my thoughts on pool
- Thread starter mark tadd
- Start date
Johnny Archer's name will be mentioned 100 years from now. Keith McCready will be remembered. Their feats may not be monitarily rewarded as well as they should be but it does not diminish the talent of skill those feats take to perform. You can search Earl Strickland on the Internet and get 10,000 hits, he has thousands of cues with his name on them all over the world, he has world championship and US Open titles that can never be taken away from him. In 100 years people will still talk about him just like they will still talk about Mosconi. In 100 years from now where will you be Macguy? Who will remember you?
There is more to being the best at something then just money. Sure, money is nice and they should make more, but what we accomplish in this world echos through time long after we die. How long that echo lasts depends on how great your accomplishments, not how much $ you made. He who can make that echo last the longest wins immortality in the annals of history.
What do you have to be jealous of indeed. You are a very simple minded short sighted man it is clear.
There is more to being the best at something then just money. Sure, money is nice and they should make more, but what we accomplish in this world echos through time long after we die. How long that echo lasts depends on how great your accomplishments, not how much $ you made. He who can make that echo last the longest wins immortality in the annals of history.
What do you have to be jealous of indeed. You are a very simple minded short sighted man it is clear.
You guys all want to change the game and make more money.
But tell me how many of you go out of your way to spread the word to fans (you know, the chumps who will come and watch you guys and spend the bucks to make the pool room owner and TD happy who in turn can then add more to the tournament) that you will be playing in a tournament and have them come watch you?
I have seen tournaments with 64 players and there are less then 50 people watching. That speaks volumes about how much you guys are worth if you can't even draw one fan each.
How many of you go out of your way to be nice to the fans?
How many of you go out of your way to help promote the few people who sponsor events?
Sardo spent big bucks promoting and advertising his rack and all I ever heard from the pros, and wanna be pros, is that it is not perfect. Instead of working with Sardo and advertising it for him all you guys did was cut him down.
How many pros will stick around after they have been eliminated and mingle with the crowd? For most of them it is two and out the door.
Think about it. 64 players each bring in ten fans. That's 640 spectators. Each fan spends $30 (conservative) that brings in $19,200 to the poolroom. Do you think the poolroom owner would be happy? Do you think he would be begging for the pros to come back? Do you think he would be willing to donate a bit more to the tournament?
You want to make money playing at pool then you have to do the WORK and promote it.
Jake
But tell me how many of you go out of your way to spread the word to fans (you know, the chumps who will come and watch you guys and spend the bucks to make the pool room owner and TD happy who in turn can then add more to the tournament) that you will be playing in a tournament and have them come watch you?
I have seen tournaments with 64 players and there are less then 50 people watching. That speaks volumes about how much you guys are worth if you can't even draw one fan each.
How many of you go out of your way to be nice to the fans?
How many of you go out of your way to help promote the few people who sponsor events?
Sardo spent big bucks promoting and advertising his rack and all I ever heard from the pros, and wanna be pros, is that it is not perfect. Instead of working with Sardo and advertising it for him all you guys did was cut him down.
How many pros will stick around after they have been eliminated and mingle with the crowd? For most of them it is two and out the door.
Think about it. 64 players each bring in ten fans. That's 640 spectators. Each fan spends $30 (conservative) that brings in $19,200 to the poolroom. Do you think the poolroom owner would be happy? Do you think he would be begging for the pros to come back? Do you think he would be willing to donate a bit more to the tournament?
You want to make money playing at pool then you have to do the WORK and promote it.
Jake
jjinfla said:
As a 17 year old junior in Las Vegas Mark sat and talked with me and a couple other junior team mates for about half an hour while he practiced. This was probably pretty close to the height of his skill level. He gave us a couple pointers, and basically was a totally cool guy to a bunch of kids that alot of pro players would not give the time of day too. While you may be right to a point about some pro's you are barking at the wrong tree there Jake.
The fact that he is on this forum at all should tell you something about what he thinks of the fans. Where is Charlie Williams, where is Mike Sigel, where is Tommy Kennedy, not here, thats where. So why attack one of the few pro players that actually shows up here and posts and chats with us like equals? How about not making such a blatent attack and being a general ass to him for the plight of the sport as if he personally is to blame. Ask one more question on that little list of yours, "How many of you post on AZ billiards and talk to the players there?" One less if you keep being such a dick.
