Ok here’s a question, how much does the US drinking age (and thus bar entry age) factor into the US slipping in pool? Our legal drinking age is notably higher (and far more enforced) than just about anywhere, and most pool tables in the country are inadvertently bound by that same standard for liability reasons. In a country of 350 million people, given our relatively low population density and other spending habits, there may be 200 million that wouldn’t have realistic access to a pool table until their 21st birthday, which is far to late to pick up a cue and turn pro these days.
Our two best rotation players: SVB and Woodward, are rural based players who come from the areas of the country which wouldn’t give a f*** about a 14 year old being in a pool room at age 14 playing against adults - at least in the pre social media days. But NYC, CHI, and our other major population centers would be forced to segregate solely off alcohol access issues even 30 years ago.
Pool as a business seems far more viable in the urban centers, but does the need for the liquor license sacrifice US pool as a whole with the result being the top end US pool players are only taken from a very rural talent base in the areas of the country where bar owners are personally friends with the Sheriff?
