Pool Player culture

justnum

justnum

Billiards Improvement Research Projects Associate
Silver Member
After some more watching at 14.1 worlds. The pro pool world is full of loners.

I am not saying anything is wrong with being a loner. And you can only have so many conversations with the same people till they upset you.

But seeing a lot of the players and even fans its a weird culture. On one hand a pro money event is going on, on the other hand there a lot of people that are sitting quietly and getting restless.

I could only sit through the same conversation about who is shooting well and running out before that gets dull.

What do you think pool culture can grow into at pool tournaments?
 
justnum said:
After some more watching at 14.1 worlds. The pro pool world is full of loners.

I am not saying anything is wrong with being a loner. And you can only have so many conversations with the same people till they upset you.

But seeing a lot of the players and even fans its a weird culture. On one hand a pro money event is going on, on the other hand there a lot of people that are sitting quietly and getting restless.

I could only sit through the same conversation about who is shooting well and running out before that gets dull.

What do you think pool culture can grow into at pool tournaments?
Click to expand...
What I have noticed is, they mostly prefer the company of other men. I am not saying they are homosexual just pretty much sexless. They have some kind of common problem that you rarely see them in the company of women. They seem to hide in the pool room and in the game. Just an observation.
 
middleofnowhere said:
What I have noticed is, they mostly prefer the company of other men. I am not saying they are homosexual just pretty much sexless. They have some kind of common problem that you rarely see them in the company of women. They seem to hide in the pool room and in the game. Just an observation.
Click to expand...

This is a very easy one. Most women do not find it appealing whatsoever to sit in a pool hall watching people play pool for hours and hours on end. The other part of this is a pool room is just like a gentleman's club ( not strip club lol ) where men get together like a lodge, a club or what have you and women are actually allowed in ( which was not always the case btw ) but most choose to forego.
 
middleofnowhere said:
What I have noticed is, they mostly prefer the company of other men. I am not saying they are homosexual just pretty much sexless. They have some kind of common problem that you rarely see them in the company of women. They seem to hide in the pool room and in the game. Just an observation.
Click to expand...

Good point I will hire several escorts to show up at the 14.1. I will not be paying for anyone to have free sex, they will just be there for eye candy.

What type of exotic desserts should I schedule? You think standard American will do, or will they want some ethnic treats.

If some of the guys are gay, I am not against it. I think I know someone that can hire some beefcakes to show to, the skinny guy look is really in.

Talk with them for me, maybe they prefer MP (Massage Parlors) that is so they don't have to be embarrassed about paying for it. Once they meet with the escorts, they can learn about services available.

Are they into drugs? Maybe they prefer a more lively party scene?
 
Last edited:
beneath_the_sur said:
Are all people with Justin screennames gonna be like this?
Click to expand...

Some people from small towns like a lot of pool players, have ideas on what New York City might be like. Especially with all the entertaining shows based in New York City, and I am watching the 14.1 in NYC.

All I am saying is being on the road gets lonely. There are people at the events, but if they need to focus on playing billiards or having fun, what level of excitement is acceptable?

I don't see too many of them reading or using their phone. I thought they like people to people interaction.
 
This game is full of introverts...the fans are players, too, so also tend to be introverts...you have to be to have the energy to spend all those lonely hours playing.
 
BmoreMoney said:
This is a very easy one. Most women do not find it appealing whatsoever to sit in a pool hall watching people play pool for hours and hours on end. The other part of this is a pool room is just like a gentleman's club ( not strip club lol ) where men get together like a lodge, a club or what have you and women are actually allowed in ( which was not always the case btw ) but most choose to forego.
Click to expand...

Maybe an old acquaintance of mine was right when he said: "women, if we weren't screwing them, we'd be hunting them". Maybe not all of them, but certainly some. :wink:
 
jimmyg said:
Maybe an old acquaintance of mine was right when he said: "women, if we weren't screwing them, we'd be hunting them". Maybe not all of them, but certainly some. :wink:
Click to expand...

Its best to start that discussion because, someone might say pool tournaments are discriminating against women or something.

I don't know if these events need to be more friendly to females Or how they could accommodate females more?

I know some people are friendly at events, they are fun to go to. But its like there are unwritten rules or crowd enforced policies. Maybe its better everyone keep to themselves. But that reminds me of some bad places, places that are not fun to go to.

Its important I talk to people at the 14.1 because its makes the event more memorable, something I couldn't have done if I streamed it.
 