Mark,
Since around 1993, Pool has taken off around the world and tournaments, prior to 1992, had only a handful of top players playing in them. Today the entire world is pumping out champions left and right and along with them top quality players. It is too difficult for just a group of players to region supreme over the pool world. In the 80's and early 90's there maybe were 4-6 players that could (and would) win the tournament (based on a 64 player field, today there are at least 20 players out of a 64 player field most likely to win the tournament. The American pool player is being run over by the foreign players. Archer, Strickland, Varner and Morris are the only Americans acutally traveling the world playing with the champions of the world. It is just too expensive to make a living off of pool. Also the competition it just getting thicker to be on top all of the time.
Since around 1993, Pool has taken off around the world and tournaments, prior to 1992, had only a handful of top players playing in them. Today the entire world is pumping out champions left and right and along with them top quality players. It is too difficult for just a group of players to region supreme over the pool world. In the 80's and early 90's there maybe were 4-6 players that could (and would) win the tournament (based on a 64 player field, today there are at least 20 players out of a 64 player field most likely to win the tournament. The American pool player is being run over by the foreign players. Archer, Strickland, Varner and Morris are the only Americans acutally traveling the world playing with the champions of the world. It is just too expensive to make a living off of pool. Also the competition it just getting thicker to be on top all of the time.
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Celtic said:
Who will remember me, maybe not many by name but there will generations that will benefit from my hard work. I provide employment for people who raise families and have children who will go to college and themselves raise families. I don't believer there is a more nobel thing in life to do then meet a payroll. By comparison, Earl throwing his stick and having a fit over a pool game could not be less significant. Doctors, firemen, police officers, teachers and millions more get up every day and make a difference in this world. No one will remember any of their names but they are the people that count. I can appreciate your are a fan but try to get things in perspective, we are talking about pool, not developing a cure to cancer. I am curious what I have said in my couple of posts that is not correct? It is difficult to change anything if you don't have a honest assessment of where you are. Maybe your the salvation of pool, who knows, lets hear your ideas rather then insults. I have lost thousands of dollars putting on tournaments and helping players and think I have a pretty good perspective.
Whoa Celtic,
I sure am not attacking Mark. Nor any pro individually.
My statements were made to the playing pros in general.
Charlie and Earl used to post here but got flamed by the idiots on the board.
Charlie has dedicated his life to promoting pool and should be commended for it.
Earl always get heckled, but he has a lot more fans than probably anyone else playing the game. And anyone who does not respect Earl's game is an idiot.
Why can't Charlie and Earl be friends? LOL
My point is that the players should promote the game, bring out the fans, and accentuate the positive.
I don't know anything about tours other than here in Florida but John DiToro and the Seminole Tribe are doing all they can to promote the sport. So tell me why the pros don't sign up ahead of time to play on the Florida Pro Tour? How can John advertise a tournament if he doesn't know who will be playing?
And why doesn't Inside Pool and AZB post the standings of the Florida Pro tour?
Now don't get me wrong. Over the past 5 years I have watched and met an awful lot of the pros and not one of them ever gave me a hard time. They were all friendly. They can all give me the 3 and out and clobber me. All I am saying is that they have to work together and do more to promote the sport.
Jake
I sure am not attacking Mark. Nor any pro individually.
My statements were made to the playing pros in general.
Charlie and Earl used to post here but got flamed by the idiots on the board.
Charlie has dedicated his life to promoting pool and should be commended for it.
Earl always get heckled, but he has a lot more fans than probably anyone else playing the game. And anyone who does not respect Earl's game is an idiot.
Why can't Charlie and Earl be friends? LOL
My point is that the players should promote the game, bring out the fans, and accentuate the positive.
I don't know anything about tours other than here in Florida but John DiToro and the Seminole Tribe are doing all they can to promote the sport. So tell me why the pros don't sign up ahead of time to play on the Florida Pro Tour? How can John advertise a tournament if he doesn't know who will be playing?
