Strongest One Pocket Room in the Country

Fast Lenny

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Arizona & OCNY
Which one is it? Curious which room has the toughest group of players in it and also the room with the most one pocket action going on.
 

tylerdurden

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I am not saying you are wrong, but if hardtimes is one of the best spots in the country, that is kinda scary. I feel like so cal is relatively weak when it comes to one hole. There are some very good one hole players there though, of course. As you migrate further and further north they seem to be interested in one pocket more and more. Maybe it is all the good players are too whimpy to play in the cold weather, haha. Just a random thought, I once watched dan louie run, we lost count, about 7 or 8 racks on my buddy in a cal tournament. I know there are some playin mo fos up there, and they all seem to love one hole, but i just never got up there too much. Correlation bw cold weather and one hole: 9 ball and warm weather. I am tellin you there is something to that. People want to get their sets done quick and get out to the beach. What are you going to do in seattle when it rains for a month straight :heh
 

jrhendy

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Red Shoes would be my top vote then Hardtimes in Bellflower.

Hard Times Bellflower has more action than Hard Times Sacramento, or at least probably bets more, but I doubt any room on the west coast is near the top.

California Billiards will re-open at their new location in a couple months and it should be the hotspot in Northern California again.

We usually get 30 plus players at the first Saturday of the month one pocket at Hard Times Sacramento, so we have plenty of players up here, but not a lot of big action.

You hear about all the big action in the south, but of the places I have been, where you know you can walk in and get played, Red Shoes is also my pick. You might have to throw Kolby's in Arizona in there too.
 

gulfportdoc

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During the past year some of the biggest action in the country was taking place in New Orleans-- mostly at Buffalo Billiards in Metairie. They were playing $20K and $30K sets, and up. Lots of jack was being splashed around. At times they had players such as Frost, Gentile, Kiamco, and Wiseman, along with the regular tough shooters such as Cliff Joyner, Jamie Farrell, Eddie Brown, and other assorted snarly-toothed hustlers.;)

Now a room named Lacy's Cue has opened up in Chalmette, La, (near N.O.) with 33 new Diamond tables. It's a gorgeous room, and the reports are that it's the best poolroom in the South, if not the country. The owner is action friendly, and goes top shelf all the way. It could become a major action spot.

~Doc
 

jtompilot

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I am not saying you are wrong, but if hardtimes is one of the best spots in the country, that is kinda scary. I feel like so cal is relatively weak when it comes to one hole. There are some very good one hole players there though, of course. As you migrate further and further north they seem to be interested in one pocket more and more. Maybe it is all the good players are too whimpy to play in the cold weather, haha. Just a random thought, I once watched dan louie run, we lost count, about 7 or 8 racks on my buddy in a cal tournament. I know there are some playin mo fos up there, and they all seem to love one hole, but i just never got up there too much. Correlation bw cold weather and one hole: 9 ball and warm weather. I am tellin you there is something to that. People want to get their sets done quick and get out to the beach. What are you going to do in seattle when it rains for a month straight :heh

There isn't one time that I walked into Hardtimes where there wasn't at least two players or more that play my speed and up. I've seen Santos and Efren there, not just on special occasions. Jimmy almost lives on that front table.

New Orleans is a hot spot for sure. Seems all the road players go thru there. In fact I'll be there in a couple of weeks, completely out of stroke:(

What I'm talking about is, walking into a room, 7 days a week, and getting some action without someone making a bunch of phone calls. Hall of Fame here in Detroit area has plenty of action, the back room has two Diamonds and two GC4's
 

u12armresl

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That's a really tough question Lenny.

A few variables.

One would be that a guy like me can get played anywhere in the world even and bet whatever. Maybe I don't get weight in a new place unless someone there knows me.

Red shoes has a lot of good players, I am not sure however that a player of say Scott's caliber would get played there, OK maybe by Chris.

Second, would be how many people are there to play?
To give an example, the room I used to play out of has probably 8 guys you can play $2 to $20 one pocket with (game) but after that there is no one. Also there is only 2 people that I can think of who would gamble with someone they didn't know.

Third but closely related to second would be replay value. If you beat one of the players, do any of the others play you since everyone watches and talks.

When I stayed in Tulsa for a long time I had to absolutely rate Billiard Palace up there with the best rooms in the World. Of course you had a young Shane M, The Waldens, and 10 other people who were stone cold champions.

I go from Indy to Chicago just to play at Red Shoe, so that tells you something.
 

jtompilot

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New Orleans
That's a really tough question Lenny.

A few variables.

One would be that a guy like me can get played anywhere in the world even and bet whatever. Maybe I don't get weight in a new place unless someone there knows me.

Red shoes has a lot of good players, I am not sure however that a player of say Scott's caliber would get played there, OK maybe by Chris.

Second, would be how many people are there to play?
To give an example, the room I used to play out of has probably 8 guys you can play $2 to $20 one pocket with (game) but after that there is no one. Also there is only 2 people that I can think of who would gamble with someone they didn't know.

