Is pool future getting better or worse?

[sde]

Here in Grand Rapids, MI we have a room that opened in 1963 and has been open 24-7-365 since then. phone calls regarding hours are answered " We never close, NEVER".

Until maybe 5 years ago the room had always been a teenage hangout, a meeting place for the teens find out where the parties were for that night or whatever. Week nights were always busy and the weekend nights were packed with a waiting list maybe an hour long.

Every year when school started in the fall there would be a new crop of hundreds of teens, mostly there to socialize and didn't care at all about pool. But there were always a few that grew to love the game and became regulars. You know the type, 5-6 nights a week, every penny they could get went to play and losing at pool. Most would be regular until they became 21 and disappear and start playing in bars or whatever.

Those days are gone, I'm sure there are many reasons but I believe that the main reason is that many teens today have cell phones. No need to go hang out at the pool room and wait and see what's going to be happening later.

Now days there are only a hand full of new regulars instead of 20-30 of years ago. I was one of those regulars in 1965 and I'm still there and have seen many come and go.

Now with leagues being so popular I see many of those regulars and many that weren't so regular, playing in leagues but what will happen now that there isn't a new crop every year?

I don't know the answer but I do know that it doesn't look good for this area.

Steve

 

[LMB]

I recently started to get back into playing after a lay-off of over a decade due to my teenage kids wanting to learn how to play. We should try to spend time teaching our kids. IMO I think the reason it's fading is because of what caused me to quit playing years ago. Those of you who have spent most of your days and nights looking for a game know what I'm talking about. Think of it like this, it's a good way to spend time with them, which gets harder to due with age.

Larry

 

[cuetechasaurus]

I agree with TATE. Pool is definately in a recession here in the states. Out in Asia top players are superstars. Out here, top players on the men and womens tours aren't household names, except for maybe Jeanette Lee, but she is seen more as a sex symbol than anything. Among recreational players, they might know who Allison Fisher is, but that's about it. What does it take make pool successful in the USA like it is in Asia and Europe? And why in the hell is Snooker so popular in England? That game is boring as hell to watch IMO (no disrespect intended to snooker players or fans).

 

[Harvywallbanger]

Well considering they were actually considering making Poker in the Olympics....let me repeat that....they were actually considering making Poker in the Olympics....I think its safe to say pool in the US SUX! BUT I feel a turn around here shortly. The IPT, as much as it was a failier, has given us hope and someone will feed off of it and eventually pool will make it in some shape or form. Like I have said though. You have to drop the televised tournaments all together and declare a champion and just show matches fighting for the top ranks and everyonce in a while bless us with a title match. Just like Boxing and pool will make it.

 

[Scott Lee]

Well considering they were actually considering making Poker in the Olympics....let me repeat that....they were actually considering making Poker in the Olympics....I think its safe to say pool in the US SUX! BUT I feel a turn around here shortly.

Just to clarify one thing...pool (all billiard sports...not just pocket billiards) has already been considered for Olympic inclusion as well. The truth about the IOC is that there will be no new sports added, without dropping others off. That is the ONLY time a new sport is considered and/or added to the Olympics.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[KCarson]

Rehash Again

i just checked to see how old this thread is........i thought maybe a couple of years at least.

This subject has been the "subject" of many discussions throughout the years.

It all comes down to money, cash, $$$, dollars, wampum and coin of the realm. If pool, or any sport or pasttime, doesn't attract sponsors and money, it won't keep growing.

In Houston and in other metropolitan cities in Texas, pool seems to be holding its own. Unfortunately, the pool room owners have had to add other attractins (darts, cards etc) and that takes away from the traditional poolroom atmosphere.

 

[jdelcue]

As the president elect of the Emory Billiards Club, I can tell you that, at least in the southeast, pool, as a part of college life, is still runnin' strong! When we have our regional tournaments once a year (ACUI), there's plenty of "promising players," of all shapes and colors, who seem dedicated to the game and take their practice time and competition very seriously.

We do the best we can with what we've got at our campus. A couple tables and a few house cues. We try to make it about more than the game -- its all about the socialization and the learning process an upperclassman might share with a freshman who shows some interest in a side pocket bank or how to properly execute a 9-ball break off the rail (granted, we do the best we can with the knowledge we have, as well lol). This sort of thing keeps the kids coming back for more -- it becomes a part of their everyday lives...getting out of class and heading over to the gameroom to get into the rotation and shoot a few racks...

That's definitely how it was for me.
And I'm never turning back...

(P.S. - I agree with the previous statement about competition among the American youth of today -- I know that it's one of the main motivators in our pool room! I'm ultra-competitive! And we've been known to settle all sorts of debates and wagers on and around the pool table...lol)

I'd say that, if anything at all is missing, it is the mentor-apprentice relationships of old...
I'd love to be taken under the wing of a great and experienced player...
(And I wasn't fortunate enough to have a dad who played and would have taught me to play while I was growing up, as many of my other friends did...)

 

[MrLucky]

I have seen similar problems...

