Vegas Observations from a First-Timer

Williebetmore

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Silver Member
Just returned from the extravaganza that was the 2007 BCA event; my very first time.

It was regrettably more of a "non-pool" vacation for me; as my wife was along and insisted that dinners and shows were a MUCH higher priority than pool. I was fortunate, however, that a couple of the pro's and sjm took me under their wings to show me some of the inner workings of the event.

Here's what I found:

#1 - BCA is freaking big. There were a lot of tables, a lot of players, and a lot of vendors. I would love to play in the event sometime - there was something for everyone.

#2 - The 3-cushion trick shot event was profoundly entertaining. Sayginer is a big-time personality and big-time performer. Massey and our own Eric Yow (psykoyow) were not far behind. Great shots, good company (sjm, Mike Panozzo, Ewa Laurance, Lou Butera.....he's one of my heroes); can't wait to see it on television - I think you'll like it. My wife who hates pool even enjoyed it (one of the pro's talked her into attending).

#3 - AZB has a LOT of players and true students of the game. As at DCC, meeting the AZB'ers was a bunch of fun. SJM, TheSingle, rackmsucker, psykoyow, JCIN, COLLECTION GURU; these guys know a lot about pool and were great to hang around with for the short time I was able. I believe AZB truly attracts some of the greatest people in the game.

#4 - The Peppermill is a fantastic hangout. I thought the Splash Bar was supposed to be THE place to be; but was more impressed by The Peppermill. Great food, nice bar, more comfortable volume. At breakfast one day you could turn your head and see sjm, Jeanette Lee, COLLECTION GURU, Allison Fisher, Gerda Hofstatter, Kim Shaw, Kristi Carter, John Schmidt, and Thorsten Hohmann.

#5 - I never saw Vagabond. He was reported to be there, but I never saw him. He knows a lot (??everything??) about professional pool, and I'm sorry I missed the chance to pick his brain.

#6 - Separating the men's and women's tour in the 90's was a HUGE mistake. The cachet of this professional event was huge. With the men and women competing side by side there was something for EVERY FAN. What a GREAT format. Such events could only help both genders. In the main bar table room, there was Dennis Orcullo playing at the Predator table (with 2 fans watching), and Jeanette Lee at another table (Robin Dodson's booth) with 20-50 people at all times vying to pay for memorabilia and challenge matches for 4 hours straight. Perhaps the men would do well to try to attach themselves to the women's events. Perhaps the IPT missed the boat by excluding JL (DEFINITELY the highest recognition factor of anyone in the rather large building).

#7 - Vegas is a great vacation destination, but maybe not for pool. There were so many other things to see in the city that pool was not an acceptable option for the boss (my wife). When you've got pool in Louisville, what else is there to do???


My thanks to sjm, rackmsuckr, and COLLECTION GURU for making my all too short pool time very enjoyable.
 
Williebetmore said:
Just returned from the extravaganza that was the 2007 BCA event; my very first time.

It was regrettably more of a "non-pool" vacation for me; as my wife was along and insisted that dinners and shows were a MUCH higher priority than pool. I was fortunate, however, that a couple of the pro's and sjm took me under their wings to show me some of the inner workings of the event.

Here's what I found:

#1 - BCA is freaking big. There were a lot of tables, a lot of players, and a lot of vendors. I would love to play in the event sometime - there was something for everyone.

#2 - The 3-cushion trick shot event was profoundly entertaining. Sayginer is a big-time personality and big-time performer. Massey and our own Eric Yow (psykoyow) were not far behind. Great shots, good company (sjm, Mike Panozzo, Ewa Laurance, Lou Butera.....he's one of my heroes); can't wait to see it on television - I think you'll like it. My wife who hates pool even enjoyed it (one of the pro's talked her into attending).

#3 - AZB has a LOT of players and true students of the game. As at DCC, meeting the AZB'ers was a bunch of fun. SJM, TheSingle, rackmsucker, psykoyow, JCIN, COLLECTION GURU; these guys know a lot about pool and were great to hang around with for the short time I was able. I believe AZB truly attracts some of the greatest people in the game.

#4 - The Peppermill is a fantastic hangout. I thought the Splash Bar was supposed to be THE place to be; but was more impressed by The Peppermill. Great food, nice bar, more comfortable volume. At breakfast one day you could turn your head and see sjm, Jeanette Lee, COLLECTION GURU, Allison Fisher, Gerda Hofstatter, Kim Shaw, Kristi Carter, John Schmidt, and Thorsten Hohmann.

#5 - I never saw Vagabond. He was reported to be there, but I never saw him. He knows a lot (??everything??) about professional pool, and I'm sorry I missed the chance to pick his brain.

