Things I Don't Understand at the Pool Room

[336Robin]

Better that than closed. Places gotta do what it takes to stay open. If that means darts/cornhole/axe throwing so be it.

Definitely. They must have alcohol and food to go with it. The painful reality is that the space the Pool Room occupies
might be better used as an event center for all kinds of interests and for rent because the cost of the tables adds to the
amount of investment in a rental shell they don't even own. The business becomes more and more and more complicated.
Makes me wonder if the Billiard Club isn't getting ready to emerge.

 

[336Robin]

The place i play, Magoo's in Tulsa, has four nice chairs per big table. They are for THAT table only. I don't know how many times i've had to tell people to move. They are so clueless as to anything pool related, same thing for these nimrods who get the table next to you when the whole joint is open. Luckily we have a house guy that will run things right on his shifts. Some of the other counter help is as clueless as the ned's off the street.

What is price for table time in that room?

 

[Chopdoc]

It's funny, I was just reflecting on this.

Yesterday (Sunday) before 1PM, I took my wife to the pool hall. She hadn't played in 10 years because of her arthritis, but she's going again. She can't play long due to multiple physical disabilities, but she's trying. We also went Saturday evening and got a table in the back, where it was less busy, away from the bar traffic and noise. She also has PTSD so the noise and people traffic is a problem.

The hall is all 9 foot gold crowns.

Table number 1 at the front is where the managers plays, or the old guys that are regulars. It is set up with tighter pockets while the rest are recreational size. Table 4 is right next to it. This puts it close to the entrance/exit, bathrooms, and bar. It's a quiet time. No real traffic or noise. One guy was practicing on table 1, and I recognized him. We got Table 4, right next to him. There were many tables open.

Shortly after, the manager showed up and it was clear he and the guy at table 1 had some games planned...and we were right next to them. I don't know if these were money games.

Our table was end to end with theirs. Several times one or the other player politely stepped aside to give clearance.

My wife is obviously just a banger. I don't play "serious" with her. It's just me and the wife getting some time together.

So, the table selection is based on whatever will best suit her according to her disabilities, and it changes depending on how busy the pool hall is.

Maybe I should post on "Am I The Asshole"?

YMMV.

When I am by myself or with a more serious player, I typically pick the best table available, number one if it is open.

In the past, when out with a group of friends for a good time, I would pick the table farthest in the back corner because I knew we would be a little rowdy and having fun, they aren't really players. It's been years since I have done that, but since I am back at it, I may have some "non-player" friends meet me there for fun some time again.

 

[336Robin]

Another thing I don't understand is what are owners getting out of installing the Digital Pool System. If its $10 a month to see whats going on in the room I can't imagine they are getting much exposure in the room.

 

[mjantti]

 

[mjantti]

View attachment 846773

Welcome to Finland, sounds like you might enjoy it here

 

[xproskier]

Sort of like airline bad etiquette. Imagine 3-seat config on each side of the aisle. Aisle person has an aisle armrest AND an aisle to stretch a leg. Window person has a window armrest AND a window to lean against. Middle victim should have both armrests or at least share. Had a flight where I had a middle seat (yes, I'm an employee on stand-by) and this big dude on the aisle firmly cemented both sweaty arms for almost two hours. We passively pushed each other the entire flight time for the precious one inch each. Neither gained a sixteenth of an inch. I could even see MY hair growing from HIS arm! Then, he dropped his ear bud. It was like a front row seat to Metallica. I took full advantage and my right arm remained cemented until we reached the gate. Could hear growling for the next 48 min.

It's the precious little things in life...

 

[ddg45]

I'm sure there's a bunch of them but here are two to start off:

1. Why, in -- literally a big empty pool room -- will someone come in and take the table next to you.

2. Why, after taking said table, will that individual start shooting drills or a practice shot, from the end of the table that abuts yours -- I mean, the shot/drill looks exactly the same from da other end of the table, lol.

Lou Figueroa
OK, I feel better now
but just a little

People behave in bizarre ways in every aspect of life and in every imaginable location. Trying to figure out why people do stupid and annoying things will make your head explode, so just do your best to avoid them not let it bother you. If possible, move to a different table.

 

[336Robin]

People behave in bizarre ways in every aspect of life and in every imaginable location. Trying to figure out why people do stupid and annoying things will make your head explode, so just do your best to avoid them not let it bother you. If possible, move to a different table.

