Pool is Not Dead.....Just Transitioning.
Yeah, it is in transition to a Hospice !!!!!!
Pool is Not Dead.....Just Transitioning.
I have heard all this talk about how pool is dying and I may be in the minority here but I don't buy it.
I will agree that many pool halls (in the U.S.) are struggling and a lot of the gambling money has dried up -- thanks to poker and the economy. BUT I think pool is just entering a brand new phase. Internet streaming is where it's at!
I have been watching a lot of matches on the internet lately and I'm really impressed with the quality of these productions. My hunch is that we are nearing the end of the beginning of the internet streaming. By that, I mean the first phase of this format is coming to an end. The 2nd phase will be beginning soon. In this phase we will see more sponsors step up to advertise and more money will find its way into the hands of those that have put so much time and effort into these streams.
The only thing stopping this from happening is the overall economy. When and if the economy starts growing again this 2nd phase will begin. This is my hope at least. Pool is now in the hands of the internet streamers.
Don't blame the kids, but rather the way pool is organized, er make that, disorganized in the States. The young Europeans, in particular the Germans, have the opportunity to join billiard clubs at a young age, where they are actually taught something by trainers who themselves must become certified. They, in turn, compete at all levels and have the opportunity to travel, meet new friends, and -- most important -- learn the game the way it should be played. I am sure the baby boomer crowd can remember the old days when you had to be 16 or 18 to get into a pool room. And, women, were pretty much barred.
The U.S. has been behind the 8-ball as far as grooming young players goes for as long as I can remember and it's only getting worse.
I frequent a poolroom with mostly young kids & not one of them is serious about being a good player. In my observation kids today,as a whole, are too distracted & lazy to put the time & effort into mastering a difficult game. Even in tennis there are not many hot young prospects in the US. China is emerging in many sports & the Europeans are dominating.
If we want kids to learn to play AND love pool it starts with us. I have yet to have a child come into my home that wasn't interested in pool when given the chance and a little instruction. The excitement you see on their faces when they pocket a ball or two is really priceless.
but its still dieing.
There is no new blood in pool to replace the guys who are retireing due to age, health, or better $$$.
I agree the internet streams is a great place to sweat matches, but it doesent create new players. It just exposes whats out there(in america)
But here is the fatal problem here: if we just watch on-line pool matches, where are the new players going to come from? Pool rooms are dropping like flys and less and less young people (in America) are playing pool. I'm 44 I started playing a year before the COM in 86-after than movie the pool rooms filled up, it was great guys a year younger than me were all soft action, that rush lasted for a few years and today there are still players who wouldnt have became players if they didnt go see that movie. When I go to the pool room 75-85% of the people there that can play are my age or older. I hardly see anyone in their teens, 20's,30's playing seriously. I see bangers of all ages, who have zero interest in improving-they are just there playing pool like its a toy, which is ok. But until its competitive there is no assurance they will come back and become a regular. Bangers are great for pool rooms to help pay the bills, but it would be better if some bangers got into playing. I dont see them care if they win or lose. They dont come back until they want to bang again, like miniture gold its just a toy to them.
We are not generating any new players, they are in China, most all of Asia. Except North Korea(who knows whats up there). Europe is generating new players. There is no access to pool in America for lots of people or interest which is the biggest problem. online poker, video games, smart phones with face book; are all taking up kids time and interest. Pool is hard and is lots of work, video games are easier and more gratifying.
With no new players, were gonna be watching senior citizens online for years to come.
exactly they dont give a rats ass if they win or lose.
I have a few pinball machines, i'm a solid B player in pinball(i seen the champions WOW). When I was 12 I played everyday until I was about 17. I would get mad as hell when the ball would go down the drain. I woudnt ever let a ball go. To me it was $$$, It was 5 balls for 25 cents on most machines so a nickle a ball. I played hard would "pop" a pile of games and sell them off to weaker players. Thats how it was for me.