#6 - Separating the men's and women's tour in the 90's was a HUGE mistake. The cachet of this professional event was huge. With the men and women competing side by side there was something for EVERY FAN. What a GREAT format. Such events could only help both genders. In the main bar table room, there was Dennis Orcullo playing at the Predator table (with 2 fans watching), and Jeanette Lee at another table (Robin Dodson's booth) with 20-50 people at all times vying to pay for memorabilia and challenge matches for 4 hours straight. Perhaps the men would do well to try to attach themselves to the women's events. Perhaps the IPT missed the boat by excluding JL (DEFINITELY the highest recognition factor of anyone in the rather large building).

#7 - Vegas is a great vacation destination, but maybe not for pool. There were so many other things to see in the city that pool was not an acceptable option for the boss (my wife). When you've got pool in Louisville, what else is there to do???


My thanks to sjm, rackmsuckr, and COLLECTION GURU for making my all too short pool time very enjoyable.

I enjoyed reading that Willie. I was very close to coming out for the event myself, but lack of fundage made it a no go. I'm definitely going next year as I am already saving the money to go. I read these posts with a little envy. Maybe next year it will be a pool thing for you!
 
vegas sucks for pool, all the action is 1P which is cool but everyone is a lock smith because theyh only make it to the poolroom after the casino beat them up, there is less gamble in vegas pool rooms than anywhere I have ever seen, once in a while someone on the road would pass through and get beat, or move to vegas from LA only to move back to LA because the casionos grind them up too. I have been watching this since 90, there is ALL the action you can stand as long as you give up the triple nuts.
 
Observations from a second First-Timer at the BCA event

I was supposed to go to the BCA even some 20+ years ago in 1983 when it was Caesars but never got my ceramic beer mug and never got to go (the pool hall messed me around in Louisiana). Now I got three of them mugs from that same year I bought off Ebay. Now who is laughing? HA!! {Revenge is sweet.}

I was supposed to go to the BCA event to see all the pros play with VIP passes to everything. Just Me. Christmas gift from the Mrs.

1) My Wife ended up going (15-year anniversary this week) - kind of a celebration and vacation combined. No problem here. We had fun. There are some Casinos who wish they never had her playing Roulette while we were there..

2) We ended up going to the MGM initially. Stayed in their "West Wing" - a Cracker Jack box room with adults only and upscale decor (one very, very small window in a dark room). We moved the next day to a regular room. Regular rooms are fine with lots of space. The lazy river is great at the MGM.

3) You cannot get those Country Music Awards cats to sign any autographs if you do not know who they are. We stalked outside the MGM coliseum afterwards and nobody came out – must have slipped out the back door. My wife was disappointed – but I say Rock On.

4) Carrot top rocks!! His show is a riot and a must for anyone going to LV. My kind of Comedy.

5) I cannot understand Celine Dion when she sings in French. Other that that the show was O.K. (Do not tell my wife – since I told her this was a “chick show”.)

6) Even though we had reservations at the Riviera for 6 + months before the tournament, the Riviera still messed us around when we tried to move there on Thursday. They said they had 60 rooms with mechanical problems – but the Riviera over booked. They sent us to the Frontier 2 days after it was announced it sold and would be imploded a couple of months later. Employees were told they had a job for 60 days with nothing else. We lost a couple of hours complaining with the Hotel Manager till he got security there. Offered us $30 initially only for the inconvenience. Ended up a $30 taxi money and either one free show or one free meal. Pirates!! We got a room at the Riviera the last day we were there in a big suite, but what a mess before that. I would recommend the BCA find another hotel in Vegas – they are building them all the time.

7) I was surprised how close and personal the professional men and women players were. Very willing to give autographs. John Schmidt was very down to earth. The VIP seats rocked at the Enjoypool.com event. I took six cue balls and got them all signed from some top names.

8) I missed a lot – the Challenge the stars, 3-cushion trick shots, most of the AZ Billiards room events. Took a cue and never got to screw it together. Still it was worth it to watch the 9-ball pros shoot.

9) I regret John Schmidt lost his steam when he played Mike Davis. John was on fire before and even making jump shots at 100% multiple times during a match. Congrats to John on a fine job.

10) Mike Davis should play poker. He can hit a 9 in on the break or snooker him self and there is very little different in his focus and determination.

11) Holly and Chuck in the AZ Room were very friendly. Kudos to the job you both do.

12) Congratulations to Holly Ryan on her 5th / 6th place in the 8-ball Women’s open singles event.
 
