Does Barry Berhman endorse barring people traveling through?

[iwilleatyou]

I'll set the scene. I'm in the Navy, I was about to transfer from Jacksonville, FL to Columbus, OH, but first I had to do a two week instructor course in Norfolk, VA. So being a pool player, ONE thing automatically pops into my head when I read my orders, Q-Master Baby! I go in there on Wed because they were having their weekly handicap. Thirty-two players, ranked from A+ to D I guess. They make me an A. I win the tournament. I go in the very next day, the kid working behind the counter gives me the balls to a table in the back, the only spot to be in the place and then one of the other workers comes up to me ten minutes later and tells me, "only local players are allowed to play back here". There are like twenty 9-footers in the back room, it's bigger than most pool halls! They only had 3-4 tables going at the time. I couldn't beleive it. I was just hitting some balls, talking to some of the players I had met the other night, Bill Duggan and Junior, a fellow Sailor who plays pretty good and I get kicked out of the back room. They told me I could get a table up front, but only locals can play in the back, not road players. Road player, are you kidding me, I could be in Iraq or Afganistan 72 hours from anytime and you think I'm a friggin road player! The front of the room is NOT where players go. I think my winning their tournament should have established that I wasn't just some guy who plays once a year or something. I was there on orders, looking for something to do. I know they don't think much of the Navy there in Norfolk, that's a fact, but that was ridiculous. I wasn't there to rob anyone, I couldn't. I just wanted to hit some balls in what I considered to be the Yankee Stadium of pool rooms. I cannot believe Barry Berhman endorses this kind of policy, even if it is a road player. Is that place a pool room or is it Augusta National? WTF! NORFOLK SUCKS anyway, worst liquior laws in America, $1000 speeding tickets, lamest strip clubs ever and the sun only shines about 50 days a year. I'd rather jack off a mad grizzly bear with a barb wire glove in a phone booth than take orders to that base!

 

[mikepage]

I'll set the scene. I'm in the Navy, I was about to transfer from Jacksonville, FL to Columbus, OH, but first I had to do a two week instructor course in Norfolk, VA. So being a pool player, ONE thing automatically pops into my head when I read my orders, Q-Master Baby! I go in there on Wed because they were having their weekly handicap. Thirty-two players, ranked from A+ to D I guess. They make me an A. I win the tournament. I go in the very next day, the kid working behind the counter gives me the balls to a table in the back, the only spot to be in the place and then one of the other workers comes up to me ten minutes later and tells me, "only local players are allowed to play back here". There are like twenty 9-footers in the back room, it's bigger than most pool halls! They only had 3-4 tables going at the time. I couldn't beleive it. I was just hitting some balls, talking to some of the players I had met the other night, Bill Duggan and Junior, a fellow Sailor who plays pretty good and I get kicked out of the back room. They told me I could get a table up front, but only locals can play in the back, not road players. Road player, are you kidding me, I could be in Iraq or Afganistan 72 hours from anytime and you think I'm a friggin road player! The front of the room is NOT where players go. I think my winning their tournament should have established that I wasn't just some guy who plays once a year or something. I was there on orders, looking for something to do. I know they don't think much of the Navy there in Norfolk, that's a fact, but that was ridiculous. I wasn't there to rob anyone, I couldn't. I just wanted to hit some balls in what I considered to be the Yankee Stadium of pool rooms. I cannot believe Barry Berhman endorses this kind of policy, even if it is a road player. Is that place a pool room or is it Augusta National? WTF! NORFOLK SUCKS anyway, worst liquior laws in America, $1000 speeding tickets, lamest strip clubs ever and the sun only shines about 50 days a year. I'd rather jack off a mad grizzly bear with a barb wire glove in a phone booth than take orders to that base!

Bill Duggan is the fireman, right? I managed to get into the back area and lose a couple sets to him a few months ago.

I can understand separating the players from the bangers, but I walked in with good equipment, clearly knowing what I'm talking about, and asking for specifically for the kind of table that's in the back. I thought it was a little weird that I seemed to cause a get-the-manager type stir.

I'd be curious to hear from some of the locals what the real deal with the policy is.

