Indianapolis recommendations-places to play

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IronDon55

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am staying in Indy Fri-Tues last weekend in July for business conference. Can any one recommend places near downtown or west side with nice tables and good friendly competition? By friendly, I mean sociable (i.e.,I am willing to play for modest stakes).

Thanks in advance, Don
 
Airport Billiards (west side)
Executive Billiards (a little NE of downtown)
williebetmore's basement (NE suburbs but worth it)

-s
 
IronDon55 said:
I am staying in Indy Fri-Tues last weekend in July for business conference. Can any one recommend places near downtown or west side with nice tables and good friendly competition? By friendly, I mean sociable (i.e.,I am willing to play for modest stakes).

Thanks in advance, Don
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Iron-man,
You may be out of luck. There is a Jillians on Meridian on the south side of the downtown area - I've never been there, not sure of the equipment, doubt there are many "players" there. The action rooms are Airport Billiards (oddly enough, near the airport on the west side; a couple of the tables are close to adequate for your purposes) and Executive Billiards on the north side (pretty far from downtown - also a little scuzzy).

If you get the urge to head to the northeast side (about 25 minutes from downtown, easy to find), you would be welcome to play at my house (food, pool, and beverages are free; could possibly convince the wife to cook). The competition would be "friendly", but "good" might be a bit of a stretch. Of course I've seen you play, so getting me to bet against you could be quite difficult (like betting on Luxembourg against Germany in WWII). I'll be in Peoria for the WPBA, probably home early on Sunday. If you would be interested in coming over on Sunday (all day) or Monday (evening after work - 4 or 5 PM or so) drop me a PM. Hope you have a good trip, hope to see you again at DCC 2007.
 
Williebetmore said:
...Executive Billiards on the north side (pretty far from downtown - also a little scuzzy).
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That's putting nicely. The last time I was there it was a down right cesspool. Pretty "seedy" crowd in there too.

4th floor of the mall downtown has 4 or 5 connecting bars/pubs, one of which has some decent tables (bar boxes) in a friendly atmosphere. Weekends are crowded with the bar hoppers but the few times Ive been there through the week there was quite a few 'fish' hanging around.:D

Jillian's has 2 or 3 9 footers, $15 a hour to play and never really seen much "action" in there. Was there last Fall and other then a few drunk 20 year olds, the place was dead.:(

Sadly, Willie probably has the nicest place in Indy to play (just don't look beneath the rug under the table, rumor has it there's a "pit" down there for the 'stronger' players).
 
Sore_Aintya said:
Sadly, Willie probably has the nicest place in Indy to play (just don't look beneath the rug under the table, rumor has it there's a "pit" down there for the 'stronger' players).
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I made a nice shot and Willie got this, 'Oh yeah, you're going into the pit', look in his eye. I promptly dogged a few shots, and dodged the wrath of Buffalo Willie. I am very thankful, that I got out alive.

Tracy
 
When in Indianapolis, connoisseurs prefer the Betmore basement, a shrine of sorts for AZB forum members.
 
Thanks to all

Appreciate all replies.
Willie, I forgot that you live in Indy, and thank you for your gracious offer. Let me add that your description of the difference in our respective levels of play is a perfect opening move/gamesmanship! Well done. I will respond in more detail once I get my schedule figured out and see if the stars align to visit.
 
One more suggestion

On the North Side I enjoyed Chalkies, or Chalkers, or something like that.

Diamond tables, Sinatra on the juke box and, I had no problem finding cheap money games.

Just a suggestion.

Ken
 
Ken_4fun said:
On the North Side I enjoyed Chalkies, or Chalkers, or something like that.

Diamond tables, Sinatra on the juke box and, I had no problem finding cheap money games.

Just a suggestion.

Ken
Click to expand...

I go there mostly when in town, but I always make sure to stop by Airport billiards too.
 
Chalkies is a nice place. All 9foot Diamonds if I remember correctly. However it is a haul from downtown (being its in Castleton). Full bar, kitchen and tons of action on the weekends.
 
Oddly enough ...

I found Indianapolis grossly understaffed with quality Pool rooms back in '96/'97 when I lived there for a city with 1.5 million people then (and the money action was hard to find). I lived on the NE side of town when I lived there.
 
OK guys, cool it a little. Chalkies is a very nice, non-smoking, upscale room (gourmet food, t.v.s, nice bar) on the northeast side of Indy. It has 8 Diamond 9 footers, and about 12 Diamond 8 footers (in addition to darts, and basketball free throw game). It was J. Lee's "home room" for several years until she moved away from the northside 2 years ago (don't go there looking for her).

I have only rarely seen any minor action there, have never even heard of any major action there. It is marketed as more of a yuppie hangout, the serious players are at Airport or Executive (BECAUSE THEY'RE CHEAPER AND ALLOW CIGARETTE SMOKING).

I hope that clears up some of the misconceptions.

P.S. - I haven't been to Airport or Executive since the recent citywide ban on cigarette smoking in public places. I believe that businesses were allowed to opt out of the ban, if they closed their businesses to minors - so I don't know if smoking is still allowed at Airport or Executive - it depends on what their owners opted to choose.
 
Williebetmore said:
OK guys, cool it a little. Chalkies is a very nice, non-smoking, upscale room (gourmet food, t.v.s, nice bar) on the northeast side of Indy. It has 8 Diamond 9 footers, and about 12 Diamond 8 footers (in addition to darts, and basketball free throw game). It was J. Lee's "home room" for several years until she moved away from the northside 2 years ago (don't go there looking for her).

I have only rarely seen any minor action there, have never even heard of any major action there. It is marketed as more of a yuppie hangout, the serious players are at Airport or Executive (BECAUSE THEY'RE CHEAPER AND ALLOW CIGARETTE SMOKING).

I hope that clears up some of the misconceptions.
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Willie,
Your silence regarding the "pit" accusations, speaks volumes. I think you should allow a team of AZ pit inspectors into the BetMore Basement, to ensure the safety of AZ'ers everywhere. ;) Failure to comply with this AZ resolution, could result in sanctions. ;)

Tracy
 
I was in Indy a few years back and went to Executive Billiards the place smelled of piss....found Chalkies and found some cheap action...never went to Airport Billiards...sounds like that is the action place...
________
 
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RSB-Refugee said:
Willie,
Your silence regarding the "pit" accusations, speaks volumes. I think you should allow a team of AZ pit inspectors into the BetMore Basement, to ensure the safety of AZ'ers everywhere. ;) Failure to comply with this AZ resolution, could result in sanctions. ;)

Tracy
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T-man,
There is absolutely no need for official pit inspections. There has NEVER been any pool player on AZB who has said they were confined to a pit (they never get out). And once again I will state categorically that THERE IS NO PIT UNDER THE POOL TABLE (please don't check by the plasma tv).

As a forum member I, of course, would welcome inspections, but only after an exhaustive (and extremely expensive) series of negotiations (bribery) - just to make sure that the sovereignty of my basement is respected. I'm sure that as reasonable people we can hammer out an agreement; though it may take a little time - I expect that inspections will probably start sometime in 2038 (or early 2039).
 
I do not smoke, but it does not usually bother me. Looks like Airport is only about 15 min from my hotel so will probably check it out sat night.
thx
 
Williebetmore said:
And once again I will state categorically that THERE IS NO PIT UNDER THE POOL TABLE (please don't check by the plasma tv).
Click to expand...
Very clever, the plasma TV does make for a very enticing lure. You are quite ingenious as far as pit masters go.

T-Man
 
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