Hi-Would love to hear from a Players perspective of what you consider to be your favorite things about pool rooms you frequent and the things you dont like about the pool rooms you visit. What is the importance to you as a player when you go to play pool? Action, Prices, Customer Service, Clean Enviroment, Equiptment? Lets hear some great advice on which rooms can take into consideration for their enviroment.
Pool Rooms Likes/Dislikes? Opinions Wanted!
- Thread starter shpshtr
- Start date
Sweet Marissa
www.Bella-Muse.com
I like clean, carpeted pool halls that have nice tables (Brunswicks, Diamonds, et cetera) with Simonis and Aramith balls. Smoke-free, good food, and friendly service are huge pluses. Not a lot of teeny-boppers or ball-bangers; I know they're inevitable in any pool hall.
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I look for good quality, well kept equipment with good lighting and plenty of room around the tables. Smoke free is nice, but pretty rare in my area. Don't really care about food unless I'm there for a tournament.
My biggest pet peeve is music so loud that it vibrates the balls on the table.
Just curious why the interest in likes/dislikes? Are you opening a room?
My biggest pet peeve is music so loud that it vibrates the balls on the table.
Just curious why the interest in likes/dislikes? Are you opening a room?
in reply
I like space between the tables and any wall, or next table. Must have clean carpet, bathroom, tables. The current place I play is nice enough, but really hate that they charge 2 dollars for a small bottled water, or 2 dollars for a medium soda. They also have nice gold crown III's with Simonis but the people who work there are not completely pool savvy and they are never clean - nice cloth, nice tables, just completely chalked out. I usually have to clean my table and take a cloth to the balls. However I have to say that I don't forget that I at least have the gold crowns, the simonis, and in California, no smoking.
I like space between the tables and any wall, or next table. Must have clean carpet, bathroom, tables. The current place I play is nice enough, but really hate that they charge 2 dollars for a small bottled water, or 2 dollars for a medium soda. They also have nice gold crown III's with Simonis but the people who work there are not completely pool savvy and they are never clean - nice cloth, nice tables, just completely chalked out. I usually have to clean my table and take a cloth to the balls. However I have to say that I don't forget that I at least have the gold crowns, the simonis, and in California, no smoking.
pool hall
I like HardTimes in Bellflower CA the setup is nice for all types of players. I live in PA now. I sure do miss that place.shpshtr said:
blah blah
Shoebat
there was a slightly whiny thread some time ago called Players asking Room Owners (i started it, if you try to find it) that listed off all of the things that people hated about certain poolrooms.
good cloth and rails on full sized tables that are cleaned fairly regularly, a carpet, room to move around, the cheap gritty powder soap that removes chalk easily, and a place to lean your cues are the main things for me.
good cloth and rails on full sized tables that are cleaned fairly regularly, a carpet, room to move around, the cheap gritty powder soap that removes chalk easily, and a place to lean your cues are the main things for me.
Skess said:
I too despise a joint w/ loud music
We have a local room that opened closer to me that the place I go to. Which would have been nice but all the better tables have these pocket liners made out of some kind of rubber. When you shoot off it the rubber comes off on your shaft. I don't go there anymore.
shpshtr said:
All I can say is, room owners are gonna do what they have to in order to keep their businesses afloat (which is what's most important). The only thing I ask is that a section of the room be reserved for serious play whenever possible. This section (preferrably in the front) should be spacious, light in traffic and not directly under an air-vent or speaker. The tables in this section should be clothed with Simonis and the balls should be Aramith (Centennials are Aramiths). All tables in this reserved section should only be given out to regulars or when the rest of the room is full.
Jude Rosenstock said:
...and with a place for "sweators" to sit and watch the action.
And enough seats where any leagues are played, for wives, friends, etc.
Bartenders that understand where their paychecks really come from.
Did I mention having enough seats to watch pool?
Jeff Livingston
Personal preferences
Everyone has their preferences, but these are mine.
1) Good equipment - this means regular maintenance, a selection of table sizes/types (adequate lighting assumed), decent quality balls and enough room to play the game.
2) Air quality - someone else mentioned this...I don't think it's gonna work to ban smoking in my favorite poolroom because I want competition (more on this later) but i don't think it's too much to ask for adequate ventilaiton and temperature control. I smoke, but I don't like the smell when I leave.
3) Room Management - I like to go where the management sells pool first (not liquor). I don't like drunks, loud music, obnoxious sweaters (or gamblers for that matter), large crowds (who are not respectful), or rude personnel. I do like carpet, clean bathrooms, fresh coffee, and friendly people. I'm willing to pay well for this kind of surroundings. I also don't like loud profanity (it really doesn't bother greatly) but i prefer not to be around it. I appreciate safe parking lots and the absense of weapons (this include knives over a certain utility size).
4) Room Politics - neutral and honest management who conveys clear expectations to their customers. I don't like seeing people hustled or intimidated. I do like seeing matches between knowledgeable players and up-money safe, behind the bar. I don't think drugs convey a positive image, so don't let me see/hear about them. Attract more females to the game/room and take care of them when they arrive. Keep the bums out. Those who cannot abide by the rules have to go and stay gone (regardless of how good they play or how much money they spend).
5) Extras - natural lighting (skylights), non-abusive music, snacks or food, competition tables, tight pockets, sweaters seating, distributed music (as opposed to one loud mechanism throwing rocks at you), 24hr operation, bottled water, clean balls, tournaments, televisions, score wires, good bridges, kelly pills, comfortable and sturdy chairs, clean tables and ashtrays, knowledgeable staff (that will not interrupt a player to find out if he wants a drink), rack girls, nice t-shirts, competent cue repair and proshop. I sure there are some others, but these come to mind.
shpshtr said:
Everyone has their preferences, but these are mine.
