POOL IN THE 21st CENTURY?

S

sde

...
Silver Member
I have read many posts stating that pool is dead in the USA and that it will never attract a mainstream TV audience. I disagree; I believe that with the correct promotion and possibly a change of games played, there is a future in the mainstream for pool.

Even though the idea I’m about to suggest is probably not plausible, I’ve been thinking on this for awhile and thought I would post it here. All criticism and additional ideas are welcome, as I’m sure this would not be the final product.

POOL IN THE 21st CENTURY
What I’m suggesting would need a high-tech instrument (LABPS; Laser Assisted Ball Placement System) that would be capable of scanning a pool table and plot the layout of all the balls and transfer that data to another LABPS that could project an image onto another pool table to produce the exact layout as the first table. I.e. it would be a clone, so to speak.

This could be applied to an entire tournament where every player would play the same table layout and receive a score for that “rack”. Players would be eliminated based on their scores. This could also be uploaded to the internet where players anywhere could log on play the same “racks” and compare their skills to the pros.

My first thought for the game was 15 ball rotation, where the chances of a run out on every rack would be the least. The initial layout of the table could be accomplished by a designated breaker or the tournament director choosing the layout to achieve an increased degree of difficulty as the rounds progress.

I understand that the LABPS as described does not exist (or does it) but who knows that it would not be developed if there was enough positive feedback on this idea. I also realize that it is probably doomed by the cost of R&D and the initial cost to the users.

Why I like it.
1. Eliminates best breaker wins, syndrome
2. Truly an all offensive game
3. Allows viewers to see and compare the skills of players

Thank you for taking the time to read this and let the flames fly.

Steve
Remember you seen it here first. LOL
 
I think it's a cool idea, and such a device doesn't seem implausible, but it might actually cater to the more experienced fan. Others might not want to see the same rack played more than once. Or maybe not, just my first thought.
 
first off, best breaker wins syndrome has already been eliminated with use of alternate breaks. second, a soley offensive game is not a skilled game. a truely skilled game consisted equally of good offense and a good defence. this is true for all sports and games alike. pool isnt just about making balls, its like a chess game that needs to be played between to opponents for full effect.
 
PKM said:
...but it might actually cater to the more experienced fan.
Click to expand...

I agree. I was thinking of drawing a larger % of league players that think that watching pool on TV is boring.

Steve
 
socks said:
first off, best breaker wins syndrome has already been eliminated with use of alternate breaks. second, a soley offensive game is not a skilled game. a truely skilled game consisted equally of good offense and a good defence. this is true for all sports and games alike. pool isnt just about making balls, its like a chess game that needs to be played between to opponents for full effect.
Click to expand...

I agree with you as well, as some one who plays a lot of defense and needs to, to win.
But what the sport really needs imo is to draw in the masses of people that do not play and I can only guess what they would appreciate but I would think it would be offense.

Thanks for your input.

Steve
 
I wonder why they don't show the occasional 8-ball, since that's the game most casual players are familiar with. I haven't seen it ever on ESPN. Is it considered just too boring compared to 9-ball?
 
sde said:
I have read many posts stating that pool is dead in the USA and that it will never attract a mainstream TV audience. I disagree; I believe that with the correct promotion and possibly a change of games played, there is a future in the mainstream for pool.

Even though the idea I’m about to suggest is probably not plausible, I’ve been thinking on this for awhile and thought I would post it here. All criticism and additional ideas are welcome, as I’m sure this would not be the final product.

POOL IN THE 21st CENTURY
What I’m suggesting would need a high-tech instrument (LABPS; Laser Assisted Ball Placement System) that would be capable of scanning a pool table and plot the layout of all the balls and transfer that data to another LABPS that could project an image onto another pool table to produce the exact layout as the first table. I.e. it would be a clone, so to speak.

This could be applied to an entire tournament where every player would play the same table layout and receive a score for that “rack”. Players would be eliminated based on their scores. This could also be uploaded to the internet where players anywhere could log on play the same “racks” and compare their skills to the pros.

My first thought for the game was 15 ball rotation, where the chances of a run out on every rack would be the least. The initial layout of the table could be accomplished by a designated breaker or the tournament director choosing the layout to achieve an increased degree of difficulty as the rounds progress.

I understand that the LABPS as described does not exist (or does it) but who knows that it would not be developed if there was enough positive feedback on this idea. I also realize that it is probably doomed by the cost of R&D and the initial cost to the users.

Why I like it.
1. Eliminates best breaker wins, syndrome
2. Truly an all offensive game
3. Allows viewers to see and compare the skills of players

Thank you for taking the time to read this and let the flames fly.

