1P Tournament in DC

[Cory in DC]

I'm starting a monthly one pocket tournament in DC, and the first one is this Sunday at 4:30 sharp. Per a suggestion from someone on AZB (Tom in Cincy, I think--thanks), the format is a race to 15 balls, with the score carrying over from the first rack to the second.

This is the first tournament so I'm not sure how it will work out, but I'm hoping for the best. Note: unlike most places in DC, parking is easy around 11th & U. If anyone is curious, I've attached the rules and handicap structure. Suggestions are welcome.

Cory

***************
One Pocket Tournament at The Cue Bar in DC (1115 U St. NW; 202-332-7665). The tournament is blind-draw, scotch doubles, and handicapped.

The first tournament is this Sunday, April 2, at 4:30 sharp. (Doors open for free practice at 4:00). The entry fee is $15.00/player if you're there before 4:30, and $20 after 4:00, assuming I can get you in.

The field is limited to 16 players because Cue Bar only has four 9' tables (one 8' table should be open for practice).

The payout is 100% (no greens fees), so if there's a full field, then it will be $220 to the first place team and $80 to second.

 

[Black-Balled]

How are you gonna determine handicaps for the first event?

 

[JAM]

One thing to keep in mind is that THIS COMING WEEKEND, April 1st and 2nd, the Tiger/Planet-Pool 9-Ball Tour event will be happening in Cambridge, MD, at Great Slates. Many of the DC-area folks, Maryland and Virginia, may be heading out Route 50 this weekend.

However, if there are enough "regular" one-pocket patrons at The Cue Bar, then getting a full field of 16 will be no problem.

11th and U Streets at night, can one walk to their parked car safely?

If the Florida Avenue Grill is nearby, I recommend it highly. It is THE oldest "Southern cuisine" restaurant in Washington, D.C., established in the '20s if memory serves me right. I don't go near the chitlins and hog's feet, but the collard greens, summer squash, black-eyed peas, and hickory-smoked spare ribs are DELICIOUS!

JAM

 

[Schwinn]

I'm starting a monthly one pocket tournament in DC, and the first one is this Sunday at 4:30 sharp. Per a suggestion from someone on AZB (Tom in Cincy, I think--thanks), the format is a race to 15 balls, with the score carrying over from the first rack to the second.

This is the first tournament so I'm not sure how it will work out, but I'm hoping for the best. Note: unlike most places in DC, parking is easy around 11th & U. If anyone is curious, I've attached the rules and handicap structure. Suggestions are welcome.

Cory

***************
One Pocket Tournament at The Cue Bar in DC (1115 U St. NW; 202-332-7665). The tournament is blind-draw, scotch doubles, and handicapped.

The first tournament is this Sunday, April 2, at 4:30 sharp. (Doors open for free practice at 4:00). The entry fee is $15.00/player if you're there before 4:30, and $20 after 4:00, assuming I can get you in.

The field is limited to 16 players because Cue Bar only has four 9' tables (one 8' table should be open for practice).

The payout is 100%, so if there's a full field, then it will be $220 to the first place team and $80 to second.

Thanks for doing this. I'm interested in learning the game so I may check out future events (already have plans this weekend). Will it be a regularly scheduled tournament?

 

[Fliedout]

I've been looking for a place inside DC w/9-foot tables that's open during the day. Do you know what their hours are?

 

[Egg McDogit]

I'll try to make it out there...but I may be heading out to watch planet pool this weekend.

I'm starting a monthly one pocket tournament in DC, and the first one is this Sunday at 4:30 sharp. Per a suggestion from someone on AZB (Tom in Cincy, I think--thanks), the format is a race to 15 balls, with the score carrying over from the first rack to the second.

This is the first tournament so I'm not sure how it will work out, but I'm hoping for the best. Note: unlike most places in DC, parking is easy around 11th & U. If anyone is curious, I've attached the rules and handicap structure. Suggestions are welcome.

Cory

***************
One Pocket Tournament at The Cue Bar in DC (1115 U St. NW; 202-332-7665). The tournament is blind-draw, scotch doubles, and handicapped.

The first tournament is this Sunday, April 2, at 4:30 sharp. (Doors open for free practice at 4:00). The entry fee is $15.00/player if you're there before 4:30, and $20 after 4:00, assuming I can get you in.

The field is limited to 16 players because Cue Bar only has four 9' tables (one 8' table should be open for practice).

The payout is 100%, so if there's a full field, then it will be $220 to the first place team and $80 to second.

 

[Cory in DC]

How are you gonna determine handicaps for the first event?

Good question. Mostly by making people mad at me, I suspect. More seriously, I expect to know about half the field, which should help. For many of the others, someone I trust will be able to say "he's around X's speed."

Most of the ones I don't know will probably be people from the area that aren't too good, so I'll start them fairly low. Over time, I'll probably increment handicaps by .5 for each time making the money and down by .5 for every 3 times not making the money.

Cory


P.S. I haven't met you, but based on word of mouth, I'd start you and Mapman one above me. I'd start Egg, Matt_24, and Andrew Manning one below me. But those could be all wrong.

