APA Cost Analysis vs Pro Tour

[Colonel]

I love when people that CLEARLY have no business sense discuss business.....because that's what you're trying to do.

Let me explain something to you. League members get discounted table times at pool halls because POOL HALLS DON'T MAKE MONEY FROM TABLE TIME. Maybe you don't know that, but it's true. They make money from the kitchen and the bar. And guess what? Die hard pool players are CHEAP. So, the only thing keeping the rooms.....read VENUE.....alive for those professional pool players is the college kids knocking back beers and eating wings while playing pool.....or those league bangers that you're mentioning. They're keeping the rooms open....not the pros, or their theoretical tour.

The leagues are keeping pool alive. Otherwise, you wouldn't have a pool hall to play in. Simple economics. If you still don't understand, I can post a chalkboard talk on YouTube to help you out...

Well Shawn that's interesting. As many here that know me understand I was the owner of a pretty large pool hall, bar and restaurant for quite a while, one that gross revenue exceeded 7 figures a year and having done that let me correct you on a point.

I made plenty of money on tables, not hard when you have 30 of them. But you are correct in that die hard players tend to be frugal & the majority of $ made was on social types but NOT leagues for me.

I tried leagues for a very short period of time & found them to be almost as frugal as hardcore players and far less respectful of the equipment or my establishment than hardcore players were. BTW, sold it in 2000 for far more than I had in it, not bad for a guy with no business acumen per your opinion.

Edit/PS- also for your edification the persons I sold it to ran it for a few years & then sold it to a woman who took all the big tracks out that I lovingly outfitted it with originally & loaded it with bar boxes & it became league central. It's closed now, she ran it into the ground. It's now a Goodwill store. I shake my head every time I drive by.

 

[lorider]

It seems as if your response is more smart azz than serious. You're one of the league this, league that guys so enlighten me on something here. As a bonafide card carrying APA member don't you get table time free or at severely reduced rates even on nights that aren't league nights? Of course you do. How much $ do you think that saves you on table time a week, a month, a year? Considering what that sum is you're telling me that voluntarily contributing 50 cents a week of that you save in time isn't worth saving the game you supposedly love? If not then you're just a cheap nit. Go back to playing with your pocket marker and spare me of anymore talk of how you love a game but are willing to do nothing to help it survive. Again it's not about doing something for the pros, it's about doing something for the game.

Struck a nerve huh ?

I must admit my post was some what in jest but there is some truth behind it. Many people on here including you bash league players but at the same time you want us to get pro pool out of the hole its in. My cheap ass would not object to apa adding .50 a week fo my fee to support pro pool....hell I will double it to 1.00. Hows that for a cheap ass. The problem is their is no organization to give it to.

That's where you come in. Like I said..you are a serious player who is concerned about pro pool so start a corporation . Yes a corporation is what is needed for pool. A governing body with rules ...regulations and a dress code with penalties enforced for violations.

And.if every serious player donated 10.00 a week to your corporation you should be able to fund a pro you wouldn't you think ?

Serious about you sidekick dynomite being your treasurer since he believes in your preaching.

Aint serious about dat quarta being your cfo cause I think his number crunching leaves a little to be desired.

Dub and Shawn pretty much hit the nail on the head about league players helping keep venues open so I don't need to comment on that.

As for.me.personally...my 2 day tab this last weekend was 75.00. Mu cheap ass do g realm want to figure up how much I spend playing 5 nights a week bit I would. Not be surprised if it totals up to 100.00 a week since I am single and eat at the venue after work before I play. Maybe my cheap ass oughta quit pool and save that money for retirement along with selling about 4.000.00 worth of cues I own .

 

[Shawn Armstrong]

Well Shawn that's interesting. As many here that know me understand I was the owner of a pretty large pool hall, bar and restaurant for quite a while, one that gross revenue exceeded 7 figures a year and having done that let me correct you on a point.

