9 Pro Tables
Five pool tables and four 3-cushion "carambola" tables — including tournament-grade Verhoeven equipment for every style of play.
San Antonio District
Oakland's family-run billiards hall — five pool tables and four carambola tables. Clean, welcoming, and open late, seven days a week.
Our Story
Scroll to follow the trail — almost two thousand miles, one love for the game.
Long before there was a hall on 23rd Avenue, there was a plaza in La Palma, Michoacán — a kiosko, a few palm trees, and a small billiard hall right beside it. That's where this story begins.
It's where a twelve-year-old Julio Cervantes Lopez first picked up a cue. The older men of the pueblo took him under their wing and taught him the old way — pool and carambola learned by watching, by listening, by playing every chance he got.
The love took hold early, and it never let go. Julio carried that passion across the years — and all the way to Oakland — and never stopped playing.
Today he competes in regional carambola tournaments across the Bay Area, where he has earned his place among the professionals — and the name that stuck: El Tigre.
After decades playing and competing across the Bay Area, Julio decided to create a gathering place — a home for carambola and pool. On March 19, 2023, that dream became 23rd Billiards. Close friends and family gathered to celebrate the opening, marking the start of a new chapter in the Cervantes family legacy.
From that plaza in La Palma to a corner of Oakland, the journey came full circle. 23rd Billiards is family owned and run by Julio alongside his sons, Oscar Cervantes and Julio Cervantes Flores: three generations of the same game, now hosting tournaments and welcoming players from around the Bay.
Together they keep a corner of Oakland's cue tradition alive — a clean, welcoming room where players of every age and skill level feel at home.
Inside the Hall
Five pool tables and four 3-cushion "carambola" tables — including tournament-grade Verhoeven equipment for every style of play.
Dart board, foosball, board games, dominoes, and cards — plus televisions and the occasional friendly tournament.
Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks at honest prices — fuel for a long session without leaving the table.
Credit and debit welcome. Quick, easy, and contactless — so you can spend more time playing.
One of the cleanest rooms around, and proudly all-ages. A safe, friendly place to gather any day of the week.
Major games and tournaments on the screens throughout the hall — enjoy the best in live sports entertainment while you play.
Played on the Best
We play on tournament-grade Verhoeven tables with premium Aramith balls, fresh felt, and clean cues — the same equipment you'll find in serious rooms. Whether you're learning the game or chasing a run-out, it feels right under your hands.
The Room
Test your skill against Oakland's best. Our weekly carambola tournaments are open to all levels, from beginners looking to sharpen their game to experienced competitors seeking a challenge.
Face skilled opponents in organized, fair competition.
Beginners to advanced players welcome and encouraged.
Consistent Tuesday and Saturday tournaments at 6 PM.
Weekly carambola tournament
Weekly carambola tournament
Contact Julio El Tigre to join our tournaments. Ask about entry fees, competition format, and player rankings.
Plan Your Visit