Bagatelle at the Union Vaults pub in Chester

Playing Bagatelle in Chester.

We love playing pub games and when our friend and minigolf rival Jam Trubridge told us that you can still play Bagatelle in Chester we knew we'd have to hunt down a table for a game.

The Union Vaults in Cheshire is a proper pub. They've got a dart board there too

Jam recommended the Union Vaults so, after our ride on the Grosvenor Park Miniature Railway, we headed to the pub.

The Union Vaults had a nice table. It was a great place for us to have our first play of the old game 

We received a nice welcome from the locals at the busy pub and they were very happy to help us novice players have a game.

The final resting positions of the balls in our close contest

One of our favourite pub games is Bar Billiards and the rules of that game can appear complicated to a newcomer. Bagatelle is no different in that respect. However, while the two cue, table and green baize ball games may also appear to be similar in appearance, looks can be deceiving.

Playing for the black - as you must unless it's been cupped

What's really nice about Bagatelle is that there are no mechanisms on the table, so once your go is over and you've totted up your score, you have to retrieve the balls and let the next player take their turn.

Emily playing a nice opening shot

With each pocket worth from 1 to 9, and the black ball scoring double if potted, the aim is to reach exactly 101 points. We found ending the game to be quite tricky indeed, as to do so you must finish on 101 - for instance, if you needed thirteen points (as we did at one point) but shot a total of 14 or over on your turn, your break was stopped and the next player took to the table.

The table was placed next to the window and near a telly showing the horse racing, so it seemed like we had the eyes of the pub upon us as we played! We did receive plenty of tips from the locals as well though

In our match-up I picked up the win 101 to Emily's 92. My highest break was 33 (the opening one), while Emily scored in the twenties on one go.

The final score

It's a great game, simple to pick up and play, but one that takes ages to master. We'll definitely play Bagatelle again.

Check out the Chester & District Bagatelle League website for more information on the game and places to play it in and around Chester.

Related blog posts:
- Pub games
- Sports and games we've played
- Bar Billiards
- Chester

New darts stuff

I recently treated myself to an early birthday and Christmas present by buying some new darts stuff from the Darts Performance Centre - and of course it was Peter 'Chatterbox' Sajwani branded merch!

A lovely lot of darting merch. And a new postcard too

In his debut at the 2015 BDO World Championships Peter Sajwani caused an upset with victory over the number one seed James Wilson.

I'm a member of the Sajwani Army. Not sure what rank I carry though?

The chatty underdog won a legion of fans with his post-match interview where he claimed "It doesn't matter what you score. What does matter is hitting the double. A gorilla can punch the ball 600 yards but can't putt."

Wise words indeed.

The excellent gorilla putting darts flight - one for the Crazy Golf Museum too...

We've found a lot of the pubs in our new local area have dart boards, fantastic to see. We always carry a set now just in case the opportunity to have a quick game arises.

'Peppering' the 20 bed with the new Sajwani Army flighted arrers

A Shanghai on 19s at the Queens Arms in Cheadle

Check out the Darts Performance Centre and their shop for some great kit.

I also picked up some Harrows and Eric Bristow darts kit from The Sport Shop while in Shanklin on a recent trip to the Isle of Wight

As that great sports writer (and fellow member of the Sajwani Army) Marc 'The Roller' Bazeley might say "All the gear, no idea."

Links:
- Darts Performance Centre
- Peter Sajwani, Darts player (Twitter and Facebook)

Related blog posts:
- Darts
- Peter Sajwani

Shuffleboard at Albert's Schloss bier hall in Manchester.

Playing Shuffleboard in Manchester's Albert's Schloss bier hall.

We've played a lot of different sports and games over the years and on a recent visit to Manchester added another to the list - Shuffleboard.

The table we played was at Albert's Schloss bier hall on St Peter Street. It's well worth a visit.

We had a few games against some local competitors. Unfortunately we came up short in the contests, but we put that down to the lack of warm-up. About eight pints by the look of it.

Check out the Albert's Schloss website for more details.

Related blog posts:
- Sports and games played
- Pub
- Pub Games
- Pub Sports

Bar Billiards in Jersey

Back in 2013 I was playing Bar Billiards against Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd at the Charles II in London when a pub character told us about a table at the Dog & Sausage pub in St Helier, Jersey.

On our holiday earlier this week we popped into the pub hoping for a game. Only to find that the table had been removed.

You can't play Bar Billiards at the Dog & Sausage in St Helier any more

We also had a look in the Merton hotel - venue for the 2014 World Championships - but there was no sign of a table there either.

Before leaving the island we really wanted to get a game in and when we spotted the words 'Bar billiards' on a pub chalkboard sign we thought we were in luck. Sadly the table at The Caesarea had also gone.