I had to cut off a conversation in the pool room today. I would have enjoyed it at another time in another place.
It just wasn't the right time.

 

[lfigueroa]

There’s 3 reasons that come to mind

- he’s trying to impress you
- he’s an inconsiderate jackass
- he’s attracted to the cheerleader outfit
you’re wearing

Sick people have sick reasons, don’t ask
me how I know

I do have good legs, lol.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

They are hoping you will ask for a $20 nineball game.

Doubtful.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

I blame the house man, today it’s a house kid.
I tell them do not put anyone next to me unless there are no tables left and hand him a $5.00 tip.
Make the houseman great again.

That's old school.

Can't count on that nowadays.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Personally, I think they are just ignorant or maybe you’re attractive!

I think you have some experience wearing a Cheerleader outfit!

Thanks for the laugh man

Well, there are those great looking legs again... but I don't even wear shorts to the PR so who knows.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Continue for another hour or so until I just can't take the pain

Well, here's the other thing: why will that person also get to the table and turn the tray upside down and dump the balls.

IMO, it is disrespectful to the game, the room, and the owner but I see (and hear it) all the time.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

As yourself a question LOU, why worry about what you have no control over.

Fell crowded, in a EMPTY POOL ROOM? MOVE, you MOVE YOURSELF to New TABLE away from your NEW FRIEND.

Yes, I can do that but I shouldn't have to if people had any couth at all.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

This. But you shouldn’t have to tip. It’s common sense to spread out the customers and backfill as people come in.

But let’s face it, Americans need their entitlement to personal space and that’s not changing anytime soon.

As I previously mentioned: That's an old school nicety that most pool rooms don't follow nowadays.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

I find most people are just lazy. I don't know what table you are picking. But I walk my ass to the back of room or away from the front desk. People tend to pick the table that is closest to them after receiving balls from the young lady behind the desk. Maybe they're to lazy to walk to a farther table or maybe they just want to lust over the young lady.

The good looking young lady is far away from the table I prefer.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

There could be several reasons. Are all the tables the same? Do certain tables roll better than others, or might have tighter pockets than the others? Those are good reasons. Also it might be a table that they normally play on whether you are there or not.

The reason is pure stupidity and a lack of consideration -- the tables all play the same.

lou Figueroa
flat with six holes

 

[lfigueroa]

People that pickup your cue like it's a house cue. It happened twice, one of the occasions made me want to start keeping pig's blood on me.

lol, old story but it is apropos:

Not my cue, but the guy I was playing...

At this one pool hall, the bathroom is right next to the 1pocket table. I was playing a guy named Brett, who had just gotten a very nice new SP. I think it may have been a Buss or Joss. Anywhos, we finish a game and Brett lays his cue down on the table to go to the bathroom. Only the cue ball and one other ball near a corner pocket are on the table. I'm sitting in a chair along with a bunch of rail birds sweating the match.

Hobbling along comes The Professor (not Grady) Bill Hendricks, the very nice gentleman who wrote "The History of Pool." He's up in age and moves pretty slowly and is making his way to the bathroom, when he sees the cue and balls and gets inspired. Suddenly, he picks up Brett's brand new shiny SP -- probably thinking it was a house cue -- and turns to those of us on the rail and says, "Have you guys ever seen this shot?"

Before anyone realizes what he's about to do, or explain it's not a house cue, or stop him, he grabs the butt of the cue with both hands and does the: running the cue ball down the long rail, using the shaft of the cue to send the cue ball around the table five rails, to make a ball in the jaws shot. (If you've seen this shot you know you basically have to use enough pressure to bend the shaft pretty good to rake the cue ball down the rail and put enough spin on the cue ball to get enough rails to make the shot.

He makes the shot, puts the cue down, and, in blissful ignorance, continues his slow march to the bathroom.

We all looked at each other for a second, sort of just in shock at what we had just seen happen to a $300 SP, then burst out laughing and enjoyed telling Brett *over and over again* -- in excruciating detail -- what had just happen to his brand new cue

Lou Figueroa

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Yes, I can do that but I shouldn't have to if people had any couth at all.

Lou Figueroa

Moving is easier then getting pissed off about people you have no control over.

It’s not like old Military were Rank ment something. Now being in high rank in many place mean your pay check is larger.