Ballbreakers in YOUR neck of the woods!

JAM

JAM

I am the storm
Silver Member
July 22nd in D.C., they're going to be at Buffalo Billiards on Dupont Circle. Am I correct in thinking they will pick one player at random from the audience?

Battle of the Bars” features a single tournament in each of 10 cities among players chosen by 140 different bars in those 10 cities. Each tournament will determine the best nine-ball player in the city who will win prizes including a new Brunswick pool table. The tournament in each city will be held in: Marietta, Georgia at Mazzy's Sports Bar & Grill (July 8), St. Louis at Pink Galleon Billiards & Games (July 9), Parma (near Cleveland), Ohio at Fox & Hound English Pub & Grille (July 15), Royal Oak (near Detroit) at Fifth Avenue (July 16), Washington D.C. at Buffalo Billiards (July 22), Philadelphia at Buffalo Billiards (July 23), Boston at The Rack (July 29), New York at State Plus (July 30), Los Angeles at Q’s Billiard Club (August 5), and concluding in Sacramento at Hot Shots Billiards (August 6).

I am going to check this out. They're giving away free gifts! And I'm dragging my horse with me, just in case he may get noticed! :p

Each bar is promoting tune in to GSN’s BALLBREAKERS using posters, table tents, coasters, napkins, t-shirts, key chains and other giveaways.

Is this still going on, or am I a day late and a dollar short?

JAM
 
As I understand it, Ballbreakers has chosen 14 bars in each city. Each one of these bars chooses one player to go to the event. It looks like Ballbreakers will pick one or two people at random to fill out the 16 person tournament. Interesting idea, but I have to question their choice of bars. Here's the list from NYC;

1849
Amsterdam Billiards & Bar
Corner Billiards
Eastside Billiards & Bar
Fat Cat Billiards
Jake's Dilemma
McSwiggan's Bar
Mo's Caribbean Bar & Mexican Grill
Off the Wagon
Plug Uglies
Pressure NYC
Q Lounge
Reservoir Bar & Grill
The Gin Mill

*I've been to all the bars in bold

:mad: First of all Jake's Dilemma, McSwiggan's, and Off the Wagon shouldn't even be on the list. They have shit tables that have more beer stains than my shirt the day after a pub crawl. I've also never seen any good players at any of these bars. WTF?? Fat Cat Billiards :rolleyes:, don't even get me started with that place.

Maybe I'm just pissed because they left off one of the best pool bars in NYC... the Stoned Crow. The Crow was featured in Time Out New York as the best pool bar and it's not on the list? Something's not right. :rolleyes:
 
Ballbreakers

Yeah, it's obvious that the people running this gig have no idea about pool. I am entered to compete in the DC event and I just received the rules. It's a race to 1...Wait, did you see that, I said a race to 1!!! Furthermore, once a shot is missed, the player coming to the table has five seconds to decide if they will shoot or let the player who just missed shoot again. Look forward to seeing you guys there JAM, but I'm not looking forward to the race to one! :mad:
 
Second City my ass

Third largest city in the country. Definitely couldn't find some pool players there. :rolleyes: Thanks guys.
 
mapman72 said:
Yeah, it's obvious that the people running this gig have no idea about pool. I am entered to compete in the DC event and I just received the rules. It's a race to 1...Wait, did you see that, I said a race to 1!!! Furthermore, once a shot is missed, the player coming to the table has five seconds to decide if they will shoot or let the player who just missed shoot again. Look forward to seeing you guys there JAM, but I'm not looking forward to the race to one! :mad:
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I was just about to post this excerpt from the rules:

"The game play at each Tournament will be governed by the World Standardized Rules of 9-Ball (which include the General Rules of Pocket Billiards) and the World Standardized Rules of Wheelchair Competition (if applicable) with the following modification (the “Ballbreakers Modification”): After any legal missed shot, the incoming Player has the option to shoot from the position of the cue ball or force the Player who missed the shot to "shoot again." The incoming Player must declare his or her intention within five seconds after all balls have come to rest on the table. If a Player is forced to "shoot again," standard 9-ball play continues thereafter . "​

Lucky for you, I'm out of town next Friday.
 
