Played pool at a bowling alley. Never again. Questions?

[cjr3559]

Growing up my local bowling alley had 4 Gold Crowns off to the side but nobody ever seemed to be playing on them. And being under 21 I couldn’t even step into the room even if it was completely empty. I’d be surprised if those tables are there anymore.

I was in a bar box league once and it wasn’t bad, the equipment was always in good shape.

My ‘real’ pool hall has those cheap plastic racks too, probably because if they were any better they’d show on a Monday and be missing by the following Monday. They have quality Aramith balls, but are probably polished once a month. However, get there early and be sure to get a matching set, because the 8-balls seem to have some sort of street value and are usually replaced with some cheapo brand.

Playing at a regular bar is usually a waste of time and energy. It all depends on the bar, but if the cues aren’t stickball bats and there’s actually chalk and preferably not bored all the way through, I’m pleasantly surprised.

 

[buckshotshoey]

So you go to one bowling alley and see crap tables. Then you group all bowling alleys with this one?

I personally go to one alley that has very nice tables. Bar boxes, yes. But well kept.

 

[HNTFSH]

There are some good bar box matches on YouTube...
...don’t recall anybody using a bridge.

Cracked me up, since I only play on 9 footers it didn't occur to me about the bridges for a bar box. :lmao:

Not being a cash or tournament player, I don't use one anyway. Just take the harder shot and challenge myself. I did buy the leather bridge head to keep in the case but doubt it will see much daylight.

I think I've seen a couple league guys use one on a 7 footer from time to time but can't be certain.

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

So I went over to a bowling alley and "killed two birds with one stone" I bowled then went and played pool. Hopefully I do not sound like a snob. These issues were not that big its just I was unprepared for them after only playing at a pool hall where everything is nice and neat.

They had 2 pool tables. Coin op bar box tables. There was no bridge that I could see. I might have had to ask for one. But I decided to not.

It was $1.50 a game. I did not know this so instead of playing 2 games I only played one. But when I went to put my dollar bill in the machine I could not get it to accept it. I had to go get quarters. Because the change machine was out of order.

The triangle was made of thin plastic with a lip. Does this kind of triangle still work well to rack balls? I have been told these can deform and such.

The balls were all scratched up. Does this effect play?

The table had white marks on it. Does this effect play?

The "biggest issue" I had was that the table was uneven. At least I believe it was. My balls majorly went to one side. But then again I am not that good. So it could have been me.

So since I possibly had an uneven table. Is this something that pool hustlers would do so that they would know how to shoot the balls and get an advantage verses the person who did not know about the table?

Where the heck are you that a bowling alley is already open for biz?

best,
brian kc <----- played in the late 60's & 70's at some great bowling alleys that had 9' GC's

 

[tonyboy59]

I'm surprised you even had two pool tables let alone one as most bowling alleys have done away with them. The conditions you described is typical because the emphasis is on bowling not pool. I recall when I was in the military the lone pool table was tucked away in the corner of the building of the bowling alley. The cloth had seen better days, sticks with no tips and the non-existence of chalk.

 

[jimmyco]

Cracked me up, since I only play on 9 footers it didn't occur to me about the bridges for a bar box. :lmao:

Not being a cash or tournament player, I don't use one anyway. Just take the harder shot and challenge myself. I did buy the leather bridge head to keep in the case but doubt it will see much daylight.

I think I've seen a couple league guys use one on a 7 footer from time to time but can't be certain.

Don't think I've ever seen a bridge used on a barbox. I rarely use one on a 9'er, just shoot southpaw.

 

[HNTFSH]

Don't think I've ever seen a bridge used on a barbox. I rarely use one on a 9'er, just shoot southpaw.

That's better than pulling a muscle shooting behind your back. :bow-down:

 

[muskyed]

I guess my last posting drifted away from the bowling alley subject, so this will deal with bowling alleys in my area. Wife and I play on a league in a bowling alley in our area, and it is very well kept up. Has six Valley tables, in excellent condition, and recovered with excellent cloth every year for the start of our league. We are in a separate area of the bowling alley, and there is some other games in there, but the management doesn't let anyone use those, or empty tables, if there is any, while our league is being played. Tables have coin and bill slots, and are $1 a game, or 6 games for $5. It's a pleasure to play there, plastic racks and all.