And why doesn't Inside Pool and AZB post the standings of the Florida Pro tour?
Now don't get me wrong. Over the past 5 years I have watched and met an awful lot of the pros and not one of them ever gave me a hard time. They were all friendly. They can all give me the 3 and out and clobber me. All I am saying is that they have to work together and do more to promote the sport.
Jake
Justplay, already been said but still so true. A pool player needs to be not only a pro, but into the business as well. If somehow a pro can get into some form of pool based profession that allows him to both play pro pool, and do a profession that uses his skills in the game and knowledge as a tool, that is the key. Charlie Williams understood it, he got something going that let him play pro pool, and also gives him something to fall back on and perhaps do when/if he can no longer play pro level pool. If Mike Sigel had kept playing WHILE he made cues he would have been better off all around and would have had his cues supplimenting his winnings, and having his success in pool marketing his cues, a win win situation that he seems to have missed. Some pro's teach, Archer gives lessons, it is a fall back he will always have as he will never be too old or lacking in students who want to learn from someone with his success. Mark himself could teach, he is pretty well known, I would pay $10-20 a hour to wrack his brain on the mental game under pressure and what you need to be thinking to play against people who are breaking and running 4-5 racks and still beat them.
Pool cannot be the sole income, you cannot be "just" a pro. But there are lots of opportunities out there to be a pro pool player who is also integrating and working in the system in various ways. It gives you lots of time to practice, it keeps your mind on pool, your success in pool is something that positively affects your other work (win tournament = sell more cues or get more students...) Making a living playing pool is tough, making a living as a part of the pool scene, playing and working it, that is doable and not so tough.
Pool cannot be the sole income, you cannot be "just" a pro. But there are lots of opportunities out there to be a pro pool player who is also integrating and working in the system in various ways. It gives you lots of time to practice, it keeps your mind on pool, your success in pool is something that positively affects your other work (win tournament = sell more cues or get more students...) Making a living playing pool is tough, making a living as a part of the pool scene, playing and working it, that is doable and not so tough.
jjinfla said:
OK, we are cool then. It just seemed since Mark is the only pro here and the starter of the thread that it was somewhat aimed at him. If not no harm no foul. While you are right to a point I see the pro pool players as a whole community to be alot more willing to be cool with the fans then most other sports. Most pro's will sit with ya and have a beer, they will practice abit with ya, they will sign a shirt for ya or get a picture taken with ya. Compare that to golf where Tiger Woods will have a bodyguard goon you if you happen to get within 10 feet of him. I think the pro's in pool on the whole are worlds better then golfers at treating the fans right, I am not sure they are the major reason the game is in such a shit condition atm. I still blame the promoters and people in charge that make the decissions. For years I have bitched that 9-ball has to go, given an alternative game that would revitalize the sport, the people who could actually try it out, test it, make a difference, they dont do squat. If I was in Mark Griffin's shoes or Brady Berman's shoes right now, in a position where I could stir it up and change things for the better, get the ear of the pro's, get the attention of the public, I would. My musings on this board just dont cut it. While I think my ideas would work and I could make the game better I am not in a position of power to enact the actual change, all I can do is post and whine and plead and see nothing change... It is sad.
macguy said:
My ideas have been on other posts and other threads, they are not hard to find, I tend to be pretty noisy when the future of the game is the topic
Sure, police men, firemen, astronauts, presidents, nobel peace prize winners, archaeologists, they are all important. So are you, the guy who pays the paycheck, no doubt! But that does not mean a pool player's proffession is less important. Sports are entertainment, a sports star is blessed with a talent for something and they use that talent to entertain us, much as a actor entertains us. They live out a dream, play a game as a job, they give the other people in the world something to dream about besides what they do. Not that their job is less important or even more boring, but it is different and no matter what we do in this world it becomes routine after a while. Entertainment is in fact important, spectator sports are important, life does not start and end with our proffession. To tell someone that they should not take their god given talent and use it, to tell them they would be better off working at McDonalds for $10 an hour flipping burgers, yeah I will disagree with you every time, sorry bro. Go back and read that first post you made, it was pretty blunt and you did NOT say "Oh, go be a fireman instead, that is a great job that makes a difference!" And your followup post was nothing more then you saying pool players are wasting their lives because they are not getting rich. For you to then try and defend yourself by claiming pool players are not curing cancer, well no, most of us are not curing cancer, who cares, that is a red herring arguement if there ever was one. If Mark has the choice to cure cancer or play pool then by all means Mark, cure cancer please because half of my family dies from it and I would be happy to see that little disease out of the picture. Baring that though go play pool and dont go get stuck into some meaningless job that anyone out there that does not have your special talent can do. People should do what they are meant to do, that is my arguement, whats your answer to it Macguy? The money sucks so he should not? Cause that was what you started with and got the whole debate going in the first place.
