Did anyone else's BS Meter max out on this one or do I need to get mine re-calibrated?
Lou Figueroa
The future of pool
- Thread starter buckshotshoey
- Start date
Did anyone else's BS Meter max out on this one or do I need to get mine re-calibrated?
Lou Figueroa
The future's looking very bright for pool players everywhere.
Sure, there's lots of proof, I attached the links at the bottom of this post.
Pool used to be on TV many times a week back when we were involved with "PCA Pool on TV".....here's a couple of examples of the 70+ TV Shows we did with the PCA ON TV. The WPBA also did many, many ladies events on ESPN and also had success that can only be dreamed of by today's players.......and that will soon change.
There's many, many more examples and of course there's also the Wide World of Sports that Mosconi and Fats did that had fantastic ratings when I was growing up. If it hadn't been for those shows I probably wouldn't have considered playing Pro Pool.
The future's looking very bright for pool players everywhere......I'm sure there's more than a few players looking forward to seeing the game they like back in the Light. 'The Game is the Teacher'
LINKS TO SOME EXAMPLES OF THE POOL ON TV THAT I WAS INVOLVED IN:
ESPN POOL SHOWS - WORLD OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
ESPN BATTLE OF HTE SEXES POOL ON TV
PCA POOL ON TV - JOE ROGAN
PRIME SPORTS POOL ON TV
POOL ON TV
MARKETING THE PCA ON TV AT THE HOLLEYWOOD CASINO
Sure, there's lots of proof, I attached the links at the bottom of this post.
Pool used to be on TV many times a week back when we were involved with "PCA Pool on TV".....here's a couple of examples of the 70+ TV Shows we did with the PCA ON TV. The WPBA also did many, many ladies events on ESPN and also had success that can only be dreamed of by today's players.......and that will soon change.
There's many, many more examples and of course there's also the Wide World of Sports that Mosconi and Fats did that had fantastic ratings when I was growing up. If it hadn't been for those shows I probably wouldn't have considered playing Pro Pool.
The future's looking very bright for pool players everywhere......I'm sure there's more than a few players looking forward to seeing the game they like back in the Light. 'The Game is the Teacher'
LINKS TO SOME EXAMPLES OF THE POOL ON TV THAT I WAS INVOLVED IN:
ESPN POOL SHOWS - WORLD OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
ESPN BATTLE OF HTE SEXES POOL ON TV
PCA POOL ON TV - JOE ROGAN
PRIME SPORTS POOL ON TV
POOL ON TV
MARKETING THE PCA ON TV AT THE HOLLEYWOOD CASINO
Kids Pool Program
I mentor a High School Billiards Program as well as a youth program in a church for 7 to 12 year olds.
The selling points for pool that make the most impact with parents and schools are that Pool is:
Not Electronic. This is a big deal with today's parents as most of their kids entertainment is electronic.
Non Violent
Gender Neutral
Age Neutral
Social
Requires Focus, dexterity, mental and social skills
Played indoors in small space
Lifetime sport
Fun and challenging
Challenged youth can enjoy
Reach out to High Schools, Churches and Youth groups with these selling points and you will have a program in no time at all. I have got two going and am running out of time to keep up with them.
I mentor a High School Billiards Program as well as a youth program in a church for 7 to 12 year olds.
The selling points for pool that make the most impact with parents and schools are that Pool is:
Not Electronic. This is a big deal with today's parents as most of their kids entertainment is electronic.
Non Violent
Gender Neutral
Age Neutral
Social
Requires Focus, dexterity, mental and social skills
Played indoors in small space
Lifetime sport
Fun and challenging
Challenged youth can enjoy
Reach out to High Schools, Churches and Youth groups with these selling points and you will have a program in no time at all. I have got two going and am running out of time to keep up with them.
Learn how to do something
mfinkelstein,
Pool is a great platform to make people think. If a person has the attention to detail to figure out this game thats some real problem solving skills. A friend of mine actually mentioned winning a state championship at a job interview and it became a pivotal point in the decision to hire him.
The hiring manager told my friend that the fact that he had developed a skill to the point of excellence proved to him that my friend had what it took to recognize when a job had been fully completed. I think that made a lot of sense, it might be something that doesn't happen all the time but I think having pool as an avocation is a great thing to do to develop manual and mental skills as you suggest.
