Ok, so it will my first time going to this event. After all the DCC talk I can't wait. So as a first timer what do I need to know? What are the must see and do's? The events best to play in, and who else is going?
Super Billiards Expo, Tell me about it.
- Thread starter SoundWaves
- Start date
SoundWaves said:
Everybody will be there book your room early. Attend every party with AZ members as possible. Hang out by the Action Tables and play in at least 1 big event.
Don't forget to bring your CC and cash because anything you ever wanted to buy that's billiard related will be there.
Mj
SoundWaves said:
I've been there 5 times and always only to watch the Pro Players Championships. I'll tell you why I love it each time.
In between matches, I spoke with Earl Strickland at length many times and each and every time, he was the epitomy of a gentleman and was very eager to talk one on one. Allen Hopkins will be walking around mingling with everyone who is there. Super, super nice and very patient man, he is top shelf. Got to meet and speak at length to Shannon Daulton, Nick Varner, Johnny Archer, Corey Deuel, Danny Basavich, Tommy Kennedy, Charlie Bryant, Jimmy Fusco, Jeremy Jones, Rodney Morris, Shawn Putnam and maybe 2 dozen other pro players. These guys are so accessable and easy to talk with it's unreal! You can't go to a Super Bowel or World Series and hang out with and watch the pros like they do at VF. I ate lunch with Jose Parica and Santos Sambojan, JAM pulled Keith away from a money game in the pit so he could pose for some photos with some fans, Mike Sigel used to sell his cues in one of the booths and he just chirps away! Saturday night is the best time to buy a new cue, as most of the vendors will cut their prices even more. But you risk losing the one you maybe had your eye on because they sell lots of stuff there. Walk around both floors and you may see Robin Dodson giving a jump cue demo or Larry Nevel drawing the cue ball after jumping the length of the table (best stroke in pool), or you may want to persuse the clothing or pool equipment booths. This says nothing about the road players hanging around the action tables betting big each RACK! I could go on, but you get the idea.
My favorite part is still the pro players though. I was sitting in the bleachers watching the guys warm up and not a lot of people were there yet. A skinny kid comes walking up to where I was sitting all by myself. There were only about 50 or so people inside the seating area, the place was just starting to fill in. He sat down right beside me and started mumbling to me in Russian. It was Evgeny Stalev! I had met him before and I can speak some very basic russian and we started talking. So this year, I saw him outside in the morning and approached him. He remembered after I spoke the same words to him that I had said the other year. In american it sounds phonetically like "ya nee puneemiyou" which in russian means "I don't understand you" I asked him if he was a famous russian chess player (shock-ma-tee is how it sounds in ameriucan) even though he was holding his cue case. He laughed and that's how we started talking. He does speak real rough english and so we chatted and that's all. That afternoon, when he came inside and sat down, he did it because he just wanted to hang out and watch some of the guys! I will never forget that as long as I live. Very fun and memorable time. His 2 russian backers came in, waved him over and he said "wait" and left. Came back 1 minute later mumbling again!
Also, Tom Shaw & Jerry Frsythe at the Pool & Billiards booth are a real hoot! First class pool historians to boot as well!
You'll be so happy you went!
Have fun and let us know what YOU thought about it!
SoundWaves said:
it really is a good time soundwaves! there are a vast supply of pool cues from many different vendors, tournaments going until late in the evening, and the action pit never stops. if you want to play cheap king of the table games or sets, the options are endless. the men's pro event happens, trick shots, and plenty of amateur action. there are plenty of hotels in the area as you probably won't find a room at the Radisson, but you will find them within 1-3 miles away. the worst part is parking at the convention center. there is plenty, but on the weekends, you get your walking in - not a bad way to exercise, but if the weather is lousy, well, you get the idea.
i am looking forward to it myself
Thanks for the info guys. Hotel is booked and I'm ready to go.
The Expo rocks!...I live all of 15 minutes from there, and last year was....uhhh...hazey at times
We "sampled" a few of the local beverages!
I went with my Wife, AZ'r Raybo was there with us, and Jimmy our best bud. We had lunch at the bar talking with John Schmidt, Mika, Allen Hopkins, Tony Chohan was there....everyone!
Yes, if you are looking to buy something, you will find it. Parking can suck, the King of Prussia mall is minutes away, and if you have never seen it....go.
Valley Forge Historical Park is right there if you are into a little American history diversion, and this is the time of year those guys were camped there, so you can see what they were going through.
There are many pool rooms in the area, and just PM me on where to go depending on what you are looking to do.
I always look forward to Expo time to catch up with everyone, and hopefully meet some new people from AZB. We need some name tags or something?!
