Is it a sport or a game?

[mayamon]

Pool is not in my opinion a sport, also i don't believe this takes away ANYTHING from pool. Why does calling something a sport suddenly elevate it to such a higher level than a game? Games can be just as demanding, physically and mentally as any sport. I don't see the argument that just because you'll be sore the next day from playing pool or that you require some eye hand cordination enough evidence to make it a sport
1) Anyone who has worked a retail job knows that after running around on your feet for 12hours makes you VERY tired and sore the next day, yet working that job is not a sport.
2)Playing video games at a competitive level requires great handeye cordination, reflexes and dexterity, yet i would not consider this a sport either.
I love pool and think it is one of the most beautiful and challenging activities one can participate in. Just because it is not a sport takes nothing away from that.

 

[T411]

pool.........a sport or a game????
Does it really matter???

I’m not going to argue it, but it does take a skill. Your not just rolling dice and moving a peace around a game board, it takes hand eye coordination. There are many things that some players can do with the cue ball because of their physical abilities that some other people cannot do.

What is it? It is competition

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=88437#post88437

 

[VIProfessor]

I've noticed over the years that often when professional players experience a resurgence in their game and have a terrific year, one of the factors that is usually cited is paying more attention to their diet and physical conditioning. As for those who state that physcial endurance is not required to compete in the sport, I can only say that you have not had the opportunity to compete at a high level in either tournament play or matchups. You do not win long gambling sessions or large events without the ability to keep your concentration, your stroke and your legs for an extended period.

Haven't you been keeping track of the debate regarding Corey vs. Fiejens? One of the factors cited in Niels favor is his physical conditioning. Perhaps closer to home, have you ever eaten a heavy meal and then gone straight into a match with a tough competitor, or run out of gas because you hadn't gotten enough carbohydrates or rest in the hours prior to match? Try those out and then tell me that pool isn't a sport! Lastly, take a look at the biographies of many of pool's greats, and you will see that a disproportionately large number of them were extremely talented athletes in other sports at some time during their youth (e.g., Don Willis and DiLiberto), and you will see that many of them, even in their later years, considered some form of physical conditioning as vital to their success (e.g., Hoppe, Crane, and Cranfield). So much for athletes not playing this game!

In order to play pool at a high level, you must engage in it as a sport in which you must engage in practice, drills, competition, watch your diet and conditioning, etc. Those who do not are, particularly in recent times, becoming an exception to the rule, and it is undeniable that all other things being equal, the player that's in better shape has a distinct advantage.

Of course, we have not even begun to touch on the physical and mental aspects of playing the game itself. Vision, accuracy, effectiveness and smoothness of stroke, ability to visualize, etc. are all related to athletic activity. After all, how many uncoordinated champions have you ever seen in the world of pool, and why is it that a player's skills begin to decline somewhere during middle age?

If you play billiards seriously, it's a sport. Period.

 

[instroke75]

amen

I've noticed over the years that often when professional players experience a resurgence in their game and have a terrific year, one of the factors that is usually cited is paying more attention to their diet and physical conditioning. As for those who state that physcial endurance is not required to compete in the sport, I can only say that you have not had the opportunity to compete at a high level in either tournament play or matchups. You do not win long gambling sessions or large events without the ability to keep your concentration, your stroke and your legs for an extended period.

Haven't you been keeping track of the debate regarding Corey vs. Fiejens? One of the factors cited in Niels favor is his physical conditioning. Perhaps closer to home, have you ever eaten a heavy meal and then gone straight into a match with a tough competitor, or run out of gas because you hadn't gotten enough carbohydrates or rest in the hours prior to match? Try those out and then tell me that pool isn't a sport! Lastly, take a look at the biographies of many of pool's greats, and you will see that a disproportionately large number of them were extremely talented athletes in other sports at some time during their youth (e.g., Don Willis and DiLiberto), and you will see that many of them, even in their later years, considered some form of physical conditioning as vital to their success (e.g., Hoppe, Crane, and Cranfield). So much for athletes not playing this game!