The same way that chess clubs are viewed as brainy things to do I think its really cool that you have found that niche.
mfinkelstein,
Pool is a great platform to make people think. If a person has the attention to detail to figure out this game thats some real problem solving skills. A friend of mine actually mentioned winning a state championship at a job interview and it became a pivotal point in the decision to hire him.
The hiring manager told my friend that the fact that he had developed a skill to the point of excellence proved to him that my friend had what it took to recognize when a job had been fully completed. I think that made a lot of sense, it might be something that doesn't happen all the time but I think having pool as an avocation is a great thing to do to develop manual and mental skills as you suggest.
The same way that chess clubs are viewed as brainy things to do I think its really cool that you have found that niche.
National High School Championships in Chicago
I played high-school pool.....we had the state championships in Kansas CIty Mo., the Regional Championships in Rockford Illinois, then the National Championships in Chicago (at the same time as the Professional National Championships).
This was quite an adventure, and where I first met many of the champions I'd be competing against in the near future. 'My Game is the Teacher'
I played high-school pool.....we had the state championships in Kansas CIty Mo., the Regional Championships in Rockford Illinois, then the National Championships in Chicago (at the same time as the Professional National Championships).
This was quite an adventure, and where I first met many of the champions I'd be competing against in the near future. 'My Game is the Teacher'
Appeal
Times Change and People's Habits change with them. I was asked once how Pool could appeal to a Millenial and I had a tough time with that. I did some research on Millenials and still had a rough time finding a way to create appeal to them however....
People are People and they are social beings. You've heard...Misery love company ....that is just one bad example that people want to be together.
Watching pool for a novice can be about as exciting as watching paint dry and participation for a novice is wonderful as he watches his opponent trounche him and keep him in his seat. Something has to fix some of that in order for people to get excited about Pool.
My personal opinion is that participation games like Doubles provide something towards that and the King of the Hill concept whereby you defend a table is another. I saw this work during the Recreation Center years of my youth.
If you have 8 tables and you have 16 players playing while that is good, how about if you have 32 players playing doubles and 32 waiting on deck or more and it would be really nice if you could do something like that and figure out a way to have more than two losses.
Pool needs to change. It need to provide value to the amateur players, it needs to provide excitement. Not everyone is a pro or even a high B player. Amateurs are discouraged when they stand no chance. Just look at the numbers in some of the tour events. 35 players doesnt constitute a great field. Going 2 and Out for $50 doesnt provide enough fun for people to remain interested.
There will always be competition for Professionals who are up for the task.
We need to nurture the amateur to want to show up, have a good time and improve as much as possible. You cant just keep beating an amateurs brains out for the cash and expect him to stay around long enough to "Pay his dues" because he is making a living and he just isnt interested in that.
Its not so much about appealing just to Millenials in this enlightened Information Age, its about appealing to People who are looking at something that just doesnt make a lot of sense to them when they ask themselves the question.....Why should I do this?
Times Change and People's Habits change with them. I was asked once how Pool could appeal to a Millenial and I had a tough time with that. I did some research on Millenials and still had a rough time finding a way to create appeal to them however....
People are People and they are social beings. You've heard...Misery love company ....that is just one bad example that people want to be together.
Watching pool for a novice can be about as exciting as watching paint dry and participation for a novice is wonderful as he watches his opponent trounche him and keep him in his seat. Something has to fix some of that in order for people to get excited about Pool.
My personal opinion is that participation games like Doubles provide something towards that and the King of the Hill concept whereby you defend a table is another. I saw this work during the Recreation Center years of my youth.
If you have 8 tables and you have 16 players playing while that is good, how about if you have 32 players playing doubles and 32 waiting on deck or more and it would be really nice if you could do something like that and figure out a way to have more than two losses.
Pool needs to change. It need to provide value to the amateur players, it needs to provide excitement. Not everyone is a pro or even a high B player. Amateurs are discouraged when they stand no chance. Just look at the numbers in some of the tour events. 35 players doesnt constitute a great field. Going 2 and Out for $50 doesnt provide enough fun for people to remain interested.
There will always be competition for Professionals who are up for the task.
We need to nurture the amateur to want to show up, have a good time and improve as much as possible. You cant just keep beating an amateurs brains out for the cash and expect him to stay around long enough to "Pay his dues" because he is making a living and he just isnt interested in that.
