New Seattle Area Pool Room
When I moved to the Seattle area in 2003, people told me about the famed 211 club which was long gone. The serious players who had hung out at the 211 had gravitated to Dr. Cue's in the Shoreline district. Then in mid-2008 Dr. Cue's closed for good, reportedly in the face of an impossible rent increase.
A new room opened at about the same time in nearby Kenmore. The new pool room has been a hit with the players. Instead of scattering to the winds, they have regrouped in the new room for business as usual.
It's a player's room. It's called the Golden Fleece by owner Dave Bersenadze, also known as Russian Dave. He is resigned to his nickname even though he is not Russian. He is Georgian, and Georgians have no love
for their former oppressor Russia.
The Golden Fleece has ten Diamond 9-foot ball return tables, all with 860 cloth and tight pockets. One table has been shimmed even tighter to satisfy the one-pocket fanatics, but games on it tend to be slow because no one will dare to shoot for his pocket if the ball is more that a foot away from it.
Dave is meticulous about the condition of the equipment, and he has installed special felt-lined trays at the end of each table to hold the balls pocketed by the one-pocket players. He has a money-added 9-ball tournament Friday evenings. It's double-elimination race to 3 (except some top players have to go to 4). Entry is $10.
This weekend (November 15-16) there is a special IBT qualifier tournament (8-ball, $50 entry). There is
$1500 added, so the Washington players will probably be joined by some from Oregon and Canada.
The Golden Fleece sells soft drinks, beer and wine, and packaged snacks. It is usually a quiet place, with several individuals working on their own games and one to three tables in action. About half the action is one-pocket, half is 8/9-Ball, rarely banks or straight pool.
Drop in when you are in the area. You will find every possible level of player for matching up. On any particular day, you may come across Dan Louie, Joe Chun, Dick Trichler, Todd Marsh, Vince Frayne, Don Wirtamen, Rich Geiler, Mike Zimmerman, Randy Camantigue, Jeff Jemenez, Kris Iverson, Mike Dooley, Mt Vernon Ron, Harry Platis, Raul, Ed Wallace, or J.D. Doherty. Young phenomenon Chuckie Holyoke was a regular at Dr.Cue's but he can't come to the new room because he's under 21.
Some road players show up occasionally. Recent visitors:
Glenn Atwell, Stan Tourangeau and Rafael Martinez.
The Address:
GOLDEN FLEECE BILLIARDS
7804 NE Bothell Way
Kenmore WA 98028
425 908 7332
probilliard_geo@yahoo.com
The Directions:
From the intersection of Hwy 522 and 527 in Bothell WA:
Go 2.0 miles west on Hwy 522. Turn right into the large
parking lot. The pool room is on the right, in the same
building as the "Stupid Prices" store. Across the parking
lot to the left is a bowling alley and a poker casino.
See you there someday.
John. <---- New member, RSB refugee
When I moved to the Seattle area in 2003, people told me about the famed 211 club which was long gone. The serious players who had hung out at the 211 had gravitated to Dr. Cue's in the Shoreline district. Then in mid-2008 Dr. Cue's closed for good, reportedly in the face of an impossible rent increase.
A new room opened at about the same time in nearby Kenmore. The new pool room has been a hit with the players. Instead of scattering to the winds, they have regrouped in the new room for business as usual.
It's a player's room. It's called the Golden Fleece by owner Dave Bersenadze, also known as Russian Dave. He is resigned to his nickname even though he is not Russian. He is Georgian, and Georgians have no love
for their former oppressor Russia.
The Golden Fleece has ten Diamond 9-foot ball return tables, all with 860 cloth and tight pockets. One table has been shimmed even tighter to satisfy the one-pocket fanatics, but games on it tend to be slow because no one will dare to shoot for his pocket if the ball is more that a foot away from it.
Dave is meticulous about the condition of the equipment, and he has installed special felt-lined trays at the end of each table to hold the balls pocketed by the one-pocket players. He has a money-added 9-ball tournament Friday evenings. It's double-elimination race to 3 (except some top players have to go to 4). Entry is $10.
This weekend (November 15-16) there is a special IBT qualifier tournament (8-ball, $50 entry). There is
$1500 added, so the Washington players will probably be joined by some from Oregon and Canada.
The Golden Fleece sells soft drinks, beer and wine, and packaged snacks. It is usually a quiet place, with several individuals working on their own games and one to three tables in action. About half the action is one-pocket, half is 8/9-Ball, rarely banks or straight pool.
Drop in when you are in the area. You will find every possible level of player for matching up. On any particular day, you may come across Dan Louie, Joe Chun, Dick Trichler, Todd Marsh, Vince Frayne, Don Wirtamen, Rich Geiler, Mike Zimmerman, Randy Camantigue, Jeff Jemenez, Kris Iverson, Mike Dooley, Mt Vernon Ron, Harry Platis, Raul, Ed Wallace, or J.D. Doherty. Young phenomenon Chuckie Holyoke was a regular at Dr.Cue's but he can't come to the new room because he's under 21.
Some road players show up occasionally. Recent visitors:
Glenn Atwell, Stan Tourangeau and Rafael Martinez.
The Address:
GOLDEN FLEECE BILLIARDS
7804 NE Bothell Way
Kenmore WA 98028
425 908 7332
probilliard_geo@yahoo.com
The Directions:
From the intersection of Hwy 522 and 527 in Bothell WA:
Go 2.0 miles west on Hwy 522. Turn right into the large
parking lot. The pool room is on the right, in the same
building as the "Stupid Prices" store. Across the parking
lot to the left is a bowling alley and a poker casino.
See you there someday.
John. <---- New member, RSB refugee