Pool Ball Collecting.

[K2Kraze]

Hello, RC!

Well, the all-red Budweiser set was let go to another fellow that didn’t mind the distressed ball set - only uncovered after requesting more pics and details from the seller.

Not worthy of being included in my playable collection for sure. My good friend Tony wouldn’t even take those - unless I bribed him with a cold case of Bud first

As you well know, my good friend, the 2nd biggest challenge we face is actually determining if a sighted ball or ball set is actually worth perusing and purchasing. Poor descriptions, poor communication and even deceptive photos and condition reports being the norm it seems this past year. Add to that a reluctance to accept any returns (even at the expense of the buyer!) and basically one is left to tread at their own risk - leaving you with a recipe that may leave a taste of terrible in the mouth. Now, some of us have amazing mouthwash to get rid of the taste, but what in the world do we do with balls best suited for an outdoor table in the bright sun of your local Azerbaijan hangout? Without a cold Budweiser?!!

Why - donate them to the local Goodwill of course. So if you happen to wander through a Fort Worth GW location and see a set of used and repurposed billiard balls for $4.75, they probably came compliments of yours truly So far - 6 sets this year have found their way to GW and a new home awaits for the bargain price of a lunch at McDonald’s

So - the quest for exquisite sets to fill the Brewery Collection continues with eyes on the horizon, sir.

It’s happy hour somewhere, so time to pour a cold beverage...

Cheers, RC!



~ K




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[K2Kraze]

Recently seen in the headlines...

Beer Remains the Preferred Alcoholic Beverage in the U.S.

Followed by these two bullet points:
- Four in 10 alcohol consumers say they most often drink beer
- 30% prefer wine, while 26% opt for liquor

So let me talk about beer for a moment.

As a prelude to today’s offering, I’d like to extend a most sincere apology to those folks not represented by the 2nd most popular beer choice (in the US markets) after seeing an earlier post of the Budweiser (number 1) ball set....I should have posted these next beauties up right away to more accurately reflect my passion and appreciation for ALL adult beverage ball sets

These folks beat Budweiser to the brewing game - 145 years ago to be exact - and have a very interesting history as well as unique flavored beer - but more on that in a moment.

Ah.....The banquet beer.

Speaking of banquets.

My regular, invite-only, Pals/Pool/Pizza nights always feature some perfectly paired beverage offerings to add to the festive nature of the get-togethers as well as to promote something NEW for the next few hours. New games. New ball sets. New competition formats. New foods. And new drinks. Bring your cue only.

I remember the very first planned pool night almost 5 years ago now, when I thought I would be polite and ask each guest for their “preferred” beverage (this one happened to be beer) and I was surprised with 5 different answers. Ok. I can roll with that. With a twist of course. So I picked up a 6-pack of each of those beers and thought we’d see just how well the boys knew their “preferred” beer. 5 sample pours in shot glasses behind each of the 5 beers on the counter. Blindfold style. Each was covered with an identical brown shipping tube cut down and capped. No cheating for this one, guys. The rules: IF you could choose your beer out of the 5 samples, you’d win a gift card to Total Wine for a case of your “preferred” beer. I had 5 gift cards ready.

I had 4 remaining at the end of the blind test - and, yes, it was the pal choosing his Coors Light over all the others. No one else picked their “preferred”. Wish I would had captured that on video.

Looking back on that evening of pals/pool/pizza and Pilsner, I sure wish I would have had a set of these phenolic treasures for the prize instead of a the gift card, but then I found out.....they ALL said in hindsight they’d rather have the damn beer card than a set of balls worth 10x as much! “Why?”, I asked. “Because we don’t want to haul the balls back and forth AND besides, we know you’ll still have the beer!”

Touché

Here they are....

“The Worlds Most Refreshing Beer”, says the winner of the blind test as he leaves with the remainder of his 6-pack...

Cheers, everyone!



~ K.

 

[Meucciplayer]

First time I have to chime in. This is one of the most interesting threads ever on AZB and I subscribed to it a while ago.

Sadly, I can't add to the thread because all I own are two run-of-the-mill sets of balls. Nothing worth posting. Someone gave me two extra balls but I doubt those are anything special either.

WRT the beer. Yes, I also once had a few friends take such a test. The funny part about it was that mostly those people denigrating other people's favorite brands were not even close to finding their own brand in a blind test. Personally, I prefer micro-breweries.

We had a similar blind contest many moons ago with cigarettes. Back in the days when "the real man" would smoke Marlboros or Camels. Same result. Very few people can acturally tell their own brand and the conclusion is that most of the imagined flavor attributes are just that: imagined.

Back to pool balls: How about liquor brands? I could imagine that some famous brands would have liquor brand pool balls made? Jack Daniel's would be a favorite since they have so much stuff they branded?

