July 11-12 Fast Eddies Olhausen Tour Austin TX

It was either Cristina or Kim S.

I signed off the stream at 12:41a and they said Cristina beat Julie 4-0 (I think). Kim Sanders won the hot seat so it would have been Kim and Cristina in the finals. Just don't know who won though!!!

I watched Corey playing against Chen. Corey was strokin' pretty good, even though he lost. I igured Shayla taught him everything....:thumbup:
 
Bigtruck said:
Sylver DID win!! He defeated Hillbilly pretty handily on the hotseat match. Sylver is the ONLY player that emerged undefeated!!!

Ray
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True Sylver DID win the hotseat match

Bryant bad trouble controling the cue ball on the break and giving ball in hand to Sylver after making a couple of ball on the break = quick win for Sylver Ochoa
 
OK, according to Facebook... looks like Cristina had to double dip Kim Saunders which puts Julie Stephenson in 3rd place. I'm not sure who got 4th.
 
My Limited Dealings

akaTrigger said:
The Fast Eddie's Tour has this tournament at the FE in Austin every year on this same weekend. I don't think it's the tour at fault here - it's the pool room that didn't inform them that they would be showing and charging for the fight.
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I've had limited dealings with FE - Austin, but I've heard and witnessed other things that make you go Hmmmmm.

I had heard from one player that frequents there that at one time the manager refused to give out the red dot cue balls during league play because he basically didn't care about leagues.

Another instance I witnessed was several years ago when I was refereeing the ACS 9 Ball Championships. They pulled tables away from the tournament to put up the "Poker Card Table" and their staff continueally gave away tournament tables to the walk-in crowd.

Some of these actions make it clear that "Hey we make enough off of our normal customers so why bother with leagues and tournaments".

I would think that the FE chain would put the same level of support at every event to a tournament named after their chain?
 
ne14tennis said:
I've had limited dealings with FE - Austin, but I've heard and witnessed other things that make you go Hmmmmm.

I had heard from one player that frequents there that at one time the manager refused to give out the red dot cue balls during league play because he basically didn't care about leagues.

Another instance I witnessed was several years ago when I was refereeing the ACS 9 Ball Championships. They pulled tables away from the tournament to put up the "Poker Card Table" and their staff continueally gave away tournament tables to the walk-in crowd.

Some of these actions make it clear that "Hey we make enough off of our normal customers so why bother with leagues and tournaments".

I would think that the FE chain would put the same level of support at every event to a tournament named after their chain?
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Momma always said if you don't any good to say don't say anything at all.
Fast Eddies Tour is great for Texas period. If they didn't care about pool, they would have eliminated the tour a long time ago.
 
pooljunkie4ever said:
Momma always said if you don't any good to say don't say anything at all.
Fast Eddies Tour is great for Texas period. If they didn't care about pool, they would have eliminated the tour a long time ago.
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Steve was referring to Fast Eddies Austin, not the Fast Eddies Tour. I do agree that corporate should require each stop to honor the Tour equally. It's just good business.

Lewis & Paul do a great job with what they have.

Ray
 
pooljunkie4ever said:
Momma always said if you don't any good to say don't say anything at all.
Fast Eddies Tour is great for Texas period. If they didn't care about pool, they would have eliminated the tour a long time ago.
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I didn't say anything bad about FE chain as a whole and I DO think they do a lot for pool in TX....no doubt about it.

It just seems like the Austin location is more concerned about their local customers. I would expect the support for the tour would be the same at every FE.

I'm just putting it out there
 
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ne14tennis said:
I didn't say anything bad about FE chain as a whole and I DO think they do a lot for pool in TX....no doubt about it.

It just seems like the Austin location is more concerned about their local customers.

I'm just putting it out there
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I am one of their regular customers (well, league customer - so maybe I don't count). I sent a note to FE off their website (http://www.fasteddiesbilliards.com) and complained about this. [Also complained that the tables need some work.]

I basically suggested they remove all the tables and call themselves a sports bar since they don't seem to care about pool/billiards players.

Anyone out there want to help the Austin pool player cause, please send a note of your own.

Thanks.
 
From what I've heard in the past, Fast Eddie's Austin makes the most money out of all the Fast Eddie's across Texas. Being an Austin pool player, I don't really consider Fast Eddie's a players pool hall, its more a sports bar that happens to have lots of pool tables. They aren't the type of pool hall to cater to the players, they want to cater to the people that spend a lot of money on drinks. And thats their perogative, I suppose. Does it make it right to kick everyone out by 7pm... not at all.

There are other pool halls in town that players can play at that cater to 'players'. Every pool hall has its pros and cons. You might sacrifice A/C at one, waitress service at another, poorly maintained pool tables, poker tables, etc. Its amazing to me that there isn't a single pool hall in the Austin area that takes care of its pool tables.
 
