brandon667
New member
Depending on where I go it's between $3.50-5.50
How much per hour for table time
- Thread starter hotrod
- Start date
I grew up on $8.00 an hour and for years I had no idea this was on the high side. Barbox was a buck a game. On the other hand, it was a flat price unless you had more than 4 people so it was cheaper in the long run.
I wish more pool halls used this model, a flat fee is more fair. If I bring in a third or fourth player, they are playing less pool than 2 players would, but paying full price. With a flat fee they feel encouraged to join and don't worry about how often they're at the table, and they may still bring in revenue in the form of drinks etc. I feel a flat fee of, say, $14/hr. brings in more warm bodies than $7/hr per person.
I wish more pool halls used this model, a flat fee is more fair. If I bring in a third or fourth player, they are playing less pool than 2 players would, but paying full price. With a flat fee they feel encouraged to join and don't worry about how often they're at the table, and they may still bring in revenue in the form of drinks etc. I feel a flat fee of, say, $14/hr. brings in more warm bodies than $7/hr per person.
So you don't use cabs since they charge extra for extra people, you don't go to concerts since they arena will get used anyay even if only one person shows up, hotels since they charge more for multiple people even though the room is going to be used regardles, theme parks since the roller coaster will get run the same amount of time if only one person uses it.........
You open a business, pay the rent, bills etc, then just charge one cheap rate no matter how many are on the table and see how long you're in business.
Also FYI, these "schemes" make it cheaper on most players. If they didn't charge per person, they would have to charge a flat rate per hour, regardless of how many people play. This rate would be the average rate they need to have the table in use to cover the cost for the table, up keep, and make profit.
So, instead of say 4.00 for one person, they would just charge a flat rate of 12.00 per hour. If 5 people play, then its an ok price, but most of the time its only 1-2 people per table, so that would be too expensive for most people. This would drive their business down substantially for several reasons I'm not going into.
Next time, before you assume somthing is a "scheme," pull out a calculator and put some thought into what is actually going on.
Banks
Banned
I'm not buying into this either. It's a bad business practice and it discourages people from playing. It is not the same as a concert, as that is a flat fee, which includes payment for people that are more or less babysitting a crowd of thousands and somebody is there to entertain you. At the hall, there may be a dozen or so people and you have to entertain yourself.
I think I've gone to a place like this maybe twice in my life and have no intention on making it a third time.
"You open a business, pay the rent, bills etc, then just charge one cheap rate no matter how many are on the table and see how long you're in business."
Paying bills is my job. I'm aware of what it costs to operate something, from the licensing, products, upkeep, wages and rent all the way down to the utilities. I'm also aware that in order to stay in business, you need to attract more customers, not punish them.
So you are saying pool halls should charge a flat rate of like 4.00 an hour for unlimited players?
Most pool halls do one of two things, either a per person rate, or a flat table rate.
Per person rates favor a single player or 2 players. Per table rates favor groups of 3 or more.
Would you rather pay 4.00 per hour per person, or 12.00 an hour per table? If you practice alone a lot, you want the 4.00 per person, if you play in a group you'd want the per table.
Charging per person per hour does not in any way keep people from coming to a pool hall, and in fact, most of the time, since people aren't playing in groups of 5 or more(except league, which usually doesn't pay time anyway), you are actually getting off cheaper paying per person per hour.
The rooms that had a flat rate per hour all went out of business here, and the ones that charge per hour/per person are still up and running. Could be coincidence and also could be preference depending on locality. Some localities may respond better to different pricing policies.
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Camelot Billiards here in Rochester is the bargain of all rooms in Upstate New York. Walk in the door at Noon. Play to midnight Sunday to Thursday and Noon till 2 AM Friday and Saturday for $10. Yes, I said TEN DOLLARS. Diamond Pro am's, GC V Tournaments and 10 Valley bar boxes. WOW!!!!!
In Vegas, all the rooms offer a daytime rate around $8 from 8 AM till 6 PM. If you're playing at Best Billiards, you also get the best Diamond playing condition for the money. Cue Club has those great Ernesto messaged GC II's.
Great for repetitive practice routines or long sets. Players could be playing for hundreds and the room doesn't care. Same rates.
Lyn
In Vegas, all the rooms offer a daytime rate around $8 from 8 AM till 6 PM. If you're playing at Best Billiards, you also get the best Diamond playing condition for the money. Cue Club has those great Ernesto messaged GC II's.
Great for repetitive practice routines or long sets. Players could be playing for hundreds and the room doesn't care. Same rates.
