Third Shot Rants

Chicago Area Open Play Courts

Howard and Gina tell you about different open play courts in the Chicago area that they’re familiar with.
 
Information on open play courts below. This is based on our best understanding. Reported typical open play times are very rough and will vary from day to day.  Please email thirdshotrants@gmail.com with corrections and comments.
 
Horner Park (Chicago)
Typical open play times: weekdays 9-11 am, 6-10 pm; weekend 9 am-noon and maybe rest of day.
Lights: yes.
Courts: on tennis courts, with up to eight pickle courts using temporary nets on either side of the tennis net. You need to bring/share pickle nets. Can also borrow a net from the fieldhouse if you leave a license.
Racking system: white wood consolidated rack on east end (probably ignore the black ones by each court)
Level of play: 3.0-4.5 ish, higher in the evenings.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bu5d47Bb8AaNEi6T7?g_st=ic. 
Parking: free street parking on Montrose and adjacent streets; also a free lot on California, which is a bit of a walk.
Team Reach code: 224488
Welles Park (Chicago)
Typical open play times: weekdays 5-10 pm (maybe in the mornings but uncertain); weekend mornings 9 am-noon.
Lights: yes.
Courts: three dedicated courts, no separators.
Racking system: consolidated rack on the east side.
Level of play: 3.0-4.0 ish.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/21gGsywYgLyCERmc7?g_st=ic. 
Parking: free street parking on Montrose and adjacent streets.
Team Reach code: Wellespark3
Maggie Daley (Chicago)
Typical open play times: weekdays 9 am-noon; weekends maybe 9 am-noon.
Lights: yes (but not really applicable as open play is in the morning).
Courts: on tennis courts, with up to perhaps twelve pickle courts using temporary nets on either side of the tennis net on weekday mornings; two pickle courts (or perhaps more) on weekend mornings; nets provided by park district.
Racking system: not positive but it appears to be well organized on weekday mornings.
Level of play: perhaps 3.0-4.0 ish.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/t4Q5veVJ2Dij4GHK7.
Parking: paid street parking on Randolph and Millenium Lakeside Garage: https://millenniumgarages.com/all-garages/millennium-lakeside-garage/ (signifcantly discounted rates if you pay in advance).
Team Reach code: 337Rand
Grant Park (Chicago)
Typical open play times: weekdays 5-10 pm; weekends probably all day.
Lights: yes.
Courts: 16 dedicated courts, with separators for every four courts.
Racking system: three racks by level but many players still attempt to impose challenge courts.  Listen to episode 2 for a full discussion. 
Level of play: 3.0 to 4.5 ish (more advanced play in evenings).
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ahP6BmtFAVPTi6jw6
Parking: paid street parking on Columbus and adjacent streets and in parking garages west of MIchigan Ave.
Team Reach code: PlayChicago
Portage Park (Chicago)
Typical open play times: weekdays 8-11 am, 5-10 pm; weekends 8-11 am and maybe rest of day. 
Lights: yes.
Courts: four dedicated courts with separators between the two rows.
Racking system: black racks by each of the four courts.
Level of play: 2.75 to 3.75 ish.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cdCPPqi91WiPxU5o8
Parking: free street parking on Berteau and free parking lot on east side of courts.
Team Reach code: PPPB1234
Woodland Park (Park Ridge)
Typical open play times: weekdays and weekends 8-11 am.
Lights: no.
Courts: six dedicated courts with separators between the two rows.
Racking system: single consolidated rack by the waiting area.
Level of play 3.0 to 4.0 ish. 
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CPJbnresnKQU3bvL6
Parking: free parking lot
Team Reach code: not aware of one
Community Playfield (Wilmette) aka “by Wilmette Jr High”
Typical open play times: weekdays and weekends 8-11 am.
Lights: no.
Courts: six dedicated courts with separators for each court, plus two pickle courts on either side of the tennis court with nets provided by park district.
Racking system: consolidated rack adjacent to the tennis court.
Level of play: 3.0 to 4.25 ish.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/n4MHc2Fbxf2pSJTY6
Parking: free parking lot in summer when not in use by the junior high and free street parking on Locust Road
Team Reach code: LocustJr
Oakton Park (Skokie)
Typical open play times: weekday evenings 5-10 pm (certainly by 6 pm but sometimes by 5 pm), weekend mornings 9 am-noon and perhaps some times during rest of day.
Lights: yes
Courts: six dedicated courts with separators between the two rows.
Racking system: consolidated rack by the waiting area outside the courts.
Level of play: 3.0 to 4.0 ish.
Location: https://share.google/xBegA6w8SZmCihs2W
Parking: free parking lot (park in the lot off Kenton by the tennis court rather than the main lot off Oakton)
Team Reach code: 060076 (TR group for Skokie but not for Oakton Park specifically)
James Park (Evanston)
Typical open play times: weekdays and weekends, 8-10 am and 6-8 pm, with additional sessions (including advanced play) scheduled on Team Reach. This will likely evolve as the courts start getting used.
Lights: yes.
Courts: 15 dedicated courts, with separators, and with one wheelchair accessible court.  Nets are above regulation height. 
Racking system: single rack for each court, located outside the playing area.
Level of play: TBD, but there are efforts to have advanced open play sessions (see Team Reach).
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/stooar4HEqRAtFri9
Parking: free street parking on Oakton (there is a free parking lot that is much farther away)
Team Reach code: JPP60202
Closing remarks
Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com
CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN 
Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com
Please follow and rate our show!
Instagram:
Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants
Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle 
Minghin Cuisine: https://www.instagram.com/minghinchicago 
 
