Visited Amsterdam Billiards today

[longhair]

I've been in NY for a few days and I finally got a chance to see Amsterdam Billiards. It's beautiful without being pompus or overwhelming. I was surprized to feel the trail below me while I was playing, but I could get used to that. I didn't see any balls move. I wish it was my home poolhall. sjm, it was nice to meet you; I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk today.

Mark, if you read this, thanks for the games and the steerage.

 

[whitey2]

The trail below?

[...]I was surprized to feel the trail below me while I was playing, but I could get used to that. I didn't see any balls move.[...]

All I can think of is that maybe you meant a TRAIN moving. Otherwise, please explain, I'm
confused. It sounds like a really nice place though.

On a somewhat related note, I recently read a post, maybe in the NPR section, about
an "ABC snob". Someone asked what it stood for, and another person replied they
thought it might refer to an "Amsterdam Billiard Club snob". I'd love to hear what that's
all about!

 

[sjm]

I've been in NY for a few days and I finally got a chance to see Amsterdam Billiards. It's beautiful without being pompus or overwhelming. I was surprized to feel the trail below me while I was playing, but I could get used to that. I didn't see any balls move. I wish it was my home poolhall. sjm, it was nice to meet you; I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk today.

Mark, if you read this, thanks for the games and the steerage.

It was nice meeting you, Longhair, and I'm glad you took the trouble to say hi. Next time you're looking for a game, PM me first and we'll shoot some. FYI, I only shoot pool on the wekeend.

 

[longhair]

It was nice meeting you, Longhair, and I'm glad you took the trouble to say hi. Next time you're looking for a game, PM me first and we'll shoot some. FYI, I only shoot pool on the wekeend.

The next time I'm in NY I will certainly let you know. I'm leaving for North Carolina in the morning, and the south bay area (California, hooray!) next month, but I'll be back sooner or later.

Yes, I meant the train, not the trail. I was in a hurry, sorry.

 

[raemondo]

Hey Boyd, so that's where you are. No wonder I haven't seen you around. Is this it? Are you not coming back to CU anymore? Yes you absolutely need to go back to Amsterdam, and definitely PM SJM and Steve Lipsky for a game. You won't regret it.

Be safe Boyd.

 

[9 Ball Girl]

On a somewhat related note, I recently read a post, maybe in the NPR section, about
an "ABC snob". Someone asked what it stood for, and another person replied they
thought it might refer to an "Amsterdam Billiard Club snob". I'd love to hear what that's
all about!

That was on the CCB forum. As you said, someone asked what ABC Snob stood for and I replied that I'd go out on a limb and say Amsterdam Billiards Club Snob. The truth is that I wasn't really going out on a limb--ABC Snob is exactly what that stands for and it's an acronym that I've heard of since I started playing years and years ago.

I haven't played now for about 2 years (that's a long story there) and my experience with ABC was limited because I was mostly a Corner Billiards kind of gal and anywhere else you'd find action or big tournaments. But, pool players are always in the same circle so even though I didn't visit ABC much (I used to go on Sundays with my friend Mitchell for that powerplay), I'd still meet some of the ABCers in my travels or at Corner. Having said that, those that I've met from ABC--and I'm talking back around 2000/2001--are super cool: Steve and Gina Lipsky, Jude R., Jennifer B., Ginky, and some others whose names escape me 'cause I've been out of it for a while now. Stu, Danny Barouty, Tony R., Arthur, Ronnie. etc. I met during my Corner Billiards Day and they fall into the cool category too.

Now, the term ABC Snob was introduced to me by a friend who used to play in the Tri State Tour. Then I started hearing it with more frequency in conversations from other pool players--their experiences. I can't really put a finger on it but something about the "arrogance in the air" type of feeling and how they were towards others. My experience? None. Unless you'd count the ones that used to play and speak with me that now act like they don't know me anymore. Could it be that they only conversed, played, or had dinner with me because of who I was dating at the time? Who knows. When I was going to Master Billiards I'd see some of them and sometimes they would manage a smile of acknowledgement or they would just glance the other way and keep it moving. Whatever. I just chalk it up to people being strange.

About a couple of weeks ago, I was walking by the old Corner Billiards now Amsterdam Billiards with my friend and we stopped by the window and were looking in. There are a bunch of new faces in there that weren't around back in my day. And then I saw a lot of the ones that were around--some of the cool ones that I mentioned above were there, there was a guy I had never seen before walking around with a camera, and of course, there were the ABC Snobs from my and others experiences. Though I don't play anymore, I'm still up on what's going on from others and from the forums and all I can say is that some things never change.

 

[whitewolf]

On a somewhat related note, I recently read a post, maybe in the NPR section, about
an "ABC snob". Someone asked what it stood for, and another person replied they
thought it might refer to an "Amsterdam Billiard Club snob". I'd love to hear what that's
all about!

If you realize that the rate is around $30 per hour to play there, anyone can figure out why the snobbiness exists.

