The REAL problem with pool
- Thread starter Jerry Forsyth
- Start date
Same thing happened in St. Louis. In the 90's you'd walk into a pool room and it'd be filled with action. And when the pool tables got filled up with 1pocket, 9ball, and ring games, guys would get on the billiard tables and gamble on 25 point games of 3C.
Then the boats came.
All the gamblers started playing the table games and slots. Within a couple of years all the pool action dried up and the rooms began to close.
Lou Figueroa
Don't want to derail this thread but... How can being better be worse? Isn't the goal to win?
I haven't played leagues since before the Busch League folded. Back then everybody with any ability layed down every chance they got just to keep their ranking as low as possible. You still had to be pretty good to lay down against a 7 or 8. And the team wanted to win the match. It'd be lucky to win the match with a team comprised of 3's and 5's. No lay down room.
Back to the regularly scheduled program
I haven't played leagues since before the Busch League folded. Back then everybody with any ability layed down every chance they got just to keep their ranking as low as possible. You still had to be pretty good to lay down against a 7 or 8. And the team wanted to win the match. It'd be lucky to win the match with a team comprised of 3's and 5's. No lay down room.
Back to the regularly scheduled program
Will the new video gaming in Illinois help your business or hurt it?
I'm a bit north of you in Illinois. In our area the bars are getting the video games and it's helping them a bunch! Unfortunately, the same company that runs the leagues owns the games. And due to revenue differences, it seems the video games are taking priority and the leagues may be turning into an afterthought.
Right
Truer words were never spoken.We had a great room here in N East Ohio, it ran for ten years and could have gone on and on, if one of the 3 owners could have stayed past 5 PM.Instead all 3 would saunter in abt. Noon, play cards or Pool then all 3 would go home at 5 like bankers.In the evening when the bulk of the busn. Would come in they would have a $6 an hour counter man.No matter who ran the counter the owners were being robbed blind and they knew it but they would not consider rotating evening shifts.On tournament nights they would be there but most of the time leave before the end.
Truer words were never spoken.We had a great room here in N East Ohio, it ran for ten years and could have gone on and on, if one of the 3 owners could have stayed past 5 PM.Instead all 3 would saunter in abt. Noon, play cards or Pool then all 3 would go home at 5 like bankers.In the evening when the bulk of the busn. Would come in they would have a $6 an hour counter man.No matter who ran the counter the owners were being robbed blind and they knew it but they would not consider rotating evening shifts.On tournament nights they would be there but most of the time leave before the end.
There are quite a few good, common sense suggestions previously mentioned that I won’t repeat (good quality equipment and cloth in reasonably good condition, etc.).
I agree with posts started by Neil that leagues have pushed out good evening play. It would be interesting to get the perspectives of pool room owners if their businesses improved from league play. It is not apparent to me that league players return on non-league nights to play at hourly rates, nor that the money earned from leagues is sufficient to keep the doors open. I do not tend to see many non-league players in rooms on league nights.
From my experience, good pool rooms have always had good players on at least the first few tables when you walk in the door. I have played in rooms where better players were attracted for evening play by offering that select group reduced rate evening play or one-price for the evening like in the afternoons. A couple of pool rooms that I used to frequent had “Players Clubs” that made it attractive for good players to spend the evening on the front tables.
This is a suggestion I have never seen in practice. Offer free clinics and instruction as long as the players cover table time. The better you become as a player, the more fun the game is. I have played in rooms where pro-level players won’t do anything to help you out. They act as though giving up their secrets will make us capable of beating them at their own game. I was fortunate in college to have a pro-level player spend a day teaching me the basics of the game. My skill level increased immediately and I have been hooked for life. Even though I am only a B player, I still can teach a complete novice how to make balls in a short period of time. Their eyes light up when they start to understand the game. Instruction should continue as players become comfortable with skills they have already learned.
I agree with posts started by Neil that leagues have pushed out good evening play. It would be interesting to get the perspectives of pool room owners if their businesses improved from league play. It is not apparent to me that league players return on non-league nights to play at hourly rates, nor that the money earned from leagues is sufficient to keep the doors open. I do not tend to see many non-league players in rooms on league nights.
