Thanks!
It is really a great feeling having them "on my side" when deciding what to do on the weekend. My wife asks what they want to do and they have been wanting to play pool a lot!! I love it!
How many pool halls do your town or city have, how good are they?
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Thanks!
It is really a great feeling having them "on my side" when deciding what to do on the weekend. My wife asks what they want to do and they have been wanting to play pool a lot!! I love it!
IMHO in Maricopa County Arizona Pool Room are a thing of the past, most Pool is played in Bars & Sports Bar that sever HARD LIQUOR, BEER, and WINE.
What I call real pool rooms with Pool being the main focus of the business are IMHO a thing that once was, and are for the most part a thing of the PAST.
Maybe we have 1 or 2 Close to Real Pool Rooms today, like what was I around years ago in North Hollywood Billiard, in North Hollywood, CA that paid the bills on Renting Pool Table Time, served no alcohol.
But you could buy a soft drink, a snack, or a reheated hot dog in a metal box with a heat lamp.
What I call real pool rooms with Pool being the main focus of the business are IMHO a thing that once was, and are for the most part a thing of the PAST.
Maybe we have 1 or 2 Close to Real Pool Rooms today, like what was I around years ago in North Hollywood Billiard, in North Hollywood, CA that paid the bills on Renting Pool Table Time, served no alcohol.
But you could buy a soft drink, a snack, or a reheated hot dog in a metal box with a heat lamp.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
All I ever think about these days is how good we had it at the palace. It makes me proud to say I'm a pool player from Tulsa because of what went on here. Jim McDermott, who ran the Tulsa Billiard Palace for years also opened up an upscale place with a full service bar, live band, and a butt-load of tables.
At the time, there was:
Tulsa Billiard Palace (action central)
Magoo's (weaker action - more drinking and socializing)
Sharky's (not player's equipment)
Slick Willies (bigger than Sharky's but tables and balls sucked)
Loonies (old run down place that had gold crowns in horrible condition)
Sir Billiards (kind of a wannabe palace but lots of decent tables, but no gc or d's)
The Golden Cue (owned by Jim also but in another part of town - (the mini palace)
The QSpot (gold crowns - a nice, old style place, but smaller)
Sheila's (omg... I won't even go there - if you got banned by Jim, that's where you went
Diamond Billiards - (huge place on the lower income side of town - and saw lots of action, good place with a scary strong pool player posing as the owner... was only open for a couple years.
then, Indian Gaming started in Oklahoma . . . . and now, they are stickin it to the man.
The only places that survived
Magoo's (now has a new owner)
Sharky's (more a social place than a player's place, but nice environment)
Sheila's (will stay true to their reputation)
Q-Spot (now owned by an elderly gentleman who does his own repairs and has lots of good ideas but is simply an elderly gentleman and I'll leave it at that. Very nice man, great character, great family environment,)
but, if the image of pool does not change, people in general will not endorse it.
Pool movies of the past carried a big torch for pool and that's what we need is a new one. Pool Hall Junkies was good, especially Walken's last speech about the lion, but we need Jerry Bruckheimer or Clint Eastwood to make this one.
I'm sure if someone like Jay and other dudes who've been around could get together and brainstorm a good story, you could pitch it to hw.
The fact is, pool remains dead in our town, and the more I look around, it appears that the same is happening too.
I don't go to many other forums, but AZ is one place that seems to be a centralized stomping ground for just about the entire planet. I'm sure with the right leadership, it could be done, but the players would have to clean up their act.
my 2c
All I ever think about these days is how good we had it at the palace. It makes me proud to say I'm a pool player from Tulsa because of what went on here. Jim McDermott, who ran the Tulsa Billiard Palace for years also opened up an upscale place with a full service bar, live band, and a butt-load of tables.
At the time, there was:
Tulsa Billiard Palace (action central)
Magoo's (weaker action - more drinking and socializing)
Sharky's (not player's equipment)
Slick Willies (bigger than Sharky's but tables and balls sucked)
Loonies (old run down place that had gold crowns in horrible condition)
Sir Billiards (kind of a wannabe palace but lots of decent tables, but no gc or d's)
The Golden Cue (owned by Jim also but in another part of town - (the mini palace)
The QSpot (gold crowns - a nice, old style place, but smaller)
Sheila's (omg... I won't even go there - if you got banned by Jim, that's where you went
Diamond Billiards - (huge place on the lower income side of town - and saw lots of action, good place with a scary strong pool player posing as the owner... was only open for a couple years.
then, Indian Gaming started in Oklahoma . . . . and now, they are stickin it to the man.
The only places that survived
Magoo's (now has a new owner)
Sharky's (more a social place than a player's place, but nice environment)
Sheila's (will stay true to their reputation)
Q-Spot (now owned by an elderly gentleman who does his own repairs and has lots of good ideas but is simply an elderly gentleman and I'll leave it at that. Very nice man, great character, great family environment,)
but, if the image of pool does not change, people in general will not endorse it.
Pool movies of the past carried a big torch for pool and that's what we need is a new one. Pool Hall Junkies was good, especially Walken's last speech about the lion, but we need Jerry Bruckheimer or Clint Eastwood to make this one.
