Internet, good or bad for pool?

[the420trooper]

Another problem (personal issue) is spending ridiculous amount of time on this forum when I should be working or doing something productive. Thank goodness for the blackberry. Now I can actually leave the house.

You mean if I get a blackberry, I can leave the house again?

Thank you, thank you...(it's getting stuffy in here, and I haven't had any food in a week.....)

 

[SpiderWebComm]

I don't know what you are even talking about. There are so many niche special interest alternative sports that are not Football, baseball, basketball, or hockey, yet you can always find trick shots, womens tournaments, men on classic ESPN, etc.

Pool is very well represented on television, IMO.

Here--- let me clarify....

When you go to the world 14.1..... where's ESPN?
When you go to the US OPEN 9-Ball.... where's ESPN?
When you go to the World 10-Ball...... where's ESPN?
When you go to the Super Billiard Expo Pro Event.... where's ESPN?
When you go to any pool event..... where the F is ESPN?

Oh, what, whaddya mean we have to PAY ESPN to show up and then they own the content? What?

If someone tells me pool is WELL treated on TV they are just not educated. Just because they re-run old crap on ESPN classic all the time is not a way of supporting pool - it's a way of filling "what's left over" in their schedule.

Pool has the WOOOOOORST representation on TV humanly possible. Bowling is better, bass fishing is better, sailfish fishing is better, THE KIDS SPELLING BEE CRAP HAS BETTER COVERAGE--- HELLOOOOO!

Ok.... I have a headache from even thinking about this anymore. It's enraging.

 

[JAM]

Here--- let me clarify....

When you go to the world 14.1..... where's ESPN?
When you go to the US OPEN 9-Ball.... where's ESPN?
When you go to the World 10-Ball...... where's ESPN?
When you go to the Super Billiard Expo Pro Event.... where's ESPN?
When you go to any pool event..... where the F is ESPN?

Oh, what, whaddya mean we have to PAY ESPN to show up and then they own the content? What?

If someone tells me pool is WELL treated on TV they are just not educated. Just because they re-run old crap on ESPN classic all the time is not a way of supporting pool - it's a way of filling "what's left over" in their schedule.

Pool has the WOOOOOORST representation on TV humanly possible. Bowling is better, bass fishing is better, sailfish fishing is better, THE KIDS SPELLING BEE CRAP HAS BETTER COVERAGE--- HELLOOOOO!

Ok.... I have a headache from even thinking about this anymore. It's enraging.

I do agree with every single thing you wrote. I really do.

That said, I think there are less than 1,000 avid pool fans who would be interested in watching pool on the Internet and/or TV.

My room mate, you know, the one whose life has been all about pool for close 50 years, doesn't even enjoy watching it on TV and/or the Internet, and due to a recent turn of events, he does not think pool on the Internet is a good thing anymore.

After hanging out on this forum, I agree with many who say that pool just is not a good game to view, unless you're one of us, from the AzBilliards Pool Tribe. We all enjoy it, but how many of us are there? :frown:

To tell you the truth, I'm amazed that they even still show pool on ESPN. I feel that it will fade away, much like the croquet game I used to play as a child. Leagues will always be strong, however. Pool today is heralded as a recreational game, much more so than pool as a professional sport, IMHO.

I received a call yesterday from a dear friend from many years ago. We used to hang out together in one of the neighborhood pool rooms that don't exist anymore.

He was asking me about some Marvin Henderson pool data I have, and I was trying to get some Cicero Murphy stuff from him. He told me about an article that came out in Billiards Digest, June 2003 I think, in which a man named Evans ran the table without the cueball ever hitting a rail. I thought, man, I've got to read this article. That's pretty cool. :grin-square:

How many people in mainstream America, as one example, would be amazed with that feat, other than the 1,000 or so AzBilliards Pool Tribal Members? :embarrassed2: If it was ever filmed for TV and/or Internet, how many people would think it was worth viewing?

Leagues will keep pool rooms thriving. Professional pool, however, seems to have one tire in the sand, as usual.

 

[ironman]

I do agree with every single thing you wrote. I really do.

That said, I think there are less than 1,000 avid pool fans who would be interested in watching pool on the Internet and/or TV.

My room mate, you know, the one whose life has been all about pool for close 50 years, doesn't even enjoy watching it on TV and/or the Internet, and due to a recent turn of events, he does not think pool on the Internet is a good thing anymore.

