Advance warning... this is going to be a long first post.

E

ElMaverickUK

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
First of all I would like to say hello to all here on AZ, I have read the forums/articles here on and off for about a year now, and by and large it is great to see a group of helpful and passionate players, just from reading I feel like I have improved... mentally at least.

I should start by saying I am not a good pool player. I could be, however I recognise that I do not have the time/resources currently with which to grow into a player that consistently matches the ability I know I have (hiding itself away, consistently out of reach), long story short my average game is not up to scratch. I have played in a few tournaments here in England, and done... ok. However, despite the dreams of lifting the Mosconi aloft pool is just something that makes me smile. I enjoy playing, sure I get ridiculously frustrated sometimes with it, but I always come back to it eventually... ok time to get to the point.

Myself and a cue-wielding friend of mine are looking at undertaking the classic road trip across Northern America at some point in the next couple of years, the general sight-seeing/pool and poker playing/experience having trip. Now, not being particularly aware of history/hot-spots in the pool world stateside I was looking for some advice. where, in your opinion would be the places we should be looking to go to on our hit-list? I am a fan of tournaments (local/low-level) also as over here we do not have access to much tuition, I would certainly like to attend a training camp of some sort. I am just an English country boy who would like to meet local players, have a beer and some racks.

Bearing in mind this idea is still in its infancy, it will be quite the long time before we can get over there, is there any sort of seasonal route that the calender takes? or would it be a case of wherever we go there will be something going on?

I am going to stop there, plenty more I have to say and should I not be shunned like some sort of crazy leper you will no doubt here more from me. any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

regards from 'sunny' England

ElMav
 
I would structure the trip around a major event. The US Open 9 Ball in Virginia being one and the US Open 10 Ball and US Open One Pocket along with the BCAPL Nationals in Vegas being the other.

You could come in a few weeks before and travel around to different places.

Pool rooms of note worth a visit would be Amsterdam Billiards in NYC, Shooters in Olathe Kansas (best around a Midwest 9 Ball stop) and for history sake Hard Times in LA are all cool.

Depending on your budget and time you could even come in at the first of the year and hit the Derby City Classic in Indiana, The Swannee at Hard Times in LA and the US Bar Table Championships in Reno all in about a month or so.

Pool in the US funny. One week a pool room or area can be jumping and the next it can be a ghost town. If it were me I would try to find a time place where everyone is going to be and plan around that.

If you are a poker player then the BCAPL Nationals in May would be a good idea as the WSOP is going on around that time as well.

Good luck with your trip it sounds like a lot of fun.
 
Welcome friend.!!

Welcome from the USA. JCIN hit it on the head. Watching all the big stops will be a dream come true!!! Do some homework on the computer,make some friends find a few places to stay. Some are more than willing. But you should bring a few liq. Chocolates from Belgium and some cheese please. You must use Ketchup ,on the late night fries. Be prepared to Eat lots of cooked Beef. Not Horse -lol. Your money is worth double here. So you better plan on sending some cues home!! We all use cars not exactly a bus county- so plan on getting a dependable vehicle here and use the truck stops for showers,or the west coast,flordia waters.
 
Should you choose to venture into The Great White North, I suggest you post your question in the Canadian Pool section.

Here is a link that will give you some idea of what may be available in local tournaments.
However, I don't think this thing is up to date, the guy who maintained the site died more than a year ago.

http://shooterville.com/weekly.asp

As to getting tuition, I suggest that you schedule it for the end of your trip.
Randy G, for example, recommends that you do not play for at least six weeks after attending his course, only practice to ingrain what you have learned.
 
Folks, Thank you for your replies, gives me some things to be getting on with :)

It has always been something I have wanted to do, and I have friends who have relocated to both Canada and the U.S, I hear nothing but good things. There is potential for moving out that way at some point as my love for this sunny isle is diminishing, so a kind of try before I buy type experience perhaps. It is a fair way off.. so gives me plenty of time to network and scout.

