Pool Room - What Gets You in the Door?
- Thread starter 9balllvr
- Start date
9balllvr said:
I can only speak for my home room but in the front there are 4 Diamond set-ups and these are more expensive to play on. Typically this keeps the bangers off them.
As for what I like in a room.
1. Excellent playing conditions (Cloth, distance between tables, lighting, etc...)
2. Music but not deafening.
3. BEER
4. Food in house or delivery service available.
5. Cue repairman that can be reached. Does not have to be on location.
6. Reasonable table time.
There are probably more that would make it ideal but these are some things that make me go back.
without reading all the replies I will say:
1) action, the bigger the better
2) tournaments held there
3) good equipment
Music, food, management attitude, quality of staff, pricing, parking, etc etc all are things that will rarely get me to go to a specific room unless they really screw it up badly, then I might not go to a room bc of just that.
1) action, the bigger the better
2) tournaments held there
3) good equipment
Music, food, management attitude, quality of staff, pricing, parking, etc etc all are things that will rarely get me to go to a specific room unless they really screw it up badly, then I might not go to a room bc of just that.
Secaucus Fats said:
LOL, one of the rooms I frequent has almost none of these things, save for the parking and generally friendly staff, welcoming might be another story until you become a semi-regular there. But I go simply because I've come to know the regulars and the poolroom managers, and treatment is in line with those circumstances. Every now and then I'll get a free soda or refill on beer (SHHH...). But for the most part, it really has mostly the exact opposite of what you and others have listed. This is the only room that can get away with this, because it is very close to me. Other rooms that are also nearby (but still farther away) would not get my patronage if they did not have most of the things you all have listed.
The other places I go to generally have to have good equipment, mostly well kept tables with reasonable cloth and balls, some tighter pocket tables anywhere from 4.25-4.5, acceptable space between tables, a comfortable, clean atmosphere, etc. One of the places even has a full kitchen, which provides far more variety in food than most poolrooms. Around here, medium loud to loud music is mostly inescapable, but it doesn't bother me too much. A pro shop is not important to me since I buy most of my stuff online, or from a friend.
Someone else mentioned that they prefer that there are no young, non-serious players around. I generally agree with this, but sometimes, I don't mind. Those kind of places are usually where the eye candy hangs out. But again, I agree that I don't care for jackasses or bangers around me when I'm playing.
not this place.
http://www.mnbilliards.com/ittrium/visit?path=A1x66x1y1xf9x1x65y1x2718x1x65
If you are from the Minneapolis area, I recomend Jimmys pro billiards.
Diamond 9 footers
low level music
seating
good cheap snacks and bevs.
Table time specials
24 hours
pool player hangout, not a date night spot.
http://www.mnbilliards.com/ittrium/visit?path=A1x66x1y1xf9x1x65y1x2718x1x65
If you are from the Minneapolis area, I recomend Jimmys pro billiards.
Diamond 9 footers
low level music
seating
good cheap snacks and bevs.
Table time specials
24 hours
pool player hangout, not a date night spot.
Good question.