What's a more permanent way of advertising something than a chalkboard. Unfortunately the 'Bar billiards' listing on the sign at The Caesarea must of been on there quite some time

The landlady there was friendly though and managed to find out there were still tables at The Devonshire and The Mont Felard. Unfortunately we didn't have time to visit either pub before our flight left.

Bar Billiards is a great pub game, it's a real shame there aren't more tables around.

Check out the All England Bar Billiards Association (AEBBA) website for more details of the game and where to play.

Related blog posts:
- Bar Billiards
- Jersey

Links:
- All England Bar Billiards Association (AEBBA) website
- Bar Billiards Forum

Gluten free beer update

Earlier this week I spotted that Twitter had introduced a new Poll function, so immediately asked a question.

The result of the poll is this blog post - on a topic I haven't posted about in a little while.

The Beer Cave and Westerham Brewery Co

En route to Hastings for the recent World Crazy Golf Championships we made a stop in Tunbridge Wells and while having a wander to stretch out legs we spotted a chalkboard sign advertising the Beer Cave. We heeded the instructions and found ourselves in the underground beer shop.

A great bit of advertising

If I see an independent beer shop I'll always pop in on the off chance that I'll find a gluten free beer, ale or lager that I haven't seen or tried before

The Beer Cave

I was in luck on this occasion as the chap at the Beer Cave let me know about Scotney Pale Ale from the Westerham Brewery Co! I had to buy a bottle at the reasonable price of £2.80.

Scotney Pale Ale by the Westerham Brewery Co

Find out more about Westerham Brewery Co's range of gluten free beers on their website. They do a fair few.

Check out the Beer Cave website and if you're walking along the High Street do make sure you head down the alley for a look around.

Flatstick Pub

Another gluten free beer I've only recently heard about is from the Ghostfish Brewing Co based in Seattle, Washington, USA. It's served at the Flatstick Pub in Kirkland, Washington, a place that is on my must visit list!

The main four gluten free beers from the Ghostfish Brewing Co are:
- Grapefruit IPA
- Shrouded Summit Witbier
- Vanishing Point IPA
- Watchstander Stout

They also have Taproom Exclusives.

Not only does the Flatstick Pub serve gluten free beer, but they've also got a minigolf course and an array of pub games, two of which I'd never seen before - Duffleboard and Puttskee!

Gluten free beers around the world

With the addition of the Ghostfish Brewing Co beers I've now found out about 108 gluten free beers, ales, lagers, stouts, porters etc. since I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease in 2008. Check out the full list on my blog post here.

Links:
- The Beer Cave
- Westerham Brewery Co
- Flatstick Pub
- Ghostfish Brewing Co
- The Puttskee
- Coeliac UK

Related blog posts:
- Details of gluten free ale, beer and lager found since being diagnosed with Coeliac Disease
- Gluten Free Ales, Beers and Lagers
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in Pub Beer Gardens
- Pub Games

Like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on Facebook, check out our YouTube channel and follow me and Emily on Twitter. You can also sign-up to receive our newsletter.

Luton Petanque Club

Details of Luton Petanque Club.

Spot the boule

I've heard there are two upcoming open days at Luton Petanque Club where you can play for free. Boules will be provided. The open events are on:
- Saturday 2 May between 2 and 5pm
- Saturday 20 June

Petanque (or Boules as it's also known) is a great game. I've played a few ends with Alan and some of the other club members. Very good fun indeed.

Luton Petanque Club also play informal games every Tuesday afternoon at 1pm, Thursday at 7.30pm and Sundays at 11am. The club is based at Play Football on St Thomas Road, Stopsley, Luton. Check out the Luton Petanque Club website and Twitter for news and events.

Playing Boules with Luton Petanque Club at the 2012 Community Games

Links:
- Luton Petanque Club
- Chiltern Region Petanque
- The English Petanque Association

Related blog posts:
- Petanque
- Pétanque
- Boules

'Shove it, Chuck it, Toss it...' pub games blog

Check out the 'Shove it, Chuck it, Toss it...' blog about traditional pub games.

Playing a game of Northamptonshire Skittles while at a pub in Bedfordshire

Travelling around the country as much as we do we get to visit lots of new and interesting places. When heading to a new town we'll have a look to see what sports or games are available to play in the pubs or parks there.

While our main aim is to visit every miniature golf course in the UK we do like playing pub games.

The Pub Games blog 'Shove it, Chuck it, Toss it...' is a brilliant site, full of details of places to play traditional pub games.

Some like bowls, cribbage, darts, pool and dominoes will be familiar to many people, others including Devil Amongst The Tailors, Nurdles, Daddlums and Put and Take are more obscure or particular to a region.