Celtic said:My ideas have been on other posts and other threads, they are not hard to find, I tend to be pretty noisy when the future of the game is the topic
Sure, police men, firemen, astronauts, presidents, nobel peace prize winners, archaeologists, they are all important. So are you, the guy who pays the paycheck, no doubt! But that does not mean a pool player's proffession is less important. Sports are entertainment, a sports star is blessed with a talent for something and they use that talent to entertain us, much as a actor entertains us. They live out a dream, play a game as a job, they give the other people in the world something to dream about besides what they do. Not that their job is less important or even more boring, but it is different and no matter what we do in this world it becomes routine after a while. Entertainment is in fact important, spectator sports are important, life does not start and end with our proffession. To tell someone that they should not take their god given talent and use it, to tell them they would be better off working at McDonalds for $10 an hour flipping burgers, yeah I will disagree with you every time, sorry bro. Go back and read that first post you made, it was pretty blunt and you did NOT say "Oh, go be a fireman instead, that is a great job that makes a difference!" And your followup post was nothing more then you saying pool players are wasting their lives because they are not getting rich. For you to then try and defend yourself by claiming pool players are not curing cancer, well no, most of us are not curing cancer, who cares, that is a red herring arguement if there ever was one. If Mark has the choice to cure cancer or play pool then by all means Mark, cure cancer please because half of my family dies from it and I would be happy to see that little disease out of the picture. Baring that though go play pool and dont go get stuck into some meaningless job that anyone out there that does not have your special talent can do. People should do what they are meant to do, that is my arguement, whats your answer to it Macguy? The money sucks so he should not? Cause that was what you started with and got the whole debate going in the first place.
I can't disagree with anything you said.
well though its a nice thought im not sure that is logical how many people would pay 30 dollars to see a pool match? if i brought my family i would pay for them my self and some close friends to . strangers ? why would they come see me play for 30 dollars. did jordan, tiger and all other big names ask 10 or a hundred people to com watch and pay 30 50 or 100 to play ? i dont think so . pool is just not a spectator sport at least not in this country. to many other sports out there thay they would wrather go to and thats easier to play watch, and understand. i think many pool players have great minds and talent that if they put that in other careers they would be just as successful . but may not enjoy it as much. i and many others know that but we love the game and some of us are willing to take a pay cut for that reason and i think thats great. im just saying that since that is the case and many people pat us on the back and say how great we play. while some of us are dead broke allow some of us to complain and try to get back the advantage that many deserve ...........jjinfla said:
many pool players including myself have vices that may keep them broke its called gamble, or heart. but that heart is one of the reasons they are great players. i guess it comes with the territory. not all do but many and you know who they are. but i admire them and many are good people too.
by the way when a pro pool player attracts people in the pool and creates action , and cant get a discount or free pool time in his home town, thats an indication that pool may not be where its at. not that i ask for one . but it seems the logical thing to do imojjinfla said:
Good Luck
Pool is never going to improve its position as a competitive sport until it cleans up its image and reputation. The biggest chance for inroads was the advent of "upscale" rooms, which brought a new clientele to the game. The chance to get these people interested in the professional game was squandered.
I play in a lot of tournaments. What I see is a lot of people wearing their hats backwards, dirty t-shirts, baggy pants, using extreme language, etc, etc, etc. I can't believe that this is not what all of you see also. This type of crowd is not an interest builder for outsiders. In many cases these are people to be avoided. In fact, most are avoided outside of tournament time. Pool needs an image change. The two bit hustler needs to be removed from the scene. Room owners need to enforce acceptable behavior and acceptable dress. Wearing clothes on the street do not in fact make them appropriate in other venues.
