Jorian, that's sad...Vancouver is a pretty large city, but it's true that real pool halls are dying off...I just posted an inquiry here...we'll see if I get any response. This a relatively new pool website, but more friendly than another I lurk only on...
http://www.onthebreaknews.com/PoolPages/showthread.php?t=730

Dave, will PM my home address. A great mailing tube for cues? PVC pipe...just cut it to length, use pvc caps taped on. Warning: This may take some time. Evren & family will be arriving here on Friday...looking forward to meeting my honorary Turkish grandkids. :) We probably won't be going to Salem until after the visit. I'll let John select the tip...he's good, worry not.

On factory cues, which your is...perfect grain match @ the joint is rare. As long as it screws together firmly, and rolls straight? I woldn't worry about it. Oh...do you have a case for your cue? If not, I could pick one up for you...cheap (around $10) Tube cases work well..

Later, if you get into the game again? I'd think about sending the stick to a good cuemaker like Sheldon...have the joint redone with brown reinforcement rings around both butt & shaft. then perhaps a radial pin joint. let him clean it all up. Of course, this would result in the highest cost dufferin around, but it would shoot like a dream. Also would be cool as all get-out...a great "Sneaky Pete". The reason I suggest the reinforcement is because my break cue, a joint like yours, is not long for the world...the wood beginning to mushroom a bit where the woods meet. Since I paid only $25 for it, I'll probably choose replacement over repair.

Thanks Paul.

No problem. You might do a bit of research up there...any Taverns or bars around with more than 2 pool tables? If you're in one, and see anybody playing with 2 piece cues, ask 'em...they'd be likely to know the location of any halls with 9' tables.

Paul, I sent you a PM earlier...

I watched about 45 minutes of Matt. Fun stuff.

PM answered...pretty good, isn't he?

Hey Paul,

I read the PM. Yes, he's good. Although the guy in the jeans with grey hair came jumping out of the gates. If he sank a ball on break, he did a pretty good job of running the table! I enjoy 8 ball, but play 9 ball as well, but I guess I am not up on all the rules. There were a couple of (weird to me) scratches.

No fear, I'd loose to both of them.

Yeah, Matt said later that scratches can be part of a defensive game...but Bob Zack is damned good. Never saw him miss a bank...Matt said later that Bob had come in 5th in bank pool @ the derby city classic...a big event held in Louisville every year. Matt's blown shot in the last game was the fatal error...when the one made it through the line of balls he expected it to collide with, thus hooking Zack, he said "anywhere but there"...too bad the sound was off on the camera...Matt knew it was over once the one & Whitey were both on the rail...always a heartbreaker to lose a hill-hill match...and a thrill for the winner.

Oh well, "next year"...