 

[Put_upor_shutup]

He might be a fireman..I dont remember...I know they called him Sniper when I was there....Quite a bit of action...I think I remember somethin a bout playin in the back also....David Parker

 

[iwilleatyou]

Exactly

Yes Bill Duggan is the fireman, he's a cool guy as were all the local players. It was just the friggin punks working there. I got that same, get-the-manager attitude too. Totally unprofessional. Do you think if you walk into Shooter's in Olathe or Magoo's in Tulsa, they kick players, real players, off the tables. I don't beleive so. Don't get a big head just because you host the U.S. Open, that's only one week a year, you have an actual business to run the other 51 weeks and that is no way to treat your customers.

 

[easy-e]

I'll set the scene. I'm in the Navy, I was about to transfer from Jacksonville, FL to Columbus, OH, but first I had to do a two week instructor course in Norfolk, VA. So being a pool player, ONE thing automatically pops into my head when I read my orders, Q-Master Baby! I go in there on Wed because they were having their weekly handicap. Thirty-two players, ranked from A+ to D I guess. They make me an A. I win the tournament. I go in the very next day, the kid working behind the counter gives me the balls to a table in the back, the only spot to be in the place and then one of the other workers comes up to me ten minutes later and tells me, "only local players are allowed to play back here". There are like twenty 9-footers in the back room, it's bigger than most pool halls! They only had 3-4 tables going at the time. I couldn't beleive it. I was just hitting some balls, talking to some of the players I had met the other night, Bill Duggan and Junior, a fellow Sailor who plays pretty good and I get kicked out of the back room. They told me I could get a table up front, but only locals can play in the back, not road players. Road player, are you kidding me, I could be in Iraq or Afganistan 72 hours from anytime and you think I'm a friggin road player! The front of the room is NOT where players go. I think my winning their tournament should have established that I wasn't just some guy who plays once a year or something. I was there on orders, looking for something to do. I know they don't think much of the Navy there in Norfolk, that's a fact, but that was ridiculous. I wasn't there to rob anyone, I couldn't. I just wanted to hit some balls in what I considered to be the Yankee Stadium of pool rooms. I cannot believe Barry Berhman endorses this kind of policy, even if it is a road player. Is that place a pool room or is it Augusta National? WTF! NORFOLK SUCKS anyway, worst liquior laws in America, $1000 speeding tickets, lamest strip clubs ever and the sun only shines about 50 days a year. I'd rather jack off a mad grizzly bear with a barb wire glove in a phone booth than take orders to that base!

Actually, your scenario isn't really THAT bad. I would guess that you would WANT to be in a phone booth or some kind of structure that offers the bear limited mobility. The harder it is for him to maneuver, the better off you are. Hope this helps.

 

["T"]

Was there other military playing back there?

 

[corvette1340]

I'll set the scene. I'm in the Navy, I was about to transfer from Jacksonville, FL to Columbus, OH, but first I had to do a two week instructor course in Norfolk, VA. So being a pool player, ONE thing automatically pops into my head when I read my orders, Q-Master Baby! I go in there on Wed because they were having their weekly handicap. Thirty-two players, ranked from A+ to D I guess. They make me an A. I win the tournament. I go in the very next day, the kid working behind the counter gives me the balls to a table in the back, the only spot to be in the place and then one of the other workers comes up to me ten minutes later and tells me, "only local players are allowed to play back here". There are like twenty 9-footers in the back room, it's bigger than most pool halls! They only had 3-4 tables going at the time. I couldn't beleive it. I was just hitting some balls, talking to some of the players I had met the other night, Bill Duggan and Junior, a fellow Sailor who plays pretty good and I get kicked out of the back room. They told me I could get a table up front, but only locals can play in the back, not road players. Road player, are you kidding me, I could be in Iraq or Afganistan 72 hours from anytime and you think I'm a friggin road player! The front of the room is NOT where players go. I think my winning their tournament should have established that I wasn't just some guy who plays once a year or something. I was there on orders, looking for something to do. I know they don't think much of the Navy there in Norfolk, that's a fact, but that was ridiculous. I wasn't there to rob anyone, I couldn't. I just wanted to hit some balls in what I considered to be the Yankee Stadium of pool rooms. I cannot believe Barry Berhman endorses this kind of policy, even if it is a road player. Is that place a pool room or is it Augusta National? WTF! NORFOLK SUCKS anyway, worst liquior laws in America, $1000 speeding tickets, lamest strip clubs ever and the sun only shines about 50 days a year. I'd rather jack off a mad grizzly bear with a barb wire glove in a phone booth than take orders to that base!

