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

[kling&allen]

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?

That describes most popular sports (NBA, NFL, MMA, etc) that do great with sponsors and have million dollar paydays for top athletes.

I think the difference is that pool is a bar game in the US, which isn't something kids can be encouraged to do (no one is going to drop their kid off at a bar after school). In Europe, pool doesn't have the same ties to bars/drinking and is often played in clubs that are more suitable for children.

 

[Bigkat]

That describes most popular sports (NBA, NFL, MMA, etc) that do great with sponsors and have million dollar paydays for top athletes.

I think the difference is that pool is a bar game in the US, which isn't something kids can be encouraged to do (no one is going to drop their kid off at a bar after school). In Europe, pool doesn't have the same ties to bars/drinking and is often played in clubs that are more suitable for children.

Absolutely!! Great response

 

[Fatboy]

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?

4? Hells bells I’ve never got to 2

Best,
Fatboy

 

[Geosnookery]

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

All the more reason to lead a healthy lifestyle be it eating healthy, not being overweight, exercising.

Covid should have driven home to people that facing a health issue is much easier when in good condition. Some out of shape 65 year olds can’t even rebounded back from the flu or a common cold without a month’s recovery.

 

[Bigkat]

All the more reason to lead a healthy lifestyle be it eating healthy, not being overweight, exercising.

Covid should have driven home to people that facing a health issue is much easier when in good condition. Some out of shape 65 year olds can’t even rebounded back from the flu or a common cold without a month’s recovery.

BIG FACTS!!

 

[hang-the-9]

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!!

There are not too many states around that have smoking in public indoor spaces so I don't think that is an issue in most places anymore. In fact it hurt the game since soon as the smoking ban started, within a few years of that I have seen pool hall after pool hall close down. I think our memory of the smoking times is a bit flawed. Now the fact of people eating too much, not exercising, drinking tons of beer, that is an issue not just with pool but all over. It just so happens that things like pool, bowling, darts don't require much physical ability to do so when we see people doing those sports there is a much higher chance those people are in a worse state health wise. You don't see a lot of out of shape skiers or tennis players for example.

 

[Bigkat]

There are not too many states around that have smoking in public indoor spaces so I don't think that is an issue in most places anymore. In fact it hurt the game since soon as the smoking ban started, within a few years of that I have seen pool hall after pool hall close down. I think our memory of the smoking times is a bit flawed. Now the fact of people eating too much, not exercising, drinking tons of beer, that is an issue not just with pool but all over. It just so happens that things like pool, bowling, darts don't require much physical ability to do so when we see people doing those sports there is a much higher chance those people are in a worse state health wise. You don't see a lot of out of shape skiers or tennis players

Many many PUBLIC places have banned smoking. Pool also has many private bars & pubs where smoking is still allowed. Furthermore, one of the truest sayings ever is "PERCEPTION IS REALITY". The IMAGE of pool, pales in comparison to other sports/activities for various reasons. If the IMAGE of something is terrible, it affects it's REALITY!! (I personally LOVE THE GAME and hate that it is this way).

 

[Grimper]

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 )

three words: CAPS LOCK KEY

 

[Grimper]

Why is always the fat, smoker and drinker driving a car that finds the dead, skinny non-drinking/smoking jogger dead on the side of the road?

 

[hang-the-9]

Why is always the fat, smoker and drinker driving a car that finds the dead, skinny non-drinking/smoking jogger dead on the side of the road?

I think I know that joke, because that is where they hit them? On a sad note about a jogger being dead, the CEO of my company did die of a heart attack while jogging so it does happen. Health is not a guarantee of a life till 90, but it sure helps, like smoking is not a guarantee of death at 40 or something, it's just the % change to one side or the other. One thing that Grady has said about pool players health, he said "I don't know any old fat people". And it's true, if you guys think of everyone you know, that is say in the mid 60s or 70s, any of them overweight by more than a small amount? And if any of them are still around, are any of them in physical shape to walk around without help of a wheelchair or a cane or something?

 

[hang-the-9]

Many many PUBLIC places have banned smoking. Pool also has many private bars & pubs where smoking is still allowed. Furthermore, one of the truest sayings ever is "PERCEPTION IS REALITY". The IMAGE of pool, pales in comparison to other sports/activities for various reasons. If the IMAGE of something is terrible, it affects it's REALITY!! (I personally LOVE THE GAME and hate that it is this way).

The private places to play are really rare compared to the public places, and those private places are just about unknown unless you are trying to find them. I don't think the image of pool is much of an issue, people think it's way cool to hang around seedy places, I mean look at poker. Since when did card players become all respectable like? Never. It's just much easier to learn to play cards than pool and people can understand and follow the cards a lot better. They know what a good hand it, but many casual players don't have any idea what good pool playing looks like, they equate good pool with a lot of jump shots and banks.

 

[Bigkat]

The private places to play are really rare compared to the public places, and those private places are just about unknown unless you are trying to find them. I don't think the image of pool is much of an issue, people think it's way cool to hang around seedy places, I mean look at poker. Since when did card players become all respectable like? Never. It's just much easier to learn to play cards than pool and people can understand and follow the cards a lot better. They know what a good hand it, but many casual players don't have any idea what good pool playing looks like, they equate good pool with a lot of jump shots and banks.

I BEG TO DIFFER STRONGLY!! POKER HAS COME FROM THE "BACKROOMS" TO MAINSTREAM!! POKER IS ON ESPN!! POKER IS IN EVERY MAJOR CASINO ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP!! SO, POKER HAS KIND OF TURNED INTO A "GEEKY" GAME FOR CARD COUNTERS & MATH PRODIGIES!!POOL STILL HAS THE "OLD STREET CORNER" REPUTATION.
IN TERMS OF GROWING THE GAME & THE FUTURE, A PARENT IS MORE PRONE TO DROP JR OFF FOR A "FRIENDLY NIGHT OF POKER" THAN AT THE "POOL HALL" IMAGE IS A MAJOR ISSUE!!

 

[middleofnowhere]

I BEG TO DIFFER STRONGLY!! POKER HAS COME FROM THE "BACKROOMS" TO MAINSTREAM!! POKER IS ON ESPN!! POKER IS IN EVERY MAJOR CASINO ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP!! SO, POKER HAS KIND OF TURNED INTO A "GEEKY" GAME FOR CARD COUNTERS & MATH PRODIGIES!!POOL STILL HAS THE "OLD STREET CORNER" REPUTATION.
IN TERMS OF GROWING THE GAME & THE FUTURE, A PARENT IS MORE PRONE TO DROP JR OFF FOR A "FRIENDLY NIGHT OF POKER" THAN AT THE "POOL HALL" IMAGE IS A MAJOR ISSUE!!

Poker is easier to play and understand, and everyone who plays it thinks they can play.

 

[xX-Wizard-Xx]

poker doesnt require one to walk or painstakingly chalk a cue with Master Chalk. It is painful to have to chalk a cue. the thought of it just kills me

 

[Fatboy]

poker doesnt require one to walk or painstakingly chalk a cue with Master Chalk. It is painful to have to chalk a cue. the thought of it just kills me

I only use CTE when I play poker. I can’t get the money I’ve won using CTE spent it’s so much!