Behind the 8 Ball (Express)

Happy Haunting!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:59:00 +0000

Check out a haunted pool room!

See You Next Tuesday and the Next One and the Next One

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:10:00 +0000

Tuesday night was so much fun! I got to stop by and see so many teams, but not everyone unfortunately. I saw old friends and met new ones and really had fun. Thanks Tuesday teams, I needed that!

Getaway was full of fun as a team that is struggling to hold it all together that had nothing but bad news all week managed to pull together and hammer out a few wins. Yea!!! :)

Found out that a new location for the Winter, Sharky's in Mint Hill, will be offering free Bar-B-Q, a band, and FEMALE BIKINI JELLO wrestling this Halloween. Never seen that before, might have to check that out.

Bear's Lair in Indian Trail was so much fun. I'm really liking the crowd in there. I am looking forward to seeing the fun levels increase with the hopeful passage of liquor-by-the-drink next week.

Green Room was Green Room, a warm and strangely comforting stew of John's Facebook activity discussions, Lori's overall lead over Sean in stats, met the new group that's under careful watch of Erin (Hey Tony!) and much more.

And Rack 'Em, oh Rack 'Em. Seeing Donny on the Diamond and listening to Tiger talk about how great he is, how else would I finish up my night? ;) (Nothing but love guys...)

There's more than enough stress and bad news all around these days. Nice to get out and have some fun!

And FYI in case you didn't know... Mexican Lunch Wednesdays are supposed to make Tuesday evening hangovers all better. Try it sometime!

8 Ball Express Presents "Come Out & Play" 9-Ball Tournament

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:56:00 +0000

8 Ball Express Presents "Come Out & Play" 9-Ball Tournament
Chance to Come Out & Try 8 Ball Express’ 9-Ball Format, Have Fun & Win Prizes!

DATE: SATURDAY NOV. 7
REGISTRATION: 2:30PM
PLAY STARTS: 3:00PM

* Single Player Tournament
* Modified Single Elimination
* $10 Entry Fee
* 100 % Payout = 1st 70%, 2nd 30%
* Race to Best of 3 Games
* Handicapped - Play at:
- Current 9-Ball Handicap, if none then...
- Current 8-Ball Handicap, if none then...
- Will Handicap You Based on 1st Match
- Handicap = # Balls Must Be Made Before Shooting 9-ball
* Giveaways/Prizes For:
- 1st 8 Ball Express Member Out
- Last Female Standing
- And More!
* Will NOT Affect or Determine Handicaps In Regular League Play
* Play Both 8-ball & 9-ball league for chance at $20,000!
* Come out & have fun!

Location:
The Other Woman Sports Bar
7200 Albemarle Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28227
704.537.1487

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
DAWN REID, AREA MANAGER
CELL: 704.654.1522 OFFICE: 704.545.3599
DAWN@8BALLEXPRESS.COM

Click for flyer: http://staging.8ballexpress.com/national/uploads/9ballpromotourney.pdf

Mid Session Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:41:00 +0000

Since we are half way into the session, thought I'd have a little fun. My 7th inning stretch, if you will. Random snippets I've heard around the league lately:

"Yeah, I had to explain to my mom what 'tea bagging' is. I tried to tell her in an email, she couldn't open it, then called me for an explanation." EW! Moms and xxx rated things just don't mix. Why did he look so surprised when I quickly returned to my side of the bar?

"We are changing our team name to 'We Like the Taste of Windows But Our Helmet That We Have To Wear Because We Are So Stupid Gets In the Way and That is Why We Don't Like Helmets'. What do you mean you can't fit that on a scoresheet?" Seriously, can't make this stuff up.

"I'm playing so great I bet I get to be a 7 soon. Oh, wait, our top heavy team can't play me if I'm a 7. Never mind, did I tell you how bad I am playing lately?" This was actually a serious conversation on his end.

(Said by a man to me) "I want to see you mud wrestle that guy over there that works for another pool league. He can borrow my thong. It's a white one that I am wearing inside out and he'll be cool with it." THIS was a joking conversation, but I don't think the guy from the other pool league found it funny. I did.

