Pool halls that discourage play

I just read this whole thread, whew I'm tired now! I don't understand why people don't understand what Pete and CK are C/O about? They're not saying that tightly shimmed pockets are bad, they're saying that bad tables are bad. I don't think Teacherman is really saying anything different. He seems to endorse the idea of having good equipment and that's all CK and Pete want is good equipment.

Other than that, I hate to say it but I have to agree with Teacherman about where the money is. We have a place in my town with over 30 tables, pizza restaurant, tons of video games and a video rental. The owner started out catering to the pool players a little (that was about 12 years ago) and he has since changed so that he's catering to families with young children. He has pizza parties and he covers many, sometimes most of his pool tables with plywood sheets and inaugahide (sp) covers and puts picnic benches and chairs around them coverting them into big pizza party tables. He's made a fortune doing this (he just bought a mansion in one of the most exclusive areas in the greater Bay Area - Blackhawk). Do I like it? Of course not. Does he have a right to do it? Of course he does. He's an astute business man and he's going to cater to whoever has the most money and that's not usually the A and B pool players.
 
Jedi V Man said:
Either you have a major comprehension problem or English is your Second language....
..
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Sorry, you missed. Teacherman started representing himself as an A player and encapsulating B players as wanna-be A players. I evolved it to A players are wanna-be pros. Big deal, nothing was meant by this other than his persistent B player bashing. I then proceeded to state that not everyone cares about improving. If they just happen to, that's fine. I use billiards as socializing. What do I gain if I get better? Nothing there for me. Do I enjoy playing? Sure I do. If I wanna be A or A+ or Pro. Doesn't matter. I'm happy at C. I beat many B players and A players at times even up. I gamble a little. I have fun at it. I love watching the Pros and I understand quite a bit about the game. You usually do not see me practice, that's boring to me. Once and a while I stop by the pool hall, play for one hour or two, talk to a bunch of people - thats all. I support pool because I feel the pros are spectacular. To watch an A, B or C player does nothing though I like to see them all have a good time.
 
pete lafond said:
Sorry, you missed. Teacherman started representing himself as an A player and encapsulating B players as wanna-be A players.
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Cool. I thought you directed that at me since you quoted me.....

:cool:
 
Jack Flanagan said:
and what business do you relate to ?,,,I have two businesses now: (1) retire-QUOTE]


Post was meant for Teacherman. He owns a pool hall. He hates B players because they whine. He hates lots of other things too. He claims he's the master mind of the pool hall business, but says nothing about his own pool hall. It just seems rather odd.
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Teacherman said:
Show me where I did this.

Show everyone here.

And then apologize when you can't find it.
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Let the record show that Mr. Lafond is lying since he has posted since the challenge and offered no response.
 
Rickw said:
I just read this whole thread, whew I'm tired now! .
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Hey, it is pretty long. Basically your right it was about poorly shimmed tables. I enjoyed the topic. In the end I can see many reasons why pool has such a tough time gaining popularity. Attitude is everything. Good business people supporting this game will make it happen so long as they promote their better players. If it is treated as a game for a bunch of kids, then thats all it will be.
 
pete lafond said:
Jack Flanagan said:
and what business do you relate to ?,,,I have two businesses now: (1) retire-QUOTE]


Post was meant for Teacherman. He owns a pool hall. He hates B players because they whine. He hates lots of other things too. He claims he's the master mind of the pool hall business, but says nothing about his own pool hall. It just seems rather odd.
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Almost everything I've said is about my own pool rooms.

I believe we have a pathological liar here folks.
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pete lafond said:
Jack Flanagan said:
and what business do you relate to ?,,,I have two businesses now: (1) retire-QUOTE]


Post was meant for Teacherman. He owns a pool hall. He hates B players because they whine. He hates lots of other things too. He claims he's the master mind of the pool hall business, but says nothing about his own pool hall. It just seems rather odd.
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no, the post was meant for lafond,,,how can you jump on someone else and remain anonymous yourself,,,if you're not willing to 'fess up to what you do,,leave everyone else alone,,,'cuts both ways'
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Jack Flanagan said:
no, the post was meant for lafond,,,how can you jump on someone else and remain anonymous yourself,,,if you're not willing to 'fess up to what you do,,leave everyone else alone,,,'cuts both ways'
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Hey Jack. I do not own a pool hall. Teacherman does. If I owned a pool hall believe me I would always post my Pool Hall business name and location on this forum and carry the name with pride. I would also hope to get visited by forum members when visiting my town. For me, my name is not hidden nor is my town but I'm in the software business and pool is for a good time for me. Sorry for the confusion.
 
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Back from league.

I suck.

