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Reminder for Ballbreakers - Tonight!
- Thread starter girlwon1
- Start date
I'm going to go with my shooting partner to check it out. You had to qualify for it via one of the satellite tournaments, which were held last week at various poolhalls. I played in a qualifier but came up a little short...it wasn't an easy tournament - and the person who won ours is an A player. Based on where the other locations are, I'd imagine that the field will be A to B+ players...brutal for race to 1!!! I think you'd be a good candidate for the show...put keith on the other side of the fence and have him sweat it out!
Did Joey qualify or is he just going to show up? Are they going to televise the race to 1 tourney at Buffalo? I'll try to nick one of those TV cameras for you as a souvenir =)
Did Joey qualify or is he just going to show up? Are they going to televise the race to 1 tourney at Buffalo? I'll try to nick one of those TV cameras for you as a souvenir =)
JAM said:LOL. I know, it's kind of tragic when you think about it.
HOWEVER, I'm hoping, Egg McDogit, that you go to Buffalo Billiards on Dupont Circle this coming Friday and take a stab at this. I've heard it through the grapevine that quite a few locals, folks we know, will be in attendance.
Heck, I was even tempted to get my sneaky pete out of the closet, but when Mike Davis can give me the 3 and out with all the breaks and I can't get there, I've got cold feet.
Joey Ryan said he might be going to Buffalo Bills this Friday, and wouldn't it be really cool to see one of our own on the big screen?! Especially if they take down the cheese!
If you go, bring me back a souvenir, please!
JAM
vapoolplayer said:
I want to see Big Bird screaming at Oscar the grouch for quitting ahead =)
vapoolplayer said:
I beg to differ. Have you ever seen the Rock and Jock baseball game on MTV? How about the little league games?
vapoolplayer said:
They know good pool just like they know good baseball, football or otherwise. The average joe does not care if someone runs a table or not. There is no attraction to the sport because there is no one attractive enough to root for. Prime example Golf got a major boost when Tiger Woods hit the scene because he was the new kid on the block and seemed down to earth. Now that everyone has realized that he is one of the elite golfers and wins most of the time or at least ends up in the top 5 golf is starting to suffer again.
vapoolplayer said:
I agree with getting to the youth but there is one huge problem with that. Pool for the most part is an adult game. There are not many family pool halls anymore. Houses are not built with basements because it is cheaper to build them on a slab. So the rooms that used to house pool tables are gone. So where are these kids supposed to play? Physical Education programs are having a hard enough time buying a few basketballs, bats and gloves let alone $1000 pool tables. So the only solution is after school programs in alchohol establishments? That would have a scholastic PR spin of a turd in a punch bowl.
The other problem is the love of the game is something that most of us fell into. We were not taught it and suddenly we love it. Hell I didn't even know what draw was until playing after a few years. But I still loved smacking the colored balls around on my uncles table.
JV<--- Was taught hand ball when he was in school. But you will not find me on a court any time soon.
Egg McDogit said:
Eggie Baby, you gotta go. They're picking out 4 people from the peanut gallery at Buffalo Bills on Dupont Circle this Friday, IN ADDITION to the 4 people who got in on the qualifiers.
As far as the A players who got picked, in this format you can get there. And if you get picked and WIN, just remember who your friends are!
Joey is hoping to get noticed and take a shot at that cheese. Now stop talking and start chalking. I want a full report when I get back from the Virginia State 9-Ball Championship tournament in Richmond on Monday, so that I can read all about it!
JAM
Speaking of "Joey's", a local guy won one of the Ballbreakers episodes. Little Joey Landi from NJ won the 20 grand. He's definately better than a "banger", I thought the show didn't want "good" players? Either way, good on him, everyone deserves a good roll, right?
Eric
Eric
do you know what time you have to show up? I didn't know they're going to pick from the crowd...I'd be willing to bet my shooting partner gets picked...he's too 'unique' to pass up LOL. Both of us have been playing this week, so we're in stroke and ready to take it down. Good luck to you guys at the state 9 ball championship!
JAM said:Eggie Baby, you gotta go. They're picking out 4 people from the peanut gallery at Buffalo Bills on Dupont Circle this Friday, IN ADDITION to the 4 people who got in on the qualifiers.
As far as the A players who got picked, in this format you can get there. And if you get picked and WIN, just remember who your friends are!
Joey is hoping to get noticed and take a shot at that cheese. Now stop talking and start chalking. I want a full report when I get back from the Virginia State 9-Ball Championship tournament in Richmond on Monday, so that I can read all about it!
