thanks for an awesome response... i suppose that was kind of what i was looking for!
How to bring pool out of the slums...
- Thread starter wannaplaySOME?
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What an interesting thread, each poster makes good points. After being in the pool world for many years I'm sad to say that it will never get out of the gutter. I think the IPT could be helpful but, some of our very own pro players hurt our sport more than help it...I think I would look at what your expenses will be immediately before you start with all your new ideas. My husband has owned a poolroom in Florida for 32 years, I wish I had a nickle for every person who said to us what they would do if they had a poolroom. Of course everyone would like a beautiful upscale poolroom, who wouldn't--that costs lots of money. Each idea is more grandiose than the next! Everybody wants one but,they don't realize what it costs to own one--rent and air conditioning is the biggest and then there are all the other expenses on top of that which you need to pay for to make your business successful.
Someone already said the "bangers" are where you will make your money is very true. We have professional players in our room but it is the kids that come night after night that pay your bills. You must make sure that they toe the line and behave the way you want them too. I have put signs up reminding the young people that oftentimes there are serious matches going on and they need to be considerate. They are trainable but it is difficult. Most of the poolrooms in my area serve hard liquor or don't allow kids (teens) in their rooms after 8:00 p.m.--guess who gets them? If you can run a room where a dad can bring his kid in your place teach her to play pool in a safe nice atmosphere you can help nurture the sport and your business.
Also, you are not going to like every person that walks through your door, but they do pay your bills...some days I want to scream.
As previously mentioned your demographics is important, what can you charge to cover your expenses and can your market afford it. Do you want to sell cues and other equipment--every move you make will cost more money.
I too played at Pro Billiards in Orlando many times and I think the expenses is what put them out of business--also some of the owners tried to cater to the professional players by sponsorship and I think those expenses didn't help keep them in business. The rent was really high, the many owners were really nice people and I was sad to seem them close.
I'm wondering why the person would turn over his business for nothing, what does he know that you don't...sometimes when things seem too good to be true, they usually are...
I guess it boils down to what is it going to cost, do you want to work that hard and you should form a corporation to protect your assets.
Poolhall Maven
p.s. guess who was cleaning up the puke on one of the toilets this easter morning??? Me!
Someone already said the "bangers" are where you will make your money is very true. We have professional players in our room but it is the kids that come night after night that pay your bills. You must make sure that they toe the line and behave the way you want them too. I have put signs up reminding the young people that oftentimes there are serious matches going on and they need to be considerate. They are trainable but it is difficult. Most of the poolrooms in my area serve hard liquor or don't allow kids (teens) in their rooms after 8:00 p.m.--guess who gets them? If you can run a room where a dad can bring his kid in your place teach her to play pool in a safe nice atmosphere you can help nurture the sport and your business.
Also, you are not going to like every person that walks through your door, but they do pay your bills...some days I want to scream.
As previously mentioned your demographics is important, what can you charge to cover your expenses and can your market afford it. Do you want to sell cues and other equipment--every move you make will cost more money.
I too played at Pro Billiards in Orlando many times and I think the expenses is what put them out of business--also some of the owners tried to cater to the professional players by sponsorship and I think those expenses didn't help keep them in business. The rent was really high, the many owners were really nice people and I was sad to seem them close.
I'm wondering why the person would turn over his business for nothing, what does he know that you don't...sometimes when things seem too good to be true, they usually are...
I guess it boils down to what is it going to cost, do you want to work that hard and you should form a corporation to protect your assets.
Poolhall Maven
p.s. guess who was cleaning up the puke on one of the toilets this easter morning??? Me!
Sounds familiar
A regular asked me the other night if I ever get burned out on dealing with our pool room night after night. I responded...
"Well, one thing that still shocks me after working in a pool room for 35 years is the attitude of the general public. I never thought in my wildest dreams that at my age I would have to clean up someones puke, clean up when someone leaves their baby's diaper on the floor under a pool table, or wipe up after someone pi**es on the walls of the men's room because they think its funny. My record is going 3 days without having to do one the mentioned duties. Dealing with the public is fun. I know where you are coming from poolhall maven, I feel your pain!
poolhall maven said:
A regular asked me the other night if I ever get burned out on dealing with our pool room night after night. I responded...
"Well, one thing that still shocks me after working in a pool room for 35 years is the attitude of the general public. I never thought in my wildest dreams that at my age I would have to clean up someones puke, clean up when someone leaves their baby's diaper on the floor under a pool table, or wipe up after someone pi**es on the walls of the men's room because they think its funny. My record is going 3 days without having to do one the mentioned duties. Dealing with the public is fun. I know where you are coming from poolhall maven, I feel your pain!
how to bring pool out of the slums
It is in Melbourne, the golden cue. a couple weeks ago someone was writing about action there and that is how I became interested in the AZ forum. It was funny to read threads about my poolroom and when I finally responded they acted like I knew zip LOL. I also have matched up with someone from AZ because of it.
phm
macguy said:
It is in Melbourne, the golden cue. a couple weeks ago someone was writing about action there and that is how I became interested in the AZ forum. It was funny to read threads about my poolroom and when I finally responded they acted like I knew zip LOL. I also have matched up with someone from AZ because of it.
phm
cueandcushion said:
You got that right cue and cushion, on the mornings that my husband and I go in to clean that dump (because we can't afford a cleaning company)--I think back to 28 years ago I was working in accounting at a fortune 500 company and now I'm cleaning up after vandals and the public!
On the upside tho we both only work 2 shifts each, even tho we pop in almost daily. So we don't work as long as we would've at regular jobs.
Plus I am a poolplayer and I like being able to play for free!
I think I just wanted wantoplaysome to know the downside of owning a poolroom before she made such a life changing decision.
phm
One day I only had about 4 guys in the ph playing. None of them were very good players. I had cleaned the bathroom about an hour before and decided to check it again just in case. One of the players, I didn't know which one, had used the bathroom and missed the toilet and I had to clean it up. I was furious! I walked out of the bathroom after cleaning it up and I yelled at all four of them, "No wonder none of you guys can play a lick, one of you can't even aim good enough to get your p### to go in the toilet!" I feel your pain too PHM!!
Pool world
There are hundreds of things that wuld help, but the 2 I picked are the 2 that I think would have the most impact:
1) Pool into the Olympics.
2) More organized Pool for Youth (Juniors) in the way of leagues
and tournaments, done in a good fashion. This has long term
good effects for the sport. And adults usually act better when
kids are watching them ... lol
There are hundreds of things that wuld help, but the 2 I picked are the 2 that I think would have the most impact:
1) Pool into the Olympics.
2) More organized Pool for Youth (Juniors) in the way of leagues
and tournaments, done in a good fashion. This has long term
good effects for the sport. And adults usually act better when
kids are watching them ... lol
i agree with these two statements, but the sport itself would drastically have to clean itself up if it wanted to make it into the olympics...
Rickw said:
Oh man Rickw that is so frustrating--at least you could yell at the culprits!
98% of the time we never know who is doing nono's.
phm
macguy said:
Did you play in the professional events in the 80's? Were you at the florida open in melbourne this weekend?
I know I sound grumpy, I'm not really--as you know being a former owner yourself dealing with the public can be trying (sometimes)-- I do like playing pool while I'm working tho!
PHM