The future of pool

[Paul Schofield]

Phil Capelle, or Dr. Dave, or Bob Jewett, or Mark Griffin, or Jim Wych, or any of the large number of real movers and shakers who *do* actively read here "aren't" influenced or are made to think about what they read here. Nope. They just read for entertainment's sake. Yep.

-Sean

I read this thread and my post again. I stand by it. None of these folks you mentioned above have posted on this thread. Furthermore, not even one ball has ever been pocketed here. This is just a place to come and BS.

Nothing that anyone says on here is really important. This is only a forum.

Take what you say and go do something. Now that is important. Invest your money. Take a shot. Even if you fail, it is important.

 

[kaylaemarx]

When we look behind and see our past record of playing that billiard game pool, I think most of us will agree that our game improves as time rolls by. Today internet and TV has lots of contribution on our play. Collecting information was never so easy, today with technology improving, we are getting lots of information within a short span of time.

 

[336Robin]

I dont post to impress

I read this thread and my post again. I stand by it. None of these folks you mentioned above have posted on this thread. Furthermore, not even one ball has ever been pocketed here. This is just a place to come and BS.

Nothing that anyone says on here is really important. This is only a forum.

Take what you say and go do something. Now that is important. Invest your money. Take a shot. Even if you fail, it is important.

Its a great place to find out what people think.

Are you by chance in the act of doing anything yourself?

 

[sfleinen]

I read this thread and my post again. I stand by it. None of these folks you mentioned above have posted on this thread. Furthermore, not even one ball has ever been pocketed here. This is just a place to come and BS.

Nothing that anyone says on here is really important. This is only a forum.

Take what you say and go do something. Now that is important. Invest your money. Take a shot. Even if you fail, it is important.

Ah, the escapist/evasive approach -- "read this thread and saw none of the aforementioned names posted in this thread." So, therefore, "name doesn't appear == they're not reading [humorous deduction especially with a thread name like 'The future of pool']."

So, if this is "only a forum" and really unimportant, why do those names have accounts here, and *are* found responding to threads where they feel they have to dispel inaccurate information, or where they feel their unique position affords them a response that will benefit the masses?

Funny, coming from someone who purports to be supporting pool and the pool industry in general, and sets the appearance that he's "doing something" by e.g. coming up with rules in his pool hall where making a ball after the break is unimportant, but yet *uses this forum* for advertising his No Conflict rules. I don't see you as an AZB club member. Buy a Club Membership, if you're going to advertise, if you want to support the very "just a forum" that you advertise in. Put a little meat behind that "invest your money" directive.

And, I'm especially enamored of the "not one ball was pocketed in this thread" response. That's just priceless. So in order for something to be done, a ball has to be pocketed at a table? Like nothing in pool happens with discussion? All those things that, e.g. Mark Griffin does, he *had* to be at a table pocketing balls?

And, the assumption from you that I'm not a person who already has done something for pool, and continually contributes in a different way.

Add all these things together, and you get arrogance of a caliber rarely seen, especially coming from someone that likes to throw that word at me.

You're just adorable, Paul.

-Sean

 

[sfleinen]

Its a great place to find out what people think.

Are you by chance in the act of doing anything yourself?

"Robin! <gasp!> You don't know who Paul Schofield is?!? Shame on you!"


-Sean

 

[Dunnn51]

Perhaps it is not "what," but "who?"

This thread has garnered that blank space in the corner of my mind(its quite expansive and up for rent, CHEAP!). When I have a free moment; I ponder the relevant and eschew the sarcasm in this thread.

Back to the entertainment/exposure side of the issue:

"What," would be a movie, but more important might be "who" would make/direct such a movie. What about a movie with another subject,but pool as the consistent "sub-theme" running through the entire length of the movie. Think of the movies: Backdraft, or Good Will Hunting, or one of my favorites, Hard Times. Howard and Afflek exposed the audience to active sub-plots that made the movie meaningful as they supported the main plot of the movie. Perhaps Howard could make a movie about a bum who picked himself up and educated himself while he played pool with the regular folks as his outlet for recreation. As he excels in his career journey, he makes strides in his game as well.
Someone,(Who), like Affleck or Howard have a penchant for doing movies like this.

maybe .03 1/2 :wink:

 

[336Robin]

yes I do

"Robin! <gasp!> You don't know who Paul Schofield is?!? Shame on you!"


-Sean

I do that's a very nice looking room he has and just from looking at the place online it looks as if he is doing good things.

