What's an old pool hustler to do?

Austin American Statement interviews Joel Cromleigh aka Showboat Joe, a veteran pool hustler who toured Atlantic City's pool halls back in the 1970's with legends such as Minnesota Fats and Willie Mosconi. At 74, connected to an oxygen tank (result of decades of passive smoking in pool halls), Showboat favors the domino board over the pool table but states that he misses the action.

Some highlights from the article:

On the origins of his nickname Showboat Joe:

"When he made the nine-ball on a break, he'd jump up in the air and do the splits when he landed. That's when they started calling him Showboat."

On the different types of pool games:

"Golf on the snooker table was strictly a money game. One-pocket required strategy, patience...Nine-ball was faster. You had to sink the nine-ball before your opponent. Making the nine-ball on the break was mostly luck."

On playing pool today:

"Last year, after being out of the game for years, Showboat Joe entered a local tournament just to see if he still had it. He came in second place."

Family Billiards

Newport Billiards is a family oriented billiards hall in more than one meaning. The new, Newport pool hall, retailer deli and espresso bar is a smoke-free venue, conveniently located across McDonalds. Owned and managed by a married couple, Darla and Joe Berry, who've opened the place in thought of their grandchildren's future. As Darla says to the Newport News reporter, "It's (pool - o.p.s) a lifetime sport - you see families connect and come together as something to do together." Joe is a good example for his wife statement: both of his parents were pool table builders who now run several show rooms in California.

Newport Billiards offers pool tables in variety of sizes to all ages and selection of pool games (9-ball, fourteen in one) on top of billiards and other gaming accessories. The bar doesn't serve any alcoholic drink and the deli offers delicatessen such as hotdogs, nachos and sandwiches. If you must have beer with your pool game, you can locate here more pool halls in Oregon.

What happens to the cue ball on coin-op pool tables?

What causes the cue ball to return from a scratch when playing pool on a coin operated tables?
Where the ducks went when the lagoon got all icy and frozen over?
Did you ever wander about it?

Well, I don't have any breaking news about the ducks, but if this cue ball paradox has held you from sleeping, I've got some relaxing news for you.

It turns out that the cue ball happily returns to the table after the scratch because it is slightly bigger than the object balls or because a magnetic mechanism controls the mechanism of the table.
If you want clearer explanations, you can find them in this article:
Pool Cue Ball by Play89.
I know what you are asking now... How can I play pool with a heavier cue ball? Will the Earth's magnetic field spoil my aim?
Well... I guess you'll have to answer these by yourself

Best pool room in New Jersey!

Hi,






This week I want to recommend on the best pool room in New Jersey. It is called Q Ball Billiards and it is placed on 1501 Route 37 E in Toms River. In Q Ball Billiards, you can find the newest, cleanest pool tables in town and the best pool equipment in the state. The atmosphere is very friendly and even though the place is surrounded with pro players, you can still play without feeling intimidated. The service is also great and the employees are very knowledgeable and helpful.

If you want to recommend on your favorite pool room in the US or any other country, please send your comment.