none of this will 'save' pool. it doesn't need it. please go troll another site. do you get the feeling that your feeble attempts at being taken seriously here are a dismal failure? if so you're making progress. back to Ignoreland.
How to fix pool
- Thread starter thenaturalpoolplayer
- Start date
The sad truth, the jump cues, league players, and seven foot tables, all the things I dislike, are what keeps pool alive. We can add loud modern music to the mix. League and late evening date crowds are what pay the bills, as you say, so the few of us can enjoy the big tables in the quiet mornings.
Hu
thenaturalpoolplayer
Active member
Let's hear your solutions.
Which pool segment are you talking about? Professional pool, amateur league pool, social/bangers or the gambling subculture?
Match the following critique/comment with the appropriate subculture.
Playing safety is 'durty pool', and every shot has to be a full out attempt at pocketing. Scooping is fine.
Payout is top heavy. Signed up for Matchroom because after 2 matches, I'm in the money (entry fee back).
Who is Earl, what is Fargo? Can't wait to go Pro when I reach SL 7.
He is my fish
Match the following critique/comment with the appropriate subculture.
Playing safety is 'durty pool', and every shot has to be a full out attempt at pocketing. Scooping is fine.
Payout is top heavy. Signed up for Matchroom because after 2 matches, I'm in the money (entry fee back).
Who is Earl, what is Fargo? Can't wait to go Pro when I reach SL 7.
He is my fish
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how is jump entertaining? it boggles my mind...even my 9 yr old nephew who cant run 3 balls he could jump balls. Its not entertaining nor interesting whatsoever. its the dumbest shot ever and for the life of me I don't understand why people clap when they see a silly jump shot.
My 3 cents: No commentary options for DVDs and live commentary, just the natural sounds of the game. Is Cuetec sponsoring a tour, didn't think so. Neither is Ford, Marlboro or Budweiser beer. More people have been watching Cornhole with better viewership. Currently, asking the general public (mostly US )the most popular pool players and most name recognizable are no longer alive. (Mizerak, Mosconi and Minnesota Fats). The Joss tour (east coast) and the Viking Tour (Ohio and in the southern states) are and were nice tours (not sure if is around). The Camel 9-ball tour was the most promising at that time. Anything between Money & Sponsorship tour money is just trivial matters. Thanks for reading.
Note: not speaking on European / Asian popularity, tours or sponsorship.
Note: not speaking on European / Asian popularity, tours or sponsorship.
I dont know about "fixing pool", it doesnt seem to be broken.
There is often talk about how pool needs another movie like The Hustler or The Color of Money to act a a catalyst to renew interest in the game or how big name sponsors need to fund tours and tournaments. I believe a viable road map has already been provided.
We all have seen how the UFC has taken a fringe sport and turned it mainstream. Much of their success stems from that first season of The Ultimate Fighter and because of that success MMA training facilities have sprung up everywhere and its become a mainstream sport. Exactly what everyone lamenting the death of pool would like to see.
I think if a league such as the APA or BCA would to invest similarly pool could benefit greatly as a whole. They could have some of their top league players come to live in the house and train with some top pros serving as the team captains. Strickland and Shaw would make for a great first season, IMO. They could have the weekly challenge matches highlight some of the other non standard cue games as they test their cuing abilities for prizes and team advantages. Then they could have a season ending MC styled event where the players are competing for prizes, pride and maybe a sponsorship of some sort or another.
I believe the idea has merit and would love to see it.
There is often talk about how pool needs another movie like The Hustler or The Color of Money to act a a catalyst to renew interest in the game or how big name sponsors need to fund tours and tournaments. I believe a viable road map has already been provided.
We all have seen how the UFC has taken a fringe sport and turned it mainstream. Much of their success stems from that first season of The Ultimate Fighter and because of that success MMA training facilities have sprung up everywhere and its become a mainstream sport. Exactly what everyone lamenting the death of pool would like to see.