I called them directly and spoke with Jason. I suggested that they bring it to a big tournment like The Orlando Open www.OrlandoOpen.com. Seems like there would be a lot of players there and a lot of potential players for their show, in addition to the fact that they have a already made crowd thats wont be as up set with a RACE TO 1!

They really need to make appearances at larger venues in stead of making the players come to them. It wolud make for a good turnout and happier players... But what the hell do I know anyways....

Well.. that was a no go :confused:

dogginda9 really said it all "Third largest city in the country. Definitely couldn't find some pool players there. Thanks guys."
 
mapman72 said:
Yeah, it's obvious that the people running this gig have no idea about pool. I am entered to compete in the DC event and I just received the rules. It's a race to 1...Wait, did you see that, I said a race to 1!!! Furthermore, once a shot is missed, the player coming to the table has five seconds to decide if they will shoot or let the player who just missed shoot again. Look forward to seeing you guys there JAM, but I'm not looking forward to the race to one! :mad:
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Race to 1? :confused: Is that in the actual event or the qualifier at the bar?

Anyway, I'm going on July 30 anyway. Even if I don't get picked it should be entertaining. Anyone else from the NYC area going?
 
They just had the event here in St. Louis and although I didn't attend I had numerous friends that were there and also played in the event. Most got the impression that the BallBreakers people don't want high quality players to be involved. They had the kid there that won the first final event ($20,000). My friend told me that he was there to be doing 'exhibition matches'. I was told he was no more than a C player and probably didn't win 1 game of these exhibition matches. In his finals, there were 4 contestants....2 girls, him and some other guy. Each got $20,000 of a bankroll and got to challenge another person for any amount they wished. This winner got first pick and challenged a girl first for $20,000 won, and then won two more games to take home the prize.
Here in St Louis most would call the event a success but the good players were upset like most that it was a race to 1, single elimination tournament. The person that won is described as a low B player. I wonder how Rich Seger feels after he lost the lag and a girl C player made the 9 on the break, sending Rich home early for the night. The winner got about $8000 in prizes and each contestant (16) got a $100 bar tab from the place that held the event. That, IMO, is pretty sporty. The place here in St Louis that held the event is called the Pink Galleon, a pool room/bar with PINK cloth on the pool tables, BIG pockets, and slow cloth. Get the picture.
They didn't tape the competition but were taping interviews for potential contestants for the next season.
 
watchez said:
They just had the event here in St. Louis and although I didn't attend I had numerous friends that were there and also played in the event. Most got the impression that the BallBreakers people don't want high quality players to be involved....
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I was wondering if they had a selection criteria, and I did e-mail them.

The day they are in D.C. is the night before the Virginia State 9-Ball Championship in Richmond. Although as the crow flies, Richmond is only about a 1-1/2 to 2-hour drive from D.C., by car it can take up to 8 hours on beautiful Interstate 95. Capture a Virginia memory! :rolleyes:

All in all, though, it sounds like it is going to be a good time to be had by all those who do attend.

JAM
 
JAM said:
I was wondering if they had a selection criteria, and I did e-mail them.

The day they are in D.C. is the night before the Virginia State 9-Ball Championship in Richmond. Although as the crow flies, Richmond is only about a 1-1/2 to 2-hour drive from D.C., by car it can take up to 8 hours on beautiful Interstate 95. Capture a Virginia memory! :rolleyes:

All in all, though, it sounds like it is going to be a good time to be had by all those who do attend.

