The pool business

Slasher

Slasher

KE = 0.5 • m • v2
Silver Member
I am putting the fine points on buying a billiard hall, supposed to be signing on tuesday and collecting the keys.
Thing is, having seen so many rooms go under lately, I'm getting cold feet.
It's a nice room, looks like it did okay in past years, rent is as good as it gets. However I cant seem to get past the downturn in the billiard business.
Am I being over cautious?
 
Slasher said:
I am putting the fine points on buying a billiard hall, supposed to be signing on tuesday and collecting the keys.
Thing is, having seen so many rooms go under lately, I'm getting cold feet.
It's a nice room, looks like it did okay in past years, rent is as good as it gets. However I cant seem to get past the downturn in the billiard business.
Am I being over cautious?
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Slasher, I envy your position right now. I've always wanted to have my own pool hall and accepted the fact that I'd probably just be buying my own job to be my own boss. If I was able to keep the business going, that would be great. If I happened to make some money, even better. I'm not in any position to tell you how the billiard business is doing at this time because I'm not out there enough to see it with my own eyes. But, if it isn't going to break you if you try it, I'd go for it. JMHO, and that's all. Good luck.
 
In my opinion you are not to cautious at all. Pool hauses as for the poolplayers have a really bad time right now. Most new ones comes as sport bars, where there is no tournaments or anything like it. Its hard to make money of the poolplayers so everyone counts on ballbangers.
Its all about football and how much alcohol can you sell during a game. :(
 
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Maybe I'm missing something, but if you're looking to a message board for re-assuarance on going into a life changing business, maybe you better re-look at what you're doing.

I would hope you'd be 110% sure of the business before investing, and would be telling us of the great pool hall you're opening, versus asking our opinion of whether you should open one or not on the day before you sign the contract.

I'm not trying to "flame" you, just trying to bring the brutal truth. I, of course, wish you the best of luck, and offer if there's anything you need to e-mail me first.

Good luck in your business!!!!

Jim
 
A few years ago I asked a friend of mine that was a small time bar hustler who had to give up playing because of a accident about opening a pool hall. He ask me what did I want to do? Run card games, women, or drugs out of the back room? He said that was the only way to make any money. I did not want to do any of this so I did not look into it any further. I guess this used to be the standard of the business and why pool got such a bad reputation.

There are a lot of nice upscale rooms today. Go for it if you can afford it. I do know one player (A former big money player) that opened a room and he no longer shoots pool. He said that he had to give it up because he does not have the time and he did not want to run the risk of losing his money.

Good luck
 
I am no expert on pool halls but have been in business for myself since 1972. The main reason most businesses fold is they start under capitalized. Make damn sure you don't have to make a living out of it immediately.
 
jhendri2 said:
Maybe I'm missing something, but if you're looking to a message board for re-assuarance on going into a life changing business, maybe you better re-look at what you're doing.

I would hope you'd be 110% sure of the business before investing, and would be telling us of the great pool hall you're opening, versus asking our opinion of whether you should open one or not on the day before you sign the contract.

I'm not trying to "flame" you, just trying to bring the brutal truth. I, of course, wish you the best of luck, and offer if there's anything you need to e-mail me first.

Good luck in your business!!!!

Jim
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That is not really what I was looking for by posting here, just trying to get a bit of input as to where people think the business is at today.
I have done a lot of homework, been in the business about fifteen years ago for around 6 years. Did all my forecasts and a bit of market research.
Being 110% sure does not mean it will be profitable, all business is risky, there are no sure things.
thanks for the support though, this is worse than the night before I got married :)
 
Slasher said:
I am putting the fine points on buying a billiard hall, supposed to be signing on tuesday and collecting the keys.
Thing is, having seen so many rooms go under lately, I'm getting cold feet.
It's a nice room, looks like it did okay in past years, rent is as good as it gets. However I cant seem to get past the downturn in the billiard business.
Am I being over cautious?
Click to expand...
If it has been in buisness it should have a set of books.Get an accountant to look at them.That should give you an idea.As i told you before i heard Great White Billiards in Calgary just closed the doors.Appeared to be a very sucessful place.I think the key to a poolhall is the amount of the lease.
 
the fantasy of everyone who plays pool is to own a room....

