Pro Pool Players Can't Make A Living!

[336Robin]

giving back is great but i just don't see it helping pool which is what you implied and what this topic has been all about.

BTW-Mike Massey gets paid and didnt he make 5 9 balls on the break in one match of a 'rack your own ' tourny?

As with everything that works basically someone has to figure out a way to make a payday out of it, then it magically works.

What is amazing is its hard to get some things off the ground when its obvious it will work because....dang that's just one more thing I have to do!!!

Isn't this a lovely demographic?

 

[ronscuba]

You would think attracting New Players to the game would be the optimum thing to do but it seems to me that everyone wants you to do it and they want no part of it. I'm really not sure that method of responsibility shifting is going work. What do you think?

Seems like some want no part of attracting new players because they think it does not benefit them.

In my opinion, this is short term selfish thinking. I am lucky to have two very nice local pool halls to play in. I'd hate to see them close. The economy is tough. Not sure how well pool halls in Manhattan NY do, but it must be difficult.

Someone told me that pool room owners have a love/hate relationship with serious regulars. They prefer to have new players because they are more likely to spend money. They rely on regulars during daytime and weekdays, but new causal players on weekends is where their make their money.

Without new players coming in, pool rooms will close. When that happens, I will have no place to play. I bring co-workers and friends into the pool room to play. I order plenty of overpriced drinks and food because I can afford it, but also because I want my pool room to survive. I am selfish, but long term thinking selfish.

 

[Joe T]

Thats true but on a sub cultural scale it can be much better. It does not have to be golf to be successful. There are enough people who like pool to support it on a small level.

Take something like bass fishing for example. I don't think many people would pay to watch someone fish, but they are organized and in their little world are very successful.

There must be some kind of formula out there that would work with pool. I think it has to start on a local level much like it is now with small local tours.

These tours then could be organized into a larger organization.
I guess I am talking about a structure much like the bar leagues except for semi pro pool. It can then grow from there over time.

This is what I believe also and is what we are building. All help appreciated, takes 10 pool lovers in one local area and at least 1 pool table

 

[Banks]

I think this entire thread is a perfect example of why APA has done more for pool than people give it credit for. At least they pay people(and on time) and get people to recruit others. Yeah, I know, some will choke on that while they figure out something insulting to say about league/APA. Blah blah blah.

 

[336Robin]

I think this entire thread is a perfect example of why APA has done more for pool than people give it credit for. At least they pay people(and on time) and get people to recruit others. Yeah, I know, some will choke on that while they figure out something insulting to say about league/APA. Blah blah blah.

Actually you are right in the fact that they keep the players coming at least that is going on.

My question comes in when the rooms cease to exist. What then?

They either have to build private recreation centers and go public to subsidize the operation or why not do something to actually help the Pool Rooms?

Seems like an easier alternative.

 

[336Robin]

This is what I believe also and is what we are building. All help appreciated, takes 10 pool lovers in one local area and at least 1 pool table

Sounds like you have a plan here and I like it, sounds very doable.

 

[TimKrazyMon]

I think this entire thread is a perfect example of why APA has done more for pool than people give it credit for. At least they pay people(and on time) and get people to recruit others. Yeah, I know, some will choke on that while they figure out something insulting to say about league/APA. Blah blah blah.

it makes a difference when the recruiting is forced due to the APA pyramid scheme.

 

[Joe T]

Sounds like you have a plan here and I like it, sounds very doable.

And I look forward to talking with you because the pool club theme could be what it is we are building. I know we currently have a lot more players playing for the love and challenge than we have playing for selfish or financial reasons. Sounds like a club to me :smile:

 

[336Robin]

And I look forward to talking with you because the pool club theme could be what it is we are building. I know we currently have a lot more players playing for the love and challenge than we have playing for selfish or financial reasons. Sounds like a club to me :smile:

Exactly. When money gets involved things start going screwy. I played some of the best One Pocket of my life last night at a guys home, we laughed talked and played really hard. Playing for love of the game, playing for pride and when you can combine the fact that youre not out a load of money, When one of you doesn't have to have the money just to survive,....that's a winner for the game and the sport. Call me you have my number lets chat.

