Is it a sport or a game?

Which is it?

  • Game

    Votes: 51 36.7%

  • Sport

    Votes: 88 63.3%
  • Total voters
    139
Maniac said:
HUH :confused: ??? 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
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Well, either you're one of the lucky few with a huge stroke, or the CB is magnetic.... good for you! BTW, what part of TX r u from?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by realkingcobra
1989, last game of straight pool between Harry Plattis and Glen Hancock. Scores 121 Harry, 52 Glen, going to 125. Harry missed, Glen ran 73 and out, for $16,000.00...witnessed by Mike Zimmerman, Dan Louie, Hal Mix, Todd Marsh...as well as countless others...I should know, I'm Glen Hancock!


Good reply. That is the kind of first hand account I was looking for.

I liked the chapter in Playing Off the Rail entitled "Return to Plattisville"

I always here that guys name come up when talking about big money games.

Hey Glen, you know Cole Dixon?

Man, I need to get up there to sweat some of those big money games before it's all gone!

Rick, man you need to get a life...ROTFLMFAO I grew up playing straight pool, it's my strongest game, seldom do I play anything else, not that I can't...lmao...and I could draw the cue ball back 3 rails when I was 13 years old...lmao...so do yourself a favor...quit before you embarrass yourself...LOL
 
Any contest where it is possible to lose without ever getting to play, must be a game, because it damn sure isn't a sport.
A sporting contest bends over backwards to make sure its fair for both players.
Justin Nuder
 
realkingcobra said:
Rick, man you need to get a life...ROTFLMFAO I grew up playing straight pool, it's my strongest game, seldom do I play anything else, not that I can't...lmao...and I could draw the cue ball back 3 rails when I was 13 years old...lmao...so do yourself a favor...quit before you embarrass yourself...LOL
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I try to get a life, Glen, but life always dumps me!

I'll believe the three rail draw when I see it... but if you really do pull it off, I am not too far from you as I could pull of a 2 1/2 rail draw... FROM THE LONG SIDE OF THE TABLE!! Short doesn't count, buddy. And about embarassing myself... I live to be embarassed! And I like IT!!!

So (like the most cliché phrase goes) don't hate the player... hate the game!
 
Thunderball said:
I see this here a lot.Quite often I see "sport" used to discribe our game of choice.
I just don't see it that way.

I love to play and will till I'm dead,but a sport it is not.
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If Ribbon twirling can be a sport at the Olympics then Pool which in my opionion takes more dicipline and concentration should also be a sport.

Soccer is a game..... and a sport.
Football is a game... and a sport.
Hockey is a game.... and a sport.

hell they even call horse racing a sport.
 
supergreenman said:
If Ribbon twirling can be a sport at the Olympics then Pool which in my opionion takes more dicipline and concentration should also be a sport.

Soccer is a game..... and a sport.
Football is a game... and a sport.
Hockey is a game.... and a sport.

hell they even call horse racing a sport.
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I have to take exception to the ribbon-twirling part. That is an exhaustive gymnastic event and those gals are some of the best in-shape physical specimens you will ever see.

The question has been asked why it is so important to be regarded as a sport. To many, validation as a sport is the first step toward getting recognized by the Olympics. If that happens, then television airing billiards as an Olympic sport will boost the pool world as nothing before.

And the coin-op bar boxes vs. a poolhall debate seems pointless. The only reason for coin-ops is the matter of staffing and space restraints. Coin-ops are self regulating and don't need personnel to hand out the balls. They are necessary to the fabric and economy of our pool landscape.

Ball bangers also play in poolhalls. Everyone started out as one, and league players (most of whom are NOT ball bangers) are the foundation of the billiards industry, and most of them can be found in pubs and taverns.

Pool is a sport! Physical exertion, mental acuity, and stamina all play a part in our sport. Like someone said, you do have to get your butt out of the chair to play....unless you are in a wheelchair. :) :p ;)
 
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Yup!

Fred said:
Any contest where it is possible to lose without ever getting to play, must be a game, because it damn sure isn't a sport.
A sporting contest bends over backwards to make sure its fair for both players.
Justin Nuder
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Poll was dreamed up I am positive by someone wanting a distraction. As it became more popular with the masses gambling became prevelant. Once gambling was only in bars and poolrooms and there were few casino's. Most pool players that gamble live in their local poolrooms and don't work. They are for the most part as far from a athlete as possable in every way but one they want to win.
They have had for the most part an unfair advantage of being tought how to play by older poolcooches who will make money with the players as they become a surer bet they take advantage. Because most victims are just there being intertained and having a good time they have a disadvantage because in the past they lacked being educated in how to play. And chance always favors the educated mind!
Billiards and pool are games that give an illusion to the untrained mind of advantage where there is in the long and short run weakness.
As more and more players learn how to play because of media exposure it might be a sport one day but not today I think.
Nick ;)
 
I had a short coversation with my brother on this subject today, he almost never plays pool. He immediately said, sure it's a sport, I mean you practice 10 hours a week and play in a league don't you?

