Is pool future getting better or worse?

[PKM]

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

I could see why people would get annoyed by sandbagging, but I agree with your perspective. For me, it is my first taste of competition and is definitely motivating me to learn the game. It's fun but I take the matches seriously, as do most of the people I've come across. Probably too much so -- I hate to lose!

 

[ioCross]

well i guess i can chime in because im consitered the "next generation". I've only been playing for a few years, and i pretty much know every player in the state. That's not ment to be said in an egotistical way, it's just said to show how small the pool scene is these days. It's funny to me because to the locals me and my friends are consitered the "players" when all we are doing is imitating what we saw the real players do when we first fell in love with the sport. I think it has to do with upbringing. We have no desire to play in leagues. At one point, early in our introduction to the wonderful world of pocket billiards we witnessed something so beautiful, so tremendous, it changed our lives forever. For me it was a beautiful 3 rack run, followed by someone taking a stack about an inch thick from the top of the lights. stuff like that can be very damaging to an impressionable youth. im sure everyone who plays pool seriously can attest to a similar story.
I dont know if it was because of the lack of tournerments in the late 90's and early 2000's but the players in my age group seem to idolize a different type of player. More people want to be Jerry Slivka and Steve Moore more than Archer or Parica. They think more of month long road trips than regional tournerments.., the concept of playing thier heart out to maybe get a few thousand and some local coverage and ruin thier action in a neighboring state seems rediculous to them. And now after the whole IPT fiasco, there's even less of a reason for people that are learning to play to want to go down the tournerment trail.

I dont see pool completely dying off at all tho. In the late 50's tournerment pool was virtually dead until the jansco brothers decided to hold a small tournerment. Hopefully in a few years (not too many) we'll see a renessance of sorts.

 

[jay helfert]

I'm impressed that ioCross knows about the Jansco brothers and Johnston City.

Pool has always run in cycles during my lifetime. It has periods of boom and then it falls into a slow decline. It boomed in the 60's following "The Hustler". Leveled off in the 70's and boomed again in the 80's following "The Color Of Money". Thank God for Walter Tevis and Paul Newman.

In the 60's, it was all about "family billiard rooms". In the 80's we saw the advent of the "upscale" poolroom/sports bar. Pool finally became an acceptable pastime, enjoyed by the masses.

Pool will always be around. It is too great a game to die. I have also seen the booming popularity in Asia. It's huge there now and getting bigger. Probably more people are actively playing Pool worldwide now than ever before. It may be the second most participated sport on the planet after Soccer/football.

A good poolroom can still be a viable business, if run properly. And Pool will probably "boom" again in this country. It seems to have a lot of resilency. Right now, the USA as a whole is in decline for reasons I prefer not to discuss on this Forum. Most of you are intelligent enough to understand this, and the reasons why.

 

[X Breaker]

I'm impressed that ioCross knows about the Jansco brothers and Johnston City.

Pool has always run in cycles during my lifetime. It has periods of boom and then it falls into a slow decline. It boomed in the 60's following "The Hustler". Leveled off in the 70's and boomed again in the 80's following "The Color Of Money". Thank God for Walter Tevis and Paul Newman.

In the 60's, it was all about "family billiard rooms". In the 80's we saw the advent of the "upscale" poolroom/sports bar. Pool finally became an acceptable pastime, enjoyed by the masses.

Pool will always be around. It is too great a game to die. I have also seen the booming popularity in Asia. It's huge there now and getting bigger. Probably more people are actively playing Pool worldwide now than ever before. It may be the second most participated sport on the planet after Soccer/football.

A good poolroom can still be a viable business, if run properly. And Pool will probably "boom" again in this country. It seems to have a lot of resilency. Right now, the USA as a whole is in decline for reasons I prefer not to discuss on this Forum. Most of you are intelligent enough to understand this, and the reasons why.

Jay,
A new pool movie is in the making in Japan. It may take some time before it is finished. It is going to be a Japanese movie with the story taking place in Taiwan. In other words, the first all Asian pool movie.
Richard

 

[Pinocchio]

???????????

Pool looks like its okay in Kentucky. I had Landon Shuffet down 4 to 1
an lost 5 to 4. That was fri. night. Now I don't claim to be a pool player
but I guarantee you this 13 yr. old is. Myself being 62 I'm just glad he didn't beat me 5 to zip. Good playing Landon!!!!!!!!!!
Pinocchio

 

[stan shuffett]

Pinocchio,
Landon has declared you a true gentleman. I got my 4 to 1 whipping by Landon yesterday...........
Four sets to my one. Landon took the day off and I have practiced off and on all day. Landon is mine tomorrow.
By the way Landon won the tourney on Friday. And just for the record, he will turn 13 next summer.
Happy Holidays!
Stan

 

[Pinocchio]

Stan!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats to Landon!!!!!!! Looked like he was gaining momentum before
I left, he ran out from everywhere on David. I'll be checking him out at
DCC an be one of his biggest fans.
Pinocchio

 

[StormHotRod300]

From what I see in my town, Its kinda 50/50 we have young kids who are in thier teens to early 20's who love to play, but either are bangers and think they are the shyt, or they are decent, but dont play anyone to get any better.

