Lets bring pool back to the glory days

[336Robin]

Pool is supposed to be fun and Social

If you are going to bring Pool back to greatness it needs to be great.

Great constitutes Social.

Watching a local match is Social. Have a place for people to sit and watch. Make it a long set, it doesnt have to be about gambling either.

Promoting the play is a big key and let people play even if they line up to play the winners.

Make it fun people will notice.

 

[KRJ]

Boy RJ, you are a real bear for punishment aren't you ?..You may be the only person in the world, who goes to that extreme, and tortures his body, for pure 'love of ANY game' ???..Also, If you don't think there are ALL forms of gambling, on ALL sports, you are one very naive individual !..Millions (maybe billions) are wagered, every day

And, Poker is just as much a sport as pool is, when it comes to mano a mano gambling, or tournament competition !..You need to open your eyes to what is reality, and what is 'love of the game' !..Please be careful and don't put yourself out of commission before you reach middle age !

PS..There are a way more people than you think, who (like me) would rather bet a "damn C-note", than play funsie leagues, just to get out of the house, and have a beer, or win a trophy !..I wonder what your heroes, Artie and Freddie would have thought of your mindset ?..(wanna bet a C-note on it ?)

Too late, I'm out of commission and have officially retired from baseball at 52. Third knee surgery within the last year is planned for summer. Put the fork in, I'm done
And no, I'm not the only one, the MSBL is a national amateur baseball league and there are 100K folks that do that same thing. Add in softball leagues and you have another 200K to 300K guys still playing on one leg. Folks think pool is an addiction, ha, baseball players give them the 5 when it comes to being addicted to a sport.

Wrong, poker is a game, just like any other card game. Except gambling is allowed and warranted. And I would NOT ever play poker without gambling. Even the family all throw in a buck when we play Texas Hold'em But then again, I don't LOVE cards like I do pool, or baseball.

I think there are lots of gambling on sports, I don't need to open my eyes, did I say otherwise. but folks that play those games don't bet on it to make it more interesting, they play cause they love the game.

And I never said betting a c-note is less fun than league. C'mon Dick, read what I typed. I said, I get a little tired about hearing about "heart" because someone is willing to gamble, big whoop. There are sports betters than wager more money that the average pool hustler gambles. Big deal, lots of folks gamble, there are Casino's everywhere, it gives nobody any "heart".

Freddie and Artie grew up in the life of gambling for a living. But Artie was smart enough to realize the big money was in Vegas, not the pool room, and made his fortune on sports betting. He stopped playing pool once he made more money elsewhere.

 

[berko]

I'm reserving this space to point out that, in the future when pool has become more popular, you will be complaining about all these new players who dont know how to play. :grin:

 

[Tramp Steamer]

The glory is gone, my friends. Go to your local pool room and look around. Do you see any kids? Do you see groups of teenagers playing 8 ball for a quarter apiece? No, you do not. There is your future. The one that doesn't exist.
But, you say, leagues are forming all over the country. Things couldn't be better. Better my ass. Leagues are nothing more than bangers with a social agenda. They'll be playing pool one week, and then bowling the next while checking their smart phones to see which Kardashian is currently doing who knows what to who knows who.
It ain't there folks. :shakehead:

 

[336Robin]

Pool isnt gone but some of the owners are

The glory is gone, my friends. Go to your local pool room and look around. Do you see any kids? Do do see groups of teenagers playing 8 ball for a quarter apiece? No, you do not. There is your future. The one that doesn't exist.
But, you say, leagues are forming all over the country. Things couldn't be better. Better my ass. Leagues are nothing more than bangers with a social agenda. They'll be playing pool one week, and then bowling the next while checking their smart phones to see which Kardashian is currently doing who knows what to who knows who.
It ain't there folks. :shakehead:

Tramp Steamer,
I think that alcohol sales have in the past been an easy way to make buck so the owners forgot how to market their businesses.

Pool is bait if you know how to use it. If I were out on a limb for a million dollar room. I would figure out how to use it. Some of the old owners as they retire or go out will put room in the game for change.