From my experience, good pool rooms have always had good players on at least the first few tables when you walk in the door. I have played in rooms where better players were attracted for evening play by offering that select group reduced rate evening play or one-price for the evening like in the afternoons. A couple of pool rooms that I used to frequent had “Players Clubs” that made it attractive for good players to spend the evening on the front tables.
This is a suggestion I have never seen in practice. Offer free clinics and instruction as long as the players cover table time. The better you become as a player, the more fun the game is. I have played in rooms where pro-level players won’t do anything to help you out. They act as though giving up their secrets will make us capable of beating them at their own game. I was fortunate in college to have a pro-level player spend a day teaching me the basics of the game. My skill level increased immediately and I have been hooked for life. Even though I am only a B player, I still can teach a complete novice how to make balls in a short period of time. Their eyes light up when they start to understand the game. Instruction should continue as players become comfortable with skills they have already learned.
I respectfully disagree.
PROBLEM=Pool
We can't fix Casino's, Video Games, Cable TV, Internet, and the Smoking Ban. There is nothing wrong with them. We can only fix Pool.
This fix a fix for Pool has been beat like a Dead horse, and the fix is not found. Maybe Pool need a John Taffer like the Guy on Bar Rescue who has no BS answer to fix a dying bar business.
I think it will be hard for the game to improve without getting our youth involved. It is widely accepted that our youth are not socializing face to face enough. Perhaps this is the perfect time to introduce our great game to them. With tables in the schools and part of the curriculum (physics, geometry, phys ed?), children would socialize. The height of the table could be compensated for by using a rolling platform on collapsible wheels. Also kids have to be shown the proper fundamentals. Could you imagine the possibilities, if instruction was not only provided at the hall, but also within the schools. The powers that be, have to get it into our school systems and must then start promoting it there.
Here in Canada there are hockey leagues for all ages. Can you imagine if, Tuesday & Wednesday nights pool halls were filled with kids and their parents, for league nights. I would think that a few dollars would be spent.
Did the Green Movement or MacDonald’s, not make great strides by gearing their marketing toward children?
Also I know that I will probably get flamed for this next thought. On television 9 Ball is the game predominately seen. It doesn’t showcase the difficulty of our sport. I don`t think the general pool playing public are that impressed by a pro running the table. They themselves might have made the 9 off the break or had a runout. So their attitude is, even I can do that!!
When the sport was at its`peak, straight pool was the mainstream game. At that time it was easy to measure how good your so called local pool hero was. It was measured by his high run and his average run per inning. On the other side of the pond Snooker is still quite popular. Yes it has of late had its troubles, but in general the prize money is still well above pool’s. In that game there is also an easy yardstick for the average player to use. I am not saying that straight pool should be adopted, but perhaps 8 ball. At least it is the game most occasional players play. I`m not about to start debating which game is harder but with more balls on the table, at least to the general public, it looks harder.
Sorry to run off at the mouth, now back to my original statement. I think that if pool was being played in our schools, it would be only a matter of time before a hot shot kid came along. With a child protege and proper marketing, our sport would take off in the mainstream. Can you imagine what the media would do if a child was able to compete with a few of our professionals.
Mike
Here in Canada there are hockey leagues for all ages. Can you imagine if, Tuesday & Wednesday nights pool halls were filled with kids and their parents, for league nights. I would think that a few dollars would be spent.
Did the Green Movement or MacDonald’s, not make great strides by gearing their marketing toward children?
Also I know that I will probably get flamed for this next thought. On television 9 Ball is the game predominately seen. It doesn’t showcase the difficulty of our sport. I don`t think the general pool playing public are that impressed by a pro running the table. They themselves might have made the 9 off the break or had a runout. So their attitude is, even I can do that!!
