Do you think Trick Shot Magic is bad for pool?

Texas Prez

Texas Prez

Hook'em...Enough Said
Silver Member
This is definately just my personal opinion but I think trick-shot pool on TV is very bad for pool as a whole. Yes they may attract viewers who might not usually watch pool but here are a couple of items that I think prove that this style of pool needs to take a different direction:

1. Props are not used in real pool. Enough Said.
2. Set up shots do not take a skilled poolplayer to execute; just a steady stroke and practice.
3. Viewers never get a chance to see strategy and technique and determination when viewing billiards; people will begin to associate pool with a bunch of "fancy showboaters" as my non-playing roomate coined them.
4. I can jump over a stuffed animal; and I am maybe a B player at best.
5. People loose respect for the REAL PROS who are usually struggling to play the sport that they are so talented at.
6. Semih Sayginer has a better stroke than 90% of trick shot players; youtube it.
7. It is a shame that the average American has no idea who Shane Van Boening is, yet have seen that shot where a guy hits it into a boot.
8. Fans of this style of pool are never going to learn how to run out but will put divots and masse marks on pool tables across the United States.

I am definately not saying that these players are not talented. They clearly have skills that exceed the majority of pros out there. All I am saying is that this style of pool needs to take on more game-like scenarios, remove the tournament structure they currently use and transform into more of a demo event like the days of old, and invite more Pros to compete and demonstrate with them.

If you are given the privelege to be televised, contribute back to some of those who aren't

Like I said, upmost respect for trickshot players, I just want to see more respect given to the pros who grind out a living week in and week out.
 
I think the trick shot shows are OK. Viewers like them, even players dont mind watching them.
SPEED POOL is another animal though. It is making a f'n mockery of the game.
Chuck
 
I agree, I just do not understand how these events can attain such publicity but real pool cannot....that is what upsets me.
 
Texas Prez said:
This is definately just my personal opinion but I think trick-shot pool on TV is very bad for pool as a whole. Yes they may attract viewers who might not usually watch pool but here are a couple of items that I think prove that this style of pool needs to take a different direction:

1. Props are not used in real pool. Enough Said.
2. Set up shots do not take a skilled poolplayer to execute; just a steady stroke and practice.
3. Viewers never get a chance to see strategy and technique and determination when viewing billiards; people will begin to associate pool with a bunch of "fancy showboaters" as my non-playing roomate coined them.
4. I can jump over a stuffed animal; and I am maybe a B player at best.
5. People loose respect for the REAL PROS who are usually struggling to play the sport that they are so talented at.
6. Semih Sayginer has a better stroke than 90% of trick shot players; youtube it.
7. It is a shame that the average American has no idea who Shane Van Boening is, yet have seen that shot where a guy hits it into a boot.
8. Fans of this style of pool are never going to learn how to run out but will put divots and masse marks on pool tables across the United States.

I am definately not saying that these players are not talented. They clearly have skills that exceed the majority of pros out there. All I am saying is that this style of pool needs to take on more game-like scenarios, remove the tournament structure they currently use and transform into more of a demo event like the days of old, and invite more Pros to compete and demonstrate with them.

If you are given the privelege to be televised, contribute back to some of those who aren't

Like I said, upmost respect for trickshot players, I just want to see more respect given to the pros who grind out a living week in and week out.
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I have never seen anyone take off their boot in a poolhall or bar for that matter to try and immulate the Massey shot you mentioned. I have also never seen guys trying one handed jump shots, some of the sick masse shots, huge oversized measle balls, etc. etc. etc.

Sure, trick shot pool is really exhibition pool at best (most of the guys are past their "playing" prime, or didn't play the game quite good enough to hang w/the BIG BOYS to begin with, but so what. Like I stated in the other thread - if it puts a cue in the hand of someone who might have never played....GOOD!

Lots of real players started out with playing barbox 8 ball with their dads when they were young in a local pub. They moved on from there (or not, their choice), but either way it was a start....you need a start.

I feel pretty much the same way as you do, but about LONG DRIVE competitions (won by 300+ pound gorillas that hit a golf ball 400 yards). But these guys couldn't shoot bogey golfer scores on a major championship (PGA) course set-up. So, let them hit it 400 yards, and if they are lucky, shoot 80 - I'll gladly take their money until they learn to work on the rest of their game. You serious players should feel the same way. More players = more money into your sport, equipment makers, etc.

Come into the game however you want....just come in - PLEASE!;) :D
 
I think that any pool on television is good for pool even if it does aggravate purists.

I'd imagine that there are some super puritans out there that view 9 ball being on television is ridiculous because it's a banger game and can't understand why 3C and 14.1 aren't the only games on television because those are the only "real" billiard games.
 
I think 9-ball is bad for pool!

Any potential persons that are not 'players', see the game on TV, see the occasional luck factor, don't bother to waste their time learning the finer points of the game, see pro's run out from everywhere and make it look easy. This all turns them away from the game.

Any pool on TV that turns away true 'players', like Trick Shots, probably draws more attention to the general audience.

Picture, Joe Schmo sitting on his couch flipping channels. Stops on Women's 9-ball event, first because he sees Jasmin, then she shoots 5 or 6 easy shots in a row (Because she played shape), guy changes channel.

Another Day, Joe Schmo sitting on couch again, flips channel, see's crazy trick shot with glass bottles on the table, etc. Thinks it looks cool, wants to try it himself.