If this ever goes off then please get in touch with TAR because the PPV numbers would be off the charts.

 

[iwilleatyou]

Other military

Yes, I made friends with Junior. He was a Sailor origianlly from NJ, real cood dude. He looks just like Billy Coorgan from the Smashing Pumpkins. Robert Ray is a former Marine I guess. I don't think anybody should be treated like that though. It's not like I was asking for the balls on the "front table". They have 20 front tables basically. The locals even tried to vouch for me because I had won the tornament and I had gambled with Bill Duggan, one of their better locals, for 3-4 hours. The dudes working there were just out of touch, not a players environment afterall.

 

[Flex]

If that's the prevailing attitude at that hall, guess where I won't be going should I pass through Norfolk.

 

[stikapos]

Its just another reason why nobody of note wants to hang out at a pool hall. I'm sure Barry doesn't even know. But that's the kind of worker you get at those places.

tim

 

[iwilleatyou]

That's what I want to know

Like I said, I cannot or don't want to beleive that Barry came up with this policy. I wasn't beligerent, I wasn't chopping lines in the bathroom or smoking dubbies in the parking lot. I was just a Navy guy in town for two weeks wanting to hang out in the legendary pool room and I didn't feel like I needed to be where guys and girls that can't don't play, just there on a date or something, were playing. I wanted to be treated like as a knowledgeable patron. I had established my credentials by this point.

 

[hotrod]

Welcome at Q-Masters

You caught a bad roll. Barry is pretty down to earth. He goes out of his way to make everyone feel welcomed in his pool hall. You were at the mercy of the manager on duty at that moment of the day. Probably he was having a bad day. The only stipulation to the tournament room is you not be a beginner or semi non player. The front part is more for bangers and people just hanging out. The back room for more experienced players. I think you had an isolated incident. Hope you will return. Bunch of nice regulars here.

 

[TorranceChris]

You caught a bad roll. Barry is pretty down to earth. He goes out of his way to make everyone feel welcomed in his pool hall. You were at the mercy of the manager on duty at that moment of the day. Probably he was having a bad day. The only stipulation to the tournament room is you not be a beginner or semi non player. The front part is more for bangers and people just hanging out. The back room for more experienced players. I think you had an isolated incident. Hope you will return. Bunch of nice regulars here.

There's only one chance to establish a first impression. His wasn't all that good

 

[iwilleatyou]

You caught a bad roll. Barry is pretty down to earth. He goes out of his way to make everyone feel welcomed in his pool hall. You were at the mercy of the manager on duty at that moment of the day. Probably he was having a bad day. The only stipulation to the tournament room is you not be a beginner or semi non player. The front part is more for bangers and people just hanging out. The back room for more experienced players. I think you had an isolated incident. Hope you will return. Bunch of nice regulars here.

Thanks for replying. I assume it was just the guys working there. I clearly was an experienced player at this point with the time I had spent there in my previous two visits. I have to say the regulars were probably the best I've ever encoutered, no woofing, no attitudes, they'll play if you want and treat you with respect if you don't. I was just thrown off by those workers. They tried telling the guys I was welcome there, but the worker straight took the balls off the table after I refused and wanted a pissing contest at this point. This took place in Jan 2007, Barry, if you're reading. My sociology teacher always told me, "the world needs mediocre people too".

 

[Scott Lee]

I'm not local, by any means (I live in MI), and I've been in Q-Masters many times. I've given several lessons in there, as well, always playing and teaching in the back room. I don't know why they seemed to object to you, but I don't think that's the normal 'attitude' of the room. I'd try to talk to Barry personally, and hash it out...maybe if you hadn't taken everybody off the very first time you played in a tournament. Obviously you should be rated higher than an "A" player, and maybe that's what pissed them off.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[iwilleatyou]

I'm not local, by any means (I live in MI), and I've been in Q-Masters many times. I've given several lessons in there, as well, always playing and teaching in the back room. I don't know why they seemed to object to you, but I don't think that's the normal 'attitude' of the room. I'd try to talk to Barry personally, and hash it out...maybe if you hadn't taken everybody off the very first time you played in a tournament. Obviously you should be rated higher than an "A" player, and maybe that's what pissed them off.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

I was rated right, Eric Moore, Bill Duggan, Chris Futrell, Curtis and that guy with one eye and the crooked cue (cool guy, don't remember his name) would be considered A+ players. I just played solid and won a few races to 5. I don't give off any attitude. I was mad after that though. I had spent money at the little grill there and spent money on table time. I'll go back the next time the Navy sends me there though. I truly don't believe Barry would act like that or have let hem do that had he been there.

