I think you'd generate enough cash to redo the tables assuming 1) you don't use an expensive cloth, and 2) you and friends do the work. It's not that hard...and it's not like these tables will be used at the US Open.
Help!!!...looking to grow pool in my area...
- Thread starter Rackemep
- Start date
I think you'd generate enough cash to redo the tables assuming 1) you don't use an expensive cloth, and 2) you and friends do the work. It's not that hard...and it's not like these tables will be used at the US Open.
Could you shorten the races instead of turning players away? I don't know what your races are right now.
Raffles are a good idea. It adds to the excitement of the night.
You could have a Scratch Jar. If someone Scratches off the break or however you want to work it, they have to put a quarter or 50 cents in the jar.
If players knew there scratches were going to a good cause, they wouldn't mind tossing in a few quarters.
Like Dorman said, it doesn't have to be the most expensive cloth.
50/50s are good for a buck a pop. A couple or 3 different things and you would be surprised at how quick the change will add up.
You could have a Scratch Jar. If someone Scratches off the break or however you want to work it, they have to put a quarter or 50 cents in the jar.
If players knew there scratches were going to a good cause, they wouldn't mind tossing in a few quarters.
Like Dorman said, it doesn't have to be the most expensive cloth.
50/50s are good for a buck a pop. A couple or 3 different things and you would be surprised at how quick the change will add up.
Our races are short now...race to 2 looser breaks on both sides. My fear of shortening the race is loosing some of the beginner level players. Right now if they go 2 and out they are at least going to get 4-6 games played and have a little fun.
The bar we are playing at only has 2 tables....
I don't like turning people away but we have to make sure the tourney is done at a reasonable hour 1. Because its on a Thursday and people have to work the next day and 2. Because we need to be finished up by closing time so we don't piss off the bar staff...
16 players seems to be a decent field size for the amount of tables and a race to 2...both times we have filled it up we were out of there by midnight-ish (bar closes at 1:00)...
I think I'll try the raffle deal...This is how I plan on running it. on/around the first of the month I'll buy a cue and start the raffle. At the end of the month I'll draw a name. If it works out to where there was a profit made from the cue it'll go in the "new cloth" fund and I'll raffle off another cue or a case the following month.
What do you think is fair for raffle ticket price?....$10 sound about right? Should I limit ticket sales to just those that participate in the tourney?
Also does anyone know where I would find the best deal on a couple entry level cues...This will all start out of pocket for me so I have to keep the cost down...
What do you think is fair for raffle ticket price?....$10 sound about right? Should I limit ticket sales to just those that participate in the tourney?
Also does anyone know where I would find the best deal on a couple entry level cues...This will all start out of pocket for me so I have to keep the cost down...
Something that we do for the Scotch, 24 players or 12 teams on 2 tables.
For the times that you might have a little longer to play, as on a weekend.
Best out of 3, A,B and C side so the players are guaranteed at least 3 games for the 10 dollar entry fee.
Split the prize money accordingly.
The liquor reps are always giving away tons of Tee shirts, ball caps, coasters and doo dads for advertising for the bar.
As part of the money pay outs, each player always get small bag of goodies whether you win or lose, just for playing.
If you end up on the winning side, the bar gives out 10 dollar gift certificates on top of the prize money. That will buy a person a couple of beer, whether they use them that day or come back later.
If the owners don't want to put any money into the prize fund, you could ask them for a few Gift certificates.
For the times that you might have a little longer to play, as on a weekend.
Best out of 3, A,B and C side so the players are guaranteed at least 3 games for the 10 dollar entry fee.
Split the prize money accordingly.
The liquor reps are always giving away tons of Tee shirts, ball caps, coasters and doo dads for advertising for the bar.
As part of the money pay outs, each player always get small bag of goodies whether you win or lose, just for playing.
If you end up on the winning side, the bar gives out 10 dollar gift certificates on top of the prize money. That will buy a person a couple of beer, whether they use them that day or come back later.
If the owners don't want to put any money into the prize fund, you could ask them for a few Gift certificates.
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I was talking to a couple of the guys that play in our little weekly tourney and they seem receptive to a scotch doubles tournament once a month...I'm going to try it and see how it go's...
they sure are
Start getting phone numbers and hitting everyone up the day of the tournament to remind them....
Add a break and run jackpot. 15ball rotation called shot... Get the bar to go off for $150 and explain t them what you are trying to do... 15ball rotation makes it almost impossible for busting it... 1/3 of the cash is bonus for running out... so first night each ball is worth 100/15... If you miss you lose credit for balls made so that encourages people to quit early and keep the pot high......
Pot should get high enough that each balls gets to be worth some big bucks and will keep the guys coming back... you have to have played in 1 of the last 2 tournaments to be eligible for 100% of the pot or you are shooting at 50% of it.....
Add a break and run jackpot. 15ball rotation called shot... Get the bar to go off for $150 and explain t them what you are trying to do... 15ball rotation makes it almost impossible for busting it... 1/3 of the cash is bonus for running out... so first night each ball is worth 100/15... If you miss you lose credit for balls made so that encourages people to quit early and keep the pot high......