The pros have a similar problem. Sloppy dress is the norm. There are a few players who try to project a positive image, but they are few and far between. Add to this obvious gambling during tournaments. This is also not a pleaser to the masses. Players need personalities which they can project to the crowd. Say what you want about Earl, but one thing's for sure. He has a clear personality and is known mightily for it. Many say that he's a jerk, but they won't miss a match of his, not only because of his obvious skills, but also because of his erratic behavior which makes him interesting.
Pool needs to understand that the world is all about promotion now. Not only the promotion of pool as a sport, but promotion of players as something more than someone that simply pushes balls around with a stick for a living. The key to more money is sponsorship. In order to get the sponsors, the game has to be exciting and the players have to be perceived as the guy next door, not the guy that lives on the other side of the tracks.
I''m sure this post will upset a lot of folks, but I think it is accurate. The game at the professional level has to be more than just the money. I don't know of any sport where the personalities aren't extremely important.
Pool is never going to improve its position as a competitive sport until it cleans up its image and reputation. The biggest chance for inroads was the advent of "upscale" rooms, which brought a new clientele to the game. The chance to get these people interested in the professional game was squandered.
I play in a lot of tournaments. What I see is a lot of people wearing their hats backwards, dirty t-shirts, baggy pants, using extreme language, etc, etc, etc. I can't believe that this is not what all of you see also. This type of crowd is not an interest builder for outsiders. In many cases these are people to be avoided. In fact, most are avoided outside of tournament time. Pool needs an image change. The two bit hustler needs to be removed from the scene. Room owners need to enforce acceptable behavior and acceptable dress. Wearing clothes on the street do not in fact make them appropriate in other venues.
The pros have a similar problem. Sloppy dress is the norm. There are a few players who try to project a positive image, but they are few and far between. Add to this obvious gambling during tournaments. This is also not a pleaser to the masses. Players need personalities which they can project to the crowd. Say what you want about Earl, but one thing's for sure. He has a clear personality and is known mightily for it. Many say that he's a jerk, but they won't miss a match of his, not only because of his obvious skills, but also because of his erratic behavior which makes him interesting.
Pool needs to understand that the world is all about promotion now. Not only the promotion of pool as a sport, but promotion of players as something more than someone that simply pushes balls around with a stick for a living. The key to more money is sponsorship. In order to get the sponsors, the game has to be exciting and the players have to be perceived as the guy next door, not the guy that lives on the other side of the tracks.
I''m sure this post will upset a lot of folks, but I think it is accurate. The game at the professional level has to be more than just the money. I don't know of any sport where the personalities aren't extremely important.
RichardCranium said:
LOL That would be like asking Picasso to teach paint by numbers so he could get free paint.
If Mark decides to make a pool comeback he won't have any difficulty getting the help he needs. I personally know of a large number of people who would be very excited about it and I am sure a lot of people would help him out. I started playing shortly after he stopped but I have heard many stories about his talent on the table.
The whole key I believe is in how he decides to make his comeback and if he is willing to make the sacrifices and do what is necessary to get back to the top again. If he is able to accomplish this he can make a very good living.
The fact that Hilton hotels are sponsoring a large number of tourneys over the next year is a good sign on the sponsorship level.
I know if I was as talented as Mark was at his peak I could easily make over $100,000 a year right now.
The fact that he is willing to freely communicate here is an excellent sign as he and Keith McCready are the only 2 top male pros I have seen willing to do this. The willingness to communicate can take them a long way.
Welcome Mark and I hope you can make your comeback. (I saw Jim Lewis at HardTimes and told him what you were posting and he said he will call you.)
Wayne
I play 15 ball rotation for practice ALOT. 1ST OFF: Coin Op tables SUCK for 15 ball due to crowding - You can run off on a 9'er from time to time - but good luck on the 7'ers ...try it.
Good idea on points systems "per ball" concepts by comparing with the other sports. I like that "average" system which was televised from the U.S. Open; comparing it to batters averages - good concept.
