Need players' opinion on rates

Just simple suggestions.

I think you really have to be specific on the type of customer you want before you determine rates. Don't be so quick to cut out food or alcohol. Without all the mickey mouse sales like chips, sodas, candy etc we would have gone under. Keeping your clients IN the building is key to success. Charge by the person, first. Charge by the table if it is a premium table like a Snooker table or a Simonis table that is kept perfect. This will keep people from hogging the best table to practice on. Only people wanting to play matches that way. Most of your income will come from kids or bangers looking for something to do when they are bored. Free pool in the day time will definitely increase your unemployed and moocher clients. If you do not have alcohol then go after Student players. Maybe even offer Student rates. Kids will spread word of mouth advertising faster than light speed! Put up flyers at high schools and colleges. Ads in college newspapers.

You asked if higher rates would discourage people from coming back. This is probably not the right forum for that. People on this forum are serious about pool and would be willing to pay a bit more for a quality table and atmosphere. The general public will play pool at your place based on price. Assuming there are no negative aspects to the neighborhood or anything else.

Many pool rooms fail because they are opened by pool players and they run it like a pool player instead of like a businessman. You cant give away freebies to all your buddies whenever they are busted. Learning to say "No" will probably make you an extra $1000 a month right there. Best of luck. I know I wouldnt want to open a pool room in this economy....and my family's pool room is in its 40th year now. Good luck!!!!!!!!
 
1pRoscoe said:
I'm getting pretty damn tired of see you post this over and over again... We get the point. Knock it off.
Click to expand...

Calm down Ross this is the first time I have placed this message.
Ross when you see SPW62 as the poster than don't open it and it cant ruin your day ok.

:confused: BUT IT MUST BE OK FOR YOU TO FIND SOMETHING PETTY TO SAY IN RESPONDING TO ALL THE POSTS THAT YOU DO 2,174 I THINK IT IS!
JUST TO ADVERTISE YOUR EBAY STORE IN EVERY ONE OF YOUR POSTS !!!! :rolleyes: Verry Slick Ross

Like You Said Ross We Got The Point!
 
Where My Pride Comes From.

Well it did not seem inappropriate to post it when the tread is all about poolroom pricing.
 (Need players' opinion on rates)

Well if you think I am doing something wrong in listing my Poolroom whenever I find the opportunity to do so your Confused.

I do it because I am proud of what I have done to be part of the pool world.

Country Club USA is one of the most Successful Poolrooms In The United States & maybe the world.
We opened on 5/1/1990 and since then we have hosted most of the largest pool tournaments that any Poolroom could handle and we did them all first Class.
Including The Largest IPT Event To Date. (2006 Tour Card Qualifier D Feb 24th-26th.
We had 76 players and the only tournament to come close was Hard Times Billiards in CA. they had 73 players.

No other IPT Event to date has matched the turnout that we had at Country Club USA that must say something!

WITH THE IPT BEING THE BIGGEST THING THATS EVER HAPPEND TO THE POOL WORLD.
Great Job Kevin,Deno And The IPT Staff.


That’s where my Pride comes from so I apologize if anyone is offended by my frequent postings.

Anyone looking for a host room for their tour feel free to contact me.

Att: Steven Wright
Country Club USA
67 Parkhurst Rd
Chelmsford Ma, 01824

Phone # 978-934-9700
Fax # 978-934-9701
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the replies

Yes, the room is for all ages as long as everyone behaves.
The rate is per person.
The nut is cheap due to several things. Everyone working there volunteers in exchange for pool time. The rent is low and I have taken care of the incorporation, tax forms and licensing. No, one especially me, wishes to run around serving food or drink. We do have a soda and snack machine and there is a great deli/pizza joint next door that will deliver. 4 of us share the 84 hours we will be open.
The HVAC is new and high efficiency, so it should be no more that $500/mo at worst.
There have been 8 rooms fail in this area in the last 10 years. Most had food, drink and charged close to the BCA averages cited. These people were out to make a buck and in some cases expected big bucks.
We wish to promote pool, develop some young players and most importantly, have a great place for ourselves to play. As the fellow from Gd Blanc stated, there is not a 9 footer within 35 miles.
The question to you all is do you think those type rates combined with a great atmosphere (the piano is locked and the guys who will play could and, in one case, has played jazz and blues professionally. There will be no banging), will interest potential players who cannot afford the high end joints?
This a retirement venture for me and pool is my passion even though I can't beat anybody, well almost.
 
you got it

But we still have to generate about $100/day. Maybe a membership with cheap rates and charge regular rates for bangers until they become members would be the best way.
 
spw62 said:
Calm down Ross this is the first time I have placed this message.
Ross when you see SPW62 as the poster than don't open it and it cant ruin your day ok.