Hollywood - just give me a list sir, I will see what I can do :P, and anyone who doesn't use ketchup.. just plain crazy.
 
a few months have gone by and due to a.. shall we see protracted conclusion to a long-term relationship, my plans are slightly up in the air. Visiting Canada in September for a few weeks, and then looking at venturing out to N.America in April (birthday present to myself) for as long as one can muster, would like to sort of work as I go. Possibly camp America as a first point then move onwards from there. Is not going to be a pool centric trip but anywhere along the way I can get involved in some tournaments then all good.

will need to pick me up a set up to be getting on with as am starting from scratch (excuse bad punnery) but that should be ok. played a GB9 a while back, and got my *** handed to me, but had fun with it, and got one round off of money a couple of times against some decent rated players this side of the pond, so not a completely lost cause, although if I don't win a game out there, as long as I meet some good people, experience the 'real' States rather than just hiking from one tourist trap to another (not being down on it, just not my thing, I want to experience the diversity of it all)

as far as travel goes, looking to pick up a car at beginning of trip and see just how far through the Americas one can make it... I may have blown it all inside 2 weeks and jumping on a plane home, but who knows eh? one way to find out... I will update as I go, and if you know anyone with a barn or garage to rest my head (always got the car) then let me know haha, but best way to do it I imagine will be to get my butt out there and talk to people.

anyways, enough rambling for now. May the rolls be with you all.

ElMav
 
ElMaverickUK said:
First of all I would like to say hello to all here on AZ, I have read the forums/articles here on and off for about a year now, and by and large it is great to see a group of helpful and passionate players, just from reading I feel like I have improved... mentally at least.

I should start by saying I am not a good pool player. I could be, however I recognise that I do not have the time/resources currently with which to grow into a player that consistently matches the ability I know I have (hiding itself away, consistently out of reach), long story short my average game is not up to scratch. I have played in a few tournaments here in England, and done... ok. However, despite the dreams of lifting the Mosconi aloft pool is just something that makes me smile. I enjoy playing, sure I get ridiculously frustrated sometimes with it, but I always come back to it eventually... ok time to get to the point.

Myself and a cue-wielding friend of mine are looking at undertaking the classic road trip across Northern America at some point in the next couple of years, the general sight-seeing/pool and poker playing/experience having trip. Now, not being particularly aware of history/hot-spots in the pool world stateside I was looking for some advice. where, in your opinion would be the places we should be looking to go to on our hit-list? I am a fan of tournaments (local/low-level) also as over here we do not have access to much tuition, I would certainly like to attend a training camp of some sort. I am just an English country boy who would like to meet local players, have a beer and some racks.

Bearing in mind this idea is still in its infancy, it will be quite the long time before we can get over there, is there any sort of seasonal route that the calender takes? or would it be a case of wherever we go there will be something going on?

I am going to stop there, plenty more I have to say and should I not be shunned like some sort of crazy leper you will no doubt here more from me. any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

regards from 'sunny' England

ElMav
Click to expand...



Regards to you also and welcome to the forum. It is always nice to see more new members come here and post. Whether your a Pro player or not doesn't matter everyones has something to add from their perspective which can be very valuable.

Take Care
 
Keep Posting

ElMav,

Suggestion: Bring a laptop or get one when you get here. Keep posting here about your travels and where your headed next. You will likely receive some help along the way from members of this forum.

Also, can you bring Karl Pinkington with you. He has traveled abroad a lot, and could also be a big help.
 
ElMaverickUK said:
First of all I would like to say hello to all here on AZ, I have read the forums/articles here on and off for about a year now, and by and large it is great to see a group of helpful and passionate players, just from reading I feel like I have improved... mentally at least.

I should start by saying I am not a good pool player. I could be, however I recognise that I do not have the time/resources currently with which to grow into a player that consistently matches the ability I know I have (hiding itself away, consistently out of reach), long story short my average game is not up to scratch. I have played in a few tournaments here in England, and done... ok. However, despite the dreams of lifting the Mosconi aloft pool is just something that makes me smile. I enjoy playing, sure I get ridiculously frustrated sometimes with it, but I always come back to it eventually... ok time to get to the point.

Myself and a cue-wielding friend of mine are looking at undertaking the classic road trip across Northern America at some point in the next couple of years, the general sight-seeing/pool and poker playing/experience having trip. Now, not being particularly aware of history/hot-spots in the pool world stateside I was looking for some advice. where, in your opinion would be the places we should be looking to go to on our hit-list? I am a fan of tournaments (local/low-level) also as over here we do not have access to much tuition, I would certainly like to attend a training camp of some sort. I am just an English country boy who would like to meet local players, have a beer and some racks.