JAM
not bad
As a pretty serious pool player, I thought the show was kinda funny. It certainly won't appeal to the "A" player but for the average pool player, it must of been cool to see some average joes playing at a level that most any body could play at. I mean watching the pros is great and very educational, but I could never hope to be that good, so it was nice to see some bangers out there having a good time. They should have been betting a little more on indivual shots but betting on the runout and stuff was a nice twist..... jmo
As a pretty serious pool player, I thought the show was kinda funny. It certainly won't appeal to the "A" player but for the average pool player, it must of been cool to see some average joes playing at a level that most any body could play at. I mean watching the pros is great and very educational, but I could never hope to be that good, so it was nice to see some bangers out there having a good time. They should have been betting a little more on indivual shots but betting on the runout and stuff was a nice twist..... jmo
Egg McDogit said:
I got this from the website: http://www.gsn.com/win/battle/battle.php
Buffalo Billiards
1330 19th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202.331.7665
www.buffalobilliards.com/dc
TOURNAMENT
Date: Friday 7/22
Time: 8 pm - 11 pm
DESCRIPTION: A huge, cozy themed billiards hall, we have everything you'd want in a great hangout, with 29 pool tables, 2 extra-large bars, multiple ten-foot projection TV's for viewing any sports event, darts, comfy couches, outdoor patios plus tasty food.
No excuses, Egg. You must go. Be there, or be square!
JAM
Here's a little different twist.
Reading a thread about Ballbreakers on the GSN Discussion Forum, there is quite a different reaction to this new TV show, written by those not as knowledgeable about the game/sport as most of us here!
http://www.gsn.com/buzz/showthread.php?threadid=77971&perpage=15&highlight=&pagenumber=1
JAM
Reading a thread about Ballbreakers on the GSN Discussion Forum, there is quite a different reaction to this new TV show, written by those not as knowledgeable about the game/sport as most of us here!
http://www.gsn.com/buzz/showthread.php?threadid=77971&perpage=15&highlight=&pagenumber=1
JAM
Thanks for the info JAM, I'll definitely be there...hopefully I'll get picked, but I'll let you know what happens there.
JAM said:I got this from the website: http://www.gsn.com/win/battle/battle.php
Buffalo Billiards
1330 19th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202.331.7665
www.buffalobilliards.com/dc
TOURNAMENT
Date: Friday 7/22
Time: 8 pm - 11 pm
DESCRIPTION: A huge, cozy themed billiards hall, we have everything you'd want in a great hangout, with 29 pool tables, 2 extra-large bars, multiple ten-foot projection TV's for viewing any sports event, darts, comfy couches, outdoor patios plus tasty food.
No excuses, Egg. You must go. Be there, or be square!
JAM
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vapoolplayer said:
Splitting hairs a bit you said "you don't see shitty baseball on tv" which you admitted yourself that you do. Your average Joe does know what good pool is because he can see it 13 times a week on ESPN. He just does not care to. Just because your average Joe does not know how to throw a knuckle ball does not mean that he can't watch baseball. I will say it again it is all marketing... PERIOD. I will go back to golf as a prime example. Watching golf can be grueling but why does it take up 4-6 hours of tv every other weekend and it has its own channel? Not because everyone understands the game. Take your average Joe golfer, do you think he knows how to do a stick and run on the green with a 7 iron? No, but they will watch boom boom do it.
vapoolplayer said:
Sure they have. If you ask anyone that is not a serious player who plays good they say... "Oh that asian chick that is on ESPN... oh what is her name... anyway she's hot." If they are not a serious player they will not know the local B players. You think teaching kids to play will turn them into serious players? Again lets go back to the days of gym when you were a kid. You were taught football, bowling, tennis, golf (at least I was), hand ball, basketball, baseball and softball. I will not make assumptions to what you do today but I can tell you that I do not do any of those on a regular basis.
vapoolplayer said:
Nice way to pick out two things from my post and ignore the rest. First off who spends money on pool? It isn't your avid player. As I said before there is more to pool than paying for table time. Pool halls make more money on the drinks than they do on the tables. I can name at least 3 avid players that would order a bottomless soda before ordering a beer when we play. Tournaments in my area are quickly becoming things in the past because the serious player does not spend much money when they play. Now your average Joe who plays in leagues does. BIG TIME! They also spend money on Buddy Halls straight shooter, chalk holders and cues to improve their game. They are, I believe, who ball breakers was geared to entertain (and yes I said entertain).
You also evaded the point on how schools are supposed to teach kids pool. I know, how about if we get Brunswick to donate a table to every school that asks for one. It just isn't feasible. As I said before as it stands right now pool is an adult game because it just is not made accessable to kids. There would have to be a major shift in marketing (family pool halls, PR and campaigning) for that to happen. For a industry that is hanging on by its nails nobody has the funds to make that possible.
JV
Splinterhands
Banned
How was it?
You should rethink and repost with better answers
Lets see, where should I start as I really disagree with a lot of what you said.