I was just sitting here thinking about pool's future. I have noticed a steady decline of players and skill levels around my area for the last few years. I don't see any future players getting involved the game due lack of places for minors to play and learn the game properly. I myself didn't start playing pool and learning the game until I was 21. Pool has kept me off the streets and affected my life poistively. I just turned 28 today and these things were going on in my mind wondering about pool's future. Does anyone have any opinions and solutions for this?

Here in Atlanta they have instituted smoking regulations that have a loophole ! if there are no minors (18 ) or younger they do not have to be smokeless !!! (I guess the thinking on that one is "Adults" lungs are open to destruction ! ) anyway the result is that many younger folks that want to learn the game are now effectively eliminated from learning in a controlled environment and must be delegated back to a friends basement table !

 

[jdelcue]

Yup, I think that's pretty crappy...

That's how it is at Mr. Cues II where we usually play...
Sucks for minors who are trying to learn the game...I know that's where I'd want to learn it!

 

[MrLucky]

Yup, I think that's pretty crappy...

That's how it is at Mr. Cues II where we usually play...
Sucks for minors who are trying to learn the game...I know that's where I'd want to learn it!

LOL! that's where I play also! small world ! I play APA on sundays there for the last 8 years now!

 

[ironhead_79]

i live in chillicothe ohio and around here pool is dead period. no pool halls left, i think all together there are less than 20 tables in all the bars, one bar has a 8ball and 9ball tourney on tue. nights, but to much drama goes on there to try and win 100 bucks. as far as the youth in our area they have nowhere to go. i had 2 teenagers coming down daily and was teaching them alot, i eventually gave each of them a old Meucci each, figured that would keep thier heads in it, good kids were willing to learn and helped sweep up and take trash out in my shop, well i haven't seen either of them for over a week which was odd for them, so i drove down the road to check on them. the first boys mom told me he went to live with his dad cause he got caught smoking dope, guess he took the old cue with him. the second boy wouldn't come out his mom said he was sick, well yesterday morning one of the other kids in the neighborhood called and wanted to know if i would buy a pool stick from him so he could get a christmas present for his girlfriend, he brought it over and low and behold it was the Meucci i gave to the boy who's mother said he was sick, guess he traded it for a ipod mini or whatever they are called, so i bought my old cue back for 75 dollars. this is very disheartening but at least i tried. i guess with all the technology available to kids today, pool just isn't what it was when i was growing up. i can remember saving every quarter i could find just so i knew i had enough to chuck in the old table at the Dairy Hut, i couldn't win a game against the older guys back then but i always had a pocket full of quarters and i couldn't wait till after school everyday to go there. now kids just want to get home so they can beat Zelda or whatever the new game this week is.

 

[chefjeff]

Yup, I think that's pretty crappy...

That's how it is at Mr. Cues II where we usually play...
Sucks for minors who are trying to learn the game...I know that's where I'd want to learn it!

It doesn't just suck for the minors wanting to learn the game, it sucks for all of us. Why would anyone want to open a pool hall when s/he can't even run the business as s/he wants to? Trans fats now; pool later. Just wait, the same excuse will be used soon to violently eliminate pool halls from cities. We are the enemy.

The govt-monopoly casinos have syphoned off most of the money and pissed it away on stupid govt programs, while a few elites have pocketed millions for their own families. Govt monopoly entertainment venues have done the same. So have govt monopoly sports venues. So have govt monopoly zoning laws. Liquor licenses, taxes, smoking regs, parking laws, food laws, truancy laws, etc etc etc smash pool's chances. Pool has suffered from these and will continue to suffer as the control-feaks do their thing.

Stop supporting those who hurt us!

Jeff Livingston

 

[Snapshot9]

Pool ...

I think it is on the downswing. Leagues have overplayed their hand with the participation and handicapping cards. All the best players have or are dropping out of leagues because it is just not worth it ... too many hassles, from beginners you have to tell the same rule 2300 times to, the delays in playing, the over handicapping, the drunks, the league operators that try to rip off the league in one way or another, and places that don't maintain good equipment.

Good paying tournaments are fewer in number. Money games don't exist like they used to (partly because of the National and Local Economies), restricting laws for Pool owners. Too many Pool owners crossing over to other areas, which might initially attract, but eventually dies out again.

 

[ez2h8]

Mr. Cue's II is a nice place. I miss playing in the back before they instituted a "premium" fee. Well that was a couple or more years ago, but I would make the trip down from Lawrenceville for a night of true pool pleasure.

My college had a huge pool room with a local old timer/pro running it to "teach" pool. The school wouldn't give him a elective/PE class to hold like our rival school, but he did get a consistant group of us to show up for lessons and cheap pool on flawless GC's for $2.25 an hour. I spent every non class minute in the hall, did homework, studied and had some great times and friends were made in the college pool room. I think it's gone now since they rebuilt the student center.

Ironhead_79. That is a really nice offer you made the two boys and it's a shame there turned around and sold the cue's. I was given an old brunswick customs cue from my uncle when my father wouldn't buy me a nice cue back in my mid teeens and I still have the cue. Played with it at college all the time. I had a few older guys take me under their wings and actually still do up until recently. Bill Stover was one of them before he passed away. I think you did a wonderful thing and should be complimented for it. Even if the compliment doesn't come from the kids you spent time with.

ez

 

[MrLucky]

Leagues on the downswing ..........

