Will the poor economy make pool popular again

[Kevin Lindstrom]

I think in decades past that the lousy economy had driven people to play more pool. Maybe it was the gambling(a way to possibly make some money).

Maybe because it was cheaper than other forms of entertainments.

Do you think the poor economy will help our sport or hurt our sport?

Thanks

Kevin

 

[Big Perm]

I think in decades past that the lousy economy had driven people to play more pool. Maybe it was the gambling(a way to possibly make some money).
Maybe because it was cheaper than other forms of entertainments.

Do you think the poor economy will help our sport or hurt our sport?

Thanks

Kevin

Kevin, great question.....had the exact same thought the other day.....both regarding the gambling and the fact that you can have a lot of fun for your dollar, especially during cheaper play times.....

I'm curious to see what those with extensive pool and life experience think.....guys like Johnny and Jay....what they have seen in their lifetime.....hope they post.....I'm curious just like you, have a feeling that this just might put a few more people on tables, but I guess you never know....

Jason

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

I think in decades past that the lousy economy had driven people to play more pool. Maybe it was the gambling(a way to possibly make some money).
Maybe because it was cheaper than other forms of entertainments.

Do you think the poor economy will help our sport or hurt our sport?

Thanks

Kevin

There are two sides to this, actually. I think there are always a bunch of people in every city that would love to open a poolroom but the right real estate opportunity didn't present itself. Poolrooms are not the most profitable business in terms of square feet so you really need to get a good deal on a lease. When the economy is bad and businesses are closing, this is somewhat easier to do.

On the other hand, poolrooms that opened during good times and have more expensive leases might have a difficult time getting by.

There are very specific reasons as to why a poolroom is going to be successful and why it's not. When the economy is good OR bad, it's the better business owners that will take advantge of it.

 

[219Dave]

There's another side to it as well. People that have home tables but haven't played on them in years may start staying home and having neighbors, friends, family over to play instead of going out to restaurants, movies, theater, etc.

While that doesn't necessarily help pool halls, it does lead to more casual players stepping up and buying cues, kids getting in to it, etc.

 

[TheNewSharkster]

Playing pool is relatively inexpensive. A bar box is between $0.50-$0.75 per game. If you don't have a lot of money this can be a good way to entertain yourself.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Do you think the poor economy will help our sport or hurt our sport?

HURTis my Vote, why because I see less people playing in Tournaments here in the Valley of the Sun, here on AZB we now have a raffle section, and in the wanted & for sales section there is some nice stuff that should have sold fast, and still is for sale. Like Jack Justis CASES! JMHO.:frown:

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Playing pool is relatively inexpensive. A bar box is between $0.50-$0.75 per game. If you don't have a lot of money this can be a good way to entertain yourself.

I would say the most common price for barbox pool in NYC is $2/game now. There's one bar I know of that has a $.50 table but if you excluded that one, I haven't seen $.50 tables in over 10 years.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Sorry 4 the 2 x 's post.

 

[Kevin Lindstrom]

HURTis my Vote, why because I see less people playing in Tournaments here in the Valley of the Sun, here on AZB we now have a raffle section, and in the wanted & for sales section there is some nice stuff that should have sold fast, and still is for sale. Like justis CASES! JMHO.:frown:

We heard you the first time.

 

[TheNewSharkster]

I would say the most common price for barbox pool in NYC is $2/game now. There's one bar I know of that has a $.50 table but if you excluded that one, I haven't seen $.50 tables in over 10 years.

I guess I should consider myself lucky. I have seen $1 games on occasion. Never seen $2 tables.

 

[Kevin Lindstrom]

More info

Playing pool is relatively inexpensive. A bar box is between $0.50-$0.75 per game. If you don't have a lot of money this can be a good way to entertain yourself.

Even at .50 a game if you play pretty well that still adds up pretty fast. I hate the barbox so it doesn't affect me that way. I typically will only play on a barbox when forced to either through league play or very rarely a tournament. I love and play on 9 footers where it is pay by the hour.