I made plenty of money on tables, not hard when you have 30 of them. But you are correct in that die hard players tend to be frugal & the majority of $ made was on social types but NOT leagues for me.

I tried leagues for a very short period of time & found them to be almost as frugal as hardcore players and far less respectful of the equipment or my establishment than hardcore players were. BTW, sold it in 2000 for far more than I had in it, not bad for a guy with no business acumen per your opinion.

Edit/PS- also for your edification the persons I sold it to ran it for a few years & then sold it to a woman who took all the big tracks out that I lovingly outfitted it with originally & loaded it with bar boxes & it became league central. It's closed now, she ran it into the ground. It's now a Goodwill store. I shake my head every time I drive by.

And you ran this pool hall when....? Let me guess....somewhere in the 1970s to the 90s? Sound about right?

It's 2016. Your successes a few decades ago mean nothing now. Room owners are now competing with XboX and online gaming. So again, unless you're making 7 figures from your pool room TODAY, your opinion is just rhetoric from the past. Polaroid was huge in 1980. Where are they now?

So....care to tell me when you ran that million dollar pool room?

 

[Colonel]

And you ran this pool hall when....? Let me guess....somewhere in the 1970s to the 90s? Sound about right?

It's 2016. Your successes a few decades ago mean nothing now. Room owners are now competing with XboX and online gaming. So again, unless you're making 7 figures from your pool room TODAY, your opinion is just rhetoric from the past. Polaroid was huge in 1980. Where are they now?

So....care to tell me when you ran that million dollar pool room?

Actually 1993-2000.

 

[Shawn Armstrong]

Actually 1993-2000.

Yeah, what I thought

If you were doing it TODAY, I'd have been impressed. My city had 8 pool halls in 2000. There's 3 now. And the only reason the lights are still on in all 3 is the leagues. Same for most of the cities around here. It's 2016. Leagues are the only thing keeping pool alive. If the leagues folded, pool would be done. That's what they're doing for the game.

I commend you for your past success. But this is a different economy than 1993-2000.

 

[jasonlaus]

It seems as if your response is more smart azz than serious. You're one of the league this, league that guys so enlighten me on something here. As a bonafide card carrying APA member don't you get table time free or at severely reduced rates even on nights that aren't league nights? Of course you do. How much $ d
o you think that saves you on table time a week, a month, a year? Considering what that sum is you're telling me that voluntarily contributing 50 cents a week of that you save in time isn't worth saving the game you supposedly love? If not then you're just a cheap nit. Go back to playing with your pocket marker and spare me of anymore talk of how you love a game but are willing to do nothing to help it survive. Again it's not about doing something for the pros, it's about doing something for the game.

Take me for example - I have loved this game since 5 years old, but I could not give one shit if Pro players make a dime!, I also couldn't care less if EVERY pool room in the world closed.
I have a table and would buy enough cloth to cover it 50 times, I'd buy enough chalk to last 5 lifetimes, and guess what, I'd sit at home and play the game I love till I couldn't play anymore.

I've spent my entire adult life living in hotels for work, with a govt that has its hand 40% of the way into my pocket giving my $ to people that didn't earn it. Do you think for 1 second I'm gonna let you take more of the money I've earned and give it to somebody else who doesn't deserve it?????

What difference does it make how much he has saved on table time by being in a league? maybe thats WHY he is in a league. If you save $3,000(doubt you have a car worth that) on a new car, do you send money to Chip Foose?

People are sick of their $$$$ being taken period, for any reason. You want to start a charity? Go ahead, we wont stop you, hell, we might even contribute once in a while.

For the love of GOD, STOP TALKING!!!
JASON

 

[one stroke]

It seems as if your response is more smart azz than serious. You're one of the league this, league that guys so enlighten me on something here. As a bonafide card carrying APA member don't you get table time free or at severely reduced rates even on nights that aren't league nights? Of course you do. How much $ do you think that saves you on table time a week, a month, a year? Considering what that sum is you're telling me that voluntarily contributing 50 cents a week of that you save in time isn't worth saving the game you supposedly love? If not then you're just a cheap nit. Go back to playing with your pocket marker and spare me of anymore talk of how you love a game but are willing to do nothing to help it survive. Again it's not about doing something for the pros, it's about doing something for the game.

