bar billiards in Birmingham/W.Midlands

[dominik kuliwotsits]

ello billiards crew, dunno who will get this message, but, anyone know if there is a league in or around birmingham? if you could get back to us at some point it would be much appreciated, hope all is well,

Dominik

[fazza]

Never heard of one if there is! Have you moved there then?

[Sav]

Hi and welcome to our forum.

The game is mostly played in the South East and thus that's where the leagues are.

The nearest to you is Northampton.

Sav.

Just to add that there was one West Midlands table on the list of tables leased by the table operator Bar-Billiards Ltd:

West Midlands
ANGEL, LOAD STREET, BEWDLEY WORCS DY12 2AW

But what its fate will be, we do not know.

[dominik kuliwotsits]

ok not too worry , looks like i shall have to venture down to wallingford during the summer to get some much needed practise in!! in reply to pete, yeah ive sort of moved up here though not sure if its for the long term or short term and seeing as i dont drive its quite difficult getting back to wallingford as you can probably imagine,
Many thanks,
Dom

[Q]

I dont know if anyone has mentioned this one before:

www.alexandraarms.co.uk/

[edi]

Hi all,

I came across bar billiards because it's implemented in World Championship Snooker for the Wii (w.o. a computer opponent and w.o. time measure, you've won when you've reached 2000 points). I have also picked up the little program by Martin Leech (thanks!), and I have a few questions now.

Somewhere I have read people comparing the depth of play to snooker or pool. I cannot yet understand it. Are there possibilities of snookering somebody or playing safeties? Since the balls are much smaller than in snooker or pool (let alone carambole) it would be much more difficult (at least) to use top-spin or screw a ball, even more so as it would increase the danger of ending up in the chap. On the videos I have found only natural angles seem to be used. So what are the strategies (I'm sure there must be some)? I have searched the net but haven't found anything. What would be standard exercises (apart from the "Oxford break")? There are lots of tutorials for snooker or pool, but there's nothing on bar billiards, unfortunately.

And of course, I'd like to give it a try, but there's no table where I live (Germany). End of next week I'll go to GB, it will mostly be North Wales, but I'll be around Birmingham, too. Are there any tables around there (Wolverhampton would be cool)?

Hi Edi,

Firstly your question about Bar Billiards in and around Birmingham: we have had enquiries in the past and this is all we were able to come up with was one in Bewdley, Worcs....

Regarding the comparisons of our game with snooker and pool, I can best answer this if I bring a fourth game, three-ball billiards, into the discussion.  Both snooker and pool require potting ability, and - agreed - tactical knowhow. With Bar Billiards, as with three-ball billiards, you score not only by potting balls, but also by playing "losing hazards" - otherwise known as "in-offs".

Also with bar billiards cannons and shots off the cushion are frequently played. You have obstacles in the form of the 'pins' or 'pegs' and if you knock the black one over you lose the entire score - which of course you can't do in snooker.

As far as I am aware, the balls are similar in size to those in Pool, and yes, side and spin does come into it. Even on the first shot there are a myriad of choices - to hit the ball thick or thin, or with top or bottom, or left or right hand side, or combinations of these.

Tables can be fast or slow and can have either lively or 'dead' cushions - and another challenge is in 'adjusting to the pace of the table', as well as other factors like the nap of the cloth.

'Tactics' sometimes apply when trying to play safe (if you think you have enough score to win) as often staying on the table for too long can end up with leaving yourself a difficult shot - with painful consequences.

There is an awful lot to the game, and some of us who have been playing for forty years or more are still learning new tricks (or new ways to lose, even !) ;D

Found another one out your way and a bit beyond, in Staffs:

www.footballandrealaleguide.co.uk/162852/150403.html?*session*id*key*=*session*id*val*

According to this, the White Star at Stoke-on-Trent has bar billiards.

These were found in Staffs during the course of our investigations for the AEBBA Map:

Dec 6, 2010 5:51:29 GMT barbelman said:

I have deleted the Stafford Arms in Railway Street Stafford as it does not appear to be a pub anymore, an all-too-common event these days....

cheers
Tony

Dec 7, 2010 11:01:29 GMT @tommo said:

The Sun, Stafford is an interesting one as it has a chequered history. Google Earth still shows it as the hideously-painted winebar called Tequila Red, but local brewers Titanic bucked the trend and have turned it back into a traditional pub, as witnessed by this article dated July this year:

pitsnpots.co.uk/news/2010/07/stafford-veterans-pull-first-pint-0

The pub's own website even gives a picture of its b-b table:

www.thesunstafford.co.uk/venue.html

.............another two in Staffs:

Mar 21, 2011 22:51:57 GMT Sav said:

Hi Chris

Sorry for not getting back to you.....

The pub is The Cavalier Hotel in Bradwell, Newcastle under Lyme in Staffordshire, and the table is proving very popular.

We're having a bit of a paint job done this week and it would have been nice to have a sign over the table in the games area, but it looks good anyway, maybe we'll a local guy to knock one up for us as a one off.

