My time spent at House of Billiards-Santa Monica

One Pocket Ghost said:

Since I've been referenced many times in recent threads re. my time spent at H.O.B. in Santa Monica, I decided I would respond to that...but I'm doing it over here in my own thread, so as to stay away from the flame-threads - which I have nor want any involvement in...

Three times between 2006-2011 I spent a work-related month out in L.A. and I spent most of my free time hanging around H.O.B...it was all good - I wish I had the opportunity to go out there more often...

I was treated well and got to be friends with a bunch of the guys there. I got a game 90% of the time that I stopped in. I probably played about a dozen guys all together - the guys I played the most times were Roger and 'Limo' Bob...

And as for my experience in matching up with Wayne, I'll just say this...he offered me a more than fair game - probably a ball more than guys that play his speed have offered me at all the other poolrooms I've had action at over the years.

- Ghost

PS, Hey Keone or Don..how come my buddy Rob wasn't at the DCC this year? - we always hang around some together at the DCC, and I missed seeing him there.

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mr3cushion said:

Hey Bruce; Just curious, the Roger you mentioned, is he Hawaiian or Pilipino, about 50-60 years of age? If it's the same guy I met when I was out there2 years ago, a Prince of a guy, sat in on the clinic and He arranged the private lesson with the young pool player. Also purchased my book/DVD and sequel DVD. we had a drink at the bar afterwards. He had seen some shots I was playing on you tube on a pool table, he and a handful of others that were interested in how the shots were made, I showed them, they were all excited about learning something NEW!
One of my BEST experiences on the road as of lately.

Bill Smith "Mr3Cushion"

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keoneyo said:

Bill that's my buddy Roger Ho. A gentleman and an old schooler. He actually is a teamster and drives big trucks for the film industry. Plays a sporty game of billiards and all kinds of pocket billiards game. Will gamble it up. His brother is Alex Ho. Alex was the exec producer on all of Oliver Stones pix. Wall Street, Platoon, The Doors, etc.
Damn I wished I was around when you were here. I might have been on location on a film at that time. Uh oh according to a particular person I might just have been ducking you since a new Chicago guy was in town. Ha!
Seems like you had a great time here. And I would welcome anyone here to have the same experience.

Roger btw is a New Yorker born and bred Chinatown. The other guy you gave a lesson to was Joe.

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mr3cushion said:

Keone; I'll let him tell you about my visit there in detail, all I can say is, everyone treated me like a King! Just a GREAT bunch of guys! I'll definitely give you a heads up, when I'll be back in town, hopefully it will fit into your schedule. We'll go across to "Fromins" and have a bite.

Bill Smith "Mr3Cushion"

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keoneyo said:

Only if you let me pick up the tab.

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How could I argue with a proposition like that!

Thank you Sir;
Bill Smith "Mr3Cushion"

One Pocket Ghost said:

Since I've been referenced many times in recent threads re. my time spent at H.O.B. in Santa Monica, I decided I would respond to that...but I'm doing it over here in my own thread, so as to stay away from the flame-threads - which I have nor want any involvement in...

Three times between 2006-2011 I spent a work-related month out in L.A. and I spent most of my free time hanging around H.O.B...it was all good - I wish I had the opportunity to go out there more often...

I was treated well and got to be friends with a bunch of the guys there. I got a game about 90% of the time that I stopped in. I probably played about a dozen different guys all together - the guys I played the most times were Roger and 'Limo' Bob...

And as for my experience in matching up with Wayne, I'll just say this...he offered me a very fair game - probably a ball more than guys that play his speed have offered me at all the other poolrooms I've had action at over the years.

- Ghost

PS, Hey Keone or Don..how come my buddy Rob wasn't at the DCC this year? - we always hang around some together at the DCC, and I missed seeing him there.

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Wayne said:

Ghost you were a class act and you blended right in from the start. I hit a gear against you that I very rarely reach which I think was very fortunate for me.
I am glad you took the opportunity to post.

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One Pocket Ghost said:

Since I've been referenced many times in recent threads re. my time spent at H.O.B. in Santa Monica, I decided I would respond to that...but I'm doing it over here in my own thread, so as to stay away from the flame-threads - which I have nor want any involvement in...

