Billiards is Food for the Soul

[JAM]

...stepping back in time to a place where billiards was king, like Kansas City in the 1940s, where people huddled around tables in crowded but hushed parlors to watch matches between top players....

Sound familiar? These old-timey pool rooms are scarce today, but not in Kansas City. That's right. Even in 2008, a half-a-century later, Kansas City offers a slice of American pool at Raytown Billiards on 12th Street.

With oriental rugs on the floor, comfy cushioned chairs for railbirds, Raytown Billiards is one pool room I want to visit. And I will for sure.

I love this quote from the article below, a must-read: In pool, a ball takes a short trip to the pocket, but a successful 3-cushion billiards shot can be a long, beautiful journey. The cue ball travels slowly over a smooth green plain and caroms off three, four, sometimes five or six rails before it finally, gently taps its prey.

I remember the first pool room I worked in had two billiard tables, and they got played by the old-timers and Asian-American clientele. Eventually, they replaced the tables with pocketed Gold Crowns, due to lack of interest. Billiards as a game seemed to diminish in popularity.

One time, some kids came in there to play pool, and I gave them the tray of balls. They went all the way in the back of the room and proceeded to rack the balls for a friendly partner game of 8-ball. Up at the counter, Old Man Mickey nudged me to watch what inevitably was going to happen when they broke the balls on the billiard table. The expression on the kids' faces was priceless when they realized the table had no pockets.

This article is about a billiard champion named Don Brinks. According to the article, he went to the DCC in Louisville this year. He keeps pool alive and well in what I consider to be a rarity, this pool room of his. YOU MUST CLICK ON THE 2-plus minute video of this beautiful room where it says Hear Stories About the Hall's Past: http://www.kansascity.com/782/story/535176-p2.html

After you read the article, you too will long to drive to Kansas City to see this place up front and close, like stepping back in time, as the article reads, and maybe, if you're lucky, you will get a chance to chat with Don Brink, a American champion billiards player.

ARTICLE: http://www.kansascity.com/782/story/535176-p2.html

JAM

 

[Fast Lenny]

Very cool Jennie.

 

[JAM]

Very cool Jennie.

Thanks for reading the article. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

I thought this article would be appropriate in a pool forum, kind of refreshing in a way from the usual mumbo jumbo and picture threads. I was hoping some readers would enjoy seeing what a "real" pool room is like.

This one is definitely the last of a rare breed when it comes to pool rooms. I enjoyed seeing the video of this room, the comfortable chairs, oriental rugs, a pool player's paradise.

No loud music, big screen TVs, juke boxes, or singles in a pickup bar atmosphere. The patrons here are into serious pool, and this is the way a pool room should be for players. Unfortunately, in these economic times, they are not very lucrative for the owners.

JAM

 

[Pushout]

Thanks, JAM! The whip is cracking and I have to leave the house for a few hours very shortly, but I will read the article when I get back. Thanks for the post and it's damn good to see you again.

 

[JAM]

Thanks, JAM! The whip is cracking and I have to leave the house for a few hours very shortly, but I will read the article when I get back. Thanks for the post and it's damn good to see you again.

Thanks for the kind words, Pushout!

The article is well written and wonderful, but that video link is cool as can be. Don't forget to check it out. It is only a couple minutes, but well worth the watch.

Man, I would do ANYTHING to have a pool room like that in my neck of the woods. The pool rooms in my area are dropping like flies. In fact, I think I can safely say that there are no "real" pool rooms like that one in Kansas City in my area.

This Don Brink guy was in Louisville this past January at the DCC. Did anybody get a chance to talk to him? His story about living for 5 years in Mexico shooting billiards is very interesting. He is heralded as a billiards champion.

I wonder what he really thought of the DCC.

JAM

 

[SCCues]

Great Post

JAM,

It's great to see you posting on AZ again and I enjoyed this thread. I hope that everyone supports our troops whether they agree with the war or not. The troops are doing a good job protecting all of us and it's so easy to get caught up in our daily routines and not remember them.

Do you and Keith have plans to go to the US Open this year? I surely hope so since I missed you and Keith last year.

James

 

[JAM]

JAM,

It's great to see you posting on AZ again and I enjoyed this thread. I hope that everyone supports our troops whether they agree with the war or not. The troops are doing a good job protecting all of us and it's so easy to get caught up in our daily routines and not remember them.

Do you and Keith have plans to go to the US Open this year? I surely hope so since I missed you and Keith last year.

James

Thanks for the good thoughts about Keith and me. Yes, we will definitely be going to the U.S. Open this year.