DON'T LET YOUR HEART GUIDE YOU!
 
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Slasher said:
That is not really what I was looking for by posting here, just trying to get a bit of input as to where people think the business is at today.
I have done a lot of homework, been in the business about fifteen years ago for around 6 years. Did all my forecasts and a bit of market research.
Being 110% sure does not mean it will be profitable, all business is risky, there are no sure things.
thanks for the support though, this is worse than the night before I got married :)
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the business in nyc is trending towards a club-like atmosphere. they are pushing HARD for the social atmosphere first,,,,pool second.

pool had its run in the 90's, imo. lot's of spending cash,,womens pool grew up,,"the color of money". everything has settled down. i think trends have one decade runs,,,,and pool's decade is over.
 
That seems to be about right, I noticed a lot of places giving away free pool to make the money on other areas of the business, so pool is not the focus anymore.
I was in a place in Toronto last year and played all night for free, so long as we were drinking, they had like 20+ tables too.
 
at this point,,,there seems to be two thing that keep pool afloat.

1...pool leagues
2...the school-age crowd
 
slasher, it looks like you've done the proper due diligence, aka your homework on the business. you're suffering from "buyer's regret" which is perfectly natural after signing your life away. try not to worry too much, and good luck.
 
???

your just experiencing what they call cognitive dissonance...its normal..or pre or post purchase anxiety....just do it lad....im looking nit ot eh exact same thing right now......also looking to buya lathe......both for repairs and making cues.....anyone have any info???...l8ter
 
New room

Slasher said:
I am putting the fine points on buying a billiard hall, supposed to be signing on tuesday and collecting the keys.
Thing is, having seen so many rooms go under lately, I'm getting cold feet.
It's a nice room, looks like it did okay in past years, rent is as good as it gets. However I cant seem to get past the downturn in the billiard business.
Am I being over cautious?
Click to expand...

First...which room are you buying? I go to BC once in a while from Vancouver USA!
Don't buy a lathe to make cues...use it for repairs and making shafts. There are probably 400-600 cuemakers around North America...how do you like them odds?
Great rent gives you a Great shot! I think this is the key.
...and putting in 26 hour days...
Bad managers make bad rooms!!!
Be friendly to all..courteous to everyone ...give a good product for the price (please keep your tables clean) and "they will come".
Good food would also be good.
Bottom line ... if you really want to do it...fire it up! ...how many chances do we get to try what we really want....

By the way...I plan to open a room in Vancouver USA sometime this fall!
 
Slasher said:
hehehe, I do the interviews you can do the hiring ;)
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IMHO, you are buying an establishment that must have a female friendly bar, great equipment, VLT'S and a kick ass kitchen. If any of these are lacking, then you may end up a statistic.
Best of luck!
 
room

Slasher said:
I am putting the fine points on buying a billiard hall, supposed to be signing on tuesday and collecting the keys.
Thing is, having seen so many rooms go under lately, I'm getting cold feet.
It's a nice room, looks like it did okay in past years, rent is as good as it gets. However I cant seem to get past the downturn in the billiard business.
Am I being over cautious?
Click to expand...



Hi Slasher,
Buying a room is a pain. Just remember, most rooms that go belly up, is because of management. If the rooms doing good, ask why are you selling it. If the books look good and bills have been paid and the rooms got a good track record with vendors, and customers alike, along with league players, [check with the local league operater], other wise,it ain't broke. From that point,just offer better service to your customers.
[luck has no play with this investment]..
Good management says it all.........
all the best in this new venture.,
rock away
blud
 
In my area, all the rooms open between about 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. However, the most successfull room opens its doors at about 6:30 in the morning when the morning employees do the cleaning. The room is of course open for business at this hour. By about 7:00 there are a few customerss, and by about 9:00 there are several tables going. The cliental at this time of day is all the retired men and they all play either one pocket or straight pool. They are all there on a daily basis until about 1:00PM.

This room has shown that you can tap a completely different resource by opening much earlier than normal. The "old guys" don't want to play when all the "ball bangers" are in the room, and although a stereotype, I think it is fair to say that the retired bunch do wake up early every moring, unlike the "all-night player" who wakes up in the afternoon.
 
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