I'm switching my vote - it's a sport and that's final.

The main thing against it being a sport for me was the fact that playing pool won't make you fit, you have to be reasonably fit to do it. Now I feel that does not matter, you have to be reasonably fit to run the 100 yards too, it's the training that makes you fit. 100 yard sprinters don't just sprint all day either.

gr. Dave
 
It doesn't really matter to me.

It seems more interesting to consider if figure skating is a sport. I once heard John Madden say that if you wore a tutu and glitter to participate, it can't be a sport. I find it hard to argue with that.
 
Objective views

There was a long running discussion once if whether professional wrestling was considered a sport. Some local morning DJs had this ongoing discussion. They had a unique way of settling the argument. There is a local strip club that would give you free admission if you brought a ticket stub from any professional sport. Well, they let you in if you had a WWF wrestling ticket stub. So it must be a pro sport! I wonder if I bring my Derby City badge to this club if I will get in for free?

Another funny story told to me by Professional Mark Wilson.:)
He went to a St. Louis Blues game with my brother a few years back. Out in the hallway there was this pimpled face 16 yr old giving away free NHL logo beach towels if you filled out a credit application for a VISA credit card. So Mark wanted one of these towels so he asked for a application. After filling it out the kid was going over it and said," Sir, you have 'pool player' as your profession; we need a real job listed here, okay?"
Mark replied," Listen kid, if you won't make fun of MY job....I won't make fun of YOURS." The kid handed him the towel and walked away...:o

Mark later laughed and stated..."Pool is in a sad state when kids like that look down on your job! No wonder we can't get a sponsor!"
 
rackmsuckr said:
I have to take exception to the ribbon-twirling part. That is an exhaustive gymnastic event and those gals are some of the best in-shape physical specimens you will ever see.


Pool is a sport! Physical exertion, mental acuity, and stamina all play a part in our sport. Like someone said, you do have to get your butt out of the chair to play....unless you are in a wheelchair. :) :p ;)
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I thought someone might take exception to my ribbon twirling comment. I should have used my tongue and cheek font for that. I certianly did not wish to take anything away from those ribbon twirlers ;). My objection with sports like gymnastics, figure skating and synchronized swimming as olympic sports is that they are all judged subjectively as opposed to by some real measure like time, distance or number of goals scored. This is open to corruption and has lead to some of the judging controversies at the olympics in the past.
 
Lots of great responses.

Many feel sure its a sport.Some seem almost insulted that someone,anyone,would consider otherwise.

I like this quote Fred...I thinks it telling as hell:
Any contest where it is possible to lose without ever getting to play, must be a game, because it damn sure isn't a sport.
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Is ther any other "sporting event'' that can be lost with one of two "players" not even getting to play? I can't.

Just being tired after playing all day just does'nt work for me either...laying brick isn't a sport either.

Mentally draining just doesn't quite quailfy in it of it self....high stakes poker is too I'll bet....a sport poker is not.

Let me ask it this way.....

If for instance you went to a pool hall,played one game...win or lose...and left.Would you feel like you had just won or lost a sporting event?

Anywhoo...FTR I don't care what anyone calls it,I was just wondering why so many had settled on "sport" since it didn't seem to fit to me.

Also, I know this is a very subjective question...thanks for the replies.Great thread overall.

I'm off to play sports ;) ...wish me luck.
 
supergreenman said:
I thought someone might take exception to my ribbon twirling comment. I should have used my tongue and cheek font for that. I certianly did not wish to take anything away from those ribbon twirlers ;). My objection with sports like gymnastics, figure skating and synchronized swimming as olympic sports is that they are all judged subjectively as opposed to by some real measure like time, distance or number of goals scored. This is open to corruption and has lead to some of the judging controversies at the olympics in the past.
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Oh, gotcha. I agree there. Same with diving. But I guess there is really no other way to judge unless computers analyze form, and synchronization to their music. But could it be programmed for originality? :confused:
 
My 2 cents

IMO

-sports require practice

-sports require mental skills

-sports require exceptional physical ability to excel (this a is HUGE sports requirement)

-(most) sports require exceptional hand/eye coordination


-games require practice

-games require mental skills

-games require exceptional mental ability to excel (this is a HUGE games requirement)

-(most) games require minimal hand/eye coordination


Pool is a hybrid sport. The best/great players excel in the sport and game aspect.

Paul Mon...........lousy at sports and games
 
Looking at the table and knowing what to do is a game. The physical execution of that game becomes a sport.

A great stroke with the accuracy required to play great is as physically demanding as any so-called sport.
 
Billiards is a sport. You play a game of billiards, just like you play a game of soccer, football, hockey, basketball, dart, bocci ball, or horseshoes.
I vote sport...

McCue Banger McCue
 
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