I love that tournament. I really do. I just don't like that it is 8-days long. It is very hard for me to juggle my job and go to events this length.

Being away from the tournament trail and all of Keith's so-called "friends" has been good for both of us, I think. You really find out who your friends are when you are in a time of need.

Keith is really healthy right now, strong as can be. His only vice is cigarettes, but I don't mind that so much. I only just quit smoking February 16th. I sure am glad I did quit smoking. However, I will miss hanging out in front of the Chesapeake Conference Center at the U.S. Open with the rest of the smokers.

I would love to know if somebody at the Derby City Classic this year got a chance to talk to Don Brink, the American billiards champion who owns this pool room in Kansas City called Raytown. He sure does seem like a very interesting man.

JAM

 

[watchez]

Raytown is also the home of Big Bertha - a 5 X 10 pocket billiard table that has seen its share of one pocket action.

As far as I know, Steve Hassell is still the house pro there. One of the great unknown players to those outside the Midwest. Also, Danny H. can be found there.

 

[JAM]

Raytown is also the home of Big Bertha - a 5 X 10 pocket billiard table that has seen its share of one pocket action.

As far as I know, Steve Hassell is still the house pro there. One of the great unknown players to those outside the Midwest. Also, Danny H. can be found there.

I did not know there was another "Big Bertha" outside of California HardTimes pool room.

The billiard table in Raytown is heated, interestingly. Both Don Brink and his son, Doug, attended the DCC this year. Below is a picture of his son Doug at a 3-cushion tournament. Notice all the competitors are dressed up for this event.

In trying to research Don Brink, I ran across a link where he competed in a tournament with Deno Andews, who was also a 3-cushion player at one time.

Keith can play 3-cushion billiards, and I have seen him do so. However, Keith can play all games, some better than others. He really surprised me with his snooker capabilities!

I would love to learn more about this pool room, Raytown. I sure do wish Danny Harriman was still posting on AzBilliards. I would enjoy hearing what he has to say, and Deno Andrews too, for that matter. What a shame these pool figures are unable or don't want to to contribute to AzBilliards anymore.

JAM

 

[gotgame]

Good post jam i enjoyed reading that very interesting to see how times have and sometimes havenot changed in the pool world. Good to have you back post like these are enjoying to read instead of a 20 page post of woofing

 

[sjb]

Raytown is also the home of Big Bertha - a 5 X 10 pocket billiard table that has seen its share of one pocket action.

As far as I know, Steve Hassell is still the house pro there. One of the great unknown players to those outside the Midwest. Also, Danny H. can be found there.

Unfortunately, after being there for as long as I can remember, Steve H. hasn't been at Raytown Rec for several years. He hasn't been playing a lot lately, but I did run into him a couple months ago, and he still plays great. I've heard some great stories from Steve about action in the old days there.

I haven't been to Raytown Rec recently, but JAM hit it on the head, this is a real pool room. I think the hours may have changed in recent times, but the sign outside used to say "Always Open." And it was. Literally.

 

[watchez]

I did not know there was another "Big Bertha" outside of California HardTimes pool room.

The billiard table in Raytown is heated, interestingly. Both Don Brink and his son, Doug, attended the DCC this year. Below is a picture of his son Doug at a 3-cushion tournament. Notice all the competitors are dressed up for this event.

In trying to research Don Brink, I ran across a link where he competed in a tournament with Deno Andews, who was also a 3-cushion player at one time.

Keith can play 3-cushion billiards, and I have seen him do so. However, Keith can play all games, some better than others. He really surprised me with his snooker capabilities!

I would love to learn more about this pool room, Raytown. I sure do wish Danny Harriman was still posting on AzBilliards. I would enjoy hearing what he has to say, and Deno Andrews too, for that matter. What a shame these pool figures are unable or don't want to to contribute to AzBilliards anymore.

JAM

Actually Danny does still post on AZ from time to time - Noncrookedpool

I have sent Scottster a link to this thread. I am sure he will give you more info about Raytown & the owners.

I know at the recent Young Guns challenge in Olathe, there was talk of Cliff & Danny matching up on Big Bertha but I don't think it happened. That would be a fun game to watch.

If you get time, google Steve Hassel - sorry to hear that he is no longer involved with this room. Ask anyone in the Midwest, it is a tough chore to beat Steve Hassel.

 

[Irish634]

Great find Jennie, thanks for sharing.

 

[JAM]

Actually Danny does still post on AZ from time to time - Noncrookedpool

I have sent Scottster a link to this thread. I am sure he will give you more info about Raytown & the owners.

