💡💡 One, of the main barriers, to Pool, that I ❤️ is....

[Bigkat]

HEALTH. As time goes on, the world has become more and more "HEALTH CONSCIOUS". As I was sitting here thinking, still, a lot of good pool is played in some TERRIBLE PLACES . I mean, cigarette smoke is an obvious killer, everyone knows that. But, many tournaments are still played in smoking locales. I RAISED THIS ISSUE TO DISCUSS GROWING THE GAME OF POOL VS. OTHER GAMES ..P.S. I remember Buddy Hall said "the only thing I regret is that I should have taken better care of my body. Other issues aside, to me, it would be hard to be healthy, particularly at that time when you could smoke everywhere, if you spent 8 to 10 hours every day in a smoking environment".
AS A PARENT, THIS WOULD BE PROBLEMATIC FOR ME. AS A HEALTHY PERSON IT'S PROBLEMATIC. I'M JUST SAYING THAT PERHAPS IF "POOL HALLS" BANNED SMOKING ALL TOGETHER, IT WOULD HELP THE IMAGE & REPUTATION OF THE GAME, AND THEREFORE GROW THE GAME!!

 

[Fatboy]

The new joints that are non smoking are doing great. I hated that shit in the 80’s. Looking back idk how I faded it, but I did. Did it cause me any harm? Who knows. It’s just not comfortable.

Best
Fatboy

 

[Bigkat]

The new joints that are non smoking are doing great. I hated that shit in the 80’s. Looking back idk how I faded it, but I did. Did it cause me any harm? Who knows. It’s just not comfortable.

Best
Fatboy

I dodge at least two tournaments every month because of the smoking .. You are correct the non-smoking joints are thriving(comparitvely)

 

[xX-Wizard-Xx]

i dont think IMAGE is a problem for pool it is an excuse ..... i think people just not interested in it much. they dont realize the game is much deeper than just hitting a ball with a stick to pocket another ball.

 

[xX-Wizard-Xx]

for instance ..... bank shots... a casual observer doesn't realize that a ball rolling vs sliding changes bank angles. They usually never realize wth they just saw . lmao

 

[xX-Wizard-Xx]

a knowledgeable player realizes this and can appreciate the shot

 

[xX-Wizard-Xx]

people gamble on football and every other sport. people can relate to running and catching a ball and can talk about it. pool not so much unless you are knowledgeable about the intricacies of the game.

 

[xX-Wizard-Xx]

i mean sure people may not want to go into a bar with smoke ect. i dont smoke or drink yet i keep going back. on the other hand the foot ball players take steroids... drink beer .... do drugs .... and any other activity. other sports are just easier for people to relate to ... imo of course

 

[pwd72s]

Took several posts, but sos nailed it. Not many of the general public understand the many layers of pool. Bigkat also made a valid point.

 

[Geosnookery]

I haven’t entered any establishment in 25 years, pool or otherwise, that allows smoking. I don’t compromise my health for anything. I don’t drink and have never smoked even one cigarette.

At age 68 I feel as healthy and am as active as ever. I just got home after being out cycling…can still make it up the hills with the younger guys.

Fortunately everything has been smoke free for several years in my part of Canada. Also, we play at a couple of community centres that are smoke free and have no alcohol either. At the regular pool hall these days I see almost as many drinking non alcoholic beer as he regular stuff. If a pool hall, dance club or whatever in my city allowed smoking today, it would be dead.

 

[xX-Wizard-Xx]

I haven’t entered any establishment in 25 years, pool or otherwise, that allows smoking. I don’t compromise my health for anything. I don’t drink and have never smoked even one cigarette.

At age 68 I feel as healthy and am as active as ever. I just got home after being out cycling…can still make it up the hills with the younger guys.

Fortunately everything has been smoke free for several years in my part of Canada. Also, we play at a couple of community centres that are smoke free and have no alcohol either. At the regular pool hall these days I see almost as many drinking non alcoholic beer as he regular stuff. If a pool hall, dance club or whatever in my city allowed smoking today, it would be dead.

What about when your in traffic ... breathing carbon monoxide ... our world is polluted. almost anything you do is a risk

 

[xX-Wizard-Xx]

even the water you drink.... is it pure... always pure? sometime pure? we dont know until something serious happens ... smoke doesn't bother me as much as long as it is not thick clouds floating around.