I understand what he is saying about a whole lot of lip service and no action though.

I really enjoy the different opinions about what works and doesn't here, times change, opinions change and what works can change as well.

Snooker for instance is snooker and I don't see much about snooker that needs to change but pool, pool can have so many different games and maybe pool needs to have some change every once in awhile.

Since pool is unsupported and unregulated its whatever people are paying for that works in pool and not so much of that is going around about the recruitment of new players.

That's what I would love to see happening but will it happen? Likely not people will have to want to play pool then it will happen and will they find a place to play? Likely not the way places are closing up so......

Who knows what happens from here? Its anyone's best guess. No one seems to be positioned to profit from making pool the new enterprise to get going. It's a tough cookie to crack but I like the challenge.

All in all you put your opinions out there, you say what you have to say, you defend your position until someone proves you're off base then you do, just as Paul said...what you have to do, but doing something does count for a heck of a lot. Word are great and revealing, but what are you going to do?

If you're wrong on here, well you get crucified for it......so you need thick skin.

So I think I will support Paul in saying lets all do something whether that bring in a new player, write a book, run a tournament, etc. ......do something.

 

[Paul Schofield]

Ah, the escapist/evasive approach -- "read this thread and saw none of the aforementioned names posted in this thread." So, therefore, "name doesn't appear == they're not reading [humorous deduction especially with a thread name like 'The future of pool']."

So, if this is "only a forum" and really unimportant, why do those names have accounts here, and *are* found responding to threads where they feel they have to dispel inaccurate information, or where they feel their unique position affords them a response that will benefit the masses?

Funny, coming from someone who purports to be supporting pool and the pool industry in general, and sets the appearance that he's "doing something" by e.g. coming up with rules in his pool hall where making a ball after the break is unimportant, but yet *uses this forum* for advertising his No Conflict rules. I don't see you as an AZB club member. Buy a Club Membership, if you're going to advertise, if you want to support the very "just a forum" that you advertise in. Put a little meat behind that "invest your money" directive.

And, I'm especially enamored of the "not one ball was pocketed in this thread" response. That's just priceless. So in order for something to be done, a ball has to be pocketed at a table? Like nothing in pool happens with discussion? All those things that, e.g. Mark Griffin does, he *had* to be at a table pocketing balls?

And, the assumption from you that I'm not a person who already has done something for pool, and continually contributes in a different way.

Add all these things together, and you get arrogance of a caliber rarely seen, especially coming from someone that likes to throw that word at me.

You're just adorable, Paul.

-Sean

I will just ignore all your cackling and nonsense and I will repeat myself:"Go do something substantive then come back here and tell everyone how it worked out." That would be meaningful.

 

[lfigueroa]

I will just ignore all your cackling and nonsense and I will repeat myself:"Go do something substantive then come back here and tell everyone how it worked out." That would be meaningful.

Man, what is your woe?

This is at least the second time you've said something like this. It's the land of free and home of the brave and I don't have to run for President to criticize him or just say my piece about his policies.

This IS a *discussion* forum. We talk about pool stuff, many times about topics that have been run through the ol' meat grinder more than once. It's what this place is for.

Lou Figueroa

 

[Paul Schofield]

Man, what is your woe?


Lou Figueroa

No woe. Just talking. I agree. Only talk happens here. It is all okay.

 

[lfigueroa]

No woe. Just talking. I agree. Only talk happens here. It is all okay.

Many good things come out of good discussions.

Lou Figueroa
need a CJ
fortune cookie
right about now

 

[PINKLADY]

ivé only read 50% of these posts, but here's some interesting info from tonight @ Break Time, where i've been a member since 1989:

1) WalMart bought the property of this H-shaped shopping center months ago
2) all tenants were kicked up/consolidated to front vacant portion(s)
3) balance back portion to be demolished & rebuilt
4) Break Time can't afford the move
5) WalMart supposedly has a clause in Closing, that no bar, that doesn't serve food, can be within X feet of WalMart....

just a little trivia for yáll. i haven't reviewed the new Lease. but it doesn't surprise me in the least.

 

[lost]

ivé only read 50% of these posts, but here's some interesting info from tonight @ Break Time, where i've been a member since 1989:

1) WalMart bought the property of this H-shaped shopping center months ago
2) all tenants were kicked up/consolidated to front vacant portion(s)
3) balance back portion to be demolished & rebuilt
4) Break Time can't afford the move
5) WalMart supposedly has a clause in Closing, that no bar, that doesn't serve food, can be within X feet of WalMart....

just a little trivia for yáll. i haven't reviewed the new Lease. but it doesn't surprise me in the least.