One of the games with regional variations is skittles, which can be found in Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Rugby.

My home town of Abingdon is a bit of a hot bed of Aunt Sally - a game that isn't really played much outside of Oxfordshire, save for a few places in Warwickshire and the West Country.

Links:
- 'Shove it, Chuck it, Toss it...'
- Rockingham Forest Cider

Related blog posts:
- Pub Games
- Pub Sports
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in Pub Beer Gardens
- M!MS Empire Sunset Nine Hole Mini Golf course in Bedford

Darts and Skittles at the Jolly Drayman in Gravesend

Playing some darts at the Jolly Drayman Pub in Gravesend.

On a recent trip to Gravesend, Kent we visited the Jolly Drayman pub that's a short walk from the town centre. It's well worth a visit.

We played a fair few games of darts at the Jolly Drayman. Luckily I didn't score under eleven in our matches. The pub has a nice, spacious and bright darts area. You can also buy darts, flights and spares there. I was undefeated in my games of 301 against Brad Shepherd and Seth Thomas so treated myself to some new flights

As we were leaving the pub we spotted a skittles table! I'll definitely try and give it a play in my next visit to Gravesend

I've played a few different types of pub skittles, including the rare London Skittles. In 2012 we played Northamptonshire Skittles on a table that was a little wider, but shorter than the one in the lobby of the Jolly Drayman.

Related blog posts:

- Darts
- Skittles
- Pub

- Gravesend
- Pub games

Bar Billiards at the Three Daws pub in Gravesend

Playing some Bar Billiards at the Three Daws in Gravesend.

Playing some Bar Billiards in Gravesend

I added another Bar Billiards table played and pub visited while in Gravesend, Kent as Brad, Seth and I headed to the Three Daws pub.

Seth taking advice/ignoring the local knowledge from Brad

The table was a bit on the wobbly side. And a bit wonky! It certainly made for an interesting three-player match. I won with a score of 780. Seth was second on 400, while hometown player Brad scored 330

Related blog posts:

- Bar Billiards

- Pub

- Gravesend
- Pub games

Links:

- Three Daws pub website
- Three Daws on Twitter
- Three Daws on Facebook
- Bar Billiards Forum
- The All England Bar Billiards Association (AEBBA)

Bar Billiards and Darts at The Cock Inn, Luddesdowne

Playing some Darts and Bar Billiards at The Cock Inn, Luddesdowne.

Brad Shepherd playing some Bar Billiards at The Cock Inn at Luddesdowne

I do enjoy playing pub games, and ever since my mate Brad Shepherd introduced me to the sport of Bar Billiards, via the Indoor League, I've looked to play as many tables as I can find.

On a recent trip to Gravesend we made the short journey to the village of Luddesdowne - between Meopham and Cobham - to visit The Cock Inn to see the traditional pub games there.

Brad and I had a cracking game of Bar Billiards. Having not played in a while we got off to a bit of a slow start, but Brad then took the lead, only for me to mount a comeback (curtailed by a break wipeout), followed by another fightback to eventually win 990 to 810

There's also a 'standard' dartboard at The Cock Inn...

...as well as three examples of variant dartboards! This was the first time I'd seen a London Fives, Yorkshire Board or a Manchester Log-End Board in the flesh. Brilliant to see

There was also a Shove Ha'penny slate at the pub. I've played on a wooden board, but never seen the game on a slate before

Check out the Patrick Chaplin (aka Dr Darts) website for more on the history of the dartboard.

Related blog posts:

- Bar Billiards
- Darts

- Pub
- Pub games

Links:

- The Cock Inn website
- The Cock Inn on Twitter
- The Cock Inn on Facebook
- Bar Billiards Forum
- The All England Bar Billiards Association (AEBBA)

Bar Billiards and Darts in King's Cross

A look inside the Games Room at The Parcel Yard pub in London.

My fellow pub games enthusiast John Moore recently told me that a friend of his had informed him that The Parcel Yard pub at London's King's Cross train station has a Bar Billiards table! John relayed this information to me, so I had to go and take a look.

On my visit to the pub I couldn't see the Bar Billiards table, but did enjoy having a look inside as I'd never been there before. It's well worth popping in.

Having a look on the pub's website I noticed that the table is in the Games Room, so on my second visit I knew where to look. One of the pub's staff members was happy to show me the Games Room and I must say I was impressed with the setting.

The Bar Billiards table at The Parcel Yard

Unfortunately the room and the games inside are not open for everyday casual play, as the room is often booked out for functions. However, I made an enquiry online and found out that the room can be reserved for events - both corporate and private meetings or parties. For more information drop The Parcel Yard team a line via the website.

As big fans of darts it was great to see there's a board in the Games Room too.