The other problem is these same kids, want to gamble, but always ask for huge amounts of weight, when it isnt needed.

The only league in my town is APA, and even that seems to be fading, the place I shoot at on weds has a whooping 6 teams! But you can also be 18yrs old and play too. The other pool hall which has a bar, has 20 or so teams in two divisions, the big reason it has more teams is because of the alcohol and it has Diamond tables.

As for tournaments, the only place that gets any type of showing for a tournament is the place i shoot @ on weds. They hold a 1$ & 2$ 9ball tourny on monday, and tuesday they have a 1$ short rack 8ball and then a 2$ 9ball tourny after that. Thursday they have a 5$ 9ball tourny and friday they have a 12$ 9ball tourny on 9fts.

while the mon and tuesday tournys if you call them that seem to get 20-32 players the thurs/fri tournys maybe get 16 if they are lucky. The reason is because the kids who play in these are so cheap! and the owner has allowed it to go on, because as she said " well they probably only come in with maybe 5$ in thier pocket"

Well if thats all they come with in thier pockets then they should get a freakin JOB!!!!!!!! Plus she would also let people show up late too, sometimes upto 30mins or more. I tried telling her to raise up the prices, because, these people have no other place to play in a tournament so, they are stuck with either paying the fee or nothing.

The other thing i see is that the people in my area hardly travel outa town so they have no idea what real pool is about. I've had several people laugh or snicker about when i bring my own set of pool balls in to play with, and its because the places in my town if your lucky only clean the sets 1 or 2 times a week.

I've even had guys tell me they dont like it when they play with a clean set of pool balls, because they roll to FAR!!!!!! and play to fast!!!!!!!!!! I mean who in the hell says this crap?

Every place I have gone to outa town has clean sets and clean tables!!! Its like I get pamper'd when traveling outa town. Now my other experience with traveling out of town is that guys are not afraid of actually dropping money! so they can gamble.

I've also gone to plenty of tournaments most handicapped ones and you see guys who are rated 3's or 4's dropping thier 10-20$ entry fee + calcutta just to play.

I think in the bigger cities the pool scene is still going strong, its just the smaller cities, where it comes n goes. And you see guys get the bug, but they hit a level and just cant seem to get any better so they tend to play less n less.

just my 2cents,

 

[JAM]

...I think in the bigger cities, the pool scene is still going strong. It's just the smaller cities, where it comes and goes. And you see guys get the bug, but they hit a level and just can't seem to get any better so they tend to play less and less....

In my neck of the woods, StormHotRod300, the majority of pool activities are leagues, bar bangers, and social shooters. I would venture to guess that the pool rooms that do receive the highest income in my area are the sports lounges with a TV in every corner of the room, loud music, and video games.

What is a pool room in the year of 2006? In my heyday, I longed to enter a billiard parlor with comfortable seats for sweating a menagerie of players at all levels who enjoyed games of stake. Speaking as a railbird, when I "hang out" in a pool room, I enjoy watching players battle it out on a field of green. Whether I am involved in the match-up on the sidelines or just checking out the action, I could sit there for quite a spell. The hours go by like minutes.

Pool rooms in my area today are businesses aimed at attracting the masses which for pool consists of recreational players. It may be different down South, but in the D.C. area, the pool rooms aren't the kind of pool rooms I enjoy hanging out in. They are, without a doubt, singles bars, sports lounges, and in some instances, entertainment centers with live music and dancing. Pool is on the back burner when it comes to income for these businesses.

Not only are pool rooms diminishing, but, as I have said before, the existing lot of professional and aspiring professional players in the United States is dwindling because of economics, pure and simple. They are, IMHO, not only a rare breed, but they are exctinct. Here in America, there has NEVER been a real-time LIVE pool match broadcast -- at least that I know of.

I have been watching the bowling industry in recent times. The audiences are hyped up and electrified. The bowlers have patches on their shirts from non-pool-related spnosors. Will pool ever gain the popularity of bowling in the States? I think not at this juncture. I do hope I am wrong, but if the past 5 years are any example of what the future holds for pool, it don't look good, folks. JMHO, FWIW!

JAM

 

[JAM]

Pinocchio,
Landon has declared you a true gentleman. I got my 4 to 1 whipping by Landon yesterday...........
Four sets to my one. Landon took the day off and I have practiced off and on all day. Landon is mine tomorrow.
By the way Landon won the tourney on Friday. And just for the record, he will turn 13 next summer.
Happy Holidays!
Stan

You must be so very proud of Landon. What a kid! An American champion in the making.