Three times between 2006-2011 I spent a work-related month out in L.A. and I spent most of my free time hanging around H.O.B...it was all good - I wish I had the opportunity to go out there more often...

I was treated well and got to be friends with a bunch of the guys there. I got a game about 90% of the time that I stopped in. I probably played about a dozen different guys all together - the guys I played the most times were Roger and 'Limo' Bob...

And as for my experience in matching up with Wayne, I'll just say this...he offered me a very fair game - probably a ball more than guys that play his speed have offered me at all the other poolrooms I've had action at over the years.

- Ghost

PS, Hey Keone or Don..how come my buddy Rob wasn't at the DCC this year? - we always hang around some together at the DCC, and I missed seeing him there.

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keoneyo said:

Ghost was real happy to meet you and the fabulous Ms Riva. You not only blended in with the crowd but you brought in with you the touch of Chicago and taught us how you Chicago boys seriously took the game. Guys like Freddy, Bill, and the other Chicago boys would've been proud.
Rob couldn't make Derby cause of the weather. It was going to be a brutal winter and us Cali guys are ninny's when it comes to the winter. You Chicago boys could give us 10/6 when it comes to snow. LOL!
I am going to try to attend next year and I hope to see you then.
Keone

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gulfportdoc said:

I took my wife to L.A. in June, 2012 to treat her to the sights and to meet up with some old friends. On Luke's recommendation we made a trip to Santa Monica so I could see HOB, and so she could see The Pier and other sites, then go up to Malibu, Topanga Canyon, etc.

We got there about midday, and the place was fairly empty, so we sat at the counter and had coffee while BS'ing with the counterman. I didn't have my cue, and didn't even hit some balls. But what a beautiful room! I could have spent the rest of the day there. We went across the street to have lunch at the Thai restaurant, then continued on sight-seeing.

But if I lived in the area, you can be sure I'd be a regular!

Doc

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gulfportdoc said:

I took my wife to L.A. in June, 2012 to treat her to the sights and to meet up with some old friends. On Luke's recommendation we made a trip to Santa Monica so I could see HOB, and so she could see The Pier and other sites, then go up to Malibu, Topanga Canyon, etc.

We got there about midday, and the place was fairly empty, so we sat at the counter and had coffee while BS'ing with the counterman. I didn't have my cue, and didn't even hit some balls. But what a beautiful room! I could have spent the rest of the day there. We went across the street to have lunch at the Thai restaurant, then continued on sight-seeing.

But if I lived in the area, you can be sure I'd be a regular!

Doc

Click to expand...

gulfportdoc said:

I took my wife to L.A. in June, 2012 to treat her to the sights and to meet up with some old friends. On Luke's recommendation we made a trip to Santa Monica so I could see HOB, and so she could see The Pier and other sites, then go up to Malibu, Topanga Canyon, etc.

We got there about midday, and the place was fairly empty, so we sat at the counter and had coffee while BS'ing with the counterman. I didn't have my cue, and didn't even hit some balls. But what a beautiful room! I could have spent the rest of the day there. We went across the street to have lunch at the Thai restaurant, then continued on sight-seeing.

But if I lived in the area, you can be sure I'd be a regular!

Doc

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mr3cushion said:

Keone; I'll let him tell you about my visit there in detail, all I can say is, everyone treated me like a King! Just a GREAT bunch of guys! I'll definitely give you a heads up, when I'll be back in town, hopefully it will fit into your schedule. We'll go across to "Fromins" and have a bite.

Bill Smith "Mr3Cushion"

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One Pocket Ghost said:

Forget Fromin's...instead, walk about 5 block's south on Wilshire to Izzy's deli :heh Izzy's is smaller, more old school/down to earth, and less expensive than Fromin's - Izzy's is the kind of place where in the morning you'll see a guy reading the Racing Form - this guy wouldn't go to Fromin's.

- Ghost

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Scrzbill said:

I love HOB. Had a good time every time I have gone. Say hi to everybody for me. See you soon, Wayne.
Kentucky

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Scrzbill said:

I love HOB. Had a good time every time I have gone. Say hi to everybody for me. See you soon, Wayne.
Kentucky

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