Williebetmore said:
Just returned from the extravaganza that was the 2007 BCA event; my very first time.


It is a very good post willie even though you did not mention about the hookers at the splash bar.::D :p :cool: :p :D
 
The Riviera is a DUMP but what other place wants 5000 pool players for 10 days. I spoke to Mark Griffin & he asked him what he would do if the Riviera got sold or torn down. He nervously said he had no idea. By the way, Mark & Greg are both still involved with Diamond. He didn't know where that rumor came from.

I stayed at the Riviera, no problems except didn't get the tower I reserved. Imagine that. The hotel front desk clerk acted like she could care less & I should be happy I was getting a room. I didn't eat there except the food court because Kady's and the buffet is horrendous. I won good in their sports book & only bet there cause it is a separate entity from the Riviera. I always said I wouldn't bet a nickle in the Riviera again. I broke this rule when I was waiting for some friends & watched the roulette land on red 17 out of 20 times. I couldn't help it as I bet $100 bill on black & I took the money and ran. The sweetest $100 I won the entire time in Vega$.

I had a nice time chatting with Eydie and Bob. Great people. Eydie made sure she came down to sweat some matches. She is definitely a big supporter of pool if she could stand it to watch me play.
 
The Riviera is a Dump, and Circus Circus is a dump also. I think the problem is people have expectations that both the Riviera, and Circus Circus catering to the jet setters, and the elite the entertainment world. Wrong IMO both the Riviera, and Circus Circus are one or one and a half steps above Downtown Las Vegas Flea Bag Hotels. Catering to the working class looking for cheep room in Las Vegas.

Sorry guys you just do not get a Five Star Accommodations for 39-79 dollars/night in Las Vegas. You have to be willing to pay 200 +dollars/night for a good room, and 300+dollars/night for great room at Balagio, Paris Paris, or one of the new super hotels on the strip.

If you really want something to grip about Pool Players are all IMHO being screwed by the BCA who I am sure is making a bundle after all the bills are paid to the Riveria, and Vendors, and the token prize money is paid out to the who win at the BCA.

As far as what other Las Vegas Hotels would want to host the BCA Event, many could accommodate & deal with the 7500 + BCA Pool Players who come to participate in the BCA.

But again many hotels could do the job for the BCA, but again if the rooms were 150-300+dollar/night for a nice room I am sure many who came to the Riviera, would stay home because of the costs.

Las Vegas is no longer a cheap destination, gone are the days of cheap rooms, cheap shows, cheap food, and many of the freebees of yesteryear. I have personally being go to Las Vegas since the 60’s and it has changed.

Today Las Vegas appears to be catering to those with money to spend, and many of the better Strip Hotels are 4 & 5 stars, with 5 star restaurants inside where a dinner for two will set you back a couple of hundred bucks.

Walk the shops in Caesars Palace, Balagio, Paris Paris, New York New York, Wynn, or the other new strip hotels, and you will soon figure out Las Vegas has become a second Rodeo Drive for shopping.

A fine shopping destination offer 100 dollar+ ties, 2,500 dollar purses, and designed name merchandise I can not pronounce to those visiting the U.S. from every where on the planet.

If you are a big time gambler (aka a Whale) the Hotels will cater to you offering FREE EVERYTHING from Room, Meals, Limos, and FREE Transportation to Sin City.

If you are in Las Vegas to Play in the BCA, and do not gamble on slots, poker, table games, etc. Maybe you will get a free drink if you sit a a slot machine for a few minutes. Like I said maybe.
 
BreakNRunner said:
The Riviera is a Dump, and Circus Circus is a dump also. I think the problem is people have expectations that both the Riviera, and Circus Circus catering to the jet setters, and the elite the entertainment world. Wrong IMO both the Riviera, and Circus Circus are one or one and a half steps above Downtown Las Vegas Flea Bag Hotels. Catering to the working class looking for cheep room in Las Vegas.

Sorry guys you just do not get a Five Star Accommodations for 39-79 dollars/night in Las Vegas. You have to be willing to pay 200 +dollars/night for a good room, and 300+dollars/night for great room at Balagio, Paris Paris, or one of the new super hotels on the strip.

If you really want something to grip about Pool Players are all IMHO being screwed by the BCA who I am sure is making a bundle after all the bills are paid to the Riveria, and Vendors, and the token prize money is paid out to the who win at the BCA.

As far as what other Las Vegas Hotels would want to host the BCA Event, many could accommodate & deal with the 7500 + BCA Pool Players who come to participate in the BCA.

But again many hotels could do the job for the BCA, but again if the rooms were 150-300+dollar/night for a nice room I am sure many who came to the Riviera, would stay home because of the costs.

