Developing the New Generation of Pocket Billiard Players - What Can We Do?

[ENGLISH!]

I have about 20 kids we can send over to you. Send them back when they are pros and/or are done with college

Our Jr Worlds fundraiser for the two kids that qualified from our pool room
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...48747157045.1073741889.197627246955868&type=1

Jr Nationals fundraiser

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.748055508579703.1073741877.197627246955868&type=1

Both events raised about $3,000 for the kids. My son is in there playing piano

It looks like some good goings on going on there.

 

[hang-the-9]

It looks like some good goings on going on there.

Some of my best memories are of those kids and hanging out with my son. How often do you see a 15 yr old sitting in his dad's lap these days?

https://www.facebook.com/neusapooll...7627246955868/828950013823585/?type=3&theater

Plus he won the top shooter in his 5 handicap in the TAP league we were in a few months ago, and has come in second or third in several tournaments, won 3 matches in the NJ State 10 Ball tournament. And is huggy with his dad Have to say I have a good kid, and I have to credit in a big way our time playing pool together over the last 7 years is a big part of what makes us so close.

 

[ENGLISH!]

Some of my best memories are of those kids and hanging out with my son. How often do you see a 15 yr old sitting in his dad's lap these days?

https://www.facebook.com/neusapooll...7627246955868/828950013823585/?type=3&theater

Plus he won the top shooter in his 5 handicap in the TAP league we were in a few months ago, and has come in second or third in several tournaments, won 3 matches in the NJ State 10 Ball tournament. And is huggy with his dad Have to say I have a good kid, and I have to credit in a big way our time playing pool together over the last 7 years is a big part of what makes us so close.

That's really great. I have some very good memories of playing with my Dad & we kissed all the time. I remember his kisses with his hand on the back of my neck more than any handshake we may have had.

Take care...& it certainly sounds like you will.

Best 2 You & Yours,
Rick

 

[Cardigan Kid]

Kid,

In the OLD days an underage 'child' was allowed to be in a bar as long as he of she was with one of their parents, at least in New Orleans.

At some point in time that changed.

My Dad took me to bowling alleys first & then to a hall that had a couples only room & the owner let us go into that room.

I think it would really be nice if High Schools had Billiards Clubs for competing against other schools sort or like the Chess Clubs. Even the rugby teams & bowling teams are classified as clubs in the N.O. area.

Maybe if CJ gets it back on major TV it will snowball.

I absolutely agree with the high school club program, and of course the college level programs such as Mark Wilson's Lindenwood University billiard program.

When there is competition, kids want to learn to get the edge. It's just the natural way of things. If a rival school was to play team eight ball against another school, the kids would be on the table daily in order to come out on top.

Yes, a snowball effect off CJ's ideas would be a good pulse for the industry and future generations. We are not dead yet.

 

[Dockter]

We must actually be pretty lucky in Sioux Falls. There are some bars that still let kids in as long as they are with their parent. We have 2 barboxes in the YMCA, we have 3 bowling alleys ( One I'm not sure on, One has 4 barboxes, and the Sport Bowl has 1 barbox 2 9ft Brunswicks and a Snooker table, and most bar and grills have at least 1 barbox). We also have 3 pool halls- JJ's Billiards, Luckys and Nickel spot but only JJ's lets you play by the hour. The poolhalls only have barboxes though. I guess there is one reason I'm glad South Dakota is a good 20-30 years behind everyone.

 

[CJ Wiley]

pool actually gave me an edge playing other sports

I absolutely agree with the high school club program, and of course the college level programs such as Mark Wilson's Lindenwood University billiard program.

When there is competition, kids want to learn to get the edge. It's just the natural way of things. If a rival school was to play team eight ball against another school, the kids would be on the table daily in order to come out on top.

Yes, a snowball effect off CJ's ideas would be a good pulse for the industry and future generations. We are not dead yet.

I actually won the high-school national championships in Chicago when I was a Junior. That made a big difference in my life and attitude about pool and my future playing.

It's sad that kids today can't even go to pool rooms, I was lucky to be able to start playing at age 7. It's important to start young, and pool actually gave me an edge playing other sports because of the angles, zones and strategies.

 

[garczar]

C.J. i applaud all your efforts in promoting the Game. The two biggest problems i see are 1.Cost to play and 2. Time involved learning to play. I would say #2 is main problem. Playing pool (or any billiard game) is a skill requiring time and effort. With the computer/phone driven attention span(or lack thereof) of most kids, pool has a major uphill battle to get more players. Add to that $10+/hr rates and that hill is even steeper. I live in Tulsa,Ok, once a major pool hotbed. There might be 3 people under the age of 21 that can draw their ball. I NEVER thought i'd make that statement but it's true. Kinda sad.