Third but closely related to second would be replay value. If you beat one of the players, do any of the others play you since everyone watches and talks.

When I stayed in Tulsa for a long time I had to absolutely rate Billiard Palace up there with the best rooms in the World. Of course you had a young Shane M, The Waldens, and 10 other people who were stone cold champions.

I go from Indy to Chicago just to play at Red Shoe, so that tells you something.

Oh, so your from Indy. I've been to brickyard a few times and got action. Real convenient being next to the airport:)
 

tylerdurden

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people seem to think that the action spot is where a bunch of top players come for a tournament and play each other on someones money.

an action spot is where the local players good and bad get up and bet when they think they have a chance. and they make games with each other.

in most places if you are not known there, you can always get action from the best player in the joint, and he will play until he gets even if ahead or loses two games. those arent action spots.

I agree. .....
 

wincardona

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Which one is it? Curious which room has the toughest group of players in it and also the room with the most one pocket action going on.

Usually the best action spots and the room that has the best players are the rooms where they bet the most money. In todays pool world good action rooms are hard to find, as opposed to years ago. Whenever you hear of "high gambling" in a room it's common to find top players and other players congregating to get into the mix in some way. Like Doc said..Buffalo Billiards in New Orleans was the room where there was big action games, and players of all levels were competing against one another to get a piece of the pie. As far as action in other rooms it's basically like beatle described, players are always looking to get the best of it and seldom are you going to see players losing considerable money and losing a lot of games. People are smarter today and the economics are such that lessens action, which is understandable. Hustling pool in todays world is very difficult and not even close to the way it once was.

I'm really fortunate ..in a way...to have lived in the era that I lived, in terms of playing pool and other gambling games because there were many spots where you could win big money and could always find a game..anyone. Not true today, which is even more apparent when people are saying that Hard times and Red Shoes are todays best action pool rooms.:help Any ways I guess they could be right.

Bill Incardona
 

jtompilot

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New Orleans
Usually the best action spots and the room that has the best players are the rooms where they bet the most money. In todays pool world good action rooms are hard to find, as opposed to years ago. Whenever you hear of "high gambling" in a room it's common to find top players and other players congregating to get into the mix in some way. Like Doc said..Buffalo Billiards in New Orleans was the room where there was big action games, and players of all levels were competing against one another to get a piece of the pie. As far as action in other rooms it's basically like beatle described, players are always looking to get the best of it and seldom are you going to see players losing considerable money and losing a lot of games. People are smarter today and the economics are such that lessens action, which is understandable. Hustling pool in todays world is very difficult and not even close to the way it once was.

I'm really fortunate ..in a way...to have lived in the era that I lived, in terms of playing pool and other gambling games because there were many spots where you could win big money and could always find a game..anyone. Not true today, which is even more apparent when people are saying that Hard times and Red Shoes are todays best action pool rooms.:help Any ways I guess they could be right.

Bill Incardona

Bill, is there a room in the country that you could walk into and get a game for 20 grand without making some calls to get the right backers in there?

For 99% of us, the most consistent action spot is going to be Red Shoes or Hard Times. Buffalo's is also good and Hall of Fame too. The closed Hollywood in FL was also great. There aren't to many people on this forum that travel as much as I do. So I'm just going by my experience
 

wincardona

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Bill, is there a room in the country that you could walk into and get a game for 20 grand without making some calls to get the right backers in there?

For 99% of us, the most consistent action spot is going to be Red Shoes or Hard Times. Buffalo's is also good and Hall of Fame too. The closed Hollywood in FL was also great. There aren't to many people on this forum that travel as much as I do. So I'm just going by my experience

Jim, I don't hustle pool any more and rarely leave Dallas, I only hear about certain places where there's action. Buffalo Billiards was the best action room a year or so ago, don't know if it's that good today, I doubt it because I haven't heard much talk about recent action down there but that doesn't mean that you can't get action there, probably only a phone call would be necessary to stir things up. As far as small action goes I haven't heard of any rooms that has a lot of that either. Houston was a pretty good spot for action a few years ago, again, don't know much about today. I really think action pool today requires a phone call to set things up, if any action is even available. Players today are playing less pool because of the economics of the game and consequently it's clearly hurting the action in the game. So rooms like Red Shoes and Hard Times may be your best bet if you're looking for instant action, however, it's going to be much tougher then your willing to afford.:lol

Good luck.

Bill Incardona
 

Artie Bodendorfer

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Jim, I don't hustle pool any more and rarely leave Dallas, I only hear about certain places where there's action. Buffalo Billiards was the best action room a year or so ago, don't know if it's that good today, I doubt it because I haven't heard much talk about recent action down there but that doesn't mean that you can't get action there, probably only a phone call would be necessary to stir things up. As far as small action goes I haven't heard of any rooms that has a lot of that either. Houston was a pretty good spot for action a few years ago, again, don't know much about today. I really think action pool today requires a phone call to set things up, if any action is even available. Players today are playing less pool because of the economics of the game and consequently it's clearly hurting the action in the game. So rooms like Red Shoes and Hard Times may be your best bet if you're looking for instant action, however, it's going to be much tougher then your willing to afford.:lol

Good luck.

