Pools Popularity

Newsheriffintwn

Newsheriffintwn

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I have thought about this many times over the years. Ive also seen a lot of posts on the subject. Maybe its has nothing to do with us players, maybe its all about the fans and spectators of our sport. Most if not all the spectators Ive ever known or have seen at any event were actually players with a few wives and girlfriends thrown in for good measure. I have never seen or even heard of anyone (not involved with pool) saying I really want to go to this tournament or that to watch. Maybe we just don't have as loyal fans as say football or soccer. Could you imagine Earl winning another U.S. Open and having the fans storm the floor and flip the tables over. Like when fans tear down the goal posts. Seems like regular people (not players) just have no interest in pool. I don't think its marketed to bring in people who have no knowledge of the sport as a entertainment venue. I have thought this for years we need a reality type show to bring in the masses and get the average John and Jane doe into pool. What do you guys think??
 
I've read a lot of posts here bemoaning the fact that pool doesn't have a lot of fans. What I haven't heard is why anyone cares. So there are few people watching pool matches on television. So what? Why is there this idea that pool needs millions of fans? or millions of new players? Pool is for players, not watchers.

I'm not trying to be a turd about it, I just don't understand the problem (if there is one), and the supposed benefit to the pool player.
 
junkbond said:
I've read a lot of posts here bemoaning the fact that pool doesn't have a lot of fans. What I haven't heard is why anyone cares. So there are few people watching pool matches on television. So what? Why is there this idea that pool needs millions of fans? or millions of new players? Pool is for players, not watchers.

I'm not trying to be a turd about it, I just don't understand the problem (if there is one), and the supposed benefit to the pool player.
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I can sum it all up in one word. MONEY
 
junkbond said:
That would be the reason for about 1/00 of one percent pf players.
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What are you even talking about. My point was that we need people that arent just players to take interest in pool. The more money that comes into pool would be more money for the games players as well as more places (and nicer) to play. I never brought up what motivates a player to play the game, simply what would improve a bad situation. pool halls closing all over the country, tournaments that cant even pay players the measly prizes when they win.
 
It has been suggested here at least twice that a reality show involving going into a bar or pool room and running a hustle on an unsuspecting player.I think this Idea could do very well but there are a few problems.

Who is going to get hustled when they can see a camera crew hanging around?OK who beside a sucker like me lol :smile:

Also in most states side action is illegal gambling so I don't know how a very interesting con could be run while still keeping it "real"

I do think that for pool to be viable as a money maker on TV some form of gambling would have to be depicted (reality TV type show).This is what hurts the image of pool when it comes to comparing it with a golf witch is very successful as a network TV sport.Although there is widespread gambling in golf just as in pool,golf has managed to avoid the gambling image and therefore the network TV money allows even the lowest pros to earn a good living.
 
smoooothstroke said:
It has been suggested here at least twice that a reality show involving going into a bar or pool room and running a hustle on an unsuspecting player.I think this Idea could do very well but there are a few problems.

Who is going to get hustled when they can see a camera crew hanging around?OK who beside a sucker like me lol :smile:

Also in most states side action is illegal gambling so I don't know how a very interesting con could be run while still keeping it "real"

I do think that for pool to be viable as a money maker on TV some form of gambling would have to be depicted (reality TV type show).This is what hurts the image of pool when it comes to comparing it with a golf witch is very successful as a network TV sport.Although there is widespread gambling in golf just as in pool,golf has managed to avoid the gambling image and therefore the network TV money allows even the lowest pros to earn a good living.
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All true but just do it like the ultimate fighter thing follow a few players into battle (tournaments) so the illegal gambling thing doesn't come into play.
 