 

[Mr. Bond]

If we really want to foster youth and bring in new kids, we need to give them something to aspire to in the first place. Something mom and dad can get behind as well. Legit tournies, titles and monies with stature.

That said, you will soon be seeing a whole new level of junior events arise. When the details emerge, take every opportunity to get behind it.

 

[galipeau]

I'm curious about Mark Wilson's stance on gambling is with his players at Lindenwood. I think his code of who's would oppose that idea, and if we want to get it into schools that mindset had to prevail. While I and many others enjoy the thrill of betting on pool matches, it doesn't fit in with teaching kids. Playing in tournaments is a bit different than matching up and gambling imo, but that's a whole 'nother conversation.

I would be more than happy to coach or help organize a billiard team at the local high school. It would be great to develop the younger generation.

 

[CJ Wiley]

C.J. i applaud all your efforts in promoting the Game. The two biggest problems i see are 1.Cost to play and 2. Time involved learning to play. I would say #2 is main problem. Playing pool (or any billiard game) is a skill requiring time and effort. With the computer/phone driven attention span(or lack thereof) of most kids, pool has a major uphill battle to get more players. Add to that $10+/hr rates and that hill is even steeper. I live in Tulsa,Ok, once a major pool hotbed. There might be 3 people under the age of 21 that can draw their ball. I NEVER thought i'd make that statement but it's true. Kinda sad.

So do you think players like myself giving free lessons is a good thing? There are many people with tables in their homes. I grew up at home playing on a 5 foot table with a cue ball the size of a ping pong ball.

 

[Floppage]

C.J. i applaud all your efforts in promoting the Game. The two biggest problems i see are 1.Cost to play and 2. Time involved learning to play. I would say #2 is main problem. Playing pool (or any billiard game) is a skill requiring time and effort. With the computer/phone driven attention span(or lack thereof) of most kids, pool has a major uphill battle to get more players. Add to that $10+/hr rates and that hill is even steeper. I live in Tulsa,Ok, once a major pool hotbed. There might be 3 people under the age of 21 that can draw their ball. I NEVER thought i'd make that statement but it's true. Kinda sad.

This is not personal but I could not disagree with you more.

Before I picked up a cue for the first time a year ago I was pretty heavily involved in endurance sports. You can't imagine how expensive it is to get into the Ironman distance triathlons. A "decent" bike will set you back more than $5k and that doesn't count the wet suits for different conditions, running shoes at $150 a pop every 6-8 weeks, supplements, gym time, etc. The events themselves are $1000 for entry fees, fill up in hours and rooms in the area will double in price for just that weekend.

And yet, triathlons have experienced more than a 5% increase every year for almost a decade now. Why? They figured out how to make it approachable to new people. If you can make a sport with so much up front costs, ridiculous time commitment (20 hours of training a week, easily) and not to mention physical discomfort, appealing to an ever increasing list of participants then surely pool can be made more appealing to beginners as well.

I spent $5k to get to the Boston Marathon when you count money spent on qualifying events, training costs, travel expenses, etc. Never underestimate what people will spend when they discover a new love.

 

[hang-the-9]

C.J. i applaud all your efforts in promoting the Game. The two biggest problems i see are 1.Cost to play and 2. Time involved learning to play. I would say #2 is main problem. Playing pool (or any billiard game) is a skill requiring time and effort. With the computer/phone driven attention span(or lack thereof) of most kids, pool has a major uphill battle to get more players. Add to that $10+/hr rates and that hill is even steeper. I live in Tulsa,Ok, once a major pool hotbed. There might be 3 people under the age of 21 that can draw their ball. I NEVER thought i'd make that statement but it's true. Kinda sad.

Cost is very minimal, $100 for a decent cue and almost every room has specials, discounts, all night rates, kids play free, kids play 1/2 price, leagues that are under $10 for a night of practice, etc...

About time to learn, it's no longer to learn to play pool than it is to do most sports well. You can learn the basics in a few hours, then it's just practice for maybe 20-30 hours before you don't feel awkward at the table. Football players start at like 6 and play a few times a week till highschool and very few of them get to college level skill after 10-12 years of weekly play and practice a few times a week.

 

[GoldenFlash]

My compliments to a player who puts his money where his mouth is.

We will get the "master game," back on a major television network. We are polishing it up and getting it ready for the spotlight right now.....the pool world will never be the same.
My enthusiasm for pool is higher than ever, and it's because of you guys.
Thanks and Play Well, we can do this together, and someday look back and smile with satisfaction. The Game can't promote it's self, however, we have all the necessary tools.

