To hell with crossing your fingers, start practicing your right cross and get some of that easy money.
Pool, Poker & Pain: Won't B'Long Now
- Thread starter SpiderWebComm
- Start date
To hell with crossing your fingers, start practicing your right cross and get some of that easy money.
Cisero Murphy was an all around athlete - and a boxer (ask Danny D). Cisero Murphy had more than a few scars on his face - he didn't get those playing tiddly-winks.
What would he think of this? He'd probably say that it was a circus and he wouldn't watch it.
I spoke with Blair briefly about this concept about 5 or 6 years ago. It's good for TV, but I fail to see where they will attract many participants. I can think of maybe 2 or 3 pool players that would be in the necessary physical condition to give it a shot.
I am of the belief that pool can stand on its own, and it doesn't need anything else to go with it because it is the greatest game in the world.
My only problem with it is that there are really stupid people out there that will be under the impression that all pool players are also gamblers and trained MMA fighters.
If you don't believe that, go somewhere other than a pool hall and ask someone a simple question like... who is the world champion at pool. You'll get answers like Mosconi, Minnesota Fats, Tom Cruise, or some guy from ESPN that beat their Uncle Frank out of $50,000 in a bar one night.
Some people have no idea about pool - and personally, I don't think that this is a very good way to present it to them. Oh, wait... there'll be a lot of money and that makes it great for everybody. Don't even get me started.
I love watching all three. Imagine watching the shi*talk that goes on in poker but knowing that you'll get to see the two settle it on the mat.
I would guess the shi*talk will cross over to the pool table which is what pool needs to be watchable. More banter like in poker.
Whatever "purity" pool loses will be totally worth it. Maybe not for some of the purists but for all the pros that are broke now and the fans like me who want to see more events on tv.
I would guess the shi*talk will cross over to the pool table which is what pool needs to be watchable. More banter like in poker.
Whatever "purity" pool loses will be totally worth it. Maybe not for some of the purists but for all the pros that are broke now and the fans like me who want to see more events on tv.
They better play pool before the pain part....It is going to be hard to play pool with a broken hand....or jacked up arm after being put in an arm bar.
Personally I think the Pool and Poker part is fine.....but instead of Pain....the other "P" should be related to....well....."here kitty kitty"
For guys.....and even some girls....The three "P"s are a way of life......two make it......and one takes it...:wink:
Personally I think the Pool and Poker part is fine.....but instead of Pain....the other "P" should be related to....well....."here kitty kitty"
For guys.....and even some girls....The three "P"s are a way of life......two make it......and one takes it...:wink:
I can see pool and poker...but mma martial arts?? Not sure this is the path to take... Stop thinking about whats hot now and think future...I dont think MMA will last...MOST people dont actually like to see someone get the crap kicked out of them unless its some kind of criminal that deserves it...=) Now i would pay to see that...=)
How about Pool, Poker and Punch a Celebrity in the Face? The celebrity would have to be a B or C lister and in some trouble, shouldn't be too hard.
This is about the best way I can think of to make pool even less respectable than it already is. Now, instead of being just sleazy and low class, it'll be sleazy, low class and brutish.
Next up: Pool, Poker, Pain & Pussy.
What, is that in bad taste or something?
pj
chgo
LOL. I see BRKNRUN beat me to it.
Next up: Pool, Poker, Pain & Pussy.
What, is that in bad taste or something?
pj
chgo
LOL. I see BRKNRUN beat me to it.
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The only thing going through my mind right now is how many out of shape un-athletic pool players there are.
And even if they are in shape...
I'm betting that when one of them gets on the mat and tries to get out of being twisted into a pretzel, they will pinch a loaf in their pants.
Saw plenty of in shape high school guys embarrass themselves on the mat while wrestling.
Don't see how non professional athletes will be able to avoid it when someone ties them into a knot.
Also like to see how the pro pool player reacts to the potential situation where they break their wrist fighting, and can't earn any money playing pool because of their injury.
