Pool Is Dead

  • Thread starter Thread starter THE SILENCER
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pool in america is a small sport in a big sport country. pool in asia is a big sport. the shinning example of pool's visibility is jeanette lee. half the general pulbic that even bothers to watch espn2 knows her as "the black widow", but they don't even know her name. the only other player they know is "that blonde". these are the two luminaries of pro pool. ask your casual player in the local amateur 8ball league, who won the men's US OPEN.

so long as there's a pool hall near you, why should anyone care. for me,,,i don't give a rat's ass whether the pro sport thrives or whether the pros make money or not. they are to blame for their own situation. and players like williams and mathews are not the kind of people who should trying to manage the sport. history bears this out. THEY'RE PLAYERS,,,they should be out running racks somewhere.

the amateur game does well on its own. for now,,,the pool hall will only thrive as a small business entreprenuerial effort.

here in manhattan, abc will close its doors on one pool hall. they are moving more in the direction of the "bar scene" atmosphere,,,like the PRESSURE an SLATE rooms, where you can go and have a good time, and oh, btw, you can play pool too.
 
BackPocket9Ball said:
... Steve Mizerak went somewhere -- besides that, I don't know of any pro pool player who went to college.
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(Yeah- to dinner LOL!!)

If I recall correctly, my buddy told me a story he had read about Miz coming back from college. His car broke down (Tire? As if it were important) in a town which, thusly, had the misfortune of getting BUSTED BY HIM.

Closing scene- Miz leaves town in new car.

-pigy
 
I think in order to get respect first you must show respect yourself and also have some respect for yourself. Pool for me is very much alive. When you have over four hundred entrants in a bank pool or one pocket tournament like they did recently in Louisville this should tell you something. When you have hundreds of entrants in a tournament with bar boxes playing 8 ball in Vegas that should also tell you something. Hundreds of entrants in the US Open at $500 entrance fee. A Euro tour, Asian Tour, Snooker Tour, Carom Tour, A Womans tour, League play.

The internet with its pool forums, the several Billiard magazines, men like Greg Sullivan or Diamond, Mark Griffin, Pat Fleming of Accu-Stats, Grady Mathews, Jay Helfert. All comprise an exciting time for pool.

I come from the 60's and 70's were there was nothing. Where billiard news was on the back of a bowling magazine. No TV no Media, Nada. The only thing you had was Willie Mosconi's little booklet and Jimmy Caras' book of trick shots. Now you can get any kind of book on pool. The pool merchandise and cues that you get today are outstanding.

For people who wish they would have taken up golf or tennis instead and missed becoming the next Tiger Woods or Williams sisters. I feel bad for you. Because I guess you just dont love pool. The kind of love that says Ill play this game because I cannot not play it. The kind of love that gives you joy when you step in a pool room and makes you feel ALIVE when you hear the balls clicking. You obviously made a mistake. Quit now instead of torturing yourself any longer. But dont blame the game.

I guess it is hard for me to uderstand why anyone would say that Pool is Dead in this great times with all our great and diverse type of players. From Efren, to Earl, to Buddy, to Mika, to Ralf, to Shannon, to Allison, to Jose, to Torbjorn, to Cliff, etc. I try not to live in a world that is held up in a one block radius. Looking at my mirror everyday trying to figure out why no one else thinks I am that great as I think I am. Why no one likes me or thinks like me because I am one great person with great talents and can play. I have too much respect for that. I humble myself before a Earl Strickland or a Efren Reyes. For those who know more than me. And I thank every day that I live in a time when there exist the most incredible pool playing and access in our history.

PS Our forefathers GAMBLED by coming to this new country. They took a bigger chance by betting their whole lives as their stakes. Gambling is in our nature. Gambling is in our blood. We are not a nation of puny people who sit on our bar stools whining and putting everyone else down. But a nation who went out and tried to build something and become the best we could.
 
Wally in Cincy said:
I think Jon Kucharo was a collegiate champ.
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maybe that's why he dropped out of pool,,,,because he had options. a lot of people mourn the loss of a rising star. but i say, "good for him".

we're now past the decade that pool was supposed to make a come back,,,and the game is back to sqare one. well maybe not square one. pool is strong in asia, and ok in europe.
 
