Pool: Gentleman's Game or Scoundrel's Game

[Flex]

This is the debate for the ages. I'm of the opinion that it is the seedy side of the game that tends to jump start pool when it's trending up, but it's that same seedy side that ultimately drags it down and scares away the youthful and affluent demographics.

I think pool can be both a gentleman's game and a scoundrel's game, but there is a need for some venues / situations where customers can play a gentlemanly game without much fear of being preyed upon by the scoundrels. For example, a) a poolroom I went to in Raleigh, North Carolina in the late 1970's had a $10 cover charge but they gave you a coupon for $10 off on your table time, and b) a poolroom I visited in Broward County, Florida in the early 1990's only allowed gambling after 8:00 PM.

I think that people need to have their wits about them, first and foremost, and when asking the simple question, "Hey, wanna shoot around? I'm not a gambler..." get ready for most people to respond with "Sure, I'm not a gambler either." That takes the pressure off the encounter from the get-go, in my opinion.

However, if someone wants to play for something, say a beer or something along that line, most people will go for it. For such a low wager, there's really no danger of scoundrels moving in. It's when someone makes a move, to go to the $20 a rack stuff that the tensions can rise.

As in most areas of life, a word to the wise is sufficient.

Flex

 

[jason]

yes but these events usually occur on an annual basis. there is almost a trick shot magic tour for pool. maybe the NBA will start a HORSE tour...

Agreed, the trick shot "tourney" should be (in a perfect world) something additional to the main event, not the main event itself.

We have a real problem when this type of pool gets more air time and larger payouts than most "standard" tourneys.