Electronic scorekeeping

[Snapshot9]

Interaction

The problem with wanting to enter scores, etc., electronically, is that the league operator is responsible for the accuracy. The system may be a stand alone system with software run offline of the internet. The LO would still have to have the hard copy of the scores. So the issue boils down really to inputting the data. If it is a stand alone system, one person has to make input into the system, and not several people. Leagues are not on a network with other Pool rooms/bars. Even if the scores are on the Internet, it is usually a protected site where only 1 person is allowed to have the password to enter the site, and input the data.

As a sidenote, my Pool room I go to play at has cameras in their room, and they had to review one of my weekly tournament matches, where my opponent was drunk, and claimed he had won 3 games instead of 1. One of the owners reviewed it, and verified that I had won 4 games to his 1.
It was a handy thing to have, and good for settling disputes like I had.

 

[chefjeff]

Well......I guess I will make myself vulnerable.

This is a compilation of some thoughts I shared with a couple of acquaintances within the last two years.Didn't get much feedback.I think the reason that a product like TAR doesn't flourish beyond what it does today is lack of exposure.Streaming to me is the end product without a bridge to reach it.

Roughly February 2010,
It seems to me the single biggest strength pool has going for it is the number of people that can be accessed over a given period of time in the places they play.Large square footage's with groups of people,sometimes large groups,congregating and participating in the game they love.Create a technological cool devise that is capable of accurate scoring and display,then network the devices.A by-product of the devise is to be able to then advertise.Advertising at this level now creates opportunities for products or businesses outside the billiard industry to access the captured audience.Create a completely separate revenue stream and a moderated distribution of that wealth,as in percentages provided for the house or possibly a dedicated slice to improve pro pool and its structure.Sponsorship from the ground up rather than holding out for some angel investor.The "Holy Grail",accurate and reproducible,real time scoring and display capable of accommodating all the various league systems. Gather data,organize the statistics in a compelling way and inform players.Advertise and BRAND,BRAND,BRAND.

When objectively looking at a pool room or bar,owners are basing how they function on available square feet of floor space.My assertion is that the space above the tables can be used more productively.The lighting system as used now seems antiquated.Introducing cameras for field registration and ball tracking would be a start.Things like break speed,a shot clock and maybe even foul recognition with replay and explanations may be possible.Or,who top pros are and where there from and mix in history blurbs just for fun.The whole idea is to make it functionally compelling,easy to use, provide instant feedback,increase interactivity,provide revenue and BRAND to all who enter the building weather they play or not.

Technologically this may seem like a lot to bite off and chew,but I believe this is a direction more people should be thinking towards.It doesn't have to be all encompassing at first but could be introduced and tweaked at a single location.Oh yea,don't underestimate the WOW factor.

Maybe the interface could be with a projection on the table rather than a piece of hardware like an iPad.

I started a thread a while back on pool cloth that can take photos....I'll look for the link.

Found it: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=149262

Jeff Livingston