{{Short description|Billiard hall in Albany, New York}}
The '''Golden Cue Billiard Lounge''' (also known as '''Golden Cue Billiards and Sports Pub''')<ref name="IP 2009-04">{{cite web |url=http://www.insidepoolmag.com/200904/billiard-news/joss-northeast-9-ball-tour/hatch-continues-billiards-dominance.html |first=Skip |last=Maloney |title=Hatch Continues Domination of Joss 9-Ball Tour |work=InsidePool |at="Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour / Albany, NY" section |date=April 20, 2009 |publisher=Spheragon Publishing |location=Kittanning, PA |accessdate=May 12, 2010 |archive-date=August 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828131530/http://www.insidepoolmag.com/200904/billiard-news/joss-northeast-9-ball-tour/hatch-continues-billiards-dominance.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> is the only extant billiard hall in Albany, New York,<ref name="directories">Directories confirm that the Golden Cue is the only pool hall in Albany: [http://albany.citysearch.com/listings/albany-ny-metro/billiards_pool_halls/81176_104 CitySearch], [http://www.localsearch.com/business/Billiard-Pool-Halls/Albany-NY/ LocalSearch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911011437/http://www.localsearch.com/business/Billiard-Pool-Halls/Albany-NY/ |date=2011-09-11 }}. The only thing close is a "complete dining and entertainment megaplex" called Jillian's [http://albany.citysearch.com/profile/7586476/albany_ny/jillian_s.html] which has some pool tables among various other entertainments.</ref> the state capital, and one of the oldest poolrooms in the Northeast.<ref name="Dominiak 2010">{{Cite web |url=http://dominiakcuestour.com/pb/wp_846fab1e.html?0.5 |title=Paul Rozonewski Goes Wire to Wire on Dominiak Cues Tour |work=DominiakCuesTour.com: Come and Join the Fun! |date=March 2010 |publisher=Dominiak Cues |location=Stafford, NY |accessdate=May 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710143528/http://dominiakcuestour.com/pb/wp_846fab1e.html?0.5 |archivedate=July 10, 2011 }}</ref> Bordering on Colonie in the state's Capital District, it was opened in 1963, "riding the wave" of the popularity of ''The Hustler'' (1961), and bought in 1973 by Rocco Spinelli, Sr., whose son Rocco, Jr. owns it today.<ref name="ATU 2004-05">{{cite news |url=http://www.timesunion.com/specialreports/centralave/bestof/3best.asp |title=Golden Cue Billiard Lounge |work=Albany Times Union |at=Special Reports: Hidden Gems – Best of Central Ave. |publisher=Hearst Corp |location=Albany, NY |date=June 29, 2004 |accessdate=May 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203053737/http://timesunion.com/specialreports/centralave/bestof/3best.asp |archivedate=February 3, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="NYCG 2009-04">{{cite web |url=http://nycgrind.com/?p=3474#more-3474 |title=Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour Visits the Golden Cue Billiard Lounge in Albany, New York: Dennis Hatch Triumphant |last=Conway |first=Geoff |work=NYCGrind.com: Making Things Happen |date=April 21, 2009 |publisher=NYC Grind |location=New York, NY |accessdate=May 12, 2010 }}</ref> The venue has hosted Joss Tour events for many years.
This pool hall in Albany, New York, should not be confused with similarly named businesses in other places, nor the similarly named gaming option in Sega's ''World Snooker Championship 2007'' video game.