Usually when things need to be fixed they are listed in priority. The "average" pool player doesnt need top grade BCA/ IPT quality equipment to have a good time. The "average" players just wants a level table with no holes in the cloth to knock them around with his friends. Correcting EVERY problem the second it happens will dramatically raise your overhead, thus raising your prices, which 90% of people wont like. They dont care about those things. For almost 10 years now the number one income table in my pool room is the oldest table with a cracked slate that we stuck all the way in the back corner. Kids like being in the back corner for privacy. I have NEVER...repeat NEVER had anyone come up to me and say.."Is that slate cracked?". No one can tell. For me to replace a table that no one complains about because it is damaged to me just doesnt seem like smart business practice. By far the most complaints come from 1% of our serious players that make demands almost every night. Notice I did not say requests. They make demands. "You need to reshim that pocket" "You need to recover that table" "You need to replace the balls" the list goes on and on. You have to balance what is juvenile whining because they lost a set and try and figure out what is a genuine gripe. I cant tell you how many times someone has asked me to level the one pocket table, we cover it for a day, put up a sign, "Being repaired" we then do nothing to the table, and everyone is happy the table is level now. They will thank me because the table is playing SO different. And we didnt do a thing. Once you have been through this charade about 1000 times, you start to weed out what the real repairs are that will truly help your bottom line and what repairs make the bangers happy. The bangers account for 75-80% of my pool income. Right now about 25-30% of my income comes from ONE group of kids that come in. They play on two tables and spend more than all my regulars put together times two. As a business owner, who do you think will get my attention with telling me about repairs or suggestions about our business? This group spends $40 a night just on sodas/ coffees. I stock my drink cooler with whatever they ask for. You can never satisfy every customer. So you have to decide for every $100 you spend..how many people are you making happy? I can make the drunk redneck girl that hasnt played pool in 2 years happy by giving away free pretzels and popcorn (since she doesnt have money) or I can make the two Korean boys that spent $138 just last night on pool happy with exotic designer coffees I have to drive to Chinatown to find. Hmmm...who will I choose?
Snapshot9 said:
Usually when things need to be fixed they are listed in priority. The "average" pool player doesnt need top grade BCA/ IPT quality equipment to have a good time. The "average" players just wants a level table with no holes in the cloth to knock them around with his friends. Correcting EVERY problem the second it happens will dramatically raise your overhead, thus raising your prices, which 90% of people wont like. They dont care about those things. For almost 10 years now the number one income table in my pool room is the oldest table with a cracked slate that we stuck all the way in the back corner. Kids like being in the back corner for privacy. I have NEVER...repeat NEVER had anyone come up to me and say.."Is that slate cracked?". No one can tell. For me to replace a table that no one complains about because it is damaged to me just doesnt seem like smart business practice. By far the most complaints come from 1% of our serious players that make demands almost every night. Notice I did not say requests. They make demands. "You need to reshim that pocket" "You need to recover that table" "You need to replace the balls" the list goes on and on. You have to balance what is juvenile whining because they lost a set and try and figure out what is a genuine gripe. I cant tell you how many times someone has asked me to level the one pocket table, we cover it for a day, put up a sign, "Being repaired" we then do nothing to the table, and everyone is happy the table is level now. They will thank me because the table is playing SO different. And we didnt do a thing. Once you have been through this charade about 1000 times, you start to weed out what the real repairs are that will truly help your bottom line and what repairs make the bangers happy. The bangers account for 75-80% of my pool income. Right now about 25-30% of my income comes from ONE group of kids that come in. They play on two tables and spend more than all my regulars put together times two. As a business owner, who do you think will get my attention with telling me about repairs or suggestions about our business? This group spends $40 a night just on sodas/ coffees. I stock my drink cooler with whatever they ask for. You can never satisfy every customer. So you have to decide for every $100 you spend..how many people are you making happy? I can make the drunk redneck girl that hasnt played pool in 2 years happy by giving away free pretzels and popcorn (since she doesnt have money) or I can make the two Korean boys that spent $138 just last night on pool happy with exotic designer coffees I have to drive to Chinatown to find. Hmmm...who will I choose?