Tim (the monk) rightfully stated that billiards is a game of concentration and longevity - and for this reason, the winners are those that do not dump the easy shots. This makes the game appear "boring" to the non-player as it is seen as a stream of "easy shots" with an occassional "kool" every now and then. Golf, on the other hand, has THE DRIVE and long shots that "joe public" and see straight up and admire - "I CAN'T DO THAT! WOW!". Billiards is deceptive in this - "Joe Public" may walk away thinking he CAN!
I think 9-Ball took root from the SNAP - it's a beautiful thing to watch that break. This is probably the biggest feature that drove 9-Ball into the television. Could you imagine a televised STRAIGHT POOL event? Heck - it might even bore me! And I'm the worst addict to pool - lol
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Good idea on points systems "per ball" concepts by comparing with the other sports. I like that "average" system which was televised from the U.S. Open; comparing it to batters averages - good concept.
Tim (the monk) rightfully stated that billiards is a game of concentration and longevity - and for this reason, the winners are those that do not dump the easy shots. This makes the game appear "boring" to the non-player as it is seen as a stream of "easy shots" with an occassional "kool" every now and then. Golf, on the other hand, has THE DRIVE and long shots that "joe public" and see straight up and admire - "I CAN'T DO THAT! WOW!". Billiards is deceptive in this - "Joe Public" may walk away thinking he CAN!
I think 9-Ball took root from the SNAP - it's a beautiful thing to watch that break. This is probably the biggest feature that drove 9-Ball into the television. Could you imagine a televised STRAIGHT POOL event? Heck - it might even bore me! And I'm the worst addict to pool - lol
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Celtic said:
Many of you that are on here may not know Mark personally, but I do. Even though I haven't seen him in over 10 years, I know what kind of person he is and he speaks his mind, whether some like it or not. He also put his time in to the game to get better, practiced more than anyone you'll ever meet in your life time. His views on the game should be taken seriously because he's been there at the top where he couldn't get a game w/o giving up the nuts and try to outrun it. He's played better than most of us will ever dream of playing and still had room to get better because this game is such that will never let anyone master it. I've played Mark several times in the past at Hard Times when the place had champions walking through the door at all hours of the day. Mark never hesitated if he was asked to play unless the game was just too ridiculous, and sometimes that didn't even stop him. 
He was also available for any questions about the game at any given time. And when it comes to having heart, you won't find many with more than him. I consider myself to be a good player right now and in the past I played about the 7 ball better, but I got to a point that I couldn't get a game unless I played Morro, or Rafael Martinez, and my bankroll wasn't big enough to try them. I then chose a life that ended up costing me 6 years of my freedom. Now, I'm in the same position as Mark, wondering if it's worth it to devote my time to playing this game for the small amount of money to be gained. I can't work because I'm disabled and may lose my leg within a year from now if things don't get better. So, what options do I have? I can give lessons if anyone in this town had the desire to get better but I don't see that happening. I can play small tournaments but I have to drive 4 hours to get to the Phoenix area. Or, I can practice 10 to 12 hours a day and hope that I catch a gear that I was capable of in the past and get out on tour and make enough money to go to the next tournament. Hmmmm, not many options, eh? Anyway, I have no answers on how to make the game better and get the players more money, but I do have opinions and I too speak my mind whether some like it or not. Peace to all.
He was also available for any questions about the game at any given time. And when it comes to having heart, you won't find many with more than him. I consider myself to be a good player right now and in the past I played about the 7 ball better, but I got to a point that I couldn't get a game unless I played Morro, or Rafael Martinez, and my bankroll wasn't big enough to try them. I then chose a life that ended up costing me 6 years of my freedom. Now, I'm in the same position as Mark, wondering if it's worth it to devote my time to playing this game for the small amount of money to be gained. I can't work because I'm disabled and may lose my leg within a year from now if things don't get better. So, what options do I have? I can give lessons if anyone in this town had the desire to get better but I don't see that happening. I can play small tournaments but I have to drive 4 hours to get to the Phoenix area. Or, I can practice 10 to 12 hours a day and hope that I catch a gear that I was capable of in the past and get out on tour and make enough money to go to the next tournament. Hmmmm, not many options, eh? Anyway, I have no answers on how to make the game better and get the players more money, but I do have opinions and I too speak my mind whether some like it or not. Peace to all.Hi Mark,
Sorry, but I don't know you, I fell in love with this game late in life. What state do you play in?