"How do you rack for a 9-ball game? Do you just turn the triangle sideways?" And he almost beat the very drunk 1 handicap he was playing. Almost.

I could just go on and on and on sometimes. These quips make the late nights interesting, that's for sure! Bank that in a pocket for the win 8 Ball Express members.

So...What's Up?

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:31:00 +0000

So...what's up? Questions? Comments? Complaints? Compliments? No news is either good news or REALLY REALLY bad. I'm going with good. :)

Old Rack 'Em is Now BAD FISH Billiards

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:00:00 +0000

The old Rack 'Em in downtown Matthews is open and now "Bad Fish Billiards". The owners, Danny and Julie Caldwell asked that I spread the word they are looking for 8 Ball Express teams to play in their location. Here's some info:

"Badfish Bar & Billiards is a new pool hall located at
343 West John Street, Downtown Matthews 704-246-8373.
Our league players receive free pool all the time unless we have a waiting list.
We have:
Eleven 9ft Brunswick pool tables
One 7ft Coinop pool table
One 10ft Billiard Table
Liquor Beer & Wine Espresso Bar & Gourmet Coffee Drinks
Island Oasis Frozen Cocktails
Island Oasis Smoothies
Free Pool for League Members Offering Tournaments & League Play for 8ball and 9ball
Poolplayers & Darters Wanted
Come Watch the Panthers With Us!"

If you are interested in playing the Winter Session, (starts Jan 4) stop by or call 704-246-8373 and let Danny know.

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:33:00 +0000

2009 Summer EOS

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:28:00 +0000

Click here to view these pictures larger

The Whole Enchilada

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:21:00 +0000

This weekend is the End of Session Championship for 8-Ball teams from the Summer 2009 Session & 9-Ball Teams from Winter/Summer 2009 Sessions.

Even if you are not playing in it, I always recommend members come and check it out to see what it's like, and to watch and support people you've played with and against. Also, when your team makes it, you'll know what to expect!

Friday-Sunday, Oct 2-4, 2009 @
Rack 'Em
1898 Windsor Square Dr
Matthews, NC 28105-4662
(704) 847-7665

The rounds will be played:
* 7:00 p.m. on Friday (1st Round)
* 12:00 p.m. on Saturday (1st Round)
* 5:00 p.m. on Saturday (2nd Round)
* 1:00 p.m. on Sunday (Semi-Finals)
* 5:00 p.m. on Sunday (Finals)

Help! They Neeeeeed Somebody! Help!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:19:00 +0000

Hey there mid-to-high ranks. Yup, I'm talking to you 5-8's. Your attention is requested!

I ran across a team of mostly women tonight, new to the Tuesday night 8-ball travel division. The highest rank on the team was 4, 3, 2, 1 and 1.

Here's a classic scenario I'm guessing happens way too frequently: There was an adorable little brunette that called a time out the last game and no one, I mean NO ONE, on the team could give her one. They just all kinda sat there, shaking their head saying "We don' know what to tell you." so she had to turn around and shoot a random shot. Seriously. And if you guessed nothing went, bingo. (BTW, a nice guy on my team had already coached her through two shots, but I guess my team thinking enough is enough just left it to them for the final game.)

This team needs you! They've got two or three slots open and are VERY willing to accept help. They play out of "The Getaway" and are a fun loving bunch of ladies with a few gents. If you are not to busy bringing sexy back and are interested or know someone that would be a hero for the group, let me know! dawn@8ballexpress.com

FULL DISCLOSURE: At this point in the session, they are in last place, but not by much. There is still time to be a hero if you know of one.

Wow, Engineering At It's Fugliest!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:00:00 +0000

This formation of a ball return system out of Mountain Dew 2 liters bottles reminds me of people's efforts to manipulate the scoring system.
The people that built this must have spent a great deal of time and effort cutting the bottles, taping them together, making sure the angels were right and the balls could make it down the tunnels and into the box. All that time, effort and man hours spent doing something they think would make the game easier INSTEAD of playing the game of pool, which, when you own a pool table, is what it is supposed to be for.
Also, at the end of the day, they still have to bend over and take the balls out of the box, two or three at a time, which is a probably harder than the two players simply walking around half the pool table and pulling the balls out of the pockets closest to them. Oh yeah, and it's ugly as hell too.

