Pool is dead or is slowing dying. Why is this?
- Thread starter WinniePooh
- Start date
Did not vote. Only speaking for the US, if it is in bad health, my opinion is the rise of technology has caused people to move away from doing things in reality. We are tempted to experience things virtually more and more. Virtual reality from what I hear is now closer to mass proliferation.
Pool just seems more difficult to the masses when they can have technology assist them in seeking pleasure. As a corollary, Guitar Hero and Rock Band were the rage ten years ago or so, and I am sure some people found actually learning an instrument was simply too hard compared to plugging into their gaming system.
Pool just seems more difficult to the masses when they can have technology assist them in seeking pleasure. As a corollary, Guitar Hero and Rock Band were the rage ten years ago or so, and I am sure some people found actually learning an instrument was simply too hard compared to plugging into their gaming system.
The comment about reputation being damaged is opinion. Not fact.
I've seen this discussion going on for at least the last twenty years. People are still playing pool. The men have no pro tour and the women, last I knew, were also struggling to put on events with any decent money. Casual and league pool may be up but serious pool, as I see it, and pro pool are not.
Did not vote.
I've seen this discussion going on for at least the last twenty years. People are still playing pool. The men have no pro tour and the women, last I knew, were also struggling to put on events with any decent money. Casual and league pool may be up but serious pool, as I see it, and pro pool are not.
Did not vote.
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Same Reason as.........
Same Reason ......
Bowling Has Died Out.
Too Much Square Footage.
Mostly Casual Players, Who Play Only Once Every Few Years.
Leagues are Dying Because People Get Bored Too Quickly and Do Not Commit.
Weather Here in SoCal is Too Nice.
Back East Leagues Still Work, Somewhat Because It's Cold Outside. Darts, Foosball, Pool, Bowling Leagues Fail Here in LA LA Land.
Unwelcoming Atmosphere and Reputation.
We Need Ken Burns to Do a Documentary on Billiards (and Bowling).
No Programs for Youth, High School, Collegiate.
The Boys Clubs USED to Have Pool Tables.
No One Took Care of the Expense for Cloth and Labor to Redo Them.
No One Volunteered to Teach the Kids.
No Organized Programs for Beginners.
Yes, Lack of TV Coverage and the Need for Larger Purses.
Both Pool and Bowling are Not Really Exciting Games to Watch.
Maybe "Celebrity Pool" with Lots of Editing, Quick Lessons, Trick Shots?
How About a "Skills" Competition Show Like Golf and the NFL?
How About Trick Shot Demos in a Mall with Sign-Up Sheets for A Free Lesson and Frequent Shooter Card?
I Think Pool and Snooker Work in Europe and Asia Because Their Socities are More Patient and Not So Quckly Bored Liked Us People in the US.
I Was Going into the Bowling Business 15 Years Ago. Too Much $$$$ and Risk.
Now, In 2017 I'm Thinking of Opening a Billiards Room. Too Much $$$$ and Risk?
Same Reason ......
Bowling Has Died Out.
Too Much Square Footage.
Mostly Casual Players, Who Play Only Once Every Few Years.
Leagues are Dying Because People Get Bored Too Quickly and Do Not Commit.
Weather Here in SoCal is Too Nice.
Back East Leagues Still Work, Somewhat Because It's Cold Outside. Darts, Foosball, Pool, Bowling Leagues Fail Here in LA LA Land.
Unwelcoming Atmosphere and Reputation.
We Need Ken Burns to Do a Documentary on Billiards (and Bowling).
No Programs for Youth, High School, Collegiate.
The Boys Clubs USED to Have Pool Tables.
No One Took Care of the Expense for Cloth and Labor to Redo Them.
No One Volunteered to Teach the Kids.
No Organized Programs for Beginners.
Yes, Lack of TV Coverage and the Need for Larger Purses.
Both Pool and Bowling are Not Really Exciting Games to Watch.
Maybe "Celebrity Pool" with Lots of Editing, Quick Lessons, Trick Shots?
How About a "Skills" Competition Show Like Golf and the NFL?
How About Trick Shot Demos in a Mall with Sign-Up Sheets for A Free Lesson and Frequent Shooter Card?
I Think Pool and Snooker Work in Europe and Asia Because Their Socities are More Patient and Not So Quckly Bored Liked Us People in the US.
I Was Going into the Bowling Business 15 Years Ago. Too Much $$$$ and Risk.
Now, In 2017 I'm Thinking of Opening a Billiards Room. Too Much $$$$ and Risk?
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Tell That to Most City Councils and Police Departments Who Approve Where I Can Open a Billiards Room.
Pool is doing fine around here. (Eastern Canada) ... no vote.
No Vote
Pool is not dying, it's changing.
I'm sure more cue sticks are being purchased today than any time previously, (not house cues).
Pool is not dying, it's changing.
I'm sure more cue sticks are being purchased today than any time previously, (not house cues).
Tell Us Why
Please Tell Us Why Pool is Doing Well in Your Area.
Not Hating, I Just Want to Apply What Works.
Please Tell Us Why Pool is Doing Well in Your Area.
Not Hating, I Just Want to Apply What Works.
I don't think Pool is dying so I reject all of the Poll's choices and didn't vote. Pool may seem that it's dying when comparing it to the post "Color Of Money" resurgence. I think we've hit a slow growth cycle or simply plateaued. The growth of Pool Rooms opening in the early 90's, like any boom, was simply not sustainable. Why is there limited growth?
