Smorgass Bored said:
Obviously, you guys are well on your way to becoming professional pool players.
**The Oficial "What you hate about Amsterdam Billiards NYC'' thread**
- Thread starter mrjordon
- Start date
Obviously, you guys are well on your way to becoming professional pool players.
Gee Pharoah you aint seen nothing yet. At least he hasnt started quoting the US Constitution like he did me after I criticized his buddy George F for using racist terminology. Thats why I generally like to stay out of the place. And when Im there I dont engage into too many conversations. It is not only crowded but full of jive ass petty bourgeois jive artists who can afford those rates and bar charges.
Thats why the real action is at Masters.
Thats why the real action is at Masters.
yobagua said:
Well, you were probably wrong.
Some people juss miss the good old days
Here's the root of the problem:
Amsterdam had its glory days when there was Amsterdam East and Amsterdam West (founded by David Brenner et. al.). There was enough room for all the pros, any tournament that needed to happen (even national television) and it generated an enormous interest among pros both at the local and the national level. New York pool was at its best, and it wasn't too long ago.
There was also another room in town (Corner Billiards, which was really in third place at the time) down in the village.
Then all of the sudden, Amsterdam East closed. (Maybe 5 years ago). The big action scene suddenly shifted to Amsterdam West, which still tried to maintain the burden of both rooms, but couldn't.
Then Corner folded, and Amsterdam East moved to their location, which means that now Amsterdam has shrunk so far below their previous level of greatness that they cannot even provide a venue for a small tour such as the Tri-State. (They don't even have a Tri-State event until May).
I applaud Lodini and Jude for their loyalty to Amsterdam, because it's like family to them, but even thay have to admit that there has been a collapse in the NYC pool scene and everyone sees it. I'm not trashing anyone, just telling it like I see it.
Here's the root of the problem:
Amsterdam had its glory days when there was Amsterdam East and Amsterdam West (founded by David Brenner et. al.). There was enough room for all the pros, any tournament that needed to happen (even national television) and it generated an enormous interest among pros both at the local and the national level. New York pool was at its best, and it wasn't too long ago.
There was also another room in town (Corner Billiards, which was really in third place at the time) down in the village.
Then all of the sudden, Amsterdam East closed. (Maybe 5 years ago). The big action scene suddenly shifted to Amsterdam West, which still tried to maintain the burden of both rooms, but couldn't.
Then Corner folded, and Amsterdam East moved to their location, which means that now Amsterdam has shrunk so far below their previous level of greatness that they cannot even provide a venue for a small tour such as the Tri-State. (They don't even have a Tri-State event until May).
I applaud Lodini and Jude for their loyalty to Amsterdam, because it's like family to them, but even thay have to admit that there has been a collapse in the NYC pool scene and everyone sees it. I'm not trashing anyone, just telling it like I see it.
yobagua said:
This is now the second time you've brought this up and I have to wonder what in the world you are referring to. Your last post about this said that it was something I said on Billiards Digest even though prior to this month, I hadn't posted on Billiards Digest since 2001. Are you sure you got the right guy?
yobagua said:
Send me the link. Seriously, this is an argument that's probably YEARS old and I'm sick of you bringing it up.
Ed Simmons said:
I agree with everything you say except I don't think this is exclusive to New York City.
On the flip side, the one nice thing about having so few rooms is that you get to see everyone on a regular basis.
yobagua said:
Um, you don't need to preach to me about the Holocaust nor do I think this thread is the appropriate place for such. I'm simply asking you for a link to back-up your attack. If anything, I've always tried to be sensitive to peoples' ethnic backgrounds and have never meant to offend anyone in this way on this forum OR in person.
I Fight For Beer............. or FOOD
I don't like the direction this thread is taking.... and I don't even HAVE an ethnic background....
Doug
( my ancestors fought in the Civil War..... my father's family for the North and my mother's family for the South )
Jude Rosenstock said:
I don't like the direction this thread is taking.... and I don't even HAVE an ethnic background....
