No, not at all.
I just think that he has a great thing going on at his room for many reasons and his supporting this NOLA tradition doesn't appear to be hurting his bottom line.
So again, more power to him.
There you go! Hats off to owner James Leone for making a good living running a poolroom. I bet he works his ass off too, maybe 50-60 hours a week or more. He has my admiration, that's for sure. I know damn well I could run a successful poolroom again in Los Angles if I so desired, but at 70+ I no longer have the energy to work that hard.
By the way, long before there were many pro tournaments for players to compete in, we regularly played "up on the table" in money games. It was a common rule all over the country and even incorporated at the hallowed Johnston City events in the back room action.
I like Buffalo's so much I plan on heading down that way next year. I want to shake Jame's hand. I admire him for being a successful businessman as much as I admire Justin Hall for coming back on short rest to beat Corey and double dip T-Rex. We need one hundred more room owners like this, who are in a position to promote professional pool tournaments and add good money to the purses.
I always thought the big poolroom events were the most fun - Hard Times and California Billiards out this way and rooms like Steinways and Carom Cafe back East. We could probably create a pro tour just utilizing rooms like this alone. In fact, that IS essentially the Pro Tour in this country currently, with a few casino events thrown in for good measure.