What's Wrong With Pool?

Nope! That ain't it. What other sport depends on the amateurs to play against the top level pros to support the pros game? Does MLB count on the farm system to pay it's top players? Do the top golfers make their money because the scratch golfers play on the tour with them? What you are suggesting is that the lower level players should contribute, so the top level can make money.
I don't believe that is how it needs to work. There has to be a way that the top players can have their own tour while the other players work to try and reach that level.
Steve

Steve

You are absolutely correct and that is exactly what I always think when someone mentions that the APA should take some percent from their weekly fees to support pro pool. Why would they have any vested interest in doing that?
 
I see thread after thread questioning why Pool is not somehow a bigger and more popular sport than it is. Why isn't there a pro tour? Why don't the pros make more money? Why aren't they rich and famous like Baseball and Basketball players? Why isn't there more Pool on TV? Why are so many poolrooms closing? All this like there is something inherently wrong with the sport of Pool.

There isn't anything "wrong" with Pool. It is only the perception that it should somehow be better than it is that is wrong. I like Pool no matter what, and it's okay for me just the way it is! I still enjoy playing just as much now as I did when I was a kid learning the game. A good shot still feels like a good shot. If it never changes in my lifetime that's fine with me. I've had a good time, made lots of friends and made a decent living with this game. What more can you ask for?

Pool is not going anywhere! It's going to be around for a very, very long time. I'm CERTAIN more people play the game worldwide today than ever before. I'm glad that we have this great game to amuse, entertain and challenge us. My answer to all those questions about what's wrong with Pool is this - NOTHING!

That's an awesome post, a great way to think, and I couldn't agree more.
 
FullTilt...Okay, and a lot of this thread (including your comments) are about how the pros have a hard time making any kind of living out of playing pool. People are now, and always have been, willing to pay to be entertained. If that is the most lucrative avenue (even if not the favored one) to make money at pool, then by all means DO it. A person's overall "skill" has no particular bearing, on their ability to entertain a crowd. It's about 'acting' like a pro, dressing like a pro, communicating like a pro (show some humility)...and then you get PAID like a pro. I never said Ewa could beat the top men, but your statement that she can't play at all is not only arrogant (and sexist), and just your opinion, but completely wrong. I've seen Ewa run rack after rack, on many occasions. That proves she can play, imo. Could she beat guys like Strickland and Archer? Probably not...but that's not the issue. She has all the elements that make up a successful entertainer (looks, dress, intelligence, manners, communication skills, AND table skills). Don't hate her because she found a way to cash in on those attributes. I've said this a million times before...there could be 100 or more "pros" out there doing what I'm doing (teaching/entertaining), and all making a six figure living doing it. That fact that they don't pursue that avenue (but continue to whine about how crummy pool pays) speaks volumes. Do I think it is right that people can be best in America (or even best in the world) and not make a decent living? Nope...but that doesn't change the way things are. Take advantage of whatever opportunity presents itself...instead of badmouthing pool entertainers.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

full tilt has a point there are 40 guys in ohio who play better than her.
scott you have a point as well .
full tilt is just mad cause players who play at a high level cant make a good liv.
to me it is what it is and there will never be good money in pro pool.
i hope im wrong but will bet high im not.
i hope the girls make all the money they can.
 
I'm with Scott here, those established world champs could make hella money if they cater to the bangers like me. I've had lessons with Scott and Jerry, two great guys and teachers. But could you imagine Johnny Archer posting on here every month "Going to be in chicago for 4 days, then indy for 3, then Columbus ohio for 5. $75 an hour one on one $100 an hour group rate" I would come up with the money, i'm sure even shortstops and champions would come up with the money. Imagine one on one training with a world champ.

There is money in pool, you just won't find it where you guys want it to be. Those leagues that people bash all the time, is where it is. Just imagine SVB going to APA team nationals, setting up a private room and charging an hourly rate for instructions. Thousands of people there, I would think he would make a killing.
 
no he wouldnt

I'm with Scott here, those established world champs could make hella money if they cater to the bangers like me. I've had lessons with Scott and Jerry, two great guys and teachers. But could you imagine Johnny Archer posting on here every month "Going to be in chicago for 4 days, then indy for 3, then Columbus ohio for 5. $75 an hour one on one $100 an hour group rate" I would come up with the money, i'm sure even shortstops and champions would come up with the money. Imagine one on one training with a world champ.

There is money in pool, you just won't find it where you guys want it to be. Those leagues that people bash all the time, is where it is. Just imagine SVB going to APA team nationals, setting up a private room and charging an hourly rate for instructions. Thousands of people there, I would think he would make a killing.

i dont think hed make much ,because 90 percent of the apa players dont know or care who he is.

they only know the black widow.
 
i dont think hed make much ,because 90 percent of the apa players dont know or care who he is.

they only know the black widow.

That's a shame isn't it. Just wait until a real fine woman comes along that can draw her ball. She's going to make millions a year and probably never really win anything and be giving lessons.

The system is all screwed up.
 
i dont think hed make much ,because 90 percent of the apa players dont know or care who he is.

they only know the black widow.

Agreed.

I captain an APA team and out of the 8 players, only me and our 7 follow professional pool.

I highly doubt any of the others could name 5 male pros, but short of going on the internet and spending the time to find out, how would they?
 
