More players or fewer players?

[Ivan Lee]

Here is one for all of you,

I have recently read that the popularity of pool is rising. In the U.S. it is claimed that over 50 MILLION people play pool at least once a year. That is one-sixth of the entire population playing pool at least once a year. I have always said that it is almost impossible to find anyone over the age of 10 in the U.S. that has not played or does not know how to play (some form) of pool. I see pool tables in various ads on television and people always congregated around the tables enjoying the play or the socialization that inevitably comes with it.

My question is this: In your area, do you see the popularity of pool increasing ir decreasing?

Let me know!

[George]

Hello Ivan,
From my standpoint the Pool scene in Jacksonville, FL is growing.
I messaged you about a new non-smoking room in Jacksonville called Q-Ball Billiards.
We started a 8 ball league with 5 teams and next session we have 3 more teams coming on board to also play 9 ball.
Happy Holidays!
George

[George]

Hi Ivan,
Just to add another observation. I used to bowl on a couple leagues before I becam "addicted" to pool.
Bowling was getting very expensive as it would be $15-20 per week in fees. By the time you add a meal & a few drinks & multiply it by 4 that's a healthy chunk of change to spend a month on recreation. Equipment costs of balls, shoes, etc. were high too.
With pool it is so much more affordable. If you are not into all the pretties you can get a decent cue under $200, (Heck my sneaky pete with a good layered tip was under $75). You can practice just about anywhere there is a table.
League fees are <$10/week
Besides, hanging out with friends around a pool table sharing some drinks and listening to some tunes is priceless!

[Ivan Lee]

Gotta love it. Low barier to entry and a good time waiting to be had by all. Pool is a great thing.

[Dustin]

I notice that in an area that has good shooters it's tougher to get begginers (or "fresh meat" if you will) to start playing.
I am also hesitant to challenge shooters that I know are better than me. I do enjoy competition but if I am not going to get a chance to shoot that's not as much fun.

[Brad]

I don't think it is as popular as it should be. Imagine if pool was a sport offered in middle, Jr. and Sr. high schools. Well that's exactly what we do. The Academic Billiards Collective is an organization started by Las Vegas teachers and billiards industry professionals to encourage young people to learn and play pool. If we want to revitalize the game then we need to keep new blood coming into on a regular basis. Imagine the minds that will be coming out of these schools when they learn to plan ahead as is required to be competitive in the game? Also we've accumulated geometry lessons that we encourage math teachers to teach from. Imagine making math fun again!
We could use the help of grass roots billiards players. Spread the word. We need to have our web site professionally done, but, being a fledgling non-profit, we have very little money to work with. If you know of any web designers that love the game of pool and would like to be a big part of making it an even bigger sport among teenagers please let us know.
www.abcpoolproject.org 702-466-6216.

[Rick]

My opinion is that pool popularity is neither increasing or decreasing. There will always be tables and people to play on them in bars, pool rooms and home rooms. Even with the state of the economy, many will find a way to play. What I see is sales of new tables dropping. More folks may not go out as much and have brought the entertainment of pool into their homes thru purchase of used tables from eBay, Craigs List, etc. at more affordable prices. Let's face it, pool tables really don't go "bad". Even with darts, more people would rather play at the house then go out. I think the competitiveness for both sports rests with the minority - most people just play for the fun of it.

[Ivan Lee]

Interesting note about pool tables going bad. I just talked to a guy in Canada who can't get replacement parts for his table from the original manufacturer. He is going to replace all of them because of that issue.

[Brad]

[Steve]

Hi Ivan,
The game is doing very well in West-Centeral Wisconsin.

[Ivan Lee]

Glad to hear it. The 2010 season is looking pretty good for leagues and pro tournaments right now as well.