Ain't a damn thing wrong with pool......

good post

Very nice post. I've been around this game for a very long time now, and the only thing that seems to be wrong with it is that there are always some who think it needs to be "fixed". They seem to beleive that if it could be tinkered with here or there, it could be made to appeal to the masses. That's just never gonna happen. It's always been and always will be very popular with a certain segment of the population, and that's just the way it's going to be.

Some always want to compare pool with golf. I just happened to watch the golf channel this week, and guess what, their trying to figure out how to "fix" golf now. So, it looks like we're not so bad off after all.
 
Fraternity

I was in a fraternity in college, the smallest one. But it had the biggest and best Animal House style parties. It attracted some low self-esteem guys who were always thinking of ways to fix it so that we could be the big man on campus.
Pool is also a fraternity, which is another reason there ain't a damn thing wrong with pool, at least nothing that matters much....
 
Damn right, nothing wrong with pool! Why did they change the size of the tables, the size of the pockets, the length of cues, size of tips? Why did they change the rules for 8 ball, for 9 ball, why play 10 ball? Why apa and bca leagues? Why make laminated shafts? Why plastic balls?
Why are rooms closing and nobody playing?
 
Pushout said:
Damn right, nothing wrong with pool! Why did they change the size of the tables, the size of the pockets, the length of cues, size of tips? Why did they change the rules for 8 ball, for 9 ball, why play 10 ball? Why apa and bca leagues? Why make laminated shafts? Why plastic balls?
Why are rooms closing and nobody playing?
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Why do cars go faster? Why aren't chocolate chip cookies made with real chocolate chips most of the time? Was Stan really "The Man", or were there other men? If it's in a land "far, far away", why not just say "very far"? Who is John Galt? :confused:

PS - They still make the players about the same size.
 
Pool is the only sport I know where I am making more money than the best pro playing it. Sad, but true. Truth is, I'd rather have their skills. Such is life.
 
Miss it...love it

I miss the old pool halls, the sweatin, the bettin, the playin n the payin.

I love pool, the sweatin, the bettin, the playin, n the payin.
 
Banks said:
... Was Stan really "The Man", or were there other men? ...
Click to expand...
It's an expression. The "the" means the finest and most superlative. Stan was pretty good, but Ollie was right up there, IMNSHO.
 
hunger strike said:
I love pool, everything about it. The games, the drama, the matching up, the gambling, the tournaments, the leagues, the personalities, the gentlemen, the jerks, the skills, the tricks, the inside knowledge, the culture, AZ, the antique tables, the new hi-tech tables. I love old cues, new cues, worn out masterpieces, cues so elaborate they will never be used. I love huge new poolrooms, and small historic rooms. I love exhibition posters, old black and white photos of players, and the signs on the wall. I love all the awesome gadgets that have been invented by great people to help play the game. I love players' antics, moods, mouths, proponents and detractors. I even love the guys who constantly talk about what they think is wrong with pool, because they improve pool in their own way. What a great way to spend time, get relaxing exercise, and get away from the staggering debt that freeloaders have piled on our backs. When the electricity runs out and these computers, video games, and tv's cannot run, there will still be pool. Thank God for pool.
Click to expand...

Now you're talking! :thumbup2:
 
hunger strike said:
I love pool, everything about it. The games, the drama, the matching up, the gambling, the tournaments, the leagues, the personalities, the gentlemen, the jerks, the skills, the tricks, the inside knowledge, the culture, AZ, the antique tables, the new hi-tech tables. I love old cues, new cues, worn out masterpieces, cues so elaborate they will never be used. I love huge new poolrooms, and small historic rooms. I love exhibition posters, old black and white photos of players, and the signs on the wall. I love all the awesome gadgets that have been invented by great people to help play the game. I love players' antics, moods, mouths, proponents and detractors. I even love the guys who constantly talk about what they think is wrong with pool, because they improve pool in their own way. What a great way to spend time, get relaxing exercise, and get away from the staggering debt that freeloaders have piled on our backs. When the electricity runs out and these computers, video games, and tv's cannot run, there will still be pool. Thank God for pool.
Click to expand...