Bearing in mind this idea is still in its infancy, it will be quite the long time before we can get over there, is there any sort of seasonal route that the calender takes? or would it be a case of wherever we go there will be something going on?

I am going to stop there, plenty more I have to say and should I not be shunned like some sort of crazy leper you will no doubt here more from me. any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

regards from 'sunny' England

ElMav
Click to expand...

Interesting idea!!! If you have a laptop and put up a post of your starting point and which direction you are going. The road would be paved by AZ er's.:cool:

I would have no problem putting you up for a night. I find it cool to do something like that. Me and the wife would even cook you dinner and I could find a tournament to play in.

Im not sure if there are enough AZers willing to do this,, but if there are some ,,your trip could go a very long time.

Good Luck.
 
flash5153 said:
Interesting idea!!! If you have a laptop and put up a post of your starting point and which direction you are going. The road would be paved by AZ er's.:cool:

I would have no problem putting you up for a night. I find it cool to do something like that. Me and the wife would even cook you dinner and I could find a tournament to play in.

Im not sure if there are enough AZers willing to do this,, but if there are some ,,your trip could go a very long time.

Good Luck.
Click to expand...

Flash. thank you very much for reply and your very kind offer, it is wonderful to know this could be viable, and it would be great to get a 'local' view of the country as I go. Thank you again, I am very grateful

I shall have a laptop by the time I go, and intend to keep everyone updated (whether they want to hear it or not)
 
DoubleD said:
ElMav,

Where in the UK are you from?

I spent the first three months of this year in Chester, working on a machinery installation--and not playing any cuesports.

As for the idea of buying the car, that seems like a pretty big outlay of travel funds that you only get part of back when you are done traveling.

Having worked with a bunch of brits who come over here, I think it is important for you to realize just how big the U.S. is (not even including the icicles in canadia)--that based on their comments. As a reference, I grew up in Bozeman, Mt and now live in Seattle WA. Google map that and zoom out to see the whole country. I drive that in 10hrs with two 10-15min stops. Go to Madison WI (~3hrs? from Chicago) and you add another 20hrs of driving.

I guess what I am trying to say, is that you should be very specific as to what you intend to see/do here. If you try to see both coasts (the population centers), you will either fly between them or spend a significant amount of time driving through very boring landscapes, some of which (I'm sad to say) are populated by people who don't really like foreigners.

Don't take any of this as a reason to not come. I think you will have a blast--especially now that you are single (if I read that correctly)--chicks will dig the accent, just like your birds liked mine.

dld
Click to expand...

Dld.

First of all, thank you for replying, I hope you had a good time this side of the pond (like the birds reference haha). I am from the South Coast (born and raised about an hour from London) currently working and living in Portsmouth.

I am endeavouring to keep a level head in regards to all this, and if it makes sense I am trying not to make it too rigid a trip as I would like to be able to stay some places for longer if one enjoys them however like you say I should have a wish list of places to go (which when I tried to draw a route on a map lead me to I think 40-something states :s), I am considering the best way to travel, also I have Visas to consider for both US and Canada combined with working possibilities across both, I hope to see as much as possible.

You did read correctly, I am a resident of singleville, finally somewhere the accent will work in my favour, now all I have to do is find a personality and I will be set :thumbup: (got to love the self-deprication haha)

Thank you again for your comments, it has not put me off in the slightest, and in fact I find it welcome to have a sensible view of this. It is important to cover a lot of bases and have some reasonable thinking behind the whole thing. I have around 10 months to plan it out, and would hope my trip lasts a lot longer than that.

It is really good to get an inside point of view on all things, and I won't be putting myself in any unnecessarily 'dodgy' situations regarding people who may dislike me for whatever reason, (I will keep my Red coat, Tricorn hat and Union Jack out of sight) and I am aware of my brethrens reputation for being abroad, suffice to say I am not like that.

