Is pool bust or still breaking grounds?

[justnum]

Has the golden age of pool past or is it still coming?

There are several posters that have been around. But after awhile a decision has to be made is pool dead or not? I don't mean dead in the sense that there are no events or no prize money. I mean dead as in the size of new fans each year is declining, the size of leagues are shrinking, the number of pool halls is declining and the sales of pool equipment is down.

Financially it would be great to keep the sport alive but is it feasible. Is it better to cut losses now before things get really bad? Are things going to get worse?

Every time I hear about a concept or idea that is trying to reinvent pool or speculation that pool is going to be different I am hesitant to believe the movement. I agree there is an initial rush to see things differently but is it the kind of rush that is building momentum.

I have seen some good pushes in the past 5 years but nothing that caught on in the viral video sense.

I am not implying that pool is done I am interested in hearing your assessment of the sport in its current state compared to where its been in the past.

I would like to hear what has worked in the past, what has attempted to recreate that magic how it failed, this way I can transfer items from my list of things that might work to the list of things that failed.

 

[rorywayne]

Its bust, its in the s***er, its finished as anything big time.

In the 60's at Johnson city we were playing for 120K, today we are playing for 10 to 25K. What does that tell you, pro mens tour gone, if you are not blind, then you can see this, admitting this to be true and accepting this, is the hard part of it.

 

[justnum]

Its bust, its in the s***er, its finished as anything big time.

In the 60's at Johnson city we were playing for 120K, today we are playing for 10 to 25K. What does that tell you, pro mens tour gone, if you are not blind, then you can see this, admitting this to be true and accepting this, is the hard part of it.

Assuming you were 10 in 60s that makes you 60 and you can type on the computer that is great.

The prize money thing bust. Thanks.

 

[milwaukeepeach]

Nah, not bust. Just dormant. Everything comes in circles. We need a new pool movie and then everyone will be gung ho to play again. Otherwise, I am going to have the most beautiful collection of cues and will play by myself.

 

[JesPiddlin]

Assuming you were 10 in 60s that makes you 60 and you can type on the computer that is great.

The prize money thing bust. Thanks.

I know people in their 90's who can type on the computer. You need to take a serious look at some of your elders once in a while and notice how far they've all come in the past few decades!

 

[justnum]

Nah, not bust. Just dormant. Everything comes in circles. We need a new pool movie and then everyone will be gung ho to play again. Otherwise, I am going to have the most beautiful collection of cues and will play by myself.

There were three movies with fairly popular actors that went bust. PoolHall Junkies, it had the guy from Smallville, the movie with Freddie Prince Jr. and the movie with Famke Jansen. Of the three none were as popular as "The Hustler" or "The Color of Money."

The movie idea has gone the way of cult classics. It is a bust. Of the different actors/actresses mentioned each went on to play roles that didn't revive the characters from the cult pool movies. The only movie to do that was TCOM with Fast Eddie.

 

[Druid]

It's in the dumper for sure right now. I just got a new (used) table professionally installed. The installer said he used to do about 30 new table installs a year, and now it's down to one every other month. He also said that the pool halls, Brunswick Zones, etc. all just want the most basic of services and the cheapest felt. That almost all of their business is now dealing with used tables. I asked him if he had any hope for the future and he said NO!

I used to be a believer in the future expansion of pool in the USA, but the Pro aspect seems lost. Only the amateur leagues seem to have something somewhat exciting going on anymore. I hope it changes!

 

[LAlouie]

Any speculation about "reinventing pool" has to do with it's lack of popularity with the general public. It has nothing to do with the game. Let it go.

 

[justnum]

It's in the dumper for sure right now. I just got a new (used) table professionally installed. The installer said he used to do about 30 new table installs a year, and now it's down to one every other month. He also said that the pool halls, Brunswick Zones, etc. all just want the most basic of services and the cheapest felt. That almost all of their business is now dealing with used tables. I asked him if he had any hope for the future and he said NO!

I used to be a believer in the future expansion of pool in the USA, but the Pro aspect seems lost. Only the amateur leagues seem to have something somewhat exciting going on anymore. I hope it changes!

News like that is common to a dying industry. Other industries that bubbled and busted much faster than the billiards, mostly electronics industries like 4-bit gaming, 8-bit gaming, $0.25 game machines and subprime mortgages.

What is different in the pool industry? What is keeping it going? Or is it just rattling?