JAM
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As a previous poster stated, they contact 12-14 bar/pool rooms in the area and each got to 'sponsor' a player. All that meant is that they got to choose a player they wanted. I would call the host site and ask them if they have a list of the sites in DC that are going to be sponsoring a player. They might know. The night of the event, they chose 4 people out of the crowd to play. I am not sure how they got chosen but it had nothing to do with playing ability. I also don't know how they choose the sites that get to put in a player. Teachers Billiards has two locations, one owned by Andy Quinn (who is probably the 8 ball better than anyone in St Louis) and neither location was contacted. You also have to be 21 to be a contestant which would count out Justin Bergman but he is in Florida tearing it up right now anyways.
As far as going there with Keith, I don't know what to tell you. They might pick YOU over Keith, who knows. I will say this,Joe Woolford...who is a top notch player and got 2nd in the event after succumbing to the rule that you can't play safe and trying a hard cut shot on the 6 ball I believe...thought so much of the event and I suppose the lower caliber players involved was thinking of driving to Cinncinnati to have another crack at it and the chance to be chosen out of the crowd. If Keith has another big tournament to go to, I would say a bird in the hand is worth more than 2 in the bush....but you never know.
 
watchez said:
I would call the host site and ask them if they have a list of the sites in DC that are going to be sponsoring a player.
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Here's a list of the bars in DC. Got it from the GSN site (http://www.gsn.com/win/battle/battle.php). It's under locations.

Buffalo Billiards (Tournament Location)
Bungalow Billiards & Brew Co.
Car Pool
Champion Billiards Sports Café
Continental Modern Pool Lounge
Crystal City Sports Pub
Fast Eddie's Sports and Billiards Café
Fast Eddie's Sports and Billiards Café
Fast Eddie's Sports and Billiards Café
Fast Eddie's Sports and Billiards Café
Galaxy Billiards Café
Georgetown Bar & Billiards
Orange Ball Billiards Café
The Bungalow at Manchester Lakes
Whitlow's on Wilson

I'm assuming that Fast Eddie's has four different location? Jam, can you tell us if they did as bad a job picking locations in DC as they did in NYC?
 
about Ballbreakers

I was one of the contestants for the show in the first season of taping. They do not want people that are like Keith, because he is going to run racks consistantly. They want people who will miss, or else what is one to bet on during the show? Would they bet that Keith is going to run out this rack again, too? They want other contestants to bet against the shooter, whether he will miss this shot, run the next 3 balls, bank this one.. People like Keith do not offer those betting opportunities.

Jason from the show called and asked if I would fly to any of the cities that they are doing the promotion for. I may go to the LA one at Hardtimes, mostly to give some of my friends who want to try out a good word in with the producers. This again, was a fun show! I consider myself a pool traditionalist but even so really liked what they did, and made it completely entertaining! Not only are they giving away a beautiful Gold Crown IV, they are giving a lot of valuable prizes away at the promotions. It is never bad to let someone do this because we do not necessarily agree with the traditional format we are used to adhering to. They want it fast and furious, and exciting to spectators.

They do not want safety play because it is not good for television. That is why they have the rule even on a legally hit shot if the incoming player doesn't like where it is left, they can give it back to you. That is how they want it, where anyone can win, where when watching the show and seeing the contestants, it would be hard to pick who is going to come away with the cash.

I also think that GSN had some sort of say what bars they picked. I can't remember exactly if that is what Jason said but I think that is right. It is worth it though if you would like to be apart of next season to go to the events. Look around at any other game show except the Millionaire one, and this game show is giving away more money thant any other. You really want to be a contestant on this show. Face it, a one in four shot of winning 20 grand is a great thing. We could all use that.
 
NewGuy said:
Here's a list of the bars in DC. Got it from the GSN site (http://www.gsn.com/win/battle/battle.php). It's under locations.

Buffalo Billiards (Tournament Location)
Bungalow Billiards & Brew Co.
Car Pool
Champion Billiards Sports Café
Continental Modern Pool Lounge
Crystal City Sports Pub
Fast Eddie's Sports and Billiards Café
Fast Eddie's Sports and Billiards Café
Fast Eddie's Sports and Billiards Café
Fast Eddie's Sports and Billiards Café
Galaxy Billiards Café
Georgetown Bar & Billiards
Orange Ball Billiards Café
The Bungalow at Manchester Lakes
Whitlow's on Wilson

I'm assuming that Fast Eddie's has four different location? Jam, can you tell us if they did as bad a job picking locations in DC as they did in NYC?
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That's a tough question for me to answer, NewGuy. For one thing, I have NEVER heard of "Bungalow Billiards & Brew Co.," "The Bungalow at Manchester Lakes," "Continental Modern Pool Lounge," or "Whitlow's on Wilson."

