Pool Halls in Washington DC

beleary

beleary

"No Masse!"
Every time I travel around the country on vacation, I'm always looking for a chance to check out the local pool hall and maybe get a game with one of the top shooters in the place. No gambling, just a solid match with a good shooter. The problem is, checking out the internet just gives a list of pool halls in the area and most of the review are talking about the quality of the food or whether there are any good looking women. Both can be important, but I know what I'm after: serious pool players, AA, AAA types who know their way around a table. Character is always important too, and good people who are not out to hustle or knife you. If anyone knows of a website that provides that (or can give me some insight into pool halls around the downtown area of Washington DC), I would be grateful. I did search on this site but kept getting hits for Washington state. The two places I did find were Buffalo Billiards or Fast Eddies (I'm staying downtown). Hey it could be just a bar box in the back of a bar where shooters are known to congregate. Thanks!
 
Dc

Buffalo Billiards is still around in DC.. you may also want to check out Bedrock Billiards up on the Adams Morgan area. But I think you'll find the better pool halls are in the general DC Metro area. Maybe check with Max Eberle or DC Rat, they may be able to point you to some good spots. You may also check with Benfica since he just took a trip there recently.
 
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VA - DC Metro Area

I'm not sure if you have the ability to venture out into Virginia...but there's some pretty strong players that hang around First Break in Sterling, VA. I'm pretty sure they run an 8-ball tourney on Thursday evenings.
 
beleary said:
Every time I travel around the country on vacation, I'm always looking for a chance to check out the local pool hall and maybe get a game with one of the top shooters in the place. No gambling, just a solid match with a good shooter. The problem is, checking out the internet just gives a list of pool halls in the area and most of the review are talking about the quality of the food or whether there are any good looking women. Both can be important, but I know what I'm after: serious pool players, AA, AAA types who know their way around a table. Character is always important too, and good people who are not out to hustle or knife you. If anyone knows of a website that provides that (or can give me some insight into pool halls around the downtown area of Washington DC), I would be grateful. I did search on this site but kept getting hits for Washington state. The two places I did find were Buffalo Billiards or Fast Eddies (I'm staying downtown). Hey it could be just a bar box in the back of a bar where shooters are known to congregate. Thanks!
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You're not going to get a "fun" match with the good players around here. You'll have to gamble...but I would suggest trying to get them to gamble for as little as they will and then play. Then you will get some good experience from playing them in a pressure (for you) situation.

Fast Eddie's in Shirlington has had good action lately. Kevin Bailey, Chris Comstock, Ilir, there have been some Clatterbuck sightings, Shuff sightings, etc there. You could find someone in there to give you a cheap game (maybe $50 races to 5 in 9 ball or $50 a game one pocket and so forth). There are also lower level players who will play you cheaper than that...and still probably beat up on you.

And not to sound insulting....but for the most part "character" and "pool players" just don't always jibe. They're looking to get the best of it because their livelihood is made from gambling on the green felt. It is a rough and tumble world, so you have to be smart and sensible.

Good luck.
 
Matt_24 said:
You're not going to get a "fun" match with the good players around here. You'll have to gamble...but I would suggest trying to get them to gamble for as little as they will and then play. Then you will get some good experience from playing them in a pressure (for you) situation.

Fast Eddie's in Shirlington has had good action lately. Kevin Bailey, Chris Comstock, Ilir, there have been some Clatterbuck sightings, Shuff sightings, etc there. You could find someone in there to give you a cheap game (maybe $50 races to 5 in 9 ball or $50 a game one pocket and so forth). There are also lower level players who will play you cheaper than that...and still probably beat up on you.

And not to sound insulting....but for the most part "character" and "pool players" just don't always jibe. They're looking to get the best of it because their livelihood is made from gambling on the green felt. It is a rough and tumble world, so you have to be smart and sensible.

Good luck.
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Do you mean Champion in Shirlington? I don't recall there being a Fast Eddies there. There definitely are some players at Champion from time to time though.

Beleary, the best players in the area are not generally found within the district.

