The manager of Diamond Billiards here in Dallas has decided that he was going to leave Diamond Billiards and look for a better job. It looks like they are going to be closed for a few days while the owners discuss whether or not they are going to continue the business. Lets hope that they are able to open up in the near future, reorganize, and continue.
Diamond Billiards Takes a Sabbatical
- Thread starter Mike Haines
- Start date
nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
What do you think the problem is, Ironman? Do they need to put beer in? Sure looks like a dream room to me, but of course pool addicts alone won't ever cover an overhead.ironman said:
Doc
gulfportdoc said:What do you think the problem is, Ironman? Do they need to put beer in? Sure looks like a dream room to me, but of course pool addicts alone won't ever cover an overhead.
Doc
IMO, you just nailed it Doc. It is a great place to play, but the place never generated the action envisioned.
Bill tried like hell and I have give him lots of props for that, but, I feel they never have gotten the turnout to support the place.
Beer would have to help, but, I don't know whether it would be enough at this point. They invested a tidy sum, but, they are all in pretty good shape and will rebound from it.
The post did say only a few days though. Maybe they will reorganize and have a new plan. I wish them well.
You are very right as we addicts hardly support a place. Tables have to run in full force 24/7 for that to work.
Quite frankly
people, players, like all the 'options' like liquor, drinks, food, attractive waitresses, regular tournaments with good payouts, money matches.
And say what you will, Action is more vivid on a Bar table than a full sized
table. Creating a challenge table area in a pit like environment with room for railbirds to watch.
Having 1 designated full size table for 1 pocket games.
All these things effect the atmosphere, and how it is interpreted when you first walk in. Action implies activities going on, not a subdued pleasant players room.
people, players, like all the 'options' like liquor, drinks, food, attractive waitresses, regular tournaments with good payouts, money matches.
And say what you will, Action is more vivid on a Bar table than a full sized
table. Creating a challenge table area in a pit like environment with room for railbirds to watch.
Having 1 designated full size table for 1 pocket games.
All these things effect the atmosphere, and how it is interpreted when you first walk in. Action implies activities going on, not a subdued pleasant players room.
It's a true sign of the times that a flagship action room being run by action-hungry people can't make a dollar. Billy has tried as hard as anyone I've ever seen to promote his room. He plays anyone that cares to step through the front door, has put his own money into a big 1P tournament, and provided the best equipment possible. Let's not forget the ahead-of-the-curve streaming video.
They did everything right and it still may not pay off. Hopefully the room will ride through the current industry slump and rise to prominence when the next pool boom hits.
It's depressing to see our hobby in such a state of affairs.
They did everything right and it still may not pay off. Hopefully the room will ride through the current industry slump and rise to prominence when the next pool boom hits.
It's depressing to see our hobby in such a state of affairs.
business plan
Actually I think this place was put together with input from the heart and the gut and without much homework being done. The brutal truth is that the place is too small to meet overhead on table time and that is all that they are taking in. They have action tables and a place for railbirds. How much does the business make from the action players? How much does the business make from the railbirds? The business doesn't sell any products to mention. Streaming video isn't generating the kind of dollars needed to support the business and future sales of paid memberships won't go too far because of the number of tables. You soon hit a ceiling of just how many people can use eight tables at the times that most members want to play.
Diamond is a fantastic place. Unfortunately, unless the thought was to provide a venue for action and some of the action proceeds be put back into the business, I can't see the place being more than a toy business. I hope I am wrong but I think that the foundation that Diamond's sits on is optimism and heart and those things can only carry you so far.
Hu
Actually I think this place was put together with input from the heart and the gut and without much homework being done. The brutal truth is that the place is too small to meet overhead on table time and that is all that they are taking in. They have action tables and a place for railbirds. How much does the business make from the action players? How much does the business make from the railbirds? The business doesn't sell any products to mention. Streaming video isn't generating the kind of dollars needed to support the business and future sales of paid memberships won't go too far because of the number of tables. You soon hit a ceiling of just how many people can use eight tables at the times that most members want to play.
Diamond is a fantastic place. Unfortunately, unless the thought was to provide a venue for action and some of the action proceeds be put back into the business, I can't see the place being more than a toy business. I hope I am wrong but I think that the foundation that Diamond's sits on is optimism and heart and those things can only carry you so far.
