Is Straight Pool Officially Dead?

bud green

bud green

Dolley and Django
Silver Member
I was noticing that accu-stats hasn't taped any straight pool in a while and can't recall any mention of a US Championship 14.1 Tourney being planned.

I know there is not a lot of $$ incentive to host the event but does anyone know if any pro 14.1 events in the US are being planned? Europe seems to like the game and host events and a lot of younger players like Mika, Tony Robles, Hatch,Schmidt like the game and can run hundreds but no events seem to be lined up.

Maybe they can hold some event at the DCC, separate from the all round events, while all the talent is already there. Even if it was half assed it would be better than nothing and we can have some kind of reigning champ.
 
sjm

sjm

Older and Wiser
Silver Member
bud green said:
I was noticing that accu-stats hasn't taped any straight pool in a while and can't recall any mention of a US Championship 14.1 Tourney being planned.

I know there is not a lot of $$ incentive to host the event but does anyone know if any pro 14.1 events in the US are being planned? Europe seems to like the game and host events and a lot of younger players like Mika, Tony Robles, Hatch,Schmidt like the game and can run hundreds but no events seem to be lined up.

Maybe they can hold some event at the DCC, separate from the all round events, while all the talent is already there. Even if it was half assed it would be better than nothing and we can have some kind of reigning champ.
Click to expand...

The only place it isn't dead is in the NYC metropolitan area. Especially at the league level, straight pool is alive and well in NYC. You can ususally find a straight pool game if you're looking for one in the major poolrooms of NYC.

As for top pro level competition, the only events of note that I know of are the annual event in Downingtown, Pennsylvania and the NJ State Straight Pool Championships, held just a few miles outside of NYC. Both of these events always draw elite fields. Also, the Tri State tour in the Northeast has a couple of open straight pool events a year. In the last one, both Dan Darouty and Tony Robles, both of them holders of many runs of 200+, were in the field. Neither managed to win it, as dark horse Jonathan Smith, who manged 102 and out on Robles, prevailed.

The last event for which you'd likely find Accu-stats tapes is the 2000 US Open 14.1 event held in NYC. Like you, I know of no major straight pool tourneys, other than those mentioned, that are planned anytime soon.

Finally, I love your idea of doing something with straight pool at Derby City.
Our esteemed AZB forum colleague Williebetmore has often related how enthusiastic people were when Pagulayan and Schmidt squared off in straight pool during the 2003 Derby City Classic.
 
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larrynj1

larrynj1

aka uncle larry
Silver Member
jack colavita runs the nj state 14.1 championship every year at comet billiards in parsippany,nj. held in sept, last year's tournament saw lou butera, dallas west, tony robles, allen hopkins, jack colavita,bob maidhof, danny barouty, danny harriman and lots of others play for 3 days.
 
C

climbtrad

Registered
Hi,

I emailed Pat Fleming at Accu-stats a few months ago and suggested he attend the NJ State Straight Pool Tournament in Sept/Oct and add some new straight pool tapes to their current inventory. Didn't hear anything from him.

It is really a shame that the game isn't played more in general and rarely if ever at the major tournament level any more. What can ya do? Guess a game that requires people to pay attention for more than five minutes at a time is too much for people these days. Wish that weren't the case but I would bet straight pool will continue it's decline.

David



bud green said:
I was noticing that accu-stats hasn't taped any straight pool in a while and can't recall any mention of a US Championship 14.1 Tourney being planned.

I know there is not a lot of $$ incentive to host the event but does anyone know if any pro 14.1 events in the US are being planned? Europe seems to like the game and host events and a lot of younger players like Mika, Tony Robles, Hatch,Schmidt like the game and can run hundreds but no events seem to be lined up.

Maybe they can hold some event at the DCC, separate from the all round events, while all the talent is already there. Even if it was half assed it would be better than nothing and we can have some kind of reigning champ.
Click to expand...
 
bruin70

bruin70

don't wannabe M0DERATOR
Silver Member
i look at the bright side..........

pool(9ball) will never happen in the US,,,it'll have better fortune overseas. and overseas seems to appreciate 14.1 more than the US.

i can only hope that the rest of the world won't follow the US's flawed thinking with 9ball, and spend more time with 14.1 instead.
 
MrLucky

MrLucky

Pool Fanatic!!
Silver Member
Not in Atlanta!

bud green said:
I was noticing that accu-stats hasn't taped any straight pool in a while and can't recall any mention of a US Championship 14.1 Tourney being planned.

I know there is not a lot of $$ incentive to host the event but does anyone know if any pro 14.1 events in the US are being planned? Europe seems to like the game and host events and a lot of younger players like Mika, Tony Robles, Hatch,Schmidt like the game and can run hundreds but no events seem to be lined up.

Maybe they can hold some event at the DCC, separate from the all round events, while all the talent is already there. Even if it was half assed it would be better than nothing and we can have some kind of reigning champ.
Click to expand...
We are starting a straight league at Mr CUES in Atlanta ! :D
 
pfduser

pfduser

GRABBER GT
Silver Member
Good question,I have not seen anybody play straight pool or even talk about it in the south.It's a shame to since it is such a highly skilled game.
 