In my area of the country...middle atlantic, Walmart rarely buys anything. They lease from developers. In fact I can't think of a Walmart within 100 miles of me that actually owns it land/building. They certainly have a lot of pull with the developers I will grant you that.

Oh and this thread delivers zero. Pool needs to realize what is and what it isn't. Obviously by reading this thread most people don't have a clue. I don't even grasp the "problem". Is it that you can't earn a living? So what...you can't earn a living doing lots of activities. Pool isn't dying...people just have completely unrealistic expectations. IMO anyway.

 

[K2Kraze]

This thread topic "The future of pool" started by Buckshotshoey last month, has been not only entertaining but somewhat enlightening to me as well - with, IMO, numerous great ideas and comments that most of us can benefit from in some form or another.

A few posts in particular by Paul Schofield caught my attention with comments like these:
"Only talk happens here"...and

"I will just ignore all your cackling and nonsense and I will repeat myself:"Go do something substantive then come back here and tell everyone how it worked out." That would be meaningful"

Those comments made me sit back and reflect for a moment or two and ask myself "yeah, what have you done (K2Kraze) that had any substance and meaning since becoming a member of this forum back in Aug 2012?"

So - to Buckshotshoey and Paul Schofield et al, here is my answer to what this forum has led me to "do" and share how it has "worked out"........my contribution:

Being involved with this forum led me (literally) to spending a wonderful afternoon with Randy G so I could become a better "player". It led me (literally) to spending a few hours with CJ Wiley at his home in order to get even more feedback, coaching and inspiration, which is what I really walked away with. This forum has led me to countless forum members asking their valuable opinions, sharing interests and stories and even buying and selling a few things with zero problems. All great experiences. To name just a few.

The cumulative effect of these seemingly small steps that began almost two years ago ------ and what I believe is really THE ANSWER to "The future of pool":

To become an "ambassador" of the game. Each of us.

How does anything get passed down from one generation to another if not SHARED with others? Right - it doesn't. It dies. It is forgotten.

Why do (most) pastimes die? Simple. Something else comes along to grab the people's attention and interest as they allow the pastimes of just yesterday fade into oblivion. The solution? Keep them alive - active - involved - the history and the passion. How, you ask? Again, simple. With our Stories. With our known History of the game. With Excitement that can be felt! With Passion. And above all - those of us that LOVE and PLAY and PARTICIPATE in this amazing game of pocket billiards - cue sports - whatever YOU wish to call it - is to SHARE it.

WE can change this game one person at a time by becoming ambassadors of the game.

There isn't a week that goes by that I don't personally invite someone to my home to play a game or show a cue I'm proud to own or a collection of ball sets to....
The UPS driver that delivers all of our packages. Yes, he asked about the boxes of balls and cues and Diamond ball polisher or whatever else rattles and is sometimes obviously marked on the boxes...
The real estate agent that works down the street in a model home...that heard from another homeowner in our neighborhood that I had a pool table...and play - a lot.
The guy that has cut my hair for the last decade, that when asked what I've been up to lately, I said "a few games of seven ball and even showing my son how to play snooker" and he smiles real big, steps back and mutters "no kidding?"...and we talk for 30 minutes about the game until his next appointment walks in.
The electrician that helped with lighting in my game room that has always wanted a table in his home...and smiles just looking at a table.
The owner of a great pool and billiards supply store in Fort Worth where I order most things I need - and asked who else HE knows that loves this game and may be interested or welcome a few home games....
One of many co-workers that when the conversation arises about "what do you do for fun when you're not working..."
My neighbors.
The guy that sold us our last car.
And the guy that built our home.

I could go on and on and on. You get the idea. This is not a made up story or some inspirational work of fiction. This is and has been very real. All I had to do was ASK. Or just listen for the opportunity. And if they don't have any interest themselves, then I will ASK if they or someone they know loves to shoot pool - or even wants to learn! Because I can help with that.

I have pulled a new cue off my wall rack at home, placed it in a case and said "here - it's yours. One favor though - when you don't use it any more, would you please MAKE SURE you get this cue and case into the hands of someone that will cherish it and use it?" Pay it forward. And now that I think about it, that's exactly what my father did and said to me when I left for college - with his old hand-me-down no-name cue. It worked. It changed me.