Congrats to Sylver and Cristina! I met my goal of not going two and out, but beyond that, I missed too many shots! I'll be around for it next year and hopefully I do better. I guess I'll see anyone who makes the College Station stop! :p
 
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the comments about Fast Eddie's

First, I will introduce myself. My name is Daren Pickering, I am director of Operations for Fast Eddie's Billiards. I have worked for the company for 6 1/2 years, with over 18 years in the Pool Hall business with several other companies. I am an avid pool player, with one at my house, I have played on several leagues, and have played in quite a few tournaments (last one in San Leon at Kim White's regional tour. I have met quite a few of you.

First, I will address the UFC. We do show the UFC in 14 of our 18 locations. We pay $1400 per event per location to show these, and in return get anywhere from 400-500 people to come and watch these fights to help pay for the fight. We made the decision to stop the tournament at 7pm, and everyone pay $5 per person to stay AND play pool (where on Sat. night can you go play all night for $5 per person) This was a decision based on profitability, and any good business person should understand since profitability pays the bills.

I contacted Lewis Jones on July 1st and made him aware of the Scheduling conflict with the UFC and informed him then that the tournament would have to stop at 7pm on Saturday, he then asked if he could stay late to finish on Sunday and of course we allowed it. Lewis let everyone know at the players meeting and several times during the day.

Next, I would like to address the quality of equipment. I personally made sure that all 26 tables were refelted just before the OB1 cues tour in late february. (which means every table has been refelted within 5 months) Melinda and her gang were extremely happy at that event. I wish I could sit here and tell you that every pool table in every city was perfect, but in reality, the tables in pool rooms everywhere recieve a lot of abuse, especially in Round Rock where we have a large customer base, which leads me to my next point.

I noticed some people believe that we do not care about our pool players at our Austin Location. For that I will state some facts for you. We have over 200 league teams that play at that location every week. We offer free pool for league members Sunday Through Thursday and Happy Hour drink pricing for league members while playing their league matches. We also do not charge a single green fee there.

We also contribute a large portion of the money associated with the 9 ball tour.

I Would like to mention that our next 9 Ball tour event in College Station will also fall on a UFC night, so the same rules apply. I understand many of you drive in from out of town, and cant stay that late on Sunday. I understand and sorry if you cant make it.

In conclusion, we DO care about every guest that walks into our place, however, sometimes we must make decisions that are not popular with everyone, but are in the best interest of the business.

If anyone has any other criticism that does not relate to this decision to cap the tourney at 7pm, please feel free to PM me on here or you can email me at darenpickering@yahoo.com

Since I am being forthright and giving you an outlet to complain, I would appreciate you guys not airing negative information on a public board and allowing me and our management team take care of you issues.

Best Regards,
Daren Pickering
Director of Operations
 
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woody2863 said:
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the comments about Fast Eddie's

Next, I would like to address the quality of equipment. I personally made sure that all 26 tables were refelted just before the OB1 cues tour in late February. (which means every table has been refelted within 5 months) Melinda and her gang were extremely happy at that event. I wish I could sit here and tell you that every pool table in every city was perfect, but in reality, the tables in pool rooms everywhere receive a lot of abuse, especially in Round Rock where we have a large customer base, which leads me to my next point.

We also contribute a large portion of the money associated with the 9 ball tour.

In conclusion, we DO care about every guest that walks into our place, however, sometimes we must make decisions that are not popular with everyone, but are in the best interest of the business.

Best Regards,
Daren Pickering
Director of Operations
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Hi Daren! Yes, we at the OB Cues Ladies Tour love the FE in Austin location. Great staff, great location, great food, great support and MANY tables. It's one of our favorite locations on the tour - ask any of our players (and fans!).

I was hoping to see you in Austin - will you be in College Station? I plan to be there.

Thanks for coming on here and giving us background - this shows you do indeed care about the pool players.

Take care,
Melinda
 
Great Post Darren, I did attend this weekends tournament. Thanks for setting the record straight. It seems that people will just remember the bad things. I think it's in the players blood. Remember how you got a bad roll to lose, but never remember how you slopped the nine to win the set. Anyway, thanks for the support you give pool in texas.
Later
 
woody2863 said:
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the comments about Fast Eddie's

First, I will introduce myself. My name is Daren Pickering, I am director of Operations for Fast Eddie's Billiards. I have worked for the company for 6 1/2 years, with over 18 years in the Pool Hall business with several other companies. I am an avid pool player, with one at my house, I have played on several leagues, and have played in quite a few tournaments (last one in San Leon at Kim White's regional tour. I have met quite a few of you.