I tried to stay off this thread because I think it is ridiculous. Pool is an ever-growing sport. More people own custom cues and/or pool tables today than ever before. The only thing lacking is a good pro tour with good money for the pro players who make their living at this sport. It will come, but with certain restrictions on those who wish to participate. A few people will fight it, but it will happen. Sam
 
THE SILENCER said:
i don't care if it ever gets popular, i do care, that in the future, rows and rows of seats are filled up in stadium style in pool halls all around the usa.
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Kindly explain why most people cry like babies about a $5.00 admission fee to watch a worthwhile event. Explain why most players hate paying table time. If these people can't respect themselves, what do you expect ???
THE SILENCER said:
for a player who is quite good as myself
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You must be trying to be funny. Your level of comedy is severely lacking... If you were only half as good as you think you are..... your posts would demonstrate a bit more intelligence about the game/sport the rest of us know and love.
 
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efirkey said:
Everyone knows several people who paid their way through college playing pool. I doubt that happens any more.
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I've heard a number of people say that either they, or somebody else payed their way through college playing pool. But I would bet anything that it never happened then or ever. It's an over blown exaggerated myth. Total bullcrap! Everytime I've ever had someone say that to me about themselves personally, I know that it's a sure fire bet and can't wait to play them. I have NEVER lost to that type of braggart and ended up taking a few for a nice long ride into the world of brokedom. First off, other college kids don't have that much money to blow on pool, and somebody that's real good is somewhat afraid of going into the bars to hustle drunks too often in order not to get his ass beat into the ground. They're either wasting it on booze or chicks. And if you ever ran into sombody like a Varner, Miz, or others that went to college and were good, they'd never admit it. They would be crying the blues about how lousy they play and need the 7 and out.
 
Paying your way through college with pool is bullshit 90% of the time. I broke a local guy here that 'played his way through college'. And i am a fairly shitty player. 3 racks is my break and run record. Isn't college the time when you go massively into debt to learn the skills to get yourself out of debt? School costs too much money to pay your way through it. If you could make that much money playing pool tell me why you quit after callege then? Thats the question i ask these over exaggerating bums!!
 
drivermaker said:
I've heard a number of people say that either they, or somebody else payed their way through college playing pool. But I would bet anything that it never happened then or ever. It's an over blown exaggerated myth. Total bullcrap! Everytime I've ever had someone say that to me about themselves personally, I know that it's a sure fire bet and can't wait to play them. I have NEVER lost to that type of braggart and ended up taking a few for a nice long ride into the world of brokedom. First off, other college kids don't have that much money to blow on pool, and somebody that's real good is somewhat afraid of going into the bars to hustle drunks too often in order not to get his ass beat into the ground. They're either wasting it on booze or chicks. And if you ever ran into sombody like a Varner, Miz, or others that went to college and were good, they'd never admit it. They would be crying the blues about how lousy they play and need the 7 and out.
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I'm going to have to totally agree with D'maker. Anyone good enough to put themselves through college (now or then) would probably not be going to college. Very few people can spend the time necessary to excel at pool, and still maintain a proficiencey and interest in school. Every player I've ever played that said that got stomped (and I'm certainly no Silencer or Efren). I did however have the privilege to watch Nick Varner play ACU billiards in the early 70's (I was playing bridge in those events, not pool) - he was just annihilating the other college kids. No one in their right mind would have played him for more than a beer. Indiana Univ. had a player named Archie that beat everyone in Bloomington (Archie let me know if you are out there), but Varner (at Purdue) handled him like a child.
 
Willie, Mac Ashby, from Indy was good friends with Nick and played pool with him. He made his money during college playing pool. He's an excellent player and knew when to play and when not to. He was married in college and I'm sure his wife worked and helped with the bills. There are people who can excel without all the hours of practice most people need. Sam
 
satman said:
Willie, Mac Ashby, from Indy was good friends with Nick and played pool with him. He made his money during college playing pool. He's an excellent player and knew when to play and when not to. He was married in college and I'm sure his wife worked and helped with the bills. There are people who can excel without all the hours of practice most people need. Sam
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Satman,
Yes, I'm sure there are exceptions (though probably as another poster said, they are wise enough not to brag about it). I've seen Mac multiple times over at Airport, but he is always talking, never playing. Everyone says he is quite proficient (translation = never play him for money). I know he has run Jeanette's celebrity tournament at least once, and she spoke very highly of his skill.