This forum led me to join in a straight pool league, gaining many new friends already in the last few months. Great people and a great game that I haven't played competitively since back in an old smoky South Dakota pool hall where my dad said one day "come with me - I'll show you the old pool hall where I play on the nights your mother is out bowling."

I hand out books and even balls to those that I think may appreciate a small, kind offering.

I have purchased a few simple black plastic ball trays and taken them to my friend's home room to organize his collection of balls that always seems to be lying all over under his table. And small box of chalk since he was down to one piece last time.

Handed out an extra copy of the book "Over 300 Ways to Play Billiards".

I have sent a customer to Randy G as a referral for a great lesson, because that is what he did so well for me - a great lesson and great coaching.

I have paid for others to receive introductory pool lessons to see if it's something they may want to get better at and "really enjoy" - because they commented "well, I kinda play, but have never been any good - but I'd sure love to be able to shoot pool as if I knew what I was doing..."

I have loaned people complete sets of balls for specific games - even a few that I have invented - thinking it would ignite a passion they said has faded because "practice" is just boring.

Well......that's what I've been doing. That's been my substance. I haven't really given it much thought until reading through this particular topic, and yet when I reflect back on the almost 2-years being a forum member here, that somehow I just bet all the things I've read and learned about and from this special group of like-minded pool players has inspired me to pay back - well really, pay it forward. Become an ambassador of the game.

So far, I think I have made a small difference. IMAGINE what a difference - or change - that can be made if we all - SOMEHOW - no matter how small or involved we choose, just ASK ourselves what we can do to promote this game. One person at a time even. And ASK others if they know anyone that would love to play one of the greatest and oldest games ever dreamt up...

The future of pool....is each one of us.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[TomHay]

Nice post K2. I know three parts of the United States very well. From what I am hearing and seeing is the in home Pool Table Market is up. In my area both the in home Pool Table and Condominium clubhouse Pool Table market is up.

In the early days the game was played on lawns. Kings brought it inside as a table game.

There has not been a true Pool Hall in many years. The term Pool Hall came from rooms (Halls) where people Pooled their bets, most think it is the difference between pockets or no pockets (Billiards).

It will not die in the future matter of fact it is the number one game that people play in their lifetime.

The Halls closed many years ago for me. Straight pool was the top game, not even Beer or Wine was allowed, no Juke Boxes and if your opponent made a nice shot you said nothing, you tapped your cue bumper a few times on the floor to acknowledge it.

Those days are long gone, Pool will survive but we need to adjust to it.

 

[K2Kraze]

Tom -

Speaking of pool hall - the one I grew up in was just that in a small town of 2000 people with one stoplight. The "hall" was exactly that and was about 25' wide and 120' deep sandwiched between the bakery and grocery store. Perfect width for three Gold Crowns 4.5x9's, an old Gandy snooker table and one lone 4x8 for the "youngsters" to play with - not on, as Elmer used to say. Perfect cloth, covered nightly, brushed and vacuumed by his son every evening and full of enough cigarette smoke to keep the sun out of the east facing windows in the mornings. It was full of retired townies mostly 70's to 80's, no juke box, 1 pinball machine, sneaky poker and card room in the back and an ice box honor machine filled with cokes and candy accompanied by an old taped-up cigar box for the change. Oh, and one of those old time counter top mounted time clocks with a handle on each side to mark your time card. Chalkboards for scoring even though all the tables had the foot rail mounted counters. Stools tall enough that my feet never did touch the floor. A place that I could escape to on those school-is-out days due to heavy snow without my mother knowing - that dad dropped me at on his way to work --- What a beautiful place :-D.

That was a pool hall. That's where it all started for me. Those old "fellers" were passing down the lore and stories as well as the techniques they knew best. Ambassadors every one.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Paul Schofield]

.
Being involved with this forum led me (literally) to spending a wonderful afternoon with Randy G so I could become a better "player". It led me (literally) to spending a few hours with CJ Wiley at his home in order to get even more feedback, coaching and inspiration, which is what I really walked away with. This forum has led me to countless forum members asking their valuable opinions, sharing interests and stories and even buying and selling a few things with zero problems. All great experiences. To name just a few..

I am happy for you. Sounds like a winner to me.

 

[336Robin]

Doing Something is Simple as Blogging

I am happy for you. Sounds like a winner to me.

I don't always agree with Pauls methods but he does have a point about doing something.

I view blogging and talking about your concerns is in effect doing something. If Az enables people to share what is good, what is working and in that way you spread things around.

