I have noticed lately that all the people I'm meeting around the pool tables are ones that haven't played since high school or university. Their lives moved them in different direction and they haven't thought of pool in many years. Now retired and seeing pool tables in their condos or retirement communities their interests are revitalized. Golf is expensive and requires a healthy body, pool is a great alternative or addition to there activities. There are 76 million baby boomers. What a great market to tap. Nows the time to get started and recruit these guys and galls. What do you think? By the way these are the group that grow up with The HUSTLER movie.
Why not get baby boomers back
- Thread starter rjs
- Start date
Baby boomers can't even get together to vote to change the Social Security system which may end up leaving them without income before they pass.
The pool halls near me are filled with men 35 years old and younger with disposable income but don't want to have a table at home. I've found many friends at the table from predominately Hindu faith who not only picked up the game quickly, but have excellent strategy and gambling methods.
Full disclosure: I'm a few miles away from Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Starbucks, T-mobile, Boeing and Verizon headquarters offices.... So there may be just a bit more money and youth (both domestic and on visa) in this area than in your neck of the woods.
The pool halls near me are filled with men 35 years old and younger with disposable income but don't want to have a table at home. I've found many friends at the table from predominately Hindu faith who not only picked up the game quickly, but have excellent strategy and gambling methods.
Full disclosure: I'm a few miles away from Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Starbucks, T-mobile, Boeing and Verizon headquarters offices.... So there may be just a bit more money and youth (both domestic and on visa) in this area than in your neck of the woods.
Yeah I agree. WardS.......Im sure this explanation should be priceless...I just cant wait to read it.
Great insight!
For those who aren't clear...Baby Boomers are those individuals born between 1946 and 1964 (this is the general agreement).
Now as far as recruiting that cohort into the pool environment, it's possible.
However, I think the easier approach is to get them in as spectators.
Yes, it's great for them to play, but what the billiard industry needs to do is
somehow create market strategies that will entice them to visit events.
Wherever a large (or small) tournament is taking place look for nearby (local)
retirement centers, assisted living centers, and the like.
Those places have shuttles that can take its residents on daytime excursions—why not the pool tourney?
On the main, this population of people has good spending power.
If they grew up during the Hustler, then they no doubt, have heard of Mosconi and Fats.
Let's reintroduce them to the game and show them how it's changed for the better, e.g. more professional, non-smoking.
The only thing is, I don't know how one would go about this other than post flyers for tournaments at places I have mentioned....
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Just a thought.
Most younger people are still working and need to play nights and weekends. Seniors have worked their 40 years and can play any time they like.
If the bar owners or pool rooms have slow times this could be an opportunity to promote this and offer some specials or start senior leagues on off hours.
Who knows, maybe worth a try.
Most younger people are still working and need to play nights and weekends. Seniors have worked their 40 years and can play any time they like.
If the bar owners or pool rooms have slow times this could be an opportunity to promote this and offer some specials or start senior leagues on off hours.
Who knows, maybe worth a try.
Thanks for the laugh. :smile: Just because seniors choose not to screw off their cash, doesn't mean they don't have it. :rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1:
What is the big deal with these constant threads?
I've played pool off and on for over 40 years and never met a pool player that belonged to an "pool organization".
99% of players never did and never will. Neither will darts, shuffleboard, bocce ball, etc., etc,
What is so wrong about just playing pool? I play lots of golf and tennis, and I don't "belong" to anything. I just go play.
I've played pool off and on for over 40 years and never met a pool player that belonged to an "pool organization".
99% of players never did and never will. Neither will darts, shuffleboard, bocce ball, etc., etc,
What is so wrong about just playing pool? I play lots of golf and tennis, and I don't "belong" to anything. I just go play.
Some pool rooms help pay the lights when opening at noon, by offering 'monthly' rates...usually bot by the retired guys.
Probably a bout a breakeven proposition...except if running the A/C in the summer. Helps cover some staff overhead, and the old guys can practice without the fkn loud music going.
Probably a bout a breakeven proposition...except if running the A/C in the summer. Helps cover some staff overhead, and the old guys can practice without the fkn loud music going.
Successful sports are organized. You say "What is so wrong about just playing pool"?
Nothing if you have somewhere to play. I used to play on the road and town after town had multiple pool rooms. Every bowling alley had pool rooms. They are all gone. Now just finding a pool room in any town anywhere is almost impossible. Your last comments is strange. All those sports you mention are highly organized and financed.
Golf Tennis
http://www.national-shuffleboard-association.us/
http://www.usbf.us/
http://www.dartswdf.com/
I've often written that I think golfers and seniors are the pool industry's best prospects (after young league players who just want a night out with friends). But many room owners have said seniors are too cheap, want a discount on everything and then buy nothing. I can't disagree with their experience.
You could spend the entire budgets of BCA, WPA, etc. and not move the needle one degree. IMHO you guys have no idea of how expensive nationwide marketing is when you're trying to reach a "general" audience. It's easy - and relatively cheap - to reach pool players; witness OB Cues, Kamui Tips, etc.
Marketing a local business is the job of the local business. No one can do it for him.
In the history of the world, has a non-pool player ever watched a pool tournament? That would be like a non-chess player watching a chess game.
Besides, where would they sit?
You could spend the entire budgets of BCA, WPA, etc. and not move the needle one degree. IMHO you guys have no idea of how expensive nationwide marketing is when you're trying to reach a "general" audience. It's easy - and relatively cheap - to reach pool players; witness OB Cues, Kamui Tips, etc.
Marketing a local business is the job of the local business. No one can do it for him.
In the history of the world, has a non-pool player ever watched a pool tournament? That would be like a non-chess player watching a chess game.
Besides, where would they sit?
...and how many high schools in your area have you personally "polled" the administrators on this idea (since that's the starting point in this idea)? There are some successful high school and grade school programs out there. I don't know of any in Oregon...yet!
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
I sure wouldnt hurt to have a spectator area, without an area, how are you supposed to have spectators?
If the voting majority (that would be you baby boomers) of this nation made an semi-organized effort to express that social security reform was mandatory as a matter of current or hopeful elected officials to receive votes (irrespective of political party) then you could see social security reform.
You won't see social security reform hoping that Gen Y, X or whatever kids born today are called get out and vote. The political clout in the nation is held by boomers who can vote over any issue, topic or agenda. That they choose not to is tacit approval of our current elected officials.
Hell, what do I know. I'm only a CPA and obviously have no concept of money. I love preparing returns for folks making a few hundred thousand from investments and then seeing that they also receive social security. Lord knows they need it if they are trying to live off only a few hundred thousand a year. Even a proper income based phase-out or the option to volunteer not to collect social security is beyond the capabilities of this nation and it's voting majority to handle.