Chris...So there are 40 guys in OH who can beat Ewa. How many are there that can't beat her? I'd guess roughly about 200,000 (estimating OH's share of the 10-12 million REGULAR players...qualified to mean people who play once a week or more). Thanks for making my point of "make $$$ while the sun shines", whatever way you can! You're a 'top tier' player, and I hope you make a ton of cash, gambling, tournament play, or otherwise.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

full tilt has a point there are 40 guys in ohio who play better than her.
scott you have a point as well .
full tilt is just mad cause players who play at a high level cant make a good liv.
to me it is what it is and there will never be good money in pro pool.
i hope im wrong but will bet high im not.
i hope the girls make all the money they can.
 
Chris...So there are 40 guys in OH who can beat Ewa. How many are there that can't beat her? I'd guess roughly about 200,000 (estimating OH's share of the 10-12 million REGULAR players...qualified to mean people who play once a week or more). Thanks for making my point of "make $$$ while the sun shines", whatever way you can! You're a 'top tier' player, and I hope you make a ton of cash, gambling, tournament play, or otherwise.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

you are right scott there are a lot that cant beat her.
but how many that play pool for their income can she beat?
not many in ohio she can come play a lot of guys here.
nothing wrong with what she does i dont care if she gets 100000 a show cause thats all it is is a show.
im not a hater on her just sucks for guys who can play that its hard to make money.
 
Live in Vegas went to Mosconi Cup with my son it was big deal to both of us, been around pool for 40 years locally, we only saw one other person we knew locally. not one of the local monster players or any of local league operators or other players. One pool hall was giving away tickets. This was on the final day of play. Where was the support? In my rambling way trying to show this is how pool is, unless personally getting something most players don't care. Just my two cents.
 
Live in Vegas went to Mosconi Cup with my son it was big deal to both of us, been around pool for 40 years locally, we only saw one other person we knew locally. not one of the local monster players or any of local league operators or other players. One pool hall was giving away tickets. This was on the final day of play. Where was the support? In my rambling way trying to show this is how pool is, unless personally getting something most players don't care. Just my two cents.

I was at the Mosconi Cup as well. The place was packed every day with lines down the hall. It was a tough ticket to get, and I never heard of any freebies. I saw screaming crowds every day rooting for their country. I guess I was at a different Mosconi Cup.
 
I was at the Mosconi Cup as well. The place was packed every day with lines down the hall. It was a tough ticket to get, and I never heard of any freebies. I saw screaming crowds every day rooting for their country. I guess I was at a different Mosconi Cup.

Never said there wasn't enthusiasm ,talking about local support. Everyone I talked to was from out of town. No problem getting tickets till last week of play. Easy to pack a small venue. Pool Sharks had the free passes. Maybe with Vegas it is different. Didn't mean to offend, said it was a big deal to me and my son we love to play and support local league and tournament pool. Was just dissapointed with local support.
 
What if there were 50 tournaments held all over the world and you had to finish in the top 5 to play in the US Open? Think about the money that could be generated, and you could even pay the qualifiers some bonus money and airfare/entry fee to the invitational final event. That may sound silly but if you don't find a way to stack the money up, theres is not going to be money in the final pot at the end of the rainbow.
...
I don't have the answers but I do know a lot about good business models. If you took American Pool to the bank and showed them it's 'portfolio' you wouldn't get loaned $50. Change can be good.

This is part of the reason there is no money in pool. Here is a thread with multiple pages of discussion that there is not enough money in pool, but I started a thread about how to fund and pay a National Championship and I got less than 10 responses.

People would rather complain than organize. I would put forth a lot of effort to grow our sport, but the players and most stakehorses want everything given to them with no effort.
 
I see thread after thread questioning why Pool is not somehow a bigger and more popular sport than it is. Why isn't there a pro tour? Why don't the pros make more money? Why aren't they rich and famous like Baseball and Basketball players? Why isn't there more Pool on TV? Why are so many poolrooms closing? All this like there is something inherently wrong with the sport of Pool.

Its because of all of that elbow dropping.

:outtahere:
 
Lack of Response and Complaints

This is part of the reason there is no money in pool. Here is a thread with multiple pages of discussion that there is not enough money in pool, but I started a thread about how to fund and pay a National Championship and I got less than 10 responses.

People would rather complain than organize. I would put forth a lot of effort to grow our sport, but the players and most stakehorses want everything given to them with no effort.

You are correct that the main part of the discussion here is about why Professional Pool is a dismal failure in the realm of American Sport. The Game of Pool survives as casual players and league players manage to keep the Billiard Industry in business. I do not recall if I read your thread about a proposal to fund and pay for a National Championship. If you would provide a link,I'd appreciate it.
Many people have dedicated a great deal of their lives,incomes,and ideas to help further the development of Professional Pool for both Men and Women. I am talking about people who post here on a regular basis,not the Don Mackey's and the Kevin Trudeau's of the world. You are correct to see where stakehorses are basically "pimping out" players. Stakehorses have a lust for gambling,lack of individual talent,and buttloads of money. The player reaps no real benefit. There is no Leadership in the arena of men's pool because they all seek personal financial gain in each decision they make. This is in part because pool players have run their own organizations,or jumped up to the first guy with money who claimed to "have the answer". None of these plans had adequate income guidelines,retirement options,or the discipline as a business organization.
Don't give up,keep contributing where you can,and others will join in and contribute in their own way also.
 
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