Bill Incardona
What I have learned in the days when I hustled. Its not about any single pool room. Its about YOU and if you no how to create action. Then that will become a action spot. Its up to you to create action. Where ever you are. I never had a hard time making or getting a game. Wherever I went. Even in the bars. You create action by talking.As soon as the person you are talking to gives you a clue how he will play you. You got action. Don't use yourself to make a game. Talk about someone else that plays like you. And ask them how would you play Billy or Dippy Dave. Somebody you no he knows how they play. People will talk themselves into a trap.Remember action is created by you and other people. Start talking and you will play more. And you build a relationship with that person.And they will enjoy talking to you. Don't just sit there like Micky the mop. Ask him what he thinks about the table lights or the people. Get his opinion and acknowledge what he is saying. And this works with men and women. Be a good listener always helps. To be a good hustler and sociable person. Smile and keep talking. Ha Ha Ha. Billy I is very good at this. He is on the honor list.
 

bstroud

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Artie is right.

Pucket was the best in the old days. He could go in any place and develop action.

He would tell them he was the Champion of Arkansas and then lose 40 games in a row for a dollar.

He had the gift of gab and made everyone laugh.

When he walked out the door with all of their money he would say " I told you I was the Champion of Arkansas."

Seems to be missing in today's players. I really don't think it is their fault.
I believe it is the fact that most people in the pool room today just don't have any money. Video games and casinos suck up what money they do have.

In the old days a car wash cost one dollar and everyone seemed to be betting $100 a game or more.

Today it's hard to find a $20 game.

Bill S.
 

Artie Bodendorfer

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Artie is right.

Pucket was the best in the old days. He could go in any place and develop action.

He would tell them he was the Champion of Arkansas and then lose 40 games in a row for a dollar.

He had the gift of gab and made everyone laugh.

When he walked out the door with all of their money he would say " I told you I was the Champion of Arkansas."

Seems to be missing in today's players. I really don't think it is their fault.
I believe it is the fact that most people in the pool room today just don't have any money. Video games and casinos suck up what money they do have.

In the old days a car wash cost one dollar and everyone seemed to be betting $100 a game or more.

Today it's hard to find a $20 game.

Bill S.
The tournaments changed the game. In the olden days. You had to gamble or get a job. Because there was no other way to make money. And the tournaments they had. Were so few. Even if you would win them. You would have a hard time paying your nut. So you had to gamble to make a living and survive. That's why gambling is good in prohibition. People will gamble because they need money. And there is a money shortage. And People look at the casinos and say to them selves. I can win 50 or 100 thousand dollars if I get lucky. Why would I play pool for 5 or 10 dollars and sweat and pay time. And cant win to much. Or I can bet on a casino game or horses and if I get lucky. I can make a score. And the excitement of winning a lot of money. Is more satisfying then a 5 or 10 dollar pool game. That;s why in las vegas, The Casinos get the action not the pool rooms. Its hard to disagree. With beating someone who has 20 dollars . Or win a bunch in a Casino. And people see all that money and flash. And think they are going to win the money. And pool becomes boring and work. Compared to fun and excitement. And people love to watch and see all these other people playing. And when somebody wins they scream and holler. And they don't have to look for a game. The action is there for them night and day. You can go there any time. Even if you cant sleep. Pool cannot compete against a Casino. And all the food shows and flash they have is top of the list. You can make a 2 dollar bet and watch a ball game for 3 hours. That's pretty cheap entertainment. And if you win your 2 dollar bet you get free entertainment and you win two dollars. That's pretty hard to top. And the people are more friendly and sociable because they are mostly all tourist people. Looking to have a good time. If all those Casinos and poker sites and tournaments would be going on . That would also help pool. But we live in the times that are out there. And time will change everything. The young will be the new. And they old will only be a memory. That.s they Circle of life. That Barbra Streisand sings the best.The Circle of Life.
 

Don Smith

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"Bowling Alone," by Robert Putnam, 1995, tells how society has changed. Some here may find it interesting.
 

TomRoden

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there was this guy...

there was this guy...

Dave Bollman at the Guys and Gals OP tournament in Roanoke Va in 1990 or 91. He won it all. Against the best. Now answer me this, why won't they induct Dave into the Virginia Sports HAll of Fame.????
Here's something you probably don't know about Dave.
After not playing golf for something like 6 years, he goes to Lake Wright Golf course in Virginia Beach and sets a course record which wasn't broken for over 6 years. An amazing fella.
 

bstroud

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As we age I guess we all wish for the older days. They seem simpler and more rewarding.

However I still look forward to the next pool game.

Bill S.
 
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