Why pool isn't viewed seriously by Joe 6-pack...

chefjeff

chefjeff

If not now...
Silver Member
When pool is on tv in a bar, some of the patrons watch it casually. The comments I hear tell me that the problem with having pool be a popular TV sport is simple:

Most persons think that what they see on TV is easy to do.

COMMENT: "I've ran a table before."

MEANING: I'm as good as that pro so why care what he does?


COMMENT: "I know how to masse'."

MEANING: Why care what pros do on TV when I can do it, too?


COMMENT: "I've won a pool tournament, too."

MEANING: I'm as good as the pros...or almost. With a few hours practice (ala Vincent and Fast Eddie) I could do that.


COMMENT: "Nice ass."

MEANING: Women are nice to watch, but can't play as well as I can, so who cares?

My point is, as long as "players" think they're as good as the pros, why watch?

I think an ingredient in good pool marketing has to deal with this misconception, so folks think of pool as being as difficult as, say, golf or linebacking or whatever. Until folks understand the time and difficulty and details to execute pool correctly and win, it will be perceived as "easy," thus unwatchable.

Sense? Nonsense?

Jeff Livingston
 
Most of the "Joe 6 pack" people that think they have what it takes find out real quick how difficult it gets when all eye's are on them in a pressure situation. That's why they're sitting on that bar stool running their yapper and not standing at the table running it.
 
Mr Slate said:
Most of the "Joe 6 pack" people that think they have what it takes find out real quick how difficult it gets when all eye's are on them in a pressure situation. That's why they're sitting on that bar stool running their yapper and not standing at the table running it.
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But just as most can't hit a home run, most won't play in those situations, because, why bother when it is (perceived as) so easy? Joe knows a home run is impossible for him, but pool? piece o' cake.

If Joe thinks it is easy, he loses interest. We real players know it isn't easy, so we watch to be amazed, but Joe is mystical in thinking he can do what he sees on tv (with consistency), when he really can't so he doesn't bother to get involved emotionally with the sport.

I want to show Joe what he CAN'T do so he has more respect, for lack of a better word, for the pros. Not by kicking his ass, so much, as somehow having Joe get to know how hard it really is. I think leagues help and I think more types of broadcasing would help.

Perhaps if watching a pro tourney, Joe could be asked to do on another table what the pro is doing on the tv table. It would be an interesting contrast to see Joe stumble while the pro smokes ass.

Jeff Livingston
 
chefjeff said:
I think an ingredient in good pool marketing has to deal with this misconception, so folks think of pool as being as difficult as, say, golf or linebacking or whatever. Until folks understand the time and difficulty and details to execute pool correctly and win, it will be perceived as "easy," thus unwatchable.

Sense? Nonsense?

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...
I think you've missed the mark here. I don't think it has anything to do with how difficult the public perceives the game to be. For example, I can only imagine how hard figure skating is to compete in but does that make me want to watch it on t.v. or give a shit about who wins? not in the least. I'm no expert but here are some random facts that I know are true:1. in general pool players remain calm and emotionless in matches. who wants to see that? In order for there to be interest, there must be some amount of excitement invoked in the watcher and a pool match just wont do it for 99 percent of people out there. 2. In pool, only the arm moves (minimum physical exertion) and there are few variables when compared to a sport like golf or football etc. To use your wording, its unwatchable without some specialized knowledge. And lastly, because I don't wish to spend too much of my time pointing out the obvious....who wants to watch pool when you can watch dancing with the stars!;)
 
driz86 said:
I think you've missed the mark here. I don't think it has anything to do with how difficult the public perceives the game to be. For example, I can only imagine how hard figure skating is to compete in but does that make me want to watch it on t.v. or give a shit about who wins? not in the least. I'm no expert but here are some random facts that I know are true:1. in general pool players remain calm and emotionless in matches. who wants to see that? In order for there to be interest, there must be some amount of excitement invoked in the watcher and a pool match just wont do it for 99 percent of people out there. 2. In pool, only the arm moves (minimum physical exertion) and there are few variables when compared to a sport like golf or football etc. To use your wording, its unwatchable without some specialized knowledge. And lastly, because I don't wish to spend too much of my time pointing out the obvious....who wants to watch pool when you can watch dancing with the stars!;)
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Good points.