P.P.S. Here's the rough guide I plan to use for handicaps (subject to change as I identify flaws). I've got myself at a 7, which is perhaps a bit aggressive. Someone like Jersey Jon would be a 9, Tom-Tom or Keith a 10. Also note that when I say, e.g., "APA 5" I do not mean that I go by players' actual APA handicaps, but rather how I assess their speed on the APA scale.

10 Road/Open players
9 A-level player, plays a lot of 1P
8 A-level player, doesn’t play much 1P
7 APA7, plays a lot of 1P
6 APA7, doesn’t play much 1P
5 APA 6
4 APA 5
3 APA 4
2 APA 2 – 3

 

[Cory in DC]

One thing to keep in mind is that THIS COMING WEEKEND, April 1st and 2nd, the Tiger/Planet-Pool 9-Ball Tour event will be happening in Cambridge, MD, at Great Slates. Many of the DC-area folks, Maryland and Virginia, may be heading out Route 50 this weekend.

However, if there are enough "regular" one-pocket patrons at The Cue Bar, then getting a full field of 16 will be no problem.

11th and U Streets at night, can one walk to their parked car safely?

If the Florida Avenue Grill is nearby, I recommend it highly. It is THE oldest "Southern cuisine" restaurant in Washington, D.C., established in the '20s if memory serves me right. I don't go near the chitlins and hog's feet, but the collard greens, summer squash, black-eyed peas, and hickory-smoked spare ribs are DELICIOUS!

JAM

I had hoped to have it last weekend for this very reason, but I wanted to stick with something memorable, in this case "The first Sunday of every month." Also, Cambridge is pretty far from DC, so it will hopefully be less of a conflict than an event in Laurel or Rockville.

In addition to the Florida Ave. Grill, which is still there, there's also Ben's Chili Bowl (note that Cue Bar has a kitchen, so there's no outside food allowed.)

As far as safety goes, it's called the "New U" for good reason--if you haven't seen it in the last 5 years, you wouldn't recognize it now. My fiance and I live about halfway between Cue Bar and Florida Ave. Grill, and it's safe (by city standards).

Finally, you might find this interesting. Strawberry Brooks comes into the Cue Bar every now and then, and said he'd try to come -- to watch, not play.

Cory

 

[Cory in DC]

I've been looking for a place inside DC w/9-foot tables that's open during the day. Do you know what their hours are?

No luck on that account. They open at 6:00 on the weekdays and 4:00 on the weekends. I don't think there's anywhere in DC proper to shoot before 4:00 on the weekdays. Bedrock in Adams Morgan opens at 1:00 on the weekends and 4:00 on the weekdays, which I think are the earliest times in DC.
Cory

 

[Cory in DC]

Thanks for doing this. I'm interested in learning the game so I may check out future events (already have plans this weekend). Will it be a regularly scheduled tournament?

If it goes well, it will be on the first Sunday of every month.
Cory

 

[JAM]

I had hoped to have it last weekend for this very reason, but I wanted to stick with something memorable, in this case "The first Sunday of every month." Also, Cambridge is pretty far from DC, so it will hopefully be less of a conflict than an event in Laurel or Rockville.

That sounds like a good plan!

In addition to the Florida Ave. Grill, which is still there, there's also Ben's Chili Bowl (note that Cue Bar has a kitchen, so there's no outside food allowed.)

Ben's Chili Bowl, YUMMIE!

As far as safety goes, it's called the "New U" for good reason--if you haven't seen it in the last 5 years, you wouldn't recognize it now. My fiance and I live about halfway between Cue Bar and Florida Ave. Grill, and it's safe (by city standards).

Ironically, Cory, I just got back from a job in Chinatown this morning and deliberately went up 7th Street to U Street, turned left, and traveled towards 13th Street, the artery of choice when commuting from Maryland to D.C. in my neck of the woods.

I looked left and right as I was going by 11th and U, and I missed seeing the pool room, though I did try to find it. I have noticed in recent times that this area of the city has changed dramatically, new condos, stores, and restaurants.

A week or two ago, an innocent bystander was shot to death leaving an establishment on 13th and U, late at night, who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

As an aside, years ago, the MAIN place to play pool in D.C. used to be a pool room located at 7th and T, which isn't there anymore. Lots of action there in the '70s and '80s.

Finally, you might find this interesting. Strawberry Brooks comes into the Cue Bar every now and then, and said he'd try to come -- to watch, not play.

If you can, get one of those fliers out to Shooters in Lanham or the Cue-Ball's new pool room on Route 214. There are quite a few one-pocket players who sometimes frequent these two rooms, to include Bus Driver Ronnie, Left-Handed Kevin, Sterling, Mamoo, Buck, "Jackie Robinson," Reggie, et cetera.

I like the fact that this is a one-day event. It doesn't tie up the whole weekend. If I can get my taxes done this weekend, I just may head on down there to check it out. D.C. could use an infusion of pool events, and bravo to you for making it happen.

