Which city has the best pool scene? [Archive]

NH Steve

09-11-2004, 08:24 PM

I am in the Coast Guard here in the bay area have one more year left on this assignment. Some possiblilities for me are San Francisco again lots of strong one pocket here, Boston, Charleston, SC. Miami, Fl. Panama City, Fl. Honolulu, and Mobile, Al. Any of these other cities have good one pocket scenes?
Sadly, Boston is fairly One Pocket deprived these days.
I don't see how you could top San Francisco...

Pelican

09-11-2004, 08:57 PM

Of the four cities mentions I would hazard a guess and go with Shreveport or Houston.

t-dog

09-12-2004, 08:29 AM

I dont know which is harder to find in Des Moines - - A 1hole player or a nine footer to play them on.

gulfportdoc

09-12-2004, 09:39 AM

Sadly, Boston is fairly One Pocket deprived these days.
I don't see how you could top San Francisco...

One-pocket is certainly played in San Francisco; mostly I suspect at Delbert Wong's room, Family Billiards. However the gambling action is low. In fact if two guys match up playing even for $100 a game, the word quickly gets out, and poolplayers come from 9 counties to just watch in awe and amazement.

Either Houston or Shreveport would be my pick. There are lots more good players in Houston, but Shreveport and Louisiana are nicer places to live. Plus living in Shreveport gives one reasonably easy access to other pool playing communities for both tournaments and action. If one likes to bet high, then Louisiana is the place to be.

Good luck!

Doc

chief

09-12-2004, 03:29 PM

davamundo,I am in the Navy also and would have to wonder what type of duty station is in these places,but would definetly pick Houston for the action and its not that far a drive from La. Bigdog,I have been stationed in all the places you mention and Miami is without a doubt the best or a definet close 2nd to S.F.

SactownTom

09-12-2004, 03:53 PM

San Francisco and Mountian View (Bay Area), Sacramento, and the LA area are all PRIME locations for some 1Pkt action.

kollegedave

09-13-2004, 08:07 AM

Whatever you do, don't pick Boston for its one-pocket. If you say one pocket here, people think you are talking about some messed up form of 9 ball, and if they see a one pocket game in progess then they think you can't break.

One Pocket is has pretty much taken a dirt nap in Boston

kollegedave

thepavlos

09-13-2004, 10:50 AM

Where do you play in Boston?
Paul

KY8andout

09-13-2004, 03:19 PM

I lived near Charleston for about a year back in 2000. Though it is mostly a nine-ball town, you can find one pocket action among the better players in Charleston and Summerville which is about twenty minutes away. I would give two thumbs up for Charleston as a place to live. The night life, beaches, and food are fantastic.

senor

09-13-2004, 04:42 PM

I have been given the choice of the following duty stations:

Des Moines, Iowa
Butte, Montana
Shreveport, Louisiana
Houston, Texas

Where am I most likely to find a one-pocket scene?

DavAmundo

All pool players play one pocket in Houston. They are on the stall if they say they don't.

thebigdog

09-13-2004, 07:30 PM

One-pocket is certainly played in San Francisco; mostly I suspect at Delbert Wong's room, Family Billiards. However the gambling action is low. In fact if two guys match up playing even for $100 a game, the word quickly gets out, and poolplayers come from 9 counties to just watch in awe and amazement.

Either Houston or Shreveport would be my pick. There are lots more good players in Houston, but Shreveport and Louisiana are nicer places to live. Plus living in Shreveport gives one reasonably easy access to other pool playing communities for both tournaments and action. If one likes to bet high, then Louisiana is the place to be.

Good luck!

Doc
Hey Doc,
What do you know about Mobile, and Panama City?

gulfportdoc

09-14-2004, 08:32 AM

Hey Doc,
What do you know about Mobile, and Panama City?

Well, they could both be under water by Thursday afternoon... Jokes aside, I think unfortunately Hurricane Ivan will keep moving west. It may even hit me right on the nose in Gulfport, Miss.; or perhaps travel to New Orleans. Hell, JoeyA might even have to take a day off practicing pool!

There's quite a bit of action at Breakers Billiards in Mobile. Several solid 1P players, along with a few thieves and lock artists. High dollar action can break out there at any time. Panama City is a beautiful town, but to my knowledge there's minimal action. There's only one room that I know of, which is owned by Lee Paul and his wife-- two of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. Lee is a strong shortstop. Pelican might be able to add more to your query.

