Responce to Jerry Forsyth Article

Pool is not a game that draws the major sponsors because the market is so small. Its not on TV much and the stuff that makes it to TV is terrible. The commentating and the edited matches makes it tough to watch for even a pool player so why would someone who dont play get interested in watching it. If I'm flipping thru the channels and there is a pool match on ESPN and there is a WSOP on at the same time I'll probably watch the WSOP because its more entertaining. A step in the right direction would be firing Mitch Laurence and maybe hiring Norman Chad.

And for the record I and about 9 out of 10 people I know got into pool because of the gambling and calcuttas. I got hooked when I was young cause I would go to the poolhall and see big money games and weekly tournaments with huge prizes because of the calcutta. I thought this was a game where if I got good locally I could make some nice cash and most people I know feel the same Im sure.

Most of my customers at the poolhall would ask if there are money matches going on or if people do play for money. If I point out a table that there is a money game going they usually pull up a chair and watch it for a while. When I tell the customers there is a tournament going on they usually just ignore it. Gambling is more of a interest then anything else in pool.
 
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Plus you think football, baseball, basketball, etc. would be as big as they are if there wasnt such thing as bookies or betting on sports??? I dont think so.
 
TV match

I would love to see something like what TAR is doing but on a bigger production level. Make it a big challenge match!

For example,
Bartram VS. John Schmidt...

Do a little player bio in the beginning, and show the woofing. Show their backers with cash, show the fans cheering on their players. No tuxedos or steril conditions.. I want to see Bartrum be Bartrum and Schmidt be himself.

Kind of a Rumble in the Bronx theme. Bring the bling and the #!@% talking! I think pool on TV for the average person is boring to watch. As the previous poster mentioned.. your average viewer doesn't appreciate all the work that goes in to becoming a top competitive player. But they understand $$$ and flash and woofing and fun.

I'd love to see something like that on ESPN! ~Just a thought.
 
junior718 said:
Pool is not a game that draws the major sponsors because the market is so small. Its not on TV much and the stuff that makes it to TV is terrible. The commentating and the edited matches makes it tough to watch for even a pool player so why would someone who dont play get interested in watching it. If I'm flipping thru the channels and there is a pool match on ESPN and there is a WSOP on at the same time I'll probably watch the WSOP because its more entertaining. A step in the right direction would be firing Mitch Laurence and maybe hiring Norman Chad.

And for the record I and about 9 out of 10 people I know got into pool because of the gambling and calcuttas. I got hooked when I was young cause I would go to the poolhall and see big money games and weekly tournaments with huge prizes because of the calcutta. I thought this was a game where if I got good locally I could make some nice cash and most people I know feel the same Im sure.

Most of my customers at the poolhall would ask if there are money matches going on or if people do play for money. If I point out a table that there is a money game going they usually pull up a chair and watch it for a while. When I tell the customers there is a tournament going on they usually just ignore it. Gambling is more of a interest then anything else in pool.
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Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
 
greyghost said:
Dam good point, matter of fact how much is it with the so called "discount" how much you want to bet that you can get just as good and probably an even nicer hotel for cheaper or the same price as the supposed discount using hotwire or priceline...I get rooms at the HILTON for $50 all day long, and its the truth as I LIVED there last year during my off weeks between hitches for about two months. So unless RRI is giving away those rooms for $30 to players then that aint no deal to us, just a marketing ploy to drum up business like you said.

Matter of fact I just checked it, and thats not a deal a room in tulsa was $60 bucks and minus 20% is 48$ same dam thing I pay for the HILTON, and you can probably get that class of hotel from hotwire/priceline for 25-35$ on the bid. They not helping no more than anyone else, just trying to make it look that way so they can nab our business.

ain't no fool,
Grey Ghost
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Yep-Only problem with Hotwire is that you must go. If you decide to bail, you get no money back from HW. I wont use them for an event in the distant future. Ill book a regular room and then maybe 2 days before i go, i check HW. If they save me 10% ill book it and cxl the other one.
 
Baaaad move!

allen_jr said:
Smart people don't walk into a poolroom and make a bet with a stranger.

I was in a poolroom with my dad one night, about a year ago, and it was me, my dad, and some friends. We were having a few drinks, laughing, just relaxing. Some of the local players were just sitting watching my dad, even though we were just having fun. Some kid walks by and says he'll play anyone that wants to gamble, and "taunted" my dad - as if he was afraid to gamble. My dad let it slide, the kid obviously had no idea. But the kid wouldn't drop it. He went back to his table and was bragging how no one would gamble. He walked by us at least 3 more times, unprovoked. Keep in mind, locals are sitting around watching my dad play.

So, inevitably, the kid approaches again. Says he wants to play, because he's a "strong six" in the APA. My dad says, "what do you want to play", to which the kid says, 9-ball race to 9 for $400. I would have thought the kid would reconsider based on how fast my dad said, "OK, rack'em", but he didn't. (personally, I think the kid was expecting my dad to decline when he mentioned the huge amount of $400)

He went to get his buddy, and I asked if he wanted to bet on his friend. He was more than happy, asked me how much, and I told him whatever he had on him, or could get quick enough. Still no fear. And still no idea who they were playing, other than just some loud guy drinking with his son and his buddies.

So, after it was about 5-0, it was obvious the kid couldn't run 3 balls. When it was 7-0, my dad left the kid a shot on the 6. Still couldn't get out. This was worse than we all thought, I expected the kid to come with something, especially after all the talk. But no, he had heart and just thought he could play. Still wanted to play more after that, but said he need weight, like the 8 :) He had no more money, and we waited for him to come back, but I think he wised up.

Point is, people only gamble when they think they can win. This kid approached us, multiple times. He wasn't a regular, this was my local poolroom. He just had something to prove, or money to burn. Do I feel bad for him? No. Is my dad at fault for beating him? No, the kid approached him multiple times. Did the kid have the sense to ask the bartender, "Hey, who's that guy everyone is gathered around watching?". Obviously not.

I agree with whoever mentioned a reality show based on a real road player would probably be great. People love to watch this kind of thing. Unknown player walks in, makes a game, gets the money... that's the allure of this game. That's what people might tune in to watch.

If you don't have enough sense not to make a game with someone you don't know, that's your own fault. It's not the fault of the game as a whole, and it's not what's holding pool down.

If I meet a guy on the street that wants to bet me $2000 he can jump over a car, I ain't betting him. Sure as hell, as soon as I bet - he's gonna jump over that car. It's not the fault of the car industry.
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I don't read every thread and hadn't looked at this until today.
The whole post was well stated, but the part I included in the above quote was a great story! In fact, it was a super-great story! :)

That kid who played your dad had NO IDEA what he was in for! Besides being an acclaimed multi-time World and U.S. Open Champion, your dad had a fearsome reputation as a fearless gambler. That kid hated his wallet without even realizing it! :grin:

Your story evoked an image of a 6th grade bully going into the octagon with Fedor Emelianenko!

Good story Allen! Many thanks for sharing it with us!
 
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