Save the game lol now that's pricelesss
Not haveing a pro tour has zero effect on amature pool ,,


1

 

[one stroke]

Take me for example - I have loved this game since 5 years old, but I could not give one shit if Pro players make a dime!, I also couldn't care less if EVERY pool room in the world closed.
I have a table and would buy enough cloth to cover it 50 times, I'd buy enough chalk to last 5 lifetimes, and guess what, I'd sit at home and play the game I love till I couldn't play anymore.

I've spent my entire adult life living in hotels for work, with a govt that has its hand 40% of the way into my pocket giving my $ to people that didn't earn it. Do you think for 1 second I'm gonna let you take more of the money I've earned and give it to somebody else who doesn't deserve it?????

What difference does it make how much he has saved on table time by being in a league? maybe thats WHY he is in a league. If you save $3,000(doubt you have a car worth that) on a new car, do you send money to Chip Foose?

People are sick of their $$$$ being taken period, for any reason. You want to start a charity? Go ahead, we wont stop you, hell, we might even contribute once in a while.

For the love of GOD, STOP TALKING!!!
JASON

I find it comical people actualy defending pro's pan handling ,, maybe they can all chip in for the cause grab a tin cup and a sign please help our starving pro pool players and help them collect some money ,, send all funds to Cw and JA for prize funds

1

 

[Celophanewrap]

It seems as if your response is more smart azz than serious. You're one of the league this, league that guys so enlighten me on something here. As a bonafide card carrying APA member don't you get table time free or at severely reduced rates even on nights that aren't league nights? Of course you do. How much $ do you think that saves you on table time a week, a month, a year? Considering what that sum is you're telling me that voluntarily contributing 50 cents a week of that you save in time isn't worth saving the game you supposedly love? If not then you're just a cheap nit. Go back to playing with your pocket marker and spare me of anymore talk of how you love a game but are willing to do nothing to help it survive. Again it's not about doing something for the pros, it's about doing something for the game.

Hey Colonel, I'm a Card Carrying Member of The APA League Nit, let me tell you about my usual weekly pool experiences. One time I asked why the room owners don't open up the tables for us league players, we spend more money on food and drink than anyone else, isn't that worth quite a bit? I was told first and foremost that you can't sell what you give away and the tables belong to someone else who pays a fee to the owner to keep the tables in there, so no, at least in this APA area pretty much no one gets free (or reduced) table time. We play at bars where pool is not the primary function of the establishment. The last time I got free table time I was working at a pool hall, I also got a shirt and a table key, and every week 2 drink coupons and $7 food allowance per shift. I see the APA logo on mainly women's pro event banners so as a Card Carrying League Nit I do contribute to Pro Billiards, so does Skippy, Lo, Dub, Shawn, and every other league player posting here. I, as I'm sure most league players do, I buy the products, the equipment, I go the events, I support the other sponsors, I might even on occasion even call ESPN and thank them for their coverage. I even purchased a lathe and learned to tip, clean and do simple repairs and a few other things and I don't do it so I can charge other player for it, I do it because I like doing it so I never charge anyone as long as I have what they want, If I don't have it they bring it to me and I don't charge them for my labor. We Card Carrying League Nits we go to the bars and the Pool Rooms, we pay for table time, we buy the food and drink, we support the businesses so we have a place to play, oh, and I purchased my pocket marker from a billiards business. I can't speak for all League Nits but if there was a donation box or a checkoff system in our league packets every week I'd bet the rent that more often than not the individual players and teams would freely contribute to fund a pro tour or event.
We League Nits actually contribute quite a bit, we could just as easily help fund the Pro Bowling Association and help to keep bowling alive. We League Nits are not the only reason, but a pretty good part of why we even have what we have. Have you considered that We League Nits do our part, now it's time for you to do yours.

