I got excited and dissapointed in 30 seconds

peteypooldude said:
Just get Earl to walk in with you lol
If your lucky they won't know him either and you can own the place
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It wouldn't take long for Earl to say something that would get us in trouble. I think i have told this story before but it will be in my book of stories in more detail when I get it done.

We was in New Mexico at a pool room for an event and Earl decided to go out for a smoke. Well in certain situations where Earl goes so do a bunch of pool fans just to sit and chat with him or should I say sit and listen to him :) Well I decided to go along too and smoke while Earl began stating his oppinions on one thing or another. There was a small crowd gathered around maybe 15 people and as I looked around there were 2 black guys hanging around and also listening intently and these guys were taller than me and I';m 6'4 and obviously alot better built than me. Just saying not anyone i would want to get into a fight with. Then all of a sudden I hear the words come out of Earls mouth that I didn't want to hear and to me they came out in slow motion and everything from that point seemed to move in slow motion. In a loud voice "What do you call 100 guys chasing a black guy?" I felt the word come out of my mouth but no sound "NNOOOOO" I look across at the faces of the 2 black gentlemen and they have a slight frown creeping across their face. Earl turns his head from side to side and then says "The PGA Tour" Obviously this was a numbver of years ago when Tiger couldn't lose. Everyone including our black friends laughed. Just saying going in anywhere with Earl could turn on ya. :)
 
bfdlad said:
Just to correct you, and I am sure that its just the way it was written but I never said I was suprised that there was no booze. Just trying to understand how they made a living without having booze or food, also I never said or even came close to saying anything illegal was going on. Just saying.
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Got it- and you're right on that point. I don't think I made it clear that I was really reacting to the other posters after you, especially because it made me laugh that it was called billiard cafe and there were billiard tables (and probably coffee), so I went on for a bit about that, too. As I was typing, I imagined these immigrants trying to figure out a name for their business with a dictionary, not realizing the standard name could invite the wrong market.

This is the way I see the sustained existence of these weird little billiard rooms. New immigrants are hit hard with culture shock, and we aren't very welcoming. (Not that we HAVE to be, I'm just saying they definitely notice the chilly reaction.) These little places give them a place where they can feel somewhat normal and among similar friends for a minute. Their businesses aren't catered for us to hang out in, spend money in, or play pool in- they're for them.

BUT just as "we" tolerate them when they come in to our places and "act right," they tolerate us when we do the same in their places. So there are different cultural habits, languages, smells- but if we didn't try new things, we wouldn't discover atomic coffee overdoses, the tastes of cilantro, mint, lemongrass, and sriracha, or the fun of gambling when everybody is crowding the table, betting, and all talking and laughing at the same time.

As for illegal- I'm not going to say that nothing illegal happens in those rooms- just as I would never say that nothing illegal ever happens in any mainstream poolroom, bar, etc.

P.S. yeah maybe don't bring Earl. : )
 
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I've had similar situations in the last 2 poolrooms I owned. Sometimes the regulars would get a little miffed, but I laid the law down to

my regulars and told them if they EVER got to be as good of customers as the Asians were I'd listen to their complaints, but until then

they should give them the room they needed and not bother them whatsoever, because, THEY were the ones keeping the doors open, not

the guys who just sat around watching other people spend money, knocking anything they didn't understand. The Asians would come in,

in mass (at least 10 at a time) and would ALL clock in on the billiard table at once. They bought coffee, drinks, food, & snacks, just about

anything I had to sell except equipment. They always used house cues and often shared a couple of cues among 10-15 people. The only

complaint I ever had from the Asians was when one of the red necks would not take no for an answer when he was trying to hit on a

beautiful young Asian lady who was married to one of the Asian guys. Ended up barring the red neck when he didn't understand why I

told him to leave her alone or leave! Just saying, just because they have their fun differently than we do, is no reason to get hateful

about it. I must admit I never had a problem with them coming in barefoot. We had a sign on the doors, No shoes, No shirt, No Service!

which was state law in Ohio and everyone understood.

