Is poker doing in the pool business? Another closing.

[Troy]

You wouldn't listen if I told you the results from California's ban on smoking that was passed in 1994, but fully enacted in 1998 (the first in the country) so I won't bother.

Troy

Hey Jeff, add my room to the list; Pockets Billiards in Bradford, MA. I closed up in Feb.after 11 years. When the local smoking ban went into effect, I lost 40% of my business. It recovered by 10%. By then, I was screwed, I couldn't sell and I couldn't make enough to pay the bills. Anyone that went to my room will tell you it was a good room for tournaments and smoke was never an issue. Now, at age 55 I had to enter the job market and I am competing with 25 year old kids. But, it is like I said, at least it was safe for all those people that would never enter my room in the first place.

Curious, does anyone know if the food/sales/liquor taxes are up or down (ie in a state like Mass or CA) since the full smoking bans went into effect?

Bob Campbell

 

[chefjeff]

Hey Jeff, add my room to the list; Pockets Billiards in Bradford, MA. I closed up in Feb.after 11 years. When the local smoking ban went into effect, I lost 40% of my business. It recovered by 10%. By then, I was screwed, I couldn't sell and I couldn't make enough to pay the bills. Anyone that went to my room will tell you it was a good room for tournaments and smoke was never an issue. Now, at age 55 I had to enter the job market and I am competing with 25 year old kids. But, it is like I said, at least it was safe for all those people that would never enter my room in the first place.

Curious, does anyone know if the food/sales/liquor taxes are up or down (ie in a state like Mass or CA) since the full smoking bans went into effect?

Bob Campbell

Hi Bob,

I sent the web site your message...we'll see if they include your sad experience on their list.

Sorry about your loss of income and the loss of another room. Do you suppose the humanoids who put you out of business are still being paid?

Thanks,

Jeff Livingston

 

[DaveK]

And don't forget, they are closing because the govt. is forcing them to fire some of their best customers, with the unconstitutional, extortion-based smoking bans, not to mention taxes, regulations, paperwork, fees, licenses, etc. etc. etc.
<edit>
Jeff, a non-smoker and lover of liberty, Livingston

Here's one for ya ! The City of Saskatoon passed a non-smoking bylaw earlier this year, no smoking in enclosed public places (pool halls, bingo parlors, bars, etc. etc.). On Jan 1, 2005, the Provincial (think 'State' for those in the US) non-smoking comes into effect, and is for the most part the same, but applies to the entire province. Well, our casinos around here are mostly run by SIGA, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Association (?), so, the FSIN (Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations) just announced that it is not in the jurisdiction of the Province of Saskatchewan, and would allow smoking in its casinos (with 40% non-smoking). This should be an interesting battle, to say the least.

Dave, who's not a lawyer nor politician nor gambler nor a citizen of a First Nation, so I might have some details askew, but the general situation is accurate.

 

[doitforthegame]

You wouldn't listen if I told you the results from California's ban on smoking that was passed in 1994, but fully enacted in 1998 (the first in the country) so I won't bother.

Troy

Troy...I would be interested in knowing the answer. That is why I asked the question. If the receipts are up I would be suprised. But I was also suprised when the people that said you should have "the right to chose what to do with your body" where also the same people that refused to let my customers deceide if they wanted to enter a pool room where a legal and heavily taxed product was being used.

Bob

 

[Troy]

Yes, there was an initial down-turn of business. However, people became accustomed to the smoking ban and business returned to normal within 1-2 years. The smokers just go outside. Like it or not (and I'm a smoker), the majority are non-smokers by a huge margin and the majority write the rules.

By the way, I agree that it should be the business owner making the decision to either have a smoking establishment or not. I also agree that it should be the customers' decision to enter or not.

Troy

Troy...I would be interested in knowing the answer. That is why I asked the question. If the receipts are up I would be suprised. But I was also suprised when the people that said you should have "the right to chose what to do with your body" where also the same people that refused to let my customers deceide if they wanted to enter a pool room where a legal and heavily taxed product was being used.

Bob

 

[sjm]

I am sure it won't be long before a pool room jumps in on the "poker tournament" ..Since they are really no different than a pool tournament or dart tournament etc. I don't see how the liquer board will be able to make it illegal...Eventually that will turn back into the "Back Room" poker games and everything will be back to normal in the pool rooms...

I strongly agree, though it's not clear how long it will take for this to happen.

 

[azbicyclis85376]

I mostly play were I live, the cost is part of Annual Home Owner Association Due, that includes all sorts of Recreation Facilities. Gyn, Pools, Walking Tracks, (in & outdoors) Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling, and too many more thing to list.

Think most of the Commercial Pool Rooms around Phoenix Area are struggling.

Think all that keep them afloat is:

Booze, or Beer & Wine

Food

Leagues at Night

Free Play, or Very Low Cost Play during Daylight Hours, many times, it is Play for Free if you Buy a Drink.

A Pool Room is a Tough way to make a Buck in Business….

 

[breakup]

Tuesdays and Thursdays pool tables become poker tables, go figure

 

[chefjeff]

Tuesdays and Thursdays pool tables become poker tables, go figure

Those players look as out of place as playing a football game in a baseball park.

Happy New Year,

Jeff Livingston

 

[mnorwood]

It's a problem but dont panick.

Pool has always seen ups and downs in its popularity. However, there is always a core of dedicated players that keeps pool alive. Although I enjoy playing an occassional game of holdem it is a game for the mentally lazy. Yes it does envolve skill, but nothing like pool. In my opinion holdem is a flavor of the month fad that will pass.

In my experience pool halls close because of poor management. Owners do not make a committment to maintain their equipment which alienates serious players. The number one killers of a pool hall are bartenders and waitresses who rob the owner on top of all around poor customer service. If an owner does not baby sit his/her place they will get robbed blind.

Take heart the sport will survive.

Thanks,
Marcus

 

[mnorwood]

Houston pool doing well.

Pool rooms here in Houston seem to be fairing pretty well. I don't know of any closing here on the south side where I live (and there are quite a few...Slick Willies, Barneys, Legends, and a couple more). They all serve liquor, but about the only food available is frozen pizza in a little table top oven. I don't think the "poker thing" has really affected this area much.

Pool in Houston is doing very well. While I was there most of the rooms did a healthy business. The only room I know that has closed was barney's on 45 close to the Fuqua exit. However, a brand new barney's opened near it. One of the major competitors for pool on the south side of houston is the gigantic porn industry that exist there.

The best pool room in houston is Bogies, but if you want low rates with good equipment and hot young women check out the U.C. Center at the university of houston.

Thanks,
Marcus