TheOne

TheOne

www.MetroPool.club
Silver Member
sjm said:
The only place it isn't dead is in the NYC metropolitan area. Especially at the league level, straight pool is alive and well in NYC. You can ususally find a straight pool game if you're looking for one in the major poolrooms of NYC.

As for top pro level competition, the only events of note that I know of are the annual event in Downingtown, Pennsylvania and the NJ State Straight Pool Championships, held just a few miles outside of NYC. Both of these events always draw elite fields. Also, the Tri State tour in the Northeast has a couple of open straight pool events a year. In the last one, both Dan Darouty and Tony Robles, both of them holders of many runs of 200+, were in the field. Neither managed to win it, as dark horse Jonathan Smith, who manged 102 and out on Robles, prevailed.

The last event for which you'd likely find Accu-stats tapes is the 2000 US Open 14.1 event held in NYC. Like you, I know of no major straight pool tourneys, other than those mentioned, that are planned anytime soon.

Finally, I love your idea of doing something with straight pool at Derby City.
Our esteemed AZB forum colleague Williebetmore has often related how enthusiastic people were when Pagulayan and Schmidt squared off in straight pool during the 2003 Derby City Classic.
Click to expand...


I have always been curious why the DCC has banks instead of straight pool as one of the main events? I suspect its for historical reasons, has anyone ever tried to get them to add straight pool or would the venue simply not be able to cope? I had never even heard of banks before this tournmanet and you hear even less about bank tournmanets than straight pool around the world.

14:1, 8 Ball and 9 Ball, that would be my pick :)
 
JimS

JimS

Grandpa & his grand boys.
Silver Member
There's a straights league in Cincy and Chicago and the ole pro Sailor in Racine still teaches it.
 
bruin70

bruin70

don't wannabe M0DERATOR
Silver Member
TheOne said:
I have always been curious why the DCC has banks instead of straight pool as one of the main events?,,,,,,,,,,
14:1, 8 Ball and 9 Ball, that would be my pick :)
Click to expand...

i get the impression the dcc has more gambling roots, which pretty much elimiantes 14.1 as a game of choice for fast moving money.
 
N

nail

Registered
Bud Green:

"Is Straight Pool Officially Dead"?

I sure hope not. 3 out of the 4 billiard parlors here in Syracuse, NY have straight pool leagues. I know most of the members love the game, and many of them are normaly 9-ball players. The love of 14.1 in central NY may somewhat be due to the fact that this was "Babe" Cranfields' home turf. You couldn't help but fall in love with the game if you had the chance to watch him play. 14.1 is a thinking persons game and unfortunately this might be the problem. People today seem to want things faster and easier. TV tries to please their viewers, which in turn pleases their sponsers. That's to be expected. Untill 14.1 can be made viable for TV, I doubt you will see very many tournaments. Straight pool will never die for those who enjoy playing or watching a pocket pool game in its greatest form (IMO).

Nail
 
W

Williebetmore

Member, .25% Club
Silver Member
sjm said:
Our esteemed AZB forum colleague Williebetmore
Click to expand...

SJM,
You are correct; I am "steamed." :) :) :) Straight pool is NOT dead, just missing from television and tournaments. It is alive and well in the hearts of serious pool players everywhere. We have a straight pool league in Indy that is somewhere around 50 years old. Every beginning player I have taught the game to prefers it over all the others. At DCC this year there were 4 professionals willing to play me to 200 for $50 to $100 (giving me a substantial spot). Either they were desperate for a small amount of cash, or they just love the opportunity to play. Johnny Archer played 4 hours of straight pool with me for FREE; he didn't have to, he just kept saying, "hey, you want to play another game." It's a beautiful game when played properly, and the history of the sport is inextricably linked to it. I foresee a comeback.
 
K

kollegedave

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The other reason banks is played at the DCC is the south of the United States, and particularly Kentucky, is known for bank pool. Also, I think bank pool is included for the main reason we should have more straight pool events, and that is that fewer and fewer people are capable of playing banks on a world class level. If as a community, we don't take steps to preserve less played games---banks, one-pocket, and straight pool then we are in danger of losing some, if not much, of the knowledge we have of those games.

I think this is why what Steve Booth is doing at www.onepocket.org is important. Bank pool and onepocket, more other games, are in danger of losing its history if it is not written down.

I think if would be great if straight pool could be included at the DCC, but I don't think there is room. I went a few years ago and the place was packed for the whole week.

kollegedave


TheOne said:
I have always been curious why the DCC has banks instead of straight pool as one of the main events? I suspect its for historical reasons, has anyone ever tried to get them to add straight pool or would the venue simply not be able to cope? I had never even heard of banks before this tournmanet and you hear even less about bank tournmanets than straight pool around the world.

14:1, 8 Ball and 9 Ball, that would be my pick :)
Click to expand...
 
