Just an observation about pro tournaments

B

bdorman

Dead money
Silver Member
I'm learning a lot about the game (I'm a newbie) by watching youtube videos, particularly pro tournament matches.

One thing I've noticed is that the audience at the tournaments is OLD. It looks like the average age in the audience is easily over 65. Some of that is that retired guys have more time to attend tournaments, but it also indicates a dying sport. You can't stay in business if your customers are dying and not being replaced by the younger generation.

Question for those of you who have attended pro tournaments: Do I have the right impression from the videos? Or is there a younger crowd that I'm just not seeing?
 
I've noticed the same thing. In fact, it's not just pool. Motorcycle riders are getting older as well.
 
Most professional pool tournaments are held at casinos. Usually customers at casinos are older. That may be why you see mostly older fans watching the tournaments.
 
You are on target at least in the U.S.

Pool is just not that exciting to watch if someone does not appreciate the skill required and subtleties of the game. The modern entertainment environment is so cluttered and crowded with choices its very tough to make a dent with people not already invested in the game.

I have told people I produce pro pool events and had them say "People watch that ?" Its a niche thing and barring a major change similar to The Color of Money or a giant infusion of cash and marketing savvy into a pro tour I suspect it will always be that way in this country.
 
I have been to several big tournament s there are plenty of younger guys there but they are playing and walking around venue the tv does not capture the being there it is amazing to be there. I know most the younger guys watch accu stats to learn stuff not so much for entertainment purpose. Imo they should have instruction shows on tv like cooking show thats why we watch put stan or cj on espn just teaching an talking pool that would do as good as a fishing show. People want info .. if u never been to a pool tournament go and report back
 
Its sad, but your right.

If we cant ESPN to help the game, then the game is in trouble. ESPN has the same stuff on all day and night, yet they dont have room for 1HR of pool per night or a couple of days a week?

If ESPN syas that pool is cool, then the young guys will say that its cool.
Justin is right about the fact that its hard to watch because most people dont get it, how hard it is to do what they are seeing...,
 
Agree with OP. The crowd shots look like they were taken at bingo night in an old people's home. OTOH, there are a lot of young people in the rooms I play in. So go figure. Maybe the older people don't play much anymore but still love the game. And the younger people are spending their out-of-poolhall time doing things like trying to get laid.
 
I've always said how amazing it is that the pros make the shots look so easy, like anyone can do it. If someone isn't familiar with pool then they don't realize just how difficult it can be to learn. However, the tournaments I've been to I have seen people of all ages. I've been taking my now 20 year old daughter since she was 4 & it's something she looks forward to & plans for every year.

It would be very nice to see it back on ESPN & hopefully that will happen again soon.
 
King T said:
If we cant ESPN to help the game, then the game is in trouble. ESPN has the same stuff on all day and night, yet they dont have room for 1HR of pool per night or a couple of days a week?

If ESPN syas that pool is cool, then the young guys will say that its cool.
Justin is right about the fact that its hard to watch because most people dont get it, how hard it is to do what they are seeing...,
Click to expand...

Have you been to a horse track lately? Its been old people forever. Pool and horse racing used to be big draws. I have seen old photos of race tracks when they had a big graded event and the joint was packed. I'm not talking about Triple Crown events. Regional tracks like Suffolk Downs or the Fair Grounds when they had a graded race and the joint was jumping. No more, for pool either. Doesn't have to be ESPN either, although that would be great. Spike, FX, NBC Sports Network, USA etc. Regional Sports Networks like YES, MSG,NESN etc. The NHL went this way, MMA does it. Any TV exposure would work. With all the cable/satellite channels out there something could maybe/should/maybe, be possible. Marketed to bring in newer/younger audiences without alienating traditional fans. The SBE this weekend had a nice product, free, and it got 1200 or so viewers at the most at anytime. This forum had very little buzz about that stream. If people here are not that into something like this than a different path needs to be taken. I recall it wasn't that long ago a 10 ft match between SVB and Earl was the rage. They are playing next week again on Big Foot and no one cares. Sad really
 
You got a point there..,

Your right, if the local sports stations picked up pool, then maybe ESPN would notice, but pool has got to get air time or we are in trouble..., out of sight out of mind.

There is a good mix of players of all ages at the tourny's in Texas, 20's,30's
and up from there, more money more players, but we have got to be in the publics eye and so far so bad.
 
"saving money by not advertising is like saving time by unplugging the clock"

RobertaAgnor said:
I've always said how amazing it is that the pros make the shots look so easy, like anyone can do it. If someone isn't familiar with pool then they don't realize just how difficult it can be to learn. However, the tournaments I've been to I have seen people of all ages. I've been taking my now 20 year old daughter since she was 4 & it's something she looks forward to & plans for every year.

It would be very nice to see it back on ESPN & hopefully that will happen again soon.
Click to expand...

Yes, we're getting the results of not advertising for many years. The billiard "trade organization" used to at least run TV commercials during other sporting and gaming events. I have a feeling they're "saving money" by not advertising pool any more, so we just get the "hard core" fans, and that's to be expected. None of this should come as a surprise to anyone.

We have a saying in the restaurant/bar business. "saving money by not advertising is like saving time by unplugging the clock".......and that about sums it up imho a few people seemed to have "unplugged the clock" about 13 years ago and no one remembered to "plug it back in". 'Play with Class, the Game is the Teacher'
images
 
I have a room a beautiful table and televised stuff on all the time and my kids like all of their friends have zero interest, they play online games and are at univ taking technical courses with a view to a future in hi tech.

I have had a great passion for the game all my life but I honestly believe it's the end of an era. All the older players that I learned from and kept me up all night watching them gamble are all but dead, Billy Werbeniuk, Tacoma Whitey, Dick Mcgivern, Ronnie Moen, Gary Strachan, Vince Frane (still alive) and more.

The good players of my generation have all stopped because their is no incentive, very few events and the expenses outweigh the return and most of the rooms are gone.

I honestly don't know if there is an answer and it's hard to stay positive about the games future.
 
Slasher said:
in twenty years pool may well be a distant memory.
Click to expand...

I think you may be correct as far as big tables go. Bar pool leagues will probably continue to do well.
The majority of bar league players are the casual players that look forward to a night with friends and a few drinks. The pool is secondary to the night out to socialize.
As far as the crowd getting older i agree.
A couple years ago at a local room on a Saturday we were talking about the same thing. I said look around the room 50 people maybe. How many are under 50 years old I asked? The answer was about 5 or so.
 
There's a younger generation in pool. I'm one of them, 25 years old. I only watch pool online when I have time to kill, and I go to tournaments to play. You won't see me posted up in a chair to watch pool all day, unless I have a broken leg or something and can't play. You don't see the younger guys because they're too busy playing. That doesn't mean that we aren't here though.
 
Baxter said:
There's a younger generation in pool. I'm one of them, 25 years old. I only watch pool online when I have time to kill, and I go to tournaments to play. You won't see me posted up in a chair to watch pool all day, unless I have a broken leg or something and can't play. You don't see the younger guys because they're too busy playing. That doesn't mean that we aren't here though.
Click to expand...

That's good to hear. Tell your friends! :grin-square:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top