Moving to Los Angeles-How's the Pool Scene?

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rod in atl

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I might be moving to LA for a new job very soon, so I am wondering what the pool culture is like. I was in Southern California recently, but I didn't get to play at any pool halls. My cousins took me to the Lucky Strike in Torrance, and they actually had one table where I got to shoot some pool.

I heard Bustamante was at Hard Times recently, and I've read other threads about tournaments there, but I haven't heard much about other places in LA. Other than on a navy base, I've never been to a place that had more than one table in CA. Here in Atlanta, the two places I play have about 40 tables each...Mr. Cues II and The Marietta Billard Club.

Are there a lot of weekly tournies around LA that a C+/B- like me could get into to improve? How about league play? I'm an 8 in APA 9-ball in Atlanta, but I don't know if I'll keep playing in it. Are the other leagues strong...like BCA, TAP, and VNEA? How about small-time gambling action?

Thanks for the help
 
At Danny K's in orange we have five tourneys a week and a league. These have been going on for 14 years now, and are all handicapped nine ball, except for Monday nites we play eight ball.

Web site is www.dannyks.com .
 
i haven't been to atlanta, but i have been to a lot of the south like florida and louisiana and sorry to say i bet you are in for a let down. pool is so good in the south, a lot of banks and one hole, cheep time, cool people.... actual gamblers.

its weird out here, expensive pool time, everybodys nitty (even though more people have money, go figure). but with that said i hope you do like it, there do seem to be a LOT of leagues popping up, problem is they kill all the actual tournaments.
 
L.A. is even more spread out then Atlanta. But there are good rooms, House of Billiards has two locations, one in Santa Monica and one in the S.F. Valley. Hardtimes is in Bellflower and about an hour south of L.A.

Hollywood Billiards is pretty good and I believe has a good monthly deal for regulars. They have a league called the "U.S.... something" with a handicap system and weekly tournaments. APA is also active in some areas. They also must have BCA cause I see them all in Vegas...

I am sure someone from there will give you more info.
 
Where exactly in Los Angeles are you moving to? Lucky's is real nice. It's owned by my buddy Chad. He's put alot of time and $ fixin it up. Ernesto Dominguez does his tables. He just re-felted the tables with that tournament blue and it looks sweet when you walk in. The tables just jump at you.

You can find some small action there, but don't expect anything real big. And yes, Hard Times is about 15 miles East of them. Francisco Bustamante was just there and during their first Sunday of the Month Tournament... he did the most outrageous shot!!!

Welcome to L.A. BTW... don't cut anyone off while your driving if you wanna get BLASTED on :thumbup:
 
rod in atl said:
I might be moving to LA for a new job very soon, so I am wondering what the pool culture is like. I was in Southern California recently, but I didn't get to play at any pool halls. My cousins took me to the Lucky Strike in Torrance, and they actually had one table where I got to shoot some pool.

I heard Bustamante was at Hard Times recently, and I've read other threads about tournaments there, but I haven't heard much about other places in LA. Other than on a navy base, I've never been to a place that had more than one table in CA. Here in Atlanta, the two places I play have about 40 tables each...Mr. Cues II and The Marietta Billard Club.

Are there a lot of weekly tournies around LA that a C+/B- like me could get into to improve? How about league play? I'm an 8 in APA 9-ball in Atlanta, but I don't know if I'll keep playing in it. Are the other leagues strong...like BCA, TAP, and VNEA? How about small-time gambling action?

Thanks for the help
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there are alot more rooms in Atl than LA, LA has been flat for along time, there are a few good rooms but considering how big LA is, its weak.
 
Jay?

Fatboy said:
there are alot more rooms in Atl than LA, LA has been flat for along time, there are a few good rooms but considering how big LA is, its weak.
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Doesn't Jay live somewhere in the L.A. area?
 
Danny K's

CocoboloCowboy said:
I just looked at you web-site it tell everything, but how many Pool Table you have. Great Food Menu.
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Danny K's has about 20, 9 ft custom tables.
 
I'll probably live near Carson. Maybe Torrance or Long Beach. Depends on where we find a place. I'll probably be splitting a house with one or two cousins.
 
wahcheck said:
Doesn't Jay live somewhere in the L.A. area?
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we both do, i'm in Bev Hills about 30 mins north of Jay, he is by the beach i'm inland
 
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rod in atl said:
I'll probably live near Carson. Maybe Torrance or Long Beach. Depends on where we find a place. I'll probably be splitting a house with one or two cousins.
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Just north of Carson is Gardena Bowl with 9 tables @ $3.00/hr./person from 8:00AM to 1:00AM.

In Torrance, there's Mr. Lucky's with around 8 9 footers and 2 bar tables.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1730249/video_pool_hall_redondo_beach_mr_luckys_billiards_south_bay/

In Long Beach, there's Yankee Doodles with 30 9 footers and 8 bar tables?
http://www.yankeedoodleslongbeach.com/
 
Rack'em is in Carson off of the 110.

Lots of PI action there.

I heard that they downsized and ony have around 6 tables??

Russ.
 
There are actually many more rooms in the LA area than in the ATL area but FAR FAR FAR less goes on here.

The difference in pool's culture there and here for you will be vast.
Only a smattering of events and notthing/not many dedicated towards anything other than an A player. There are more Good players here than in ATL. Tons of guys no one has heard of running out.

Theres the monthly at Hardtimes is Bellflower. For a nominal fee you can give it a go. Every blue moon a new faces makes it deeper into the cash.

PI players like to come here and when they do there is usually good action to watch or play.


Local events rarely/never add money and most TAKE money out. I am speaking about regular weekly events.

Hollywood Billiards is having 3-4 good events per year now. Good room with good table and food however pricing is a bit high for the regular visit. I dont kow what their monthly is.

I lived outside ATL in Athens and played all over Atl. Its just not the same. I really like House of Billiards in Santa Monica. Its a no frills pool room but has tables in great condition and decent rates.

If you ever want to get together and shoot some just shoot me a PM and we will hook up.
 
cuechick said:
Hardtimes is in Bellflower and about an hour south of L.A.
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Hardtime's much closer to LA. Only 20 miles south. It could be an hour with traffic:angry: though.
 
ABall said:
Hardtime's much closer to LA. Only 20 miles south. It could be an hour with traffic:angry: though.
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Traffic makes pretty much any drive in the area 30-40 minutes minimum after 8am and before 8pm.
 
ABall said:
Hardtime's much closer to LA. Only 20 miles south. It could be an hour with traffic:angry: though.
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I guess it depends from where in L.A. your coming from (it was the Valley for me last time I went there) and unless it is 2am there is always traffic.
 
Got to go visit Ernie @ the Gina Cue Factory in North HollyWEIRD.








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From my experience, it really depends on what kind of action you're looking for.

If you like leagues or weekly tournaments, there seems to be plenty of that. Some rooms are good for certain games i.e. Hard Times for 9/10 ball and House of Billiards/Santa Monica for 1 pocket.

Hot Shots is in the Torrance area (Cypress) in case no one mentioned it.


Eric
 
Eric. said:
Hot Shots is in the Torrance area (Cypress) in case no one mentioned it.


Eric
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Eric, you must really be surrounded by clowns because Cypress is not close to Torrance. :wink: At least 25 minutes away. Last time I was near Hot Shots in Cypress, it looked closed down.
 
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