Credits:
Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

Pickleball Pro Vivian Glozman Returns

Howard and Gina catch up with top pickleball professional, Vivian Glozman, in advance of her upcoming visit to Chicago to host some clinics March 31 to April 3.
Updates from Vivian
Trips to Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam
APP tournament in Seattle
Experiences touring and giving clinics
Dining while traveling
One of Vivian’s favorite places, Ba Na Hills Vietnam: https://vietnam.travel/things-to-do/10-ways-spend-day-ba-na-hills-danang
Upcoming clinics in the Chicago area, see: https://vivianglozman.com/
Howard’s korean bbq recommendation: https://chicago-kalbi.com/
Closing remarks
Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com
CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN 
Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com
Please follow and rate our show!
Instagram:
Vivian: https://www.instagram.com/vivian_glozman/
Vivian and food: https://www.instagram.com/toastwithviv/
Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants
Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle 
Credits:
Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

Supr Dupr 4: CEO Tito Machado on the DUPR Reset

Howard and Gina talk to DUPR CEO Tito Machado, again, about the DUPR Reset.  You can also watch our video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJmE0mzxpEo 
DUPR Reset
Background, see also https://www.dupr.com/reset
Will rating during the Reset be reported?
Is your starting rating based on your prior DUPR rating?
How is the reliability score determined?
Why have a Reset and ignore the prior rating?
Does preventing ratings from declining lead to inflation?
Closing remarks
Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com
CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN 
Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com
Please follow and rate our show!
Instagram:
Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants
Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle 
Credits:
Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

Listener Feedback 2: Etiquette

Howard and Gina continue with listener feedback. We cover additional etiquette questions and discuss a little bit of feedback on DUPR.
Please check out our Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants
Paddle rack etiquette continued
More pickle etiquette
Sharing court time on Chicago public courts
Retrieving balls from adjacent courts
Partner communication
Sending the ball back to the other side (between points)
Celebrations during play
DUPR feedback
Differences between male and female DUPRs
Playing with partners with lower reliability scores
Closing remarks
Coaches Corner. Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com
CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN 
Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com
Please follow and rate our show!
Aftershow: Bar Games shit talking
Instagram:
Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants
Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle 
Credits:
Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

