Pool is dead.
- Thread starter JB Cases
- Start date
Hierovision said:
Now we finally found one point that we agree on, and that is that you and I will never agree. I believe that maybe your youth and lack of experience prohibits you from seeing the entire picture, the way somebody else might see the entire picture, having lived it for 30-plus years, seeing the changes evolve over time.
First off, the tournament payouts today are the EXACT same as 30 years ago at the majority of pro events. Yet, the cost of living today has skyrocketed maybe four or five times from 30 years ago. Pro events today are not quite as plentiful, as they were 30 years ago. In fact, some regional tours have today now banned pro players from participation, so it is actually getting worse and worse, like a nightmare for the pro player.
I want professional pool to excel in America. For the majority of so-called professional pool players, though, it is too expensive to follow the professional tournament trail. Unless you have a rich sugar daddy/mommy or a sponsor, it is difficult to travel around the globe today and compete in so-called pro events. I'd say you'd have to have at least 30- to $40,000 EACH AND EVERY YEAR in expendable monies to pay the costs.
Even when you win, place, or show on the pro tournament trail, you're stuck from those other events that you came in ninth, fifteenth, or maybe didn't even come in the money. The expenses in professional pool far outweigh the payouts, whether it's in Winnemucca, Philippines, Qatar, or Malta.
When you see Player A made $100,000 playing pool on the ranking charts, make sure you realize that out of that $100,000, the player may have give half to his backer/stakehorse, pay expenses, and let's not forget good old Uncle Sam. After the monies are cut up, how much do you think is left of that whopping $100,000? It's only a peanut.
There is no outside corporate sponsorship to speak of for pool, and those inside the industry, these industry sponsors are dropping off by the dozens when it comes to support of professional pool. The BCA does not seem to have the resources to advance the sport in North America.
I believe that Mark Griffin's latest innovative concept of the CSI, having regional tournaments, is the way to help pool rise in the U.S. It will bring in new blood, and this type of organization may be able to be self-sustaining when it comes to making ends meet, instead of being a money burner. I would like to think that competition in these tournaments will rise in popularity. This is a good thing.
I believe the change agent for pool is exactly what Mark Griffin is doing, and I will support it 100 percent. As far as gambling and/or hustling, it may not be everybody's cup of tea, but those who continually whine and moan about it are usually the railbirds sitting in the front row watching an action match. If you don't believe me, go to the DCC this year and see it for yourself.
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1on1pooltournys said:
Good post. :smile:
I have one item that just may be marketable. Every single time I read a thread like this, it fuels my fire.
If I am able to capture exactly what you saw through your eyes as a young boy, it will be "winner, winner, chicken dinner." Stay tuned.... :grin-angelic:
teedotaj said:
I used to feel just like you, until I came to this forum and read some of the disparaging remarks written by the brethren of pool fans overseas, the disdain they express about American players, to include how inferior they feel American players are. It is sickening, especially after the overseas players flocked to our shores by the droves and gobbled up as much of the American resources as they could, only to spit American players out of their mouths later, as if Americans are sour milk.
Years ago, I specifically asked one European player why he came to the U.S. to compete, and he told me it was because there were not many opportunities in Europe for a player of his caliber to excel. He was polite and very humble, unlike some of his counterparts who write on this forum.
I cannot stereotype all overseas players with one brush stroke. I have met some who I definitely do admire. Interestingly, it is not these players themselves who have such a disdain for American players.
We all have opinions about why pool is not popular. I definitely have mine. Today, pool is a popular recreational game. I hope pool can just stay one step ahead of croquet and not end up as a recreational home game.
I am still hopeful that this CSI structure will take hold and grow. Time will tell....
Nice to see JAM back on Board.
daytona car racing an arcade game not computerSpiderWebComm said:
i won a a bit gambling on it over the years too
JB Cases said:Speaking of Winner Winner Chicken Dinner I think you owe me $50 cuz my team won this time. Sorry that your's dumped you but that's the game. Now I am at least even from four years ago.