I am responding because first I am getting tired of a lot of posters who assume pool rooms make more on alcohol sales. First of all you pay state taxes on alcohol plus you pay for the booze. Pool you do not. At the end of the week pool and alcohol sales usually equal out or close to it. If that is the case which is more profitiable?
What kind of a statement is the "avid pool player does not spend money on pool". Who spends the most on pool "but" the avid pool player. Avid pool players play 20 hours a week. They don't have to buy alcohol. Beside the percentage of profit is greater on bottled water and soda.
You ask if Brunswick could bring tables to schools and teach kids and you also say you were taught bowling in school. Did they bring a bowling lane to you? Of course not thats why you bring the kids to you and teach them through p.e. classes or a study hall class. We have done that many times over the years. They don't need to become serious players, just customers.
Where the hell do you live where pool rooms aren't family and adult oriented. Every room within hundreds of miles of me are all family. Why would you not want to be. We are like bowling alleys. The problem is the cost of sq. footage reltated to income. We have a lot of kids that come in so don't tell me they are learning. There are more playing now than 30 years ago. It is still cheap entertainment for parents to indulge in with their kids. They bring in business until the adults come out to play late at night. Does that make sense to you? That is what happens at pool halls for your information.
I will give you an example on pool/alcohol assumption you made.
Two ball bangers come in and play 2 hrs, have 2 pitchers of beer. Cost $30.
Technical profit $23. "3 avid players" come in and play 4 hours and each has 2 sodas. Cost to them $57, technical profit. $55 The difference is you need a lot of ball bangers, entertainment socical players to make it work. But you still need them all. And kids are difintely in the equation.
Johnny "V" said:
Lets see, where should I start as I really disagree with a lot of what you said.
I am responding because first I am getting tired of a lot of posters who assume pool rooms make more on alcohol sales. First of all you pay state taxes on alcohol plus you pay for the booze. Pool you do not. At the end of the week pool and alcohol sales usually equal out or close to it. If that is the case which is more profitiable?
What kind of a statement is the "avid pool player does not spend money on pool". Who spends the most on pool "but" the avid pool player. Avid pool players play 20 hours a week. They don't have to buy alcohol. Beside the percentage of profit is greater on bottled water and soda.
You ask if Brunswick could bring tables to schools and teach kids and you also say you were taught bowling in school. Did they bring a bowling lane to you? Of course not thats why you bring the kids to you and teach them through p.e. classes or a study hall class. We have done that many times over the years. They don't need to become serious players, just customers.
Where the hell do you live where pool rooms aren't family and adult oriented. Every room within hundreds of miles of me are all family. Why would you not want to be. We are like bowling alleys. The problem is the cost of sq. footage reltated to income. We have a lot of kids that come in so don't tell me they are learning. There are more playing now than 30 years ago. It is still cheap entertainment for parents to indulge in with their kids. They bring in business until the adults come out to play late at night. Does that make sense to you? That is what happens at pool halls for your information.
I will give you an example on pool/alcohol assumption you made.
Two ball bangers come in and play 2 hrs, have 2 pitchers of beer. Cost $30.
Technical profit $23. "3 avid players" come in and play 4 hours and each has 2 sodas. Cost to them $57, technical profit. $55 The difference is you need a lot of ball bangers, entertainment socical players to make it work. But you still need them all. And kids are difintely in the equation.
I didnt watch the whole show I had a long weekend at the Louden race, hmm another sport that some say is boring Nascar. Any who, I Am the average league player and some of the attitudes about league play suck. Im not sure where you guys are from, but my team competes. We dont go to gather and drink beer and bang the balls around. Id say 10% of the players in my division do. Im no A player. I dont even know how the ratings are related to A.P.A. or B.C.A. ratings but Im a SL5 probalbly a 6 soon and have beaten players that have placed in the top 20 at U.S. amatuers. We both shot like crap but I managed to play some good D. Id say 70% of the players I have come in contact with have nice cues, at least $600 cues, most have a few, SW, omen, PFD, Gk (Karcharski) etc. Could be because we have a good selection of makers in my area. Point being Im pretty sure the league player is a pretty good slice of the pie. I spend about $80 a week. 10 for league, 20 for Friday and 20 for Sat. tourney. Never mind food and SODA lol I dont drink often. Im confident so I could give a crap, but some of these attitudes wont get more people into pool, it will discourage them. Doesnt drinking make people violent and rude?
Although I do not know the exact breakdown of what taxes a bar makes on beer sales I do know how much a bottle of beer costs per case. If I were to buy a case of Corona's that would cost me 20 bucks now I am sure that a bar gets it for cheaper because they buy in bulk. That works out to 83 cents a beer. Where I play that is considered a premium beer so they range in price from 2.50 - 3.00 a beer. That works out to 1.67 a beer profit. Your average league player downs around 3 of these an hour. That is 5.01 an hour per person. Where I play they charge 2.50 off time 3.00 on time per hour. So by my calculation they are pulling in at least 2.00 more an hour off alcohol. and the profit is even more for domestic brews because per case it is cheaper. I would like to hear from room owners on what is more profitable.nfty9er said:
BTW I live in Rockledge FL and I will list what rooms we have in the area to show you what selection we have for "Family" rooms.
