The Cue Ball

Jim Lebold opened The Cue Ball in 1963 and has owned and operated it to this day.  The Cue Ball was the first “pool hall” in Salem, Oregon.  Before The Cue Ball, there were no venues available for families to enjoy pool, snooker, or billiards.  To this day, The Cue Ball remains a family oriented establishment giving those under 21 an affordable place to gather with friends.

Over the years The Cue Ball has grown to include 23 Brunswick Centennial and Anniversary pool tables, two matching snooker tables and a Chevilotte Europa Master billiard table, divided between two large rooms.  All of the tables are covered in worsted wool cloths from companies such as Championship, Gorina Trading, Hainsworth, and Simonis.

Visit the Cue Ball image gallery.

For those looking to improve their game, Robin Dreyer, a professional pool instructor out of Portland, gives structured lessons.  The Cue Ball also holds monthly handicapped 9-ball tournaments limited to local area players. 

The tournament results, along with pictures of the players and the full bracket sheet, are posted on-line.  A seasonal junior league encourages youngsters to play.  The Cue Ball is a tour stop for the NWPA [Northwest Womens Pool Association] and a host for the preliminary round of the U.S. Amateur Championship.

An authorized dealer for top brands, The Cue Ball stocks hundreds of two-piece cues from Benson, McDermott, Imperial, Joss, Viper, Robin Dodson and Viking.  Customers are encouraged to try cues before buying to find just the right cue.  The pro shop provides in-house repairs on cues and works with Sheldon Lebow, a custom cue-maker in Springfield, for outside repairs.

For new pool table sales, The Cue Ball has had a long relationship with Olhausen, “The Best In Billiards”.  It was the third dealer in the Olhausen network.  Several tables are on display along with accessories including wall racks and lighting.  Many used tables are available too.  A full time professional service crew provides a variety of pool table related services including moving and recovering.

Lebold has collected some unique art, some of which is on display.  This includes a seven-foot tall Indian sculpture carved in wood and a carved table slate, both commissioned from Ken Hunt.  Two large, colorfully painted, carved wood murals accent the walls.  Lebold is dedicated to keeping The Cue Ball the finest family pool hall in the area and to providing the best equipment for the discriminating buyer.