And even if they are in shape...
I'm betting that when one of them gets on the mat and tries to get out of being twisted into a pretzel, they will pinch a loaf in their pants.
Saw plenty of in shape high school guys embarrass themselves on the mat while wrestling.
Don't see how non professional athletes will be able to avoid it when someone ties them into a knot.
Also like to see how the pro pool player reacts to the potential situation where they break their wrist fighting, and can't earn any money playing pool because of their injury.
I'm not too sure you're right about that. Ancient "civilizations" had organized beat downs on a regular basis and boxing seems to be doing OK. UFC is taking down the big bucks. I think it's a strange combination but we'll have to see how it shakes out.
I wouldn't screw with DD if was 98. The man just looks like he could do 500 push ups while chewing on golf balls.
Nick
Nick
Too bad this guy is a little over the hill. He prob would have had a solid chance of winning everything
I just had an image of the demographic for the show. 18-35 yr old white male in a knock off Affliction shirt (knock off cause hes a pool player and pool players dont buy $50 tshirts) wearing a Full Tilt hat cocked 30 degrees in both the X and Z axis wearing a jacket covered in 8 on the break patches.
It will truly be a higher form of douchebag.
<-----loves to stereotype
If Blair can make some money with it more power to him but I don't see it doing anything for pool besides making it even more of a sideshow bar game than it is now.
You are going to get two out of the three disciplines performed on a pretty low level by complete amateurs. Watching amateur poker wouldnt be so terrible cause poker is always boring no matter who plays but watching bad MMA and bad pool is just no fun at all.
Besides if I know pool and poker players they will have it all nicely chopped up before hand and mysteriously suffer an injury in "training" that keeps them from entering the ring.
The idea Blair had that I thought made the most sense was following a group of players around the country on a bus. The name "Hustle Bus" isn't my cup of tea but there is a lot that could be done with the concept.
It will truly be a higher form of douchebag.
<-----loves to stereotype
If Blair can make some money with it more power to him but I don't see it doing anything for pool besides making it even more of a sideshow bar game than it is now.
You are going to get two out of the three disciplines performed on a pretty low level by complete amateurs. Watching amateur poker wouldnt be so terrible cause poker is always boring no matter who plays but watching bad MMA and bad pool is just no fun at all.
Besides if I know pool and poker players they will have it all nicely chopped up before hand and mysteriously suffer an injury in "training" that keeps them from entering the ring.
The idea Blair had that I thought made the most sense was following a group of players around the country on a bus. The name "Hustle Bus" isn't my cup of tea but there is a lot that could be done with the concept.
I just had an image of the demographic for the show. 18-35 yr old white male in a knock off Affliction shirt (knock off cause hes a pool player and pool players dont buy $50 tshirts) wearing a Full Tilt hat cocked 30 degrees in both the X and Z axis wearing a jacket covered in 8 on the break patches.
It will truly be a higher form of douchebag.
<-----loves to stereotype
If Blair can make some money with it more power to him but I don't see it doing anything for pool besides making it even more of a sideshow bar game than it is now.
You are going to get two out of the three disciplines performed on a pretty low level by complete amateurs. Watching amateur poker wouldnt be so terrible cause poker is always boring no matter who plays but watching bad MMA and bad pool is just no fun at all.
Besides if I know pool and poker players they will have it all nicely chopped up before hand and mysteriously suffer an injury in "training" that keeps them from entering the ring.
The idea Blair had that I thought made the most sense was following a group of players around the country on a bus. The name "Hustle Bus" isn't my cup of tea but there is a lot that could be done with the concept.
JCIN I disagree on bad MMA, that's usually terrific to watch. Most of the time someone gets knocked out or choked out, who doesn't love watching someone get hit with a "one hitter quitter" or a "million dollar dream"
I don't watch MMA and I don't find anything enjoying watching two people beat up each other.
This whole idea PPP is nothing but a gimmick thats gonna hurt pool overall.