:confused: BUT IT MUST BE OK FOR YOU TO FIND SOMETHING PETTY TO SAY IN RESPONDING TO ALL THE POSTS THAT YOU DO 2,174 I THINK IT IS!
JUST TO ADVERTISE YOUR EBAY STORE IN EVERY ONE OF YOUR POSTS !!!! :rolleyes: Verry Slick Ross

Like You Said Ross We Got The Point!
Click to expand...

LOL, you sir, are an asshat. You have yet to contribute on this forum in any way, and NO, that wasn't the first time you have posted that... It was the third time that I saw it, hence my post.

Advertise in my ebay store? Negative, it's just a trustworthy source for stuff. It's also called a "signature" so until you learn to use this feature to advertise whatever you want, piss off....
 
spw62 said:
Well it did not seem inappropriate to post it when the tread is all about poolroom pricing.
 (Need players' opinion on rates)

Well if you think I am doing something wrong in listing my Poolroom whenever I find the opportunity to do so your Confused.

I do it because I am proud of what I have done to be part of the pool world.

Country Club USA is one of the most Successful Poolrooms In The United States & maybe the world.
We opened on 5/1/1990 and since then we have hosted most of the largest pool tournaments that any Poolroom could handle and we did them all first Class.
Including The Largest IPT Event To Date. (2006 Tour Card Qualifier D Feb 24th-26th.
We had 76 players and the only tournament to come close was Hard Times Billiards in CA. they had 73 players.

No other IPT Event to date has matched the turnout that we had at Country Club USA that must say something!

WITH THE IPT BEING THE BIGGEST THING THATS EVER HAPPEND TO THE POOL WORLD.
Great Job Kevin,Deno And The IPT Staff.


That’s where my Pride comes from so I apologize if anyone is offended by my frequent postings.

Anyone looking for a host room for their tour feel free to contact me.

Att: Steven Wright
Country Club USA
67 Parkhurst Rd
Chelmsford Ma, 01824

Phone # 978-934-9700
Fax # 978-934-9701
Click to expand...

Your post was NOT appropriate..... I can tell based upon the fact that you DID NOT EVEN READ THE INITIAL POST!!!!!

HAHA!!! There is a major difference between "pride" and "spam". You have been leaning towards the latter.. Sorry to inform you. You want to advertise (which you obviously do), then become a sponsor.

Stroke yourself much? I bet you do.... while looking in the mirror... :rolleyes:
 
I'm from your neck in the woods

Dog,

I've been playing pool in the Flint area for about 10 years. I've been in most of the popular leagues and play in many of the local tournaments.

I like your idea and your pricing seems reasonable for the area. I think there some drawbacks. The bulk of Flint players are league players. They like their social beer and pool combination. Also, bar boxes seem to have ruled the town. The pure failure of the multitude of pool halls in the Flint area should be a warning signal.

Personally, I would like to join a club that offers: Competition, Certified Instruction, and Social Interaction. By competition, I don't just mean gambling; I like league and tournament play. I think for a pool hall to be a success in Flint, it has to bring in the league players. Then maybe you can mature people's mindset from the bar night/leagues to a pool hall.

JMHO - Best of Luck!
 
Interesting

you would mention bar leagues. Several owners participated heavily in leagues including Ted Hosea and Dave Sarette who owned the old and new Hit-n-Run. I noticed that those players never came in to practice, only if league was there. I attributed that to the idea that pool was not the draw, rather a night away fro m the old lady and a cold one. Seems a dead-end to pursue that crowd.
The straight pool league that has been around for over 40 years would like to use the room, but you seldom ever see any of them come in just to practice. Most of the better players in town started young at the original Hit-n-Run on Fenton Road.
 