Regards,

ElMav
 
WOW!!!! nobody calling this a sc5 post. Welcome sir & expect the unexpected for a few days. I did hear a car would be the new name thats why im just saying, Again,Welcome to the forum.
 
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8&snap said:
WOW!!!! nobody calling this a sc5 post. Welcome sir & expect the unexpected for a few days. I did hear a car would be the new name thats why im just saying, Again,Welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...

I am probably going to show my idiocy here but... my brain is not comprehending that post.. Im not sure what an sc5 is... :sorry:

did I do something I shouldn't have?
 
ElMaverickUK said:
I am probably going to show my idiocy here but... my brain is not comprehending that post.. Im not sure what an sc5 is... :sorry:

did I do something I shouldn't have?
Click to expand...

No sir you havent done anything,this is just a running joke on this forum due to a member named sc5 & his other 100 names. May i suggest you read the action forum to become familiar with this tool.
 
howdy all, just a brief update, looking good to go ahead in april time, making some contacts, and getting an idea of which part of the country I would like to be in and when, May June time I have been told the west coast would be a good place to begin, although is such a huge place it could be anywehre at all.

from a non-pool point of view, may I ask peoples 'must-visit' spots? outside of the main ones I am aware of, looking to find the hidden gems, and also on the flip side places you would strongly recommed I don't venture into, I am not naieve enough to think I can wander into anywhere without some sort of potential risk, as much as I would like to see it all.
 
JCIN said:
I would structure the trip around a major event. The US Open 9 Ball in Virginia being one and the US Open 10 Ball and US Open One Pocket along with the BCAPL Nationals in Vegas being the other.

You could come in a few weeks before and travel around to different places.

Pool rooms of note worth a visit would be Amsterdam Billiards in NYC, Shooters in Olathe Kansas (best around a Midwest 9 Ball stop) and for history sake Hard Times in LA are all cool.

Depending on your budget and time you could even come in at the first of the year and hit the Derby City Classic in Indiana, The Swannee at Hard Times in LA and the US Bar Table Championships in Reno all in about a month or so.

Pool in the US funny. One week a pool room or area can be jumping and the next it can be a ghost town. If it were me I would try to find a time place where everyone is going to be and plan around that.

If you are a poker player then the BCAPL Nationals in May would be a good idea as the WSOP is going on around that time as well.

Good luck with your trip it sounds like a lot of fun.
Click to expand...


I would add to that: check out Chris's and Red Shoes in Chicago. I can't vouch for Chris's, but you will get played at Shoes. IMO, there is tough action available at Chris's, but you will, undoubtedly, be taking the worst of it :-) If nothing else, by going there you will get a flavor for the old-time walk-up pool halls of an America past.

Udder than that, what he said.

And oh yes -- The Jointed Cue in Sacramento would be worth a stop, if you're going to the West Coast. Maybe Family Billiards in San Francisco.

Lou Figueroa
 
Mr Figueroa,

thank you for your suggestions, there is so very much I need to learn but am looking forward to finding it all.. and this trip which initially was going to be a 4--5 month trip.. is expanding all the time. thank you again, it is much appreciated.

such friendly people here :)
 
ElMav
Welcome and if you are ever in the Atlanta area please feel free to drop me a line and we'll see what we can do.

Portsmouth..............aaaah I remember the days, I used to work right next door to Fratton Park in the 90's for BT. I was born and lived in Sussex most of my life before moving here to the US. You will find no better contacts anywhere than here on this forum, everyone is very helpful and all your questions will be answered.

Paul
 
ah Gerogia Boy a fellow ex-sussex resident. congratulations on making the break haha.. important question though.. East or West? haha, it matters not buddy. and I shall no doubt bother you on my jaunt through Atlanta, if only to bend your ear about local fare and sights :)

Double d, howdy again, blues music was something I was discussing the other day, and I am a complete noob when it comes to the more traditional types of music, blues and jazz are both things I am looking forward to seeing very much. I have a lot to learn :), my bucket list is growing ever larger.

I am grateful for the continued input from all, and I have found everyone to be very helpful indeed. so you thanks again for so far, and thanks in advance for future input.

is not quite close enough to start counting down the days, that can wait until after my september jaunt to canada.. but is a very excititng time indeed, :)

elMav.
 
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