Isn’t pool supposed to be dead?

mdc said:
Walked in to this place near my apartment 10pm Tuesday night, not one table available. I used to work at a pool hall when I was younger (back in the 90s). We had about the same number of tables as this place, ~20-25. We were never this busy on a week night. Is it booze? We didn’t serve alcohol. 🤷‍♂️ Was told it was league night so about half the tables were reserved for them. Came in last night also and it was the same.View attachment 887203
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It for sure isn't dead in Tampa Bay. I was at Brewlands in Clearwater last week, and every table ( about 18 7' Diamonds and 11 9' Diamonds) were in use. All the small tables were used by leagues. I had estimated well over 100 players.

I have about 12 pool halls within 30 minute drive of me that have at least eight 9' tables. Maybe one of them is hurting, but the rest are thriving. And there are several more if I widen my circle to 45-60 minutes that I'm not even counting.
 
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jalapus logan said:
Yes, pool is dead. There were only 11,000 or so players in Vegas last week. That's merely enough to populate a small down. And Griff's didn't have a table to rent nor could I sign up for the tournament because it was booked. Might as well take up disc golf.😜
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Ha! We got lucky. We are at Griff's this past Sunday during the US Open 10-ball, and my buddy put his name up and got a table within a couple of minutes. I ended up playing more pool on a 7' Diamond than I have in 8 years!!!
 
Cornerman said:
Ha! We got lucky. We are at Griff's this past Sunday during the US Open 10-ball, and my buddy put his name up and got a table within a couple of minutes. I ended up playing more pool on a 7' Diamond than I have in 8 years!!!
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That's awesome. I was there on Friday night. Got to watch Oscar D play a huge 10 ball set with that Dutch phenom. Man, that kid is gonna snap of something major soon I do believe. Wish I would've had the opportunity to meet ya in person my friend. Cheers.
 
jalapus logan said:
That's awesome. I was there on Friday night. Got to watch Oscar D play a huge 10 ball set with that Dutch phenom. Man, that kid is gonna snap of something major soon I do believe. Wish I would've had the opportunity to meet ya in person my friend. Cheers.
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I didnt plan on going, but woke up and just did it.

I read about Oscar’s set.
 
JasonATX said:
I need to go back to the Grand. I love that place. I played an 8 ball league there a while back. Betsy's is great, but way too far South as is the Warehouse.

If you haven't and can handle smoking, make it up to Skinny Bob's. They have tournaments every day outside of Wednesdays and Thursdays.
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Thanks for the info. The Smoking atmosphere would make me very ill though. Not sure if I could handle it. I still really want to go sometime though. Heard about the really strong tournaments there. Would love to meet, and play a few of the 700 level players that hang around up there.

The hourly rates at the Warehouse are pretty insane, in my opinion, at $14 an hour. Even in the day time. They do have a Snooker table though, which is super cool, and I think they have free pool on Mondays. I forget the free pool day, but was thinking maybe Mondays. Seems to be a College kid hang out there, and no serious players there.

Betsy's is awesome though. But, all their tables are 8 foot Diamonds. Simonis cloth though, I believe. Wish they had a mix of 9 foots and Bar tables.
 
vintagecollectibles831 said:
Thanks for the info. The Smoking atmosphere would make me very ill though. Not sure if I could handle it. I still really want to go sometime though. Heard about the really strong tournaments there. Would love to meet, and play a few of the 700 level players that hang around up there.
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There is no smoking there during the weeks of the 9 and 10 ball opens, so that might be the time to go if smoking bothers you. I heard a rumor that this happened because SVB said he wouldn't be back if it smoking was allowed. I could find out for sure, but honestly? I like the rumor.

As far as rates go, $12 or 13 flat rate is pretty standard up North. However., it's all 8ft tables and almost all Diamonds outside of Skinny Bob's. I think Shooter's on 620 is still rocking Brunswicks or Olhausens, but their cloth was terrible the last time I was there.
 
mdc said:
Walked in to this place near my apartment 10pm Tuesday night, not one table available. I used to work at a pool hall when I was younger (back in the 90s). We had about the same number of tables as this place, ~20-25. We were never this busy on a week night. Is it booze? We didn’t serve alcohol. 🤷‍♂️ Was told it was league night so about half the tables were reserved for them. Came in last night also and it was the same.View attachment 887203
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Pool does seem to be on a bit of an upswing for our pool room, as we’ve been open 30 years. Most of that increase being from pure recreational and beginner level players. Our hourly rates are very reasonable, which I attribute as part of the reason for increased play, as compared to alternative entertainment options, especially for younger players.
 
I live in Midcoast Maine, in a city of 6,800 people. There's a pool hall that opened up 3 years ago - barely hanging on. 8 beautiful 9' Diamond tables. With APA leagues, weekly tournaments, and now 4 individual Pool Hall-initiated leagues (8 & 9 ball, tier 1 and tier 2), you have to reserve a table a few days in advance if you want to play.
Most players are between 20 and 30, and then there are the old geezers like me (62).
Great to see. I just want them to be successful.
 
if you buy good tables, people will come. We had 30 players for the 9 ball weekly tournament last night. The rest of the pool hall was also full. I guess it was a good night for the owner. I finished 2nd so a good night for me too.
 
dtroup64 said:
I live in Midcoast Maine, in a city of 6,800 people. There's a pool hall that opened up 3 years ago - barely hanging on. 8 beautiful 9' Diamond tables. With APA leagues, weekly tournaments, and now 4 individual Pool Hall-initiated leagues (8 & 9 ball, tier 1 and tier 2), you have to reserve a table a few days in advance if you want to play.
Most players are between 20 and 30, and then there are the old geezers like me (62).
Great to see. I just want them to be successful.
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If it's always full, what's wrong w//the business model that means they're barely hanging on?
Surely they're not trying to make a go of it on table time alone?
 
At my local room . Saturday @ 1pm. 11-9’ tables and 6-7’ all full. Some old dogs some younger humans, all enjoying poking balls with sticks. In my home town at least, it is not dead. Now to play some grandpa!
 
in my area, it's not the typical old pool room vibe anymore. but what I've noticed is that the pool rooms sprouted like mushrooms compared to 15 years ago where there weren't much places and people to play at. it's not dead, but it's different. the typical old retiree are always there enjoying themselves.
 
Hail Mary Shot said:
in my area, it's not the typical old pool room vibe anymore. but what I've noticed is that the pool rooms sprouted like mushrooms compared to 15 years ago where there weren't much places and people to play at. it's not dead, but it's different. the typical old retiree are always there enjoying themselves.
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If pool doesn't become a menace once the markets crash, then it was dead.
 
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