Managing monthly costs / budgeting table time

weakfingers

weakfingers

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey pool shooters,

Simple questions here: talking about table time (practice time) and transportation to the pool hall alone, how much do you spend per month on average? How do you budget this out every month?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm starting a new job in a new city and while table time isn't very expensive, the cost of going to play and driving to the pool hall adds up quickly. It's become very real to me that I should just be willing to set aside a portion of my income playing the game I love. (I played on 9 foot Brunswicks for free at my college before this).

Any tips would be appreciated. I'm thinking of working out an unlimited monthly membership with the local room owners to see what deal I can get. I'm definitely making enough money to live comfortably but I have to watch my spending for sure.

- Gary "weakfingers"
 
Right now I usually play on Saturday and Sunday during the day rate of $11 for 11am-6pm. So I have $22/wk in table time. The play I play is about 15miles from me, so figure another $10/wk in gas. So $32/wk for two days of playing time, not counting other purchases there.

Now, when I play I always buy lunch there, $22/wk and sometimes a couple beers $10/wk. I also try to tip between 20+% of my total bill including table time so that is another $12/wk.

Grand total is $76/wk for my pool hall time.

I would like to play more but weeknight table time is $8/hr and I could easily see that adding up pretty quick considering 5 hours can go by pretty quick when I'm at the table. Not to mention the additional food and drinks (I always feel bad going and ordering nothing but water so I always try and make at least some sort of food or drink purchase).

I wish they had a monthly membership....if it was reasonable I'd gladly pay it.
 
You may want to consider joining a league that plays out of a large pool hall (rather than a bar) with tables you like...

One of the major benefits of my APA league and where I play in the league is that we have access to free "practice tables" on league night, and the room also offers up free table time to their APA members from noon-5pm M-F.

All that benefit for a measly $8 on the nights that my team plays me and the $25 annual membership dues... And I get to play some competitive matches, too... On nights I don't play an actual match, I get to play to my hearts content on the practice tables and plenty of people with varying levels of skill to play against. My league expenses have more than paid off just in table time alone.

As much as people on this forum curse and moan about the APA for whatever reasons, you really can't shake a stick at that deal. Granted, your league options may not be as generous as the deal I happen to have access to, but it may be worth looking into further. Plus, it might be a good way to make some new friends in your new locale, too...

With all of that said, the value of my time (more than anything) made me decide to hit craigslist and I found a great deal on a very nice 9' table that is now in my house. I only go to the pool hall when I want actual opponents or to avoid going stir-crazy. (I work from home).

Good luck finding a good solution for yourself!
 
Depending on your skill level I would suggest entering a few weekly tournaments. At $20 a pop you can enter quite a few and win one to recoup all the money spent. On the plus side it will only strengthen your game and that $20 usually gets you free table time during and after the event.
 
It irks me when a room doesn't have a daily special. Having mulled this over for years I can say now I would never live without a table at home. It pays for itself in less time the one thinks.
 
Your right!

jaetee said:
You may want to consider joining a league that plays out of a large pool hall (rather than a bar) with tables you like...

One of the major benefits of my APA league and where I play in the league is that we have access to free "practice tables" on league night, and the room also offers up free table time to their APA members from noon-5pm M-F.

All that benefit for a measly $8 on the nights that my team plays me and the $25 annual membership dues... And I get to play some competitive matches, too... On nights I don't play an actual match, I get to play to my hearts content on the practice tables and plenty of people with varying levels of skill to play against. My league expenses have more than paid off just in table time alone.

As much as people on this forum curse and moan about the APA for whatever reasons, you really can't shake a stick at that deal. Granted, your league options may not be as generous as the deal I happen to have access to, but it may be worth looking into further. Plus, it might be a good way to make some new friends in your new locale, too...

With all of that said, the value of my time (more than anything) made me decide to hit craigslist and I found a great deal on a very nice 9' table that is now in my house. I only go to the pool hall when I want actual opponents or to avoid going stir-crazy. (I work from home).

Good luck finding a good solution for yourself!
Click to expand...

I play BCA $20 a week and get free Pool time on the 8' tables the rest of the week. When its One Pocket time, in Texas its $5 per person per hour in prime time a little less during the day $5 per table.
 
You could always ask the owner /manager if you could do odd jobs cleaning or whatever in exchange for practice time.
 
kiddcutty said:
I would love to buy a table. I just don't have any damn place to put it!
Click to expand...

For those of you who haven't considered this....you have more room for a table than you think...

Table movers can set up a table against two walls.
Once in place, all you need to do is be able to approach the table from both one long and one short rail.
You can create any type of shot with this setup.

Yes, I know, it becomes merely a practice table, BUT that's why you have the table in the first place.
Think of that ping pong table raised like a drawbridge on one end.
Granted, can't play a proper game, but you can sure practice various shots.

That's really all pool practice should come down to—intense practicing of specific shots repeatedly.
I've been doing this for years.
It's one of the best practice techniques.

Stick a pool table in that lowly corner and work on specific shots from two sides.
Work for cue ball position so that the next shot can only be shot from either one of the two available rails.

When you get to the pool hall or tournament you will notice how much more
comfort and ease the table affords your game.
It works!

It's great for polishing your fundamentals; that's what expert pool-playing is all about. ;)
Now....go get that 9-footer and start saving money in pool room expenditures*!

Consider yourself privy to one of my secrets. Knowledge, you have to love it!

*Transportation costs, travel time, and table fees.
 
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I knew a place that did 80 per month for members. It was a steal of a deal. Most guys played during the day though.
 
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