Moral to the story: Play pool, have fun, and stop trying to manipulate sh*t. :)

Finally...A Game to Play With My Invisible Friend

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:58:00 +0000

Finally...A Game to Play With My Invisible Friend:
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1899283

Genus Species

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:20:00 +0000

Check out some of the more interesting team names that have popped up this session:

"Woosa" - The Other Woman"Us Against Ya'll" - The Getaway
"Thunderballs" - Rack 'Em
"The Legion of Doom" - Silver Dollar
"The Wild Ones" - Mickey's 109
"The Shafts" - JP's
"The Pervs" - Rack 'Em
"The Joe Rogers Experience II" - The Green Room
"Pocket Rockets" - Moxie's Bar
"Play the Damn Ball" - The Green Room
"Ms. Kitty and Her Litter" - Getaway Pub
"Hustlin' 8" - On the Hill Billiards
"Have Cue Will Travel" - Getaway Pub
"Hangin' & Bangin'" - Rack 'Em
"Goonies" - Whooli's Sports Bar
"Dream Killerz" - The Green Room
"Do You Need to See That Again" - Getaway
"Da Law" - FOP Lodge #9
"Cre8ive" - On the Hill Billiards
"Boom Boom Pow" - Tailgator's (*Love that song!)
"Aces & Deuces & Jim" - JP's
"2 Chicks 6 Sticks" - Sherry's

Who's 8BE's Biggest Fan?

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:52:00 +0000

I've had an 8 Ball Express "Group" on Facebook for a while, but have finally decided to switch over to Fan pages for 8 Ball Express as a whole and then seperate pages for each franchise area. Check out "8 Ball Express" fan page here and in this' Blog's side bar:
8 Ball Express:

8 Ball Express on Facebook

8 Ball Express - Charlotte:

8 Ball Express - Charlotte, NC on Facebook

Rock the Vote!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:49:00 +0000

REMINDER: As teams finish out this week and their Week 3 score sheets are mailed out you will find ballots for the new Playoff format proposal with them.

Don't forget, for every team you play with you are entitled to one vote.

Warning, System Overload

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:59:00 +0000

Just so you know, the first week of each session is a busy week for me. VERY busy week.

So, if you cross my path and I seem a bit frazzled or am frowning, your best bet is to back away slowly and just text me from across the room with your question. 704.654.1522. (This is pretty much goes for any night I'm not smiling.)

Local Tournaments

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Looking to improve my game and for advice on how best to do it.

Do local tournaments help?
What do you think about playing in singles tournaments in relation to weekly league play?
Is it worth ponying up the money if I get knocked out in the first round?
What about scotch doubles?
Would that help?
Are some tournaments around better than others?

Let me know, post a comment or email dawn@8ballexpress.com. (BTW - added some new tournaments to Host Location Tournament Listing)http://staging.8ballexpress.com/national/modules/news/article.php?storyid=71

Bonus Point Opportunity - SOS Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:00:00 +0000

REMINDER (Be There or Be Square)
Fall Start of Session Meetings w/Summer Session Awards & Tournament Board Draw -
CLICK FOR INFO:http://staging.8ballexpress.com/national/modules/news/article.php?storyid=130

See You Next Tuesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:03:00 +0000

Hey guys, got a Tuesday 8-ball travel slot open.
Limited travel at this time in the Matthews/Southeast Charlotte area.
Great fun and good competition.
Let me know!
Dawn@8ballexpress.com

BETA VERSION: Team Registration Form Online

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:39:00 +0000

Doing a test run of a new form. Would you use this to resign a team? Email suggestions/comments about form to dawn@8ballexpress.com (particularly if you encountered an error.)
Thanks,
Dawn
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFd0anJpd2hwNFhqZmZUcjU5NEI2d1E6MA..

Just In Case You Didn't Know....

