Red Cloth @ Hollywood Billiards !!!

thank gawd!

finally i can post a comment on something i know a little about! about which i know a little?

i was in hollywood billiards last month with a friend of my dad's and his wife? i'm so dumb about pool that i didn't notice the cloth colors? but what i did lamp was the feng shui vibe.

i bet a lot -- and fade me (is that the right phrase?) if you dare -- that there is an asian touch behind the room.

and -- jay, you are so fortunate that i happened to see your plea for fashion consultancy! -- here is a garment suggestion: if you decide to go pimp, make certain that your suit has a drape shape with a reet pleat!

you're welcome,

sunny
 
sunnyone said:
finally i can post a comment on something i know a little about! about which i know a little?

i was in hollywood billiards last month with a friend of my dad's and his wife? i'm so dumb about pool that i didn't notice the cloth colors? but what i did lamp was the feng shui vibe.

i bet a lot -- and fade me (is that the right phrase?) if you dare -- that there is an asian touch behind the room.

and -- jay, you are so fortunate that i happened to see your plea for fashion consultancy! -- here is a garment suggestion: if you decide to go pimp, make certain that your suit has a drape shape with a reet pleat!

you're welcome,

sunny
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Sunny you're not dumb, the cloth was just changed this week. A month ago the cloth was green.

I think you hit on a great suggestion, TD Slim Jay-Heffy should dress up like Rooster the pimp from Baretta.
 
I'll have to tell ya, unless there's a big tournament going on, they don't get a whole lot of serious players just hanging out in this room. So on some level I can understand some of Jeff's thinking.

One time I was stranded in Hollywood for 4 days when my car broke down. I ended up spending a lot of time in the pool room. Even though they have top-flite equipment, that's nicely spaced out, with excellent lighting, I hardly saw any serious players in the place. In fact I felt down right lonely.

For Jeff to cater to the serious player may not make business sense. I know it's not that he doesn't like pool because I see him regularly playing One-Pocket.
 
TATE said:
It's laughable that they think burgundy cloth is going to do something for the place. The red chalk is nasty on the shaft. I just played for a couple of hours last night and my shaft looked like it was smeared with blood.
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I was about to say that there is a good chance that many of the serious players will have their own chalk with them. With enough people doing it, then those tables wouldn't stay red/burgundy/merlot for long. Red + Blue = Purple...



MexPoolPlyr said:
That's a yes to red chalk. My dad will be picking up masters red chalk. So we have the option of that one or silver cup. To my knowledge, it will be enforced to use the red chalk, so no blues ladies and gents.

Also, Jeff Bey saw this thread and would like to thank everyone for their comments. He felt business wise, it's the appropriate decision. He felt he rather "go red than go dead."
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I'm sure that by switching to Masters chalk, that will reduce the number of people that will use their own chalk...

It is quite sad, but many know that business is business. I've seen some pool halls go through the change like this. Its quite sad...
 
This is all very unfortunate. I was planning on attending this event. But driving all the way from Arizona to play on Burgundy cloth coupled with the fact that I can't even use my own Diamond chalk... I don't know what to say.

I cancelled my hotel reservation today.

Ray
 
Bigtruck said:
Well, I'm not a fan of the red cloth, but I bet the winner of the 8,500 added tournament has a positive attitude and adapts to whatever comes their way.

In Texas ALL the "pool halls" are club oriented. Any of them that used cloth other than Green or Blue switched back asap. Time will tell.

Meantime, the Seminole Tribe marches on and keeps supporting pool with another event that will certainly be a memorable one.

See ya'll there or on the stream.

Ray
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I'm super excited about the stream no matter what color cloth! It will be different that's for sure.
 
Drama

Well. I just came from playing at Hollywood with Madd Max Eberle. I think Max will win this event.

The tables played great. The cloth is a worsted cloth and played very good. The color was not objectionable while playing. If you chalk properly and keep your shaft burnished the red chalk is fine.

Max is pumped up. Likes it.

Ray
 
I'm not thrilled about the cloth either, but for guys to not play because of it, I think they're making a mistake. It will still be a great tournament with many top players and I'm sure many exciting matches. I learned a long time ago that regardless of the conditions the best players find a way to get there in the end. The best players are the ones who adjust to the conditions, whatever they are.

I understand now it is a similar (competitive) cloth to Simoniz in texture and the tables are playing good. Players who I've talked to don't seem that bothered by it. They tell me it takes a little more stroke to get the cue ball around the table, but the pockets are still playing tough and unforgiving. No one has told me yet they are having any trouble "seeing" the balls. Muscle up pool players and quit whining!

When I used to gamble EVERY DAY at pool in the 60's and 70's I played on some tables that were HORRIBLE! I mean really bad. But I had no choice, that's where the money was. And you know what, I figured out the rolls, the obstructions, the bad rails and all that, and QUICK! More often than not, I got the money in the end. I always felt like if I was the better player, I would eventually prevail.
 