As with all these stories, I think a truism with all gamblers is that, in their minds, the losses are minimized and the winnings are maximized. I'm going to have to see itemized receipts before I believe most of them :) :) :)
 
According to the guy that ran the room at purdue for many years paul gerni also went to school there. Dunno of any others though, besides varner.

And bernie saying pool needs to be deadly serious to gain popularity, that's false, the old saying, any press is good press, well anything that gets people thinking/talking/watching/playing pool is good for pool. The only people who need to take it seriously are the ones trying to make a living off of it. Should be fun for all the rest of us.
________
 
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manlyshot said:
However, if you are going to have an invitational-only tournament, such as the BCA Open or WPC,

ManlyShot
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Just for clarification. The WPC is an invitational and open tournament. There are slots for winners in the qualifying tournaments which are open to every male who's capable of joining. The main drawback is the travel expense.
 
Williebetmore said:
I'm going to have to totally agree with D'maker. Anyone good enough to put themselves through college (now or then) would probably not be going to college. .
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:):):) any good player smart enough to go through college is smart enough to not make pool his living. :):):)
 
Troy said:
Kindly explain why most people cry like babies about a $5.00 admission fee to watch a worthwhile event. Explain why most players hate paying table time. If these people can't respect themselves, what do you expect ???

You must be trying to be funny. Your level of comedy is severely lacking... If you were only half as good as you think you are..... your posts would demonstrate a bit more intelligence about the game/sport the rest of us know and love.
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Troy, I think you are having a battle of wits with an unarmed person. Bernie is FL minus the talent.

-CM
 
Re: Varner

Williebetmore said:
I'm going to have to totally agree with D'maker. Anyone good enough to put themselves through college (now or then) would probably not be going to college. Very few people can spend the time necessary to excel at pool, and still maintain a proficiencey and interest in school. Every player I've ever played that said that got stomped (and I'm certainly no Silencer or Efren). I did however have the privilege to watch Nick Varner play ACU billiards in the early 70's (I was playing bridge in those events, not pool) - he was just annihilating the other college kids. No one in their right mind would have played him for more than a beer. Indiana Univ. had a player named Archie that beat everyone in Bloomington (Archie let me know if you are out there), but Varner (at Purdue) handled him like a child.
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I had the opportunity to meet Nick when I was in college (around 1975), as he gave an exhibition at the college rec center. He related that he did not know how good he was (i.e., within the NCAA field) until he went to Purdue and beat the reigning NCAA champ (also from Purdue). I believe Nick won the NCAA's 4 years in a row. He told us some great gambling stories and suggested some practice drills. He was (is) a true gentleman.
 
IronDon55 said:
I had the opportunity to meet Nick when I was in college (around 1975), as he gave an exhibition at the college rec center. He related that he did not know how good he was (i.e., within the NCAA field) until he went to Purdue and beat the reigning NCAA champ (also from Purdue). I believe Nick won the NCAA's 4 years in a row. He told us some great gambling stories and suggested some practice drills. He was (is) a true gentleman.
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Correction: He did not beat the reigning NCAA champ - he pulverized him.
 
Not dead yet-just slowly dying

Pool is not dead yet, but it is slowly dying and i think there are two main reasons. I do not know what the average age of the people on this forum is but I am guessing it is around 40. Pool players are dying out and there are no young players to take their place. I have been playing at the same poolroom for over 40 years.It has only five tables, but has seen its share of good play.30 years ago if you wanted to play on a weekend you had to be there at 10 in the morning.Last weekend I sat there for 5 hours without even a friendly game being played.This town is only 5000 people, but in the 70's there were at least 20 people 15-25 years of age that played decent pool.Where have they gone? There is two much stuff for them to do now, and my second reason is that you can gamble everywhere. Before ,if you wanted to gamble you headed for the poolroom where pool and cards awaited you.Not dead-just slowly dying.
 
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