After hanging out on this forum, I agree with many who say that pool just is not a good game to view, unless you're one of us, from the AzBilliards Pool Tribe. We all enjoy it, but how many of us are there? :frown:

To tell you the truth, I'm amazed that they even still show pool on ESPN. I feel that it will fade away, much like the croquet game I used to play as a child. Leagues will always be strong, however. Pool today is heralded as a recreational game, much more so than pool as a professional sport, IMHO.

I received a call yesterday from a dear friend from many years ago. We used to hang out together in one of the neighborhood pool rooms that don't exist anymore.

He was asking me about some Marvin Henderson pool data I have, and I was trying to get some Cicero Murphy stuff from him. He told me about an article that came out in Billiards Digest, June 2003 I think, in which a man named Evans ran the table without the cueball ever hitting a rail. I thought, man, I've got to read this article. That's pretty cool. :grin-square:

How many people in mainstream America, as one example, would be amazed with that feat, other than the 1,000 or so AzBilliards Pool Tribal Members? :embarrassed2: If it was ever filmed for TV and/or Internet, how many people would think it was worth viewing?

Leagues will keep pool rooms thriving. Professional pool, however, seems to have one tire in the sand, as usual.

Years ago for about 3 years there was a yearly event called The world Series of Tavern Pool which was sponsored by Miller Lite. The man behind the scenes was a man named Larry Mueth. It was without a doubt the most exciting extavaganza I have seen in my 40 years of this game.

I have tought many times what happened to Larry and why in the heill was he not the head of Pro Pool?He seemed to have Miller Lite eating out of his hand. It was just an amazing event. The man had B----s the size of cocnuts.

Pro pool is doomed until someone comes along to promote several big sponsors for the long haul. I don't think any one single sponsor will ever do the trick again. It would be a huge undertaking.

 

[JAM]

This thread sure is timely for me. I'm working on a project right now that has to do with the media.

Interestingly, there was an article in The Washington Post written by Howie Kurtz who said print media is going to have a hard time surviving.

A variety of polls by Pew, Ramussen, and other poll entities have discovered that the viewing audience numbers is dropping significantly for the major networks, i.e., ABC, NBC, CBS, off about 60 to 80 percent.

Cable, however, has increased, but according to the poll meisters, it only accounts for 1.2 percent of the American population.

As stated earliers, newspapers and some print media is on its way out.

According to one school of thought, we are today in the information age, where people want immediate gratification. If you look at CNN, as an example, there is a footer with news snippets streaming 24/7 and is usually up to date on the latest happening, up to the minute.

Now I am beginning to wonder about the Internet and pool. Much like this website of AzBilliards, it seems the majority of pool enthusiasts, fans, and players all know about its existence. We flock here daily to read all about it. Again, according to the poll meisters, the Internet will replace print media and much of the content shown on prime channels.

Will there be enough people interested in seeing pool on the Internet? is the question. Can it grow from where it is today? I think in order for this to happen, pool's popularity must increase.

I do wonder about the survival of pool print media such as Billiards Digest, InsidePOOL, Pool and Billiards in this modern-day era of technology. Will pool Internet websites take over the print media? Food for thought, if it follows the above-referenced examples that I cited.

Now I am having second thoughts about the Internet's effect on pool. I still believe, though, in order for pool to grow, it needs a larger viewing audience. To date, I feel as though pool folk are to sports like secluded indigenous tribes are to developed countries.

 

[JAM]

Years ago for about 3 years there was a yearly event called The world Series of Tavern Pool which was sponsored by Miller Lite. The man behind the scenes was a man named Larry Mueth. It was without a doubt the most exciting extavaganza I have seen in my 40 years of this game.

I have tought many times what happened to Larry and why in the heill was he not the head of Pro Pool?He seemed to have Miller Lite eating out of his hand. It was just an amazing event. The man had B----s the size of cocnuts.

Pro pool is doomed until someone comes along to promote several big sponsors for the long haul. I don't think any one single sponsor will ever do the trick again. It would be a huge undertaking.

I remember it well. In fact, I have a huge World Series of Tavern Pool by Miller paper banner in my basement, all rolled up. I participated in that. Wow, seems like just yesterday.

I got the media (PM Magazine) up to a local tavern in my area where we were hosting some matches. Chet Morris came and performed trick shows for the media. It was kind of funny because the media wanted to come during the day to the tavern.