 

[Shawn Armstrong]

Hey Colonel, I'm a Card Carrying Member of The APA League Nit, let me tell you about my usual weekly pool experiences. One time I asked why the room owners don't open up the tables for us league players, we spend more money on food and drink than anyone else, isn't that worth quite a bit? I was told first and foremost that you can't sell what you give away and the tables belong to someone else who pays a fee to the owner to keep the tables in there, so no, at least in this APA area pretty much no one gets free (or reduced) table time. We play at bars where pool is not the primary function of the establishment. The last time I got free table time I was working at a pool hall, I also got a shirt and a table key, and every week 2 drink coupons and $7 food allowance per shift. I see the APA logo on mainly women's pro event banners so as a Card Carrying League Nit I do contribute to Pro Billiards, so does Skippy, Lo, Dub, Shawn, and every other league player posting here. I, as I'm sure most league players do, I buy the products, the equipment, I go the events, I support the other sponsors, I might even on occasion even call ESPN and thank them for their coverage. I even purchased a lathe and learned to tip, clean and do simple repairs and a few other things and I don't do it so I can charge other player for it, I do it because I like doing it so I never charge anyone as long as I have what they want, If I don't have it they bring it to me and I don't charge them for my labor. We Card Carrying League Nits we go to the bars and the Pool Rooms, we pay for table time, we buy the food and drink, we support the businesses so we have a place to play, oh, and I purchased my pocket marker from a billiards business. I can't speak for all League Nits but if there was a donation box or a checkoff system in our league packets every week I'd bet the rent that more often than not the individual players and teams would freely contribute to fund a pro tour or event.
We League Nits actually contribute quite a bit, we could just as easily help fund the Pro Bowling Association and help to keep bowling alive. We League Nits are not the only reason, but a pretty good part of why we even have what we have. Have you considered that We League Nits do our part, now it's time for you to do yours.

What I love about his posts is something that has come to light recently. He ran an establishment that made 7 figures, yearly, from the pockets of pool players. That, at minimum, is $8M. He then sold the business for many times what he bought it for. With that kind of scratch, you figure he could donate a few hundred K to the cause, seeing as us pool players paid for his house, cars, etc, right? But no....his idea is to bleed us....the consumer....just a little more so that some people who are great at pool don't have to get actual jobs.......you know...like the rest of us. Excellence at something isn't a guarantee of livelihood. My dad was the best furnace installer and repairman in my hometown. He learned back in the day of oil fired furnaces. When natural gas hit our town, he was pretty much out of business within 5 years. Did he whine about it? Nope. He became a general contractor, with a small heating business on the side, and he continued to work.

If you can make a living at pool in its current state, I admire you. But if you can't, do what the rest of us do, and get a f@#king job.

 

[Banks]

As many here that know me understand I was the owner of a pretty large pool hall, bar and restaurant for quite a while, one that gross revenue exceeded 7 figures a year and having done that let me correct you on a point.

I made plenty of money on tables, not hard when you have 30 of them. But you are correct in that die hard players tend to be frugal & the majority of $ made was on social types but NOT leagues for me.

I tried leagues for a very short period of time & found them to be almost as frugal as hardcore players and far less respectful of the equipment or my establishment than hardcore players were. BTW, sold it in 2000 for far more than I had in it, not bad for a guy with no business acumen per your opinion.

Edit/PS- also for your edification the persons I sold it to ran it for a few years & then sold it to a woman who took all the big tracks out that I lovingly outfitted it with originally & loaded it with bar boxes & it became league central. It's closed now, she ran it into the ground. It's now a Goodwill store. I shake my head every time I drive by.

7 figures a year, made all under one roof, but no pro tour from it? What a surprise.

I also see you swapped nit in exchange for frugal, too.

Full. Of. It.

 

[Poolplaya9]

Funny how the original mission was a Pro Tour!!!

