8-ball -- side pocket

Students spend time and money perfecting their game in the University Union game room. Hornet Photo/Dominick Porras

By GINA MAUCIERI
HORNET STAFF WRITER
Published October 28, 1998

The clacking of billiard balls backed by the buzz of students' laughter permeated the game room. Students looking for a world far-removed from academia head for this recreation center in the University Union, where they can play table tennis, darts and video games in addition to billiards.

A quick glance around the game room indicates that billiards is the most popular game in the game room. Students can while away their time shooting pool for only $3 an hour -- a bargain compared to the $7 or $8 that local billiard halls charge.

As one player, junior engineering major Michael Reisz pointed out, the cost works out to five cents a minute.

Reisz said he used to play every night when he was in the military. He and his friends would play for beers. His game has taken on a more intellectual level now that he uses his engineering skills to set up shots.

Henry Tran, a junior majoring in business, and his friends are regulars at the game room.

University Union Game Room Hours Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday: noon to 8 p.m. Sunday: noon to 10 p.m.

Tran said he plays almost every day at school, and he competes in tournaments at the billiard halls in town.

Tran said that he sees "the same faces every day" in the game room. Tran, who has played pool since he was 10 years old, won one of the game room's four tournaments last semester. His friends have dubbed him a pro, but Tran insists he's just playing for fun.

Tony Wong, a senior majoring in social work, said he used to hate playing pool because he wasn't good at it. After transferring to CSUS, he has improved so much that he now frequents the game room. Wong explained that pool is a way to relax and get his mind off school, even if just for a few hours. But, he said there is a lack of diversity in the game room's clientele.

"Hardly any girls come in here. And we need more Hispanics, Caucasians, and African Americans," said Wong.

Indeed, the game room's shortage of women is evident. According to Stephen Chu, a senior majoring in criminal justice who staffs the front desk in the game room, the few women who come in usually sit and watch the games rather than participate.

Kathy Firth, a junior majoring in geology, is one of the few women to brave the game room's sea of men.

"I play all the time," said Firth as she sent another ball into a pocket on the table. She has been playing for 10 years, and often does so alone. She said it's her favorite thing to do. She admitted, with a sheepish smile, that she has skipped class to play.

Firth can hold her own when playing nine-ball with the men. On Tuesday, she beat Reisz in three out of four games.

Wong said players keep pennies on the tables, moving them down a space for every game won. The loser of a five-game match has to buy the other player lunch, or in the absence of money, ask a woman out or do push-ups.

Though the regulars joke that the game room should be shut down because it keeps them from their studies, it is clear that billiards provides a welcome relief to many students who want to play a few games for a good price. The jukebox and the noise from the video games guarantee eradication of any thoughts of homework.

The next tournament will be on Nov. 26.