First, I will address the UFC. We do show the UFC in 14 of our 18 locations. We pay $1400 per event per location to show these, and in return get anywhere from 400-500 people to come and watch these fights. We made the decision to stop the tournament at 7pm, and everyone pay $5 per person to stay AND play pool (where on Sat. night can you go play all night for $5 per person) This was a decision based on profitability, and any good business person should understand that profitability pays the bills.

Next, I would like to address the quality of equipment. I personally made sure that all 26 tables were refelted just before the OB1 cues tour in late february. (which means every table has been refelted within 5 months) Melinda and her gang were extremely happy at that event. I wish I could sit here and tell you that every pool table in every city was perfect, but in reality, the tables in pool rooms everywhere recieve a lot of abuse, especially in Round Rock where we have a large customer base, which leads me to my next point.

I noticed some people believe that we do not care about our pool players at our Austin Location. For that I will state some facts for you. We have over 200 league teams that play at that location every week. We offer free pool for league members Sunday Through Thursday and Happy Hour drink pricing for league members while playing their league matches. We also do not charge a single green fee there.

We also contribute a large portion of the money associated with the 9 ball tour.

I Would like to mention
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Daren,

The majority of players that attend the event have very little chance of cashing, as you know if you're a player. A large number of people travel in on Friday night and most likely will be driving home on Saturday. When presented with staying another night after only 1 or 2 matches, many simply headed home.

I stayed to play but my opponent went home. If everyone had stayed it would have finished around noon on Monday. It's disheartening to many of us Fast Eddies supporters. We show up in record numbers, then take a back seat to another event.

The equipment IS in very poor condition. The cloth was fine, but many of the pockets are coming loose, which makes it reject a ball very easily. We had the same problem in Waco. We found the "cloth installers" were leaving one screw out of every pocket so they could recover more easily the next time! lol. A few tables had bad slates too that seemed to be sagging in the middle. The ball would roll in from both sides. A GOOD "table mechanic" would do Fast Eddies wonders. There is a school for mechanics being put on by RealkingCobra soon that would be a good thing to send a mechanic or two to. It's free too! They will even pay for the room!

Lewis and Paul did an amazing job as usual. They stayed upbeat and moved things along as quickly as possible! I will still be attending as many Fast Eddies events as possible because of them guys.

Ray
 
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woody2863 said:
If anyone has any other criticism that does not relate to this decision to cap the tourney at 7pm, please feel free to PM me on here or you can email me at darenpickering@yahoo.com

Since I am being forthright and giving you an outlet to complain, I would appreciate you guys not airing negative information on a public board and allowing me and our management team take care of you issues.

Best Regards,
Daren Pickering
Director of Operations
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I appreciate guest comments/criticisms , however I will ask again, please address them VIA PM or EMAIL. I can and will address each issue. From now on if you post something negative then PM me, you will NOT get a response.

Daren Pickering
Director of Operations
 
woody2863 said:
I appreciate guest comments/criticisms , however I will ask again, please address them VIA PM or EMAIL. I can and will address each issue. From now on if you post something negative then PM me, you will NOT get a response.

Daren Pickering
Director of Operations
Click to expand...

As Director of Operations I understand the bottom line is the main objective in running a successful business. I'm not here to take side as a player or as a Former General Manager of a Billiard Room/Sports Bar. I completely understand both sides. I'm only making a suggestion!

Since this was brought to the publics attention, I would not hide this behind closed doors, PM's, or Emails. Perception goes a long way and can do more harm than good. I think that you will get into the position of he said / she said situation. IMO you would be better served saying it openly and straight from the horses mouth.

Clearly and openly addressing the public will help them understand your meaning and objective as Director.

Hopefully everything works out to both sides satisfaction.
 
I believe we had the same situation in San Angelo where the fight was on the Saturday night of the tournament so the tournament was cut-off early and continuted the next day. I am sure it was less of an issue because the tournament was much smaller in that location but I don't think anyone complained about it then. In fact, most players enjoyed it because we paid the extra $5 to play pool all night and hang out with the other friends we don't see all the time.

I assume that because they had this situation before and it was not an issue with any of the players then, the management probably didn't expect it to be such an issue this weekend either. I do understand everyone's concerns about it, I had to forfeit my open div. match in order to play in the women's div. so I can relate. But I don't think it was THAT big of a deal. It seems that pool players often fault companies for making monetary decisions...I'd rather them continue to make money and be profitable so that we are able to have a great event in Austin at Fast Eddies (2 great events actually--OBcues tour) then drop everything in their normal business operations to make 100% of the spectators happy.

Thanks to Lewis and Paul for getting us thru the entire event! I doubt there are many other people that could have pulled off a field of over 150 players in one day like they did!
 
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