 

[Banks]

it makes a difference when the recruiting is forced due to the APA pyramid scheme.

Pyramid scheme? Meh, it's not some get-rich-quick scheme. It's a hobby. People can stay the same skill level for as long as they want, but most people want to improve, regardless of what people want to fool themselves into believing. Seriously.. a "pyramid scheme" where you may pay what, a few hundred dollars a year for something to do? Most people pay twice that for a piece of wood that works no better than a bar cue.

 

[Paul Dayton]

Though there are a lot of reasons for everything that has happened to pool, the bottom line is always going to be "Is there a way for the sponsoring companies with the big money to make big money from backing something as marginally popular and notoriously undependable as pool?" Sure, bass fishing is also minimally popular but there is huge money in it, just l0ok at Bass Pro Shops, Tracker boats, and everything that goes along with.the outdoor industry then find some way to make pool comparable. $50,000 boats, electronics, fishing gear, etc, etc, etc. It is, like bowling, something from times gone by.

 

[decent dennis]

Pyramid scheme? Meh, it's not some get-rich-quick scheme. It's a hobby. People can stay the same skill level for as long as they want, but most people want to improve, regardless of what people want to fool themselves into believing. Seriously.. a "pyramid scheme" where you may pay what, a few hundred dollars a year for something to do? Most people pay twice that for a piece of wood that works no better than a bar cue.

Bye pyramid scheme he's refering to starting with one team being forced to split,because you can no longer make handi-cap. Then a few years later ,they drop the number again, making you split your team again.
It started as the Busch league around 1979 or 80. No handicap... couple years later 36....32.... 28.... You get the picture.

 

[NitPicker]

It may sound gimmicky, or tired in this day and age, but wasn't it essentially a movie that spawned the last two pool booms? Real players can pick out all the "discrepancies", but those movies generated interest and excitement with the general public.

Tell me you can't have a well executed reality show to not only generated this interest and excitement, but also EDUCATE the audience on aspects of the game that never get touched upon during tournament commentary. I mean, if you can have shows for truckers driving in snow, fishermen catching crabs at sea...rich housewives doing I don't know what, child beauty pageants...then there is major opportunity to portray the mysteries, excitement, drama, all the highs and lows of which we know is the world of pool.

I think a show about road players would have a lot of elements but some may be turned off with the gambling aspect, even though the game itself is rooted in gambling...hence the name "pool". But you could do the same thing with a national league. Tell the stories of the players, all walks of life, why they love the game so much. I've participated in leagues...it's pure comedy, drama, and tragedy every single week. The stresses of playing competitively, the joys overcoming the odds and winning, and everything in between. There is a human element of the game that's seldom touched on. People need to be able to relate.

 

[lost]

The answer to my questions are as obvious as gravity but because I am curious about the opinions of others, I would like to put these questions up for your consideration.

Why is it that the professional pool players make so little money?

Why are the purses for...even the big tournaments, so small compared to golf for instance?

Why is it that unless you are in the top 10 players in the world or so, you are questioning how much longer you can afford to travel around and play in tournaments?

If a golf touring pro finishes about 25th in a weekly tournament, he is going to make about $50,000.00 to $60,000.00. The winner of a tournament is going to make about $1,200,000.00.

Mika Immonen finished 4th at the Hard Times Open last month and made $900.00. Dennis Orcullo won the tournament and made $3,000.00.

This is beyond sad! By the way, I don't have a whole lot of doubt that I am going to infuriate some people when I give my opinions but...I'll live with that!

Opinions please!

Pool is more comparable to Mini Golf...sorry. The 2014 Phoenix Open on the PGA tour attracted almost 190,000 spectators on Saturday (3rd round), and well over 1/2 Million spectators for the entire tournament.
You will never make big money playing ping pong, horseshoes, badminton or.....9 ball.

 

[Banks]

Actually you are right in the fact that they keep the players coming at least that is going on.

My question comes in when the rooms cease to exist. What then?