Then that went the way of the Dinosaur once the money started flowing! Sadly, these were pro level pool players "HURTING" pro level pool players and the sport that put food on the table and money in their pockets!

Go Figure!!!:sorry:

KD

I don't think we know that that was the original mission just because somebody said so on the internet. Even if it was, who cares? It goes back to people having a right to do what they want to with their business and their money.

The APA didn't hurt the pro players. They just didn't give them as many handouts as you would have liked. Big difference.

Since you seem to think it is ok to tell others what they should put their money towards, please tell me what field you work in, your exact occupation within that field, and how much you make. I will then tell you where you should be spending your money. I will even allocate a portion for pro players for you.

Do you realize you put an exclamation point at the end of over 90% of your sentences in every single thread you are in? You also use multiple exclamation points and question marks instead of just one. The use of exclamation points in the English language is to show great excitement, or great surprise, or any other very strong emotion. When you use more than one it is to show emotion that is even greater than great.

When you are showing very strong emotion with every single thing you say it makes you come across as a drama mama, as the highly emotional type who is completely incapable of rational thought because you are too overwhelmed by emotion on everything. Most people don't take that type of person seriously and tend to dismiss what they have to say and you are in that category for many and probably most. Just some friendly advice for communicating by the written word. Don't be the irrational drama mama.

 

[KissedOut]

:withstupid:

No player in any other sport "dresses up" to "look like a professional" while they're playing. And they all talk trash to each other during matches/games. One of the stupidest things I always hear on this board is how if pro players would just "dress up" and "stop talking trash" they'd be "respectable" and "professional" and THEN pool would take off and everyone would sponsor it and fans would show up in the thousands. Delusional, baseless fallacy.

So you have never seen a snooker or 3C billiards match, or a match from the heyday of pool.

OK. Can't argue with that kind of ignorance.


I'm not saying that dressing better would make pool take off. It is an attitude thing. If the best players in the world don't respect themselves and their profession enough to dress better than a bum on the street then most people will not respect them or their profession either.

You do not see people like Blomdahl, O'Sullivan, Shelby, Jaspers, et al dress or act that way and their sports seem to be doing a lot better than pool.

Billiards

Snooker

Golf

Tennis

Bowling

All sports where the players at the highest level invariably dress appropriately. Also all of them doing orders of magnitude better than pool.

 

[Kid Dynomite]

I don't think we know that that was the original mission just because somebody said so on the internet. Even if it was, who cares? It goes back to people having a right to do what they want to with their business and their money.

The APA didn't hurt the pro players. They just didn't give them as many handouts as you would have liked. Big difference.

Since you seem to think it is ok to tell others what they should put their money towards, please tell me what field you work in, your exact occupation within that field, and how much you make. I will then tell you where you should be spending your money. I will even allocate a portion for pro players for you.

Do you realize you put an exclamation point at the end of over 90% of your sentences in every single thread you are in? You also use multiple exclamation points and question marks instead of just one. The use of exclamation points in the English language is to show great excitement, or great surprise, or any other very strong emotion. When you use more than one it is to show emotion that is even greater than great.

When you are showing very strong emotion with every single thing you say it makes you come across as a drama mama, as the highly emotional type who is completely incapable of rational thought because you are too overwhelmed by emotion on everything. Most people don't take that type of person seriously and tend to dismiss what they have to say and you are in that category for many and probably most. Just some friendly advice for communicating by the written word. Don't be the irrational drama mama.

Several people and myself have said that my opinion is that scenario would be "Stealing" and you are wrong with "Your" statement in red!!!

Regarding spam email! That is not "SPAM" when you give your email address to the league! Second, federal regulations allow you to "OPT-OUT". So, one and done if it is not of interest to you! But, given the persons membership in the league, the emails regarding pool related events would not in my "Opinion" be frowned upon. Nor would products related to pool.

But, keep "hating" on the idea and the players it would benefit!

KD

I am certain that I am being misunderstood!

