More B+ and A players Today because of home tables?

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
I believe one of the big reasons that there are a lot more B+ and A players today compared to 20+ years ago and more is the flood of home tables, only 2nd to the advice on the Net, books, dvd's and lessons.
When I started playing in the early 1950's and up until the 1970's you hardly ever had anyone in your area with a good home table. If you were under 16 and couldn't get in a poolroom, have a boy's club in your area, some friend or relative with a table you were SOOL to put in many hours on a table to get good. Johnnyt
 
Has there been a big increase in home tables in the last 20 years? I was wondering about that. I've become more aware that so many people have home tables since joining here but I wasn't sure if this was always the case and I just didn't know it.

I'm only guessing but to the extent there has been an increase in B+ and A players (not sure that there has) I would think it has more to do with the growth in leagues since the 70's than an increase in the the number of home tables out there. I think leagues have resulted in so many more people that play regularly (and a percentage of them practice regularly) that previously played a lot less frequently.
 
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Yeah I believe home tables to be a major reason for growth as well.

I assume that more tables at home means more practice which results in higher quality players.
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
Has there been a big increase in home tables in the last 20 years? I was wondering about that. I've become more aware that so many people have home tables since joining here but I wasn't sure if this was always the case and I just didn't know it.

I'm only guessing but to the extent there has been an increase in B+ and A players (not sure that there has) I would think it has more to do with the growth in leagues since the 70's than an increase in the the number of home tables out there. I think leagues have resulted in so many more people that play regularly (and a percentage of them practice regularly) that previously played a lot less frequently.
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Good point. I forgot about leagues. Johnnyt
 
I'm from New York City, and there plenty of A&B players who do not have a pool table at home, and only practice at the pool hall or in leagues. I think its because of combination of available instruction material, league competition, and quality of equipment (tips, shafts, cues).
 
I think it may be related more to instructional videos, books and the internet than people having home tables but I may be wrong.
 
I've had my table 4 years now and I'm still a "C" player (on a good day :o). Of course, the problem is, I suck at pool!!!

Maniac
 
I belive its the instruction that is being passed to the new players. years ago only the real pros or the real road players new how to play shape now that is basic teachings to the rookies nowadays. kind of like tiger woods in golf. the kids today are better as a whole than the kids of yesteryears.
 
IMO you can't emulate something you're not privy to. So I'll say it's due to the ability to see great players on video.
 
I don't agree with the original statement that there are more A and B players today. I started playing 15 yrs ago, and there were WAY more Open, A, B, and C players than today. I'm talking about in the NE region of the country.

Now, the only players in the Open, A and B level are the ones that are still around from 15 yrs ago (that haven't quit). There is no new blood.

Obviously my history is limited to 15 yrs only.
 
I would ask this question, and I'm asking because I really don't know. Is there more B+ A players? Could it be, there is roughly the same but since there is less pool halls these days it seems like the crowd may be tougher?

I've had my table for about a year and really only been playing for a little over a couple years, I only wish I was a B+.
 
I think that there may not be many more A players than there used to be but there are a lot of people on the internet who talk like they're A players.

IF there are more good players it's because of instruction. Used to be nobody revealed anything and today every tom/dick/harry knows all the "secrets".
 
almost every person I know with a home table uses it as a storage shelf......so no i would have to very much disagree.....

i'd say it has more to do with more knowledge being readily available to the public via leagues,books, dvd's, and on the web from sites such as these....
 
Every now an then I leave my comfort zone, my basement table. I think self your getting good. As I'm putting my cue together looking the room over no one is missing a ball. I mean teens, adults an old codgers like my self. Before I can get the balls racked I'm asked if spotted would I play for money. Man there must be something in the water, that gives these people the ability to run rack after rack. Maybe I have started to show a little brain damage at 66, but I sure can"t remember so many A players in the past. I think it is a combination of good equipment DVDs, books an billiard magazines. Plus that desire to beat your buddies. Me I'm looking for the water.......:thumbup:
 
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I do not believe we have more B+ and A players because of home tables, but simply because of more players period, and more tournaments and leagues. They is simply more competition today in many forms. In the old days, it was money games, there were no tournaments around except the tournaments for Pros.

The players that are good, and that gamble, want to make money. To make money you have to be 'where the action is', which is out in the Pool rooms. People that try to take that action home with them to play on their table does not usually last too long. The action has always been 'out and about', and a Pool room that has big gambling going on will draw all kinds of players to it, and many spectators that just love to watch the 'big games'.
 
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