They either have to build private recreation centers and go public to subsidize the operation or why not do something to actually help the Pool Rooms?

Seems like an easier alternative.

My bad, didn't see this before..

Then somebody should open a room if there's the demand.

Are you next saying that the APA should do something else to help the pool rooms besides providing league players? What's the room owner's job? Sit on his butt, pour coffee and smoke cigarettes?

Just like everybody on here plays shortstop speed as an average league player, everybody on here demands something be done for pool yet won't do anything themselves. I've got a mediocre job and I'm still trying to make things happen. It's the "what have you done for me lately?" stuff like I see in this thread that makes me question my desire.

 

[Banks]

Bye pyramid scheme he's refering to starting with one team being forced to split,because you can no longer make handi-cap. Then a few years later ,they drop the number again, making you split your team again.
It started as the Busch league around 1979 or 80. No handicap... couple years later 36....32.... 28.... You get the picture.

Yes, I get the picture, but it's not a pyramid scheme. If that's the case, all major leagues are pyramid schemes because they have a salary cap.

 

[336Robin]

It may sound gimmicky, or tired in this day and age, but wasn't it essentially a movie that spawned the last two pool booms? Real players can pick out all the "discrepancies", but those movies generated interest and excitement with the general public.

Tell me you can't have a well executed reality show to not only generated this interest and excitement, but also EDUCATE the audience on aspects of the game that never get touched upon during tournament commentary. I mean, if you can have shows for truckers driving in snow, fishermen catching crabs at sea...rich housewives doing I don't know what, child beauty pageants...then there is major opportunity to portray the mysteries, excitement, drama, all the highs and lows of which we know is the world of pool.

I think a show about road players would have a lot of elements but some may be turned off with the gambling aspect, even though the game itself is rooted in gambling...hence the name "pool". But you could do the same thing with a national league. Tell the stories of the players, all walks of life, why they love the game so much. I've participated in leagues...it's pure comedy, drama, and tragedy every single week. The stresses of playing competitively, the joys overcoming the odds and winning, and everything in between. There is a human element of the game that's seldom touched on. People need to be able to relate.

In theory what youre saying sounds right but at the time of the Hustler and Color of Money there weren't all the digital distractions we have today. Its likely a Color of Money would have a neglible effect on the industry with todays environment. There are a bunch of movies to go out and see. How many of them have that effect anymore.

The only thing I think will work is some personal marketing initiatives but that's just me. If you don't capture the attention and do something to keep it there is just so much out there I think you easily get lost in the shuffle.

 

[cardiac kid]

Pyramid scheme? Meh, it's not some get-rich-quick scheme. It's a hobby. People can stay the same skill level for as long as they want, but most people want to improve, regardless of what people want to fool themselves into believing. Seriously.. a "pyramid scheme" where you may pay what, a few hundred dollars a year for something to do? Most people pay twice that for a piece of wood that works no better than a bar cue.

John,

Careful with that. Most members of our AZ community can't handle the truth. Regardless of what Jack says. Although I've taken the Summer off from my APA play, I'll be back in the Fall for two more sessions.

Incidentally, knew there was another reason I liked you. You evidentally love the same MOOsic I do. By the way, which one is Pink?

Lyn

 

[JB Cases]

I think this entire thread is a perfect example of why APA has done more for pool than people give it credit for. At least they pay people(and on time) and get people to recruit others. Yeah, I know, some will choke on that while they figure out something insulting to say about league/APA. Blah blah blah.

Fully agree.

 

[ronscuba]

I think this entire thread is a perfect example of why APA has done more for pool than people give it credit for. At least they pay people(and on time) and get people to recruit others. Yeah, I know, some will choke on that while they figure out something insulting to say about league/APA. Blah blah blah.

I am new to pool having joined my 1st league 3yrs ago (BCA).

Of all the current active pool players, how many are currently or have in the past played leagues ? How many became regular pool players because of league ?

Is it possible to grow league play to increase #'s and in turn grow the industry ?

I've seen many threads bad mouthing leagues, but where would pool be today without them ?