I read another thread that once again gave an opinion on how to inject some life into this sport. While the thought is most appreciated, I think its necessary to understand where this sport is right now financially before entertaining big money ideas. Compared to other sports, there is no money in pool.
Imagine a poolroom that has the following:
* great ambiance: nice furniture, muted skylights, raised spectating/sitting area, etc
* maintained and lighted simonis-covered gold crowns, well spaced
* excellent, reasonably priced food: gourmet pizzas, pasta, meat dishes, salads, etc
* excellent beers
* polite barmen and gorgeous waitresses
* great music at the right volume
* individualized cue case lockers
* a monthly membership fee of about 45 bucks (excludes Fri. & Sat. nights)
* is nice enough that small business lunches are often held there
* its clean and friendly enough that one 12 kid gets driven there a few times a week without his parents by one of the other patrons so that he can practice
* I have yet to see an arguement in this place
This room is in an area where there is a league with several levels of competency that is played on 9' tables. What game is played in this league you ask? 8-ball, 14.1, and 9-ball. All those games are played during one league match of typically 8 races total. The races and point total for straight pool are adjusted based on the difficulty of the league level you and your buddies are currently competing at. There is also an enforced dress code of a team polo shirt, black pants and black shoes. The ages in this league are all over the map. Lots of teenagers too.
I can't help but think that if I had this sort of league available years ago in the states, I would have played much more pool. In my mind at least, this is very different from a grungy bar table 8-ball league. Its a league that tons of kids are active in and a great multi-ability level club-sport type of activity. Its a great way to hook 'em young...and you don't have to play in bars to play in this league.
If this sort of league can keep this sort of poolhall in business I AM ALL FOR IT!!! By the way this is in Germany, and I'm loving it.
Imagine a poolroom that has the following:
* great ambiance: nice furniture, muted skylights, raised spectating/sitting area, etc
* maintained and lighted simonis-covered gold crowns, well spaced
* excellent, reasonably priced food: gourmet pizzas, pasta, meat dishes, salads, etc
* excellent beers
* polite barmen and gorgeous waitresses
* great music at the right volume
* individualized cue case lockers
* a monthly membership fee of about 45 bucks (excludes Fri. & Sat. nights)
* is nice enough that small business lunches are often held there
* its clean and friendly enough that one 12 kid gets driven there a few times a week without his parents by one of the other patrons so that he can practice
* I have yet to see an arguement in this place
This room is in an area where there is a league with several levels of competency that is played on 9' tables. What game is played in this league you ask? 8-ball, 14.1, and 9-ball. All those games are played during one league match of typically 8 races total. The races and point total for straight pool are adjusted based on the difficulty of the league level you and your buddies are currently competing at. There is also an enforced dress code of a team polo shirt, black pants and black shoes. The ages in this league are all over the map. Lots of teenagers too.
I can't help but think that if I had this sort of league available years ago in the states, I would have played much more pool. In my mind at least, this is very different from a grungy bar table 8-ball league. Its a league that tons of kids are active in and a great multi-ability level club-sport type of activity. Its a great way to hook 'em young...and you don't have to play in bars to play in this league.
If this sort of league can keep this sort of poolhall in business I AM ALL FOR IT!!! By the way this is in Germany, and I'm loving it.