The social player is the key

[Push&Pool]

When discussing the present situation and future of pool, everyone talks about TV, commercials, sponsors and live shows, while this issue is usually overlooked. Getting pool in the mainstream media can surely help, but I don't think it alone can provide the pool community the necessary boost to become a globally popular and respected sport once again. I'll be straight-up and honest: to the general population watching pool is boring, and this includes a large number of actual pool players as well. I mean, the mainstream doesn't take this sport seriously, the average Joe wouldn't even consider it a sport nowadays. It's become just a fun bar game most people can't play properly.

Broadcasting pool on popular TV programs to a population like that won't be especially productive. Has anyone ever thought of a different, completely opposite approach? To regenerate and resurrect the elite pool community, including pro pool, to bring the money, numbers and sponsors back to this sport, why don't we start at the bottom: with the social players and the bangers?

Just to make myself clear... By "social player" I mean people who go out with friends, usually to a bar, and play pool just for fun a few times per month. They don't know much about the game, and they don't feel competitive, they play it simply to pass the time.

A "banger", on the other hand, would be a more serious and experienced player, who can often be much more competitive, but has little or no formal knowledge about the game. Bangers love pool, some of them tend to play several times a week, almost like dedicated "legit" players, but their playing style and technique consists solely of what they've picked up while playing other people. Most notable characteristics include hitting the balls hard to get slops, poor CB control and pattern choice, little knowledge of defense, but their straight-up accuracy can sometimes be on par with intermediate legit players.

Now, you might be wondering about the benefits of investing in those classes of players. But the truth is, the social player and the banger are the workhorse of the pool community. They are the manpower which keeps the cue and table business running. They supply bars, pool halls, leagues and many tournaments. Most advanced players and pros have arisen from their ranks.

So do the math. If we concentrate our resources on increasing the global number of social players and bangers five times, that means around five times more money for pool industry and leagues. It also means five times more young talented players who decide to take up pool seriously. Larger numbers and more money lead to media interest and sponsors. It won't solve all the issues with pool overnight, but it could be a turning point.

In order to bring the highest, most elite aspect of pool to its former glory, why don't we start with the "least serious" form of the game?

 

[thintowin]

i thought that was what APA was doing, and some other leagues; but you are saying you want the casual player, very very very casual player.

how would the pool world get these players to the next step? that is your hope, but how can the pool world accomplish this goal so they can buy cues and dvds, and lessons and such to get better?

if you don't necessarily want this large population to get any better, then the answer is easy: do nothing.

pool's heartbeat will keep on keeping on; maybe not as fast and as strong as many would like but pool will still be around. you may have to go to a dim lit establishment to get your pool fix, but we know where these places are located because we love pool.

 

[Push&Pool]

i thought that was what APA was doing, and some other leagues; but you are saying you want the casual player, very very very casual player.

how would the pool world get these players to the next step? that is your hope, but how can the pool world accomplish this goal so they can buy cues and dvds, and lessons and such to get better?

if you don't necessarily want this large population to get any better, then the answer is easy: do nothing.

pool's heartbeat will keep on keeping on; maybe not as fast and as strong as many would like but pool will still be around. you may have to go to a dim lit establishment to get your pool fix, but we know where these places are located because we love pool.

Actually, getting the numbers of causuals up is more important than getting them to the next level. A certain portion of them will get to the next level themselves. It's natural for people to realize they have talent and potential for a particular activity, pool included. Nobody from the pool community had to intervene to make me buy my cue and equipment. I love pool so I made my own research. And I still consider myself a banger. Just imagine how far could more dedicated and talented players get once they start out as casuals. People also tend to help each other, learn and improve together.

We need to start the fire. It can spread on its own.

 

[King T]

you got it right!

i thought that was what APA was doing, and some other leagues; but you are saying you want the casual player, very very very casual player.

how would the pool world get these players to the next step? that is your hope, but how can the pool world accomplish this goal so they can buy cues and dvds, and lessons and such to get better?

you may have to go to a dim lit establishment to get your pool fix, but we know where these places are located because we love pool.

