The Next Great Pool Story

[Nostroke]

I hate spam and off topic content as much as anyone, but it seems like some people may have jumped the gun on this one. This gentleman just signed up for AzBilliards for the very first time within the last few days. He says that he has actively played pool for 45 years, so he is obviously not a spring chicken, and this may well be his first foray onto the internet, or even a computer for that matter. He may not be familiar with forum ettiquette, and I would think that all things considered, the benefit of the doubt should have been given and the solid red rep was premature and out of line IMO. Now if he continued after it was explained to him, then I say let him have it.

Tom, on internet forums, it is considered bad form to attempt to market an item or service you are providing except for in the for sale section. It is generally acceptable to speak about your product in another section only if it directly applies to the topic being discussed, and only if your primary intent is to inform rather than sell. A good example would be if someone asked what "Right On Cue" was about, or if someone asked what pool fiction books are out there, then it would be acceptable to answer.

Participation in the forum, outside of just trying to market your product, is also highly recommended. While not required, you will find that when you participate and contribute to the forum people will be much more open to you and your product, and they are also willing to cut you a bit more slack regarding your marketing of it, whereas if your participation is limited only to marketing it tends to turn many people off.

Good luck, and welcome to AzBilliards.

Im sorry I think anyone capable of writing a book has enough common sense to figure out what is obnoxious. Im sure he wouldnt join the Elks Lodge and at the first meeting approach everyone and try to sell them Life Insurance before even small talk. It's the same thing.

BTW- Ive seen Tom compete near 20 years. He is older than water but hasnt lost 2% in ability. Last time I was at Turning Stone, I believe he was in the top 8!

 

[macguy]

Tom,

Normally I would be interested in your book but someone that comes here and their first three posts are spamming the forums about their book makes it impossible for me to buy it. That would be rewarding you for this behavior and encouraging others to do the same.

Hu

I seriously doubt he knew any better. You will find dozens books and articles about using the internet to make money and many suggest posting to forums and news groups to sell goods. Generally they just get deleted by the moderator before anyone ever sees them. I doubt the guy meant any harm. All that was required was to tell him spamming is not permitted, not a reprimand. It really was the job of the moderator and the post could have just been reported without comment. I will probably buy the book, I am an avid reader and always looking for stuff on pool.

 

[Bigtruck]

Come on Tom!

Come on Tom, I know you're reading this. We want you back!!

Lots of openings to segue in here!! LOL

Ray

 

[tom mcgonagle]

I guess I opened a pretty big can of worms. I've been busy trying to read all the different opinions on my first leap into the forum. I've also answered a couple of private messages. I know where people stand on the issues and discussions held in the forum and as soon as my son returns home from work I'll have him re-direct what I've put in the forum, to the appropriate place.

 

[Bigtruck]

Story

I guess I opened a pretty big can of worms. I've been busy trying to read all the different opinions on my first leap into the forum. I've also answered a couple of private messages. I know where people stand on the issues and discussions held in the forum and as soon as my son returns home from work I'll have him re-direct what I've put in the forum, to the appropriate place.

When did you start playing pool Tom? I love the stories from back in the day!

Ray

 

[Bigtruck]

???????

I guess I opened a pretty big can of worms. I've been busy trying to read all the different opinions on my first leap into the forum. I've also answered a couple of private messages. I know where people stand on the issues and discussions held in the forum and as soon as my son returns home from work I'll have him re-direct what I've put in the forum, to the appropriate place.

Tom,

Does that mean you're not interested in any discussion?

Ray

 

[tom mcgonagle]

I'm interested in talking about anything someone wants to ask me about. If you have any questions. Fire away! I was and I'm still waiting for my son to come home from work. I went out earlier for some thearpy. I played for three hours at World Class Billiaqrds in Peabody, Ma. My friend Howie Meltz kicked my ass.

 

[Bigtruck]

When did you start playing pool Tom? I love the stories from back in the day!

