The problem is that most pool players don't know who Efren is! Now I'm talking about the casuals and league players, but they make up a LARGE majority of the pool scene. Imagine a football player not knowing who TomnBrady is? Or a baseball player not knowing who Alex Rodriguez is? This is the real probem.
The problem isn't that non pool players don't know who Efren is
- Thread starter Magyar19
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This is true, I'm playing in my first ever league and my team is singles who got put together. One guy is a regular bar league player (this is a small room league) and I overheard one other guy talking to him and asking if he was familiar with Efren and he had no idea. I was shocked, can't imagine someone who enjoys playing enough to search out leagues but has no idea who Efren is....but it happens I guess.
Not sure what it would take to fix that, probably more regular tv coverage, but he's always on his smart phone so I'm sure he knows what YouTube is.
Not sure what it would take to fix that, probably more regular tv coverage, but he's always on his smart phone so I'm sure he knows what YouTube is.
Ever notice when two baseball fans are sitting next to each other in a bar they can have a good time talking for an hour about the pro baseball scene? I have a lot of league player friends, but the knowledge of pro pool is miniscule compared to fans of other sports.
But here is a bright spot:
Just this week two of my league friends have learned who Appleton is because TAR released their interview of him telling his life story. First a friend stumbled across a YouTube video of Daz jumping on top of the table and acting a little crazy when he won the world 9-ball title. That got a few interested in watching the TAR interview when I forwarded it to them. Then I clued them into The Strickland Story. And now I'm trying to hook them on the TAR podcast with Daz and SVB.
So lets just all do what we can and bring a few friends into the cult of pro pool fandom. :smile:
But here is a bright spot:
Just this week two of my league friends have learned who Appleton is because TAR released their interview of him telling his life story. First a friend stumbled across a YouTube video of Daz jumping on top of the table and acting a little crazy when he won the world 9-ball title. That got a few interested in watching the TAR interview when I forwarded it to them. Then I clued them into The Strickland Story. And now I'm trying to hook them on the TAR podcast with Daz and SVB.
So lets just all do what we can and bring a few friends into the cult of pro pool fandom. :smile:
Exactly. But see, thats the thing, people should already know these players through Youtube or online streaming. This just proves pool can't succeed on TV because the people that play that game couldn't care less about watching it or learning who the top professionals are.
I'm not sure what it all means but the parallels to baseball and other sports aren't really valid. Most baseball, football and even basketball fans don't play the game. Maybe they were on a little league team 40 years ago or played a little ball in high school but most fans are primarily just fans.
Its different with what some will say are more games than sports. I don't know any golf fans who don't play golf but I'm sure there are a few. Pool is even more extreme, now that TV has abandoned pool, I doubt anyone would say they are a pool fan but they don't play pool.
It is sad many today don't know who the current and recent past stars are. I feel the same way when guys I play golf with don't know Ben Hogan is an actual person and not just a brand of clubs. Sad yes... but it isn't in my mind "the problem with pool". Pool simply isn't that popular, the money just isn't there for players, advertisers or networks. It isn't the greatest spectator sport... you have to admit that.
I guess all the angst and hand wringing is lost on me. I have a nice table in the basement, plenty of friends who play, a few places to play away not far from home, a place almost everywhere I frequently travel to on business, no problem finding equipment and more than enough instruction available if I want it. Yes, it would be great if Bonus Ball had thrived or if pool had its own ESPN channel...... but all in all, I don't think pool is broken, its just different that it was.
Its different with what some will say are more games than sports. I don't know any golf fans who don't play golf but I'm sure there are a few. Pool is even more extreme, now that TV has abandoned pool, I doubt anyone would say they are a pool fan but they don't play pool.
It is sad many today don't know who the current and recent past stars are. I feel the same way when guys I play golf with don't know Ben Hogan is an actual person and not just a brand of clubs. Sad yes... but it isn't in my mind "the problem with pool". Pool simply isn't that popular, the money just isn't there for players, advertisers or networks. It isn't the greatest spectator sport... you have to admit that.