Thanks anyway

Regards

Phillipa

..and the game being played at the Bulls Head, Burslem:

Bar Billiards (4-pin version) at The Case Is Altered in Hatton  (Nr Kenilworth) Warwickshire:




....and seems it's still there, judging by this blog from local bellringers:
warwick.ac.uk/sunion/wubrs/society/pub/

Map of West Midlands tables for ready reference (click on URL below):

maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=201756322675068450682.000485981969d13618db1&msa=0&ll=52.511206,-2.147827&spn=0.837454,2.469177

4-pin being played at the Willow Tree (Farm), Shipston-on-Stour, Warwicks CV36 4JJ:

One actually in Birmingham itself:

Apr 14, 2012 9:55:27 GMT oldblue said:

Hi guys

Reliable correspondents on the Pubs Galore site inform me that:

1. There is a BB table in the Post Office Vaults in Birmingham

www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/56393

OB

Further evidence - were it to be needed !

abitofculture.net/2012/05/19/pub-review-post-office-vaults-birmingham/

and...

pub-games.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/a-compendium-of-pub-games-images-pt.html

Pub in Worcester here staging its own 2012 Olympics for pub sports - including bar billiards:

www.brunswickarms.co.uk/the%20games.htm

A Supreme table is being got rid of by a pub in Rugby (probably the Alexandra Arms), soon to be replaced by table skittles.
See Tables Buying and Selling thread under Club Class Lounge for details.

Bar Billiards available here:
WEAVERS ARMS, 12 LONG STREET, RYTON, BULKINGTON, BEDWORTH, WARWICKSHIRE CV12 9JZ
whatpub.com/pubs/COV/1901/weavers-arms-bulkington

Mind you, its stay might be limited as I think the table is the one from Bulkington currently up for sale on eBay.

Notification of a weekly challenge here:

www.google.com/calendar/render?eid=aXBnYWtodjlucmc1ZWExcDJpN2ZxYjFubG9fMjAxNDExMjRUMTcwMDAwWiAwNG40czA2MDJsN2t1djhqaDV1bWlsM3FnY0Bn&ctz=Europe/London&pli=1&t=AKUaPmZct2JQgHFOcnPCw25jLdFWgB3gED5o0WueTksZqrMKianGAmzlfWjzCNZQKYsVXIE-0Zmmpf9nl1YAnkGEpm5vkNuVjw&sf=true&output=xml#f

White Lion, 3 West Castle Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 4AB

Visited and blogged by LittleMark:

pub-games.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/white-lion-bridgnorth-shropshire.html

Sounds like a great place to visit.

[littlemark]

Good table at the Golden Cross, Clee Hill, Shropshire: pub-games.blogspot.com/2014/11/golden-cross-clee-hill-shropshire.html

Nov 19, 2014 21:23:20 GMT littlemark said:

Good table at the Golden Cross, Clee Hill, Shropshire: pub-games.blogspot.com/2014/11/golden-cross-clee-hill-shropshire.html

GOLDEN CROSS, HIGH STREET, CLEE HILL, SHROPSHIRE SY8 3LZ

It's already on our map, I know, but the New Inn, Needwood, Staffs have put this little link up on their website:

www.newinn.co.uk/gamesroom/index_files/Page441.htm

Looks like they play the 4-Pin version there.....

Two new venues found in Worcestershire:

Ye Olde Anchor Inn - non-league - 5 High Street, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire WR8 0HQ
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g528788-d4054072-i103002188-Ye_Olde_Anchor_Inn-Upton_upon_Severn_Worcestershire_England.html

The Swan - Non-league - OLd Worcester Road, Newland, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 5AY

Apr 16, 2012 14:18:53 GMT @tommo said:

Further evidence - were it to be needed !

abitofculture.net/2012/05/19/pub-review-post-office-vaults-birmingham/

Note here of an organised competition which took place in January:

www.meetup.com/West-Midlands-Real-Ale-Cider-Club/events/212625352/

LittleMark's most recent blog draws our attention to a Supreme table in the Rose Inn, Nuneaton:
pub-games.blogspot.co.uk/

ROSE INN, COTON ROAD, NUNEATON, WARWICKSHIRE CV11 5TW

Nov 19, 2014 20:40:36 GMT @tommo said:

White Lion, 3 West Castle Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 4AB

Visited and blogged by LittleMark:

pub-games.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/white-lion-bridgnorth-shropshire.html

Sounds like a great place to visit.

Sadly, table up for sale on eBay at present.