I do believe that some players are gifted. Landon, by all accounts, seems to have acquired this gift. His future is anybody's guess, but I gotta hunch that he hasn't even fully blossomed yet. When he does hit his peak game, I look forward to reading his name in the headlines because, without a doubt, he's going to get there.

Congratulations to Landon! I hope to meet you two again on the tournament trail someday, and when I do, I just may have to get me an autograph and a picture!

JAM

 

[stan shuffett]

JAM, Something's there with Landon, maybe just the hard work. But I keep observing 2 things. 1. Landon has a free stroking arm. 2. Landon is comfortable in competition even with the pros. I will throw one more in....Landon is just a great kid.

Landon's future....more play as a junior and then it's on to college. Who knows from there!

JAM, name it and it's yours. How about a signed cueball with tv shows/dates and a picture? Only 2 of those cueballs out there.

Happy Holidays to you and Keith!

Stan

 

[JAM]

JAM, Something's there with Landon, maybe just the hard work. But I keep observing 2 things. 1. Landon has a free stroking arm. 2. Landon is comfortable in competition even with the pros. I will throw one more in....Landon is just a great kid.

Landon's future....more play as a junior and then it's on to college. Who knows from there!

JAM, name it and it's yours. How about a signed cueball with tv shows/dates and a picture? Only 2 of those cueballs out there.

Happy Hoidays to you and Keith!

Same to you, Stan. I hope this coming year is a good one for pool folk. Last year was at an all-time high, and then it's like somebody stuck a pin in the balloon, at least in my pool world.

If we are fortunate enough to travel to Louisville next month and if I can manage to get a dinner break in the action-filled week-long event (LOL), it would be my pleasure to treat you and Landon to dinner. I know there are some GREAT restaurants in the area, and since we will be driving from D.C., we will have wheels. And bring that cue-ball for sure!

JAM

 

[stan shuffett]

JAM, Landon and I would be honored. See you all at DCC. Stan

 

[cuetechasaurus]

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

Yeah, whatever. The only reason you support the APA is probably because you give lessons to a whole bunch of them and make money off it. Don't bullshit yourself, you know what kind of crap the APA promotes. It creates a bunch of nits. You are sick and tired of people bashing the APA? I'm sick and tired of what the APA turns players into- sandbagging crybabies. The league is all politics and manipulation. Its complete garbage.

 

[Da Poet]

Yeah, whatever. The only reason you support the APA is probably because you give lessons to a whole bunch of them and make money off it. Don't bullshit yourself, you know what kind of crap the APA promotes. It creates a bunch of nits. You are sick and tired of people bashing the APA? I'm sick and tired of what the APA turns players into- sandbagging crybabies. The league is all politics and manipulation. Its complete garbage.

It's too bad you feel this way. I really enjoy getting together with my friends, having a few drinks, shooting a little pool. Bars and pool halls here in Chicago greatly benefit from the extra business the APA brings and the format encourages all levels of players to mix it up. Around here, it's a pretty decent social opportunity.

For those that are more serious players, then there are tournaments available that may more suit their preference. Folks taking any handicapped competition too seriously, especially if most everyone is drinking, is usually the problem more than the APA itself. The APA, or really any league is overall a postive for pool.

Everyone's gotta start somewhere!

 

[pooltchr]

Yeah, whatever. The only reason you support the APA is probably because you give lessons to a whole bunch of them and make money off it. Don't bullshit yourself, you know what kind of crap the APA promotes. It creates a bunch of nits. You are sick and tired of people bashing the APA? I'm sick and tired of what the APA turns players into- sandbagging crybabies. The league is all politics and manipulation. Its complete garbage.

I wonder how many pool rooms would have to close their doors were it not for league nights...

Steve

 

[ez2h8]

It's too bad you feel this way. I really enjoy getting together with my friends, having a few drinks, shooting a little pool. Bars and pool halls here in Chicago greatly benefit from the extra business the APA brings and the format encourages all levels of players to mix it up. Around here, it's a pretty decent social opportunity.

For those that are more serious players, then there are tournaments available that may more suit their preference. Folks taking any handicapped competition too seriously, especially if most everyone is drinking, is usually the problem more than the APA itself. The APA, or really any league is overall a postive for pool.

Everyone's gotta start somewhere!

I respect and see both points of view, but Da Poet's above is well said. Pool league's can produce wacky players due to the rules and handicapping/sandbagging, especially new players starting up for the first time. But there should be other tourny's and events for established or experienced players to participate in verses critizing a league. I am not a fan of the local league here for similiar reasons, but I also know where to go for more seasoned pool play. No disrespect to the league's. They run a business and cater to a certain caliber of player and no disrespect to league players as it can be a fun and memorable experience (pool and socialable) if you allow it.
ez