I'm sure if someone like Jay and other dudes who've been around could get together and brainstorm a good story, you could pitch it to hw.
The fact is, pool remains dead in our town, and the more I look around, it appears that the same is happening too.
I don't go to many other forums, but AZ is one place that seems to be a centralized stomping ground for just about the entire planet. I'm sure with the right leadership, it could be done, but the players would have to clean up their act.
my 2c
^^^^^^
What Larry said. Except the drive is 45 miles and the pool hall when you get there is "just okay". Oh, we do have a local Moose Lodge with 4 or so beer boxes and a Friday night tournament, but I haven't played in that for years. It is what it is...the last pool hall here closed in the early '90's. :smile:
~Razor
City of Regina Saskatchewan. Flat Land Canada.
At one time, we had pool halls galore.
later years we still had a considerable amount of halls and family fun centers. All of a sudden, they were dropping like flies. Seemed to coincide
with a drop in interest in league pool.
At one time, all you had to do is bring a cue to the hall and you could find a few fellow league mates to play, actually the entire halls would be filled. Later on, you had to bring a partner or practice alone.
Now, we are down to two. One is a noisy bar with lots of Connelys and poor lighting. The bangers ensure that there are many holes in the cloth to navigate.
Which brings us to the only real hall in town. Somewhat reminiscent of the older style halls that we were all used to. Owner does maintain the tables well, the food is ok by pool hall standards.
The only problem with that one is the manager is a disrespectful dick wad.
Have to go to the bar to get a drink. Having one brought to your table is out of the question.
The manager once made a comment to me re tips and his tips jar.
I told him that as long as I was paying table time and having to fetch my own drinks, he wasn't getting anything from me.
That and when the manager is bored, he thinks nothing of coming to your table to chat and interrupt your games. He started teasing me once, asking me why it took me so long to play a game. I mentioned to him that
my games would be much quicker if he weren't over bugging the crap out of us all night. He didn't take the hint. I also mentioned that we should get a discount on table time considering that we were paying for time and
having to entertain him on our dime.
Anyway, its the only game in town so have to deal with it.
At one time, we had pool halls galore.
later years we still had a considerable amount of halls and family fun centers. All of a sudden, they were dropping like flies. Seemed to coincide
with a drop in interest in league pool.
At one time, all you had to do is bring a cue to the hall and you could find a few fellow league mates to play, actually the entire halls would be filled. Later on, you had to bring a partner or practice alone.
Now, we are down to two. One is a noisy bar with lots of Connelys and poor lighting. The bangers ensure that there are many holes in the cloth to navigate.
Which brings us to the only real hall in town. Somewhat reminiscent of the older style halls that we were all used to. Owner does maintain the tables well, the food is ok by pool hall standards.
The only problem with that one is the manager is a disrespectful dick wad.
Have to go to the bar to get a drink. Having one brought to your table is out of the question.
The manager once made a comment to me re tips and his tips jar.
I told him that as long as I was paying table time and having to fetch my own drinks, he wasn't getting anything from me.
That and when the manager is bored, he thinks nothing of coming to your table to chat and interrupt your games. He started teasing me once, asking me why it took me so long to play a game. I mentioned to him that
my games would be much quicker if he weren't over bugging the crap out of us all night. He didn't take the hint. I also mentioned that we should get a discount on table time considering that we were paying for time and
having to entertain him on our dime.
Anyway, its the only game in town so have to deal with it.
You refuse to tip your bartender because the management won't hire a server to bring you a drink? I don't see stiffing the bartender as the noble way to go about your frustration of having to go to the bar to get a drink. The pool halls I tend to enjoy don't have servers parading around the tables getting in the way of the games and the halls around here with table service are considerably more expensive per hour while having much crappier conditions...
Read the post man. The manager is the dick head. He is the one that can walk over to your table and bug the crap out of you all night but won't ask you if you need a drink.
On the other hand, the other worker will make the rounds and bring you a drink. He gets tipped very well.
If I am paying $10 plus an hour table time and I have to interrupt my game to get drinks, no one gets tips. I put the tip money into my
pocket.
No one parades around the tables. We play in a pool hall, not Hooters or a peeler bar.
What part of that didn't you understand?
On the other hand, the other worker will make the rounds and bring you a drink. He gets tipped very well.
If I am paying $10 plus an hour table time and I have to interrupt my game to get drinks, no one gets tips. I put the tip money into my
pocket.
No one parades around the tables. We play in a pool hall, not Hooters or a peeler bar.
What part of that didn't you understand?
Providence
In the Providence area we have two Billiard Rooms.
One is the Best in the Country,(Snookers) one is probably one of the worse.
The problem is the best (especially in the Fall and Winter) is always in demand. It becomes increasingly more difficult to get table time as the weather gets colder.
This weekend due to a two day Tournament at the best, my Wife and I had to go to the worst to play. (we left after a half hour)
Even though the equipment is similar, the playability in the worse is awful.
Many people have spoken to him about getting the tables playable.
