Billiards: Game or Sport

That is subjective to someones opinion as a judgement of who has the better pumpkin. When you pot a ball, its an obvious quantifiable/measurable amount (or goal). Carving is an artwork. Competitive, yes, but not a skill in terms of physical ability.

I don't disagree. I'm still not qualified.

That being said, let me tie sport and Carving Pumpkins together:
 

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Its definitely a sport.

If ESPN considers Golf a sport, then why not define billiards as such? Pool makes you tired after you play for a few hours, because its both a physical and mental game. There are many different muscles in your shoulder that you use when playing pool, and these muscles are developed after many hours of play and have to be fine tuned through concentrated practice. Sometimes you have to stretch out or jack up when you get awkward on a ball, this is when the player who is more physically fit has the edge.

Through personal experience, I feel better both mentally and physically playing the game of pool whenever I've been working out or dieting. I think amateur/professional pool players should strive to become more physically fit. I think it will improve the level of play in general, and put off a better image for those interested in taking up the sport. At the same token, one of the beauties of this game is that it does not necessarily discriminate on age, body type, or gender. I think that is something that pool should never loose sight of, nor neglect because it is a game that is timeless and anyone can play.
 
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If you give it the same/or more importance (for lack of a better term), it can become more than just a game. Why is football, baseball, etc considered anything more than just a game in essence? Yet millions of dollars are made and spent on it. Billiards can be just as grand. If we just think of it only as "just a game" then that's all it will ever be. As a Sport, it can be more, no?

SKRATCH,

NO, THE REASON BEING THAT, POOL IS NOT GEARED FOR SPECTATORS.
THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ITS REPUTATION OR WEATHER IT IS CATEGORIZED AS A SPORT OR AS A GAME.

AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE DCC, ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOURNAMENTS IN THE U.S.
THERE ARE PROBABLY LESS THAN 250 SPECTATORS IN ATTENDANCE OVER THE NINE DAYS.

SAD, BUT JUST THE WAY IT IS.

SLIM
 
I would say it's a game rather than a sport. Not sure what defines a sport. I would imagine if the activity doesn't make you SWEAT other than, due to the climate or pressure. Then it is not a sport.
 
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SKRATCH,

NO, THE REASON BEING THAT, POOL IS NOT GEARED FOR SPECTATORS.
THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ITS REPUTATION OR WEATHER IT IS CATEGORIZED AS A SPORT OR AS A GAME.

AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE DCC, ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOURNAMENTS IN THE U.S.
THERE ARE PROBABLY LESS THAN 250 SPECTATORS IN ATTENDANCE OVER THE NINE DAYS.

SAD, BUT JUST THE WAY IT IS.

SLIM

I wouldn't disagree with you about the poor attendance here in the US. Along similar lines, why is it that snooker in the UK has a big following?
 
I would say it's a game rather than a sport. Not sure what defines a sport. I would imagine if the activity doesn't make you SWEAT due to the climate or pressure. Then it is not a sport.

I sweat all the time when I play (reason that I sometimes use a glove from time to time too). LOL. So I guess by that definition it makes it a sport.
 
Then you are either out of shape or like me and just sweat when you play pool. The physical activity isn't what makes me sweat.
 
I wouldn't disagree with you about the poor attendance here in the US. Along similar lines, why is it that snooker in the UK has a big following?

SKRATCH,

THE SAME REASON CRICKET & CROCKETT HAVE APPEAL IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.
THE SAME REASON COCKROACH & COCK FIGHTS HAVE APPEAL IN ASIAN COUNTRIES.
DIFFERENT CULTURES.
THAT IS JUST THE WAY IT IS.

I LOVE TO WATCH GOOD POOL.
SPEND NINE DAYS AT THE DERBY & HAVE THREE TV VIP SEATS SO I CAN DO JUST THAT.
UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE WHO GET THE SAME ENJOYMENT OUT OF BEING A SPECTATOR.

SLIM
 
SKRATCH,

THE SAME REASON CRICKET & CROCKETT HAVE APPEAL IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.
THE SAME REASON COCKROACH & COCK FIGHTS HAVE APPEAL IN ASIAN COUNTRIES.
DIFFERENT CULTURES.
THAT IS JUST THE WAY IT IS.

I LOVE TO WATCH GOOD POOL.
SPEND NINE DAYS AT THE DERBY & HAVE THREE TV VIP SEATS SO I CAN DO JUST THAT.
UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE WHO GET THE SAME ENJOYMENT OUT OF BEING A SPECTATOR.