Just like in golf in Roanoke Va. where they have the intercounty championships with tons of golfers from all of the country clubs competing. The 'rich' country clubs definitely were considered snobs. Human nature.

 

[9 Ball Girl]

If you realize that the rate is around $30 per hour to play there, anyone can figure out why the snobbiness exists.

Just like in golf in Roanoke Va. where they have the intercounty championships with tons of golfers from all of the country clubs competing. The 'rich' country clubs definitely were considered snobs. Human nature.

Hi Ray, though that may make sense, that's not the case here.

 

[cleary]

Ive been going to ABC for about 8 months now I havnt had any problems with anyone there.... and yea, its like $7/hour... but its manhatten. The McDonalds $1 menu in Manhattan is like a $3 dollar menu.


Oh, and good luck playing SJM....I watch him play pretty much every sunday....hes pretty damn good.

 

[GG11]

My first (and for the first 2 years of living up here, only) experience with pool in NYC came from Amsterdam Billiard Club.

I didn't know anyone. Walked in just to practice and by the end of the day, had at least five people I'd say I could go up and talk to on the street or at a table anywhere. I never ran into anyone who was rude or snobbish. Joined the league and made so many more friends through that. Snobs don't let people in that easily, so the ABC snob thing just doesn't fly in my book.

I've had unsolicited help from so many people there who just see me struggling and want to help. Tony R, SJM, Jude, Jonathan S, Lou, Remo, Michael Y and so many more. I've had girls who I compete with in tournaments give me information about those same tournaments, give me rides out there, play against me and give me advice on how I "could" have beaten them - Gina Lipsky and Supadra in particular. Thanks girls!

Amsterdam is a mecca of talent and I don't know a one who wouldn't stop by and say hi to me at any table at ABC, Broadway or any corner in Manhattan for that matter. They're concerned and dedicated to helping out those who may be cue-control challenged, drawing inept, bridge-hand delinquent, mentally hopeless, or many of the other terrible terrible problems I have had, and still have.

And to watch them in Vegas is beautiful. There is so much unity and support for all the players. Everytime I saw an ABC player in Vegas, they had at least 5 people from ABC watching them. Some good friends, some just acquaintances - but there for support.

I have only had wonderful experiences there fueled by the shared desires to improve at this game. It?s a beautiful pool hall and anyone who can go and play there should as you?re bound to run into huge talent and professional players on a daily basis. Maybe that?s the problem people have with it. It can be intimidating if you?re shy or maybe alittle introverted. In my opinion, I think the ?ABC Snob? perception is bogus.

 

[AngryPanda]

Yeah, you tell'em GG

 

[9 Ball Girl]

In my opinion, I think the ?ABC Snob? perception is bogus.

I thought so too until it happened to me but then again, I just chalked my experience up to people being strange. Like a c'est la vie type of thing. The stories I had heard were nothing compared to mine--if you even want to call it a story--but eventually things were being pointed out and then I thought, "yeah, ok, I can see how that may be considered snobbish," but I didn't put much mind into 'cause it wasn't happening to me.

The ones who did do the pointing out were basically other pool players who had had their share of whatever they went through I guess with certain people (sometimes the same people) and some were ABCers themselves--back then at least.

My c'est la vie thing didn't happen til about '03ish, I didn't lose any sleep over it and so then it made me think that maybe there was some truth to the acronym that was introduced to me years back. I had totally forgotten about the little acronym 'til it was brought up on the CCB forumf from someone who I think just had an experience.

"double G"--I like that!

 

[GG11]

I thought so too until it happened to me but then again, I just chalked my experience up to people being strange.

Well, it's nice to know that you didn't jump on the ABC snob bandwagon! Judging the people of Amsterdam as a whole based on one experience or one individual - that's quite a limited sample to render an opinion on hundreds of people.

"double G"--I like that!

Thanks! I seem to get a new "favorite" from everyone, hence the numerous choices.

So where do you shoot at?

 

[9 Ball Girl]

I haven't shot in oh I would say 2 years. I usually have my hiatus moments but something about this one just isn't letting me find that "itch" again. So I'm just riding out my hiatus.

When I was shooting (I live in Brooklyn), I used to shoot out of Brooklyn rooms Hall of Fame Billiards (Jean Balukas' place in Brooklyn), Park Slope Billiards when it was THE place to go, and Platinum Billiards when that was THE place to go. Skyline Billiards didn't exist yet (it's 15 minutes from where I live) but I've been there for spectating purposes and I liked it. In Manhattan, I'd shoot out of Corner Billiards <sniffle>, sometimes Broadway Billiards, and quite a few Sundays at Amsterdam East. In Queens I was heavy into Master Billiards and a bit out of Racks and Steinway Billiards. And how can I possibly forget The Golden Q <double sniffle>. Ah those were the days. Aside from room leagues and tourneys, I played for a while with the APA where I think I was a 5 or 6 (I don't remember anymore!) and out of a now defunct NY Pool League where I think I was a 5.