Doc

cycopath

09-14-2004, 11:19 AM

You could stop in Milton, FL at Hidden Pockets. I'm sure John Schmidt would give you a game. Bring the greenbacks though, I don't think John gets into too many cheap games. :)

davAmundo

09-14-2004, 12:00 PM

I would say there is an "emerging" one-pocket scene in Charleston. Ronnie doesn't have anything to worry about, but a couple of the shortstops play sporty one-pocket (eight and out is a good move...). I've never seen either of them do anything that made me do a double-take and say "wowza" but either of them can bank and run the balls out if you leave them the slightest inkling of a shot.

T-dog says Des Moines doesn't have one-pocket or 9-footers, which bums me out, because my wife and I had decided on either Des Moines or Shreveport. Then I found out his morning that Shreveport was no longer an option, so Des Moines is in. Oh, well... I'll just have to spring for that GCII I've always wanted, and spend my next 3 years watching one-hole tapes... That doesn't sound so bad. :-)

Dave

thebigdog

09-14-2004, 01:19 PM

You could stop in Milton, FL at Hidden Pockets. I'm sure John Schmidt would give you a game. Bring the greenbacks though, I don't think John gets into too many cheap games. :)
I can get a cheap game with John anytime, I've known him since we were both 17. He started playing at my fathers poolhall in Hesperia, Ca. back then and it is really amazing to see how far his game has come.

gulfportdoc

09-15-2004, 09:37 AM

I can get a cheap game with John anytime, I've known him since we were both 17. He started playing at my fathers poolhall in Hesperia, Ca. back then and it is really amazing to see how far his game has come.

Hey Bigdog,

Yeah, I would put Schmidt in the top 20 or so American born players. He really has no weaknesses, except for perhaps being somewhat of a prima donna. He's sort of a Calif. version of Mississippi's Reed Pierce... John seems to have the characteristics which most high level poolplayers have: intelligence, great hand/eye coordination, aggressiveness, self-centeredness, and the natural ability to be an expert con man.

I don't know whether you've kept in touch with him, but he has a very beneficial deal with the owner of Hidden Pockets (?) in Milton, FL. He gets a nice monthly salary, and tournament/expense money; plus the guy bought him a brand new Diamond table to practice on. I don't know what the PC deal is, if any.

He does get a little down on himself and whiney when he's losing a match he oughtn't be, and although that's pretty typical of many top players, he'd be even better if he could overcome that (of course wouldn't we ALL be!!). Look at Cliff Joyner-- talk about a stone face! It's not apparent by his facial expression whether he just made a good shot, or a bad one...

Doc

thebigdog

09-15-2004, 11:30 AM

Hey Bigdog,

Yeah, I would put Schmidt in the top 20 or so American born players. He really has no weaknesses, except for perhaps being somewhat of a prima donna. He's sort of a Calif. version of Mississippi's Reed Pierce... John seems to have the characteristics which most high level poolplayers have: intelligence, great hand/eye coordination, aggressiveness, self-centeredness, and the natural ability to be an expert con man.

I don't know whether you've kept in touch with him, but he has a very beneficial deal with the owner of Hidden Pockets (?) in Milton, FL. He gets a nice monthly salary, and tournament/expense money; plus the guy bought him a brand new Diamond table to practice on. I don't know what the PC deal is, if any.

He does get a little down on himself and whiney when he's losing a match he oughtn't be, and although that's pretty typical of many top players, he'd be even better if he could overcome that (of course wouldn't we ALL be!!). Look at Cliff Joyner-- talk about a stone face! It's not apparent by his facial expression whether he just made a good shot, or a bad one...

Doc
Doc you are definately right about John being a little whiney. Although I think he has gotten a little better than he was before. He used to be so bad you couldn't even stand to be around him sometimes. He defineately worked very hard to get where he is. I've seen a lot of other guys who the game came to them a lot more naturally, be he is for sure the most tenacious guy I knew back then. Always trying to get a game, always working on his game. It doesn't surprise me to see that out of all the young guys I grew up playing with, he is the one who made it to the highest level.

cycopath

09-18-2004, 01:50 PM

I can get a cheap game with John anytime, I've known him since we were both 17.

Of course I was excluding family and friends from the list of money games. ;)

John kind of took my little step brother under his wing, and would play him races to 10 for $10. Now that's pretty friggin' cheap! But John would just be kind of showing him different shots and stuff while they played. I have a lot of respect for a guy that'll do that for a kid that's just starting to get his game working.

