Would you be willing to dress nice to raise the opinion of billiards?

[Mr. Bond]

Try to understand the point being made about Public perception.
Well dressed people vs amateur hour at the bar.

Of course there is a difference.
People are fickle.

A man comes in with a tank top and backwards ballcap
A man comes in wearing a suit.

Don't pretend you would treat them the same.

Very very few would.

 

[Slh]

Pool is not a sport and it doesn't require any phisical effort. I have played at the italian championship with a vest, shirt and bowtie. It's the same of playing with a sweatshirt and sweatpants. The bowtie puts a little strain on the neck, but that's it.
I also feel in Italy billiards is seen differently than in America. There is no dark/shady connotation attached to it. When I was little I have always seen billiards as a classy game, so I wasn't surprised when I saw the players play dressed in a classy attire.
People who wear shorts and flip flops everyday probably don't want to dress up, because they dress like slobs.
I'm obviously talking about more prestigious tournaments, not the weekly tournament at the local pool hall

 

[cfrandy]

When you go to your local pool hall, or any pool hall, would you be willing to dress up like they used to in the old days?

In the 1920’s, the poolroom was an environment in which men gathered to loiter, smoke, fight, bet, and play. Women were NOT invited!

If it would raise the stature of billiards in the public's eye and help the game, would you do it? Hell, it might even bring women back to pool halls.

Billiards is dying because of it's inability to attract new/younger players. In almost every venue where pool is played publicly, children are NOT permitted to play! History proves that champions in most sports began their training as children. This is not possible in billiards and every year it gets worse with public facilities banning children. That is because billiards has always been a sport of seedy characters with a drink in one hand and money on the table...instead of a sport of character!!!

 

[KRJ]

When I see snooker, I wonder if they have a valet job later that night. They look silly in my opinion. I mean, they would look great if they were currently doing something that was extremely formal like a wedding or award ceremony...

Not exactly going to attract the younger crowd. oh, it's "pool" and I have to get my Sunday School clothes on, yep, not gonna happen

 

[krupa]

Playing pool tonight... what to wear... what to wear...

It's kind of cold out...

But pool is a sport...

Meh... I'll just stick to jeans and a flannel shirt. It's just league at a bar, after all.

For professionals, though, I don't see the problem with this (taking cleary's stereotype into account). It's not full-contact, they're not running around full-speed for an hour, and when they make the effort they look pretty damn classy.

 

[philly]

In the 1920’s, the poolroom was an environment in which men gathered to loiter, smoke, fight, bet, and play. Women were NOT invited!




Billiards is dying because of it's inability to attract new/younger players. In almost every venue where pool is played publicly, children are NOT permitted to play! History proves that champions in most sports began their training as children. This is not possible in billiards and every year it gets worse with public facilities banning children. That is because billiards has always been a sport of seedy characters with a drink in one hand and money on the table...instead of a sport of character!!!

To the contrary. I frequent 3 poolrooms and children are welcome in all of them. I don't know what rooms you play in. Is there a law in you part of the country barring children from poolrooms?

 

[GoldCrown]

Love the old pictures but it's a different world completely now. Take a look at the bleachers in the old baseball photos. Men in ties and fedoras. Heck, my grandfather mowed the lawn in a white shirt and tie.

How about people in a restaurant on Sat night. I tell my wife...see a guy in a clean T shirt and he thinks he's dressed up.

 

[mortuarymike-nv]

Pool

Try to understand the point being made about Public perception.
Well dressed people vs amateur hour at the bar.

Of course there is a difference.
People are fickle.

A man comes in with a tank top and backwards ballcap
A man comes in wearing a suit.

Don't pretend you would treat them the same.

Very very few would.

Amateur hour? :rotflmao1:

So what about a pro player doing a photo shoot with some half naked woman.
Or the pro doing a nude photo shoot, I guess that is ok huh.

Or is that to honest of a statement?

How many bar box tables you see in these photos ?
https://images.search.yahoo.com/sea...TU3XzEEc2VjA3Nj?p=Sexy+Pool+Players&fr=mcafee

 

[philly]

Thanks Mike

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

Pool is not a sport and it doesn't require any phisical effort. I have played at the italian championship with a vest, shirt and bowtie. It's the same of playing with a sweatshirt and sweatpants. The bowtie puts a little strain on the neck, but that's it.
I also feel in Italy billiards is seen differently than in America. There is no dark/shady connotation attached to it. When I was little I have always seen billiards as a classy game, so I wasn't surprised when I saw the players play dressed in a classy attire.
People who wear shorts and flip flops everyday probably don't want to dress up, because they dress like slobs.
I'm obviously talking about more prestigious tournaments, not the weekly tournament at the local pool hall

I will respectfully disagree with you on your statement highlighted above in blue.