Yet, moving that arm is harder than it looks...I guess that's my point here.

When we players see that motion, we analyze it, judge it, try to copy it, etc. Joe just shrugs.

I'm not implying that this is THE reason Joe doesn't watch pool but it is ONE of THE reasons. And this reason is rarely addressed by those of us who would like to see pool become a spectator sport so the money flows.

I'd like to see some ideas here on how to get Joe to realize the difficulty of pool and put it in that perspective, re TV pros.

Jeff Livingston
 
chefjeff said:
But just as most can't hit a home run, most won't play in those situations, because, why bother when it is (perceived as) so easy? Joe knows a home run is impossible for him, but pool? piece o' cake.

If Joe thinks it is easy, he loses interest. We real players know it isn't easy, so we watch to be amazed, but Joe is mystical in thinking he can do what he sees on tv (with consistency), when he really can't so he doesn't bother to get involved emotionally with the sport.

I want to show Joe what he CAN'T do so he has more respect, for lack of a better word, for the pros. Not by kicking his ass, so much, as somehow having Joe get to know how hard it really is. I think leagues help and I think more types of broadcasing would help.

Perhaps if watching a pro tourney, Joe could be asked to do on another table what the pro is doing on the tv table. It would be an interesting contrast to see Joe stumble while the pro smokes ass.

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...
The league's would help show them the real challenges of the game and how easy it isn't, but as for broadcasting (TV coverage), I think it's too easy for people to be an "armchair quarterback" and dismiss the pressure shot's on the tube, as the same one's they have shot against Billy barstool.
 
Neil said:
Good points Jeff. From what I have seen, even most league players really have no idea of just how good the pros really are. Around here, even most of the ones that THINK they know, don't know. They think that because they ONCE ran a 5 pack on a barbox, they are about there. Or that they once beat Kirkwood in a league match or a handicap tournament racing 7-3. :rotflmao1::rotflmao1:
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So, how to get Joe to better understand the complexity and difficulty of the game? When pool was in the papers everday in the 1920's the audience knew the difficulty of the game and watched it in that context, imho. I mean who would read a newpaper story about a long straight pool game if not interested in the details of shooting?

I know competition from other games nowadays makes this message a hard one to get out, but I think it integral to successful, money-making, pro play.

Thanks for jumping in,

Jeff Livingston
 
Joe 6-Pack doesn't take pool seriously because there is no serious money in it. I think back in the day payouts in pool were probably comparable to other pro sports, but now they are not. Money gets peoples attention. Its just the way it is.

You not only have to have great hand eye co-ordination and be dedicated to excel at pool, you also have to be intelligent. I think great players in any sport have to have more than natural talent to be successful.

I hear what Neil said all the time. " I beat such and such A-PLAYER one game in a chips tournament, boy am I good. " It makes me want to throw up..on them. Ask them to play their favorite game game of 8-ball on a bar box, like they do in leagues, and put $5. on it, and they say no and give some lame excuse. Sorry if this offends anyone, but I get tired of hearing how good they are, and then not backing it up.

And like Fatboy said in another thread, if 2 guys playing for $20,000. in a busy pool room doesn't get any ones attention, only 6 rail birds, something is just wrong.
 
lstevedus said:
Joe 6-Pack doesn't take pool seriously because there is no serious money in it. I think back in the day payouts in pool were probably comparable to other pro sports, but now they are not. Money gets peoples attention. Its just the way it is.

You not only have to have great hand eye co-ordination and be dedicated to excel at pool, you also have to be intelligent. I think great players in any sport have to have more than natural talent to be successful.

I hear what Neil said all the time. " I beat such and such A-PLAYER one game in a chips tournament, boy am I good. " It makes me want to throw up..on them. Ask them to play their favorite game game of 8-ball on a bar box, like they do in leagues, and put $5. on it, and they say no and give some lame excuse. Sorry if this offends anyone, but I get tired of hearing how good they are, and then not backing it up.

And like Fatboy said in another thread, if 2 guys playing for $20,000. in a busy pool room doesn't get any ones attention, only 6 rail birds, something is just wrong.
Click to expand...