Sherm
 
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My only complaints about Korean and Vietnamese billiard rooms are that
they are almost invariably 9-foot tables and have slower cloth that favors
straight-rail billiards.
The traffic pattern is different than a 10-foot table and the spin wears off
too quickly on slower cloth.
Yeah, it tends to get a little quiet when you walk in...but the old action
rooms with a bunch of regulars used to be like that also.

When they see you can play a little, their attitude changes...I've had 20
people around the table asking how a shot is made at 3-cushion....
...and I've had their good players showing me some terrific shots that are
native to 4-ball billiards (you can't hit your opponent's cue-ball in most
variations)

The myth of the 'inscrutable oriental' tends to be only a language problem.
So loosen up, go into one of those rooms and actually play, you'll be fine.

we all God's creatures
 
We have a large Laotion and Hmung population in my city...these guys love to shoot and will bet on water being wet, the dog barking, the felt being green...you name it. I have seen then play for 200 a rack like it was nothing. the pool halls they play in are sometimes just given money to stay open so they have a place to play...I have managed to become good friends with a few and they are a blast.
 
cuesmith said:
I must admit I never had a problem with them coming in barefoot. We had a sign on the doors, No shoes, No shirt, No Service!

which was state law in Ohio and everyone understood.

Sherm
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Interesting statement... I'm guessing you had a "No Gambling" sign up as well? :)

Or maybe a No No Gambling sign? hehe :)
 
I LOVE the ethnic places. I love walking in and playing their games, making friends, doing light gambling and having new experiences. Some of the best times in life on a pool or billiard table have been from walking into places like this.

I have played last pocket 8 ball a lot because of this.
Mexican Rotation
Pins
Poker Pool
3-5-7
Chinese 8 Ball
Four ball Caroms
Russian Billiards
Rotation
Cutthroat - (yes, I have walked into places where people were playing it for money)
Three Ball - who can get out in the least # of shots.

And more that I can't remember right now. I absolutely LOVE discovering anything pool and billiards related in surprising places.
 
i have noticed Billiards is doing better than it was, some rooms(that are left) are adding more billiard boxes.
 
bfdlad said:
It wouldn't take long for Earl to say something ...all of a sudden I hear the words come out of Earls mouth that I didn't want to hear and to me they came out in slow motion and everything from that point seemed to move in slow motion. In a loud voice "What do you call 100 guys chasing a black guy?" I felt the word come out of my mouth but no sound "NNOOOOO" ...:)
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I was scared for you, for a moment there!
 
We had this here:

Aug 12, 2011 – Million Dollar Gambling Bust at Eden Center
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...Ga8IAo&usg=AFQjCNGo9hNRMLcQ7Ey4dPl5GqeeShFGQQ

Feb 3, 2012 – In August, Northern Virginia police said they crippled an illegal gambling operation at Eden Center run by a gang called the Dragon Family
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...t=5808&usg=AFQjCNEskFcKnNh4oI2N37WFufL6NzQKdA

18858647_BG2.jpg

http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/18858647/gang-task-force-gets-850000-from-va-gambling-raid

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - U.S. Marshals have given a regional gang task force more than $850,000 in funds seized during a controversial gambling raid last year at the Eden Center in Falls Church, a hub of Vietnamese culture in the region.

The check presentation Friday relied on funds seized during a yearlong investigation of what authorities called the Dragon Family gang, which they say ran an illegal gambling ring at Eden Center.

The investigation resulted in several gambling convictions but also in several acquittals. And some Eden Center business owners complained the raids were unjustified, that there was no such thing as the Dragon Family gang and that business has suffered since.

At Friday's news conference, the task force defended its work and said they have received thanks from the Vietnamese community.



Read more: http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/188586...ts-850000-from-va-gambling-raid#ixzz2CgIRn1lm
 
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Well they are either doing something very right and could possibly hold classes for pool room owners to show them how to stay in business or they are doing something wrong that nobodyt knows about. Thats about what I am getting from this thread, very interesting though.
 
