Think about it. The top women players play about half as good as the top men players. I think that if professional pool had been integrated from the start, there might be some female "Efrens" today. In my opinion, the reason why most female professionals can't play a lick compared to the men, is because all they play against is female pros who can't play a lick (I am really not trying to sound sexist or mean here, but it's the truth). Why is it that Fisher and Corr are always at the top of the women's tour, yet every year there is a new rising star for the males? It's because the males have more phenominal players- way more to be exact. This causes the need for the males who want to be champions to play like the many champions they face. Since there is only about 3 or 4 very good players on the women's tour, the rest of the players don't know what it's like to play against someone who can run a 10-pack on you. My thought is to integrate pool now. For sure the women will get demolished at first, but give it a few years, maybe you might see some rising female stars who will play twice as good as Allison. If there were some females who could hang with the men, I think this would greatly increase pool's popularity, sponsorships, and tv ratings. What do you think?
Should professional pool become unisex?
- Thread starter pro-player
- Start date
C
Cactus Ed
Guest
I think you possibly have a good idea, but do you really think the current and near future crop of woman players would want to be the sacrificial lambs just so their gender, way down the line, will become as good, or nearly so, as their male counterparts?
No, but I'm sure if they realized that this might be a reason why 98% of them can't run more than a two-pack, they would go ahead with it.
Last edited:
I wonder how many females are members of this forum, hmm I can only think of one.
I suggested something like this eons ago. It was a huge thread with most posters feeling the women would never have a chance. I think in a race to 7 playing 9 ball, there might be 3 or 4 women who would have a chance to win once in a while. I haven't seen any of the men pros run a 10 pack on TV ever. I'm not saying they can't, I just haven't seen it done yet.
I agree with Pro-player that co-ed matches could be great for expanding the audience. I think people would get a real kick out of watching a match between Vivian and Earl, both talking some trash and trying to get on the other's nerves. Do I think Vivian would have a chance against Earl? No way, but the verbal exchanges would certainly be interesting.
I agree with Pro-player that co-ed matches could be great for expanding the audience. I think people would get a real kick out of watching a match between Vivian and Earl, both talking some trash and trying to get on the other's nerves. Do I think Vivian would have a chance against Earl? No way, but the verbal exchanges would certainly be interesting.
Harry (Gremlin): The way you're always bashing the male players is amusing. Were you sexually assulted by a male pool player? I'm just wondering where all the negativity comes from. Why do you think that the women are more deserving of fans and popularity? You critisize the men by saying they're all chauvenists, but you're a feminist who is as critical of men as any chauvenist is of women. Do you think that there aren't any male players out there who work hard to try to better themselves and the sport? Every time you open your mouth (or, in this case, turn on your computer) all that comes out is "blah blah blah Karen Corr blah blah blah Allison Fisher blah blah blah men's pool sucks blah blah blah". The funny thing is, you talk like all these women are your friends, but I happen to know quite a few of them myself, and I've heard stories of you snapping pictures and crap like that right when they're down on a ball, and just being an annoyance in general. Of course, nobody is going to say something like that to you, so allow me to do the dirty work (any of you ladies, if you're out there reading this, you can thank me some other time) 
!
!
Women do play against the men in the regional tours already. And, the women have been cashing and finishing high. Not all the women that enter cash or finish high, but Karen and Allison have.
Only at the PRO tournament level has there been a separation of the men and women. But, not always.
Women were allowed to play at any of the 'Open' tournaments in the 70s and 80s. With the men's tour and women's recent (last 25 years) successes with their own tour, has the separation been solidified. Why would the women want to do this? What would they gain?
Status 'quo' is the way to go IMO.
Corporate sponsorship will only cheapen the game.. and what will happen is more 7 ball and ESPN rules pool.. is that what you want? if so, then I guess integration would help this grow.
Only at the PRO tournament level has there been a separation of the men and women. But, not always.
Women were allowed to play at any of the 'Open' tournaments in the 70s and 80s. With the men's tour and women's recent (last 25 years) successes with their own tour, has the separation been solidified. Why would the women want to do this? What would they gain?
Status 'quo' is the way to go IMO.
Corporate sponsorship will only cheapen the game.. and what will happen is more 7 ball and ESPN rules pool.. is that what you want? if so, then I guess integration would help this grow.
Gremlin said:
Who said I wanted to play against the women? Not to mention that I don't play on ANY tour (I might play in a tournament that is part of some tour, but I don't "play on a tour"). I didn't talk about anything other than you bashing the men's tour all the time. Besides, if you'd rather play like Karen Corr than Jimmy Mendoza, why the hell would I want to play against her (note the sarcasm)?