Las Vegas is no longer a cheap destination, gone are the days of cheap rooms, cheap shows, cheap food, and many of the freebees of yesteryear. I have personally being go to Las Vegas since the 60’s and it has changed.

Today Las Vegas appears to be catering to those with money to spend, and many of the better Strip Hotels are 4 & 5 stars, with 5 star restaurants inside where a dinner for two will set you back a couple of hundred bucks.

Walk the shops in Caesars Palace, Balagio, Paris Paris, New York New York, Wynn, or the other new strip hotels, and you will soon figure out Las Vegas has become a second Rodeo Drive for shopping.

A fine shopping destination offer 100 dollar+ ties, 2,500 dollar purses, and designed name merchandise I can not pronounce to those visiting the U.S. from every where on the planet.

If you are a big time gambler (aka a Whale) the Hotels will cater to you offering FREE EVERYTHING from Room, Meals, Limos, and FREE Transportation to Sin City.

If you are in Las Vegas to Play in the BCA, and do not gamble on slots, poker, table games, etc. Maybe you will get a free drink if you sit a a slot machine for a few minutes. Like I said maybe.

I agree with many of the opinions in your post.

I do not like Las Vegas either as a tournament venue site. It is hot as hell, crowded like sardines, too many distractions, shops charge top dollar for everything, and then there's the legalized prostitution.

Maybe the guys enjoy the legalized prostitution, but when you're walking down the street in Vegas with your husband/boyfriend, arm in arm, and a vendor hands your boyfriend/husband a flyer with a picture of a half-naked hooker along with her name and phone number on it, something ain't quite right. :mad:

JAM
 
JAM said:
I agree with many of the opinions in your post.

I do not like Las Vegas either as a tournament venue site. It is hot as hell, crowded like sardines, too many distractions, shops charge top dollar for everything, and then there's the legalized prostitution.

Maybe the guys enjoy the legalized prostitution, but when you're walking down the street in Vegas with your husband/boyfriend, arm in arm, and a vendor hands your boyfriend/husband a flyer with a picture of a half-naked hooker along with her name and phone number on it, something ain't quite right. :mad:

JAM
They have cut down on the card peddlers alot.A few years back there were hundreds of card peddlers ,this year i seen 10 or so.Maybe they were on break.lol;)
 
watchez said:
The Riviera is a DUMP but what other place wants 5000 pool players for 10 days. I spoke to Mark Griffin & he asked him what he would do if the Riviera got sold or torn down. He nervously said he had no idea.
It is my understanding that the Riviera has already been sold. That whole end of the Strip is slated for redevelopment. It is only a matter of time before the BCA will be forced to find another venue.
 
Wished I could have met everyone. I'm sort of a shy chap and the idea of just waltzing into the AZB room kind of frightened me :p . I will work up my nerve for next year :).

The Riviera is notoriously lame with the rooms. This year, we called every month to confirm it was exactly the room we reserved. Every month, no problem. We go to check in, and somehow, something was wrong. So we had to do what we have to do every year, which is give the lady behind the desk a $20 bill. If it was a better hotel, you'd probably have to give $50, but at the Riv, they seem only too happy to work everything out for you for a twenty.

- Steve
 
Actually, in Vegas prostitution/brothels are not legal.

JAM said:
I agree with many of the opinions in your post.

I do not like Las Vegas either as a tournament venue site. It is hot as hell, crowded like sardines, too many distractions, shops charge top dollar for everything, and then there's the legalized prostitution.

Maybe the guys enjoy the legalized prostitution, but when you're walking down the street in Vegas with your husband/boyfriend, arm in arm, and a vendor hands your boyfriend/husband a flyer with a picture of a half-naked hooker along with her name and phone number on it, something ain't quite right. :mad:

JAM
 
StevenPWaldon said:
Actually, in Vegas prostitution/brothels are not legal.

I knew we'd have an expert on here! :D ;)

Quite funny, on my first visit to the states in 94-95 I was in vegas with a friend of mine, totally BROKE!

We get a job handing out those fliers for $20 cash in hand. We had to meet behind the back of a casino, nobody in site we almost leave. Then a dodgy limo pulls up and a Italian American Mafia guy steps out and gives up the scoop, we gotta hand out all the fliers in our box or we dont get paid!

About half an hour before the night is up we still got half a box full so we panic and start dumping them in a skip just moments before our Italian friend pulls up. So funny we where sure we was gonna end up neck deep in the desert if we got caught!