Try out the Wednesday 9-ball tournament at Orange Ball in Rockville MD (metro accessible), or the Thursday tournament at First Break in Sterling VA (not metro accessible). Probably the easiest way to get a good game with a Brandon Shuff, Manny Chau, Ryan McCreesh, etc. would be to enter one of these. They're not hustlers, and they're not knifers, but you may not come away so unscathed if you try to lock up with any of them in action.

Try mapman72 or Black-Balled if you're looking to set up any sort of game. Between the 2 of them, I bet they know how to contact every decent player in the region.

-Andrew
 
beleary said:
Every time I travel around the country on vacation, I'm always looking for a chance to check out the local pool hall and maybe get a game with one of the top shooters in the place. No gambling, just a solid match with a good shooter. The problem is, checking out the internet just gives a list of pool halls in the area and most of the review are talking about the quality of the food or whether there are any good looking women. Both can be important, but I know what I'm after: serious pool players, AA, AAA types who know their way around a table. Character is always important too, and good people who are not out to hustle or knife you. If anyone knows of a website that provides that (or can give me some insight into pool halls around the downtown area of Washington DC), I would be grateful. I did search on this site but kept getting hits for Washington state. The two places I did find were Buffalo Billiards or Fast Eddies (I'm staying downtown). Hey it could be just a bar box in the back of a bar where shooters are known to congregate. Thanks!
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Hey,
I would stay at Buffalo Billiards area if your going to be in a hotel in downtown.
Tons of good looking girls, good beer, sports, etc. In the Dulles area there were like a couple of pool halls where I met some really nice AZ'ers.
 
Thanks All!

Wow, my first post on AZ and what a great response! Thanks everyone for your insight. I am in on a Friday and out on a Thursday, so it looks like some of the tournaments are out of the question (plus I've got my family with me and they aren't too interested in hanging out in a pool hall). I don't gamble, so that's out. BTW - is there normally a challenge table in these places or do you check with the guy ringing up the time? And any funny rules back east to be aware of or is it just BCA rules? Thanks again - nice to be on this friendly site!
 
beleary said:
Wow, my first post on AZ and what a great response! Thanks everyone for your insight. I am in on a Friday and out on a Thursday, so it looks like some of the tournaments are out of the question (plus I've got my family with me and they aren't too interested in hanging out in a pool hall). I don't gamble, so that's out. BTW - is there normally a challenge table in these places or do you check with the guy ringing up the time? And any funny rules back east to be aware of or is it just BCA rules? Thanks again - nice to be on this friendly site!
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Not many challenge tables or funny rules. Best way to get a good game with someone who takes the game seriously, without gambling, is probably getting some DC-area AZers to meet you at one of the establishments mentioned.

-Andrew
 
You could always call me for a game. Im a pretty solid "A" player and im always up for a good game. PM me with your number and ill give you a shout :wink:
 
Buffalo Billiards

Good ideas, and thanks for the offer RunoutJJ. Tell you what. The Buffalo Billiards place in downtown Washington sounds like a great place. I'll be down there on Saturday, March 20th at 9 pm and will have a Denver Nuggets shirt on (says 'Nuggets' on the front). Anyone interested in a game of 8 or 9 ball with an A+ shooter from Colorado, I'd welcome the company. Thanks - Brian.
 
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Buffalo Billiards is wank on the weekends. Wicked crowded and full of ball bangers and douche bags. Get out of DC and play some real pool. Plus i would advise going earlier if you can. The weekends around pool halls are packed and loud. Not to mention knuckle heads.

Just my two cents :cool:
 
Lived in the area a few years ago. I didn't like Buffalo. Especially on the weekends.

The best place to play at the time in my opinion was Big Daddy's in Glen Burnie. It's a players room, not a bar with pool tables. Champions in Shirlington and Side Pockets in Laurel were OK.

Cue Club in D.C. was OK, and Cory in DC ran a good tournament there.