Sadly, I can't start collecting pool balls since my better half would probably get really, really mad at me. I am already collecting golf balls, stamps, literature for my hobbies and so on. My place would fill up even more ....

 

[K2Kraze]

First time I have to chime in. This is one of the most interesting threads ever on AZB and I subscribed to it a while ago.



....

One of the most alluring things (for me) about this pool ball collecting journey I’ve been on over the years has been the stories heard along the way - like your post and sharing of cigarette taste tests, Meucciplayer - absolutely loved it!

The very first blind taste testing that I mentioned earlier has become a regular part of the get-togethers I host with my regular playing friends on “pool night”, and has included IPA beers, Mexican import beers, Coconut Rums, Canadian Whisky, Scotch of course, Extra Añejo Tequilas, flavored vodkas, and yes, even Schnapps - to name but a few. The favorite, however, has been the chocolate whiskey comparisons and the chocolate liquors, which has led to many new purchases with their wives chiming in about the great samples some take home

Meucciplayer - great screen name.

Perhaps this next ball set from my collection is right up your alley....

Recently acquired, and after nearly 3 hours of diligent work and polishing, was able to restore them to near-new glory. This particular set came from a smoker’s home and to share pictures of the white microfiber cleaning towels I used to remove the smokey film from each of the 16 would not be kind to your eyes....but here they are after those few hours of work:

And this shot of their unique striped cue ball:

BTW, Meucciplayer, it’s quite easy to put your ball sets out of sight so they aren’t in the way of your wife’s laser vision - the ball trays conveniently stack and are only 10” square and 3.5” tall with balls in them


~ K.

 

[K2Kraze]

How about an exclusive and unique GIVEAWAY PROMOTION for the visitors of this Pool Ball Collecting thread?




Not a raffle.

Not a lottery.

Nothing for sale.

Not to promote a product, person or member.

Not from a business, club, group or promoter of any kind.

A GIVEAWAY. Just for the asking. For a chance to get something you may not have.


Fun.

Different.



He we go......


GIVEAWAY number


- for all you 9-Ball fans:

The Eagle Eye Striped 9-Ball set.


The one lucky winner of the drawing will also find a few extra things enclosed to compliment this unique and not readily available set:

Original packaging of course:

A dedicated and labeled ball tray:

A laminated rule sheet covering 2 great solo or match play practice games for you to enjoy playing this 9-Ball set:

Score sheets for duplication if you’d like:

So, IF you are a billiard ball collector - or want to build your billiard ball collection - or start a billiard ball collection - or are simply interested in billiard ball collecting one day perhaps, you may like to add this set to your collection.

Zero cost. To your doorstep. No commitment. Completely private.


THE REQUIREMENTS for this 1st GIVEAWAY PROMOTION:

SOLVE A WORD SEARCH PUZZLE - that earns the chance to be included in this 1st drawing - created by none other than our very own Rubik’s Cube - great friend, fellow collector and most selfless and passionate people I’ve had the pleasure to meet here on AZB

send an email with the one correct answer to me personally for your entry: toKerry@aol.com



NOT via private message (PM).

NOT a reply within this thread.

An email. Address above.

* One word of polite warning, dear reader. PLEASE do not reveal the answer to the puzzle on this thread as it will spoil the game for others and reduce your own chances of winning! MANY THANKS.


That’s it, folks!

One month from now, on AUG 20th, 2018, all names of those that have emailed the correct answer to me for this 1st GIVEAWAY drawing will be put into a random name generator - and my great friend and owner of Fort Worth Billiards, Albert Trujillo (AZB moniker: 1billiardKing) will draw the one winning name - and promptly get the packaged treasures on their way.

With an announcement here in the PBC thread of course.

GIVEAWAY number


Best of luck, everyone,

~ K.


Rubik’s Cube - you’re up, sir!

 

[Rubik's Cube]

The Puzzle.

Hidden in plain view on the letter grid below are the names of thirty billiard ball sets, all of which are featured somewhere within the pages of this Pool Ball Collecting thread.

Twenty-nine of those names can be found via the classic wordsearch format of up, down, backwards, forwards or diagonally, as illustrated by our two free examples of STONE and WHITE.

Once every set listed has been discovered your final challenge, ladies and gentlemen, is to reveal a thirtieth pool ball set, the name of which can be deciphered by unscrambling an anagram of all unused letters in the grid.

Email the name of this set to K2Kraze before his stated date and you will be entered into the free prize draw. Important: please do not reveal the answer to the puzzle anywhere on this thread as it would spoil the game for others and reduce your own chances of winning.

Best wishes, everyone, and good luck!