Historically, it may be a relatively recent shift that finds more emphasis being placed on fitness in pool. Two prime examples are Niels and Thorsten, and of course there are many others.

Being able to position ones body comfortably on certain shots in order to achieve higher success and better stamina to play consistently well during long tournaments or lengthy action matches are two prime examples where physical effort does, indeed, matter.

While that may not tie-in with the discussion topic of this thread overall, I do believe there is a significant percentage of people who feel they play better (and enjoy playing) when comfortable and for many of them, comfortable = less formal clothes including jeans, sweats and even shorts.

best,
brian kc

 

[Quesports]

If you want to be treated like a bum just dress like one.

 

[KRJ]

If you want to be treated like a bum just dress like one.

Yes, because we know jeans insinuates you are a bum

 

[hang-the-9]

When you go to your local pool hall, or any pool hall, would you be willing to dress up like they used to in the old days? If it would raise the stature of billiards in the public's eye and help the game, would you do it? Hell, it might even bring women back to pool halls.

Everyone wore those outfits all the time back then, it was not just for going to play pool. If you look at any picture taken in that era, almost everyone outside of kids is in a suit and hat.

But I do make sure my kid is dressed properly in tournaments and I never wear gym clothing like I see some do.

 

[Straightpool_99]

...................

 

[cleary]

For professionals, though, I don't see the problem with this (taking cleary's stereotype into account). It's not full-contact, they're not running around full-speed for an hour, and when they make the effort they look pretty damn classy.

Regardless of how physical of a game pool is, why would dress shirt and vest even be a consideration? That's extremely formal wear... I just cannot fathom why anyone would think that's appropriate for the situation. Just so misplaced! Like I said earlier, I could go jogging in a cashmere sweater in mid July but it wouldn't really make much sense.

 

[cleary]

Yes, because we know jeans insinuates you are a bum

I pretty much only wear tuxedos. To bed, to the swimming pool, on a stroll through the park, to the gym, when I go to a baseball game.. pretty much every single situation seems appropriate to wear extremely formal clothing.

 

[hang-the-9]

In the 1920’s, the poolroom was an environment in which men gathered to loiter, smoke, fight, bet, and play. Women were NOT invited!




Billiards is dying because of it's inability to attract new/younger players. In almost every venue where pool is played publicly, children are NOT permitted to play! History proves that champions in most sports began their training as children. This is not possible in billiards and every year it gets worse with public facilities banning children. That is because billiards has always been a sport of seedy characters with a drink in one hand and money on the table...instead of a sport of character!!!

Hm.. I do like the idea of a place where men can go to get away from the women and be "MEN", but I don't think that all places have issues with attracting women or younger kids. The only places where my son was not allowed in was a Jillians and that was after 7 or 8 or something only. He played in leagues with me and the TAP league that was in some bars, he got the OK from the owners to be there and play.

I've posted many pictures of one of my favorite rooms, The Billiards Café in Ayer, MA, take a look at the events and leagues, you will see they are all filled with women and youngsters.

This is a holiday party for the USAPL league https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.656382701080318.1073741863.197627246955868&type=3 I'd say half the people there are women or kids.

And one of the fundraisers they host https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.541088649276391.1073741834.197627246955868&type=3

I think some places just attract the wrong type of crowd for a family atmosphere, it's not the fact that it's a pool hall or a bar.

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

I pretty much only wear tuxedos. To bed, to the swimming pool, on a stroll through the park, to the gym, when I go to a baseball game.. pretty much every single situation seems appropriate to wear extremely formal clothing.

Andrew;

We actually have seen you dress pretty snazzy for a stroll in the pool. :grin-square:

best,
brian kc

 

[krupa]

Regardless of how physical of a game pool is, why would dress shirt and vest even be a consideration? That's extremely formal wear... I just cannot fathom why anyone would think that's appropriate for the situation. Just so misplaced! Like I said earlier, I could go jogging in a cashmere sweater in mid July but it wouldn't really make much sense.

Maybe it's the patches but I just don't see that the clothes in those pictures are "extremely formal". I wouldn't expect to see people dressed like that at a weekly, amateur event but for a world tournament, I don't think it's inappropriate. I also don't think golf-style clothes are inappropriate for a world event either.

 

[jburkm002]

Pool is not a sport. Someone who smokes, drinks, is over weight, up in age and basically the least athletic can be the best pool player.