Jimmy's Billiards, Milpitas, CA

jay helfert said:
Contrary to popular opinion, a modern poolroom can still be a very successful business. If I was younger I would open another one. My last room provided me with a 25-30K monthly income. Not wealth by any means but still a good living, even in California.
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I remember reading in one of the last chapters in one of your two books how to make a pool room successful. Very interesting reading to be sure. I also remember in one of your posts that if you were to open another room, one of the names you would consider for it would be ‘The Pool Hall’, what a great name!!!
 
Jimmy's is located pretty close to California Billiards. I'll have to stop by Jimmy's when I'm in the area, I know C.B is a great room.
 
Hi Everyone,
I’ve just become a member of AZBilliards and found out about this topic about our billiard room.
I see the comments about our menu 😂 Well health department put us through quite a bit and one of those rules were for us to provide a full menu with details before even open the business.
Anyways I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself.
I have been living in the area almost 20 years now and have been playing in the old pool room at this address. And have known the the owners for long time as well. It’s unfortunate Covid ended many local businesses. And I really couldn’t let it go. Mainly because my own love for the game. As far as business part goes I am learning along the way.
I’d love to meet fellow room owners and exchange knowledge and or organize venues.
Thanks
Jimmy
 
Jimmysbilliards said:
Hi Everyone,
I’ve just become a member of AZBilliards and found out about this topic about our billiard room.
I see the comments about our menu 😂 Well health department put us through quite a bit and one of those rules were for us to provide a full menu with details before even open the business.
Anyways I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself.
I have been living in the area almost 20 years now and have been playing in the old pool room at this address. And have known the the owners for long time as well. It’s unfortunate Covid ended many local businesses. And I really couldn’t let it go. Mainly because my own love for the game. As far as business part goes I am learning along the way.
I’d love to meet fellow room owners and exchange knowledge and or organize venues.
Thanks
Jimmy
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Former room owner....a willing victim of the covid hy$steria.

You will learn which of your friends are true friends wishing you success for your own sake as well as their having a room to play in versus the scum bags you still expected more of because they were pool buddies. Be quick to swing the ban hammer....life is too short to cater to assholes.
 
jay helfert said:
Contrary to popular opinion, a modern poolroom can still be a very successful business. If I was younger I would open another one. My last room provided me with a 25-30K monthly income. Not wealth by any means but still a good living, even in California.
Click to expand...
A 25-30K monthly income is nothing to sneeze at, even in California!
 
it is when you work 12 hours a day 24/7. and thats what it takes to run a successful business starting out for a decent amount of years.
you had better like it as it becomes your life.

if you cant make 300k a year in california you probably arent talented or smart enough to run any large business.

you are an employee, not an entrepreneur.
 
Between this location and the Great Entertainer in San Mateo, sounds like there are two very nice hall options in the Bay Area. Loved playing at the Concord Entertainer location in high school, also worked there a bit.
 
maha said:
why didnt they keep the same name it was recognized all over. if you went near there you just googled edgies and it took you there.
i guess its ego having your own name on the door. but not good business most times.

those were great billiard tables. all the billiard tables were full every day why change it.
i never heard of palatin. what the heck are they.
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Quality brand, Turkish, perhaps?

I've seen them used in world cup events in the past.
 
sbrownn said:
Between this location and the Great Entertainer in San Mateo, sounds like there are two very nice hall options in the Bay Area. Loved playing at the Concord Entertainer location in high school, also worked there a bit.
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Somehow the Great Entertainer is rarely mentioned when Bay Area pool halls come up. California Billiards and Family are the usual suspects.

As for the Turkish tables, Platin is the brand. Here's the site;

Platin Billiards

www.platinbilardo.com www.platinbilardo.com
 
L.S. Dennis said:
A 25-30K monthly income is nothing to sneeze at, even in California!
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Is that Net or Gross? $800.00-$1,000.00 a day Gross isn't that much.

During a stretch with Doc Herbert and 2 partners for (5-6 years) at Chris's Billiards (56 tables) in Chicago they Grossed very close to a 900K a year, and that's without a real food menu or alcohol.
 
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Bob Jewett said:
Somehow the Great Entertainer is rarely mentioned when Bay Area pool halls come up. California Billiards and Family are the usual suspects.

As for the Turkish tables, Platin is the brand. Here's the site;

Platin Billiards

www.platinbilardo.com www.platinbilardo.com
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There is also Crown Billiards in San Ramon that has leagues and are quite nicely maintained tables to play on.

My favorite was still the Great Entertainer in Concord when they had over 20 gold crown III very nicely maintained tables with the gold simonis felt. It was a great spot for $2 / hour pool with the lunch special (hot dog and a coke) when I was at San Ramon Valley HS.
 
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mr3cushion said:
Is that Net or Gross? $800.00-$1,000.00 a day Gross isn't that much.

During a stretch with Doc Herbert and 2 partners for (5-6 years) at Chris's Billiards (56 tables) in Chicago they Grossed very close to a 900K a year, and that's without a real food menu or alcohol.
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Indeed. $800-$1000 a day will barely pay the rent and maybe some of the payroll. CA is very expensive. On the other hand if expectation is $25K net income/month I believe you have to have a very big venue, 35+ tables, offerings other than pool, full liquor and a full kitchen.
Otherwise I don’t see how is it possible.
FYI hourly rates in North CA are still at the same level what it was back in 2018.
 
Jimmysbilliards said:
Hi Everyone,
I’ve just become a member of AZBilliards and found out about this topic about our billiard room.
I see the comments about our menu 😂 Well health department put us through quite a bit and one of those rules were for us to provide a full menu with details before even open the business.
Anyways I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself.
I have been living in the area almost 20 years now and have been playing in the old pool room at this address. And have known the the owners for long time as well. It’s unfortunate Covid ended many local businesses. And I really couldn’t let it go. Mainly because my own love for the game. As far as business part goes I am learning along the way.
I’d love to meet fellow room owners and exchange knowledge and or organize venues.
Thanks
Jimmy
Click to expand...
Good luck with your beautiful new room, wish you all the success!
 
thats why most poolrooms are just a job for the owner and a wait until something bad happens and loss of revenue or their lease for a period ends up breaking them.

ive helped a few who were starting a business and none of them could tell me what was the amount they needed to gross every day just to break even. let alone know about how many customers likely would enter and the expected amount each would spend in the place.

jimmy you are in a nice town with a good clientele and hope you do well there.
 
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