1) Good equipment - this means regular maintenance, a selection of table sizes/types (adequate lighting assumed), decent quality balls and enough room to play the game.
2) Air quality - someone else mentioned this...I don't think it's gonna work to ban smoking in my favorite poolroom because I want competition (more on this later) but i don't think it's too much to ask for adequate ventilaiton and temperature control. I smoke, but I don't like the smell when I leave.
3) Room Management - I like to go where the management sells pool first (not liquor). I don't like drunks, loud music, obnoxious sweaters (or gamblers for that matter), large crowds (who are not respectful), or rude personnel. I do like carpet, clean bathrooms, fresh coffee, and friendly people. I'm willing to pay well for this kind of surroundings. I also don't like loud profanity (it really doesn't bother greatly) but i prefer not to be around it. I appreciate safe parking lots and the absense of weapons (this include knives over a certain utility size).
4) Room Politics - neutral and honest management who conveys clear expectations to their customers. I don't like seeing people hustled or intimidated. I do like seeing matches between knowledgeable players and up-money safe, behind the bar. I don't think drugs convey a positive image, so don't let me see/hear about them. Attract more females to the game/room and take care of them when they arrive. Keep the bums out. Those who cannot abide by the rules have to go and stay gone (regardless of how good they play or how much money they spend).
5) Extras - natural lighting (skylights), non-abusive music, snacks or food, competition tables, tight pockets, sweaters seating, distributed music (as opposed to one loud mechanism throwing rocks at you), 24hr operation, bottled water, clean balls, tournaments, televisions, score wires, good bridges, kelly pills, comfortable and sturdy chairs, clean tables and ashtrays, knowledgeable staff (that will not interrupt a player to find out if he wants a drink), rack girls, nice t-shirts, competent cue repair and proshop. I sure there are some others, but these come to mind.
In addition to what everyone else has posted a good house pro can make all the difference if your intention is to attract serious Pool players. Not only will they be able to teach, run tournaments and set handicaps, but their expert knowledge will make sure maintance is being done correctly.
Additionally they will also make sure to spot "travelling" players who may otherwise try to hustle the regulars.
Additionally they will also make sure to spot "travelling" players who may otherwise try to hustle the regulars.
Skess said:
I agree 100% about the loud music. I do like a lot of TV's with no sound during Football season.
dislikes....
1...manager putting rowdy people on the table next to me when there are other tables available.
2...rooms that are lax about the no smoking laws
3...restrooms with no paper towels
4...restrooms with dryers instead
5...rooms with old used chalk cubes
6...loud music
1...manager putting rowdy people on the table next to me when there are other tables available.
2...rooms that are lax about the no smoking laws
3...restrooms with no paper towels
4...restrooms with dryers instead
5...rooms with old used chalk cubes
6...loud music
Room Likes...
9ft. Tables...leave the 'Bar Boxes' to the Bars
Those 9ft. Tables should be well maintained, ie. clean, level, tight
Clean Balls...I can't tell you how cruddy balls irk me
Good Chalk...down with hollow, broken no name chalk
Quality accessories...ie seating, (Players & Railbirds), cue stands/leans, bridges/racks
Clean well maintained environment, restrooms fit for humans, good ventilation and proper climate control
Reasonable music, no Trivia etc. I like the click and clack sounds of a pool room
Control of where 'Players' as opposed to the Buddies and Dates play
My Favorite Local Room:
http://thebestpoolroom.com/index.html
9ft. Tables...leave the 'Bar Boxes' to the Bars
Those 9ft. Tables should be well maintained, ie. clean, level, tight
Clean Balls...I can't tell you how cruddy balls irk me
Good Chalk...down with hollow, broken no name chalk
Quality accessories...ie seating, (Players & Railbirds), cue stands/leans, bridges/racks
Clean well maintained environment, restrooms fit for humans, good ventilation and proper climate control
Reasonable music, no Trivia etc. I like the click and clack sounds of a pool room
Control of where 'Players' as opposed to the Buddies and Dates play
My Favorite Local Room:
http://thebestpoolroom.com/index.html
There are so many things that can affect the way i feel about a room but here are a few dislikes...
1- Temperature -- Its no fun and I wont stay if its hot. Rooms should
void of as much humidty as they can be. I have yet to find a room in
SoCal that keeps the place cool.
2- carpet is a huge huge plus....it keeps the noise level down and just makes the "feel" better
3- not much worse then head splitting music being played...even as bad is
having only one or two speakers and they are turned up with me playing next to it.
4- food and beverage prices .. people who play pool do so on a regualr basis. Its expensive so offering cheaper food and beverages will help to get the players back more often.
Also a comfortable place to eat and drink other than next to the tables is good. HardTimes9bellflower) and Tablestakes(denver) are good in that they having a seperate sit down section to eat and drink.
5-- the equipment does not have to be the best but make the effort to
keep the tables clean and recovered correctly.
7-
1- Temperature -- Its no fun and I wont stay if its hot. Rooms should
void of as much humidty as they can be. I have yet to find a room in
SoCal that keeps the place cool.
2- carpet is a huge huge plus....it keeps the noise level down and just makes the "feel" better
3- not much worse then head splitting music being played...even as bad is
having only one or two speakers and they are turned up with me playing next to it.
4- food and beverage prices .. people who play pool do so on a regualr basis. Its expensive so offering cheaper food and beverages will help to get the players back more often.
Also a comfortable place to eat and drink other than next to the tables is good. HardTimes9bellflower) and Tablestakes(denver) are good in that they having a seperate sit down section to eat and drink.
5-- the equipment does not have to be the best but make the effort to
keep the tables clean and recovered correctly.
7-