Steve
Remember you seen it here first. LOL
Click to expand...


Earlier last month at DCC I had an interesting conversation with a pool fan who owns a robotic automation company. People talked about similar ideas to me a lot; we believe it can be a great educational tool.

A lot of things can be done when there is funding, however......

how about getting some layouts done first ... :)

one step at a time
 
Last edited:
With pro's, both 8 and 9 seem like either would fit....going with your technological upgrades, it would be cool to have some special camera or system that can show english, precision, and how the balls impact....and showing the defensive prowess every now that then is good, but you also need agressive shotmakers....

Beach Volleyball used to be on prime weekend programming, and it was a blast to watch (or, at least I used to play a lot and it was on)....after a while, it got boring.....as purses increased, everybody played more defense and roll shots, which don't have the excitement of a spike...people tuned out...now, your lucky to find them on ESPN...

Also, sex sells.....you need attractive players.....not somebody with my ugly mug on TV :D

EDIT : Someone stated on another post, better commentators would help, and I'd agree....
 
/quote
POOL IN THE 21st CENTURY
What I’m suggesting would need a high-tech instrument (LABPS; Laser Assisted Ball Placement System) that would be capable of scanning a pool table and plot the layout of all the balls and transfer that data to another LABPS that could project an image onto another pool table to produce the exact layout as the first table. I.e. it would be a clone, so to speak.
/quote

Actually you'd only really need the second part - which is really only a nicely calibrated projector placed directly above a pool table.

While we're at it, why are we talking about TV? TV is on its way out! It won't be long before all TV type content is viewed on the internet. I think that the cuetable contests (or whatever they're called) where people do a set of shots and upload them to YouTube is pretty close to what you're talking about.

How about putting together a tournament like you described, using Weitable, a videocamera, and Youtube. The tricky part is getting enough people to participate (must have table at home and a videocamera).

Jon
 
cuetable said:
Earlier last month at DCC I had an interesting conversation with a pool fan who owns a robotic automation company. People talked about similar ideas to me a lot; we believe it can be a great educational tool.

A lot of things can be done when there is funding, however......

how about getting some layouts done first ... :)

one step at a time
Click to expand...

I did not know that others have toying with the same idea. I'm glad to know that I'm not alone:)

Do you have ant idea as to the cost of such a system?

As far a layouts I'll leave that to you and others that are more knowledgeable then me.

Thanks for the reply.

Steve
 
Big Perm said:
With pro's, both 8 and 9 seem like either would fit....going with your technological upgrades, it would be cool to have some special camera or system that can show english, precision, and how the balls impact....and showing the defensive prowess every now that then is good, but you also need agressive shotmakers....

Beach Volleyball used to be on prime weekend programming, and it was a blast to watch (or, at least I used to play a lot and it was on)....after a while, it got boring.....as purses increased, everybody played more defense and roll shots, which don't have the excitement of a spike...people tuned out...now, your lucky to find them on ESPN...

Also, sex sells.....you need attractive players.....not somebody with my ugly mug on TV :D

EDIT : Someone stated on another post, better commentators would help, and I'd agree....
Click to expand...

Good points. Thanks

Steve
 
the idea seems cool, but i dont think pool will ever be a big tv draw (at least not in the usa). Why is poker so huge? Because you can play poker on your own, its easy to learn, you can do it anywhere, if you know anything about poker you can watch poker on tv and know exactly whats happening.

Pool isnt poker, pool requires the physical as well was the mental and the knowledge. The average joe whos never played pool or has played just a little bit doesnt really know what hes seeing, why someone does what they do, how they do it. He sees someone making or missing a shot. You cant just "pickup" pool, versus something like poker.
On the flip side pool isnt "physical" enough to get someone watching either, like volleyball or football or soccer.

Pool is basically in the pergatory of sports lol......if you love playing pool you understand and probably love watching it, but if not youre gonna blow right by it on the tv probably.
 
jondrums said:
/quote
POOL IN THE 21st CENTURY
What I’m suggesting would need a high-tech instrument (LABPS; Laser Assisted Ball Placement System) that would be capable of scanning a pool table and plot the layout of all the balls and transfer that data to another LABPS that could project an image onto another pool table to produce the exact layout as the first table. I.e. it would be a clone, so to speak.
/quote

Actually you'd only really need the second part - which is really only a nicely calibrated projector placed directly above a pool table.

While we're at it, why are we talking about TV? TV is on its way out! It won't be long before all TV type content is viewed on the internet. I think that the cuetable contests (or whatever they're called) where people do a set of shots and upload them to YouTube is pretty close to what you're talking about. I was not aware of this.

