Boston Area Help

[kollegedave]

I am in Boston attending graduate school, and despite my hectic schedule I try my best to practice twice a week. However, this last week has been all I can take with pool halls in this area not opening in accordance with their posted times for opening and generally treating their customers bad. I travel from Cambridge to Quincy (45min-1hr) to play at Rennaissance Billiards only to find them closed and this Saturday was the second week in a row that this has occurred. Three weeks ago, they kicked me off the table I was playing on to do some repairs to the ceiling. I stopped going to Brighton Billiards for the same reason--not opening when they say they will.

Can anyone suggest a Boston area room that is accessible by public transportation that will charge a reasonable rate, open near their posted time for opening, and generally treats their customers and equipment with respect?

I know this could have been posted in the places to play forum, but I want to ge the imput of as many people as possible.

kollegedave

 

[stillhustlin]

I was in Boston last year and i played at Jillians.Went every where and couldnt find a game.They have nice tables there and plenty of em.I was taking the train from Milford and Foxsboro everyday to Boston to play.Its within walking distance one u get off the train.I would call and get the exact location but the name is Jillians.4 story building,bowling,club,pool hall and open bar on the roof.Nice place.

 

[NH Steve]

Since you are a student on a budget, you might want to check out The Country Cue on Rte 1 in Saugus. Rte 1 is a divided highway there, and they are on the southbound side, so I don't know if that is accessible by public transit. They have some kind of cheap daily special going that has lured players up that way.

Just south of there and also on rte 1 is World Class, which used to be one of my favorite places to play. They are "world class" when it comes to 3-c billiards, with at least four heated professional billiard tables, in addition to about 20 pool tables.

Boston Billiards is right down by Fenway Park, and some players like it, but I didn't like playing there, as it is pretty much a loud oversized bar that happens to have a whole bunch of 9' pool tables in it. Despite a fairly hefty hourly rate, they really would like to have you drinking, in my experience.

There is also Good Times Emporium in Somerville -- it is a big sports bar with lots of tables. I've not been there yet, so cannot offer anything about playing conditions, hours or cost.

I used to ride down to various Boston rooms regularly (I live in NH --> duh, NH Steve ), but for the last couple of years I mostly stick to the private social clubs (now there's an oxymoron for you!) in Manchester, because it is close and cheap, and I've got a few people playing One Pocket.

 

[kollegedave]

I am aware of most of the places you mentioned but most of them also require a car, right? I know Boston Billiards doesn't require a car, but your criticism of it is right on. I posted the same post on AZ, and I am disappointed to find out that you have listed most of the options, and most of them are great places, but I have no way to get to them.

Anyway, I guess my practice time is going to take a big hit from this.

kollegedave

Since you are a student on a budget, you might want to check out The Country Cue on Rte 1 in Saugus. Rte 1 is a divided highway there, and they are on the southbound side, so I don't know if that is accessible by public transit. They have some kind of cheap daily special going that has lured players up that way.

Just south of there and also on rte 1 is World Class, which used to be one of my favorite places to play. They are "world class" when it comes to 3-c billiards, with at least four heated professional billiard tables, in addition to about 20 pool tables.

Boston Billiards is right down by Fenway Park, and some players like it, but I didn't like playing there, as it is pretty much a loud oversized bar that happens to have a whole bunch of 9' pool tables in it. Despite a fairly hefty hourly rate, they really would like to have you drinking, in my experience.

There is also Good Times Emporium in Somerville -- it is a big sports bar with lots of tables. I've not been there yet, so cannot offer anything about playing conditions, hours or cost.

I used to ride down to various Boston rooms regularly (I live in NH --> duh, NH Steve ), but for the last couple of years I mostly stick to the private social clubs (now there's an oxymoron for you!) in Manchester, because it is close and cheap, and I've got a few people playing One Pocket.

 

[NH Steve]

What about
Sully's Billiards
445 Cambridge St
Allston, MA
(617) 254-9851

I believe it is a small second floor room that should be transit accessible.

 

[kollegedave]

What about
Sully's Billiards
445 Cambridge St
Allston, MA
(617) 254-9851

I believe it is a small second floor room that should be transit accessible.

I have never heard of or been to Sully's. Is the equipment decent? If so, it is definitely something I would consider. In fact, I may call them tomorrow.

kollegedave

 

[Voodoo Daddy]

Finally...I know when

Finally...I know when

By March '06 I SHOULD be a resident of Taxachusettes...Nice to see the different places to play and looking foward to driving to NH to battle with NH Steve <Clash of the Steve's> HAHAHAHAHA

 

[BackPocket9Ball]

What about
Sully's Billiards
445 Cambridge St
Allston, MA
(617) 254-9851

I believe it is a small second floor room that should be transit accessible.

Is Sully's owned by a pool player named Sully? I played a guy named "Sully" some cheap one pocket at Rennaissance in Quincy during a trip to Boston during last year's ALCS. I remember no one in the room called it "One Pocket". I went up to him and asked him to play, and he said I'll only play "Pockets". I didn't realize that he meant "One Pocket".

 

[kollegedave]

I the Sully you are talking about. I do not know if he is the one that owns Sully's, although it seems unlikely. You are right that people from Boston call one pocket by the name of "pockets".

kollegedave

Is Sully's owned by a pool player named Sully? I played a guy named "Sully" some cheap one pocket at Rennaissance in Quincy during a trip to Boston during last year's ALCS. I remember no one in the room called it "One Pocket". I went up to him and asked him to play, and he said I'll only play "Pockets". I didn't realize that he meant "One Pocket".

