forget pro pool for a moment, how is amateur pool?
- Thread starter gxman
- Start date
Amateur pool died years ago.....unless you consider the bar table game to be real pool.
How many amateur tourneys and leagues are played on regulation equipment? Not many. Thanks JoeT for trying to keep real pool alive with the American rotation leagues.
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How many amateur tourneys and leagues are played on regulation equipment? Not many. Thanks JoeT for trying to keep real pool alive with the American rotation leagues.
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takeitdown
Banned
Amatuer pool
Is so dumbed down in this country with the barboxes and handicaps. Itd a shame what people consider pool. Im playing barbox tournaments more and sufferrinh the rolls, what else can you do?
Is so dumbed down in this country with the barboxes and handicaps. Itd a shame what people consider pool. Im playing barbox tournaments more and sufferrinh the rolls, what else can you do?
Yeah it is unfortunate that so much pool is played on the bar tables. But it still can be a lot of fun.
I really wish I could compete more on the big tables but it's just not happening.
I've learned to respect the bar tables though. Until I can get through a tournament without missing a ball on them then I guess they aren't too easy for me. For all the talk about how easy bar tables are, you would think everybody on AZ would be a bar table monster.
It's not real amateur pool unless it's played on pro equipment? I don't get that.
cluelesscuer
New member
I feel like when I play 8 ball on a bar table...that the first half game is just a bunch of hogwash.
The responses to this thread remind me of my dad when he would ask, "You call that music?!"
In addition to barbox hatred, let's add that any game other than straight pool is an abomination. Straight pool is REAL pool; everything else is just for people who can't really play.
Next time you're in a pool room and see people playing any game other than straight pool, it's your responsibility to go over to their table and insult them. Make fun of them, drive them out of the pool room.
What's the world coming to? People playing a game for enjoyment. The end is near.
In addition to barbox hatred, let's add that any game other than straight pool is an abomination. Straight pool is REAL pool; everything else is just for people who can't really play.
Next time you're in a pool room and see people playing any game other than straight pool, it's your responsibility to go over to their table and insult them. Make fun of them, drive them out of the pool room.
What's the world coming to? People playing a game for enjoyment. The end is near.
Don,
If you don't consider bar box real pool, the game IS in really deep trouble. There isn't a pool room either here in Rochester, Upstate New York or in Vegas that would survive for long without the bar box leagues. Unfortunately it's the future of pool whether you and me want it to be or not!
Hope you're well.
Lyn
yoyodude9000
Registered
Amateur pool is doing just fine, here and in the rest of the world. Numbers may be down here and poolrooms that only offer 9 foot tables may be hurting, but it's no different than in, for instance the UK. Only pros, a few snooker club members, and pro wannabes play snooker. Everyone else plays 8ball on English style bar boxes, including a lot of the pro English players that play here on our pro tour. Bar boxes make the game fun for the majority of people and it takes up a lot more space in poolrooms and bars, thus increases the bottom line.
Also, the comment that handicaps have ruined the game is just plain silly. Look at golf for instance. How many people compete without using handicaps, unless you play in a pro, or trying to become one. This is the only way the masses can compete in this game, and only the masses can save it.
Also, the comment that handicaps have ruined the game is just plain silly. Look at golf for instance. How many people compete without using handicaps, unless you play in a pro, or trying to become one. This is the only way the masses can compete in this game, and only the masses can save it.
Don't bother trying. It's the old heads. Amature is amature no matter what it's played on. Pool leagues seem to be doing great. I don't give a shit if it's played on a 7ft table or 9 foot. If there playing pool then they are supporting the game.
I always compare 7 footers vs 9 footers to golf.
Playing on a barbox is like going to the local course.
Playing on a 9 footer with 3 7/8" is like going to Pebble Beach in a hurricane.
Both tables/courses are used to play pool/golf. The degree of difficulty just changes.
Speaking strictly by the numbers, lots fewer are playing pool now than 5 years ago. Total participation is down about 7%, and core participation is down about 11%.
Leagues may be growing, but only because they are poaching members from other leagues, not because the sport is bringing new participants into the game. So while the TAP league might be adding teams in NJ, that means the APA is losing teams in NJ (just an example - it could be any league in any region).
As someone in the business of billiards, I can also tell you that sales are not great, no matter what people may say. Again, the only growth comes from poaching market share, not from a growing customer base. I have seen an untold number of retailers, wholesalers, and various other billiards related business go under the last five years. The annual trade show continues to get smaller and smaller, and there has been five consistent years of contraction of the industry as a whole.
takeitdown
Banned
If we are talking about promoting the quality of play and competition...
what is happening with handicaps, league play and small tables is cheapening the game. Like basketball with a 6 foot high rim, sure most everybody can dunk.
It does create opportunities, but doesnt lead to better players and conpetition. I want to play and compete where the best man wins. With handicaps and small tables, irs just a lot easier for anyone to win. If you beat me getting the 7 out, you better not think you beat me. Beat me straight up in a decent race on a big table, you are the king.
what is happening with handicaps, league play and small tables is cheapening the game. Like basketball with a 6 foot high rim, sure most everybody can dunk.
It does create opportunities, but doesnt lead to better players and conpetition. I want to play and compete where the best man wins. With handicaps and small tables, irs just a lot easier for anyone to win. If you beat me getting the 7 out, you better not think you beat me. Beat me straight up in a decent race on a big table, you are the king.
cuestrokedesign
Registered
I like your analogy. I feel like without the bar box pool is soon to be non existent. Space and bottom line as well as a lot of folks are just plain intimidated by the big tables. and on a side note, i love a nice Diamond bar box with 860 on it! But its always fun to let your stroke out and really get down on a nice 9ft!!
Real pool is played on a 10-foot table. That was the standard during pool's heyday.
Brunswick introduced the 9-foot table so it could fit more of them in their bowling alleys. It was also easier for rank amateurs to play on a 9-foot table.
The 9-foot table ruined the game. Now, anyone can play. I'm with Earl: let's go back to the 10-foot table...a real man's game.
With so many leagues popping up I have started to wonder just how many are people trying to cash in within a short time period or actually build a sustainable business.
Only so many ways to handicap and to run a league. Sigels thing seems to have jumped the shark before it has started
Only so many ways to handicap and to run a league. Sigels thing seems to have jumped the shark before it has started
Handicaps don't ruin games, but they certainly ruin competition.
I can live with that.. but golfers don't put other golfers down because some play on a shorter or easier course. They're all golfers and appreciate that. I golfed for some time until I blew out my elbow. I love to play pool more (and am definitely better at it haha) but I do miss the lack of bullshit that you deal with golfing lol