cueandcushion said:Usually when things need to be fixed they are listed in priority. The "average" pool player doesnt need top grade BCA/ IPT quality equipment to have a good time. The "average" players just wants a level table with no holes in the cloth to knock them around with his friends. Correcting EVERY problem the second it happens will dramatically raise your overhead, thus raising your prices, which 90% of people wont like. They dont care about those things. For almost 10 years now the number one income table in my pool room is the oldest table with a cracked slate that we stuck all the way in the back corner. Kids like being in the back corner for privacy. I have NEVER...repeat NEVER had anyone come up to me and say.."Is that slate cracked?". No one can tell. For me to replace a table that no one complains about because it is damaged to me just doesnt seem like smart business practice. By far the most complaints come from 1% of our serious players that make demands almost every night. Notice I did not say requests. They make demands. "You need to reshim that pocket" "You need to recover that table" "You need to replace the balls" the list goes on and on. You have to balance what is juvenile whining because they lost a set and try and figure out what is a genuine gripe. I cant tell you how many times someone has asked me to level the one pocket table, we cover it for a day, put up a sign, "Being repaired" we then do nothing to the table, and everyone is happy the table is level now. They will thank me because the table is playing SO different. And we didnt do a thing. Once you have been through this charade about 1000 times, you start to weed out what the real repairs are that will truly help your bottom line and what repairs make the bangers happy. The bangers account for 75-80% of my pool income. Right now about 25-30% of my income comes from ONE group of kids that come in. They play on two tables and spend more than all my regulars put together times two. As a business owner, who do you think will get my attention with telling me about repairs or suggestions about our business? This group spends $40 a night just on sodas/ coffees. I stock my drink cooler with whatever they ask for. You can never satisfy every customer. So you have to decide for every $100 you spend..how many people are you making happy? I can make the drunk redneck girl that hasnt played pool in 2 years happy by giving away free pretzels and popcorn (since she doesnt have money) or I can make the two Korean boys that spent $138 just last night on pool happy with exotic designer coffees I have to drive to Chinatown to find. Hmmm...who will I choose?
Both OUTSTANDING and HYSTERICAL.
Great post.
Koop - never demands, only asks
The problem with asking the people on this forum is the majority of the people here take pool fairly seriously. They are 'players' as oppose to 'bangers'.
Yet the most successful pool rooms in terms of making money that I know of is the Jillian's chain and Slate here in nYc.
Definitely not player rooms.
So before you ask "what gets you in the door" you should ask who you want coming thru the door first.
Yet the most successful pool rooms in terms of making money that I know of is the Jillian's chain and Slate here in nYc.
Definitely not player rooms.
So before you ask "what gets you in the door" you should ask who you want coming thru the door first.
My prefs
In order of importance:
1. Atmosphere
- clean (bathrooms included), smoke-free, friendly, welcoming
2. Equipment
- geared toward players not bangers (well kept 9-footers, good cloth/balls/racks/etc)
3. Clientele
- no shady patrons, good players (if you build it, they will come)
In order of importance:
1. Atmosphere
- clean (bathrooms included), smoke-free, friendly, welcoming
2. Equipment
- geared toward players not bangers (well kept 9-footers, good cloth/balls/racks/etc)
3. Clientele
- no shady patrons, good players (if you build it, they will come)
In addition to good, well-maintained equipment (which is kind of rare ... so many places have tables with worn cloth and dead rails), I like a good rail/bar area where you can watch the better players. Amsterdam in NYC is set up well for that. So is Masters, to name a couple.
Got to at least have beer. Good for when you're done for the night and want to hang around a little longer.
No barboxes ... they bring in yoyos.
Good day rates and/or single-player rates for practice fiends.
Might be a good idea to get a type of table not otherwise available in the area, too. If I knew of a place with Diamonds or Gabriels, I'd definitely go check it out.
Food should be quick and simple ... but might be a waste even at that.
A couple of weekly tournaments.
Got to at least have beer. Good for when you're done for the night and want to hang around a little longer.
No barboxes ... they bring in yoyos.
Good day rates and/or single-player rates for practice fiends.
Might be a good idea to get a type of table not otherwise available in the area, too. If I knew of a place with Diamonds or Gabriels, I'd definitely go check it out.
Food should be quick and simple ... but might be a waste even at that.