Don't know about where to find the players but I like the idea of meeting up with an AZer in the area, if I were in your shoes.
 
beleary said:
Good ideas, and thanks for the offer RunoutJJ. Tell you what. The Buffalo Billiards place in downtown Washington sounds like a great place. I'll be down there on Saturday, March 20th at 9 pm and will have a Denver Nuggets shirt on (says 'Nuggets' on the front). Anyone interested in a game of 8 or 9 ball with an A+ shooter from Colorado, I'd welcome the company. Thanks - Brian.
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Some tips: don't go to Fast Eddies in downtown (it's half strip club, half run down pool tables with obstructions). You won't find any pool players at Buffalo Billiards except maybe one or two on league night (Tuesdays). Cue Bar is closed for good now. You may find some decent players at Bedrock Billiards in Adams Morgan ($8.00 cab ride from downtown). And the tables there are good and I've always liked the atmosphere -- their league night is also Tuesday, so you wouldn't be able to play till 11 or so that night. So Bedrock is by far my recommendation.

Champions in Shirlington has some decent shooters, but I haven't seen many lately and almost all of them would want to gamble.

If you want to drive, then Fast Eddies in Springfield and First Break in Sterling are good options.

To my knowledge, basically no place in DC has both decent shooters and challenge tables. Crystal City Sports Pub has some 8' coin op and usually has one or two APA 4-5 speed shooters there.

Shoot me a PM when your arrival time is closer and I'll see if I can make it out to shoot some. I'm a solid B player, not A, though.

Cory
 
beleary said:
Good ideas, and thanks for the offer RunoutJJ. Tell you what. The Buffalo Billiards place in downtown Washington sounds like a great place. I'll be down there on Saturday, March 20th at 9 pm and will have a Denver Nuggets shirt on (says 'Nuggets' on the front). Anyone interested in a game of 8 or 9 ball with an A+ shooter from Colorado, I'd welcome the company. Thanks - Brian.
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Good news, bad news. Bad news is that all the good players in the DC area will probably be in Philadelphia for the Super Billiards Expo. I know I will be. Here's the good news. If you're anything like me, you enjoy playing pool because of all the characters you meet. Well, DC has plenty of those. Here's the skinny on a few of the pool halls mentioned:

DC Proper
Buffalo Billiards in Dupont Circle - Nice place for happy hour. They have about 512 tables and plenty of girls and drinking, but they don't do a lot of upkeep on their tables. So, in summary, fun place but if you're serious about pool you may not like it. Get there early on the weekends or you will have a long wait.

Bedrock Billiards in Adams Morgan - My personal favorite in DC. Best tables in DC proper for sure. Interesting crowd. Very safe but sophisticated mixed with grunge (i.e., you're more likely to run into chicks with a five inch pin pierced through their nose - oh, but they also have a PhD). Get there early on the weekends or you will have a long wait.

Atomic Billiards in Cleveland Park - Small but nice place with about 6 - 8' Gold Crowns. If I feel like shooting around for fun, I will go to this place. They have a cheap Monday night tournament. Get there early on the weekends or you will have a long wait.

Virginia Burbs
Champions in Shirlington - My 'home' pool hall. Not much going on there lately but they have about 24 Gold Crowns. Crowd can get a little rough but they usually don't mess with people who are there to play pool. Every once in a while there will be action at this spot.

Fast Eddie's in Springfield - Daytime one pocket action and I believe that they have a good special where if you buy $10 worth of food then you play for free during the day.

First Break in Sterling - Pretty far away from DC but they have a great Thursday night tournament for $25. You could end up playing 2 or 3 pro caliber players. Crowd gets a little rough on the weekends.

MD Burbs
Orange Ball in Rockville - GO HERE. Very nice place about 2 blocks from the Rockville Metro (Red Line). They have a handicap Sunday tournament ($15) and an Open Wednesday night 9 Ball tournament ($20). Same suspects as the tournament in Sterling. You will usually get to see/play against Ryan McCreesh, Manny Chau, Scott Tollefson, Danny Green, Brandon Shuff, Pooky, etc. Most Wednesdays there about about 5 players capable of placing in the money at the US Open. It's also a nice place to take the family, especially for the Sunday tournament. Good food and very clean.

Galaxy Billiards in Silver Spring - I haven't been there in a while but the last time I was there the place was very nice. It's a newer spot and I don't think a lot of strong players hang out there.