==Description== The formerly alcohol-free,<ref name="ATU 1999-06">{{cite web |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-157308289.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121104022227/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-157308289.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= November 4, 2012 |title=Right on Cue |first=Doug |last=Blackburn |work=Albany Times Union |at="Life & Leisure" section |date=June 6, 1999 |publisher=(op. cit.) |accessdate=May 12, 2010 }} (Access to full article text is not free.)</ref><ref name="ATU 1999-12">{{cite web |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-157186969.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121104022326/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-157186969.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= November 4, 2012 |title=Alcohol Returning to Pool Halls |first=Kimberly |last=Martineau |work=Albany Times Union |at="Capital Region" section |date=December 5, 1999 |publisher=(op. cit.) |accessdate=May 11, 2010 }} (Access to full article text is not free.)</ref> 26-table<ref name="ATU 2004-05" /><ref name="ATU 1988-08">{{cite web |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-158402158.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121104022333/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-158402158.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= November 4, 2012 |title=Professional Pool Player Turns the Tables, Opens a Parlor |first=Mike |last=Virtanen |work=Albany Times Union |at="Business" section |date=August 21, 1988 |publisher=(op. cit.) |accessdate=May 11, 2010 }} (Access to full article text is not free.)</ref> venue, described as "retro", "classic" and "unadorned",<ref name="ATU 2004-05" /><ref name="ATU 2002-07">{{cite news |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-157561729.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121104022412/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-157561729.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= November 4, 2012 |title=Right on Cue Women Are In, Hustling Is Out in New Era of Pro Pool |first=Soni |last=Sangha |work=Albany Times Union |at="Life & Leisure" section |date=July 2, 2002 |publisher=(op. cit.) |agency=Columbia News Service |accessdate=May 12, 2010 }} (Access to full article text is not free.)</ref> was intentionally designed to be open and bright, to avoid the stereotypical dingy pool hall atmosphere.<ref name="ATU 1988-08" /> It has a beer and wine bar and food service as of 2010.<ref name="AZB 2010-04">{{cite web |url= http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=183680 |last=Zuglan |first=Mike |title=Joss Event - April 17th & 18th - Golden Cue Billiards - Albany, NY |work=AZBilliards.com: The A to Z of Billiards and Pool |at="Tournament Announcements" section |date=April 15, 2010 |publisher=AZBilliards |location=Scottsdale, AZ |accessdate=May 12, 2010 }} ''N.b.'': While webboards are usually not reliable sources, in this case the source (the founder of the Northeast 9-Ball Open) is clearly reliable with regard to the topic. Also, this announcement was posted to other forums, such as [http://www.billiardcommunity.com/article.php?article_id=56 BilliardCommunity], in addition to the AZBilliards board.</ref> The hall is equipped for pool (pocket billiards) games such as eight-ball, nine-ball and straight pool, with 19 classic 1960s Brunswick Gold Crown II tables among others, as well as for carom billiards games such as three-cushion. The hall hosts American Poolplayers Association member league play. The business has also long provided table soccer tables.<ref name="NYCG 2009-04" /><ref name="ATU 1987-09">{{cite web |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-158413627.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121104022340/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-158413627.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= November 4, 2012 |title=Table Soccer Gaining Foothold in Area |first=Steve |last=Cheslow |work=Albany Times Union |at="Sports" section |date=September 27, 1987 |publisher=(op. cit.) |accessdate=May 12, 2010 }} (Access to full article text is not free.)</ref>
==Major events== The billiard lounge was long the "home" hall of pro, road player and WPA World Nine-ball Championship contender Mike Zuglan (today a pool hall operator himself, owning Pro Billiard Lounge in nearby Schenectady).<ref name="ATU 1988-08" /><ref name="AZB 2010-04" /><ref name="ATU 1988-01">{{cite web |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-158444653.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121104022349/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-158444653.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= November 4, 2012 |title='Pool Shark' Swims in National Circles |first=Steve |last=Cheslow |work=Albany Times Union |at="Sports" section |date=January 17, 1988 |publisher=(op. cit.) |accessdate=May 11, 2010 }} (Access to full article text is not free.)</ref><ref name="ATU 1994-10">{{cite web |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156748095.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121104022357/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156748095.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= November 4, 2012 |title=Taking a Cue from a Winner in Pool World, Albany Man's a Giant Stick Figure |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |work=Albany Times Union |at="Sports" section |date=October 23, 1994 |publisher=(op. cit.) |accessdate=May 11, 2010 }} (Access to full article text is not free.)</ref> When he was only 10 years old, Zuglan was said to have held his own in an exhibition match against famed hustler and showman Rudolf "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone,<ref name="ATU 2002-07" /><ref name="ATU 1988-01" /><ref name="ATU 1994-10" /> who played a nine-ball exhibition on Golden Cue's table number 23 (described as "something of a shrine" today).<ref name="ATU 2004-05" />
