Two local pool experts ranked the Reitz Union poolroom the No. 1 pool hall in Alachua County.
Matt"Quick Draw" Sherman and Donny Lutz evaluated 12 billiards halls in Alachua County, criteria from a list in Robert Byrne's Billiard's Digest article"My Dream Room."
Sherman is the author of two books,"Picture Yourself Shooting Pool" and"Step-by-Step Instruction for Successful Pocket Billiards," and teaches a pool leisure course at UF.
Sherman, along with certified pool instructor and former UF pool league coach Donny Lutz, writes a monthly column called the"8-Ball Debates" for Inside Pool Magazine.
The article listed 23 specific criteria for a good poolroom, such as places for pool players to sit comfortably, spots from which someone could watch a tournament and straight, adequate sticks for visitors to use.
UF's poolroom scored 14 out of the 23 points.
Sherman and Lutz both said that a reason why poolrooms sometimes close after only a few years is failure to adhere to the criteria on the list.
Two students from UF who are competing for the national title in the Association of College Unions International Collegiate 9-Ball Championship use the Reitz Union game room to practice.
Monica Fox and Heather Platter are competing against each other in the tournament, held in Normal, Ill., where they will face up to 32 other women for the title.
The women will post Facebook updates on the tournament, which ends tonight at 6 p.m.
"There are never fights between drunk people, it's smoke free and it's a great way to meet friends," Platter said of the Reitz Union game room.
"In all seriousness besides school and work, pool is all I really do," she said, adding that she would love playing professional pool one day.
Though Platter only began playing pool two years ago, she said she is a natural
"Everyone says I have a huge talent," Platter said."At my beginning stage, I naturally knew how to hold a pool stick and shoot, which people usually don't know how to do."
Sherman instructed Fox before the competition, and she said she feels ready to compete.
"I am fully prepared to get down to business," she said.
Sherman said the tournament is important in the pool world.
"The players are all non-pro, but even though all the players are in college, it doesn't mean they are young with only a couple of years of experience," Sherman said."You could be playing against a 40-year-old man that is in law school, who has played for over 20 years. The competition is very fierce."
Gainesville poolrooms Art of Billiards and J P Gators ranked No. 2 and 3 respectively on the list.
Art of Billiards owner Dana Rogers said her poolroom offers things that the Reitz can't-alcohol and smoking.
Her billiards hall hosts about 25 upper-level tournaments a year, including a monthly 9-ball tournament and professional tournaments.
Rogers said the hall also provides a good environment for families during the day.
"I think it's a blast to have families come in with their children to play," she said."We have a lot of fun."
Art of Billiards also hosts six shooters who have played in professional tournaments in Las Vegas.
J P Gators wasn't available for comment.