1: I do not agree that it is OK to take profits from leagues and money from its members with out permission! To me that is stealing!

2: could members voluntarily contribute??? I have seen no reason why not???

3: are incentives and prizes that reassemble a great return on their investment possible and highly probable! Yes!

4: do the players have the authority to implement such an out reach program? No!

5:there are benefits associated with the growth and expanded exposure to pool that aid and benefit league growth? Yes, it is undeniable that the color of money and ESPN and YouTube are growing interest in the sport! Florian is a prime example of an internet sensation!

Kd

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

Regarding the comment in red!!!

I personally have been run off from league play! Manny Chau has been run off from league play! Brandon Shuff has been run off from league play! I know these for sure!

After having that experience, they are supposed to sing the APA praises and donate their time and knowledge to a league operator and organization that returns less than 4% in prizes???

You must admit, that is not a logical thing to do. Even, SVB made his start in the league systems and was extricated from them under the premise of being too good.

Regarding the part in black above:

The pro players would be happy with the option of "Donating" to a pro tour when paying league dues. Just like at pet smart, you get asked at check out if you would like to donate to the human society.

The above mentioned item takes nothing from the league, "at all". Plus, if successful could help the leagues and generate interest. Plus, other fun promotional things could be done to give back to those that contribute. Like: Free lessons with Archer or trips to the events, Free stream access & etc. Are all possible via a lottery system to say thank you for the donation!

But, pro players can not force the addition/option to be made by the leagues!!!

Kd

This is easy to remedy!

Start a petition and get the 250,000 members to lobby for it!

Talk is cheap! Get or start an online petition and lobby for the desired changes!

You start the thread complaining and whining VS. Taking action!

In fact, I am willing to be first to sign! But, more powerful if its Archer, Corey or Appleton!

Kd

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

Regarding your post in RED above!

I have said numerous times what my opinion is on this topic and you and others continue to "mis-characterize" my comments. My post on the topic are above for your ease and the ease of others. No where have I endorsed the theft of funds from leagues or league members ever! I could not be more clear in the posts above.

Regarding my writing style, i appreciate the constructive criticism. I acknowledge my style is unorthodox. But, based on this response I am capable of utilizing a conformist style of writing.

Oddly enough, I was around when the 1st APA league was established in the Maryland area. I was a teenager and privy to what was going on as many discussions were taking place at my local pool room at its conception. I can confirm that building a pro pool platform was part of the vision. JAM was around back then and she and other local players know the truth. Danny Green, Scotty Boggs & Tom Wirth can shed a ton of light on the beginning stages of the APA leagues. Terry was from Maryland and Mike Sigel's running partner Larry Hubbert was in the area from time to time. Anyway, it can be confirmed or investigated if anyone is so inclined.

KD

 

[Skippy27]

Die hard pool players are CHEAP.

I wish my play account agreed with you on that.

 

[Poolplaya9]

Everyone here is focused on someone telling someone else what to do with their $.

How about love for the game, caring about its survival? I've never been in a league in my life but I'd contribute $10 a week if I thought it could bring about a pro tour.

It's not about "doing something for the pros". For me it's about doing something for the game.

You don't think league players are doing something for the game? I would argue they are keeping the game alive more than pro players are. They are putting their time and money to helping the game by their participation in leagues. Far more people get exposed to pool and ultimately get involved in pool through leagues or by seeing league players than those who get exposed to and involved in pool because of seeing pro pool. It is clear what leagues and league players are doing for the game. I think the better question would actually be what are pro players doing for the game?

Nobody is against you or anyone else donating to pro pool if you want to and in fact many would donate themselves if there were a legitimate entity that could account for what was collected and how it was spent. Don't confuse the issues. What they are against, and rightly so, is being forced or pressured by others on how they should spend their own money instead of being free to spend their own money as they see fit.

Please list the field that you work in, your exact occupation within that field, and how much money you make. I will then tell you where you should be spending your money, and in what amounts. I will even allocate a portion of your money towards pro pool for you.

