DCC noob questions

[jay helfert]

I've booked my flights and hotel for DCC this year. I'll be there for a few days (staying at the horseshoe) and I've entered the 9-ball event.

What should I know, as a first-time visitor, spectator, and competitor?
Who else is going?
What's the best way to get from the airport to the casino? Is it worthwhile to rent a car?
Besides the obvious, what should I remember to bring?

The main tourney area is downstairs with about two dozen tables for matches, plus the Accu-Stats arena which features the best matches (and best seating) each day. Take the escalator upstairs and check out all the going's on up there. There are many separate rooms to explore. The first room upstairs is confined to all action matches and it will go hot and heavy day and night. Close by you will find the single table Pool Action room, where most of the high stakes matches get played. Another room features the Straight Pool Challenge where all the top guns are trying to make high runs. You might get lucky and see someone run 200 there.

The snack bar is outside the main tourney room and has a variety of fast food served daily, probably the best bargain to be had food wise. The best restaurant is the coffee shop located right off the main lobby of the hotel. It will be busy there every morning. They close after lunch.

Avoid the casino if possible. It's another long walk to a low end gambling atmosphere. The only good thing about it is you can find a decent meal for a decent price there. They have a good snack bar in there if you can find it. Also avoid the over priced buffett next to the tourney area. Right by the tournament registration desk you can order food on the outside of the buffett and they have a better menu. The ice cream shop is pretty good as well. There is one good restaurant (besides the high priced Binion's Steakhouse) around the corner on the way to the casino. They've changed names several times, but you can probably get a good meal there.

Consign yourself to the fact that you're stuck at the casino/hotel for the duration of your stay. There is NOTHING within miles of there. Really! I prefer Lyft to Uber, but that's a matter of personal choice. The taxi will charge you over $50 for the ride each way. Uber or Lyft maybe half that.

You are about to get the Pool fix of your life. Enjoy!

 

[briankenobi]

One of the cheapter places to eat is a place in the casino. It is on the one of the lower levels. I eat there a number of times. Its cheaper than the buffet and the bbq place. There is also a deli place in the lobby of the hotel. Enjoy yourself. I have been to like 12 of these and played in 7 of them. If you haven't been to this before, you will love it. You may see me doing some trickshots at times. Enjoy your experience.

 

[book collector]

I wouldn't eat at the steak house inside the casino if it was half the price. I've eaten there twice and it was worse than Golden Corral.

 

[Tennesseejoe]

Make a list of goodies. Then on your way to the casino, stop at a grocery store...get crackers, cheese, salami, fruit, water, beer, booze, etc., and a cheap Styrofoam cooler. It's very convenient when you just want to refresh in your room....If you don't do this you will regret it often...lol

 

[kkdanamatt]

I heard, but have not confirmed, that the ice cream shop is gone and the main buffet downstairs has relocated due to the Horseshoe's renovations after the last year's Ohio River flooding. The lower level where the Derby's Tournament Room is located was flooded rather badly. I can't remember, but I think I heard this from Greg Sullivan.

Q: Anyone know for sure?

 

[jayburger]

I wouldn't eat at the steak house inside the casino if it was half the price. I've eaten there twice and it was worse than Golden Corral.

I,ve eaten ther 10 times or so,and i,ve never had a "bad" meal. Its at least as good as any ruths chris' i have ever been to. Yes it is expensive,but you are at the DERBY CITY CLASSIC. It is the superbowl of pool,so go there KNOWING you are gonna spend some money,just like taking your kids to disneyworld or something,you just acknowledge its gonna cost!

 

[lfigueroa]

I,ve eaten ther 10 times or so,and i,ve never had a "bad" meal. Its at least as good as any ruths chris' i have ever been to. Yes it is expensive,but you are at the DERBY CITY CLASSIC. It is the superbowl of pool,so go there KNOWING you are gonna spend some money,just like taking your kids to disneyworld or something,you just acknowledge its gonna cost!

I usually eat a couple of meals at the steakhouse and it's always been excellent.

The steaks are good, the salmon is good, the baked potato is good, the Caesar salad is good, the shrimp cocktail is good, and the sourdough bread is good. And they have a good selection of wine. Nothing not to like to include the prices -- it's a steakhouse.

Lou Figueroa

 

[sjm]

I usually eat a couple of meals at the steakhouse and it's always been excellent.

The steaks are good, the salmon is good, the baked potato is good, the Caesar salad is good, the shrimp cocktail is good, and the sourdough bread is good. And they have a good selection of wine. Nothing not to like to include the prices -- it's a steakhouse.

Lou Figueroa

Agreed that the steak house is pretty good, but you can only eat there so often, for both budgetary and gastrointestinal reasons. The cafe in the hotel lobby is pretty decent, too, but the choices are few and it's closed for more than a few hours at a time. Still, you can get a decent breakfast there. I'd not be counting on room service too much either, although it may provide occasional relief from the commotion that is the Derby.

 

[lfigueroa]

Agreed that the steak house is pretty good, but you can only eat there so often, for both budgetary and gastrointestinal reasons. The cafe in the hotel lobby is pretty decent, too, but the choices are few and it's closed for more than a few hours at a time. Still, you can get a decent breakfast there. I'd not be counting on room service too much either, although it may provide occasional relief from the commotion that is the Derby.

