I want to open a room !

TheGame

TheGame

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I have loved this game from a very early age. I have quicky realized that my dream of becoming a world class player is not in the cards for me. I have about 100K saved up and am getting pretty tired of my current job and am thinking about opening/purchasing a PoolHall.

I would like some honest feedback from other room owners as to what needs to be done to be successfull in this business. Is this something that can be financially rewarding ?

I am looking at something fairly small with maybe 12- 4 1/2 x 9 and 2 barbox tables and a small bar/snack area .

Where do you focus your energy ?
- Regional Tournaments ? Local Tournaments ?
- League Nights ?
- Do you want to focus on the alchohol or table time ?
- Should I invest is supplies ( cues, books, videos ect )
- How big of a menu is needed ?
- What is the best way to advertise ?
- Do you give top players in area free table time to draw action ?

Any feedback will be appreciated . If any Players want to add thier 2 cents regarding what they look for in a good Poolhall .. that would be nice also :)
 
pool room

TheGame said:
I have loved this game from a very early age. I have quicky realized that my dream of becoming a world class player is not in the cards for me. I have about 100K saved up and am getting pretty tired of my current job and am thinking about opening/purchasing a PoolHall.

I would like some honest feedback from other room owners as to what needs to be done to be successfull in this business. Is this something that can be financially rewarding ?

I am looking at something fairly small with maybe 12- 4 1/2 x 9 and 2 barbox tables and a small bar/snack area .

Where do you focus your energy ?
- Regional Tournaments ? Local Tournaments ?
- League Nights ?
- Do you want to focus on the alchohol or table time ?
- Should I invest is supplies ( cues, books, videos ect )
- How big of a menu is needed ?
- What is the best way to advertise ?
- Do you give top players in area free table time to draw action ?

Any feedback will be appreciated . If any Players want to add thier 2 cents regarding what they look for in a good Poolhall .. that would be nice also :)
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I used to own a couple of small rooms.If you choose to do this, plan on devoting all your time to it unless you're lucky enough tohave someone you can really trust. It's a lot of work but I really miss it.
First, depending on where you're located, you may want more bar tables than 9 footers. The average player prefers the bar tables. Tournaments, leagues, and anything you can do to attract a crowd is good. I have a friend who has 25 cent bar tables to get them in the door. Makes his $ off the food and drinks. Don't make it a rule giving away table time or anything of that nature just to get the better players. But for your regular customers who come in and spend a lot, don't be afraid to buy them an occasional drink or discount their time. Keep the place clean, especially the restrooms. Sam
 
I didn't own a room but I worked in one. Sam has some excellent advice. The only thing I could add is that there was a peice in BD a couple of issues ago that was an interview with a successful new room owner. He had some very good advice in there and I would advise you to try to read it if you can. Good luck!
 
find a good area

The most important factor is location. My family has owned poolrooms for years, my grandpa, my dad, and my uncle have all owned their own poolrooms and I am sure that I will own my own someday. Make sure you find a good area where people have money to spend because no mater if you cater to the serious pool players you do not make your money from them. So it is very important to know the area you will be opening in.
 
in texas they charge $2 an hour!!! so what's there secret? all of the poolrooms down there are part resturants!, so if someone is there all day, for only $2 an hour, yeah, they will order steak for lunch!, and keep the beers comming! so there are many ways to go about it. have different nights, for instance, beginers night. have free pool lessons, and then hand out discounts for future lessons. have date night, black light tables, loud rock music, strobe lights, etc, etc. have serious night, soft music,arena seating, and high steaks. mix it up a bit, anyone can open a pool room, but if you could have many, many different features, events, giveaways, then you have to succeed, good luck, think creative, and have fun with it, that's why your doing it in the first place! p.s. may i suggest olhhausen champion pro tables, they are the best, and will hold up better than brunswick, which are made by kimmble piano.
 
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