I think for the most part it's that there's not enough new people coming into the game, kids specifically. Many kids today socialize mostly from their homes. Kids love to play on their tablets, phones, laptops, & they can play their video games with one another via the internet while still being in the comfort of their own homes. IMHO it's that Pool simply is not an appealing entertainment option to the kids of today up against the other high tech choices.
The other big issue is how difficult it has become to turn a profit as a Pool room owner. Like MDs who by % fail miserably when they try to operate a business, most Pool room owners buy or open a room because of their love of the game. That's a plus, but a smart business person that alone does not make. How many people here have ever seen even just 1 episode of Bar Rescue? You get the picture. It seems for the most part that greens fees have gone down since I last managed a room (back in the 90s). With the cost of running a room going nowhere but up, that can't help. In NYS Pool rooms would be all but extinct had the law not changed forbidding Pool Rooms from being allowed to have a Liquor License.
There's a perfect storm for sure that has come together to rest it's foot on the throat of our beloved game. The Darwinian nature of business has thinned the heard of Pool considerably and left only the best in terms of rooms and gear. That being said, I don't think there's ever been a better time to be a Pool Player.
I think all the industry really needs is another Hollywood Blockbuster to bring about a resurgence. I've heard since the early 90's that one of the studios has a top quality bio-pic on Ralph Greenleaf in the can, but for some reason the studio never released it.
I think for the most part it's that there's not enough new people coming into the game, kids specifically. Many kids today socialize mostly from their homes. Kids love to play on their tablets, phones, laptops, & they can play their video games with one another via the internet while still being in the comfort of their own homes. IMHO it's that Pool simply is not an appealing entertainment option to the kids of today up against the other high tech choices.
The other big issue is how difficult it has become to turn a profit as a Pool room owner. Like MDs who by % fail miserably when they try to operate a business, most Pool room owners buy or open a room because of their love of the game. That's a plus, but a smart business person that alone does not make. How many people here have ever seen even just 1 episode of Bar Rescue? You get the picture. It seems for the most part that greens fees have gone down since I last managed a room (back in the 90s). With the cost of running a room going nowhere but up, that can't help. In NYS Pool rooms would be all but extinct had the law not changed forbidding Pool Rooms from being allowed to have a Liquor License.
There's a perfect storm for sure that has come together to rest it's foot on the throat of our beloved game. The Darwinian nature of business has thinned the heard of Pool considerably and left only the best in terms of rooms and gear. That being said, I don't think there's ever been a better time to be a Pool Player.
- The quality & technology of the gear has never been better.
- The cost is such that never has the dollar bought so much quality for so little.
- As I said greens fees seem to have gone down nation wide
- I've never seen more tournaments around & never before so well funded.
- More league play than I ever remember seeing ever before...hell, just more leagues in general, lol.
- Technology has brought Pool into our living-rooms and laptops like never before. This includes pro competition as well as pro instruction.
- The Pool world has become a smaller, less exclusive, and an easier to access place because of the Internet & FB.
I think all the industry really needs is another Hollywood Blockbuster to bring about a resurgence. I've heard since the early 90's that one of the studios has a top quality bio-pic on Ralph Greenleaf in the can, but for some reason the studio never released it.
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The real question is,
Is pool covfefing because there's not enough money,
or is there not enough money because pool is covfeffing?
This is quite inaccurate. Pool is not dying...not here in the USA or many other places in the world. Professional pool is dying here (for several reasons), but flourishing in many other countries. Amateur pool is very strong here, due to the league players.There are a half million league players playing every week in any of a dozen sanctioned leagues around the country. There are 10x that many playing in unsanctioned local leagues, that don't have a national tournament, but just play locally among themselves.
Pool is not dying...you didn't have that as an option, so I couldn't vote.
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Pool is not dying...you didn't have that as an option, so I couldn't vote.
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
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This in quite inaccurate. Pool is not dying...not here in the USA or many other places in the world. Professional pool is dying here (for several reasons), but flourishing in many other countries. Amateur pool is very strong here, due to the league players.There are a half million league players playing every week in any of a dozen sanctioned leagues around the country. There are 10x that many playing in unsanctioned local leagues, that don't have a national tournament, but just play locally among themselves.
Pool is not dying...you didn't have that as an option, so I couldn't vote.
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
I agree with this, locally we get 64 guys in a $5 bar tourney every Friday! And I recently asked a pro (a reputable one) why he thought pro pool is dying and his response was simple risk versus reward! He said a entry is high enough so only serious pros will enter but yet the field is stacked with 20guys capable of winning. So he claimed it was nuts to spend 500-2000$ on entry just to fight to get his money back!
WinniePooh
Banned
Great reply! Keep it up.
WinniePooh
Banned
WinniePooh
Banned
Reply when you see a tournament that pays $25,000 or more for 1st place.
Here are some events that have met that criterion recently:
• US Open 9-Ball Championship
• Challenge of Champions
• Derby City Classic (total DCC winnings for player who wins Master of the Table)
• WPA World 9-Ball Championship
• WPA World 10-Ball Championship (not held regularly)
• World Cup of Pool
• Kuwait 9-Ball Open
• China Open
• Chinese 8-Ball Masters
• China Billiard World Championship
[any others?]
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Q: covfefing?
A: " ...... "
Q: Oh .. him. Well - at least we could laugh at the Bushisms, still trying to figure out if Trump was drunk, or just dropped something on the keyboard .. but I guess that's for a different thread?