In order to play pool at a high level, you must engage in it as a sport in which you must engage in practice, drills, competition, watch your diet and conditioning, etc. Those who do not are, particularly in recent times, are becoming an exception to the rule, and it is undeniable that all other things being equal, the player that's in better shape has a distinct advantage.

Of course, we have not even begun to touch on the physical and mental aspects of playing the game itself. Vision, accuracy, effectiveness and smoothness of stroke, ability to visualize, etc. are all related to athletic activity. After all, how many uncoordinated champions have you ever seen in the world of pool, and why is it that a player's skills begin to decline somewhere during middle age?

If you play billiards seriously, it's a sport. Period.

absolutely! it's no different than any sport, at the lowest levels it is a game, but if you compete seriously, especially at a high level, then it's a sport!(i couldn't break a 100 in golf, dunk a basketball, or hit a 500 foot homer, so when i play those "sports", they are games to me, but i can run racks all day so it's a sport to me!)

 

[Da Poet]

Well when you go to Borders and look for a book on pool, you have to go to the "game" section.

When you go online to purchase equipment on Ebay, it's in the "sporting goods" section.

See, now doesn't that clear it up for everyone?

 

[CaptainJR]

Well when you go to Borders and look for a book on pool, you have to go to the "game" section.

When you go online to purchase equipment on Ebay, it's in the "sporting goods" section.

See, now doesn't that clear it up for everyone?

LOL that was good!

 

[SlickRick_PCS]

I'm 50 years old, and my feelings are such that no matter what the table is, coin-operated or not, junk or not, the best tables in the world...it really don't matter...because no matter what table a person starts out playing on...the point is they start playing pool, and exposure is the number one thing that helps build players in this game! If a player gets the bug to play pool because they started out playing on bar box tables...then who cares, if they have the desire to continue playing...they'll move up to playing on better tables...as well as 9ft's...so the beginning of playing pool is just as, if not more important, than being a good pool player...wouldn't you think? After all, if it wasn't for the begining interests of people wanting to play pool...this sport would die from the lack of upcomming players!

Glen

PS. If it WASN'T for coin-operated pool tables...you would have back up the amount of players today in this country by at least half!

FYI, look up on the superpages.com and look under billiards and see how many pool rooms are listed vs bars and pubs. Here, let me help you. 4052 pool halls vs bars & pubs...61,416...so stick that in your pipe and smoke it!

"these 18-21 year olds just bang balls everywhere and trying to jump another ball by (GUESS WHAT!!???) miscuing low and making the ball jump illegally. FYI, if we didn't have Coin-Op tables with the wrong size cueball, believe me, we would be the best in the world with 14.1 (straight pool)"

Again, FYI, I started playing pool more than 40 years ago, and illegal jump shots were being made back then as well...as there was NO such thing as a jump cue that is used today. And as far as 14.1...we were the best in the world at one time...because other countries around the world DIDN"T play 14.1...so now they do...so GET OVER IT!

Thank you!

You know what Glen, you forced me to do this, but I suggest that you read this piece of article from BD. As opinionated as you are, perhaps this article could perhaps give you some idea about what I am talking about.

http://www.billiardsdigest.com/current_issue/aug_05/

If this link that you have just read can give you an open mind about what the game is supose to imply, then much of my respect to you. Otherwise, your opinions are upon your power and I must understand your situation.

And just between us two, Straight Pool is supose to be America's game!

 

[Rich R.]

Not wanting an argument out of anyone, but I voted "game" as my choice on this poll. A true "sport" by my definition is one where a person goes against another person on an equal playing field where the two (or more) combatants must utilize both an offense and a defense.

Some examples of "true" sports in MY definition are: Tennis, boxing, wrestling (not WWF style, but real wrestling) and many track and field events to name a few.

In what track and field events do they utilize defense?