Its not so much about appealing just to Millenials in this enlightened Information Age, its about appealing to People who are looking at something that just doesnt make a lot of sense to them when they ask themselves the question.....Why should I do this?
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I have one question, who has started playing any pool in the united States because television? I didn't watch COM until I started playing pool... TV is not the answer.
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Exactly
I have to agree with you. I get so sick of Hustler/Color of Money yadayadayada. If you want to get discovered go to Hollywood or try out for a play.
People have a lot of thing vying for their attention. If pool isn't trying to get personally involved with people Pool is going to lose.
I have to agree with you. I get so sick of Hustler/Color of Money yadayadayada. If you want to get discovered go to Hollywood or try out for a play.
People have a lot of thing vying for their attention. If pool isn't trying to get personally involved with people Pool is going to lose.
Sometimes you gotta dump.....
I played a S/L3 that was new sometime ago in league,....... beat him baaaaaad!! He never showed up again for another game on his team. I learned a little from that experience. Now, I'll dog a few shots to make it close , or if it has to happen, I let them win. They are ecstatic when they beat me !! They show up the next week, and all on fire to play ! Most are polite, although some get pugnacious.
The point is: they got interested in the game b/c they won ! Next thing they are asking about stance, and potting balls by themselves for an hour. Those that truly want to learn, should get every chance to learn the game, and hopefully learn to love the game like we all do.
:thumbup:
I played a S/L3 that was new sometime ago in league,....... beat him baaaaaad!! He never showed up again for another game on his team. I learned a little from that experience. Now, I'll dog a few shots to make it close , or if it has to happen, I let them win. They are ecstatic when they beat me !! They show up the next week, and all on fire to play ! Most are polite, although some get pugnacious.
The point is: they got interested in the game b/c they won ! Next thing they are asking about stance, and potting balls by themselves for an hour. Those that truly want to learn, should get every chance to learn the game, and hopefully learn to love the game like we all do.
:thumbup:
true, but,....
This may be true, BUT. I gave a fairly good player a game ,and he quit me. Then he quit pool altogether.
Attitudes of today's kids aside: Was this a way to get more young ppl interested in the game? If They make a good shot, and I stay mum instead of saying," Goooood Shot !!"
does that do anything to support them iin learning the game ?
The quote I posted used the word "nurture", I am put-off by that too. Truthfully in a way, when you give someone guidance, you are trying to nurture their game
I see nothing wrong with this if it generates more interest on their part toward the game.
They have to WANT to learn the game before they can learn the game. (I am talking about newb's in general)
This may be true, BUT. I gave a fairly good player a game ,and he quit me. Then he quit pool altogether.
Attitudes of today's kids aside: Was this a way to get more young ppl interested in the game? If They make a good shot, and I stay mum instead of saying," Goooood Shot !!"
does that do anything to support them iin learning the game ?
The quote I posted used the word "nurture", I am put-off by that too. Truthfully in a way, when you give someone guidance, you are trying to nurture their game
I see nothing wrong with this if it generates more interest on their part toward the game.
They have to WANT to learn the game before they can learn the game. (I am talking about newb's in general)
Nurture Doesnt mean give
Its going to be hard to play experienced players but Nurture doesn't mean give. An even up of the chances though and a chance to play more isn't so bad.
Its going to be hard to play experienced players but Nurture doesn't mean give. An even up of the chances though and a chance to play more isn't so bad.
the more we deny this, the more under it's control we become.
I started getting serous about pool because of the Wide World of Sports TV series with Minnesota Fats and Willie Mosconi - however, I may be the exception, no one else probably saw those shows in the 70s. I may be the only one that saw 'The Hustler' and 'The Color of Money' too. The masses are controlled by "big media" whether they "real eyes" it or not - the more we deny this, the more under it's control we become.
The TV impact is not about any particular individual watching at home, it's about the presence in all the public businesses that display TV to the general public. This is what gets into the public's subconscious and that's where our behaviours are controlled......and it's proven to be highly effective in producing changes in human decisions about entertainment.
'The Game is the Teacher'
I started getting serous about pool because of the Wide World of Sports TV series with Minnesota Fats and Willie Mosconi - however, I may be the exception, no one else probably saw those shows in the 70s. I may be the only one that saw 'The Hustler' and 'The Color of Money' too.
