Tight practice tables in D.C./Arlington, Va. area?

Russ Chewning

Russ Chewning

Short Bus Russ - C player
Silver Member
Trying to get lots of practice in leading up to DCC. Anyone know if there are any Pro Cut Diamonds or tight Gold Crowns in this area?

Thanks,

Short Bus

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
 
Fasteddies Springfield, VA has one Gold Crown table with tight pockets

Quball 1 LLC, has few Gold Crowns with tight pockets
(301) 808-7700
7945 Central Ave, Capitol Heights, MD 20743


Or buy ProPockets Billiard Pocket Reducers from PoolDawg i think $29.99
 
I was just at Fast Eddies and the equipment there is 2nd class.

Not to speak poorly of MD, but you should prob stay of the VA side of DC. MD, near DC anyway, is not a nice place.
 
I'll second that, you don't need to go to fast eddies.

Here are your options for tight tables:

• If you're a total masochist, the table nearest the counter at Whetzel's billiards is the tightest in the area. That's in Manassas. Table is a Gold Crown, triple shimmed... it fits like a ball and a half. I personally hate it though, the shims are really obvious and 'kludgy' looking, and I don't trust it to accept balls down the rail even if you hit 'em well. Generally the tables in this place have very worn felt too. But it's a player's hall and supposedly the counterman is a pretty good shortstop.

• A much nicer one is in the upstairs (smoking) room at Breakers in Herndon. It's next to the table in the far corner opposite where you come up the stairs. You may find it's occupied by Shawna though (local strong female player). Plays like a diamond or a hair tighter. There's a table next to it that's also shimmed, but to a lesser degree. The rest of them are buckets. It's a nicer place that takes care of their tables, they were refelted maybe 3 months ago. Everything looks put together correctly. Also a Gold Crown, with tournament blue felt.

• First Break in Sterling is where you'll occasionally bump into pros and the owner also shoots pretty sporty. All diamonds with the default diamond pockets.

For non-tight equipment, I think Q-ball in springfield has the best equipment in the area.
Shoot a PM if you're looking to play with someone, I'm not much of a gambler though.
 
Black-Balled said:
I was just at Fast Eddies and the equipment there is 2nd class.

Not to speak poorly of MD, but you should prob stay of the VA side of DC. MD, near DC anyway, is not a nice place.
Click to expand...

i forgot, at Lucy's in Arlington, table 8 or 7 has very tight pockets Gold Crown, i think it is fairly leveled.
 
There are 3 diamond pro cut tables in "Bank Shots" in Laurel, Md.
Balls are kept clean, not a lot of friction between the balls. Plays tough and true.
pretty good overall.
You could also try Big Daddy's in Glen Burnie, Md. They have both, diamonds pro cut and GC's, equipment is very clean. My only complaint is that they use a red circle cue ball and its lighter. But they do have one blue dot ball they keep behind the counter for real players.
Craig
 
CreeDo said:
I'll second that, you don't need to go to fast eddies.

Here are your options for tight tables:

• If you're a total masochist, the table nearest the counter at Whetzel's billiards is the tightest in the area. That's in Manassas. Table is a Gold Crown, triple shimmed... it fits like a ball and a half. I personally hate it though, the shims are really obvious and 'kludgy' looking, and I don't trust it to accept balls down the rail even if you hit 'em well. Generally the tables in this place have very worn felt too. But it's a player's hall and supposedly the counterman is a pretty good shortstop.

• A much nicer one is in the upstairs (smoking) room at Breakers in Herndon. It's next to the table in the far corner opposite where you come up the stairs. You may find it's occupied by Shawna though (local strong female player). Plays like a diamond or a hair tighter. There's a table next to it that's also shimmed, but to a lesser degree. The rest of them are buckets. It's a nicer place that takes care of their tables, they were refelted maybe 3 months ago. Everything looks put together correctly. Also a Gold Crown, with tournament blue felt.

• First Break in Sterling is where you'll occasionally bump into pros and the owner also shoots pretty sporty. All diamonds with the default diamond pockets.

For non-tight equipment, I think Q-ball in springfield has the best equipment in the area.
Shoot a PM if you're looking to play with someone, I'm not much of a gambler though.
Click to expand...

I would repeat this entire post except that I am not familiar with Whetzel's. I still sometimes play at First Break and the corners on those Diamonds will spit out almost anything hit hard down the rail. Takes some getting used to if you normally play on other tables.