 

[thall]

The glory is gone, my friends. Go to your local pool room and look around. Do you see any kids? Do do see groups of teenagers playing 8 ball for a quarter apiece? No, you do not. There is your future. The one that doesn't exist.
But, you say, leagues are forming all over the country. Things couldn't be better. Better my ass. Leagues are nothing more than bangers with a social agenda. They'll be playing pool one week, and then bowling the next while checking their smart phones to see which Kardashian is currently doing who knows what to who knows who.
It ain't there folks. :shakehead:

I agree its not there, thats what I'm talking about. Prime example. I'm at work one day and a buddy comes in and says you shoulda been over at the sports bar Friday night. I go why. He said this woman came in and beat every guy in the place at 9 ball. I said really, who was she. He said some tall lanky woman. He gets out his cell and calls one of his buddies that played her and asked him what was that woman's name. His buddy said her name was Karen Kohr. I'm like what, you big dummies, don't you guys know she a world class pool player that plays all over the world, they had never heard of her. I know if I had been there and saw her walk in I would have known right away who she was. Luckily for all the guys she played them all for fun. World class player and not a sole in the house knew her name, unreal..

 

[SJDinPHX]

Too late, I'm out of commission and have officially retired from baseball at 52. Third knee surgery within the last year is planned for summer. Put the fork in, I'm done <--But you do have some nice 'trophies' ! :wink: :wink: :wink:
And no, I'm not the only one, the MSBL is a national amateur baseball league and there are 100K folks that do that same thing. Add in softball leagues and you have another 200K to 300K guys still playing on one leg. <--So you're saying thats a sign of intelligence ???
...There are sports betters that wager more money that the average pool hustler gambles. Big deal, lots of folks gamble, there are Casino's everywhere, it gives nobody any "heart". <--????..Maybe not, but it does take a lot of 'balls' to shove your cash in there !

Freddie and Artie grew up in the life of gambling for a living. But Artie was smart enough to realize the big money was in Vegas, not the pool room, and made his fortune on sports betting. He stopped playing pool once he made more money elsewhere. <--Yada,yada,yada..same ol' same ol' !

So, do we have a bet, or not....(I'm guessing, 'NOT' ! )

 

[Pushout]

I agree its not there, thats what I'm talking about. Prime example. I'm at work one day and a buddy comes in and says you shoulda been over at the sports bar Friday night. I go why. He said this woman came in and beat every guy in the place at 9 ball. I said really, who was she. He said some tall lanky woman. He gets out his cell and calls one of his buddies that played her and asked him what was that woman's name. His buddy said her name was Karen Kohr. I'm like what, you big dummies, don't you guys know she a world class pool player that plays all over the world, they had never heard of her. I know if I had been there and saw her walk in I would have known right away who she was. Luckily for all the guys she played them all for fun. World class player and not a sole in the house knew her name, unreal..

I can identify with that! Some years back a guy I know personally opened a small room locally. His pool experience was mostly apa. When I mentioned, among others, Efren Reyes, he had no idea who I was talking about. He knew the former Nickie Benish but that was about it. Had no clue about running a room, either. Lasted about three years.

 

[KRJ]

So, do we have a bet, or not....(I'm guessing, 'NOT' ! )

Nope, just a sign of "heart", old ball players don't die, that just fade away. I know this is strange concept, but because Freddy was a family friend for 40 years, doesn't mean I always agree with him... that's allowed.

 

[ivicafranic]

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=395013

 

[GoldenFlash]

"Feeding hay to a dead horse"

I've thought very, very few posters have ever given the opinion that playing for money is what the game is all about. It's just the way some of us learned to play. My love of the game is as strong as anyone and stronger than many. It's just that anytime this comes up, and it has, many, many times over the 9 years I've been a member someone just has to make that kind of comment. There are a hell of a lot of people here who don't understand that it's not playing for money that brought about the death knell of pool. I'm glad the game at least seems to be flourishing in some places but it sure ain't in some others where it used to be a hotbed.

Don't the guys out on golf courses, either public or at country clubs bet money on their games every day?
All the movie stars, the sports figures, the musicians, even my own Presbyterian minister is out there somewhere every Saturday and Monday playing $20 Nassau with the Catholic priest at the church down the street.
Why is that such a big deal??
One of the reasons for it is that movies and tv shows have always portrayed the POOL ROOM as a spot for lowlifes, bums, and thugs.
And for the most part, they've been right. (just check out how many on this little forum get their jollies from re-hashing stories of how "so and so double dumped old so and so and then lost it all to a card sharp who was in with a drug dealer") And other sordid tales of 'grandeur'.
That image isn't going away....ever.

 

[SJDinPHX]

Nope, just a sign of "heart", old ball players don't die, that just fade away. I know this is strange concept, but because Freddy was a family friend for 40 years, doesn't mean I always agree with him... that's allowed.