The $30 I mentioned was how much a fan will spend over the bar for food and drinks. Paying for seats, signed photos, cue balls would bring in more money.
After re-reading my first post I realized that just about all the pros are friendly and willing to talk with the fans.
I was just trying to figure out how you guys can generate money. You guys putting up a large entry fee is no way to make a living. You have to come up with a way to generate income so that you can get paid for competing. You have to develop a fan base. Once big business sees that pool is drawing crowds then they will be willing to put money into it in the form of advertising. And when these companies do that be prepared to back them up.
Now that I think about it maybe you can't charge because you give it away for free. You guys put on one hell of a performance and give it away for free.
And you are right, there is no sport where the fans can get up close to the players like in pool. At Planet 9-Ball I was a couple of feet away from some of the greats.
Just saw, Shall we Dance, and the prima donna is the dance instructor just so she can practice in the studio.
And I am sure you can cut a deal with a pool room but you have to sell yourself to the owner and show him how you being there will bring money to his room. Next time you see Rodney Morris ask him what kind of deal he has with Rocky at Capones. Rodney Morris is the house pro at Capones and Smith announced him as such during his match with Earl at the US Open.
And do I think Tiger Woods brings in 10, 20 or 30 fans? Hell no, he attracts thousands. Each one paying $50 just to be within 50 feet of him. Did you ever hear of Arnie's Army? Look at all the people who came out just to see him play. When you watch golf on TV and see all those fans on the course keep in mind that each and every one of them had to pay to be there.
But, in reality, I don't see pool changing in my lifetime. Hopefully, the Florida Pro Tour will be held again next year and I will continue to watch some of the best play.
Best of everything to you Mark.
Jake
Sorry, but I don't know you, I fell in love with this game late in life. What state do you play in?
The $30 I mentioned was how much a fan will spend over the bar for food and drinks. Paying for seats, signed photos, cue balls would bring in more money.
After re-reading my first post I realized that just about all the pros are friendly and willing to talk with the fans.
I was just trying to figure out how you guys can generate money. You guys putting up a large entry fee is no way to make a living. You have to come up with a way to generate income so that you can get paid for competing. You have to develop a fan base. Once big business sees that pool is drawing crowds then they will be willing to put money into it in the form of advertising. And when these companies do that be prepared to back them up.
Now that I think about it maybe you can't charge because you give it away for free. You guys put on one hell of a performance and give it away for free.
And you are right, there is no sport where the fans can get up close to the players like in pool. At Planet 9-Ball I was a couple of feet away from some of the greats.
Just saw, Shall we Dance, and the prima donna is the dance instructor just so she can practice in the studio.
And I am sure you can cut a deal with a pool room but you have to sell yourself to the owner and show him how you being there will bring money to his room. Next time you see Rodney Morris ask him what kind of deal he has with Rocky at Capones. Rodney Morris is the house pro at Capones and Smith announced him as such during his match with Earl at the US Open.
And do I think Tiger Woods brings in 10, 20 or 30 fans? Hell no, he attracts thousands. Each one paying $50 just to be within 50 feet of him. Did you ever hear of Arnie's Army? Look at all the people who came out just to see him play. When you watch golf on TV and see all those fans on the course keep in mind that each and every one of them had to pay to be there.
But, in reality, I don't see pool changing in my lifetime. Hopefully, the Florida Pro Tour will be held again next year and I will continue to watch some of the best play.
Best of everything to you Mark.
Jake
piglit said:
Everyone does agree the money is lame. I dont agree with Macguy's (who that post was specifically in responce to) thought that therefore one is better off doing a nothing job making $10 an hour then playing pro pool. I also dont agree with his early posts in the thread that made it seem as if the only motivation pool players should have is the money and nothing else should factor into the decision to play pro pool or not. My posts come across as arguementative because they were direct arguements specifically at Macguy's posts.