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BigCat said:
This is all very unfortunate. I was planning on attending this event. But driving all the way from Arizona to play on Burgundy cloth coupled with the fact that I can't even use my own Diamond chalk... I don't know what to say.

I cancelled my hotel reservation today.

Ray
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Yes, most unfortunate, for you! The Seminole Tribe is trying to expand their tour to the West Coast and we have $8,500 GUARANTEED in added money and you won't come because of the color of the cloth. Right! It's still pool my friend and in the end the best players will get there.

What we need to do is support the Seminole Tribe so they will be encouraged to do more events on the West Coast next year. There are at least three other California pool rooms who are interested in hosting a similar tournament. You want more good tournaments, then support the ones that already exist. And not coming is not supporting.

How would all you West Coast players like to see four similar events in coming years? It could happen, you know. But by not showing up, you are not helping to make it happen.
 
jay helfert said:
Yes, most unfortunate, for you! The Seminole Tribe is trying to expand their tour to the West Coast and we have $8,500 GUARANTEED in added money and you won't come because of the color of the cloth. Right! It's still pool my friend and in the end the best players will get there.

What we need to do is support the Seminole Tribe so they will be encouraged to do more events on the West Coast next year. There are at least three other California pool rooms who are interested in hosting a similar tournament. You want more good tournaments, then support the ones that already exist. And not coming is not supporting.

How would all you West Coast players like to see four similar events in coming years? It could happen, you know. But by not showing up, you are not helping to make it happen.
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Jeff owes the folks with the Seminole Tour an apology for doing something this drastic to the playing conditions days before their event. The other pool rooms in the area need to assure the Seminole Tour that they aren't as ignorant as Jeff and that they won't do something like this should the tour decide to hold an event in their room. Hopefully one bad seed won't ruin it for everyone.

Jay, I agree that the conditions are still playable and everyone will be playing in the same conditions. As you've already admitted, these changes suck. It's not fair to call people out and blame them if they don't show up for the event. Blame Jeff, he changed the playing conditions to something that is less than desirable to the upper echelon of pool players.

I wonder how the world would react if the day before the Masters was to begin they changed the greens to red astro turf?
 
I wouldn't miss it for anything...

jay helfert said:
Yes, most unfortunate, for you! The Seminole Tribe is trying to expand their tour to the West Coast and we have $8,500 GUARANTEED in added money and you won't come because of the color of the cloth. Right! It's still pool my friend and in the end the best players will get there.

What we need to do is support the Seminole Tribe so they will be encouraged to do more events on the West Coast next year. There are at least three other California pool rooms who are interested in hosting a similar tournament. You want more good tournaments, then support the ones that already exist. And not coming is not supporting.

How would all you West Coast players like to see four similar events in coming years? It could happen, you know. But by not showing up, you are not helping to make it happen.
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I support pool in every way I can...

I'm not saying that I don't have a chance, just the opposite, but if it means donating, I'll donate. I've struggled with mental issues in my game, but I've also discovered that the only way to overcome them is to play with the best. It's sad that people have decided not to come because the playing conditions are not going to be ideal...

Hell fifteen or twenty years ago and beyond when pool was actually doing something, if players would only play under ideal conditions, then pool would've been even worse off than it is now.

It would've been non existant because ideal conditions just didn't exist.

I think that simonis cloth, artificial material balls and some table advancements like using one piece slates like diamond does has done a lot to spoil players.

I've played on different color cloths in my day and in fact I grew up playing on nap cloth which was much more difficult conditions than worsted wool just in a different color.

I prefer green cloth, I don't even like playing on electric blue, and when electric blue was first used, there were a lot of people that didn't like it, but they still played.

I don't understand the mindset of not playing because of the color of the cloth.

I'll tell you one thing, I'd much rather have a different color of cloth than a poorly rolling table with dead rails. Conditions like that I can understand not wanting to play on, but as well as the tables play at HB, not wanting to play in a high caliber event like this because of the color of the cloth is beyond me...

Is it ideal??? No... but if you wait around in life for something ideal, you're going to be spending a loooongg time waiting around and little time doing very much.


BTW, we're playing ALL matches downstairs right? Hell that makes me WANT to play this time all the more. My biggest gripe in the past for events at HB was that the conditions varied SOO much from upstairs to downstairs that I found myself praying that I wouldn't get a match upstairs, now I don't have to worry about that. People should be chomping at the bit to play this event...JMO
Jaden
 
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Jaden said:
I support pool in every way I can...

I'm not saying that I don't have a chance, just the opposite, but if it means donating, I'll donate. I've struggled with mental issues in my game, but I've also discovered that the only way to overcome them is to play with the best. It's sad that people have decided not to come because the playing conditions are not going to be ideal...

Hell fifteen or twenty years ago and beyond when pool was actually doing something, if players would only play under ideal conditions, then pool would've been even worse off than it is now.

It would've been non existant because ideal conditions just didn't exist.

I think that simonis cloth, artificial material balls and some table advancements like using one piece slates like diamond does has done a lot to spoil players.