Yes, it is a 'strange concept'..But, I think it ONLY makes sense in your world RJ. ...Why do you keep contradicting yourself ?..Is complete confusion, and muddled thoughts, just inbred in all Chicagoan's ? ..Freddy used to do that A LOT !...As for Artie, I'm not real sure anybody knew what he was trying to say..but he tried so hard to say it, everyone gave him a free pass !

 

[Push&Pool]

The glory is gone, my friends. Go to your local pool room and look around. Do you see any kids? Do do see groups of teenagers playing 8 ball for a quarter apiece? No, you do not. There is your future. The one that doesn't exist.
But, you say, leagues are forming all over the country. Things couldn't be better. Better my ass. Leagues are nothing more than bangers with a social agenda. They'll be playing pool one week, and then bowling the next while checking their smart phones to see which Kardashian is currently doing who knows what to who knows who.
It ain't there folks. :shakehead:

Oh, the kids are there, don't worry. Yes, 99.99% of them will grow up to become bangers, but they'll still play regularly, pay for their games and drink, buy cues and gear, the bars will keep buying tables, and with some luck leagues will grow and expand. Pool will live. Bringing it back to its old glory is another thing. But on an amateur level I think it's very much alive and it has a huge potential to prosper further.

 

[KRJ]

Yes, it is a 'strange concept'..But, I think it ONLY makes sense in your world RJ. ...Why do you keep contradicting yourself ?..Is complete confusion, and muddled thoughts, just inbred in all Chicagoan's ? ..Freddy used to do that A LOT !...As for Artie, I'm not real sure anybody knew what he was trying to say..but he tried so hard to say it, everyone gave him a free pass !

I never contradicted myself on anything. You should have spent more time in school learning how to read and write before you start with the insults. But, we know that's how you roll. Don't have the ability to discuss something back and forth, so the insults start coming and then you drag Freddy back into the conversation.... He's dead, let him be. What a spiteful, lonely old man you must be that you cannot leave the hate for Freddy alone even after death. Kinda pathetic.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Oh, the kids are there, don't worry. Yes, 99.99% of them will grow up to become bangers, but they'll still play regularly, pay for their games and drink, buy cues and gear, the bars will keep buying tables, and with some luck leagues will grow and expand. Pool will live. Bringing it back to its old glory is another thing. But on an amateur level I think it's very much alive and it has a huge potential to prosper further.

You forgot about the Kardashians.

 

[CJ Wiley]

more gambling on the golf courses in one year than in all the pool rooms

Don't the guys out on golf courses, either public or at country clubs bet money on their games every day?
All the movie stars, the sports figures, the musicians, even my own Presbyterian minister is out there somewhere every Saturday and Monday playing $20 Nassau with the Catholic priest at the church down the street.
Why is that such a big deal??
One of the reasons for it is that movies and tv shows have always portrayed the POOL ROOM as a spot for lowlifes, bums, and thugs.
And for the most part, they've been right. (just check out how many on this little forum get their jollies from re-hashing stories of how "so and so double dumped old so and so and then lost it all to a card sharp who was in with a drug dealer") And other sordid tales of 'grandeur'.
That image isn't going away....ever.

You make some great points....there's more gambling on the golf courses in one year than in all the pool rooms in the last 10 years.

 

[book collector]

There is a place and a need for leagues , fun players , money players, the whole gamut.
Lets face it , the game is so much harder than almost any other and it almost never rewards new players.{it seldom rewards any players, other than personal reward}
You have to be willing to put in a lot of time , take a lot of beatings and spend a sizeable amount of money to become proficient , and then there is no commensurate reward there either.
At hold em poker , people have become champions and millionaires straight out of uncle Joe's garage.
At golf , you do about the same thing as pool , it's a bit more expensive but if you become great at golf , you get paid off in millions.
The world has changed , in the 50s and 60s , for people of modest means , there was pool bowling, arcades drag races , stock cars and drive ins and that was mostly where you spent your free time.
So many people are all about being healthy and in great shape , so they bike and hike and run and do things outdoors, they don't want to be inside on a beautiful day like we used to do.
I don't know what the answer is and I'm not even sure there is one , leagues are supposed to be doing well , that's fine, I happen to hate them , but that's my problem.
I do believe the only thing that has a chance is for there to be big money involved, the way poker has done it.
People are watching bass fishing !!!!!! It pays big money , it costs a fortune to get involved in, what on Gods green earth is going on?
People watch 2 dysfunctional pawn shop families go at it and eat it up , they have people killing alligators by the hundreds , every kill is the same scenario , when does that get boring?
They have a Turtle Man that cleans out critters for 20 dollars and a pie wtf.
The worlds completely nuts.
We need to come up with something goofier than anything they ever thought of and resurrect pool to the Glory days.{not sure when that was , I've been playing in pool rooms since the mid 60s and it sure wasn't glorious here in Columbus Ohio until we had a huge drug dealer splashing money around for a couple of years while they put a case together against him.
How about a show about a carload of pool players traveling the country putting slugs in candy and pop machines, doing day labor when they go broke to get a bankroll together and then Bubby {the best player} dogs the nine straight in for the rent.
Then they all get girlfriends who are waitresses at Dennys and have 1.4 kids each and they live with them a while and get a big bag of smoke so they can come up with the " "plan" and they see this old doofus in a Lincoln Town car, wearing enough diamonds and gold on his fingers to start a jewelry store and decide to "hustle" him.
They follow him and he owns a little restaurant in the middle of nowhere and when they go in , lo and behold theres a pool table in the back.
Oh Happy Day!
They act like they can't play and get the old man betting it up pretty good and fire all their money at him , come on payday.
Alas, the guys name is Bud Heist and he forgets to miss a ball the rest of the time they are in town.
All characters in this story are fictional , even if you think you might know who they are