Well some of us don't go for the whole thing.

I roll in Sunday, play in the 1pocket, and am outta there. I have no comprehension of how anyone endures the whole nine days there. Three or four days/nights and I am toast and happy to hit the road. One year at the EW I made it to like the last 20 and thought I was going to go nutz.

Lou Figueroa

 

[sjm]

I have no comprehension of how anyone endures the whole nine days there.

For a fan, it's possible. My formula is to do whatever it takes to stay well-rested. I won't miss the semis or finals of any event, but other than that, if I'm tired, I take a nap, regardless of the time of day. Another key is to have breakfast every day to prepare for a long day.

For the players, who have match schedules, it's much tougher. For the players who play in the main events and the midnight minis, it's even tougher. For those that play in the main events, the Bigfoot Challenge and the midnight minis, it seems near impossible.

But there are a couple who play in the main events, the midnight minis, the Bigfoot Challenge and also play action matches, it's almost incomprehensible that they can even walk after nine days.

... so I know where you're coming from, Lou.

 

[Rimfirejunkie]

I heard, but have not confirmed, that the ice cream shop is gone and the main buffet downstairs has relocated due to the Horseshoe's renovations after the last year's Ohio River flooding. The lower level where the Derby's Tournament Room is located was flooded rather badly. I can't remember, but I think I heard this from Greg Sullivan.

Q: Anyone know for sure?

Not sure about the ice cream shop. The renovations you heard about are probably due to the new construction. The boat is going away. That’s why they haven’t done anything to it in years. They are building a casino on land next to the hotel.

 

[Saturated Fats]

For those with a car...

Check this funky place out for craft brews and really good pizza:

http://newalbanian.com/pizzeria-and-public-house/menus/

It's 14 miles away and well worth the trip. You can thank me later.

Note: This is not the location on Bank Street in New Albany. This is the one on Plaza Drive.

 

[jeffj2h]

Bert Kinister will be in the house. Along with his
Shih Tzu pup, Patches. A few of us will be hanging out with him. Bert that is.

 

[GideonF]

I certainly echo the comments about bringing snacks and water. The issue for me is not the cost of buying something there, but rather that everyone is trying to get food at the same time, particularly late in the tournament when interesting matches are going on. So having power bars or trail mix or sandwiches or whatever you like means you can stay and watch the action rather than having to spend half an hour in line waiting to get a bagel.

You can get a hotdog late at night upstairs near the action room.

Bring an external battery for your phone.

If you are bringing your cues, getting a light case, like JB rugged with the backpack straps.

 

[beetle]

Have fun and good luck! Since the US Open will be on my side of the country this year, I've decided to go. I think I'll actually play in it since I'll get two spectator passes with my entry. Looking forward to being part of the excitement and energy, as I'm sure you will, too, at the DCC!

 

[StraightPoolIU]

Portable external battery for your cell is actually a great suggestion. Here is the model I recommend to everyone.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[jay helfert]

For a fan, it's possible. My formula is to do whatever it takes to stay well-rested. I won't miss the semis or finals of any event, but other than that, if I'm tired, I take a nap, regardless of the time of day. Another key is to have breakfast every day to prepare for a long day.

For the players, who have match schedules, it's much tougher. For the players who play in the main events and the midnight minis, it's even tougher. For those that play in the main events, the Bigfoot Challenge and the midnight minis, it seems near impossible.

But there are a couple who play in the main events, the midnight minis, the Bigfoot Challenge and also play action matches, it's almost incomprehensible that they can even walk after nine days.

... so I know where you're coming from, Lou.

Now throw in the Straight Pool Challenge for good measure! And maybe one or two money games just to spice things up.
I've seen Dennis and a couple of others do just that non-stop for nine days. Of course, Dennis has also won anywhere from 25-50K several times at DCC so this is a big payday for him.

 

[Andrew Manning]

For a fan, it's possible. My formula is to do whatever it takes to stay well-rested. I won't miss the semis or finals of any event, but other than that, if I'm tired, I take a nap, regardless of the time of day. Another key is to have breakfast every day to prepare for a long day.

For the players, who have match schedules, it's much tougher. For the players who play in the main events and the midnight minis, it's even tougher. For those that play in the main events, the Bigfoot Challenge and the midnight minis, it seems near impossible.

But there are a couple who play in the main events, the midnight minis, the Bigfoot Challenge and also play action matches, it's almost incomprehensible that they can even walk after nine days.

... so I know where you're coming from, Lou.

Now that you bring it up, what exactly is a midnight mini? How do I participate if I decide I can muster the energy?

 

[garczar]

Now that you bring it up, what exactly is a midnight mini? How do I participate if I decide I can muster the energy?

There is a bank, 1p and 9b mini. Info is on flyer if you can find one. And yes, they start at midnite.

 

[garczar]

There is a bank, 1p and 9b mini. Info is on flyer if you can find one. And yes, they start at midnite.

Sat. 26th-bank, Tues.29th-1p, Fri. 1st-9b.