The Kid Named Barringer
The Year 1968.....
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York he had an opportunity at a very early age to learn
from some of the best players of that time. At the age of 13, he would immediately go to
Artie's Rat Hole (as it was affectionately known in those days) each day after school. Of
course you had to be 18 to play pool but enforcement of laws in those days was, shall we say
a little lax (and let's not forget that this was Brooklyn!). He would rack the balls for the
old-time players who were playing 'razzle' or nine ball and for doing so, would receive 25¢ for
each rack (at least that's what he remembers). And of course, they would always show him
some pointers in the game. Soon he began playing like a champ!
Artie's Rat Hole was a
popular Brooklyn Pool Room, located on the corner of East 14th Street and Avenue "J". The
pool hall scene in the film entitled "The Lords of Flatbush" was actually filmed at Arties. In fact, there was a 'Goodfella' named Tony 'Junior' Sirico who hung out there. Today, Junior is Paulie 'Walnuts' on the hit show, The Sopranos (ey yo, whatcha doin). And
yes, Artie's Rat Hole was everything you can visualize of a pool hall in the 1950's and 1960's
-- dark, dusty, dirty and yes there was a little short, stumpy old man named Artie. Of course
the tables were old but played nicely and yes there was always one special table that only the
chosen few got to use.
A Man Named George.....
Yes, we are of course referring to George Balabushka! It was, he believes 1972 when one of the
steadies at Arties (a man whose name eludes him at this time) took him over to meet Mr.
Balabushka in the hopes of ordering a cue. He was, 17 or so at the time. This area is a little fuzzy in
his mind but weeks later and $125 poorer, he was the proud owner of a Balabushka! It played
well but was a little heavier than he actually wanted. None-the-less, everyone knew that he
had a famed Balabushka. He was challenged many times to play for that cue but never did as
his game still needed improvement. He was only able to run 70-80 balls at that time; a far cry
from his top run of 128 balls. He was a great "choker" and was notorisusly known to always
leave a "hanger". He could never get to the next real professional level. Perhaps it was the
pressure.
Brooklyn - 1976 --- $100 A Rack Nine Ball Anyone?
By 1976, he was playing in top form but alass Mr. Balabushka had passed on to that great
Billiard Room in the sky. He was playing everywhere in Brooklyn (Artie's was no longer
around as the space he occupied was taken over by a bank who could afford the newer and
higher rents). He would play at Collegiate, Triangle, Jackie Cannons to name a few but finding
games was becoming difficult as he began to get a reputation.
Queens & The Golden Cue...
This was a fantastic place to play pool. They would usually start out playing in Brooklyn at around
8pm and would wind up at Queens' Golden Cue by about 1am or so for some big money nine
ball games. The Golden Cue was open till about 7am for early morning poolaholics, this was
a great place! Yes, $100 a rack was not uncommon and he frequently participated. Much
money was both won and lost but mostly won! :-) It's difficult to get games or even win when
you have to spot the 6 ball.
Time To Move On....
Well, by this time he had graduated College but was always in search of the perfect cue.
The famed Palmer was popular at the time in the 1960's and early 1970's but Palmer was
phasing out their Billiard line for the new 'fad' of a video store. He went to Palmer just across
the bridge to Elizabeth in New Jersey and ordered a cue to his exact specifications.
The salesman was a little leary but cash in hand changed that attitude real fast. Three or four
weeks later and $350 poorer, he had his ultimate cue! And yes, he liked it better than his
Balabushka.
Still Not Content...
By now it was 1976 or so and he was still looking for that perfect cue. The Balabushka was
simply a very nice cue and played real well. The Palmer was made to more of his exact
specifications but still had its troubles. And, as the old saying goes... if you want anything
done right, do it yourself! And, so he did as he invested in an old lathe and various other
woodworking tools. By late 1976, he turned out his first cue. Thereafter, cue production
began to steadily improve as he learned new techniques and acquired various materials to
work with. By now he was making cues to exact weights, diameters, woods, points, etc.
He would give many cues away to friends and family members. This was the pursuit of
building the perfect cue and not a business enterprise at least not at that time. He could not make
the type of money he was looking to make by selling billiard cues. So through the years he
made many cues here and there as a hobby and a labor of love. During the years he acquired
a hoard of exotic woods that would be the envy of any other cue maker. Anytime he saw quality woods,
it was like money in the bank.Today he has amassed thousands of board feet of exotic
woods such as ebony, bubinga, cocobolo, pink ivory, snakewood, bloodwood, highly figured maples, etc, etc.
1999...
After successfully selling his internet company during the internet and Nasdaq craze of
1996-2000, he retired at an early age. Now what to do? BILLIARD CUES! Of course.
And Today...
Building cues from fine woods and creating that perfect cue is still a labor of love for him. He
will build you your perfect cue as he has done so many times in the past. You pick the
materials, joint, woods, points, plastics, rings, ivory... everything! You choose and he builds it to his engineering specifications. Of
course there are certain materials that do not look or work well together but he will point that
out to you. And of course, his favorite cues to build are all natural and made entirely of wood. Several things you can count on from Barringer Custom Handcrafted Cues and that is a cue built rock solid from over 25 years of building and experimenting with cues; a cue that is built to perfection; a cue where every point is the exact same length and where inlays are fit perfectly and flush with a finish second to none. In short -- perfection at its finest!
What Ever Happened To That Balabushka?
The story would not be complete unless he answered this question ----- he lost it playing a set (race to
10) of nine ball. And yes, he hung up the 9 ball. But, he still has that Palmer!
How Does He Do It?
His modern shop hosts 4 large lathes which he modified to his exact specifications and each set-up to do specific repetitive tasks with incredible precision and accuracy. There are also several smaller lathes. He utilizes two inlay
machines (most of the inlays are still hand laid with an X-Acto knife and dremel as well as using a pantograph) for laying in various designs. There are two table saws, with one utilizing a specially designed blade for cutting perfect veneers while the other one is for ripping large pieces of lumber. There is also a jointer, planner, sliding compound mitre saw, 3 band saws; one for ripping lumber and the others for cutting veneers, inlays, ivory etc,
multiple sanders, spraying equipment plus other equipment makes the task of building cues to
exacting specifications a simple task. Oh, and thousands of board feet of perfectly aged wood from years of building fine handcrafted cues.
And Where Does He Do It?
Barringer is located in affluent Boca Raton, Florida on the east coast in Palm Beach County. Always call first to be sure they're in (they also like to fish). And when you're there, you can talk cues over a game of straight pool, eight ball or perhaps nine ball. Sorry, he doesn't play for cues anymore!
How Does He Play Pool Today?
Lousy! Nothing like he use to as he has the knowledge but not the stroke nor the eyes. But the lack of stroke comes from years of being dormant (he last played aggressively in 1983). There is nothing more frustrating than knowing what to do and knowing that you can do it but not being able to execute. He really needs to bear down once again -- when he can find some time.
