Worst room you ever went in?

[garczar]

This is RBA aka Richmond Billiards Association: the premier billiards experience in Richmond, Va. This is a "pool room" that opened in the same space as a different pool room that had gone under. The previous spot wasn't perfect but had some 9 foot Gandy Big G's and a room full of Global bar boxes with worsted blue cloth. The previous room was always the host location for stuff like the APA tri and Vegas Cup since it has enough 7ft tables. Anyway, new ownership came on board and knew the huge majority of their customer base was going to be APA and BCA league players and decided to get these absolutely clown shoe looking tables with black napped cloth, blue cushions, heavy oversized cue ball, and poor installation. The table leveling is a little better now but some will still have a slow roll that can drift about a whole diamond over from the intended line so you gotta make sure you fire everything hard as hell. The problem with that is the pocket liners are super hard slippery plastic so your shot will pop out every now and again. Players come from out of town to play tournaments and are like what in the hell is this place? Our league operators basically tell everyone to put a sock in it as far as voicing opinion about the place and that it hurts the owners business when we do. Anyway, the place is a joke

wow. those colors are pretty bad.

 

[Black-Balled]

I've spent a lotta time in the rva and there's some weird shit around there...but I never seen such a thing as this!

This is RBA aka Richmond Billiards Association: the premier billiards experience in Richmond, Va. This is a "pool room" that opened in the same space as a different pool room that had gone under. The previous spot wasn't perfect but had some 9 foot Gandy Big G's and a room full of Global bar boxes with worsted blue cloth. The previous room was always the host location for stuff like the APA tri and Vegas Cup since it has enough 7ft tables. Anyway, new ownership came on board and knew the huge majority of their customer base was going to be APA and BCA league players and decided to get these absolutely clown shoe looking tables with black napped cloth, blue cushions, heavy oversized cue ball, and poor installation. The table leveling is a little better now but some will still have a slow roll that can drift about a whole diamond over from the intended line so you gotta make sure you fire everything hard as hell. The problem with that is the pocket liners are super hard slippery plastic so your shot will pop out every now and again. Players come from out of town to play tournaments and are like what in the hell is this place? Our league operators basically tell everyone to put a sock in it as far as voicing opinion about the place and that it hurts the owners business when we do. Anyway, the place is a joke

 

[m00sebumps]

I've spent a lotta time in the rva and there's some weird shit around there...but I never seen such a thing as this!

its ridiculous. I mean it would be one thing if this was at like a skating rink or bowling alley but no, this is where we hold qualifiers for Vegas. The league operators sentiment is basically be lucky that someone came along and opened this place. I don't know, I'm moving to Dallas in June so I won't have to play at that shit hole anymore

 

[easy-e]

Almost ANY serious player would consider this a great room. Not immaculate by any means,
but well worth the trip.

td

That picture is accurate, except they have all diamonds now. It's a great room. The guy saying otherwise wouldn't spend a nickel anywhere.

 

[sjm]

Wow, wish I could remember its name. A poolroom I went to not too far from Prescott, Arizona, in the 1990s had concrete floors, awful tables, stale air and a deal that for ten extra dollars they would wash your car while you played. Strangest darn room I've ever seen.

 

[The Old Jaybird]

Did I mention I had a cue stolen there?? Place burned down shortly after.

still got your Zippo???

 

[Nyquil]

Playing in league years back and at that time each team had their own spot they played. It was cool from the standpoint we got to travel around and play at different places. There was this one place that I am certain was just set up to launder money/drugs etc. It was listed as a pool hall. Windows all blacked out, almost the entire place was stacked to the ceiling with these huge concert type speakers, there was a stripper pole and then this one beat to hell valley, not level, falling apart. The only lighting in the entire place was a couple of florescent bulbs that were cooked you could barely see what you were doing in there. There was a pisser but no drinks, not even water lmao. That's the worst place I have ever played.

 

[ShootingArts]

Playing in league years back and at that time each team had their own spot they played. It was cool from the standpoint we got to travel around and play at different places. There was this one place that I am certain was just set up to launder money/drugs etc. It was listed as a pool hall. Windows all blacked out, almost the entire place was stacked to the ceiling with these huge concert type speakers, there was a stripper pole and then this one beat to hell valley, not level, falling apart. The only lighting in the entire place was a couple of florescent bulbs that were cooked you could barely see what you were doing in there. There was a pisser but no drinks, not even water lmao. That's the worst place I have ever played.

That place reminds me of a "lounge" that opened in the woods not far from where the famous Spot used to be. The Spot was a whorehouse there for a generation or two.

The new place didn't last but a couple days. A lady was annoyed when they not only couldn't serve her what she wanted, they didn't have any alcohol in the place! She contacted the police, the new "lounge" went away. Seems like they could have at least bought a few bottles to go behind the bar.

Hu

 

[easy-e]

Wow, wish I could remember its name. A poolroom I went to not too far from Prescott, Arizona, in the 1990s had concrete floors, awful tables, stale air and a deal that for ten extra dollars they would wash your car while you played. Strangest darn room I've ever seen.

