The Biggest Problem With Pool

You don't see too many top pros in golf and tennis out on the public facilities. Nor do you see professional pianists hiring out a piano.

It is certainly appropriate for a dedicated pool player to either have their own table or access to a proper quiet training facility, but it is not the responsibility of the club businesses to provide for that need. There is little money in it for them.

If there were not bangers, we'd be the bangers :p Luckily it gives us someone to impress:)
 
8-ball bernie said:
this post may be long, abstract, but in my opinion happens to be a glaring and highly important and overlooked issue facing the serious pool player in america.
when a player walks into a typical pool hall establishment in the u.s.a. in 2005/2006 they will notice that the pool hall caters to the typical "i can't play to save my life/i'm on a date/pool is fun player.
which means that the cloth is worn, filthy filled with grease, and powder, the balls are old and pitted, and slow, the cushions are "funny/wrong" and all the equipment is off to say the least.
worse yet, the music is horrible and BLASTING the lighting above the table is carless, and the entire establishment reeks of "we do not care, most of you can't play anyway"
there seems to be two different types of pool halls in the usa, before the release of "the color of money", and post the color of money.
the pool halls before the color of money are filled with fat old bald men smoking stinky cigars, who have been at the same place since they were 7 years old, there is no music, men only and it is depressing and boring.
the pool halls post color of money are disco clubs, and night clubs that happen to have some pool tables in them somewhere, they are filled with loud blaring inappropiate music at rock concert volume, and feature dim sexy lighting for romantic couples on their first date.
in other words, YOU CAN'T WIN you simply can not win. if you play golf, the non-pro vs the PGA have everything the same, the course, clubs, and everything else is identical except the talent. people who play golf WANT to improve and all of them take lessons. there is no blaring music, or crazy distractions.
if someone wants to learn how to be a brain surgeoun they would do it in a quiet classroom and take it seriously. if someone want to learn anything or take anything seriously in this world, they would do it quietly, with care and respect.
to sum up what i'm saying, i am saying it doesn't matter if pool becomes huge or not, it matters that all current pool halls go out of business, close down and fail on there ass. then and only then can we re-build the pool hall, to fit the way it should be, in order for healthy growth. pool halls should have two clients ~~ players that are very good to excellent, or players who aren't good but want lessons. let's get rid of ball banging daters who go to pool halls for the music and food, for them i suggest going to a resturant and then to a club with music, stay out of the pool halls and stop ruining a great sport.
i as an ipt member find it harder and harder to get practice in due to all of the issues mentioned above. and as far as put it out of your mind, and play pool? why should i? it's time to reboot pool in american's minds, and return the game back to the "players" a hybrid between the old and new would work well for me, for instance, a pool hall with perfect condition tables, cloth etc. etc. that only plays soft classical or soft beatles music. they serve red wine, fine cigars, with big air filters so non-smokers can breath, host straight pool 3-cushion and 8-ball tournaments, and have many qualified certified pool instructers on hand, for people who want to learn. the pool halls should also have movie theatre arena seating with electronic score boards. in other words, let's get down and back to where pool should be going~~~ into a serious room with soft nice music with women that geniunely want to learn, and a room where pool is the main thing, not the music or the food, or the flirting. i know there will be lots of comments, so be it, i will not be a player in the current world. i shall give the ipt my best shot, but if the aura of the current day pool room doesn't change, then as a serious player, i shall bow out gracefully, Bernie Friend. IPT player since 2005
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I can name about five poolhalls in my area alone that do not fit your description. You have no clue what you're talking about.
 
I think being on the IPT has gone to his head. This is kind of ironic but in the "IPT World" you are the "Ball-Banging Wannabe". Did you ever think of that? Would you want them to kick you out because you can't play at their level?
 
bad comparison

"You don't see too many top pros in golf and tennis out on the public facilities."


If the money made in golf or tennis were anywhere near as crappy as pool, you would see pros in the public both training and playing. Plus you can find a gazillion affordable places to find tennis and golf lessons. However, pool lessons are hard to come by in most areas and are expensive as hell where you can find them
 
Tbeaux:

Sorry for the avatar change... I really like the Superman avatar, but I put Caprice back and won't change again.
 
Linda said what I was trying to say, but put it much more eloquently.

I also agree with the other posters that you should embrace the bangers... maybe offer a free 'Lessons By The Pro' night at your local pool hall... then you can get to know the bangers, improve their game and etiquette, and feel valuable and like a pool stud at the same time. Bet you would have a blast and you would find a new level to your love of the game (and of yourself) by giving back to the game. You would be on the front lines, influencing and shaping the upcoming players. How could you beat that?
 
