what happened to San Diego?

S

sashax415

Registered
I was just wondering what ever happened to pool in San Diego? It seems like the scene has completely gone downhill.

I grew up in San Diego and go there to visit family about 2-3 times a year for about a week at a time. Which means a lot of time to play pool. A couple years ago we were hanging out at College Billiards quite a bit but over the past year or two, it seems as though all the regulars have disappeared and the room has turned into a pretty seedy place.

We tried a pool room in Santee and the place was deserted. The owner said the pool scene has just been really bad.

WHAT HAPPENED?!

The past few trips, we were shooting at On Cue, which is nice, but it also is very social and theres no room division between the more serious players and the people that have 20 poeple to a table.


We'll be heading down there again this weekend and I'm interested to hear what the scene is like these days...
 
sashax415 said:
I was just wondering what ever happened to pool in San Diego? It seems like the scene has completely gone downhill.

I grew up in San Diego and go there to visit family about 2-3 times a year for about a week at a time. Which means a lot of time to play pool. A couple years ago we were hanging out at College Billiards quite a bit but over the past year or two, it seems as though all the regulars have disappeared and the room has turned into a pretty seedy place.

We tried a pool room in Santee and the place was deserted. The owner said the pool scene has just been really bad.

WHAT HAPPENED?!

The past few trips, we were shooting at On Cue, which is nice, but it also is very social and theres no room division between the more serious players and the people that have 20 poeple to a table.


We'll be heading down there again this weekend and I'm interested to hear what the scene is like these days...
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Just Skip SD altoghether and go straight to TJ........I could go for some of those chiuaua tacos and a carona right about now.....
 
College Billiards has new owners who don't know to much about pool. During the day you might find a few players there but after 6p, everyone leaves because the scene at night gets to shady. I don't even feel safe at night walking to the back parking lot! It seems like there are a lot of gangs running in and out of there lately.

On Cue Billiards has a great Monday night tournament that usually gets a full field. Lately Morro has been coming down to play in that tournament. There are a few kids that are up and coming players and like to gamble a little more so to learn than to go off.

The place you went in Santee has very nice owners but not to many players.

There is a place in El Cajon that isn't in to bad an area and has decent tables but I don't particularly care for the owner.

Since Louis and Sam moved there really isn't much action in SD anymore. We had some guys from Finland that were here but they already went home:( . If you like the bar tables the Chico Club is a good place to hit on a Sunday evening.
 
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hilla_hilla said:
College Billiards has new owners who don't know to much about pool. During the day you might find a few players there but after 6p, everyone leaves because the scene at night gets to shady. I don't even feel safe at night walking to the back parking lot! It seems like there are a lot of gangs running in and out of there lately.

On Cue Billiards has a great Monday night tournament that usually gets a full field. Lately Morro has been coming down to play in that tournament. There are a few kids that are up and coming players and like to gamble a little more so to learn than to go off.

The place you went in Santee has very nice owners but not to many players.

There is a place in El Cajon that isn't in to bad an area and has decent tables but I don't particularly care for the owner.

Since Louis and Sam moved there really isn't much action in SD anymore. We had some guys from Finland that were here but they already went home:( . If you like the bar tables the Chico Club is a good place to hit on a Sunday evening.
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This pretty much sums it up for you. That's what's happened to San Diego. There are still some shooters if you want to play, but now oncue is the place instead of College. I'm back in the area so I'll be down at the monday tournaments now. Jahny (spelling) the main guy from Finland is supposed to come back, but not sure when. Louis, Sam, and Chip all left which dramatically dropped the talent pool, but I hear that Sam is back. vic is still there and some other really good players. Like Hill said, Morro comes down to the Monday tournaments a lot, so your best bet if you want to play or see some good players is to go on a Monday night to OnCue.

Don't underestimate some of the up and coming players out of San Diego. San Diego will always produce some really good players. The only problem is that they all go elsewhere to play now. Dan Wallace has been at OnCue practicing a bit too.
 
Jaden said:
This pretty much sums it up for you. That's what's happened to San Diego. There are still some shooters if you want to play, but now oncue is the place instead of College. I'm back in the area so I'll be down at the monday tournaments now. Jahny (spelling) the main guy from Finland is supposed to come back, but not sure when. Louis, Sam, and Chip all left which dramatically dropped the talent pool, but I hear that Sam is back. vic is still there and some other really good players. Like Hill said, Morro comes down to the Monday tournaments a lot, so your best bet if you want to play or see some good players is to go on a Monday night to OnCue.

Don't underestimate some of the up and coming players out of San Diego. San Diego will always produce some really good players. The only problem is that they all go elsewhere to play now. Dan Wallace has been at OnCue practicing a bit too.
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Nope, Sam is not back. He loves Texas to much so if he comes back it won't be anytime soon. Chip is also in Texas but is supposed to come visit within the next month or so.

We do have some strong women players, even 1 that posts on this board;p (girlwon1)
 
sashax415 said:
I was just wondering what ever happened to pool in San Diego? It seems like the scene has completely gone downhill.

I grew up in San Diego and go there to visit family about 2-3 times a year . for about a week at a time. Which means a lot of time to play pool. A couple years ago we were hanging out at College Billiards quite a bit but over the past year or two, it seems as though all the regulars have disappeared and the room has turned into a pretty seedy place.