Be lonely? Needing to talk to people? Why can't just shooting pool be enough? Why is everyone always trying to change the game and make it better.....do I wish pool was more in the spot light for pro events sure but I'm tired of people always *****ing about what they want changed. If you don't like the game or the culture then just stay away please.
 
tap tap tap

Shughes13 said:
Be lonely? Needing to talk to people? Why can't just shooting pool be enough? Why is everyone always trying to change the game and make it better.....do I wish pool was more in the spot light for pro events sure but I'm tired of people always *****ing about what they want changed. If you don't like the game or the culture then just stay away please.
Click to expand...



i just shoot the balls,
dont need money involved, dont need someone to even play with
i just like the games
 
I'm not sure I understand this thread. What else are you supposed to do when you play pool or watch an event? Cheer? Dance? The one thing that always surprises me about this site is it's full of people that don't really seem to like playing pool. Just a lot of blather about "action" and crap like that. Maybe ya'll are just surprised that when you leave the cocoon of AZB that there are people out there that actually love the game because it's fun.
 
Pool players are highly narcissistic. They think only of themselves. This is not an indictment, but rather an observation, so bear with me on this.
They (pool players) must look out for themselves because if they don't, who will? After all, from the highest ranks of professional pool down to the good old boys playing One Pocket for ten bucks a game at the local poolroom, they all have one thing in common and that is: a game of pool is like a gunfight. There are no second place winners. :)
 
justnum said:
After some more watching at 14.1 worlds. The pro pool world is full of loners.

I am not saying anything is wrong with being a loner. And you can only have so many conversations with the same people till they upset you.

But seeing a lot of the players and even fans its a weird culture. On one hand a pro money event is going on, on the other hand there a lot of people that are sitting quietly and getting restless.

I could only sit through the same conversation about who is shooting well and running out before that gets dull.

What do you think pool culture can grow into at pool tournaments?
Click to expand...

It is a loners game. If you want to get ahead and go for your dreams then you eventually end up detaching yourself from others. I spent many years as a journeyman semi pro chasing my dreams often sitting on coaches for 24hrs+ travelling across Europe and hrs on trains alone across the UK and South East Asia chasing tournaments and looking for places with action.

At the end of the day not everyone of your friends have the same aspirations or can afford to come along for the ride at that particular time in life. Thus you must take advantage of the opportunities when you have the funds and when they arise.

Likewise, everyone you meet along the way, often become friends for a day or several days and then disappear and then ones who are in the same boat are not always the types of people you get along with. I played in 20+ countries and most of the time embraced the new faces and eventually waned from most of the regulars. However, although i met some great people along the way I tend to stick to myself and prefer reading a book nowdays in the corner until my games are called..
 
Last edited:
justnum said:
After some more watching at 14.1 worlds. The pro pool world is full of loners.

I am not saying anything is wrong with being a loner. And you can only have so many conversations with the same people till they upset you.

But seeing a lot of the players and even fans its a weird culture. On one hand a pro money event is going on, on the other hand there a lot of people that are sitting quietly and getting restless.

I could only sit through the same conversation about who is shooting well and running out before that gets dull.

What do you think pool culture can grow into at pool tournaments?
Click to expand...

Flawed assumption, again.

First, there is a difference between choosing to be alone and being lonely.

Secondly, and more importantly, not being uncomfortable being alone does not
make one a loner. There are those who can function well on there own as well as
in a group. One may certainly choose to adjust ones behavior to the current situation.

BTW - pool is overwhelmingly a single participant activity,
also, in case you haven't noticed, it may be the worst spectator sport ever,
except to us few die hard fans.

Dale
 
Last edited:
pdcue said:
Flawed assumption, again.

First, there is a difference between choosing to be alone and being lonely.

Secondly, and more importantly, not being uncomfortable being alone does not
make one a loner. There are those who can function well on there own as well as
in a group. One may certainly choose to adjust ones behavior to the current situation.

BTW - pool is overwhelmingly a single participant activity,
also, in case you haven't noticed, it may be the worst spectator sport ever,
except to us few die hard fans.

Dale
Click to expand...

I agree, personally I prefer my own company and like to just focus on my own thoughts and focus on the game and try and win which is what I have made the effort to travel to the tournament to achieve and the less distractions the better to achieve these goals.
 
I happen to disagree with much said here. First, not all pool players are loners. Some are quite gregarious and seek out others company. Second, not all are narcisistic. Third, the beautiful thing about the game is the social aspect and the wide representation of diversity represented in the poolroom. My room has guys that have been on disability for years for a myriad of reasons. I play games with auto mechanics, accountants, retired high ranking military, musicians, roofers, and even one guy that just traded two Ferraris for new McClaren. We all, for the most, part get along well because we have a common interest. if Justnum is lonely, only he knows why. In a poolroom or tournament environment there is no reason to feel lonely. Justnum has his own issues. Hope he enjoys the company of his escorts. He might be the poster child for the diversity in the game.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top