House pro?

Fuji-whopper

Fuji-whopper

Fargo: 457...play some?
Silver Member
Tried searching but I either came up with 1000 or zero threads. My questions are:

-What are the duties of a house pro?
-What would you like to see that you don't see house pros doing?
-What do you see that you like about what they do?

My understanding is that they are there to give advice, offer lessons, bring in business at times when things are slower for the pool hall, etc.. But what would separate one completely from another?

One thing I am thinking about doing is having a little sheet with a pool table on it so that people (mostly league players) can draw a situation and diagram and we can go over it one-on-one. It would be free and I think people would like the personal attention to their particular problem.

Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance!!
 
It depends

on the size of the Pool room, and what region it is located. Duties vary according as to what is needed.

They do not run the bar or wait food.
They do help clean and maintain the tables. This includes corrdinating and overseeing reclothing and leveling. Includes replacement of tables.
They do help out in the room's store helping and giving advice to customers.
It might include overseeing the onsite locker storage of cues, equipment.
It might include running inhouse leagues, and coordinating computer duties for such.
It might include producing flyers for upcoming tournaments.
It might include coming up with ideas for events.
It might include refereeing at events.
It might include running events or doing a calcutta for an event.
It does include giving lessons and advice.
It does include getting people into leagues played at the room.
It probably includes some maintenance duties of the room itself.
It might include the selection, ordering, and overseeing of the inventory offered through the room's store.

Your idea of the table layouts is pretty good, but why wouldn't the Pro just jump on a table and show them directly the answer to their question, could be a lead-in for lessons.

Although not an 'official' duty of the Pro, an unwritten one might be to see to it that there was 'action' going on in the Pool room that would draw players and railbirds. A Pool room known for good action is usually a busy Pool room.
 
Every Room Should Be Lucky Enough To Have A Grady... imo

There was a 'house Pro' in the room that I frequented for 10 years. He showed up to eat the Free food from the kitchen. He played Free pool when practicing for tournaments held elsewhere. He always got a new Free shirt when they came in.

He showed up at the monthly tournament and let the TD know that the ROOM pays his entry fee. He'd eat all the lobsters and take the 1st or 2nd place money and leave. He'd stop in for his Free entry money into other tournaments, both locally and nationally and he'd bring his cues (given to him by his cue sponsor) into the room to sell at a discount (even though the room had a Pro shop and MANY cues for sale.

There was a rumor that he once spoke to one of the league players that hung out there daily.

OTOH, Grady once stopped by for a week between local tournaments and the room owner worked out a deal, where Grady could grab a Free meal and small income for the week. Grady showed up EVERYDAY. Regaled everyone with road stories, practiced for hours with ALL those present that wanted to practice 9-ball, straight pool and one pocket. Gave demonstrations and instructions for FREE to the lobsters and put in about 10 hours a day pleasing everyone. His 'clinic' was attended by a huge crowd of onlookers.

Grady did more for the room and the players in one week than the house Pro did in 10 years..... imo

Doug
( the house Pro is alot of fun to watch on Accu-Stats and a great commentator )



.
 
Www.cuetable.com

Fart sniffer said:
Tried searching but I either came up with 1000 or zero threads. My questions are:

-What are the duties of a house pro?
-What would you like to see that you don't see house pros doing?
-What do you see that you like about what they do?

My understanding is that they are there to give advice, offer lessons, bring in business at times when things are slower for the pool hall, etc.. But what would separate one completely from another?

One thing I am thinking about doing is having a little sheet with a pool table on it so that people (mostly league players) can draw a situation and diagram and we can go over it one-on-one. It would be free and I think people would like the personal attention to their particular problem.

Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance!!
Click to expand...

The main thing that I can think of that separates one house pro from one another is whether or not he gets paid by the house. :D

(OH YEAH AND IF HE WORKS OR NOT). :-)

JoeyA (The www.cuetable.com has a great tool for illustrating shots. Hook up the computer to a big screen monitor and have a shot of the week crediting the league player for the question).
 
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great idea in theory but they rarely work out

-most decent pool players have alot of trouble holding down a steady job

-most room owners are not willing to pay the 60k or so a decent house pro deserves
 
Well, I work 40+ hours/ week and play pool probably 4-5 nights/ week at the room. There is no monetary compensation directly, but any income from lessons/instruction is mine to keep and table time for any reason is at no charge.

We might do a league newsletter, keep point standings for the weekly tournament and anything else to make it more interesting for regular patrons to come into the room. He has had two house pros (top touring) and they didn't work out for various reasons, so he put me in place since I am there all the time and play decent pool.