This is not a comprehensive list but it should give you a good start. If you decide to check out one of the local tournaments, hit me up with a PM and I will give you more details. And call ahead to find out which of these spots have daily pool specials because you won't believe the table time prices. An hour and a half will run you about $15 at most of these places. Have fun in DC and stay out of Southeast.
 
mapman72 said:
Good news, bad news. Bad news is that all the good players in the DC area will probably be in Philadelphia for the Super Billiards Expo. I know I will be. Here's the good news. If you're anything like me, you enjoy playing pool because of all the characters you meet. Well, DC has plenty of those. Here's the skinny on a few of the pool halls mentioned:

DC Proper
Buffalo Billiards in Dupont Circle - Nice place for happy hour. They have about 512 tables and plenty of girls and drinking, but they don't do a lot of upkeep on their tables. So, in summary, fun place but if you're serious about pool you may not like it. Get there early on the weekends or you will have a long wait.

Bedrock Billiards in Adams Morgan - My personal favorite in DC. Best tables in DC proper for sure. Interesting crowd. Very safe but sophisticated mixed with grunge (i.e., you're more likely to run into chicks with a five inch pin pierced through their nose - oh, but they also have a PhD). Get there early on the weekends or you will have a long wait.

Atomic Billiards in Cleveland Park - Small but nice place with about 6 - 8' Gold Crowns. If I feel like shooting around for fun, I will go to this place. They have a cheap Monday night tournament. Get there early on the weekends or you will have a long wait.

Virginia Burbs
Champions in Shirlington - My 'home' pool hall. Not much going on there lately but they have about 24 Gold Crowns. Crowd can get a little rough but they usually don't mess with people who are there to play pool. Every once in a while there will be action at this spot.

Fast Eddie's in Springfield - Daytime one pocket action and I believe that they have a good special where if you buy $10 worth of food then you play for free during the day.

First Break in Sterling - Pretty far away from DC but they have a great Thursday night tournament for $25. You could end up playing 2 or 3 pro caliber players. Crowd gets a little rough on the weekends.

MD Burbs
Orange Ball in Rockville - GO HERE. Very nice place about 2 blocks from the Rockville Metro (Red Line). They have a handicap Sunday tournament ($15) and an Open Wednesday night 9 Ball tournament ($20). Same suspects as the tournament in Sterling. You will usually get to see/play against Ryan McCreesh, Manny Chau, Scott Tollefson, Danny Green, Brandon Shuff, Pooky, etc. Most Wednesdays there about about 5 players capable of placing in the money at the US Open. It's also a nice place to take the family, especially for the Sunday tournament. Good food and very clean.

Galaxy Billiards in Silver Spring - I haven't been there in a while but the last time I was there the place was very nice. It's a newer spot and I don't think a lot of strong players hang out there.

This is not a comprehensive list but it should give you a good start. If you decide to check out one of the local tournaments, hit me up with a PM and I will give you more details. And call ahead to find out which of these spots have daily pool specials because you won't believe the table time prices. An hour and a half will run you about $15 at most of these places. Have fun in DC and stay out of Southeast.
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Great info mapman!!
 
Mapman - you rock! That is exactly the type of info I've been looking for. Thanks again to all of you for the great insight. I was just taking a shot at posting this question, but the response has been incredible! AZBilliards should create a category of recommended pool halls by location for all of us traveling types to reference. If any of you travel out to Denver, PM me and I can give you advice on many of our great establishments.
 
One last thing - just an observation.. It looks like almost all of the establishments mentioned have regulation tables. You would be surprised coming out to Denver as half of the pool halls I've been to here are regulation and half are bar box. Most of the in-house and traveling leagues (BCA, ACS, and..gulp..APA) on the south side of the metro area are played on bar box tables. Looks like I'll have to bring my glasses with me! :wink:
 
Cory in DC said:
Have we ever played? Where do you shoot?
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I play out of Fast Eddie's on Route 1 (close to my house) but i go all over the place. I really like Orange Ball but its so far away!!!! Might move up there in April for a job so that would be great :grin-square:
 
Sorry...I did mean in Fast Eddie's in Springfield.

I live right near Fast Eddie's on Route 1 but never go there. It was good a few years ago..used to have a good Friday night tournament.

Good stuff Mapman. Eddie's in Springfield has a buy 8 bucks worth of food and play free pool until 5. On Sundays at 5 you can pay 5 more bucks and play pool the rest of the night.
 
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