I know at the recent Young Guns challenge in Olathe, there was talk of Cliff & Danny matching up on Big Bertha but I don't think it happened. That would be a fun game to watch.

If you get time, google Steve Hassel - sorry to hear that he is no longer involved with this room. Ask anyone in the Midwest, it is a tough chore to beat Steve Hassel.

I'm not sure who "Scottster" is.

I am going to Google Steve Hassel and report back later today or tomorrow. I find these old-timey pool rooms just fascinating, and I don't know why.

I am also very interested to learn more about Don Brink and his son, Doug.

I have a press briefing beginning at 2:00 p.m., EST. There's going to be a big announcement on TV, I think, very soon about some high-profile event!

JAM

 

[watchez]

Scottster is a poster here on AZ that lives in KC and lives with Danny H.

 

[The King]

Thank you ....

That was a great read and the video was cool too... I wish I had access to a pool room like that .. But I count myself lucky we have a old one here in town that has three old tables that they keep up ... the front half caters to the lunch crowd ... in the back there is alway a card game going on for the old men or who ever ... We don't have the stuffed chairs ...Old wooden benches line the walls ... But it is good to have somewhere to go like this ... Today alot of towns don't have that ... we are a small town and we have people come to our pool room from bigger towns that don't have a pool hall...
Yes we are lucky indeed ...

Thank you for the read it makes you want to grab the cues and go out and shoot ... Living in Georgia , wonder how far it and how long it will take me to reach K.C. ... Like you I have added this to my wish list...

 

[1 Pocket Ghost]

This Don Brink guy was in Louisville this past January at the DCC. Did anybody get a chance to talk to him? His story about living for 5 years in Mexico shooting billiards is very interesting. He is heralded as a billiards champion.

I wonder what he really thought of the DCC.

JAM

Jenny, 1st, let me say that like you, I really love old time pool halls, and Raytown Recreation is one of them.....2nd, you got your info a little mixed up here, let me straighten it out....

.....Don Brink is the father and Doug Brink is the son......Neither are 3c champions, but they are both pro/high level 3c billiard players......Don (the father) is the one who went and lived in Mexico for a while, but it was Doug (the son) who was in Louisville during the DCC and playing in the 3c National Championship......They're both great guys, and Doug is an old friend of mine - over the years, when he came up to Chicago for a 3c tournament, he would play me some one pocket and let me torture him a little .....at the DCC, I went across the road one night over to the 3c venue to sweat one of Doug's matches and shoot the breeze with him for a while - he had a great time there.

- Ghost

 

[JAM]

Jenny, 1st, let me say that like you, I really love old time pool halls, and Raytown Recreation is one of them.....2nd, you got your info a little mixed up here, let me straighten it out....

.....Don Brink is the father and Doug Brink is the son......Neither are 3c champions, but they are both pro/high level 3c billiard players......Don (the father) is the one who went and lived in Mexico for a while, but it was Doug (the son) who was in Louisville during the DCC and playing in the 3c National Championship......They're both great guys, and Doug is an old friend of mine - at the DCC, I went across the road one night over to the 3c venue to sweat one of Doug's matches and shoot the breeze with him for a while - he had a great time there.

- Ghost

Thanks so much for the DCC story, Ghost. I appreciate you telling me about Doug, the son.

The article was quite interesting. I am going to Raytown Recreation pool hall someday. I would love to see the place up front and close. It looks like a GREAT place to sweat some matches, too, my kind of pool room.

JAM

 

[Pushout]

I just got through reading the story/watching the video. Makes me want to cry, or go kick the local pool room {if you can call it that} owner. For the faults that it had, the place where I learned to play wasn't bad. I'd give a bunch for a place like that one or like Raytown Recreation.

 

[Scottster]

HI Jen,

Raytown Recreation is actually located on 63rd St in Raytown Mo. Back in the mid-late 80's it was action central. Some great players frequented that room such as, "The Goose" Benny Conway, Al George, Dave Yeager, Steve Hassell, Louis Roberts, Gary Serville, Danny Hill, Rick Thompson, Snooker Jon etc.

I bet if you were to ask Keith about Don and Doug he could tell you quite a bit about them. When Keith was in town for about 6-8 months in 94-95 (?) he was in Raytown every night. This is where I met him, Not sure if he will remember me or not but we hung out for about three months while he was here. Back then Raytown was still 24/7. Actually it was 24/7 until 2001 IIRC.

Raytown is still around but there is nowhere near the action like it used to be. However an occasional matchup still occurs (like last Wednesday night, during a certain even 1-pocket match on Big Bertha. I wont give the details because no one will believe the outcome anyway).

Only if those smoke stained walls could talk.