JAM

 

[Cory in DC]

...................

That sounds like a good plan! ...snip...

I looked left and right as I was going by 11th and U, and I missed seeing the pool room, though I did try to find it. I have noticed in recent times that this area of the city has changed dramatically, new condos, stores, and restaurants.

It is hard to spot. It's in the same strip center as the 7-11, (there's 7-11, then Subway, then a dry cleaner, then Cue Bar)

A week or two ago, an innocent bystander was shot to death leaving an establishment on 13th and U, late at night, who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

There was an argument over a parking spot. But that was Saturday night. In contrast to years past the response has been pretty aggressive, promises of more police patrol, community meetings,... (Note that I did say "safe by city standards").

As an aside, years ago, the MAIN place to play pool in D.C. used to be a pool room located at 7th and T, which isn't there anymore. Lots of action there in the '70s and '80s.

That's what I hear from Buck, who might also be coming by (Buck's a great guy who I've learned a lot from lately). Kevin has popped into Bedrock a few times, but I haven't seen him lately and don't personally know the others you mentioned below. Do keep in mind that the field is limited to 16 players! I guess if the turnout is really high, I could put the matchup involving the lowest handicapped teams on the 8' table, taking the field up to 20 players.

If you can, get one of those fliers out to Shooters in Lanham or the Cue-Ball's new pool room on Route 214. There are quite a few one-pocket players who sometimes frequent these two rooms, to include Bus Driver Ronnie, Left-Handed Kevin, Sterling, Mamoo, Buck, "Jackie Robinson," Reggie, et cetera.

I like the fact that this is a one-day event. It doesn't tie up the whole weekend. If I can get my taxes done this weekend, I just may head on down there to check it out. D.C. could use an infusion of pool events, and bravo to you for making it happen.

Thanks. Hopefully it won't crash and burn.

JAM

 

[Andrew Manning]

11th and U Streets at night, can one walk to their parked car safely?

It's not bad at all if you take Metro; since it's less than a block to the U St stop on the green line. Also your car stays safer that way

Cory, please keep this forum updated with how many you get to commit to playing in the tournament. I may want to come play, since $15 fits my price range for entry fees, but I'd want to be reasonably confident the tournament was actually going to occur before I made the trip downtown.

Thanks for getting this together, it sounds like a lot of fun!

-Andrew

 

[JAM]

For the local AzB-ers!

Since we're on the topic of one-pocket, I spoke with young Brandon Shuff last night at the every-Wednesday tournament at Orange Ball. He said that his home pool room, First Break in Sterling VA, is going to have a one-pocket Midnight Madness in April, either the 21st or 28th. There do seem to be MANY local one-pocket enthusiasts in the metropolitan D.C. area.

BTW, quite a few players showed up for last night's 9-ball tournament in Rockville: Spanish Rob, Mike Davis, Egg McDogitt, Brandon Shuff, Beetle, Keith McCready, Parks, Mike Ricciardello, Taxi , Cisco Jr. and Dad, Bobby Phillips, Sun, Owner of First Break Cafe Anthony, USA Billiards' Mr. Lee's daughter Esther, just to name a few. Local One-pocket Legend Tom-Tom Wirth came by to enjoy the festivities, as he feasted on spare ribs and sipped a "Black Bush" drink. Also, there were Budweiser Babes on site last evening handing out FREE Budweisers, as a promo of a new Bud-in-a-bottle drink, to the patrons.

The Midnight Madness one-pocket tournament last Friday at Bill and Billie's Cuesports in Arnold MD was GREAT. The double-elimination format of race to 3 on the winners' side and race to 2 on the losers' side worked well, though getting one-pocket players to finish a tournament in one night is IMPOSSIBLE due to the length of time some one-hole games can take with the safety battles.

One-pocket competitive events seem to be on the RISE, and there most definitely is no shortage of one-pocket players to fill the player rosters.

JAM

 

[Voodoo Daddy]

JAM...next time you see TOM-TOM, tell him Big Steve sends his best regards?

 

[Cory in DC]

It's not bad at all if you take Metro; since it's less than a block to the U St stop on the green line. Also your car stays safer that way

Cory, please keep this forum updated with how many you get to commit to playing in the tournament. I may want to come play, since $15 fits my price range for entry fees, but I'd want to be reasonably confident the tournament was actually going to occur before I made the trip downtown.

Thanks for getting this together, it sounds like a lot of fun!

-Andrew

There's no pre-registration and I'm not asking people to commit in advance. People are just going to (hopefully) show up. I'm pretty sure that enough will show to have a tournament, so your trek probably wouldn't be in vain. Worst case, you can match up with me in a series of two-man tournaments.
Cory

 

[JAM]

JAM...next time you see TOM-TOM, tell him Big Steve sends his best regards?

Will do, Voodoo Daddy! Tom-Tom is dealing cards these days on a regular basis, and it is his desire to eventually move back to Florida. He said Florida rocks, compared to Maryland. He loves the beach, the girls, and the pool, in no specific order!

JAM