There is a tournament local to me on a Saturday Night. It draws 40 to 50 players every time. It uses losses as method to handicap and not balls or games. This way you are essentially playing even with everyone you play and it forces you to learn how to play the correct moves of the game. Everyone has a great chance to finish because the draw for rounds is luck of the draw and if you play smart you can win. The extra losses assigned to lower skilled players keeps them involved. Its the single best event I have ever played. It provides the most fun at a tournament I have found for the money.

The way they run it is by using Pills. They use 2 pills numbered for each table they intend to use. Its 9-ball races to 2 and it forces you to shoot safe when you are supposed to. To draw for a round they put the pills in a bottle and you draw for tables. If you are below 15 you play first round and above you play the next round. They run two rounds but could run three or more if they intended to take larger fields. Most everyone there gets no less than 3 losses and you really have to fight to keep your losses down. You can end up playing 7 to 8 matches of race to 2 if you win every other match. It gives you enough tournament experience time to be able to get your stuff together and learn how to play tournament pool. Its simply awesome and it draws out the amateurs and the world beaters in the area which is good for pool.

I just think this format is awesome and could be a main stay at a lot of places once they try it.

 

[sfleinen]

No woe. Just talking. I agree. Only talk happens here. It is all okay.

Paul, apologies for the belated reply, but the issue that many take issue with is your haughtiness. It's ok to have opinions that differ from others. But the tone that drips from your posts is a "come hither, nevermind the rest of y'all's nonsense" vibe. And there's this vibe you give that nothing discussed here is of any value, that it's only a forum, that it's all just yackety yak. If that's the case, why are you here? Why do you even waste your time here?

I happen to think that the discussions that take place here do have real value. There are some industry leaders who not only read here, but actively participate, and shape their efforts by what they read here. Justin Collett (formerly TAR, now CSI), Mark Griffin, Mike Panozzo (B.D.), Allen Hopkins Jr., etc. are just examples.

We'll all just keep on keepin' on, but please, put a leash on the haughtiness. It's not a big "ask."

-Sean

 

[sfleinen]

I don't always agree with Pauls methods but he does have a point about doing something.

I view blogging and talking about your concerns is in effect doing something. If Az enables people to share what is good, what is working and in that way you spread things around.

There is a tournament local to me on a Saturday Night. It draws 40 to 50 players every time. It uses losses as method to handicap and not balls or games. This way you are essentially playing even with everyone you play and it forces you to learn how to play the correct moves of the game. Everyone has a great chance to finish because the draw for rounds is luck of the draw and if you play smart you can win. The extra losses assigned to lower skilled players keeps them involved. Its the single best event I have ever played. It provides the most fun at a tournament I have found for the money.

The way they run it is by using Pills. They use 2 pills numbered for each table they intend to use. Its 9-ball races to 2 and it forces you to shoot safe when you are supposed to. To draw for a round they put the pills in a bottle and you draw for tables. If you are below 15 you play first round and above you play the next round. They run two rounds but could run three or more if they intended to take larger fields. Most everyone there gets no less than 3 losses and you really have to fight to keep your losses down. You can end up playing 7 to 8 matches of race to 2 if you win every other match. It gives you enough tournament experience time to be able to get your stuff together and learn how to play tournament pool. Its simply awesome and it draws out the amateurs and the world beaters in the area which is good for pool.

I just think this format is awesome and could be a main stay at a lot of places once they try it.

Robin, I agree. We all have our little ways of contributing, which may not be at the same level as others, but it is what we [can] offer. For others to adopt a haughty "holier than thou" attitude just doesn't cut it.

Paul seems to think I'm just yet another do-nothing yackety yacker that frequents here. The innuendo drips in buckets. But he couldn't be more wrong -- not just with me, but many other people that post here, that don't feel the need to brag or thump the chest. Granted, I don't own a poolroom, but I *have* run very large league systems (e.g. the Boston Billiards' league system for many years, and chaired the committee that oversaw the administration and effected the rules system); I *do* contribute both time and non-trivial sponsorship money to events (e.g. the 14.1 Challenge event at Super Billiards expo four years running, which I help sponsor and man the booth during the entire four days); and you see me often giving significant funds to charity events (e.g. helping outfit a partially-paralyzed veteran with pool gear -- which took place here on AZB); and many other things that it's safe to say are numerous enough not to have to list here to make the point. The point is, I'm certainly not a "do-nothing yackety-yacker" as Paul's innuendos imply.

Let's all do our part -- no matter how small -- and put our haughty attitudes away. We *all* make a difference. And yes, the discussions that happen here do have an effect.

-Sean