Pool Room memberships

C

Cameron Smith

is kind of hungry...
Silver Member
First off I am interested in opening a pool room in the future. I am currently saving money and I will begin taking business courses next year. So I am just interested in throwing some ideas out at you guys just to see what you think.

I have been told that a flat rate can be deadly for a pool room as they are basically giving away their pool. However I can understand having it on a sunday or during the summer when the place is absolutely dead.

Would any of you think a membership would be a good alternative? Say $40-50 a month? This would probably only interesting for a play such as myself who would want to spend 5-6 hours at a time playing. The casual player on the other hand probably wouldn't bother as they wouldn't spend that much in three months.

I know you can't cater to the serious players as they don't spend much money at the pool hall. Nevertheless I thought this would be a good way to at least not forget the serious players.
 
had a pool hall until April, '05,,,tried lots of different things but...local sports killed things in the fall,,,summers were good for me, contrary to what others say about their rooms,,,had quarter tables; made free doors for those who wanted tables by the hour,,,local bangers never figured out they could save $ renting by the hour.

I don't have any magic pill to send you; just friendly advice: check local laws and ordinances,,,know who your competition is,,,run a tight ship and save for the lean times,,,

overall, I made money in the pool room,,,was lucky enough to quit while I was ahead,,,all those who opened up after I closed didn't (or wasn't able) to read the handwriting on the wall and quit before they pumped their profits into a bottomless pit.

when I find the right venue, I'll try again,,,I'm crazy that way.
 
Jack Flanagan said:
had a pool hall until April, '05,,,tried lots of different things but...local sports killed things in the fall,,,summers were good for me, contrary to what others say about their rooms,,,had quarter tables; made free doors for those who wanted tables by the hour,,,local bangers never figured out they could save $ renting by the hour.

I don't have any magic pill to send you; just friendly advice: check local laws and ordinances,,,know who your competition is,,,run a tight ship and save for the lean times,,,

overall, I made money in the pool room,,,was lucky enough to quit while I was ahead,,,all those who opened up after I closed didn't (or wasn't able) to read the handwriting on the wall and quit before they pumped their profits into a bottomless pit.

when I find the right venue, I'll try again,,,I'm crazy that way.
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Thanks for the advice. I am actually willing to move to a city which would support a pool room. I think doing that would improve the possibly of success. I don't believe Ottawa (where I live) would be a good place for another pool room as we have a fair amount of them and all of them have a devoted following.
 
Cam,

I've always thought that, doing a membership is a bonus to your regulars who actually spend quality time in the room.

Most places in my area do several things.

1- for every 10hrs of pool you get 1hr free, and it adds up, and can be used when ever.

2- discounts on cues and accessories

3- havent seen this in my area, but giving discounted rates, or flat rates for certain times of the day. IE open to 7pm is 10$ , Or on the weekends you could shave a 1$ off hourly rate.
 
About memberships

I think the whole membership thing is dangerous. Many people that will frequent your business will go elsewhere even for a $5 membership. The same people will gamble $500 on a set of pool but will take the stand that you owe them free entry. I know its a minority but it will still affect you. I think a VIP program or a rewards program for the people that spend more money with you would be better. Dont charge them up front but give them tickets of some kind to be redeemed later. Or coupons. This will seperate the good customers from the customers you just TELL you that they are good customers. Just make sure it is even for everyone. For example. When you spend $10 in pool time you get a coupon for a free hour of pool Mon-Thurs. Or even have prices of appetizers or drinks in both dollars AND point system. You get 4 saved tickets from pool, get some free Chicken strips. That sort of thing. You will seperate the average customers from the good ones from the great ones very quickly. And you might be surprised at the results. Good luck :)
 
cueandcushion said:
I think the whole membership thing is dangerous. Many people that will frequent your business will go elsewhere even for a $5 membership. The same people will gamble $500 on a set of pool but will take the stand that you owe them free entry. I know its a minority but it will still affect you. I think a VIP program or a rewards program for the people that spend more money with you would be better. Dont charge them up front but give them tickets of some kind to be redeemed later. Or coupons. This will seperate the good customers from the customers you just TELL you that they are good customers. Just make sure it is even for everyone. For example. When you spend $10 in pool time you get a coupon for a free hour of pool Mon-Thurs. Or even have prices of appetizers or drinks in both dollars AND point system. You get 4 saved tickets from pool, get some free Chicken strips. That sort of thing. You will seperate the average customers from the good ones from the great ones very quickly. And you might be surprised at the results. Good luck :)
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Thanks for the very good advice. I have a lot of time to think about this as I don't plan to do anything for a few years yet.
 
We now have 2 options for pool memberships in our area (only 2 pool halls around here) One place offers a "practice" card in which its $60 a month and you get to play all the pool you want BY YOURSELF. Its nice, but only really appeals to those who want to play alone and practice on certain shots.

The other place just adopeted a "players card" for $65 you get a month of play that is not limited in any way at all. Bonus is the fact that they have brand new diamonds and the place is brand new, great equipment to play on and a great room in general. Only drawback is that its 20 minutes north of me and I live 3 minutes from the other place, so a few of us are planning on carpooling up there every day for 3-4 hours a day to play and save on gas and get in some quality time on the tables.
 
glfgd82 said:
We now have 2 options for pool memberships in our area (only 2 pool halls around here) One place offers a "practice" card in which its $60 a month and you get to play all the pool you want BY YOURSELF. Its nice, but only really appeals to those who want to play alone and practice on certain shots.
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That's the kind of thing I was thinking about. This I think would be a great idea to implement. It would get the serious players coming into practice, and even if only a few people take advantage, your not losing any money.
 