Listener Feedback 1: Etiquette

Howard and Gina finally get around to listener feedback.  We give an update on the challenge court controversy at Grant Park. Then we talk about paddle rack etiquette, how much to mix at open play, and kitchen violations.
Please check out our Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants
Grant Park challenge court controversy update.
Paddle rack etiquette
Mixing at open play
Kitchen violations
Closing remarks
Coaches Corner. Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com
CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN 
Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com
Please follow and rate our show!
Aftershow: Restaurant reviews
Chim Thai
Website: https://www.chimthaicuisinetogo.com/
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2CL24eLpwHMdxtiC9 
Block Club Article: https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/02/11/chim-thai-cuisine-owner-brings-love-of-home-cooked-authentic-thai-food-to-albany-park/
Central Gyros
Website: http://centralgyros.com/
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/d4TsUjQZWxmWaLH99
Rosita’s Tacos and Cocina (from last time)
Website: https://www.rositastacoscocina.com/ 
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/da8z6StxxUgdDokL9 
Instagram:
Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants
Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle 
Credits:
Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

The Lob

Howard and Gina talk about everyone’s favorite shot, the lob.  We talk about our lob journeys, when it’s okay to lob, and Gina gives some coaching tips for lobbing. In the aftershow, we discuss what happened when we finally get started with our bar game olympics challenge.
Please check out our Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants
Howard and Gina’s lob journeys
How to establish a reliable DUPR rating
When is it okay to lob
Rec play
Organized play
Tournaments
Closing remarks
Coaches Corner: tips for lobs
Please follow and rate our show!
Aftershow: Howard and Gina start their bar game olympics challenge, with pool
Resources:
Pickleball Kingdom Waukegan: https://pickleballkingdom.com/clubs/waukegan-il/
Leigh Waters lobbing controversy: https://youtu.be/EKm3UUFP1Eg?si=h6SHOdXKEBGfEjSS 
Leigh Waters interview about lobs: https://youtu.be/4IOEOf9FUIw?si=6l95VLcPjGYj-qc6 
Anna Bright lobbing: https://youtu.be/ZuNxsZj-yfY?si=V4xwTcuG30xvKiC4 
Nick’s Billiard Academy: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HCX18d8CBmFppqey6 
Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants
Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com
Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com
CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN 
Instagram:
Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants
Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle 
Pickleball Kingdom Waukegan: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballkingdom.waukegan/ and Coach Felix: https://www.instagram.com/coachfelix.pb/
Credits:
Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

Supr Dupr 3: Advice

Howard and Gina can’t stop talking about DUPR even though Howard doesn’t even have a DUPR. We give our best DUPR advice, including some thoughts about what to watch out for in a partner. (It’s not what you might think.) Also, please buy our merch, even though we don’t make any money from it.
Third Shot Rants Merch Shop, free shipping until Monday Dec 1 with code THANKYOU25: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants
Life without a DUPR
How to establish a reliable DUPR rating
Strategic DUPR tips
Don’t fixate on a numerical goal
Don’t play too early in your pickle journey
Women should think about whether to play in open gender groups
Don’t stay in the same biome
Play up in tournaments
Every point counts
If you think you’re underrated, don’t play with a low reliability score partner
Closing remarks
Coaches Corner: tips for drops
Please follow and rate our show!
Aftershow: Howard and Gina’s birthdays
Resources:
Third Shot Rants Merch Shopfree shipping until Monday Dec 1 with code THANKYOU25: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants
DUPR: https://www.dupr.com/
Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com
Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com
CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN 
Instagram:
Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants
Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle 
Credits:
Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

Supr Dupr 2: CEO Tito Machado

Howard and Gina interview DUPR CEO Tito Machado. Tito announces news about DUPR subscores that are coming soon. And we talk to Tito about the new algorithm and whether DUPR ratings are comparable across gender, age, and geography. We also announce our Third Shot Rants merch shop!
 
Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants
Feedback on the new algorithm
Are DUPR ratings universal across gender, age, and geography?
New DUPR feature: subscore ratings by gender and age
Closing remarks
Coaches Corner: tips for drop shots
Please follow and rate our show!
Aftershow: Howard and Gina’s Halloween plans
 
Resources:
Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants
DUPR CEO Tito Machado: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilberto-tito-machado-19004670
DUPR: https://www.dupr.com/
Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com
Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com
CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN 
 
Instagram:
Tito Machado: https://www.instagram.com/titomachado.dupr
Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants
Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle 
 
Credits:
Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

Supr Dupr 1: Introduction to DUPR

Howard and Gina discuss everyone’s favorite topic, DUPR ratings and reliability scores–how they work, the new algorithm, whether they’re accurate, whether men’s and women’s ratings are comparable.
Basics of DUPR
DUPR Rating
Reliability Index
Where to play DUPR matches
New algorithm
Rating can go down with a win
Pros/cons
Are DUPR ratings accurate?
Our impressions
DUPR Biomes
DUPRs in Hong Kong
Are men’s and women' s DUPRs comparable?
Our impressions
Need for DUPR to assess and correct
Closing remarks
Coaches Corner: compact strokes at the kitchen line
Please follow and rate our show!
Restaurant reviews
Pita Inn
Rosita’s Tacos and Cocina
Note 1:  Our discussion of DUPR is based on the publicly available information we are aware of.  We welcome corrections and comments.  The statement that DUPR starts everyone at a 3.5 rating is based on what we believe occurs in a game among four non rated players.  It is less clear based on publicly available information what the algorithm assumes about a non rated player who plays a first game with three rated players, but based on anecdotal data, it does appear that there is a presumption that non rated players tend to start around 3.5.
Note 2: The discussion of a potential upward adjustment in DUPR ratings if a discrepancy were identified between men's and women's ratings based on the data would be intended to apply to men (or women) whose ratings came from matches played with men.  No adjustment would apply to men (or women) whose ratings came from matches played with women.
Resources:
DUPR info
Background: https://www.dupr.com/how-it-works
New July 2025 algorithm: https://www.dupr.com/post/dupr-algo-update-common-questions
FAQs: https://www.dupr.com/post/dupr-faqs-your-top-questions-answered-by-sarah-and-dave
Sarah Carpenter, Lead Data Scientist at DUPR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPtCLNT1sEU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsDnXxDEAJg&t=204s
Hong Kong amateur DUPRs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF_lhgYrRgc&t=297s
Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com
Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com
CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN 
 
Instagram:
Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants
Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle 
 
Credits:
Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
Audio Engineer: Henry Chang
 
Aftershow: Restaurant Recommendations
Pita Inn Skokie
Website: https://pitainn.com/pita-inn-skokie/
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/C1nagjPc3Lo7A2f46 
Rosita’s Tacos and Cocina
Website: https://www.rositastacoscocina.com/ 
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/da8z6StxxUgdDokL9 

SPF Founder Rich Green

Howard and Gina interview Rich Green, founder of SPF, the first pickleball club in Chicago. Rich discusses his personal pickleball origin story and SPF’s. Rich announces some exciting SPF news.
 
Rich’s origin story
SPF’s origin story
SPF news
Honey Butter Beach Club at SPF
Operating challenges for club owners
Closing remarks
Coaches Corner: beginner lessons
CRBN TruFoam Waves paddle launched September 25. Howard has one that listeners can try!
Please follow and rate our show!
 
Resources:
SPF: https://www.playspf.com/
Honey Butter Beach Club: https://www.honeybutterbeachclub.com/
Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com
Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com
CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN 
 
Instagram:
SPF: https://www.instagram.com/playspf
Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants
Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle 
 
Credits:
Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
Audio Engineer: Henry Chang