James Nelson

09-18-2004, 02:25 PM

A guy named James Waldon from OK or Neil ?? from Colorado. I saw Neil play Cliff Joyner even Neil lost, but not by much. One heck of a strong player, also I hear stories of a guy in the Carolina's who is little and wears his glasses upside down. Broke alot of players back in the day. James Waldon came to are poolhall and busted it, he played One Pocket like a master. Hey, Ronnie Allen came around and stayed for about three months last year.I don't think he did to well. One think I noticed was he gave hugh spots that is why I think he lost. Be on the look out for a deaf kid named Shane plays like a pro and loves to bet high. I was also wondering if anybody had any Dave Matlock stories to tell or Ed Kelly. From what I hear Dave Matlock was the best on a bar box at one time and Ed Kelly was one of the best all around players of all time. :D

Thanks James Nelson 22 with nothing to lose.

gulfportdoc

09-19-2004, 10:01 AM

I was also wondering if anybody had any Dave Matlock stories to tell or Ed Kelly. From what I hear Dave Matlock was the best on a bar box at one time and Ed Kelly was one of the best all around players of all time. :D

Thanks James Nelson 22 with nothing to lose.

Hi James,

You're right about Eddie Kelly. I saw him play quite a bit in L.A. in 1969. He and Ronnie Allen matched up at Big Momma's Billiards in North Hollywood, which was owned by a guy named "Coke"-- who was very "alert". Ronnie gave Eddie 9-8 in one-hole. I don't recall who came out money winner, but the session ended up in a fist fight. Kelly was a hot-headed Irishman at the time, and Ronnie would get in your face too. When they weren't at each other's throats, they both put on dazzling displays of one-pocket shots that I hadn't seen before, nor have I seen since.

Then Kelly turned right around and won the World Pocket Billiard Championships held at the Elks Club in L.A. near MacArthur Park!

Ronnie was never comfortable playing tournaments. He required the raucousness of the gambling rooms.

Doc

James Nelson

09-19-2004, 03:23 PM

Hi James,

You're right about Eddie Kelly. I saw him play quite a bit in L.A. in 1969. He and Ronnie Allen matched up at Big Momma's Billiards in North Hollywood, which was owned by a guy named "Coke"-- who was very "alert". Ronnie gave Eddie 9-8 in one-hole. I don't recall who came out money winner, but the session ended up in a fist fight. Kelly was a hot-headed Irishman at the time, and Ronnie would get in your face too. When they weren't at each other's throats, they both put on dazzling displays of one-pocket shots that I hadn't seen before, nor have I seen since.

Then Kelly turned right around and won the World Pocket Billiard Championships held at the Elks Club in L.A. near MacArthur Park!

Ronnie was never comfortable playing tournaments. He required the raucousness of the gambling rooms.

Doc
Hey, thanks for the response, it seems like this forum is not picking up the people like I thought it would when I first joined it. I wounder if it is because of it just being one pocket based. Hey, out of curiosity was Dallas West as strong as people say he was. You alway hear of Ronnie, and Danny "Mr. NineBall" in poolhalls , but would about the other greats. I do not hear to many stories about them. Where they one year champs and then you never heard of them again or what. I guess people get married and start their careers. Then Pool becomes an after thought. What do you guys think about the APA and the BCA are they better for pool. I always here people talking about the bad things in pool and that is why pool will never become a "reconized sport". "Who Cares". I like sitting there talking to the old guys and watching them smoke, getting "Belly Hooked" by the table. they eat red meat, are always drink to much and still can shoot great. I love being in the poolhalls for that reason. The gambling and far fetched stories are just fantastic... :)

70niner

09-20-2004, 03:47 PM

thebigdog

09-21-2004, 12:15 AM

San Francisco is a great town for a vacation, but not the greatest for one pocket action, the regular lock up artists are there, most people have real high rents and do not have much $ to gamble with. Just one big black guy named CB who will play just about anyone for $50-100 a game, just walk in the door and have at him. The last real big action was 4 months ago when Rafael Martinez and Billy Palmer played a race to ten for $5000. Not much more than that, plus the tables at FAmily have gone down. They need to refelt the tables, I really hate when room owners let the cloth get down to where you can almost feel the slate. Especially at $10-12 an hour.
CB is in action every night. He plays pretty strong, although I did see Tony Chohan give him 8-6 and the breaks, and just destroy CB. But he does take on all challengers. As far as the match between Rafael and Billy Palmer, there has been some things said about how the match went down, and all I know is that Rafael left town shortly after that.

JoeyA

10-01-2004, 01:33 PM

I am in the Coast Guard here in the bay area have one more year left on this assignment. Some possiblilities for me are San Francisco again lots of strong one pocket here, Boston, Charleston, SC. Miami, Fl. Panama City, Fl. Honolulu, and Mobile, Al. Any of these other cities have good one pocket scenes?