The dart board and oche at The Parcel Yard

If Bar Billiards or darts aren't your thing, then the Games Room also has a Pinball Machine and other traditional games.

I'm looking forward to getting the chance to play the Bar Billiards at The Parcel Yard for a bit of a 'do'. A group of us had a brilliant time on our London Bar Billiards Pub Crawl a couple of years ago and we do enjoy a pub sport meet-up.

Links:

- The Parcel Yard

- Bar Billiards Forum
- The All England Bar Billiards Association (AEBBA)

Related blog posts:

- Bar Billiards
- Darts

- Pub
- Pub games

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club

Report from the Minigolfer's Christmas 'Do' 2014.

Crazy Skittlers

This year our annual festive jaunt took us to The Freemasons Arms, home to London's last remaining Skittle Alley and the historic Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club.

Emily playing London Skittles

After reading about the game some years ago and a visit to the pub after a Hopping tournament in 2012 we made the booking to play a game of London Skittles in the basement alley for our Christmas tournament.

Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd launches into action

With reigning champion Emily leading one team and multiple-time former winner of Christmas shenanigans Brad captaining the other the other players were picked by number before we got straight into playing.

'Squire' Richard throwing a little off course

Emily led the proceedings and with a choice of three different 'cheeses' stepped up and scored an end of 5 with her three goes to get the competition underway.

A pair of 'Cheeses'

The winner's of the team tournament were 'Lemony's Lobbers' who defeated 'Team Frugal' with a scoreline of 178 to 176!

Lemony's Lobbers - 2014 Christmas 'Do' Champions. From l-r Jon Angel, Steve Gow, Alan Norman, John Moore, Emily Gottfried, Richard Gottfried

This year's losers and runners-up, Team Frugal. From l-r Paul O'Connor, Chris Jones, Brad Shepherd, Trevor 'Lord of Smeeth' Robertson, Richard Linden, Seth Thomas

The overall individual was once again Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd with a total of 44, having been the only player to score a double-digit end in the two-hour tournament. Newcastle's John Moore and Surrey's Steve Gow tied for second.

The Big Cheese - Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd

Baby Bel - Alan 'Stormin' Norman

Our instructor for the evening, Pete, was a great coach and referee giving us plenty of hints & tips and history of the game and venue. We also learned some of the terminology of the game for good shots, bad shots, pin layouts and more.

The final scores

We'd definitely play again and recommend London Skittles at the Freemasons Arms as a great night out.

The Freemasons Arms, Hampstead

Check out the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club website for more information on London Skittles and for booking enquiries, as well as some videos showing the game as it was in the 1930's and as it is now.

The Lawn Billiards game that forms part of the club's name is a long extinct sport, but you can still view Lawn Billiards artifacts in the club's alley.

While one team is throwing, two of the opposing team's players act as pin setters and cheese returners

Emily readying herself for a lob

Richard preparing for a shot

John Moore getting in the swing

Five scored

Pin setting and cheese rolling

Chris 'Stretch' Jones on a leisurely stroll up the alley

Trevino in action

Big Al in full flight

Jon Angel with a great shot up the middle

  

Alan 'Stormin' Norman throwing a cheese

London Skittles team competition results

London Skittles individual competition results

Minigolfer's Christmas Shenanigans Hall of Fame
2014 - Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd - London Skittles Individual Championship
2014 - Lemony's Lobbers (Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried, Alan 'Stormin' Norman, John 'Big Al' Moore, Jon 'Occasional' Angel, 'Big' Stevie Gow) - London Skittles Team Championship
2013 – Emily ‘Lemony’ Gottfried – World Boules Le Noël Champignonship
2012 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Riverclose Worlds UnProfessional Minigolfer's Darts Championship
2011 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Rivernear Worlds Professional Crazy Golfers Darts Championships
2010 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas Minigolf 9-Hole Putting Green Sudden Death Challenge
2010 – Keith 'Doc' Kellard & Jon 'El Pato' Angel (Team KJ Choice) – Sim BIG Golf Par-3's of the World Doubles Challenge
2009 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas-themed Crazy Golf at Devonshire Square
Before Records Began – Lionel ‘The Spoon’ Bender – Crazy Golf Contest

Links
- London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
- London Skittles on Facebook
- The Freemasons Arms, Hampstead

Related blog posts:
- Report from the Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Shenanigans ‘Do’ in London 2013
- The Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Darts ‘Do’ 2012 in London
- Crazy Golfers Christmas 'Do' in London 2011 - Darts Tournament at Rileys Victoria!
- The Minigolfers Christmas 'Do' 2010
- 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge at Devonshire Square
- A London Pub & Jumble Sale Crawl
- Another New Game Played - Northamptonshire Skittles
- Behold...
- Tenpin Bowling