The masses are controlled by "big media" whether they "real eyes" it or not - the more we deny this, the more under it's control we become.The TV impact is not about any particular individual watching at home, it's about the presence in all the public businesses that display TV to the general public. This is what gets into the public's subconscious and that's where our behaviours are controlled......and it's proven to be highly effective in producing changes in human decisions about entertainment.
'The Game is the Teacher'
Beg to Differ
Ok CJ, I think we all get the fact that you are in favor of the Tele. I would tend to agree with you to some extent but I think that in days of Mosconi and Fats things were a little different. The Tele was it .....pretty much in a digital sense of entertainment. Now you have widespread PC use, handheld devices, video gaming and an multitude of things that wasn't present then.
Back in that day you speak of there were fewer choices. You speak as though you might have been the only person who watched those Movies and you know you weren't.... what year was it? How many computers and devices were there then? Entertainment is galore in many forms and people are even more health conscious today and spend more time outdoors walking and going to gyms and due to the economy...simply trying to make a living.
I don't believe TV is the power house it was for promoting pool that it was in that day.
And what is there to promote? Think about it. Which way are you going to go with it?
Are you going to promote and deify the taking of money from strangers and make that the bright shining star that we are all supposed to look up to? .....or
Are you going to promote the goodness of being polite, dressing nice, using ethics and having high school and college teams....snooze for viewers
You have to create some activity from somewhere and without having some legs on Pool anything you create is just nothing more than a dream that we wish pool would be and therefore I don't think it will stand up not only to the general public but the pool playing public because meanwhile back at the pool room things are not so rosy for the player or the owner.
If you make things great for the Amateur Player then maybe you will have something to build on. We all watched the Color of Money, The Hustler, Pool Hall Junkies and anything else including a bunch of You Tubes. TV and streaming are great for existing players.
Making this great for the everyday player and the Room Owner are going to prove out to be the legs on which foundation is built.
With Pool located in Bars and Sports Bars the focus is on alcohol and most room owners just want to open the door for alcohol sales and that's it. They don't want to spend time doing the personal marketing that it takes to circulate new members and don't ask them to give something away to groups or singles to bring people in most will look at you like youre crazy but personal marketing strategies have worked because most people don't even know Pool exists at the store next door to them.
Fun is what sells pool time. You have to make things fun and keep it that way to appeal to beginning players and even some tournament cruisers. Ive never seen a crowd that just comes to watch at a local tour event except for one. If you create something people will talk about in the Pool Room that talk will spill out into the streets and be talked about in peoples conversations and that is the best advertisement there is.
It would be nice if I'm wrong but it seems the plethora of things to be tried other than actually going out and inviting people in and letting them have fun is running low and pool movies have been done in an age that was ripe for them. Not so sure that things are so receptive for the image of people hanging out at the pool room like it was back then.
If there had been no Pool Movies made and The Hustler came out today I don't think that it would have the same effect that it did way back when or The Color of Money. It wouldn't be as pronounced because things have changed.
Pool need something new and all of that is something not so new but you know good old fashion marketing to people is something that hasn't been used in a long time and it might be a good way to get some new people in the sport.
In the absence of a governing body that is equipped to help the industry our Angels, Advocates and Ambassadors for Pool .....are ourselves and the Pool Room owners. When we get that, pool will be ready for a upswing then after a few decades of that maybe it will be time for another movie about it.
I think we have to take a few lessons from Reality and Time and what I hear you saying is an idea that seems good but doesn't really fix the problem. The problem is we need repeat sales.....NOW...and the budget is low...a bit low for a movie.
The things I remember that were fun.....Partners Games....8-ball....King of the Hill on the local bar table and people lined up to try and take the table from you.
Some things don't change and those things should be the core of the business plan. Fun works.
Of course all of this is just my opinion. Perhaps you can just throw out some dough make a movie and prove me wrong, go ahead see if I care.
I started getting serous about pool because of the Wide World of Sports TV series with Minnesota Fats and Willie Mosconi - however, I may be the exception, no one else probably saw those shows in the 70s. I may be the only one that saw 'The Hustler' and 'The Color of Money' too.
The TV impact is not about any particular individual watching at home, it's about the presence in all the public businesses that display TV to the general public. This is what gets into the public's subconscious and that's where our behaviours are controlled......and it's proven to be highly effective in producing changes in human decisions about entertainment.