I'll get back into it again as soon as I take care of some issues. I find myself missing it again--a little bit at a time which is better than nothing. Hell, there was a time when my cues were like an extension of my body and you'd never see me without them to it now being strange to see me with them.

 

[lodini]

My first (and for the first 2 years of living up here, only) experience with pool in NYC came from Amsterdam Billiard Club.

I didn't know anyone. Walked in just to practice and by the end of the day, had at least five people I'd say I could go up and talk to on the street or at a table anywhere. I never ran into anyone who was rude or snobbish. Joined the league and made so many more friends through that. Snobs don't let people in that easily, so the ABC snob thing just doesn't fly in my book.

I've had unsolicited help from so many people there who just see me struggling and want to help. Tony R, SJM, Jude, Jonathan S, Lou, Remo, Michael Y and so many more. I've had girls who I compete with in tournaments give me information about those same tournaments, give me rides out there, play against me and give me advice on how I "could" have beaten them - Gina Lipsky and Supadra in particular. Thanks girls!

Amsterdam is a mecca of talent and I don't know a one who wouldn't stop by and say hi to me at any table at ABC, Broadway or any corner in Manhattan for that matter. They're concerned and dedicated to helping out those who may be cue-control challenged, drawing inept, bridge-hand delinquent, mentally hopeless, or many of the other terrible terrible problems I have had, and still have.

And to watch them in Vegas is beautiful. There is so much unity and support for all the players. Everytime I saw an ABC player in Vegas, they had at least 5 people from ABC watching them. Some good friends, some just acquaintances - but there for support.

I have only had wonderful experiences there fueled by the shared desires to improve at this game. It?s a beautiful pool hall and anyone who can go and play there should as you?re bound to run into huge talent and professional players on a daily basis. Maybe that?s the problem people have with it. It can be intimidating if you?re shy or maybe alittle introverted. In my opinion, I think the ?ABC Snob? perception is bogus.

I'm also here to stick up for my ABC family... (and not just because GG is my best friend I've been a "regular" at many poolhalls in my day, and these people are the best. It's definitely a tight knit group, but don't let that discourage any newcomers, as they are the sweetest, most talented and helpful bunch of people you will ever meet. I've recently moved out of NY, and still remain close to the ABC crowd. They welcome me with open arms each time I come back, as they did from the first moment I walked in, not knowing a single person. I recommend everyone who gets a chance stops by and checks this place out. It's my safe haven, and I miss it very much. (SNIFF!)

 

[sjm]

Great posts by GG11 for sure, effectively capturing the amazing cameraderie among those of us who play there. We all enjoy watching each other succeed, and it has always been that way at Amsterdam.

I'm so glad that so many of my fellow AZB posters from out of town have taken the trouble to hook up with me at Amsterdam for a friendly game of pool. All of these posters shot some with me at Amsterdam when they came in from out of town: KollegeDave, Nfty9er, Raemondo, StevenWaldon, Tate, TheOne, and VIProfessor. Hope I haven't forgotten anyone.

Nothing delights us more than rolling out the red carpet for a fellow pool enthusiast from New York or elsewhere that plays for the reason we do -- love of the game!

 

[GG11]

I'm also here to stick up for my ABC family... (and not just because GG is my best friend I've been a "regular" at many poolhalls in my day, and these people are the best. It's definitely a tight knit group, but don't let that discourage any newcomers, as they are the sweetest, most talented and helpful bunch of people you will ever meet. I've recently moved out of NY, and still remain close to the ABC crowd. They welcome me with open arms each time I come back, as they did from the first moment I walked in, not knowing a single person. I recommend everyone who gets a chance stops by and checks this place out. It's my safe haven, and I miss it very much. (SNIFF!)

We miss you too darling!! Can't wait to roll out the red carpet for you in September. It can't come quick enough!!!

Great posts by GG11 for sure, effectively capturing the amazing camaraderie among those of us who play there. We all enjoy watching each other succeed, and it has always been that way at Amsterdam.

Nothing delights us more than rolling out the red carpet for a fellow pool enthusiast from New York or elsewhere that plays for the reason we do -- love of the game!

Thanks SJM.
Note: SJM, would be one of the highlighted people I speak of.

 

[cplayermagic]

I don't know about all this, but I think I'll spot anyone at ABC the rainbow, the breaks, and put them on hill, while playing blindfolded, jacked up, behind the back, one legged, with the bridge.

 

[QueenB]

I play on the thursday 9-ball league everyweek at ABC. Everyweek, I always have a great time and play good players. I can not sense any snobbiness. Yea it is about 10$ an hour, but what do you expect? It's Manhattan. I def. look forward to it everytime I go there.

 

[9 Ball Girl]

I don't know about all this, but I think I'll spot anyone at ABC the rainbow, the breaks, and put them on hill, while playing blindfolded, jacked up, behind the back, one legged, with the bridge.

That's one helluva spot!