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What Do You Want In A Good Pool Bar? |
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needyourhelp
Not too shy to talk
Joined: 09-Aug-2007
Posts: 24
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Posted: 2007-08-10 10:07
Hi Guys, Hope you're all well and shooting great pool! I'm doing some market research for a company that wants to set up quality pool bars in the uk. On advice from other members on this site, I've decided to start this thread to let you voice your opinions. Please let rip and let us know what you would like from your perfect pool bar. Are you happy with what's out there at the moment? Do you think the industry is catering well for its' market? What don't you like about what is currently on offer? What would you like to see in a new bar? What would it look like? etc etc... All your comments are much appreciated and may help to shape the future of pool in the UK. Looking forward to hearing your comments, Phil. [ This message was edited by: needyourhelp on 2007-08-10 11:11 ]
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Riggers
Home away from home
Joined: 30-Mar-2006
Posts: 4454
From: Barnsley (centre of the universe)
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Posted: 2007-08-10 10:32
Obviously keep the tables in good condition by: -regularly brushing and cleaning them -keeping an eye on the hackers and ensure they respect the equipment -recovering at regular intervals -keeping some 'match tables' aside for top players DON'T use SAM tables! They are not the cheapest and certainly far from a good standard, especially the cushions. Go for a Dynamic 2 (cheaper I think too). Have a consistent and fair system in place for giving discount e.g. reward people who actually give something back to the club. Provide sufficient sets of tournament quality match balls instead of the usual rubbish. Rubbish balls is a false economy because they create more friction on the cloth, which causes more wear and tear. More importantly they are a big turn-off for good players, especially if you try and hold tournaments in the club with them. Have a 'match table arena' with seating around and a camera above the table linked to a large screen in the club. This will be a big draw for tournaments and big money matches, which can be a money-spinner for the club. Have rates for 'play all day' or 'play all night'. It's just ridiculous to expect people to pay e.g. £7 an hour. [ This message was edited by: Riggers on 2007-08-10 10:35 ]
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Deano
Home away from home
Joined: 12-Mar-2007
Posts: 547
From: Nottingham
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Posted: 2007-08-10 10:43
spot on mate, took the words right out of my mouth......
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Riggers
Home away from home
Joined: 30-Mar-2006
Posts: 4454
From: Barnsley (centre of the universe)
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Posted: 2007-08-10 11:05
And one more thing....
Occasional top quality tournaments should bring in much needed income. The GB 9 Ball Tour, for example, scheduled to launch next year should have 96 players attending each tour stop along with their friends / family / other spectators. To be able to host a GB9BT event or be serious about hosting any top quality event like this you need to have a minimum of 16 tables.
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needyourhelp
Not too shy to talk
Joined: 09-Aug-2007
Posts: 24
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Posted: 2007-08-10 11:10
Thanks Riggers,
What do you mean by "Hackers" ?
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Riggers
Home away from home
Joined: 30-Mar-2006
Posts: 4454
From: Barnsley (centre of the universe)
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Posted: 2007-08-10 11:19
On 2007-08-10 11:10 , needyourhelp Wrote:!!! QUOTE !!! Thanks Riggers,
What do you mean by "Hackers" ? have you seen Diamond play?
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needyourhelp
Not too shy to talk
Joined: 09-Aug-2007
Posts: 24
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Posted: 2007-08-10 11:26
LOL! If you mean people who take chunks out of the table - What if jump shots were not allowed so that the tables were always 100%? [ This message was edited by: needyourhelp on 2007-08-10 11:27 ]
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Riggers
Home away from home
Joined: 30-Mar-2006
Posts: 4454
From: Barnsley (centre of the universe)
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Posted: 2007-08-10 11:33
There's no evidence that jump shots damage tables providing they are played according to the rules i.e. Strike the tip down into the cue ball and not do what some muppets do, which is to scoop the cue under the cue ball. The latter is a foul and can damage the tables. The former is an important part of amercian pool so to ban it would be like saying to a snooker player you are not allowed to screw back!
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needyourhelp
Not too shy to talk
Joined: 09-Aug-2007
Posts: 24
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Posted: 2007-08-10 11:58
I take your point.
Lets say by allowing jump shots people would do them wrong and damage the cloth...
If you had to choose. In order of 1. 2. What is more important to you...
Playing on an undamaged cloth or being able to play jump shots?
It may be possible to play jump shots and make sure people execute them correctly. But I'd like to know what is more important to you.
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Riggers
Home away from home
Joined: 30-Mar-2006
Posts: 4454
From: Barnsley (centre of the universe)
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Posted: 2007-08-10 13:09
If jump shots were not allowed in an american pool club I'd have trouble taking the place seriously and would probably go elsewhere. When I go to play it's to practice and improve my game as well as have some enjoyment. I'm enjoying 9 & 10 ball more and more now (used to be more into 8 ball) and jump shots are an important part of those games. I really don't think this is the big make or break issue that gives you good quality playing conditions. [ This message was edited by: Riggers on 2007-08-10 13:10 ]
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SkyBlueJim
Home away from home
Joined: 16-Jan-2007
Posts: 328
From: Coventry
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Posted: 2007-08-10 13:18
I wouldnt play in a club bannig jump shots, i understand the need to try to keep cloths in good order.
