We were talking on another thread about how interest in the Reno Open had gone downhill for pro level participants, but coupled with the economy and what Indian Casinos in California have done to the gambling business in Reno, I suspect the Sands Regency Casino may be on its last legs too. I had to cancel the trip this time up there myself, but in viewing the live stream by Mike of AZB, the bleacher seats appeared to be very sparsely occupied, more so than ever before......Can anyone who was/is up there confirm that attendance was very much down?
Is the RENO OPEN dying?
- Thread starter wahcheck
- Start date
Being that this year was my first year of attendance, I can not answer your questions. But, I would like to hear others opinions on this topic.
I plan to attend next year!!
Russ......
I plan to attend next year!!
Russ......
Not sure what you meant by "down the road" since The Mosconi Cup was(is) played in Malta this year... about as far from Vegas as possible
. I thought 167 entries was pretty good, but this is not a tournament that I have really followed in the past. How many were there last year? What as the highest number of enties?
. I thought 167 entries was pretty good, but this is not a tournament that I have really followed in the past. How many were there last year? What as the highest number of enties?
I dont think its just the Reno open being affected by the economy its all pool productions. Is it because of the economy? Partly IMO, however, its also because pool hasnt changed to keep up with the wants and needs of the mainstream public. Many of us die hard pool fans will watch no matter what happens but for the SPORT yes sport, to grow, it must be treated as a sport and respected as one as well............it is not by most americans.
Why is that the case? Again, IMO, it starts with players wanting to market themselves as a business and in a professional manner. Most are not. Is it entirely the players burden? NO! Again IMO, there has never truly been one organization that has been in place that was there for the SPORT and players. Many organizations exist but are they working together to market the sport as a sport or for their own gain? Are they doing what the mainstream public wants or are they ignoring this and doing what they think is best based on their knowledge of the sport and is that knowledge enough to make such decisions? Obviously something isnt working yet there are no changes. There are organizations that wont even communicate on event dates thus the conflict with Reno and the Mosconi cup.....this is not only ridiculous, unprofessional and bad for the sport its embarrassing. When is someone finally going to get it and do what is best for the sport and its talent?
Until an organization steps up and actually protects the players and helps them to learn marketing techniques and helps them learn how to sell themselves in a business/professional manner...........pool will continue to be a 2nd class game, yes game not sport, to many americans............again this is my opinion and I understand many may not agree.
I do believe pool players must want more for themselves and try to make changes however, when you have to do whatever is necessary to make a living because payouts and sponsors are shrinking, can we really blame them? Has any one organization that is in business for the love of the game as they call it approach pool as a sport and protect its assets, the players, the talent?
Lets teach these folks how to run a business and help them market themselves. They cant do it alone and shouldnt have to as long as others are making money from their performances. That part at least should be provided to them free of charge. Anything else is up to the players to carry out and they either want it or dont. Many do and just dont know how to begin, what other sport has no support for their talent?
So the bottom line is professional level pool is considered a dying game in the USA and its very unfortunate that no one is stepping up to make noticeable changes necessary to have it viewed as a sport and marketed properly. If pool stays the same and doesnt change with the times and start to become more exciting to the mainstream folks, it will still be us same group of folks asking this same question in 5 years.
just one big opinion and yes Im having a rough day!!
Why is that the case? Again, IMO, it starts with players wanting to market themselves as a business and in a professional manner. Most are not. Is it entirely the players burden? NO! Again IMO, there has never truly been one organization that has been in place that was there for the SPORT and players. Many organizations exist but are they working together to market the sport as a sport or for their own gain? Are they doing what the mainstream public wants or are they ignoring this and doing what they think is best based on their knowledge of the sport and is that knowledge enough to make such decisions? Obviously something isnt working yet there are no changes. There are organizations that wont even communicate on event dates thus the conflict with Reno and the Mosconi cup.....this is not only ridiculous, unprofessional and bad for the sport its embarrassing. When is someone finally going to get it and do what is best for the sport and its talent?
Until an organization steps up and actually protects the players and helps them to learn marketing techniques and helps them learn how to sell themselves in a business/professional manner...........pool will continue to be a 2nd class game, yes game not sport, to many americans............again this is my opinion and I understand many may not agree.
I do believe pool players must want more for themselves and try to make changes however, when you have to do whatever is necessary to make a living because payouts and sponsors are shrinking, can we really blame them? Has any one organization that is in business for the love of the game as they call it approach pool as a sport and protect its assets, the players, the talent?
Lets teach these folks how to run a business and help them market themselves. They cant do it alone and shouldnt have to as long as others are making money from their performances. That part at least should be provided to them free of charge. Anything else is up to the players to carry out and they either want it or dont. Many do and just dont know how to begin, what other sport has no support for their talent?