When the sport was at its`peak, straight pool was the mainstream game. At that time it was easy to measure how good your so called local pool hero was. It was measured by his high run and his average run per inning. On the other side of the pond Snooker is still quite popular. Yes it has of late had its troubles, but in general the prize money is still well above pool’s. In that game there is also an easy yardstick for the average player to use. I am not saying that straight pool should be adopted, but perhaps 8 ball. At least it is the game most occasional players play. I`m not about to start debating which game is harder but with more balls on the table, at least to the general public, it looks harder.
Sorry to run off at the mouth, now back to my original statement. I think that if pool was being played in our schools, it would be only a matter of time before a hot shot kid came along. With a child protege and proper marketing, our sport would take off in the mainstream. Can you imagine what the media would do if a child was able to compete with a few of our professionals.
Mike
Learn how to say "THANK YOU" and mean it or get another job.
People do things that give them pleasure. The more pleasure they get, the more they do the thing. It's simple but difficult to provide the atmosphere that can achieve that.
The world is so full of technological advances that amusement in pleasure is spread across the board.
ONE THING, that should be done if it hasn't already been done is to have a TRAINING VIDEO for pool room workers. Pool rooms are full of workers who don't give a damn about anything except themselves.
I have seen MANY customers leave a pool room because the owners treat the customers indifferently or even badly. I have seen quiet customers leave a pool room and never return because of loud arguments and cursing. LOUD people seem to have a negative effect on a pool room. Lazy pool room workers, unappreciative pool room workers have a negative effect on pool rooms.
It is difficult to have a staff who gives a damn but for pool to survive, people who work there have to give a damn. Catering to or condoning the behavior of a few loud-mouth or misbehaved individuals is a recipe for failure.
I think someone needs to come out with a video for pool room workers that demonstrates what is expected from the workers.
Some people have the innate or taught skills to naturally have a positive affect on those around them. Others, just have to be taught.
If I were to open a pool room, I would require all perspective employees to know what is expected of them. The more successful pool rooms seem to have good food and a wide range of products and services that appeal to a wide range of people.
Knowing HOW to say thank you AND MEAN IT, seems to be a lost art. The shallowness of feigned appreciation is a pox on businesses of all types. Pool room employees would rather play with their smart phone or chat with their friends, than to give prompt, appreciative service to their clients. I see this not just in pool rooms but in businesses almost everywhere. The smart business owners either hire people who are naturally inclined to provide good service or make sure the employees toe the line.
I think a training video is what is needed and then a pool room owner who will make sure that he and the employees follow the program.
The bottom line is people go where they feel welcomed and appreciated. They want to be a part of something other than themselves. If they are under-appreciated, they will find something else to do with their money and time, utilizing today's amazing technologies for amusement.
Pool is just a game for most and if it can provide some respite from life's daily responsibilities, they will return IF they are appreciated by the entire staff. I don't think the difficulties faced by pool rooms, has much to do with pool time costing $3.50 per hour per person.
There are just so many things tugging at us from different directions that it is hard to know which direction we genuinely want to go. It is a difficult thing to cater to the expanding needs and wants of the target audience. We have all long, outgrown the simple pleasures of a Sunday morning family drive to visit friends and relatives or just to tour the neighborhood.
I see lots of people spending ENORMOUS sums of money on eating out at restaurants, every single day of the year. I see lots of people still spending enormous sums of money on technology gadgets that keep them in touch with our expanding world. I see lots of people still enjoying the movie theaters and spending lots of money. I see people lining up at the gas pumps to spend $50 or more to fuel their vehicles. People have money to spend but they have many choices as to where their dollars go. Pool room owners should become more savvy business owners in the years to come.
I've always wondered why restaurant waiters/waitresses don't carry those brand-new $1.00 reading glasses in their aprons, to provide their older customers with a menu reading aid when they forget their reading glasses. I know if my waiter or waitress offers me a pair of reading glasses, they will get tipped far more generously for their appreciation of my business. It's really all about appealing to the needs of your target audience.
Now who's going to create that video to demonstrate how employees and owners must act to be successful? How about a link to one that already exists? How about a thread to share it with pool room owners?
JoeyA
People do things that give them pleasure. The more pleasure they get, the more they do the thing. It's simple but difficult to provide the atmosphere that can achieve that.
