Video With Mosconi leaves a lot to talk about

Kelly's Cue. Kelly Road in East Detroit. Played there in the later 60's while in high school. don't remember the interior being quite so "bright" so I'm not sure the interior shots were done there although the room size is about right. Very much remember a very similar counter, vending machines and that time punch clock that measured your table time. Easily could have been more than one Kelly' Cue though. Any other Detroiters think this is the right place?
 
.... and then came the pinball machines and video games. Nowadays pool is suffering from a form of GADD (Generational Attention Deficit Disorder).

Great video, thanks for posting.

I watched the whole thing and don't think I heard or read the word "pool" even once. Anyone else catch that?
 
.... and then came the pinball machines and video games. Nowadays pool is suffering from a form of GADD (Generational Attention Deficit Disorder).

Great video, thanks for posting.

I watched the whole thing and don't think I heard or read the word "pool" even once. Anyone else catch that?

The BCA and Brunswick wanted everyone to say pocket billiards or just billiards back then. The name pool came from gambling. Johnnyt
 
Fantastic! I wonder if that $1.50 sale at the end of the video was 3 hours of play for that couple, or just a pack of gum!

1963.... A commercial room in Santa Barbara was charging $0.60/hour for a table.

As for Brunswick, it was sad that they did not even go to the Trade Show this year.
 
... Brunswick is publicly traded company and their revenue from the billiard / bowling segment is less than 15% of the total. Their largest business segments are marine (mercury engines and boats) and exercise (see life fitness). ...
According to their 2012 Annual Report, Bowling&Billiards had 322M$ in net sales which was 8.7% of total sales. Earnings for that segment was 28M$. Brunswick operates 95 bowling centers.
 
The BCA and Brunswick wanted everyone to say pocket billiards or just billiards back then. The name pool came from gambling. Johnnyt

One reason I posted this vid was gambling. I always defend gambling because of its influence of the 2 films that exploded pool popularity. I feel that gambling holds an important role in the game however it should be pushed under the rug. The business model Brunswick came up with does not work with overt gambling scaring off the all American middle class family.
 
That's been the room owners biggest monkey. Do you want a pool hall where gambling and action are the driving force, OR the locals who want a nice night out with little hassle?

Unfortunately IMHO you need a little of both. However, if you run a tight ship and forgo the gambling/action aspect, then you better hope you have enough to offer to bring in people who may not normally be attracted to pool in general.

If you want to cater to the action crowd, which is dwindling as quickly as the local scene because of more casinos and poker, again can you keep them? You know they are going to want everything for free, hit balls around for nothing, use language that may drive others away.

Where is the line, and can you maintain it?

JV


One reason I posted this vid was gambling. I always defend gambling because of its influence of the 2 films that exploded pool popularity. I feel that gambling holds an important role in the game however it should be pushed under the rug. The business model Brunswick came up with does not work with overt gambling scaring off the all American middle class family.
 
According to their 2012 Annual Report, Bowling&Billiards had 322M$ in net sales which was 8.7% of total sales. Earnings for that segment was 28M$. Brunswick operates 95 bowling centers.

My memory of it was that it was closer to 10% but I didn't want to take the time to check.
Analyst will ding these guys for their employee related metrics. If I recall correctly they were touting a new "upscale bowling / restaurant" format opening in Florida, but, like pool halls, I don't see it being successful. The bowling / pool segment will continue be a drag on the stock (this is corporate america and all we really care about is this!)

BC Leisure Equipment & Products Average Industry Percentile
Income/Employee (TTM) $10,848.74 $46,277.27 10th
Revenue/Employee (TTM) $235,880.00 $470,820.00 24th

Bert
 
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