Also remember getting asking to leave the Circus Circus buffet after sneaking in the exit door the a week, the security cameras got wise to our scam lol
 
JAM said:
but when you're walking down the street in Vegas with your husband/boyfriend, arm in arm, and a vendor hands your boyfriend/husband a flyer with a picture of a half-naked hooker along with her name and phone number on it, something ain't quite right. :mad:

JAM

I agree that will be the most embarassing moment and to some it is anger provoking experience.City should pass an ordinance restricting distribution of pamphlets to a man when he is with his family or a female companion.
A female pool player friend of mine asked me how can I engage in conversations with those hookers sitting next to me at the splash bar.I told her that they are also humanbeings like you and me and their method of making a living should not make me unfriendly towards them.My dad taught me about ` DIGNITY OF LABOR` and I learned to respect every profession and the jobs others do.I do have RESPECT for hookers.:cool:
 
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Riviera

The one night we spent in the suite at the Riviera was a decent room.

1-1/2 baths, very high ceilings, large living room separate from bedroom, separate bath and shower in one of the bathrooms. Not brand new, but comfortable. We only had access to the room for 1/2 a day, since we left for the airport early the next day.

In the end, with cheap rooms at the Riviera and it being a dump - how many people who come for the pool events actually stay at the hotel? I do not think it is many since it fills up too quickly. I talked to some who found less costly accomodations off the main strip. We stayed at the MGM for $200+ a night part of the week because we were willing to pay for something nicer rather than be close.

In the end, there has to be a larger hotel where more rooms would be available for the pool event if people choose to spend the money.

Guess I am just blowing off some steam. Really a deal for the BCA to hammer out.
 
WillyBetMore-- Sorry I didn't see you down there. Would have liked to say hi! Will you be at the world 14.1?

Vagabond - It was a pleasure to finally meet you! I loved that silver outfit - very cool. My name should be vagabond after my garbage luck in vegas. You guys wanna make a lotta money? Watch to see what I bet on, and do the exact opposite.

Jay Helfert - As always, it's a pleasure to see you! I'm a big fan of your posts. I hope you post some more stories soon! (you too Freddy)

Dave
 
vagabond said:
I agree that will be the most embarassing moment and to some it is anger provoking experience.City should pass an ordinance restricting distribution of pamphlets to a man when he is with his family or a female companion.
A female pool player friend of mine asked me how can I engage in conversations with those hookers sitting next to me at the splash bar.I told her that they are also humanbeings like you and me and their method of making a living should not make me unfriendly towards them.My dad taught me about ` DIGNITY OF LABOR` and I learned to respect every profession and the jobs others do.I do have RESPECT for hookers.:cool:


Often they are the nicest people you will meet in Vegas.

Once I was there for hours walking up and down the strip and not one single gal paid me any attention. I was starting to get a bit miffed when a 40ish gal that her odometer had flipped over a few times walked up and made an offer. I said “no thanks honey …but here is $20 because you are the only one on this street that is doing your freaking job”
 
This was also my first time going to the BCA in Vegas although I had been for VNEA 4 times in the past.

I enjoyed the BCA much more for several reasons..

1. I really enjoyed playing on the Diamond bar boxes. I felt that they were to the advantage of the better players. Very nice indeed! However, they were filthy which one could expect form continuous play for 10 straight days.
2. Watching the Pro’s was a great time. Normally I only get to see them on TV or at the Derby. Getting a chance to watch the men and women was a real treat, some of the ladies have some serious game. The tight pocketed Diamond tables did not seem to phase some of them.
3. Jasmin…very nice, enough said!
4. The BCA amateur event was run very well even though my team did not all show up…figuratively speaking. Next year I expect that we will do much better, looking forward to playing with our very own Renard and a few other really good players as well. We will have a team that can compete with anyone IMHO!
5. The Riviera is a drag but it’s only a place to sleep, so I could really care less!
6. The AZ room was nice but I only got a chance to pop in 2 times. I don’t talk too much but I got to meet Mr. and Mrs. Roman, saw Alice Rim, Jen Baretta, Linda Carter, Shawn Putnam, Melissa Herndon, Willie stopped in for a moment but was gone when I turned around to say hello, a bunch of other AZers that I did not get to meet.. I was going to say hello to Linda but she was very occupied with Jennifer’s handsome baby boy.
Next year I won’t be so shy and say hello and introduce myself to others.
7. Overall, I had a fantastic time, looking forward to next year, already!
 
vagabond said:
Williebetmore said:
Just returned from the extravaganza that was the 2007 BCA event; my very first time.


It is a very good post willie even though you did not mention about the hookers at the splash bar.::D :p :cool: :p :D

You are bad!!!!
 
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