The world is so full of technological advances that amusement in pleasure is spread across the board.
ONE THING, that should be done if it hasn't already been done is to have a TRAINING VIDEO for pool room workers. Pool rooms are full of workers who don't give a damn about anything except themselves.
I have seen MANY customers leave a pool room because the owners treat the customers indifferently or even badly. I have seen quiet customers leave a pool room and never return because of loud arguments and cursing. LOUD people seem to have a negative effect on a pool room. Lazy pool room workers, unappreciative pool room workers have a negative effect on pool rooms.
It is difficult to have a staff who gives a damn but for pool to survive, people who work there have to give a damn. Catering to or condoning the behavior of a few loud-mouth or misbehaved individuals is a recipe for failure.
I think someone needs to come out with a video for pool room workers that demonstrates what is expected from the workers.
Some people have the innate or taught skills to naturally have a positive affect on those around them. Others, just have to be taught.
If I were to open a pool room, I would require all perspective employees to know what is expected of them. The more successful pool rooms seem to have good food and a wide range of products and services that appeal to a wide range of people.
Knowing HOW to say thank you AND MEAN IT, seems to be a lost art. The shallowness of feigned appreciation is a pox on businesses of all types. Pool room employees would rather play with their smart phone or chat with their friends, than to give prompt, appreciative service to their clients. I see this not just in pool rooms but in businesses almost everywhere. The smart business owners either hire people who are naturally inclined to provide good service or make sure the employees toe the line.
I think a training video is what is needed and then a pool room owner who will make sure that he and the employees follow the program.
The bottom line is people go where they feel welcomed and appreciated. They want to be a part of something other than themselves. If they are under-appreciated, they will find something else to do with their money and time, utilizing today's amazing technologies for amusement.
Pool is just a game for most and if it can provide some respite from life's daily responsibilities, they will return IF they are appreciated by the entire staff. I don't think the difficulties faced by pool rooms, has much to do with pool time costing $3.50 per hour per person.
There are just so many things tugging at us from different directions that it is hard to know which direction we genuinely want to go. It is a difficult thing to cater to the expanding needs and wants of the target audience. We have all long, outgrown the simple pleasures of a Sunday morning family drive to visit friends and relatives or just to tour the neighborhood.
I see lots of people spending ENORMOUS sums of money on eating out at restaurants, every single day of the year. I see lots of people still spending enormous sums of money on technology gadgets that keep them in touch with our expanding world. I see lots of people still enjoying the movie theaters and spending lots of money. I see people lining up at the gas pumps to spend $50 or more to fuel their vehicles. People have money to spend but they have many choices as to where their dollars go. Pool room owners should become more savvy business owners in the years to come.
I've always wondered why restaurant waiters/waitresses don't carry those brand-new $1.00 reading glasses in their aprons, to provide their older customers with a menu reading aid when they forget their reading glasses. I know if my waiter or waitress offers me a pair of reading glasses, they will get tipped far more generously for their appreciation of my business. It's really all about appealing to the needs of your target audience.
Now who's going to create that video to demonstrate how employees and owners must act to be successful? How about a link to one that already exists? How about a thread to share it with pool room owners?
JoeyA
A lot of pool halls hire former waitresses who keep a sort of bartender / waitress mentality.
They see themselves as mobile drink fetchers and not as pool room employees.
In fact, how often do you see the owner hire a male? The business plan is cute girls = beer sales.
The business plan is not knowledgeable pool-playing staff gets casual players hooked on pocket billiards.
It all starts with the owner changing his mindset. A video is a good start.
Actually any owner who loves pool will teach his staff all the stuff we'd put in that video.
At least, you'd think. It baffles me to see a shortstop level owner who lets people crawl
on the tables and doesn't pounce on people with beer and cigarettes over the cloth.
Owners who don't play, or apparently don't care about the pool money, can at least use the video.
They see themselves as mobile drink fetchers and not as pool room employees.
In fact, how often do you see the owner hire a male? The business plan is cute girls = beer sales.