Due to the fact that he doesn't play. he has no idea how bad they are.
He does all his own repairs and doesn't listen when players tell him what is wrong.
FYI even though the best was packed, there was no one in the worst!
Just think of how he could be picking up customers just by listening and acting on what they say!
Best uses their AC(even when the doors are open), the worst to save money, open the doors, and let you sweat while you play.
All the balls at the best are clean and are matched sets.
The worst is filthy and the balls don't match.
Final points, the best has FREE music!
The worst has a juke box, elevator music, or no music at all! The food at the best has a chef, the worst the food is awful.
I just can't believe the worst can't see what he's missing out on!
In the Providence area we have two Billiard Rooms.
One is the Best in the Country,(Snookers) one is probably one of the worse.
The problem is the best (especially in the Fall and Winter) is always in demand. It becomes increasingly more difficult to get table time as the weather gets colder.
This weekend due to a two day Tournament at the best, my Wife and I had to go to the worst to play. (we left after a half hour)
Even though the equipment is similar, the playability in the worse is awful.
Many people have spoken to him about getting the tables playable.
Due to the fact that he doesn't play. he has no idea how bad they are.
He does all his own repairs and doesn't listen when players tell him what is wrong.
FYI even though the best was packed, there was no one in the worst!
Just think of how he could be picking up customers just by listening and acting on what they say!
Best uses their AC(even when the doors are open), the worst to save money, open the doors, and let you sweat while you play.
All the balls at the best are clean and are matched sets.
The worst is filthy and the balls don't match.
Final points, the best has FREE music!
The worst has a juke box, elevator music, or no music at all! The food at the best has a chef, the worst the food is awful.
I just can't believe the worst can't see what he's missing out on!
There are 2 halls left here in Huntsville, AL.
Shooters------26 Diamond 7'...4 Diamond 9'.....1 12' Snooker Table
Bumpers Billiards------17 Diamond 7'....9 Diamond 9'
I believe those numbers are correct. I like Bumpers a lot better than Shooters. Bumpers has really nice tables and it seems the place is kept up better. Plus, there are weekly specials for the tables: Monday & Tuesday $5 pool. Wed. free pool all day.
Shooters------26 Diamond 7'...4 Diamond 9'.....1 12' Snooker Table
Bumpers Billiards------17 Diamond 7'....9 Diamond 9'
I believe those numbers are correct. I like Bumpers a lot better than Shooters. Bumpers has really nice tables and it seems the place is kept up better. Plus, there are weekly specials for the tables: Monday & Tuesday $5 pool. Wed. free pool all day.
Probably about a dozen within 10 miles of my house.
I pass three of them on my way to Sandcastle
I pass three of them on my way to Sandcastle
Zero, zilch, nada.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.
Going on vacation?
If you are going on vacation go to Wilmington NC to the sea shore.. Shop, Sun,Dine, and play pool... This is what I have 2 miles from the house!! Check out http://breaktimetenpin.com/ APA tournaments every 12 weeks or so.. 16 new 7 ft diamonds, 8 9ft diamonds, 1 snooker, and 1 GC.. I have this and 5 other places within 5 miles to play,,
If you are going on vacation go to Wilmington NC to the sea shore.. Shop, Sun,Dine, and play pool... This is what I have 2 miles from the house!! Check out http://breaktimetenpin.com/ APA tournaments every 12 weeks or so.. 16 new 7 ft diamonds, 8 9ft diamonds, 1 snooker, and 1 GC.. I have this and 5 other places within 5 miles to play,,
Also in Rhode Island a lil further south than Providence is Bo's BIlliards on the Cranston Warwick line. It is a nice pool hall to play in, alot of tables all nine footers and they and all the equipment are in decent shape. It's not quite Snookers, but it doesn't qualify as the worst either!!!!!
Nobody brings you drink.
You go to bar to get drink.
Bartender serves you a drink.
You tip nobody in that scenario which means you don't tip bartender.
Bartender gets stiffed.
I believe I understand correctly, no?
NO.
The bartender is the manager.
The manager is lazy.
The manager talks snotty to the customers.
No one at the hall likes the manager.
The manager expects tips even tho he doesn't do anything to earn them.
Why would anyone feel the need to give a tip to someone that is already getting paid to
perform that job.
If someone is good enuff to bring me a drink, I tip. If I have to put my cue down and put the game on hold to serve myself, no one gets a tip.
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To the OP, What is your definition of a "pool hall" ?
How many 9 foots make it a pool hall. Everyone has their own definition.
We have One Snooker, One heated Soren Sogaard Carom table, 13 - 9 foots, one 8 foot and one 7 foot.
Ah, bartender = manager... That makes it different then, especially if he's leaving the bar to go chat with other people. I bartended for many years and also managed bars and lounges. If I'm tending bar, I don't leave the bar area. If I'm managing, I don't enter the bar area. Sounds like that place is run horribly and now I understand.
If he's the only only bartender working, then I agree your actions are warranted. If another bartender is getting screwed that isn't a manager, then I think it still kind of sucks for that guy. In many states it's illegal for a manager to collect tips at all...