Peter, do you not comprehend well. I know you're clueless but please read the thread. I think what Jack said makes perfect sense.
 
wow

As a long time retailer, I'm always surprised at the contempt that sellers hold for the buyers. It probably comes from the equally surprising lack of manners displayed by a small (but vocal) percentage of our customer bases, we begin to associate that with everyone. In any case, while it is true that a social pool player has absolutely no idea why he/she misses, there is some psychology at work here. I would imagine that a person who drops a bunch of balls at pool hall A, but miss a lot at pool hall B, would be more likely to return to pool hall A, all other things being equal. They probably wouldn't even be able to explain why they prefer hall A. Even if you are just socializing, making balls is fun and missing sucks. So, I would say that the shim on a table does matter to a pool hall. I would also conjecture that it doesn't make much sense to do something that lessons the enjoyment of the vast majority of your customer base.
 
thirtyeyes said:
As a long time retailer, I'm always surprised at the contempt that sellers hold for the buyers. It probably comes from the equally surprising lack of manners displayed by a small (but vocal) percentage of our customer bases, we begin to associate that with everyone. In any case, while it is true that a social pool player has absolutely no idea why he/she misses, there is some psychology at work here. I would imagine that a person who drops a bunch of balls at pool hall A, but miss a lot at pool hall B, would be more likely to return to pool hall A, all other things being equal. They probably wouldn't even be able to explain why they prefer hall A. Even if you are just socializing, making balls is fun and missing sucks. So, I would say that the shim on a table does matter to a pool hall. I would also conjecture that it doesn't make much sense to do something that lessons the enjoyment of the vast majority of your customer base.
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Very well said. Unfortunately many of the comments posted got into some off topic remarks, myself as well. A lot of fruitless analogies, arrogant comments and fallaciously expert advice spent when the whole point was quite simple;

1. Shim one or two tables to please those that want to practice (even if it is a crap job, in everyone’s minds they are just practice tables.)
2. Do not shim or alter quality tables (EXCLUDING THE OTHER TABLES DESCRIBED IN THE FIRST STATEMENT - this is for those that will try to find contradiction). If you want tighter pockets then buy from the manufacturer that way. They know what they are doing as countless hours of engineering time were spent to ensure consistency of play. “Use standard manufactures products when maintaining tables.”

I originally posted this because of frustrations that I have had and others who were afraid to say anything. I would not have wasted my time with this issue if I did not care about this pool hall. It's a great place and I want it to stay that way. Unfortunately this all happened after the owner had passed away. He once told me that in-as-much as he would love to make the tables tougher; he would never do it as it would be foolish on his part. It would kill the fun and excitement of play. He was a very good businessman. The place used to be packed.

I just wanted other pool hall owners to understand possible ramifications before they make a decision like this. Not to dictate, just to inform. Again, thanks for your post.
 
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thirtyeyes said:
...I'm always surprised at the contempt that sellers hold for the buyers.

...all other things being equal
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Don't ever confuse what a businessman thinks about a customer and how he treats him. Business is simple. Getting what's in the customers pocket into yours and making him feel good about it. What you really think of the guy isn't part of the equation.

And your other premise about the subconscious telling me I make more balls at place A than at place B falls in the same category as the the "rhythm" shooter. Simply doesn't exist.

Besides all other things aren't equal.
 
Teacherman said:
Don't ever confuse what a businessman thinks about a customer and how he treats him. Business is simple. Getting what's in the customers pocket into yours and making him feel good about it. What you really think of the guy isn't part of the equation.

And your other premise about the subconscious telling me I make more balls at place A than at place B falls in the same category as the the "rhythm" shooter. Simply doesn't exist.

Besides all other things aren't equal.
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Thirtyeyes psychology proven. Good insight Thirtyeyes.
 
thirtyeyes said:
As a long time retailer, I'm always surprised at the contempt that sellers hold for the buyers. It probably comes from the equally surprising lack of manners displayed by a small (but vocal) percentage of our customer bases, we begin to associate that with everyone. In any case, while it is true that a social pool player has absolutely no idea why he/she misses, there is some psychology at work here. I would imagine that a person who drops a bunch of balls at pool hall A, but miss a lot at pool hall B, would be more likely to return to pool hall A, all other things being equal. They probably wouldn't even be able to explain why they prefer hall A. Even if you are just socializing, making balls is fun and missing sucks. So, I would say that the shim on a table does matter to a pool hall. I would also conjecture that it doesn't make much sense to do something that lessons the enjoyment of the vast majority of your customer base.
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TAP TAP TAP
 
Teacherman said:
....falls in the same category as the the "rhythm" shooter. Simply doesn't exist.
Besides all other things aren't equal.
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........most 'rhythm' players are a little 'off beat' or can easily be distracted and will 'skip a beat'...................LOL
 
Jack Flanagan said:
........most 'rhythm' players are a little 'off beat' or can easily be distracted and will 'skip a beat'...................LOL
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I like the guys who are playing good, a teammate offers them a coach, they miss, and they blame it on "their rhythm was stopped".

If rhythm made a difference then the juke box is the answer.
 
Hey Pete, and Cardiac Kid...

So you don't like tight pockets? Or is that you don't like playing a good game of pool? Pool is a great game, being a complainer won't help. I read that you said Diamond tables are the best? Well in that case Pete, you should buy one for you and the other whiner.

Mike Sigel once said the tables in the VIP room play so easy that a 100 Ball run isn't hard to do as long as you focus.

I've heard through the grape vine that the pockets will all redone, and all tables will have 760 simonis. If you want to play pool and make your game better... play on the Gandys, that's a mans table.
 
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