I guess all the angst and hand wringing is lost on me. I have a nice table in the basement, plenty of friends who play, a few places to play away not far from home, a place almost everywhere I frequently travel to on business, no problem finding equipment and more than enough instruction available if I want it. Yes, it would be great if Bonus Ball had thrived or if pool had its own ESPN channel...... but all in all, I don't think pool is broken, its just different that it was.
Theres a simple fix, but...,
Its not hard to correct this problem. Take Efren, Earl and run there highlight videos during league night. I haven't been in a Pool hall in 10 years that shows Pool players on the TV's????
Show other sports at the bar, on a few TV's, but please show Pool on most of the monitors, THIS IS A POOL HALL!!!
Its not hard to correct this problem. Take Efren, Earl and run there highlight videos during league night. I haven't been in a Pool hall in 10 years that shows Pool players on the TV's????
Show other sports at the bar, on a few TV's, but please show Pool on most of the monitors, THIS IS A POOL HALL!!!
Want a real eye opener?
Go to an APA league or tourney and bring up Efren or SVB's name around people you don't know.
I think you'll be amazed at the number of blank stares coming back your direction!
I've done it a few times and find it hilarious and sad at the same time!
Stones
Go to an APA league or tourney and bring up Efren or SVB's name around people you don't know.
I think you'll be amazed at the number of blank stares coming back your direction!
I've done it a few times and find it hilarious and sad at the same time!
Stones
As active fans we can say yes, it's sad but solving it... well
It's like saving a bad or lost kid but requires a bigger team.
One needs to know things like
1) how big was pool in it's heights
2) how many viewed it
3) what was "that thing" that made it change (the viewer ship)
along with one or two more questions. Get the numbers on those and you will see what cause the decline of pool, no speculation he say she say, facts, find out what cause the kid to go astray and they you will have an idea on how to get him back on track.
I am sure that more people play pool that any other sport, there are more spectators in every major sport that people who spend time playing it on the side. Exposure is why people don't know about the pros, it's called exposure, does anyone know who the current Dart champions is? what about the 4th guy on the list under moneymay and pacman..... didn't think so. Pro pool players exist on streams that sometimes pool players can't find or know about (ha ha) or on youtube, less and less room owners are actually involved or care about the game or even play themselves. I bet if you asked those same none efren knowing players who janet lee was most would know of her cause she's on the cover of the only magazine at that room or the poster, exposure.
And lastly, the majority of pool players (with the possible exception of predator and kamui now) are cheap and wont spend the money on equipment as a baseball player, football player or basket ball player would, don't protect anyone cause you're family the problem is home, do you see how many banners/sponsors line the arena at those euro tour events? sponsors are out there but they're not mad at their money.
It's like saving a bad or lost kid but requires a bigger team.
One needs to know things like
1) how big was pool in it's heights
2) how many viewed it
3) what was "that thing" that made it change (the viewer ship)
along with one or two more questions. Get the numbers on those and you will see what cause the decline of pool, no speculation he say she say, facts, find out what cause the kid to go astray and they you will have an idea on how to get him back on track.
I am sure that more people play pool that any other sport, there are more spectators in every major sport that people who spend time playing it on the side. Exposure is why people don't know about the pros, it's called exposure, does anyone know who the current Dart champions is? what about the 4th guy on the list under moneymay and pacman..... didn't think so. Pro pool players exist on streams that sometimes pool players can't find or know about (ha ha) or on youtube, less and less room owners are actually involved or care about the game or even play themselves. I bet if you asked those same none efren knowing players who janet lee was most would know of her cause she's on the cover of the only magazine at that room or the poster, exposure.
And lastly, the majority of pool players (with the possible exception of predator and kamui now) are cheap and wont spend the money on equipment as a baseball player, football player or basket ball player would, don't protect anyone cause you're family the problem is home, do you see how many banners/sponsors line the arena at those euro tour events? sponsors are out there but they're not mad at their money.
We recently Had florian Kohler in town for the Apa. He does a nice show that everyone enjoys but the next day I read on Facebook when were raving about him that some guy who's a pro was with him and know one new who he was. Ummm that's Brandon shuff. He would murder florian if they played and was in the misconi cup.. There answer ? What's the misconi cup lol yep and these our people who love pool and they don't know anything if it's not connected to the Apa.
Exposure. It's amazing how things present themselves when the truth is being spoken.
