Hardtimes/Bellflower question
- Thread starter Vinman
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PoolBum said:
I've been there 25+ times and only seen maybe a few players that would qualify as A or B rated players on the east coast (1 was Tang Hoa). the tables are not in the best shape (& who wants blacklight tables), no real food unless you like microwave type stuff, I think people may even live in the parking lot out back, and the staff isn't one I'd choose to work with most people.
Danny K's by the Duck Pond kicks HardTimes to the curb.
FL Dave
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really?
This is real news to me...I have never been there, but Hard Times in Bellflower seems legendary to me; from the stories I've heard in the past...especially since the filipino pros like Efren go there when they play tournaments in California.......I guess you could say it's not one of those upscale rooms, but probably A REAL POOL HALL.......
Ruthless said:I've been there 25+ times and only seen maybe a few players that would qualify as A or B rated players on the east coast (1 was Tang Hoa). the tables are not in the best shape (& who wants blacklight tables), no real food unless you like microwave type stuff, I think people may even live in the parking lot out back, and the staff isn't one I'd choose to work with most people.
Danny K's by the Duck Pond kicks HardTimes to the curb.
FL Dave
This is real news to me...I have never been there, but Hard Times in Bellflower seems legendary to me; from the stories I've heard in the past...especially since the filipino pros like Efren go there when they play tournaments in California.......I guess you could say it's not one of those upscale rooms, but probably A REAL POOL HALL.......
wahcheck said:
Not by any means like a "REAL" room anywhere on the east coast... more of a kids hangout than anything.
I don't have anything against the room, but I had the same delusions you have now of what it would be........but it's not. As a pro player I was sorely disappointed
It sounds like you were on the wrong side of the pool room. The black light tables are on the "fun player side" (as we used to call it when I hung out there). The tables in the tournament room are usually in very good shape. The tables on the side you're referring to, and the entire room on that side of the wall (which is actually the back of the bleachers in the tournament room), are not what people are talking about when they talk about Hard Times. It isn't like it was 15 years ago, as far as action is concerned, but there aren't many places in the country, if any, that are.
Ruthless said:I've been there 25+ times and only seen maybe a few players that would qualify as A or B rated players on the east coast (1 was Tang Hoa). the tables are not in the best shape (& who wants blacklight tables), no real food unless you like microwave type stuff, I think people may even live in the parking lot out back, and the staff isn't one I'd choose to work with most people.
Danny K's by the Duck Pond kicks HardTimes to the curb.
FL Dave
Ruthless said:Not by any means like a "REAL" room anywhere on the east coast... more of a kids hangout than anything.
I don't have anything against the room, but I had the same delusions you have now of what it would be........but it's not. As a pro player I was sorely disappointed
There are two sides to the poolroom. The side where the bleachers are, away from the kids hangout side, is the tournament side. Maybe Tang Hoa was the only "A" level player you saw when you were there, but here are some of the players who have been there in just the past three months:
Efren
Parica
Orcollo
Manalo
Sambajon
Alcano
Wu
Luat
Gandy Valle
There are no problems coming and going at Hardtimes unless you have a target painted on your shirt and fat rolls of cash hanging out of your pocket. I'd suggest coming by on Thursday evening. There's a $10 9-ball tournament that gets underway by 8pm for B players and below. The tournament room Gold Crown II's give Danny K's home-made tables the 6-out and maybe 2 games on the wire going to 5. (Danny's food is really good though!) Thursday night is also a night that there's often some kind of action at HTB. Introduce yourself to the owner Ken or Brooke, they're good people.
Martin
Martin
Vinman said:
Rated relatively safe and worth seeing.
Well said jazznpool. Although Hardtimes does not have much ambience as Danny Ks, it is the action room. Most of the time you will be quite safe.
Ruthless although you are right it is not the prettiest room, it is a legendary old school room that most pool players would at least enjoy seeing. Here's a preview. The 2nd picture is the center section. The tournament room is to the right. 2 Snooker tables and other regulation tables to the left. 2 Billiard tables behind you. 48 tables in all I think.
A side note for those that don't know, it use to be a JC Pennys.
jazznpool said:
Well said jazznpool. Although Hardtimes does not have much ambience as Danny Ks, it is the action room. Most of the time you will be quite safe.
Ruthless although you are right it is not the prettiest room, it is a legendary old school room that most pool players would at least enjoy seeing. Here's a preview. The 2nd picture is the center section. The tournament room is to the right. 2 Snooker tables and other regulation tables to the left. 2 Billiard tables behind you. 48 tables in all I think.
A side note for those that don't know, it use to be a JC Pennys.
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No kidding.jazznpool said:
The tables, lights and balls at HT are pro-quality.
Just ask Ronnie Alcano who stopped by a few weeks back.
Snack food is not too bad at HT.
Jack in the Box is only a few steps away outside.
IF you want Mexican, Japanese or Chinese food, they are just a block or two away. Chris and Pete's barbecue is a walking distance away.
Hmmm...I've played in seedier places than that and didn't feel unsafe....the inside doesn't look THAT bad...I've certainly seen worse...
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I've been to SoCal on business at least 20 times in over the last 10 years. Every time I bring my cue and spend almost every night at Hard Times.
It's a F'n classic! Golf Table, Real Pool Tables, Nice Balls, Bleachers and greasy food. I'm getting excited just talking about it. I always visit Danny K's but it's a different kind of place. Sports bar with big pocketed tables.
Hard Times = The Blue Print of OLD Style Pool Hall (Chris' in Chi Town as well)
Danny K's = Sports Bar with large pool table section
If you feel out of place at HT's...well Disneyland is a 15 minute drive. Say hi to Mickey for me.
Nick
It's a F'n classic! Golf Table, Real Pool Tables, Nice Balls, Bleachers and greasy food. I'm getting excited just talking about it. I always visit Danny K's but it's a different kind of place. Sports bar with big pocketed tables.
Hard Times = The Blue Print of OLD Style Pool Hall (Chris' in Chi Town as well)
Danny K's = Sports Bar with large pool table section
If you feel out of place at HT's...well Disneyland is a 15 minute drive. Say hi to Mickey for me.
Nick
Jimmy M. said:
Come on now Jimmy, that's not what that side is called.......................
Let's be truthful......................"the jack-&%@ side!"
Vinman said:
I was there 5-6 years ago - took my son (wife and daughter in law hung out at the craft store (?) next door). It seemed to be much "safer" than 20 years ago. Don't know about action now but 20 years ago the action was non stop - lots of stories and lots of players.
Jack
www.johnmaddencues.com