Cocoa- Shooters- Bar/Poolhall
Cocoa- Side Pockets - Bar/Poolhall
Merritt Island- Chalkies - Bar/Poolhall
Merritt Island- Wharehouse - Bar/Poolhall
Frontenac - Highway Inn - Bar/Poolhall
Melbourne - Players - Bar/Poolhall
The only one that is close enough to something I would take my 8 year old in is Chalkies but still the language gets strong in there and it is a bar environment. I don't think the parents of our community would be peachy about the school letting students go to a bar/poolhall for P.E.. Yes I did go to a bowling alley but if you have ever been in a bowling alley the bar is separate from the rest of building (county laws I think is the reason).
The question is where do you draw the line at an avid player. Most avid players have tables of their own and do not spend much money in pool halls anyway. They buy high end cues and usually don't drink when they do go to the pool hall.
You have heard from one
First of all you did hear from a room owner and I am telling you what is more profitable. You live in corner of the country that has no family rooms, too bad, so sad. That is not the way it is in California. It sounds to me you are describing "bars, with some tables". My room is 20 , 9ft tables with a bar area. It costs me 21 bucks a case of Corona. You are unbelieveably assuming these league players drink 3 beers an hour. They must have a lot of drunk players leaving when its over. I find that is not the average but the minority. In the end is averages to where, and I say again, please read. By the end of the week the alcohol sales equal the pool sales. That automatically by math caluclation makes pool more profitable.
By the way have you not ever been in a room that restricts and controls rowdy behavior and cussing. People still have fun. Besides the kids and parents usually come in early and leave early and I have plenty of those. The rowdier people and drinkers come in late. And just because the bar is seperate doesn't mean bowling alleys don't have the same problems, even worse because it is harder to keep track of underage drinking.
Where do you assume what the avid player does. If I have 25 avid players on my vip list then they sure are not playing at home or have tables. Where did they come from? If I did not have these regulars I would be making a lot less money.
Your analogy about profit is way out of line. First are the leagues 7 days a week? How many hours? You do not realize it is not selected hours your profit is based on but the whole months average. When you realize that you will stop making such speculative statements based on no first hand knowledge.
Johnny "V" said:
First of all you did hear from a room owner and I am telling you what is more profitable. You live in corner of the country that has no family rooms, too bad, so sad. That is not the way it is in California. It sounds to me you are describing "bars, with some tables". My room is 20 , 9ft tables with a bar area. It costs me 21 bucks a case of Corona. You are unbelieveably assuming these league players drink 3 beers an hour. They must have a lot of drunk players leaving when its over. I find that is not the average but the minority. In the end is averages to where, and I say again, please read. By the end of the week the alcohol sales equal the pool sales. That automatically by math caluclation makes pool more profitable.
By the way have you not ever been in a room that restricts and controls rowdy behavior and cussing. People still have fun. Besides the kids and parents usually come in early and leave early and I have plenty of those. The rowdier people and drinkers come in late. And just because the bar is seperate doesn't mean bowling alleys don't have the same problems, even worse because it is harder to keep track of underage drinking.
Where do you assume what the avid player does. If I have 25 avid players on my vip list then they sure are not playing at home or have tables. Where did they come from? If I did not have these regulars I would be making a lot less money.
Your analogy about profit is way out of line. First are the leagues 7 days a week? How many hours? You do not realize it is not selected hours your profit is based on but the whole months average. When you realize that you will stop making such speculative statements based on no first hand knowledge.
Yes there are a lot of drunk league players when they leave.nfty9er said:
Look I don't deny that you do well in running your business and i am positive that you know more about it than I. I just view tournament players differently than your run of the mill league player. I guess your best customer would be a tournament player that doesn't have his own table and likes to drink beer. It has just been my experience that avid (tournament) players don't spend alot when they play. Hence the reason that a lot of the tournaments in my area have dropped off.
There is an exception though that I am sure someone is reading right now. There is a 7 ball tournament that attracts a lot of league and tournament players on friday night at Chalkies. It gets a great crowd for two reasons; It is well run and the other tournaments have been shut down.
You are right about my speculations and that is all I can do is speculate because I do not run a room. (thats why we have forums; to learn) I guess I figured wrong that people take a half an hour or more to drink a beer and order only a couple a night when they play. I guess it is the heat down here in florida that causes tables that haven't been cleared in an hour or two to have so many beer bottles on them that you can't even find a spot to put your cue holder. I guess I was wrong because I have no first hand knowledge.
JV