'The Game is the Teacher'
Ok CJ, I think we all get the fact that you are in favor of the Tele. I would tend to agree with you to some extent but I think that in days of Mosconi and Fats things were a little different. The Tele was it .....pretty much in a digital sense of entertainment. Now you have widespread PC use, handheld devices, video gaming and an multitude of things that wasn't present then.
Back in that day you speak of there were fewer choices. You speak as though you might have been the only person who watched those Movies and you know you weren't.... what year was it? How many computers and devices were there then? Entertainment is galore in many forms and people are even more health conscious today and spend more time outdoors walking and going to gyms and due to the economy...simply trying to make a living.
I don't believe TV is the power house it was for promoting pool that it was in that day.
And what is there to promote? Think about it. Which way are you going to go with it?
Are you going to promote and deify the taking of money from strangers and make that the bright shining star that we are all supposed to look up to? .....or
Are you going to promote the goodness of being polite, dressing nice, using ethics and having high school and college teams....snooze for viewers
You have to create some activity from somewhere and without having some legs on Pool anything you create is just nothing more than a dream that we wish pool would be and therefore I don't think it will stand up not only to the general public but the pool playing public because meanwhile back at the pool room things are not so rosy for the player or the owner.
If you make things great for the Amateur Player then maybe you will have something to build on. We all watched the Color of Money, The Hustler, Pool Hall Junkies and anything else including a bunch of You Tubes. TV and streaming are great for existing players.
Making this great for the everyday player and the Room Owner are going to prove out to be the legs on which foundation is built.
With Pool located in Bars and Sports Bars the focus is on alcohol and most room owners just want to open the door for alcohol sales and that's it. They don't want to spend time doing the personal marketing that it takes to circulate new members and don't ask them to give something away to groups or singles to bring people in most will look at you like youre crazy but personal marketing strategies have worked because most people don't even know Pool exists at the store next door to them.
Fun is what sells pool time. You have to make things fun and keep it that way to appeal to beginning players and even some tournament cruisers. Ive never seen a crowd that just comes to watch at a local tour event except for one. If you create something people will talk about in the Pool Room that talk will spill out into the streets and be talked about in peoples conversations and that is the best advertisement there is.
It would be nice if I'm wrong but it seems the plethora of things to be tried other than actually going out and inviting people in and letting them have fun is running low and pool movies have been done in an age that was ripe for them. Not so sure that things are so receptive for the image of people hanging out at the pool room like it was back then.
If there had been no Pool Movies made and The Hustler came out today I don't think that it would have the same effect that it did way back when or The Color of Money. It wouldn't be as pronounced because things have changed.
Pool need something new and all of that is something not so new but you know good old fashion marketing to people is something that hasn't been used in a long time and it might be a good way to get some new people in the sport.
In the absence of a governing body that is equipped to help the industry our Angels, Advocates and Ambassadors for Pool .....are ourselves and the Pool Room owners. When we get that, pool will be ready for a upswing then after a few decades of that maybe it will be time for another movie about it.
I think we have to take a few lessons from Reality and Time and what I hear you saying is an idea that seems good but doesn't really fix the problem. The problem is we need repeat sales.....NOW...and the budget is low...a bit low for a movie.
The things I remember that were fun.....Partners Games....8-ball....King of the Hill on the local bar table and people lined up to try and take the table from you.
Some things don't change and those things should be the core of the business plan. Fun works.
Of course all of this is just my opinion. Perhaps you can just throw out some dough make a movie and prove me wrong, go ahead see if I care.
Of course course my nephew is only 12 and many would do the same but.... Quick story like the above post.I learned a little from that experience. Now, I'll dog a few shots to make it close , or if it has to happen, I let them win.
The point is: they got interested in the game b/c they won ! Next thing they are asking about stance, and potting balls by themselves for an hour. Those that truly want to learn, should get every chance to learn the game, and hopefully learn to love the game like we all do.
He was playing for the first time with me at a campground rec hall table. He was getting VERY discouraged. I helped him with the bridge and a few things. He was still having a tough time. We then played 61 (what I call it when you keep score by the numerical value of the balls)
I left a lot of high numbered balls as hangers. He won. He is hooked. And I just happened to mention about my old table that I thought his Dad should get for his house! lol They have it now.
Point is that one day of encouragement created a potential life long player.
BRAVO !!!
(Someone understands the point I am trying to make) :smile:
sounds like a future pool player in the making.
Of course we had many "close" games after that!