I bet if you get people who are regular enough, it makes all the difference. There's a place near me where a group of about 4 korean guys, sometimes 5, play a 3 cushion ring game. At least 3 nights a week, always the same crew on the same table.

If those guys each pay the standard rate and aren't getting a special deal, then the pool hall probably makes $2000 a month from them. That will pay some of the bills.

I wandered into this place and I think I know how you felt. I was just walking down the street and heard the unmistakable sound of a hard break, then spun 360 until I spotted the entrance. I was excited to have a pool hall just down the street from my hotel. Then I walked in... 4 tables, and a very seedy rundown feeling (worse than the photo conveys), and I'm immediately getting dirty looks. Wandered right back out.
 
bfdlad said:
Well they are either doing something very right and could possibly hold classes for pool room owners to show them how to stay in business or they are doing something wrong that nobodyt knows about. Thats about what I am getting from this thread, very interesting though.
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I don't know how you teach classes on how to have a community, but great idea. So many American poolrooms are only interested in how much you have spent there lately that it kind of brings a bad taste to go into some of them.

That said, my VN ex would pretty much stay home if he didn't have any money to spend. It was shameful to not be able to spend freely, buying rounds of coffee and beer, picking up tabs and returning favors. The problem was that groups are easily 10-15 large, so buying a round is big. It's okay to accept a round or a tab paid, but only if he could return the favor- either at that gathering or at the next. It makes people come together more frequently, too- that social system of treating for the group. And people do remember who buys and who accepts, and they make little hints and innuendos about it- it's shameful to be the one who accepts more often than he gives. If you can't pull your weight in the socializing, you just have to stay home and save before going out again.

So maybe you're right: Americans could learn from other cultures, but I don't see how to make that work.
 
blah blah said:
I don't know how you teach classes on how to have a community, but great idea. So many American poolrooms are only interested in how much you have spent there lately that it kind of brings a bad taste to go into some of them.

That said, my VN ex would pretty much stay home if he didn't have any money to spend. It was shameful to not be able to spend freely, buying rounds of coffee and beer, picking up tabs and returning favors. The problem was that groups are easily 10-15 large, so buying a round is big. It's okay to accept a round or a tab paid, but only if he could return the favor- either at that gathering or at the next. It makes people come together more frequently, too- that social system of treating for the group. And people do remember who buys and who accepts, and they make little hints and innuendos about it- it's shameful to be the one who accepts more often than he gives. If you can't pull your weight in the socializing, you just have to stay home and save before going out again.

So maybe you're right: Americans could learn from other cultures, but I don't see how to make that work.
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Thats kinda funny, I grew up in England and the "Round System" is in full effect and expected for the most part. I remember going out with friends and meeting at the local pub with like 7 of us and counting up my money to make sure that I had enough for a round. The trick is if you are a little short on money is to NOT buy the first round. Buy the last round and that way its tough to get back around to you before the night is over or everyoine is drunk :) I do understand what you mean though and maybe back in England they have it right because I have seen it happen many times where the group started buying rounds and one guy (Sometimes me) would say "Sorry guys I'm on my own tonight" meaning they would not be able to cover a round. 99% of the time everyone would buy that person a round and with a wave of the hand they would say "No, this ones on me" and around it would go. Knowing that next week they may be short and they would be ok too. Looking back at those day, things were alot different than they are today maybe.
 
Break pots can help foster that community spirit. One American poolroom out here has a breakpot that builds up and gets pretty large, fast- it draws so many players that they can't all get a spot in the 32-player tourney, but they all come anyway for the pot.

It's become such a hit that people buddy- up to buy masses of tickets together, they use appointed breakers, and there's a standing custom where the winner puts a significant amount (at least $200) on a bar tab so that all poolplayers can have a drink for comfort at seeing the pot bottom out again.

Someone I know won $1500 breaking the 9ball in the breakpot a couple of months ago and came home with only $400 of it- after a 3-way split and the bartab were through. Take away the $20 he spent in tickets and the $10 for the tournament, that's really $370. Week after week, it's more a social thing than a gambling thing- and the house always wins.
 
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