversary for quitting cigarettes. 2 1/2 packs per day, haven't had one since. I smoke cigars now. I have no issue being at a bar or pool hall for 12 hours without smoking. I own a bar in Birmingham, Al. One side is the bar with 6 bar boxes, the other side (separated by a wall that has doors) is our pool room. Smoking is allowed in the bar, absolutely not in the pool room. Smoke eaters are in the bar side. I'm glad we have a choice, we voluntarily made the decision to make the pool room non smoking. All our league play is in the pool room. If league play increases to where we need more tables, we'll either have to expand or make a decision. We recently held a tournament and made the decision to have the entire bar be non smoking during the tournament. I believe that was an excellent decision, one we'll continue when tournaments are held.

Again, my issue is with freedom of choice. I firmly believe the government will try to take our guns in the next 20 years. Don't believe that? Ask the folks in England. If I get the indication we can increase our revenue by making the entire bar non smoking, I'd do it in a heart beat. However, I strongly prefer it to be my choice , not have it be dictated to me by some crooked politician who couldn't run the front counter at a McDonalds.
 
nobcitypool said:
I'm coming up on my 7th anniversary for quitting cigarettes. 2 1/2 packs per day, haven't had one since. I smoke cigars now. I have no issue being at a bar or pool hall for 12 hours without smoking. I own a bar in Birmingham, Al. One side is the bar with 6 bar boxes, the other side (separated by a wall that has doors) is our pool room. Smoking is allowed in the bar, absolutely not in the pool room. Smoke eaters are in the bar side. I'm glad we have a choice, we voluntarily made the decision to make the pool room non smoking. All our league play is in the pool room. If league play increases to where we need more tables, we'll either have to expand or make a decision. We recently held a tournament and made the decision to have the entire bar be non smoking during the tournament. I believe that was an excellent decision, one we'll continue when tournaments are held.

Again, my issue is with freedom of choice. I firmly believe the government will try to take our guns in the next 20 years. Don't believe that? Ask the folks in England. If I get the indication we can increase our revenue by making the entire bar non smoking, I'd do it in a heart beat. However, I strongly prefer it to be my choice , not have it be dictated to me by some crooked politician who couldn't run the front counter at a McDonalds.
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I believe in freedom of choice too, this is why I decided not to go to The Spot anymore.

I'm also a believer in freedom of speech, insofar as alerting pool players so they can make an informed decision.

I'm also 35+ year NRA supporting member, yes, believer in the 2nd Amendment. :)
 
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nobcitypool said:
Again, my issue is with freedom of choice. I firmly believe the government will try to take our guns in the next 20 years. Don't believe that? Ask the folks in England. If I get the indication we can increase our revenue by making the entire bar non smoking, I'd do it in a heart beat. However, I strongly prefer it to be my choice , not have it be dictated to me by some crooked politician who couldn't run the front counter at a McDonalds.
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It is interesting that several posters have weighed in with the reaction that those who have expressed a dislike of being in a smoky pool room are suggesting that smoking in pool rooms should be banned by the government. I don't recall anyone saying that.
 
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