Survey- Private Billiard Club...

[Mike in MN]

I'd join upon a few contingencies.

-Like someone mentioned within the first 10-15 posts, I'd want it to be a nice, clean atmosphere. Not a seedy, overrun, dirty place in need of maintenance.

-The majority of tables were either 7' or 9' ... In my opinion, the 8' table is a dinosaur. Also, is the equipment cared for? Regular service on the rails, regular cleanings on the balls and cloth, regularly leveling tables, re-tipping house cues as needed, etc. It's those little things that would keep me coming back.

-It was non-smoking. Just a preference of mine since I have an allergy to smoke.

-The prices were FAIR considering membership dues were being paid.

-Members were allowed to occasionally bring a non-membered guest to play and check out the facilities.

Overall, this is a great idea, and I'd be excited to be a part of it.

 

[jacob]

Personally I would rather pay more in the yearly/monthly fee area and not have to pay table time. I would also like to see more than one 9Ft table. With only one 9ft, one 10 ft carom, and one 10 ft snooker table it would be nice to be able to reserve your "tee time" in advance. I would be more likely to make the drive over if I know I will be able to play on the table of my choice. I can pay 3 or 4 dollars per hour in St. Louis for table time without the membership fee so....there has to be something to get me to pay yearly dues and make the drive over.

 

[Scott Lee]

The Illinois Billiard Club has been private since it opened 25+ yrs ago. There are not many tables (6 or 7 iirc), but they are all 9'. There is also a restaurant attached to the private club. The members pay annual dues, plus table time. Kids are allowed, with members. There are no gambling machines.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

There is a billiard club in willow springs I think. I think there's a couple of members that post on here. Maybe see how they've had success. Best of luck and keep us posted.

 

[Measle Ball]

Im apart of a private room, Its pretty cool. Not that big but very clean and tity.

Hmmm... could the intended word be "tidy"?

Hmmm...

 

[Zims Rack]

Age Issue- Our intent is to allow sons/daughters to play with parent, 18+ after a certain hour & 18+ to become a member.

Equipment Issue- balls, tables, cues would all be maintained very well. The PBC as a whole would be well kept, ran for the more serious players.

Table Size Issue- If we stray from the 8' tables, we would use 7', not all 9' tables. I can't think of ANY league anywhere around our area (including St. Louis) that plays on 9' tables, so 7' would be our next choice!

Everything in my OP is all tentative ideas and can be modified and will be modified based on size of location (current building or erecting a new building).

Again, thanks for all the inputs, keep em' coming!
Zim

 

[dr9ball]

People actually prefer 7 foot tables???

Age Issue- Our intent is to allow sons/daughters to play with parent, 18+ after a certain hour & 18+ to become a member.

Table Size Issue- If we stray from the 8' tables, we would use 7', not all 9' tables. I can't think of ANY league anywhere around our area (including St. Louis) that plays on 9' tables, so 7' would be our next choice!

Again, thanks for all the inputs, keep em' coming!
Zim

I can't believe that "serious" players would prefer to play on a 7 foot table if they had the choice. Perhaps I don't know much about the Midwest.

Either way, good luck in your endeavors.

 

[Zims Rack]

I think a majority of you guys are getting hung up on the table size issue! The size of tables is going to vary from area to area, so you have to imagine that if this were in your area, the tables would be what the players mostly play on. In our area its primarily 8' tables and some 7' tables. I would guess that about 40% of the area players have never played on a 9' or even seen one, they're just not around here!

Reserving Tables Issue- I like this idea! You can call ahead and reserve a specialty table! If table time is free, people aren't going to mind if we tell them ahead of time... "sure, table #9 is open, but we have a reservation at 8pm, so it's yours till then, play till they get here!"

 

[12310bch]

I think its a good idea, but to have the annual fee plus table time is the same as paying higher table time at another pool room right?



Also to base the hourly rate on the price of the tables is wrong....it should be based on what your market will bare. I think the #1 mistake most rooms make is table rates are too high. Make the rates so cheap, the tables are full all the time....then slowly raise the rate. Jacking up the table time to pay the bills will kill any room IMO.

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G.

Gerry is right. Don't try to get rich of the tables. For an extra dollar an hour you will scare off a customer that spends 20 bucks for booze and food. Your rates should be below market slightly to show an advantage of. joining the club.
Gotta build a rep for good food. Great french fries and Cheeseburgers. Best wings in town. That kind of crap. Advertise it as the best and people believe it. When I go to Metro in Phoenix I always order french fries. They're the best and I can pick at them while I shoot pool.

I'd best stick to the economics and marketing. I'd probably run a restaurant into the ground. I love to eat.

About pool I know nothing. About retail, I know twice as much. ( Old Jewish saying)