Just like in Football, "4th and inches = Drama", "4th and 6 = Changing Channels".
 
?????????

Just because you don't like it doesn't make it bad for pool. I've heard people that couldn't run 2 balls in a row with ball in hand absolutely rave about Trick Shot Magic. Anything that inspires people to pick up a cue for the first time is a good thing. Just for the record I'm not that much of a fan either. Although I'm envious of the stroke these guys possess.
Pinocchio
 
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nope...it is very entertaining to the majority of viewers... I have heard more people talk about it out on the street than i have heard about tourney play...
I seems to pay pretty good too=)
 
stuckart said:
I think 9-ball is bad for pool!
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They use to put 14/1 on TV in the 50's, and it was Boring to the Major Part of the audence, like ONE POCKET would be to most people.

9 Ball is fast and exciting, and has got people watching Pool again. Yes there is a LUCK FACTOR, but when you WATCH GOOD POOL PLAY play the GAME, and not those who hit the BALL AS HARD as they can. The game can become very interesting with .........................Safety Play!!!!!!!!!;)
 
Its perfect....

It brings in those guys that cant make a ball but attempt the three rail tittie jump. Its optimum for breaking in some new 760....When they mix it with speed pool it makes the cloth break in faster......Seriously, the trick shows aren't as bad as EVERY pool movie insisting that EVERY shot is a trick shot. :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p
 
Well years ago trick bowling was on tv and guess what?.... We still have bowling and I don't think it was bad for bowling. Pool exposure if it is done in a professional manner should be good for pool because it can appeal to many varieties of interest. Now TRICK BOXING on the other hand might be very interesting.
 
I like it...

I think the general public finds it more entertaining than regular pool on TV. My wife could care less about pool. That being said, she leaves the room if I'm watching 9 ball. When I've had trick shots on she has sat and watched.

I think people who watch and play a lot of pool get bored of it because many of the shots are recycled. Once you've seen the shot a couple times it kind of loses it's magic.
 
poolpop63 said:
Well years ago trick bowling was on tv and guess what?.... We still have bowling and I don't think it was bad for bowling. Pool exposure if it is done in a professional manner should be good for pool because it can appeal to many varieties of interest. Now TRICK BOXING on the other hand might be very interesting.
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oh trick boxing has been tried too....celebrity boxing. No form or technigue whatsoever; much more disgraceful for a sport than trick shots in pool (at least they don't bring in Tonya Harding, the red headed roid freak from the Partridge Family, and Screech & whichever Warthog it was from Welcome Back Cotter to try jumping balls one handed thru hoops, off the rail, and into their inside coat pockets) :grin:
 
Its boring to me. They should do tricks that could possible be shots in a game. When then pull out cue balls the size of bowling balls its not about pool anymore. I record all billiards that come on tv and when I look at the DVR and it says trick shot whatever - I just delete it.
 
to the general public, i think its entertaining. to the people that play pool on a serious level...it seems kinda carnival-esque, like the slam dunk contest. jmo.
 
I think any pool on TV is good for pool as a whole. I don't personally enjoy watching it as much as I enjoy watching other pool and billiards, but that's just me.

The people who participate in trick shots and artistic pool work long and hard at what they do and they deserve a lot of respect and encouragement. It takes a lot of time and effort to achieve what they do and it takes a lot a talent along with the work to get to the top. Good for them.

I'm trying to think of another sport that has a comparable aspect, and I can't come up with any events where feats are attempted from arranged conditions. Is this type of event unique?
 
Fast Action, Exciting, Entertaining

Those are some of the factors that you absolutely need to provide to a TV audience. Like one poster said...4th and 6" = exciting; 4th and 6 yards = change channel.

A good 14.1 match includes a lot of standard shot making and, at times, some safety play with some strategy involved. That's good stuff to watch if you are a student of 14.1, but if you're not a die hard pool player, you're not going to watch very long.

Trick shots offer all of those key factors for TV. That will keep people watching which keeps people looking at the commercials which sells products...that's what TV is all about.

I'd say keep the Trick Shot Magic...it is not bad for pool. It at least keep people interested. The three hours of Trick Shot Magic were interesting to me last night on TV. And it looks like some young guns are getting interested as well. Good to see Tom Rosman won, but he was definitly challenged by both Yow and Seagal.

My only complaint about the trick shots of new are the use of props. It's OK once in a while, but I'd much rather watch a great masse shot (and they did use masse a lot last night) or a good set up and execution for a skillful shot (like Tom Rosman's 'Starburst' Shot) than someone trying to catch a ball in a cup. Some of thos shots require more hand-eye coordination than pool skills.

I'd vote for keeping Trick Shot Magic (but lose the Speed Pool).

L8R...Ken
 
I think the answer depends on what ESPN would be showing if there were no trick shot magic. I can imagine two different possible trains of thought:

A. "Management has allocated 7 hours this month on ESPN2 to 'billiards'. I've got here a WPBA classic event, the men's challenge of champions, and some trick shot magic. I'll schedule 2 hours of WPBA finals, and the other 5 hours let's show trick shots. Trick shots get better ratings anyway."

OR

B. "What can I use to fill this time slot? We've got some fresh rodeo, collegiate scrabble championships, or trick shot magic. Viewers like trick shots, might as well be that."

If it's A, then I think trick shots are bad for pool. If it's B, then I think trick shots probably do more good than harm.

-Andrew
 
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