Hu
mosconiac said:
Mike Haines said:
Sounds like a little bit of a fragile operation if the manager leaves and they gotta close up shop. Billy I. should be getting behind the counter, till they find someone else
"Hey Billy, make sure no Mayo on my sandwich!"
There's big paradox in this industry....
- There aren't enough players to support a "player" room
- In order to successful, you need to bring in loud music, alcohol, poker machines *cough*, food, and maybe big screen tv's for sports events
- By the time you bring in all of that, and still want pool, you can't really afford to put in nice equipment that players like because you get tired of replacing $400 simonis due to repeated Amstel Light spills - not to mention the repeated divots in the felt from the drunk telling his gf, "hey, watch me jump this here two ball"
- Because of establishments doing the above just to keep pool clicking at a moderate level, establishments generate no new "players"
I've been around to many different parts of the country, and there are exceptions to the rule. Certain parts of the U.S. still have strong player communities (# wise). If I was meeting with the Diamond pool hall people, I would advise them to close that place down permanently and move all of the equipment to a suitable spot in Phoenix - where a room like that can exist.
- There aren't enough players to support a "player" room
- In order to successful, you need to bring in loud music, alcohol, poker machines *cough*, food, and maybe big screen tv's for sports events
- By the time you bring in all of that, and still want pool, you can't really afford to put in nice equipment that players like because you get tired of replacing $400 simonis due to repeated Amstel Light spills - not to mention the repeated divots in the felt from the drunk telling his gf, "hey, watch me jump this here two ball"
- Because of establishments doing the above just to keep pool clicking at a moderate level, establishments generate no new "players"
I've been around to many different parts of the country, and there are exceptions to the rule. Certain parts of the U.S. still have strong player communities (# wise). If I was meeting with the Diamond pool hall people, I would advise them to close that place down permanently and move all of the equipment to a suitable spot in Phoenix - where a room like that can exist.
It appears that only you are confused.av84fun said:
Just wanted to clear up any confusion.
No, there is a pool room in Dallas, Texas called Diamonds Billiards. Not the table manufacturer.
Right - a 9 table pool room in Dallas, Texas.
You all have good comments
All of you have added worthwhile comments about pool rooms. Those pool rooms that are the most successful are those that attract "ball bangers" who drink pitchers of beer with their girlfriends to add that needed revenue where all the good players can hang out in another part of the poolroom and play pool and drink non alcoholic drinks. I cant speak for other parts of the country but almost no one in Texas likes paying the "shirt and tie" prices of around $10.00 an hour and more. Diamonds Billiards, once again NOT the manufacturer, wanted a concept of a pool room that catered to players - not just gamblers - but players who were serious about their game. Unfortunately, the revenue just isnt there for just those certain players. Tournaments add amost no revenue since when they are used for the players, people can not come in off the street and play. Maybe they will get a licquor license and be able to exist as a viable business venture and we can go back to playing on the great equipment they have provided.
All of you have added worthwhile comments about pool rooms. Those pool rooms that are the most successful are those that attract "ball bangers" who drink pitchers of beer with their girlfriends to add that needed revenue where all the good players can hang out in another part of the poolroom and play pool and drink non alcoholic drinks. I cant speak for other parts of the country but almost no one in Texas likes paying the "shirt and tie" prices of around $10.00 an hour and more. Diamonds Billiards, once again NOT the manufacturer, wanted a concept of a pool room that catered to players - not just gamblers - but players who were serious about their game. Unfortunately, the revenue just isnt there for just those certain players. Tournaments add amost no revenue since when they are used for the players, people can not come in off the street and play. Maybe they will get a licquor license and be able to exist as a viable business venture and we can go back to playing on the great equipment they have provided.
From my perspective, I only ever heard of the place as a gambling action venue and didn't think they'd want me in there taking up a table that could otherwise be used for gambling. Also, their previous tournament director was, um, off-putting (?) and also made me feel unwelcome.Mike Haines said:
I did go to watch part of the one pocket tourney, though. It was great seeing some major players up close and personal.
If they want "normal" pool players, then they have to become more of a "normal" venue where I would feel welcome to come in and hit a few without feeling the pressure to gamble or get out.
Think they'd be open to being home base for my league team?