Ray

What was pool like when you first got in to it? Having played in multiple decades, what era would you consider the "golden era" for pool?

Ray

 

[tom mcgonagle]

I forgot to mention something. BTW- Thanks for the kind words. I must clarify, I finished in the top sixteen last February and the top twenty for in August.

 

[jsp]

ditto no respect for the forum-will never read it and i read them all.

Give me a break. Last time I checked, this forum is about pool. The guy wrote a book about pool. Why not start a pool-related thread on a pool-related forum about a pool-related book you wrote yourself? And who cares if it's his first post or not?

I agree with Mike. Cut the guy some slack.

Tom...welcome to the forum. I wish you success on your book.

 

[JAM]

I initiated a thread about this book a month or so ago, which got some good replies: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=121476&highlight=McGonagle

Don't get hooked on posting in pool forums. Pool forums are great for some pool folk but not for all. You have to figure out which category you fit in. There are MANY authors, journalists, website owners, pro players, world-class champions, pool industry people, et cetera who read this forum, and MANY of them never post -- NEVER. There's a reason for that.

Thanks for introducing yourself. BTW, after you read that thread, what kind of pool cue is that in the picture on that thread? Inquiring minds wanna know! :smile:

Hopefully, Tom may answer the question about the pool cue in the picture on the above-referenced link.

 

[Derek]

The Internet is a wonderful place for people to be harsh. Tom's initial post is one way to ruffle feathers of certain people, but I'm not sure what constitutes as a good first post. Obviously, pool knowledge that is enlightening to most is a good way. However, I would rank the meaning of Tom's first post above 50% of the posts on here.

Really, half of what people post is just fluff (and I'm guilty of it too). Another 25% might have some value to it and then the upper 25% would probably make an outstanding forum if we could weed out the other junk.

I see no harm in what he did since he wasn't promoting the next great pool whatchamacallit that would turn you into Efren Reyes overnight.

Tom, no offense, but if your book doesn't have dragons and knights and hobbits in it, then I probably won't read it.

 

[tom mcgonagle]

Hey Ray, I grew up in Everett, MA. I entered my first pool hall at the age of thirteen. That was in 1963. When I started things were good. The Hustler had come out and most of the people in the room new how to hold a cue. The mirror affect was good. I picked up the game quickly watching the better players for hours at a time. Things went along great until Vietnam started dragging all the pool players away. That's when things got really bad. In 1968 the room I played in actually burnt down. I think it was a case of Jewish Lightning. A high rise apartment building replaced it.
I started working the next year for New England Telephone and tried to keep my pool game alive. I found a couple of rooms with some great action in Malden, MA. the next town over. Things went pretty well but fewer and fewer players were coming around. I virtually ran out of people to play. I started playing a lot of three cushion just for the sake of playing something. That lasted several years. Around 1977 I played my last competitive game of three cushion. I found out about a nine-ball tournament in Woburn, Ma. and I entered it.
There seemed to be more people back in the game at this time. I started playing in as many tournaments as I could find. This was the late seventies and early eighties. When the Color of Money hit the movie theaters the game hit over-drive. The only problem was the game wasn't ready for the influx of people. We lost a lot of them to online gambling and casino's. Which has us in the state the game is in today.
The best of times for me were the sixties and late seventies. The eighties were probably the Golden Era. you spoke of. That brings us to today. Things are bad in my area. Lots of places closed. We need a shot in the arm. I'm hoping my story can help. Pool player's have played to long and too hard for the rewards they receive. I hope I answered your question.