I think it is on the downswing. Leagues have overplayed their hand with the participation and handicapping cards. All the best players have or are dropping out of leagues because it is just not worth it ... too many hassles, from beginners you have to tell the same rule 2300 times to, the delays in playing, the over handicapping, the drunks, the league operators that try to rip off the league in one way or another, and places that don't maintain good equipment.

Good paying tournaments are fewer in number. Money games don't exist like they used to (partly because of the National and Local Economies), restricting laws for Pool owners. Too many Pool owners crossing over to other areas, which might initially attract, but eventually dies out again.

I don't see this decrease you mention! the APA is growing by leaps and bounds every year! Now as far as local tournaments you are right on! In Atlanta in the 80's through mid 90's every bar had a tournament or two each week! now there are 1 or 2 altogether

 

[macaframa]

You folks just got the new Cadillac Island Casino over there which holds monthly $1000 tournaments. Are they getting filled? Who runs the tournaments?

They had one tourny with a full field back in november Jeff Jackson and Dave Schnieder are running the tournies now but we just had an open 9ball tourny and only had 32 players with 1000 added and yet to have a good open field in an open tourny here. But this is not why I started this thread I'm just wondering where the future players are going to come from because i'm 28 and I don't see a lot of younger players than me getting involved in the game anymore.

 

[cuetechasaurus]

I don't see this decrease you mention! the APA is growing by leaps and bounds every year! Now as far as local tournaments you are right on! In Atlanta in the 80's through mid 90's every bar had a tournament or two each week! now there are 1 or 2 altogether

The APA is the worst league in the world. Its complete garbage. It promotes sandbagging and penalizes players for getting better. If you are an honest player in the APA, and your handicap keeps going up, all of a sudden you can't play anymore because your rating is too high and they can't put your rating in a combined score of 23. That's why almost every team has at least one or two sandbaggers. And if you say "that's not true!" you arent looking close enough. Join the APA if you dont want to get any better at pool, and are just out for drinking and arguing about how many deadballs there were in a rack of 9ball. ::shudders at the stupidity of it::

 

[ez2h8]

The APA is the worst league in the world. Its complete garbage. It promotes sandbagging and penalizes players for getting better. If you are an honest player in the APA, and your handicap keeps going up, all of a sudden you can't play anymore because your rating is too high and they can't put your rating in a combined score of 23. That's why almost every team has at least one or two sandbaggers. And if you say "that's not true!" you arent looking close enough. Join the APA if you dont want to get any better at pool, and are just out for drinking and arguing about how many deadballs there were in a rack of 9ball. ::shudders at the stupidity of it::

Don't mean to change the subject, but "Tap, Tap" to the above.

I know another popular league where the 4's are stronger players then the 6's and 7's. They call it "strategy", not sandbagging and if you let your rank get above a 5, you pretty much shot yourself in the foot trying to get on any playoff bound team.

ez

 

[randyg]

The APA is the worst league in the world. Its complete garbage. It promotes sandbagging and penalizes players for getting better. If you are an honest player in the APA, and your handicap keeps going up, all of a sudden you can't play anymore because your rating is too high and they can't put your rating in a combined score of 23. That's why almost every team has at least one or two sandbaggers. And if you say "that's not true!" you arent looking close enough. Join the APA if you dont want to get any better at pool, and are just out for drinking and arguing about how many deadballs there were in a rack of 9ball. ::shudders at the stupidity of it::

WOW, what do you really think?....randyg

 

[pooltchr]

The APA is the worst league in the world. Its complete garbage. It promotes sandbagging and penalizes players for getting better. If you are an honest player in the APA, and your handicap keeps going up, all of a sudden you can't play anymore because your rating is too high and they can't put your rating in a combined score of 23. That's why almost every team has at least one or two sandbaggers. And if you say "that's not true!" you arent looking close enough. Join the APA if you dont want to get any better at pool, and are just out for drinking and arguing about how many deadballs there were in a rack of 9ball. ::shudders at the stupidity of it::

I really get tired of hearing this bashing of the APA. The league is designed for average players who still enjoy playing the game for the pure enjoyment. If you are too good to play in the APA, then don't play. To say "join the APA if you don't want to get any better" is totally out of line. If you don't want to get any better, then don't play at all! What's the use??? League play offers competition to those average players who may not be at the level of players such as yourself.

As for sandbagging, yes it happens. Usually by players who are actually afraid that if their handicap goes up, they might not win as many matches. They want the edge so they can be a big fish in a little pond.

The APA isn't designed for top level players. It's an amateur league for average players. But their membership numbers tell me there are a lot more of "them" out there than there are players of your high skill level. If it's not for you, fine! For many, it's a great way to go out, play pool with friends, and test their skill level.

Oh, yeah. Most of the APA players I have observed have actually improved by playing in the league. I think it is a great organization to build awareness in the game among players who won't go out an play in tournaments, or aren't interested in gambling.

Steve