forget pro pool for a moment, how is amateur pool?

[StraightPoolIU]

I can live with that.. but golfers don't put other golfers down because some play on a shorter or easier course. They're all golfers and appreciate that. I golfed for some time until I blew out my elbow. I love to play pool more (and am definitely better at it haha) but I do miss the lack of bullshit that you deal with golfing lol

Then we must have played golf with very different crowds. I was a fairly good golfer (7 handicap) and so were my buddies, and we wouldn't necessarily mock them but golfers that played on executive or par 3 or very short courses were guys we didn't really consider golfers. Also I play pool to not deal with golf's bullshit like making tee times, wearing the right clothes, crowded courses, equipment amount and cost etc.

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[trob]

Then we must have played golf with very different crowds. I was a fairly good golfer (7 handicap) and so were my buddies, and we wouldn't necessarily mock them but golfers that played on executive or par 3 or very short courses were guys we didn't really consider golfers. Also I play pool to not deal with golf's bullshit like making tee times, wearing the right clothes, crowded courses, equipment amount and cost etc.

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Well if your comparing playing on a par 3 course to playing on a bar table then I don't agree with you. That's rediculous.

 

[DAVE_M]

Real pool is played on a 10-foot table. That was the standard during pool's heyday.

Brunswick introduced the 9-foot table so it could fit more of them in their bowling alleys. It was also easier for rank amateurs to play on a 9-foot table.

The 9-foot table ruined the game. Now, anyone can play. I'm with Earl: let's go back to the 10-foot table...a real man's game.

What's this "real pool" you speak of?
You mean to tell me that I'm not playing pool on a Diamond barbox? Shall we call it, Bar Boxing Billiards?

 

[CSykes24]

Some of the posts in this thread make me question the sanity of you guys. Everyone complains way too much.

 

[Inaction]

How many amateur tourneys and leagues are played on regulation equipment?

What is 'regulation" equipment? I used to laugh when I saw advertisements for a regulation size pool table. I am assuming that you mean the 9 ft tables. I looked it up once and found that regulation means that the length is twice the width. So even a 6 foot table could be considered regulation equipment.

The oddball tables that are L-shaped would not be regulation equipment.

 

[Williebetmore]

Wow....came back a day later to see what the thread morphed into...my apologies to the original poster...I didn't mean to change the subject.

The "game of pool" for over a hundred years was played on 10 foot or 9 foot tables. I thought that was what he was discussing.

Those who think barboxes have anything in common with the traditions of "the game of pool" are fooling themselves - (different skill set, and almost none of the grace and elegance of "the game of pool"). It is a different though similar game; and those who choose it over "real pool" have nothing to be ashamed of, it is their choice completely (just wish they wouldn't always be so defensive about its shortcomings....lets get real).

I was not complaining, I thought it was completely obvious that, as Sailor Stellman so eloquently, prophetically, and astutely put it in the 1970's when he saw one of the first bar tables, "those ridiculous barboxes will be the death of the game, mark my words."

P.S. - at least professional Putt-Putt players got so good that the pro golfers could not beat them...when will our barbox specialists get good enough that the pros can't compete at the USBTC's?

P.P.S. - JUST MY OPINION...I understand this....please don't be insulted or defensive if you don't play real pool.

 

[Williebetmore]

Hey...to lighten things up a bit...I had a conversation with Johnny Archer once and was discussing the limitations of the bartable game. I told him that bartables were attractive to the less skilled players because you can get on one and immediately feel like you are Johnny Archer. I asked Johnny, "who do you feel like when you get on a barbox?" He paused...reflected...and said, "Hmmm....I feel like............JOHNNY ARCHER!!!"

Also note that he said his first couple of years playing were exclusively on a crappy barbox in a local convenience store in his town.

 

[bdorman]

I had a conversation with Johnny Archer once... he said his first couple of years playing were exclusively on a crappy barbox in a local convenience store in his town.

Shane Van Boening said he grew up playing on barboxes and his favorite game to this day is barbox 8-ball.

when will our barbox specialists get good enough that the pros can't compete at the USBTC's?

See above. The top barbox player (SVB) is beating all the pros on 9-foot tables.

What's this "real pool" you speak of?
You mean to tell me that I'm not playing pool on a Diamond barbox? Shall we call it, Bar Boxing Billiards?

Kiddie Pool

Some of the posts in this thread make me question the sanity of you guys. Everyone complains way too much.

That is the purpose of the internet. It's why Al Gore invented it.

 

[leto1776]

Wow....came back a day later to see what the thread morphed into...my apologies to the original poster...I didn't mean to change the subject.

The "game of pool" for over a hundred years was played on 10 foot or 9 foot tables. I thought that was what he was discussing.

Those who think barboxes have anything in common with the traditions of "the game of pool" are fooling themselves - (different skill set, and almost none It is a different though similar game; and those who choose it over "real pool" have nothing to be ashamed of, it is their choice completely (just wish they wouldn't always be so defensive about its shortcomings....lets get real).

So much hilarious ness and elitism here.