Promoting pool back on a major television network?
A very lofty undertaking.
In my opinion, to get more new people into the game, the first thing to do is get the no-class old people OUT of the game.
No more of that "who could fight the best and knocked out how many as a pro boxer a half century ago", "who shot who with a pistol in the parking lot", "what backer dumped everyone", "Barry Berman types" etc.
Don't let any of these guys NEAR a microphone...in fact don't even allow them in the facility.
And you might just have a chance.
I'm pulling for you.........go get 'em
Flash :thumbup:

 

[CJ Wiley]

the structure has always been weak, and it's not an environment conducive to growth,

Promoting pool back on a major television network?
A very lofty undertaking.
In my opinion, to get more new people into the game, the first thing to do is get the no-class old people OUT of the game.
No more of that "who could fight the best and knocked out how many as a pro boxer a half century ago", "who shot who with a pistol in the parking lot", "what backer dumped everyone", "Barry Berman types" etc.
Don't let any of these guys NEAR a microphone...in fact don't even allow them in the facility.
And you might just have a chance.
I'm pulling for you.........go get 'em
Flash :thumbup:

I have no desire to start a "pro tour," unless every player can be paid like any other business. Professional pool has not been treated like a real business because only 20% of the players make a profit - this would come to a screeching halt in an ordinary business, and rightfully so.

Pool players don't even make minimum wage on the average, so the structure has always been weak, and it's not an environment conducive to growth, or happiness.

Professional pool has not been a successful business in the past because they ignore even the most basic business principles. There's very little promotion, marketing or advertising and the game it's self has been watered down to a shadow of it's original self.

We must start from scratch and build a foundation for exponential growth, or it's always going to be a fruitless endeavour for the players, and ultimately the promoters.

 

[Mikjary]

I have no desire to start a "pro tour," unless every player can be paid like any other business. Professional pool has not been treated like a real business because only 20% of the players make a profit - this would come to a screeching halt in an ordinary business, and rightfully so.

Pool players don't even make minimum wage on the average, so the structure has always been weak, and it's not an environment conducive to growth, or happiness.

Professional pool has not been a successful business in the past because they ignore even the most basic business principles. There's very little promotion, marketing or advertising and the game it's self has been watered down to a shadow of it's original self.

We must start from scratch and build a foundation for exponential growth, or it's always going to be a fruitless endeavour for the players, and ultimately the promoters.

I think ultimately it's going to have to come down to qualifications and being part of a recognized professional organization with bylaws. We probably can't even decide who's a pro and who's not. How is the amateur legion of pool players going to strive for success when we haven't even set the bar for them?

Best,
Mike

 

[CJ Wiley]

'Zero to One' - I'm going to read it the old fashioned way

I think ultimately it's going to have to come down to qualifications and being part of a recognized professional organization with bylaws. We probably can't even decide who's a pro and who's not. How is the amateur legion of pool players going to strive for success when we haven't even set the bar for them?

Best,
Mike

I don't think so, after spending several hours yesterday with attorneys and trademark specialists my perception has changed.

They gave me some required reading, a book called 'Zero to One' - I'm going to read it the old fashioned way and get it at the book store.

 

[Mikjary]

I don't think so, after spending several hours yesterday with attorneys and trademark specialists my perception has changed.

They gave me some required reading, a book called 'Zero to One' - I'm going to read it the old fashioned way and get it at the book store.

Keep us posted.

Best,
Mike

 

[garczar]

I can only go by what i see. In Tulsa there are 2 places that have big tables. One used to be nice but is now on it's last legs. The other has world-class equipment but it sells liquor so no kids. Most of the younger crowd around here are all playing poker. They start online playing for free and transition to tournament play and gambling. The time it takes to become a decent to fairly good poker player is way less than pool. Have you looked at what poker pays? Middle of the road tournaments pay $100,00 to win. The $ rewards offered by pool are a JOKE compared to cards. For kids, pool is a tough sell.

 

[klone]

This is great, CJ... You ought to get in touch with Jeanette Lee as she also has a heart for mentoring juniors. Maybe the both of you can start some sort of summer camp for aspiring junior pool players. Also BEF is another potential partner if you have a passion to help junior pool.

 

[9andout]

Good job CJ!
I Have 2 pre-teen nephews that I'm helping out.
Also, 1 coming up on his FIRST birthday that I hold up and let him watch the balls bounce around every time he is over. Now that's an early start!!! Haha