SLIM


I would rather play than watch. I guess there's just not enough people who even want to watch.
 
I would rather play than watch. I guess there's just not enough people who even want to watch.

SKRATCH,

DON'T GET ME WRONG, I REALLY ENJOY PLAYING POOL.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I REALLY ENJOYED PLAYING FOOTBALL.
HOWEVER, WHEN I WOULD GO WATCH THE PROS PLAY I WAS SATISFIED WITH SITTING IN MY SEAT WATCHING THE BEST OF THE BEST PLAYING.

I KNOW LOTS OF GUYS & GALS WHO GO TO NASCAR RACES.
I DON'T KNOW OF ANY WHO HAVE DRIVEN OUT ON THE TRACK & RUBBED FENDERS WITH THE PROS THOUGH.

POOL IS JUST ONE OF THOSE SPORTS (GAMES) THAT NO LONGER & PROBABLY NEVER WILL AGAIN, HOLD THE INTEREST OF SPECTATORS.

SLIM
 
I don't disagree. I'm still not qualified.

That being said, let me tie sport and Carving Pumpkins together:

I see your carving pumpkins and sport and raise you carving pumpkins as a game and sport (Walking Dead FTW). The wifey has some skillzzz
 

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Just read the Draw Stroke thread and an interesting point of view came up during the thread. I just wanted to get AZB opinion on whether they consider Billiards as a game or a sport. I consider it a sport, and I think it would benefit the future of billiards for more of us to do so.

My personal definition of a sport is any competitive activity that requires skill of body movement to achieve a goal. Examples would be curling, golf, darts, and billiards. I use these as examples because to many they consider them not "true" sports as compared to football, basketball, hockey, etc. Yes, they use less physical activity, but more so than say a game of chess, checkers, or poker. These are by my definition are games because you don't need any skill of body movement to play. They are however still competitive games with just as much intensity for those fans who enjoy them.

What are your opinions?

Thanks for sharing your opinions.

Well, well. My favorite subject. I agree that pool is all in how one approaches it.

Personally, it's a sport to me. Why? Is it because I play in a "power mode manner?" No.

It's because I utilize a pre-shot routine, I visualize shots before they happen, I adhere to good nutrition, I ensure stomach, leg, and heart health.
All these aspects unequivocally help me to play over the course of a week-long tournament without any mental or physical problems.

This certainly doesn't sound like any game to me.
Please be on the lookout on my book, Health and Nutrition for the Cue Athlete, coming out soon.
It will be replete with solid information on how to achieve and maintain mental and physical health for the traveling cueist.
It's not about the skill itself, but how to prepare to PERFORM the skill better. It's the new standard for today's (and tomorrow's) player.
 
Well to be fair Nascar has a following. Everyone has their favorite racer. Just like any other sport. You need a vested interest to enjoy what you are watching. Whether it be an individual, home team etc. No one knows who the pros are. The only way you might build interest in pool where no one knows anyone is something like the Mosconi Cup, Team USA vs ? will always bring in more interest. Battle of the sexes might bring in interest. Two people most have never heard of will bring no interest.
 
well to be fair nascar has a following. Everyone has their favorite racer. Just like any other sport. You need a vested interest to enjoy what you are watching. Whether it be an individual, home team etc. No one knows who the pros are. The only way you might build interest in pool where no one knows anyone is something like the mosconi cup, team usa vs ? Will always bring in more interest. Battle of the sexes might bring in interest. Two people most have never heard of will bring no interest.

j,

the reason no one knows the players is because no one is interested. (that is an over statement, of course)

there is a mosconi cup (usa vs. Whoever) as you mentioned, very few spectators watch because, there is not that much interest in watching pool.

Where i am from, very few people who are into pool, as in own a nice cue, have a table at home, play in a league or in several leagues, could name more than 5 pro players.
They just don’t care enough about it to pay attention.

They would rather play than watch.

I believe that is the problem with pool that will prevent it from ever becoming a mainstream sport (game) in the u.s.

SLIM
 
By definition: Sport
1. an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc.

I think the key here is the term "Physical prowess" as this is clearly a prerequisite to perform competitively.

They list hunting as a sport. How much different is it to shoot a bullet than to shoot a pool shot?
 
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Pool to many is just a game. To those striving to improve, it is a sport. However, unless one is playing speed-pool, it is not an athletic sport.
 
Ditto. I've never understood why this debate exists at all.

Maybe for no other reason than a lot of people might feel bad about spending so much time and money on a game. But feel justified spending it on a sport they like.???
 
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