There is just as much chance of damaging the cloth with a massé shot and maybe even a swerve shot, or a deep screw shot played away from a rail with the cue jacked up, are these shots to be banned as well??
It would be crazy to ban a type of shot that is legal in the rules of the game.
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Riggers
Home away from home
Joined: 30-Mar-2006
Posts: 4454
From: Barnsley (centre of the universe)
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Posted: 2007-08-10 13:47
Exactly SkyBlueJim. If the only idea the club has for improving table conditions is to ban jump shots we are in trouble  In my club George is very protective over his tables; he's banned brass ferruled cues and is always telling the kids off if he sees them getting a bit too excited with balls flying off the table but he's not banned jump shots because he understands pool players. [ This message was edited by: Riggers on 2007-08-10 13:48 ]
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Danny
Home away from home
Joined: 14-Mar-2006
Posts: 909
From: Manchester UK
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Posted: 2007-08-10 13:56
What about using your common sense, and making sure hackers who have no wish to further their game, banned from attempting jump shots.
And those who come in seriously, and act seriously, are allowed to make jump shots.
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Danny
Home away from home
Joined: 14-Mar-2006
Posts: 909
From: Manchester UK
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Posted: 2007-08-10 13:57
You could even have a "no jumping with a house cue" policy.
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ine
Just can't stay away
Joined: 15-Jul-2006
Posts: 139
From: Stavanger, Norway
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Posted: 2007-08-10 14:44
Having a poolhall I can assure you that jump shots do damage the cloth if they are not performed correctly! Same as masse etc. This a problem when someone is learning the shots, then they will push the cue down in the table and damage the cloth and sometimes even the table! (if the slate is corrected with beeswax it less likely to damage the table, here I see my vocabulary isnt big enough, if someone who knows how a table is set up can complement this I would be grateful!) This is a touchy issue, I personally wont allow people to practise their shots on my newly reclothed tables. (if they dont already know them) But I dont ban the shots, I use them myself. I just say they have to learn some other way, it is a lot of work reclothing tables. A solution could be to have a practise table with older cloth.. Or just use the floor, that works too. Anyway, poolplayers are more likely to damage the table and the cloth than youngsters and "just for fun" players. I dont serve alcohol though so that could be the reason ----------------- Ine www.inehelvik.com
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ine
Just can't stay away
Joined: 15-Jul-2006
Posts: 139
From: Stavanger, Norway
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Posted: 2007-08-10 14:58
I got carried away and forgot to say that this is a good idea, getting information from the poolplayers themselves. You will never be able to satisfy everyone, but you will get some ideas. I think the most important thing is to have good and solid equipment...
Good luck!
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Ine
www.inehelvik.com
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8baller123
Just can't stay away
Joined: 07-Jun-2007
Posts: 75
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Posted: 2007-08-10 15:51
it has to be welcoming
encourage new players to play by helping them maybe explaining the rules in a simple way as to not scare them away
then run short race comps so theres more luck involved so the average player will join in as they stand a chance if they get lucky in a few frames
then also run BIG money comps £100 a man plus this will attract the big players (which in turn attracts the middle standard players)
and make sure the tables are looked after (especialy make sure they are level)
good beer (i had hte worst pint of fosters ive ever had in a rielys last week)
set up one on one money games between players of all standards (one off money games are the future of any pool in my opinion)
and the cherry on the top would be to have waiter service
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Riggers
Home away from home
Joined: 30-Mar-2006
Posts: 4454
From: Barnsley (centre of the universe)
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Posted: 2007-08-10 16:00
I think the point's been made by others but you need to be able to take you girlfriend there and non pool playing mates so there has to be something there for them. In that respect make sure it's marketed as a venue not a pool club.
My local Rileys is a great venue as it's a nice place, right in the middle of town, decent food, good beer, friendly staff and a VERY large screen TV in a good area with all Sky matches on it. Yet it's often empty except for pool, snooker and poker players and I reckon that's because every passing punter assumes it's just a snooker / pool club. Also the membership policy is very strict and I sometimes wonder if this is counter-productive.
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thediamond
Home away from home
Joined: 13-Mar-2006
Posts: 1520
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Posted: 2007-08-10 17:10
Riggers....I am going to slap your bald head on Sunday.
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expertfluke
Home away from home
Joined: 14-Mar-2006
Posts: 749
From: Hertfordshire
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Posted: 2007-08-10 17:18
You need to research successful American pool bars etc. Parlour billards in Seattle is upscale. Gotham city in Santa Monica USA. Amsterdam billards in New York is decent. The thing they all had in common is - quality. Service, tables, events etc. House pro, cateringfor leagues and comps aswell as parties, corparate do's and taking a date etc. Parlour Billards was interesting. It was split into two parts 9-foot serious tables at front then there was the fun easy 7 and 8 foot tables around the back. Same big balls - but smaller tables. A quality stocked bar and good resturant standard food. But America seems to socailize more in pool hall as opposed to the british pubs. Also for som bizarre reason they have more American pool players. Good luck  [ This message was edited by: expertfluke on 2007-08-10 17:21 ]
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