This is actually my first post here or anywhere regarding pool. I am from New York; a beginner with an obsessive streak. I think part of my obsession is for the game itself but at least some of it has to do with the human interaction that the game provides (from pool halls and action rooms to dives with a warped slate Dynamo table).
I don't know if many will agree with me, but there are certain aspects of pool hall culture today that have impoverished that human interaction, and I believe, the game as well. Because pool is not darts or any such silly pastime, we as lovers of the game are at the mercy of business establishments that own the equipment (tables, balls, etc.). In New York, pool hall establishments have gone from places where pool and pool players were given priority, to *theme bars* where pool is just the side show for champaigne-flute-holding yuppies to pass the time. Such is the case with what used to be Chelsea Billiards and Q Lounge, for example. Granted, other places have survived, like Broadway Billiards, which still has some rough edges to it left. But(!), such places only limp along without as much activity as one would like to see.
Part of it probably has to do with the fear pool room frequenters might have of gambling openly; but another thing might be that these establishments don't allow railbirds to just be! Two days ago I was at B'way Billiards practicing position for two hours. After they turned off the lights at my table, I brought the rack back to the desk and, not having yet finished my beer, I sat near a table where some heavy nine-ball was going on. But I'll be damned if the guy from the desk didn't start giving me shit for just sitting there awhile without paying table time! Now, I've talked to experienced players that were around in the 60s and a few have told me that they got to play good pool partly because they were once total hounds watching the games of others better than themselves. Well, it seems like I might have missed the time and age for that, but that will not make me pay for more table time in pool halls... probably less, come to think of it.
I don't know if many will agree with me, but there are certain aspects of pool hall culture today that have impoverished that human interaction, and I believe, the game as well. Because pool is not darts or any such silly pastime, we as lovers of the game are at the mercy of business establishments that own the equipment (tables, balls, etc.). In New York, pool hall establishments have gone from places where pool and pool players were given priority, to *theme bars* where pool is just the side show for champaigne-flute-holding yuppies to pass the time. Such is the case with what used to be Chelsea Billiards and Q Lounge, for example. Granted, other places have survived, like Broadway Billiards, which still has some rough edges to it left. But(!), such places only limp along without as much activity as one would like to see.
Part of it probably has to do with the fear pool room frequenters might have of gambling openly; but another thing might be that these establishments don't allow railbirds to just be! Two days ago I was at B'way Billiards practicing position for two hours. After they turned off the lights at my table, I brought the rack back to the desk and, not having yet finished my beer, I sat near a table where some heavy nine-ball was going on. But I'll be damned if the guy from the desk didn't start giving me shit for just sitting there awhile without paying table time! Now, I've talked to experienced players that were around in the 60s and a few have told me that they got to play good pool partly because they were once total hounds watching the games of others better than themselves. Well, it seems like I might have missed the time and age for that, but that will not make me pay for more table time in pool halls... probably less, come to think of it.