I think if a league such as the APA or BCA would to invest similarly pool could benefit greatly as a whole. They could have some of their top league players come to live in the house and train with some top pros serving as the team captains. Strickland and Shaw would make for a great first season, IMO. They could have the weekly challenge matches highlight some of the other non standard cue games as they test their cuing abilities for prizes and team advantages. Then they could have a season ending MC styled event where the players are competing for prizes, pride and maybe a sponsorship of some sort or another.
I believe the idea has merit and would love to see it.
Zerksies
Well-known member
Maybe if you tried jumping a ball with accuracy and cueball control and when you see one well executed it's entertainment.
Zerksies
Well-known member
They had a TV show like this and it sucked ass. It didn't do to well.
sellingboe
Active member
I'm not sure the analogy is accurate, much as I wish it were. Despite its less-than-savory reputation in some circles, it's historically been considered a gentleman's sport (not sure it's a sport, but that's another discussion). In fact, in college I used to go to a hall named Gentleman Jim's in Minneapolis that was in a fairly seedy part of the city. Seedy and gentlemanly, a Jeckyll and Hyde sport. If we're talking about pool in the U.S., not a great combo. We are becoming a colliseum/gladiator culture, if we're not already there. If not that, we're a couch potato culture that will throw up a corn hole game in the backyard for family get-togethers to play between innings or halves for an investment of less than $50.
As far as cornhole on TV is concerned, it's like a particular Seinfeld episode quote: "Why are they watching it?" referencing the 'Show About Nothing.' "Because it's on TV," said George. People will watch anything if they can relate to it, even in the most menial way. Pool requires an ongoing investment of time and money if one doesn't own a table; or, an upfront investment of table cost plus space/room to house it. I had a room built specifically for a table. Unfortunately, way fewer people can relate to that.
Much as I hate 60 minutes, I think the SVB/Shaw thing is a start and will ignite something for at least a short period of time. But if aspirational income is a driving force for those old enough to make that conscious decision, the current risk/reward benefit does not justify the investment. There are other issues I've thought about writing this, but I don't want to do a thesis. I love the game and am just getting back into it after decades. Played my first tournament a couple weeks ago, an open 9 ball tourney, it was awesome. Will do more. Would love to see popularity skyrocket and make this a popular past-time (sport?).
Freddy Fuzzmore
Member
Pool will never die or be broken.
Nearly everybody in pool treats her like a whore...gets all they can and drops her off on the corner.
Money is good thing how to attract sponsors with money is tough. I am talking consumer products.
Those are people with large annual budget for advertising.
Apple, Google, General Motors, Ford, KIA, etc.
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Yeah, and then..... Throw all that out and build a time machine, go back in time 25 years, and kill everybody who started programming computer games. And social media.
Because the "problem with pool" is that young people are not taking up the game, because competitive gaming is WAY more profitable, and social media is a time sink for bored teens, as opposed to pool, which it USED to be.. Young people have TONS more options for entertainment when they are bored now, as opposed to playing pool. Without young people taking up the game, there are no young players, and few young fans. Because fans don't want to watch a bunch of forty year olds and above playing the game.
The first step to "fixing pool" is to recognize what the actual problem is, and not going and chasing red herrings. Literally NOBODY in this thread is addressing the core problem with pool. An aging demographic that gets tired of the game and stops playing, and are not replaced with young players.
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Well millennial’s are only a small concern as most don’t mind hanging out and having a drink or two and generally socialize in public places. They’re like Gen X lite.
I think people matter more to saving pool than the rules do.
The bigger concern would be Gen z as they predominantly despise boomers(nothing personal against you) and the intolerance that tends to come from them. They also don’t seem have the love affair with booze and beer like older generations. Millennials love craft beer and big whisky selections but Z are barely legal to mostly minors. Their interest is largely in weed and the connoisseurs of this generation reside in differing strains vs differing drinks.
Pool absolutely wants and needs to reach this generation. They’re way more locked into music and finger foods that you would find at a typical bar and grill. I’d considering setting up a few tables that cater to groups rather than the typical cookie cutter 4 bar stools. That would probably resonate with that group.