Lyn
Banks
Banned
That's the problem.. the times I've seen the 'per person' option, the prices weren't what I would call reasonable. The prices tend to be similar to the 'per table' pricing. I could understand that somebody may figure that 6 people at $7/hr would be $42/hr, as opposed to trying to get 5 tables busy for $8/hr.
Having more customers normally results in more sales of other things. Of course, these are pool players that we're talking about..
Edit: I'm not sure that I've seen a 'per person' option that was cheaper for two people than the 'per table' places that I've been to.
Banks
Banned
I'd guess Camelot gets a lot of business. The must have a fair menu for food and drinks that brings in a bit more money, too, yes?
My favorite Sunday spot is $6 all day. I get in at 10am and leave at 8-9pm.
I also understand businesses so I'll tip $10 as well. They like me there and I like the tables ;-)
I also understand businesses so I'll tip $10 as well. They like me there and I like the tables ;-)
Ah, that makes sense.
Around here the per person/per hour is in the 4.00 an hour range. So that would still only be 16.00 an hour for four people. Sometimes there is a maximum charge in place as well.
If you're going to charge per person, you have to keep it low in the 3-5$ range. You can't expect people to pay 8-12$ an hour per person.......I totally agree with that.
Again, I'm sure it depends on locality. IMO the best pricing play is per person on a sliding scale.
Example: 1-3 people = 4.00pp/hr, 4-6 people = 3.00pp/hr, 7+ people 18/hr/table
or something along those lines.
Banks
Banned
I totally agree with that. Of course, one of those places that charged something like $6 or $7 per person is now out of business. I remember one place in Manhattan Beach, CA, that charged somewhere along the lines of $16/hr or something for the table during prime hours and that was when I stopped in there with family about 15 years ago!
c
Actually Banks, Camelot has beer and wine only. There is a kitchen open evenings with finger food. Making this situation questionable is one simple fact. Camelot is the ONLY pool room in Rochester. One or two bars have three coin op tables Most have one table.
Really don't know how the room makes enough money to survive. Camelot replaced Crazy Eights Billiards which replaced Classic Billiards (East) which replaced Ridge Billiards in the same location. Daily rate was $4.50 per person per hour. Guess I'll keep playing there till it closes. Cheaper than buying a table for my house!
Lyn
Actually Banks, Camelot has beer and wine only. There is a kitchen open evenings with finger food. Making this situation questionable is one simple fact. Camelot is the ONLY pool room in Rochester. One or two bars have three coin op tables Most have one table.
Really don't know how the room makes enough money to survive. Camelot replaced Crazy Eights Billiards which replaced Classic Billiards (East) which replaced Ridge Billiards in the same location. Daily rate was $4.50 per person per hour. Guess I'll keep playing there till it closes. Cheaper than buying a table for my house!
Lyn
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Amsterdam Billiards have daily and nightly powerplay specials that pays for itself after 3 hours if you play alone, and sooner with a partner or 2.
Metered street parking, not garaged parking, in Manhattan runs $3.50 an hour.
Metered street parking, not garaged parking, in Manhattan runs $3.50 an hour.
10-12bucks per hourhere in new york city no exceptions no specials
The hall by me has 6 Gold Crowns and 2 Valley bar boxes. They are $3.00 per hour per person all the time. If you go in and play noon to 6:00 or 6:00 to midnight it is $10.00 per hour per person. Dave
10-12bucks per hour
Where? I was at Amsterdam Billiards in Manhattan a few weeks ago and it was $7/hr during the the afternoon. I think Society has similar pricing (depending on time of day).
I live upstate in Amsterdam, NY. The local room is called Sharp Shooters and is on the Joss Tour. The rate is $5.75/hr/person, but there is a Tuesday special of $8/day from start to closing at midnight. Saturday has the same all-day deal, but it's $10 for the day. Eight Diamond 9' Pro-Ams in very good condition, and eight 7 footers.
The same guy owns Trick Shot Billiards in Clifton Park. Same $5.75/hr on fifteen 9' Gold Crowns, but a super deal on Mondays - $7 for the entire day (2PM-2AM). There is also a Ladies Night on Thursday - gals play free between 8PM and 2AM.
Joss Results for Lyn...
Jeremy Sossei double dipped Ron Casanzio... 9-2, 9-3 I believe.
Jeremy Sossei double dipped Ron Casanzio... 9-2, 9-3 I believe.
The main place I play is $5.50 an hour by yourself or $8 an hour for 2 or more. They also offer a monthly membership for $85 I believe that gets you unlimited play as long as there is not a waiting list for a table. If there's a wait, they'll put you on time.