Best Pool Halls for spectators

[catscradle]

Is Country Club Mike X's place? I may be wrong, but it seems to me that I heard is was.

No Mike X's place WAS Accu Billiards in New Bedford, MA. He has subsequently sold it and got out of the business of running a pool hall. Accu Billiards was the best place I've been for watching a match. Too bad they don't do the Joss tour anymore.

 

[JAM]

I agree HardTimes in Bellflower is the "best pool room" to view a tournament. In addition I think that Mike Zuglan's Joss tournament at The Turning Stone Casino is the "best venue" for viewing a tournament

Wow, I agree with you on the Turning Stone Casino as far as viewing a tournament. To this date, I have never seen a better set-up. For a spectator, it's the absolute BEST.

Pool rooms that I've been to, I kind of like, as was mentioned earlier in the thread, Q-Master's in good ol' Virginny, logistically sweet for a professional driver like me. However, when that place gets to rocking, like say maybe during the U.S. Open week, there ain't enough seats. I've spent a few nights in there when it was standing room only.

I've always liked the atmosphere of Snooker's in Providence, Rhode Island. The recently added outside wooden deck for the designated smoking area, only a few steps away from the tables, is actually elevated, so that one can get a bird's-eye view of some of the tables. For the cigarette smokers, this is a godsend. For the non-smoking pool folk, they can now breathe freely. It's a win-win. It was especially nice during a finals of a Joss tourney between Ginky and Allen Hopkins last year. What a battle, fought hard to the finish, keeping everyone on their feet.

Country Club USA in Chelmsford is a maze of different rooms. It's an adventure when you go there for the first time, looking for a spot to settle in. It has all of the dream amenities -- full bar, good food, and plenty of space -- which makes hanging out there quite comfortable, a bonus for tournament events. Nobody likes standing on their feet for a whole tournament. I've done that before, and it really sucks, walking around the room like a homeless refugee, hoping to find a vacant space to stand in without getting in anyone's way or line of vision.

As far as hanging-out pool rooms, I really like Frank's Place in Morgantown, West Virginia. What an off-the-beaten path, old timey pool room, and one never knows who's going to walk in the front door!

So, if you were to break it down into three categories -- tournament venues, tournament pool rooms, and accommodating everyday pool rooms -- I'd throw the above-referenced choices in the hat!

JAM

 

[Nostroke]

The Music City Open is on bar boxes. They also have about 10 9 footers.

I stopped by JOB one time and was real surprised-the back room with the 9 footers was dead empty. The bar-boxes were all going strong-good players too!

Jim Marino's room- just West ? of Pittsburgh has theater seating for 20-30 IIRC around the action tables.

 

[JAM]

No it isn't... country club is owned by Dave Cuhna....real nice place...Mike X sold his place over near the cape a couple of years ago and is now living in Fla. I justy saw him last Sept at the Open and he is doing very well and loving Fla.................mike

As far as some of the best pool folks in the industry, Cueball1950, I'd also choose The Golden Cue in Albany, New York. Who could ask for anything more!? The room is smoke-free and alcohol-free, making it family friendly, the way I like a pool room; the no drinking, that is. Joe's Grill, right next door, is the best neighborhood bar I have been to in a long time, and they love pool. It's the people that make The Golden Cue kind of special. OTB right down the street for a visiting gambler is a plus for some who follow the tournament trail!

So throw The Golden Cue in the hat too!

JAM

 

[JAM]

Jim Marino's room- just West ? of Pittsburgh has theater seating for 20-30 IIRC around the action tables.

I remember that place, right on the corner. They did have theater or bus seats in there, as I recall. I'm not sure, but I don't think they had any windows -- one way in and one way out. It would be a great room to sweat a match in.

I remember a pool room in Annapolis, MD that had chalk hanging down from the ceiling on elastic cords. That's the only time I'd ever seen that, hanging chalks. Maybe the owner didn't want chalk getting on his equipment!

JAM

 

[CrownCityCorey]

The best I have ever seen is HardTimes in Bellflower, CA. What other rooms have that kind of room for spectators?

-Back2good1

Hard Times in Sacramento, Ca is also great for spectators.

Include:

Las Vegas Cue Club, Pool Sharks - The Pit (Las Vegas) and Golden Cue Billiards - Action Room Bleachers (South ElMonte, Ca).

 

[Tom In Cincy]

Yes, Hardtimes in Sacramento does have plenty of seating for spectators, bleacher style and floor level. The Player area is very roomy also.
No room is waisted by having the seating available for spectators or players waiting between matches.

Our monthly and yearly Jamborees bring a lot of players and spectators. There really isn't a bad seat in the separate tournament room. Seating has been regulated to 141 people (including the players).

Q-Master and HardTimes Bellflower are both great Spectator rooms. Class owners and great staff make for a great experience. If you get a chance to go to either place, do so, you won't be sorry.