Ron Swanson
Banned
Drivel
Where's that bloody myths thread?
As for pool, a stop clock is a must, but more importantly, saftety must either change or be eliminated. It is simply too cheap on a pool table.
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Pool appealing to mainstream
- Thread starter coco9
- Start date
Drivel
Where's that bloody myths thread?
As for pool, a stop clock is a must, but more importantly, saftety must either change or be eliminated. It is simply too cheap on a pool table.
Ron Swanson
Banned
Black pudding. And it's disgusting.
You enjoy watching pool. I enjoy watching pool too. Most AZers probably enjoy watching pool...because we're addicted to pool.
But 99.9% of the rest of the U.S. audience would rather watch skateboarding, beach volleyball or any of dozens of sports on cable TV. Those sports are easy to understand and appreciate in the first two minutes. There's an excitement to seeing a kid twist and turn in midair and land on the skateboard without missing beat. It looks hard so we appreciate the skill.
But even we get bored when a pool player taps in ball after ball (or, God forbid a one-pocket match goes uptable)
The snooker comparison is very weak because snooker has a long tradition in the UK that pool has never had in the U.S. Also, snooker's viewership numbers are dropping every year (despite having some of the most exciting players in its history) while other sports viewership in the UK are increasing. It appears that UK snooker and US pool are on the same trajectory (down); only difference is that snooker is starting its fall from a higher level.
I have nothing against changing/refining the rules and equipment of pool to make the game more enjoyable to play or watch. But make those changes to please the current players and fans...because it isn't going to attract new viewers.
I hear you but I just disagree. Most AZers agree with you, I get it, but I think you're just too pessimistic about pool's watchability. I think it's got potential as a spectator sport. But things have to change.
Pool is a fascinating game. There's a lot of skill. It can be captured perfectly on TV. I've watched pool with non-pool-addicts, streams and accustats DVDs. Here's one thing that might surprise you: generally I've found one-pocket to be more watchable, not by me but by non-pool-people, than 9-ball. Why? Because there's actually something going on, besides the break contest and foregone runouts. Yeah, it goes uptable sometimes. Then you fastforward to the next rack. But when it doesn't, it's great.
One pocket isn't the ideal game. But neither is 9-ball, as it's currently played. Or straight pool, or 8 or 10-ball. The break problem in 9/10-ball is a significant one. Pool is watchable, but a breaking contest, skillful as it may be, really isn't.
Snooker has tradition, true. Pool doesn't have that. That's a big deal, and kind of a catch-22: people don't care about pool because nobody cares about pool. But it's not like starting at zero. It's not like trying to market cricket to the US. Almost everyone in the US has played pool, at least once or twice. Most of them like it. Tradition and prestige don't come overnight, it takes time, and I think it has to be bottom up. Gimmicks and reality shows won't do it. An organized tour would be a start.
Well no matter the amount you'd like to intellectualize the reasons why people aren't into pool, it remains and in my opinion will remain an unpopular niche "sport" as are darts or bowling and various other things televised on espn 4 at three in the morning. I don't think changing the rules of the game will make it popular either. For example, I don't give a sh*t about watching darts on tv and never will. I don't care if they employ a shot clock or make the players stand on one leg. I'll still not ever want to watch two guys do that on tv. ever. I hope that comparison got my point across.
There is a very simple way to make pool 'appealing to the masses', and it is actually super easy: be one letter less ambitious.
Get rid of the first 'e'.
Get rid of the first 'e'.
Can't rep this, guess you're really banned.
There are so many other fringe interests, why should pool take away from ice skating, guitar playing, football, ping pong, running, rock climbing, lacrosse, sewing, and yes, darts.
Banned or not, him make-um good point here.
I was talking with a very well respected person last night that's been around the pool industry for many many years. We were discussing what could the normal person do to support and grow pool.
Is his opinion, the US pool industry comprised of social players & amateurs is totally separate and has little affect on what happens with professional pool. He went on to discuss that social play, leagues and amateur play are doing fine.
What is hurting is professional pool for various different reasons. I know you cannot believe everything you read on the internet, but usually there is some element of truth. The actions and practices that I read about professional pool (players & promoters) are sometimes really distasteful. Why would I want to donate my time, money and efforts towards that ?
Maybe pool will remain as is. A social and amateur game enjoyed by the general public as a social and amateur game, with only the serious enthusiasts showing interest in supporting, watching, participating in professional play.
Is his opinion, the US pool industry comprised of social players & amateurs is totally separate and has little affect on what happens with professional pool. He went on to discuss that social play, leagues and amateur play are doing fine.
What is hurting is professional pool for various different reasons. I know you cannot believe everything you read on the internet, but usually there is some element of truth. The actions and practices that I read about professional pool (players & promoters) are sometimes really distasteful. Why would I want to donate my time, money and efforts towards that ?
Maybe pool will remain as is. A social and amateur game enjoyed by the general public as a social and amateur game, with only the serious enthusiasts showing interest in supporting, watching, participating in professional play.
The team format does not have to exclude mano y mano match-ups.
Imagine, if you will, two teams (of 5-8 players) play 5 games -
One race to 9 - 8-ball
One race 11 - 9-ball
One race to 11 - 10-Ball
One race to 150 - 14.1
One race to 5 - One Pocket
Each team has a coach who decides what players to put up for each match (and each discipline).
Not only do the players score points for games on the wire, but they also score bonus points for difficult shots like combo's and banks (incentive for aggressive play).
You can preserve your one on one match-ups while still having a team competition
Ron Swanson
Banned
Not really. Darts has gone from a game declining in popularity to one loved by millions, all with a bit of tweaking.
Stuff needs to be entertaining, fast and unpredictable. I can't think of another activity that is so good to play yet so tedious to watch. Pros need to understand in no uncertain terms: no playie quickie, no payee chequey.