The business plan is not knowledgeable pool-playing staff gets casual players hooked on pocket billiards.
It all starts with the owner changing his mindset. A video is a good start.
Actually any owner who loves pool will teach his staff all the stuff we'd put in that video.
At least, you'd think. It baffles me to see a shortstop level owner who lets people crawl
on the tables and doesn't pounce on people with beer and cigarettes over the cloth.
Owners who don't play, or apparently don't care about the pool money, can at least use the video.
a "Bar Rescue/Hell's Kitchen" type show that will focus on pool rooms.
There's a few training videos that are useful in the bar/restaurant business that I've used through the years *Service that Sells is one I recommend). I had the luxury of managers that had been though master training at McDonald's, TGI Fridays, Fox & Hound, Cool River, Humperdinks, Bennigans, etc so we had excellent training and trainers.
I am involved in consulting for bars, restaurants and pool rooms and am connected to an experienced group. We are working towards doing a "Bar Rescue/Hell's Kitchen" type show that will focus on pool rooms. I've approached one Sports Bar/Pool Room to do the pilot, which will be a 50-70k Pilot.....first things first.....
My primary focus MUST be on the completion of this Earl Strickland Documentary, something tells me it's the Key to the future of professional pool, at least with Earl, me and the players that want to get involved with us going forward. 'The Game will be the Teacher'
If anyone's interested in getting involved as a pool room operator, player, or business entrepreneur I can be reached at thegameistheteacher@gmail.com
There's a few training videos that are useful in the bar/restaurant business that I've used through the years *Service that Sells is one I recommend). I had the luxury of managers that had been though master training at McDonald's, TGI Fridays, Fox & Hound, Cool River, Humperdinks, Bennigans, etc so we had excellent training and trainers.
I am involved in consulting for bars, restaurants and pool rooms and am connected to an experienced group. We are working towards doing a "Bar Rescue/Hell's Kitchen" type show that will focus on pool rooms. I've approached one Sports Bar/Pool Room to do the pilot, which will be a 50-70k Pilot.....first things first.....
My primary focus MUST be on the completion of this Earl Strickland Documentary, something tells me it's the Key to the future of professional pool, at least with Earl, me and the players that want to get involved with us going forward. 'The Game will be the Teacher'
If anyone's interested in getting involved as a pool room operator, player, or business entrepreneur I can be reached at thegameistheteacher@gmail.com
I think the smoking ban did cause some to close. I think even CJ claimed the smoking ban affected his business in a very negative way. If kids are hooked on video games they are not likely to get out and try pool. Casino's have killed a lot of the gambling action on pool, I know this for a fact.
Some groups want to win and get a trip to Vegas with a low handicap to do well there easier.
Personally, I want my team to stand out as the best in the league if possible. So far, every team I was on has been ranked #1 at least for some part of the season. One time we were #1 for 6 weeks in a row, then slid down into last place in the last half of the season. This summer sessoin, out of the 16 players (only 4 teams because summer is pretty slow) with 3+ games played, my team holds 3 of the top 4 spots, my brother in law is 1st, I'm 3rd and my 13 yr old son is 4th :grin: No sandbaging here, and I hope when my son gets out in the pool world on his own he does not even know what that means!
This looks like a great place to visit, except it looks to be a 2 hour drive for me to get to New Milford. Sigh...
Up here in the eastern NY / western CT areas, an old road player, Eddie Locke, bought up the dilapidated "Busters Billiards and Amusements" in New Milford, CT, and transformed it into a hopping pool hall with meticulously set up Gold Crowns (which are recovered every six months to stay eligible as a stop for Mike Zuglan's Joss tour) and other amenities.
The "other amenities" are actually what sets Fast Eddies -- Eddie Locke's room -- apart from your average run of the mill poolroom. Along with the usual pool leagues, weekly tournaments, professional tournaments, etc., he also has dart leagues (a whole area of the poolroom is dedicated to darts), a fully equipped stage for live bands, probably the best beer, wine, and spirits selection for 50 miles around, and some food.