Definitive list of venues in the West Midlands area (recently confirmed if in yellow):

Shropshire
Windy Munday Farm -on a holiday complex: Pitchford Estate, Condover Nr Shrewsbury SY5 7NR
Village Inn, Stoke Street, Milborough Village Hall, Shropshire SY8 2EJ
Golden Cross, High Street, Clee Hill, Shropshire SY8 3LZ
The Castle Hotel, The Square Bishop's Castle Shropshire SY9 5BN Tel: [phone]
Old Fighting Cocks, Market Street, Oakengates, Telford, TF2 6DU
The Boat Inn, Ferry Rd Jackfield, Telford Shropshire TF8 7LS
White Lion, 3 West Castle Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 4AB (NB table was up for sale on eBay 12/2/18)

Staffordshire
The White Star, 63 Kingsway, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 1JB Get Directions 01782 848 732
The Bulls Head, 14 St John's Square, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 3AJ 01782 834 153
The Vaults, 22 Market Place, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8HP
Sun Inn (Tequila Red). 7 Lichfield Rd Stafford ST17 4JX
Bank House Inn, High Street, Hixon, Stafford ST18 0QF
Uxbridge Arms, 2 Church St Chasetown, Burntwood, Staffordshire WS7 3QL

West Midlands
Post Office Vaults, 84 New Street, Birmingham, West Midlands B2 4BA
Halesowen Cricket Club, Seth Somers Park, Grange Road Halesowen, West Midlands B63 3EG
The Old Still, 14 King Street City Centre, Wolverhampton WV1 1ST
The Stile, 3 Harrow Street, Wolverhampton WV1 4PB
Combermere Arms, 90 Chapel Ash, City Centre, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV3 0TY

Warwickshire
The Moathouse Inn, King's Coughton Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5QF
The Broom Tavern, High Street, Broom, Alcester, Warwickshire B50 4HL
The Parade Club, Nuneaton Gurkha Corner, 24 Coton Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5TJ
Rose Inn, Coton Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5TW
Weavers Arms, 12 Long St, Ryton, Bulkington, Bedworth, Warwickshire CV12 9JZ

The Alexandra Arms, 72-73, James St, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2SL. Tel: [phone]

Woodville House, 37 Bilton Rd, Rugby, Warwicks CV22 7AN  (care home)

The Case is Altered, Five Ways Hatton, Warwick, Warwickshire CV35 7JD
Wellesbourne Conference Centre, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9EF 024 7657 5058
Mole End Cottage, Willow Tree Farm, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 4JJ (holiday accomodation)

Worcestershire & Hereford
Brunswick Arms, 50 Malvern Road, Worcester WR2 4LQ
Ye Olde Anchor Inn, 5 High Street, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire WR8 0HQ
Dormy House Hotel, Willersey Hill Broadway Worcestershire WR12 7LF  Telephone [phone] (holiday accomodation)
The Swan, Old Worcester Road, Newland, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 5AY
The Chase Inn, Upper Colwall Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 6DJ
The Morgan (was Cavalry Arms), 52 Clarence Rd Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3EQ
Alma Inn, Linton Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 7RY 01989 720 355

[edit 05/03/14 - Combermere Arms added flwg appearance in Good Pub Guide]
[edit 06/03/15 - Bank House Inn added]
[edit 25/06/15 - Village Inn added]

[edit 08/08/15 - Rose Inn added]

[edits 14/02/20 - 6 deletions, see below]

Archived venues

The New Inn - Burton Road, Needwood Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire DE13 9PB (closed, now a guest house)

The Cavalier - Riceyman Rd, Bradwell, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 8LH (closed in 2019)

The Lord Nelson - 69 Priory Road Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5EA (closed, sold for housing)

Red Lion - Atherstone Road Atherstone, Pinwall Warwickshire CV9 3NB (closed, sold for housing)

The Angel - Load Street Bewdley Worcs DY12 2AW (closed, now a Tesco)

Lamb Inn - 87 West Malvern Road Malvern Worcs WR14 4HG (demolished for housing)

Stumbled upon this obituary from 1937, provides evidence that there were tables in the Midlands in days of yore ...

Quote:

TRAGEDY IN A CLIFTON INN Fatal Collapse While Playing Billiards DEATH DUE TO HEART DISEASE WHILE playing bar billiards in the Bull Inn,
Clilton, just after one o'clock on Tuesday afternoon. Frederick George Saontiers 70-vcar old retired Utter, of Street ...
Published: Friday 25 June 1937
Newspaper: Rugby Advertiser
County: Warwickshire, England

Also confirms that bar billiards can be bad for your health.

Photo of the pub from around that time:

www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/catalogue_wow/clifton-upon-dunsmore-bull-inn-2

...and yes, it's still there now:

www.trustinns.co.uk/pub/bull-inn-35-main-road-clifton-upon-dunsmore-rugby-cv23-0bh/

...though I doubt the table is !

Nov 29, 2014 23:52:03 GMT @Deleted said:

It's already on our map, I know, but the New Inn, Needwood, Staffs have put this little link up on their website:

www.newinn.co.uk/gamesroom/index_files/Page441.htm

Looks like they play the 4-Pin version there.....

"Scaffolding now surrounds The New Inn, at Five Lanes End, Needwood, as work gets under way to turn the empty building into four homes.

The pub, thought to date back to 1860, has been vacant for some time and up for sale for more than three years.
It was a pub with bed and breakfast accommodation capabilities, with on-site accommodation for the manager on the first floor, while the second floor was used for storage.

It had been a popular haunt for motorcyclists."       - Derby Telegraph, 30 Mar 2019

(Already deleted from AEBBA map)

Last one from a series of comprehensive checks:

Woodville House, 37 Bilton Rd, Rugby, Warwicks  CV22 7AN

Nice table, believe this has recently been converted to a care home (= the future of bar billiards ?)