Good Times at Hard Times
Hard Times Billiards is a legendary poolroom in Bellflower, California just south of Los Angeles. It is room known for attracting top money players and professionals from all over the world. Efren Reyes, who garners the status of a Michael Jordan in the Philippines, considers it his home away from home. It is a true players room and the site of the tournament I played in last weekend.
A unique separate tournament room, complete with stadium seating made it a perfect venue for the event. It is not fancy, maybe the very opposite of fancy, which I feel only lends to the charm.
There was a time when many pool halls banned women from even entering but no longer. Above is my friend Shayla Neris, one of the organizers/players for the OB Cues Ladies Regional Tour in Texas. The top women's regional tour in the country, qualifying the most women to the 64 player field.
For me, it will always be the characters that make up a poolroom's distinctive personality. No two are a like and trust me, I have been to many all over the country. Above is Victor, who I spotted at the snooker tables where men gather to gamble for hours at a game called Golf.
All photos for this story were shot with the Leica M9.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 5:00AM
Reader Comments (5)
LOVE the portraits!! And all the photos :)
Only you could make an urn filled with cigarette butts look like art. You have such an incredible gift! I miss you!
great montage! These hard times make the good times so much better :)
My kind off hard times!!.
Gorgeous post! incredible awesome pictures!. I can't stop watching them, collage is a work of art.
And that Victor, he's such a character!. Great portrait. Me encanta. He looks SO Mexican (is he?). In Mexican slang, this photography is muy chida :-)
Despite not being in the best part of town, I've always liked Hard Times for the "charm" and attraction. Great photos.