I think Barefoot Bob's is the only room I know of up that way.

 

[ChrisSjoblom]

So the question is: what was the worst room you have ever experienced?

NPR on AZB. Spent about 45 minutes there a few years back. Darkened my normally sunny disposition for at least a day or two. Never went back.

 

[vintagecollectibles831]

Over the past couple of decades many rooms have closed. Some were all time treasures but for the most part they were dumps and I’m not sad that they are gone.

The worst room I ever went in was in southeast Houston. On the sign it was called fat dats bilards. Not sure why they spelled billiards that way. I was new to the area and was trying to find a place where the wife and I could play. She sat in the car while I scouted it. I walk in and the door was hard to open. The place had two tables one pool table and one carom table. The felt was completely shredded, had stains on it and cigarette ash. There were cigarette burn marks all over the rails. There was a bar to the right as you walk in and the bar tender didn’t have a tooth in his head. He also didn’t even acknowledge that I walked in. On the back wall was a shredded leather couch where a man and a prostitute was passed out. Both looked rough as hell. The floor was sticky can had spots where beer had been spilled but not cleaned up. The lighting was awful. Old flickering fluorescent greenish lights. Some of the tubes were burned out. The place smelled like stale beer, body odor and cigarette smoke. The balls on the table were gashed all up and bleached out. I went back to the car and my wife asked me how was it to which I replied you don’t want to know let’s just move on.

So the question is: what was the worst room you have ever experienced? Describe it.

Wow, great description, of the worst that I could ever imagine. I have not been to tons of pool rooms in my life, but the worst one I can think of was when I visited, just for a few minutes, about 5 years ago.

Lucky Cue, 2711 Roosevelt Blvd, Kenner, LA 70062

It was near by a far nicer (and much cleaner looking) pool hall called, Corner Pocket, if you are ever in the New Orleans area.

Anyways, Lucky Cue was the biggest dive of a big pool hall that I can ever remember visiting.

Very old, and worn out cloth. 9 foot tables, but I can't remember what kind of tables they were. I do not think they were anything nice though, like Gold Crowns, for example.

Anyways, it was really bad, and the bartender was nasty, and a really bad attitude.

So, if you are ever going through Kenner, and looking for a pool hall, do NOT go to Lucky Cue, lol.

The Corner Pocket, near by there is really nice though, and has like a $5 all day rate, for unlimited playing.

Lucky Cue is right there off of Veterans Blvd, so probably got a lot of drunk college kids going in there, and just making a mess of the tables. Did not look like the tables were well maintained, in the least bit.

I find it hard to believe the place is still in business. It just looked like such a dive to me.

 

[ShootingArts]

Wow, great description, of the worst that I could ever imagine. I have not been to tons of pool rooms in my life, but the worst one I can think of was when I visited, just for a few minutes, about 5 years ago.

Lucky Cue, 2711 Roosevelt Blvd, Kenner, LA 70062

It was near by a far nicer (and much cleaner looking) pool hall called, Corner Pocket, if you are ever in the New Orleans area.

Anyways, Lucky Cue was the biggest dive of a big pool hall that I can ever remember visiting.

Very old, and worn out cloth. 9 foot tables, but I can't remember what kind of tables they were. I do not think they were anything nice though, like Gold Crowns, for example.

Anyways, it was really bad, and the bartender was nasty, and a really bad attitude.

So, if you are ever going through Kenner, and looking for a pool hall, do NOT go to Lucky Cue, lol.

The Corner Pocket, near by there is really nice though, and has like a $5 all day rate, for unlimited playing.

Lucky Cue is right there off of Veterans Blvd, so probably got a lot of drunk college kids going in there, and just making a mess of the tables. Did not look like the tables were well maintained, in the least bit.

I find it hard to believe the place is still in business. It just looked like such a dive to me.

Took me awhile to remember where you are talking about. I passed by it many times but never stopped. Meant to check it out, never did. Sounds like I didn't miss much.

Reminds me, Whitey's is in Metairie too. Old corner bar, a few tables in the rear. Nothing fancy, a bit run down, but you can hit balls in peace. Nowhere close to one of the worse places I have been.

One of the more interesting was a little bar with a table or two across the street from a genuine castle, the old governor's mansion in Baton Rouge. A half block from the Mississippi RIver it catered to the international sailors. Fair to say it was a dingy dangerous place that would fit on the worst places list. Usually a couple dancing ladies of the rougher sort. I picked up some money there when things were dead other places but it wasn't a favored place to go. When it turned into a gay bar I didn't care to be hit on and had to cross it off of even my worst case list!

Hu

 

[mnorwood]

The next worst room I ever went in isn't a pool room it's a dive bar for which the world is full of but this one really stuck out. Not going to put them on complete blast because it is still open and league is still played there. This bar is located on Spencer highway in Pasadena TX. Pasadena is known for being run down and blanketed with industrial pollution. I walked in to this bar for a league night and immediately felt claustrophobic because of the extremely low ceiling. The place is over packed with chairs and tables and when it fills up it is very close quarters. They didn't have smoke eaters and the ceiling was stained yellow from cigarette smoke tar. The tables were really cramped one so much so that you have to use an extremely short cue for some shots. The place always smells like body odor and smoke. If I had to play in places like this all the time I wouldn't play at all. I would take up stamp collecting or basket weaving or something.