Your right, but I think there is merit in what the other poster points out. The bars with Pool tables, the night clubs, the sports bars, the social Pool halls are all important to the game.

The players that cant play a lick, cant make two balls in a row, but can beat their drunk buddies do keep the game healthy because Pool is seen as a thing that a manly-man can do, so as long as the drunks, bangers and show-offs keep coming in a leaving with bragging rights amongst there friends, we all win

 

[bdorman]

In every "what can we do to save pool?" thread, I've advocated that the future is in casual players and leagues.

It's a numbers game:

One in ten casual players decides to join a league.
One in ten league players decides to take lessons.
One in ten lesson takers decides to enter local tournaments.
One in ten local tournament players decides to enter regional tournaments.

And so on, until one in one hundred thousand casual players enters national tournaments.

The key is to bring in more casual players and get them to join a league.

I wish we could get pool into schools but that's highly unrealistic given the budget and space constraints in schools today...not to mention the parental reaction to pool's reputation.

 

[Push&Pool]

In every "what can we do to save pool?" thread, I've advocated that the future is in casual players and leagues.

It's a numbers game:

One in ten casual players decides to join a league.
One in ten league players decides to take lessons.
One in ten lesson takers decides to enter local tournaments.
One in ten local tournament players decides to enter regional tournaments.

And so on, until one in one hundred thousand casual players enters national tournaments.

The key is to bring in more casual players and get them to join a league.

I wish we could get pool into schools but that's highly unrealistic given the budget and space constraints in schools today...not to mention the parental reaction to pool's reputation.

That's exactly my point of view. Too bad I can't rep you again. Btw, regarding pool's reputation, I guess it's limited to the US. In my country and many others pool doesn't have any special reputation, at least not among average adult non-players. Money surely is an issue, but putting that aside, I don't think anyone would object having a table or two in schools.

 

[NitPicker]

When discussing the present situation and future of pool, everyone talks about TV, commercials, sponsors and live shows, while this issue is usually overlooked. Getting pool in the mainstream media can surely help, but I don't think it alone can provide the pool community the necessary boost to become a globally popular and respected sport once again. I'll be straight-up and honest: to the general population watching pool is boring, and this includes a large number of actual pool players as well. I mean, the mainstream doesn't take this sport seriously, the average Joe wouldn't even consider it a sport nowadays. It's become just a fun bar game most people can't play properly.

Broadcasting pool on popular TV programs to a population like that won't be especially productive. Has anyone ever thought of a different, completely opposite approach? To regenerate and resurrect the elite pool community, including pro pool, to bring the money, numbers and sponsors back to this sport, why don't we start at the bottom: with the social players and the bangers?

Just to make myself clear... By "social player" I mean people who go out with friends, usually to a bar, and play pool just for fun a few times per month. They don't know much about the game, and they don't feel competitive, they play it simply to pass the time.

A "banger", on the other hand, would be a more serious and experienced player, who can often be much more competitive, but has little or no formal knowledge about the game. Bangers love pool, some of them tend to play several times a week, almost like dedicated "legit" players, but their playing style and technique consists solely of what they've picked up while playing other people. Most notable characteristics include hitting the balls hard to get slops, poor CB control and pattern choice, little knowledge of defense, but their straight-up accuracy can sometimes be on par with intermediate legit players.

Now, you might be wondering about the benefits of investing in those classes of players. But the truth is, the social player and the banger are the workhorse of the pool community. They are the manpower which keeps the cue and table business running. They supply bars, pool halls, leagues and many tournaments. Most advanced players and pros have arisen from their ranks.

So do the math. If we concentrate our resources on increasing the global number of social players and bangers five times, that means around five times more money for pool industry and leagues. It also means five times more young talented players who decide to take up pool seriously. Larger numbers and more money lead to media interest and sponsors. It won't solve all the issues with pool overnight, but it could be a turning point.

In order to bring the highest, most elite aspect of pool to its former glory, why don't we start with the "least serious" form of the game?

I feel you're right on point in your thinking here. IMO, accessibility is the key for growing the game in numbers first, and mastery of skills will naturally follow along with increased revenues for events. When I started playing in the 80's, I could find pool everywhere, and not just in bars and pool halls.

Economics play a big part in why tables have disappeared from establishments. However, there has been approx. 250,000 tables sold every year for decades.

In the time I've read these forums, and all the people that have their own pool tables, it has surprised me how little I hear about anyone getting together regularly with people. We can spend our time on social media talking about what needs to be done, or we can spend our time actually being social and get things done. The choice is all ours.

 

[Push&Pool]

I feel you're right on point in your thinking here. IMO, accessibility is the key for growing the game in numbers first, and mastery of skills will naturally follow along with increased revenues for events. When I started playing in the 80's, I could find pool everywhere, and not just in bars and pool halls.

Economics play a big part in why tables have disappeared from establishments. However, there has been approx. 250,000 tables sold every year for decades.

In the time I've read these forums, and all the people that have their own pool tables, it has surprised me how little I hear about anyone getting together regularly with people. We can spend our time on social media talking about what needs to be done, or we can spend our time actually being social and get things done. The choice is all ours.

Accessibility... now when I think about it, my home city ain't big. It has around 60 000 people total, plus tourists during the season. However, laws here allow minors to freely enter bars. Sometimes (rarely) they won't be served alcohol, but even then they can hang out there, drink non-alcoholic beverages, and play pool. It has resulted in a pretty high pool players:total population ratio. We have hundreds of casual players, and at least several dozen more experienced players. Those numbers could still go higher, but the pool life here is far from bad.

I'm not saying minors should be allowed in bars in America, but pool tables could be put in places regularly frequented by minors. That way they'll get to know the game early on. And it shouldn't apply only to the US, but anywhere in the world where kids have limited access to this game.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

I'm as social as they come. Drop by my pool room, I beg your pardon, my sports bar and grill, and I'll buy you a beer and play you some cheap One Pocket. Damn cheap.
It's just my way of saying thanks to the game we all love. :smile:

 

[NitPicker]

I grew up in a town of 12,000. I learned to play in a youth center that had two Brunswick tables. There was a convenient store on the corner that had a game room in the back with pinball, Pac-Man, and a Valley bar box. It closed at 10:30pm every night and that's where I spent most of my nights as a teenager, where I played mostly adults that lived near by. Our small town didn't have much, but we did have a skating rink, and they had two bar tables. We used to go camping at KOA campgrounds and such, and those back then also had game room/arcades. I also played pool there as a kid. If someone I knew had a table at home when I was growing up, I would have moved in.

 

[Push&Pool]

I grew up in a town of 12,000. I learned to play in a youth center that had two Brunswick tables. There was a convenient store on the corner that had a game room in the back with pinball, Pac-Man, and a Valley bar box. It closed at 10:30pm every night and that's where I spent most of my nights as a teenager, where I played mostly adults that lived near by. Our small town didn't have much, but we did have a skating rink, and they had two bar tables. We used to go camping at KOA campgrounds and such, and those back then also had game room/arcades. I also played pool there as a kid. If someone I knew had a table at home when I was growing up, I would have moved in.

It's great to hear pool's doing well at least in some of the smaller towns Makes you wonder... if things hadn't been like that, would've we known what AZB was by now, and would've we even picked up a cue?

 

[NitPicker]

It's great to hear pool's doing well at least in some of the smaller towns Makes you wonder... if things hadn't been like that, would've we known what AZB was by now, and would've we even picked up a cue?

If pool could only be found in bars and pool halls when I was growing up, then in all likelihood, I would have never played. I may have hit a ball or two in a bar but probably wouldn't have taken to it like I did as a kid when it was more fascinating. I also wouldn't have had no where near the disposable time as an adult that I had as a kid.

 

[Push&Pool]

If pool could only be found in bars and pool halls when I was growing up, then in all likelihood, I would have never played. I may have hit a ball or two in a bar but probably wouldn't have taken to it like I did as a kid when it was more fascinating. I also wouldn't have had no where near the disposable time as an adult that I had as a kid.

Well, your story only proves the importance of accessbility in attracting new players. The solution to "saving" pool may not seem do unrealistic after all if the global pool community takes certain steps.

 

[Mr. Bond]

To regenerate and resurrect the elite pool community, including pro pool, to bring the money, numbers and sponsors back to this sport, why don't we start at the bottom: with the social players and the bangers?

Because without something at the top to aspire to, to reach for, to win, to make all the time and money spent worth it, there first needs to be organization, standards, accountability, professionalism, integrity, and respect. Otherwise, even if everyone on earth played pool, it will never become more than a game people play.

If there was something in place for pool players akin to the magnitude and scope of the superbowl of football, youd have people tripping over themselves to become pros. Kids and parents alike would spare no expense to play more and train like Olympians.

 

[336Robin]

Things that have caught my eye for New Players

When discussing the present situation and future of pool, everyone talks about TV, commercials, sponsors and live shows, while this issue is usually overlooked. Getting pool in the mainstream media can surely help, but I don't think it alone can provide the pool community the necessary boost to become a globally popular and respected sport once again. I'll be straight-up and honest: to the general population watching pool is boring, and this includes a large number of actual pool players as well. I mean, the mainstream doesn't take this sport seriously, the average Joe wouldn't even consider it a sport nowadays. It's become just a fun bar game most people can't play properly.

Broadcasting pool on popular TV programs to a population like that won't be especially productive. Has anyone ever thought of a different, completely opposite approach? To regenerate and resurrect the elite pool community, including pro pool, to bring the money, numbers and sponsors back to this sport, why don't we start at the bottom: with the social players and the bangers?

Just to make myself clear... By "social player" I mean people who go out with friends, usually to a bar, and play pool just for fun a few times per month. They don't know much about the game, and they don't feel competitive, they play it simply to pass the time.

A "banger", on the other hand, would be a more serious and experienced player, who can often be much more competitive, but has little or no formal knowledge about the game. Bangers love pool, some of them tend to play several times a week, almost like dedicated "legit" players, but their playing style and technique consists solely of what they've picked up while playing other people. Most notable characteristics include hitting the balls hard to get slops, poor CB control and pattern choice, little knowledge of defense, but their straight-up accuracy can sometimes be on par with intermediate legit players.

Now, you might be wondering about the benefits of investing in those classes of players. But the truth is, the social player and the banger are the workhorse of the pool community. They are the manpower which keeps the cue and table business running. They supply bars, pool halls, leagues and many tournaments. Most advanced players and pros have arisen from their ranks.

So do the math. If we concentrate our resources on increasing the global number of social players and bangers five times, that means around five times more money for pool industry and leagues. It also means five times more young talented players who decide to take up pool seriously. Larger numbers and more money lead to media interest and sponsors. It won't solve all the issues with pool overnight, but it could be a turning point.

In order to bring the highest, most elite aspect of pool to its former glory, why don't we start with the "least serious" form of the game?

Provided that a room owner is actually interested in attracting New People to Pool there are several things that one can do. Again they have to be interested and want to do it. Ive actually seen room owners not want to recruit pool players but attempt to get bar customers instead but my thinking is that if a person comes in drawn to the pool and doesn't like it then they have a chance at making them a dart throwing, bar customer.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

I'm not nearly as concerned about who is going to play pool, but rather will pool be played.
My current pool hall, now renamed a sports bar and grill, has 16 GC tables (and that's down from the original 18 tables). In a year, or two, I see the place going to a handful of bar tables and a dance floor. The only thing the place will need after that is an instructor to teach competitive drinking.
The future is bar size tables. They're cheaper, take up less room, easier to clean, and can turn a profit quicker. The only place you'll see a 4 and a half by 9 will be in somebody's basement.
Sad, but true. :frown:

 

[Push&Pool]

Because without something at the top to aspire to, to reach for, to win, to make all the time and money spent worth it, there first needs to be organization, standards, accountability, professionalism, integrity, and respect. Otherwise, even if everyone on earth played pool, it will never become more than a game people play.

If there was something in place for pool players akin to the magnitude and scope of the superbowl of football, youd have people tripping over themselves to become pros. Kids and parents alike would spare no expense to play more and train like Olympians.

Your logic is completely legit, and in theory it would surely turn the tables regarding the future of pool almost instantly. But the underlying problem is, how can we create a pool version of superbowl without the appropriate manpower, finances, publicity, sponsorship etc.? You need good foundations first, then firm and thick walls, in order to build a magnificent roof. Starting from the bottom is a slower path, but a much more realistic one.

 

[Swighey]

Pool needs more respect but it also needs more respect for itself. Having to break with "velocity" at the US Open is shabby amateur nonsense as is racking your own.It does need organization and consistency to be considered a sport by many.

Attracting social adult players really wouldn't be a problem if bars would realize that making pool free would attract a bigger average spend than a table sitting there waiting for coins or tokens.

Attracting "minors" is really only an issue in the USA where the law makes it extremely difficult for them to physically enter a bar (not strictly illegal everywhere but effectively so because of the laws surrounding bars). This is a very strange law (or custom) that restricts the possibility of social play at a young age.

Pool in schools? Done properly this could really bring young players on. It's just finding the right school(s) with the balls to put it in place - others will follow if it's done well.

 

[bdorman]

Attracting social adult players really wouldn't be a problem if bars would realize that making pool free would attract a bigger average spend than a table sitting there waiting for coins or tokens.

The bar I play at has free play on 8 Valley 7-footers. The owner only put the tables in because he had lots of extra room, got a great deal on the tables and thought it would bring in the customers. The problem is that pool players don't buy anything, not even a beer. He tried a weekly 9-ball tournament and added $100 to the $10 entry. It regularly drew 16 players...and sold three drinks...total. I suspect he'll reduce the table count to 2 or 3 tables within a year.

Pool in schools? Done properly this could really bring young players on. It's just finding the right school(s) with the balls to put it in place - others will follow if it's done well.

Attend some local school board meetings where they discuss the budget. After we've eliminated art classes, music classes, history classes and more than half of the after-school activities...let's add pool! Dream on.

I don't mean to be a buzz kill on your ideas, but we've got to work within reality. It's as though I challenged SVB to a 9-ball match, race to 25 and he gets the breaks. I probably couldn't even win that in my dreams.

 

[Swighey]

The bar I play at has free play on 8 Valley 7-footers. The owner only put the tables in because he had lots of extra room, got a great deal on the tables and thought it would bring in the customers. The problem is that pool players don't buy anything, not even a beer. He tried a weekly 9-ball tournament and added $100 to the $10 entry. It regularly drew 16 players...and sold three drinks...total. I suspect he'll reduce the table count to 2 or 3 tables within a year.

I guess we are talking about different kinds of bars. 1 or maybe 2 tables with free pool is all you need in a regular bar - pub type bars. No need for tournaments with buy-ins - I was talking social players.

Attend some local school board meetings where they discuss the budget. After we've eliminated art classes, music classes, history classes and more than half of the after-school activities...let's add pool! Dream on.

I don't mean to be a buzz kill on your ideas, but we've got to work within reality.

Agree. But there is a first time for everything.