Bump

j2pac said:

Start a billiards program at a few public/charter schools. Get local boys/girls clubs involved, etc. Give folks tax breaks if they put a table in their home/garage, etc.

Many school sports are club level, traveling programs, some (wrestling) are nearly year round. The same could be done with pocket billiards, as it is an indoor "sport." Unless the parents have a table in the home, many younger folks first introduction to the game is at a bar in their later years.
There are a number of things that could be done, but it will likely require a grassroots movement of some sort. I'm sure nothing I have posted here is an earth shattering revelation...just food for thought.

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Been done. There used to even be a boys club national champion. In the 70s I even taught a junior college course in pool held at a brunswick bowling alley. I think one of the biggest obstacles is access to the game.

It is a big deal to have a home table and there are fewer places to play in public especially for young people. There are a zillion place to play in bars though. Bar pool for years has been the only salvation of pool.

One good thing now is the quality of the current bar tables. Years ago a table in a bar was just an after thought stuck in the corner. If you were lucky it had a light over it.

Today wow, high quality bar tables to play on everywhere in fact I don't even want to use the term bar table anymore. They're just smaller tables with all the qualities of a big table and with millions of players enjoying the game.

Pool isn't dying it's just changed. But the simple fact is it isn't really a professional sport. Some may try and make a living at it and they'll be tournaments with prize money but the game is really an amateur sport.

I think one big difference I've seen in the past few years is these players who play in the bars are doing more than just passing time and having a beer. They are learning the game, men women. They have quality cues and are very serious about the game.

One aspect is, pool just does not seem to be a spectator sport. For a sport to thrive it needs fans beyond those who play themselves it needs the general public. I've been playing pool for almost 70 years and beyond maybe trick shots, I've never known people to have any interest in watching pool.

mikemosconi said:

Yes correct it profits exactly $30 every 15 minutes in the cue tip business, apparently- not knocking it - just saying that a big following in the tip install business is very good money !

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You have to factor in the price of the lathe, glue, cleaners, razor blades, as well, nothing good worth having is cheap.

Yes, the FCP Games website was from the 90s, and the website for Harlequin Balls went offline 2018. Thats the last thing I found online

I would be glad, to at least get the rules if possible.

garczar said:

Did you tell Mizerak he'd play better if he'd only look at CB last??????????????

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Pretty sure that was when I looked at object ball last. I got it from Mosconi's book. Not sure what or if Steve (I can call him Steve ) addresses it in his book. I will look.
The fact that I broke and ran probably blocked any pointers from him. Well at pool. He gave a complete lesson at the dart board. He opened with 3 in a bed.

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Every AZB'rs 1st shot if they were on the Mosconi Cup team!!

Bump

As someone who pretends to care about about someone else's stuff all day for a living, I enjoy seeing the translation of a personal interest into a product.

You guys who share your ventures...much appreciated.

Best wishes for the next chapter, of course!

is anybody buying this?

Cool how the kiss doesn't happen. I like the no nonsense, just right stroke you put on it.

maha said:

the only way i could see a chess clock is if the ref puts it in after seeing slow play.
other wise it is a distraction and punishment to all the players. unless it is automatic or the ref is using it.

but it can only be a shot clock and not a time bank as that becomes a weapon.

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I like that.

“alright boys put on your dunce hats and finish up”

no problems, no clocks