At my house I'm with this 13 years old kid, when he lost the ball he didnt care. He didnt care about the score, popping games, he would just walk away from the machine while the ball was bouncing around in play to get a drink of his soda pop. He had no fight in him at all. Man I still dont ever let the ball go down like that. If i'm playing and the phone rings-too bad I have a ball in-play I aint picking up any phone call.
it aint the $$$ its the principal, when a ball is in play, you keep it in play. thats how I roll and thats how we all were back then. That silver ball was $$ to me as a kid. Now the kids dont give a shit what tthe score is, who got the best score. I guess its wrong to beat someone or something. so lets not have scores on pinball machines. thats the current trend and that is a death sentence for pool.
that bangers mentality pisses me off, walking away from the machine with a ball in play, and not caring what your score is. What ever. I have a friend who has a machine like on of mine, we were playing for $500/game a few years ago, he is 4 years younger than me, I win $2000 that day. good action.
Yeah, it is in transition to a Hospice !!!!!!
I have heard all this talk about how pool is dying and I may be in the minority here but I don't buy it.
I will agree that many pool halls (in the U.S.) are struggling and a lot of the gambling money has dried up -- thanks to poker and the economy. BUT I think pool is just entering a brand new phase. Internet streaming is where it's at!
I have been watching a lot of matches on the internet lately and I'm really impressed with the quality of these productions. My hunch is that we are nearing the end of the beginning of the internet streaming. By that, I mean the first phase of this format is coming to an end. The 2nd phase will be beginning soon. In this phase we will see more sponsors step up to advertise and more money will find its way into the hands of those that have put so much time and effort into these streams.
The only thing stopping this from happening is the overall economy. When and if the economy starts growing again this 2nd phase will begin. This is my hope at least. Pool is now in the hands of the internet streamers.
I just don`t see where the money is going to come from. I have watched FREE streams of top players playing in big tournaments in this country and they are lucky to get 1200 viewers. The womens finals of the China open had over one million viewers. The only people who care about pool in America are the hardcore players. Pro pool has a future in Asia, possibly the Middle east and Europe. It has an abysmal future in the US.
This is a great post. Real players should seriously consider moving to Asia. The food is very healthy, pool is growing like you would not believe (we are talking cities that has 2 pool tables 15 years ago are now chock full of pool tables), the women are beyond beautiful and not as -- let's use the euphemism unapproachable.
I don't think a young US player nowadays can even comprehend what is going on. 25 years ago if you go down the list of top US players it reads like an all time all star hall of fame.... i mean it was mind boggling. Now players like O. Dominguez are getting mentioned for top US players. He's one of my favorite players in terms of attitude and presentability, but the mindblowing talent just isn't there, i'm sorry but it's not, and i've played him. We have SVB. Wow, ok. Note: I like Dechaine's game potential as well-- but that's it!
This is a great post. Real players should seriously consider moving to Asia. The food is very healthy, pool is growing like you would not believe (we are talking cities that has 2 pool tables 15 years ago are now chock full of pool tables), the women are beyond beautiful and not as -- let's use the euphemism unapproachable.
I don't think a young US player nowadays can even comprehend what is going on. 25 years ago if you go down the list of top US players it reads like an all time all star hall of fame.... i mean it was mind boggling. Now players like O. Dominguez are getting mentioned for top US players. He's one of my favorite players in terms of attitude and presentability, but the mindblowing talent just isn't there, i'm sorry but it's not, and i've played him. We have SVB. Wow, ok. Note: I like Dechaine's game potential as well-- but that's it!
I was going to post something similar to this.
Look we don't have THAT guy in this sport. There's no star that we can point to and say "that's the face of the new generation"... except we do, SVB
Yet we don't promote him, or better said - the leagues, the sponsors, the "organizers" don't put him out on the map. The average joe still doesn't have a clue who he is which is just wrong when this guy is traveling all over the frigging world snapping off tourneys, getting into finals, getting in big action etc. etc.
I think simply getting him on ESPN would be enough believe it or not... doing that? Good luck, no one seems to listen anymore.
Its sad that the best pool players here in the US can't get on ESPN after winning a big tournament (or any other player for that matter). Just a couple of days ago, ESPN had a 3 minute segment on a Beard Growing competition...WTF is that! What no 15 seconds of fame for the best pool players? Its been like this since I can remember (past 22 years around pool). Unless some organization outside of pool (example "the camel tour") can put together some US tour with ample prize money with execllent player and tour promos, US mens pro pool will CONTINUE to be the same as it ever was....
I can gamble on them and the excitement is THROUGH THE ROOF in my household on Sunday. People are over, there's yelling, and screaming, hooting and hollering.