Inside the tavern during the day, it was pretty dead, except for a few bar drinkers who were playing hooky from work. The PM Magazine people asked the bar people to come stand around the table, to make it look crowded, and nobody wanted to be filmed. LOL! :grin-square:

One night, however, when it all came to fruition, it was the most business that tavern had ever done. I remember the owner came over to me and ripped up my $100-plus bar tab for bringing in the business. :embarrassed2:

 

[jason]

As with most inventions and new technologies (especially weapons), there is both a positive and negative effect. The bottom line is the internet is here to stay. Complaining about how pool used to be and how great it was in the past is a mute point. And with that said, I say we embrace it and exploit it for the positive good of pool. Stream on brother!

 

[JAM]

As with most inventions and new technologies (especially weapons), there is both a positive and negative effect. The bottom line is the internet is here to stay. Complaining about how pool used to be and how great it was in the past is a mute point. And with that said, I say we embrace it and exploit it for the positive good of pool. Stream on brother!

I agree, but how many are watching the stream today? is the question.

Is there enough Internet viewers who enjoy the live streaming enough to make it worthwhile for the industry members today who do this for free?

Will Internet streaming increase pool's popularity today, much like the movie "The Color of Money" did in 1986?

Each one of us can embrace pool in all of its righteous glory today, all 1,000 of us "regulars" on this forum maybe. How many of that 1,000 regulars of this forum watch Internet streaming?

Stream on, brothers and sisters. Free streaming is appreciated by every single member of this forum and other pool folk who gets the opportunity to hang out in the live chat and see the tournaments and other activities. I know I do.

Do I believe Internet streaming is the change agent to advance pool as a sport or increase its popularity in mainstream? Time will tell, I guess. :smile:

 

[corvette1340]

with regards to the live streaming, I don't think any of it should be free. Industry members will argue that a free stream will give viewers a chance to see the stream and then ultimately coax then to buy the ppv.

Well so far that is not the case. The ppv numbers pale in comparison to the free numbers. You are gonna have the same 100 or so people that support TAR regardless of what the stream is and you are going to have the same 500 or so people that watch the free stream and then are nowhere to be found when the ppv is on.

If bigger companies would advertise on the free stream then it might make sense to do it free but I don't see many of them stepping up while the numbers are still relatively low.

 

[ShootingArts]

no question the net is here to stay

No question at all that the net is here to stay and will continue to impact the pool world for better and worse. However when I go down to my local pool hall during the hours when mostly the dedicated pool players are there I would guess that 7-8 out of 10 people there spend little or no time on the internet. It seems that there are the hard core pool players and the hard core internet users and the two groups are almost mutually exclusive.

We on AZB and other pool sites are a very small fraction of all pool players and even so few of us both play a lot of hours and spend a lot of hours on the net. Note that few of the pro's spend much time here day in and day out. They will get on here for a few days and then disappear for weeks taking care of business while maybe doing a quick scan every day or two.

Hu

 

[JAM]

No question at all that the net is here to stay and will continue to impact the pool world for better and worse. However when I go down to my local pool hall during the hours when mostly the dedicated pool players are there I would guess that 7-8 out of 10 people there spend little or no time on the internet. It seems that there are the hard core pool players and the hard core internet users and the two groups are almost mutually exclusive.

We on AZB and other pool sites are a very small fraction of all pool players and even so few of us both play a lot of hours and spend a lot of hours on the net. Note that few of the pro's spend much time here day in and day out. They will get on here for a few days and then disappear for weeks taking care of business while maybe doing a quick scan every day or two.

Hu

That is an excellent point and one worth noting. You're right on the money with that observation.

In fact, if some of the folks spent as much time playing pool as they did on this forum, we may see less of them, but I have a sneaking suspicion that their game would improve.

Me, I'm here on the Internet 24/7 because of my job. I'm a professional Internetite. :thumbup:

 

[Lucky Fish]

If it wasn't for the Internet I never would have been able to order some of that super secret diamond embedded chalk from 9BallPaul for only $3000 per cube a few months back. :thumbup:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=128264

Hmmm, I am starting to wonder if my shipment got sent to the wrong house or something? Maybe 9BallPaul can come on here and let me know how many more months I have to wait for the 4 pieces I ordered.

Lucky

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

One key to boosting pool

is to have our own "Tiger Woods". If I were a young pool pup eagerly sponging all the knowledge it takes to reach world class ability, I would be using the internet extensively. No question the 'net can accelerate the improvement process.

I believe there's a good chance there will soon be a few players coming along that will lift the pro quality of play even higher.

Maybe the internet will help spawn a Tiger #2 prodigy, with massive flamboyance, that will capture the attention of the public. One whom millions can not get enough of.

 

[JB Cases]

Nothing but good - worldwide forums, free instruction, Cuetable, Live streaming, more YouTube pool than one can see in a lifetime, product reviews, get to talk to pro players. The internet has done only good for pool.