 

[tom mcgonagle]

Hey Ray, I grew up in Everett, MA. I entered my first pool hall at the age of thirteen. That was in 1963. When I started things were good. The Hustler had come out and most of the people in the room new how to hold a cue. The mirror affect was good. I picked up the game quickly watching the better players for hours at a time. Things went along great until Vietnam started dragging all the pool players away. That's when things got really bad. In 1968 the room I played in actually burnt down. I think it was a case of Jewish Lightning. A high rise apartment building replaced it.
I started working the next year for New England Telephone and tried to keep my pool game alive. I found a couple of rooms with some great action in Malden, MA. the next town over. Things went pretty well but fewer and fewer players were coming around. I virtually ran out of people to play. I started playing a lot of three cushion just for the sake of playing something. That lasted several years. Around 1977 I played my last competitive game of three cushion. I found out about a nine-ball tournament in Woburn, Ma. and I entered it.
There seemed to be more people back in the game at this time. I started playing in as many tournaments as I could find. This was the late seventies and early eighties. When the Color of Money hit the movie theaters the game hit over-drive. The only problem was the game wasn't ready for the influx of people. We lost a lot of them to online gambling and casino's. Which has us in the state the game is in today.
The best of times for me were the sixties and late seventies. The eighties were probably the Golden Era. you spoke of. That brings us to today. Things are bad in my area. Lots of places closed. We need a shot in the arm. I'm hoping my story can help. Pool player's have played to long and too hard for the rewards they receive. I hope I answered your question.

 

[phishman]

What's the differance in trying to sell a book that is about pool and promoting a Pay Tounament--both make money in some way for someone!

 

[Bigtruck]

Lol!

Tom,

One time I entered the same post 5 times!! I don't know how I did it! :shocked:

Thanks for that story!! What is the book about?

Nice to meet you!

Ray

Hey Ray, I grew up in Everett, MA. I entered my first pool hall at the age of thirteen. That was in 1963. When I started things were good. The Hustler had come out and most of the people in the room new how to hold a cue. The mirror affect was good. I picked up the game quickly watching the better players for hours at a time. Things went along great until Vietnam started dragging all the pool players away. That's when things got really bad. In 1968 the room I played in actually burnt down. I think it was a case of Jewish Lightning. A high rise apartment building replaced it.
I started working the next year for New England Telephone and tried to keep my pool game alive. I found a couple of rooms with some great action in Malden, MA. the next town over. Things went pretty well but fewer and fewer players were coming around. I virtually ran out of people to play. I started playing a lot of three cushion just for the sake of playing something. That lasted several years. Around 1977 I played my last competitive game of three cushion. I found out about a nine-ball tournament in Woburn, Ma. and I entered it.
There seemed to be more people back in the game at this time. I started playing in as many tournaments as I could find. This was the late seventies and early eighties. When the Color of Money hit the movie theaters the game hit over-drive. The only problem was the game wasn't ready for the influx of people. We lost a lot of them to online gambling and casino's. Which has us in the state the game is in today.
The best of times for me were the sixties and late seventies. The eighties were probably the Golden Era. you spoke of. That brings us to today. Things are bad in my area. Lots of places closed. We need a shot in the arm. I'm hoping my story can help. Pool player's have played to long and too hard for the rewards they receive. I hope I answered your question.

 

[Bigtruck]

Let it go!

What's the differance in trying to sell a book that is about pool and promoting a Pay Tounament--both make money in some way for someone!

This boat has left the Harbour! How bout engaging in some discussion about Tom or his book?

Thanks,

Ray

 

[jasonlaus]

I have seen Tom play at Turning Stone, and the only thing I can say is if he's waiting for me to get in the box with him he'll be waiting a long time Welcome and good luck on the book sale.

 

[mongoose-]

Welcome to the forum Tom. Tom will have a lot to contribute here. I met him on occasion several years ago around the Joss tournaments. He is always a gentleman and a student of the game. Hope your book goes well & good to see you back around the scene. Don't let the internet scare a salty ole New Englander as yourself. Look forward to seeing your posts.

 

[tom mcgonagle]

Hey Ray, Thanks for asking. The book is about a young man that discovers, the father that raised him isn't his biological father. Hard to believe his real father is a pool-player. I don't want to tell you to much. It could ruin it for you or anyone else that wants to read the story. I'm signing off for awhile. Family is also important.