P.S. I'm origanally from Michigan too, Muskegon, I used to play in Jamye Goodwin's tournament every week down there in BC. I know Charlie, Roland Keys, Mike Sells(not the potato chips guy) and all those guys.

 

[Jaden]

They wouldn't even let me play in it.....

I was stationed there for some training at NMITC for about six weeks, and I didn't discover the place for till almost the last week.

I go in there and bang them around for a while. I even buy a cue from them because I didn't have mine with me. It turned out that it was the week of the US open.

I'm playing some REALLY cheap sets with one of the locals and I ask if they have a tourney. He says yeah, they have one tomorrow, just come in and tell them you're an A-.

So that's what I do.

Then I start practicing seriously to warm up for the tournament.

The tournament director comes over and asks me who gave me my rating. I told him that I wasn't sure that's just how I play.

He tells me that I can't play in the tournament and starts to give me back my money. He then says that if I come back the next week and he gets a chance to rate my speed that I can play then.

I explain that I'm in the Navy and there for training and that I flew back to California the next week. I ask him to just make me the highest rating they have, that I just want to play....

They wouldn't let me play.....

I had my ID and even my orders that I said I would show him...

Jaden

 

[iwilleatyou]

Sounds about right

We must have run into the same Smart Guy. Thats crazy they wouldn't let you play as an A+. Hopefully, that "regime" is gone. Do they not expect people to come in there every once in a while from out of town that happen to be in the military, it is the LARGEST Naval Base in the WORLD! The entire infrastructure of the Tidewater area is based on the Naval Base. Maybe we should send this post to Barry, that would bring this to his attention.

 

[jasonlaus]

Obviously you should be rated higher than an "A" player, and maybe that's what pissed them off.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Where do you come up with this kind of crap? If a B player won it would he obviously be better than a B player? what about a C player?
With this reasoning every player that won would never be allowed to play again or would be raised immediately to a higher ranking and everybody would be pissed off at them??????????????????

Jason<-------Afraid to see what might be at - poolknowledge.com

Jason<------Making friends one post at a time.

 

[pwd72s]

I'll set the scene. I'm in the Navy, I was about to transfer from Jacksonville, FL to Columbus, OH, but first I had to do a two week instructor course in Norfolk, VA. So being a pool player, ONE thing automatically pops into my head when I read my orders, Q-Master Baby! I go in there on Wed because they were having their weekly handicap. Thirty-two players, ranked from A+ to D I guess. They make me an A. I win the tournament. I go in the very next day, the kid working behind the counter gives me the balls to a table in the back, the only spot to be in the place and then one of the other workers comes up to me ten minutes later and tells me, "only local players are allowed to play back here". There are like twenty 9-footers in the back room, it's bigger than most pool halls! They only had 3-4 tables going at the time. I couldn't beleive it. I was just hitting some balls, talking to some of the players I had met the other night, Bill Duggan and Junior, a fellow Sailor who plays pretty good and I get kicked out of the back room. They told me I could get a table up front, but only locals can play in the back, not road players. Road player, are you kidding me, I could be in Iraq or Afganistan 72 hours from anytime and you think I'm a friggin road player! The front of the room is NOT where players go. I think my winning their tournament should have established that I wasn't just some guy who plays once a year or something. I was there on orders, looking for something to do. I know they don't think much of the Navy there in Norfolk, that's a fact, but that was ridiculous. I wasn't there to rob anyone, I couldn't. I just wanted to hit some balls in what I considered to be the Yankee Stadium of pool rooms. I cannot believe Barry Berhman endorses this kind of policy, even if it is a road player. Is that place a pool room or is it Augusta National? WTF! NORFOLK SUCKS anyway, worst liquior laws in America, $1000 speeding tickets, lamest strip clubs ever and the sun only shines about 50 days a year. I'd rather jack off a mad grizzly bear with a barb wire glove in a phone booth than take orders to that base!

I just want to thank you for your service...