The hall is the host of the annual pro-am Joss Tour[http://Joss9BallTour.com] Northeast 9-Ball Open,<ref name="NYCG 2009-04" /> (an event founded by Zuglan and originally hosted at his own hall).<ref name="AZB 2010-04" /> April 18–19, 2010, Dennis "the Hatchet Man" Hatch went undefeated against a field of 43 competitors, and was victorious, 9–4, over Matt Tetreault (while Hal Hughes won 3–2 over John Rich in the amateurs-only second-day tournament).<ref name="AZB 2010-04" /><ref name="IP 2010-04">{{cite web |url=http://www.insidepoolmag.com/201004/billiard-news/joss-northeast-9-ball-tour/hatch%E2%80%99s-lucky-number-7.html |last=Andrews |first=Lea |title=Hatch's Lucky Number 7 |work=InsidePool |at="Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour / Albany, NY" section |date=April 18, 2010 |publisher=(op. cit.) |accessdate=May 11, 2010 |archive-date=March 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329234137/http://www.insidepoolmag.com/201004/billiard-news/joss-northeast-9-ball-tour/hatch%E2%80%99s-lucky-number-7.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The hall has been a location for Joss Tour events for many years, and is a sponsor of the tour (providing, for example, US$2,000 in added prize money for the 2010 event).<ref name="AZB 2010-04" /> Hatch has dominated the Golden Cue competition for several years running. In 2009, he won the event against 46 entrants, taking the final with a narrow 9–8, again versus Tetreault.<ref name="IP 2009-04" /><ref name="NYCG 2009-04" /><ref name="MB 2009">{{cite web |url = http://www.monbillard.com/2009/joss-9-ball-tour-victoire-de-dennis-hatch/ |first = Benoit |last = Michaud |title = Joss 9-Ball Tour – Victoire de Dennis Hatch |work = MonBillard: Le Portail branché sur l'actualité du billard au Québec et d'ailleurs |language = French |date = April 20, 2009 |publisher = MonBillard |location = Montreal, Quebec |accessdate = May 12, 2010 |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090425000105/http://www.monbillard.com/2009/joss-9-ball-tour-victoire-de-dennis-hatch/ |archivedate = April 25, 2009 }}</ref> November 15–16, 2008, the Golden Cue hosted the finals of that year's Joss Tour. Hatch was again the victor, 9–4 vs. Jeremy Sossei in a field of 53.<ref name="IP 2008-11">{{cite web |url=http://www.insidepoolmag.com/200811/billiard-news/joss-northeast-9-ball-tour/hatch-scores-second-straight-joss-win.html |first=Skip |last=Maloney |title=Hatch Scores Second Straight Joss Win |work=InsidePool |at="Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour / Albany, NY" section |date=November 17, 2008 |publisher=(op. cit.) |accessdate=May 12, 2010 |archive-date=March 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329234202/http://www.insidepoolmag.com/200811/billiard-news/joss-northeast-9-ball-tour/hatch-scores-second-straight-joss-win.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> April 19–20 of that year, in a regular Joss Tour stop at Golden Cue, Hatch won yet again, in a field of 49, beating Dan Heidrich in the final after defeating local hero Zuglan.<ref name="IP 2008-04">{{cite web |url=http://www.insidepoolmag.com/200804/billiard-news/joss-northeast-9-ball-tour/hatch-hangs-on-for-win.html |last=Skip |first=Maloney |title=Hatch Hangs on for Win |work=InsidePool |date=April 20, 2008 |publisher=(op. cit.) |accessdate=May 12, 2010 |archive-date=March 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329234214/http://www.insidepoolmag.com/200804/billiard-news/joss-northeast-9-ball-tour/hatch-hangs-on-for-win.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> April 14–15, 2007, Zuglan took the prize, with Dan Hewitt as runner-up (Hatch was tied for 7th/8th).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.totalpool.info/tours/results.asp?suid=108&t=1&s=22 |title=Golden Cue Billiard Lounge » Albany, NY » 4/14/2007-4/15/2007 |work=TotalPool.info: Tournament Information |at="Joss Northeast 9 Ball Tour" section |year=2007 |publisher=Michas, Inc |location=Drums, PA |accessdate=May 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722002345/http://www.totalpool.info/tours/results.asp?suid=108&t=1&s=22 |archivedate=July 22, 2011 }}</ref> ''The Color of Money'' supporting actor and real-life top road player Keith McCready took the Golden Cue Joss title, versus Hewitt in the 9–5 final, on April 16–17, 2005, defending his prior victory in the 2004 edition of the event.<ref name="IP 2005-04">{{cite web |url=http://www.insidepool.com/article1611.html |last=Rosenberger |first=Bill |title=McCready Defends Golden Cue Title |work=InsidePool |date=April 18, 2005 |publisher=(op. cit.) |accessdate=May 12, 2010 }}</ref>
The Golden Cue also hosted tour stop #13 of the Northeast Amateur 10-Ball Tour (sponsored by Dominiak Cues and ''InsidePool'' magazine), on March 14, 2010. The event culminated in a victory for Paul Rozonewski over Albany local Tom Acciavatti in the final.<ref name="Dominiak 2010" />
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{official|http://thegoldencue.net}}
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Category:Billiard halls Category:Sports venues in Albany, New York Category:1963 establishments in New York (state)