Pot should get high enough that each balls gets to be worth some big bucks and will keep the guys coming back... you have to have played in 1 of the last 2 tournaments to be eligible for 100% of the pot or you are shooting at 50% of it.....
Sorry dont know how I missed this post...Yes I think ultimately having the tourney there is bringing in more business/money. A couple of our players don't drink anything but water or soda. I do my best to encourage them to at least take care of the bar tender. The other thing is that when the parking lot is full of tournament players cars it sparks the curiosity of people just passing by...People look and see a dead bar and just keep driving but if the place looks like its hopping i think it helps attract more people...
I may try this and see how it go's ......
Pool in Kingman, AZ ...
I think it's great that you're trying to get pool active again in Kingman. I remember Billy Bojangles made a go of it several years back. He'd run tourneys, repair cue sticks, gave lessons and offered a variety of other services. Back then, he would travel between Kingman and Flagstaff promoting pool.
Since he left town, I noticed pool in Kingman had died down. That, and Timeout Tavern is pretty much a waste of time to visit for a pool game. If you can revive pool in town, that would be wonderful. I think the potential is there.
Getting a bar owner to pony up for new cloth is a tough nut sometimes. If the players are willing to post up even a small portion of the cost, the owners usually give in. But, a drawing could work just as well.
As far as getting more interest in the game, if you can recruit a top player to come in and giva an exhibition and clinic, I would think that could help. For this you might need to find someone from Las Vegas or Phoenix. Maybe Max Eberle would be willing to make the trip down. I'm not sure what you'd have to offer him to bring him in. Just a crazy thought I had.
Good luck on your efforts.
I think it's great that you're trying to get pool active again in Kingman. I remember Billy Bojangles made a go of it several years back. He'd run tourneys, repair cue sticks, gave lessons and offered a variety of other services. Back then, he would travel between Kingman and Flagstaff promoting pool.
Since he left town, I noticed pool in Kingman had died down. That, and Timeout Tavern is pretty much a waste of time to visit for a pool game. If you can revive pool in town, that would be wonderful. I think the potential is there.
Getting a bar owner to pony up for new cloth is a tough nut sometimes. If the players are willing to post up even a small portion of the cost, the owners usually give in. But, a drawing could work just as well.
As far as getting more interest in the game, if you can recruit a top player to come in and giva an exhibition and clinic, I would think that could help. For this you might need to find someone from Las Vegas or Phoenix. Maybe Max Eberle would be willing to make the trip down. I'm not sure what you'd have to offer him to bring him in. Just a crazy thought I had.
Good luck on your efforts.
Sounds like you have spent some time here in kingman? I'm doing my best to get people interested out here. There are a few players out here but I have never lived somewhere that pool was this dead...
I never lived in Kingman but passed through many times. I imagine if I lived there now, I'd be tortured for lack of places to play. I usually play on 4.5 X 9 tables.
Another name came to mind for a possible exhibition - Robert "Cotton" LeBlanc (bobbycotton on this forum). He's a ham that would be entertaining. Since he lives in Vegas, he might be interesed if he could promote his book and newsletter.
Yeah the closest 9 footers are in Havasu or Vegas ....kinda sucks but I'm trying to make the best of what's available. Timeout tavern wouldn't be a bad place if they would just do some upkeep on the tables...
Ill look into having an exhibition put on...I don't know if the pool following has grown enough to make it worth while for someone to come out and put on a show.
If you ever find your self in kingman and want to shoot a couple games let me know...
Ill look into having an exhibition put on...I don't know if the pool following has grown enough to make it worth while for someone to come out and put on a show.
If you ever find your self in kingman and want to shoot a couple games let me know...
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Scorekeeper 2.0
TAPs got an app that makes it real easy to start and run leagues with, especially in outlying areas cause there are no more score sheets to run.
It now makes scoring simple for the players and captains who are switching to cell phones and tablets to keep track of the nights match.
Licensees can now admin electronically submitted score sheets off of any mobile device.
http://vimeo.com/78388124
http://runoutapps.com
http://www.tapleague.com
TAPs got an app that makes it real easy to start and run leagues with, especially in outlying areas cause there are no more score sheets to run.
It now makes scoring simple for the players and captains who are switching to cell phones and tablets to keep track of the nights match.
Licensees can now admin electronically submitted score sheets off of any mobile device.
http://vimeo.com/78388124
http://runoutapps.com
http://www.tapleague.com
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You've got such a passion for the game! Nice to see that... What keeps you in Kingman? I've got a few friends, it would be cool to have a road trip down there sometime! We're having a Super Bowl party, wanna come up and shoot? BBQ, good times and good people....
Well we came to Kingman because we had a cheap place to rent from a friend of the family right after I got out of the Army. It was supposed to be a temporary deal and we were going to move to PHX once my VA claims were settled. My wife ended up with a job out here that she really likes as a Vet Tech working with anything from dogs and cats to horses (Horses are her passion) so we just kind of settled in here. It works out because it puts us fairly close to family...My dad lives in Phoenix as do her parents and my Mom and Step Father are moving to Vegas this year (he just retired from the Air Force)...
If you ever make it out this way hit me up! As far as the Super Bowl party gos I'll have to ask the wife what she wants to do but I sure appreciate the offer!
Shaun