(I know most of you have seen this already)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wmxVVLKtOg&feature=youtu.be
That's how you start bringing back pool to the public
(I know most of you have seen this already)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wmxVVLKtOg&feature=youtu.be
That's how you start bringing back pool to the public
Efren isn't the only pool personality they don't know. Their wisdom is commensurate with their playing ability and simple pool etiquette. When the leagues are playing, I stay home.
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Why would they know? Pool players are not celebrities, they don't appear on game shows or talk shows or even in the tabloids. Pool is not on TV and the players make very little money.
The average pool player has only the most passing interest in the game, even if they have played all their lives. It is not that type of game/sport. People don't watch it, they play it.
What money has ever been made from people wanting to watch pool? The industry of pool is in the playing of the game/sport. The millions of casual players that go out every week and spend a few bucks in their local bar or pool room don't care to watch pool. Essentially, pool is an amateur participation sport. Has little entertainment value.
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misconi cup? You said it twice that way?
I am also very much disappointed in the lack of exposure of pro pool. At my pool hall, I've yet to see a pool game on one of the TVs. I just started playing recently and have watched a lot of videos on youtube of pros, mostly SVB, Darren and Efren, yet no one at my pool hall know who they are. I don't really understand how pool is any different than say poker. In my mind, it's in the same branch of not-really-a-sport, yet the players make millions and the tournaments can all be seen on TV.
I love pool and really strive to be the best I can, but when the pro scene seems so disappointing, becoming pro loses some appeal.
I love pool and really strive to be the best I can, but when the pro scene seems so disappointing, becoming pro loses some appeal.
It's not surprising is it? It doesn't bother me that many don't know who he is.
There shouldn't be a test as to whether you're allowed to participate in pool.
Some people like to watch the YouTube videos with pro's, some would rather watch paint dry.
A very good friend of mine (and damn good player who took 3rd in APA Nationals a couple years back - haters can scoff at that statement if you like) had no clue who any pro was until we started talking pool a few years ago. He still likely couldn't put a face to most any of the names. It's not his thing, nor should it have to be, nor should people be mocked or ridiculed for not really caring about the "pro" scene.
When I got super into pool 7-8 years ago I used to like the trick shot stuff on TV. Then you grow as a player and spectator and I got into watching any pool on TV, mostly 9ball short races, and now think that proves as much about who the best pool player is as a foot race would at that level. I now prefer to watch 1pocket mostly and many people think that's awful. The point is, gotta let people discover it at their own pace. Telling them "YOU DON'T KNOW WHO EFREN IS!! YOU CAN'T PLAY POOL IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHO EFREN IS" is talking down to them and people don't like to feel stupid, and you're as likely to run them off as you are to get them more into pool.
Pool can't be compared to baseball/football/basketball/etc because those are spectator sports, watched mostly by people who don't currently play them. It would be quite a feat to find someone who watches pool, but doesn't or hasn't, played pool.
There shouldn't be a test as to whether you're allowed to participate in pool.
Some people like to watch the YouTube videos with pro's, some would rather watch paint dry.
A very good friend of mine (and damn good player who took 3rd in APA Nationals a couple years back - haters can scoff at that statement if you like) had no clue who any pro was until we started talking pool a few years ago. He still likely couldn't put a face to most any of the names. It's not his thing, nor should it have to be, nor should people be mocked or ridiculed for not really caring about the "pro" scene.
When I got super into pool 7-8 years ago I used to like the trick shot stuff on TV. Then you grow as a player and spectator and I got into watching any pool on TV, mostly 9ball short races, and now think that proves as much about who the best pool player is as a foot race would at that level. I now prefer to watch 1pocket mostly and many people think that's awful. The point is, gotta let people discover it at their own pace. Telling them "YOU DON'T KNOW WHO EFREN IS!! YOU CAN'T PLAY POOL IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHO EFREN IS" is talking down to them and people don't like to feel stupid, and you're as likely to run them off as you are to get them more into pool.
Pool can't be compared to baseball/football/basketball/etc because those are spectator sports, watched mostly by people who don't currently play them. It would be quite a feat to find someone who watches pool, but doesn't or hasn't, played pool.