I've played on different color cloths in my day and in fact I grew up playing on nap cloth which was much more difficult conditions than worsted wool just in a different color.

I prefer green cloth, I don't even like playing on electric blue, and when electric blue was first used, there were a lot of people that didn't like it, but they still played.

I don't understand the mindset of not playing because of the color of the cloth.

I'll tell you one thing, I'd much rather have a different color of cloth than a poorly rolling table with dead rails. Conditions like that I can understand not wanting to play on, but as well as the tables play at HB, not wanting to play in a high caliber event like this because of the color of the cloth is beyond me...

Is it ideal??? No... but if you wait around in life for something ideal, you're going to be spending a loooongg time waiting around and little time doing very much.


BTW, we're playing ALL matches downstairs right? Hell that makes me WANT to play this time all the more. My biggest gripe in the past for events at HB was that the conditions varied SOO much from upstairs to downstairs that I found myself praying that I wouldn't get a match upstairs, now I don't have to worry about that. People should be chomping at the bit to play this event...JMO
Jaden
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ALL matches will be played downstairs on those BLOODY tables! :thumbup:
 
I'm a junky, I'll be there to support the future of west coast pool. The pros will adjust of course. It was a lame move by Bey IMO though.
 
Koop said:
Red? I thought they were tan?
The tables were fast.
I just played at the new Snookers this past weekend and they are all green, thankfully.
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I think you are right, tan. I was just reading this thread again and had a funny feeling that my first memory was wrong. The new Snookers is pretty good, although I don't like their tournament format. Race to 2 for the most part, blah :scratchhead:
 
1 Pocket Ghost said:
Just curious So Cal guys, why H.O.B.-Santa Monica doesn't get mentioned as a room for the Hollywood Billiards-serious players-ex-pats to switch to?...

When I visit L.A. that's where I usually play - nice tables, easy parking, great area, and unlike Hollywood Billiards, there's always decent action, provided by Wayne and the rest of the gang over there...:)

- Ghost
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I like that room and would play there if it weren't so far from my house. Its about a 45 minute drive. :(
 
Bigtruck said:
Well. I just came from playing at Hollywood with Madd Max Eberle. I think Max will win this event.

The tables played great. The cloth is a worsted cloth and played very good. The color was not objectionable while playing. If you chalk properly and keep your shaft burnished the red chalk is fine.

Max is pumped up. Likes it.

Ray
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Ray-thanks for the stream.

Max does play a powerful game. Best of luck to all that step up to play in non-ideal conditions-here or elsewhere.

It was mentioned previously that back at the Swanee (Feb) the cloth was ready for replacement. Maybe well-regarded mechanic availability combined with a change in thinking about a targeted customer base dictated the timing of needed cloth redo/but with a hipster color.

Strong players will get there/they figure it out/that's why they're strong.

We recreational players can and will vote with our dollars. We will choose where to spend that money as always.

These are competing interests-we pool bums want the best equipment for the cheapest price(can I get a water, please-and a new cup?)/In order to keep the doors open, the owner needs the free-er spending banger/date night/corporate/production company-beer drinking/merlot & cab with aged cheese imbibing-expense account-beautiful people crowd to make a profit.

Sounds like we're losing a well appointed pool room and transitioning to an upscale hipster club with some tough tables sporting a cloth that may not show spilled red wine. Oh well. Parking was a b*tch, anyway.

Players-Best wishes/play well.

Does HB currently have any of Max's art on the wall?
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
Now, the OLD Hollywood Billiards was a great pool hall. In the basement of an office building it reminded me of the legendary Bensinger's in Chicago (in it's later location) in that regard. Open all night on the weekends, excellent equipment, lots of action, snooker and carom tables. The place just had a certain feel to it. We used to close HOB in Sherman Oaks on Friday and Saturday nights and head out to HB to play until 8-9AM.
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I started playing at the old Hollywood Billiards in 1956 when I was still in High School. Full of characters and hustlers, I got a lot of my pool room education there. Whenever I could put a few bucks together I would go down there or the old pool room at 4th & Main (Romy's) in Los Angeles. I met and played Ronnie Allen snooker at Hollywood in 58 or 59. Great old room. Lots of the players on the West Coast would be at Hollywood Billiards when they were not up at Cochran's in San Francisco. Probably more action at Cochran's, but you could always get played in Hollywood.

I thought the new Hollywood location on Sunset was a good room and I liked the tables at the last one pocket tournament Jay ran there, but I may pass on this July 4th tournament with the new cloth and table conditions. I'll wait and see how the ten ball tournament goes.
 
jrhendy said:
I thought the new Hollywood location on Sunset was a good room and I liked the tables at the last one pocket tournament Jay ran there, but I may pass on this July 4th tournament with the new cloth and table conditions. I'll wait and see how the ten ball tournament goes.
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Correction: Hollywood Billiards is on Hollywood Blvd.

The pool room on Sunset was the Hollywood Athletic Club - long been gone...
 
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