Doug
( my ancestors fought in the Civil War..... my father's family for the North and my mother's family for the South )
Smorgass Bored said:
As long as we don't see the words "nappy headed" I think we're ok.
I see this thread has taken quite the turn off the topic. All im saying is that Amsterdam should at least show some kind of appreciation for their loyal customers. Maybe a buy-back after 10 or 20 rounds of drinks? Jude, I don't know you personally but I can see why you're so biased towards Amsterdam since you get free table time and what not. I agree with what you said about the power plays, but too bad it's during regular work hours so I can't take advantage of it. But you would have to agree that a little graditude and recognition from ABC would go a long way with their somewhat disgruntled loyal customers instead of treating everyone with their high and mighty corporate psycho babble.
mrjordon said:
It's so hard to argue with you on these points. I can agree that there are times when the room is ridiculously crowded and the type of treatment you would expect from such an establishment can get pushed to the side. If you're showing up on a league night (which is just about every night) and they're looking to get out 24 matches on 26 tables, yes I can imagine you're not going to have service with a smile (not being sarcastic).
However, there are quite a few times of the week (ie., Friday night, Saturday and Sunday all day and night) where the wait-list isn't as bad or the rush is only momentary and the waitresses pay a little more attention to who is drinking. My best advice to you is precisely what I do. I know everyone that works there but if there is a new waitress, I'll politely introduce myself and if I plan to drink that night, I'll say to her, "Hey, can you do me a favor and visit my table about as often as humanly possible?" (with a smile so she knows I'm kidding but not kidding).
The key to free drinks in any establishment, especially Amsterdam, is to make sure you're ordering from the same person. It also helps to know the manager on duty and make a point to give him a hello the moment you walk in the door. No ass-kissing. Short chat. Tell him his Patriots suck and ask what the wait is like. I'm telling you, your treatment there will be entirely different than what you describe. He'll tell you he'll get you out as soon as possible and to stay nearby, then say at least he's not a Jets fan and then buy you a drink the moment you take a step toward the bar. I know this because frankly, it happens all the time. If you take a moment to befriend them, they're really a great group. If you don't, you can sorta get lost in the crowds and that's the honest truth.
Only thing I "hate" about ABC is not being able to get there much anymore. Back when I would play on the West Side, they would cut regulars a break with the power plays, generally just hitting up each player for half the charge ($12 or $13), no matter how much you drifted around late at night. Don't know if that's done anymore. And daytime rates aren't bad at all ... but picking up the kids from school in Brooklyn has kept me away then. Luckily, for those of us down my way, there's Skyline Billiards, one of very few places whose equipment is in a league with ABC's.
Just my opinion.
If one doesn't like the relationship a room has with an individual that is creating a tour, they really shouldn't stick their nose in it as it has nothing to do with them.
Leave the business to the business people.
If one doesn't like the prices of the drinks served in an establishment.
2 syllables for you.
PRE-GAME!!!
Go to the local store, buy a bottle for 10 bucks, and get smashed before you even enter the building.
If one doesn't like the sky hi prices of pool.
3 more syllables for you.
BETTER JOB
OR
a) don't play as long
b) start playing better when gambling and booking more winners so that table time ends up being FREE.
The problem with this scenario is that.
1) some people don't gamble
2) to get better actually takes practice, so you might have issues with spending that type of money.
3) it might not be worth it to practice if you've Pre-Gamed and are blistering drunk cause you wanted to save yourself some money on drinks which in turn makes you feel great, but also makes you fire everything into the rail.
If you finally realize that you can't generate money to pay for everything at Amsterdam BY playing pool, you need to have a heart to heart with yourself about the whole price thing cause your going to suffer from these issues for a long time.
As for my Amsterdam experience. My only complaint. It was just a tad on the chilly side in the winter.
Other then that, I have only positive experiences from my 1 trip to the East Side back in the day.
