Article from EastBayRI.com dated August 20, 2007.
http://www.eastbayri.com/story/289596662858921.php
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Local Pool Hall is Hot-Spot for League Billiards
by Adam Cote - EastBayRI.com
In the calendar year since American Family Billiards opened its doors to the public, the Bristol pool hall has quickly established itself as one of the finest place to play pool in Rhode Island.
With 16 championship size pool tables and ample room for players, it has transformed league action within the East Bay.
"I was surprised at how many league teams there are [locally]," said owner and Warren native Danny Mello. "Leagues are important to our business and we have a set-up that really accommodates league players."
"Most of the American Pool Association (APA) leagues are played in bar rooms on bar tables," explained Bristol resident Jonathan Crowell. "To get 9-foot tables like these you have to go to Providence or Willaby's. I've been playing on the APA since 1996, this is the best place to play. I think the tables are the best, the people are the best and it's clean."
"The equipment is excellent and the place is immaculate," said Barrington resident Peter Stevens, a 40-year veteran of pool halls. "They have championship tables so someone who knows how to play can really appreciate it and those who are new, can learn."
Other obviously share Crowell's and Stevens' opinion. In fact, some teams have left their home bars to play out of American Billiards which gives all league matches three separate tables ? one for competition and one for each to practice on. The vast room allows for three stretches of tables giving each team their own area to converse, enjoy a beer or some of American Billiards' increasingly popular pizza and stuffies.
"Leagues are very important because it's constant business," said Mello. "Plus they're scheduled on the slowest days of the week. You make your money on the weekends, but when you have six to eight teams in on [a Monday] you can match those nights."
Six APA league teams currently call American Billiards home. That's up from just three teams in the spring. The summer pool session is one frequently skipped by regulars, but thanks to word of mouth, American Billiards' league teams doubled.
The summer teams play on Monday nights. On alternating weeks they either play at their home hall or at a nearby bar. Some local competition includes Willaby's in Swansea, Kinsmen Tavern, Wood Street Cafe and Gillary's Tavern.
The APA sends out weekly packets to teams with updated handicaps and standings. All teams who win a session are invited to compete in the state championship, usually staged in June. Each year the APA sends the Rhode Island state champ out to Las Vegas to compete for the APA National Championship.
And you don't have to be "Fast" Eddie Nelson to earn the prize.
The APA handicapping format allows for players of all abilities to play on the same team and on equal ground.
Players are rated on a weekly basis based upon their season-long performance. Men are rated on a 3 to 7 scale, while women are rated on a 2 to 7 scale.
Mello, for instance, is a 7-handicap and one of the best shooters in the league. For Mello to defeat a 2-handicap player he must win seven games before his opponent wins two.
The total handicap any team can carry at any time is 23, so teams can't stack a squad.
"The people who may not think they are ready to play in a league are actually the players targeted because they balance off the teams," Mello explained.
Bristol resident Ted Luther popped into American Billiards with his two kids earlier this year. A social player for years, Luther explained was interested in joining a league. American Billiards quickly found him a home.
"I love it," said Luther. "My kids love coming here and it's something I always wanted to do, so I guess this is my shot."
adamcote@eastbaynewspapers.com
http://www.eastbayri.com/story/289596662858921.php
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Local Pool Hall is Hot-Spot for League Billiards
by Adam Cote - EastBayRI.com
In the calendar year since American Family Billiards opened its doors to the public, the Bristol pool hall has quickly established itself as one of the finest place to play pool in Rhode Island.
With 16 championship size pool tables and ample room for players, it has transformed league action within the East Bay.
"I was surprised at how many league teams there are [locally]," said owner and Warren native Danny Mello. "Leagues are important to our business and we have a set-up that really accommodates league players."
"Most of the American Pool Association (APA) leagues are played in bar rooms on bar tables," explained Bristol resident Jonathan Crowell. "To get 9-foot tables like these you have to go to Providence or Willaby's. I've been playing on the APA since 1996, this is the best place to play. I think the tables are the best, the people are the best and it's clean."
"The equipment is excellent and the place is immaculate," said Barrington resident Peter Stevens, a 40-year veteran of pool halls. "They have championship tables so someone who knows how to play can really appreciate it and those who are new, can learn."
Other obviously share Crowell's and Stevens' opinion. In fact, some teams have left their home bars to play out of American Billiards which gives all league matches three separate tables ? one for competition and one for each to practice on. The vast room allows for three stretches of tables giving each team their own area to converse, enjoy a beer or some of American Billiards' increasingly popular pizza and stuffies.
"Leagues are very important because it's constant business," said Mello. "Plus they're scheduled on the slowest days of the week. You make your money on the weekends, but when you have six to eight teams in on [a Monday] you can match those nights."
Six APA league teams currently call American Billiards home. That's up from just three teams in the spring. The summer pool session is one frequently skipped by regulars, but thanks to word of mouth, American Billiards' league teams doubled.
The summer teams play on Monday nights. On alternating weeks they either play at their home hall or at a nearby bar. Some local competition includes Willaby's in Swansea, Kinsmen Tavern, Wood Street Cafe and Gillary's Tavern.
The APA sends out weekly packets to teams with updated handicaps and standings. All teams who win a session are invited to compete in the state championship, usually staged in June. Each year the APA sends the Rhode Island state champ out to Las Vegas to compete for the APA National Championship.
And you don't have to be "Fast" Eddie Nelson to earn the prize.
The APA handicapping format allows for players of all abilities to play on the same team and on equal ground.
Players are rated on a weekly basis based upon their season-long performance. Men are rated on a 3 to 7 scale, while women are rated on a 2 to 7 scale.
Mello, for instance, is a 7-handicap and one of the best shooters in the league. For Mello to defeat a 2-handicap player he must win seven games before his opponent wins two.
The total handicap any team can carry at any time is 23, so teams can't stack a squad.
"The people who may not think they are ready to play in a league are actually the players targeted because they balance off the teams," Mello explained.
Bristol resident Ted Luther popped into American Billiards with his two kids earlier this year. A social player for years, Luther explained was interested in joining a league. American Billiards quickly found him a home.
"I love it," said Luther. "My kids love coming here and it's something I always wanted to do, so I guess this is my shot."
adamcote@eastbaynewspapers.com