If you like music, good eats and drinks, and pool, you can come down to Fast Eddies on those days playing the music you like (he puts up a schedule both in house, online at the Fast Eddies website, and on Facebook).
Or, if you like your pool sans music or distractions, he has quiet days and nights as well.
Eddie's trick? *Ask* your patrons what they like, listen, and implement it. Customers love it when they have input into a business, the proprietor listens to them, and the business becomes "localized" to what they like.
-Sean
CJ,
This was my post #12 on this thread...
Ok, I'll start out by saying I know nothing about TV deals. Who pays what and how it gets on TV.
The "Rescue" shows are expanding. There are several restaurant rescue shows, then Bar Rescue came aboard. Now there is a new Tattoo parlor rescue (really?).
So it's time for Pool Hall Rescue. We have a poolroom expert here in CJ who has a TV presence and could be the expert to travel to these halls.
He can get himself a Mixologist expert, a chef expert, and even a table mechanic to go into a failing room and remake it.
It might be a nice weekend jaunt, though. There are two *great* ribs places nearby -- Gary's Ribhouse and The Cookhouse -- and Eddie has weekend daytime specials sometimes, too. (I.e. I recall a $10 all-day-until-6pm pool special on the weekends, but we'd have to check.)
Let me know if you're interested, and I'd welcome the opportunity to meet you there / play some with you! Heck, we might even convince the Kickin' Chicken to show his rooster tail for some whoopin'.
(I've heard of kicking the dog, but kicking the chicken? 
)-Sean
Fix for Pool
I have played 52 years, and there is no magic fix for Pool. The Pool world needs to get organized on a national basis. It has to be fixed from the top down, and also has to have a good plan for achieving short and long term goals. Until a group is assembled to establish a National organization over all cuesports, Pool will continue to struggle.
There are some good Poolhalls in the US, and some good regional tours, but you can't fix the sport from the bottom up. Anyone that has ever programmed a computer, whether PC or Mainframe, can tell you that.
But I do want to tell you about Stix, my poolroom I go to, for they are renewing interest in Pool around here.
1) Established Challenge Matches, 9 ball, race to 9, 3 sets, on a 9 foot table. Minimum is $50 a set up to whatever is agreed upon, most are played for a $100 a set, at $200 a set, Joe, the owner, throws in a $100 to the winner. We had a couple that were 400 and 500 a set. A PC is hooked up to the Internet, and the commentator enters commentary of each game onto facebook, The Wichita Pool Players private group (over 420 members). Each challenge match has a rack girl that racks each game. Each Challenge match is filmed, and later put onto Youtube for viewing under 'Stix Saturday Challenge Match'. Statistics are kept, and a challenge list and ranking list is available online to view. We are up to about our 70th Challenge Match, which is played at 9 pm every Saturday night, spectators welcome. The Challenge list is currently into March of 2014.
2) Stix has 24 tables, 20 Valley Bar tables (.50 a game), 3 Gold Crowns, and a Snooker table. It has a main bar, and a second one in the back room. The back room is an established a Cigar Lounge called Burning Stix, and smoking is permitted back there. The back room has 10 Bar tables, and 1 9 footer. The Cigar Lounge has real comfy leather furniture, and a Big screen TV. The front room with 10 Bar tables, 2 9 footers, and snooker table is non smoking. There is an outside covered patio for smoking and/or drinks are permitted there. Stix provides free popcorn to its customers.
3) Stix has several inhouse leagues and traveling leagues.
4) Stix, now provides, 7, yes 7, weekly tournaments. 6 are $5 entry, and 1 is $10 entry. The $5 ones are 200% payback, best in town, and the $10 one is 150% payback. There are 2 tournaments Friday night, 8:30 and 10:30 pm. Same for Saturday night. Saturday afternoon is the $10 tournament, race to 7 9 ball. Sunday now has 2 tournaments, a new Scotch Doubles starting at 5 pm, and a 9 ball tournament at 8:30 pm.
5) Stix has a grill, and serves burgers, nachos, weiners (Plain and chili cheese), pizza
(a favorite), Turkey sub, salads, etc..I would like to see the menu expanded a little more.