It's funny how you get on here and bash the men with half of your posts, then as soon as you're called on it you back-peddle and rattle off some names of male players that you supposedly look up to. 
As far as you not giving two cents to play me, don't worry, I wouldn't play you that cheap anyway. 
Last edited:
If I am remembering incorrectly, someone let me know (as I am sure someone will). But, in I think it was the August issue of BD, Allison Fisher stated that she didn't feel the women had the natural "killer instinct" as the men do. She didn't seem to want to play against the men. I'd be surprised if very many women would ever want to.
K
Ken in CT
Guest
I can't think of any pool tournament other than the men's Challenge of Champions where the women are not allowed to play. Could someone tell me what men's events need to be "integrated"?
Ken
Ken
BazookaJoe said:
Good point. When you watch the women play, you can tell they want to win but after the match, win or lose, they are very warm and friendly to one another. You don't see that very often with the men. I read an old interview of Willie Mosconi and they asked him what usually went through his mind while his opponent was at the table, and he said that he wanted to beat up the guy. I thnk this is typical for a lot of male players. It doesn't seem like the women have that same attitude.
Gremlin said:
Gremlin, there are some male pool players who can't play in UPA tournaments either unless they sign the UPA-mandated contract prepared by multiple attorneys.
Now the UPA has designated "touring pro" category to prevent pool players from competing in the UPA-sanctioned events UNLESS they sign the contract and become a member. These "touring pros" are not given the same choice as "non-touring pros" and "locals" and every other pool player in America. DISCRIMINATION, DISCRIMINATION, DISCRIMINATION.
With the new $1,500 fee that is to be charged to promoters of independent events, now the UPA can AGAIN put a stranglehold on upcoming tournaments. If the promoter does not pay the $1,500 to the UPA, then the UPA informs the promoter that none of their members will attend. This does nothing for the promotion of pool and actually has an opposite effect (IMO).
ManlyShot
Gremlin said:
Please do put me on your ignore list. I love hearing from someone who can't win with the 5-out about how I should go sponsor a player. Say, you can't play a lick, so why don't you just excuse yourself from the pool community. Noone will miss you. You're going on my ignore list, so I sure hope I made it to yours.
Jimmy
K
Ken in CT
Guest
Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but the last time I checked Kirstin Pires was female and she is a member of the UPAyours. Anyone who says a female cannot join the UPAyours doesn't know what he is talking about.
I sat next to Charlie the Dragon while he told a female player that she could join the UPAyours and all she had to do was pay the $100. Now Charlie the Dragon would not lie would he? Don't answer that, I already know the answer: he will say whatever he feels like without regard for the truth. Perhaps he has changed the rules. It would not be the first time.
Ken in CT
I sat next to Charlie the Dragon while he told a female player that she could join the UPAyours and all she had to do was pay the $100. Now Charlie the Dragon would not lie would he? Don't answer that, I already know the answer: he will say whatever he feels like without regard for the truth. Perhaps he has changed the rules. It would not be the first time.
Ken in CT
BazookaJoe said:
Of course Allison doesn't want to play against the men, she'd get embarassed. Jimmy Mendoza could probably give her the 7-ball......
Re: Re: Should professional pool become unisex?
Either you're mad because I told the truth about how the women play, or you're a radical feminist, or both.
Gremlin said:Hi All,
No, women shouldn't play with or against men as the men diminish the beauty and entertainment value of the women. The women have there own tour and regional tour system with fans who recognize them. Playing with and against men will drag the ladies pool TV ratings down in the dumps with the men.
What do the men have? A bunch of loose nit cue maker tours and 20 or so nice independent events and the US Open? The men’s pool events I like are the Joss Tour, Super Billiard Expo and the Windy City Expo. Why would the women I know play with the men? Only if there is money there. To quote one women I know "Harry there is good money to be made on the Joss Tour"
You say raise the ratings? Who's ratings the men’s. The men have no ratings except in England and Asia. Men's pool in the US if compared to football for example has no ratings at all. LOL The only reason I watch pool at all on TV now is because I met a lot of the ladies who are playing it and they work hard and deserve there fans.
You know my position and you can carve on me all you please but hour after hour of make it take it men's 9-ball in the words of my Godson "SUCKS" A BUNCH OF MALE chauvinist pigs who start right off by demeaning the women they want to play with themThe women play like champions! What champions? They are champions and they sure don't need the men.
Cheers.
Gremlin
Either you're mad because I told the truth about how the women play, or you're a radical feminist, or both.