Buffalo Billiards (Tournament Location)
Located on Dupont Circle, it does have league play there, but is mostly a singles and/or yup spot (IMO)
Car Pool
Located in Virginia, I have only visited the establishment one time and was not impressed.
Champion Billiards Sports Café
Champion is the BIGGEST pool room chain in the area. They only contacted one? What happened to Rockville, Laurel, and Frederick, MD, AND Arlington, VA?

OT, they are building two brand-new Champion pool rooms, one in Leesburg, VA, and the other in Columbia, MD. That's good news for folks who live in these areas. :)

Crystal City Sports Pub
Nice after-work hangout and lunchtime spot (IMO)
Fast Eddie's Sports and Billiards Café
Fast Eddie's Sports and Billiards Café
Fast Eddie's Sports and Billiards Café
Fast Eddie's Sports and Billiards Café
I know of Fast Eddie's in Springfield and Alexandria, VA, and did not know there were four of them. The two Fast Eddie's, though, do have a strong cast of regulars.
Galaxy Billiards Café
Do not like this pool room one bit, no parking, and it seems like a singles bar (IMO)
Georgetown Bar & Billiards
Been there once, won't be back. Nice neighborhood pool room for the locals, but I don't think there are very many folks who live in the affluent Georgetown area who are pool enthusists and fans (IMO).
Orange Ball Billiards Café
Good choice. Many pool enthusiasts and players of all caliber frequent this pool room. I would love to see "Cisco" get picked, but he's under 18. He came in third place at the junior tourney at SBE this year.

JAM
 
Shorty said:
I wonder if they would consider a Mouthy Midget who Misses?
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Good things come in small packages, Shorty! :)

I wonder if they'll consider a senior citizen lady whose eyesight is dwindling and hasn't picked up a stick in years. :p

JAM
 
I might have to check out that thing at buffalo...would suck if you didn't win the break lol

JAM said:
Good things come in small packages, Shorty! :)

I wonder if they'll consider a senior citizen lady whose eyesight is dwindling and hasn't picked up a stick in years. :p

JAM
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Egg McDogit said:
I might have to check out that thing at buffalo...would suck if you didn't win the break lol
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Egg, you would definitely be the PERFECT choice to get in the pit. If anything, I hope I can go and try to egg [pun intended :D] you in there. You have a great smile which would show up well on TV. Your shooting style is most definitely fast and furious, which would fit right in with the Ballbreakers' theme (IMO)!

That's the end of it. You gotta go, Egg McDogit! You're a shoe-in! :)

JAM
 
Shorty said:
Hey that was my line when I was trying to be a midget porn star!
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And YOU too, Shorty, would be a shoe-in. You would bring a sense of levity to the table with your free-stroking style and pleasant demeanor. Is there a Ballbreakers coming to a town near you?

JAM
 
JAM said:
Egg, you would definitely be the PERFECT choice to get in the pit. If anything, I hope I can go and try to egg [pun intended :D] you in there. You have a great smile which would show up well on TV. Your shooting style is most definitely fast and furious, which would fit right in with the Ballbreakers' theme (IMO)!

That's the end of it. You gotta go, Egg McDogit! You're a shoe-in! :)

JAM
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LOL thanks jam...I think I'd be good for the show too...I mess up ALL THE TIME!! people in tvland get TIRED of seeing champions like blackballed running out like robots. My game is much more entertaining....out of line on every shot...every shot twice as hard as the last ...culminating in me looking at an 80 degree cut down the rail to make the 8! now that's entertainment. you can watch that and think to yourself...whew I'm no worldbeater, but I'm sure glad I don't play like that guy. And that's the way I play for cheap!!! Imagine how entertaining it'd be to see me dog it for high stakes :D :D

Not to mention my ridiculous stroke that looks like something one of those dudes on the espn lumberjack competitions would use :eek:
 
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