Kevin

 

[TheNewSharkster]

Even at .50 a game if you play pretty well that still adds up pretty fast. I hate the barbox so it doesn't affect me that way. I typically will only play on a barbox when forced to either through league play or very rarely a tournament. I love and play on 9 footers where it is pay by the hour.

Kevin

At $0.50 you get 10 games for $5 (assuming you lose every game you play). 10 games will take more than a hour or two. To me that isn't so bad. A table you rent by the hour can range from relatively inexpensive to silly expensive (the Parlor in bellevue charges $16 an hour during primetime).

 

[wolfcookie]

At can go both ways.I been trying to find a affordable place to open a hall in lewisville Tx. far sometime. There is a couple around but not what we used to call a pool hall one that dont cost 8-15 dollers per hour.Iwont 8- 4.5/9 and 2- 6/12 snooker a 8-4/8 and coin slots that not $1.00 a throw also some tables cut short so kids can learn without standing on somthing...the economy sucks and will far sometime we just need to hang in there its got to get better.Oh ya In our economy today youll see more playing matches far smaller amount and less turnaments players because the odds are better

 

[TXsouthpaw]

Itll hurt pool. Not as much as other sports; but when money starts to get tight the first cuts are the ones that are seen as unneccasery. i.e drinking, gambling, buying sticks and cases etc etc. But in the end pool will be fine.

 

[ratcues]

I say both and neither. It depends on your perspective. I've worked tournaments the past two weekends and number of players in each was up. My repair numbers were up from the previous years. I've heard pool is a luxury and would get hit the hardest but I've seen my end of it way up in the past 12-18 months. Billiards/pool is a lifestyle for most who play, especially league players.

 

[jerseybillG]

I think in decades past that the lousy economy had driven people to play more pool. Maybe it was the gambling(a way to possibly make some money).

Maybe because it was cheaper than other forms of entertainments.

Do you think the poor economy will help our sport or hurt our sport?

Thanks

Kevin

Breaktime in Wilmington Nc ......$3 person all day 21 tables.(8 diamond pros) rest brunswick plus 10' snooker....

 

[Holly]

Pool survives the ups and down generally overall. This is an issue I think about often since I get the chance to talk with room owners all over the U.S regularly.

I've had conversations with especially rooms owners all over the country in the past 6 months; rooms doing well, rooms not doing well, tour and tournament numbers up and down, tours starting and tours discontinuing. Just like in any industry: those that roll up their sleeves, think creatively to attract customers, market, market, market themselves in the community seem to be doing the best.

Give the customers the best for their dollar without destroying your own budget + great customer service (which is FREE marketing and the best kind). This applies to evey aspect of the industry from the pool rooms to the manufacturers. Everyone has a customer base, while the goal is always to be and do your best, and hard times tend to test and stretch us to try to be better.

 

[manwon]

I think in decades past that the lousy economy had driven people to play more pool. Maybe it was the gambling(a way to possibly make some money).

Maybe because it was cheaper than other forms of entertainments.

Do you think the poor economy will help our sport or hurt our sport?

Thanks

Kevin

I own a room, and to date my business has not fallen off at all, and we have mini-casinos all over the place. If anything my business may have improve from 2007, won't know until I am done with my Tax's

Take care

 

[Varney Cues]

Breaktime in Wilmington Nc ......$3 person all day 21 tables.(8 diamond pros) rest brunswick plus 10' snooker....

Great price. I'm definately spoiled as a couple rooms don't clock me in if they have open tables...very nice. On the other hand a very nice new room opened here and on a Sat night with like 30 tables available & only 3 being used...charged me $10 hour. A little steep for this area. In my opinion it'll be a rough go for them as most other rooms in the area charge less than half that. I understand you have to pay for quality equipment...but I doubt most area players will stomach that price regardless.

 

[Texas Prez]

In this area I have seen a growing number of players in recent months...but this is only short term... I don't have the stats to give a credible opinion about long term increase or decrease... but I will hope the short run trend continues