 

[xX-Wizard-Xx]

what about when you go to a restaurant. summers are hot and cooking can be sweaty. ever thought about fast food restaurants and the cook sweating in your food? Ever been to a grocery store and needed to use the restroom? guy walks in and walks out without washing his hands and later you see him digging through the produce.

 

[Bigkat]

i dont think IMAGE is a problem for pool it is an excuse ..... i think people just not interested in it much. they dont realize the game is much deeper than just hitting a ball with a stick to pocket another ball.

I BEG TO DIFFER SIR IMAGE IS A HUGE PROBLEM, IN LIFE AND IN POOL. FOR EXAMPLE, NO MAN WOULD WANT THEIR WOMAN TO HAVE THE "IMAGE"OF A WHORE EVEN IF SHE WASN'T ONE... WHEN SOMEONE THINKS OF POOL THEY DON'T NECESSARILY THINK ABOUT THE UPPER CRUST OF SOCIETY PLAYING IN THE BEST AREAS NEAR THE BEST SCHOOL ZONES. IT'S ALMOST LIKE "POOL HALL" & "STREET CORNER" GO TOGETHER . ON THE OTHER HAND, FOR WHATEVER REASON "SOCCER" IMMEDIATELY SCREAMS SUBURBS...(NOT SAYING I AGREE WITH THIS RATIONALE, BUT THAT IS THE WAY IT IS )

 

[xX-Wizard-Xx]

I BEG TO DIFFER SIR IMAGE IS A HUGE PROBLEM, IN LIFE AND IN POOL. FOR EXAMPLE, NO MAN WOULD WANT THEIR WOMAN TO HAVE THE "IMAGE"OF A WHORE EVEN IF SHE WASN'T ONE... WHEN SOMEONE THINKS OF POOL THEY DON'T NECESSARILY THINK ABOUT THE UPPER CRUST OF SOCIETY PLAYING IN THE BEST AREAS NEAR THE BEST SCHOOL ZONES. IT'S ALMOST LIKE "POOL HALL" & "STREET CORNER" GO TOGETHER . ON THE OTHER HAND, FOR WHATEVER REASON "SOCCER" IMMEDIATELY SCREAMS SUBURBS...(NOT SAYING I AGREE WITH THIS RATIONALE, BUT THAT IS THE WAY IT IS )

i agree with that. i was just saying that pool isnt as simple as most other sports. for instance ... pool on tv. most people wont watch it because they dont really know what they are looking at. you say but there are commentators. some of these are just annoying to listen to. soo yeah pool has an image issue but it also has a level of complexity that just doesnt bring crowd interest.

 

[middleofnowhere]

for instance ..... bank shots... a casual observer doesn't realize that a ball rolling vs sliding changes bank angles. They usually never realize wth they just saw . lmao

And they never will unless they get an opportunity to experience the game. The environment may have something to do with that if it keeps them away.

 

[middleofnowhere]

i dont think IMAGE is a problem for pool it is an excuse ..... i think people just not interested in it much. they dont realize the game is much deeper than just hitting a ball with a stick to pocket another ball.

We've all heard the phrase "Smoke-filled pool room". It seems like it may be the image.

 

[tableroll]

even the water you drink.... is it pure... always pure? sometime pure? we dont know until something serious happens ... smoke doesn't bother me as much as long as it is not thick clouds floating around.

Reverse osmosis filtration system for drinking water is a good investment. Ever think about water setting for days in 50 year old corroded pipes and what the town puts in those pipes? Makes great tasting coffee too.

 

[Buckzapper]

Admit the real reason you don't go to tournaments.....they won't give you a big handicap and let you go to 4.

It can't be the current image of the pool player that results in no sponsors of pool. Who wouldn't back a field in baggy shorts, hat on backwards and one arm tattooed like a comic book page?

 

[Bigkat]

Also, other sports are "ingrained" in the "psyche" and upbringing of America..For example, "little league" football etc. EVERY SCHOOL IN AMERICA HAS BOTH A FOOTBALL & BASKETBALL TEAM, BASEBALL TOO. Because, the "IMAGE" is looked upon as being "HEALTHY" for kids to participate in (to exercise, work together, make friends etc)