TheOne

TheOne

www.MetroPool.club
Silver Member
Just curious but since many people don't like 9 ball and many many players including pros love straight pool why are there hardly any large straight pool tournaments? I still think that the big events should dedicate one table to a high run 14:1 competition. Many tournmants used to do a similar thing in the UK (although it wasn't true straight pool). The crowd would start to get bigger whenever somebody went on a high run. Great side comp to help pass the time, only takes one table and simple to run. It might at the very least showcase 14:1 and increase its popularity :)
 
MrLucky

MrLucky

Pool Fanatic!!
Silver Member
The Fast and Furious era!!!!

TheOne said:
Just curious but since many people don't like 9 ball and many many players including pros love straight pool why are there hardly any large straight pool tournaments? I still think that the big events should dedicate one table to a high run 14:1 competition. Many tournmants used to do a similar thing in the UK (although it wasn't true straight pool). The crowd would start to get bigger whenever somebody went on a high run. Great side comp to help pass the time, only takes one table and simple to run. It might at the very least showcase 14:1 and increase its popularity :)
Click to expand...

I personally believe the answer to that is as a society we have gone from slow and steady development thinking (which is the heart of straight pool philosophy) to the "FAST and FURIOUS" age which is more the philosophy of 6 and 9 ball!!! take business it used to be build profits carefully and safely ! now as evident by ENRON and others it is do it fast by any means possible ! Hell ! you can even buy a damn "gourmet" TV dinner now from high priced chefs!!!! We no longer want to wait an hour to see the end of anything much less a pool match ! :confused: :mad:
 
Ken_4fun

Ken_4fun

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Why Banks instead of Straight Pool?

TheOne said:
I have always been curious why the DCC has banks instead of straight pool as one of the main events? I suspect its for historical reasons, has anyone ever tried to get them to add straight pool or would the venue simply not be able to cope? I had never even heard of banks before this tournmanet and you hear even less about bank tournmanets than straight pool around the world.

14:1, 8 Ball and 9 Ball, that would be my pick :)
Click to expand...


BANKS is Huge in Southern Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. I have heard is big in the South as well. Chicago is also known for a bank pool area, as in "Piggy Bank".

Straight pool, rightly or wrongly is thought of a NYC and Northeast game.

Regards
Ken
 
Jersey

Jersey

Clickin' & Clackin'
Silver Member
MrLucky said:
We are starting a straight league at Mr CUES in Atlanta ! :D
Click to expand...

When is that starting?...was there weekend before last, didn't hear anything about it?...not saying I'm any good...but love to play it...hmm...maybe if I played more, my game would improve!?...novel idea, huh?... :D

can't believe Accu-Stats wasn't at the NJ Championship...Colavita is well known, and has been carrying the torch of 14:1 forever...and there are big names at the Jersey event?...go figure...yet another problem for the Billiard world to deal with...
 
Zagiflyer

Zagiflyer

Mr. 15
Silver Member
14.1 will never die!

Straight pool will never die, it will always be there for new players to rediscover. If anything, it seems to be more widely played recently where I play in WI. There was a recent 14.1 tourney in the Northern IL area (Cue-N-You billiards in Belvidere, IL) and there was a great turnout. Hopefully there will be more tournaments. It's very sad that there isn't a major professional 14.1 tournament each year because I would love to see the newer top pros play the game and see how they think when they don't have to shoot in rotation. It's a great game and it uses all the balls, all the pockets, all the defense, all the shots, and lots of strategy. It is THE complete pool game. It's unfortunate that everything has to revolve around fast action and money games, it's taking the class out of the game. Give me top pros in tuxedos playing 14.1 in a beautiful ballroom somewhere, that's class. How could we get the pool community, public and sponsers to embrace it? Any millionaires out there with spare cash that want to sponser a 14.1 tournament. Maybe if we could find enough people who loved the game to kick in some money and find a venue and a promoter.........????? I'm afraid it's up the Europeans to bring 14.1 back at the professional level.

Ken Nelson
 
Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
MrLucky said:
I personally believe the answer to that is as a society we have gone from slow and steady development thinking (which is the heart of straight pool philosophy) to the "FAST and FURIOUS" age which is more the philosophy of 6 and 9 ball!!! take business it used to be build profits carefully and safely ! now as evident by ENRON and others it is do it fast by any means possible ! Hell ! you can even buy a damn "gourmet" TV dinner now from high priced chefs!!!! We no longer want to wait an hour to see the end of anything much less a pool match ! :confused: :mad:
Click to expand...
I agree with your post MrLucky. Young people today for the most part want fast games with little thinking. Like pull a handle(casino) or make 9 on the break (lucky). Bring back real pool. Bring back straight pool. Johnnyt
 
bud green

bud green

Dolley and Django
Silver Member
I knew I'd fire up some folks with this thread. I'm just pissed off that I'm 3000 miles away from New York and can't just drive over and watch Robles,etc... play. There is still a TON of talent on the East Coast alone and plenty of players good enough to warrant filming.

As far as Accu-Stats goes, if it's too expensive for them, maybe worldpool.com will film some matches. They have a section on their site listed for 14.1 but it's "under construction"... meaning no matches yet.

I love bank pool and like the DCC the way they set it up for the all round, but I just thought that since all the greatest players in the world are there, you might as well have a US OPEN the next week there or close by. After the US Open 9-ball might be as good as time as any too.
 
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