Big Dog, you can get some nice action in Mobile, Al. Breakers Billiards.

JoeyA

10-01-2004, 01:34 PM

I have been given the choice of the following duty stations:

Des Moines, Iowa
Butte, Montana
Shreveport, Louisiana
Houston, Texas

Where am I most likely to find a one-pocket scene?

DavAmundo
YOu won't get much one pocket action in Shreveport, LA. New Orleans is a different story.
JoeyA

Smorgass Bored

10-01-2004, 09:42 PM

You won't get much one-pocket action in Shreveport, LA. New Orleans is a different story.
JoeyA

So is Tampa,FL. Besides a whole bunch of B & C class players, you can jump up there with locals Buddy Hall, Ray Martin, Rodney Morris, Richie Richeson, C.M.Lee, etc. and a group or road players always passing through. With about 20 poolrooms within about a 30 minute drive, there are tournaments every night of the week and the Florida Pro Tour, not to mention Tommy Kennedy's Tour stops and the King's Bay Amateur Tour... If you can't find one-pocket action in Tampa, then you aren't leaving the house... imo

bjspivey

10-13-2004, 12:00 AM

THERE IS ACTION IN SHREVEPORTtry SIDE POCKETS 2013 nelson st.[behind ECKARDS] off market st. north.DEB&BRETT owners real friendly,they run a 9 ball Tor/every Sat at 7 pm 40 or so players show every weekend add $$ all on bar tables ,I took R.A, there Hell,even Eddie Taylor goes there, Lots of action. When I walked in 3 or 4 1-hole action!!!! I told them we woud be back next Sat to play 100.00 or up. Any way R, A, & I stopped to use the restroom at a truck stop on 20 and R, A,Headed for the head, he triped and fell on some crack in sidewalk hit his head passed out ect.drama drama after we got back to Longview& I got him to Hospital ex-rays and all,drama.drama, went to doctors ect,ect, R,A,mixed a few knowing he was out of coma and left!!! I think it was because Your"s trully caght 3 -[6to8lb] catfish when he kept handing me his pole when he went to get a beer!!! I went back like I said and 4 1- hole players were waiting,I tried to talk them in to playing Tonk or Poker. No -go they wanted to play 1 hole with Ronnie, Any of you know a player name of Rabbit? Showed with bankroll to fill even my purse. So there is a little action in Shreveport boys!!!!!B.J.[ May make a score with lawyers] :ps I live on a lake full of fish, R. A . could sit on my porch & fish!!

gulfportdoc

10-14-2004, 08:14 AM

So is Tampa,FL. If you can't find one-pocket action in Tampa, then you aren't leaving the house... imo

Tubster,

When are you planning to come up for the Gulf Coast Classic? (Grady's event) Are you going to make a week of it, or just come up on 12/8? Hope you're heart's back to fightin' speed!!

Doc

bjspivey

10-24-2004, 12:07 AM

If you are in Dallas on Wednesday nite You are in Action!!! All the local Boys gather for 1-p & 9 ball on that day !!! Having fun & betting HIGH!!! B. J. the bandit :D

ajrack

10-24-2004, 10:49 PM

I watched Ed Kelly run 489 straight pool !!!
...ran 89 & out /then 100 & out...4 more times with NO safeties or misses.
He was playing DIck Lane $100 race to 100 balls.

hemicudas

10-25-2004, 10:09 AM

Tubster,

When are you planning to come up for the Gulf Coast Classic? (Grady's event) Are you going to make a week of it, or just come up on 12/8? Hope you're heart's back to fightin' speed!!

Doc
Thanks, Doc. I finally snapped. My buddy, Smorgass Bored is my buddy the Tampa Tubster. When's the last time you've seen, Marilyn Monroe/Chris, Smorg?

t-dog

10-25-2004, 02:25 PM

I watched Ed Kelly run 489 straight pool !!!
...ran 89 & out /then 100 & out...4 more times with NO safeties or misses.
He was playing DIck Lane $100 race to 100 balls.

As I have never played serious 14.1 I have wondered how does one run 100 out. I am asking about the break shot and how they make a ball. The only shot I know is the behind the stack, head ball two rails in the side. Is there another shot that has a higher percentage?
Later.........T-dog

Rod

10-26-2004, 07:57 PM

As I have never played serious 14.1 I have wondered how does one run 100 out. I am asking about the break shot and how they make a ball. The only shot I know is the behind the stack, head ball two rails in the side. Is there another shot that has a higher percentage?
Later.........T-dog

Well yes, the reason they call it 14-1 is the 1 (not specifically the 1 ball) is left as a break ball.