 

[rlcarter55]

I don't know if you can get there by train but I think Country Club Billiards in Chelmsford, half hour north of Boston, is the best choice for my money. The place is owned by a man who plays only one pocket. I have also managed to stir up a little interest in the game. Come on out, maybe we can match up.

 

[kollegedave]

By March '06 I SHOULD be a resident of Taxachusettes...Nice to see the different places to play and looking foward to driving to NH to battle with NH Steve <Clash of the Steve's> HAHAHAHAHA

Voodoo, don't do it! Stay there! Anyplace is better than Boston. The minute I graduate, I am going back to St. Louis.

kollegedave

 

[chief]

I have played off and on in the Boston area for 25 years and once lived in Cambridge.You should try bowl haven on day st. in Somerville,no more action but an alternative to your problems.Good times has about 80 tables (only 2 or 3 worth a damb)but its free until 6,you being a college student you should be able figure out how to get thier on the subway,its easy.good luck.

 

[twister]

Tourney in the Boston area?

Tourney in the Boston area?

What about trying to get a monthly one-pocket tournament started in the Boston area? Maybe we could get a show of hands of all the onepocket.org members living in the Boston area. As for me, I just moved to Boston from Chicago, and while I don't expect to see nearly the kind of action I saw in Chicago, it would be nice to get something going out here. Steve-you ever heard of any one-pocket tourneys in the Boston area? Any chance guys from Philly or NYC would come up here for a tourney? Now I just have to wait for the Ghost to come and flame me for dropping out of the game for a few months...

 

[NH Steve]

What about trying to get a monthly one-pocket tournament started in the Boston area? Maybe we could get a show of hands of all the onepocket.org members living in the Boston area. As for me, I just moved to Boston from Chicago, and while I don't expect to see nearly the kind of action I saw in Chicago, it would be nice to get something going out here. Steve-you ever heard of any one-pocket tourneys in the Boston area? Any chance guys from Philly or NYC would come up here for a tourney? Now I just have to wait for the Ghost to come and flame me for dropping out of the game for a few months...

There was a weekly for a year or so at Renaisance. Brighton Billiards talked about getting a monthly going, but it didn't materialize. Chelmsford (Country Club) expressed some interest at one point, and that might be a good location. You could count me in for a monthly, and I might get one or two other NH players also.

BTW, I'm going to try to get a NH Banks tournament going in Manchester at some point. They're not ready for a One Pocket event, but I think I could get a half-decent turnout for a Banks event up here.

 

[twister]

Yeah, I figure that you start off with a monthly tourney and see how it goes. A weekly tourney is probably too much without a solid following, and a sure-fire format to avoid 2 hour matches. Any info on what doomed the other one-pocket tourneys? Count me in for a banks tourney. Maybe we could run banks and one-pocket at the same time, like a mini east coast DCC. Heck you could even call it the ECC: East Coast Classic...

 

[kollegedave]

I think I would be on board for a once a month 1hole tournament.

kollegedave

Yeah, I figure that you start off with a monthly tourney and see how it goes. A weekly tourney is probably too much without a solid following, and a sure-fire format to avoid 2 hour matches. Any info on what doomed the other one-pocket tourneys? Count me in for a banks tourney. Maybe we could run banks and one-pocket at the same time, like a mini east coast DCC. Heck you could even call it the ECC: East Coast Classic...

 

[twister]

Brighton Billiards closed?

Brighton Billiards closed?

Kollegedave mentioned this and checking on azbilliards seems to confirm it: Brighton Billiards is closed. So, Country Club in Chelmsford looks like the best bet. Maybe someone who knows the owner could run the idea of a monthly one-pocket tourney by him. Otherwise, I believe that on Saturdays they have a special: $10 for 10AM-6PM, so we could always just all show up and do our own thing.

 

[NH Steve]

Kollegedave mentioned this and checking on azbilliards seems to confirm it: Brighton Billiards is closed. So, Country Club in Chelmsford looks like the best bet. Maybe someone who knows the owner could run the idea of a monthly one-pocket tourney by him. Otherwise, I believe that on Saturdays they have a special: $10 for 10AM-6PM, so we could always just all show up and do our own thing.

I talked to Dave Cunha at Country Club about the idea for a monthly One Pocket tournament, and here's the scoop: As someone mentioned, he already has a $10 Saturday all day special, and he would extend that for the tournament, so there would be no table time for matches, but what amounts to a flat $10 greens fee. So if we have $30 entry fee, 20 of it goes into the pot and 10 covers the table time.

We came up with the idea of a 'lightly handicapped' format --> just enough handicap to encourage a few more players to sign up. Handicaps would be based on common knowledge ranking for the usual 9-ball tournaments (no penalty for being a One Pocket specialist ) A-B-C-D

We're looking at the first Sat of the month, probably an early start -- so the first one would be Dec 3. Probably like a noon or so start. Double elimination, race to 3 winner's side at least. I know this isn't exactly the sweet deal you guys out in CA have, but it's a place to start, and if it catches on a bit, maybe...

 

[twister]

Count me in!

Count me in!

I'm definitely in for that. I too think that a handicap is a good idea at the outset: you're thinking of a ball handicap, right? At least that way, we all get to play the same number of games, and increasing the number of games that someone needs to win will only make the tourney longer. Steve-do you want to post something on azbilliards about this? Would be nice too if someone with some history and contacts in the Boston pool scene could help spread the word.

 

[poolplayer05]

1 hole tourment

1 hole tourment

I'm in for that lots of players around her would drive up once a month. Just let me know where and when. Lots of 1 hole players here in Knoxville just itching for that.