That's why I came up with this thought. It's NOT just the money. it's something else.

thanks,

Jeff Livingston
 
Until summer 2009 I was joe 6-pack, only playing pool once in a blue moon, and never having been taught anything about the game. I knew that to play it well took a lot of skill, but I had no idea exactly how difficult it is to master this game.

I don't see any answer for you, Jeff. Unless people take an interest in the game for any reason, they will NEVER understand how difficult it is. It doesn't look terribly difficult to the lay person, and that person has no perspective on what is considered "good" pool.
 
chefjeff said:
I think an ingredient in good pool marketing has to deal with this misconception, so folks think of pool as being as difficult as, say, golf or linebacking or whatever. Until folks understand the time and difficulty and details to execute pool correctly and win, it will be perceived as "easy," thus unwatchable.

Sense? Nonsense?

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...

I am with you in spirit big fella :D

I love pool, and I would agree that pool on TV SUCKS.....it does....

As far as your comments, I agree that bar flys definitely make those comments, but they say the same thing about football, golf, and every other sport....."I can't believe he didn't make that catch - my high school coach would have benched me for dropping that pass".....or...."how can a pro miss a 3 foot putt, I never miss a 3 foot putt" says the 30 handicapper....

What pool is missing are shots that the everyday Joe simply can't make, which makes them feel like they are watching greatness......like Jordan dunking from the free throw line, or Tiger hitting a 7 iron out of a sand trap, over a lake from 200 yards to 10 feet, or seeing Miles Austin leap to a one-handed grab in the back of the endzone......pool on TV needs incredible banks, caroms, combos, jump shots, the works.....not 3 shots and then yet another safety....colorful personalities that are agressive on the table and do amazing shots that we only dream about :D

My two cents...

If Jordan would have just done lay-ups or Tiger laid up every time he was in trouble, people would get bored and turn the channel....
 
driz86 said:
I think you've missed the mark here. I don't think it has anything to do with how difficult the public perceives the game to be. For example, I can only imagine how hard figure skating is to compete in but does that make me want to watch it on t.v. or give a shit about who wins? not in the least. I'm no expert but here are some random facts that I know are true:1. in general pool players remain calm and emotionless in matches. who wants to see that? In order for there to be interest, there must be some amount of excitement invoked in the watcher and a pool match just wont do it for 99 percent of people out there. 2. In pool, only the arm moves (minimum physical exertion) and there are few variables when compared to a sport like golf or football etc. To use your wording, its unwatchable without some specialized knowledge. And lastly, because I don't wish to spend too much of my time pointing out the obvious....who wants to watch pool when you can watch dancing with the stars!;)
Click to expand...

I'm not really disagreeing with you but if all you have said is true, how do you account for Snooker's popularity in Europe especially on TV?
 
The bottom line, pool is a game that if you don't play it seriously and therefore don't appreciate the skills, it is pretty boring to joe sixpack

Just like ten pin bowling , if you don't play the game, it's as boring as hell, but if you do, you appreciate the skills of the top players
 
Because snooker looks extremely tough and people watch it because the pros run century when they can't make 3 ball in a row. This leads to attention. Pool is the opposite looks easy to play.This is why for example F1 race are followed all over the world and NASCAR only in USA

even if the F1 is followed because of many other reasons.
 
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chefjeff said:
That's why I came up with this thought. It's NOT just the money. it's something else.

thanks,

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...

You have really got me thinking. I worked in the bowling business for a short time many moons ago. The manager was a real creative promoter. We had something going on all the time. Then the owners cheated him out of his pay, and he was gone. Sound familiar? I never saw the guy again.

There's a guy in Columbus, Ohio that seems to be doing pretty good. He seems to cater to all levels of players. He has a tough open 9-ball tourney on Thurs. night that the good players play in, chip tournaments on the weekends, and leagues. He's always busy when I'm there. Its a pretty big place, and he has security on the weekend. I've never seen a problem.

Thanks for giving me something to think about.

SteveD
 
Slh said:
Because snooker looks extremely tough and people watch it because the pros run century when they can't make 3 ball in a row. This leads to attention. Pool is the opposite looks easy to play.This is why for example F1 race are followed all over the world and NASCAR only in USA
Click to expand...

If my math is correct: Only 26 balls must be potted/pocketed to run a century (104) in Snooker. 13 reds and 13 blacks. Easier said than done but still 26 balls.
 
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