I now play at Q-Ball since I moved an hour away from Sterling. I also can get out to play occasionally but don't normally gamble.
 
Craig...Your comment is only personal preference. There are FAR more red circle CB's in play nationwide, than blue dot CB's. Many players I know prefer the red circle...including me.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

breakshot said:
My only complaint is that they use a red circle cue ball and its lighter. But they do have one blue dot ball they keep behind the counter for real players.
Craig
Click to expand...
 
Scott Lee said:
Craig...Your comment is only personal preference. There are FAR more red circle CB's in play nationwide, than blue dot CB's. Many players I know prefer the red circle...including me.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...
WHERE IS RUSS???????
I have played many times there, and with the 'real players'. I have never seen a trip to the counter for the change up ball.

Maybe coz the 'reeal players' knew it was futile to struggle against me.

kristen-stewart-lois-lane-new-superman-movie.jpg
 
Black-Balled said:
WHERE IS RUSS???????
I have played many times there, and with the 'real players'. I have never seen a trip to the counter for the change up ball.

Maybe coz the 'reeal players' knew it was futile to struggle against me.

kristen-stewart-lois-lane-new-superman-movie.jpg
Click to expand...


Black,

I may not be able to take advantage of your offer to play at the friend's house, as I am here on business and may be wrapping up practice NLT 9PM. I am considering checking out First Break this evening, depending on what time I get off.

Russ
 
Russ Chewning said:
Black,

I may not be able to take advantage of your offer to play at the friend's house, as I am here on business and may be wrapping up practice NLT 9PM. I am considering checking out First Break this evening, depending on what time I get off.

Russ
Click to expand...

Cool..ish.

First Break is your best bet- depending on where you are coming from/ going to- call me if your plans change, or if you need getting around advice.
 
Hmmmm... went to First Break twice to practice. Last night and this afternoon.

Last night was a good practice session, the Diamonds being nice and tight, with the cloth having a little wear to make them play slightly tighter.

This afternoon? Not so fun.

I came in about 1230 and asked for a table. Tables 1-7 were unoccupied, with some hispanic fellows playing that game where they freeze all the high numbered balls to the rail and play them in rotation.

I asked the girl behind the bar about the $8.00 11-6pm practice special, and she didn't know but asked the manager. He said yes.. no biggie, perhaps she is new. The manager says I can have table 7. I say "Umm, can I get a table further down from the guys playing, I am trying to practice and don't want to be in their way..."

The manager says "Sorry, we are having a tournament at 2 and we'll be using all the other tables..."

I look at my watch. It is 1235 by now. I am all like "WTF just happened?" inside my head at this point.. "You are gonna put me right beside a big group for an hour and a half for no good reason?"

But, I put on a happy face and got to practicing. After all, DCC is just over a month away.

Not once am I asked if I want anything to eat or drink, even when the manager and girl come over to deliver stuff to the fellows next to me. No big deal, though.. I give them the benefit of the doubt though. Perhaps they are being polite and leaving me to my practice.

After a few hours, I take a break and ask the manager if he can hold my table while I order some food and eat at the bar. He says "No problem..." Fast forward about 40 minutes, and I see that some guys are shooting on the table I was on. I am ready to continue practice, so I ask the manager, "Were the guys assigned that table, or did they just jump on?" He told me they were assigned to the table.. "When you closed out your food and $8.00 table fee, I thought you were leaving."

I closed out my costs 5 minutes before,and the guys had been there for 25-30 minutes. I told him this, and he just mumbled something incomprehensible. No big deal, though. He said he would find me a table.. He went up to the peeps at table 1, (all 8 tables are full by now...) said something to them, and they left the table. This seemed weird, but they did not act like it was a big deal, so not sure what was going on, but I started practicing. I saw nothing that looked anything like a tournament or league on the 1-6 tables the manager indicated were for the 'tournament'.

I find out that table 1 is the worst table in the joint, because it is right beside the men's bathroom, as well as the "Let me test my testosterone level" punching bag strength game. Sigh.

Long story short, I appreciate First Break for their $8.00 for approx 6 hours of practice time Sundays, but felt like a second-class patron the entire time I was there. I got the feeling I was placed on the tables I was because they were furthest from the bar, and groups were put on the middle tables to make it easier for the staff to get to them. I also felt the manager lied to me about the "tournament" for the convenience of the staff.

I understand the economics of pool halls are rough these days, so I am not taking any of this too seriously, but it does still stand that I was polite to all, yet wasn't made to feel overly welcome at this establishment.