How about putting together a tournament like you described, using Weitable, a videocamera, and Youtube. The tricky part is getting enough people to participate (must have table at home and a videocamera). Or a coopertive poolroom owner.

Jon
Click to expand...

Thanks
Steve
 
You're trying to make pool internet-friendly, like poker. The problem is, poker has seen incredible success over the internet because the game (like most non-sport games) is INHERENTLY internet-friendly. Whether you like it or not, pool is a sport and like most sports, the moment in time and place is relevant. You can't save a game and transfer it to another table. It doesn't work like that.
 
scottycoyote said:
On the flip side pool isnt "physical" enough to get someone watching either, like volleyball or football or soccer.

Pool is basically in the pergatory of sports lol......if you love playing pool you understand and probably love watching it, but if not youre gonna blow right by it on the tv probably.
Click to expand...

I think you hit the nail on the head right there. If you haven't devoted at least some time to the game, it's probably boring to watch. Not so for other sports.
 
scottycoyote said:
the idea seems cool, but i dont think pool will ever be a big tv draw (at least not in the usa). Why is poker so huge? Because you can play poker on your own, its easy to learn, you can do it anywhere, if you know anything about poker you can watch poker on tv and know exactly whats happening.

Pool isnt poker, pool requires the physical as well was the mental and the knowledge. The average joe whos never played pool or has played just a little bit doesnt really know what hes seeing, why someone does what they do, how they do it. Using this "idea" would allow the average Joe to see the same rack being attempted by numerous players and when in the rack, based on the previous players misses, to anticipate the excitement of will THIS player get past the hard part of the rack. He sees someone making or missing a shot. You cant just "pickup" pool, versus something like poker.
On the flip side pool isnt "physical" enough to get someone watching either, Possibly with good commentary, People could see the stratagy of position play and learn to appreciate the skill involved.like volleyball or football or soccer.

Pool is basically in the pergatory of sports lol......And that is what needs to be changed!if you love playing pool you understand and probably love watching it, but if not youre gonna blow right by it on the tv probably.
Click to expand...

Thanks
Steve
 
Nice concept that has been bouncing around for years:

- A while back there was a video online someplace of a system with a camera and projector in the ceiling. The system would shine layouts and ball paths on the table for drills. Anybody else remember seeing this?

- There was also information making rounds a while back of a system with cameras and a VR helmet. The system would read the table and the VR helmet would shot you where to shoot. I think this was a project by some college kids, but I may not be remembering it correctly.

So, you are right in that there are other people thinking about this. I really like the idea of using this type of technology as a training tool. I would love to have a system record games and allow me to recreate the situation exactly at a later time. Granted, I could draw the table out or record the layout on a pocket pc (I already wrote software for this on my ipaq) but it takes to long to be practical in a real game. Also, we play a game where millimeters matter, no way to really be accurate in the layouts.

As wei already said, this is very doable with todays technology. The question is not can it be done, but who would want to step up and pay for it.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
You're trying to make pool internet-friendly, like poker. The problem is, poker has seen incredible success over the internet because the game (like most non-sport games) is INHERENTLY internet-friendly. Whether you like it or not, pool is a sport and like most sports, the moment in time and place is relevant. You can't save a game and transfer it to another table. It doesn't work like that.
Click to expand...
The internet portion is secondary to televised tournaments.
You are correct it does not work like that. But that does not mean that it could not work that way IF it meant bringing pool into the mainstream. Not to say that it would just IF. Thanks for the reply

Steve
 
mthornto said:
Nice concept that has been bouncing around for years:

- A while back there was a video online someplace of a system with a camera and projector in the ceiling. The system would shine layouts and ball paths on the table for drills. Anybody else remember seeing this?

- There was also information making rounds a while back of a system with cameras and a VR helmet. The system would read the table and the VR helmet would shot you where to shoot. I think this was a project by some college kids, but I may not be remembering it correctly.

So, you are right in that there are other people thinking about this. I really like the idea of using this type of technology as a training tool. I would love to have a system record games and allow me to recreate the situation exactly at a later time. Granted, I could draw the table out or record the layout on a pocket pc (I already wrote software for this on my ipaq) but it takes to long to be practical in a real game. Also, we play a game where millimeters matter, no way to really be accurate in the layouts.

As wei already said, this is very doable with todays technology. The question is not can it be done, but who would want to step up and pay for it.
Click to expand...


For the past few weeks that I have been thinking about this I thought it was a new idea and that it would be received with a lot of negativity.

As for paying, well that won't be me. :)

Thanks

Steve
 
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