This thread has had me thinking. I find myself thinking about it at different times in the day. The game has been an important part of my life. I quit school to run around playing pool. I have been a player, room owner, equipment dealer and manufacturer. I met my wife as a result of the pool room.
I can easily tie much of what has happened in my life directly or indirectly to the game. Though the changes can be pointed out one thing has not changed. That is, the experience of playing the game as an individual, that has not changed.
Be it in a pool room or at home, when I throw the balls out on the table to practice straight pool, 9 ball or just do some some drills. It's the same at 80 as it was at 16. It's like a time machine and I'm that kid back at the old bowling alley trying to figure things out.
I feel blessed to have been lucky enough to have discovered the game. It seems crazy to have done something for almost 70 years and can still feel a passion for it.
In the movie the "Legend of Bagger Vance ", there is a line about golf. It goes something like,
"It's a game that can't be won, only played".
Pool is a little like that. You play for personal bests. The highest level you reach isn't even important.
The original question was, "Was the game better 50 years ago"? As it applies to the individual player him or herself the answer would be no, it's still the same great game.. The joy and motivation to play the game to them, be it 50 or 100 years ago or today. On a 5 x10 in 1920 or a 4 x 8 in 2026 is the same.
A player from 100 years ago talking to a player today would have more in common then differences and enjoy each other's company.
It's basically the same game.
So this is my stream of consciousness for the day. There must be a point in there somewhere.