Again, nobody cares if anybody wants to donate to pro pool. In fact, I nominate you and Flip_dat_Quata and Kid Dynomite as the guys that should spearhead the movement to collect voluntary donations for pro pool. Set something up and let us know where those that are interested in giving voluntary handouts to pro pool can do so.

Wounded war veterans who are now incapable of working because of those wounds and who now live in poverty or near poverty or numerous other causes out there might be a better place for our spare money to go than pro pool but that is a decision that you and every other prospective donor has to make for themselves. Have fun and I am sure the personal fulfillment and satisfaction you get from your efforts will make all your efforts worthwhile since this is such a passion for you and since it will be making such a big difference in the world. Let us know when you set this up as seriously there are some who want to donate but in the mean time stop trying to force it upon everybody else on what they should be doing with their own money.

 

[BmoreMoney]

Regarding your post in RED above!

I have said numerous times what my opinion is on this topic and you and others continue to "mis-characterize" my comments. My post on the topic are above for your ease and the ease of others. No where have I endorsed the theft of funds from leagues or league members ever! I could not be more clear in the posts above.

Regarding my writing style, i appreciate the constructive criticism. I acknowledge my style is unorthodox. But, based on this response I am capable of utilizing a conformist style of writing.

Oddly enough, I was around when the 1st APA league was established in the Maryland area. I was a teenager and privy to what was going on as many discussions were taking place at my local pool room at its conception. I can confirm that building a pro pool platform was part of the vision. JAM was around back then and she and other local players know the truth. Danny Green, Scotty Boggs & Tom Wirth can shed a ton of light on the beginning stages of the APA leagues. Terry was from Maryland and Mike Sigel's running partner Larry Hubbert was in the area from time to time. Anyway, it can be confirmed or investigated if anyone is so inclined.

KD

I can confirm what Mike is saying here. KD, did you spend much time at USA in Laurel?

 

[Kid Dynomite]

So you have never seen a snooker or 3C billiards match, or a match from the heyday of pool.

OK. Can't argue with that kind of ignorance.


I'm not saying that dressing better would make pool take off. It is an attitude thing. If the best players in the world don't respect themselves and their profession enough to dress better than a bum on the street then most people will not respect them or their profession either.

You do not see people like Blomdahl, O'Sullivan, Shelby, Jaspers, et al dress or act that way and their sports seem to be doing a lot better than pool.

Billiards

Snooker

Golf

Tennis

Bowling

All sports where the players at the highest level invariably dress appropriately. Also all of them doing orders of magnitude better than pool.

If their tie touches a ball it is a foul? If their feet hurt from utilizing inappropriate shoes for long periods of walking/playing pool? If they are uncomfortable in anyway, it could be the difference in winning and losing?

So, why is it wrong for them to dress for the task at hand of winning the match?

Snooker matches are not 8 hours long of continous play like the format these guys you mentioned were in. They played for 5 days at 8 hours each day. Much different from a 1 to 2 hour snooker match that requires dress attire.

If their match and format was only 1 to 2 hours and similar to snooker then I could say it is a fair comparison. But, it really is not fair to make that comparison.

If they dressed in the formal attire and it cost them to lose due to being uncomfortable, it would be a very poor business decision effecting their lively-hood.

By the way, I have seen them dressed in formal attire. It is not like they are not willing and able. The make it happen last week had them all in formal attire. Even, T-Rex was in a tie and suit vest.

KD

 

[Shawn Armstrong]

I wish my play account agreed with you on that.

LOL. I was talking about the money that would go into drinks and food. Most players keep their money in their pockets when they're in the pool hall, as they may be in action later. Recreational players will have some drinks, eat dinner, etc.

Yeah, my account shows damage from being a pool player as well

 

[Kid Dynomite]

I can confirm what Mike is saying here. KD, did you spend much time at USA in Laurel?

yes, i was a regular there. i remember when it first opened. Good Times and Great People.

KD