 

[thehoneybadger]

Someone start a kickstart fund for "High Stakes" or "High Pressure Pool" something where the crowd is a factor. Not just sitting there like a bunch of lumps on a log unsure if they should clap/cheer after a good shot or safe. Mic up the players and make it so everyone can hear them and tell them to explain what they were going for after a miss and what they were trying to do with the cue. Have them wear cameras off one ear and and call Next shot! ha Get a beer company to back it along with Diamond and Ob, have a undercard match and a main event. Money and Trophies or gold Bracelets stacked on a table, just in view of the players and cameras. Backround stories on players and match/tourney history. Meet and greets before or after the match with merch and autograph signings and pictures with "legends". Have the cameras follow them for a week before their match to see haw they practice/prepare/train for a big match, Gotta spend money to make money. Super Troopers 2 got over 2 Mil in one day from some sort of kick start program by selling time with the cast and props and time in the movie. Sell spots in a pool commercial or lessons or lunch with a player and time on tv or advertising spots. Start with a smaller network like ESPN :grin:

 

[336Robin]

Done from the Room Owner

Book Collector,
When it comes right down to it in my mind The Pool Room Owner is the center of the Pool Universe.

If it gets done in pool, its he that either does it, or supports it.

All the other organizations in Pool mine off of his efforts in some way and fashion except a grassroots youth program.

While league numbers are up nationwide, the numbers of rooms are down and half of the wholesalers are gone or struggling and Pool on the amateur level belongs to no one we have no body that cares enough about Amateur Pool and the acquisition of New Players to do anything about it in a meaningful way for Room Owners.

The problem is at the bottom and is affecting the Top. Until we start fixing the bottom end there will still be pockets of activity butt thats surrounding a room that has business and thats about it.

No one knows about Pool anymore in the US unlike 20 yrs ago. We have a serious branding issue. No one wants their son or daughter to grow up in a Pool Room.

In the absence of an organization that actually gives a crap about the owner a fix to this mess is unlikely.

 

[philly]

Book Collector,
When it comes right down to it in my mind The Pool Room Owner is the center of the Pool Universe.

If it gets done in pool, its he that either does it, or supports it.

All the other organizations in Pool mine off of his efforts in some way and fashion except a grassroots youth program.

While league numbers are up nationwide, the numbers of rooms are down and half of the wholesalers are gone or struggling and Pool on the amateur level belongs to no one we have no body that cares enough about Amateur Pool and the acquisition of New Players to do anything about it in a meaningful way for Room Owners.

The problem is at the bottom and is affecting the Top. Until we start fixing the bottom end there will still be pockets of activity butt thats surrounding a room that has business and thats about it.

No one knows about Pool anymore in the US unlike 20 yrs ago. We have a serious branding issue. No one wants their son or daughter to grow up in a Pool Room.

In the absence of an organization that actually gives a crap about the owner a fix to this mess is unlikely.

Yes. A fix is unlikely. Everything in pool must get done on a personal basis. I am lucky enough to play at a great poolroom with a great owner on great equipment. The poolroom is 25 minutes from my home. There is another nice room a half hour away and 2 other great rooms inside of an hour from me. I am fortunate. I play with my 30 year old son on a regular basis in league, tournaments, and we practice together. I will be introducing my 7 year old granddaughter to the poolroom as soon as I build a box for her to stand on and she will get used to playing on 9 footers.