:) Thanks I get it now if you put your spam in your signature its not spam now.
Thanks 1pRoscoe I dont know what this world would do without You!:cool:
 
spw62 said:
:) Thanks I get it now if you put your spam in your signature its not spam now.
Thanks 1pRoscoe I dont know what this world would do without You!:cool:
Click to expand...
I aim to please....
 
You are so wright

Dog,

You are so wright about the Flint pool players and their practice habits (for the most part). Many of us have tables at home, so pool halls and bars are more about competition or just getting out (as you suggested).

My comments about drawing the bar leaguers in was directed more towards generating revenue and interest in your establishment. Once people become accustomed to frequenting an establishment, then their more likely to draw in more people. Just trying to help. Certainly there are several places to play leagues, and some will always choose to have a home bar versus playing in a pool hall. Personally, I play in the in-house leagues at Terri's, so I don't have to travel, and I practice there quite a bit. The drawback there is that it's all 7'ers.

The Flint straight pool league seems to be the crowd you're looking for, but can they sustain your business? Sounds like you're well connected in the Flint pool scene and know what you're getting into there, so I'll just wish you good luck. Let us know where you'll be located and name. I'll be sure to look you up!
 
The piano would be a turn off for me good players or not, IMO you should serve something to eat maybe something easy like hotdogs. Not serving beer and or liquor might keep the adult crowd away.
 
dirtydog48 said:
The question is, when you were playing casually or learning to play, would the higher rates discourage you from coming back?


Would you buy a membership for wife or significant other?
Click to expand...

would the higher rates discourage you from coming back? YES

Would you buy a membership for wife or significant other? NO
 
Sounds to me this is the place I have been waiting for.

I've been hearing about this for a while now, just haven't heard any definate times yet.

I think you're onto the right idea, Earl.

I wish you the best of luck and I will be a regular customer for sure. And you know I always prefered Cutters over Hit-N-Run:D

-Gary V "your source for tires"...;)
 
you must have food and alcohol sales if you want to stay afloat. not to mention handicapped tournaments and leagues. poker machines don't hurt either haha. and please do the poolplayers a favor and invest in a couple brush boys ;)
 
I'm very torn on the idea of Alcohol in the pool room or not.

Personally, I enjoy having a few cold ones while I am playing. Especially when playing in a tournament.

That's the reason 90% of the guys I shooot league with, shoot league. Have a cold one with the buddies and a good excuse to get out besides your "just" going to shoot pool. Being on a league makes it sould more like a chore than fun...

Not having Alcohol will attract in the younger crowd that wants a place to hang out and shoot pool and meet other people thier age. However, the smaller size of your room and the minimal amount of tables will prevent most of that from happening...

As a rule, as I am sure you know Earl, you will never make any money off of the A and B players. They only come in to find a money game and never practice unless it is on a "Special" with another A or B player. And assuming you get in a few A players that wanna lock some money up, usually everyone else there wants t pause their time or get off time and watch the action.

You "Real" money is in the C players. The ones that have just enough Game to get in trouble. The ones who wanna impress their friends and really wanna struggle and practice to be a B player one day.

Every pool hall is the same, the C players buy the sticks, the time and the Sodas. The A's and B's sit around and bullshit and collect dust.

If you want the best of both worlds, you needs a place about 10,000 SF partitioned off with an Alcohol side and an under age side. That's Eutopia in the pool world, a place for the under age to hang out and a place for "The rest of us"....

But, you did cover one important aspect, you must have a 12X6 Snooker table and it must be nice and roll true. The Golf game brings in a stable regular crowd of people that are usually not the rowdy type and will literally hang out for hours on end, day after day, week after week.

And if you get a good enough reputation as a "Golf Room" you will be dragging them in from all over the surrounding areas to line it up.

It helps to have someone like "Gooch" in your corner as he associates with all of the Detroit crowd and can spread some good word of mouth for you which is always good for buisness.

You need any help with anything Earl, I'll do anything I can for you. Especially anything carpentry related to the place...

-Gary V

ps, I need a Hard Moori tip. You have any?
 
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