Anyone else have a similar experience at this, or any other establishments?

Russ
 
Cue club in Annandale..new felt and table 6 are really tight pockets...Thursday is good ask for vino..he will hook u up.
 
Russ...That sounds like a terrible experience. Were you contacted by the waitstaff the day before...when you had a good time? Unbelievable that you'd be in a place 6 hours, and NOBODY asks you if you want a drink (let alone anything else)! I've been to First Break several times, teaching, but never had a negative experience. Sorry for yours...one outta two ain't bad! LOL Good luck at the DCC! Are your wife and son still playing?

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Russ Chewning said:
Hmmmm... went to First Break twice to practice. Last night and this afternoon.

Last night was a good practice session, the Diamonds being nice and tight, with the cloth having a little wear to make them play slightly tighter.

This afternoon? Not so fun.

I came in about 1230 and asked for a table. Tables 1-7 were unoccupied, with some hispanic fellows playing that game where they freeze all the high numbered balls to the rail and play them in rotation.

I asked the girl behind the bar about the $8.00 11-6pm practice special, and she didn't know but asked the manager. He said yes.. no biggie, perhaps she is new. The manager says I can have table 7. I say "Umm, can I get a table further down from the guys playing, I am trying to practice and don't want to be in their way..."

The manager says "Sorry, we are having a tournament at 2 and we'll be using all the other tables..."

I look at my watch. It is 1235 by now. I am all like "WTF just happened?" inside my head at this point.. "You are gonna put me right beside a big group for an hour and a half for no good reason?"

But, I put on a happy face and got to practicing. After all, DCC is just over a month away.

Not once am I asked if I want anything to eat or drink, even when the manager and girl come over to deliver stuff to the fellows next to me. No big deal, though.. I give them the benefit of the doubt though. Perhaps they are being polite and leaving me to my practice.

After a few hours, I take a break and ask the manager if he can hold my table while I order some food and eat at the bar. He says "No problem..." Fast forward about 40 minutes, and I see that some guys are shooting on the table I was on. I am ready to continue practice, so I ask the manager, "Were the guys assigned that table, or did they just jump on?" He told me they were assigned to the table.. "When you closed out your food and $8.00 table fee, I thought you were leaving."

I closed out my costs 5 minutes before,and the guys had been there for 25-30 minutes. I told him this, and he just mumbled something incomprehensible. No big deal, though. He said he would find me a table.. He went up to the peeps at table 1, (all 8 tables are full by now...) said something to them, and they left the table. This seemed weird, but they did not act like it was a big deal, so not sure what was going on, but I started practicing. I saw nothing that looked anything like a tournament or league on the 1-6 tables the manager indicated were for the 'tournament'.

I find out that table 1 is the worst table in the joint, because it is right beside the men's bathroom, as well as the "Let me test my testosterone level" punching bag strength game. Sigh.

Long story short, I appreciate First Break for their $8.00 for approx 6 hours of practice time Sundays, but felt like a second-class patron the entire time I was there. I got the feeling I was placed on the tables I was because they were furthest from the bar, and groups were put on the middle tables to make it easier for the staff to get to them. I also felt the manager lied to me about the "tournament" for the convenience of the staff.

I understand the economics of pool halls are rough these days, so I am not taking any of this too seriously, but it does still stand that I was polite to all, yet wasn't made to feel overly welcome at this establishment.

Anyone else have a similar experience at this, or any other establishments?

Russ
Click to expand...
 
Russ: I'm at first break semi-regularly and they have been ok, but never great, about asking if I want food or drink. Like a lot of places, I suspect ordering $9 shots vs. $1 sodas or water affects how frequently they swing by.

But seeing nobody for several hours, they almost certainly decided to leave you to your practice. Most of the staff also knows to leave a player alone when he's down on his shot.

When I first started there, one of the guys automatically brought a big pitcher of water for my buddy and I, which I thought was nice touch. But I haven't seen that for a while. Anthony, the young asian guy, is the owner. He'll make sure you're treated right, and will take care of it if any of his employees dropped the ball somehow.
 
I have always found the play to be sorta self serve, now tha Russ mentions it.

Decent equipment and well-intentioned owners, wouldn't say they are the best team though...aint gonna be no franchises any time soon.

Sorry it wasnt awesome, Russ. WOulda been better, had you let me know when/where...!

That said, a bad day of poo is better than a good day of work*.













*unless you are gambling!
 
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