What have you done to support pool?

Fatboy

Fatboy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I added in my signature line "It's cool to support pool" some time ago, perhaps 4-5 months.

There is alot of talk about this and that to make pool into something it isnt-A TV show with a audience large enough that it would be a blip on the Neilson Rating Systems Radar. Right now the audiences have grown on the streams as more people have computers and are hip to it.

I'm not is a good mood at all right now, so I was trying to think of something that would change that. So I started thinking about pool. Some people take $$ out of pool and thats ok, its their living. Other people put $$$ into pool for alot different reasons, they support cue makers, buy from online vendors, lose $$$ in action, some times win $$$ in action and then its a little of both, because it costs $$$ to play a 30 hour set with Bartrum;).


I wish I could do more now but I havent made $$$ in 23 months and counting, so I cant do much(which pisses me off).

I think that if everyone does more for pool, pool will be in better shape until someone comes along and really does something big-and dosent back out of it. the Galviston Guarnateed $$$ was a shame, or the tournemnt in Az that got moved to a pool room, that chuck guy promoted. All that bad action makes other investoers nervious, unless they understand the under lieing circumstances(which dosent make it right).


Be cool and support pool

Fatboy :thumbup:
 
Over the last 4 years I have posted instructional videos on Youtube and other sites to what I feel is a great response. I have over 4 million views between 12 sites. I get great feedback and messages from people and that is why I have continued doing it. Google paid me around 1200 dollars total and then they dumped me.

I have picked up support for my videos from various sources which has really validated my efforts. Along the way I have tried to support other people by giving them exposure and credit on my channel.

Last November with the help of the real king cobra I was able to start a school program in Pasadena that is about to extend to another campus.

The greatest thing anyone can do for pool is to organize Junior leagues, tournaments and instructional programs. Another major impact one can make is to bring friends and family in to the sport.

I have done all of this for the cost of my Dell laptop and a 40 dollar webcam. I really think I could do much more if I actually had a budget, but that's the story of pool: no one has any money. I love the game and as far as I'm concerned that's enough for me.
 
one thing I dont want to hapen to this thread is turn it into a pissing contest of "I did the most....", no matter how big or small what have you done, paying for admission to a tournement is something-promoters need gate $$$ to pay their rent to the venue.


So all I ask is dont knock anyone who has done something even if its small. If someone did nothing but rob pool, lets leave them out also and keep it positive for this thread. With all the negative threads-no REP game** anymore, Az has been a little dry for me.

Best
Eric :)



**hint hint please reset everyone to 0 rep so we can have a good second set, thanks Eric
 
Fatboy said:
one thing I dont want to hapen to this thread is turn it into a pissing contest of "I did the most....", no matter how big or small what have you done, paying for admission to a tournement is something-promoters need gate $$$ to pay their rent to the venue.


So all I ask is dont knock anyone who has done something even if its small. If someone did nothing but rob pool, lets leave them out also and keep it positive for this thread. With all the negative threads-no REP game** anymore, Az has been a little dry for me.

Best
Eric :)



**hint hint please reset everyone to 0 rep so we can have a good second set, thanks Eric
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Eric,
I think you'll find that the ones who have done the most will have the least to say about their own contributions. That being said, I'd like to mention Pat Fleming. He's given his life to supporting the game. I can't think of a single person who's been a more positive influence on the sport and has worked as hard to bring it to us! After Pat I'd have to say Greg Sullivan, Steve Booth, Danny DiLiberto, Jay Helfert, Freddy the Beard, Bob Jewett, Grady, Blackjack, Fred Agnir, Barry Behrman, Allen Hopkins, Billy Gibbs (who made the Accu-Stats Arena for Pat) and of course YOU, ERIC are the first ones who come to mind.
 
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Hell..we need another movie..like the color of money..we need to reflect
on the history of the game..i done alot for pool myself..got alot of young
players involved..drove out a lot of players by leaving them just enough
to take a bus home..over the course of ones life who plays and is passionate about the game has effected it to some degree..we are in a battle of the imformation highway..kids rather be playing games online..got to get them playing this game..but none have jobs or income..and as always..this is a adult game of gamblin...
 
One thing that gets thrown in my face every week is the number of pool players that have to INFORM me how great of customer they are. You know, like I am unable to determine which customers are helping my business and which ones are hurting my business. This past Christmas I voted several customers "Best Customers" and gave them Christmas presents. Some of the winners really ticked off other customers. My best customer was a kid that virtually zero of my regulars knew of. He was voted best customer because of what he did for me this past year. He brought in about 50 new customers that had never been in before. Out of that 50 about 30 are now regular customers. He has never snuck in a drink to save 75 cents. He has never argued a pool bill in 5 years. He cleans up his area after finishing playing. Picks up not only HIS drink cups and snacks, but anyone elses in the area too. So in my mind, as a business owner, when you answer the question "What have you done to support pool?" Try and see both sides of everything.