I won $400 bucks the night before the tournament off of Anthony something-or-other at a pool hall in Staten Island, and then I won the actual tournament (the whole reason i was there to begin with) that was held at Amsterdam East.
So i played Pool, played Ping Pong, Drank, Ate, and had a fantastic time all weekend FOR FREE!!!!
And people want me to list my negative experiences?
FORGETABOUTIT!!!
Screw the damn prices and the temperature, THE EAST side was F-IN
AWESOME!!
If one doesn't like the relationship a room has with an individual that is creating a tour, they really shouldn't stick their nose in it as it has nothing to do with them.
Leave the business to the business people.
If one doesn't like the prices of the drinks served in an establishment.
2 syllables for you.
PRE-GAME!!!
Go to the local store, buy a bottle for 10 bucks, and get smashed before you even enter the building.
If one doesn't like the sky hi prices of pool.
3 more syllables for you.
BETTER JOB
OR
a) don't play as long
b) start playing better when gambling and booking more winners so that table time ends up being FREE.
The problem with this scenario is that.
1) some people don't gamble
2) to get better actually takes practice, so you might have issues with spending that type of money.
3) it might not be worth it to practice if you've Pre-Gamed and are blistering drunk cause you wanted to save yourself some money on drinks which in turn makes you feel great, but also makes you fire everything into the rail.
If you finally realize that you can't generate money to pay for everything at Amsterdam BY playing pool, you need to have a heart to heart with yourself about the whole price thing cause your going to suffer from these issues for a long time.
As for my Amsterdam experience. My only complaint. It was just a tad on the chilly side in the winter.
Other then that, I have only positive experiences from my 1 trip to the East Side back in the day.
I won $400 bucks the night before the tournament off of Anthony something-or-other at a pool hall in Staten Island, and then I won the actual tournament (the whole reason i was there to begin with) that was held at Amsterdam East.
So i played Pool, played Ping Pong, Drank, Ate, and had a fantastic time all weekend FOR FREE!!!!
And people want me to list my negative experiences?
FORGETABOUTIT!!!
Screw the damn prices and the temperature, THE EAST side was F-IN
AWESOME!!
my math might be off but it still doesn't add up.
by my estimates the season brings in about $30K+ for abc. (30 teams, 4 players each, $35 for registration, $15 a week for green fees...)
payout is around ($900+$900...+$400...carry the 2...) less than a third of what they take in?
now i'm all for them making money but that's a little bit excessive no?
especially when there's no real perks (paying for practice time? c'mon) and a good portion of people are eating and drinking there which is also a bit higher than average prices.
seems off to me.
i also think abc plays a bit too easy. pockets are huge and the tables are pretty fast. rails are super bouncy too. i also feel the tables have gone down in quality. i think there's been a recent change in who's maintaining the table conditions, trying to save money i think, and it shows.
i think a lot of people dislike abc but there really isn't another choice in the city for a nice, clean room with decent conditions. it would be great if another room opened up that was similar (or if soho billiards would just step up and replace the tables). i wonder how much business abc would lose.
by my estimates the season brings in about $30K+ for abc. (30 teams, 4 players each, $35 for registration, $15 a week for green fees...)
payout is around ($900+$900...+$400...carry the 2...) less than a third of what they take in?
now i'm all for them making money but that's a little bit excessive no?
especially when there's no real perks (paying for practice time? c'mon) and a good portion of people are eating and drinking there which is also a bit higher than average prices.
seems off to me.
i also think abc plays a bit too easy. pockets are huge and the tables are pretty fast. rails are super bouncy too. i also feel the tables have gone down in quality. i think there's been a recent change in who's maintaining the table conditions, trying to save money i think, and it shows.
i think a lot of people dislike abc but there really isn't another choice in the city for a nice, clean room with decent conditions. it would be great if another room opened up that was similar (or if soho billiards would just step up and replace the tables). i wonder how much business abc would lose.