 

[cuesblues]

Over the years there has been a lot of nice pool rooms in bowling alleys.
It used to be a common thing, and still is to a certain extent.
I played APA in-house at the Holiday Bowl in Denver for several years, and at
the time it was much nicer than the crappy bars I had to travel to playing VNEA.

As far a the crappy conditions, balls, racks, tables, etc., I would almost rather not play.
The bad equipment kind of levels the playing field for the bangers and I don't like it.

 

[Ghosst]

Dave and Buster’s has over 110 locations in the USA and Canada....
...if they have pool tables...they are a pleasure...expensive old looking retros....

View attachment 547800

I'm going to have to call Shenanigans on D&B. Those, "Billiards", tables have holes all over them.

 

[DaveK]

Don't think I've ever seen a bridge used on a barbox.

I am so short I put the bridge in my back pocket so it's close at hand .... even on a 7' table

rarely use one on a 9'er, just shoot southpaw.

There are some shots on a 9' (cue and object ball on the opposite short rail shooting across the table) that I can barely reach with my60" cue

Dave <-- still enjoys the game :thumbup:

 

[jaime_lion]

So you go to one bowling alley and see crap tables. Then you group all bowling alleys with this one?

I personally go to one alley that has very nice tables. Bar boxes, yes. But well kept.

No just at this one.

 

[jaime_lion]

Where the heck are you that a bowling alley is already open for biz?

best,
brian kc <----- played in the late 60's & 70's at some great bowling alleys that had 9' GC's

South Dakota

 

[Cuebuddy]

Bowlero in Mount Prospect Illinois has at least 10 Gold Crowns and the place looks well kept. The cloth is red but other than that it would work in a pinch.

 

[pt109]

South Dakota

South Dakota has the best state record for the virus...
...less than one case per 100,000.

I think it’s avoiding Shane

 

[Dan White]

So I went over to a bowling alley and "killed two birds with one stone" I bowled then went and played pool. Hopefully I do not sound like a snob. These issues were not that big its just I was unprepared for them after only playing at a pool hall where everything is nice and neat.

You just bowled and then shot pool. You are genetically incapable of being a snob.

 

[sjm]

There’s a reason I don’t go bowling at my local pool room either... :wink:

I'm reminded of an Italian restaurant I used to frequent in the late 1970's. At the cash register, there was a sign that said "banks don't serve pizza and we don't cash checks." --- a simple, though witty, reminder of what kind of business you are frequenting.

In other words, for a good experience in pool, it's best to go to a poolroom --- because pool is the focus.

 

[jaime_lion]

Bowlero in Mount Prospect Illinois has at least 10 Gold Crowns and the place looks well kept. The cloth is red but other than that it would work in a pinch.

Are those 9 footers? The place I go only has 3 nine footers.

South Dakota has the best state record for the virus...
...less than one case per 100,000.

I think it’s avoiding Shane

I had no idea who that guy was until about 3 weeks ago. Also to be real it is probably because we are the 6th least populous state in the usa.

You just bowled and then shot pool. You are genetically incapable of being a snob.

Thanks you

 

[alstl]

So I went over to a bowling alley and "killed two birds with one stone" I bowled then went and played pool. Hopefully I do not sound like a snob. These issues were not that big its just I was unprepared for them after only playing at a pool hall where everything is nice and neat.

They had 2 pool tables. Coin op bar box tables. There was no bridge that I could see. I might have had to ask for one. But I decided to not.

It was $1.50 a game. I did not know this so instead of playing 2 games I only played one. But when I went to put my dollar bill in the machine I could not get it to accept it. I had to go get quarters. Because the change machine was out of order.

The triangle was made of thin plastic with a lip. Does this kind of triangle still work well to rack balls? I have been told these can deform and such.

The balls were all scratched up. Does this effect play?

The table had white marks on it. Does this effect play?

The "biggest issue" I had was that the table was uneven. At least I believe it was. My balls majorly went to one side. But then again I am not that good. So it could have been me.

So since I possibly had an uneven table. Is this something that pool hustlers would do so that they would know how to shoot the balls and get an advantage verses the person who did not know about the table?

Allow me to provide the correct answer. Yes this is something pool hustlers would do.

 

[9ball5032]

Too bad the bowling alleys don't take care of their tables like they did in the past.