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:51:00 +0000

The Official 8 Ball Express Rulebook is available online, free of cost. So...FYI. Clink link for online version: http://issuu.com/8ballexpress/docs/rule_book_121508?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fdark%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&autoFlip=true&autoFlipTime=6000

Playoffs, Playoffs, Playoffs

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:27:00 +0000

At this time, the Playoffs are in full swing.
Note to all 1st place teams, don't take the Wildcard team for granted. Wildcard teams, if you can, try to get the 1st place teams drunk. Seems to work... :)
Good luck to everyone playing this week and next and hope to see you at the next End of Session Championships! Oct. 2-4 at Rack 'Em in Matthews, NC.

(Secretly) Rolling My Eyes at You

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:45:00 +0000

Just so you know, if you are one of the surprisingly many people I have had the following conversation with lately, I am secretly rolling my eyes at you.
Person: I want to play 8 Ball Express/Get my own 8 Ball Express team.
Me: Great!
Person: I only want to play on 9ft tables that are in brand new condition.
Me: Ok...
Person: I don't want to travel.
Me: Ok...
Person: I need to play with low ranked players.
Me: Ok...
Person: I need to play with hot chicks with low handicaps
Me: Ok...
Person: I need to play with low-ranked hot chicks and you have to find them for me.
Me: Ok....
Person: So, yeah, I ONLY want to play at one location, with 9ft tables in brand new condition, with hot chicks that have low ranks and against more hot chicks.
Me: Ok...
Person: Plus, all of the chicks have to be single and think I'm cute.
Me: Ok...
Person: And all must have poor moral fiber.
Me: Ok... (looking for closest exit)
Person: And I get up early for work so you'll have to play me 1st. (Added 8/1
/09)
Me: Ok. Well. Oh no! I think my car is on fire...gotta run!
Due to the sudden increased frequency of these conversations, I am beginning to wonder if 8 Ball Express is being accidentally advertised as a fantasy hotline. Wouldn't be surprised at this point. ;)

More Sundays With 8 Ball Express

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:59:00 +0000

FYI - Two other Sunday Divisions exist in Charlotte in addition to the new 2pm Sunday travel division we are starting on the South side.

4:30pm - Inhouse at The Getaway Pub. Spots open for players.
7pm - Rack 'Em. Opening for team of players. As far as I know, most of the teams are full, but Rack 'Em can accommodate additional teams due to more tables.

If interested, either email Dawn@8ballexprss.com so I can point you to a team or simply show up at either location the 1st Sun in Sept and let the bartender know you are looking to join a team.

End of Session Meetings

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:23:00 +0000

The End of Session meetings are coming up. Reasons to make sure you and your team mates make it out:

This is where you get your playoff score sheets.
Get information about what to expect in the playoffs, format wise, if you've never been to them. Get information on when and where the next End of Sesion Championship will be.
Get a voice in discussions about any upcoming changes we may be thinking about. At past meetings the discussions were begun about offering the $10k cash prize (league voted yes), sending twice the teams to the End of Session tournament (league voted no), etc.
Free giveaways (free memberships, t-shirts, zippos, etc) for answering rules questions. (FYI - This is really to help EDUCATE everyone about commonly asked questions we get.)
Ask questions that you may have and get instant and direct answers. Anything - rule questions, prize and trophy info, tournament information, what ever you've been wanting to know but hadn't got around to emailing or calling the office about.
If your team is not in 1st-3rd place after playing week 14, you can't be in the wildcard draw without a team membe/r present.
Catch up with people you may have played with or against in previous sessions. Visit, socialize, keep in touch! Helps with recruiting for your own team next session or pass the word around if you want to join a team. In this world of blogging, tweeting, posting online, face to face interaction still gets the best results in my opinion.
Check out the competition. If your team makes it through the playoffs you may just end up playing someone at your meeting at the End of Session Championship, depending on location.
Chat directly with the League founder, Kim, to voice your opinions, suggestions and thoughts. And watch out....she's a hugger! :)

So, see you, my Charlotte members, at The Creek Lounge, 9007 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 8/9/09 at 3pm.