One Pocket killed the sport...

Billiardbills

Billiardbills

Billiard Bill
Silver Member
I heard an older guy that I know say this the other day, he did own a pool hall for 20 some years from the late 70's to the 90's and he is not an idiot.

He also went on to say that pool is terrible for TV these days which I do not disagree with. The last two events I saw were pretty un-watchable in my opinion. I watched the World Cup of Trick Shots and something else I can not remember. Why not bring a guy in with some high energy to do the commentating like Joe Rogan, he brings a lot of energy and is funny and is a HUGE fan of the sport. I just think it needs a little more color on the commentating.

Anyhow, I just wonder what anyone's thought are on this statement... Maybe something like this would be more entertaining to the Idiocracy of the non-pool playing reality TV self indulging folks out there...
 

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One pocket didn't have diddly squat to do with ruining pool.
And for the record I've been in the room business as well.
 
Imo....

Three things have been the major contributors, imo, and one pocket ain't anywhere near being on the list.

No particular order.....1) the pros 'taking a dump where they eat' regarding the pro tour and their incessant infighting & constant bashing of promoters, 2) the era of video games at home, and 3) the economy, including an ever-shrinking middle class and shrinking middle class disposable income & sky-high leases on business properties.

There are more, true, but these really stick out in my mind.
 
what in the world does one pocket have to do with that? The most serious players I know all play one pocket, not exclusively, but they will play it.
 
Billiardbills said:
I heard an older guy that I know say this the other day, he did own a pool hall for 20 some years from the late 70's to the 90's and he is not an idiot.

He also went on to say that pool is terrible for TV these days which I do not disagree with. The last two events I saw were pretty un-watchable in my opinion. I watched the World Cup of Trick Shots and something else I can not remember. Why not bring a guy in with some high energy to do the commentating like Joe Rogan, he brings a lot of energy and is funny and is a HUGE fan of the sport. I just think it needs a little more color on the commentating.

Anyhow, I just wonder what anyone's thought are on this statement... Maybe something like this would be more entertaining to the Idiocracy of the non-pool playing reality TV self indulging folks out there...
Click to expand...

What killed the sport is:

(Rapped, angry)

Pool, BANG, you lost your cool. Kids don't play the games that way. They up all night against a cell phone light, puttin' in time, playin'online. Pool, damn, you lost your cool. Cues ain't cool, they just won't do. You cain't have fun where the B-itches don't run. U see 50 cent playin' pool? Don't think you do. See Barak playin' pool? Yeah but he ain't cool. Pool, bang, you lost your COOL!
 
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I was once a room operator. My thought on the down fall of pool in my area causes. The state established a state run lottery. To make sure they got all the gambling monies they abolished what they considered their competiton ( pin ball and poker machines). Most pool rooms depended on these to "pay the overhead bills". The profit after the bills were paid came from pool time and beer/food sales. In other words our fine politicians killed it to line their own pockets. South Carolina legislature at work.
 
Possibly the one of the most ridiculous statements about pool I've ever heard!
 
I have always enjoyed the tactical nuances of one pocket, but I always remember what 14.1 star Dan Barouty used to say about one pocket, which was "if you want to play chess, why not just play chess?" Dan, of course, is a very fine chess player.

One pocket most definitely did not kill pool. It's an interesting game.
 
Well there you go. In this modern media age anyone can post anything no matter how idiotic. In the old days anyone would just write it on a bathroom wall and we would pay no attention.
Pocket Billiards is a highly skilled sport. One pocket at the apex where all skills i.e. shooting, banking, caroms, safety play, kicking, etc. are important for a players arsenal.
Not to mention strategy and understanding your opponents strengths and weaknesses.
How can the common fun player understand that. It takes a lifetime commitment to excel in the sport. Thats why chess is so limited in appeal.
Unlike Poker or Bingo no one who does not devote their life to the game can win the big one.
The regular guy cant make that kind of commitment.
Specialty games probably keep many rooms alive. Billiard players will come in when the bangers are at work or in school and keep the room alive. One pocket devotees will play endlessly on tables at any time of the day. Theres many dead times in a business. Its these guys that are keeping the tables going.
 
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yes

cueaddicts said:
Three things have been the major contributors, imo, and one pocket ain't anywhere near being on the list.

No particular order.....1) the pros 'taking a dump where they eat' regarding the pro tour and their incessant infighting & constant bashing of promoters, 2) the era of video games at home, and 3) the economy, including an ever-shrinking middle class and shrinking middle class disposable income & sky-high leases on business properties.

There are more, true, but these really stick out in my mind.
Click to expand...

I agree with your points, but would add one that I think is key...

Room owners who cater to the big spenders at the bar, while ignoring the wants of players...in other words, not promoting pool.
 
It is not one game or one thing that is changing pool. There are many factors involved, so many it may be impossible to turn it around. Like the horse and buggy and so many other things, it is just a changing of the times and people's interest.. Sad for us folks that enjoy pool that's for sure!
 
I didn't know pool was dead. We have to realize that we are never going to reach the popularity it had in the 1920's or so.


I walked in a pool hall/bar last night and there were 125+ bangers playing leagues. On the contrary, I would bet less then 20% of them know what one pocket is.
 
Bob Jewett said:
Did you enjoy Sid Waddell when he was commentating? He did mostly darts, but did some pool as well.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/darts/sid-waddell-quotes-the-best-one-liners-1254303

As for one pocket killing pool, I don't think I see the connection. Could you get your friend to explain that?
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I could not stand Sid at all, it was like listening to Barry rant drunk at the US Open. An he TALKED in odd EMPHasis on randOM words so SOUNded LIKE this.
 
A lot has gone bad for pool besides playing one pocket. If you look at almost all the major events, they do not include one pocket. They are all 8, 9 and 10 ball events. So how has one pocket killed pool? We have had this discussion over and over and probably needs to be had over and over again. I am a room owner for 23 years and I have a nice room with very reasonable rates. My opinion is:
- costs too much to learn (table time)
- room owners can't afford to be in business
- too many other activities available to youngsters

What killed horse racing?
- poker
- slot machines
- too expensive to play before you make your first bet
 
Renegade_56 said:
maybe not, but I see more people playing it now than I have in the last 20 years or more,,,,,,,,,,,
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Yes sir, I went into one of the local rooms last week and there were seven tables where people were matched up. Two tables were nine ball and five tables were one pocket.
 
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