You could offer players a choice?
Either a membership by the month or year, OR just let them pay the time as they go.
That should take care of most people.
 
Been in business for 17 years. I see no reason for a membership.

The room owner will not come out "to the good" on it. In fact, he may come up short, when "unlimited members" are playing on tables that could be rented to others. You HAVE to avoid that.

I highly recommend a flat day rate. Anyone who wants to practice for a low rate can do it then. I have a "$4 equals play all afternoon til 6:00p" rate. Basically play from 11a to 6p for $4. That benefits both the players and the room. It's slow time for the room. Plenty of open tables. And the players get a lot of pool cheap. They'll probably buy a beer or two or a soda or two.

Another thing I do is I allow league players to play "all night for free on their league night". Our league is inhouse. Their league fee includes this. There are usually open tables on week nights. However, not always. If I have paying customers I reserve the right to take the "free table" from them. In 17 years it's only happened a few times. And, the customers understand. They get so much free time "on the whole" that they are OK with the occasional hiccup. AND, after league, playing free on tables likely to be open anyway.........we get more beer and food sales out of them. Without the free pool, they'd leave immediately after league (our league is designed to be over by 10:30p). But, the free pool entices a few to stick around and practice or "match up". And, we get an extra beer or two or an appetizer or a couple of sodas out of each.......and, it keeps the place looking busy for the "night owl" customers. They like coming to a "happening" place.

And, it promotes league. Play in our league and you get a lot of table time included. Of course, the "better players" (A players) don't like league. Most of them aren't good for your business anyway. But, they can't say they can't get a "deal" at my place. They just choose not to. And, I'm usually glad they do......there are a few exceptions to everything.
 
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Chameleon said:
Been in business for 17 years. I see no reason for a membership.

The room owner will not come out "to the good" on it. In fact, he may come up short, when "unlimited members" are playing on tables that could be rented to others. You HAVE to avoid that.

I highly recommend a flat day rate. Anyone who wants to practice for a low rate can do it then. I have a "$4 equals play all afternoon til 6:00p" rate. Basically play from 11a to 6p for $4. That benefits both the players and the room. It's slow time for the room. Plenty of open tables. And the players get a lot of pool cheap. They'll probably buy a beer or two or a soda or two.

Another thing I do is I allow league players to play "all night for free on their league night". Our league is inhouse. Their league fee includes this. There are usually open tables on week nights. However, not always. If I have paying customers I reserve the right to take the "free table" from them. In 17 years it's only happened a few times. And, the customers understand. They get so much free time "on the whole" that they are OK with the occasional hiccup. AND, after league, playing free on tables likely to be open anyway.........we get more beer and food sales out of them. Without the free pool, they'd leave immediately after league (our league is designed to be over by 10:30p). But, the free pool entices a few to stick around and practice or "match up". And, we get an extra beer or two or an appetizer or a couple of sodas out of each.......and, it keeps the place looking busy for the "night owl" customers. They like coming to a "happening" place.

And, it promotes league. Play in our league and you get a lot of table time included. Of course, the "better players" (A players) don't like league. Most of them aren't good for your business anyway. But, they can't say they can't get a "deal" at my place. They just choose not to. And, I'm usually glad they do......there are a few exceptions to everything.
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You bring up some good points. I'm curious though, with your flat rate how often do see people taking advantage of this and coming in to practice all day? Do they monopolize the tables, or is it just a select few who play for hours upon hours on end?
 
Cameron Smith said:
You bring up some good points. I'm curious though, with your flat rate how often do see people taking advantage of this and coming in to practice all day? Do they monopolize the tables, or is it just a select few who play for hours upon hours on end?
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I have a membership program in my pool room. I charge $60 a month and allow the membership rates from opening 12:30 pm until 7:00 pm 7 days a week unlimited play.

After 7:00 pm members pay the full rate, and while some of these people only play during membership hour's, most pay little attention if they are involved in a hot set.

This program is very effective for my slowest times of the day. My customers still buy Beer, Snacks, have repairs done to their cues, and a group of people at any location attracts more people.

Most of the people who use the membership program are retired, work at night, or they are teenagers who get out of school at 2:00 pm.

I think that this program like anything else is based on the location you choose for a pool room.

Well, I hope this helps!!

Manwon
 
Cameron Smith said:
You bring up some good points. I'm curious though, with your flat rate how often do see people taking advantage of this and coming in to practice all day? Do they monopolize the tables, or is it just a select few who play for hours upon hours on end?
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Very few use it.

The pool players sleep all day. The good customers work.

But they can't say I don't offer them something valuable.

Pool players want free/cheap table time to gamble with and win or lose $500+. Then, they ***** about paying their table time. I laugh at them and up it an additional $5 while they argue.

The "normal" customers don't really want a discount. They play for an hour and leave.

This leaves the league players, usually working people. Some just play for fun. Some are "up and comers". These up and comers use the afternoon discount to their advantage.
 
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