OOF! this discussion AGAIN! 
ok IMO, EVERY pool event played with a cash prize is gambling. You put up your small entry fee, and try to win the BIG money! So, unless I see it wrong? being a "Pro" player = being a gambler. I hate it when players say "we need to get gambling out of the game" BS, Pro Tourneys are gambling in nice places, with nice clothes and an announcer! If you don't like the gambling aspect of pool, then play for FREE!....or give your winnings to charity!....oh no wait, I'm a PRO, so I get to keep it, but I'm not a gambler....paaafrigginleeez!
On the Mosconi issue of him hating gamblers....read his bio, as a kid he gambled pool to help bring $$$ home. Why he ragged on gamblers later on is anyone's guess, but kinda hypocritical IMHO. Along the same line as that are the folks that hate gambling in pool yet vacation in Vegas, or Atlantic City pumping up the slots, or playing Bingo for prizes at CHURCH!, or the Lotto and scratch off cards, or the 50/50 at their kids football game etc......you know?!
Maybe what people don't like is the image portrayed by the "typical" pool hustler of being in dirty smokey pool rooms with drugs or whatever, but you know what? I've played pool my whole life and never once spent any time in a place like that. The rooms I play in are fun with nice people and clean equipment. Sure theres action if you want it, but it's not some scary place to be.
How do we bring pool back into the lime light? I have no friggin idea, but IMO TAR is doing the right thing by letting as many people that know about it watch high quality pool action from the comfort of their couch, and that works for me.
I'm gettin off this soap box and smashing it to pieces!
ok IMO, EVERY pool event played with a cash prize is gambling. You put up your small entry fee, and try to win the BIG money! So, unless I see it wrong? being a "Pro" player = being a gambler. I hate it when players say "we need to get gambling out of the game" BS, Pro Tourneys are gambling in nice places, with nice clothes and an announcer! If you don't like the gambling aspect of pool, then play for FREE!....or give your winnings to charity!....oh no wait, I'm a PRO, so I get to keep it, but I'm not a gambler....paaafrigginleeez!
On the Mosconi issue of him hating gamblers....read his bio, as a kid he gambled pool to help bring $$$ home. Why he ragged on gamblers later on is anyone's guess, but kinda hypocritical IMHO. Along the same line as that are the folks that hate gambling in pool yet vacation in Vegas, or Atlantic City pumping up the slots, or playing Bingo for prizes at CHURCH!, or the Lotto and scratch off cards, or the 50/50 at their kids football game etc......you know?!
Maybe what people don't like is the image portrayed by the "typical" pool hustler of being in dirty smokey pool rooms with drugs or whatever, but you know what? I've played pool my whole life and never once spent any time in a place like that. The rooms I play in are fun with nice people and clean equipment. Sure theres action if you want it, but it's not some scary place to be.
How do we bring pool back into the lime light? I have no friggin idea, but IMO TAR is doing the right thing by letting as many people that know about it watch high quality pool action from the comfort of their couch, and that works for me.
I'm gettin off this soap box and smashing it to pieces!