 

[Bigtruck]

Time on.....

That is an excellent point and one worth noting. You're right on the money with that observation.

In fact, if some of the folks spent as much time playing pool as they did on this forum, we may see less of them, but I have a sneaking suspicion that their game would improve.

Me, I'm here on the Internet 24/7 because of my job. I'm a professional Internetite. :thumbup:

Most folks think that I am on a lot, but in reality I just subscribe to threads of interest and log on with my I-phone when I get a response that I want to answer. This feature is especially useful if you are advertising something, like a tourney or a raffle.

Ray

 

[corvette1340]

Most folks think that I am on a lot, but in reality I just subscribe to threads of interest and log on with my I-phone when I get a response that I want to answer. This feature is especially useful if you are advertising something, like a tourney or a raffle.

Ray

I bet you subscribe to all the Doug Young threads, lol.

 

[bigskyjake]

I bet you subscribe to all the Doug Young threads, lol.

doug young, hahaha

doug young is a ten foot tall beastman that can palm a medicine ball

 

[Matt90]

Good one Spider

Here--- let me clarify....

When you go to the world 14.1..... where's ESPN?
When you go to the US OPEN 9-Ball.... where's ESPN?
When you go to the World 10-Ball...... where's ESPN?
When you go to the Super Billiard Expo Pro Event.... where's ESPN?
When you go to any pool event..... where the F is ESPN?

Oh, what, whaddya mean we have to PAY ESPN to show up and then they own the content? What?

If someone tells me pool is WELL treated on TV they are just not educated. Just because they re-run old crap on ESPN classic all the time is not a way of supporting pool - it's a way of filling "what's left over" in their schedule.

Pool has the WOOOOOORST representation on TV humanly possible. Bowling is better, bass fishing is better, sailfish fishing is better, THE KIDS SPELLING BEE CRAP HAS BETTER COVERAGE--- HELLOOOOO!

Ok.... I have a headache from even thinking about this anymore. It's enraging.

Although I do think the internet overall is good for pool ,I did the live stream
for the Carolina open last year .It was a race to 15 between Archer and Bryant(Hillbilly) .
Lasted 4.5 hours ,and when it was over there were maybe
10 people left to watch.Although the match had over 300 viewers online
there were only 10 people left watching what I thought was one of the
better matches I have seen in a long long time.I was glad to be there and
was doing the stream to get out and stay active(long story) However I
think Archer and especially Charlie would of loved to have had those 300
in there claping when he made the 3-10 combo to win the match.

Guess what I am saying is I would rather see a room filled with great players
and avid pool lovers than to say WOW I had over 300 viewers .Maybe with
some good streaming and a little luck we could get both . If we can use the
net and live streams as a tool to get more real people to show up at the events
then ESPN and some of the bigger companies might be more likely to give pool
and its players the recognition and extra dough it deserves . Matt

 

[JAM]

Although I do think the internet overall is good for pool ,I did the live stream
for the Carolina open last year .It was a race to 15 between Archer and Bryant(Hillbilly) .
Lasted 4.5 hours ,and when it was over there were maybe
10 people left to watch.Although the match had over 300 viewers online
there were only 10 people left watching what I thought was one of the
better matches I have seen in a long long time.I was glad to be there and
was doing the stream to get out and stay active(long story) However I
think Archer and especially Charlie would of loved to have had those 300
in there claping when he made the 3-10 combo to win the match.
Guess what I am saying is I would rather see a room filled with great players
and avid pool lovers than to say WOW I had over 300 viewers .Maybe with
some good streaming and a little luck we could get both . If we can use the
net and live streams as a tool to get more real people to show up at the events
then ESPN and some of the bigger companies might be more likely to give pool
and its players the recognition and extra dough it deserves . Matt

Matt, I saw that stream too between Charlie and Johnny at the Carolinas Open.

The referees let the players take too long between shots, and it just seemed to drag on. There were a couple of great shots in the match.

For the viewers, it was difficult to endure that long of a time for the finals, though the chat was entertaining.

BTW, who won it? I can't remember!

 

[TXsouthpaw]

God knows what we'll be doing in 10 years!! I know one thing.......get on board or........get left behind people. The train has left the station, enjoy the ride!

Ray

I was gonna say that too. Damn us Texas boys must think alike :wink: I didnt want to seem like I was telling people to stop whining though, so I didnt. Plus if I posted every little thought I had id be banned in a week.
But your right Ray, the internet is here. For better or for worse. Get on board or get oughta the way.