So the bottom line is professional level pool is considered a dying game in the USA and its very unfortunate that no one is stepping up to make noticeable changes necessary to have it viewed as a sport and marketed properly. If pool stays the same and doesnt change with the times and start to become more exciting to the mainstream folks, it will still be us same group of folks asking this same question in 5 years.
just one big opinion and yes Im having a rough day!!
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Pool itself will never die
Pool as a profession may never be successful, but pool itself will live on.....people will always play pool, even if it's just bangers, because it's a fun game........... just not a spectator sport as others are..IMHO
miplayerstour said:
Pool as a profession may never be successful, but pool itself will live on.....people will always play pool, even if it's just bangers, because it's a fun game........... just not a spectator sport as others are..IMHO
I agree.............Im talking the higher level pool thats entertaining to watch and see on espn or in person. Professional pool is struggling and thats a sad thing to see.
There is so much talent and it shouldnt be struggling the way it is. If that dies out more than it has, Im afraid pool itself will be for fun in leagues only and rarely will we get to see the greatest players in the USA playing because they cannot make a living doing so. The face of pool will not be recognizable
There is so much talent and it shouldnt be struggling the way it is. If that dies out more than it has, Im afraid pool itself will be for fun in leagues only and rarely will we get to see the greatest players in the USA playing because they cannot make a living doing so. The face of pool will not be recognizable
miplayerstour said:
Just an FYI, two of the larger casino's in Reno had huge layoff's this past week. One of them was a friend of ours, who was a high level marketing manager.
The reason for the layoff was the lack of customers in the seat in the casino's.
This is due to the economy, Las Vegas is also feeling the pinch right now.
Gunn_Slinger said:
You're right, it's not just Reno that's hurting right now, I've heard the Harrah's is on the verge of filing for Chapter 11 and some ot the other major casinos on the strip are in serious trouble as well. I think Vegas will recover, but Reno is pretty much dead as a gambling town. Fitgeralds just locked it's doors and others will soon follow.
I blame Poker... Seems like everytime I run into a former regular player and ask " hey bro, where you been hiding?" him: "been playing poker" me: online? casino? small game at a buddy's??? him: yes!
personally i HATE poker and I don't care if it does take skill and there's a bunch of money to be made ( for a few ).
and people say 1 pocket is boring... At least you get to move. sitting at a table for hours trying to convince everybody that you know what they have is a total beating for me. I know alot of AZ'ers play poker and that's cool, but I think it has dealt a HUGE blow to pool IMO
personally i HATE poker and I don't care if it does take skill and there's a bunch of money to be made ( for a few ).
and people say 1 pocket is boring... At least you get to move. sitting at a table for hours trying to convince everybody that you know what they have is a total beating for me. I know alot of AZ'ers play poker and that's cool, but I think it has dealt a HUGE blow to pool IMO
didn't really think about that but you are right... I've noticed there seems to be fewer and fewer guys that stake players (at least around here). Some of it may be poker, but I know several that just got fed up with getting cut up....
From previous experience
Sunday is normally the slowest day spectator wise. People head home after being there for a week. Also a major snow storm was approaching the Reno area, and it is hell trying to get out of there if they close the roads. I am sure many people got the hell out of there Sat. I know I would have if I had to be back to work.
wahcheck said:
Sunday is normally the slowest day spectator wise. People head home after being there for a week. Also a major snow storm was approaching the Reno area, and it is hell trying to get out of there if they close the roads. I am sure many people got the hell out of there Sat. I know I would have if I had to be back to work.
wahcheck said:
I was there and have been there for for many years. There were actually more players this year than there were last year. I think the economy and the Indian Casinos are hurting Reno, but it shows more in the spectator attendance than it does with the players.
This has always been a great event and continues to be. Almost all of the top American players (minus the Mosconi Cup team) where in attendance and the level of play was very high. Flyers for the Reno Open #47 in December 2009 were already available so people can make theie plans now to be in Reno December 2009.
wahcheck said:
The Reno Open does not appear to be designed as a spectator event. It is a participatory event, where they are try to use pool as the excuse to go to the casino for the players.
I found it interesting that the tourney room was closed early opening night. Perhaps because people just arriving still had $$$ in their pocket, so they were trying to steer their $$$ to the casino by closing the pool room?
wahcheck said:
Go Reno Tahoe!
Never Count Us Out!
:dance:
wahcheck said:
Yes to Thurs & Fri, but I think Saturday they had to move/pack up tables for the finals day.
Monday is the night I was mentioning.