IronOaks Breakers Pool League hosts beginner nights in July

David “The Godfather” Mork

Come into the Billiards Room on Mondays and Thursdays in July (except July 4) to learn the basics of billiards. Come as a couple or as a single interested party and we will provide you with a history of the game, how it is played, scoring, shooting stance and pool cue handling and shooting techniques including draw, follow and English on the ball. There is no need to wear a suit and/or tuxedo, (like Willie Mosconi and the great Ralph Greenleaf did when putting on an exhibition for future players). Just come to the Billiards Room with an attitude for learning about the game of billiards. We will teach the fundamentals of 8-Ball, 9-Ball and straight pool. Members of the IronOaks Ladies Billiards will also be there to provide information.

The league has hosted nine sessions in June and will host seven sessions in July. Based on the turnout for the sessions so far, it appears that the game has had the increased interest that was anticipated when we formulated the idea and our members supported it with enthusiasm! The game of billiards has had a resurgence over the past decade and we have experienced it in our league, as we now have reached a membership of over 50! More and more of us are reaching the golden years and remember the days when we used to enjoy a game of billiards at the pool hall in our home towns. The days of the pool hustler from Little Egypt (in Illinois) and Elizabeth City, North Carolina, are long gone, but there are a number of great players who are shown on TV and on YouTube who consider the games in the billiard room a great way to meet, greet, have fun and enjoy the camaraderie of a game of pool in a non-threatening atmosphere and with little cost associated with the evening event.

Since the mid-1940s, thousands of pool rooms across the USA closed as a result of the pursuit of the American Dream. Now that many of the HOA No. Three members have achieved that, there is now time to come back to the pool hall and enjoy the games that were played years ago. Just like the sport of golf, billiards has grown with the times. Our Billiard Room has over 30 cues and with four tables; the room can accommodate 16 players at a time, so there is ample room for HOA No. Three members to learn about the game of pool. New cue dimensions, tips, covers, adornments and cases have been imagined and put into production. Even the pool balls have been modified to provide a better playing experience, along with the lights over the tables. Our Billiard Room has also enjoyed a renaissance since the league began in 2011, with many upgrades to the room being funded or initiated by both the men’s and women’s leagues.

If you have any questions please contact Willie Foster at [email protected].

Now, let’s learn how to play pool!