Do you support your local room? Do you hand out thier business cards? Do you have a bumpersticker or car magnet advertising them? Do you refer cue customers or league players there? Do you wear clothing advertising them? Do you play pool all the time, or just when its free pool? Do you sneak in drinks to save a dollar? or do you buy your drinks from the pool hall? Do you bring in strangers to the room on a regular basis?
 
Great thread eric!

With the help of many folks here I am working on opening a new room and getting back all the folks that have walked away for one reason or another. I love this game and most of the folks. I am a firm believer that if you do something because you love it money should never be the main reason as it will come.

I can't say I have done much as I have only be involved in pool for 4yrs but I have nothing but the road ahead of me...
 
had alot of fun

For over 18 months I ....mostly free ,live streamed some really good tournaments in the south east.It was alot of fun and now if I can work on
my game to a adequate level would like to figure out a way to use pool to help addicts who are new to recovery.
 
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I recently reincarnated The New England Pool and Billiard Hall Of Fame, after it layed dormat for several years. I tracked down all the people we inducted, and their families, some of the people are now deceased and brought them all together for an evening in the new location, Snooker's Billiard Cafe in Providence. It was a wonderful celebration.

I even self-produced a video to add a more special rememberance of the players already inducted and the class that was being inducted. It was well received by the people that attended.

It was my way of giving back to the game, for some of the many great moments I've experienced, in my life, playing pool. The game owes me NOTHING.
 
Over the last 5 years I've sent or have helped send about 40 players to tournaments. Both pro and amature, male and female. Aound 15% as a stakehorse and the rest with no strings atatched, and refused the jelly when offered.

I try to support companies and people that sponsor and stream pool. All I want to see is pool with a pro organazation and a amature/minor org in the near future.

I think pool should forget about getting on TV in the US and go full speed to make streaming as good as watching on TV. When streaming gets big enough TV will be knocking on pools door to LET them put it on. Johnnyt
 
Online reviews of pool halls

Write up favorable, but truthful, reviews of local pool halls on yelp.com so people who use that site, which seems like just about everyone nowadays, might be just a little more likely to show up at these halls. Mention onepocket.org to anyone even remotely interested in banks, one pocket or old school action stories. "Donate" to the various DCC prize funds this year. :) Attend the onepocket.org hall of fame dinner at the DCC: an awesome time if you've never been. Bought a ton of DVDs from Accu-stats.
 
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Johnnyt said:
Over the last 5 years I've sent or have helped send about 40 players to tournaments. Both pro and amature, male and female. Aound 15% as a stakehorse and the rest with no strings atatched, and refused the jelly when offered.

I try to support companies and people that sponsor and stream pool. All I want to see is pool with a pro organazation and a amature/minor org in the near future.

I think pool should forget about getting on TV in the US and go full speed to make streaming as good as watching on TV. When streaming gets big enough TV will be knocking on pools door to LET them put it on. Johnnyt
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Tap Tap Tap.......could not agree more. Streaming is in its infancy now but as production skills grow.....broadcast equipment improves.....and any number of inovations arise from the minds of pools finest, it should have no trouble surpassing ESPN and it's efforts. I'm glad it is in it's formative stages now......cause eventually there is gonna have to be some paid advertising i would imagine. :eek:
 
I believe everyone who loves our game supports it in their own way. Big or small, the totality of our actions help move our game forward. Thanks everyone!
 
I try to do my part. I've been offerin help to many people and companies and doing what I can with the little free time I have. Working for both product, barter or just free... Never asking for or excepting a penny. I do what I can to offer my creative services to pool. Through TAR, nycgrind, breakrak, runout media, the NAPL, the predator tour, CSI/BCA, skyline Billiards, ect. Also trying my hardest to get a tv show going.

I recently starting a clothing company for pool players. Hopefully put sone money in our sponsored players pockets.

I like to get in the mix as much as my career/family let's me.
 
Great thread

Well - I am in my 40's now and have been playing for 20+ years. I support my local room and have volunteered my services as referee before. I've spent time showing newer players the ropes and encourage all things pool. Bought many a cue from my local room. Guess you could say that I am a player as well as a supporter. When I have the xtra $, I also like to support pro players. Anything that I can do to help promote our sport, I am down for. :)
 
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