A couple of weekly tournaments.
cueandcushion said:Usually when things need to be fixed they are listed in priority. The "average" pool player doesnt need top grade BCA/ IPT quality equipment to have a good time. The "average" players just wants a level table with no holes in the cloth to knock them around with his friends. Correcting EVERY problem the second it happens will dramatically raise your overhead, thus raising your prices, which 90% of people wont like. They dont care about those things. For almost 10 years now the number one income table in my pool room is the oldest table with a cracked slate that we stuck all the way in the back corner. Kids like being in the back corner for privacy. I have NEVER...repeat NEVER had anyone come up to me and say.."Is that slate cracked?". No one can tell. For me to replace a table that no one complains about because it is damaged to me just doesnt seem like smart business practice. By far the most complaints come from 1% of our serious players that make demands almost every night. Notice I did not say requests. They make demands. "You need to reshim that pocket" "You need to recover that table" "You need to replace the balls" the list goes on and on. You have to balance what is juvenile whining because they lost a set and try and figure out what is a genuine gripe. I cant tell you how many times someone has asked me to level the one pocket table, we cover it for a day, put up a sign, "Being repaired" we then do nothing to the table, and everyone is happy the table is level now. They will thank me because the table is playing SO different. And we didnt do a thing. Once you have been through this charade about 1000 times, you start to weed out what the real repairs are that will truly help your bottom line and what repairs make the bangers happy. The bangers account for 75-80% of my pool income. Right now about 25-30% of my income comes from ONE group of kids that come in. They play on two tables and spend more than all my regulars put together times two. As a business owner, who do you think will get my attention with telling me about repairs or suggestions about our business? This group spends $40 a night just on sodas/ coffees. I stock my drink cooler with whatever they ask for. You can never satisfy every customer. So you have to decide for every $100 you spend..how many people are you making happy? I can make the drunk redneck girl that hasnt played pool in 2 years happy by giving away free pretzels and popcorn (since she doesnt have money) or I can make the two Korean boys that spent $138 just last night on pool happy with exotic designer coffees I have to drive to Chinatown to find. Hmmm...who will I choose?
you did answer the question above
- this has been very informative and maybe I shouldn't say, but pretty funny too 
I guess I should answer the original question.
What gets me in the door of pool halls (other than my own) is an atmosphere that has some fun and grown up behavior. I try and keep drama to a minimum in my own place so that is an atribute I look for. Mark Wilson's Billiard Bullpen is a great place just over the river from my pool hall. Mark has no alcohol and doesnt put up with any poor behavior. It is a GREAT place to play pool. Not too many places I like to play pool but his is. Many room owners will give me free pool as a courtesy. I have no problem paying for my time at Mark's because of the great atmosphere. When I heard he was going to make it a baseball theme pool room I thought it was kind of corny. But I was very surprised to see how well it was done. It changed my mind. Im not a good enough pool player to demand perfect tables, but Mark keeps his tables brushed and cleaned daily. I wish the place was larger, but other than that I think it is the perfect pool room. If all pool rooms were run like this I think our sport would have a much improved image. That is what gets me in the door of a pool room, when someone has more dedication and love of the game than I do and proves it with his actions.
What gets me in the door of pool halls (other than my own) is an atmosphere that has some fun and grown up behavior. I try and keep drama to a minimum in my own place so that is an atribute I look for. Mark Wilson's Billiard Bullpen is a great place just over the river from my pool hall. Mark has no alcohol and doesnt put up with any poor behavior. It is a GREAT place to play pool. Not too many places I like to play pool but his is. Many room owners will give me free pool as a courtesy. I have no problem paying for my time at Mark's because of the great atmosphere. When I heard he was going to make it a baseball theme pool room I thought it was kind of corny. But I was very surprised to see how well it was done. It changed my mind. Im not a good enough pool player to demand perfect tables, but Mark keeps his tables brushed and cleaned daily. I wish the place was larger, but other than that I think it is the perfect pool room. If all pool rooms were run like this I think our sport would have a much improved image. That is what gets me in the door of a pool room, when someone has more dedication and love of the game than I do and proves it with his actions.
vagabond was reading my mind