 

[K2Kraze]

Thank you so much, RC, for ALL of your endless support and help along the way since I first mentioned this idea to you earlier this year - truly a priceless friendship formed across the miles - and all beginning with a 16 Ball

It’s been quite a global-reach pool ball search, rescue operation and tireless passionate pursuit this past few years - with so many ahead of us still.

Time to pay things forward and help those along the way as I’ve been helped by many, many folks along the way.

On to the next adventure, sir!



~ K.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

You're more than welcome, dear chap.

By the way, sir, I've just been browsing through this wonderful thread and a sudden moment of inspiration gave me a great idea for your next qualifying puzzle.

Best wishes,
RC.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

I'd be interested to learn how long it took folks to solve the puzzle, anything under thirty minutes would be very respectable.

 

[Meucciplayer]

The very first blind taste testing that I mentioned earlier has become a regular part of the get-togethers I host with my regular playing friends on “pool night”, and has included IPA beers, Mexican import beers, Coconut Rums, Canadian Whisky, Scotch of course, Extra Añejo Tequilas, flavored vodkas, and yes, even Schnapps - to name but a few.

Funny that you mention Scotch. That was my favorite for a while but I recently discovered the better Bourbons and Ryes. Really like them although the good ones are as pricey as the better Scotch whiskys. (Yep, I left out that "e" on purpose )

The favorite, however, has been the chocolate whiskey comparisons and the chocolate liquors, which has led to many new purchases with their wives chiming in about the great samples some take home

Only recently I discovered Jack Daniel's "Tennessee Fire". Can't really call that a whiskey but two of it's main ingredients are my favorites - cinnamon and chilli.

Perhaps this next ball set from my collection is right up your alley....

Thank you for showing those. Too bad they can't be bought new any more - I suppose.

Recently acquired, and after nearly 3 hours of diligent work and polishing, was able to restore them to near-new glory. This particular set came from a smoker’s home and to share pictures of the white microfiber cleaning towels I used to remove the smokey film from each of the 16 would not be kind to your eyes....but here they are after those few hours of work:

I'm used to that still being one of those outcasts - a smoker. I won't show pics of my lungs, promise

BTW, Meucciplayer, it’s quite easy to put your ball sets out of sight so they aren’t in the way of your wife’s laser vision - the ball trays conveniently stack and are only 10” square and 3.5” tall with balls in them

Oh well, you know ... women always find the stuff they are not supposed to find

 

[Rubik's Cube]

Meucci Balls.

Good afternoon, Meucci Player.

The Meucci Player pool balls are no longer available to buy new, alas, they are now considered rare by us collectors.

By sheer coincidence, though, I was recently chatting with a fellow who does have a set of these available for sale. Unfortunately, sir, they are in a used condition but if you were interested I'd gladly pass on your email details if you wanted to PM me.

Best wishes,
RC.

 

[Meucciplayer]

The Meucci Player pool balls are no longer available to buy new, alas, they are now considered rare by us collectors.

By sheer coincidence, though, I was recently chatting with a fellow who does have a set of these available for sale. Unfortunately, sir, they are in a used condition but if you were interested I'd gladly pass on your email details if you wanted to PM me.

Thank you very much, RC. However, I can't get into pool ball collecting for the reasons named above. I just thought that I might replace my Aramith Tournament set I am using currently with a new Meucci set. But I would not want to do that with a collector set - this just would not feel right. Since my everyday use balls get some really bad treatment every now and then, dropping to the concrete floor and so on. I don't worry about readily available sets but destroying such a treasure would break my heart.

I don't play with my old golf balls either.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

Good morning, MP.

Just like me, sir, so I fully understand your sentiments!

Best wishes, RC.

 

[rexus31]

I'd be interested to learn how long it took folks to solve the puzzle, anything under thirty minutes would be very respectable.

It took me less that 30 minutes, sir.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

Bravo, Rexus!

And thank you for playing, sir, much appreciated indeed.

Best wishes and good luck.
RC.

 

[Bavafongoul]

It is amazing and genuinely interesting to view all of these different pool balls......Nostalgia at its very best!


Matt B.

 

[rexus31]

Bravo, Rexus!

And thank you for playing, sir, much appreciated indeed.

Best wishes and good luck.
RC.

Thank you, sir!

 

[K2Kraze]

Messing around with a new app and the always-fun subject matter of ball sets generated this interesting pic of a few sets from my playable collection...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rubik's Cube]

That is FANTASTIC!

I love it, Mr K. Absolutely LOVE IT!

May I copy it please, dear fellow, to show folks on another forum?

 

[K2Kraze]

That is FANTASTIC!

I love it, Mr K. Absolutely LOVE IT!

May I copy it please, dear fellow, to show folks on another forum?

- of course, RC!