Amen Brother
 
If you want to discover why pool is great, just watch "The Hustler" and in particular the first session between Fast Eddie and Minnesota Fats. I know that watching that film was what got me hooked some 40 years ago. In particular, watch it in letter box. In that format the movie takes on all the weight -- replete with Greek Chorus on the rail -- of the finest Shakespearian dramas. (The game is most certainly, as "The Color of Money" would later prove, a perfect subject for black and white cinematography.) It is all there for you and I know that for me personally it was as a flame to the moth:

The ancient, almost mystical pool hall, or "Church of the Good Hustler." The protagonists briefly woofing, the weapons (cues) assembled, the old guy uncovers the battlefield (money table) for the match, all the seconds (backers and rail birds) take their seats, the money is put up, they lag and with minimal words the match develops. And then the shots are called in an abbreviated, coded, ritualistic argot. The conversation is brief and pointed -- it is all so fascinating I know that I was completely sucked in in a way few other things in life have grabbed hold of my vitals.

Pool is wonderful -- a challenge as complicated and intriguing as few things are. You can appreciate it as a bar league banger or playing a world champion. Nothing wrong with pool if you know how to look at it.

Lou Figueroa
 
lfigueroa said:
If you want to discover why pool is great, just watch "The Hustler" and in particular the first session between Fast Eddie and Minnesota Fats. I know that watching that film was what got me hooked some 40 years ago. In particular, watch it in letter box. In that format the movie takes on all the weight -- replete with Greek Chorus on the rail -- of the finest Shakespearian dramas. (The game is most certainly, as "The Color of Money" would later prove, a perfect subject for black and white cinematography.) It is all there for you and I know that for me personally it was as a flame to the moth:

The ancient, almost mystical pool hall, or "Church of the Good Hustler." The protagonists briefly woofing, the weapons (cues) assembled, the old guy uncovers the battlefield (money table) for the match, all the seconds (backers and rail birds) take their seats, the money is put up, they lag and with minimal words the match develops. And then the shots are called in an abbreviated, coded, ritualistic argot. The conversation is brief and pointed -- it is all so fascinating I know that I was completely sucked in in a way few other things in life have grabbed hold of my vitals.

Pool is wonderful -- a challenge as complicated and intriguing as few things are. You can appreciate it as a bar league banger or playing a world champion. Nothing wrong with pool if you know how to look at it.

Lou Figueroa
Click to expand...

Spoken as only Lou knows how.

I'm with you, Lou. I must have been 12 or 13 when I first saw The Hustler. That's all it took. I bought the book. I bought the VHS version of the movie when it first became available. Now I have the DVD version and I watch it whenever I can. Heck, I even watch it every time TCM airs it. Let's face it, I love that movie. It's the only thing better than AZB.

Roger
 
1913 pool hall

Know what else I like about pool? I have a re-creation of a pool room in my house with 3 tables, and a seperate ladies' billiards room with 1 table. It's like walking into 1913. Try doing that with golf or football!
 
hunger strike said:
I love pool, everything about it. The games, the drama, the matching up, the gambling, the tournaments, the leagues, the personalities, the gentlemen, the jerks, the skills, the tricks, the inside knowledge, the culture, AZ, the antique tables, the new hi-tech tables. I love old cues, new cues, worn out masterpieces, cues so elaborate they will never be used. I love huge new poolrooms, and small historic rooms. I love exhibition posters, old black and white photos of players, and the signs on the wall. I love all the awesome gadgets that have been invented by great people to help play the game. I love players' antics, moods, mouths, proponents and detractors. I even love the guys who constantly talk about what they think is wrong with pool, because they improve pool in their own way. What a great way to spend time, get relaxing exercise, and get away from the staggering debt that freeloaders have piled on our backs. When the electricity runs out and these computers, video games, and tv's cannot run, there will still be pool. Thank God for pool.
Click to expand...
Keep writing....
Imagine a new pool movie and this is the opening dialogue, in the voice of the star of the movie.
 
Happy MLK day, in a poolroom...

Freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom to pursue happiness with pals at the poolroom.
 

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