 

[realkingcobra]

You know what Glen, you forced me to do this, but I suggest that you read this piece of article from BD. As opinionated as you are, perhaps this article could perhaps give you some idea about what I am talking about.

http://www.billiardsdigest.com/current_issue/aug_05/

If this link that you have just read can give you an open mind about what the game is supose to imply, then much of my respect to you. Otherwise, your opinions are upon your power and I must understand your situation.

And just between us two, Straight Pool is suppose to be America's game!

Thank god for Willie Hoppe beating everyone in the world so badly that America looked to start a new game in the sport of pool called...14.1 straight pool. He made the world seek out a new game to play because he killed billiards by totally controlling it.

Hmmmm, the 8track player was killed by the cassette player, the cassette player was killed by the CD player...what's next?

It's called evolution of the sport, get use to it, it's gonna happen. Adapt and go on.

Glen

 

[Maniac]

In what track and field events do they utilize defense?

Obviously NONE !!! But I dare ANYONE on this forum to deny track & field events as being a sport. They are after all some of the oldest sports known to mankind. The purest form of a "true" sport even without the defense !!!

Maniac

P.S. There's always some smart-alec one-uppin' me everytime I try to say something intelligent, which I am quite incapable of doing !!!

 

[Jimmy M.]

If you play billiards seriously, it's a sport. Period.

Can I get an "Amen"?!

 

[bruin70]

In what track and field events do they utilize defense?

flag football.

 

[Stones]

When I was a young teenager back in the early 60's and began my life long quest of playing pool and billiards, I went to the library in search of knowledge about them.

According to the catalogue of the Dewey Decimal system, pool and billiards was listed in the game section along with card games, chess, etc.
The game section is adjacent to the sport section which include golf, tennis, football, baseball, etc.

I found that odd and it slightly pissed me off then as I considered it a sport.

45 years later, it still torques my jaws to walk into a Barnes & Nobles, Borders or Half Priced book store and have to go to the games section to find literature about the sport of pool and billiards.

During the end of the straight pool era, mid to late 60's, I remember an announcer during a match stating the average player walked 2 and 1/2 miles during a 150 point match.

Also, during my time as a road player, there were times after playing 8 to 17 hour sessions where when I was done, I felt like I'd been shot at and missed and s@#$ at and hit. Reminded me of the way I felt the next day after playing football in high school. Exhausted mentally and physically and if that's not the requirements to a sport, I don't know what is.

Anyone who disagrees will have to list running a marathon as a game.

To me, pool and billiards is a sport that includes different varieties of games (8 ball, 9 ball, 14.1, one pocket, rotation and three cushion).

 

[matthew]

I'm sorry I didn't have time to read through the entire thread, I've only got an hour lunch break.

In my opinion, a sport requires both knowledge and consistency. Basketball is considered a sport. Most people would assume it's because of the athleticism and physical stess involved. I would argue it's because in order to win, you have to consistently be able to put the ball in the basket. In doing so, you are required to have knowledge about both the game, and your opponent.

A game in my opinion is something different, For example, chess is a game. In chess, if someone told me the moves to make, I could win. The same is not true in pool, nor basketball. In chess, on my own, I could not consistently, make the required moves to play effectively. Likewise, I am not knowledgable enough about chess to understand neither the game, or my opponent.

 

[1pocket]

Sport!

We sit here, day after day, discussing the physical aspects of perfect mechanics, proper play, etc. yet we ignore the fact that pool has physical attributes?

Pool is a sport and I'm surprised anyone here would think otherwise.

The bottom line seems to be that some approach it like a game, and some approach it like a sport. Those that treat it only like a game deny themselves the challenge (and satisfaction) of pushing their limits to be the best they can, IMO...

In chess you think hard, then pick up the piece and move it, as clumsily as you like -- that's a game -- a very challenging game.

Pool, you think hard, then you have to physically execute with extreme accuracy and touch, that varies every shot!

That's a sport!

 

[Maniac]

Seriously???? Not me!!!!

If you play billiards seriously, it's a sport. Period.