Thanks for all of the suggestions, I hope to create a good benefit for the room and it's customers.
 
A house pro who looks down their nose at the clientele isn't worth jack.

The best type of house pro is someone who's a) around a reasonable amount and b) is willing to help customers with the smaller things, gratis - and offer paid lessons for more help. Also c) isn't a egotistical douche to the clientele.
 
Do you WANT me to call you a douche? If it makes you happy.... :D

No, no real bad experiences for me - just expressing my opinion on the subject. :)
 
Okay cool, just wondering. While I am not head over heels in love with my name, it is better than douche by quite a bit.

Thanks for your opinion, everytime I talk to someone at the pool hall I will quietly tell myself "don't be a douche, don't be a douche".
 
It's like fat bastard said "everyone likes their own brand", don't know why exactly.

Thanks for the compliment, I have seen what the other house pros did and didn't do and have a good idea of what the room owner wants. I really want to do different things to spice up the room and keep people coming back for more. Whether it be to learn, compete, play league or just practice.
 
when rodney morris was the house pro as the poolhall i go to, i know that they set a table aside for only his games and practice. no one else was allowed to play on the table.

IMO, a house pro should bring in business. he does this by offering advice, allowing others to watch him play, running tourneys... yada yada... all of this leads to more people who want to play more and therefore spend more money on table time in hopes to reach his/her level.

as a sign of gratitude and retainment, the pro might get perks like free entry into open tourneys, free food, and stuff like that. not to mention all the income the pro gets from getting games with up-and-comers who think they're ready to take on the champ.

i've never heard of a pro getting paid by the house and it is ALWAYS the poolhall's job to keep the pro in check. the moment he/she becomes bad for business, there becomes no need to retain him. all the perks go flying out the window and he just becomes another player.

so house pros should always be grateful and never bite the hand that feeds them.
 
Fart sniffer said:
It's like fat bastard said "everyone likes their own brand", don't know why exactly.

Thanks for the compliment, I have seen what the other house pros did and didn't do and have a good idea of what the room owner wants. I really want to do different things to spice up the room and keep people coming back for more. Whether it be to learn, compete, play league or just practice.
Click to expand...

You might consider putting a flyer in the league player's envelopes offering free pool lessons on a designated night or by appointment. It could build a larger customer base for your "employer". I choose at the moment to do it word of mouth because too many people on a Tuesday night is difficult but will probably do the flyer thing requesting a phone call for appointments and just put them on a list, keeping the two hour window on Tuesday to a maximum of 4 people.

Good luck.

JoeyA
 
Well, they get a decent amount of business right now, just want to improve it on slow nights and to get people to come in more regularly. So I'm leaning toward league or "student" discounts, meaning if they are one of the people receiving lessons or instructions they would get a discount on table time.

Oh by the way, thank you very much for the feedback and suggestions. I am really excited about this all because I want to help out the room owner since he has done a lot for me over the years. He is going to send me to next year's US Open which is awesome since I haven't been able to go since 2002. But I wanted to thank everyone for the help because it's not easy to get people into the pool hall with today's discretionary income shrinking faster than ever.
 
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Fart sniffer said:
Tried searching but I either came up with 1000 or zero threads. My questions are:

-What are the duties of a house pro?
Click to expand...

To walk in the room and take the Pizza right out of my hand--eating it as if it were their own. :eek:

Fart sniffer said:
-What would you like to see that you don't see house pros doing?
Click to expand...

Standing around with hot chicks under each arm and gloating about their riches and exploits. :(

Fart sniffer said:
-What do you see that you like about what they do?
Click to expand...

When they demolish them sucker road players that are trying to take their gold and crown! :D


A "house pro" other than that I described, is just another sucker. :p Go Pillage!!!
 
Glad I am not in it for the money........because there is none. They have good pizza but sadly no road players, I have a girlfriend so I am going to have to pass on the underarm women.

I really want to do a newsletter and even came up with a free shot instruction form, where you fill out a diagram and info and I help you with what you are trying to accomplish. Anyways, thanks for the input Corey you rock man. How is business going for you with the BM stuff?

Neil
 
It's All SO Cornfusing...... imo

Fart sniffer said:
It's like fat bastard said "everyone likes their own brand", don't know why exactly.
Click to expand...


I didn't say THAT.

Doug
Well, if it's not my REAL name, why does everyone keep calling me THAT ?
 
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