Good to see you back!
And I owe you 40 $. Do you like Team USA or Team Europe in the Mosconi Cup?
JB Cases said:
I can't see how Team Europe can lose this year, so an extra $20 sounds great
Will you be able to watch Mosconi Cup live, or will it only be broadcasted on Sky Sports?
chamillionare said:
Whew... good thing I never ran into you in an arcade. I used to think I had that first oval track mathematically mastered. I'd venture to say I wasn't a world-champ though. They always tried to send you into a wreck near the final turn of the final lap- - i was good at squeaking out of it for the 1st.
I didn't lose to many people. However, if someone beat me twice I'd learn my pecking order quickly.
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it's hardly a revelation that mastering anything takes some skill/talent/dedication, etc....
somewhere in the world exists the best Mcdonalds server, the best toilet cleaner and the best [insert mundane job here]...there is even a contingent of paper/rock/scissors nuts that compete across the globe who produce an annual "champion"
glorifying videogames is a joke, another wonderfull example of society today,
I supposed I should be grateful however that these videogame champions are occupying their lives in such a manner since the obvious alternative for most of them would have been to sport trenchcoats and purchase AK's
somewhere in the world exists the best Mcdonalds server, the best toilet cleaner and the best [insert mundane job here]...there is even a contingent of paper/rock/scissors nuts that compete across the globe who produce an annual "champion"
glorifying videogames is a joke, another wonderfull example of society today,
I supposed I should be grateful however that these videogame champions are occupying their lives in such a manner since the obvious alternative for most of them would have been to sport trenchcoats and purchase AK's
Roy Steffensen said:I can't see how Team Europe can lose this year, so an extra $20 sounds great
Will you be able to watch Mosconi Cup live, or will it only be broadcasted on Sky Sports?
Unless I can find it online somewhere I won't be able to watch it live.
Ok, we have a bet. So even with Team Europe stacked I still like my odds here, $20 if I lose and $100 if I win. 5:1 on the money getting the USA's best in a series of short sets I gotta love that. ;-)
I gotta go get a flag! (oh wait I have one from the wedding)
smashmouth said:
I don't completely disagree with you but I have to say that I think that video games do serve a role. Pilots today wouldn't have a chance to handle the complex machines they fly were it not for video training, the military can put a person in any number of "real" situations and train the brain to make the right decision quickly.
There is something about the challenge of one group of people coming up with activities to outsmart another group of people, referring to programmers vs. players that stimulates the brains highly of both groups.
I think it's a mistake to dismiss game play as a wasted part of our society. I just found it interesting that it's gotten to the point however where some people would prefer to actually watch other people competing at them.
I actually like competing at some of the virtual pool sites once in a while. But I do miss the tactile feel of the real thing. I marvel at the programming effort it must take to do something like virtual pool and make it close to a real result.
AuntyDan said:
Yes, I'm well aware of the history of video games... in fact, I took a course on it at Duke.
What I was referring to, and I should have been more clear, is the history of pool from a player's perspective. Pool has a history of great players, an established hall of fame, countless books and stories about being on the road or feats of great players. Video games at this point largely do not have this in their 20 year history... there are exceptions to this rule and the rule will be broken over the next 20 years as they do become more popular and there is enough time for stories and a history to develop. :thumbup:
JB Cases said:Speaking of Winner Winner Chicken Dinner I think you owe me $50 cuz my team won this time. Sorry that your's dumped you but that's the game. Now I am at least even from four years ago.
Good to see you back!
When will I see you again? Are you living in China now?
I have not been to many events in recent times, so that I can pay you. :frown:
I may go to SBE in 2009. It depends on work.
I would say double or nothing in 2012, but I would rather give you the 50 bucks, so that you can take your lovely lady out to dinner. :thumbup:
BTW, congrats on the new baby on the way. :smile: