THIS is what is wrong with pool these days!

JoeyA said:
I will be starting a MEET UP for people in my area today. I have talked to one of the pool room owners and they are happy to INVEST in this idea. I'm going to invite 3 pool rooms to fund me for a year. The first guy understands that if only 50 people decide to join the group, that's a heck of a lot of hourly rate money that will be going into his cash register that he doesn't have now. The other two will probably jump all over this.

I'm going for the unlimited membership at about $200 a year. I will collect the money from the pool rooms and pay for the one year in advance. If it flies, all is good. If it fails, well the three pool rooms are out a whopping $60 each. I'm not going to make this a money-making proposition for myself and will just try to insure that it is successful.

Yes, it makes sense. There are lots of women/girls who don't like getting hit on aggressively and there is strength in numbers, so if a group is formed that gives them that protection, they will most likely be more willing to take a chance on this new hobby. The other thing is there are lots of people who enjoy socializing but find the pool room intimidating with the alcohol, the hustlers and gambling in general. A group gives all members a sense of protection. It makes sense to me too.

Mike Howerton, get your Sticky Note for JoeyA's Meet UP ready along with a sub-forum. Ok, maybe you should wait until we have it rolling. :D

Floppage, since you inspired me to think about this, maybe you should start a new thread about MEET UP and we can explain it so that others of like minds can discuss the BEST WAY to do this.

JoeyA
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Thread Started

I'm already discussing it with the local billiards academy. Still discussing how to get the word out, how much to include the local bars, when to have the first meeting and how often. A brainstorming thread is a great way for people to throw out their $.02.
 
Roger Long said:
I think Floppage is onto something.

Other than legitimate physical impairments and/or money and time constraints, what is it that keeps many people out of the gym, or off the golf course, or away from many other social activities? I think it's the fear of failure and embarrassment. If they had someone to introduce them to the activity in a proper manner, and then mentor and encourage them along the way, they would probably enjoy that activity for life.

Roger
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The first words out of the introducer's mouth should be: "This is not an easy game." Lol

JoeyA
 
Imagine golf's ratings on TV is they only showed the 2' putts?

After the break there's no guarantee that the game will ever by entertaining.

So if you look at each game like they could be a possible "10" (in entertainment value) most one foul games register about a 3 or 4 (out of 10).

I like to watch players like Rodney Morris and Johnny Archer make difficult shots that have a safety factor. This the classic "two way shot," one of the most creative and difficult shots in the game. Another shot that has been removed is "the spot shot," which is also a skillful shot, much more than the "ball in hand shot" you see so often.

Two Foul 9 Ball is a different game altogether, especially when the break is neutralized and you can see what the deeper strategy is all about. For the most part "breaking and running out," isn't any more exciting (once a pro is in line) than watching a series of 2 foot putts by a golfer.

Imagine golf's ratings on TV is they only showed the putts? Yet we try to show a professional pool player run 6 balls with "ball in hand"?
The better a player plays position the worse off the TV audience, they are in for an hour of mundane (yet effective to win) pool that never gives them the spark to play themselves.

This is the reason it's a poor TV game, not because of the players, money or game, it's because the rules aren't designed to bring out dynamic shot-making and clever, strategic movement.

I'm not suggesting changing the one foul "Texas Express Rules," they are perfect for league and amateur play. My point is that the rules need to be adjusted to make sure the audience sees the best of the game - racking, breaking and kicking must be removed to give the game a legitimate chance for consistent televised coverage. {imho} 'The Game is the Teacher www.cjwiley.com
 
Then Maybe...

CJ Wiley said:
After the break there's no guarantee that the game will ever by entertaining.

So if you look at each game like they could be a possible "10" (in entertainment value) most one foul games register about a 3 or 4 (out of 10).

I like to watch players like Rodney Morris and Johnny Archer make difficult shots that have a safety factor. This the classic "two way shot," one of the most creative and difficult shots in the game. Another shot that has been removed is "the spot shot," which is also a skillful shot, much more than the "ball in hand shot" you see so often.

Two Foul 9 Ball is a different game altogether, especially when the break is neutralized and you can see what the deeper strategy is all about. For the most part "breaking and running out," isn't any more exciting (once a pro is in line) than watching a series of 2 foot putts by a golfer.

Imagine golf's ratings on TV is they only showed the putts? Yet we try to show a professional pool player run 6 balls with "ball in hand"?
The better a player plays position the worse off the TV audience, they are in for an hour of mundane (yet effective to win) pool that never gives them the spark to play themselves.

This is the reason it's a poor TV game, not because of the players, money or game, it's because the rules aren't designed to bring out dynamic shot-making and clever, strategic movement.

I'm not suggesting changing the one foul "Texas Express Rules," they are perfect for league and amateur play. My point is that the rules need to be adjusted to make sure the audience sees the best of the game - racking, breaking and kicking must be removed to give the game a legitimate chance for consistent televised coverage. {imho} 'The Game is the Teacher www.cjwiley.com
Click to expand...

Then maybe we need to put together a 10 ball all time push out, cueball down fouls in the kitchen tournament. That would definitely take away the easy runouts and you would see tough shots attempted in almost every rack by one or the other.



Jaden
 
How about instead of playing the ghost you play an opponent with ghost rules. BIH after the break. You miss and your opponent gets BIH. That would create a game based on shot making. There would be shots with intentional misses to tie up balls. Not sure you could avoid that.
 
I think it was Max Eberle or someone who set up a "bring someone new to the poolhall" day on Facebook last year.


At one of the pool halls here in town the rates are so cheap I think I'm going to just invite anyone on my friends list to come out and play there once a week on me so long as I know they're "new"ish to pool.

May get a few to stay with it then.

Hell its free if I do it for them. Cost me almost nothing.
 
Seeing as a good chunk of the ''sport'' is played in bars, Our ''following'' is already handicapped. Pool,next to bowling or horseshoes or any other game is great,but it it is also played in areas not popular to the mainstream........I haven't an answer But I am getting back to it.........thinking back it was the happiest time i've spent being on this planet as an adult, I plan on recapturing that feeling. :cool:
 
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