6) I have a new proposal in hand now, to establish a Wichita Pool Hall of Fame, and it would be done professionally. We have past and present players like Greg 'Big Train' Stevens, Terry Young (4 time National Champion), Gabe Owen, and Cliff 'Jr.' Brown that would surely be candidates. It will, most likely, be established at Stix.
7) We have some very good players at Stix, and many are helping new players become better, including International Snooker Star, Keith Boon. The tables are reclothed regularly and kept in good shape. New balls also. Joe and Ro Boucher are the owners, and to me, they are doing it right. The wait staff is curteous and friendly.
8) Joe just installed a new computer system for the registers which covers all transactions nicely.
I think Stix would be a great model for other Pool rooms.
I have played 52 years, and there is no magic fix for Pool. The Pool world needs to get organized on a national basis. It has to be fixed from the top down, and also has to have a good plan for achieving short and long term goals. Until a group is assembled to establish a National organization over all cuesports, Pool will continue to struggle.
There are some good Poolhalls in the US, and some good regional tours, but you can't fix the sport from the bottom up. Anyone that has ever programmed a computer, whether PC or Mainframe, can tell you that.
But I do want to tell you about Stix, my poolroom I go to, for they are renewing interest in Pool around here.
1) Established Challenge Matches, 9 ball, race to 9, 3 sets, on a 9 foot table. Minimum is $50 a set up to whatever is agreed upon, most are played for a $100 a set, at $200 a set, Joe, the owner, throws in a $100 to the winner. We had a couple that were 400 and 500 a set. A PC is hooked up to the Internet, and the commentator enters commentary of each game onto facebook, The Wichita Pool Players private group (over 420 members). Each challenge match has a rack girl that racks each game. Each Challenge match is filmed, and later put onto Youtube for viewing under 'Stix Saturday Challenge Match'. Statistics are kept, and a challenge list and ranking list is available online to view. We are up to about our 70th Challenge Match, which is played at 9 pm every Saturday night, spectators welcome. The Challenge list is currently into March of 2014.
2) Stix has 24 tables, 20 Valley Bar tables (.50 a game), 3 Gold Crowns, and a Snooker table. It has a main bar, and a second one in the back room. The back room is an established a Cigar Lounge called Burning Stix, and smoking is permitted back there. The back room has 10 Bar tables, and 1 9 footer. The Cigar Lounge has real comfy leather furniture, and a Big screen TV. The front room with 10 Bar tables, 2 9 footers, and snooker table is non smoking. There is an outside covered patio for smoking and/or drinks are permitted there. Stix provides free popcorn to its customers.
3) Stix has several inhouse leagues and traveling leagues.
4) Stix, now provides, 7, yes 7, weekly tournaments. 6 are $5 entry, and 1 is $10 entry. The $5 ones are 200% payback, best in town, and the $10 one is 150% payback. There are 2 tournaments Friday night, 8:30 and 10:30 pm. Same for Saturday night. Saturday afternoon is the $10 tournament, race to 7 9 ball. Sunday now has 2 tournaments, a new Scotch Doubles starting at 5 pm, and a 9 ball tournament at 8:30 pm.
5) Stix has a grill, and serves burgers, nachos, weiners (Plain and chili cheese), pizza
(a favorite), Turkey sub, salads, etc..I would like to see the menu expanded a little more.
6) I have a new proposal in hand now, to establish a Wichita Pool Hall of Fame, and it would be done professionally. We have past and present players like Greg 'Big Train' Stevens, Terry Young (4 time National Champion), Gabe Owen, and Cliff 'Jr.' Brown that would surely be candidates. It will, most likely, be established at Stix.
7) We have some very good players at Stix, and many are helping new players become better, including International Snooker Star, Keith Boon. The tables are reclothed regularly and kept in good shape. New balls also. Joe and Ro Boucher are the owners, and to me, they are doing it right. The wait staff is curteous and friendly.
8) Joe just installed a new computer system for the registers which covers all transactions nicely.
I think Stix would be a great model for other Pool rooms.