From a launch standpoint, they should have the website finished and polished when they send out a press release. Many people will see the news and check that site only one time- if it gives a bad impression, that's the only impression they'll have. The site is very rough, IMO.
I'm sensitive to many of the comments mentioned here - such as the one above this post. I think ANY attention to pool wouldn't hurt it. In fact, any promotion outside of our little group would result in something like: "Oh, pool.... are they still doing that? I thought that stuff went away with grandpa's generation."
MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and has the most diverse demographics. Women like it equally as men. Old folks like it equally as much as the kids. When you look at a UFC PPV and look at the crowd, you see black, white, asian, older, younger---guys/gals...everyone. Same goes for poker.
Compared to poker and MMA, pool is so small it's not even noticeable. Everyone knows who Anderson Silva is. Everyone knows who Brock Lesnar is. Everyone knows who Phil Ivey is. NOBODY has a clue who Efren Reyes is outside of our little sport.
As I mentioned before, pool's image can't get any worse and can only improve by associating with two juggernaut activities. I trust Blair will do this right and make it exciting. He's surrounded himself with award winning producers and marketing agencies that will certainly do a great job.
The fact that pool has a real opportunity to be in reality show on a major network is GOOD. If you look at where pool was 50 years ago vs what's up today.... pool was on tv MORE then than it is NOW. Pool (as a sport) has gone backwards. That's not the fault of anyone or any group, it's the fault of XBOXs, PS3s, the internet, internet poker, etc, etc. NOBODY goes to pool rooms any more (as far as new blood - younger kids, etc). I don't know about you guys, but EVERY pool hall in my area closed up. The trend I've been seeing is extinction in some areas (not all). Pool needs a shot in the arm.
So, I think everyone might be a little over-sensitive when it comes to "protecting pool's image." People don't even know pool HAS an image, let alone pool still being a viable activity. Ask a random person who doesn't play pool who the best pool player is right now and they might say "Minnesota Fats" and the only reason they know that is because of a MOVIE--- NOT because of POOL itself. Same thing with TCOM. It always takes an outside force to give pool a boost---- and I'm hoping Blair does just that.
Dave
MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and has the most diverse demographics. Women like it equally as men. Old folks like it equally as much as the kids. When you look at a UFC PPV and look at the crowd, you see black, white, asian, older, younger---guys/gals...everyone. Same goes for poker.
Compared to poker and MMA, pool is so small it's not even noticeable. Everyone knows who Anderson Silva is. Everyone knows who Brock Lesnar is. Everyone knows who Phil Ivey is. NOBODY has a clue who Efren Reyes is outside of our little sport.
As I mentioned before, pool's image can't get any worse and can only improve by associating with two juggernaut activities. I trust Blair will do this right and make it exciting. He's surrounded himself with award winning producers and marketing agencies that will certainly do a great job.
The fact that pool has a real opportunity to be in reality show on a major network is GOOD. If you look at where pool was 50 years ago vs what's up today.... pool was on tv MORE then than it is NOW. Pool (as a sport) has gone backwards. That's not the fault of anyone or any group, it's the fault of XBOXs, PS3s, the internet, internet poker, etc, etc. NOBODY goes to pool rooms any more (as far as new blood - younger kids, etc). I don't know about you guys, but EVERY pool hall in my area closed up. The trend I've been seeing is extinction in some areas (not all). Pool needs a shot in the arm.
So, I think everyone might be a little over-sensitive when it comes to "protecting pool's image." People don't even know pool HAS an image, let alone pool still being a viable activity. Ask a random person who doesn't play pool who the best pool player is right now and they might say "Minnesota Fats" and the only reason they know that is because of a MOVIE--- NOT because of POOL itself. Same thing with TCOM. It always takes an outside force to give pool a boost---- and I'm hoping Blair does just that.
Dave
This is so true. I never thought about it until you just mentioned it. In fact, I think MMA may be similarly situated to pool much more so than poker. There's a lot of similarities as far as the so-called pros in MMA and pocket billiards.