We "sampled" a few of the local beverages! I went with my Wife, AZ'r Raybo was there with us, and Jimmy our best bud. We had lunch at the bar talking with John Schmidt, Mika, Allen Hopkins, Tony Chohan was there....everyone!
Yes, if you are looking to buy something, you will find it. Parking can suck, the King of Prussia mall is minutes away, and if you have never seen it....go.
Valley Forge Historical Park is right there if you are into a little American history diversion, and this is the time of year those guys were camped there, so you can see what they were going through.
There are many pool rooms in the area, and just PM me on where to go depending on what you are looking to do.
I always look forward to Expo time to catch up with everyone, and hopefully meet some new people from AZB. We need some name tags or something?!
What airport do you fly into? How far is it away from the tournament?
Hey Gerry that was a little hazy at times, we have to do that again. Soundwaves pm me or Gerry and we will get together and play some for beers in the hotel bar. The only thing is sometimes half of the quarters on the table could be owned by pros. I live 5 minutes from the venue and even though I haven't played in it for the last few years, I am playing in everything this year. You will have a blast, Allen is the man when it comes to putting on a show.Gerry said:The Expo rocks!...I live all of 15 minutes from there, and last year was....uhhh...hazey at times
I went with my Wife, AZ'r Raybo was there with us, and Jimmy our best bud. We had lunch at the bar talking with John Schmidt, Mika, Allen Hopkins, Tony Chohan was there....everyone!
Yes, if you are looking to buy something, you will find it. Parking can suck, the King of Prussia mall is minutes away, and if you have never seen it....go.
Valley Forge Historical Park is right there if you are into a little American history diversion, and this is the time of year those guys were camped there, so you can see what they were going through.
There are many pool rooms in the area, and just PM me on where to go depending on what you are looking to do.
I always look forward to Expo time to catch up with everyone, and hopefully meet some new people from AZB. We need some name tags or something?!
cbi1000 said:
The Sheraton Park Ridge still had rooms this morning for $105. Give them a call.
The SBE is the biggest, baddest Expo open to the public and any pool and pool-related vendor out there. You will find EVERYTHING related to pool to purchase there.
Plus, there are no less than 5 amateur events being played on the great Diamond Smart Box (7 ft) tables. Then there is the Pro event and the Pro-Am event to watch. Easily over 2000 players. Last year Corey Deuel won the Men's Pro event over Ronnie Wiseman. It was a first that Corey won the SBE 18-under division, plus the Open Men's (same year) and then last year's Pro event.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to work on the tournament staff this year because I have to save up all the vacay time I have due to my parents' collective health. So I will miss saying "Hey" to everyone.
Barbara~~~missing my first Expo in 13 years...
Plus, there are no less than 5 amateur events being played on the great Diamond Smart Box (7 ft) tables. Then there is the Pro event and the Pro-Am event to watch. Easily over 2000 players. Last year Corey Deuel won the Men's Pro event over Ronnie Wiseman. It was a first that Corey won the SBE 18-under division, plus the Open Men's (same year) and then last year's Pro event.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to work on the tournament staff this year because I have to save up all the vacay time I have due to my parents' collective health. So I will miss saying "Hey" to everyone.
Barbara~~~missing my first Expo in 13 years...
Sorry. No time to read all the posts, so I hope I'm not repeating someone.
We were told before the 2007 show to be prepared for the ATM machines to run out of cash early, every day. They told us correctly. Not all of the vendors accept plastic, either. So, be prepared for that challenge.
We were told before the 2007 show to be prepared for the ATM machines to run out of cash early, every day. They told us correctly. Not all of the vendors accept plastic, either. So, be prepared for that challenge.
I booked at the hotel connected to the expo center the day after we got back. It doesn't seem like much but it sure is nice to be able to go up to your room and relax in between matchs rather then walk around or have to drive back to your hotel room and deal with parking.
trob said:
Thats great. I think that would be best. I had a few people that have been the last few years tell me some horror stories about loosing thier rooms thier due to overbooking. So I opted to stay down the street. Isn't there a shuttle to take you to the hall? Not quite the same as walking down the hallway but better than dealing with parking ect.
When we scheduled a room last year, it was only a few weeks before we went, because we didn't know we could go until last minute. But, there were still rooms available at nearby hotels. The rooms weren't fancy, but they were comfortable and parking wasn't too bad.
Parking at the Expo was awful, though! Finding a parking space and then walking from the parking lot to the event is the biggie.
Parking at the Expo was awful, though! Finding a parking space and then walking from the parking lot to the event is the biggie.