What you describe is true, although not unusual. Many other endeavors suffer a similar situation. The shooting sports for example, cheerleading competitions, arts and crafts shows, model aircraft meets, just to name a few.
I believe our expectations are unreasonably high if we compare the cue sports to baseball, football, NASCAR, and others, when we probably find ourselves somewhere in between.
 
celebrity players

Tramp Steamer said:
What you describe is true, although not unusual. Many other endeavors suffer a similar situation. The shooting sports for example, cheerleading competitions, arts and crafts shows, model aircraft meets, just to name a few.
I believe our expectations are unreasonably high if we compare the cue sports to baseball, football, NASCAR, and others, when we probably find ourselves somewhere in between.
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People in this country are influenced by the behavior of celebrities. What movie stars, basketball players, or NASCAR drivers play pool? Politicians? Religious leaders?
 
berlowmj2 said:
People in this country are influenced by the behavior of celebrities. What movie stars, basketball players, or NASCAR drivers play pool? Politicians? Religious leaders?
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pretty much ALL of them... have you ever watched an episode of "Cribs" nearly ALL... have a pool room...
 
berlowmj2 said:
People in this country are influenced by the behavior of celebrities. What movie stars, basketball players, or NASCAR drivers play pool? Politicians? Religious leaders?
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NASCAR...Tony Stewart is a buddy of Shannon Daulton. I've heard Tony has game. Enough game that none of the other drivers want to play him.
 
pwd72s said:
NASCAR...Tony Stewart is a buddy of Shannon Daulton. I've heard Tony has game. Enough game that none of the other drivers want to play him.
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funny thing is, in golf there are thousands of folks each year clamoring to get into pro-ams to play pros that will BEAT THEIR HEADS IN and they pay thousands of dollars for that opportunity!!! As you mention here, other drivers WON'T even play with TS because he is better....hmmmmmm. What is it about pool that folks don't want to play someone who is better than they are?
 
Ohh God Tramp,3 out of 5. I'm so screwed up.

I shoot pool, Compete in International pistol and rifle matches AND fly RC Airplanes. I must be a total dweeb or somthin.

Mark Shuman
 
phread59 said:
Ohh God Tramp,3 out of 5. I'm so screwed up.

I shoot pool, Compete in International pistol and rifle matches AND fly RC Airplanes. I must be a total dweeb or somthin.

Mark Shuman
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By a strange coincidence, in my youth I flew control-line. I was the 1979 Mo state IHMSA (International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Assoc.) champion. I play One Pocket.
I've never been a cheerleader, although I dated one once.
 
smoooothstroke said:
It has been suggested here at least twice that a reality show involving going into a bar or pool room and running a hustle on an unsuspecting player.I think this Idea could do very well but there are a few problems.

Who is going to get hustled when they can see a camera crew hanging around?OK who beside a sucker like me lol :smile:

Also in most states side action is illegal gambling so I don't know how a very interesting con could be run while still keeping it "real"

I do think that for pool to be viable as a money maker on TV some form of gambling would have to be depicted (reality TV type show).This is what hurts the image of pool when it comes to comparing it with a golf witch is very successful as a network TV sport.Although there is widespread gambling in golf just as in pool,golf has managed to avoid the gambling image and therefore the network TV money allows even the lowest pros to earn a good living.
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It's been done it flopped...
 
trustyrusty said:
funny thing is, in golf there are thousands of folks each year clamoring to get into pro-ams to play pros that will BEAT THEIR HEADS IN and they pay thousands of dollars for that opportunity!!! As you mention here, other drivers WON'T even play with TS because he is better....hmmmmmm. What is it about pool that folks don't want to play someone who is better than they are?
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It's the nature of the game. In golf when you play with someone spectacular, you witness how much better they are versus you when you are playing the same course. In pool, the other player is beating you. When you play someone who is far better or a pro, you don't shoot much if you are an amateur. You break, they run out, you miss, they run out, they don't run out, they stick you behind a ball and you kick miss and they run out.

It's not really much fun. Pro ams are a whole new story, you get to compete against the golf course and feel good when you shoot 10 above par..

You never see anyone clamoring to play basketball against a pro or football against the pros .. wouldn't be fun
 
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