There is MY problem in a nutshell. Death, sickness, murder, rape, etc., these are the things I take seriously. Everything else in life is for fun and for making fun of. Life is one big game and IMO, so is pool. There is just not to many things going on in my everyday living that I'm gonna take seriously. You have to laugh to live. It doesn't make one iota of difference to me if pool is considered a sport or a game. I never even thought about it 'til I read this poll. I play pool and I play it for fun. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it !!!

Maniac

 

[JimS]

Is pool a sport or a game?

Yes.

Aw shut up.. it's your shot.

 

[thepavlos]

Based on the definitions of each word it is a sport

 

[SlickRick_PCS]

I'm 50 years old, and my feelings are such that no matter what the table is, coin-operated or not, junk or not, the best tables in the world...it really don't matter...because no matter what table a person starts out playing on...the point is they start playing pool, and exposure is the number one thing that helps build players in this game!

Glen,
Did you know how I first learned how to pull off a draw shot? Well let me tell you… I did NOT use the cueball!! Under bar box tables, I used the object ball instead. I have asked people who have played on bar boxes since they even touched a cue if they ever knew how to draw a shot. They said no. I took them to a regulation 8 foot table where all balls (especially the cueball) were of same weight and height. Out of their amazement, they did the draw shot successfully!

If a player gets the bug to play pool because they started out playing on bar box tables...then who cares, if they have the desire to continue playing...they'll move up to playing on better tables...as well as 9ft's...so the beginning of playing pool is just as, if not more important, than being a good pool player...wouldn't you think? After all, if it wasn't for the begining interests of people wanting to play pool...this sport would die from the lack of upcomming players!

This is complete malarkey!! How can you even teach anybody to play on a barbox with the cueball not even capable of drawing? If you start teaching anybody (even your grandson if you have one!) on a regular barbox the only thing you’re implying is a strain to its skills. Why not start off on a normal 4x8 table with balls that are fit to normal regulation (don’t have one, go to a billiard parlor and persuade the owner into getting that youngster in there).

these 18-21 year olds just bang balls everywhere and trying to jump another ball by (GUESS WHAT!!???) miscuing low and making the ball jump illegally. FYI, if we didn't have Coin-Op tables with the wrong size cueball, believe me, we would be the best in the world with 14.1 (straight pool)"

Again, FYI, I started playing pool more than 40 years ago, and illegal jump shots were being made back then as well...as there was NO such thing as a jump cue that is used today. And as far as 14.1...we were the best in the world at one time...because other countries around the world DIDN"T play 14.1...so now they do...so GET OVER IT!

I realize that you lived in an era where Mosconi was the greatest and Fatty was dominant in his entertainment… much respect for you on that one. But one thing you need to realize about life as it is… it will go on (as you told me on a previous post you sent about me). I was once a young blood that used to “scoop” balls assuming that was the way to jump. But with experience and research, I took into realization that I completely did it wrong. The jump shot and cue are here to stay. I am one of those who would not use to jump and would kick shots or massé, but when I have to use the jump shot, then I must.

Well Glen, what you I am assuming is that your background is nothing more than 8-ball... so is mine! But – like everything—it gets old and sickens me. When I established Straight Pool, I fell for the game and enjoyed it ever since; as well as 9-ball. So many bangers would question me on why I break the way I did and whatnot… and all I just say is, “Because bangers like you make Pool ever so dull with 8-ball… and 8 ball is not POOL!!”

In a short conclusion Glen, the past is gone, the present exist and BUCKLE UP, because the future will go on! So YOU should get OVER the past and accept the future!

BTW, it is very uncommon for somebody your age to say that 14.1 is not even a real game.... it's people like you that put shame on not only the future of this SPORT, but the future of those that are willing to play this SPORT!!! Step up, be a man, and show the future on what you are willingly capable of!

 

[Maniac]

This is complete malarkey!! How can you even teach anybody to play on a barbox with the cueball not even capable of drawing?

HUH ??? I've done length-of-table draw shots on bar boxes with the bar box cue ball numerous times and I'm not even a very good player.

Maniac