 

[takeitdown]

All I know..

When we big table players go to local bar box events we plain rob all league and tavern team players. If they come to play on the 9 foot tables, they get big handicaps and still go home without cashing.

It isn't because they don't play enough pool. Maybe its because the pool they play isnt driving them to improve.

 

[Banks]

When we big table players go to local bar box events we plain rob all league and tavern team players. If they come to play on the 9 foot tables, they get big handicaps and still go home without cashing.

It isn't because they don't play enough pool. Maybe its because the pool they play isnt driving them to improve.

That's funny. When I go to a local barbox event, I can usually hang with the better big table players. I still play primarily on Valley boxes and I'll give just about anybody but the strong local masters a run for their money. The difference is that they've been playing for twice as long as I have.. or much longer. You must have some crappy barbox players in your area.

 

[cluelesscuer]

I don't think players who don't like playing on bar boxes are trying to put people down who play on them. I think most are a bit saddened and frustrated that full size tables are disappearing. And perhaps, we are trying to inspire the pool community to change the market and be vehement about playing on better tables in tournaments and leagues.

 

[genomachino]

Pool is bigger and better than ever before.........

From my travels around the country pool is alive and doing better than ever before. If you were not there in the 70's and 80's you might not be able to even imagine.

Some areas are real strong because poolhalls and vendors and league operators are making it happen.

Some areas not but they never hardly were ever.

If you saw it back then and look at it now you would feel like a kid in a candy store. Everytime you turn around there is a tourney here or there.

I remember the big deal back home was a partners tournament, race to 2, double elimination, last pocket with no rules. At the Glenwood city golf course. Or what they called gentlemans rules. Honest effort to make your shot.

This was really sad. We thought this was great back then.

Players that complain today don't realize how spoiled they are.

Pool is better and stronger than ever before.

If you don't believe it just ask me.:wink:

 

[Banks]

Amateur pool died years ago.....unless you consider the bar table game to be real pool.

Is so dumbed down in this country with the barboxes and handicaps. Itd a shame what people consider pool. Im playing barbox tournaments more and sufferrinh the rolls, what else can you do?

I don't think players who don't like playing on bar boxes are trying to put people down who play on them.

Uh, if that's not putting something down, I'd like to see what a compliment is..

 

[cluelesscuer]

Yea. I guess you have a point Banks. Honestly, I never knew until a couple months ago that anyone would take offense about this issue.

 

[cluelesscuer]

For me it's about changing the market demand, but it's most likely a losing battle anyway.

 

[Banks]

Yea. I guess you have a point Banks. Honestly, I never knew until a couple months ago that anyone would take offense about this issue.

There are always people that think they're somehow better or special because of, usually, something that has to do with who they know, where they've been or how much money they've had involved. When it comes down to it, a lot of the knockers are B players after 30+ years, at best. You think that's what I'm going to listen to? Amateur pool is doing just fine. Ask all of these champs how they've kept their pro scene growing during that time.

Here in OR, we just had our APA Pdx vs Salem tournament.. record 120 people turn-out. Looks like another big turn-out for our BCA regional next week. From what it shows so far on the web site, there are 825 people entered for singles events, 183 doubles entries and 110 entries for teams - which are missing the Men's B Teams and Women's Open Teams numbers.

Yep, amateur pool is on the ropes.

 

[takeitdown]

That's funny. When I go to a local barbox event, I can usually hang with the better big table players. I still play primarily on Valley boxes and I'll give just about anybody but the strong local masters a run for their money. The difference is that they've been playing for twice as long as I have.. or much longer. You must have some crappy barbox players in your area.

Are you going to SBE? We can $test$ your theory. You must be some kind of phenom. You an APA 7? I am a 2...too good to play!

Look if I matched up against housewives I would feel pretty brave too. Besides regular local weekly tournaments, I enter regional open and pro events for the challenge of it. Last year I play a local strong APA guy race to 4 barbox 8 ball for 50 a set. He wins first set 4-2. Then I break and run 3 sets out, 12 games. He quits...what else is he supposed to do, he lost the coin toss for break 3 times in a row.

League people are great. Just dont ger crazy when I say the game is simple on a smaller surface. It is undeniable.

 

[Banks]

Are you going to SBE? We can $test$ your theory. You must be some kind of phenom. You an APA 7? I am a 2...too good to play!

I've been playing for a whopping 9 years, champ, starting through APA. How long have you been playing? I'm just a crummy valley barbox player that uses a house cue. Come on out to PDX and I'll be sure to line you up a game, I'll even jump in for a little, too.

Let's get to talking. How long have you been playing? How much money have you spent on equipment? How many lessons have you taken? Come on, why not tell us how much and how long it's taken you to get where you are.

 

[cluelesscuer]

Well, at least you can find more well maintained bar boxes now than say 15 years (see Diamond) as proprietors are seeing the value in those tables more and more. Its still a bit of an issue, as a lot of bar boxes are not maintained as well on average as I think compared to 9 footers. But hopefully that is changing more and more especially with leagues and tournaments on them.