Love a Gabriel's 3 cushion.
A room that I was regular at that closed a few years ago had a heated Gabriel's Kronos. Loved that table.
Fusco's Pool Room
- Thread starter easy-e
- Start date
Love a Gabriel's 3 cushion.
A room that I was regular at that closed a few years ago had a heated Gabriel's Kronos. Loved that table.
I purchased the 3C table at 'The Spot' for Pete in 2012!
I haven't spoken to Bill in a while to see if they still have it!
Within in 50 miles of LA, there are more than 300 Carom tables!
In the Houston area about 75, In NY/NJ another 300, Chi-Town maybe 20-30!
In the entire US maybe about 1,000!
Yes, I understand. But not everyone lives in those areas. Compare that number to pool tables. And yes, you have to include bar boxes. They play leagues on smaller carom tables in Europe right? When I was trying to sell my table I called a table guy in Houston, which is nowhere close to me. I said I know Houston has a lot of billiards, anyone interested in a table. He said zero interest, nobody plays that etc…. Now I know if I were in Houston and put the thing on FB it would have sold quicker. But Houston is a huge city and has some billiards players. A guy in the table business said zero interest. It isn’t zero, but if in 1950 if you spoke to someone in the city in the top 3 of billiards popularity in the table business that answer would be different.
I wish billiards was more popular and available, but it isn’t. Like I said, the last time I played was last fall in Chicago. I was recently in Denver where there are some tables. Didn’t have time to play. A revival would be great, but it is an uphill battle. You need widespread availability to get enough players to have widespread availability. Kind of a chicken and egg question or catch-22. Hopefully the game stays alive in the US and grows some.
What make 3C table?
You most likely contacted a 'Pool table mechanic/seller!
If You would have contacted any 'Vietnamese room' and it was a 'Modern/Heated' table it may have been different!
Logistics is Always an issue selling tables!
P.S. 2025 CSI tournaments in Las Vegas they had a booth with a table manned by Ira Lee. It was fun and gave people a chance to see billiards and try it. I think many had never had the chance. Roberto Gomez would hit some around and I think other pro players probably did. Out of the thousands of pool players who passed by that booth, how many will have the chance to play when they get home? Some will. Can that exposure to what is a great game lead to building up the game. I don’t know. No such booth in’26 tho.
Yes, that is true. But it was a challenge tracking down a table when I got it, and I couldn’t seem to get good answers on how to get a more modern heated table delivered to me. Unlimited funds is always a good answer, but when you can’t even seem to get a solid quote…. Like, you can get modern heated table delivered to you for $X within 45 days….the process is frustrating. So I got a mid century Brunswick with new rubber that played OK. Selling it some of those Southern California guys came and got it. A long drive for them. I hope it is being enjoyed.
The point is there are barriers to entry into the carom game in the US in 2026. It isn’t easy if you are interested in it. That’s the reality. Maybe it can change.
Another PS. Why all the exclamation points and such?
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I don't know where you live, if it's in a Southern state other tan FL, not many 3C tables!
If in the Midwest, a hour or 2 ride isn't that crazy, if you're a real 3C player!
From 2008-2015 I Sold about 100 European 3C tables in the US!
I like to emphasize my point!
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Fusco’s still has the heated 3C table. It gets played daily. I believe the best player might be Mooney.
It’s still smoking allowed. Idk how they get away with that when the whole state went non smoking 15sum years ago.
Their long time houseman got fired when Fusco’s sister took over ownership after Pete died last year. I think a few of the regulars left with him.
I’m not a regular there, it’s a bit out of my way, and other rooms are closer.
One memory I remember from about 2008, the room was packed with action. One of the regulars stiffed his man. Was probably Russian Kenny but I’m not 100%. Haha. Pete pulled him aside and said “pay your dept or you’ll never step foot in this place again”. He paid. It was Pete’s policy.
It’s still smoking allowed. Idk how they get away with that when the whole state went non smoking 15sum years ago.
Their long time houseman got fired when Fusco’s sister took over ownership after Pete died last year. I think a few of the regulars left with him.
I’m not a regular there, it’s a bit out of my way, and other rooms are closer.
One memory I remember from about 2008, the room was packed with action. One of the regulars stiffed his man. Was probably Russian Kenny but I’m not 100%. Haha. Pete pulled him aside and said “pay your dept or you’ll never step foot in this place again”. He paid. It was Pete’s policy.
The best 3C player in Philly was Frank Grandelli, not even sure He's still alive!
He played at 'Florida Bob's' room Drexeline Billiards!
He was best friends with Jimmy!
I held a 3C clinic at the room for Pete in 2014, Superbowl Saturday!
Here's the flyer!
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Heard the room sort of went into disrepair after Petey passed and his long time manager was fired.
Last time I was there, all of the 9 footers were Gold Crowns and they were set up great, played well.
Always enjoyed on playing on table 7.
Actually went there to take a lesson from Strickland for a couple of hours when he did a residency there in his travels.
Loved Bob's room.
Two Chevillotte 3 cushion tables at Drexeline.
Florida Bob stops in my poolroom about once a month.
few places can survive catering to smokers. just reality. non smokers the great majority in this and most countries, do not want to be around the stink or around anyone smoking.its a rare business that does more than just survive at best that caters to smokers, and shuns the general public.
i suppose after the two cousins died interest in hanging out there lessened. just a guess. neither made 80 years old.
all and i mean all of the guys my age that i knew that smoked are all dead. most that did not, are alive and kicking.
i suppose after the two cousins died interest in hanging out there lessened. just a guess. neither made 80 years old.
all and i mean all of the guys my age that i knew that smoked are all dead. most that did not, are alive and kicking.
Jimmy & Pete were friends of mine for over 55 years!
Myself, I Never smoked or drank a cup of coffee, No drugs, if I have 5 drinks a year that's a lot!
I'll be 81 next month!
Treated my nephew to a 2 hour lesson with Karen... was a fun afternoon.
DC, Baltimore md, Richmond VA ...no rooms in those cities.
Here's a list of the 3C tables in the USA!
Public rooms & Private Personal tables!
https://www.3cushionbilliards.com/room-locator/locations
I think they get around that law by making it a "private club" of sorts. I had to purchase an annual membership when I visited just to play for a couple hours. It was $2.
I don't care for smoking rooms, but I couldn't tell anyone smoked in there at all. Only indicator I had was the ashtray I saw.
