Pineville - Sunday Afternoons Spent with 8 Ball

Sunday afternoons at 2pm there will be an 8 Ball Travel Division in Pineville. If you are interested, let Kim or I know. Dawn@8ballexpress.com. Because, well, Sunday afternoons mean no late nights out playing pool! Gotta love that right?

Preparing Lower Skill Levels For Higher Competition

Think your team has a good chance of making it to the playoffs/End of Session Championship? Or do you want to get there in the Fall Session?


Have you got a 1/2/3 on your team that may to crack under pressure? Why wait until the playoffs to get them used to competition? Check out some of the weekly tournaments in the area and get them used to playing under the pressure. Don't wait until playoffs!


http://staging.8ballexpress.com/national/modules/news/article.php?storyid=71

Yup

True story - A man walks into a bar (to drop his paperwork) and hands it to the bartender. "Does Dino still work here?" he says. The man behind the bar responds "Yeah, dude, I'm Dino." Man then says "Oh, take your glasses off." Dino does. The man than leans forward, leans back and says "Sh*t I'm drunk." and walks out to his waiting driver.

Free Membership Won!

Congratulations on Tony Herrick's correct answer of - "It's a cue extension ...for use on those long shots by those players who hate to use a bridge!" in the first ever "What is that billiard item?" He will receive his free membership at our End of Session Meeting. http://8ballexpress.blogspot.com/2009/07/win-free-membership.html

SIDE NOTE: I had planned on publishing all submissions, but, well, I don't feel comfortable typing them. Is EVERYONE'S mind in the gutter lately!?!??!?!?! Or are most items in billiards really just phallic symbols?

Win a Free Membership!

Win a Free Membership! -
First email I get telling me what the below item is and what it is used for will win a Free Membership for next session. Good luck!

*Not the lighter, the big thing next to it.

Oldie But Goodie

I think I've found the oldest pool hall in Charlotte run by some of the oldest pool players in Charlotte. No, really. (The two owners probably have a combined age of over 150.)

Ever heard of Pass Time Billiards on Central Ave? I didn't think so. Or, for those of you that have heard of it, ever been inside? Didn't think so. I ventured in the other day, even though I've been told that it's the type of place that isn't really "league orientated", but was pleasantly surprised. (I do think this may have been true in the 90's, but no longer seems to be the case.)

When I did walk in, the hallway with the giant mirror threw me off, I'll admit that. But then I turned the corner where I encountered a handful of silver-haired men pretty much lounging around talking shop with each other. They got very quiet upon seeing me, I guess I wasn't the average looking customer, but were polite and listened to my explanation about 8 Ball Express and our teams in the area.

As I spoke I gazed around the room and saw 8 VERY carefully kept tables, 3-9fts, 2-8fts and 2 bar boxes. The tables looked a bit dinged and possibly original to the building (27 years old) but the rails were firm and the cloth was new. They also have a wonderful 10ft American Snooker table with tight rounded pockets and were mildly surprised that I a)knew the dimensions and b)asked if they played Golf on it after noticing the regulation balls. (Go me!)

The location itself is reminiscent of a scene from "The Color of Money"; large, somewhat dark and bare, with a great original Ms. Pac Man game and an old school jukebox. The walls were covered with all types of great old posters, fliers and boxing match advertisements. I got the impression that it was the type of place, opening at 11am, where a person could go and quietly spend an afternoon, practicing without much disturbance or interruption. Of, if you were looking to see some very high quality playing to help elevate your game, you could find it there.

The place has been there over 27 years and has seen the Plaza-Midwood area cycle from bustling and new, to old and neglected and now to hip and trendy.

The guys wanted me to let people know Pass Time does currently host league matches and is open to having 8 Ball Express teams. If you are interested just let them know!

The two co-owners are wonderful, friendly, and full of stories of the ever changing billiard scene of Charlotte and the surrounding area. Go check them out sometime for a bit of this town's history that, judging from the kind lines on their faces, may not be around forever.

New In-house Division Forming for Fall of 2009 - Bear's Lair

New Places, New Faces

Lately I've had some inquiries from potential new 8 Ball Express host locations in different parts of town that want to join 8BX. I've also stopped into a few taverns, bars and pool halls that don't currently host teams to let them know about 8 Ball Express and have had some good responses. :)
If you are interested in playing/visiting somewhere new or with/against some new people, just give me a shout and I can arrange to talk with them or drop off some info.

Q&A's

Here are some recent questions I've been asked with their correct answers -

• Q: During a push time out in 9 ball, is the opposing player allowed to speak to their coach? A: Yes
• Q: Marking the pocket 8 ball - What do you do when your opponent is busy talking, etc and you are trying to call a pocket? A: Yes you must get the acknowledgement of the other player or if you can’t at least get the acknowledgement of their score keeper.
• Q: How do the playoffs work in a 4 team division? A: First place gets a BYE for the 1st round of playoffs and 2nd plays the wild card team. The winner of that match plays 1st place the next week.

For more Q&A's check out - http://staging.8ballexpress.com/national/modules/smartfaq/index.php

Long Time No Post...Again!

Sorry for the long time without a post.

Got a great set of rule questions I've been asked while out and about. I'm just waiting on verification of final answers from Kim before I post them along with the questions.

Give me about one more day and they will be up.

Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! :)