 

[garczar]

The next worst room I ever went in isn't a pool room it's a dive bar for which the world is full of but this one really stuck out. Not going to put them on complete blast because it is still open and league is still played there. This bar is located on Spencer highway in Pasadena TX. Pasadena is known for being run down and blanketed with industrial pollution. I walked in to this bar for a league night and immediately felt claustrophobic because of the extremely low ceiling. The place is over packed with chairs and tables and when it fills up it is very close quarters. They didn't have smoke eaters and the ceiling was stained yellow from cigarette smoke tar. The tables were really cramped one so much so that you have to use an extremely short cue for some shots. The place always smells like body odor and smoke. If I had to play in places like this all the time I wouldn't play at all. I would take up stamp collecting or basket weaving or something.

What else would you expect in 'Stink-a-dena'??

 

[DaveK]

I went to a place in Alabama that BAD.

Decades old and looked worse than that suggests
.

You got me.

I've never been to Alabama.

Of all the things to lose your mind is the worst. Sorry for your loss.

Dave

 

[Black-Balled]

Of all the things to lose your mind is the worst. Sorry for your loss.

Dave

 

[Welder84]

Over the past couple of decades many rooms have closed. Some were all time treasures but for the most part they were dumps and I’m not sad that they are gone.

The worst room I ever went in was in southeast Houston. On the sign it was called fat dats bilards. Not sure why they spelled billiards that way. I was new to the area and was trying to find a place where the wife and I could play. She sat in the car while I scouted it. I walk in and the door was hard to open. The place had two tables one pool table and one carom table. The felt was completely shredded, had stains on it and cigarette ash. There were cigarette burn marks all over the rails. There was a bar to the right as you walk in and the bar tender didn’t have a tooth in his head. He also didn’t even acknowledge that I walked in. On the back wall was a shredded leather couch where a man and a prostitute was passed out. Both looked rough as hell. The floor was sticky can had spots where beer had been spilled but not cleaned up. The lighting was awful. Old flickering fluorescent greenish lights. Some of the tubes were burned out. The place smelled like stale beer, body odor and cigarette smoke. The balls on the table were gashed all up and bleached out. I went back to the car and my wife asked me how was it to which I replied you don’t want to know let’s just move on.

So the question is: what was the worst room you have ever experienced? Describe it.

As a teen, I played a couple times in a pool room with a laundry mat. This was in a college town. It was the worst equipment ever. It had 6-7 worn out Valley tables (no chalk). Cues with press on tips.

I was hanging around to go to parties...

 

[NevadaP]

Does anyone remember the Keyhole Club in Port Arthur, Texas? It's been closed for a vey long time. Decent tables, but the main purpose of the place was gambling.

 

[Taxi]

I've been in plenty of scuzzy pool rooms, but the one I liked playing in the least was one of the most celebrated rooms in the country: Jack 'n' Jill in Arlington, VA, AKA Beanie's. The action was great. and every road player in the world passed through, but nearly all of the tables were these cheesy, dreadful Gandys. And to make it even worse, in warm weather the A/C was so weak that the room should've been called the Dew Drop Inn. Wettest cloth I ever played on. Guys and Dolls in Silver Hill was infinitely better.

 

[Straightpool_99]

Once on vacation in Spain, I made a wrong turn and wound up in a Romani camp, or maybe a rubbish tip of sorts, it was honestly almost impossible to tell if it was a camp for humans or just a random collection of garbage piled up. Anyway, some human beings had made this place their chosen dwelling on this Earth, for reasons unfathomable to anyone but themselves. In a moment of absolute idiocy my two friends and I stepped out of our rental car to ask directions. Instead of receiving a blade in between our ribs, I was invited to a game on an outdoor pool table they had set up. When I say "set up" I mean more like dropped from a crane and when I say outdoor table, I do mean "outdoor" but "table" only in the loosest possible meaning of the word. It was the tensest hour of pool I have ever played. Though once I figured out to stay away from the rails and which balls were mismatched etc.. the playing went ok-ish. The table was some sort of english table but with american pool balls. Half the rails were loose and the others were dented. Mystery stains covered the entirety of the cloth, which was full of cuts and divots and was extremely slow. One of the legs was broken, but somehow the table approached a condition, which under the circumstances must be said to be shockingly level. As fun as it was- and always is to win at 8 ball, staying alive eventually made its way to the top of my list of priorities, otherwise I don't know what would have happened. Once they figured out that they didn't have a complete sucker on their hands, the possibility of a knifing reared its ugly head once again. No words had to be spoken, but it was clear that our welcome had been overstayed and the sparkle in my opponents eyes had certainly clouded over. I lost back some money and "forgot" the rest on the table and made my excuses along with my friends.