Rod

gulfportdoc

10-28-2004, 08:10 AM

As I have never played serious 14.1 I have wondered how does one run 100 out.

"Practice, practice, practice..." Seriously though, as Rod said, after the 14th ball is pocketed, the 15th ball is left wherever it is on the table while the other 14 are racked on the foot spot with the space over the spot empty. The skill comes in picking a ball you'd like to have as a "break ball", and leaving it until last so that when the other balls are racked you can shoot that 15th ball into a pocket and have the cueball hit the stack.

Try it, you'll like it!!

Doc

P.S. No one ever attempts to make a ball on the opening shot in 14.1.
The first shot of a match is always a safety.

hemicudas

10-28-2004, 09:42 AM

"Practice, practice, practice..." Seriously though, as Rod said, after the 14th ball is pocketed, the 15th ball is left wherever it is on the table while the other 14 are racked on the foot spot with the space over the spot empty. The skill comes in picking a ball you'd like to have as a "break ball", and leaving it until last so that when the other balls are racked you can shoot that 15th ball into a pocket and have the cueball hit the stack.

Try it, you'll like it!!

Doc

P.S. No one ever attempts to make a ball on the opening shot in 14.1.
The first shot of a match is always a safety.
Straight Pool never caught on in the deep south, Doc. Action wasn't fast enough. One Pocket was even a tough sell at first but the more people who tried the game the more they fell in love with it. The straightest shooter didn't have to win, unlike 14-1 which usually is the case.

gulfportdoc

11-01-2004, 09:11 AM

Straight Pool never caught on in the deep south, Doc. Action wasn't fast enough. One Pocket was even a tough sell at first but the more people who tried the game the more they fell in love with it. The straightest shooter didn't have to win, unlike 14-1 which usually is the case.

Interesting point, Hemi. I wonder if snooker faded out for the same reason? It was my understanding that it used to be common to see snooker played on the 5 x 10 tables throughout Dixie. Unfortunately 9-ball has been king for the past 30 years, and that's why I'm happy to see the re-emergence of
one-pocket. Now if only some of these 9-ball bangers in Gulfport would switch, we'd be all set!

Doc

1pRoscoe

11-01-2004, 12:06 PM

Now if only some of these 9-ball bangers in Gulfport would switch, we'd be all set!

I share the same sentiments in Austin!

NH Steve

11-01-2004, 12:57 PM

Interesting point, Hemi. I wonder if snooker faded out for the same reason? It was my understanding that it used to be common to see snooker played on the 5 x 10 tables throughout Dixie. Unfortunately 9-ball has been king for the past 30 years, and that's why I'm happy to see the re-emergence of
one-pocket. Now if only some of these 9-ball bangers in Gulfport would switch, we'd be all set!

DocPortland Maine hosted one of Grady's tournaments in November, 2000. Prior to the tournament, there wasn't very much One Pocket played there -- for years -- but after the tournament there was a definite surge in One Pocket interest. Maybe your area will see an uptick as a result of Grady's coming event!

gulfportdoc

11-02-2004, 09:19 AM

Portland Maine hosted one of Grady's tournaments in November, 2000. Prior to the tournament, there wasn't very much One Pocket played there -- for years -- but after the tournament there was a definite surge in One Pocket interest. Maybe your area will see an uptick as a result of Grady's coming event!

I hope you're right, Steve! By the way, are you going to be able to attend Grady's GCC 12/6? I know it's a long trip, but it seems as though the event is shaping up to be a major jamboree!!

Doc

NH Steve

11-02-2004, 09:25 AM

I hope you're right, Steve! By the way, are you going to be able to attend Grady's GCC 12/6? I know it's a long trip, but it seems as though the event is shaping up to be a major jamboree!!

DocI'm definitely planning to come -- probably too late to enter (of course I play just a slight notch above that guy Forfeit anyway :) )

I've got the One Pocket scheduled for 12/8 -- what starts 12/6?

gulfportdoc

11-02-2004, 09:36 PM

I'm definitely planning to come -- probably too late to enter (of course I play just a slight notch above that guy Forfeit anyway :) )

I've got the One Pocket scheduled for 12/8 -- what starts 12/6?

Whoops!! Nasty old Mr. Typo. :o There's nothing scheduled on 12/6. The event is going to run 12/8-12/12/04, with the one-hole starting 12/8. Grady has all the scheduling so far on his site: www.gradymathews.com

I'm sure you'll be able to enter whichever events you wish. I don't think he's limiting the entries so far. I'm sure there will be lots of late entries. Check me if I'm wrong on that, Pelican.

Doc