Bernie....I have to insert my comments reguarding your golf analogy.
The USGA doesnt require less skilled/experienced players to play only par 3 or putt-putt courses. They have just as much right to play Bethpage Black as I do. Now.... do better skilled more experienced players get frustrated on the course by the hack and whack rookies? sure they do, but they dont try to dictate when or where they can play.
Whether u want to admit it or not you too where once a ball banger and you to where a nuisence to someone on a nearby table. Obviously you have honed your skills to a level far above many recreational players, but you have to admit the game will not continue to grow without people picking up a cue for the first time. As for the room owners business is business. Some business comes in the form of first daters, some ball bangers, some serious players but at the end of the day that room owner must protect his/her bottomline to give people like you and people like the rest of us a place to play.
 
I think we are all unanimous on this one...

Bernie... any other input or clarification from you? I think you just had a frustrating experience yesterday and needed to vent a little.

We understand where you are coming from, but don't see any realistic solutions for the situation.
 
Move into a gated community in Florida where there are free tables in great condition. No smoking, drinking or music. You can get plenty of peaceful practice time. The level of play and the experience of players has improved greatly over the past few years. And when you get bored you cn go into town and play in the local rooms.

Of course just about all the pros have their own table at home. Don't you have one?

I was told a couple of local guys here bought the Diamonds that the IPT used and will be opening up a room shortly. haven't talked with them to verify that though.

Jake
 
The real problem with pool is PEOPLE!
Without them there would be no problem.
 
Open your own room and charge enough for table time to keep the place just as you like it. Maybe $30 an hour or so.

I'd really like such a place as you describe, so if you're close to me, I might even spend $30---for one hour anyway.

I don't play golf anymore because I couldn't stand the slow play, the newbies ruining the course, and the high prices for a long, miserable experience waiting and waiting and waiting to hit.

Jeff Livingston
 
Cameron Smith said:
ewww:D

sorry couldn't help myself.
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OK, you'll fit in here nicely.

To the topic, in ALL sports/games you have the recreational players and the competitive players. And there also seems to be some bigotry between the groups in some instances. We've merely witnessed a bit here. Play-on, whoever you are and however you play, as long as you find enjoyment.

Dave
 
Bernie,

You like soft classical music, red wine, fine cigars,
and many certified instructors on hand?

You and me both buddy.
I'll meet you there as soon as I get my Harley and dinette set paid off.
 
let us for a moment forget about skilled vs non skilled, and pool room owners going out of business (sorry about that) what i am saying is why can't pool rooms take on a serious yet enjoyable way to them, so that it resembles more like golf let us say than a strip joint, does that make sense? there is a huge difference between ipt seriousness and local pool halls, this "gap" (if you will) must be closed. it makes no sense to play a game that takes so much concentration and just have it played out, in these nightclubs with pool tables. ok, i'm done, thank you for listening, my goal is for pool to be taken as serious as professional golf.
 
whitewolf said:
All Stars in Frederick makes it on table time alone.
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It all depends on what you mean by "makes it".

I would be curious to see the profit sheet - the bottom line.

With all the work, time, worry, aggravation and responsibility that go into owning/running a pool room there better be a substantial profit. Breaking even sucks.

How much profit would be enough for you to open a room?

Jake
 
Bernie....I think I finally have the answer for you.

All we need is......suspenseful pause.......
Guys holding up "Quiet Please" signs like they do at pro golf events.

Whewww.....I'm glad we can put this thing to bed.

P.S. don't forget your Caddie.... a little somthin for the effort.
 
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pool club

ACtually, I think a pool club isn't such a bad idea. You charge annual fees and only let members in. Or you have a separate tournament room that is sound proofed that only members can use..... You take better care of the tables have an improved environment and ambience. I definitely think that that could work. You use the main room to get your profits and the club room for the serious players..... The membership fees could pay for the maintenance and what not and it might encourage other players to take the game more seriously.

Maybe I'll start my own pool club, as soon as I can get the money together to open a hall....lol....

Any investors??????
 
Bernie you are living in a dreamworld if you think pool should be elevated to a level where people are expected to be hushed when they enter a pool room and music and novices are discouraged. What you describe is a formula for the weaning of pool from the American psyche. A place like you describe would never attract people to pool and instead would turn them off completely.

What it sounds like to me is that you need to find a better room to play in. There are plenty of places where the game is respected and great players, ball bangers and dates can all co-exist. California Billiards and Hardtimes comes to mind right away.
 
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