We tried a pool room in Santee and the place was deserted. The owner said the pool scene has just been really bad.

WHAT HAPPENED?!

The past few trips, we were shooting at On Cue, which is nice, but it also is very social and theres no room division between the more serious players and the people that have 20 poeple to a table.


We'll be heading down there again this weekend and I'm interested to hear what the scene is like these days...
Click to expand...
San Diego is not the only place in California that has died as far as that goes. The whole state is pretty much hurting for action these days. Hard Times is still in Bellflower, but that place is nothing like it used to be. The pool scene is also bad here in the bay area and I find myself losing interest in it all. I guess that can be a good thing, I am a lot more productive when I am not spending 6 hours a day in the pool room.
 
If you just want to hang out, the Hungry Stick in Claremont isn't too bad. Nine footers and ok food. The only good players I've seen there were Mike Defino or John Pasquerella (sp?). Not an action spot.

If you're there during the day, Society isn't a bad deal. Crappy Gandys and the lighting is poor, but the food is good and you can play all day for 10 bucks by the beach. You can spend the 10 bucks on the food/drink too, unless they changed it.

Gaslamp is expensive, but nice. Food sucked when I used to go there but they had nice tables, Rebcos and Gold Crowns.


Clearly SD is not any kind of action town.
 
Anyone remember a place called the Arcade? It was a block off the downtown strip, and downstairs.

I went a few times in '66, when I was in the Navy. Seemed like a nice quiet place. Not an arcade at all.

Some retired guy set up shop in a backroom, making cues. I bought his first cue, and it's still my favorite. Don't know the maker's name.

http://www.jandssafeguard.com/John'sCues/OldCue/
 
Jaden said:
This pretty much sums it up for you. That's what's happened to San Diego. There are still some shooters if you want to play, but now oncue is the place instead of College. I'm back in the area so I'll be down at the monday tournaments now. Jahny (spelling) the main guy from Finland is supposed to come back, but not sure when. Louis, Sam, and Chip all left which dramatically dropped the talent pool, but I hear that Sam is back. vic is still there and some other really good players. Like Hill said, Morro comes down to the Monday tournaments a lot, so your best bet if you want to play or see some good players is to go on a Monday night to OnCue.

Don't underestimate some of the up and coming players out of San Diego. San Diego will always produce some really good players. The only problem is that they all go elsewhere to play now. Dan Wallace has been at OnCue practicing a bit too.
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Wow... that's really sad. I figured as much though. We used to really look forward to going to SD to shoot, but oh well. We never have been in SD on a monday so have always missed the On Cue tournament... but we will definitely try and make it this monday. Could someone tell me what time it starts/whats a good time to get there? Don't they close off the bracket at 32 or something like that?


Also... anyone know who in SD can do a great job turning down a predator shaft within 4-5 days? I've got a shaft that has already been turned down to 12.5, but I'm not very happy with the taper. We'll be in SD from tonight(sat) through wednesday. Any info would be much appreciated!
 
The tournament at On Cue starts at 8p but it is good to get there around 7p. Dave Whitsel (spelling?) just bought out qualiity billiards is a good person to go to for cue work. Also Tony Gugino works for Billiards Direct on La Mesa Blvd does a great job. Mike Delly, who is a regular at On Cue does a lot of cue work and is always there to.
 
thanks for all the info....We have met Mike before and have his number, i believe, but if anyone has contact info for any of those other guys, that'd be great...

Just finished packing up the car right now and we're about to start our long drive down. we'll probably be at On Cue tonight.:D

see ya
 
Mike

sashax415 said:
thanks for all the info....We have met Mike before and have his number, i believe, but if anyone has contact info for any of those other guys, that'd be great...

Just finished packing up the car right now and we're about to start our long drive down. we'll probably be at On Cue tonight.:D

see ya
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Mike Dely will usually have a porta lathe with him, he may be able to turn it down for you right there. I can always take it back to my house and do it for you also but it would be a couple of day turn around as I live in Murrieta and don't always come down to SD.
 
Jaden:

Do you play in DannyK's tournaments? Have we met? Wayne has me down as JohnP.
 
I haven't seen anyone mention Family Billiards in Oceanside yet - I've been there a couple of times and it seemed like a nice place. They have a Wednesday night tournament I believe.
 
Dave Whitsell at Quality Billiards 800 848-7665
Check out the Hungry Stick on Clairmont mesa blvd. just of the 805
both barbox and big tables.
 
I don't know.

JohnnyP said:
Jaden:

Do you play in DannyK's tournaments? Have we met? Wayne has me down as JohnP.
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I played in the recent UPA qualifyer. Before that it's been about two years since I played there.
 
rackem said:
Maybe Dave Whitsell on the shaft. His store is Quality Billiards.
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sounds good.. we're heading over to his place today. On Cue was pretty crowded last night, hopefully tonight will be quieter. Thanks for the info
 
sashax415 said:
sounds good.. we're heading over to his place today. On Cue was pretty crowded last night, hopefully tonight will be quieter. Thanks for the info
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You gonna go tommorrow too? I'll be there for the tournament.
 
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